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12/03/07
IN THEE DO I TRUST

Scripture: Psalm 71:1 "In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion."

There are many voices in these last days that will confuse us if we don't keep our minds upon Jesus. We are already experiencing wars, rumors of wars, famine, violence, and earthquakes that are spoken of in the gospel of Matthew and which precede the End Times. Each day the news media has another bit of frightening information to offer us. Yet, as we hear of these alarming circumstances, we must face them with courage and place our trust in the Lord God Almighty.

God spoke some encouraging words through the prophet Isaiah and told us not to fear. He said, "I have redeemed you and even called you by name." God said that we belong to Him, that we are precious in His sight, and that He loves us. In Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) the Lord made a comforting promise to us. He said, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." God is our Lord and beside Him there is no Savior. In every situation God is able to do a new thing. He is not limited by any circumstance that life has to offer. He can even make a way in the wilderness or a river in the desert, for He is supreme and rules over all.

Don't be confused about life and its circumstances, for God has a plan. The Psalmist asked God for deliverance and petitioned Him to be his strong place of habitation and a fortress where he could dwell continually. He said, "Don't let me be put to confusion." Keep this same prayer in your spirit as you see the dark clouds approaching and changes beginning to occur in your nation and in your personal lives, for God is concerned about it all. Continually dwell in God's presence and make Him your defense. Place all of your trust in Him, for there can be no confusion when God's Spirit fills your heart. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/04/07
KEEP YOUR FLAVOR

Jesus warned us about salt that had lost its flavor, saying that it was worthless and would accomplish nothing. When the salt in our lives has lost its flavor it is a condition that cannot be hidden because others will recognize our lack. When they hear our words and see our actions they will easily discern our state. Salt enhances, but if our life has no flavor, what good is it? If we continually murmur and complain instead of speaking a word in due season to the weary, what have we accomplished with our words? If sadness and depression prevail in our hearts, how can we show forth the spirit of joy? If hate, bitterness, and prejudice govern our actions, how can others see the love of God in our lives? If we allow confusion and turmoil to dominate us, can we really touch others with the spirit of peace? If we are filled with anxiety and dominated by fear and doubt, how can we teach faith? If there is no kindness, meekness, and patience manifested in our lives, can we say that the salt in our lives has flavor?

Our lives are but a vapor and we can not waste our precious moments on pretense. We can't pretend that our salt has flavor, for others will discern our deception. If our salt has flavor it will be evident, for it will enhance the lives of others and entice them to come to Jesus by gently drawing them into His circle. His Spirit working through us will bind up the broken hearted and give beauty for ashes. He will cause us to be able to comfort those who mourn and minister to the meek and lowly. He will work through us to drive away evil and set the captive free. The season has come that we have an opportunity to be a blessing to all mankind. Let us start by making sure that the salt in our life has flavor so that we can enhance the lives of others. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/05/07
COME UNTO ME AND REST

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me ... and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

What a great invitation that Jesus gives to us as we labor in today's busy and hectic world. When you become tired of carrying your heavy burdens of any sort, all that you need to do is to go to Him. You don't have to struggle with your work, healing, finances, relationships, or even your ministry. When you join yourself to Jesus, your burdens will become lighter, for He will pull all of the weight as you walk along side of Him. His awesome presence will bring rest right in the midst of your labors and His wisdom will cause things to work together in your life.

Speaking very plainly, Jesus gave us an example of how to find rest and that was by taking His yoke upon ourselves. A yoke is a devise that fits around the necks of animals to join them together so that they can work as one unit. The yoke that binds two together forces them to go in the same direction and work at the same pace. The stronger animal pulls the greater weight and determines the course. When one stops, they both must stop. Sometimes, Jesus just wants us to stop and rest. That is the purpose of the Sabbath. God showed us by example to labor six days and then rest on the seventh. Yet, we often get very confused if we are not constantly busy doing something. Then as we continually work without rest, our burden becomes heavy and overwhelming. We eventually find ourselves forcing every issue and wondering what is wrong, when all that we need is a simple season of rest for our bodies and a time in God's presence to restore our soul.

Jesus said, "Come to Me, take My yoke, and learn of Me." When two are joined together with a yoke for any length of time, they begin to learn the habits and know the desires of the other. So it is with our joining with Jesus. As we wait in His presence, we learn of Him and our strength is renewed. After a while, we know the direction He is leading because we can feel His gentle nudging and can sense the subtle pull of His yoke as He walks beside us. Our burdens get lighter and become easier because we do not try to go our own way or pull in the opposite direction any longer. We begin to understand that Jesus knows what's best for us. He knows what is to the left and what is to the right and will lead us in the right direction. To find the rest that Jesus promised, all we have to do is to come to Him. His Spirit will be our helper and will lighten our load. As we yield to Him, the power of His anointing will accomplish the work that He has designed for our lives. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/06/07
CATCH GOD'S VISION

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1 & 3 "Sing, O barren, you that did not bear; break forth into singing ... For you shall break forth on the right hand and on the left ..."

God dreams a big dream for you and His dreams are for good and not evil. He has hopes and plans for your future (Jeremiah 29:11). Before you were ever born He formed you into the vessel that He wanted you to be. You are His workmanship and He designed every detail of your being. He gave you a unique personality and enabled you with various talents that would allow you to perfect your calling and perform the work that He has ordained for you. No task is too small and no vision too great. Each has its own significance and importance in the eyes of God.

God continues His work in you even now, teaching and training you, leading you, and strengthening you for the destiny that is set before you. Yet, you must catch His magnificent vision for your life. You do this by focusing on the things that interest you, for God placed those desires within you by design. He makes no mistakes. Your likes and dislikes are not accidents or coincidental. They are there for specific reasons. As you submit yourself to God, He will cause your gifts and talents to make room for you. Never give up. You are on the brink of a miracle and a breakthrough.

Up to now, your life may have been barren as the prophet Isaiah described, but he says, "Sing," and then in verse three he says, "Enlarge your borders." In other words, get mentally and physically ready for a change. Expand yourself because something is happening in the spiritual realm even though you can't see it in the natural at this time. Soldiers learn their weapons and prepare for battle long before they engage in conflict. So it is with you. Begin to prepare for something special in your life because it may be ready to happen. God does things suddenly, but He looks for those who are willing and obedient. Ask God to seal within you a determination to finish the course that He has set before you. Strive to obey Him and do His good pleasure with an eagerness to please Him. Don't be discouraged about past failures. Just sing with faith in your heart, for when God begins to move in your life, you will break forth on the left hand and on the right. His work in and through you will be bigger than you are and more than you could ask or imagine. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/07/07
MOVED WITH COMPASSION

Scripture: Matthew 9:36 "When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion ..."

Jesus went about teaching in the synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. He had great gifts and there was a mighty anointing of the Spirit of God upon Him. Yet with all of Jesus' glory, power, and fame, He never lost sight of the people and their needs. He saw them in their weakness and distress, and looked upon them with compassion. He felt their pains and suffered with them. Jesus had power, but Jesus was love.

Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday. He has not changed and is just as full of compassion and love today as He was nearly 2000 years ago when He looked upon the multitudes. Jesus desires to carry your load and to meet your need. As His eyes gaze upon you in the midst of your heartache and feelings of rejection, He knows exactly how you feel because He was also rejected and despised by men. He sees your loneliness and your broken heart and remembers when God forsook Him when He was on the cross. He is touched by your pain and suffering because He can recall the stripes that were laid upon His own back, the crown of thorns that was pressed deep into His brow, and the pain and agony of the cross. He understands your anxieties and fears as He experienced these same feelings in the garden of Gethsemane. He knows the sorrow of grief that you bear as He recalls His tears when His friend, Lazarus, died. He extends His mercy, grace, and forgiveness when you fail during a moment of weakness because He knows the difficulty of resisting temptation, for He was tempted in the same manner in the wilderness. Jesus is also concerned about your lack and stands ready to multiply your loaves and fish so that your physical needs can be satisfied.

There is no area of your life that the compassion of Jesus does not touch. He feels your heart beat and will listen to your cries when no one else wants to listen. He will lead you through the valleys and restore your soul. He has prepared green pastures and still waters for you. His eyes may gaze upon the multitudes, but His heart searches for you. Like a good shepherd, if you are not there, Jesus will leave the ninety-nine to bring you back into the fold. You are His main interest and He has numbered the very hairs upon your head. What a wonderful friend you have in this man called Jesus. He loves you and your needs cause Him to be moved with compassion. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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Scripture: Psalms 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

King David wrote this psalm from personal experience, for he had truly found God to be his refuge at all times. God did not show Himself strong every now and then in David's life, but at all times. When trouble presented itself, David went to God and poured out his heart before Him. There was never a time that God failed to come to David's rescue or deliver him from his enemies. In fact, God not only delivered David, but David declared that the Lord anointed his head with oil in the presence of his enemies. When David fell into sin, he did not run from God. Instead, he ran to God in repentance. He trusted in God and found refuge in God's mercy, forgiveness, and grace. When David needed counsel, he found refuge in God as a wonderful counselor. Whether he faced material needs, emotional needs, or disappointments with his children and other relationships, David always found refuge in the presence of the Lord.

David invites us to pour out our hearts before God as he declares that God is a refuge for all of us. As our refuge, God protects us on all sides. It is like being in a closed room where nothing can harm us. We are surrounded and covered by His very being, and nothing can penetrate the presence of the Almighty God. He will never fail.

David said, "Trust in the Lord at all times." In the times of grief and sorrow, the Lord becomes our refuge of comfort. When we are broken hearted, He is always near. When our health fails, He is our refuge of healing and strength. In the times of financial lack, we know that we can depend upon Him as our refuge of provision. When we are lonely, He surrounds us with His love, and when confusion seeks to torment our soul, He secures us in His peace. When we sin, we can run to the refuge of His forgiveness and cleansing. When we face disappointments, He is a refuge of encouragement and fresh hope. He is our shelter in the raging storms and He is also the cloud that gives us refuge from the blazing sun. We are to trust God in every season, for God is our refuge at all times. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/11/07
FROM SADNESS TO JOY

I remember that my dad had a better remedy for these kinds of situations. Instead of joining the darkness, he always brought light. He created a victory in the midst of defeat. My problems as a child were minor, but there were times that I became sad or would pout when things were not going my way. When my dad saw me entertaining a negative mood of this sort, he would begin to tease me. He would say funny things, make ridiculous faces, and often physically tickle me in order to draw me out of my self imposed doom and gloom. It usually only took a few minutes for him to have me in good spirits and laughing hysterically. His positive response to my needs turned my mourning into joy and caused me to forget the sadness that was in my heart.

My dad passed away many years ago, but I still have another comforter who successfully turns my mourning into joy. His name is Jesus. He understands all of my heart aches and pains and He listens to my problems as I rehearsed them over and over again, but He never crawls into the pit with me. He doesn't make funny noises or ridiculous faces and He never tickles me, but He is very present in my life and know what I need to strengthen and encourage me. He is also present in your life as well. You just need to recognize that He is near and receive His personal ministry to you. He can change your darkness into light and bring happiness back into your life. He knows you better than you know yourself.

Isaiah 61:1-3 tells us how the Lord ministers to all of us when we are down and discouraged. Jesus is anointed by God to speak good news into our lives. He knows how to bind up our broken heart and to set us free from the things that hold us in bondage and captivity. He will give us beauty for our ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He does this so that we can have and enjoy life, but we must be willing to receive His love and ministry to us. We must believe in Him and ask Him to bring us the restoration and joy that we need in our lives. As we yield to Him, He will turn our mourning into joyful dancing and we will not only be blessed but He will be glorified in our lives. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/12/07
GOD'S WAY

Peter came to a place where he was discouraged by the physical death of Jesus and disappointed that the New Kingdom had not been established. Because things had not turned out as he had hoped, he returned to his old life, which was that of being a fisherman. He left the call of Jesus' great commission, which was to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." When he returned to his fishing, however, he found that his prospects left him empty. He fished all night and caught nothing. God was not in Peter's choice. When Jesus questioned Peter, he had to admit his defeat. Jesus asked, "What have you caught?" Peter replied, "Nothing." He confessed his failure and did not try to make excuses or blame the winds, waves, or the fish that were just not biting.

Peter caught nothing and like Peter's fishing experience, we must own up to our own failures and confess that "without Jesus, we can do nothing" (John 15:5). Success is only reaped as we sow obedience. Our faith is "nothing" if we are not hearing God's word (Romans 10:17). "Nothing" substantial can happen in our finances if we are disobedient and rob God of the tithe and offerings (Malachi 3:8-11). When we rob God we tie His hands by our disobedience and make it impossible for Him to rebuke the devourer or pour out blessings upon us. And like Peter's empty fishing nets, nothing can happen in our relationship with God and others if we do not obey God's command to love and forgive (Matthew 5:43-48). It's all about obedience. Marriage is another issue that requires obedience, for nothing good can come out of a marriage that does not obey God's Word. According to the Word, the husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, and the wife must submit herself to her own husband, as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:25 & 22). Why do our relationships with our children turn out to be "nothing" desirable? It's because we disobey God's word and "provoke and discourage our children" (Colossians 3:21). What happens in our ministries if we are not obedient to depend upon the Holy Spirit? "Nothing", for it is not by our might, nor our power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).

After Peter admitted his defeat, Jesus instructed him to "Cast the net on the right side." It was the same water, the same boat, the same net, and the same potential for failure. The difference was that Jesus was now in control and obedience to His command always prospers. Jesus' command came with the promise, "You will find." God's Word never returns to Him void, but always accomplishes His purposes. If you desire blessings in your life, don't become discouraged by events. Although your own efforts have brought no solutions, trust God and begin to act on His word. Cast your nets in the direction of His command and start doing things His way, for obedience to God's word is the basis for blessings in every area of your life. When you obey Him, He will turn the "nothings" of your life into "somethings". +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/13/07
FRET NOT

Scripture: Psalms 37:1 "Fret not yourself because of evil doers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity."

When we were young and another child did something wrong to us, we threatened to retaliate and get revenge. We ran to our parents and told them about the situation and usually their response was similar to David's words, "Don't fret, everything is going to be okay." They would encourage us not to carry out our threats. Even as adults, it's often hard to yield to these wise words and not do unto others as they have done unto us. Yet, this is the teaching throughout the scriptures. Jesus said, "Resist not evil, if someone hits you on the cheek, turn your other cheek to him." Paul also said, "If it be possible, in as much as lies within you, live peaceably with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath." In other words, we are to let wrath have plenty of room, for it's not our job to avenge ourselves. Our Father God makes it His business to fight for us and will avenge us of any wrong.

When David said, "fret not yourself," he was in essence saying that we are the ones who make a choice whether to allow ourselves to fret or not fret. Yet, instead of making a conscious decision not to be disturbed by evil men and their deeds, we keep rethinking the matter and the more we think about it, the bigger the offense gets. After David said, "fret not" he gave further instructions that would help us guide our thoughts in the right direction so that God would be able to deal with our situation.  In verses three through eight he said:

    1) Trust in the Lord, and do good.
    2) Delight yourself in the Lord.
    3) Commit your way unto the Lord.
    4) Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
    5) Cease from anger.

When you are challenged with a fretful situation, think on these special steps. They are very simple but they were written by a man who had faced some of the same and even worse injustices that you are facing. King Saul, whom David served faithfully tried to kill him. David's father neglected to count him among the other brothers when they were presented to the prophet. David's brothers rejected him and spoke disrespectfully to him. His wife mocked him because he worshiped God. Absalom, David's son, rebelled against him and tried to take the kingdom from him. His life was full of evil men who worked against him, yet David never had to avenge himself. He allowed God to avenge him. Like David, if you find yourself in a place where it seems that evil is working against you, take courage. If you can simply hold your peace in the midst of the battle, God will fight for you. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/14/07
HOPE IN GOD

In reference to sheep, Mr. Keller explains the term "cast down" more precisely. He says that it is an Old English term for a sheep that is stranded on its back. The sheep creates its own predicament by laying down in a hollow, or depression, in the ground. If the sheep is heavy because of its own weight or the weight of its fleece, the center of the sheep's body will shift and the sheep will turn over onto its back in the depressed ground. Once the sheep is on its back, gravity will keep it there. Mr. Keller says, "A 'cast down' sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration." The sheep has no means to deliver itself. Its only hope is to rescued by the shepherd.

The psalmist referred to his soul as being "cast down" and disquieted within him. This meant that the things that were going on inside of him were not quiet, but instead, very loud. We sometimes find ourselves in this same situation. We're "cast down" or flat on our back and don't understand what is going on. We may not even know how our circumstances progressed to this place of hopelessness or how we slipped into this place of depression. Our minds talk to us and tell us that we need to give up because things are not going to work out. After listening to our minds, our emotions get stirred up and we become frustrated and anxious. Like this psalmist, in our tears we may begin to ask, "Where is God? Why is this happening to me? When will He deliver me and what should I do?"

Just like the sheep that is cast down, there is no one that we can depend upon except the Lord our Shepherd. The other sheep may sit there and bleat to us in our distress, giving us counsel. As good as that counsel may be, only the Shepherd's still small voice can drive out the anxiety and fear and bring peace. And as much as others may want to comfort and help us, only Jesus can truly rescue us and turn our life right side up again. Only He can strengthen our legs and help us regain our balance. In John 10:14 Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd and I know My sheep." He knows everything about you and your circumstances. Don't allow yourself to fret over the past, be in despair about today, or be frantic about tomorrow. Don't lend yourself to the position to be cast down. Put your hope in the Lord and trust Him to lift you up and deliver you. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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There can be no birth without first a conception. This is a natural fact and also a spiritual truth. Even the Holy Christ Child was conceived by Mary. She conceived ... and then she brought forth. It was an unusual conception in that it happened as the Holy Spirit came upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowed her (Luke 1:35), but still there was a conception. This supernatural occurrence was a picture of what happens in our spirits when God wants us to give birth to His purposes in our lives. First, His Holy Spirit comes upon us, inspiring us with a vision, a hope, or a dream. After our spirits conceive His thoughts, we then must nurture those thoughts or seeds with faith. Finally, we bring forth on or give birth to vision by the power of God.

God is so awesome in His plan. The supernatural comes about in such a simple way. Like the conception of a natural child that comes through love making, conception of the spiritual also comes through loving and worshipping God. We see so many examples in the scriptures of people who received a natural blessing when they worshipped God in their spirits. The leper worshipped Jesus and was healed (Matthew 8:2). The ruler worshipped and his daughter was raised from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26). Again, a young girl was delivered of a devil when her mother worshipped Jesus (Matthew 15:22), and a man possessed with many devils was also delivered and made totally whole when he worshipped the Lord (Mark 5:1-13).

You cannot birth healing or any other blessing until you have first conceived it from God in your spirit. You prosper and have health in the natural as your soul prospers (III John 2). It's so simple - whatever you need or desire has to happen first in your heart. Your heart is like a natural womb where the seed is conceived. Proverbs 23:7 says, "As you think in your heart, so are you." Intimacy with God changes you. When you worship God in the midst of your need and hopeless situation, the Holy Spirit overshadows you. True love and worship opens your heart to conceive the supernatural and then faith brings about its birth. You must surrender to God's will and exercise your faith to conceive His promise. As you do, He will plant God's vision of victory deep inside of you and give you strength to deliver in due season. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/18/07
WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given ... and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor ..."

Isaiah 9:6 lists five names that Jesus would be called. One of the names that was given was Counselor. If we ever needed supernatural counsel, it is today, as we function in a fast paced society. From the home to the market place, we are faced with decisions that are new and ever changing. Our world is profoundly different than it was just a few years ago in every area. There are scores of material written to explain how to cope in today's society and efficient professionals that are there to help meet our needs. As good as these people may be, God has a better plan for us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Counselor.

From the beginning, our Counselor, Jesus, told us how we could obtain eternal life and gave us a standard of living. He explained the beatitudes and told us the benefits and blessings that would follow if we would live by them. He not only gave us good advice, but He showed us by example. He lived and died for others. He told us to forgive and then showed us forgiveness when He forgave Peter, His special friend, who denied Him. He also forgave His enemies who crucified Him. He imparted His peace to us so that we would not have to live in turmoil and confusion and sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into all truth.

Proverbs 3:5-7 tells us to lean upon this Counselor named Jesus. We are to trust Him with all of our hearts and minds and not rely on our own understanding. When we do this, He gives us direction and counsel. James 1:5 (Amplified) says, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God Who gives to every one liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding." This same verse in the Message Bible says, "If you don't know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get His help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believing, without a second thought. People who 'worry their prayers' are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."

Isaiah said, "Unto us a Child is born and unto us a Son is given." Put your name in the place of the word 'us' in this declaration. Jesus was given for your benefit so ask Him for wisdom. Then trust Him with all of your heart and lean upon Him, for He is a wonderful Counselor. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
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12/19/07
CHRISTMAS

One night the shepherds were going about their normal duties. It probably seemed that it was going to be a typical night as they watched over their sheep in the fields. Little did they realize that they were destined for a divine and supernatural appointment with the angels of the Lord and that centuries later this encounter would be re-enacted time and again as one of the most prominent events in history. Images of angels and lowly shepherds would stand along side the nativity scenes and their pictures would appear on thousands of Christmas cards. It is interesting that the angels did not go to the religious leaders of the synagogue, the Sadducees, or the Pharisees. Neither did they go to the wealthy or the prominent. Instead, God chose to send them to the lowly shepherds whose testimony would be one of the confirmations that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had been born.

Can you imagine the surprise it was to the shepherds when the glory of the Lord shone about them and the angels began to speak to them? The shepherds' first reaction was fear, but the angels reassured them that they were bringing good news and these good tidings of great joy were for all people. Christmas actually means "Christ for the masses." God never excludes anyone from salvation. His word says that whosoever will, may come. It also declares that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Christ Jesus gave His life on the cross for the masses of the world. He died for the pure and the prostitute, for the rich and the poor, and for the educated and the unlearned. He died for those who habitually obey the laws of the land and for the lawless. He died for the sinner and the saint, for the kind and unkind, the good and the bad, and the beautiful and the unlovely.

Jesus died between two men. One received Him and the other rejected Him. We have the same choice, for He does not force anyone into His kingdom. He gives us an invitation but we must respond. We can choose to believe the good tidings of great joy or we can reject them. We can receive the good news of His salvation, healing, peace, and love or we can allow it to pass us by. The good tidings of His mercy, grace, longsuffering, and forgiveness are available to us and will bring us great joy, but we must receive them. God has offered you much in His word so give some serious thought to your life during this special season. Reflect on His good tidings of great joy and be assured that Christ came for the masses, and that includes you. +++

Mary and Joseph were espoused to be married. 'Espoused' among the Hebrews was the legal part of the marriage, meaning that the legal documents had been completed and signed, and that the marriage date had been set. Even though Mary and Joseph had not come together as man and wife, this legal binding could only be broken by a bill of divorcement. In the midst of the season of their espousal, Joseph learned that Mary was with child. His first thoughts were to put her away privately so as not to expose her to public shame. While he thought upon these things, the angel of the Lord spoke to him. The angel told Joseph not to fear to take Mary as his wife because the child in Mary's womb had been conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Without fully realizing what was happening in his life, Joseph was in the perfect will of God. God had chosen him to be the husband of Mary and to act as the natural father who was to care for the Messiah child, Jesus. For the next few years, Joseph was to protect and provide for the beloved Son of God. He was also destined to be the instrument that God would use to fulfill many of the prophecies of old as he followed the leading of the Lord and obeyed the visitations of the angels. But now because of the purpose of God and the divine conception of the Holy Ghost, Joseph was facing public shame and misunderstanding. In the midst of this conflict, Joseph almost abandoned his destiny by putting Mary away privately, but God faithfully intervened and kept him on course.

Like Joseph's walk with the Lord, God leads us in our natural paths to fulfill His supernatural purposes. Often we have no idea that God has set before us divine appointments. We just proceed in the natural toward our goals and plans, thinking that we are only pursuing our dreams and visions, when in reality God has caused us to conceive those desires by planting them in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. God then opens and closes doors by His wisdom and leads us unknowingly down His paths that He has designed. Suddenly, the season comes for His perfect plan to be accomplished in our life and great conflicts may accompany it. We may face many challenges, yet we must never give in to fear or abandon the destiny that God has for us. We must continue to hold on to the things that have been conceived in our hearts by the Holy Spirit and allow God to complete His work and His plan. As we allow God to work in our lives, we will stand in wonder as we find ourselves in the right place at the right time, accomplishing something for His kingdom that we never thought possible. +++

God does not do things randomly. He has purpose for all things and it seems to be very fitting for Joseph and Mary to be found in Bethlehem when it was the time for Jesus to be born because the name Bethlehem means "house of bread." God was making provision for all mankind, for Jesus is the Bread of God (John 6:33). He is also called the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and the Living Bread (John 6:51). Yet when Joseph and Mary arrived at this special place that God had ordained, there was no room for them. Jesus was the King of Kings but instead of being birthed in His own castle, He was born in a borrowed stable where animals were kept. Instead of having a royal bed, His mother gave birth to the Son of God on the ground amongst the animal's straw. Instead of having royal subjects to assist her, Mary and Joseph, alone, took care of the Anointed Christ. Instead of being given royal robes, the Messiah was wrapped in swaddling clothes. And instead of being laid in a beautiful crib, the Savior of the world was laid in a manger where the animals were fed.

It is no wonder that as all mankind neglected the birth of His Son, that God, Himself, showed up to honor Jesus and to celebrate this wonderful event. God created a great star to light up the sky and then He instructed the angels to sing as the glory of God shone all around them. They pronounced, "Peace on Earth and good will towards men" and sang, "Good tidings of great joy." God brought the shepherd's of the field to worship the Christ Child and moved upon the kings and wise men of the East to bring gifts that were fit for this King of King and Lord of Lords.

As we think about this story, we must examine our own lives. Jesus stands at the door of our heart every day and knocks. Will we tell the Lord of Lords that there is no room today because our schedule is full or will we invite Him to come in so that we can commune with Him? Will we give Him the lesser place in our lives or will we treat Him as King and allow Him to be the ruler of our heart? Will we allow other idols to dominate our lives or will we worship and bow before His throne? Will we be reluctant to share our means with Him or will we give the best gifts that we have to offer? These are all personal questions that each of us must answer. The Lord is seeking for an open heart. Do not allow the moment to pass because your heart is so full of the world that you have no room for Him. Instead, give Jesus your best. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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12/26/07
LIKE SHEEP

Scripture: Matthew 9:36 "And what pity He felt for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great that they didn't know what to do or where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd."

When Jesus was born, the angels heralded His birth saying, "Good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). Some thirty years after this angelic salutation, Jesus began the ministry that He was sent to fulfill. He traveled through all the cities and villages, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and teaching in the Jewish synagogues. As the Messiah, He announced the Good News of the Kingdom, for God the Father had anointed Him to bring good tidings to the poor, suffering, and afflicted. Jesus also comforted the brokenhearted, opened the eyes of the blind, and announced liberty to the captives. He gave joy those who mourned, beauty for those whose lives and dreams had turned to ashes, and replaced the heaviness in the hearts of men with praise (Isaiah 61:1-3).

As Jesus ministered His message of good news to the multitudes, He compared them to sheep. Until Jesus came, the people wandered around as though they had no shepherd. Their problems were so great that they didn't know what to do or where to go for help. We often find ourselves in this same place because our problems outweigh our solutions, and we have no avenues of help. Our family and friends fail us, and we find ourselves overwhelmed by all that surrounds us as we try to lean on our own understanding. We try to fix our problems and we wander around like lost sheep that have no shepherd or direction. We forget that we have a wonderful Friend that we can go to, who will stick closer to us than our own brother.

We can be thankful to God that He looks on us with compassion when we are passing through these dark valleys. Before our problems ever existed, God sent and anointed Jesus to bring us good news and ordained Him to be our Great Shepherd. As our Great Shepherd, we can confidently lean upon Him and be assured that He will lead us into green pastures and beside the still waters. We can trust that He will always be there to heal our broken hearts and restore our souls, for He has made a special vow to never leave us or forsake us under any conditions. We never have to wander around as sheep who do not know what to do or where to go. If we simply listen to Jesus' voice and follow Him as He walks before us, He will lead us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. +++

As your Heavenly Father, His presence surrounds you and there is nothing that can get to you unless it passes through His loving heart. You are such a precious treasure to the Lord that He keeps an inventory of the very hairs of your head. Each one is numbered and each time you lose one, He takes notice and records the incident. Therefore, you are not to fear, for God is in control of your every situation and is on top of every circumstance. You must leave distrust behind and proceed in faith, believing the words that Jesus spoke. He said that God takes notice of each sparrow that falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29).

Flight takes faith and to leave the comfort of the nest takes courage. Like the sparrows, God is watching your every move and His love is there to sustain you and carry you to the place that you need to be. Remember that you are of more value to Him than many sparrows. This knowledge of God will give you a new meaning to the desperate seasons that you may face. There may be mountains of joy and valleys of loneliness, days without the sun and nights without the moon, but your trust in God must remain absolute. He is sovereign, He is concerned, and He is in control. Nothing will happen to you that He does not notice, for you are of value to Him and the very hairs of your head are numbered. +++

Copyright © 2007 Mary Padgett Ministries. All Rights Reserved
www.widsonline.com
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12/28/07
FOLLOWING GOD'S PLAN

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9 "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure."

We can't envision the destiny that God has planned for us or compare our plans with the Lord's plan for our life because His plans are much higher than ours. His plan is as far away as the heavens are from the earth. We know the Word tells us that He wants to give us a future and a hope, but that future is often hidden from our eyes. Yet, this ignorance concerning our destiny doesn't mean that we don't have one. God is continually working behind the scenes in our life and He will reveal His plan to us at the appropriate time if we stay in unity with Him. His strategy to fulfill His plan is very simple. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). To fulfill God's plan, all we need to do is to hear His voice and then follow where He leads. We don't have to know the plan from A to Z. All we need to do is just take one step at a time, and each step of obedience will give light to the next.

The shepherd knows so much more than the sheep. He may be forced to lead his flock from the open green pastures and cool waters to a safer place because he knows that a storm is coming or impending danger is near. Even though the sheep are being led away from the water and provision, they never question their shepherd; they just follow with a trusting heart. They hear his voice and they follow. Like the shepherd, many times God leaves us no choices and just orchestrates our life as He did Joseph's. God's sovereign hand was leading Joseph from the pit to the prison, and from the prison to the palace. In Joseph's eyes at the time, it probably didn't seem like a very good plan, as the end was very obscure. All he could do in the midst of his adversity was hold on to his dream. Joseph had his own thoughts about how his dream would come to pass but his plan, which included his family bowing before him, was all about self-ego. God, however, had a greater plan and sovereignly directed Joseph's steps in order to bring deliverance to a multitude of people.

Do you sense a divine dissatisfaction in your spirit concerning your destiny and God's plan for your life? Possibly, you are not satisfied with where you are now and know that there is a greater call on your life. You must surrender the plans you are making in your own mind, and yield to God. Everything may seem obscure right now and nothing may make sense. But if you will take one day at a time, listen to God's voice, and follow Him, He will cause you to be in the right place at the right time and bring you into contact with the right people. The Lord will direct your steps and make each one sure. +++