He Came For Me~

Luke 2:11 “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.”

 

Who was Christ born for?  Was it for them, those, others, him, or her?  NO! He was born for you!  I love inserting my name in verses like these, and I invite you to do the same.

 

For today in the city of David there has been born for Yenise a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord.

 

Amen and glory.  Jesus came for me!

 

He didn’t have to, but He did because He knew that You and I could not live without Him.  

Merry Christmas,

 

From my family to yours~

 

 

No "Buts"

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Sometimes I forget a very important truth in my life: GOD CARES FOR ME.  When problems arise, when troubles head my way, when the family is in a tizzy…I have to stop and purposely remind myself that God actively watches over me and is concerned with everything that concerns me.

I wish I knew why so much pain is allowed in our lives, but in the absence of answers, I try to put my focus on Him.  Yesterday I saw a friend whom I hadn’t seen in years, and I shared the story of the young woman who found her self thanking God that He delayed answering her prayers for a biological child until after she adopted her little boy.  By her own admission, her faith faulted more than once. 

And that’s when we were both comforted by the realization that there is no “but” to this verse.  He cares for you, but only when your faith is perfect.  He cares for you, but only when your attitude remains good.  He cares for you, but only when you pray a certain amount of times.

God cares for us no matter what, and that right there is reason enough to do a happy dance!

Let’s not use this unfailing love that God has for us as an excuse to not build our faith, to have bad attitudes, and never pray.  But rather, let’s allow His love for us and the power that He has at His disposal to ignite a passion for Him in 2015.  Let’s do what it says in Philippians 4:7, “…Let God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your unconditional love for us.  As we share our concerns with You today – (insert your concerns here) – we look forward to settling down.  We joyfully await all the wonderful things that happen when Jesus becomes our focus instead of worry. In His name, AMEN~ 

Let Him Have It~

Casting part two!

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I am known for tossing things as opposed to gently handing things over.  I have tossed everything from a fork that Jorge asked for while he sat comfortably on the couch to my own nephew during a spirited game of “hot potato”. 

The problem with tossing stuff is that it can miss the intended target.  No, my nephew was not dropped during the game.  But how many times have we thrown a wadded up ball at the garbage can and missed?  However, when we put something directly on or in the target, it has a better probability of staying put.    

Likewise, Jesus asks us to cast our anxiety ON Him so as to assure He has a firm grip on it.  Let’s be honest: Some of us are about to crumble under the pressure and strain of our problems.  Some days, maybe most days, we wonder how we can take even one more step.  The answer is to cast our anxiety on Jesus.  Let Him have it.  Let Him carry it.  Let your problems become His concern.  He can handle anything. 

These are the lyrics to the song we sang at my high school graduation:

There is no problem too big
God cannot solve it
There is no mountain too tall
God cannot move it

There is no storm too dark
God cannot calm it
There is no sorrow too deep
He cannot soothe it

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders
I know He will carry you

Before Christ can carry, we must cast – we must release.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We gladly let go of the anxiety we feel and toss it onto You.  We want You to carry it, to figure it out, to resolve the mess, pain, and hurt.  Move the mountains, calm the storms, and soothe our sorrows now. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Don't Reel It In~

Thursday greetings ~

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

This verse validates the human condition: We are prone to anxiety.  We tend to worry, fret, nail-bite, and play host to nervousness, dread, and even panic.

There of plenty of good reasons we feel this way too.  Anyone who has watched the news this week knows what I am talking about.  Coupled with all the personal struggles we face, it’s a minor miracle if we can get a full night’s sleep.  And Jesus, our precious Savior whose birthday we will be celebrating soon, rather than getting angry at us for not having our so-called “act” together, for having less-than-perfect trust that He has us covered, invites us to cast every last bit of our anxiety on Him.  Not at Him, but on Him. 

Let’s break it down!

First we cast.

Cast is a verb, and my husband the avid fisherman knows it well.  To catch a fish, one must put bait on a hook, attach it to a line on a fishing rod, and then throw it out into the water.  Jorge looks good when he casts because he has had practice.  I once casted by throwing out the line as if it were a baseball and hooked Jorge in the shorts.  He was standing behind me, and this was totally his fault.

The key, however, is to not reel in prematurely.  If you want to catch a fish you must leave that line out there.  When we pray, we are casting.  We are giving our worries and troubles to God, and that’s OK because He invites us to let Him have them.  However, after we pray, if we feel that worry creeping back in, then we know we have started to reel in that line and must cast again.  There is no limit to the amount of times we cast, and God knows it.  The way this verse is written indicates that “casting” is an ongoing act.  We don’t just cast once, and then we are done.  Fishermen don’t fish once either.  They continue to fish for the promise of sustenance.  We continue to cast because the sustenance of our souls depends on it. 

Let’s do it!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We cast every last bit of our anxiety on You.  WE DO NOT WANT IT! Sometimes it’s hard to function because we are consumed with worry.  Please take it from us.  You are the Prince of Peace and we want peace in every single area of our life.  Thank You that if we have to, we can cast again later. In Your name, AMEN~

Something to Look Forward To~

Tuesday blessings~

Romans 8:25”But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.”

Yesterday I read a story that really touched my heart.  A young wife and her husband were struggling with infertility, and it was heartbreaking.  After several failed IVF treatments, they decided to adopt.  Finally, they were able to bring home their little adopted son when he was two weeks old!  One week after that she found out she was pregnant.  Her adopted baby and her biological baby were nine months and two weeks apart.  But wait; it gets better.  When her daughter was two months old, she found out she was pregnant again.  She gave birth to another little girl bringing the grand total of babies to three in three years.

And as encouraging as this story is, that is not what touched my the heart the most.  It was what this mommy said when she found out she was pregnant for the first time.  “I never ever thought in a million years that I would thank God for not being able to get pregnant.  I struggled so much, cried so much, was jealous of other pregnant relatives and friends so much, had so many moments of such a complete lack of faith…But when I got pregnant, my first and immediate reaction was to thank God that I had never gotten pregnant before.  Why? Because I would never have pursued, prayed over, and brought my little boy home; and I can not imagine my life without him.”

Oh dear, dear people, so many things do not make sense.  Sometimes we endure seasons of protracted suffering seemingly without any good reason.  But our Lord knows what He is doing.  What are you looking forward to that you do not have yet? Is it a baby? A spouse? A raise? A reconciliation? A healing?  No matter what it is, God has the power to make it happen.  Never give up, and let us ask the Lord today to give us the patience and confidence we need while we wait for His timing.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Grant us patience while we wait on you because patience is better for our souls than the stress of impatience, which makes us irritable and anxious and devours our faith. And also grant us confidence in You because “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE with You,”  Luke 1:37.  In Jesus name, AMEN!

Make Room~

TGIF Greetings~

Luke 2:7 “And Mary gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

This past week New York City was in a tizzy over the visit of the future King and Queen of England.  They are, admittedly, two of the most famous people on earth, and I can only imagine the bragging rights that any establishment they did business with will have from now on.

Duchess Kate reportedly had a pizza party, and it wouldn’t surprise me to eventually see a tag line that reads, “The future Queen of England loves our pepperoni!”

(I understand being starstruck.  I once met Jean-Claude Van Damme in person – over 20 years ago – and let’s just say that I did not keep my composure.)

Nevertheless, it is precisely because of their fame and significance that every single attention to detail was checked, rechecked and then checked again.  I can not envision the royal couple trying to check into their hotel only to be told there is no room for them.

And yet, this is exactly what happened to the King of kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, and Light of the World.  To be fair, maybe the innkeeper had no clue who he was turning away.  And in the grand scheme of things, Jesus was born under the exact conditions that God fore-ordained. 

But…

We all know better and therefore must be diligent in making sure there is always room for Jesus in every area of our life.  I want Him to bless and guide every single aspect of my existence.  There is nothing off limits. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We can scarcely imagine the scene where Mary and Joseph were told there was no room for them.  How could anyone turn You away?  Maybe the innkeeper did not know, but we know Who You are and the overflow and abundance of goodness You bring into our lives.  Therefore, we are making room right now to receive You- today and everyday.  In Your name, AMEN~    

He Does Good Things For Us~

Christmas-is-two-weeks-from-today greetings!

“Prepare for God’s arrival! [clear away the obstacles]; Make the road straight and smooth.” Isaiah 40:3

I am going to a wedding the weekend after Christmas, and I am bringing a gift with me to give to the happy couple.  I received the invitation a couple of months ago, I RSVP’d that Jorge and I would attend, and then I bought a gift.  I think it’s fair to assume this couple is expecting us to attend the ceremony as well as receive a gift from us and from others at their wedding.

Likewise, if God is encouraging us to prepare for His arrival, it’s because He fully intends to come!  And when He comes, is He bringing a gift with Him?  No, He is not bringing a gift.  He is bringing several gifts! 

Here’s a partial list:

Do-overs, forgiveness, goodness, grace, guidance, healing, health, hope, joy, justice, laughter, light, love, mercy, opportunity, peace, protection, provision, redemption, wisdom…

Psalm 103:1 “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”

He does good things for us, and the way “does” is used in this verse means it’s  ongoing.

Every single day that we breathe, amazing blessings can be ours.  But, and yes, there is a “but,” because relationships are a two-way street.  

We must do our part and prepare, and then He arrives.  We prepare by praying, by declaring our total dependence on Him.  By asking for forgiveness of our sins.  Look at that list above one more time.  Can we honestly attain any of those things without Him?

When we let Him know that we need Him, He shows up.  God will always come, without hesitation, to those who are ready for Him.    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We are ready.  We are ready for all the good things You want to do for us.  We open our hearts and our lives to receive You. Forgive us of our sins so that we can make room for all the beauty You are bringing with You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Hindrances and Hurdles~

Tuesday greetings,

My Christmas shopping is in full swing, and I am about done.  I am on a first name basis with my UPS driver, and several times a week our mail carrier has to trek it up to my door and drop off packages.  I also enjoy receiving cards from friends and seeing how their children have grown, as well as sending out my own cards.  Just today we had our office luncheon, and last Saturday I was out until 3AM at another holiday party.  Plus, I am famous within a one-block radius for my annual talent show every December 25^th.  It’s just my siblings and me, and it’s a lot of work but also great fun.  So much activity happening in my life this month, and it’s because I am preparing for Christmas.    

I feel, however, that I am leaving something out…

Wait!!! IT’S JESUS!

“Prepare for God’s arrival! [clear away the obstacles]; 
Make the road straight and smooth.” Isaiah 40:3

The most important thing to do during this time of the year, and always, is to prepare for God’s arrival.  The way the word “prepare” is used in this verse means it’s an ongoing activity.  We don’t just prepare once.  We prepare every single day.  We must constantly clear away whatever is standing in the way of God getting to us.  Sometimes, for me, it’s the busyness of the season that keeps me from spending time with Him.  How ironic!  Christmas exists because Christ was born and in the huffing and puffing of getting stuff done, Jesus is overlooked.  Other times it’s my bad attitude.  Sometimes its even been watching TV.

But that’s why the precious Bible exists.  To gently remind us to get it together and prepare.  To proactively remove, clear away, delete, and purge any and all hindrances and hurdles that block our relationship with God. 

We all have a say in how easy or how hard we want to make it for God to get to us.  And I hope we are all saying “YES!” to making it straight and smooth because in doing that God will get to us in a jiffy.     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, How wonderful that right now as we pray, we are preparing for You in our lives.  Come to us, precious Lord, and bless us and our families.  Grant us wisdom, health, peace, joy, and hope.  In Christ’s name, AMEN!

What Are Your Tools?

TGIF greetings J

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I started thinking about Jael again.  It impresses me to no end that she did not hesitate to pick up that tent peg and hammer and kill the cruel man who was a threat for so many years.  I wondered if I could have done it.  I know a talk a big talk, but batter someone’s head in?  And then as I was thinking about that I heard God whisper to my little heart, “Yenisita, What are your tools?”

“Dear Lord, please clarify.”

“Your tools, Yenisita, what tools do you have to defeat the enemy of your soul?”

Jael had a hammer and a tent peg; we, dear people, have prayer!

2 Corinthians 10:4 “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

Prayer has DIVINE POWER to demolish anything that has a stronghold on you, your kid, your business…you name it.

What’s hanging onto you or someone you love right now that refuses to loosen its grip?

Is it rebellion? Loneliness? Drugs? Alcohol? Disease? Abuse? Fear? Depression? Anxiety? This list is endless, but God’s divine power is more so.  And we tap into it when we employ the mighty weapon of prayer!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jael had a hammer and a peg, and look at how she was remembered in song for bringing about a great victory in war. We have prayer! Thank You that prayer has DIVINE POWER to bring victory in our lives and in the lives of those we love by DEMOLISHING our enemy.  In Jesus’ name, Amen~

Write Your Own Praise Song!

Thursday greetings J

Yesterday’s DEVO ended with a verse from the mighty praise song the Israelites sang when the enemy was finally defeated – a verse we joyously prayed over ourselves. 

But there is another noteworthy passage in the song that proclaims, “Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite, most blessed of women is she, favored above all women who dwell in tents! Sisera asked for water, and she gave him milk in a dish fit for lords. And then she took a tent peg in her left hand and a worker’s hammer in her right, and she struck Sisera.  She broke and battered his head; she pierced his temple, and he dropped dead (Judges 5:24-27).” 

Jael was from a culture that placed a high premium on men and their war skills.  Women and their courage and their willingness to fight – well, not so much.  But our Lord is clearly showing us that anyone, women included, can bring victory.  You just have to be willing to get in the fight.  And when you do, a song might be written about it.  Maybe not everyone will know it, but those most important to you will.

In fact, if ever there were a praise song written about me, I would like it to say:

“Yenise, wife of Jorge, the New Jerseyan, most blessed of women is she, favored above all women who live in Westchester.  The enemy came close to her dwelling, and she met him head on.  He tempted her and her family, and she prayed for them not to fall for it.  Then she chose prayer as a way of life for every single obstacle and trouble that headed their way, and she struck that enemy down.  She broke every single plan he had for destruction in the mighty name of Jesus, and victory was hers and her family’s!”

Happy dance time!

Now go write your own praise song!

Our Victory Song~

Tuesday greetings ~

Remember how at the beginning of Deborah's story Barak was hesitant to lead his army of 10,000 unless Deborah went with him?  She agreed because she wasn’t afraid to get in the fight, and this goes to show us all that women can be powerful in their families, jobs, and communities.  There is nothing wrong with that, but in this case God had already clearly said the enemy would fall, yet Barak wanted Deborah to come along anyway.  When God calls us to take the lead—man or woman—and we waffle, there is a price to pay.  In this case, Barak learned that ultimately, the leader of the opposing army, Sisera, would die at the hands of a woman.  Ouch!

And this is where our story picks up.  Sisera had “escaped on foot,” leaving all his troops to die.  He “ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor.”  Sisera was the commander of King Jabin’s army, so Sisera, no doubt, felt confident that if Heber’s family was on friendly terms with the king, he would be safe.

Judges 4:18-20 “Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don't be afraid." So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.”

“Please give me some water," he said. "I'm thirsty." So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again.” "Stand at the door of the tent," he told her. "If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no."

Perhaps Sisera felt doubly safe in the tent of a woman, especially one so courteous and comforting. 

But…

Judges 4:21 “When Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died.”

After this amazing victory – when Israel’s enemy was justifiably crushed – the people broke out in songs of joy. 

My prayer for us today is the last line of that victory song:

Dear Lord, “May all Your enemies perish, O Eternal One!  But may we who love You be like the sun, rising and going forth with power!”  AMEN!!!