“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”
And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him.” (Luke 2:6-7, 14, 40 NIV)
What a wonderful time to focus on The Gift, The Love, The Delivery, delivered for us, to bring deliverance for us. The Gift from heaven that caused the heavenly host to proclaim in the highest heaven, “Glory to God in the highest”
At just the right time Emmanuel, Christ The Lord, as a babe born in Bethlehem, named Yeshuah by God, came into the earth, born of a virgin named Mary. Could there be a better time than now to worship God for His precious Gift freely given to all who will receive? Yes Christmas is about The Perfect Gift; The Gift from God to man. Religion is man reaching for God; at Christmas God reached down and gave of Himself, touching the world giving The Greatest Gift; Himself; Emmanuel God with us; Oh what a glorious night.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Who do you think could believe such a thing? Well here’s hoping to Heaven you do.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom!
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Joy to the world The Lord has come Holy salvation God’s kingdom
Hark the herald angels sing When bells of Christmas past did ring Do you hear, can you feel Christmas joy, tangible, surreal
As a Babe in Bethlehem did come God incarnate Gifted Son Came to save and seek the lost What great gain, What great cost
While you think of what to gift I have a question, perhaps like this; Do you know, have you seen Heavens herald, when angels sing At Migdal Edar, temple Shepherds saw Heavens first ‘Altar call.’
Oh Come and see what God has done One and only perfect Son Joy to the world sent to all Christmas season’s ‘Altar call’ Bring your hearts on bended knee, God In Heaven has called to thee
This perfect GIFT, not available in any mall Don’t mistake Christmas-it’s heaven’s Altar call.’ Life eternal, joy Divine Where it’s CHRIST mas all the time
Luke 2:11-14 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and in earth peace to those on whom His favor rest.”
When the time has come for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the Temple to present Him to The Lord. Simeon was given special insight from the Spirit that he would recognize the Messiah.
Simeon’s revelation by The Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen The Lord’s Messiah Luke 2:30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation.
I first saw this picture Christmas Eve 2013, it was the cover page of The Upper Room pamphlet. With great excitement I said to Greg, “oh look it is Simeon with Jesus.” Later after leaving the candlelight service, Greg ask how I ‘immediately’ knew that was Simeon when seeing the picture, asking had I seen this photo before? I said I’m not sure, I just knew.
I’ve not met Simeon or ever seen a picture to my knowledge, how did I know? I felt the power of the a painter’s captioning because the same Spirit that lives in us still gives insight.
I was ecstatic Christmas 2014 after (finally) receiving this painting, from my husband Greg for Christmas. A few wrong deliveries, to Greg’s chagrin as he sat proudly with me. (His perfect plan for Christmas Eve delivery destroyed as I sat awaiting in great expectation my gift, him receiving the email notice; your package has been delivered. His face flushed when finally finding out it had mistakenly been dropped off at a distribution center, now closed until after Christmas) the painting finally made its way home to me. It is one of the first things I see each day as I awaken.
Do you remember when you received the gift of your Salvation?
Simeon’s moment by Ron DiCianni. I added the captioning to a photo of my painting for this post
Merry Christmas-
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
“So they ran into the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough.
But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant.” (Luke 2:16, 19 TPT) I find too often the romanticized and dramatic themes surrounding the events may well diminish the reality.
Why would Mary need to ponder the words of Gabriel, or the shepherds and others for what they meant? Did she not know, did she not understand?
Could she see the trough was to be a sign, a picture of a future fulfillment? Could she understand that giving birth in the Temple Stable would also be pointing to a futuristic time? How could anyone not understand all this? Did Gabriel mention or take time to explain to Mary the harsh grueling reality facing her and her newborn babe? Did he? This painting hangs in my house becoming one of my favorite. To me this is the reality. A young husband obedient to messages received in dreams and a young woman with a promise from a supernatural encounter with the one who stands in the presence God. Mary now a new mother giving birth all alone with a man she hasn’t even been intimate with, giving birth in the Temple Stable at Migdol Adar. The place where lambing was overseen for the sacrifices. The lambs for Temple sacrifice at Passover had to be without spot or blemish. The lambs wrapped and swaddled to protect them from blemishes during the awkward stage, did anyone see the symbolism? Did Gabriel explain all these signs to Mary? Or was she ushered along the way? Was she amazed? Was she astounded? Was Joseph amazed? Did they live life day to day?
I believe it is safe and secure to say God used the OANTKB?
On a need toknow basis, (the giving of information that has remained secret or kept hidden until it is needed to be shown or known by a particular party or parties.
Would Mary and Joseph question their call? Would Joseph ever question or ask why me. Would Mary wonder asking herself if she heard correctly? Would Mary ever say did I imagine this? I believe it is completely reasonable to say yes they did because they like us are human. But oh the joy unspeakable as they sit in heaven today knowing their role changed history and is still the greatest GIFT ever given to mankind. The gift of our Savior born of a virgin laid in a feeding trough…
Be careful when thinking the decorations
And all of the festive trimmings
Are the meaning of the Christmas season
Because it is in giving, His love was brimming
Yes Christmas would come in the form of a babe
Swaddled and lain in a manger
But the love poured out, that is the gift
Couldn’t have felt any stranger
Yes the true cost of love is to Give
Insurmountable, amazing and immeasurable
For the real Christmas story is told
His love came down and it was inevitable
How can you receive this gift that came at Christmas
Well lets look to see if it comes with instructions
Oh yes I’ve found them in His own words
How about this for the introduction
Repent and be baptized simply believe
The gift of Love, Christmas has truly come
New life New Hope, The Gift
God’s perfect gift, His only begotten Son!
Yes we celebrate the birth of Christ
Can you believe this story is true
The only gift fit for our King
Here’s hoping to Heaven you do
laurette laster December 2018
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, The Lord. ““Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”” Luke 2: 10-11, 14 Who could believe such a thing? Not only could they believe, they had waited earnestly, looking intently.
Hello December… I love December, I love celebrating the birth of Christ our King! Our Savior! Our Redeemer! The One who fulfilled the Law, The One the Prophets prophesied about, looking intently searching the scriptures to learn when the things showed them might come to be, when The Messiah would arrive (1 Peter 1:10-11). Immanuel, God with us, mentioned in every book of the Bible. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of a Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The babe born of a virgin, delivered to be our sacrifice, slain as the spotless lamb of God to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29), crucified as a sinner yet never sinned, rose from the dead, found worthy to break the seals and to open the scroll (Rev 5), soon returning King, The Redeemer of mankind; that is for all that would call on His Name! The Light has come! Who could believe such a thing? Well, here’s hoping to Heaven you do!
Was Jesus Christ The Messiah born in December? No, there are many proofs He was not born in December. Is the Christmas celebration wrong? I do not think so. There are many memorials and moed mentioned in the Bible. Do I HATE the commercialism of the events celebration, oh yes. But I can’t let what the world does hinder the reverence and worship in my heart and I really pray you do not either.
Christmas is about setting aside a mass, a ‘celebration’ of God’s duly devoted, prophesied, heralded and fulfilled word coming to pass, Immanuel God with us.
In the beginning was The WORD, and The WORD was with God and The WORD was God. The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us ( Gospel of John 1) Christmas is about Christ, and we who celebrate, celebrate Christmas everyday. Christmas delivered the gift that keeps on giving. Have you received “The Gift of Christmas?” “Here’s hoping to heaven you do.”
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord cause His countenance to rise upon you and give you Shalom
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
In a world of crazy our instruction is ‘be still’. In a time of chaos we know that He who holds the world hears our prayers. In the absurdity and uncertainty of worldly words those of us in Christ have The Spirit of Truth as our guide. September has deep meaning to some, to others it may be overlooked, but mark my words, He who holds Israel holds the world and especially the United States of America.
Heavenly Father, we dedicate this month to prayer. Shepherd and guide our souls. Lead us to seek for and find You. Teach us how to rededicate our lives to the purity of holiness as You walk us into the truth of repentance, ushering in the restoration promised in Your word.
Oh Sweet Teshuvah, the holy appointed season of repentance is here. Oh, did I mention this is my favorite time of the year, or at least one of my favorite. This year I sense a deeper draw, not personal but corporate. I feel the call to sound an alarm for those who say we are Christians. It is time to Wake Up, Stand Up and most of all Speak Up.
Don’t miss this time of the year. You have an appointment with The Lord of the harvest.
This year I have a deep ache for our Nation and the condition of the heart and heartbeat of America. God is not finished with The United States. The gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and must continue to be preached to all the earth from the United States of America. We however must turn back to the standard of holiness set by God and to the God of the Bible in our pulpits. No more watered down lukewarm gospel to tickle the ears of the complacent.
God is allowing this insanity to wake us up … The alarm has been sounding for several years, and many hit the snooze button many times. Now is not the time to be found slumbering.
Wake Up Church!
Are you awake yet?
Is your family awake?
Are your fiends awake?
Are you praying?
Webster’s Dictionary Reprieve: to give relief or deliverance to or for a time.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people Do you know who you are You have an assignment Your country has drifted so far
Yes! Call on My Name The Great I Am The God of your Nation Seek My plan
Repent and Turn Pray and Seek Humble yourselves Allow Me to speak
Turn away from complacency Being unaware and misinformed The promise on My altar stands For your Nation to be reformed
Complaining and acceptance While allowing the apostasy Has opened the way For socialism and Agnostacy
Pick up your promise Fall to your knees Cry out to Me Dare to believe
Repent and cry out Praying only to Me I will hear and heal Set your land free
The land that loves Me Free to spread the gospel If you return and seek for Me Only then is this possible
Turn back, turn around Call out and believe I Am is listening In His hand our reprieve
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalms 33:12).
“Behold, I come at once, and my reward is with me, and I shall give to every person according to his work” (Revelation 22:12 Aramaic Plain English).
In 2016 The Lord spoke to me, “I am not judging America I will have to judge My church for the condition of the United States of America.” Talk about a sobering thought and a wake up call. As believers we have been given authority, dominion, and a voice for change. We are called to occupy until He comes. We are ambassadors for Christ and ministers of reconciliation. We must understand the time we are in and the fight we are called to fight. For far too long, Christians, have thought it was the will of the Lord for us to be docile and sweet. I challenge this thinking. Jesus said since the days of John the Baptist the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force. This don’t judge and be nice attitude while sounding sweet is completely anti God and has allowed the enemy to seduce and entice our young people, ushering in a spirit of hatred and division. I urge you to pray and intercede for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the United States of America to fulfill her purpose.
We must take our place and let our voices be heard, first in heaven and then at the polls. Pray and Vote.
The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance toward you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
“God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go. We have become the unmistakable aroma of the victory of the Anointed One to God—a perfume of life to those being saved and the odor of death to those who are perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2:14-15 TPT
The Monday before Election Day 2016, Greg and I were at Sister Billye Brim’s Prayer Mountain cabins. We had gone away for a long weekend. Early Monday morning I woke up and I said to Greg, I had a dream. No I had a vision. It was so real that I got up to write down the vision when a word God had given me concerning where satan attacks believers. On this particular trip Greg and I experienced a lot of spiritual warfare. We headed home to be at church for a special prayer service that evening concerning the election and I shared this. God spoke as I picked up notebook about where satan attacks believers.
I had no way of knowing how profound the vision would be or how dark the swamp was. I couldn’t imagine journalist becoming hate twisted and evil hate mongers or how evil the media would turn. When God gives a vision it is serious.
In my vision a man in his 50’s (who I did not know) came out dressed in a khaki colored suit (???) to address this very large assembly. In my vision Greg and I were seated in the front rows. Keep in mind this was the morning before Election Day and I wasn’t fully awake when I began to write.
This morning praying and seeking The Lord I grabbed my bible, opening it I saw my note from 2016. I am praying for the breach and standing in the gap for the rebellion and the rebellious. Because they are heaping damnation on their own heads and fighting against God and good.
I now understand the general assembly the man was addressing. Read Hebrews 12:22-23. It wasn’t as large as I would have thought. I know this assembly’s only concerned the USA. If you say you are a Christian is your name written in the Lambs book of life? Is there evidence and is there fruit in your life?
Perhaps the assembly I saw and was a part of or is those given a specific fight and getting specific fighting orders. I just know it was not a humongous assembly and that does concern me. I also know like with the story of Gideon, God’s biggest battles can be fought and won with smaller numbers. I don’t add this to cause fear, but i do suggest every person who names the Name of Jesus check their connections.
