Our Christmas was awesome. Tom surprised me with a beautiful necklace and a 'love letter' for my treasure box, plus several other things. My children and their families gave me wonderful gifts too. I am truly blessed and enjoyed so much the day with everyone. I loved seeing the surprised look on the children - and grandchildren's faces on some of the gifts! I usually search high and low for special things for them - and I think this year I may have succeeded on some.
With not feeling well yesterday, other than exchanging Tricia's footed pjs and taking the new ones to her, I stayed home and laid on the couch all day. I did finish one book on the kindle. Now Tom can download some books and start using it - if he wants to. I'm in the middle of another book on the Nook. I received a gift card for Family Christian as I want to purchase a new Bible - may go get it today. A very dear pastor friend mentioned one time that each year he reads through a new Bible - and gives away his old one to someone who needs one. Yes, it is usually marked up throughout the year - but, why not? (BTW - one pastor said that if you don't want to mark up your Bible, then buy one that you won't mind marking up!) With that thought in mind a couple years ago - I started reading through the Bible as well. I'm nearly at the end of the one I'm reading through now - and am looking forward to starting a new one January 1. Different versions help bring out either questions or confirm answers to different things.
Did I ever tell you the story of....... several years ago I was in my quiet time and was on my knees praying. I was crying out to God for our finances, which were in desperate straits. I usually keep two or three versions of the Bible close by me, and in my desperation for a Word from the Lord, I grabbed one and began to flip through it, wishing that I could just stop and point and that would be my answer, and yet knowing that wasn't the way to do it. As I flipped through the pages (since it was a fairly new Bible, nothing had been highlighted or marked in this Bible), in bold print I read: Don't worry, Pray, Tell God, Thank Him, Experience God's Peace.
Of course that wasn't the entire scripture, but that is what I read. Here it is in its entirety:
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)
I knew that was exactly what I needed to hear and it brought great joy to my heart. The next day, I was curious what it would say in the NIV version, since I used it more often. I had to start laughing - did you know that God has a sense of humor? I had not only highlighted it in the NIV Bible, but I had memorized it! If I had picked up my NIV, I would have missed it. I would have seen the highlighted portion and passed it on by. Here it is in the NIV version:
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Are you in need of hearing 'Don't Worry, Pray, Tell God, Thank Him, Experience God's Peace' this morning? 2012 is quickly approaching - are you already thinking of the problems it will bring - or of the blessings you will be receiving from God's hand?
Blessings!
