Every year our family reads through advent passages in our personal devotions.  Because we do it every year, the passages become familiar.  It is easy to read a passage and not even think.  Yet every year God speaks to my heart from different passages. 

This year as I read Isaiah 53, I was deeply impacted with what Jesus came to do for me. Verse 11 says:

 “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.”

Yes, Jesus bore my iniquities.  He was willing to die a criminal’s death so I did not have to bear my iniquity, my sin!

My heart is full because of the enormity of what Jesus did for me. 

I am amazed at God’s love!

Rejoice! Jesus Came!

 

Here we are racing through advent, yet I have not blogged yet.  So much going on around me.  However, I am enjoying listening to Christmas music.  One of my favorite Christmas carols is “Joy to the World”.  I sometimes want to shout that out to my world.  The Lord has come!  Wake up and rejoice. 

We recently heard that while Japan has a high life expectancy, they also have a record level of unhappiness.  Many think the reason is a lack of hope. We see it in the faces of the people here. You do not see many joyous people here.

Well, I know a cure!  That cure starts with God. He so loved the world He sent His Son to this broken world.  He made a way for the hope of eternal life.  Now that is cause for rejoicing!

John 3:16 ESV

" “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

God Is In Control Even of Changes

 

This week my neighbors had to move to a care facility.  They have been my neighbors all my life.  We were friends.  We understood each other. They helped our family all the time.  Our family shared the gospel with them numerous times.  My parents jumped in to support them in the last few years as we watched their health decline. We prayed daily for them.  It is sad to not see them or evidence that they are there.  It is sadder still to not have them make a clear decision for Jesus.  However, I do not give up hope!  I pray we will still have opportunities to share the love of Jesus. I pray they remember Jesus loves them.  I pray they trust Jesus.  I must still trust God to do what is right.  I must remember God is good.  I must remember God is still calling them to Himself.  I miss them.  But God is still in control.

Birthday Reflecions

 

Today as I celebrate my birthday, I have been musing on my life.  I want to revisit something I have written in the past.  Yes, I am autistic with several limitations.  I have many things I cannot do.  However, I want to again say, I am made in God’s image.  I am not a mistake or an embarrassment to God.  I was created uniquely by God for a unique purpose.  It is a purpose only I can fulfill.  I must strive each day to obey my Creator.  I must remember I am of such value to God that He sent His Son to die for me.  So, I will continue to pursue God and His purpose for my life!  I am not perfect, I often fail. But great is God’s faithfulness!  He picks me up and sets me back on track time and time again.  I am blessed to serve God in my unique way.  Praise be to God!

Share Jesus Everywhere

 

Many of you know I love to ride horses.  I have been taking lessons at a local stable for about twenty years.  Over the years I have had many horses and many trainers.  I have had the joy of showing the love of Jesus to many of the trainers.  One man began working there just before I came.  He worked there for about 16 of the years I have been there.  I worked with Mom and we shared Jesus with him.  He was not always my trainer, but he was always there, being sure I was safe and learning.  Four years ago, he was transferred back to his home town.  I had him his last day there.  He told me he still had the Christmas CD I had given him years before.  He walked us out to the entrance that day.  We turned back to wave at him one last time.  He waved back, but he was crying.  I pray he remembers not me, but that God loves him.  I pray he trusts Jesus. I choose to trust Jesus to show him other believers who will show him the love of Jesus, the way to faith. I pray others at that stable see Jesus in me!

Thank You, Dad!

 

Ah, Father’s Day!  It is a day to say “Thank you, Dad, for being my dad.  For me it is a day to say, “Thank you, Dad, for choosing to adopt me in all my imperfections.  Thank you for leading me to Jesus!  Thank you for loving me!  Thank you for teaching me to obey you and God.  Thank you for loving me enough to discipline me.  Thank you for challenging me to rise to my potential. Thank you for reading me stories, even now that I am an adult.  Thank you for showing me how to be a faithful man of God!  I really love you, Dad!  I admire you!”

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I Love You, Mom!

 

Here we are at Mother’s Day again.  I am so thankful for a mom who loves me.  She loves the Lord and my dad and my sister, too.  She reaches out to love so many needy people. Why does she do that?  Because she believes God called her to reflect the love of Jesus wherever she is.  She believes what Scripture says about telling about God’s works of grace toward her.  She works hard to help those who need love.  She runs to help people.  She cooks fabulous meals for many, and even delivers food to the sick and needy.  She lives out her faith.  I amazed that I get to call her “Mom”!  I am thankful God gave her to me!