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Showing posts with label devotional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotional. Show all posts

Saturday, December 11, 2021

New Christmas Treasure Among Christmas Books - "On That Starry Night," by Linda Fields



I (Lorilyn Roberts) want to share the backdrop of this book. Linda Fields had written On That Starry Night a few years before I met her, but for a variety of reasons, she never published it. Then, in the fall of 2019, I sat beside her on a plane returning from a prophecy conference that we had both attended. 

As we chitchatted, I became aware of this book that she had written but not published. I could feel the burden on her heart to either push forward with it or abandon the project altogether. 

To make a long story short, she sent me a copy of the unpublished manuscript, and once I started reading On That Starry Night, I knew God meant for it to be shared. I encouraged her to make a few tweaks here and there, and then spiritual warfare delayed the project two more years. But Linda never gave up, and I am thrilled to see her published book, On That Starry Night, now available on Amazon. 

I have no doubt that our meeting on the plane was a divine appointment. This time I was blessed to be on the giving end. I know On That Starry Night will impact many families this blessed season and many more to come as we celebrate our Savior's birth. Enjoy.

📘📘📘


 Excerpt from On That Starry Night

Christmas Carol:  O’ HOLY NIGHT


Allow me to introduce myself, Placide Cappeau. My passion was quite the opposite of other “religious” songwriters. I was no preacher, nor could you refer to me as a spiritual man. No, I was a wine merchant described by clergy as “a social radical, a freethinker, a socialist and a non-Christian.” Occasionally, I tried my hand at poetry. Well, one hand anyway, as I had lost the other at age eight in a firearms accident.

My home, nestled in the small town of Roquemaure, France, was a safe fortress from the ugliness of the world. Or so I thought. The parish priest was not particularly fond of me; however, he praised me for my works of poetry. This one thing motivated him to persuade me to use my talents for the Almighty rather than foolish worldly pleasures.

He needed a song for his Christmas Eve mass. His skeptical tone told me he was not confident I could conquer the task. The truth is, neither was I. Even at that, I felt honored at the invitation to share my expertise.

I was inspired to write the song on a business trip to Paris on December 3, 1847. Pulling my mother’s tattered old Bible from my bag, I read the words from Luke 2. As the events captivated my mind, people and places came alive. Lyrics started to flow from heart to pen. I scribbled the words before they vanished from my thoughts.

Upon my arrival, I took the lyrics to an acquaintance and composer, Adolphe Adam. Being a man of Jewish heritage, Adolphe opposed the celebration of a mere baby for anything, much less for being called the Messiah, the Son of God. As a professional and honorable man, he dismissed his beliefs for a time and put the words to music.

I enthusiastically returned to Roquemaure and presented the song to the priest. Three weeks later, I was persuaded to attend Midnight Mass where the music was heard for the first time that Christmas Eve. The aahs and tears of parishioners told me the song had touched their hearts, and I was moved as well.

However, it was not well received by clergy in the area. They did not align with my way of thinking or living. One bishop denounced the song, declaring it “lacked musical taste and was absolutely absent of the spirit of religion.” My beloved Roquemaure was no longer a place of shelter, but one of tension and isolation.

The influence of church leaders soon faded. Before Christmas of 1855, the carol had been translated into German, French, Latin, and other languages and published in England. The song made history on different occasions.

Soldiers, reportedly, sang the song on the battlefield during the Franco-Prussian War. Their performance received a standing ovation in concert halls around the world. For two centuries, churches have weaved it into Christmas pageants. The most fascinating story connects men at sea with Christmas Eve onshore.

The night was bitter, the full moon hung brilliantly in the black sky, and the wind howled as it fiercely tossed ships at sea. Crew members longed to be home for the holidays. On December 24, 1906, Reginald Fessenden, a university professor and radio broadcaster from Brant Rock, Massachusetts, did something unspeakable. For the first time in history, he used a newly developed generator and microphone to broadcast over airwaves.

Fessenden’s voice was heard loud and clear through the speaker’s snaps and crackles as he opened the night by reading the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Astonished radio operators turned the knobs to get a clear message. After the reading, Fessenden played Handel’s “Largo.”

As the evening slipped away, the crewmen’s spirits soared, their hearts filled with peace, and their minds were set free to embrace the splendor and glory of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. The sailors cherished the moments as Fessenden played “O Holy Night” on his violin.

My heart filled with joy knowing the world celebrated the night of our dear Savior’s birth with a song that had been rejected by clergy. The song’s words tell the story of my heart and the truths I know of the Savior’s HOLY BIRTH.

 


DEVOTIONAL

TREASURES OF THE SNOW


The majestic elegance of an intricate snowflake swirling in the wind echoes the Holiness of God. Each storehouse of crystal reflects His purity.

Although a white candle beautifully represents the character of God, it is not pure. Wax candles are made from petroleum, contaminating them with impurities. Jesus came to Earth in holiness and purity. He has no contaminants. He is whiter than the new-fallen snow and is the only one pure enough to give Himself, through His Son, to those He loves.

Moses wrote in Job 38:22, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow . . . ?” When Job walked the Earth, snow was, and still is, a mysterious miracle filled with treasures.

Each unique snowflake declares God’s artistic character. The human mind is finite. To comprehend the immeasurable power of God’s creative intelligence is inconceivable. He is like an artist sketching each snowflake as it emerges like a stunning six-sided star reflecting light, making the translucent wonder appear white. God is not overwhelmed as He delicately weaves each line, angle, and point. As steady as a jeweler’s hand, He gently layers tiny ice crystals and paints them as pictures of diamonds.

As crystals adhere to one another, a wonderland of elegance springs forth. Brown, barren tree branches glisten like crystal. Lakes and ponds sparkle as though a wave of diamonds have merged and settled above the waters. Fields of sunflowers and fireweed whither under a blanket of breathtaking loveliness. Like white wax, even the solid whiteness of the snow and its unique crystal composition are not pure.

Illustrations break down when attempting to describe the character of God. Old Testament authors tried to explain it.

They used the word “snow” to represent purity, depicting it as a contrast between black and white. In Psalm 51:7, David acknowledged his transgressions before a holy God. He pleaded for God’s mercy and great compassion toward “all” his sin and the darkness which had taken residence in his soul. “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

Isaiah 1:18 records God’s voice, “ . . . though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Snow was the whitest white Old Testament writers had as a reference.

That is not the case in today’s world. In 1986, scientists developed a material designed to be used in medical diagnostic equipment. The substance enhances the scattering of light.

It reflects 99 percent of the visible light that hits it. Technicians refer to the material as Spectralon—“the whitest white.” It reflects a higher amount of light than anything else. The material must be free of contaminants to retain its reflective properties.

Opposite from the “whitest white” is the “blackest black.” Vantablack absorbs 99.965 percent of visible light. However, in 2019, engineers created a coating used on cameras, vehicles, and other products that demand an indestructible covering. It is ten times darker than Vantablack. The absorption rate is 99.995 percent of visible light. It is so black it emerges as a black void.

God is the whitest white. He is Holy. He cannot retain His holy character if the tiniest particle of contamination penetrates His Spirit, but that is an impossibility, or He could not be God.

On the contrary, man is not pure. Isaiah 5:20 says that man views good as evil and evil as good. Not only does man not see a Holy God, neither does he see his own sinful heart. To God, sin is the blackest black. It leaves a black void in the heart of man. Black happens when there is no light.

One might ask, “Who gave God the title ‘Holy’? By what right and authority is that name given Him?”

By His own authority, God calls Himself Holy. His spotless character gives Him the freedom to refer to Himself as holy. Is He, then, a narcissist? No, He knows His character and is comfortable with who He is. He proclaims His holiness to “all people, for all times, for all places,” as Josh McDowell wrote in his book Right from Wrong.

During the early years of the created world, God said to the new nation, Israel, “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). God allowed other voices to speak of His character. The Psalmist praised God because of His justice and holiness. “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain; for the LORD, our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9).

Jesus confirmed God’s holiness when He prayed, “Our Father who art in heaven, ‘Holy’ is Your name.” Jesus was fearless. He made the stunning announcement that not only was His Father holy, but He was holy. In proclaiming this, He acknowledged Himself as equal with God. Jesus was unashamed to equate Himself with the Father. The supreme God released Himself to leave the grandeur of heaven and make His journey through the blackest black world in the form of the Man, Immanuel.

When visible light hits Spectralon at the strike point of a surface, light scatters and bounces back at different angles. A canopy of brilliant light forms as the light bounces back. The blackest black absorbs visible light. Any light that hits the strike point is immediately absorbed and snuffed out. Jesus is the luminous light from heaven. Unlike the blackest black absorbing any light that hits the strike point, the light of Jesus cannot be snuffed out.

 

To purchase On That Starry Night from Amazon, click here

Saturday, February 8, 2020

The Dangers of Making Assumptions


   by Pearl Nsiah-Kumi 

An assumption is defined as the acceptance that something is true, or is certain to happen, without proof. Needless to say, it’s risky when we assume and present false information as truth, based on what we think or feel. We need to be certain about the information we choose to believe and share, by first verifying our facts, and then being patient–not rushing to accuse, judge, or condemn people.

What is at risk if our assumptions turn out to be wrong? When we make assumptions, we falsely accuse others, which can destroy their reputations, even if only temporarily, jeopardizing our own in the process. In fact, if what we say turns out to be false, whatever we say in the future could be taken with a grain of salt.  

Click to Tweet: So, before we jump to conclusions and accuse others, let’s research our facts and have proof, and even then be very unhurried to speak.

The Bible teaches this lesson in the story of Job, who was described this way: “blameless, a man of complete integrity, feared God, and stayed away from evil” (see Job 1:1). 

If you are familiar with this story, you’ll remember that the devil was permitted to bring misfortune into Job’s life, to prove Job’s loyalty to God. He lost his ten children, property, and health; and, needless to say, he was heart-broken and in anguish. He tried to figure out why God would cause him such distress. As far as he knew, he had done nothing wrong to warrant that kind of punishment. Even his wife did not console him. She said to him: “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9 NLT). Wow!



Job’s three friends, who knew nothing about the conversation that took place between God and the devil prior to Job’s troubles, chided him (see Job 4:3-6), and then jumped to conclude that Job’s suffering was the result of sin in his life. “Stop and think!” Eliphaz, the first friend, said, “Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same. A breath of God destroys them” (Job 4:7-9 NLT). Sadly, his conclusion was partially based on his personal experience. If we are honest, we’ll admit that we all do occasionally jump to conclusions about issues we know nothing, or very little, about. God help us.

Job’s second friend Bildad’s assessment of the situation was this: “Your children must have sinned against him, so their punishment was well deserved. But if you pray to God and seek the favor of the Almighty, and if you are pure and live with integrity, he will surely rise up and restore your happy home” (Job 8:4-6 NLT). “WELL DESERVED.” Really? Talk about jumping to conclusions. 

As Bildad continued to ramble on, he said, “The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. … The godless seem like a lush plant growing in the sunshine, its branches spreading across the garden… But look, God will not reject a person of integrity, nor will he lend a hand to the wicked” (Job 8:13-20 NLT). Unbelievable. This was like adding insult to injury.

Zophar, friend number three, finally chimed in. “Listen. God is doubtless punishing you far less than you deserve!” Then he adds, “Get rid of your sins and leave all iniquity behind you. Then your face will brighten with innocence” (Job 11:6 and 14 NLT). Such boldness.

Elihu, another character, younger than Job and his three friends, finally responded. He rebuked all four men. He was angry with Job for insisting he was innocent, instead of admitting wrongdoing, and admitting God was just in punishing him. He was angry with the three friends for making God appear to be wrong by their inability to answer Job’s arguments. 

Elihu’s assessment of the situation, however, was just as bad. One of his many accusations was: “Be on guard. Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil” (36:21). 

When Job tried to defend himself, these friends would have none of it; they were 100% sure Job’s troubles were the result of his sin. These were friends who had come to comfort one of their own. No wonder Job referred to them as “miserable comforters” (see Job 16:2). He told them, “If it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief” (Job 16:5 NLT); “Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy on me” (19:21 NLT).



God finally entered the conversation and challenged Job: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer me” (38:3). Then He rebuked Eliphaz: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me as my servant Job has … My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer on your behalf. I will not treat you as you deserve” (42:7-8 NLT).

Let’s not jump to conclusions! If we choose to offer our opinion, it should be clear to our listeners that it’s strictly an opinion and not necessarily facts. These four men really hurt Job with their ignorant statements, and by so doing displeased God. Let’s be careful, quick to hear, but slow to speak!


♱♱♱♱♱


Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Walking Daily with the Lord, Hearing God's Whisper - by Chaz Douglas




“So Manoah asked him, `When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work” (Judges 13:12 NLT)?

As we live our lives for Christ there are specific questions we should ask God that are designed and tailor-made for us. There will be questions that only you can ask God because he has only given you the particular gifts and abilities.

Manoah didn’t see or speak to the angel but he prayed that the angel be sent again to teach him and his wife how to bring up their son. 

God has given us different gifts and we must go to him so we will know how to use what he has given us.  God only gave Manoah and his wife the gift of Samson so they will have specific questions for God based on the awesome gift they had been given. We have gifts, abilities, and talents that God has given us that we must ask specific questions of God about how he wants us to use them.

Here are some tips on what we should do with our gifts:

  1. God wants us to come to him to learn how he wants us to use the gifts that he has given us.  There are specific places, times, and groups of people that God wants us to minister to with our gifts.  We have to come to him so we can be where he wants us to be when he wants us to be there, and to help who he wants us to help.
  2. We should ask God questions to understand specifically what he wants us to do with our gifts.  God has made us to have completely different bodies, personalities, education, abilities, and resources.  It would behoove us to ask God specifically how he wants us to use our gifts with our unique bodies, education, personalities, abilities, and resources. Remember God gave Manoah the unique son of Samson so he had specific questions based on what God gave him.

What has God given you that only you can ask God about?





Chaz Douglas is an educator and member of the United States Air Force Reserve.  He has a Bachelors in Education from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University.
Douglas began teaching Bible Study for the Youth Ministry at his church from the ages 6-17.  He would later be asked to teach the Youth Ministry’s teachers learning strategies and biblical principles to assist them with the children that they would instruct.
He is currently taking a course by Tom Corson-Knowles an Amazon bestselling author. Douglas believes the course is preparing him to become an author who is producing what readers want.
The reason for writing this series was the experience Douglas had being deployed in the Air Force.  He was deployed for six months and used his time at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait to increase his relationship with God.  As he prayed, read, and mediated on the Word of God the Holy Spirit increased his wisdom to be able to write biblical lessons that that men and women can apply in their lives.  The Holy Spirit led him to write this series to help all people have a better relationship with the Lord.