3...2...1...Happy New You!

All was quiet in the synagogue. That was until the sound of the rustle of clothes as a man stood distracted Eli.

A man Eli recognized rose from his seat with an old, worn scroll in his hands. He pulled it open and studied the text until he found what he was looking for. In a loud voice he said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." With a moving light in his eyes, the man said with authority, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Eli gasped. How could he say such things? Those words were borderline blasphemous!

A younger man next to Eli nudged him in the side. "Wouldn't that be great?"

He frowned. "Wouldn't what be great."

"Wouldn't it be great if this was the year of the Lord? The year where He made all things new, and blessed all of us who were broken, poor, or sick."

Eli turned away from the younger man without answering. The man, whom he had recognized, was Jesus, the son of Joseph. Eli had to admit. The man had a certain charisma and fire that seemed to scream change. That maybe, just maybe, it was possible. That would be amazing.

But it wasn't that year.

That simple man couldn't make anything new.

Based on Luke 4:16-30

Happy New Year's Eve and New Year to everyone!

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph’s son?" And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away." Luke 4:16-30

I was thinking, "What's more New Year's appropriate then this?"

The answer. Nothing.

My thought is really, really simple. Let this be your new year. Jesus came, died, and rose again so that we could be made new. Those people in Jesus hometown didn't believe in Him, and that seriously stinks...for them. They missed out on being new. They could have been made new that year. They could have had the best new year in all their lives. Instead they stuck with the old and used.

Chained or free, saved or not, we all have a tendency to cling to the old. Our old selves. Our old lives. Old beliefs. And it never gets us anywhere. Instead, let Jesus make you new all the way through this year!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

3...2...1...Happy New You!

V. Joy Palmer

"He Sees, Hears, And Answers!"

   And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 

   Then she made a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget your maidservant, but will give your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.

   And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth.

   Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.

   So Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!"

   And Hannah answered and said, "No, my Lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

   Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now."

   Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him."

   And she said, "Let your maidservant find favor in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

   Then they rose early in the morning and worshipped before the Lord, and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

   So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked for him from the Lord." 1 Samuel 1:10-20

May He grant you according to Your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Psalm 20:4-5

Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. Psalm 38:9

Don't forget that He sees the desires of your heart! It doesn't matter what  it is or how big a thing it is in the eyes of man either. It only matters that we as His people bring it before Him, knowing that He hears us! He hears the cries of our hearts and it doesn't matter what the Eli's think or judge either. God knows the truth of things and He alone is the One who can hear and answer the hearts cry with a miracle if necessary. He alone truly sees,  hears, and answers!

Even when what all anyone else sees is barrenness or  bitterness of heart and soul,  God's response is, "Is there anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18:14

All That

He wanted to wear the blue robe with the gold trim and purple jewels. Unfortunately, his stupid servant didn't know where it was.

That's why he was dead now.

Herod walked the halls in his ruby red robe trimmed with blue jewels. His guard escorted him quietly. They knew full well that one misstep would result in their deaths.

He was god in his kingdom. Not some man from Nazareth.

The guards efficiently opened the doors for him. Everyone in the throne room dropped to the floor. No one made eye contact with him. He walked to his throne and turned very slowly. Addressing the sniveling beings in his most condescending tone, he informed them that he should execute them all. However, due to his unimaginable graciousness, he was sparing them.

He. Was. A god.

The people completely prostrated themselves in front of him. They were kissing the filthy floor, and their muffled shouts described his wisdom and glory. "The voice of a god, and not of a man."

That's right. He was god in his kingdom.

And then he dropped to the ground as pain ripped through his chest.

Based on Acts 12:20-23

"Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, 'The voice of a god, and not of a man!' Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last." Acts 12:20-23

I read this story, and it makes me so sad. It's a mournful story of someone who wouldn't give God the glory. A story of someone who honestly believed he was godlike, who refused to even acknowledge the Higher Power that created it all. For crying out loud, I can't look at the stars or the grass, a baby, an orange, a volcano, or even a stinking book without seeing the glory/power/awesomeness of God.

We all screw up and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but God is pretty tolerant of our junk. This wasn't normal level screw up. This is a man refusing God with every fiber of his being. A being that God created. Eventually, he had to answer for that.

So, what's my point? What can we learn from this?

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Yeah, we may be smart, or capable, or impressive. We may have amazing abilities. We may be good leaders. We may be cunning and crafty. We may be wise and knowledgeable. However, God is ten times that amount. Be careful not to fall into the same trap Herod fell into. It's only because of God that we are what we are. It's only because of His power, glory, and might, that we can be awesome. Don't forget that. Give God the glory for whatever you do, whether it's eating a donut, or solving the world's crisis.

Yeah, we are all that, but God is more.

V. Joy Palmer

"We Must!"

 

 "Believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
   You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is out of the Jews.
   But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
   God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:21-24.

Made to worship! We, as those who are called His own ... must worship in spirit and truth! The word truth here means; true, as not concealing. As His people we must come before Him with our love and adoration laid bare before Him. Jesus said we "must" worship Him in spirit and truth ... not concealing anything. In spirit and truth means we are supposed to come before Him declaring our praise and our adoration because we know that He and He alone has made the way for us. We not only can but must come before Him as we acknowledge both our sins and our praise for the price He paid. He made the way that makes it truly possible for His people, a people who are called by His name, to truly be a people who understand that for us the hour is now. We were made to worship Him in spirit and truth ... here ... now ... in this very moment! Even now in this moment, please take the time to lay bare before Him your adoration and praise. Why? Because you were made to worship and the hour has come to worship Him they way we truly must! In spirit and truth.

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!

Sing out the honor of His name;

Make His praise glorious.

Say to God, "How awesome are Your works!" Psalm 66:1-3

God Bless!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to 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, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!'

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.' And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:1-21

Lord, I pray that you bless all of our friends here on the Snack Time Devotions blog. I hope they had a wonderful day! Thank You for coming for us, dying for us, and loving us. Thank You for all Your mercies. Thank You for our friends and families on this special day.

Thank You for hanging out in the manger for us.

Merry Christmas and God bless from the staff at Snack Time Devotions!

Give Him Christmas

The sky seemed darker. Moody. Red. Bloody. Like God in Heaven was showing His own despair, and mourning along with her. If only she could have done something to stop this.

Her Son was nailed to a couple pieces of wood.

God's Son.

Tears streamed down her face as he lifted his head. She could tell the action pained him greatly. He struggled to hold in his cry of agony.

Blood streamed down his face and continued like a river down the rest of his body. She could hear people mocking, taunting, and laughing at him. The guards had just finished casting lots for his robe! Very few people here cared that he was dying.

She hated this. She hated this plan. Why? Why did God allow this? Why did He send her a miracle baby only to let him die? Why did Jesus do this? Mary dropped to her knees. She couldn't handle this. It was killing her. Slowly, as he died, she died. It was like someone was stabbing her soul and letting the blood run free. She wheezed, unable to catch her breath.

Thunder rumbled. Perhaps it was God shouting his own anger. She wasn't alone in this. The Lord didn't like it any more then her. She didn't know why, but she needed to trust Him. Somehow, someway, this would save them all.

Based on John 19:25-27

"But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." John 19:26

Merry Christmas Eve to you all!! :)

So being a new mother and it being Christmas and all, I've had Mary and God on my mind.

I think about Mary seeing her Son dying on the cross. A miracle Son that God had entrusted her to care for and love. A Man she had raised to be good and caring. A Son who knew more then her. I think about that sweet, little baby Jesus she held in her arms. I think about Mary's shock and appreciation when Jesus took care of her when He asked John to love her like his own mother.

Then I think about God letting His Son come to our world, a world that mostly hated Him. His Son who died for people who can be so ungrateful...us. His Son who was and is eternally royalty being reduced to a servant and claimed by mere men to be a criminal.

And then I think about my baby. If someone tried to hurt her, I would do ANYTHING to keep her safe. But Mary was submissive to God's plan even though it was difficult. God still let His Son go to save us. Jesus still choose to die for us.

We all talk about giving and thankfulness this time of year, but we secretly focus on all the cool stuff we hope to get. However, Christmas is about giving, but even more then that, it's about the sacrifices that were made for us. The ultimate sacrifice made for us. It was made for family. Us. Next time we fight God on a sacrifice we need to make, we should give Christmas back to Him. He is family, after all. Give Him Christmas, too.

V. Joy Palmer

Keep Knocking

A blast of cool air hit Peter in the face.

Rhoda had forgotten to let him inside the house...

She would be back, right?

Peter shifted his wait from one foot to the other. He wasn't sure how much time had already gone by, but it had been awhile. His feet were starting to get sore. He kept knocking, hoping that at any moment someone would realize he was really here.

A small piece of wood tore into the flesh of his hand. Great. A splinter.

He could hear people arguing inside the house. Didn't they hear him? Why weren't they coming out to get him? Did they really not believe Rhoda? If he could let himself in, he would. Then he would yell at them for being so faithless.

Peter immediately chided himself. No, he wouldn't do that. Jesus had waited for him to understand stuff. He still waited for Peter to understand. He wouldn't yell at the others for the exact same thing he had done.

A dim light blinded Peter. He blinked several times before his eyes focused on the shocked faces standing there. They had opened the door. At last.

Based on Acts 12

"But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed." Acts 12:16

I've always wondered about this... Peter went to his house because the people waiting and praying there were close to him, yet he knocked on the door. And when Rhoda was forgot to let Peter in, he continued to knock on the door. He didn't let himself in, or yell for Rhoda to come back. He waited and continued to knock.

Why? What can we learn from that small, trivial piece of information?

A lot, actually. But today were are going to stick with this one truth.

Don't give up.

Peter went to his people, and they left him out there. How long did he stand out there while everyone argued inside the house about whether it could possibly be him? They didn't believe, but he didn't give up. He kept knocking, waiting, and believing they would open the door.

Sometimes our people let us down, and they leave us knocking. We want to give up. We want to scream. We want to cut them off. However, we need to keep knocking. We need to not give up on our people. God doesn't give up on us. He waited and continues to wait patiently for us everyday to figure out a life of faith.

It can be unbearably frustrating and heart wrenching to wait for people to figure it out and get the message. However, we need to keep knocking. Don't give up on your people, Christian or non-Christian. Keep believing that eventually they will open that door.

V. Joy Palmer