Yesterday my dad called and my sister’s time on earth is coming to an end. I am at a loss for words and my emotional swings have not been healthy. My sister loves to talk, laugh and has the worst eating habits of any human alive. Over the past few months I have replayed our childhood several times over in my mind. We had a great life growing up. She has been an awesome big sister. I watch Kylie and Clayton and see the two of us growing up in them all over again. We played and fought like champions. My mom once told me that my sister was her favorite---(I don’t think she was kidding). My mom went to be with the Lord almost two years ago and while I have learned to bury the emotions of her not being here, it still hurts and I miss her so much. I am positive that my mom could not handle this. My sister has lived in the valley for a long time. Although she has lived in the valley she could always laugh. While my sister was in the valley I have been on the mountain top. This has been one of the best years of my life. I have a joy that is deep in my bones. But from my mountain top view I am experiencing a heart break. I hurt and I can literally feel another part of me is dying.

I read John 11 tonight over and over, the story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I am not asking for a miracle; I will take one but truthfully I just needed a reminder that Jesus has power over all things including death. As I read through John 11, what I walked away with was that death is unavoidable even for the most faithful follower of Jesus. Think about it-- After Jesus raised Lazarus at this time in John 11, it’s pretty safe to say that likely a few years later Lazarus died again. So, this miracle - this gift - from Jesus to Lazarus didn't shield Lazarus from further death. We live in a fallen world. Jesus actually tells us that pain and death are coming.
We see in Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me"
Notice that the verse doesn't say “if” I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but “even though.” We have to go through the valley. We don’t go around it. We don’t go over it. We don’t go beside it. We go through it.

So, tonight I start my walk down the mountain side into the valley. I will walk through the valley over the next few weeks. As I walk down the mountain side and through the valley I will soon start the climb back to the top. My entire journey I am committed to celebrating my King. I will mourn but my eyes are fixed on Jesus. He is my reward! I will continue to praise Him ---He is the only One who could rightly say, "I am the resurrection and the life." Pray for my family

Old Testament Prophecies fulfilled by Jesus

Fulfilled Prophecy - Hebrew Scripture - New Testament fulfillment

His pre-existence - Micah 5:2 - John 1:1, 14
Born of the seed of a woman - Genesis 3:15 - Matthew 1:18
Of the seed of Abraham - Genesis 12:3 - Matthew 1:1-16
All nations blessed by Abraham's seed - Genesis 12:3 - Matthew 8:5, 10
God would provide Himself a Lamb as an offering - Genesis 22:8 - John 1:29
From the tribe of Judah - Genesis 49:10 - Matthew 1:1-3
Heir to the throne of David - Isaiah 9:6-7 - Matthew 1:1
Called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father" - Isaiah 9:6 - Matthew 1:23
Born in Bethlehem - Micah 5:2 - Matthew 2:1
Born of a virgin - Isaiah 7:14 - Matthew 1:18
His name called Immanuel, "God with us" - Isaiah 7:14 - Matthew 1:23
Declared to be the Son of God - Psalm 2:7 - Matthew 3:17
His messenger before Him in spirit of Elijah - Malachi 4:5-6 - Luke 1:17
Preceded by a messenger to prepare His way - Malachi 3:1 - Matthew 11:7-11
Messenger crying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" - Isaiah 40:3 - Matthew 3:3
Would be a Prophet of the children of Israel - Deuteronomy 18:15 - Matthew 2:15
Called out of Egypt - Hosea 11:1 - Matthew 2:15
Slaughter of the children - Jeremiah 31:15 - Matthew2:18
Would be a Nazarene - Judges 13:5 - Matthew 2:23
Brought light to Zabulon & Nephthalm, Galilee of the Gentiles - Isaiah 9:1-2 - Matthew 4:15
Presented with gifts - Psalm 72:10 - Matthew 2:1, 11
Rejected by His own - Isaiah 53:3 - Matthew 21:42
Rejected by the builders but became the headstone - Psalm 118:22-23 - I Peter 2:7
A stone of stumbling to Israel - Isaiah 8:14-15 - I Peter 2:8
Entered Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey - Zechariah 9:9 - Matthew 21:5
Betrayed by a friend - Psalms 41:9 - John 13:21
Sold for 30 pieces of silver - Zechariah 11:12 - Matthew 26:15
30 pieces of silver given for the potter's field - Zechariah 11:12 - Matthew 27:9-10
30 pieces of silver thrown in the temple - Zechariah 11:13 - Matthew 27:5
Forsaken by His disciples - Zechariah 13:7 - Matthew 26:56
Accused by false witnesses - Psalm 35:11 - Matthew 26:60
Silent to accusations - Isaiah 53:7 - Matthew 27:14
Heal blind/deaf/lame/dumb - Isaiah 35:5-6 - Matthew 11:5
Preached to the poor/brokenhearted/captives Isaiah 61:1 Matthew 11:5
Came to bring a sword, not peace - Micah 7:6 - Matthew 10:34-35
He bore our sickness - Isaiah 53:4 - Matthew 8:16-17
Spat upon, smitten and scourged - Isaiah 50:6 - Matthew 27:26, 30
Smitten on the cheek - Micah 5:1 - Matthew 27:30
Hated without a cause - Psalm 35:19 - Matthew 27:23
The sacrificial lamb - Isaiah 53:5 - John 1:29
Given for a covenant - Isaiah 42:6 - Romans 11:27
Would not strive or cry - Isaiah 42:2-3 - Mark 7:36
People would hear not and see not - Isaiah 6:9-10 - Matthew 13:14-15
People trust in traditions of men - Isaiah 29:13 - Matthew 15:9
People give God lip service - Isaiah 29:13 - Matthew 15:8
God delights in Him - Isaiah 42:1 - Matthew 3:17, 17:5
Wounded for our sins - Isaiah 53:5 - John 6:51
He bore the sins of many - Isaiah 53:10-12 - Mark 10:45
Messiah not killed for Himself - Daniel 9:26 - Matthew 20:28
Gentiles flock to Him - Isaiah 55:5 - Matthew 8:10
Crucified with criminals - Isaiah 53:12 - Matthew 27:35
His body was pierced - Zechariah 12:10 - John 20:25, 27
Thirsty during execution - Psalm 22:16 - John 19:28
Given vinegar and gall for thirst - Psalm 69:21 - Matthew 27:34
Soldiers gambled for his garment - Psalm 22:18 - Matthew 27:35
People mocked, "He trusted in God, let Him deliver him!" - Psalm 22:7-8 - Matthew 27:43
People sat there looking at Him - Psalm 22:17 - Matthew 27:36
Cried, "My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?" - Psalm 22:1 - Matthew 27:46
Darkness over the land - Amos 8:9 - Matthew 27:45
No bones broken - Psalm 34:20 - John 19:33-36
Side pierced - Zechariah 12:10 - John 19:34
Buried with the rich - Isaiah 53:9 - Matthew 27:57, 60
Resurrected from the dead - Psalm 16:10-11 - Mark 16:6
Priest after the order of Melchizedek - Psalm 110:4 - Hebrews 5:5-6
Ascended to right hand of God - Psalm 68:18 - Luke 24:51
LORD said unto Him, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool - Psalm 110:1 - Matt 22:44
His coming glory - Malachi 3:2-3 - Luke 3:17

Christmas is about Jesus "stepping down." Jesus stepped down to create a revolution. God wasn’t happy with the world. Too many proud people needed to be scattered. Too many lowly people needed to be lifted. Too many hungry people needed to be filled. So, God sent His Son.

Jesus "stepped down" to die on a cross and forgive our sins. He came to heal the hurting and to help the poor. Jesus was a revolutionary for justice. He has called His followers to do the same.

We must "step up" to serve the needy among us. We have influence and affluence. Will we step down to lift somebody up? The scriptures are clear on our responsibility.

Give generously to [the poor] and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
Proverbs 28:27

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Isaiah 58:10-11

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
I John 3:16-19


I want to stand before God one day and say I spent it all for you! I took the responsibility seriously. I stepped up because you stepped down. I am so blessed to be part of a church that is challenging people to step up.