Treasure the Beautiful Moments

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Treasure the Beautiful Moments

Andrea Lende • December 3, 2022

Luke 2:16-19

Treasure the Beautiful Moments

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Treasure-the-Beautiful-Moments-e1rm0qj

Luke 2:16-19

So they went with haste and [by searching] found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made known what had been told them concerning this Child, And all who heard it were astounded and marveled at what the shepherds told them. But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart.

Mary’s response to all the miraculous things happening around her was beautiful.

She treasured everything in her heart.

It made me think about how I generally move through the Christmas season.

I usually move too fast.

It’s a marathon from before December first through the end of the year.

It’s a sprint from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day in order to complete all the tasks.

Exhaustion is a given.

It’s all about doing all the things.

It’s usually about doing all the things except for quietly pondering the birth of Christ.

Doing all the things except worshiping the Lord.

I am convicted as I read about Mary and how quietly she celebrated and treasured all that was going on around her.

In fact, I wonder how I can live more like Mary and treasure more of what is going on around me every day of the year.

Let us take time to treasure the special moments God blesses us with and spend more time in worshipful moments with Him.

And let’s not forget to enjoy this joyous Christmas Season!

Daily Prayer:

O Lord, thank You for Your Word that reminds us of the importance of slowing down and taking time to worship You. Help us release projects and tasks that do not need our immediate attention so we can focus more on You. Help us be more present in this wonderful Christmas season and treasure Your involvement in it. Don’t let us miss You, Lord. Don’t let us miss the beauty of the blessings and gems You drop in our path. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

Answer: I will show you the beauty that surrounds you as you take time to notice.

Response: Help us see You in everything around us, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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All Things New

By Andrea Lende • December 30, 2022

We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.

Using Words to Bless Others

By Andrea Lende • December 29, 2022

This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.

What Can We Give Up in the New Year?

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.

The Kingdom of God

By Andrea Lende • December 28, 2022

I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.

Strengthened With the Might of the Lord

By Andrea Lende • December 27, 2022

Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.

God Will Be Our Guide

By Andrea Lende • December 26, 2022

This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.

Unto Us A Child Is Born

By Andrea Lende • December 24, 2022

God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.

God's Divine Plan

By Andrea Lende • December 22, 2022

The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.

Restored to God's Favor

By Andrea Lende • December 21, 2022

What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.

This is a picture of red Christmas balls and the words Merry Christmas

God's Power

By Andrea Lende • December 20, 2022

Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.