Healing

"But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves...And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." (Malachi 4:2; Matthew 4:23 NKJV) This is the time of year when many people (and animals) get colds, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and a host of other physical illnesses. It is also the time of year, especially around the holidays, when many people (especially the elderly and homeless) experience major bouts of depression. The Holy Bible teaches us that whatever sickness and or disease one has, God can, and will, heal it. I do have to say, however, that sometimes God says yes, sometimes no, and sometimes not yet. It depends on what God's will is for one's life. Also, He can heal us in ways we didn't expect or plan. But, God does, and will, heal a person in whatever way we need Him too. God also uses others to help heal...by intercessory prayers of healing, by witnessing about what God can do, by providing rides to doctors, and even by companionship and visiting those who may need a friend or a support person. Young, old, single, married we can all be a minister of healing to others just by reaching out to others and sharing words of kindness. So, this year remember these two things: God can heal ANYTHING, and we can all be His representatives and also be healeers by our words and deeds. Love, Beau

Peace on Earth

"And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!' " (Luke 2:1-14 NKJV) Peace, love, hope, and salvation for the world came into the world on a night long ago. Let each one of us be an instrument for carrying these forward every day. A change starts with just one person, just like it did hundreds of years ago! Love, Beau

What about Joseph?

"But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.' " (Matthew 1:20 NKJV) So many things are written about Mary and how admired she is...people seem to forget about Joseph. Granted, Joseph wasn't in the picture as long because he was older and probably had died before Jesus went through his persecutions and death. But, Joseph was also amazing. Think about it. The woman he was going to marry got pregnant and it wasn't even Joseph's. Can you imagine what he thought, and what his friends were probably telling him??? Then an angel comes to him and tells him who this baby is and for Joseph to be the human father. The pressure he must have been feeling. He hadn't signed up for any of this! It's enough he had to worry about how he was going to support his wife, but now he had to think of affording a baby as well, PLUS he had the added responsibility of trying to keep everyone, especially Jesus, safe from those who would be out to kill Him. It also had to weigh heavily on him that, because he knew Jesus' fate, that he probably wouldn't be there for Him and for Mary. But, despite everything, Joseph was the model of a man of grace under pressure. You never hear of him going nuts, losing it, or even getting angry (except that one time when Jesus stayed at the temple...but then he had to act the father). Joseph did what he had to do, and he did it with a cool head and with grace. Joseph was a good man, and should be seen as the male counter role model! Love, Beau

Following the Star

"So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." (Luke 2:15 NKJV) Picture this: You're a shepherd minding your business watching your sheep on a quiet, star-filled night. All of the sudden, this angel appears telling you about this special baby named Jesus that was born, that you just HAVE to go see. Then the angel disappears. Do you question your sanity? Do you think you're so tired you're hallucinating? No, this shepherd, and two of his shepherd friends consult each other and decide to take a leap of FAITH, and make the trek to visit this baby. All they have to guide them is this amazing huge, bright start off in the distance that suddenly appeared. They start on their journey not exactly knowing where they are going in Bethlehem, or what to expect along the way. This took a lot of faith and trust. This is what we all need to have as we make our journey. Our life's path is our journey that ultimately leads to us meeting the baby Jesus someday if we follow the star. But, we too must have faith and trust as we follow the light that leads our path. If we do, we will reach the baby Jesus. Love, Beau

Bring YOUR Gifts

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness." (Romans 12:4-8 NKJV) In the Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy, he didn't have anything to bring baby Jesus...so he did what he could, he played his drum. That pleased baby Jesus. God gave us varying talents and gifts that He wants us to USE for His glory. Each of us has thier own special talents and gifts, and that is what God wants us to bring. That is what pleases Him the most. This Christmas holiday season don't go buy the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh to take Him. Use the gift and talents He gave you. And, we are to have the spirit of the Christmas season ALL year so do it each and every day. This is what pleases the baby Jesus! Love, Beau

Of the Spirit

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 NKJV) As followers of God, we are to act towards others as God treats us. We are to be ministers to one another, teaching and correcting one another, but we are to do it with the spirit of God in us...being compassionate, caring, loving, and forgiving. In other words, even though we don't always get along with others, we are told to have a spirit of kindness towards one another. Whatever we do, we are to do filled and moved by the spirt, including singing hymns of praise and thankgiving. In all things, we are to be of the spirt. Love, Beau

Give Thanks

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD!Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!" (1 Chronicles 16:8 NKJV) I did a search of giving thanks, in The Holy Bible. It gave me exactly 52 verses that said give thanks. I believe God planned that. He wants us to give thanks every single day and WEEK for our blessings, and His gifts to us. God wants us to take time to remember what all we have to be thankful for, especially in these times when there is so much negativity in the world. Mom has a big saying, and belief, that says, "If you don't take time to be thankful, God gave it to you and He can just as easily take it away from you." So, this week I want you to take just 5 minutes to think about 5 things you are thankful for, and then tell God how thankful and appreciative you are for them. And, one more footnote, the last part of this Bible verse states "make known His deeds among the peoples." Not only are we supposed to stop and be thankful, but we are also supposed to SHARE WITH OTHERS what God has done for us. This is called witnessing! So, go out and share after those 5 minutes! Love, Beau