Advent Meditations 2012

Blessed art THOU+, LORD GOD of our FATHERS...

And Elisabeth spoke out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luke 1:42

His+ favor rests upon you --- BLESSED --- is a wonderful confirmation from cousin Elisabeth that Mariam was central in the Will of The LORD, as she carried the HOLY CHILD JESUS in her virgin womb.

This confirmation was precious for Mariam, you see, had no time to tell Elisabeth about the situation before she saw her.

So... how did Elisabeth know to so loudly proclaim such blessings being bestowed upon young Mariam ?

Elisabeth knew because she was immediately filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.  This happened upon hearing even the voice of her kinswoman Mariam who was with child.

Now, recall, Elisabeth knew all about miraculous babies already... for she herself was carrying John the Baptist in her womb during her old age. She who was barren !

Meditation

O GOD Who bringeth forth all manner of impossibilities, bring forth new growth also:  an intense desire to do Thy+ will.

I am painfully aware of when I follow my own desires; have mercy  upon me; I repent.  Please cleanse my heart of self-interest, self-love.

O LORD, help me to guide those little lives  THOU+ hast entrusted unto me to set Thy+ will always before their eyes . Then they will have no regrests --- like I do --- as they walk through life, living for JESUS instead of Self. 

Blessed art THOU+, O LORD GOD, King of the universe! THOU+ Who +  hast shown us the path of Life+.  Amen.  

The Path of No Regrets....

There is no way around it: You MUST pick up daily discipline in order to grow. Otherwise, you will be vigorously tossed about by all the daily trials that beset you. Yes, trials DO come to every Christian every day. But, if you establish a daily discipline in your daily routine , your walk will become much smoother in spite of the trials.  

And he that taketh not his cross,

and followeth after ME+

is not worthy of ME+.

Matthew 10:38

How do we "pick up our cross" if we have no persecution?

We do it by applying DISCIPLINE to ourselves. 

Discipline does not mean that we beat ourselves with whips and cords. No, it is far more of an endurance trial than that.

Discipline entails self-denial of "softening" pleasures. It entails replacing time spent in worldly activities with GODLY pursuits. It means submitting our daily schedule to HIM+ to embrace prayer stops at 9 a.m, noon, and 3 p.m. It involves submitting our reading material to HIM+, replacing much of it with The Word of GOD.

Discipline involves stopping ourselves at the doors that say, "No Trespassing -- This Concern of Yours Will Be Handled by ME+. " 

This is the way the serious disciple of CHRIST JESUS learns to make HIM+ LORD... truly LORD...  of his life.

Let us learn to practice discipline.

It is the one path of

no regrets.

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