Recently in our barn lots of little baby goats are being born. A reminder of new life all around you.

Although we can see that all through the remainder of the year, with Christmas coming up we remind ourselves of the birth of Christ. Who in all, gives new life! A new life is born, Who eventually will save the world, that is, those who believe in Him.

New life can have so much meaning, because when you give up your life for Christ in confessing He is your Savior and that He died for your sins, is a beginning of a new life for you. As you get transformed through His word, that is the Bible, you grow in your faith.

When a new baby is being born, birth announcements are being sent. Jesus birth was announced long before He was born… Isaiah 7:14; ‘Therefor the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.’ And so it happened! Even the three wise man knew of Jesus birth in studying the stars. New life all around, how amazing in this revealing of the truth! More revealing is done of Jesus second coming to earth; an new life is waiting for us…

So when sitting around your Christmas dinner, remember and celebrate His birth, it’s the most treasured gift you can get. Let a new life take place and rejoice in the hope of His glorious appearing!

Secrets, everybody has them, one way or another. Most likely because you’ve done something terribly wrong. Sin, it might eat you alive. A constant nagging in your mind that keeps reminding you. How do you get rid of it? The answer is simple; you have to confess them before God. Is that constant nagging gone then? No, but it will get less, and asking God to help you forget them will help. He will help you. ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ (1 John 1:9) He also tells us to pray in a room with a shut door, because; ‘Pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.’ (Mathew 6:6) You see, God is in a secret place, we don’t know where He is. Isn’t that amazing, He already knows our secrets and He wants to keep it that way, since we have to confess in secret. Not like the hypocrites, on the corners of the streets. Now the Roman Catholics are used to confess their sins in a confessional, a booth/box. Is this right? I’m not sure, do we then confess in secret or not?

It’s almost looking like God likes secrets, why? He also tells us to give to charity in secret. Mathew 6:4; ‘That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.’ I know these types of secrets are totally different then from the one of sins. In fact, Got doesn’t like sins at all, He hates them. But He loves charity, spontaneous, freely given. Not as a must, but out of love. I for a reason do not like the way some churches track the offerings made. The way they do with numbered envelopes or tickets bought. Where then is the trust, where does it leave us in giving in secret?

Secrets, we sometimes have to keep them for someone. Now this can be hard, isn’t it difficult not to whisper and gossip about others? The question is, are you a good secret keeper? God is our example, He is the best secret keeper… Nobody knows where He is, what He looks like and when He’ll come again. All we know that He made the promise to reveal Himself someday. Be that when you’ll die or when He’ll come back to earth. Until then, let’s keep our hopes up and be patient for that glorious moment!

This world seems to roll on our ‘ego’. Self-centeredness is being controlled by sites as Instagram and Twitter. Numerous pictures and posts about our own self. What are you trying to prove with it? How much time do you spend on this so called ‘self-ego’… What do we want to know about others, only to have our self found in a corner because you can’t keep up with that other person… I wonder what Jesus might do if people wanted to make a selfie with Him… I can only imagine His reaction. I do know that our own self will be presented to God Himself one day. Believing in Jesus or not, you will face Him. And then that ‘selfie’ or your ‘timeline’ about your life will be opened. God already knows everything, though through it, did we confess and ask for forgiveness? Did we give up our own self-ego and gave the reigns to Jesus? Will you be flabbergasted, or knowingly giving in. At that point it will be to late. When you face the King of the world you must have Him in your heart already. Can you imagine meeting some great and powerful name on this world? This will be peanuts compared to facing God. I myself am actually looking forward in facing Him. Why? Because I’m curious what He looks like, I’m curious why a sinner like me could be forgiven, I’m curious because I want to see His love, I’m curious because all the bad and ugly will be behind. Though, before we face our glorious King, we have a purpose on earth. You do not always know what that purpose is, but He does. So let us not be selfish, but let Him take control!

‘To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill,*

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace.’

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

 

*This does not mean you can go out there and just kill!

Have you ever watched a helium balloon go up into the sky? It quickly disappears as a small dot. The question ‘how high is the sky’ is been there through all the ages and the willpower to reach it even more. But what exactly is that willpower? Is it to show off, or is it simply the will to do what could not have been done before. Now a day’s sky-scrapers and large towers and bridges are being build everywhere. It’s sometimes out of necessity, but a lot of times it seems like a childish game of who can build the highest tower… This also was going on with the tower of Babel, the symbol of pride made the people build it. Therefore the Lord came down and confused their language. It seems like God wanted to slow down the progress and all together stop it. Now a day’s in a world filled with different languages, pride is still there. And the building continues in every country, with materials coming from all parts of the world. Communication is needed in doing so and its working. Worldly trades are being made and the skills of communications needed. In this computerized age it can only be so simple to have things translated… With one click of the mouse things will have an impact in how they conclude a future project. So in that way we again, are close to the times of Babel. Will the Lord come down again? He will someday for sure. Though sometimes I wonder how soon this will be… Revelation 18:4, 5: ‘And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

Wealth these days is big statement. The differences are so great in between poor and wealthy. Though that isn’t any different from the times of the Bible. The only difference I can think of is that countries are in great depth and still seem to prosper. And yes, the sky is the limit, so where is that limit? Only God knows and we’ll know when He’ll return. Everyone will know and see. World trades will collapse and buildings will come down through earthquakes, one so great no one has ever seen yet. So we can keep on building, keep on trading but there will be no escape of that great day. Now you might say; we have to keep living – we somehow have to move forward. Yes, we have to, though is this done in pride or out of necessity? Don’t let self-glorification take over as it will end in confusion, just like it did in the times of Babel. The end-times will be a time of confusion, but for those who know and fear the Lord, an eye-opener and a time of hope.

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22)

God gave us the Spirit through Jesus Christ. In Him is where we find all these named qualities. The first one love; this is the 2^nd greatest commandment; to love your neighbor as yourself. Aren’t we so often lovers of our own, so self-centered? No, we need to compare ourselves constantly to our neighbors, the people around us. But in a good way, not in envy or jealousy. What I mean with comparing is that we don’t put ourselves higher then others. This all will bring joy and peace. If we accept our surrounders and their ways, peace will follow and you can actually have joy over conversations. We are not to live for ourselves, but for God, in this we are examples as being Christ-like. Being Christ-like is having these fruits of the Spirit. They are gifts from God. Qualities we, during our lifetime, grow in. Like longsuffering, this is where you learn patience, but all for the good in the end. We need to have patience to see God answer our prayers, to wait upon His coming as well!

Kindness and goodness are almost the same. They work together. Where kindness is, goodness will follow. Faithfulness is also a patience-runner. Although it is bin done in faith. Keeping your promises and vows are a big statement, though done in faithfulness. Gentleness is keeping you in control, so slow to anger and having an ear that listens; not only a mouth that talks… And then self-control, it’s mostly about how you think. So you need to make a check-off list of the other fruits of the Spirit, it will help keeping them in control. Do it so being sober minded. Though I find the word self-control a little intimidating, because its God who’s in control. Though He gives us free range to make our own decisions. They will come with consequences either way.

So why is it we need these fruits of the Spirit? It is to prepare ourselves to be presented before God. But also in daily life to present ourselves before others, in it we are to be Christ-like. So to speak walking examples. And what a joy it brings the heart when you carry these fruits. It’s sweet and juicy, like a cup of wine. The first miracle that Jesus did was to provide wine at a wedding feast! We are to prepare for that Wedding feast that is to come, with us as the bride. Jesus is waiting, so let us take on the veil of the fruits of the Spirit and start this preparation for the feast!

It’s so crystal clear. A glass of water does us good against thirst. Thirst, a yearning for more. We can live on water alone if need to be, water is so clear and it can still feed us. The cycle of water alone is amazing. How it dampens in the air and forms clouds, comes down as rain and feeds the earth again. Water is in our foods, so where are we without water? It’s the first thing God created with the earth (Genesis 1:1) A necessity for life. For on the second day He divided the waters and created Heaven. On the third He divided the land and sea’s; these things were all needed to form the weather circles.

Even the air we breath contains water. Our body’s need water. So Jesus tells us in John 7 verse 37,38; ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ (The scripture shows in Jeremiah 2:13; ‘They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters.’) So if we feel dried out we can ask Jesus for the well of hope. If we are so full of sin, So lost in this earths sin-filled dessert, we need this fountain of hope. When we find it, our hearts will overflow, the Holy Spirit will flow as rivers of living waters. John 4:14; ‘But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’

When the time comes for us to meet Jesus; ‘The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ (Revelation 7:17) The living fountains of water, can you imagine?! I also wonder if that refers to God as well… All we do know is that He’ll take all our pain and sorrows away. What a spring of hope that is!!

 

Well, well. A 3.5 hour wait at the emergency room, some people were there for over 6… People complain, but I always have to think about the people in Africa, waiting a day or even day’s to get medical help. We have it so good and forget that time is still God’s time. In the meantime 3 elderly were brought in by ambulance and even more people showed up, this was all after midnight. We’ve got to wait for our turn and be patience. I think about how great God is, because His emergency room must be huge. He also helps in His due time, but all for a purpose. Jesus healed many, and all through the Bible we read about healings through prophets as well. The nice thing about God’s emergency room is that you don’t have a ‘number’ and have to wait until your heard. He already knows before we realize, it’s just that we have to come and ask.

So who has not bin at an emergency room before? Nobody is perfect healthy, and if your so, you could have bin there with someone else. Jesus, in Mark 2 verse 17 said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” We are all sick of sins and we all need the Great Physician. He said He didn’t come for nothing… And nobody is without sin, so He came for all! He calls us, just like that beeper you are holding at the E.R. for your turn to come in. Aren’t we responding for our name to be called by a doctor? Then why not do so by the Doctor who cures all wounds? Aren’t we ashamed of our sins, don’t we want to quit doing them? If not, your sitting in that wheelchair, that is going downhill without someone guiding it. God’s word is our guide, His law will keep us focussed and on the right track. It’s that so needed medicine to life. Or do we want to stay in that pain, that’s waiting on the bottom of that hill… There is a time for all of us to face the bottom of the hill. But Who do we meet there… And what will He say to all the baggage we are taking along? Our ‘health cards’ are full of sin, are they’ve bin taking care of? Do we show up with a clean card? When the Doctor swipes it, will it have Jesus on it? Or does it go in overdrive with lot’s of trouble… For God it’s all traceable. So I hope it’s not only you going down that hill in that wheelchair, but being guided by Jesus. He’s the One that can wheel you in!

Pain, a physical pain affects our thoughts. So does it affect our emotions. Jesus on the cross endured all pain for us. While He suffered the pain of nails and thorns, bystanders were judging Him of non-committed crimes. How God must have felt like at that time… His own Son, suffering. A mental pain is often worse then physical. For us as bystanders to see someone suffer is feeling powerless. God knew why this had to happen, He did not forsake Jesus, He felt the pain He went through. So when you are sitting at the emergency room and see others waiting or come in, do you feel for them or do you only think of your own clock ticking? Let’s not be as the bystanders at the cross and judge, but rather have patience… Who is more important and when, that’s in general always bin a big question in this world… For God does not judge in rank or situation, His emergency room is always open and He’ll hear you out right away. And when the great day comes, no more tears will be shed, no more pain! So be patient and keep your hopes up!

As housewife’s we are to prepare meals for our husbands when they come in after a day of work. That day for your husband could have ended in a productive day or a day that was not so good. So he might come in helpless and dreadful. It’s like the disciples who went a night fishing, but caught nothing. A Stranger on shore told them to do things different and all of a sudden things were turning out good. Once on shore Jesus had already provided a meal. He already is providing while we are struggling our workday’s through. He knows our needs, and sometimes that means thinking outside the box and trying something different. The things we are used to, seem so easy to fall back into. Like the disciples, going back fishing. Their old trade, after Jesus departed from them. That could also be for us; after finding Jesus in your life, we can fall back into our old routines, old sins. Therefore He tells us; throw your nets on the other side. Turn around and do different. By doing so others might notice and you’ll be an example in catching ‘more fish’.

Fish swim in schools, they follow each other, so where one go’s, a lot will follow. Notice that the disciples  were fishing in the deep water at night and caught nothing. This deep dark water could mean the sinful outside world. Still they caught no fish (man). While they were back at shore, the un-deep water had lot’s of fish, this could mean the people close to us, there might be lot’s of ‘fish’ still swimming around recklessly. Knowing the truth, but not knowing what to do with it. This shallow water is where we have to open up, be Christ like. Knowing that ones we reach the shore, a meal is waiting for us, prepared for us in Heaven. He’s is waiting, preparing, let us prepare as well and work our daily life’s full of unknown paths with joy and hope!

How many followers do you have? It must be important to know what your up to every minute of the day… So what do you talk about when you see each other in real life? If you’ve posted it all on the internet already? It still seems like everyone is doing so… But do you realize that Jesus puts real life Post’s all around us? Things or situations that could influence how you think or do, are we responding? Let’s have Him the One with the most followers! He said; ‘Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28) Jesus had many followers and He cared for them. He provided food; by feeding over 3000 with 5 loaves of bread and 3 fish. He healed the sick on His paths. So let us be on His path, He will care and He does see us. If your in His path, you have no way of hiding, He also saw Zacchaeus in the tree. He heard Bartimaeus above the crowd. He hears our pleas and He’ll deal with them in His time.

When you follow someone, you most likely imitate that person. You want to be like that person, it can become jealousy or envy and it can become worse overtime. God created us all as we are, we can’t chance that. We’ve got to do with who we are and what we have. So we’ve got to be an example in the good things, be examples of Jesus, be Christ like; like followers do. He made the disciples fishers of man, so us too, I believe we are to throw out our nets and fish for man as well. How? Simply by following Jesus, His directions, through His word and through His teachings. You might sit in church and wonder, what can I do? Start to pray, start to listen and list the things your capable of. Then apply them in your daily life. When your imagination is capable of doing so, you can make it work! We say; where there is a will, there is a way! Follow the Leader and He’ll keep on teaching, you keep on learning and you’ll keep on applying it. Leave your burdens with Him and keep going to do what is right. Without this Leader we are lost, so let Him find you and open yourself to follow Him!

You bought something new and when you take it out of the box it’s broken or incomplete. You can go back to the store to return it for another one. A warranty is what you got for it. It’s also like that for us Christians. We come with warranty which comes through Jesus. When He suffered on the cross and overcame death, He gave us the opportunity to believe, which comes with a guaranteed warranty for life.

We get born with defects, our spine might not be straight or your finger might be missing, genetics through generations could end up in having cancer or heart defects. But the biggest one is sin. We all get born with it. These defects we can bring before Christ to redeem forgiveness and grace. When you brake a glass it’s shattered in pieces, no way of putting it back together. So it is with our lives, shattered in pieces, but Christ is able to fix it crystal clear again. Our Warranty is waiting for us, so let us do our best to shop up crystal clear!