"God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours."  (Psalm 62:11 - 12a NLT)

What do you think of when you hear "power"?  The electric grid - having power to Cities and homes?  Making sure the "power" is on so the computers and electronics work?  Or...maybe.... working on getting "power/strength" back after something has happened.  What are you thinking of?  I have been working on getting power/strength back but also on making sure I am feeling God's strength/power.  One of the ways, for me, is making sure to have my God time morning and evening.  These two verses were God time earlier this week but I have continued to go back to them every morning and evening.

We see a lot of "power" happening around us - some good but a lot of it, at the very least, not so good if not actually bad.  In the middle of what is happening it is hard to remember Emmanuel - God IS with us.  God IS giving us strength, and guidance, in the midst of the illness, in the midst of trying to get strong enough to sit in, and stand up from(!), a chair and to either speak up or help quietly in the midst of turmoil.  In all of it we CAN remember Emmanuel - God's "unfailing love."

So..... how can you feel God's power?  Something to think about.........

"But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize him."  (Matthew 3:15 NLT)

Most of us probably don't remember our own, because we were baptized as infants, but we can remember other baptisms.  The ones in our family, the one at church when we were there or special ones - like a grandchild or because we've been asked to participate.  I have been blessed to be able to baptize several, in the 20+ years of ministry.  AND..... Every year, at approximately this Sunday of the year, I remind people of Jesus' baptism, their own and any they were a part of.  One reason is because of the promise all of us make during the actual service.

Jesus is pointing out, to John (and to us), how and why Jesus wants John to baptize him - "to carry out all that God requires."  John has already been doing his ministry, even baptizing, as he "prepares the way" for Jesus to come. (3:11)  He tells the people "I baptize with water......  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (3:11)  

So.....the promises all of us made (make?) during a baptism...... to support with our "prayers and our presence."  Are we praying and present?  Something to think about........

"They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.  then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."  (Matthew 2:11 NLT)

How are you doing with gifts?  We still have the gift for the neighbors because we haven't been able to "see" them yet.  As for our gifts it has been an awesome time - we give memories more than "things" so a day quilting and a theater production with lunch and (especially!) dinner with my 3 grandsons!  Wonderful memories!

The Wise Men have "found" Jesus.  They are excited to find the star, after visiting with Herod (v. 9), and the "house" where Jesus is.  They have also brought gifts (v. 11) which I, personally, feel were probably very useful as the family has to "flee to Egypt" (v. 13).  

The question now is... What gift(s) are we bringing to Jesus?  We are starting a "New Year," working (maybe) on doing/trying new things - so.... what gift(s) are we giving the King of Kings?  Maybe... we could TRY to give our time - even just a few minutes DAILY - to spend with God.  Something to think about........