New Wine, New You

"But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Luke 5:38 NKJV) Just like wineskins, when we give our life to God, the old and the new do not mix. One cannot put old wine into new wineskins. New wine has to be put into new wineskins. Otherwise the skin bursts. When we give our lives to God, the old life cannot be part of the new life. We are made brand new in God through Christ. God wants us to fully commit ourselves to Him. Otherwise, we are lukewarm Christians. God does not recognize lukewarm Christians because they are not fully commited to Him. In Revelations, God says of the lukewarm church, "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelations 3:16 NKJV) It is only when one fully gives onesself to God, can they truly be freed of their past and live totally for God and be preserved. But, what a relief it is to know you are no longer chained to your past mistakes and hurts! What a joy that is! Love, Beau

Never Changing

Days change. Times change. Seasons change. Months and years change. But, G0d NEVER changes. God says in The Holy Bible, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever," and "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Hebrews 13:8; Revelations 22:13 NKJV) As we go into the new year, we can keep this hope and this promise treasured in our hearts, knowing that God has always been with us, is with us, and will always be with us. And, nothing about Him ever changes. We don't have to second guess Him. He is steadfast and steady, and we can always count on Him. No matter what you call Him, God is our rock and foundation, and will be with us through all eternity if we let Him. What a reassuring and comforting thought!! Love, Beau

Beau's Christmas Miracle - A Reason to Believe

"But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer." (Psalm 66:19)
Okay, I know this isn't about the baby Jesus, but it IS about the power of prayer, of miracles, and the goodness of people...which is what this time of year IS all about. It's also about friendship and caring. It all started when I got so very sick and bills started stacking up against mom's already stack of medical bills. We only asked for prayers for answers from the Cat Blogosphere. And, we prayed hard too. Instead of just prayers our friends rallied around us, auctions and raffles started, not just to help me but other sick friends as well. So, not only were we being helped but other friends as well. Mom found out Monday I HAD to go to the specialist to really find out what was wrong with me. She fretted and worried about how many green papers it was going to take to pay them. Tuesday night mom did a lot of crying, having very long talks with God, and crying some more. She knew it would all work out she just didn't know how. Wednesday we went in to my regular vet and they said someone had come in the day before and anonymous donated $200 toward Beau's vet bills, and the woman checking her woofies out was so touched by hearing that she donated an additional $50. Mom cried some more. THEN, we get home and check my email. A UnitedCats friend wanted to pay the entire amount of Beau's specialist bill. The specialist bill was covered, and most of the regular vet bill is being covered. And I was able to get the help I need to get better. Mom called the specialist place and verified it with them, and they said it was true. Mom cried some more. The first point of this story is that God heard our prayers, and answered them. Prayer DOES work, and is a powerful force! The second point of this story is miracles DO happen. They happen every day, and God often uses those around us to make them happen...and He could be working through you right this minute to make miracles happen! What a blessing and a joy! The third point is this, when you do good things, people do notice and it has a ripple effect. You never know how many lives you have changed for the better by one small act of kindness. Someone said I was the miracle this year. I brought all these people from everywhere together and created all this goodness. I beg to differ. God did it. And, yes it all started back when God gave us his only Son to redeem us. Now let's be the ripple effect. Amen. Love, Beau

Just Believe....!

"And they told him, saying, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.' And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them." (Genesis 45:26) Miss Peach, and her mom, asked a good question last week. They wondered how Mary must have felt when she told Joseph she was pregnant, and the look of doubt, disappointment, hurt, pain, and probably feeling potrayed was in his eyes. She must have been devastated, felt all alone, and like he didn't really love and trust her. Just like when Jacob doubted those who said Joseph was still alive, Mary's Joseph doubted her. But, in both cases they were telling the truth. Sometimes it's hard to believe in miaracles and the least likely odds. The world, and our common sense tells us one thing, but God tells us another. He tells us anything is possible, and that He can do ALL things. He tells us just BELIEVE in miracles...and have faith. And then, He gives us the best gift of all...His son, our redeemer, through a virgin birth, no less. So, the next time someone tells you something hard to believe, before you totally count it out (using a little common sense)...just BELIEVE. It might just be a miracle! Love, Beau

Expecting

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14 NKJV) God has promised the Hebrews that He would send them a saviour, and now this young teenage girl, Mary, was with child. Everything God had told them was coming to pass. The excitement and the joy in the air must have been electrifying. It must have been like a father pacing the floor in the waiting room waiting for his child to be born. The whole Hebrew community was pacing waiting for their savior and redeemer to be born. Surely celebrations of all kinds were being planned as well. It was also a time of awe and reverance. God was faithful and true, and was doing something no one else was capable of doing. While we wait for the birth day of Christ, will we continue to wait with great joy and anticpation that makes one feel tingly, or will it be just another holiday?? How will you prepare for the birth day celebration? Our Father is having a birthday party. Let us prepare with the same great joy. anticapatory exitement, awe and reverance! Love, Beau

Faith of a Child

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV) Imaigine being a poor, peasant, teenage girl living in a faith-based community. In the middle of the night an angel comes to you and says, "God wants to know if it's okay with you that you be pregnant, and give birth to His son." Now, I think that would be a little freaky to have happen in the first place.
Second, the implications of doing this would be HUGE. She could lose her family, her fiancee, her friends, she could be scorned and even get kicked out of the community...or worse. It would take an incredible amount of faith, trust, and courage to do that...but that is what she did. She told the angel, "Yes, if that is God's will for me then I will do it." She had no idea what she was getting herself into, or what was ahead, but despite the fears and anxiety she must have had, she was strong in her faith, trusted in God, and was at peace with her decision. How often do we fall short of having that kind of faith, trust, and courage in God. We need to have courage and strength for the unknown journey ahead, and we feel ourselves start to falter, think of Mary, mother of Jesus. Love, Beau

Praise and Thanksgiving

"Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 106:1) What things have God blessed you with lately..a warm home, clothes, having a job, a loving family, non tangilbes such as forgiveness, joy, strength, compassion, sensitivity, faith,
endurance, or His unshakable love? Whatever God has given you it is good, and important, to give thanks to God for these things. Life happens so fast, and we should not take any gift of any kind for granted...no matter how big OR small! We need to take time every day, not just once a year, to thank God, and praise Him, for His many blessings, His gifts, and for His eternal love and forgiveness. Love, Beau