Archives for 2017

December 21, 2017 by Rachell Page-Wood

Light of the World

Christmas is the celebration of the coming of the Savior of the world! It has been celebrated for centuries, since the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The birth of The Promised One was prophesied by many seers, hundreds of years before His coming! Isaiah 9:6 is one of the more familiar passages of scripture concerning the birth of Messiah:

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Light of the World

December 25, A.D. 336, is the first recorded celebration of Christmas. No one knows for sure on what day Christ was born, but those of us who believe, and follow His teaching, know in our hearts when we were “born again” and adopted into the family of God.

This year Chanukah, The Festival of Lights, begins December 24, on Christmas Eve. This is a beautiful time and fitting, to celebrate together the love and faithfulness of our God, the giver of Light! A time to reflect and read again of the miracles God performed, reaching down to earth from heaven to touch the hearts of men and shine His light on a sin darkened world. Christmas is a time for miracles, the greatest miracle being the everlasting love of the Father for His children. He gave the gift of His Son, the promised Messiah. This wondrous gift ends our separation from Him, forever. (John 3:16)

And yet, over two millenniums later, many still walk in great darkness, searching, looking for light and purpose, seeking answers for the questions of life. Scrolling through my “newsfeed,” I read pleas for prayers, stories of deep darkness, terror, confusion and fear. Once again, I’m reminded of the promise concerning The Prince of Peace. Over 700 years before Jesus birth, Isaiah said, “In Galilee of the Gentiles. The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Light illuminates darkness, making clear another, better path to walk. Light gives sight to the spiritually blind and offers freedom from the prison of darkness. John tells us that Jesus spoke to people and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.” (John 8:12) In 1998, J. R. Smith, a poet and musician wrote, “Once upon a time…not so very long ago…I was traveling down a long and wearisome road. At times…in the clear still darkness… I could almost see into the very heart of the night…and it made me weep. Behold…the fear of The Lord!… I had read somewhere. Slowly…painfully…something drew me to a child! Was it fate…or something more…that gave me sight…one wintry night?”

The Prince of Peace has come! We can walk out of the darkness and into His light, one step at a time. His promise is everlasting life and joy, even in the midst of sorrow. He said we can have His peace, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27)

Christmas is a time to rekindle hope and faith! It is a time to allow God to renew our minds and shine His light on those dark difficult challenging places in our lives. Reach for the hand of The One who has promised to guide us in right paths. He will teach us His ways; leading us to still waters where we will find peace. The Light of the World is our Savior and promised Messiah, Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ( John 1:1-4)

Light of the World, fill our hearts with your bright goodness and lead us in the way everlasting!

(Photo credit: ©kevron2001 – Fotolia.com.)

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March 17, 2017 by Rachell Page-Wood

Peace in His Presence

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” ~ Romans 12:17-18, 21

Ever feel like you’ve been run over by a Mack truck? All of us have had the experience of feeling “overcome.” Prayer and perseverance bring peace.

There are times in our lives when we must make sacrifices. Change is not comfortable, or easy, but it is necessary to make the determination to let go. Whatever it may be, simply lay it all down—everything at His feet. Sometimes this can be our relationships, friends, family, our work dreams and aspirations. If we will lay them all at the feet of Jesus, search His word, seek His will and follow His way, we will find ourselves negotiating change.

Peace in His Presence

Initially this change may feel painful and it can be lonely, but only temporarily. There are seasons in our lives when for a time we must remove distractions, and be quiet and still in our hearts in order to hear the voice of our Shepherd. We will hear His voice if we listen for it. His answers will come through prayer and His word. By His grace and mercy, rest and peace are promised, and we will come to know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)

Jesus said, “I have told you all this, so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Webster defines perseverance as “purpose and a course of action; especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, and discouragement.” The Apostle Paul encouraged believers in Rome with beautiful timeless words that lift our spirits still today:

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ~ Romans 5:1-5

Hope does not disappoint! Our hope is in the Lord and we take heart in the reality of His great love. The Holy Spirit gives us courage, and in the face of deep distress and sorrow, He is our help and strength. “Have courage and be kind” isn’t just a sweet saying; it is excellent advice and completely possible with the help of our Lord! With God’s presence and truth at work in our hearts, we will overcome and find His peace.

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage all you who hope in The Lord.” ~ Psalm 31:24.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Romans 15:13

There is peace in His presence.

(Photo credit: ©4Max – Fotolia.com.)

January 9, 2017 by Rachell Page-Wood

Upheaval! Where do we go from here?

For too many in our world, this past year has been one of great disturbance and epoch-making upheaval. Cataclysmic events have led to incomprehensible sorrow. We have heard and seen images of happenings around the world that have tested our credulity and sorely tried our faith.

Currently around the globe in this 21st Century, there have been extreme acts of violence and brutality that hearken back to days of archaic barbarism. In light of these egregious atrocities, we may well ask, “What will 2017 bring?” Our prayer is, what will we give to this New Year?

Upheaval! Where do we go from here?

With God’s help—through prayer and a determination not to “grow weary in well doing”—we can bring a positive influence for good to our world by giving and sharing our faith. (Galatians 6:9) Every child of God can spread hope and share a legacy of faith that will heal.

What is faith? Faith is complete trust and confidence in our God. What is a legacy? “Anything handed down from the present and past, as a gift.” In this New Year we can give the gift of faith, hope and love.

How can we be light in a world that appears to be degenerating into extreme darkness? Shine! One small candle dispels even the darkest room. Edith Wharton said, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

What we require is tenacious faith and determined effort. We need the kind of indefatigable faith and courage that the early church demonstrated. The apostle Paul encouraged believers with these words, “Therefore do not cast from you your confident hope, for it will receive a vast reward.” (Hebrews 10:35)

We must not lose hope! John was a pillar of strength to the church in Jerusalem. Later in life John wrote beautiful encouraging epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. His words are timeless. Believers today can take them to heart and receive renewed hope and purpose. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4)

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith! Thank God relationship brings revelation. We read so many stories in scripture that tell us how God’s revelation and intervention changed circumstances. Daniel and his companions are a powerful example of this. Daniel purposed in his heart to serve the God of Israel. He was submitted to God’s word and His will. Daniel prayed, walked in humility and remained faithful even under extreme circumstances. He said this of His God: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever… He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:22)

Daniel had a great name: God is my judge. A name in the Bible many times is a description of the person, or of what God would do through an individual. Daniel’s friends had good names, too! Hananiah means: grace, mercy and gift of the Lord. Mishael is: who is like God! Azariah means: Yaweh has helped! What’s in a name? Plenty! God knew what Daniel and his three Hebrew friends would face. He gave them good names, and He gives a good name to us, also.

A quote from Max Lucado that I appreciate: “God loves us as we are but His love won’t leave us as we are. He is changing us everyday.” So true! If we will allow Him, God wants to change us into His image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

We know His name, and thankfully, He knows ours. David wrote a Psalm of praise saying, “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:9,10)

The Word tells us He takes pleasure in those who respect Him, in those who hope in His mercy and trust in His unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11) God has made this promise to those who are called by His name. He said, He will hear from heaven, and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

In the coming months, we will have many opportunities to pray and do good. Let’s make the most of them! This year give a legacy of love, encourage hope and share faith.

Remember, if we know Him, our names are written in the book of life. Where do we go from here? The best is yet to come! “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” (Revelation 3:12)

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