LAST

As you enjoy this last day of the year, I want you to look back over the year to see how My strong right hand helped you.  Also think about the things that My Holy Spirit revealed to you as you read My Word.  Think about the precious family and friends I have given you and how I also have been directing their steps.

One of My kingdom teachings was that the last shall be first and the first last.  In this coming year, I want you to so completely surrender to Me that you are constantly esteeming others higher than yourself. For an example, instead of becoming impatient when drivers break in front of you when you are in a long line of traffic, pray for that driver.  He probably is in a hurry for a good reason.

Being willing to be last in line means that you are willing to serve others with a joyful heart.  You are a king and priest in My kingdom.  However, remember that I came to serve, not to lord it over others.

MATTHEW 20:16; PHILIPPIANS 2:3-4; LUKE 22:25-27

CONSISTENT

Resolutions to read My Word through in a year are usually made by My beloved at the beginning of a new year.  Many are successful in keeping this resolution.  However, others have difficulty keeping this resolution.

I told My disciples that they would know the truth and the truth would set them free if they faithfully continue in My Word. Ask My Spirit, Who is the Spirit of truth, to help you set apart a time every day to read My Word.  Ask Him to help you not only understand My Word, but also to apply what you learn in your every day life.

I believe that with the help of My Spirit that you will be able to fulfill your commitment to be consistent in your Bible reading this year.

JOHN 8:31

WRAPPING

By now all the Christmas wrappings are either folded neatly to be used again or thrown into the fire or the trash.  I was a gift to the world that was wrapped in special wrappings.

When I was born, Joseph and Mary wrapped Me in swaddling cloths and laid Me in a manger.  Just before I died on the tree to take away the sins of the world, the Roman soldiers mocked Me and wrapped Me in a purple robe.

After My death, I was wrapped in linen grave clothes.  When I rose again from the dead and went to My Father,  I was wrapped once again in My Father's glory.  Today I want to wrap you in My arms of love. Because of My sacrifice, you are also wrapped in My glory and can glorify Me by wrapping your arms of love around others.

LUKE 2:3; JOHN 17:22-23

DOUBT

My enemy relentlessly sends you thoughts of doubt.  When you hear the, "What if's," or you hear the question: "Is what you believe true?" and other similar thoughts, discard such thoughts immediately and consider the source. My enemy wants you to believe that your faith is not strong and that is the reason why you have questions and doubt.

Your faith is always strong and will never fail when you stay in My Word.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by My Word.

Remember always that My faith dwells within you.  Whenever you doubt. take those thoughts captive and give them to Me.  Then thank Me for filling your inner man once again with a fresh anointing of My faith.  My faith within you will dispel every doubt.

ROMANS 10:17; GALATIANS 2:20-21;

IMPATIENCE

During all the rush after this season and the preparations for the New Year, it is so easy to become impatient.  I recognize that your "TO DO" list is overwhelming, but I have sent you "The Helper" (My Holy Spirit) to help you get things done. Just ask My Spirit to tell you the next thing to do.

Ask Me to put you in the right place at the right time because timing is so important.  I have divine appointments for you daily and I do not want you to miss any.  Ask My Holy Spirit 'to fill your heart with My love.

You are My ambassador on Earth, and I want you to be careful not to become impatient with those you love and also with any people you may encounter in a day's time.  Just keep in mind that every person is a precious treasure to Me and treat them as such.

PSALM 37:5; PROVERBS 16:3; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:20

HUMAN

I know that even this day after your celebration of My birth that it is hard for you to imagine that My Father entrusted Me to human beings who have human failings and feelings.  He chose Mary and Joseph to be My parents. 

I had to be born an infant so that I could identify with fleshly human beings.  I am both human and divine. Because I lived on Earth in human form, I understand all of your weak areas. I was touched with the feelings of your infirmities.

Even more amazing is that Father has now entrusted My very Spirit to dwell within human beings who can fail.  Never forget that the same Spirit that raised Me from the dead dwells within you and can quicken (life) your human body. Give thanks today for this wonderful plan of redemption.

HEBREWS 4:15; ROMANS 8:11

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

"Happy Holidays!" is the usual greeting during this season which celebrates My birth.  A new response that you could give to those who give this greeting to you is "Happy Holy Days."

This season celebrates with gifts, parties, and shopping, but I desire these days to be days spent in My presence.  Even though I was not born on December 25, Christmas is a time when at least most people all over the world are focused on Me.

Do not miss your times in My presence during this busy season.  Worship and praise Me during your times with Me and even sing Christmas hymns to Me.  Listen to the words because most of these hymns exalt Me and tell the whole story of My Father's plan of redemption.

LEVITICUS 26:18-19

ORNAMENTS

Many people collect ornaments every year to adorn their Christmas trees.  Those ornaments usually bring back memories of other times when families experienced My love in special ways.

I have made you a tree of righteousness through the blood I shed for you on the tree when I exchanged your righteousness which was as dirty rags for My righteousness which is pure and clean.

Today and every day I want to adorn you with My grace.  Solomon wrote these words: "My son, hear the instructions of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother,  for they will be a graceful ornament on your head and chains about  your neck." When you obey My Father's will and walk in His love, I adorn you with the ornament of My grace (THE ABILITY TO DO SUPERNATURALLY WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE IN THE NATURAL).

ISAIAH 61:3; PROVERBS 1:8-9

REFRESH

My Holy Spirit has the assignment to refresh you.  Times of refreshing will come to you when you take time daily to allow My Holy Spirit to pray through you.

My half brother, Jude, wrote these words: "But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

Times of refreshing come when you spend time in the presence of the Lord.  My servant Paul knew the secret to staying strong in Me.  He wrote these words: "I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding."
Pray much in the Spirit during this season and you will have added strength.

JUDE 20; 1 CORINTHIANS 14:15

ATTACKS

It seems that during this season My enemy plans attacks in an attempt to rob My beloved of the joy of this season.  Be aware that you are always in a spiritual battle.  My enemy is relentless in his strategies to discourage and to oppress and depress My beloved.

However, you can rejoice because I am more relentless to do warfare for you.  Release your battles to Me instead of trying to do things in the flesh.  Remember that  your weapons of warfare are not carnal.  They are mighty through Me.

Use your weapons of prayer, declaration of My Word, and My name and the declaration of what My blood has won for you.  My shed blood has accomplished sure victory over sin and Satan.

2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-6

GIFTS

The kings from the East brought gifts to Me.  They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Little did they know that one day all those gifts would represent My death, burial and resurrection.

The gold represents My blood that is more precious than gold.  Gold reflects light and I am the light of the world.  My perfect sacrifice was a sweet smelling savor to My heavenly Father because it took away the stench of sin.

Myrrh was used as an ointment to prepare My body for burial. I was only in the grave for three nights and days when the Holy Spirit resurrected Me from the dead.  REJOICE!! You will also be resurrected!!

MATTHEW 2:11

STAR

A star led the kings from the East to see Me.  They presented gifts to Me.  When you look at the stars tonight, I want you to think about Me.  I am the bright and morning star.  The gifts you can give Me are your praise, worship, and thanksgiving.

You no longer need stars to lead you day by day.  I am your good shepherd who will lead you in paths of righteousness for My name's sake.  Look to Me daily and call upon the help of My Spirit to tell you the next thing to do.

I know it is hard for your mind to grasp the galaxies of stars and planets in My universe. I am the living word who spoke and the whole universe was formed.  Yet, I know the very number of hairs on your head.  You are the most important gift to Me.  Today offer your body to be used by Me to bring glory to My Father.

2 PETER 1:19; MATTHEW 2:2,10; PSALM 23;

PEACEFUL

This season should be a peaceful time to meditate on My love and grace towards mankind.  Instead it is a hustle and bustle time of shopping and parties.  The demands at Christmas time, especially for the woman in the house, are overwhelming.

I have a secret, peaceful place that you and all My beloved can go even in this busy season.  As you pray about everything on your "TO DO LIST" and your "GIFT LIST,"  I have promised to mount guard over your heart and mind with My peace.

Use this season as a time to even be in more communication with Me than ever.  Make your requests to Me with thanksgiving and My Holy Spirit will lead and guide you to do the next thing. With My grace you can get everything that is needed done.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

PLACE

I shared with My disciples that I was going to prepare a place for them.  That place was My eternal home for them.  I not only have a place in heaven prepared for you, but I also go before you to prepare places for you to be each day.

I appreciate the fact that you pray daily, "Lord, put us in the right place at the right time."  You have experienced so many divine appointments that I prepared for you on many days. 

Once you have committed your day and your way to Me, then listen carefully to My Holy Spirit.  He will tell you the next thing to do. What joy I have when I see you keep those divine appointments.

JOHN 14:3

SOUNDS

The sounds of this season are similar to the sounds in heaven.  You hear bells ringing on almost every corner as you shop for your Christmas gifts.  There are bells in heaven.  Those bells ring to announce a new arrival into My heavenly realm and when someone is saved on Earth.. The angels rejoice then.

You recall your mother's heavenly visit just after she had her stroke.. She shared what she was hearing and seeing while your family gathered around her bedside. 

She heard bells chiming together in perfect harmony.  Then she saw Me standing in front of a beautiful crystal lake. I read from her book of life. I called her by name and told her that it was not her time yet. She returned to live four more years on Earth.  Your appointed time to reach My heavenly realm is also written in your book of life.  Trust Me to help you make that appointment right on time.

PSALM 139:16; HEBREWS 9:27

WHITE

I observe that the whole Earth has been decorated with red and green during this season when people celebrate My birth.  I love to see this because these colors can represent My life on Earth, not just My birth.  The red can represent the blood I shed when I died on the tree to exchange the self-righteousness of mankind for My righteousness.

Most people cut down evergreen trees and decorate them with many colored lights and ornaments.
Evergreen trees remain green through every season. Those evergreen trees can represent My unchanging, extravagant love that My Father offered to the world through My perfect sacrifice.

The winter snows dress those evergreen trees in white, and this can symbolize the cleansing power of My blood.  "Though your sins may be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."  Celebrate this season, and thank Me for My love that knows no season.  It is eternal.

JOHN 3:16-17; ISAIAH 1:18

DREAMS

Dreams play an important part in My Word.  Joseph was told in a dream to return to Israel from Egypt when Herod died.  Joseph, the son of Jacob, was told in a dream that one day he would rule over his brothers.  When he told that dream to his brothers, they became jealous and tried to kill him.

When you experience dreams that seem to be revelatory, it is wise to consult My Spirit to find out if He would have you share the dream with others.  The same is true about any revelation that you feel you have received from My Spirit.

Often My enemy can give false revelations to you, so you must check those revelations out in My Word.  In most cases, when revelation knowledge is given to you, those revelations are given so that you can know how to pray more effectively.

MATTHEW 2:12

SUPPORT

The word, "support," means to keep from falling, slipping, or sinking, and to steady something or someone.  When  you are going through a trial, I am the One who will help you to be established and steady in faith.

I am face to face with you, and I have My arms outstretched to catch you if you start to fall.  When you are tempted to slip into a pattern of doubt and worry, I will give you the gift of faith as you cry out to Me, "I believe, help my unbelief."

When you have those sinking feelings in your emotions, I will infuse you with My joy.  My joy will give you the strength you need to endure whatever trial you are experiencing.  Remember that you live by My faith within you, when your own faith wavers.

MARK 9:24; GALATIANS 2:20

RUSH

This is the season when people are in a rush.  They rush to the stores to get the bargains.  They rush on the highways to see friends and family during these holidays.  They put a rush order on the items they buy through the computer.

I was never in a rush when I walked on Earth.  When I heard that Lazarus was sick, I was not in a rush to visit his sisters, Mary and Martha.  I had to wait until the day My Father ordained for Me to arrive at their home.  My Father wanted to reveal His resurrection power through Me.

You have that same resurrection power in you.  Do not be in a rush during this season.  Instead, wait patiently to hear My Spirit's instructions moment by moment.  When you do this, you will have many divine appointments each day.

JOHN 11:1-11; ROMANS 8:11

INTERESTS

A question that people often ask people who they meet for the first time is: "What are your interests?"  People usually reply to this question by sharing their hobbies or something about their jobs or families..

If I were asked this question when I was on Earth, I would reply, "My only interest is doing the will of My Father."  When doing My Father's will is your main interest in life, you will live a blessed life. I discovered My Father's will by spending time communicating with Him and also reading His Word.

David, the psalmist wrote, "I made haste, and delayed not to keep Your commandments."  I told My disciples that if they loved Me, they would keep My commandments.  The highest form of worship is doing My Father's will.  Let this be your main interest today and every day.

PSALM 119:60; JOHN 14:15

ABS0LUTE

You live in a day when people do not accept the fact that there are absolutes.  Children are being taught that decisions can be made according to personal values, not the values that are in My Word.  So many have forgotten that the laws in your country originate with My ten commandments.

My Word is the absolute truth that gives direction, instruction, and correction throughout the course of a person's life.  However, few consult My Word to find help for their daily living.

Pray for your public education system that forbids the teaching of My Word to children.  Of course, it is up to parents to teach My Word to their children.  The lawlessness that you are experiencing in this age is because My Word is ignored.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16

RETURN

After this season of gift giving is over, many rush to the stores to return gifts that they felt they did not need.  There is one gift, however, that is so valuable that you would never consider returning it.
That gift is the one My Father gave to you when His overwhelming love for mankind caused Him to send Me to take away the sins of the world.

The gift My Father sent on the day I became flesh and dwelled among you for a little over three years is a gift that keeps giving.  All those who have received Me as their Lord and Savior have been made righteous through My perfect sacrifice.

The exchange of My righteousness for mankind's self righteousness is a gift that you will never want to exchange.  Today rejoice because you have received the gift that will keep giving for all eternity.

JOHN 3:16-21