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Respite For the Weary
Have you ever wondered what God's favorite colors are? Greens and Blues? Reds and yellows? Maybe its all the colors of the rainbow? Or maybe its every single color, with every shade and hue. After all, he created each one with his perfect imagination!
From the beginning of Christmas Morning, I was asking God himself to pick his choice colors for the pages of this children's book. I personally see in black-and-white words, so my creativity in the world of art is close to nothing. I knew this story needed God's divine touch in order for it to come to life.
As I was praying this specific request, I also "happened to be" in the book of Exodus in my daily Bible reading plan. And it is in these pages that I found three (if not four) of his "favorite" colors! Over and over again, God chose these colors:
You shall make the tabernacle with the tent curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns... Exodus 26:1
And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen...Exodus 26:31
You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen... Exodus 26:36
Contextually, God is instructing Moses how to decorate the tent of meeting--a place where his presence would reside among his chosen people while they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Figuratively, my heart's desire is for God's beautiful truth to reside on every page of Christmas Morning.
So there you have it! Blue and purple and scarlet became my color scheme, hand picked by the Divine Decorator himself! And to add to it, the fine twined linen is the white line that is intentionally drawn throughout most all the pages of Christmas Morning. (I wrote about the meaning of this white line in my previous post: https://www.respitefortheweary.com/post/the-making-of-christmas-morning-backstory-and-the-white-line. .
Here is one more fun and awesome fact-- another word was repeated in these same chapters of Exodus:
They shall make an ark of acacia wood. Exodus 25:10
You shall make a table of acacia wood. Exodus 25:23
You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. Exodus 26:15
Now, can I remind you that my illustrator's name is Acacia? I don't believe in coincidences. I do believe in God's intimate and intentional instruction toward his dependent and faith-filled children. Acacia, who also happens to be my daughter-in-law, is the person who God has appointed to bring Christmas Morning to life through his sweet and holy touch. I am amazed at how he is working through her!
God is in this book. His glory is what I want to come out of every page, every word, and every stroke of color.
I could go on and on, but instead, I will stop here and say, "Stay tuned."
There is more to come in the making of Christmas Morning...
Wednesday
Picture: Body (hands/gifts to serve)
Scripture: Isaiah 58:6-11; Matthew 25:35-40; 1 Corinthians 12:11-20
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Close your eyes and see someone serving in some way, whether it’s helping to build a building or volunteering at a nursing home or making a meal for a family in need. The focus today is using our many different gifts to be the “hands of Christ” in our service to the orphan, the widow, our neighbor, or anyone the Lord puts in our personal path. Quiet service might get overlooked by our culture, but it never gets overlooked by God. He is so pleased when we love one another through acts of mercy.
Can you recall a time when the body of Christ, whether it was one person or many, came to your side and served you in time of need? Explain.
Is there a specific people-group in which you feel God has called you to serve? What are ways in which you do so?
Thursday
Picture: Body (feet to walk)
Scripture: Acts 3:6-9: Ephesians 4:1-7; Colossians 1:9-12; Hebrews 12:1-3; Isaiah 52:7
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision taking a long new and unfamiliar trail walk with a map in hand. The idea of course is stay on the trail and follow the directions to the final destination. Similarly, because of our faith in Christ, we “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). The challenge is to resist our old life of the flesh. Every day, He has a path for us to follow in which His word is our guide and His Spirit is our help. He promises to be with us every twist and turn.
What are some recent praises or challenges in your faith walk?
Do you have a favorite life verse(s) and/or song(s) that helps your faith walk? Write them here and then consider sharing them with a friend who may need encouragement in his/her own walk.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Tuesday
Picture: Body (a heart to beat)
Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9; Jeremiah 24:7; Jeremiah 32:38-41; Psalm 86:11-13
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
When the Bible speaks of “the heart” it encompasses the thoughts, feelings, and desires of an individual, not just his or her emotions. With this truth in mind, close your eyes and think of your own heart. Today’s focus is twofold: 1. the heart of man, left to himself, is deceitful, BUT, 2. we are not left without hope! God can transform any repentant heart into something beautiful. It is important to note, that when our individual hearts beat for Him, they collectively beat as one.
Do your thoughts, feelings, and desires line up with God’s thoughts, feelings, and desires found in His word? Explain.
What has God recently laid on your heart and how have you responded to His nudging?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Friday
Picture: Body (a mouth to proclaim)
Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3; Acts 8:25-40; Romans 10:11-17
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Close your eyes and see yourself explaining something to someone, whether it’s how to change a tire or how to fix a special recipe. In the same way, we have the great privilege of sharing the Good News of Christ. In the presence of one or many, we can praise Him for who He is and what He has done in our lives, and we can proclaim Him by speaking about His truths found in Scripture.
Did you come to know Christ through someone who shared the gospel with you? Explain.
How does this person and his or her witness challenge you?
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Tuesday
Picture: Soldier (armored boots)
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-15 (emphasis on v.15); Psalm 18:29-36; Isaiah 61:1; Romans 16:20
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Think of a soldier putting on his combat boots. He makes sure they are the right size and securely laced. Likewise, in order for peace to occur, we too must be prepared to pursue and defeat the enemy. We fight not only for our own freedom but also for those who are held captive.
Do you put your “combat boots” on daily, making you ready to crush the enemy? Explain.
Who in your world needs to hear the Good News so they can be set free and finally have peace? What are they struggling with? Consider calling them or taking them to coffee/lunch.
Write a prayer using the above verses as a reference.
Wednesday
Picture: Soldier (shield)
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-16 (emphasis on v.16); Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 18:1-3; Psalm 91:4
Write any phrases from the selected Bible verses that speak to you:
Envision a soldier’s protective shield. The ancient Roman shield was “made from goatskin or calf skin which was stretched over sturdy pieces of wood. It stood four-feet long and three-feet wide…Before going into battle, Roman soldiers drenched their leather-covered shields with water. When the fiery arrows of their enemies struck these soaked shields, the flames were immediately extinguished” (The Armor of God pamphlet, Rose Publishing). Just as this shield protected the soldier physically, our shield of faith protects us from the fiery darts spiritually. God will always stay as BIG as He is, but sometimes our shield (our belief in this big God) becomes small. We are then left to an all out attack from the enemy .
Has there ever been a time, or are you currently wavering in your faith in God’s promises due to life’s circumstances? Explain.
Write out at least three promises of God and use them all day long as your protective shield to quench the fiery arrows of the enemy.
But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall, I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me. Micah 7: 7-8
Dear Lord,
Help us learn how to watch and wait expectantly for you. You are the light in any darkness! Give us a hopeful patience in times of trial, trusting that you will lift us up in due time. Be victorious over our enemy for your name's sake. Raise us up in your strength and justice. In Jesus' Name, Amen.