A Weekly Walk in the Word

Exodus 15:19-20 When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s (and Moses’) sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.

Miriam was on the journey to the promised land alongside her brothers, Moses and Aaron. They have spent years in the wilderness living in tents. The moral among the people was low as they lashed out and questioned their decision to leave Egypt. Instead of going with the flow and falling into the same mindset, Miriam leads the women. She leads God’s people with music and dancing and singing. What an incredible way to lift spirits in the camp. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone this week to joyfully lead God’s people.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

As children, we have all learned what actions to take if our clothes catch on fire. But, have you ever been taught what to do if your life is on fire? It’s simple… the same rules apply. You STOP what you are doing. You DROP to your knees. You Pray. Even if you don’t have the words, the Holy Spirit knows your heart and will be right beside you as you cry out to the Lord. When life feels overwhelming, revert back to your childhood….. Stop, Drop and Pray.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

January when the temperature drops and the snow falls, it is the perfect time to be still, to rest in God. One of my favorite spots to be still is before dawn in a barn full of new baby lambs and their mamas. Where is your favorite quiet place? We all have so much to tell God about our situations. We have so much to ask God as we navigate life. It is time to shift. Take time to be still as you listen to God you will know him and his sovereignty. Be still and know his will for you today.

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

When the temperatures drop and the snow falls, it forces life to slow down. And, I am not going to lie…. I love snow days! So, how do you spend those winter days when you are stuck inside? It is definitely an ideal time to clean out a few cupboards, organize a closet or pick up a craft project that has been sitting unfinished far too long. Getting things done is not a bad thing. But taking time from our busyness to sit at Jesus feet is better. You will become refueled and ready to tackle your long to-do list. I pray that you spend a little more Mary time with the Lord during Martha weather this winter.

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities: all things were created by him and for him.

The local yarn store called to ask if I could fill in for a few weeks to help out one of the gals who is recovering from back surgery. I jumped at the opportunity. My studio is already filled with an unhealthy amount of hand spun and dyed yarns along with all the special skeins I have picked up here and there. I have more yarn than I can knit through in my lifetime. But, there is just something about working alongside other yarn enthusiasts. My creative juices are flowing and I have an updated list of fiber projects for 2024. We need relationship with God. And we need relationship with others. One without the other would be less than we are created for. What is on your list to create this year?

Revelation 21:6-7 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”

It is done! You did it! You made it through the entire New Testament this year. It is bittersweet, like finishing a good book. Because, you have just finished the BEST book. So, now where will you go from here? What are your reading goals for 2024? How will you draw closer to God in the upcoming year? My prayer for you is that you will place God on the top of your 2024 priority list. God Bless You in the New Year.

Luke 2:4-20 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Revelation 14:1-3 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song, before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.

It is Christmas Eve! I have been preparing for this day for the past 2 months. The house is quiet now, but within hours it will fill with the most wonderful sound of our children’s chatter and laughter. We will have Christmas music playing for one more day. During prep time, I think I have heard every version there is of Mary Did You Know, The Little Drummer Boy and Silent Night that have been recorded. I love Christmas as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. But, I am ready for a new song! I am ready to celebrate the life of Jesus and look forward to Him coming again… to learn a new song.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings will complete our New Testament readings in a year. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Revelation 15:1-8

Monday – Revelation 16:1-21

Tuesday – Revelation 17:1-18

Wednesday – Revelation 18:1-24

Thursday – Revelation 19:1-21

Friday – Revelation 20:1-15

Saturday – Revelation 21:1-27

Sunday – Revelation 22:1-21

Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Our calendars fill up quickly, especially during the holidays. It is so easy to become overbooked making it hard to slow down enough to celebrate baby Jesus’ birth in the manger. To celebrate Mary who leaned into her call to be a young mother to the Christ child. To celebrate Joseph who listened to the angel and chose to be a husband to Mary and father to Emmanuel. In the verse above, Jesus is standing at your door waiting for you to accept the invitation he has for you. How will you respond to Jesus’ unique call for your life? Enjoy your intimate connection with Him.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Revelation 8:1-13

Monday – Revelation 9:1-21

Tuesday – Revelation 10:1-11

Wednesday – Revelation 11:1-19

Thursday – Revelation 12:1-17

Friday – Revelation 12:18-13:18

Saturday – Revelation 14:1-20

2 John 12 I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

As I sit writing Christmas cards, I am experiencing the same feelings John felt as he wrapped up his letters in 2 John and 3 John. Receiving letters are lovely, but I wish I could reach through my Christmas card to hug the recipient. I wish I could sit with each one over a cup of coffee to catch up on the past year. These days we have so many ways to stay connected with all the technology options. But, there is nothing like talking face to face. We all crave that human interaction. There is nothing like worshiping in person and holding the hand of the person next to you while praying the Lord’s Prayer. Let’s stay connected and take the time to really be there for each other.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. We have started our last chapter in the New Testament – Revelation! This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Revelation 2:1-17

Monday – Revelation 2:18-3:6

Tuesday – Revelation 3:7-22

Wednesday – Revelation 4:1-11

Thursday – Revelation 5:1-14

Friday – Revelation 6:1-17

Saturday – Revelation 7:1-17