Bethlehem Blessing

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  • Give Thanks Always

    Saying thank you to my favorite young person helps her to realize it is good to have gratitude. Then when I hear it coming back my way I smile.

    When it involves the Lord, I have much gratitude. For he is responsible for everything. He created it all and gives it all. So, for him I say thank you all day long. I don’t care if it’s the vitamins I take, I say thank you.

    And he says every good and perfect gift is from above. That means no matter who it comes from, it originates with Jesus.

    Gratitude works a couple of ways. Yes, we’re giving thanks, but we also get a benefit. From feeling grateful, we avoid feeling a host of other less than wonderful things. While we’re thankful, we can’t be sad, because we have a stronger emotion taking its place in our minds. Even if we do sense some discontent, and are given a hug for example, it changes up what’s going on in the brain.

    The same is true if we’re not happy about an occurrence. That’s because God works all things together for good for those who love him. And in the case of a thing causing us a negative jolting, we have to know that some good is going to come out of it. Maybe we can’t see it, or even imagine it, but some will. The way Jesus works is different than we humans do.

    There have been times when I said thank you Jesus for a happening when I could not decipher anything positive following it. On a few occasions goodness arrived soon, yet on others, it took quite some time. I guess for the ones that took longer, it just wasn’t God’s time to act.

    On a regular basis, I want the Lord to know that I feel gratitude for what he gives me. I figure that may make some difference when it comes to the next item or event I pray for. I know that we can’t do anything to garner blessings or grace from God, but it seems to me that he appreciates our thanks anyway.

    1 Thessalonians 5:18 reads, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ESV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Investigating the Interests of Others

    Often, we stick with our pastimes and disregard what other people are doing with their time.

    What I have discovered though is that it is interesting to take a look at the avocations and vocations of the people around us. At one time I completely avoided sports of any kind. I didn’t play sports, or watch any either.

    Then one night I was watching TV with a known sports enthusiast, and the NFL draft pick show came on. All of a sudden, the athletes paraded across the screen dressed in their tuxedos and finery looking amazing. It was like a fashion show for men. I was impressed. I really enjoyed it. As the men strutted up to the podium to accept their pick assignment, I felt like I was in New York at a high society designers show.

    Just after each athlete accepted their nomination, they ran videos of them in action on the field. Watching them catch passes that spanned over 70 yards and make touchdowns where they ran almost the entire length of the field, took my breath away. I had become a fan of a sport, I had no interest in before,

    Another time I reached out to the pastime of another, was when I took a look at cooking. It was my great grandmother’s favorite hobby next to tending to her massive garden. It was years after she taught me how to cook that I actually jumped in and began mixing up the baking soda, salt, flour, and cocoa powder to make a chocolate cake. Or to get out a giant roasting pan with a lid to bake an Amish chicken. But I did it. Then I could see why she loved this activity so much.

    Going back to the sports for a minute, I will say that the sport of golf never intrigued me. I couldn’t understand why people would do something so boring. The game just didn’t seem to move fast enough for me.

    Now that I have relaxed in my life, I am thinking of taking up golf. Maybe at first I will only stop by the driving range, and the putting green. Eventually, I may even get out on the course. I appreciate nature these days.

    Philippians 2:4 reads, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” ESV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • When Evil Strikes, We Pray

    Someone who evil touched, took it out on me. I would say at first, that maybe they couldn’t help it. However, almost at the same time they were able to smile, act kind, and seem in a normal realm. This gives me the idea that they can control themselves when they want to, or when someone else is watching.

    So maybe I am a bit conflicted as to whether I should be praying for someone who was mean to me. Someone who manipulated me, and tried some other tactics that were anything but nice.

    However, Jesus tells us in the Bible we are to pray for our enemies. Here’s the prayer. It’s a Bible verse.

    Luke 10:19 reads, “Behold I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” NKJV

    The above verse is a prayer for the evil-touched one. I suppose it matters how you feel as to what you do. But, the Lord, wants us all to avoid going to hell, and to have a chance to go to heaven.

    It’s hard to function after people have hurt you, let alone do something productive. But, when we pray, it does help relieve anxiety, and it puts us in a more optimistic frame of mind. So, while we’re at it let’s say a prayer for ourselves too.

    Ephesians 6:13 reads, “So put on God’s armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy’s attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.” GNT

    Ephesians 6:13 is a good prayer to pray day and night. I pray Ephesians 6:11-12 each morning and each night to ward off evil spirits.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Jesus Comforted Me with a Bible Verse

    Googling Bible verses is so helpful. It helps me when I want the correct verse for my writing, and also when I need a verse to help me personally. Today, I found a verse that made me realize Jesus cares about everything and anything.

    The verse is 2 Corinthians 1:4. It reads, “who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” ESV

    Just reading the above verse made me feel better right when I was about to cry. It was like Jesus himself reached out and hugged me with a great big bear hug and told me it was going to be okay.

    I had been missing a loved one. It is a someone I haven’t seen in a while, and whom I am trying to make arrangements to see soon. It was a difficult situation as to the why of the distance between us. It was painful to no part of this person’s fault. In fact, it was due to another person’s involvement that we were separated.

    I didn’t know if I would ever see this loved one again, but I prayed that I would. Then the Holy Spirit let me know how I could make this happen. I am going to implement a plan later this afternoon. I am feeling optimistic. And I am looking forward to when the two of us can bake in the kitchen, go for a walk, have lunch out, and watch some TV. It’s the simple things we like to do together. Mostly, for us, it’ just knowing the other one of us is there.

    When I look at the above verse, I see that because Jesus gave me a virtual hug, I can give one to you, and to any others I encounter who are troubled. I hope you are okay today. If not let Jesus reach out to you, and let these words help you understand that I care too.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • I Observed Gossip in Action

    It wasn’t the first time I came across a person who seemed they had nothing better to do than to gossip.

    When this person first saw me, they asked if my name were Linda, or Layla. They were close. From the tone of voice and the accusatory nature of their questions, I knew that they had been gossiping about me.

    Right away, after acting nasty with me, the person began to tell a tall tale about someone I had just met who was kind, and who believed in God. I defended the kind woman, and the gossiper began to insist on relaying the story they had begun a few minutes before. I just raised my arms up in the air as if I didn’t know what was going on. I clearly knew what was going on though.

    About a week later, another person whom some people had told me to stay away from. while they circled their fingers in front of their ears as if to insinuate the innocent person was crazy, mentioned the gossip down at the entrance to the building. All they said was that there was a lot of gossip going on down there.

    So, when I went down in that area of the building today, there was the group of people holding court for those coming and going in and out of the door. A person who had tried to get me all worked up before, spoke up. She asked, “What’s your name?”

    I wasn’t about to give her anything to speak about, so I quickly asked her what her name was, and popped out of the door. I didn’t give her my name.

    I am a confident woman, so I just figured these types we desperate, bored, and a tad evil. But, when I thought of the other girls whom the gossipers gossiped about, it made me sad. Sad, because the other girls are gentle, quiet, reserved and filled with goodness. They wouldn’t hit a mosquito if it landed on them. I could tell it hurt their feelings when they were talked about negatively.

    When I got back upstairs, I found my promises from God book, and recited the verses about our enemies, prayed them in Jesus’ name, and said Amen to all of them. I prayed them for all of us who had been the butt of hurtful people’s jokes, and evil statements.

    I won’t mention that I came across the gossipers when I speak to the other girls. I will just keep it to myself. And if I see them trying to pull something on myself or others I will not speak, I will pray.

    Psalm 121:7-8 reads, “The Lord will keep you from all harm–he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” NIV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Jesus Gave Me Strength

    I am not sure what has been going on with the way I’ve felt recently. I have had sensations that have indicated to me that things were just not right somehow.

    The first thing I did was to pray Bible verses back to Jesus. I prayed the ones that are meant to help with sickness. In them the Lord mentioned healing me. I thought, I need to experience a healing to feel better. As soon as I prayed, my attitude improved.

    I had gone out to accomplish a few errands that were important. As I was driving, I realized I did not feel confident. about the situations in life that were on my radar. I needed power in my human batteries. I needed strength.

    I finished what I was doing and went on with the rest of my day. Upon waking the next day, I could see that certain issues were still bothering me. So, I searched for a Bible verse that would help.

    Isaiah 40:29 reads, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” NKJV

    When I read these verses I quote in this blog, I immediately feel better than I do before reading. And the above verse worked that way too. I got out of bed, made it, cleaned up the room, washed up and had a take charge perspective that permeated all of my being: My heart; my mind: my soul; my emotions; and my body.

    I am going to get outside, go for a walk, meditate on nature, watch the birds, and feel good in every way.

    Believe me, if you need inspiration, google whatever’s on your mind and you’ll find a verse that is helpful. It can change your whole day. What you think about will be like being on a tropical beach with refreshing breeze blowing on you. The seagulls will appear overhead, the sun will illuminate the book you are reading, and you will be relaxed.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Nothing Will Be Impossible for You

    The day started out great. I was up listening to something motivational, having coffee, then I did some stretching.

    A bit later I thought I’d go out and stop by the library. What I was looking for over there were some books about the subject of meeting new people. Then I got figuratively tripped as I journeyed through the rows of books. I stopped an employee of the library, and she acted as if she were mentally challenged. She asked me to repeat myself three, maybe four times. All I was asking her for was where the books with the numbers beginning with 6 something were. Then she abruptly turned around and began walking. And she said, “You didn’t have to yell at me.”

    Well, I may have had a discontented tone, but I hardly raised my voice beyond what a person standing next to you can hear. It was a situation where we were both wrong in the way we communicated, but she acted all insulted.

    It was ironic that what was on my mind was meeting new people when this woman seemed bothered by my question, I left the library with a newspaper and couldn’t even look at the books any longer.

    I came home, fed my cat, and scrubbed up my stuffed rabbit and I still felt uncomfortable. I wondered if meeting new people was a good idea. I was giving up before I had even tried. So, I read a few devotionals out of a book entitled “A Surrendered Yes,” by Rebekah Lyons. They are devotions to let go and live free as her subtitle reads.

    Then I was flipping through the New Testament and landed on the Book of Matthew. Matthew 17:20 reads, “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

    After reading the above verse, I thought, I will say this verse aloud, thank and praise Jesus, and say the prayer in his name and soon I will go out and meet people.

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Putting Things in Order

    I thought I was moving since last week. Then I discovered that I was not moving just yet, and not for a while.

    I must have tossed out 20 trash bags of unusable stuff over the past seven days. Then all of a sudden, I found out I would not be moving for at least a year or two. So, for the past several days I have been unpacking and setting things back up the way they were. Or, rather in a better way than they were organized before.

    Now the clothes in my closet are all color coordinated as well as categorized. And all of my backpacks and purses are hung up too. It looks like some of my shoes are missing. I don’t really think they are though. I imagine they’re tucked in with some of my other items that I haven’t unpacked yet.

    Jesus made sure that some of the things that I had to replace were and are better than what I tossed. I got rid of some old silk flowers that were dingy and were the wrong color for my living room decor. And a couple of old rugs that I had in my bedroom were replaced with the exact same shade of turquoise that my comforter that my sister-in-law quilted for me were. The color match was perfect.

    The silk greenery that I had looks wonderful under the TV table, and before it was just sitting on top of something somewhere without much thought. In addition, my Tony Robbins DVD set is all neat and tidy under a low windowsill where I can see it. In the old situation, I couldn’t even read the labels to be able to decide if I wanted to view the Energy ones or the Relationship ones.

    My cat’s play area where he rolls around in catnip is all fresh too. He’s got some silk flowers tucked up against the wall where they’re secure and he can’t disturb them. He’s got a scratching post, a stuffed lamb and mouse and a sheep skin rug to match the decor of pastel pink in the front room.

    The only things that are not in order are a stretchy band exercise set I picked up at the thrift store, and my art supplies and art table set up. I will get to those items tomorrow.

    Before I did all of this work, I did not know there was a Bible verse to go along with what I was doing.

    1 Corinthians 14:40 reads, ” But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” NIV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Prayer Gives Us Choices

    Since we have been given the choice to pray, we have something to say about what goes on in our lives.

    Yes, of course, when we pray, our prayers do have to be within the will of God for them to receive an answer. However, we can pray about anything. I have prayed about things that no one would think our Lord would even think of let alone let us pray about.

    I like the notion that we can alter what happens to us through prayer. Jesus respects us as human beings enough to let us choose some things for ourselves.

    And, if we, and because we, pray we don’t have to get all bent out of shape when adversity comes our way. We can just get quiet, say a prayer and believe it will be answered. We can relax knowing that we are in the arms of God, he cares for us, and he wants us to be happy all the days we are on earth. In addition, all the days we are living in eternity in heaven too.

    When I was little, I didn’t know the power of prayer. We said our good night prayers, our prayers before we’d eat, our, Our Father’s in church and didn’t think too much more about it. But now that I know to pray often, I pray about everything.

    You might think this is funny, but I did it. I said a quick prayer before I wiped my cat down. He was a tad stinky, and at first, I thought he had gas, but no. He had a little residue on his butt that he obviously couldn’t get off. Well, a while back when I tried to assist him, baby wipe in hand, he ran away. So, that’s why this time I prayed a quick prayer. I am not kidding when I say, he stayed there, let me clean him up and hardly said a word. I think Jesus speaks to the animals too.

    Philippians 4:6 reads, ” Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” NRSV

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown

  • Helping People and Writing it Down

    I realize that writing a vision statement down on paper or on a device is a good thing to do. Something I wrote down longhand years ago is going to happen for me in my future. Right now, I have ani inkling from the Holy Spirit about what’s to come, and it’s very exciting. When I wrote it down it was not completely shaped up, but now I can see it is already in the works and will occur.

    Habakkuk 2:2-3 reads, “Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” NIV

    I have heard of writing things down that we wish to happen before. I do believe it is called scripting. So, I’ve got something important to write down here.

    You might have heard me speak of the Foundation I am going to be starting. It is still in the brainstorming stage at this point, but eventually it will be a reality. The Foundation will be designed to help victims of human trafficking. What needs to be addressed is that these people need somewhere to go, to get shelter when they get free from those who have enslaved them. So, our organization is going to help them with that.

    In addition to providing shelter, we will be helping the victims of human trafficking re-establish themselves back into society and the world.

    I wanted to write this above information down and make it plain so that it does happen. These people who are suffering beyond what anyone could even imagine need someone to consider their needs. And that is what we are going to do.

    You will hear more about our Foundation and its objectives as we solidify our vision.

    Proverbs 3:27 reads, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.” GNT

    Thank you for reading.

    I love you,

    Lisa Brown