Christmas in July!

Hi Devoted Readers:

I know you guys are praying for us, and I thank you! It has been a good week so far. I look forward to hosting my friend Michelle's baby shower this weekend. I'm so excited to meet her and Todd's son, Alex and spoil him completely rotten, but I know his family will spoil him first. My prayer for him, is that he will love the Lord God, and follow him, and know him as the one and only Savior! I pray for wisdom for Todd and Michelle as they embark on this journey called parenthood!
I am writing a post with Christmas in the tittle have I lost my mind??? Believe it or not, there is a perfectly logical reason for my madness. Today my time with the Lord was about his name being" Saviour" I read the Christmas story in July! I read about Mary pondering and Marveling at the face of God in baby Jesus. I read about how the heavenly hosts, appeared to the shepherds, and proclaimed A Savior has been born for YOU" I admit it was strange at first to read it without seeing Christmas trees and lights, but it was refreshing to really leave all those things aside and focus on the message alone and not the "seasonal aspects." I thought about how exciting it must have been for them to know that that Jesus was born to be their Savior, and this was one promise that they had access to, despite their earthly status, or lack of it. Sometimes I forget that Jesus, while of course saves me from hell literally, and that is the greatest hope I have, Jesus is also my "NOW SAVIOR" Daily I need a Savior who will rescue me from "dangers of the world, and a Savior who will stay with me! The Savior I need, the one and only I have is: Jesus! He is Savior year round and for all time! His saving power is not limited to seasons or situations or false idols. Will you join me in Celebrating the Savior of everyday, no matter what season of life you are in? Our Savior is Risen!
This devotional by Rick Warren, sent by my friend Sandra minstered to me so much, that I want to post it here. I hope you will read it when you can.
God Smiles When We Obey by Rick WarrenNoah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. Genesis 6:22 (NLT)*** *** *** ***Noah obeyed completely (no instruction was overlooked) and he obeyed exactly (in the way and time God wanted it done). That is wholeheartedness. It is no wonder God smiled on Noah.If God asked you to build a giant boat, don’t you think you might have a few questions, objections, and reservations? Noah didn’t. He obeyed God wholeheartedly. That means doing whatever God asks without reservation or hesitation. You don’t procrastinate and say, “I’ll pray about it.” You do it without delay. Every parent knows that delayed obedience is really disobedience. God doesn’t owe you an explanation or reason for everything he asks you to do. Understanding can wait, but obedience can’t. Instant obedience will teach you more about God than a lifetime of Bible discussions. In fact, you will never understand some commands until you obey them first. Obedience unlocks understanding.Often we try to offer God partial obedience. We want to pick and choose the commands we obey. We make a list of the commands we like and obey those while ignoring the ones we think are unreasonable, difficult, expensive, or unpopular. I’ll attend church but I won’t tithe. I’ll read my Bible but I won’t forgive the person who hurt me. Yet partial obedience is disobedience.Wholehearted obedience is done joyfully with enthusiasm. The Bible says, “Obey him gladly” (Psalm 100:2 LB). This is the attitude of David: “Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I’ll wholeheartedly obey” (Psalm 119:33 LB).James, speaking to Christians, said, “We please God by what we do and not only by what we believe” (James 2:24 CEV). God’s Word is clear that you can’t earn your salvation. It comes only by grace, not your effort. But as a child of God you can bring pleasure to your heavenly Father through obedience. Any act of obedience is also an act of worship. Why is obedience so pleasing to God? Because it proves you really love him. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15 TEV).