Well, we made it!  This is day 7 of the 7 days of Christmas letters!  Today, is Christmas Eve; and tomorrow is Christmas Day, but “this is the day the Lord has made, so let us Rejoice and be glad in it” … A vital message to us (to survive well in this broken world) for each day, as long as God calls this day today!

As a promised, this Christmas Letter is a personal note to you from me.  This all started centered around Jesus; and in my personal walk with Him, as the Lord revealed to me a powerful word (temperance) that I had to first understand the true meaning of God’s definition; come to my knowledge of why it is so important to know this from God; and the hard part, was going through the tests that God allows to pursue that upper level education (by experience) on the topic of God’s choosing.

The topic (of God’s choosing of good lessons for us that we need to learn), is in the area we are most weak in, but also in the same area, in which we need to grow in!  Today, I can tell you, that these tests / challenges to our faith is like painting a picture of the Father’s Love!

The Lord’s Prayer prepares my day

Each day, as a family, we pray for God to “give us this day our daily bread” and we have learned that we will need that Word God that gives to us, to get us through the challenges that are awaiting on our arrival on down the road; but God knows are already there!  We also, pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” because to me this means we need Holy Spirit discernment to pass through with God and not jump the protective guard rails to follow the temptation.

In keeping within the safe boundaries of God’s narrow pathway in this broken world, I didn’t even know God saw a problem in me about temperance.  We hear people all the time saying, “Don’t pray for patience, because God will give you a test!”  Quickly and logically followed by, “And, I don’t want the struggle!”  YET, I have learned that patience is our strength to joy and our power to love.  Far from perfect in patience; still, Patience is a word that has become easier for me, because of my new perspective is on patience; and Christ’s ability in me to endure!

Still patience is a hard word, when we need to know “right now” to sleep!  …God is hard to understand sometimes too???  Yet, trust in God and resting faith, is a focused spiritual position through Christ to enter the gates of God’s presence; and rest in the courts of God that bring the comfort of peace and even joy to endure the waiting on the results of a test … We can trust God; it is our perspective that we need fine-tuned by Christ alone!

perspective is fine-tuned by Christ alone!

As far as I have grown nearer to God, as of today, I have personally learned that we have to be patient with people and have patience in situations … And, neither are easy!

Considering that our relationships with people is the test (of love) God uses; and God made us all special!  We have heard about ‘those special snowflakes’ that drive us bonkers?  With Jesus smiles, “If there were a “weather man” who could predict the measures of these storms, we’d probably avoid every encounter with “special snowflakes”, if possible.  And, to be be truthful, to others / their perspective, I am sure that I am a ‘special snowflake’ as well; and in fact, I am.  We also do have a mediator, and His Name is Jesus!  Admitting that all people, including me are a ‘special snowflake’ is a powerful perspective, renewed focus; and with this new perspective comes new ability in Christ to over come!  …New perspective through the lenses of God’s Word enables us to find that patient beatitude of Christ’s love for the world of “carrying our cross” and not riding it like broom!

through the lenses of God’s Word

Wow, that is right on God; and I personally thank you Jesus, for that revelation knowledge right now, because love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth (1 Co 13); and the Holy Spirit taught me several years ago … Personally, If I harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition, The Lord has taught me to admit it, confess it, and seek God’s help through it!

Learning to overcome emotional temptations in the love of God that is with purpose!

God’s Word enables us to find that temperate beatitude of Christ’s love (that is with purpose) for the world of “carrying our cross” in Christ; and not riding it like broom by knowledge alone! Oh, please be patient with me, because I am pointing my own finger at me alone; as far as it depends on me, it is my duty to ask God to search my heart and teach me.

How do we grow in the faith that pleases God?  Thank you Jesus for this Word!

Matthew 5:1-12 King James Version

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

² And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

³ Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

¹² Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

The Holy Spirit whispered to me once, before we speak, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our complaint into the form of a prayer (emphasis mine).  God will help us and the Holy Spirit is our helper and teacher in how to get real emotional / personal things out of the inside of us, …in the Way of the love of Jesus; and to allow the Holy Spirit of the Holy and Living God to transform our personal “perceived issues”  when someone offends us; … and allow the Holy Spirit to transform very real emotions and even truth based thoughts, from what could come out as gossip and harmful, to what God transforms in the form of a prayer for that person; and in the situations. And, this is good for me to practice and obey!

Enough said about patience, this message is on temperance!

What does love have to do with it anyway?

God is love!

Love is patient and kind!  And, God is working all things together for good to them that love God!  The purpose is to become more like Jesus, SO THAT, others who are searching for God’s love for them, can see Christ living in us; and we don’t get in God’s way!

What an honor to be the light of Christ!  And, we can learn how to let our light shine for Jesus; the unconditional and temperate love that God gave to the world to believe!

How to we survive in this world after the miracle through Jesus?

Only God knows the heart, but we see the behavior!  Many times we tend to notice the ill-behavior of others; more than ours!  Many times we are quicker to justify our mistake, easier than we can offer the same to the one who cut us off.  We don’t know their story most times.  We don’t know how close or far away they are in their seeking relationship with God; and others don’t know ours!  No matter how close we are to a person, only God knows the posture of our heart.  Yet we can be the light of Christ, if we abide in the Love of God, according to the Word of God!

BUT can and will cancel out whatever was preceding, so the message is that we need to remind ourselves that it is our duty to add (unconditional) temperance to our knowledge when we are offended by what offends God!

There are “No excuses” to bend temperance.

“Excuses” cancel out grace

And, Grace is the power of God!

What is temperance anyway?  I thought it was the same as patience?  Will you come along with me and see if God has a message for you here today?

Focal Topic:  Temperance; and The Word of God is the SEED and our heart is the HARVEST!  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!  You may be the only pages of the Bible that person reads!  Be the star on top of that tree that leads others to the Christ!

You may be the only pages of the Bible that person reads!

Be the star on top of that tree that leads others to the Christ!

The Virtue of Temperance …

…is being Established in the Truth…

…to be Fruitful in our Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Focal Actions:  Give Diligence to make your Virtue SURE! 

Focal Scriptures: 

1. Jude 20
2. 2 Peter Chapter 1

Jude 20 (KJV) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

1. Called to Virtue, Be Partakers of the Divine Nature of Christ, Having Excaped the Corruption that is in the World through lust, Give all Diligence, Add to your Faith Virtue!
   1. and, Add to your Virtue knowledge,
   2. and to knowledge temperance;
   3. and to temperance patience;
   4. and to patience godliness;
   5. and to godliness brotherly kindness;
   6. and to brotherly kindness charity…

 

Partakers of the Divine Nature
2 Peter 1:…4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faithvirtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;…

 

For the Christian, there is a struggle to battle in the flesh all the time, but perhaps more noticeable at Christmas time?  As I am looking over these Christian Virtues, take notice smile with the warm smiles from the peace of life who lives in your heart!  Offer brotherly kindness in town to everyone you meet!  Don’t pass by the opportunity to greet people in a hallway immediately after Church, at school events, or in the line at the DMV.  Discover Christ as your ability to be able to connect with eye contact to greet another brother of sister in Christ, with a warm Christian family smile.  For some, this smile may be the welcome home, come as you are?

 For some, this Jesus smile may be the welcome home, come as you are…

In the Bible, greet each other with a hug and a kiss was acceptable, but I am only proposing that greeting each other with a warm loving Christian smile is much the same.  That eye to eye contact, with a smile, is full of the radiance of our Lord and Savior.  Jesus, with one hand on us and one hand on God is the one who connects us with a Peace and Joy that is powerful and of God to share.

Are you smiling today?  I will admit that sometimes, I am struggling with something in my day; and it is hard to put on a smile.  Yet, we can pray and be prepared before we go; and always remember that it is God, who is our Source of Joy and strength; and God is the Source of the real thing! Perhaps this is a glimpse into the answer of increasing in our Christian Virtue to Brotherly Kindness?

God is the Source and the real love!

As Jude 1:20 says, A Christian is called to be Building ourselves up continually in our most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (emphasis mine)!  A Most Holy Faith requires Diligence (emphasis Mine from 2 Peter and Jude 20).  We need help and our help comes from praying in the Holy Spirit and reading the Word of God, remembering God is the source of all things! (emphasis mine).

The Word of God is the Seed and God makes it grow!  To our knowledge (as we read and study and learn God’s Truth, Way and Life) we MUST add Temperance!  And To Temperance Patience!

2 Peter Verse 9 says,

“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

And Verse 10 says, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:  for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Verse 11, For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 

The Word of God puts us into a remembrance of these things that we need to grow strong in our faith!  And, even though we know them; it is to our knowledge that we must add the temperance of Christ (emphasis mine from 2 Peter 1:6), and be established in the present truth (2 Peter Chapter 1 Verse 12 emphasis mine).

What is Christmas to the world?

What is Christmas to you?

This “The most wonderful time of the year” message has become SO commercialized and filled with traditions that feel more like glue than wings (and I have a guilty part in this traditional Holiday); with the pressure of what we must do & must not forget with a message “to find Christmas”, that what the Bible says we must do for Peace and Joy is often times perhaps overlooked and missed?

Does this sound familiar to you at all?

The Dichotomy (the opposite of) of Peace and Joy is stress and pressure; YET stress and pressure is what God can use to turn us into a diamond!

As, I just read what God helped me realized, the stress and pressure is the measure we need to to bloom in our faith.  It is here (in this place of stress and pressure) that we are to add virtue to our faith and to our faith knowledge and to our knowledge temperance and to our temperance patience …..before we can add to our brotherly kindness, brotherly love.  This is where we grow in our faith that pleases God and this is how!  Thank you Jesus for this answer!  This message is for me!  I hope this is a blessing to you to read as well; I pray the Lord speaks to you through these Christmas letters!

In my personal walk with Jesus, I strive to remember that in everything, God has an agenda and so does Satan!  God can use the stress and pressure to grow us up in our most Holy Faith to shine the light of Christ in a dark world to represent that star on top of that tree that guides others to the life that God sent.

Yet, I remember that Satan’s goal is to steal my word, my testimony, my light, my flavor; I remember that Satan’s job is to use that pressure by every power he has in this broken world to stop me from passing through that pressure … to keep my under that ground … to stop me from blooming, by telling me what is believable to hear at the time:

What is the flower bulb said to the sun, “it is much too dark and cold under the ground; and the ground is much hard to bloom.”?  What if that flower bulb had a choice to bloom?  Would the flower bulb press through the obstacles and bloom anyway?  What about you?  What will your choice be?

What if the flower bulb had a choice?

Will you let others know they are worthy of your smile?

Go ahead and find your joy and smile in the stores today! Especially, if others aren’t! Greet others with a smile from Christ that lets those in the world know that they are worthy of your smile!  Your smile is powerful; if it is genuinely from your eyes that have the light of Jesus for the world to see!

Make Christmas known to the world through your smile and temperance that it is Christ who makes a difference in your day(s)!

Study temperance with God and learn what God wants to teach you too!  I am grateful!

Christ at the center, makes everything bearable!  This time of the year can be a very difficult traditional time of the year for many, who have gotten to that place that experiences a loss we must all face at one time or another.

Yet, this is the message of Christ!

Philippians 4:13 King James Version

¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The promise is that in this world, we will have troubles, but through our troubles, Jesus has overcome the world!  Jesus is the Truth, the Way and the Life!  Follow the light (Jesus is the One True Light) Abide in the Light!  Grow in the Light!  Grow in your knowledge of God, and of following Jesus our Lord!

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.  Grow in your knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:2-3 emphasis mine).

partakers of the divine nature

Verse 4:  Whereby are given exceeding great and precious promises:  that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue

Verse 5:  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge … Verse 6 and to knowledge temperance …

Growing in my knowledge, even as I write this, worthy of looking up that definition of temperance again, I will share.  If I don’t share because many have already remembered, I would miss the mark of my faith that someone else besides me needs to drive this one home in our mind; and ever-changing and growing spiritual nature; to be more and more like Christ each day; and to God be the glory alone!!! … because it is God who makes these seeds grow!!!

We just plant/ water the seeds in our heart!  BUT, Jesus is the life in the Seed!  And it is God makes them grow!

Does Any one else besides me, need to drive this one on home ?

 

Temperance dEFINED:

1. Temperance is defined as moderation or voluntary self-restraint.
2. Self-control.
3. The righteous habit which makes a man govern his natural appetite … habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion, especially in the use of alcoholic liquors. “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites”“the dominion which one has over oneself or something…. the dominion that one has over his thoughts, words, and actions.”
4. Temperance means restraint and moderation, but if you’re talking about alcohol, temperance means not just drinking in moderation, it means not having it at all.

Temperance has to do with our personal self-control of our mind, and our choice in our will, (to roll our thoughts upon the Lord and seek God’s will)!  Temperance in our knowledge manages our heart in Christ; and seeks God first to trust God, who keeps our heart pure to shine for God’s glory alone!

This is not about us! Christmas is not as much of a celebration of giving and receiving gifts from each other that we buy, but about celebrating the birth of Jesus and remembering the cost that Jesus paid to give us life!  Giving of our temperance heart filled with the love of God shows God how grateful we are for Jesus; and again taking time to draw in the sand as Jesus did ………………………………..giving others time to realize how much we all need mercy and grace!

 

Therefore, while “temperance” can have reference to one not drinking alcohol to some (1 Peter 4:3-4), we see that the definition of temperance encompasses much more than not drinking. The term “temperance” has an effect on all aspects of our lives as we learn to control our thoughts, words, and actions. As Paul said, “…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). That is temperance!

As Paul said, “…bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

(2 Corinthians 10:5).

That is temperance!

5. In Temperance, not only is self-control stressed, but a follower of Jesus Christ is also to be an example of one who continues in faith, love, and holiness; capable of controlling our desires, her thoughts, words, and deeds, and be in subjection to God

 

Am I seeking to please God 1^st?  

Do I care what God thinks?  

Do I want to know what God thinks about this my attitude in regards to ______________, __________________, _________________?

Am I willing to change my mind?

Do I want God’s help to change my mind about __________________, ________________, _________________?

These are very real questions, that although are basic and simple; are also raw and could be offensive?  … Depending on our position at the time.

Read James 3:13-18

Be prepared for God to rock your world in a good and positive way!

As, “I am angry” is a position … “Are you willing” when you are angry is a powerful question to ask ourselves!  Yes, I ask these questions to me!

As far as it depends on us, we are to remain at peace (IF POSSIBLE) with everyone.

There is a way, and His Name is Jesus.  He will light our path!  “Will I let go of _______  to follow Him?”

We can follow the Light of Christ, and be the light of Christ; as Jesus is the ONE true light; and Christ is the Way, the truth and the life of Peace on Earth as it is in Heaven; and Goodwill toward mankind.

How has Jesus made a difference

in your life?

Are you grateful to God for the gift ?

John 14:   (KJV)

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace ~

Peace is perfect position with God trusting God and following Jesus.

Tranquility, harmony, and security comes from trusting God and doing what Jesus would do.  The MIND of Christ will make our heart, mind and body in Perfect Peace, if we trust God to surrender our thoughts, agenda and motives to God’s Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

How?  Prayer ~ Talking with God & Seeking god’s will.

Reading the Bible to Understand ~ Listening for the Voice of God.

Faith ~ God gives us a measure of Faith.

Each time we apply our faith to Please God, we grow in our faith, knowledge and understanding, as we also learn to pray for Wisdom to follow the Truths of God in our relationships with people; and in our every situation that comes to us.  We need spiritual discernment!

AGenda?

Remember that in every relationship and situation –God has an agenda; and so does Satan have an agenda.

Who will you follow?

Will you choose to seek and follow the Christ, the Son of the Living God who has SO loved you, not to condemn you, but that through Christ, you might choose life and blessings!

Peace is our assurance we are following God’s agenda and the joy of the Lord comes after we seek the will of God and choose to listen and obey trusting God’s All-knowing love, power and devotion! God’s love never fails!

Please don’t give up on God

The birth of Christ is a reminder!

IF POSSIBLE “as far as it depends on me” we are to seek peace and to remain at peace with everyone. Shine for Jesus, but 1st Jesus has to shine in our heart!

To know and Believe in the love God has for us, is both a beautiful rest and a powerful ability to our growing faith!

We can show God how grateful we are by abiding in the Love of God and remaining in HIS perfect PEACE.

I hope this is a blessing to you!  I won’t allow my mind to think that this is too long!  I will praise God that I needed to reread this again today!

LOVE is the gift of God!

John 3:16-17King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

How can we refuse to Seek and Serve Jesus now?

Believing is the Miracle of Christ!

Now, “How do you survive in this World after the Miracle through Jesus!”?

Seek God 1^st!

Wise men still seek Him!

1 John 4:16King James Version (KJV)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

 

Merry Christmas from the heart

of Hope in Today Ministries!

YES!  THERE IS HOPE!

HIS NAME IS JESUS!

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!!!

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

His Blood, has washed

our sin as Pure as Snow!

Jesus is our Purity and Life Everlasting!

In Closing, painting a picture of a Father’s Love, the Lord has provided one more reason to Praise God in this broken world!

God saw there was no intercessor!

Job 9:33
“There is no umpire between us, Who may lay his hand upon us both.

And God gave the world His Son, to have one hand on us and one hand on God!

Will you trust God to listen to hear His voice cry out to you your name that God wants you to call out to Him Abba, Father, I believe!  Jesus, thank you for coming to die for me SO THAT I might choose LIFE; and Have LIFE more abundantly!

Grace and Peace be with you in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord!

So, this is my Christmas Letter to you, the message that we need Christ living in our life!  Yet, before we receive the Spirit and Mind of the Christ, first we must believe in Jesus and why God had to give His Son to us! And, then we grow …

See Also:

1. INTRODUCTION
2. A letter to you Speaking Light to your seed …
3. Day 3; Part 1: Blood, Purity and Life Everlasting!
4. Day 4; Part 2: Wise men still seek Him!
5. Day 5; Part 3: The Story of a Christian life is about Jesus!
6. Day 6; Part 4: How Does a Christian Grow in the Faith that Pleases God?
7. Day 7; Part 5: Personal Note from Karen

 

• Focal Topic:  From the birth to the Resurrection, our Hope is Jesus!
• Recommended Daily Reading, 2 Peter Chapter 1

 

Love in Christ,

Karen Rowe

Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.

The Train Whistle, Sounding the call of God’s Love