2011 - The Year in Review

In 5 days, the year 2011 will be over and a new year2012 will be ushered in.   So for today’s post I would like to leave you with some thoughts to ponder as you reflect on the year 2011.  For some of us as we reflect on this year we have different emotions- joy, and happiness, and for some sadness and despair.  Some cannot wait to say goodbye and others are clinging to it, embracing every last minute. Regardless of your emotion let us pause to thank God for His goodness and Mercy knowing that regardless of what we went through He was with us all te way as well as understanding that things could have been worse.

Most of us had plans, for what we wanted to do and how we wanted to do them.  Others had no plans and just rolled with the punches.  In whatever category you found yourself- Did you achieve the goals you had for 2011, your personal goals, as well as your family goals?  For some, our goal was to spend more time with the children and grandchildren.  For some it may have been to have more family prayer time, for others it may have been more family bible study, to get married, to get that promotion on the job, a new car or a new house.  Were you at least close?  If the answer is no, think about the reasons why you were not able to achieve them?  If you answered yes, think about what you did to accomplish your goals and see what you can repeat for 2012.

Here is some food for thought as you make your plans for 2012: What or who did you align yourself with in 2011 that was a hindrance to your progress and success, which you must leave behind and not drag into 2012?  Were your plans similar to the plans that God had for you?  Did you do what you promised God that you would have done for Him in 2011?

God has a purpose for you as a mother; do you know what this purpose is?  Have you wondered how many destinies may be wrapped up in your obedience to what God is asking of you?  Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. So why not ask Him for 2012?

 It is better to be unsuccessful doing what God has planned for you to do, than being successful at what He did not ask you to do.
For 2012: It is my prayer that as mothers we will operate in the will of God and according to the word of God.  It is my hope that we will not do what is popular but instead will do what is righteous.  It is my hope that we will love not just our children more, but our neighbor’s children and the nation’s children.  It is my hope that we will remain steadfast, and will not give up easily, that we will exemplify the fruit of the spirit in our homes and everywhere we go.  It is my hope that any broken relationships with our children in 2011 will be mended for 2012 and that your children will rise up and call you blessed.

In His Service,

Vilma

The Perfect Gift

In 6 days it will be Christmas day.  The Christmas season on a whole is one of the most celebrated holiday seasons in a number of countries.  It would be correct to say that every person in this country regardless of their religious belief is usually affected in some way by the Christmas season.  The merchants are busy stocking and restocking their shelves, offering the latest and best in toys, appliances, electronics, and clothing, trying to satisfy the demand of shoppers giving them what they want and much more.  There are also the shoppers who are very busy depleting the store shelves giving the merchants and credit card companies what they want, money.  Some are finished shopping and are busy wrapping gifts, or hiding gifts, so that are can give what their children, other relatives, and friends want.  Some are working extra hours to give themselves the extra cash they need to spend.

There are still others who have just had relationships severed with little or no warning; there are those who are giving into depression because of loneliness, homelessness, or joblessness.  There are still others who have given into memories that make them dread the season, for some it may be the loss of a loved one or some other catastrophic event.  Last but not least, there are others who are filled with excitement and hope, knowing that if there was no Christmas, there life would be utterly meaningless.  Good or bad we are affected.

 There is one word that seems to be evident it all the scenarios I just described and that is the word “Giving”.  Hence we can come to the conclusion that the Christmas season is a time of Giving.  I sometimes question how many times we really nail it by giving or receiving the perfect gift?
For me I just do not like shopping, the crowds are one thing, but the main reason is that some people are just too hard to shop for.  Sometimes even when you are told the color you still get it wrong, for example a red sweater is not just a red sweater, because of the many shades of red, sometimes the size is off, or the brand is wrong, it may be too short too tight too…., (you can add yours) and sometimes even when you get it right, then they may have changed their mind and want something else. Did I hear somebody say GIFT CARD!!?
 It seems that the “perfect” gift was always elusive.  Why is this?  I am so glad you ask.  I believe it is impossible because THE PERFECT GIFT WAS ALREADY GIVEN, OVER 2000 YEARS AGO.  The name on of this gift was JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

“Twelve days of Christmas” is a very funny song that we usually sing around this season, but as I think about this little song, I reflect on my true love and what He gave to me and this is what I now sing. 

Many thousands of years ago, My True love looked on earth and He saw some sinners that He truly loved.  He tried different ways to wash away their sins, so He could have a relationship with them.  No person or thing He tried was able to get the job perfectly done.  Finally over 2000 years ago He looked at his son Jesus, perfect in every way and decided He would be the one.  In obedience to His father’s will Jesus did not hesitate but left his home in Heaven and came down to earth.  He was born in a manger to the virgin Mary, He was ridiculed, talked about, hated, and eventually was sacrificed on a cross, but as promised He rose up after 3 days with all power in his hand.  He had accomplished His mission, to save the world from their sins, and also to heal all their diseases.  Now He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us, and where He is we will also be. 

This perfect gift keeps on giving.  It will never get outdated.  After He went back to heaven He left us the Holy Spirit, to be our comforter and guide revealing to us all truths.  He gave life and Life more abundantly (John 10:10).  He has given us power/authority (Mat. 10:1), the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19-20).  The gift gives Love (John 3:16), Peace (John 14:27), Joy (Nehemiah 8:10), Faith (Romans 12:3).

 As a matter of fact whatever you need this gift can provide.  This gift is the right color, size, shape, and name brand.  It is not battery operated, neither does He depend on electricity.  It will never become outdated, will never spoil, and fits into every season of the year.  All you need to do is to accept this gift, do not worry that you may mess it up, it does come with a manual (the Bible) that will show us how to operate it, so that we can maximize His potential.  Every day you will discover new possibilities about this gift, and the more you share Him with others, the better He gets.
So for this very busy season as you give and receive gifts, remember what I have shared in this blog, and somehow start a conversation about this gift.  

Isaiah 9:6- For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

In His Service,
 

Vilma

Looking at His Promises - Isaiah 44:3-5

We have just completed our prayer for our children to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.  I hope this was helpful to all who were able to read them. 

Starting with today’s blog I would like us to look at some of the promises from God concerning our children.  As I mentioned in a previous post it is important to know these promises, so we can constantly remind ourselves of them, knowing that He who made these promises, will never go back on what He promised.  When we look on our children, what do we see?  Do we see potential/Possibilities?  Do we see hope and a future?  

I would like to share with you a promise form the book of Isaiah.  
Isaiah 44:3-5.  For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.  They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.  One will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.  (NIV)

God has promised not to sprinkle, wet, or make damp, but to Pour out His Spirit on your children (offspring) and His blessings on your descendants.  Not only your immediate child or children, (offspring) but their children and their children’s children and as far down the line as you can possible imagine (descendants).  It is the gift that keeps on giving.  God says our children will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing springs – think about it.  The poplar tree translated “white tree” though usually a shrub can grow up to twenty feet.  A shrub is not a tree but with the right care- by flowing streams -it can surpass many trees.  Do not discount what or who they are, with the right care you can bring them to their 20 feet. 

Father I thank you for my children, I pray that as they grow in your grace they will recognize who they truly are in you.  I pray that they will confirm who they are by the words from their mouth ‘I belong to the Lord’ or call themselves by the name of the Lord or they will confirm this by writing on their hand, “The LORD's,' In Jesus’ name Amen

Do you believe this?  If you do, then try to maintain your focus on it; though it may tarry it will surely come to pass.

In His Service,

Vilma

Prayer for Self-Control/Temperance .............. Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5: 22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is ……..meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.
For this post we will look at the the final aspect of the fruit of the spirit which is TEMPERANCE. In the NIV the word SELF-CONTROL is used instead of the word TEMPERANCE. The word self-control  is self explanatory, however, I would like  share with you the definition from the New Ungers Bible dictionary which states: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites. In other words having control over our “temper and emotions”.
Controlling our temper and emotions seems to be a difficult thing to do for most of us. We frequently will hear people justify their actions as being triggered by another person or thing. Whereas we cannot control other people’s action, we certainly need to know that we can control ours. We do have a choice of how we respond when confronted by certain situations. Because it is an “all you can eat buffet”, does not mean that I need to eat myself sick. Because the driver cuts me off, it does not mean I give him the finger, because a male may pay me a compliment , does not mean I need to  pursue a realtionship, because the cashier gave me too much change does not mean I put it in my wallet and leave. In all these situations I had the choice over my actions.  In other to control our emotions and passions we need to first start with the mind, we need to make sure that our minds are renewed daily with the word of God. We need to pause before we react and think of what would Jesus want us to do,counting to 10 may not be enough.

Father, I pray that my children will exhibit the fruit of self-control/temperance in their everyday life. Control over their emotions and passions, knowing when to say No, or Yes, or when to walk away. I pray that they will renew their mind with your word, and will pause before reacting to situations.  That they will not see this as a weakness but as a strength. As I pray for them, I pray that I too will exhibit before them this fruit of Self-control/Temperance in the way in which I respond to situations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Of such there is no Law” Any person who exhibits these virtues of the fruit of the spirit, cannot be condemned!!!!!

In his Service,

Vilma