My Bank Account

Hi there! Christmas is almost here! I know everybody has been celebrating all month long. I've had my share of Christmas parties on top of everything else that routinely happens in my household. Surprisingly, I'm not terribly exhausted, but staying strong against a cold. I haven't done much shopping at all this year. My bank account just doesn't have much extra for me to withdraw, but praise the Lord that my spiritual "account" has plenty. With so much tragedy, illness, bad reports, difficult times and the like, I've had to make many withdrawals from my spiritual account so to speak. Thank God that my spiritual account is abundant in faith for wealth, health, good relationships, peace, and success. Though I'm not able to make large deposits into my checking account, I can make huge deposits into my spiritual/heart account with the Word of God. I have a quick coffee shop story to illustrate. I was talking with the Lord and thanking Him for giving me favor to get free cups of coffee so often. I also told him that I didn't understand that when I strongly desire a cup of coffee and don't have the extra money to purchase it, I rarely get offered a free cup. I believe it was the Lord who then showed me that it was because I didn't ever ask Him. Anytime, I got a free cup, it knocked me off of my feet with surprise because I wasn't expectant. How much more would He delight in hearing my desires and seeing my faith. He would favor me even more! So, after having an inexpensive Christmas lunch with a few friends, I walked over to the coffee shop reminded of my earlier conversation with the Lord. I trusted Him to provide me with the free cup of coffee. "Lord I really want some coffee. The only way I can have it is if you give it to me. I don't have money for this. I need it to be free today..." You know the end. By the time I made it to the cash register, I was offered a FREE cup of coffee!! Praise God! Later that day my mom gave me a book that confirmed the importance of my faith. That conversation with God about a simple cup of coffee ministered to my heart about much bigger issues and circumstances in my life. How much faith is in my heart account? If I keep making faith deposits, then I need to use it to cover the bill that the enemy tries to make me pay for. Jesus already paid the price! I declare today that we (you and me) will keep our hearts full of the Word of God by hearing it, reading it, studying it and speaking it. We will proclaim our protection, healing, and everything that belongs to us. With our spiritual accounts full, EVERYTHING else will be taken care of including a simple cup of coffee. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

I wanted to share with you the treat bags that I made for Triston's teachers, administrators and bus driver. Look at my toppers! I didn't have to spend a dime. I made it from materials on hand.

I made peppermint chocolate, dipped the pretzels and sprinkled with cracked peppermint candy. I baked peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies and pretzel rolo turtles. Have you ever had pretzel rolo turtles? My friend, Shannon Medine, told me how to make them. They are so delicious and super easy! I later found this post with a recipe...click HERE. Of course, my nieces helped me with the treats which was a two day process. We made some for their teachers, too. Since I didn't make Christmas cards this year for myself, I just used the rest of the materials to make another batch of treat bags.

I thought you might also enjoy a couple of pictures that were sent to me. Two of my friends surprised me with pictures of their Joyful Christmas Ornaments. Thanks, Laurie and Christie!

Have a wonderful Christmas!