✝️ Daily Devotional, December 25, 2023

Nollick Ghennal Ya’ll 🙂

Merry Christmas

It’s now Christmas morning on the east coast so I would like to wish Americans a very merry Christmas.

We are off to bed soon, and will look forward to a Christmas morning breakfast with our two sons their wives and our three infant grandsons.

Our older son ( the chef) lives in the house next door, and the younger a ten minute drive away.

We are blessed and are truly grateful, and will endeavour to pass on our good fortune.

The wisdom and grace of fine CTH posters, Menagerie and others have added something very special to my understanding and appreciation of God and Christianity.

Cheers, thank you, and of course Merry Christmas!

🙏🏻

Merry Christmas and much love to my Treehouse family.

Baby found alive in downed tree after TN tornado 🙏😇:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67732126

Merry Christmas Treepers, near and far!

It wouldn’t be Christmas without Snoopy and the Red Baron … Snoopy’s Christmas by the Royal Guardsman:

I would like to express my sincere thankfulness and gratitude to Sundance, the entire staff, and everyone even remotely associated with this website!

Over the years that I have been privileged to peruse the various and varied articles and comments I have been enlightened beyond expression.

Saying Merry Christmas and wishing a Happy New Years seems so pathetically lame based on how I think of everyone; from Sundance to the “Long-time listener, First-time commenter”, to everyone in between.

May each and every single person, not only live their best life, but be blessed beyond their wildest dreams!

MTG


Charlie Brown Christmas, What Christmas is all about


This Christmas I’m especially nostalgic for the happiness of the years Trump and Melania graced the White House.

Christmas Carol Playlist

🎄Merriest Christmas🎄
to Our Wonderful Host , Sundance , his Faithful Crew and All Treepers Here from Near and Far !

The Education I’ve had here is Priceless , and the Camaraderie beyond Description !

My Biggest Heartfelt Thank You to All of You , Each and Every One 💘

Melania Trump v. Jill Biden in a festive face-off! Daily Mail poll reveals which first lady’s Christmas decor REALLY brought more holiday cheer to the White House

• DailyMail.com asked Americans to pick between two sets of White House decor
• The blind test was a choice of festive designs by Jill Biden and Melania Trump 
• America’s verdict was surprising when each identity wasn’t known 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12890393/melania-trump-jill-biden-christmas-decorations-white-house.html

Melania won!

I so anticipate the day when the government will be upon His shoulder.
We sang this tonight in church, not nearly as expert as the Tabernacle lot, but still joyously and enthusiastically received.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

25 December 2021 Tiffini Hale, American pop singer (Party – “Rodeo”; “That’s Why”), dies of cardiac arrest at 46

Micky Mouse Club – Straight Up

A purpose

HIS BIRTH AND OUR NEW BIRTH
 
“Behold, a virgin shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Isaiah vii. 14. R.V.
 
His Birth in History.
“Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” (Luke i. 35.) Jesus Christ was born INTO this world, not FROM it. He did not evolve out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being, He is a Being Who cannot be accounted for by the human race at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate, God coming into human flesh, coming into it from outside. His life is the Highest and the Holiest entering in at the Lowliest door. Our Lord’s birth was an advent.
 
His Birth in Me.
“Of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” (Gal. iv. 19.) Just as Our Lord came into human history from outside, so He must come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to become a “Bethlehem” for the Son of God? I cannot enter into the realm of the Kingdom of God unless I am born from above by a birth totally unlike natural birth. “Ye must be born again.” This is not a command, it is a foundation fact. The characteristic of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that Christ is formed in me. Immediately Christ is formed in me, His nature begins to work through me.
 
God manifest in the flesh –
That is what is made profoundly possible for you and me by the Redemption.
 
Oswald Chambers
December 25th Devotional

Blessed Christ mas morning. A child was born, a gift was given.

Merry Christmas friends

Merry Christmas all you fellow peeps, branch hangers, bark clingers and CTH followers!

Its a great day to celebrate a GREAT birthday.

Good Christmas morning to my dear 🎄🏚 friends!!!

A little poem from my journals…

…the ponders of her heart…

Finally, life has settled down
Enough to make a few friends
Acquaintances that have a first name
Moving through the days and weeks
Allowing a conventional life with a husband,
A baby…a welcome temporary peace

It’s nice to smile and laugh
Sharing little things with girlfriends
But mostly, precious time with her husband
Finding a peaceful and quiet bond
That moves easily between them
..and the baby…

Her heart marvels as she watches
The little one sit with the sun on his golden head
As he bends down playing with imaginary elements
Worlds and galaxies from forever that only he can see
Between his tiny hands, so serious, so focused
His own song echoing from eternity

She wonders as he looks up
To the sky every now and then
Finding what he wants and goes back
To what he is doing, his routine of measure
She wonders if he knows who he is
If he can see the angels guarding over him

Memories of that night, not so long ago
When angels graced earth with their royal attendance
And majesties sought them out in the hills bearing gifts
Shepherds and drummer boys bowed on bended knee
Music, music…the most beautiful music
A star beckoning, A husband attending

She can’t help but lift him up into her arms
And press his head into her shoulder to feel his warmth
His breath upon her neck as he wraps his arms around her
Love, made into flesh and blood envelopes her very soul
Holding Life in her arms, tears coursing down her face
As kisses are pressed upon her cheek

Why is it so hard to hold joy and know that grief
Waits in the recesses, Knowing the time will come
When angels say move on, always running, running
Ahead of deadly dangers, set forth by the enemy
To kill her child, the hope of mankind
Until it is finished at the Cross, she knows…

Thousands of years later, the war is still the same
With a different face and motto, pulpiteering a refined message
Evil still has the upper hand as warriors keep pressing forward
Always searching for a sanctuary, gearing up for the next round
Running, endeavoring to stay two steps ahead of hell
To save a world a baby held in it’s hands

This generation will see the convergence of good and evil
With warriors of faith versus warriors of fate
The beginning, the end, moving towards one another
Every soldier is ready and poised, breathlessly waiting
For a victory that started with a birth
And a mother’s fervent faith and hope in heaven

...the ponders of my heart…

02.24.11
stevie

🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄 ✝ 🎄

Merry Christmas and praise the Lord!

From a long time reader who decided that Christmas is a good day to come in out of the shadows.

I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day ~ written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (5:18 mins)

December 25

MORNING

The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Titus 3:4

I have loved thee with an everlasting love. Jer. 31:3

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:9, 10

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal. 4:4, 5

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. I Tim. 3:16

As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14

EVENING

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. II Cor. 9:15

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before his presence with singing. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psa. 100:1, 2, 4

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa. 9:6-7

He … spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. Rom. 8:32

Having yet … one son, his well beloved, he sent him. Mark 12:6

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psa. 107:21

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Psa. 103:1

My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:46, 47

 Bagster
https://www.dailylightdevotional.org/12/1225.html

 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?      – Luke 17:9

On this beautiful day of gifts, take a moment and consider the other side of the story. Upon receiving any gift, a “thank you” is generally all that is expected in response. However, human nature often connects the size of the gift with the size of the anticipated response!  

The Christ Child was given to Earth by a kind God, so love-struck by His creation He chose to crawl into their skin and save them from their plight of sin, with His own blood. As you have received that gift, you likely have been baffled at how to express your gratitude. As followers of Christ are called to do, you say “thank you“ by dedicating your life to His Kingdom.  

The reality of living a Christ-centered life comes with challenges. Standing toe to toe with a world system that is hostile to God and rejects His gift, you may find yourself mocked and persecuted by those set only on serving self. Under such pressure, you may even ask, “Does God really notice what I am doing for Him?”   

Christ’s teaching on servanthood found in Luke, offers a direct answer to your question. Your gratitude for God’s gift of eternal life is never misplaced, and your dedicated service in His Kingdom is a reasonable response to the magnitude of His gift!   

Nurture and protect the joy of serving your Savior, remembering and emulating His love and faithfulness. Pray for God’s people in America to embrace life as His new creation, rejecting the world’s self-serving attitudes. Ask that those who do not know Christ will come to Him and accept Him, humble themselves to do God’s will, and serve in His Kingdom. 

https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/daily-prayer-briefing?utm_source=daily_briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_content=daily_briefing#devotional

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas to ALL of the Treepers in this great country!
God Bless You!
Have a Wonderful Day.

I see our beloved Open Thread has many more post than the Presidential Thread this glorious morning. As it should.

Merry Christmas, children of Christ.

Verse of the Day for Monday, December 25, 2023

✟

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” 

Colossians 3:23 (KJV)

Thank You, Jesus, for blessings received and prayers answered !!!

PRAYING ON THE ARMOR OF GOD

Father God, I now follow your command to put on the full armor of God, because my battle is not against flesh and blood but against rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the unseen world.

I first pray on the Belt of Truth that it may be buckled around my waist, may I be centered and encircled by your truth dear Lord. Hem me inside all that is true and right, and may I be protected and held up by the truth of your living word, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Breastplate of righteousness, please protect my vital organs and my inner man, cover my integrity, my spirit, and my soul. Guard my heart for it is the wellspring of life, please strengthen and guard the most vulnerable places in my life with that which is right, good, and noble that I might not receive a fatal blow from the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Gospel Shoes of Peace. I choose to stand in the shoes of your good news, and on the firm foundation of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the solid eternal rock. All other ground is sinking sand, I pray that I will not slip or fall, but that my feet would be firmly fitted on your lordship, my Lord Jesus. I choose to stand on you, so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the eternal Rock of Ages. I receive your holy peace now my Lord, from the sole of my feet to the crown of my head, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray the Shield of Faith into my hand now. As I take up the shield of faith, I ask that you might extinguish every dart and arrow that is launched from the enemy to take me down spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and every attempt of the enemy to destroy my joy. I ask that my faith in you would make it flame out. Extinguish every flaming arrow that would come against me, my life, my family, my home, or my ministry. May my faith always be out in front of me like a shield. Give me the courage to “faith my fears” by choosing to walk by faith and not by sight, in my Lord Jesus name.

I pray on the Helmet of Salvation, that you might protect my mind from the thoughts that can lead me astray. I choose to take every thought captive, and arrest all intentioned ideas and motives that would harm others, or distract me from your holy will for me. I submit every captured thought to the Lordship of my Lord Jesus Christ, and ask that you would imprison those thoughts that are not of you my Lord. Transform my mind and renew my thinking that I may think God thoughts, and have a sober mind that is focused on your glory. Please protect me from being double minded that I may allow my mind, I reject to live an earthly life, because I choose to live a holy one, governed by you My Lord Jesus, the prince of peace, please have my mind to be saturated with the holy mind of Christ, in my Lord Jesus name.

Finally, I take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the holy word of God, I pray this powerful offensive weapon into my hand, and ask that your holy word would be fitting for every encounter I face. As the enemy gets close to me, please give me the insight, wisdom, and skill to wield the word of God to drive away the enemy, in my Lord Jesus name.

May the enemy and his team flee from me, upon hearing the word of God spoken by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit. Give me the sword of the spirit to cut through the wiles of the devil, so that I may discern the schemes of the enemy when he is near.

With all kinds of prayers, supplication, and intercession I pray to you my Lord God as the one who fights my battles. Now that I’m in your holy powerful armor, I walk away covered and ready to face my day as you go before me, and please protect me in the midst of the spiritual warfare in this unseen world, in my Lord Jesus name.

Thank you my Lord, for the spiritual weapons of armor and prayer that you have given me. It is written no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses me. 

Thank you Father God, my Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, that I am more than a conqueror in my Lord Jesus. I pray all of this in the mighty name of my Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

BE MY VOICE

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN

CHILD NOT CHOICE

PLEASE PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER