HEAR THAT? Kind of a BLING, BLING, BLING sound?  That’s the sound of the holidays coming! Or maybe (better yet) the sound of coupon clipping, dollars being saved, and the echo of REAL wealth built on relationships. My prayer for our family is -I’ll bet  (pun intended)- the same as yours. We will focus on knowing each other better and less on spending more. What is it about relationships that color this season?

Perhaps because there are only 2 things that that stand the test of time….the Word of God and the souls of people. Both live forever. To a large degree, the state of our relationships can reflect the state of our relationship with GOD. Am I living in love toward others or anger? Am I living in a state of generosity or selfishness? (Note to self: Check calendar for answer.)

We were made for so much more. We were made to love because we were made by the Inventor of Love. We were made to Give because we know the Giver of Life. But…we have to bend low to look in the manger FIRST. I cannot offer to others if I do not possess. God gave us to each other to help point us to the  One True Gift…Jesus.

If I know Christ, I am “Redeemed”. (Literally, “bought back”). This means that when God looks at my spiritual mortgage , He sees “paid in full” across my debt. It just so happens the ink is RED… blood red, as a matter of fact. AMAZING. Because my debt is paid, I am free to spend myself loving and giving to others! Does this change my holiday wish-list? Definitely.

God loved me so much that He didn’t leave me alone…HE  CAME LOOKING FOR ME FIRST. He came in the form of Jesus Christ who loved well, lived perfectly, and died completely. All I have to do is BELIEVE .

He promises to never leave me. He promises me Heaven. He gives me Himself. In my spiritual economy, this is my Identity.

When I sit down to prepare my holiday shopping lists, I will look for sales and deals and coupons. God will remind me that His presence didn’t just START a holiday tradition, it started my freedom. He and I operate in the divine “return” aisle…I exchange my broken stuff for His Brand New Stuff. (See Heb. 13:5, Jn. 3:16, Rom. 8, and Eze. 36:26). Is this your “faith tradition” as well? Are your holiday celebrations a reflection that you know you are loved and forgiven?

God says you are redeemable and your relationships are, as well. All came be made new! May we live in the fact– not just feeling– that we have been bought by the blood of Christ and that His love can overflow into the lives of others.

Ahh…the refreshment of Truth…now, where’s my pumpkin spice latte?

Feverish? Achy? Stuffy Head? I am sorry!

If you are like us , then you and your family may have experienced head colds, flu, or just general crabbiness from exhaustion.

Maybe there is a way to not just survive this day , but THRIVE in a quiet way.

Try this. These ideas TRULY help me. Let’s consider this our Spiritual Decongestant.

• 1. Realize GOD is in control...sadly, you are not.
• 2. Know that you CAN survive this day (whether it’s just you who are ill or your 3 kids!) The sun will set.
• 3. Come to a point where you really can see YOUR own need for a day to be either  alone with GOD or QUALITY and QUANTITY time with your kids!

All of this is spiritual growth. This day can be used to be a blessing to you.

This DAY- may you be blessed by HIS EXCEEDING POWER and HIS WONDERFUL GENTLENESS.

This inspires me to just BE.

Love to You in the GREAT PHYSICIAN, JESUS,

Tristie

HAPPY OCTOBER!

Many of you are like me..you barely have time to have a quality time reading the Word, praying and worshipping!

In light of that, perhaps a audio teaching time would refresh you! Here are the following talks uploaded here.

(If you can’t get them through my Blog….. Go to grace-bible.org. Then, go to “downloads”, then “sermons” , search “speakers”  and click “Tristie Fisher” and double click speakers..it should bring it all up!)

If you’d rather, the 2 talks and Psalms series are on the right side of  this blog page….thanks to my friend, Gina!

Get a cup of coffee and put your feet up and just BREATHE in the Word!

Talk#1 “Why do I Love the Psalms?’ (Overview)

Talk #2 “Here Comes the Sun!” (Psalm 19)

Talk #3 “A Fresh Look at the Shepherd and the Sheep” (Psalm 23)

Talk #4 “Your Spiritual Exfoliation and Rejuvenation” (Psalm 51)

Talk #5 “The Original Baby Announcement Psalm” (Psalm 139)

Also on the blog spot, “How to Have Joy” and “The Women’s Dating Talk”

MAY YOU BE BLESSED, REFILLED, and REFRESHED IN THIS SEASON OF WORSHIP!

Tristie Fisher