LOVE IS A SELFLESS SACRIFICE

Note: the bible verses are from the God's word translated translation. GWT

God's love:


Isaiah 9:6 A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I though what better example to give then the relationship between Jesus and Mary (love and sacrifice). Many people have received messages from God and also from angels but, non have received a message like Mary. Mary not only found out that she will have a new role, being a mother (unplanned pregnancy for her), but the angel also gave her an idea, by the name given to Him, who she will be the mother of. The very first clue is, she didn't name her child, because this child already had a name and already exist before He was placed in her and, to top all that, she was told of His destiny, beyond life and death. Luke 1: 30 The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor^[a] with God. 31You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. 32 He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever, and his kingdom will never end.”

The angel also gave her a clue as to whom the child really belongs to. Luke 1: 35 The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come to you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy child developing inside you will be called the Son of God.

When Jesus was about three years old, wise men worshipped the child. The gifts they gave Jesus were prophetic  Matt 2:11 ¹¹ When they entered the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary. So they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.^[a]

GOLD: The gift of gold to the Christ child was symbolic of His divinity—God in flesh.

FRANKINCENSE:  Frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. The gift of frankincense to the Christ child was symbolic of His willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.

MYRRH: Myrrh symbolizes bitterness, suffering, and affliction. The baby Jesus would grow to suffer greatly as a man and would pay the ultimate price when He gave His life on the cross for all who would believe in Him.

Another clue was by a man name Simeon. God promised him that he would not see death until he saw Jesus. Luke 2:²⁵ A man named Simeon was in Jerusalem. He lived an honorable and devout life. He was waiting for the one who would comfort Israel. The Holy Spirit was with Simeon ²⁶ and had told him that he wouldn’t die until he had seen the Messiah, whom the Lord would send. ²⁷ Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courtyard. Mary and Joseph were bringing the child Jesus into the courtyard at the same time. They brought him so that they could do for him what Moses’ Teachings required. ²⁸ Then Simeon took the child in his arms and praised God by saying, 29“Now, Lord, you are allowing your servant to leave in peace as you promised. 30 My eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people to see. 32 He is a light that will reveal salvation to the nations and bring glory to your people Israel.” ³³ Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, “This child is the reason that many people in Israel will be condemned and many others will be saved. He will be a sign that will expose ³⁵ the thoughts of those who reject him. And a sword will pierce your heart.”


The last clue she had about her son was through the prophet Anna. A prophet who was a widow for 85 years. During those years she stayed in the courtyard worshipping God day and night through fasting and praying. Luke 2: ³⁸ At that moment she came up to Mary and Joseph and began to thank God. She spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for Jerusalem to be set free.

After this we learn that both Mary and her husband Joseph followed and finished all the required teachings of the Lord, they returned to their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee.  We, of course, do not have details of Jesus' up bringing, however, seeing that God favored Mary, and that she followed all the Lord's teaching requirements, we can safely say that she did give 100% to the Lord. The bible tells us. Luke 2:⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor^[b] was with him. 

There came a time when Mary became aware that her role as a mother was going to shift when he turned 12 years old. There will have to be a sacrifice made on her part. She will have to give up herself as his mother, and give Him to man Isaiah 9:6. Every year they would follow the tradition of going to the festival. This year, when they left a day had passed when she realized her son was not with her. Now many people probably wondered how in the world could she not know that Jesus was not with her? Well, my heart tell me that Mary never had to worry about her son doing anything that was "out of the ordinary" because he was a good boy. So she had no reason to think that he would not be with them. When she realized that he was not there, she went back searching for him. Three days, she looked for him and she finally found him on the third day.

Luke 2: ⁴⁸ When his parents saw him, they were shocked. His mother asked him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been worried sick looking for you!” ⁴⁹ Jesus said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you realize that I had to be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ But they didn’t understand what he meant.


The beautiful thing about this is that Jesus left with them and he was obedient. Mary treasured all of these things in her heart. Jesus being God and knowing his job I believe in my heart he understood his short time on earth and allowed Mary to have her moments with Him. This had to be approved by the Father because there was nothing that Jesus did that was not approved by the Father. Mary had favor!

Mary raised Him up (The Son of God) and he gained maturity and wisdom and he was favored by God and the people. She may not have fully understood all the things that Jesus would end up having to do, but she trust in God and had to released Jesus as her son, to allow Him to be her God. 

In the most touching of all. John 19:25-27 ²⁵ Jesus’ mother, her sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary from Magdala were standing beside Jesus’ cross. ²⁶ Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there. He said to his mother, “Look, here’s your son!” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Look, here’s your mother!”
From that time on she lived with that disciple in his home.


We can not imagine the pain that they both felt during that moment.  Mary would later realize, from receiving the Holy Spirit in the upper room, that when Jesus died so that the world through Him, might be saved, that also included her. As I stated earlier, she would have to release Him as her son and accept Him as her God.The ultimate, selfless sacrifice of a mother and her Son. 

We must remember that when we talk about we love our husbands, or friends, family, children and so on, that we must only use the word of God as a measurement and not of our own understanding that is usually mixed in with selfishness. The way to learn how to love is to stay in the word of God and to be obedient to His word!

I am including myself in this.

AMEN!


Angela R. Ingram

MY PLANS VS GOD'S PLAN

My aunt Regina shared another great testimony with me and I asked her to pleassssseeeeeee write down the story and email it to me so that I can share it on my blog. I was so blessed by her story and I know that you will also be blessed by this story.

 

Last week I was talking to my niece Angie. I was talking to her about God plan vs man's plan (in this case my plan, or so I thought). I was discussing with her how we can do all the planning in the world that we want but our plans and Gods plans are two different things.  

For those of you who know me and know me well, you know that I am a natural planner. Any time I am asked to do something, I check my cellphone calendar, so I can see if my schedule can accommodate. (Before the cell phone, there was the PDA, before that the Franklin planner and before that a calendar, pen and paper).  I have planned (or at least tried to plan every aspect of my life.) When someone needs something organized, planned and completed in a timely manner, they call Regina.  So throughout my life plannning was what I did.  Sometimes it went well and sometimes it didn't. But I don't normally do anything without planning it.

Over the past 3 years I had been struggling over my employment situation.  Various things at my previous job became overwhelming (lightly stating the situation) and I started to plan my way out. Notice I said "I".  I started looking for another position within the company.  Promotions and job changes were denied. I started searching outside the company.  The searches were bleak for one reason or another.   I struggled at my job and began to truly dislike the place.    Although I prayed, and many family and friends were praying, nothing happened.  Me, being the me that I am, just wanted out and I was going to plan my way out. (There goes that "I" again).

After about 2 years into the search and me planning my way out, I began to somewhat give up.  All my efforts were exhausted and I was still there.  I was still praying don't get me wrong, but I realize, apparently it wasn't time to leave.  So I continued to push forward at work, wait and continue to pray.  One day I received a call  (at work) from a vendor who I worked with years ago. He called me because there was an opening where he worked, that he felt fit me and my experience.  This vendor and I have never ever met face to face and we had not spoken to each other in over 4 or 5 years.  He said he was hoping I was still at the company because it was the only phone number he had for me.   (What a mighty God)  He asked me to apply for the position and I did. Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel, or so I thought. Three interviews, one drug test, a background check that was so thorough, I thought they found my birth mother, and 3 months later (yes it took 3 months).... I did not get the job. The door was closed. No light at the end of tunnel. I felt defeated.

But remember, at the beginning of this story I spoke of a mighty God. The background above was the history of the journey and my plans. Now let me tell you about the plans Gods had for me.

Eight months after the doors was closed on that position, I received a call from the same company.  The HR rep said, "Regina, we never forgot you, we think we have the perfect job for you and want you to come in and apply".  Now think about it, most company’s hold onto an application 30 to 90 days max.  Not 8 months.  (There goes that Mighty God again) I told very few people about the position and those I did tell I asked them to pray.  (I didn't want to get my hopes up.)  I also prayed that God's will be done and that I am at peace with whatever that "will" was.  Well 2 interviews, another drug test and another thorough background check, I get the position.  But the story doesn't stop there.  Although, I was offered the position it was at a significant pay cut.  After some thinking, praying and discussing with the hubby, I accepted the position at the pay they offered.

Although, it was a significant cut, God had a plan.  Although it was 3 years after my journey started, God had a plan.  I am by no means bragging or being prideful, I just want you to understand God plans are way beyond what we can imagine and his timing is impeccable. It says so, in his word.  Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)   His word also says, Isaiah 55:8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (NLT)

Now, watch how God moved and presented far greater than I could imagine.

• My work hours decreased from 10 to 15 hours a day (most time with no lunch break), to 8 to 8.5 hours and a mandatory 1 hr lunch break
• Benefits, benefits, benefits.... did I say benefit?! I had to read my offer letter over and over to make sure I understood what they were providing.  My previous company benefits were removed years ago only medical, dental was left.
• My commute time cut to down to 15 min, gas tank last 2 weeks now instead of 6 days  (that's a small fortune in saving with todays gas prices)
• Because this occurred in Gods timing/plan and not my own, the new job started at the same time, we found out our home loan and monthly payments were being decreased, yes decreased.
• It also happened after the payoff of our second car (which by God’s grace we paid off a year and a half ahead of time.)
•  I now have christian co-workers.  Imagine my shock on my first day hearing christian music on my co-workers computer and freely discussing God's word with other believers.
• More time at home with my family

Needless to say, it was all well worth the wait and Gods plan are far better than my own. I leave you with this.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 (NIV)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

Have a Blessed Day!
R

I hope that this message will bless you like it blessed me.

As always, I love you and God bless you,

Angela R. Ingram

JEREMIAH 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and incurably sick - mi yadeinu? - who can know it? (Jer. 17:9). How is the heart sick? By seeking escapes and excuses to evade and suppress the truth of its real need. "No person is saved except by grace; but there is one sin that makes grace impossible, and that is dishonesty; and there is one thing God must forever and unconditionally require, and that is honesty...

CP Christian Morning News

I am currently working on what I call complete wellness. I have a third blog in which I am focusing only on my health. My focus is doing things that are beneficial for my mind, body and soul and sharing my experience. I am very blunt about how I am feeling, meaning when I am in great pain, I don't cover it up.

I got this whole idea from Nick Cannon. We both have very similar conditions and symptoms (Auto-immune Disorder). He is doing a documentary about his battle with his health on his blog and he is calling it NCredible Health Hustle.

One of the ways in which I am making a change is taking away the things that cause stress, including the things I watch and hear. I also started a comedy news show on my own call CP Christian Morning News. It's something that makes me laugh and everyone that knows me know that I love to clown around. I decided to share one of the videos with you so you can see what all I am up to.

As always, I love you and God bless you.

Angela R. Ingram

PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 3 GWT

1Now then, brothers and sisters, be joyful in the Lord. It's no trouble for me to write the same things to you, and it's for your safety. 2Beware of dogs! Beware of those who do evil things. Beware of those who insist on circumcision. 3We are the [true] circumcised people [of God] because we serve God's Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don't place any confidence in physical things, 4although I could have confidence in my physical qualifications. If anyone else thinks that he can trust in something physical, I can claim even more. 5I was circumcised on the eighth day. I'm a descendant of Israel. I'm from the tribe of Benjamin. I'm a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to living up to standards, I was a Pharisee. 6When it comes to being enthusiastic, I was a persecutor of the church. When it comes to winning God's approval by keeping Jewish laws, I was perfect. 7These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ. 8It's far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I'm much better off knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. It's because of him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ 9and to have a relationship with him. This means that I didn't receive God's approval by obeying his laws. The opposite is true! I have God's approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith 10that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that his coming back to life gives and what it means to share his suffering. In this way I'm becoming like him in his death, 11with the confidence that I'll come back to life from the dead. 12It's not that I've already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. 13Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and 14I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. 15Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think. 16However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. 17Brothers and sisters, imitate me, and pay attention to those who live by the example we have given you. 18I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. 19In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. 20We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior. 21Through his power to bring everything under his authority, he will change our humble bodies and make them like his glorified body.


It is so plain that I don't even have to elaborate. You can also click on each verse to go to the Bible site. Praise God.


I love you, God bless you.


Angela R. Ingram

SHARING MY FACEBOOK MESSAGE FOR TODAY

Sin cannot obey the law because the law is righteous and good. That would be an oxymoron. The law has no placement for sinner to go because they cannot do what the law asks. So having the status of a sinner already makes us law breakers before giving the chance to "try" to obey it. Therefore you can never satisfy the Judge with any work the law ask you to do so that you may have a chance to be set... free. That was the dilemma for man. There is only one answer to this dilemma. Love said come to Me as you are so that I can clean you up and make you righteous and free from guilt. Only God can clean you. Jesus became that sacrificial lamb that satisfied the Judge and if you believe on Him, and confess your sins acknowledging that you are guilty of what Jesus died for then, you will be set free from the punishment of sin. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the purifier that fixed the problem on the inside of us and now we can obey God by loving Him with all of our heart soul and might and to love our neighbors as ourselves. But for those who do not acknowledge Jesus, they will be found guilty. John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Thank God that he love us more than we love ourselves!

SHARING MY STORY FOR TODAY

Today I did something that I've never done before. I went to the bathroom; I put the toothpaste on my tooth brush and before I began to brush my teeth, I prayed to the Lord and I also prayed over the toothpaste. I didn't plan on doing it, it just happened.  I was asking God to allow the toothpaste to do what it was made to do and that is to clean my mouth and teeth. I acknowledged that even though the toothpaste was made to clean my teeth, only He can do it right. When I caught myself, I asked myself, why am I praying over toothpaste? I realized that I was becoming like the Jews and what I mean by that is that they pray for everything. What I realized is that, I need God to do what this toothpaste can not do. I want God to clean my mouth completely.

It's sad to say this but it wasn't until now that I understand the whole purpose of why I have to pray over everything that I do in my life. I am relying on God and giving it up to Him, not the produce or product or even man, to do the job. It was so amazing that I had to share it because, like I said, I never ever did that before and it just happened out of the blue. I thank the LORD that I have learned to trust HIM more then I trust anything. I didn't put my trust in the toothpaste, I put my trust in God. I trust the LORD in everything I do.

Now that I understand what I just did, I am going to take my shower and pray that the LORD will do His might work.


As always, I love and God bless you!

Angela R. Ingram

A BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO MY BROTHER CHRIS