Luke 2:22-32 ~ And behold

Luke 2:22-32 

 King James Version

22 They brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."

Simeon helps us to remember recognizing the Light of the world. As Simeon recognized Jesus, he took the baby into his arms and blessed God.

Simeon was so in touch with the Holy Spirit, he fully grasped and held God.




In 2009, I had a coincidence I very clearly remember.  I received my first email from a Christian book store offering really spectacular savings on books. Because they were in the $1 range, I bought one written by Carole Lewis called ‘A Thankful Heart’. She lost her daughter and discovered that gratitude brings hope and healing into our lives. I thought it would help me, having lost a daughter at birth.

That day, my husband suggested I travel with him to Galveston as he saw a client. As I waited for him, I opened the book for the first time. Amazing. As I opened the book In the first few pages of the book, I realized that the author lives in Galveston and I was reading the book in Galveston. One of the opening points of her book is from:

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Carole Lewis writes, “I promise you that an attitude of gratitude is not already part of who you are, God can change your heart. When we begin to thank God in the middle of our situations –no mater what we’re going through – our situations no longer appear hopeless, and we’ll begin to see change.

Our tribulations have a purpose, Scriptures says. God has an end product in mind for us, and God’s end product is like the finest oil or a nourishing drink. That’s what God wants for our lives. God has an amazing plan for us, and He uses the moments of our lives to fulfill His plan. God wants us to become like His Son, Jesus Christ.

God calls us to give thanks not only for our comforts but also for our afflictions. We’re to give thanks, even if our child died, even if we’ve been the victim of sexual molestation, or (as Corrie Ten Boom discovered in the concentration camp) if there are fleas in the barracks.

God is never a God of coldness or heartlessness.
He doesn’t look at us when we’re going through troubling times and tell us simply to buck up or put on a smiley face on our most heartbreaking situations. Giving thanks always recognizes the greatness and compassion of a God who loves us so intently, so passionately, so wonderfully that words can barely express it. Giving thanks is part of God’s design: when we look closely at this design, we see something of the majesty of His Being and of His care and concern for us –even in the most trying times.”

And we will not stop there.
We will not stay in the Stable, Jesus did not Stay in the Manger. Jesus did not stay in Nazareth.

We are in a Season.
Edward had Bronchitis for his Birthday in September. Alexander then had Bronchitis. And then Edward had it again. When I got Bronchitis and then, like Edward, got Bronchitis again. 6 weeks of whooping.

Edward has an illness including skin issues. A very fast growing ear Skin Cancer Basil Cell. Taking Motrin gave him two black, utterly black, bruises the size of Salad Plates. I've never seen something like this. He had a wound just weeks ago, from every day life, requiring debridement.

Last week, Edward clipped the coffee table and his ankle bled. We asked him to not play, yet he was eager and played on the foot/ankle. This last Friday, Edward' had an X-ray and, now, we believe he has a Hematoma which has left him with a swollen ankle,foot and toes are black and purple bruised and swollen. Like a broken foot. We will be home more, limiting time Edward leaves the house - for time to heal. Christmas will be taken up by me and our sons to help Edward recover.

For my son's 30th Birthday, exams and Christmas week count-down - his very loyal, elderly, arthritic Siberian Husky fell down his flight of stairs and as my son tried to rescue him was bitten with 3 punctures to his nose - seriously bleeding. Then driving 23 hours home. We were so very glad to have them home.

We all prayed and our son's nose is much better. Thank God. Our family dog is probably going to stay with us to avoid those steep student stairs. Pray for his good dog leg to heal, thank you so much.

This last week - my brother is finally convinced my mother does have Alzheimer's because she has announced to us both my father died. In 1993.  Other disturbing events have occured this year.

What will we do with this Season?
We will know we are Blessed. Edward is well to do the things he loves. He is enjoying every day. Edward and I have honest and real conversations about the length, the blessing, the suffering and Life moving for us all to eternity.

We will know we suffer. To have very serious illness is to suffer. Life rarely announces the changing of seasons, we are supposed to only see these by years.

We have seen our family have fear, to draw back, to suffer, to draw together, to tire of suffering, to be angry. To gather and look out the window and talk about blessings of God. We draw together and tell each other as we are. And I have read Government Studies on families with this type of illness who fall apart and fall even after illness passes on.

And in learning too much information - learned how blessed we are to continue together in love. To find valor in continuance. To see bravery in drawing together. To see sheer bloody minded stubbornness to continue and wonder again at God putting His Plan in us. To allow the stock market variations of life to learn to surf the ups and downs. And in the surfing - to discover the putting down of fear and trust. Even when new symptoms keep us awake at night.

Reading the Scriptures to find God to Completely Challenge by His Own Authority to put down and squelch fear. To rise to Trust God in all seasons.

Nasa

The God of blessings and God of woe. We have the circumstances God wants us to have. The best place - being mindful of what God would teach - to bloom exactly where we are planted. To think of the Glory of His Plan.

Father God tells us there is nothing new under the sun. The Cloud that filled the Temple David planned - is God's Cloud. To see - to find out - to have clarity - and to wonder.

Bringing the Wonders of God to our mind, heart, body and soul.

Learning something new in the Seasons of Life. To listen with better compassion to those who have or had illnesses. To tell the Lord our Father God in prayers - I remember when You healed and did something completely impossible and I will hold this hope in my heart. Being able to pay attention to those who have had illness and give compassion.

In this Season.

We will follow the Path God is giving us.

We will all have Hope. God has called us all to have a Hope and a Future.

God is providing for us all. Edward has hope. God makes a path.

We will have Prayer in this Season.
We will pray over every difficulty. We will pray when we hear hopelessness. We will pray when we see sickness. Anw we will know the Power of Scripture - The Word of God. We will rejoice every time we ask Father God for help and remind Him of Miracles in our Lives. God is Sustaining all who call on Father God's Great Love.

The Most Important and Greatest of All Things - Maker of All Things is the God of All. God of Love. The Joy of the Lord is our Strength.

And in God's time - in God's Plan - we will find the Wonder of God each day is unfolding the miraculous in the every day.

Our Father God is saving all the world in Jesus Christ. God is still working and so is His Son, Jesus Christ.



Abba, Father God,

We would have Your Willing Blessings upon us all. Giving thanks for the comfort and the challenges of each day. You are always with us.

Isaiah saw with total clarity - the Vast Goodness of You, our Father God.

Isaiah 40

A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 

Every valley shall be lifted up, 

and every mountain and hill made low; 

the uneven ground will become smooth, 

and the rugged land a plain. 

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, 

and all mankind together will see it. 

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

We do the work of God as we believe in God's Son Jesus. Jesus is the exact nature of God. Knowing Our Father God, You make our prayers possible. You speak to the wind and the waves and we rejoice in You being God. We remember the miracles of our lifetime as well as the Living Scriptures.

Where we go in the real parts of every day life - You will always be with us. This is - Alleluia.

You have given us a Son. And this is Christmas. He is Wonderful. Counselor. Jesus is Almighty God.

We pray the Words of Jesus for more Heaven on earth. Pouring out a blessing upon us - so willingly. Pouring out to the ones we Love. Pouring to the Nation Trusting in You. Pouring to the Nations You give Your Light. Jesus the Light of the world and to all the people asking God for more Heaven on earth.

Jesus our God. Wonderful. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †