Mary’s Assurance

Though most of us are still trying to figure out what to do with all that turkey, tomorrow is officially the first day of Advent. I’ve been holding back on those Christmas stories and carols until now but today I offer to you my first Christmas devotional of 2020. God bless you and if you are interested you can find the entire collection over on Amazon under the title – Whatever Happened to Christmas? by Peter Caligiuri.

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called Holy – the Son of God. Luke 1:35 ESV

Often, we hesitate to ask God questions because we’re afraid, He’ll be angry. But if anyone had a right to question God about His plans, Mary certainly tops that list. When Gabriel announced to her that she was going to have a baby Mary didn’t jump up and down for joy. Instead she questioned, “How can this happen?” and then she filled God in on some intimate details by adding; “I have not known a man.” (God I’ve been good!).

But instead of God shooting off some thunderbolts or refusing to answer He gladly shared exactly how things would go down. That gives the rest of us great hope as we wrestle with our own worries. Whether our questions are about social justice, the spread of Corona virus or our own physical ailments God invites us to ask them. He is not upset when we come to Him with our doubts; instead, He delights to show us His answers. He knows our fears and He is saying, “I’ve got this! Life is uncertain, but My promises are not!” So, this Christmas if we will just trust Him as Mary did then we can know that whatever God sends us comes from Heaven, and just like Mary we will one day see the face of Jesus Christ.

Thanks for your prayers

Dear friends I want to thank everyone so much for their prayers and encouragement as we have been working towards the reopening of nursing home ministry here in Florida. Wow God has really been opening doors especially for the holidays. We have now a monthly outdoor meeting, though only with those in independent living apartments. But we also have Christmas caroling for two facilities approved for those on the inside! In addition I was able to finish writing a 30 day Large print Christmas devotional and our small group took an offering to purchase 35 to give out. This Saturday we’ll be giving away the first half of those at Sunshine Christian Village and the rest next week t a different facility.

Most encouraging  to me personally, is the many people including some of the residents who are joining together with us to make this possible. I have seen over and over again how God is at work even when things frustrating and hopeless. Please don’t stop praying because at this point I have no idea how long the doors will remain open. That is why we must give our best doing what we can in the here and now. We should never reserve our forces for doing what’s perfect tomorrow when God has given us today to do what is possible.

Getting to Sing by Christmas

Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord , all the earth! Psalm 96:1 ESV

It seems that the door is just beginning to reopen to nursing home ministry if only just a crack. I cannot yet go into a facility nor can the residents come out. But what we were able to do was meet outdoors with those in the Senior living units that surround the main building. Please pray with us that no matter the results of the election that in some safe way that we will be able to sing for our dear friends by Christmas. We can and do send cards and have already raised money to purchase about thirty large print Advent devotionals to give. What is on my heart is to have opportunity to sing Christmas carols in person even if we cannot hug or even shake hands. Thanks for your prayers encouragement and ideas. Today the video includes Have Thine own Way, some clips from our meeting last Saturday and O How I Love Jesus. God bless you and have a great weekend.