From the Cradle to the Cross, by Karen Rowe December 16, 2014

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Good day to you on this glorious day that the Lord has made! As I look at the calendar, does it really matter if this reaches you before the 25th of December –or, a day after this day we call Christmas? Can I ask you, “What is the worst thing that you are going through Today; and can you see past the pain of the present through your shield of faith?

 

Did you know, that your faith is your gift from God to get you to where God is leading you? –Faith is part of your armor of God! Faith is your shield! –Ephesians 6:10-18!

 

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

 

What is this faith God has given unto you? What is this hope God has given unto you? What Child is this that has saved the world and brought such a HOPE unto us that we receive by GRACE? –If only we will believe! The Son of God is born –Jesus has died and He has risen to bring unto you and me –and all who will believe … a HOPE and new LIFE from God, with Peace and Joy through faith in all things!

 

We are called to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake (Romans 1:5)! You have been given your exact measure of Faith that you will need in all circumstances –according to the purpose in which you are called –and our purpose is to be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 1:6)!

 

Now, can you answer one question: What is the worst thing you are going through right now?

 

Perhaps your difficult situation is even intensified at Christmastime?

 

Can I ask you to think about, “why are you suffering?” Are you suffering for Christ’s sake; or are you suffering because of the world? What is the worst thing you are going through–that God is calling you to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake?

 

This is real Christmastime … We need Jesus every day! Jesus is our Peace and Joy –evidence of God is with us!

 

Romans 1:5 (HCS) to bring about the obedience of faith … on behalf of His name
Your struggles are not what they seem –your battles are according to the measure of faith you have been given. Satan wants to stop you, but God wants you to press on for the prize in Christ!
Romans 12:6

 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
God is with us in Christ!!!

 

By Faith Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

 

Once you choose HOPE in JESUS (TRUST IN GOD with your FAITH –according to God’s call to the obedience for His name’s sake)! ALL things become possible to those who trust in God and place their hope in Jesus! BELIEVE! B E L I E V E –BELIEVE in the GREAT I AM! God IS! Grace is all that IS IN Christ, whom has been sent from God to us –Grace is a GIFT of God!

 

Living Sacrifices
…2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,…
Everything we do should point to what Jesus has done for the world because of God’s great love for all He has made!
Two GREAT Scriptures! In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 1:1; John 8:58).

Psalm 95:7
for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice,

A Sabbath-Rest for God’s People
Hebrews 4:6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that.…

 

Shout to your neighbor! Grace and Peace be with you in the Name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus who is the Christ the Son of the Living God! Grace and Peace are Evidence of God with us!

 

It’s not about what’s under the tree — this Christmas; or any day.

Today’s Word of the Lord
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:11-13 –

Read MORE in Matthew 1: 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

So this is my Christmas! I give you my love in Christ through God’s Word!

 

Grace and Peace be with you in the Name of our Savior and Lord Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God! I hope you are doing well; and if not –I hope you know this gift of Grace through Christ to get through with all things to be well be within your heart and soul; the real you!

 

Dear Father in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, we join together once again the power of the Holy Spirit to bring Honor and Praise to your Holy Name! Father, we pray together and ask you Lord Jesus to reveal your HOPE to those in need. Father, Holy Spirit minister hope in the Name of Jesus right now to those who need a tender touch from your hand.
And, now as Christmastime approaches it is a busy time for many in ministry and a difficult time for many. We ask you Lord Jesus to refresh us in your power and joy and minister your peace to those who are struggling to know how much they are loved.
Father, I pray that through your grace and power that you will reveal to the world through your eyes What Child was placed in that Cradle on that promised day. We praise you and thank you together right now that your Son was born as a baby and Jesus grew up to save the world from being separated from you! Thank you Jesus for going to the Cross for me –I take it personal. Help me reflect my grateful heart through my obedient faith according to the Father’s will and assignments given unto me according to this faith I received.
Father God, for those who don’t know this faith from you, reveal a measure of faith to understand Grace enough to change a soul to believe and worship you forever and ever.
I believe in the power of your love and grace that when we see the Cradle for what it is, then we can truly find the cross for what Jesus did for mankind and discover Your grace Father –by Grace. Amen.
Grace is a gift from God, with the power of God with us, through faith, to do all things through Christ who strengthens us, by the joy found in Grace, which is God with us!

 

A gift of grace to live by grace is a demonstration of the love of God!

One of the first times that I could grasp what grace truly was when I heard Grace described like this:
Grace is like a main city water line that runs in front of you neighborhood, including your house! That water line is available to all who will choose to connect their home supply with the master supply line. Yet, only the ones that choose to connect will earn its benefits –like grace is from God! The only difference is –Grace is a free gift from God to all who will believe.

 

Through Christ, by Grace we are called … to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

“Grace is a gift from God that imparts Righteousness to man!”

I have also heard grace described like this:

“Grace is touching God’s Holiness!” And this perfectly fits in this water line understanding of Grace –like when the water would flow into our home after we tapped into the main supply! Grace is free flowing and readily available; and Grace is a gift –not something we earn or deserve!

 

Ecclesiastes 7:16
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise– why destroy yourself?

Jesus has done everything we need to make Grace available to us! Our job is to stay tapped into God’s Word and Plan –according to our Faith (the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake) to walk into the obedience for the blessings that are set before us!
So we are saved by grace through faith!

 

Ephesians 2:8-9English Standard Version (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
And with this plan of Salvation, God has also set blessings before us –God himself has asked us to choose life and blessings! Your prosperity in Christ is God’s desire!

Deuteronomy 30:15-20King James Version (KJV)
15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

 

So this is Christmas to me and I just want to Thank God, it is not about being perfect anymore by the law –it is about grace; powerful grace; and our heart loving God –which begins with believing how much God has first loved us!

John 3:16-17King James Version (KJV)
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

The Law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth has come by Jesus the Christ!

 

John 1:17King James Version (KJV)
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Jesus can make me free from sin!

Walking in the Light
…6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.…

Yes, the blood of Jesus washes us and cleanses us pure by grace, (at no cheap price to God or His Son) –Grace is not a free ticket to sin free with permission to sin –Jesus has purchased our life back through HIS BLOOD and brought grace to us to enable us to be obedient by grace through faith.

 

Prayer enables more by grace! Confess and Repent (turn and do that sin no more) …
GRACE is God with us!

 

I heard an awesome quote:
“All that is in Christ is in this word Grace!”
Grace is not earned or deserved because of our obedience; Grace is a Gift of God at a high cost on Jesus!

Rather that earned by obedience, Grace enables obedience!

 

In closing, will you take time to read the below 7 Scriptures to see prophesy of Jesus?
Interpreted, “God is with us!” –and; then suit up to walk blessed anointed in His presence! Will you take time to read just 9 more Scriptures?

 

Matthew 1 King James Version (KJV)
1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. …
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Finally, Be Strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power! Read more 9 more Scriptures in God’s Word!

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Romans 1:5
Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

I hope this is a blessing to you in your life with Jesus!

 

I would like to pray for you if you have never invited grace in your life.

Father God, I pray for this soul who is seeking deliverance from their sin. By Your Grace, according to the faith you have given unto me, I pray that you will reveal your grace through faith to the one who is seeking that they can find their faith to believe.
In Jesus Name and in the power of the Holy Spirit I pray for your presence to reveal this truth for your glory to be seen –that we can say together as it is found written in:
1 John 4:16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
17In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world
Amen.

If you said this prayer, I encourage you to write me or tell someone you trust who trusts in God of your decision to follow Christ! We are praying for you and we are here with you at For God’s Glory Alone Ministries, Inc., Dewey’s Daily Cup, and Hope in Today Ministries, Inc. to encourage you daily in your walk with God!
Merry Christmas every day!

Love in Christ,
Karen Rowe
Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.
www.hopeintoday.com
Many blessings to your family filled with the grace and peace and joy in our Savior and Lord Jesus, who is the Christ the Son of the Living God!

Love,
Karen

Merry Christmas! 1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

– King James Bible “Authorized Version”, Cambridge Edition

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Meet Karen: Hi, I am blessed, by God's good grace and because I know Jesus, I am blessed. I choose to be blessed, because I have a choice set before me and I refuse to look down. I trust God and I know and believe in the love God has for us. I have overcome difficulties; and I am blessed by the grace of God alone. If I have written about it, then I have felt the pain of it in some way, and to some degree. Did you know that Jesus has felt your pain? This is why I write. By God's grace I can identify; and tell you honestly, yes there is hope in anything and everything that you are facing today! Jesus is our Hope! He is the Truth, the Way and the Life. I am married a wonderful man, Robert Rowe; I love my husband and he loves me; and we have been married for 28 years. Together, we have been blessed with a wonderful daughter, named Amanda who is college now; and a wonderful son, named Daniel who is growing up well and soon to graduate elementary school. We work together and by God's grace we run our own business called PSI. We have a pastor over our ministry and over our business and also we depend on him for advise in our family. We have 2 dogs, 4 horses, 2 cats and love to spend time outdoors by the water and by campfires ... that is it seems when we can find time away from life's busy schedule. I love to write because it helps me learn more about God. And, I am driven by a passion from a love that God has put in my heart to share from my experiences and struggles, as I gain understanding in God’s Word to know how effective and powerful God is over our every situation! I share with you so you can know that you are not alone in your struggles. The same God who helps me and my family, is your help and shield as well! Life is not always easy, but it is possible –I like to share the difference that following Jesus makes in my life. And, I love to share God's patience and mercy and love that is with me! I am not perfect, but am experiencing God sanctify me through and through with every mistake I make; and yes, overcome in Christ! Life is not just about the successes; life on this earth is also about the troubles we overcome to discover what God has hidden in our faith to find! Troubles are more a challenge to grow in our faith ... It is not easy, but in the end the grace of God we discover is worth experiencing God in the midst. By Grace, I have discovered Jesus is Peace and He is my Joy and Wisdom from Heaven. God is our Provider and Healer and Creator, who is our help and shield over all things. By grace, I have experienced a nearness to God through my faith in His Son! We are well forgiven by God; and well blessed when we know and believe the love that God has for us. To say, "all is well with my soul" is a powerful knowledge to understand and experience. I sense God's desire for you to know His love for you and how deep His love for you is that He has SO loved you; God gave you His Son. God loves you right now just as you are! There is so much to learn! I believe that as we learn from God, we are God’s gift to each other. It is all God’s story –and for His glory; and God has SO loved us. I love to paint the vision that God has given me about a Father’s love –that God wants you to dream again and visualize His love for you! In God’s eyes, there’s more to life than we see; and in a world that sometimes misrepresents and misunderstands God and love; God wants you to have the courage to dream His dream and see His vision of a Father’s love for you! Many years ago, I prayed to God, “How can I tell a million people what I know about Your Son?” God showed me I had a gift of a ministry about God's Love; and He called it Hope in Today! I write to please God and I write to encourage you; and I write to spend quiet time with God. All because of this love that God has first shown me! I need Jesus –and my life is about my relationship with God. And, every blessing begins with Him! Love in Christ, Karen Rowe, Director Hope in Today Ministries, Inc. The Train Whistle, Sounding the Call of God’s Love, by Karen Rowe For more information: Contact me by email: karen@hopeintoday.com or karen@thetrainwhistle.com to request your gift today. www.hopeintoday.com www.thetrainwhistle.com

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