Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, who put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:2-3 NIV

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. A new day dawns every 24 hours so why should I be glad? The Lord has a purpose and plan for each of them. One day may seem to be just like the other, but when God is in our lives, you can be sure it has a purpose.

Paul is alerting his friends in Philippi in this verse. It seems some people have been preaching circumcision is required to be saved. {Of course this doesn't apply to most of us since we are women}, but Paul is angry with these "dogs" because this is a lie.

Every generation has had to contend for the truth, because salvation by faith seems too simple. We must have to "do" something! Faith is alot of something. It requires our every inch of energy and strength. Jesus is the only one who could pay our way to God. It required Him to give His all.

Our faith says to God we believe and stand with Jesus in the completed work of the cross. Our faith is raised before our Father in heaven as a banner, waving high and bright, so all will know who we belong to. This banner declares our victory over sin and its nasty chains. It declares God's grace is over us and His protection.

We do the deeds of God in kindness and justice. Compassion for others is our crown. Displaying the love of God is our business, and we look for opportunities to do this. We pray for the lost, and healing for those who hurt. We stand in authority against the devil and his liars.

The Holy Spirit leads us to accomplish His will. He blankets us in His love, and draws us close to our Father's side. All peace is found here.  No turmoil or stress, but perfect peace. Our soul is at rest, and our spirits full. We can banquet at His table, and be restored. 

We live in this world, and it pulls and tugs at us to conform to its image, but we know better! There is feasting at God's table, and only He can satisfy. Since He made our spirit, only He can fill it to satisfaction. Why would we turn back and lose this place of joy?

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Philippians 3:1 NIV

This is a cathedral ceiling! It produces a sense of awe in us, and so it does what it was created for. The architects wanted to inspire a reverence for God in their work.The majestic power and presence of God is overpowering to our imperfect minds. 

The holiness of God is sensed by the high columns , and the arched ceilings give a sense of moving on forever. His power and authority endure forever! In the days of this architecture, God seemed to be distant, and so it didn't quite catch who God is according to the Bible. He certainly is all of the things I described, but so much more!

The love of God seems to be removed in this vast cathedral, being stark and hollow. God with us, the Savior who walked among us tends to be lost in these halls. How can man capture the majesty and the humanity of Jesus Christ?

It won't happen in a building, I'm pretty sure, however I appreciate those who have tried.  Most days I realize His presence in the simple things around me. A child's smile, a friend's hug, even the wagging of my puppy's tail. 

These things are vastly wonderful and creative as much as the highest mountain top, and the deepest ocean. It all depends on how we see them. The mighty creator of all things speaks in a whisper, as well as in a thunderous clap. We can miss the thunder if we aren't careful or on a tangent.

Don't miss the thunder, and certainly don't miss the whisper. Paul is happy in our verse today to repeat what he's said before. Don't we all need to hear the same things many times before we realize them as truth? God speaks in ways of which we can be oblivious , if we aren't  quiet in our hearts.

He doesn't speak through yoga, or hinduism, and He will never use the occult. These are enemies of God. He speaks to us through His word, the Bible. The roaring anthem of the King of Kings and of His Spirit is loud and clear. I AM. Nothing else needs to be said.






  

Therefore, I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him,  Phillipians 2:28 NIV

This is my amaryllis, with six blooms on it. Although it is supposed to open around Christmas, I'm glad it is opening now. It may have been lost on December 25th with all the other commotion. It is the perfect time for something living and beautiful!

The Christmas tree is down, the outside lights are packed away until next year, but life is being honored in red and green. I'm not surprised by the joy I receive from flowers, after all, God gave them to us for our pleasure. 

When Christ returns, we won't be saying good-bye to the beauty of summer and have the dead of winter. Blooms will be opening all the time, while old flowers won't die off. Nothing will decay. Can you imagine such a place? Life will be as God always desired for us. 

 As we read the verse of today, the Apostle Paul is feeling stressed about Epaphroditus and his safe return to Philippi. He was not exempt of emotion, but felt like we do because he was just like us. It's hard sometimes when we read about such brave and extraordinary people, to think of them as real and human.

Thankfully the scripture reminds us elsewhere too, of Paul's humanity, and Moses, and Abraham, and all others who were living examples for us. "And if the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit, who lives in you." Romans 8:11 NIV

We have everything Paul had spiritually, and yet we don't really believe it. Sarah Watne, in a recent article for the"International House of Prayer's" blog said," Every revelation about who God is carries infinite layers of invitation to know Him deeper and build trust with him."

 Can you believe God for more of Him? More answers to prayers prayed as he would have them? More healing in bodies and minds?  An increase among people of the glory and goodness of our God? What do you want to increase as we begin this wonderfully new year?

He certainly was ill {too}, near to death. But God had compassion on him, and not only on him but also on me, lest I should have sorrow{over him} coming from sorrow. Philippians 2:27 AMP

Paul is speaking about Epaphroditus, the faithful messenger sent from the Philippians to him, in order to bring funds for Paul's living expenses. It is time for Epaphoditus to return home, since he has been gone for quite a while. 

Not only did he travel a long way to Rome, his illness set him back.  I don't know about you, but being in a foreign country, and being sick is no picnic! Paul tells the Philippians this fellow risked his life in bringing Paul aid. Following after God can have serious outcomes, but it is never the wrong way.

The outcome of not following God is one that can make me shutter. None of us want to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Life outside of Him is a scary place. The covering provided by living a yielded life is worth far more than anything else in this world.

"Safe" in spiritual terms, doesn't mean safe from physical harm. Many a missionary or believer in a foreign land can attest to this. There have been more martyrs in the past century than  all other centuries combined. This could be a sign of the soon return of our King.

Epaphoditus might have had mixed feelings about returning to his homeland. He has spent time with the Apostle Paul and certainly learned many wonderful things from him. He loved his family at home, but now he had family in Rome as well.

I don't like saying goodbye to my daughter when she visits for a time, and returns to Chicago which she has made her home. She was home for two weeks and we had fun, doing not much at all. I can now say I have binge watched a whole series. We sat a whole day and watched" The Great British Bake Off." It was her idea, and I liked it. Even my husband thought it was nice!

This is Rachel's love language, which means she knows we love her because we did a binge with  her. I know men are different, and I'm sure Paul and Epaphoditus didn't do anything silly like Rachel and I, but praying through a brother who is near death can do something to you.

Rachel has had some serious health issues for a 26 year old woman. We pray and trust, and pray and trust again. God has been faithful to bring her through so now she can defend the poor children of Chicago through legal advocacy. She will be the voice for the little ones who can't defend themselves. This brings all of the Migliores great joy. She's out there, doing what God has put on her heart, and she's no push over!

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5 KJV

Here I am with Christmas pictures still! I hope you don't mind. This one is a favorite. It is only the third day of January. It goes along with what I said yesterday. I'm not finished with 2018 entirely. Give me a few days and I will adjust.

We woke up today to lots of commotion and activity. 8:45, a knock on the door, and the fence company was here to start on our 6 f' fence for our "puppy." She will be a big girl when full size, and I can't be running all over chasing her. At six months she can get over our 4' fence.

My friend Cindy came in next, ready to clean our house, which was greatly appreciated. After that, our friend Ray came at 10:30 to take our daughter Rachel to the airport so she could return to Chicago. 

Time to walk the dogs on leashes. The appliance repair man was due any minute and most of these activities are flowing into tomorrow at this point. Nothing like a little activity to start off the new year.

This all comes with having four children, two dogs and a big house. Can you think of a time recently when much was happening, all at the same time? My mother used to say,"When you stay with the Migliores, you hit the floor running first thing in the morning."

We don't mind all the commotion. It is progress in the making. Life is full of moving forward when you live in the light. God's ways bring steady progress one step at a time. We usually don't wake up one morning completely changed. The daily yielding to the Holy Spirit causes change within. 

Every thing living needs light to grow so why would our spirits be any different? Light shines brightly from the words God has given us.  It illuminates the path ahead of us, but never behind. We move forward by gazing into His wonderful face, full of light and wholeness. There is nothing in life that can be better than this!

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1 AMP

 Here we are at the beginning of a new year. Every year I find it to be a surprise when we are saying good-bye. It seems as if there should be at least one more month!

Running ahead of the month isn't good either, but both scenarios cause us to lose something. Our stability comes in knowing God is with us, regardless of what day, year or hour we are in. He holds life and eternity in His hands. Nothing will ever change this truth!

He has 2019 all mapped out for us, if we care to follow His lead. When we do choose another way, He will still intervene if we ask Him to set us back on track. I don't want to ever lose my way, but then a selfish moment can arise and I lose my footing. How loving and caring is our Divine Father, to pick us up and allow us to continue on.

My biggest battle is inside of me. It's not temptation to do the wrong thing usually, but to say or think the wrong way. I can catch some of the lies trying to gain my attention. I'm well aware of jealousy when it may rear its ugly head. It can easily be quenched. I have won over it before so it is weak. I could allow anger to get the best of me because it tries still to pull me down!

We don't want to go with anger either. No, this lie can trip us up big time. The Bible says the enemy left Jesus after he tempted Him, but he would come back at an opportune time. The enemy is not hard to figure out. He will try to level us when we are weak, so don't be weak! Easier said then done. We never plan on being open to his attacks.

We need each other. When two or more are gathered in My name, there I am with them. Matthew 18:20 NIV If you are stuck call someone to pull you out. Gather some friends around who know how to pray and ask Your Father to come to your defense. Let this year be the year when you break out of habits and fears that have held you down. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. Ecclesiates 4:9-10a I have recently asked for help with my prayer ministry.  We never meet as a group, since we are praying at home one hour a week for revival.

 I started a group with a few people to pray for me and for the group to progress with answered prayer. We pray over the phone since every one of us has time restraints. This has helped me tremendously! I am encouraged and we haven't even started yet. The idea of having the support has lifted me.

Do you feel the need for prayer support? Reach out to someone who can pray with you. You can even text a prayer. Why not? We can use any means available to agree together, and God is glorified.

She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Luke 2:37b NIV

Anna, a prophetess was very old. The Bible tells us, when Jesus came to the temple in Jerusalem for the first time, Anna was there. She, like Simeon was waiting and watching for the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. 

Her husband died after seven years of marriage. I wonder if she thought about what her life would have been like if he hadn't died?Would she be serving God in this capacity in the temple? I think we can surmise from her dedication to the work of God she didn't dwell on the past.

I think her focus was on what God was about to do in the world. A birthing of a new dispensation and freedom among the people of God. A salvation that would bring eternal perspective, and change the way others thought of each another.

God, in human flesh! The impossible made possible.

It's never easy to figure out exactly what a move of God would look like. Did Anna know that many people would believe and others would not? Did she realize the upheavel and change the Promised One would bring to the Hebrew people?

None of these things mattered as much as His coming. The hearts of all men would have to decide if Jesus spoke God's truth and live with the consequences of their choices. The same choice is necessary for us today. 

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 We can't choose to believe He was a good man, because He says His is God. Either we choose to belive He is who He says He is, or turn away completely.

There is no middle ground and the enemy of our souls know this too. He is well aware of the power and magnificence of God, and will do anything to keep us away from this truth. Don't believe His lies. God loves you and wants to pour down blessings on your life.

He is a good, good Father and has done all to save you. His plans are for you to be whole, in every way. May Jesus come afresh and anew in your heart this Christmas!