Day #2/30 Days to an Unstuck Christmas
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So, here we are on Day 2 of our Unstuck Christmas my friend.
Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving Day? Watch the parade? Play football? Eat too much? I hope you were abundantly blessed. I realize that not everyone has a Hallmark Thanksgiving. We are going to be talking today about some of those family realities that sometimes keep, or threaten to keep, our Holidays STUCK! Let’s make a decision to let God lead us this year, as we find HIS PLAN (not our STUCK expectations) for how to be a blessing and get a blessing during this unmatched season of the year.
Before we get started, tell the truth–were you out shopping today? We all know today is “Black Friday” right? Not me..not in a million years! There is NO BARGAIN big enough to get me into the mall today. My sister on the other hand pitched a tent last night for a bargain she couldn’t resist!
Speaking of family–that is our topic for the day. Might as well tackle it from the get-go, right?
Join me as we see Dr. Luke continue his story about Jesus with some “dish” on the relatives and a bit of family background 🙂
I hope you enjoy today’s blessing and maybe I will see you on Facebook!! Links were in yesterday’s emails.
Hugs,
Pat
Day 2
5 In the time of Herod King of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:5-7 (NIV)
In today’s verses our storyteller, Dr. Luke, sets us up for the main drama by sharing some extenuating, yet critical, circumstances of the drama. As a writer, I have been taught that a great book chapter starts with an “anchor story” that gets you at “Hello.” One that is personal, descriptive and invites the reader into the scene. Dr. Luke mastered that step by starting his story of the birth of Jesus with the side story of relatives in crisis who would return to our story again and again.
Today’s verses share some extended family pain and loss. We learn about Elizabeth’s desire for a child, the sweet but cumbersome appeal of her priestly husband, Zechariah, and the first miracle in a long line of miracles.
We all have family drama, do we not?
The Holidays often set us up for engagement that may have been avoided all year, if not all YEARS! There is the bickering Aunt and Uncle. The cousin who drinks too much or is so loud the neighbors ask questions about your dinner conversation for weeks. There might be the cousin whose undisciplined children wildly take over your home at Thanksgiving and, in spite of your putting away the valuables, pull the bathroom sink off the wall.
You get my drift 🙂
Through Dr. Luke’s story we find these particular extended family members of Jesus to be “upright in the sight of God” yet a bit doubtful when it comes right down to believing for an all-out miracle.
Is there a miracle needed anywhere in your life today?
In your own home or one of a family member? I can list several as I write. As I consider family and friends who gathered yesterday and will gather again over the next few weeks to celebrate family, acknowledge and embrace the birth of Jesus and prepare their hearts and dreams for a New Year, I can think of many needed miracles.
We need to see a marriage saved.
We need some addictions healed.
We need some forgiveness finalized.
We need SEVERAL healing miracles!
Let’s apply today’s focus and prayers to those in our family who need the kind of miracle that Zechariah and Elizabeth experienced and then let’s get our “testimony of praise” on track, from unbelief to trust.
Together.
Today.
Let’s believe God, shall we?
Prayer: Lord, show me those family members and friends you have supernaturally planned for my life before time began. You do not make mistakes! ALL of your plan works together. Every little piece. Bring them to my mind often today as I speak UNSTUCK FAITH over them and trust that you will complete your work in their lives. Show me MY PART Lord. Is it a word of hope? Is it a chicken casserole? Is it an invitation to my church? Is it a kind errand to release their burdens? Open my eyes Lord. I want to see you today. Amen.
NOTE: Don’t Forget my 2016 Unstuck Christmas Special! It’s only $20.00! Visit the Shop for Details!