Mysty PfefferDo you ever get frustrated planning for the holidays? Or does the gift of hope get lost in the pressure of expectations?
If you are like me, you take time to choose a special gift and pay careful attention preparing a loved one’s favorite dish. All the while, you’re really wondering if they’ll even show up.
Pressure mounts when you can’t find the item you need or the ingredients that make your recipe just right.
In addition to figuring out the month’s itinerary, work still has to be done, errands ran, and bills paid.
If we’re not careful, we can lose sight of the hope of the season.
“The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11)
“Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in His Holy name. “
The gift of hope is coming!
As you and I begin to celebrate the advent of our Savior’s birth, we can rest assured in God’s steadfast love.
Overthinking everything else dims the brilliance of this perfect gift in our hearts.
The hearts of our loved ones are not won by special gifts, or by our skills in the kitchen.
The gift their hearts truly crave is Jesus, since God placed eternity on the heart of all mankind.
May you and I let the greatest gift be resting in the shield of his protection and love. The gladness of our hearts will illuminate the gift of hope for everyone around us.
God’s love is indeed steadfast!
Hope Deferred (Luke 1:1-24)
You, O Lord are my hope.
Even when you say no.
Even when the root of bitterness rises, you gently remind me to trust you.
You incline your ear to me and save me from my own thoughts.
My rock of refuge, I continually come. Just as the Psalmist turns to you when his strength is spent, so do I. Upon you I have leaned from before my birth, you are He who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you
(Psalm 71:6).
God’s plan for you and me is clear from birth too. From scripture we see his love for His own.
His plan for Zechariah and Elizabeth to have a son was delayed, but oh so glorious. The hope deferred was so overwhelming it brought disbelief.
Yet it still came.
The multitude of people were praying outside at the hour of incense when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah. Five months later, she who was called barren conceived a son. For nothing is impossible with God.
The bitter self- disgrace was removed from Elizabeth’s thoughts. She kept herself hidden saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people (Luke 1:25).
Reproach is a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace.
What is an area of your life that needs blame or disgrace removed?
Let the hope of the Lord remove it today. Remain steadfast, righteous, and faithful as God works through you and around you.
The miracle child of Zechariah and Elizabeth is to pave the way and ready a people for Jesus. You, sweet friend, have been chose too.
In your circle of influence, you prepare children, friends, and family to see the beauty of hoping in Jesus too.
The impact on their tender hearts will have eternal rewards!
Gift of Hope in The Word Made Flesh
“My Soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your Word.” (Psalm 119:81)
The hope of salvation rests on the Word of God. Coming to fruition is the everlasting covenant promised to king David, and revealed to the virgin in Bethlehem.
I imagine Mary, breathless with fear as the Word of God comes out of the mouth of Gabriel. Assurance is hers, as it will not return empty, but accomplish all that He purposes (Isaiah 55:11).
“You will conceive in your womb and bear a son. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
(Luke 1:31a, 32-33)
A word of assurance and a true gift of hope in God’s word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as the only Son from the Father full of grace and truth.
(John 1:1,14)
The promised Messiah. The Word becoming flesh. Is coming through her, how can this be?
Simple, dear Mary, the power of the Most high will come upon you.
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:36a)
You and I don’t rest in fantasy or empty promises from those who may disappoint us. Like Mary, we can rest in the living Word of the Most High who humbled himself to become a babe in the womb.
It’s the hope of the Word made flesh our souls long for, because in it is salvation. Our spiritual health depends on applying scripture’s truth to our lives each day.
How will you hold this gift of hope close to your heart today?
The Gift of Hope in Obedience
When I get some amazing news, I can hardly wait to tell my family. I make haste to grab my phone and tell my husband, my daughters, or my mom and sister!
Mary is no different. When the angel departed from her, Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country of Judah. With the hope of the angel’s words fresh in her heart, she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Confirmation of Elizabeth’s condition combined with her excited proclamation of, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”, fills Mary with rejoicing humbleness. (Luke 1:42-43)
As the infant, John, leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, the Holy Spirit fills her to quiet the emotions this enormous task places on the young virgin. “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:25)
All amazing news is a gift of hope from God we can’t wait to share.
It fills us with the hope and brings us closer to our Savior. Mary’s song of praise represents how our hearts can accept and share the hope of Jesus.
- *My soul magnifies the Lord
- *My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
- *He looks on the humble state of His servant
- *He who is mighty has done great things for me
- *His mercy is for those who fear Him
- *He has shown strength in His arm
- *He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
- * He has filled the hungry with good things
Although the task God calls Mary to do is above and beyond any you and I are called to do, we can still capture the spirit of being called and glorify the Lord humbly in obedience.
For some of us, that may mean walking away from sin and committing ourselves to the Lord. For others, it may require removing our pride and apologizing to someone we’ve wronged.
Whatever the call is upon our lives, make haste to rejoice like Mary and Elizabeth, and move forward in the hope of Jesus clearing the way for belief.
The Gift of Hope in Salvation
God of our salvation and hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come.
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness.
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! (Psalm 65:5b,2,5a,4)
The blessed hope of a son arrives for Zechariah and Elizabeth in the joyous presence of friends and family. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Zechariah’ muteness dissolves into a glorious prophecy for his son:
- *Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed His people
- *Raised a horn of salvation for us
- *Spoke from the mouths of his holy prophets from of old, that we be save from our enemies and those who hate us
- * We being delivered from the hands of our enemies might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness
- *And, the child John, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you go before the Lord to prepare his way
- *Give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins
- *Because of the tender mercy of God
- *Giving light to those who sit in darkness to guide our feet in the way of peace
The enemy who hates you is Satan, and he wants you to stay bogged down in self-loathing lies.
Lies that invade your thoughts about yourself, your friends, your family, and your coworkers.
The hope of his defeat is herald by John and the angels, the Most High becomes a babe, lives a sinless life, and suffered and died on a tree so you and I can live free of Satan’s lies.
Despite walking among those who are still living in darkness, Jesus makes a way for peace to enter our souls. May the God of our salvation who brings hope from the farthest seas speak softly to your spirit today, friend. Rest in knowing, “Oh you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come!”
What is the deepest hope of your heart today and how can I pray for you?
You may not be comfortable sharing personal things in public places, and I understand.
So, just say in the comments, “God knows!”, and that will be enough information to let me pray for you.
Let God work a miracle in your heart this season with His mighty word, and may your spiritual health be lifted today as you trust in Him for all your needs.
I am here for you as a RN Health & Wellness Coach if you need spiritual coaching, as you navigate the beautiful gift of hope during on this journey of life! It is a sure path to complete wellness alongside our physical health!
Mysty
Simplifying Health God’s Way
