Monday Morning Message: The reaSON, the seaSON, the perSON! 12-8-14

A Miracle unnoticed, or unrecognized is no less impressive than one celebrated!

This brings us to the topic of Today's message...."CELEBRATE" Is the miracle in the celebration or the celebration in the miracle? Its both!

Many people seem to have this cloud looming over, during the Holidays, melancholy, depression, lack of excitement! All for many reasons, who lost a child, who lost a parent, who is sick, who lost their job, and well frankly, the list is as wide and varied as life is.

I am no different than anyone else, having had my share of life events and in times past, yes Its effected my joy because I allowed it BUT that is no longer. One thing my dearly departed parents would cringe at, is the knowledge that all they did to make the holidays special for myself and my siblings would be hampered, hindered or halted by their absence. Even when they were alive, what fun would it have been on Christmas morning for all of us kids to wake up and find two people grumbling & complaining about all the hardships they faced, decorating, shopping, wrapping and all the 'fixins' that went into making it what it was?! No, they never said a word! The main message we received out of all of it was "enjoy"! Their main intention was to cause us to have JOY and then enjoy having us experience that joy!

The Lord showed me something so interesting. This is exactly how it is for us, here and now, right where we are. He wants us to recognize and appreciate the things that are worth focusing on. There are miracles every day; eyesight, hearing, sunrises, sunsets, conception, birth. In these miracles I have listed, we also have a picture of the GREATEST MIRACLE for which we could ever celebrate. To see Salvation, to hear the Good News, The rising of the Son- Jesus Christ, whom set the the Stars and the planets in their orbit, the conception of God as Man in the womb or Mary and His humble birth into the very fabric of humanity which He himself wove and spun!

This is the REAL celebration, this is the real JOY! The miracle is Christ and the celebration needs to go on. In little ways, in big ways, in the every day! Do not let the enemy rob you of this joy! Recognize that life is for the living. Even if its only the memories of Christmas past that gentle pluck at your heart, embrace them. Find something worth celebrating and do it to the very best of your ability!

The best gift we can give the LORD, is to recognize His gift to us, to do our best to LOVE others and to help lighten their load, gifts of kindness mean more than gold. Gifts of friendship, time, laughter, harmony, these are the gifts that make the biggest impact! I hope you get and give gifts such as these, that is my wish!

Christmas isn't in the day, it's in the hearts and minds of those who celebrate Gods goodness. It's early enough still, you can celebrate all the miraculous & wondrous things all around you. Start today!

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 145:7

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

“Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy. Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon” Philippians 4:4-5

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” – Matthew 13:44

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen – Jude 1:2-5

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? – 1 Thessalonians 3:9

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. – Psalm 27:5-7

Hate evil, you lovers of the Eternal. He protects the souls of those who follow Him; He rescues them from the devices of the wicked. Light is sown in the just; as it grows, it brings joy to the pure of heart. Celebrate the Eternal God, all you who are faithful; offer thanks to His holy name. – Psalm 97:10-12

“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.” – Luke 6:22-23

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. – Psalm 126:2-3

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. - Psalm 4:6-8

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. – Psalm 27:6

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. – Psalm 47:1-3