The Christmas Star

 I love to look at Christmas decorations, especially the Nativity.  I spoke with my husband about a manger scene for our yard.  My husband surprised me with one he built himself.  I bought a baby doll, wrapped it in purple fabric, and layed it inside the manger.  Our baby Jesus could be seen during the day, but not at night.  We added lights on the manger the next evening, and walked to the front of our yard to make sure it could be seen.  We prayed our little  handmade Nativity would stir someone's heart  as they drove by who needed the real message of Christmas.

 I looked at the manger and felt something had been missing.  It needed a star.  I shopped around at different stores to find the right one.  I found a star with a lovely incandescence, which could be seen from every angle. I was excited to see how it shined in the dark.  What a difference the star made!  It illuminated a beautiful glow, but what moved me was how much attention  it drew to the manger scene. 



Matthew 2:1-13:  The Magi Were Lead By The Star

I read the Christmas story in the second chapter of Matthew, and became aware of the significance the star played.  The star was leading the Magi to Jesus.  "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  King Herod heard and wanted to find out more about where Christ was to be born.  "Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  He asked the Magi to report back to him, because he wanted to go and worship Christ.  "After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  The star became a beacon for the newborn King.  Darkness was dispelled, the Light of the World had finally arrived! 


The Savior Of The World

I imagined what it must have felt to see the newborn child.  I would  have rejoiced just like the angels did on that glorious night.  "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."   The prophesy spoken by the prophet over 800 years ago in Isaiah 9 had been fulfilled.


My Prayer:

Thank you God for your son Jesus who came to save us from our sins.  We are called to be a light for God.  Jesus said in Matthew 5, "You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."  Lord make me a beacon to lead others to you.  May we shine brightly like the star on the night you were born.  Have a blessed Christmas. 

In The Face Of A Babe

The following devotional is written by my paster, Dr. James Thrower.  I thank you for reminding us God gave the perfect gift.

We recently enjoyed the blessing of the birth of our fourth grandchild.  As we held her in our arms we marveled at the miracle God had performed.  We laughed, counted toes and fingers, wept at the sheer miracle of life.

In some ways what we did may have been similar to what Mary and Joseph did on the night Jesus was born, but when I reflect on this most miraculous of births I am overwhelmed to think of what Mary and Joseph must have seen as they gazed into the face of this one who's birth had been "promised and then heralded by Angels, attended by Wisemen, and proclaimed to all who would hear by Shepherds." They were told their son had come to be the "Savior" of all mankind.  The sheer magnitude of what they must have felt is captured by Luke who tells us Mary "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (v.19)

As you journey through this Advent Season I pray you will pause to "ponder in your heart" Christmas' greatest gift.  Remember, He came first "to save his people from their sins."


Today's Scripture Reading:  Luke 2:1-19


Dr. James Thrower
West Columbia Central
Church of the Nazarene

Hope Of Zion Ministry

Hope Of Zion Ministry

Missionary Pastors Rick and Ruth Ramey

3123 Georgetown Verona Road

Lewisburg, Ohio 45338

Phone # (937) 307-2714  

Email:  hope_israel@msn.com

Pastors Rick and Ruth Ramey took their first trip to Israel in 1991.  The Lord was already laying the groundwork for his plans for their life.  They attended the World Harvest Bible Institute, where they studied "Missions and Music".  "Hope of Zion Ministry" was started out of obedience to the Lord's will.  Rick and Ruth have been involved in missions in different countries around the world since 1994.  Their hearts desire was fulfilled by the Lord allowing them to work with the Jewish people in Israel.  They feel privileged to witness the life changing power of Christ in peoples lives. 

JODY:  How did God call you into your ministry?

HOZM:  The Lord led us to World Harvest Bible Institute in 1992 - 1994.  The day before our graduation in May 1994, Pastor Rod Parsley gave a prophetic word.  He saw our class as seeds in the hand of GOD.  The Pastor motioned his hand across the class,  telling us we were cast out like seeds across the face of the earth.  Within a few weeks we headed for the mission fields of the Phillippines and Mexico.  Deep down in our spirits, we knew we had a special call upon us for Israel.

JODY:  What is the "heart" of Hope Of Zion Ministry?

HOZM:  Our mission is to bring the "Good News" back to the Jewish people, wherever they are in the world.  God's purpose lead us to be in Israel.  Based on Isaiah 61: 1-11, the word became so clear to our hearts.  God's desire is for his chosen people to come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  This passage of scripture confirmed our calling to bring hope to Israel.

JODY:  What Bible scripture is relevant for your ministry?

HOZM:  Isaiah 2:2-3, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:  for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem".

JODY:  How does this scripture relate to Hope Of Zion Ministry?

HOZM:  The name of our ministry, "Hope of Zion",  was based on this portion of scripture.  During the time we lived and worked with the Jewish people, we felt like we were home.  We understood what the Lord meant.  God was speaking about Jerusalem, and we were invited to be a part of it!

JODY:  What do you feel is your focus in the year 2012?

HOZM:  We realize the most important thing we can do is live a life demonstrating Christ love for the Jewish people.  We aim to pursue our purpose which has eternal significance. There is no more important mission than to point all Jewish people to their true Messiah.  Matthew 23:39 sums up our focus, "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."  Jesus is not just returning for the "Western Church".  Israel is our main mission field, and we are determined to proclaim his (Yeshua's) love to the lost.  If no one remembers our name, but only remembers who we represent, we will be most blessed!  Shalom Aleichem (Peace unto you).

JODY:  Thank you for your inspiring story.  May the Lord continue to bless all you do for his Kingdom. They are available for speaking engagements.  Please contact Pastors Rick and Ruth Ramey for more information on their ministry, or to make a donation. 

Don't Let The Stones Cry Out!

When you are at a store checkout , have you noticed the sincerity of the words "thank you"?  Even though it is required for all employees, sometimes it does not seem authentic.

I am learning how to have a genuine, thankful heart.  Jesus told the Pharisees the stones would cry out if the disciples kept quiet.  The Lord was approaching Jerusalem before he was to be crucified. They wanted the disciples to be rebuked for praising him!  God's word is to teach us about praise and thankfulness.

"Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious."  Psalms 105:1

"He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes." Deuteronomy 10:21

"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthains 15:57

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."  Ephesians 5:19,20

Jehoshaphat's Praise Brought Victory

 In 2 Chronicles 20, some men came and told King Jehoshaphat a vast army was coming against him.  He stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord.  He told them they had no power to face the army going to attack.  He did not know what to do, but his eyes were on God.  The spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel.  He was a Levite and was standing in the midst of the congregation.  "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's." 

Verse 18 and 19,  "Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerualem fell down in worship before the Lord.  Then some Levites from the Hohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of  Israel, with very loud voice. "  King Jehoshaphat and his men left early the next morning for the Desert of Tekoa.  After consulting with them he appointed men to sing and praise the Lord!   The men spoke as they went out, "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever."  When they began to sing and praise God instead of fighting, the Lord caused the invading armies to start destroying each other. Talk about "real men love God"!  Could this have been the origins of the men's "Promise Keepers" movement?  They overlooked the desert and saw only dead bodies, not one enemy alive.

Victory With An Added Bonus

Jehosphat and the men of Judah went and started carrying off the plunder.  It took them three days to collect all the equipment, clothing, and precious jewels.  On the fourth day they assembled and praised God in the Valley of Beracah.  So, if we learn anything from the story of Jehoshaphat, it is to praise God before, during, and after a battle we are encountering!

My Prayer:

Dear Lord help us understand how praising you changes our circumstances.  When situations are completely out of our control we need to pray, "Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6"  Give out a shout of thanks and praise and let God fight your battle!

Comments:

Do you have a praise for our Lord?  Will you share a personal story to bless others?  May the Lord surround you with his peace and love.

God Does Love Imperfect People!

I am a flawed person.  Sometimes I wish I had this calm, quiet personality and had the virtue of patience.  But, I struggle with letting my emotions take control.  Several weeks ago, I was frustrated at a large grocery chain.  So, I addressed the problem with the assistant manager. I felt they should keep a bakery item available.  It annoyed me to drive to another store.  Why is it so hard to keep sub rolls on the shelf? 

I finished shopping and sat in the car to reflect on my interaction with the manager.  I was upset with myself for not remaining completely calm. With tears running down my face I prayed, "Lord I failed you again. How can I be a faithful witness for you?"  Immediately I felt the Lord's presence and heard him say,  "I need people with passion so I can use them."  My heart was filled with peace and joy because God can utilize me for his purpose.  We are all a work in progress!

I started to read about people from the Bible in a different light.  I began to see their flaws, and yet they still accomplished tasks for God's kingdom.   King David was a man after God's own heart, even with his indiscretions and outright sin against God. 

Psalms 51: David's Prayer For Mercy

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow.  Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  David asked God to cleanse and wash him and most importantly to blot out his iniquity.  But what I found fascinating was David wanted the Lord to create in him a pure heart.  He knew only God was capable of this request, because he had created him and everything.  Yes, God is more than able to do it for me.  I began to pray, "Lord create in me what is lacking.

Use Me To Teach Others

David also asks, "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you."  I understood there was also a higher calling.  God used him to teach and also help others.  People like David have sinned and are flawed.  Our God who gave us a free will, understands we need his help to become pure.  A cleansing is available to us by asking, so we can declare our Lord's loving kindness.  Or better phrased by David,   "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise."

My Prayer:

Dear Father, wash away anything which needs cleansed in us.  Psalms 61:1 says, "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer."  Thank you God for your unfailing love and mercy towards us. Help us lead others to you because of your grace.  Amen.

Comments:

Please share your comments to lift up others.  God bless you today.

A Personal Encounter

I "personally" don't like automated systems when needing to resolve a situation. Sometimes you just need to talk with a real person.  More and more services are turning to a recording with you responding to pushing numbers on the phone.  Where have all the people gone? 

Luke 19:1-4

But, the bible tells of a wonderful personal encounter with a tax collector of all people. "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy."  I'll skip from making a comment here.  "He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way."  Zacchaeus was so moved to see the Lord he ran and climbed a tree. He wasn't embarrassed to find out about this man called Jesus.  How much effort do we give to learn about God and who he is? 

The Lord Passes By: Luke 19:5,6

"When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately.  I must stay at your house today.  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly."  How gracious our Lord is because he rewards those who diligently seek him.  Zacchaeus did not have to question who Jesus was speaking to when he looked up at him and called out his name.  I wonder what they talked about as the Lord spent time at his house and with his family?  Talk about having some quality time.  

As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Child

On the way home from school with my daughter in the fall of 2008, we approached a blockade.  Police officers directed us to pull over at a popular restaurant near the airport.  President George W. Bush attended  a fundraiser, and was heading back to the airport.  We were allowed to stand beside our car.  Many other people also stood in the parking lot.  My daughter waited in anticipation. When President Bush's vehicle and his security drove by, she started waving.  The President turned our direction and waved back.  My daughter's face lit up and she was so excited.  She said to me, "mom he smiled and waved at me!"  I did not have the heart to tell her he was waving at everyone, not just my daugher. It made her feel special because an important person noticed her in the midst of all the crowd. 

My Prayer:

Dear Lord,  please pass by our way.  You already know us by name.  In Psalms 139:17, 18 it says, "How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand."  Thank you for meeting us at our point of need as an individual.  We don't have to climb a tree to find you.  Help us understand how much you a want a  personal relationship with us.  Amen and amen.

Comments:

Please share a personal story to encourage others.  We are all on this journey together, and I would like to hear from you.  God Bless. 

More Than Enough

A widow cried out to the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 4.  Her husband had died and she reminded Elisha he had revered the Lord.  Her predicament was a creditor coming to take her two boys as his slaves.  Not only had she lost her godly husband, the thought of losing her sons was more than she could bear.  She would be left destitute.

"Elisha replied to her, How can I help you?  Tell me, what do you have in your house?  Your servant has nothing there at all, she said.  Except a little oil."  The story continues with Elisha telling her to go around the neighborhood and ask for jars.  Here comes the best part.  Elisha said to not ask for just a few!  Verse 4 says, "Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons.  Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."  She did not question the prophet.  Would you?

A Plea Is Answered

"She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons."  Can you imagine her holding the little bit of oil?  She looks around and sees all the jars. She may have asked herself, "Is this possible?"  Her sons brought the jars to her and she starting pouring. The bible says she kept pouring.  I wonder if tears of joy also started to flow? "When all the jars were full, she said to her son, Bring me another one."  Her son responded to her question, "There is not a jar left.  Then the oil stopped flowing.  She went and told the man of God, and he said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debts.  You and your sons can live on what is left."  Not only had God taken care of the debts, he secured her future!

God Provides

There have been times when my husband and I have been faced with difficult situations.  We needed solutions only God could supply. When my daughter was born, I could not bear the thought of going back to work.  I wanted to stay at home with her, and could not see how this could happen.  We asked God to help us raise our daughter. We saw changes began to happen in our lives.  And now almost nine years later, we still give all the glory to our Lord.   I am convinced God can and will answer your  prayers that seem impossible.

Right now we are crying out to God for an answer.  Do you have any empty jars we can borrow? Ask him for a miracle in yours.


My Prayer:

God you are Jehovah - Jireh.  The God who provides.  When times are tough and problems weigh us down, we can come to the point of feeling abandoned.  Lord your word  in Hebrews 13:5 promises to never leave or forsake us.  Help us not waiver in knowing you do hear and answer our prayers. Amen.

Comments:

Please post a comment to encourage others on how God met a need in your life.  If you have a prayer request, please send me an e-mail and I will pray for you.  God Bless.