| Parousia Patris Perspectives
Ornaments Vol 3 No 8 Isaiah 49:18; 61:10; I Pet 3:4 December 2008 Mary carefully unwrapped the delicate blown glass ornament. "This was specially made by my grandmother when I was a tiny child, Beth." She placed it in her daughter's hand, looking at the graceful young woman she was becoming. A tear of joy trickled down her face, as she thought back to the day the ornament had been given to her as a twenty year old, just before her wedding day. "Thank you Mama. I will cherish it always and hand it down to my firstborn." Beth held the braided glass circle, the shiny gold plated image of the Christ child and family hanging in the center. As she placed it on the tree for her last Christmas at home, she watched the light's glow shine on the little family with a rainbow of color dancing across the braided circle like a kaleidoscope. "You are a precious ornament of Jesus. I'll pray you continue to be throughout your life." Mary thought of the scripture Isaiah 49:18. "Look and see, for all your children will come back to you. As surely as I live," says the Lord, "They will be like jewels or bridal ornaments for you to display. She and Joe had talked about this the night before, as they reminisced over pictures of Beth's childhood, knowing soon she would be a young man's bride adorned in ornaments of love for him. Joe came in from hauling wood to set on the sofa beside her, as Beth and young Joe Jr. put the rest of the ornaments on the tree. Joe opened his Bible concordance to references of ornaments. As the young people gathered before them on the floor, Joe read, Ezekiel 40:31 says, "And its porches were toward the outer court; and palm tree ornaments were on its side pillars, and its stairway had eight steps." Mary turned to another in Proverbs 1:8,9 "Hear my son your father's instruction; and do not forsake your mother's teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head, and ornaments about your neck." Joey shook his head "I know where that's leading. I'm not supposed to know how smart you are til I get a family of my own. That's what I've heard you say, Dad." They all laughed at that comment. "So ornaments can be a real physical thing or something else like wisdom. The wisdom of the Lord gives you the TRUTH that sets you free. Truth that you can hand down to your family" Mary deferred to Joe. "The Israelites decked themselves with ornaments of gold from Egypt and later made idols from them. The ornaments became pride in their hearts that turned to idol worship. Jer 4:30;Ezek 7:20. Sometimes God gives us wonderful things to do His work and we take them to only satisfy our own desires. We are missing His real purpose and those things become idols, even wisdom can become an idol. Jeremiah 2:32 "Can a maid forget her ornaments or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten ME days without number." "You mean like your new car Dad, or Mom's new computer? Or Joey's new fishing gear?" Beth countered. "Hey, how bout the furniture you want for your home? Joey came back. "Guys, did you lose the message? Do we use it as an idol for ourselves, or to honor the Lord? No matter what we have let's remember, it's all from the Lord for His kingdom's work, and yes for our enjoyment, right?" Beth looked at her ornament sparkling on the tree. "We become Jesus ornaments, as we reflect His light into the world. Without Him inside us we have no light to reflect." Big Joe handed each an envelope. Here's a way you could be an ornament for Jesus. Beth read hers, finding a volunteer form to work at the local nursing home. Joey opened his to find a Big Brother form to work with the YMCA basketball team. I Pet 3:4; Isaiah 49:18 (As God's children in Jesus, His ornaments) Is Jesus Your Lord and Savior, the True Light in the darkness? If not, all you need to do is come to Him, He will take you into His heart of Love to be a sparkling ornament, radiant for Him. That's why He came, to give you a life with an eternal sparkle of His Love, Joy and Peace. He gave His life to give you an abundant life of everlasting Love in Him. Is He so precious and priceless, you come before Him reverently, treasuring Him? Are you His ornament reflecting His light to your world? Are you using those gifts He gives you as ornaments, useful for His Kingdom's work? May the Light of Jesus reflect in us, as we treasure Him in our hearts reflecting His glory to others. May we all use the "ornaments" He has given us to bring others to know Jesus. As you look at the ornaments on Christmas trees remember, you are His ornament of His grace and love to your world. Have a Blessed CHRISTmas, rejoicing in Jesus. www.parousiapatris.com [email protected] P.O.1393 Ava, MO 65608 BHG--- (C)2008 Pamela G Karges You may print, share these any way you wish. They are not mine, but the Lord's. May you and yours have a very Blessed CHRISTmas, as Jesus is "reborn" in you with the Love, Joy, Peace only He can give. That indescribable gift that keeps on giving . |
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