Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 19, 2025

Echoes of Whispers

“Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard.” 1 Samuel 1:13a (NIV)

If you’ve ever been to a high hill or a canyon, where your voice would echo through the empty space, whatever you spoke out loud would be repeated multiple times, going from crescendo to decrescendo, until it disappeared, as if moving further and further away.

There is a story in the Bible about a woman named Hannah, a woman known for not being able to conceive, while her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, would have one child after another. Though Hannah was deeply loved by her husband, Elkanah, she felt incomplete because she had not been able to give him a son.

Elkanah would take his family to Shiloh every year to worship the Lord, and during one of those visits, Hannah, desperate to have a son, stayed in the temple praying to God, begging for Him to bless her womb, so she could bear a child. She was anguished, and as her words were muttered, there was no sound coming out of her mouth. Eli, the prophet who was at the door of the temple, thought she was drunk.

Hannah’s words were like whispers echoing in the ears of the Lord. She made no audible sounds, but the Lord heard every single one of them. And because He heard them, He had compassion for Hannah and granted her the wish she had held close to her heart for a long time. Hannah conceived and gave birth to Samuel, who became a prophet.

Whatever it is that you need from the Lord, bring it to His altar. Do not give up on your prayer to Him, even if at the time you have no strength to cry out. Even if all you have is a whisper that echoes through the air like inaudible sound waves, rest assured that God will hear your words to Him. And if that is His plan for you, you will see it become true, just like Hannah did.

“Dear Lord, thank You for the assurance we have that You hear our words, even if we cannot speak them out loud. We are blessed to have a God who cares and who listens to the smallest whisper.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 18, 2025

Women in the Family Tree of Jesus Part 2 – Rahab

“Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).”  Matthew 1:5 (NLT)

Hebrews chapter 11 is commonly referred to as the Hall of Faith for those who believe in Jesus. It lists the amazing feats of Moses, Noah, and Abraham, the giants of our faith. This chapter reads as a pep rally for those of us who have come behind to strengthen our faith, remind us of our future, and keep our focus on Him.

The book of James has several themes that run through it including faith and works, perseverance through trials, and how to find wisdom.

Joshua is a book about how God gave the Israelites their land, their home. It is a book of war and God’s faithfulness and how He keeps His promises.

What do these three powerful books have in common? A woman named Rahab is in all three of them.

She is also listed in Matthew 1:5, as an ancestor in the family tree of Jesus!

She must be such a woman of faithfulness and character, and God was able to trust her. She absolutely was. God used her mightily and admired her faith, mentioned her in THE Hall of Faith chapter, recognized her faith caused her to act, made her the Great Great Great…..Grandmother of the King of Kings, and put a whole book of the Bible about her son and his wife in scripture.

She is definitely a woman I want to emulate. She is a woman that ranked high in God’s kingdom and changed the course of History.

Where did she get her start? Where was it that she probably heard the stories of the faithfulness and great feats of Jehovah-God? How was a woman in her day so knowledgeable about the rest of the world?

Did I forget to mention? Rahab was a prostitute. She lived in the walls of her city, Jericho. Her reputation was such that when the king could not find the two Israelite spies, he sent His advisors to Rahab’s house, because he was sure she would know where they were. His men did not flinch when she answered them with a lie, because they had no reason to doubt her from the past. Rahab most likely heard about all of these accomplishments of God from those who paid her to stay the night. Rahab was also the one who took care of her family, including her father, mother, brothers and their families. This was not the cultural norm during this time. Truly there was nothing “normal”  about the life of Rahab and yet, God saw her where she was and He saw her faith. She was not only acceptable in His eyes, she was also elevated. It does not matter what others see in us or think about our past. God is the only audience that matters.

No matter our past, God always offers hope, redemption, and a future we cannot imagine.

“Father, thank you for loving us to always give us hope.”

For His Glory

 

Terrie Tollerson
TerrieTollerson.com/@TerrieTollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Faith

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 17, 2025

The Women In The Family Tree of Jesus Part 1 – Tamar

“Judah the father of Perez and Zereh, whose mother was Tamar…”  Matthew 1:3 (NIV)

Imagine a Netflix show where the widowed main character sets herself up as a prostitute to sleep with her father-in-law in order to get pregnant and have his heir. WHAT???  We would take a breath and have some deep consideration before we would tune in to that show.

Yet, Jesus chose that prostitute to become part of his family lineage. This was the very first woman named in the family tree of Jesus.

Let’s break down this story.

Tamar was married to a very wicked man. We do not know what kind of wicked he was or how he treated her, but we know his wickedness was enough for God to kill him. As Jewish law stated, Tamar would then marry the next oldest son so that there would be an heir. Tamar married Onan, the next son. He used Tamar, much like a prostitute, but would not give her an heir. This was considered evil in the sight of God, and he was killed.

There was one more son, but Judah feared he, too, would die, so he did not give him to Tamar to marry. So Tamar was sent back to her father’s home. Judah could have released her from his family to marry again, but he was content leaving her without hope, childless, and with no heir for his sons.

Hope comes in many forms, and God works in mysterious ways. He offered it to Tamar in a most unique way.

As time went on and Tamar came to the realization that her father-in-law was untrustworthy and was never going to give his last son to Tamar in marriage, Tamar had faith in God and made some difficult decisions.

Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute and waited for Judah to come down the road. He did, and he propositioned her. When she was with Judah she asked for three of his personal items. She knew him well enough to know he was untrustworthy, and she knew she needed proof that it was Judah who was with her. Her plan worked, and she found out she was expecting.

Judah heard his widowed daughter-in-law was pregnant, and he publicly called for her death.  He was ready to have her killed for her crime-of being a prostitute. Interestingly, he did not consider he should be put to death for being with a prostitute. Tamar had his personal items sent to him, and  he found out that was the father. Judah had a change of heart. He declared that Tamar was more righteous than he was.

Tamar’s future was not only restored, but she became the first woman named in the lineage of Jesus. As her twin boys were born, the midwife tied a scarlet string on one baby’s wrist. This is the first time the scarlet thread appears in scripture. The thread that would point to the arrival of Jesus!

Tamar, a woman in a hopeless situation, left to be destitute, was married to an evil man, treated as a prostitute, deceived, and was abandoned with no hope or future. Yet she had faith and courage in God. God saw fit to list her in the family tree of Jesus.

The Christmas story begins with hope and a woman who risked it all to trust in God’s promises to her.

“Father, help us to trust you even when we cannot see the next step in front of us.”

 

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TerrieTollerson.com or @TerrieTollerson on Instagram
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 16, 2025

Shepherd Lessons

“When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us. So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds…The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Luke 2:15-18; 20

Don’t you love reading the second chapter of Luke’s gospel? Particularly on Christmas morning—especially when it’s carefully sounded out through the mouth of an excited jammie-clad child, hot cocoa in hand. (It also makes me think of that beautiful soliloquy of Linus, but that’s another story.)

Something new and interesting struck me this year in meditating on these events—which is what the Living Word does, am I right? The Lord sent His mighty, bright, glorious angels to a group of shepherd boys to declare the Gospel for the very first time in the earthly ministry of Jesus. He was maybe just hours old when the angel told them that a Savior, Christ the Lord (God Himself) was born. Then they experienced a heavenly concert of a multitude of angels singing of the glory of it all.

The Bible then says, once they heard the Good News, they hurried to see for themselves. But then I noticed for the first time in verses 17-18 that they told others—to which the response of those people was wonderment. Makes me wonder: Who’d they tell? Did they believe those excited, smelly kids? Did those people go see for themselves the manger holding the King of kings? We don’t know. We’re just told the shepherds went back to work, glorifying and praising God.

Lesson one: Once we hear the Good News, we need to discover and accept it for ourselves. Lesson two: Tell others what you know, what you’ve seen, and how meeting Jesus has impacted you. Lesson three: Walk in awe and wonder of Jesus. No matter how tedious, stressful, or exhausting the day of work or parenting might be, glorify and praise God in all of it.

But what’s the rest of the story for these boys? See, as we learn in Matthew 2, when the magi came from the East to worship Jesus, they stopped by to let Herod know what was happening: a King was born in Bethlehem. Herod was not a good guy and certainly didn’t want to be unseated as king. Because some time had gone by since Jesus’ birth (likely over a year), Herod had all boys in Bethlehem “and all its vicinity” under two years old killed. Let that terror sink in for a minute. The entire town—including the surrounding hills where the sheep grazed under the watch of shepherds—was no doubt in absolute horror and grief. We don’t have any idea if the townspeople knew why Herod did this. But we can speculate that there were a few guys that knew exactly what was going on—they’d seen King Jesus. What was the shepherds’ reaction to this evil response to Jesus? Did they keep their mouths shut? Did it motivate then to stand firm in their knowledge and belief in the Savior, and maybe even share this hope with a grieving town?

So, another lesson for us is one based on totally unknown information and simply begs some questions that must be asked of every believer: When persecution comes—because it will—what will we do? Will we hide in our basements and keep quiet about the glorious Gospel that has changed our lives? Or will we stand courageously against the evil coming against us, no matter the consequences?

Times are dark. Evil is escalating. More Christians around the world are being persecuted and murdered right now than in any other time in history. Currently, it’s still safe in our country to be a follower of Christ…but how bold are we right now to share the Gospel, when it won’t cost our lives? Sweet friend, let’s put our courage muscles to work, starting now, to grow in strength and endurance for when the burden gets heavier. Let’s look upon those shepherds at the first Christmas, and be inspired by their hurrying after Jesus, their awe and wonder, and their praise and glory of Him. And let’s boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, to those around us—despite the cost.

“Lord, You are Lord of lords, King of kings. May I be bold today—and tomorrow—to tell others of the salvation found only in You. May my words and actions give You glory, no matter the expense.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 15, 2025

Preparing Hearts To Receive

“And you, child (John), will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways.”  Luke 1:76 (ESV) “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19:20a  (ESV)

An elderly couple experiencing the surprising joy of their lives – Zacharias and Elizabeth became parents to a son of promise. Barrenness had been their journey yet now in their old age, God in His perfect timing was fulfilling their lifelong dream to have a child. Prayers once offered now answered, and their baby boy, John the Baptist, would one day turn hearts towards Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit and humility, he would be the one God ordained to proclaim repentance and prepare the people’s hearts for Jesus earthly ministry.

So what’s this preparing look like? Well Webster defines prepare as putting our mind in a proper state and to make ready in advance for some purpose, very similar to the Greek and Hebrew interpretations. John’s divine purpose was basically turning the people’s focus inward to the condition of their sinful hearts. Hearts that desperately needed a Savior that would be found in Jesus alone. A softening awareness, a humbling response so hearts would welcome the Messiah at God’s perfect time of revelation.

When the time came John gave up the spotlight recognizing he must decrease and Jesus, the Son of God, must increase and take center stage. A pivotal transition ordained by God from the very beginning – a mission fulfilled.

So sweet friends, what’s our preparing look like? What divine mission has God called us to? Regardless of what our journey has looked like, the moment we invited Jesus into our lives we were commissioned to share the Good News of the gospel. To make disciples of all nations – no discrimination allowed. To encourage others and teach them the truths of God’s word drawing their hearts not to us but to Him alone. To prepare our hearts for the day we see our Savior face to face. To glorify Him in all things so others will see His light within us and soften their hearts. A preparation positioning us to fulfill the mission God ordained from the very beginning.

When the Christmas story is center stage it’s a glorious time to seize opportunities. Candlelight services. Nativity scenes. Christmas movies. Sounds of the season. All preparing our hearts to receive the greatest gift of all. The perfect time to plant seeds of hope. Not pushy. Not condemning. Not demanding. The perfect time now to pray for sharing conversations and God’s opening of hearts. Celebration doesn’t necessarily mean believing, so let’s prepare our hearts for sharing and seek God’s leading  – we might just be the answer to someone’s prayer.

“Jesus give us the courage and boldness to pursue open doors to share the truth of Christmas this season. To draw attention to the glories of Your birth and the sweetness of Your presence in our world.”

For His Glory
Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 12, 2025

Christmas Cookies…A Life Shared

“Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.” Luke 1:56 (NIV)

Creamy butter, fresh eggs, sugar crystals, nutmeg, and vanilla – the perfect combo for Christmas cookies. Ah…for a moment my life transcends time and I’m baking those cookies for the first time while little fingers reach for mine covered in dusty white. It’s one of my faves. Why? Well, perhaps because it’s just the right balance of sweetness and melt in your mouth softness. Maybe it’s because I’ve used it forever and it works every time. Maybe it’s because it’s the easiest dough for cutting out all those stars, Christmas trees, sleighs and Santas. Maybe it’s because these delicious treats dunk perfectly in a warm mug of hot chocolate, latte or cappuccino.

Dare I share the real reason – it has absolutely nothing to do with the recipe, although the cookies taste yummy. The real reason they’re so special, so treasured, is the name etched in the upper right hand corner of that recipe card. Smothered in sticky cookie goodness you can barely see it, but I can still trace it letter by letter – D▪e▪b▪b▪i▪e.

A recipe shared yes, but even more delicious a life shared. Sprinkled over days of searching and seeking as a young mom, God sent Debbie –who mentored, encouraged and prayed for me. Her godliness drew me in, and her enthusiasm for God was contagious. We shared our children, swapped recipes, laughed and cried together – all incredible ingredients for two women navigating motherhood. And yes, I cherish those memories though we now live miles apart.

Mentoring and encouragement isn’t a “me” concept. It unfolded in the pages of scripture. Nestled right in the Christmas story, Luke shares the sweet encouragement Elizabeth gave to Mary, the pregnant teenager. Can’t think of anyone else who needed the reassurance of someone who too believed wholeheartedly in God’s promises. I can only imagine the conversations of these two. One beyond childbearing years yet pregnant for the first time meeting her niece who is divinely chosen to carry the Christ child. The perfect orchestration of spiritual maturity, encouragement, guidance and sweet awareness – one pouring into one another.

Every Christmas, I still pull out that faded, crumpled paper and make cookies for friends and family. Why? Because the sweetness of a friendship can only be tasted if you give it away. Elizabeth gave to Mary….Mary gave to Elizabeth. Best recipe ever for cultivating hearts united in God’s unfolding plan.

“Father, I am so blessed – help me to be a woman who unwraps the gift of friendship with grace and love.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 11, 2025

The Bethlehem Innkeeper

 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Luke 2:7 (KJV)

The heart of the Christmas story is familiar to us—Joseph leaving Nazareth with Mary and making the long, nearly hundred-mile journey to Bethlehem for the census. But what sort of lodging did Joseph expect to find when they finally trudged into Bethlehem?

Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly. The Greek word translated as “inn” is kataluma. That could mean anything from a guest room to a hostel. It could have been a room attached to the home of a leading citizen, a rooftop guest chamber in the home of a relative, or even a lean-to on someone’s property. Scripture gives no clue beyond the single mention of kataluma.

What we do know is that Bethlehem was overflowing. Travelers from everywhere had returned for the census. Joseph, having family in town, would naturally have checked with relatives first for a room, only to find every guest space already taken. One door after another must have closed on them as they trudged along, discouraged, their strength sapped.

At last, they knocked on their last door. The innkeeper answered and had to give Joseph the same answer he had received everywhere else. There was no room.

We usually give the innkeeper bad press. Didn’t he know who they were? Didn’t he know he was about to participate in the most earth-shaking event in history? No, he didn’t.

He obviously had compassion for the young couple at his door. But if all the rooms are already full, you can’t change reality. There is NO room. He might have hoped that, with all the other places to stay in Bethlehem, the young travelers could find something else. He might have started to tell them to look elsewhere, but wait . . .

The innkeeper paused long enough to hear the still, small voice of God urging him to offer the stable. Joseph and Mary must have been overcome with gratitude, even if it wasn’t what they would have chosen for themselves. At last, they could sit down, rest, and dig into their sacks for a bite to eat.

In that humble shelter, God provided something precious: privacy. Had they been in a crowded home, Mary’s labor would have unfolded with curious ears just beyond the wall. Instead, she and Joseph were alone with the barn animals and the Spirit of God hovering over the birth of His Son.

And so, in that stable—the place no one would have chosen—the Lord Jesus came into this world and was laid in the manger, because there was no room in the inn.

“Thank You, Father, for weaving every detail into Your perfect plan— for the innkeeper who offered what he had, and for Mary and Joseph, who followed Your call to welcome and raise Your Son. As we enter this Christmas season, help us remember that every part of the story was Your gift to us. Our hearts are full of gratitude.”

For His Glory

 

Cherie Harbridge Williams (www.CherieHarbridgeWilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 10, 2025

When The Broken Are Found

“He (God) reveals mysteries from the darkness and brings the deepest darkness into the light.” Job 12:22 (HCSB)

Shiny illuminations sparkled through the branches – it’s the lights that really make a Christmas tree shine.  Until that obvious moment when your eyes glare into that one dark spot.  Yes, it seems to happen almost every year.  No matter how carefully I pack that string of lights, the inevitable occurs. And so begins the careful checking of each tangled strand and bulb until the broken one is found. Nothing more glorious than seeing the light once again dispelling dark.

2025 ushered in lots of hurting, broken ones. Difficult, strained, unwelcomed and uncertain journeys.  Lives navigating uncharted paths. Cancer consuming loved ones as options are narrowed.  Lives shattered by infidelity and sexual addiction flood our newsfeeds.  Relationships ripped apart and falling prey to the enemy’s game seem commonplace. Division, anger and insensitivity give way to what seems our right to voice. Storms ravaged people’s lives leaving empty.  Comfort, joy and peace are so surreal to the one whose heart can barely beat. Silence of the soul appears to drown out the wonder.  Heartache grown numb so one can simply survive.

To those who know the broken ones  – be faithful, loving and kind.  Let’s do all that we can to help and then do even more down on our knees.  Pray unceasingly (Ephesians 1:16, Colossians 1:9). Choose to judge not and forgive big.  Release rights and welcome grace.  Extend margin and gather often.  Offer simple indulgences.  Prepare meals.  Text scriptures.  Share our broken places and God’s redeeming work.  Whisper God’s love daily not just in word but in deed.

To those who find themselves the broken one – be encouraged – we’ve all been broken. Our Savior came for ones like us.   He never gives up.  He never walks out.  He stays even in the aftermath of hurtful anger, frustration and woundedness.  God sees, knows and hears.  He completely understands our sorrow and tangled mess. And yet, right in the midst of our darkest places, He longs to birth the most beautiful light (Job 12:22).

Be found dear one – drink deep of His love and choose to believe. There’s nothing more glorious than seeing the light dispelling dark when broken ones are found.

“Father, You search for the one.  You relentlessly pursue the one.  You welcome the broken one to find hope and healing in You alone.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 9, 2025

In Honor Of Jesus

“On that day, you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”  John 16:26-27

What is it to “ask in Jesus’ name”? Do we use it as a tack-on at the end of our prayers like magic words sure to elevate our requests? Are we imagining Jesus standing between us and the Father, catching our requests, filtering them, and then giving God the Father only the prayers that pass His muster? Maybe we think our prayers “don’t really count” without praying in His name. So, what does Jesus mean when He tells His disciples (and us) to ask in His name?

In reading John’s gospel, through chapters 15 and 16, it’s like multiple one-two punches to the gut. Jesus very directly—and undeniably—tells His disciples about His identity as God and His relationship with the Father, His love for them (and us), how they need to love each other, and how the world will hate them (and us) because of Jesus. He also promises the Holy Spirit to empower them (and us) for this love, endurance, and truth-knowing. And even though His disciples will not really grasp His clear forecast, Jesus tells them of His imminent death and resurrection. All of these spiritual lessons set the stage for His prayer promises for His followers.

Jesus says, “Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you” (John 16:23). And again in verses 26-27, “On that day you will ask in My name, and I am not saying to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”

Beloved, we can hardly grasp the astonishing glory of this! No longer do followers of God need to bring sacrifices to the temple—Jesus made the last sacrifice on our behalf, taking on the punishment and wrath we deserve. Because of what Jesus has accomplished, He made a way for us to go directly to the Throne room of God with our needs and requests (Hebrews 4:16). Jesus is indeed our intercessor, our High Priest, and the reason why we can go to the Father…but He is also clear in these verses that because of His death and resurrection, the chasm between humanity and the Father has been bridged! “The Father Himself loves you (and me) because (we) have loved (Jesus)!” Amazing!

What does it mean to pray in the precious name of Jesus? First, we’re able to come to God on the basis of His merit—not our own. No bloody lambs or doves to make an acceptable aroma. The blood of Jesus now and forever suffices. Also, despite the chasm between God and Man, forged shortly after Creation by our first parents, Adam and Eve, perfect reconciliation has been accomplished through the righteousness of Jesus—nothing we could ever earn or achieve. We’re able to go to God only because of (the name of) Jesus. Finally, by praying in the name of Jesus, we are also asking for the perfect will of God. In other words, we ask for what would honor and glorify Jesus. This must frame every request—as it did for Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. Think about it this way, when you make a donation “in honor of” someone, you’re donating “in his/her name” to lift up that person. So, to pray “in Jesus’ name” is to pray “in honor of” our Lord…which logically begs us to assess our prayers with our own spiritual filter: Does this prayer, if answered the way we want, honor Jesus? And do we grasp that, however, God answers us, even if it’s not what we thought best, that every answer in His will is for our best—and His glory?

“Lord, thank You for making a way of reconciliation with God the Father. Thank You for being our High Priest and Intercessor…and also that we get to stand in the very presence of our Father because You made a way.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 8, 2025

Christmas Blessings

 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11 (ESV)

From glittery sparkly trees to snow covered fields and red trucks, Christmas cards are still a part of the holiday season. With the first-ever Christmas card making its debut in 1843, we’ve come a long way from simple, artistic renderings. Family photos are the common take these days, and I have a drawer full of Shutterfly keepsake memory cards.

What was the most popular Christmas card of all time? It was a simple one with an image of three angels on the front. The heartfelt message inside read: “God bless you, keep you and love you…at Christmastime and always.”  First published in 1977, this Hallmark card has sold 34 million copies – it’s really the message inside that makes the card.

Sound familiar? Numbers 6:24 – 26 echoes the sentiment of this famous holiday card:

“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

God gave instructions to Moses that these words, known as Aaron’s blessing, be spoken over the people of Israel. A sentiment that has endured from generation to generation.

Blessings in scripture were expressions of divine favor and human gratitude and were tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people. Page after page of scripture unfolding God’s redemptive plan – His Son would come to this broken world wrapped in swaddling clothes. Jesus, born in a manger, lived among us and experienced every aspect of human life. The perfect spotless Lamb of God died for our sins, and His Resurrection ushered in the greatest hope and blessing for all who would  accept His gift of redeeming grace.

The best card of all echoes these beautiful words of blessings:

“Your name is etched on the palm of my nail pierced hands. I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Not that you loved me, but I loved you and sent my Son as an atoning sacrifice for your sins. Place your faith and trust in Me and my goodness will follow you all the days of your life. And one glorious day, you will dwell with Me in my house forever.”

Sweet friends, God loves you and desires to bless you at Christmas and always. There’s no better time than today to accept His invitation… to place your faith and trust in the One who proved His love for you by giving His Son on that first Christmas morn. The gift that kept giving all the way to the cross, and the gift that walked out of that grave so we could spend eternity with Him.

“Father, what a glorious way to spend the holidays by choosing to invite You into our lives. The blessings of Your loving kindness, faithfulness, mercy and grace are more than we could ever dream of receiving. Your sacrifice is far more than we deserve. Thank You for blessing us with true peace (shalom) found in the gift of your Son.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

If you have never received Jesus as your Savior would you consider accepting His gift? Simply believe He is the Son of God, confess your sins and invite God into your life. It’s the best way to start the holiday season.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Older Posts »

Categories