The Best is Yet to Come!

Greetings:)

How many of you woke up to a perfect day? How many of you are living a perfect life? How many of you are 100% carefree 100% of the time?

GET OVER YOURSELF!!!!

No matter how spectacularly wonderful your life is -- or isn't -- at the moment, there is a TRUTH that I want us all to embrace, and it is found in Psalm 84:10.

"For a day in Your presence is better than a thousand anywhere else."

That's right.  Better than St. John's Trunk Bay in the Virgin Islands, my FAVORITE place on earth. And better than anyplace any of us has ever lived or visited.  Think about it; this is great news and a win-win for every one.  If your life has been picture perfect, it still can not compare to the glory that awaits. But if your life has been a mix of ups and downs and joys and sorrows, then all it will take is one day with our Lord to forget all about the former struggles and get your perfectly perfect eternity on!!!

Hang on, people, the best is yet to come!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Really? Just one day with You will be so awesome that it can not compare to even a thousand picture-perfect days on a Caribbean beach? Then we can't wait. When we go through a rough patch remind us that the best is yet to come. Sometimes we experience disappointments and heartaches that are overwhelming and can take a lifetime to get over. But all it will take is one day with You to realize what true joy is. Thank You. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

He's Not Letting Go~

Greetings!

Once upon a time in 1989 Jorge and I went on a cruise. We docked In Jamaica, and one of our activities was climbing Dunn's River Falls. It was truly majestic and beautiful, and there is one thing that stands out mightily in my mind. 

It wasn't the clear wading pools waiting at every landing or the way you could stand behind the falls and watch from the inside out, or even the fact that Tom Cruise had filmed part of his movie, "Cocktail," there.

The rocks we had to climb to get to the top of the falls were really slippery, and all along the way there were folks with bloodied knees and sore elbows. I myself lost my footing right at the beginning, and from that moment on Jorge grabbed my hand and did not let go until we got to the top. 

And it was not your typical husband and wife moment, holding hands tenderly. No! Jorge held my hand super tight, as if I were a toddler and we were crossing a six-lane highway. It really made an impression on me because until that moment, Jorge had never held my hand that way. 

He DID NOT LET GO until we got to the top!

Jorge is not the only one who has a firm grip.

Isaiah 41:13 (Message Version) "I, your God, have a firm grip on you, and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.' I’m right here to help you."

Aren't you glad God's grip is firm? Unyielding and solid?  Living life is way more perilous than climbing a slippery rock, and God knows it. He's not letting go!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, As we start this New Year we thank You that You wrap us tightly in Your love and protection. We move forward into 2016 hand in hand with You. Anything is possible! In Jesus name, AMEN~.

Lessons From a Newly-healed Man!

Acts 3:2-8

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and PRAISING GOD.”

Happy New Year, and greetings in the name of our powerful and precious Lord!

Have you ever felt like the lame man in the verse above?  His problem had been going on so long that he accepted it - all he did was beg for money so he could at least have the basics of life.  No where do we read that he prayed for a healing. I hope it’s because the temple goers were generous, something all Christ followers should be known for. 

Regardless, we can learn a lot from this newly-healed man.  As soon as he received his healing he went straight into the temple courts praising God!  He did not complain that his healing had taken a lifetime to arrive.  He did not question why God had let him suffer so long.  He did not get angry that Peter and John had not shown up earlier or that he had wasted so much of his life as a beggar who had to depend on others for pretty much every thing. No! Instead, he did what we all should do when the answer comes: HE PRAISED GOD!

When he was taken by the hand, helped up, and made strong, he used it to first and foremost praise God.  That’s not to say he didn’t have questions.  All of us want to know, “Why?”  Sometimes, however, it is better to go with the flow of the good thing that has finally happened and just praise God.  It is better to forget the past and enjoy the new thing. Once we are off that desert road we should focus on the blessing and not look back. (That sounds familiar!)

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We look to You to take us by the hand and help us get up into our healing.  When we get up, we will praise You.  We will not sit back down and wonder what took You so long.   Nor will we squander our lives being bitter about anything that was lost.  On the contrary, we thank You for all the good in our futures.  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Desert Road~

Happy New Year's Eve!

We are about to usher in a New Year, and I am excited!  Fresh starts, new resolutions, hope on the horizon - that's what a new year brings.  And my prayer for us all as we move in to 2016 is that we will, as it says in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. See the new thing God is doing.  He is making a road through the desert..."

What was your "desert" road this past year?  Did you travel through a dry, hard, unforgiving place that has left you craving cooling streams?  Are you parched and exhausted? Tired of the same ole' same ole'?

If so, then clap your hands and start thanking God because He is doing something new right now in your life. He is paving the way for you to get out of that mess. 

These verses are loaded with promise and hope, but before we can be alert and present, we have to let go of the past.  We must F-O-R-G-E-T.  Let's take a step of united faith and believe that if God is telling us to stop hashing and rehashing our history, it’s because it’s possible.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I take You at Your Word and pray that You would help me forget all the junk that brings me down. Help me focus on You and the new and glorious thing You are doing in my life..  I thank You for watching over me and my family this past year, and I look to You for every single thing we need this new year.  In particular, I desire deeply to be able to let go of ________________________;it’s a joy killer, it constantly crushes my hope, it consumes my mind, and it sometimes helps the fear creep in.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Gifts From the Heart~

Christmas is not the only time to give gifts, so today I present to you a DEVO written by one of my faith heroes: Joni (pronounced Johnny) Tada.  This amazing child of God was in an accident over 40 years ago that left her paralyzed from the shoulders down.  God opened a door for her to minister to others, and she has made an impact on MILLIONS of people.  Google her! 

Whenever she speaks I listen because she is credible.  I encourage you to unwrap her words slowly and then take them in and purpose in your heart to follow her example. Those of you who are perfectly cheery 100% of the time are exempt.

She writes:

"Every Christmas I think about what it was like to be on my feet during the holidays.  There were parties and plays, decorating, hitting the malls.  Then came my accident.  That Christmas I spent at a rehab center.  Adding to the hurt I was already feeling was that I couldn't but gifts for anyone.  The way I saw it, God was asking too much of me. The use of my body was taken away at Christmas time, but also the joy of giving.  On the afternoon of Christmas Eve I felt like a martyr.

"But Christmas morning my heart softened...as I focused on Christmas's meaning, I realized the best gift I could give was myself.  My mom didn't want a new dress; she wanted to see me smile.  My dad didn't need a new bridle for his horse; he needed to see me laugh.  My sister didn't need another sweater; she needed to see my grab hold of hope."

Joni's point, and it's a great one, is that there are some gifts we can't buy, but they are extremely valuable because they are "gifts from the heart."

Maybe you've been grumpy lately and everyone in your family knows it.  Maybe you've been self-absorbed and your spouse feels it.  Maybe you're dealing with a big problem and haven't smiled a lot lately.  Joni is not saying we don't have good reasons to feel these ways sometimes, but she is saying that everyone can benefit from a gift from the heart--especially those closest to you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I already know who could benefit the most from a gift from my heart. I already know who would love to see me enjoy life and smile.  Give me the strength to follow through.  In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Behold it Yourself~

Luke 2:10-11 

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And the angel appeared to them and said, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"

The angel who spoke these power-packed words really wanted the shepherds to whom he said them to to activate their heart and minds  -  to purposely consider how great and incomparable Jesus is, to keep their focus on Him, to get Him into the depths of their being through faith and hope.  To absorb into their souls that they had just heard the very best of the very best possible news ever given.

So what did the shepherds do? They went and checked it out.  

"...the shepherds said to one another, 'Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger." Luke 2:15

Try to picture this scene.  A bunch of shepherds are minding their own business when all of a sudden an angel appears with a powerful message.  They decide to "behold" for themselves, and as a result, they have an up close and personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind.

Don't you wish we could do that? We can! The angel said these good tidings of great joy shall be to all people! That means you and me!

Let's choose to behold our Lord.  To feast our eyes on Him. To make note of all He has done for us.  To make Him the focus of Christmas day and every day. When we do, we will be like the shepherds who, "were glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen."

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for the life-changing news the angel brought.  And even though it was so long ago, You wanted us to receive the message right along with the shepherds.  We choose to behold You today in all Your splendor and miracle-working power.  Release it into our lives.  In Your name, Amen~

Hindrances and Hurdles~

Thursday 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 also treks it up to my door and drops off packages.  I also enjoy receiving cards from friends and seeing how their children have grown, as well as sending out my own cards. (I have been told that this year's is the best one so far!)  A week ago we had our office luncheon, and every night I practice for our Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve.  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!

2015 Fernandez Family Christmas Card