Seek the King of Glory this Christmas

Christmas has become so commercialized with the focus away from the real meaning. What if we seek the King of glory this Christmas?

I enjoy the Christmas season and celebrating the birth of Jesus.

But I always find it troubling to see the unbelief behind the real reason for the holiday—Holy-day. 

Still, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.

And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise. God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die.

Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name.

Jesus is the King of glory.

Yet, we only find the phrase, “The King of glory” once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. 

So, let’s look at the 10 verses in Psalm 24 for how we see and seek the King of glory.

And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world. 

Creation shows us how to seek the King of glory

10 Scriptures to Pray Thanking God

It’s the time of year we are reminded to be thankful. And I desire to possess thankfulness all year long.

But who we thank is most important. Since I enjoy praying specific Bible verses, I’m sharing 10 Scriptures to pray.

Because sometimes we need reminding to say,

“Thank you, God.”

Give Thanks: Scriptures to Pray

(1.) “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!” Psalm 100:4 (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, I bless your holy name. You are matchless and deserve all the glory arnd honor due your name. I praise you, Lord, with thanksgiving for who you are, my God, and for all your wonderful attributes. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(2.) “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 (ESV)

Prayer: Father, thank you for your goodness to me. You’re a good, good Father. Thank you for your love toward me that lasts forever! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(3.) “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4b (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, I’m thankful for your wondrous works in my life. Help me exalt your name and share my testimony of salvation and Jesus to everyone who knows me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thank You, God

(4.) “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV)

God’s Truth: The Answer to the World’s Chaos

So much of the chaos surrounding America and the world stems from the absence of truth. God is Truth and His Word is Truth.

When it comes to what the world says versus God’s Word, I’m going with God every time.

Why? Because truth is not up for debate. God’s holy Word wins hands down.

Let’s look at 4 things that make God’s Word the truth we need. Especially in the current state of our world.

(1.) God-breathed and Useful: God’s Truth

God’s Word comes from Him, the Creator, and sets the standards for how to live the Christian life.

The Bible is alive, the living Word of God.

But how do we go about living God’s Word? And how does the Bible show through in our lives? 

Living Scripture in our daily lives equates to a life of no compromise. Because our goals, desires, values, morals, and decisions are affected by Scripture. Also, our relationships, lifestyle, worldview, heart, mind, and so on, stay bent toward scriptural truths. 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV, emphasis added)

Notice this verse doesn’t say some Scripture is good for you to live a pleasing life to the Lord. No, “all” Scripture, the whole counsel of God from Genesis to Revelation. And it’s breathed out (living), and profitable in living the Christian faith. Because it trains us in righteousness. 

(2.) Nourishing and Sustaining

The God Who Mends Our Broken Heart

My heart aches and feels shattered into a thousand pieces. 

Yesterday, our sweet 15 year old pug, Big-T, passed away. We’ve cried and cried. While we feel blessed to have had him this long, it’s never, ever easy to lose a pet.

No cute smushed face welcoming me home at the screen door. No Big-T to snuggle and take care of.

He was a mama’s boy through and through. 

And no furry companion to go on our YouTube Adventures with us. He even had his own doggy stroller for the last year because walking a long way became hard for him. 

While our channel’s named, Friday’s Forever, any subscriber and viewer will tell you that Big-T’s the star.

Everybody loved him and wanted to meet him. 

Oh, I suppose they like us too, but comments include: 

“Big-T is the favorite at our house. Mike and Karen are ok, someone has to hold the camera. LOL.” 

“If I could, I would make the long drive just to meet Big-T.” 

“I love me some Big-T.” 

“Big-T is so precious, love him!” 

“Hug Big-T for me.” 

On and on they go, there are hundreds, maybe thousands more comments like these. So you see, Big-T was loved by more than just our family and friends. 

No Stranger to a Broken Heart

We will miss him beyond what words can express. Tears are flowing as I type these words.

Still, I’m no stranger to a broken heart and I’m guessing neither are you. Perhaps your broken heart came from losing a pet, a loved one, a relationship, or a marriage. 

Even though I’m not a stranger to heart break, I’m also not a stranger to the One who mends broken hearts. The One who has healed and mended my broken heart many times over. 

Sure, life itself may never be the same again, but God never changes and He wants to mend our broken hearts as only He can.

4 ways God helps our heart M.E.N.D.

M – Mourn authentically and fully for our heart.

What If We Lived the Christian Life in 3D?

Have you experienced a 3D movie, ride, or game? Three dimensional creates an up close, interactive, and sensory experience in width, height, and depth. So why not apply this to the Christian life?

Because there are numerous Bible studies and devotionals on the subject of how to live the Christian life.

And there’s no better time in the current state of our world to live up close and personal with God and interactive in our faith.

3D Christian Life Up Close and Personal

3D aspects of width, height, and depth bring the spiritual realm up close and personal with God Himself.

So let’s put on our 3D glasses and look at the story in chapter 3 of Joshua.

After the death of Moses, Joshua’s commissioned as leader. The Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Time came to enter the Promised Land.

God’s people set out and arrived at the Jordan river where they lodged for three days. They needed to get to the other side but not take the long way home. 

The Lord gave specific instructions. The priests were to carry the ark of the covenant of the Lord (His presence) to the brink of the water. The people were commanded to follow at a distance in order to “know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Joshua 3:4 (ESV)

Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves for the Lord would do wonders among them (Joshua 3:5). When the soles of the priests’ feet rested in the waters, the waters, at flood stage, would stop flowing and stand in a heap. (Joshua 3:13)

Living the Christian Life in 3D

Dimension 1: Obedience to God’s commands, plan, and way.

5 God Declarations for Whatever Happens

Whatever happens.

These two words put together and in this order stirs questions deep in my soul. And the phrase makes me a bit apprehensive.

Because if you’re anything like me, the phrase conjures up a lot of unknowns.

Perhaps you’ve already learned along with me that the unknowns are a part of this world, it’s not “if” but “when” they happen.

So how do we live a life in Christ, trusting God in the whatever-happens moments?

It’s not easy. Yet, God gives us the ability to live knowing whatever happens, He is with us, loves us, sustains us, and brings us to a place of hope.

Consider the current state of our world. Chaos. Uncertainty. Fear.

There’s no better time to really know who God is and what God does—especially in the whatever moments—than right now.

Still, “whatever happens” can also be good things.

Let’s look at 5 God declarations to keep us standing firm and grounded in the truth for whatever happens.

(1.) Whatever today brings, claim God’s promises.

None of us know what any day may bring. But we know God’s promises prove true. And He will fulfill every promise He makes. Because God is the ultimate Promise-Keeper.

Faith is the firm ground where we stand waiting on the Lord to fulfill His promises.

Do we know what the Lord has promised to us in His Word? Let’s stay in the Word to learn and meditate on His promises.

“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” Psalm 145:13b (NIV)

Every morning, let’s invite Jesus to come along with us throughout our day.

5 Reminders God Has Our Best Interest in Mind

Have you ever questioned what God’s doing or if He has your best interest in mind? 

I used to flat out question God in a particular situation. Because I couldn’t fathom the end result and even wondered if the Lord really had my best interest at heart.  

Like when I lost a job and lost a baby in utero. And the times I didn’t get the job or the award or the “thing” I wanted. 

Or, when my young friend Jane died at just 28 leaving behind 3 kids and a newborn she never met.

Also, when my father died and the ache never seemed to go away. 

Oh, there’s more lost hopes and dreams along the way. And I imagine for you, too.

Even now, I still have to remind my heart to go to God’s Word, since the truth of Scripture reminds us of 5 areas where we see God’s best interest at work in our lives. 

I pray each reminder encourages you of God’s never ending love and care and affection.

(1.) God loves us with a sunup to sundown, 24/7 kind of love: Our Best Interest.

God’s love is a sure love…never lost, only found. And it gives us hope in a guaranteed pledge of love that’s never eliminated from our lives.

“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.” Lamentations 3:21-22 (ESV)

Look at how this love is described in Ephesians 3:18-19 when the Apostle Paul noted how he prayed for the church:

“..may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV, emphasis added)

(2.) The Lord always works behind the scenes on our behalf.

I’ll Never Apologize for My Faith in God

These days, the world seems to have gone half mad. Sadly, the madness often surrounds the foundations of the Christian faith.

Christian values are ridiculed. Or, spiritual and biblical principles are questioned as valid and relevant or relatable. 

And people (and the enemy) try to convince us truth is relative and up for debate. Or, culture whispers in our ear, We each have our own version of truth—and that’s okay.

But it’s not okay.

If you follow this blog, you know I’ve experienced rude remarks on social media about my faith.

 Still, I’ll never apologize for the foundations of my faith.

Here are 3 key foundations to never apologize for.

1.) I’ll Never Apologize for The Bible and its Truth

Not only does God’s Word never return void, it also never goes out of style like the changing times.

5 Ways We Bring Moments of Heaven to Earth

Moments of heaven on earth? Really, Karen?

Is there even such a thing?

Why, yes. Yes, there is! And we have access to front-row-seats.

Yet, I’m not talking about things or situations we attribute to the phrase, “It was heaven on earth.” Such as food, trips, or any experience we feel was heaven-like.

We are so limited in what we imagine for heaven. It’s much bigger and carries more awe than we realize.

A New Heaven and Earth

But the new heaven and earth will one day replace this fallen world we live in.

Look at how it’s all described in Revelation 21:

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Verses 1-5, NIV).

10 Acts of Kindness to Brighten Someone’s Day

There are many things to love about kindness, especially random acts of kindness.

Like how kindness is contagious. Think about a time someone acted kind toward you. Did you want to be kind to that person or pay it forward? 

Also, contrary to what people may say or think, kindness never goes out of style.

Even when society’s pendulum swings toward a me-focused culture, kind acts will always make a difference.

And that’s why God’s people play an important role in dispensing kindness without discrimination or qualification. Our example in this is Jesus and His earthly ministry. 

Because from a spiritual standpoint, kindness is a fruit of the Spirit. Kindness grows in us as we sow it and practice it.

So what is the current state of my fruit of kindness? Have I cultivated it in my daily life and in my family, community, and relationships?

Kindness From God

You see, one of the epic reasons kindness makes a difference is because we never earn it. Consider God’s loving kindness toward us. 

It leads us to repentance. “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:4 ESV.

His lovingkindness saves us. “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:4-5 ESV

We praise God for His kindness.

“I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7 NIV

Acts of Kindness Make a Difference

My list here is not exhaustive, but gives us some ideas of random acts of kindness that brighten someone’s day. And perhaps sparks your own ideas. 

(1.)  Make extra dinner and drop it off to a neighbor.