Daily Inspiration
For so long I did not take the time to appreciate the beautiful gifts that God gives us each and every morning. These was always so much to do and so little time to do it in, so it seemed. Now, though, things have shifted in my life, and I take great pleasure in watching the sun rise and seeing the beautiful colors that spread across the sky as if God is painting a masterpiece right before my very eyes. And He is! I often sit by the window with my Coke Zero in one hand (I am not a coffee drinker) with a camera in the other snapping pictures as God reveals His wonderful work of art!
Throughout the course of the day, you will find me looking out the front windows of my home waiting to capture photographs of my little feathered friends. In all of the rush of life and the hurried pace I once kept, I did not take time to appreciate the beautiful birds right there in my own yard! Who knew that I had gorgeous red Cardinals, brilliantly colored Blue Jays, and Wood Peckers that looked as if they slipped on a zebra colored jacket and red top hat for my viewing pleasure. Ah, but they were there all along. I just needed to slow down enough to see them. When I did, I was amazed at these little creatures that choose to call my yard their home, even if only for a little while.
My daily inspiration comes straight from God Himself. Each and every morning as I look at the beautiful faces of my daughters I am continually reminded of just how very blessed I am in this life. I get the honor and privilege of gently waking up my daughters to greet the day with me. As they wipe the sleep from their eyes, I whisper a silent, “Thank you God …” for this moment with them, for the blessings that they are in my life … for trusting me enough to send these two little angels from above to love, nurture and care for … and as I write these words the reality is that I, as their mother, am to do just that – love, nurture, and care for them as they grow each and every day … but they also love, nurture, and care for me in return. My life has meaning because of them! Oh thank you, dear God, that I get to be their mother and share these special moments with them! Thank you, God, that we share a special bond together, one that I hope we will always have!
How do you greet the day? What might you be overlooking that could provide inspiration and joy as you start your day or as you go about your way throughout the day?
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season especially, I encourage you to take a few quiet moments for yourself. Breathe in all of God’s beauty that surrounds you. Listen to the song of the nearby birds as they sing God’s praises. Let each sound that they make remind us to also sing the praises of our Maker. Renew your heart and mind, then go snuggle in just a little closer to your loved ones.
This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 NLT
Free Advent Devotional By Billy Graham
As we are studying Advent leading up to the birth day of Christ Our Lord, I was given the gift of a free Billy Graham Advent Devotional Guide that I would like to share with you.
We hope this free devotional will be of great use to you as you prepare your lives, hearts, and minds for Christmas.
Blessings to you and your family!
Advent – This is love!
We now begin our second week of the Advent study with Good Morning Girls. I have actually looked forward to diving into the word this week. I need to read all about God’s love, and His story tells us of just how much He loves us.
In Matthew 1:18-25, we are reading about the birth of Jesus the Messiah. Again, using the NLT bible, it talks of how Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph. Mary, being a virgin, conceives a child through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being a good man and not wishing to disgrace Mary in public due to this, decides to break the engagement quietly. However, an angel of the Lord appeared before him in a dream telling Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The angel explains to Joseph that Mary did conceive by the Holy Spirit, that she will have a son, and they were to name him Jesus. The angel further explains that the baby, the one that will be called Jesus, will save people from their sins. All of this has to take place in order to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet. He would be called Immanuel, which means God Is With Us! The scripture goes on to say that when Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. When the baby was born, they did name Him Jesus just as the angel had instructed them to do.
As we go over to Luke 2:1-7, we read more of the familiar story of the birth of Jesus.
Oh what love the Father had for us all that He sent His only son to save the world! Jesus came to save people from all of their sins. Jesus came into this world as a little tiny baby boy. A miracle from God above! Precious little baby Jesus entered the world knowing what His fate would be. He would die a horrible death, a death of a criminal. He knew no sin at all when He walked the face of this earth. He was perfect! Yet, He bore all of our sins on the cross so that we may have eternal life! He rose on the third day. Oh praise God! Jesus is alive!!
This is love, ladies and gentlemen. This is love!
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
-1 John 9-10-
