Saturday, December 31, 2011

Celebrate!

When we celebrate, we want to be happy. When we celebrate the ending of a difficult or challenging year and enter into a new year, we are happier. When we celebrate the good things in life, we become cheerful. When we celebrate Jesus, happiness escalates into exuberant joy!

Take time to celebrate. Celebrate life! Celebrate your friends and family, or neighbors and co-workers! Celebrate the warmth of the sunlight or the stars twinkling at night! Celebrate Jesus Christ, who pulls us out of the darkness and brings us into His light!

Enter the new year with a celebratory spirit. Desire a happy heart. Draw closer to the Lord. For the Christ is bringing His people into a vintage season! Let the redeemed of the Lord celebrate!

If you found this post helpful, please share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or other buttons below. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, sign up for her email newsletter.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Welcoming the New Year

Walking along the brightly-lit path was a challenge for the blind man. He couldn't see the rocks in front of him or know the danger of the slippery slope on one side. He didn't notice the people who rushed past him, or recognize the boys who shoved him aside. But each time he fell down, he reached for the hand that helped him up, and continued walking.

Through wind and rain he trudged onward. Through snow and ice he kept moving until he reached the goal. When he stepped across the finish line, people cheered. His children hugged him. Friends patted him on the back.

A small child stood off to one side, watching. When the noise quieted down, she walked over to the blind man and took hold of his hand. Pulling him aside, she whispered something into His ear. The man smiled, and said, "Yes." Then the girl whispered something else. The man said, "Yes," again. The child giggled and skipped off to play.

A lady standing next to the man asked him what the child wanted. He replied, "She asked me if I knew Isaiah 42:16."

The woman pressed him for more information. "What is Isaiah 42:16?"

The man cleared his throat, and said, "The Lord said, 'I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.'"

"Oh," the lady replied. "What else did the child ask you?"

The man smiled. "She wanted to know if Jesus Christ was my Savior, and I told her that He was."

May you walk into the New Year with confidence that the Lord will lead you through the storms of life. May you know that Jesus Christ will never forsake you, no matter who you are, or what you did, or what situation you are in. Whether you are sick or healthy, rich or poor, blind or have good eyesight, the Lord will lead you onward and teach you His ways, so you can be filled with peace. And when you receive God's peace, you can bring peace to every situation, and watch God's glory overshadow the darkness.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or other buttons below. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, sign up for her email newsletter.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

One Ordinary Night

On an ordinary night, many years ago, an angel appeared to a virgin to tell her that the favor of God was upon her — that she would give birth to the Son of God. On an ordinary night, nine months later, while people slept soundly in their beds, an extraordinary event took place. The God child was born in a stable in Bethlehem, and placed in manger.

The Heavens rejoiced! The angels sang! Some of them were so excited they appeared to the shepherds, who were struggling to stay awake as they watched over their sheep. The lowly shepherds, a people group that others despised, had the honor of being the first to be invited to gaze upon the child. So the shepherds went to an ordinary stable, filled with ordinary animals, and encountered two ordinary people, named Mary and Joseph. They approached the manger and saw, with their very own eyes, the blessing that God had sent — the promised child. Their hearts were filled with awe and wonder at God's gift to mankind.

Every day is an ordinary day. But when we ask the Lord God Almighty to open our hearts to receive His Gift, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. For when we say, "Yes," to Jesus Christ, our hearts become filled with a new hope. We become sons and daughters of the Living God, and we begin a journey of discovery. We start to understand how awesome God really is, and that we are new creations in Jesus Christ. We discover that God the Father has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and that He is rejoicing over us with singing. We discover that God is a God of comfort, who heals our broken hearts and equips us for the journey ahead.

May you allow Jesus Christ to heal any brokenness in your heart, this holiday season. And may the joy of Jesus abound in you.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or other buttons below. Thank you.

For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, sign up for her email newsletter.

Monday, December 19, 2011

The Gift of a New Day

Darkness slowly crawls into the background as the sun peeks its head over the horizon. It's another dawn, another day, another opportunity to enter into life. But am I ready to embrace the gifts that await me?

As the sun rises, will my heart also rise up with brightness and joy? When the daylight pushes away the darkness, will I also be willing to let go of yesterday's pain? When the sparkling dew or the morning frost washes the day with newness, will I also be willing to wash away the memories of past mistakes so I can embrace the new opportunities that come today?

Awaken, O my soul, and enter into this new day with a right heart, a positive attitude, and forward-facing thoughts. Help me, Heavenly Father, to embrace your gift of a new day with joy and thankfulness. Thank you, Jesus Christ, that You will be walking me through today. Holy Spirit, break through every barrier that binds me, and let me feel your guidance every step of the way.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or other buttons below. Thank you.

For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, sign up for her email newsletter on
www.promisegarden.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dancing Frost

Sparkling in the sunlight, the heavy frost takes on the appearance of a million diamonds. An even coat of dazzling white covers the gray roof. But it's the way the sun makes the ice crystals dance on the shingles, that catches my attention.

There are times when I feel frozen, like the roof across the street. I can't seem to budge from the place where I'm stuck. I need someone to shed light on my thinking, pull me out from the shadows, and enable me to see beauty in the tough situations. And this is where my Savior comes in. It's in the light of God's love where I can get up and dance, instead of sitting and sulking. It's warmth and compassion of Christ's heart that lifts me up, when I'm down in the dumps. It's the joy of Jesus that awakens my soul to delight in His ways, and strengthens my weary body.

So when I see the sun shining on the morning frost, and the beauty of the glimmering ice particles, I remember the Lord. For only Jesus Christ can thaw out my icy attitude and show me how to bless, despite the frigidness of the conditions around me.

If you found this post helpful, please share it by clicking the Facebook, Twitter or other buttons below. Thank you.

May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant joy found in Jesus Christ. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to
www.promisegarden.com

Monday, December 5, 2011

Guarding Our Nest

Unnoticed by the two squirrels chasing each around the yard, is a blue jay. From the top of the roof, the bird watches the squirrels run up and down several trees before racing race across the top of a fence. The gray squirrels leap into a neighboring yard, and wrestle each other in a pile of dried leaves. When they grow weary, the smaller squirrel scampers to the nearest tree and stretches itself across a wide branch. It's buddy disappears around the corner of the house.

A moments later, the blue jay flies to the squirrel's nest. The bird starts pecking the carefully woven leaves and twigs, pulling out seeds and nuts. Then the bird pokes its head out of the nest and looks around. The squirrels still haven't noticed, so the blue jay hops to a lower branch and begins extracting food from the sides and the bottom of the nest. A second blue jay arrives. Together, the two birds feast on the banquet they found.

It is easy to understand the importance of guarding our valuables, but sometimes we forget to guard the treasures in our hearts. Let us work hard to hang onto these precious gifts of joy and peace from Jesus Christ, and be alert to things that try to rob them from us.

May you breakthrough every obstacle that is keeping you from the abundant peace and joy that Jesus Christ has for you. For more encouragement and inspiration by Lynn Zuk-Lloyd, go to
www.promisegarden.com