Decorate With Love
A Christmas Message from Melody
This month the whole world will be filled with twinkling lights, shiny ornaments, and flickering candles. Our prayer is that everyone will decorate in the Spirit too -- with the beauty of real love. Jesus is the only true and shining light.
Many may need to cut back on gift giving. Perhaps it’s a time to give greater gifts than money can buy. Do you remember the very first Christmas? Jesus was alone with his parents and they were all sleeping on straw… in a stable. Pure love came to earth to bless us all. And then gifts arrived to bless Him.
Some may also need to cut back on their expectations of receiving. If we love and fear God we have already received the Greatest Gift. “It is better to have a little with the fear of the Lord, than to have great treasure and turmoil with it,” (Pv 15:16).
Giving and receiving love doesn’t need to take a lot of money. So give lavishly and receive humbly, knowing that you are blessed.
Christmas is about God's gift to us. The Messiah. The Savior and Redeemer of all mankind.
 Not As The World Gives
This is a busy time of year. But amidst the shopping, cooking, mailing, and Christmas celebrations, let peace reign in your home and in your life. If you cut back on anything let it be stress -- with yourself and those around you.
Embrace the Prince of Peace whether you have a lot or a little. Jesus gave us His peace freely and left it for us to enjoy now and forever. “Peace I leave with you... Not as the world gives do I give to you,” (John 14:27).
Whatever amount you are able to do this Christmas, bathe it generously in love. Love the friends and family you can be with -- and send your love to those who might be far away. Your love will be felt and will span the gaps because it is written that, “Love never fails,” (1 Cor. 13).
May your Christmas be as simple and as magnificent as the first Christmas was. It was so glorious that it was adorned with a bright heavenly star and angels showed up to sing about it
Have a blessed and peace filled Christmas.
With Love from Everyone at LDM,
Mary of Nazareth
A Teenage Girl ...and Woman of Courage
By Melody Green
Mary’s incredible life was more heroic and more intriguing than most of us realize. Certainly her absolute surrender and trust in God is worthy of imitation by every believer… of every age.
I realize not everyone who loves Jesus totally agrees on certain aspects of Mary’s legacy--but we must not let that obscure her truly incredible favor and her intimate relationship with the Lord. I confess, I usually forget about Mary until Christmas, when I unpack my nativity and place her next to Joseph and baby Jesus.
But we must remember that God Himself handpicked Mary
to be the earthly mother of Jesus, His only Son.
Undoubtedly, God had many young Jewish virgins in Israel to consider, but He chose Mary above every one else. That fact in itself is a stunningly profound statement about Mary’s character and faith.
Who Was Mary?
What was it about Mary that made her stand out to God above all others? What did God know about her that we need to honor and imitate? Perhaps who Mary was, and all she faced, is difficult to grasp because of her culture.
She was an Orthodox Jewish girl living in a religious community with strict regulations. Today, with God’s grace available to us, how could we possibly imagine ourselves, or our daughters, in Mary’s position?
She wasn’t part of a local youth group with a cool worship band. She wasn’t contemplating a college degree or a career in medicine. Mary’s lifestyle and the conduct expected of her, cannot be understood by most of us today. But it was holy and as commanded by God.
I ask each of you, just for a moment, to try to put yourself, or someone you love, in Mary's situation. What hazards did Mary face? What was the potential cost of her obedience?
So let's go back to that time in Israel's history and try to learn from the example set by Mary – or Miryam, as she was called in Hebrew. [To finish reading this article please click here]
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"Mary: A Teenager of Courage"
Dear Partners
Thank you for Fanning the Flame!
Your donations this year have been a huge blessing and have helped lift many burdens. Our transition is in full swing!
Early next year we can begin to implement the new website and media changes you are helping us with. We are so excited about reaching more people with more ministry.
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