A Thrill of Hope

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord ...Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host (angelic army) praising God and saying, ‘ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”  Luke 2:11-14

Dear Heavenly Father, oh how we thank you for the gift of your son Jesus.  Thank you that through Him, we have hope of eternal life and can rejoice and find joy in life here on earth.  Thank you for such a precious gift. We pray for those who are weary to be able to find joy in you this Christmas and see your hope.  We love you.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

I saw this sign the other day that read, “A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices” and it has been in my mind ever since.  It is a line from the Christmas carol, “Oh Holy Night”.  This Christmas carol just happens to be my favorite!  However, for some reason this line never stood out to me before the other day. 

“A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices.”

Maybe it is because being in ministry has magnified the weary condition of this world and how vast the need is for hope.   Maybe it is because I see how the wounds of abortion and other wounds bring much weariness on the people of this world.   This world needs the hope.  And true hope is only found in the  One who came in the dark of an oh so holy night long ago in the form of a baby…

Jesus. 

God is a God of hope.  Biblical hope is defined as “having an expectation of a positive outcome.”  We can have this expectation because our God is good and we can rest securely and confidently in His love.  Even when things look bleak or the outcome is different than we imagined, we can trust in the goodness of His love knowing He is working all things for good.  The angels even sang it when He was born!  (Can you even imagine being a shepherd that night and seeing that?!  Amazing!)

From what I have seen, many in this world are weary.  Are you weary?  Is the thought of Christmas heavy on your burdened heart? Maybe your marriage is struggling or the divorce papers have even been signed, maybe you lost a loved one recently, or you received a bad report at the doctor.  Or perhaps the wounds of past hurts and rejection still sting and grievously weigh down your heart.  Whatever has caused weariness, I hope to encourage you today.  God knows.  He sees.  He cares.  May the joy of the season surround you.   Hope is right there.  Reach out and grab onto hope. Hold onto hope tightly.  He is right there holding on with you. He won’t ever let go.  Step out in faith and dare to hope. For yonder waits a new and glorious morn! 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises (Romans 15:13).  This is my prayer for you today.  May you be overwhelmed with His presence this season and be full of the thrill of hope that you may rejoice in the Name above all names, Jesus!

May your Christmas truly be MERRY and BRIGHT!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Much Love,

From all of us at Deeper Still!  We Love You!  

The Power of Yes

“Then Mary said, ‘ Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ “ Luke 1:38

Father, Let our hearts be as Mary’s the night Gabriel spoke to her.  Let our hearts be filled with a “YES” to all You are wanting to do.  May our response be as Mary’s, “Let it be.”  In Jesus’s Name.

Christmas is approaching.  Wreaths are hung and lights are aglow.  Songs fill the air in department stores and restaurants celebrating the birth of our King Jesus.  And change occurs.  Those who normally wouldn’t lift up their voices in praise, begin praising unaware of the words on their lips.  All around we can admire the changes in the atmosphere as the One who came to save is celebrated.  

One song I love is a more recently written Christmas Carol, “Mary Did You Know.”  When Mary said, “Yes” to the request of her Lord, did she really know how the story would end?  Did she really know all the Lord was going to do?  Could she have known all that was to be?  I don’t believe she truly knew the weight.  I believe the Lord gave her a child-like faith to say yes without knowing all her yes would entail. 

When the Lord comes to us and asks us to do something for Him, He won’t give us all the details and the total plan.  If He did, we would be too overwhelmed.  However, if we step into the “Yes”, we will see miracles happen and see the glory of the Lord. 

Last year, I was faced with an opportunity to say yes or no to a request.  As I was praying about the decision at hand, I felt like I heard the Lord say in my spirit, “You can say no and nothing will change OR You can say yes and see what I will do.”  I was terrified of saying yes.  Fears of failure and insecurity rose up in me.  What if I fail?  What if everyone sees me fail?   But I knew deep within that my weaknesses would make room for the Lord to show up and be strong where I am weak.  

And. He. Did. 

2016 was a year full of the glory of the Lord and full of growth for Deeper Still, and I am so thankful I said yes and was able to witness and be a part of the miracles God did through this ministry.  Lives were changes across the globe.  There is much power in a yes.  What if I would have said no?  I believe the Lord would have risen up someone else to do whatever needed to be done.  However, I would have missed out on the blessing the Lord had for me and wanted to do in me. 

Can you imagine if Mary would have said no?  God would have chosen someone else and we would be singing songs with her name instead! 

What is it that the Lord is asking you to do?  Don’t be afraid.  Just step out in faith and believe. If He is asking you to do it, He will be with you.  For if you say no, nothing may change.  But, what if you say yes, and see what God will do?   As Gabriel said to Mary, “For with God nothing will be impossible.”  Step out in faith and say “Yes. Let it be”. 

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