Grace and Mercy!

Christmas!

This Christmas is not all about presents......it is about survival! And Who better to turn to than Jesus! There will be no focus on presents this year but I am focusing on His presence. I was trying very hard to come up with homemade gifts, but with working there leaves little time for making things. I am making some small gifts from the heart. We have not had a lean Christmas like this before and I am enjoying it. I am not rushed, and frazzled by all the busyness of this time of year. Our decorations are simple this year, mostly different nativities placed around the house. Yes, we do have a tree and I think we could have done without. But, my son likes to go into the woods and cut one down. I am so thankful for a God Who truly loves us! He is changing our hearts and making them clean, right , perservering and steadfast! What gifts from the King!

An Anchor for our soul!

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now He shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace." Micah 5:2-5a

Heb. 6:18-20

so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a hight priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Thank you Father, that You have a plan for our lives.  That we have an anchor for our souls.  We can go through tough times knowing that You have it all under control.   Our refuge and our strength come from You!  You are a God, Who does not lie and we can run to You for refuge and have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  Jesus, You endured the cross for the hope set before You!  You did this for us, even though we did not deserve it or even acknowledge You!  What a great love!