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| Christmas creche |
Warning: Do NOT pray the following verse unless you mean it. God will take you up on it.
“And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” And God granted him that which he requested.”
1 Chronicles 4:10 (KVJ)
I was warned it was coming. But maybe I didn’t truly believe the ones who’d told me Someday… Maybe. Whatever the case, they were right. And I am sitting here in tears that God is expanding my coast in such a huge way. A seriously frightening way.
I am not adequate. I’m not good enough. Someone else could (and would) do better. How long will it take before people realize I’m a fraud? Normal human reactions.
Right?
It’s December, and at this time of the year some people celebrate the birth of Christ. Yes, I know He probably was born in April. Yes, I know Christmas is a pagan holiday.
That is not the point.
The point is that from the beginning of time God has promised us a Savior. He first promised Adam and Eve in Genesis. People knew He was coming. They were warned.
How many hundreds (thousands?) of years went by with God using prophets, priests and kings to remind His people of the coming Savior?
And yet when He came, He was so unexpected. Angels delivered messages. The angelic choir sang. A star, brighter than any others, lit the sky.
When God does something, He does it in a BIG way.
And yet, He was unexpected.
No one was prepared for God’s promised Savior to arrive as a helpless baby, born to a poor couple, and grow up doing all the normal people things. Why didn’t He arrive in a blaze of glory, maybe a fiery chariot, with swords slashing, and a big voice that people automatically would hear and obey?
Well, okay, He kind of did. I don’t know about you, but if an angelic choir appeared to me to tell me the long-awaited Savior was here, I’d listen. I’d be in that group of shepherds trotting into Bethlehem to worship Him.
And with that in mind, God has also promised that, long after Jesus’ death and resurrection, He would come again.
This is expected! He promised! And this time, it WILL be in a blaze of glory!
And yet, if it happened today, would you be prepared? Or would He be unexpected? If you are a believer, would you be satisfied you are living your life in a way pleasing to Him? Would you be using the talents He gave you in a way that reaches others for Him?
If you are not a believer, the time is now, friend. He’s coming!
“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:8-10 (KJV)
Lord, I believe. Help Thou my unbelief. Help me to listen to You and follow, wherever You lead. Help us to expect the unexpected. Amen.
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When God does something, He does it in a BIG way. And yet, He was unexpected. @laura_v_hilton #SeriouslyWrite http://bit.ly/SW-Laura
For more posts by Laura V. Hilton, click here.
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| About the Author |
Award-winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and three of their children make their home in Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom, and home-schools. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor. Laura also has two adult children.
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| Laura V. HIlton |
Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts (winner of the 2012 Clash of the Titles Award in two categories), and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love (finalist for the 2013 Christian Retail Awards). Surrendered Love and Awakened Love followed by her first Christmas novel, A White Christmas in Webster County, as well as a three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport series, The Snow Globe, The Postcard, and The Bird House in September 2015.
See below for information on Laura's latest, The Christmas Admirer. Other credits include Swept Away from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and a professional book reviewer.
Connect with Laura
http://www.amazon.com/Laura-V.-Hilton/e/B004IRSM5Qvisit her blog: http://lighthouse-academy.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Laura_V_Hilton or @Laura_V_Hilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/vernetlh/
Firestorm
Firestorm by Laura V. Hilton
Bridget Behr and her family migrate from the bustling Amish community where she grew up in Ohio to the mostly unpopulated Upper Peninsula of Michigan after a stalker breaks into their home. While her father and brother try to find work in the area, the family is forced to reside in a borrowed RV until the house and barn are rebuilt. While Bridget is hoping for a fresh start, she’s afraid to trust anyone—even Gabriel, the overly-friendly Amish man who lives nearby. Bridget thinks he’s a flirt who serial dates and doesn’t even remember the girls’ names.
Due to not enough construction work in his Florida community to keep him out of trouble, Gabriel Lapp has been sent to Michigan to work. His father is desperate for his son to settle down. When the family walks into Gabe’s home in the middle of a thunderstorm and he discovers their circumstances, he offers to help with construction. For Gabe, the beautiful girl he teasingly calls “the recluse” once he discovers she doesn’t attend youth events, confuses him like none other.
As Gabriel and Bridget grow closer, they realize there is more to a person than meets the eye. Just as Bridget is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding love, tragedy strikes. Now Bridget and her family must decide if they should move to another Amish community, or dare to fight for the future they’d hoped for in Mackinac County.
