HOLIDAY LIGHTS....December Writing by Cathy Friberg

12/1/15

For some time, for years actually, the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about guarding my verbal confession. He has been impressing me that our words are important, that they do have power, and that I need to heed the Lord's promptings as what to say and not say. 

The other day I felt led to start reading the book of Luke during my devotion time. In the first chapter an angel of the Lord appears to Zechariah, a Jewish priest. Zechariah's wife Elizabeth was barren and the couple were now very old. The angel tells Zechariah that God was going to answer he and his wife's prayers and that Elizabeth would bear Zechariah a son. Now in Luke 1:6 we find that "Zechariah  and his wife were righteous in God's eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord's commandments and regulations." However, when the Angel of the Lord announced that Elizabeth would give birth to a very great man of God, Zechariah did not believe him. Zechariah exclaimed, "How can I know this will happen? I'm an old man now and my wife is well along in years." The angel Gabriel was quite displeased and told the priest that because of his unbelief, he would not be able to speak until after the child was born. Gabriel also added, "For my words will certainly come true at the proper time."

As I ponder this passage, it comes to me that the angel Gabriel's decision to strike Zechariah speechless was not just an arbitrary punishment for his unbelief. Rather, it seems that the angel wanted to guarantee that his prophecy would indeed come to pass and "at the proper time." Could it be that if Zechariah had been able to talk, his negative words could have actually hindered the Lord's intentions? Surely he would have told Elizabeth and others what the angel had said to him. Further more he would have probably expressed his unbelief at the revelation given him. Zechariah's "naysaying" could have stirred up more doubt and skepticism, even in his wife, and actually thwarted the plans of God. 

In contrast to this scenario, Mary, responded to God's angelic messenger in quite a different manner. When Gabriel declared that Mary would become pregnant with the Son of the Most High God, Mary said, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true." Initially Mary did ask how this would come to pass since she was a virgin. However, it was not a matter of unbelief for her, but rather a request for further explanation. After the angel clarified that the power of the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, Mary understood and welcomed the Lord's decree. Mary went to visit Elizabeth a few days after her encounter with the angel Gabriel. Elizabeth told Mary that she was blessed because she believed what the Lord would do what he had said. Mary responded with a beautiful song of praise which we have come to call the "Magnificat." She rejoiced in what God had done for her and for the merciful Messiah of Israel.

And so it seems there is a connection between our faith, our obedience, and our words. 

       "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."  Luke 6:45

God is pleased with words of faith, with words which align with His thoughts and decrees. Godly words increase our faith. 

        "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard  through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17 

Positive words bear good fruit. 

         "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 

Faith filled words improve our circumstances.

        "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Mark 11:23  

This Christmas season let's remember the example of Mary, the mother our Savior. We can aim to align our speech with Biblical truths, the Holy Spirit's direction, and God's plans and purposes. Let's thank the Lord for sending His Son to be our atonement for sin, our healer, provider, protector, our wisdom and our hope. Let's light up the world this Holiday season with words of love, joy, and peace. 

By Cathy Friberg

New Years' Resolutions That Don't Work...Friday

11/13/15...November Post by Catherine Craig...get an early start in thinking 
                                    about your Resolutions for 2016

As January 1st approaches, and 2015 winds down, many of us are scurrying about, trying to pull things together for the holidays. However, in spite of the upcoming celebrations, it is never too early to begin planning for 2016 – and – examining why other years' resolutions failed.

Like so many of us, you've probably made many futile New Year's resolutions. In spite of good intentions, they often, like an early morning mist, evaporate. So, resolutions often don't work. But, why is that?

From the humanistic stance, Michael Bader, a psychologist in San Francisco, and author of "Male Sexuality: Why Women Don't Understand It – and Men Don't Either", has this to say. "The reason that New Years resolutions don't work is that we have unconscious resolutions not to change. For every conscious resolution to lose weight, stop drinking, save money, call your Mom more often, control your temper, or finish that project, there are unconscious commitments to keep things exactly the way they are."

He holds to the premise that, unless we realize or get in touch with what drives us; lasting change won't happen just from simply resolving to do so. Attacking surface behaviors without paying attention to what causes them is fruitless. Like chopping alder down, but leaving the roots, we find troubling behaviors budding again and again.

Motives of the heart lead to actions we want to erase, so attention to both is imperative.

Jesus said in the gospels that what comes from our lips reflects what is in our heart. The Apostle Paul says in Romans, "…who will rescue me from this body of death?" and then "Thanks be to God…through Jesus Christ, our Lord!"
Again, it can't be overstated. Bringing unwanted behaviors and attitudes to God for change, that's our best guarantee of success when it comes to making New Year's Resolutions. Without the empowering help of the Spirit of God, we often can't see the reasons we do things, let alone how to change them.

Also, any intentions to follow Biblical mandates for the born-again child of God are always backed by the Father, though he accomplishes this in a myriad of ways. Obedience to God's precepts also opens the door to intimacy with Him. (John 14:21)

Take, for instance, the desire to stop drinking. I have a wonderful friend; her name is Jean. She was once a committed alcoholic; for her, drinking was a way of life.

Jean resolved, as a new Christian, that she didn't want to be an alcoholic. For her, change came when, after praying, God took her desire for alcohol away supernaturally. She quit cold turkey.

Another woman I know of, April, also resolved to stop drinking. Her decision wavered, and she took longer to quit. God helped her also by quenching her appetite for such things, but it took longer, and it was a process.

These two ladies wanted to change. They wanted to cease living in the darkness of alcoholism to come into the light of God's Truths and presence. He helped them.

Besides power, God offers us understanding. According to the Bible, his compassion and kindness begin anew each morning. (Lamentations 3:23) That's one of his attributes; he infinitely understands.

Most importantly, God wants us to choose his ways, not follow our natural inclinations and reasoning that run counter to what he tells us to do. In doing so, he says we will understand him and prove to ourselves that his ways are best. (Romans 12:2) In the process, we will grow in understanding of others, the Lord and ourselves.

Chronically failed New Year's Resolutions attempts can evolve out of the frustration that comes along with a wounded conscience after not following what we know in our heart is true and right. However, like a hamster caught in a wheel, instead of taking those things to the Lord, as 1 John Chapter 1 instructs, we hide, trying to make ourselves "better" people. We forget that it was the Spirit of God who changed Saul into "another person" to become the king that he was called to be!

Basing our future goals on eternal truths will guarantee success! Proverbs 3:5,6 clearly tells us not to depend upon "our understanding" but to walk in Biblical truths – even as we plan our ways. Scripture also encourages planning by stating, "Man plans his ways, but God directs his steps."

Are you ready? Well then, it's time to take out that pad and paper to begin to write. But,

don't forget your most valuable asset in doing so – the Bible.

Written byCatherine Craig

 Here is some information about Catherine Craig...

Catherine J. Craig, Author and Writer @ “A Ready Pen”

Ready To Write – for YOU!  

NEVER.....November writing from Cathy

11/2/15

The other day I was driving along and my relatives came to mind. They were traveling from Sacramento to visit us. I said a quick prayer for their safety on the road. Even as I was praying, a thought crossed my mind. "Oh they are fine. Its a short distance and they have made the trip so often."  At that point, the Lord spoke to me loud and clear.  "Never take anything for granted" were the Holy Spirit's words to me.

I immediately got the impression that this was not a word specific to the situation of my family's safe passage.They would have a great trip with no problems. However, it was an opportune moment for the Lord to speak to me about our lives in general, especially in the chaotic times in which we live.  

        

        "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."  

2 Timothy 3:1  

 I felt that the Father was admonishing me to be in continuous fellowship and communication with Him all the time. He was warning me to pray, seek His will and listen for His voice in even the seemingly smallest of matters.

        "Pray without ceasing."  

    1 Thessalonians 5:17

When I arrived home, I did a short study on the  term "take for granted." The phrase refers to not assuming or presuming anything. It also refers to not taking things at surface value. Many times things are not as they seem. To not take things for granted also means to be appreciative. It means to not value someone or something too lightly.

I do believe that we are living in dark times. We need to rise up in frequent, fervent prayer and extravagant praise. As we do this we will combat and foil the enemy's plans. Instead we will be establishing the Lord's plans and purposes for our loved ones and for the world. 

The Lord's word to me was also timely as we approach the Thanksgiving Holidays. We can remember to thank God for even the most basic of needs which He meets in our lives. What we view as simple blessings from the Lord are worthy of our constant recognition and praise. 

Clean hot and cold running water, food, clothing, housing, electricity, family, friends, health, safety, jobs, and our Church fellowships are just a few of the things which can so easily be taken for granted.

So, as we navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of present day life, let's stay under the umbrella of God's protection. May we stay close to the Father in prayer, obey the Holy Spirit's promptings and continually give God praise for His blessings and mercy in our lives.

By Cathy Friberg