Encouragement . . . for the journey 2014

You came

. . .  No fancy Palace, just a simple stable for the promised Messiah,
        King

. . . .  Animal noises ~ unpleasant smells ~ a lowly place of birth.

. . .  A Mother’s cry with pain ~ yet what JOY when she saw her son ~
        heaven’s masterpiece ~ God’s beautiful gift for all mankind.

. . .  Swaddled in strips of cloth she gently laid him on a manger of hay.

. . .  Outside the city an angel announced His birth to shepherds in
        their fields.

. . .  The sky became filled with the heavenly hosts that sang of His
        birth and proclaimed peace, good will.

. . .  A star shone bright to guide the way for the shepherds who came to see,
        this precious child ~ God’s gift to all who would believe.

. . .  This child, Jesus, came for you; He came for me with the purpose
        to redeem.

. . .   He came to offer life, abundant, full and free.

. . .   Have you received this precious gift or is it still unwrapped, His
         gift to you left under the tree?

. . .   Don’t wait another season, another moment to believe.

. . .   Trust Him who came at Christmas and His child you’ll always be.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:15

Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.  John 1 :12

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious JOY.  1 Peter 1:8

© 2014 dianne hart
Hart to Heart Ministries, Inc.

Encouragement . . . for the Journey 2014

Sweet Worship . . .

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.  Revelation 4:8b


"In worship we become preoccupied with the Lord.  We don't watch something happen, we participate in it.  It's coming to a place in our life, either alone, with a few or with many, where we "connect" with the living God.  It is almost as though we could reach out and touch Him."
Pastor Chuck Swindoll


This beautifully describes what so many have experienced when they attend Retreat with Him.  Worship of God, so sweet you can almost taste it. Praying for each of you who will join us in the spring for the next retreat.  Date/place will be posted soon.  www.retreatwithhim.org




You will fill me with JOY in Your presence.  Psalm 16:11    

Encouragement . . . for the Journey 2014

Treasure for the WEARY . . .

How do you handle weariness? We're all in different seasons of our life and ALL of us face weariness.  From time to time, one way or another, weariness comes knocking on our door.  Weariness can come as we take care of our family ~ our job situation ~ leadership position (secular or in ministry) ~ illness ~ busyness ~ you fill in the blank ________________________. 

We don't have to allow weariness to swallow us alive or hold us captive.  The answer to handling weariness comes from Jesus Himself in Matthew 11:28-30.
 
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Pastor Chuck Swindoll says, "While so many others are demanding.  Jesus is gentle.  While competition is rugged and being in partnership with hard-charging, bullish leaders is tough, being yoked with Jesus is easy.  Yes, easy.  And instead of increasing our load of anxiety, He promises to make it lighter." 

He always keeps His promises!!!