Making Plans for 2015

I hope you had a great Christmas and you were able to spend some quality time with your family as well as get some well needed rest.

  Can you believe 2015 is almost here? You only have 5 more days to accomplish your goals for 2014.  I is very easy to make plans for what you want to do but it becomes much more difficult when the time comes to execute those plans.

At the start of 2015, as many of us usually do, we will again be making plans. Some of these plans will be elaborate and others will be very simple.  Whatever the degree of complexity please make sure that they are similar to the plans that God has ordained for you?  

 

I have often heard it mentioned that the grave yard is the richest place on earth as many have died with their potential never realized.  We must always remember that none of us are accidents here on earth but that we were all created for a purpose. Do you know what this purpose or plan is? Have you thought about people whose destiny may be dependent on your obedience to what God is asking of you?

 

According to Jeremiah 29:11  God does have a plan for you, so why not consult Him for 2015 to make sure that you are on track? 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 2015: 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 2014 will be mended for 2015 and that your children will rise up and call you blessed. It is my hope that you will maximize your potential for 2015

 

Have a Happy New Year!!!!

  

 

Vilma

 

Some significant players in the Christmas story and why?

Mary:  Risk her engagement to Joseph and public shame to fulfill the scripture about Jesus being born of a virgin.

Joseph: He did not divorce his wife Mary after learning of her pregnancy, but believed the angel that this was of God.

John the Baptist: He leapt in his mother's womb as a confirmation that she was indeed carrying the Savior of the world

The Innkeeper: He gave Mary and Joseph all that he had- a room instead of turning them away.

The Shepherds: They left their sheep and went with haste to find and worship baby Jesus as soon as the angels announced his birth.

The Wisemen: They saw the same star that the shepherds did. Instead of debating what they saw or waste time deciding how to act, their obedience was immediate.

You: Spreading the good news of Jesus's birth giving hope to everyone

In His Service,

Vilma

Day 8th of the Christmas story- a must read

As we continue with highlights from the Christmas story- I am pleased to share one of my favorite scriptures - John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

In His service

Vilma

Day 7 of the Christmas story

Today's passage highlighting the Christmas story is Mathew 2:1-12

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

In His Service,

Vilma

Day 6 of the Christmas story

 Luke 2:15-20 is the passage for today's highlight

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

An...d when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

In His Service

Vilma

Day 5 of the Christmas story

Tonight our scripture is from Luke 2:1-14
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

In His Service

Vilma

The Christmas story- day 4

Today's passage is found in Mathew 1:18-25

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

In His Service,

Vilma

Day 3 of the Christmas Story

 

Today's passage highlighting the Christmas story is also from the book of Luke

Luke 1:67-79

 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

In His Service,

Vilma

Continuing the Christmas story- The good news

Today's passage highlighting the Christmas story is
Luke 1:39-55

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

In a loud voice she exclaimed: ...“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!
But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

In His Service

Vilma

The Christmas Story

As the Christmas season approaches, let me encourage all of you to become familiar with what I love to call the "Christmas story" It is also important that your children become familiar with this epic story. If as parents we push the Christmas story, our children will understand that Christmas is not about them and all the gifts that they can get. Instead they will have a better understanding of why Christians make such a big deal about Christmas.

 So what is the Christmas story? It is a "good news Story" a "glad tidings" story a story of love, hope and compassion. It is the ultimate story of a Savior who redeemed us from a life of destruction and gave us eternal life. Well, don't just take my word for it. Starting today and for the next 9 days I will post a passage of scripture that very nicely unfolds the Christmas story. Please take a few minutes to read these daily. Today's passage is from Isaiah 40:1-11

In His Service,

Vilma