Make Room for Him

 “And laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7)

I went to a country concert last night.  It was a small venue – a country artist that has been singing for many years.  He put on a good show – played his old hits, some classic country hits and a few new songs.  The camaraderie between him and his band was fun to watch.  And I always love corny jokes and just “good old-fashioned” fun. And that is how I would describe last night’s concert.  

But there was one thing missing. 

Before I went to this concert, I saw a TikTok of this singer saying that his recording label had asked him to remove Jesus from one of his songs.  He says he refused – and the song was never released.  So because of this, I was hoping that maybe we would hear that song – or at least a song that included Jesus would be on the set list. Some classic country gospel would've hit the spot!

But there was no room for Him, I guess.

The story behind this country artist is one of redemption.  He is a recovered alcoholic.  It was so nice to see someone NOT drink alcohol.  Because you know that you are getting that whole person – not someone that is slowly being poisoned and altered by alcohol as the night goes on.  He also is a father and married for many years – so I would say (without knowing for sure) he is a faithful, family man.  If there is a history of alcoholism – and a marriage and family are still intact – there has to be a lot of grace in his life. That I do know for sure!

The hope really was high that he would make room for Jesus last night. 

But who am I to judge? How many days in the past have I lived my every days without making room for Jesus? Oh I'll make room for my tv shows, Instagram scrolling, TikTok viewing … but there were days where my schedule was just “too full” – there was simply no room.  Insert eye roll here because there should ALWAYS be room for Jesus. And I am ashamed of myself.  

How many times have I heard the Christmas story? Why is it just dawning on me now that I have been that inn keeper? I have been saying with my actions that there is no room!

“He says, Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost. “Know ye not your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?” Will you make room for Him this afternoon? Young lady, is there room for self? Is there room for the world? Is there room for pride? Is there room for jealousy? Is there room for everyone and everything else but the Son of God? Will you turn Him away, or will you today make room for Him?” Dwight L. Moody

Recently I have felt that pull back to Him. Nothing really would satisfy my soul anymore.  The only way to really describe it is – I have been filled with this thirst for Him.  What grace and mercy He has shown me – sticking by me when I literally ignored Him, and took Him for granted.  What grace and mercy it is to have a thirst for His spirit!  

I made room for Him, and in return, He continues to fill my heart everyday with more and more want of Him. And with that want of Him comes a peace and a grounding like nothing else this world can offer. 

So now, I am simply bored with Instagram reels, TikTok videos and surprisingly – my tv shows!  If you know me, you know what a statement that is because in the past, when I was overwhelmed, tired, bored – you name it – it was escaping into a tv series that would fill me. What a fool I was!  

Oh what grace and mercy that He continues to fill me with things SO MUCH GREATER than this world.  What a stark difference there is between what my soul felt with anything from this world and what my soul feels when filled with Him. “And the things of this world are strangely dim!”  

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

“Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen Howarth Lemmel (1922)

So yes, I enjoyed last night’s concert.  And I still enjoy my tv shows and other fun things this world does offer.  These are gifts from God, too.  We aren’t meant to be miserable here!  But we are meant to make room for Him and to not let the things of this world outshine Him in our lives.

“When He made this world, He made room for us, plenty of it. He made room for Himself in our hearts, but a usurper has come. My friends, won’t you let the Son of God into your hearts; and won’t you let Him dwell with you?” Dwight L. Moody

Rooted in Love

 

“and hope doesn’t disappoint us,

because God’s love has been

poured into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit

who was given to us.”

Romans 5:5

pray

 

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

All that is outside the realm of our consciousness.

“The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.” James 5:16

We do not have the remotest conception of what is done by our prayers, nor do we have the right to try and examine and understand it; all we know is that Jesus pressed upon us the importance of prayer.

“I am going to be with the Father. You can ask Him for anything, using My name, and I will do it, for this will bring praise to the Father because of what I, the Son, will do for you.” John 14:12

choose joy

 "The secret to joy is to keep seeking God

where we doubt He is."

Ann Voskamp

Don't let go of God's hand!

 “To trust God is to trust His timing. To trust God is to trust His way. God loves me too much to answer my prayers at any other time than the right time and in any other way than the right way. In the quietness of all that doesn’t feel right, this truth does.” Lysa TerKeurst

The glory of heaven is my hope for tomorrow

 

🌸🌸🌸

His presence in my heart

is my strength for today.

The glory of heaven

is my hope for tomorrow.

🌸🌸🌸

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

God speaks in the silence of the heart

the Holy Spirit prays for us

with such feeling

that it cannot be

expressed in words

{{ROMANS 8:26-27}}

Lord, You are still on the Throne

sometimes things just don’t make sense this side of heaven. {{1 Corinthians 13:12}}

even when we can’t make sense of things, Lord, You are still on the Throne. it’s okay to have the “why” questions - God can take our “why” questions. but we need to understand, He’s not obligated to answer. and that’s when we really need to lean into Jesus. and Trust Him. because we live in a fallen world, there will be times when we dont understand — this fallen world is a constant reminder to us that THIS is why Jesus came to rescue us! dear Lord ... even when our hearts are heavy, You are worthy of worship. even when we are grieving, You are worthy of praise. even when we can’t make sense of things, Lord, You are still on the Throne. You still deserve our worship. *these notes were taken from a sermon preached by Pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel. You can find all his teachings on YouTube. DM or comment if you need a link.

It took a bullet to stop him but not to silence him.

 

It took a bullet to stop him but not to silence him.

“You meant to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:20 Because of technology that thankfully in America is not completely censored — others, like myself, who knew of Charlie Kirk and supported him but didn’t really take the time to watch — are watching so many videos and clips of his message that have always been about spreading God’s word, sharing his faith. And now we are sharing. And we have woken up! “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 Eternity is forever ... and who am I to sit comfortably knowing where I will spend eternity and not try to spread this good news to my neighbors? Do I really hate others that much that I do nothing to save them from an eternity away from God and all His goodness? So I am stepping it up here online while I still can. I always have plans to post more but life gets busy, right? Well it’s a priority. Here I am, Lord - send me! I am a hyprocrite if I say I love God but then am too busy to serve Him. No more compromises. In my heart I know that I love my Lord more than my life — that love needs to flow over into my daily practices much more than it has before.