Be brave and courageous

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Pain, suffering, health challenges, bad news, heartache, divisiveness, and evil are all around us. I could list many personal issues we are currently facing, and we do need prayer; however, I also need the truth of how to live and make it through difficult times.

Early Christians were persecuted, killed, tortured, and driven from their homes, yet they continued to tell others of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul went through incredible hardship and yet continued to preach and tell others about Christ. Paul even wrote many encouraging letters while chained in prison. Today, people are suffering in terrible ways, yet continue to share the hope of Jesus Christ and His saving grace. Regardless of what they faced, they kept their focus on spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ. Let’s do the same.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] “…in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 14:27, John 16:33, AMP).

Therefore, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV).

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NKJV).

“Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, AMP). “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NKJV)

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].” (Philippians 2:2, AMP).

Life is hard, but God is always good, and His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Savior of the world offering forgiveness, grace, mercy, and His unending peace. Whatever you face, be brave and courageous and continue to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

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In the New Year

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In this coming new year, take time to look back. Look back at what God has done, His faithfulness, His provision, His comfort, His peace, and His unfailing love. Reflect on God’s power — His power that got you through the hard times, through the difficulties, the lows, the tears, the illness, the loss, the fears, and through it all. God’s power is always sufficient and available for anything you’ve been through or will go through. The New Year is here; take courage for God is always here. The New Year is here, rejoice for God’s joy and love are forever.

Regardless of the good, bad, or ugly in this last year, we can celebrate a new year. We can celebrate what God has done. We can always celebrate the salvation we received from Jesus Christ. We can celebrate and gratefully remember God’s grace and mercy. Celebrate God’s forgiveness and loving-kindness. Celebrate that God continues to work with you and for you – for your best and for eternal purposes. Celebrate that even in the unwelcome changes you’ve gone through this last year, God is with you and won’t ever leave you.

Celebrate – because celebration reminds and warms the heart. Celebration rekindles the fires and passion. Take time to celebrate that your time is eternal in Christ. Celebrate God. Celebrate who He is. Celebrate that you are His! Celebrate, because you are loved by God!

Remember in this New Year, The One who makes all things new, whose mercies are new every morning, will be with you on every new day and into every New Year.

Be assured, “… [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28 (AMP)

Therefore, “Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’” ~ Isaiah 41:10 (AMP)

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” ~ John 16:33 (AMPC)

Remember, “I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:20 (AMP)

 

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A Christmas Message from Lisa Buffaloe

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Merry Christmas, sweet friends! As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, may His joy and peace envelop you in His love.

Merry CHRISTmas, sweet friends!

Christmas isn’t about money or gifts. Christmas is personal. Christmas is love.

The Creator came to save creation. Boundless became bound. Glory became flesh. The embodiment of love wrapped in the soft, smooth skin of an infant. A wooden manger cradles The cradle of life. A feeding trough for The bread of heaven.

The Great Shepherd’s arrival announced to those who tended sheep to call to the lost sheep. Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven, born to feed a soul-starved, hungry, and dying world. Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, born to bring joy midst chaos, suffering, and the pain of life. Jesus Christ, Savior, born to love, sacrifice, and save.

Jesus Christ, our hope, born to bring hope to the hopeless. Birthed to die to grant us living hope through His resurrection and through Him new life is birthed in us. Jesus Christ, The peace. Yet peace that came to bring a sword—the sword of the Spirit to slash through our earthly confines and release us to true freedom in Christ.

Jesus Christ, The Word, speaks the words that bring life. Jesus came to live in our hearts. Hearts that were broken and damaged. Hearts that are restored and renewed by His touch.

Christmas is a reminder that God loves you. Regardless of what exists in your past, present, or future, God is with you. You are never alone, you are guaranteed hope, and forever loved.

In God’s presence is the fullness of Joy. Therefore, when we receive Christ who is Immanuel—God with us—we not only receive Christ, but the fullness of God’s Joy. We have Joy that God loves us. Joy that Jesus Christ was born for us. Wonderful joy that IN Jesus Christ we are offered salvation. Amazing Joy that Jesus lives IN all those who will receive and believe IN Him.

Joy that we are given the Holy Spirit to reside IN us. IN Christ we have eternal hope. IN Christ we receive deliverance. IN Christ we are restored. IN Christ we are renewed. In Christ we live IN-JOY!

Jesus gave Himself and offers total connection, uninterrupted opportunities to be in His presence. We are the ones who hinder the flow. So busy doing and living and being, that we miss the baby in the manger. The one who brought humanity the gift of Himself so that we may live eternally through Him.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word. ~ Luke 2:8-17

For there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

He Who gifted life, gifts again with abundant, eternal life through the nail-scarred hands of Jesus.

Will you hurry to your Savior? Will you spread the word? As the star drew the magi to Bethlehem will our lives draw others to Christ?

O, what can I bring to The King? What can I give You my King? What do I have to offer to The One who created all?

Without Jesus I would have been lost forever. Without hope. Without redemption. Without love. Without The life that gave me life.

Words that I write and speak, life that I live, all are only a speck in the cosmos. I long to bring You—My King, My Creator, My life, My all—something that will make Your heart smile.

What can I bring The King?

The only thing that no one else can bring… Me.

What will you gift the King? Will you give The King, your ear, your focus, your heart, your dreams, your passions, your life, your all?

This Christmas will you gift The King, the only thing no one else can bring? You. 

From, We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe

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