KATHY— Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God and the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
MELISSA—Yesterday I was praying over a situation for which I have no answers and can do nothing about. As soon as I prayed I heard, “Now, let go of all of your ideas of how this thing needs to be worked out and let Me have it.” As we head into CHRISTMAS and a new year may we lay down every weight, worry, and preconceived idea of what the will of God should look like in our current situations, and leave it in the capable hands of the One Whose birth we are celebrating! Have a very Merry Christmas and may you find peace unspeakable in the decision to trust the One who already set us free.
MARTY—Jesus, son of Abraham and son of David, was born when the seed of Abraham was a despised people and tributary to the Roman yoke and when the house of David was buried in obscurity. The performance and provision of God comes when circumstances would place upon it the heaviest it has to offer. Ease and convenience are not the components of fulfillment. The CHRISTMAS story is a story of hope in the face of all that is contrary. “Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at His word…” (Rom.4:18a)
Scriptures for Morning Victory #95 – Marty, Kathy and Melissa Gabler read Scriptures from the Holy Bible and pray for us to be encouraged with the Story of Hope of the birth of Jesus Christ and the purposes of God for our lives.
Click on the video to hear this encouragement of hope in the face of all that is contrary.
MARTY GABLER—As the people of God assemble today, may they greet one another with glad tidings and great joy for the gift of the Father in the Christmas event. For His Great Gift is the birth of a Savior Who is Christ the LORD. May we then go into the coming week with good news of great joy that far outshines the bad news and worries of those we meet. “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Lk.2:10-11, NKJV)
My father pastored for more than 22 years in Houston, TX. He loved Christmas time and enjoyed planning Christmas events and activities for the church and the community. Several years we had a thirty foot tall (made of scaffolding and live Christmas trees) “Singing Christmas Tree” in the parking lot of our church and it was advertised on radio and in newspapers. I had the privilege of being at the very top and played “Silent Night” on my trumpet (accompanied by Kathy on the Hammond organ) at the end of the program. The music could be heard all over that business district and adjoining neighborhood on Jensen Drive.
We helped needy families with food and gifts and ministered at the men’s shelter at the mission in downtown Houston. But there was one very special night of the year. It was always the Sunday night right before Christmas. People who only came once a year would attend at Christmas. A few who felt unworthy (because of their long absence from church attendance) tentatively entered the auditorium right at starting time hoping there were a few seats remaining vacant so that they might once more feel the warmth of the hearts that lifted in glorious carols recounting the birth of the Christ Child who still brought them hope, and they hoped that the anointing upon the special time of gathering would reach even them once again so they might experience the sense of its cleansing, the sense of belonging and being accepted in the beloved. Many families brought a visitor or two. Everyone dressed up.
The auditorium glowed with golden candlelight which would only convey the merest fraction of the golden warmth of the presence of Holy Spirit upon the evening’s message about the Son of God. There would be many a tear shed on this night of celebration. The pastor knew this was going to be a great time to give people the opportunity to ask this Savior, Who was born in a manger, into their hearts – as the choir sang one more verse of “Silent Night” and then the old chorus “Come Into my Heart”. All the players were in the old auditorium checking their costumes to make sure they were just right and reciting their lines to make sure they would properly communicate their portion of the Christmas story. In the main auditorium everyone was abuzz with excitement mixed with awe and reverence anticipating what they were about to see and hear. Musicians checked their instruments to make sure they were in tune while choir members and soloists warmed up their voices and double-checked the lyrics on song sheets (even though some had scribbled out lyrics on little bits of paper stuck up their sleeves, hoping the choir director did not notice). Teachers and directors were corralling children hoping to organize them into their respective groups and go over their lines just once more, while consoling themselves that a partial or damaged costume was better than none at all, and being thankful that they took the pastor’s wife’s advice and brought a large doll to fill in for the “little Jesus” who came down with colic at the last minute. Yet, all in all, that wondrous Sunday night just before Christmas was always said to be “the best one yet” and everyone felt they had participated in the worship of the Christ whose name was Emmanuel. However, everyone knew that pastor’s dismissal prayer was not really the last item expected on that once-a-year night.
There was one activity that my Father took particular delight in. He loved to greet the people, shake the peoples’ hands and hand out the goody bags as they walked out the door. On the Friday before that Christmas Sunday, my Father and I would go to a discount house in the Heights area of Houston not far from downtown. We got a flat cart and proceeded to load it with apples, oranges, Snickers, Hershey bars and mixed nuts still in their shells. Our house smelled wonderful as the odors of fruit and chocolate wafted their way through the whole house. My Father, my sisters and I spent all Saturday afternoon filling the brown paper goody bags. The deacons hefted the heavy duty boxes of goody bags into the auditorium next to the main exit only after the dismissal prayer. The children were always the first to get to the exit and in line in front of Brother Gabler as he blessed each one and joyfully handed out the tasty treats. If an aunt or uncle or grandparent was unable to attend the special Christmas service, the attending relative walked out the door with several goody bags and a special message from my Father to the absentees.
As I sit here tonight and write these memories, I can still see (through misty eyes) and hear the sounds of the people and even smell the fruit and chocolate. I am thankful for all those memories for they represent people of God who impacted my life/ministry. It’s not the events but it is the people who were the life and activity of those events which make those memories so precious. Thanks be to God for the wonderful gift of relationships that keep on giving through our memories.
Kathy and I pray you have a most blessed Christmas with the presence of people who redemptively impact your life and imprint your heart and mind with warm, loving memories. Our love and prayers, Marty and Kathy
MELISSA — Here’s a reminder in the busyness of the season. Unto us a child was born Who established a Kingdom that has never stopped increasing. This increasing Kingdom is currently shaking our culture, government, churches and lifestyles.It’s the increase of His Kingdom that is causing awakening.Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy; Get ready for more increase! Wishing you and yours a very Merry and expectant Christmas!
KATHY — Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God & the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
As the people of God assemble today may they open their hearts and mouths and sing joyous praises to their God because He has provided a Savior. “Joy to the world the Lord is come.”“Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord and joyfully celebrate His mighty acts, for great is the glory of the Lord.” (Ps.138:5, Amp)
As the people of God assemble today may “all ye faithful” come, assemble today (whether with family or in a church building or a prison or in some place non-typical) and be joyful and triumphant as we adore Him: CHRIST THE LORD, JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS, SON OF THE MOST HIGH, THE HOLY CHILD, SON OF GOD, GOD MY SAVIOR. (Luke Chapter One) We will be joyful in considering His names and titles and all their implications for Israel, for us and for the nations as were Gabriel and Mary. Let us give voice to those names and titles today with expressions of hope.
Team Gabler will be live Christmas morning at 9:00 Central. on Marty Gabler’s Facebook page.
Theme: “Christmas Thoughts”
(Click on picture below to go to view video.)
MARTY, KATHY, MELISSA — Thoughts of Christmas MARTY—Jesus, son of Abraham and son of David, was born when the seed of Abraham was a despised people and tributary to the Roman yoke and when the house of David was buried in obscurity. The performance and provision of God comes when circumstances would place upon it the heaviest it has to offer. Ease and convenience are not the components of fulfillment. The CHRISTMAS story is a story of hope in the face of all that is contrary. “Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at His word…” (Rom.4:18a) KATHY— Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God and the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11) MELISSA—Yesterday I was praying over a situation for which I have no answers and can do nothing about.As soon as I prayed I heard, “Now, let go of all of your ideas of how this thing needs to be worked out and let Me have it.” As we head into CHRISTMAS and a new year may we lay down every weight, worry, and preconceived idea of what the will of God should look like in our current situations, and leave it in the capable hands of the One Whose birth we are celebrating! Have a very Merry Christmas and may you find peace unspeakable in the decision to trust the One who already set us free.
Kathy — Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God & the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history & prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
The birth of Jesus, Savior of the world, was announced in terms supernatural. The pronouncement & the experiences of those involved in the broadcast cannot be explained in mere natural terms. Not only did angels appear to Jewish shepherds but a heavenly phenomenon caught the attention of learned Gentile observers and drew them to the City of David to worship One whom they would hail as King of the Jews. (Acts 4:12, Amp) ”And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.”
Melissa — I was praying over a situation, sometime back, for which I had no answers and could do nothing about.As soon as I prayed I heard, “Now, let go of all of your ideas of how this thing needs to be worked out and let Me have it.” As we head into Christmas and a new year may we lay down every weight, worry, and preconceived idea of what the will of God should look like in our current situations and leave it in the capable hands of the One Whose birth we are celebrating! Have a very Merry Christmas and may you find peace unspeakable in the decision to trust the One who already set us free.
Subtle things in the Bible that no one noticed until they were put in place and activated by the timing and purpose of Yahweh: (1) One Hebrew in Pharaoh’s prison (Joseph); (2) 300 men on a hillside outside a Midianite camp (Gideon); (3) 14 yr. old with a slingshot (David); (4) A baby born in an obscure stable (Jesus); (5) 12 nondescript men sitting at the feet of Jesus (ragtag, imperfect group of disciples); (6) A little boy’s lunch (feeding of 5,000); (7) 120 people having a prayer meeting in an upper room (believer-empowering, city-rocking move of Holy Spirit). Result: History Changed! Conclusion: Don’t give up!
Emmanuel, “God is with us”, is the God-Man who was born of a virgin that God might dwell among men. Not only did Jesus, Emmanuel, live among men but He lived redemptively among men. He didn’t come to bring merely a message or a creed but He lived out redemptive acts through His life on earth. His disciples, those whom He has redeemed by His redemptive act of His shed blood on the cross must, in turn, live redemptively among men. There are too many and too much to redeem to simply live to go to heaven. “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matt.1:23, NKJV)
Jesus came as Emmanuel, God with us, and brought forth fruit (Jn.12:28;17:1). He was not just a religious icon. Jesus was the Kingdom exposed to mankind. In Jesus, the Kingdom was observed — in His lifestyle, His character, His actions (Matt.12:28). The fact that He brought forth fruit is the fact that He was the glory of His Father in the earth. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14, NASB) In his new book, The Orphan Heart, our dear friend Larry Burden gives an interesting definition of “glory” from the Greek word “doxa”: “the appearance, form or aspect of a person which catches our attention and commands our recognition”. The Message Translation puts it like this: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” (Jn.1:14, Msg) Though the Father was sitting upon a throne in heaven, He could be seen in the earth in Jesus as He grew and interacted with His environment.
Kathy — Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God and the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
Kathy — Miracles are begun in grace and perfected in glory. They start with God’s supernatural enabling and come to complete manifestation through His intent and purpose and timing. As I wait on God, I shall continue to pray for miracles this Christmas season because the coming of the Christ is still in effect as well as God’s goodwill toward men. May His presence and power and purpose and timing change your life as His goodwill touches the earth again.
As the people of God assemble today, may they rejoice in the God of their salvation for He has provided us a King who rules in righteousness (Isa.32:1). May they practice the wisdom of seeking Him. As the song says, “…Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent…” “Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.” “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly….” (Zech.9:9, Amp)
Jesus, son of Abraham and son of David, born when the seed of Abraham was a despised people and tributary to the Roman yoke and when the house of David was buried in obscurity. The performance and provision of God comes when circumstances would place upon it the heaviest it has to offer. Ease and convenience are not the components of fulfillment. The Christmas story is a story of hope in the face of all that is contrary. “Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word…” (Rom.4:18a, TPT)
The birth of Jesus, Savior of the world, was announced in terms supernatural. The pronouncement & the experiences of those involved in the broadcast cannot be explained in mere natural terms. Not only did angels appear to Jewish shepherds but a heavenly phenomenon caught the attention of learned Gentile observers and drew them to the City of David to worship One whom they would hail as King of the Jews. (Acts 4:12, Amp) ”And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.”
I was praying over a situation for which I have no answers and can do nothing about. As soon as I prayed I heard, “Now, let go of all of your ideas of how this thing needs to be worked out and let Me have it.” As we head into Christmas and a new year may we lay down every weight, worry, and preconceived idea of what the will of God should look like in our current situations, and leave it in the capable hands of the One Whose birth we are celebrating! Have a very Merry Christmas and may you find peace unspeakable in the decision to trust the One who already set us free. — Melissa Gabler
newspapers. I had the privilege of being at the very top and played “Silent Night” on my trumpet (accompanied by Kathy on the Hammond organ) at the end of the program. The music could be heard all over that business district and adjoining neighborhood on Jensen Drive.
KATHY — Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God & the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
As the people of God assemble today may “all ye faithful” come, assemble today (whether with family or in a church building or a prison or in some place non-typical) and be joyful and triumphant as we adore Him: CHRIST THE LORD, JESUS, KING OF THE JEWS, SON OF THE MOST HIGH, THE HOLY CHILD, SON OF GOD, GOD MY SAVIOR. (Luke Chapter One) We will be joyful in considering His names and titles and all their implications for Israel, for us and for the nations as were Gabriel and Mary. Let us give voice to those names and titles today with expressions of hope.
MARTY, KATHY, MELISSA — Thoughts of Christmas
Melissa — I was praying over a situation, sometime back, for which I had no answers and could do nothing about. As soon as I prayed I heard, “Now, let go of all of your ideas of how this thing needs to be worked out and let Me have it.” As we head into Christmas and a new year may we lay down every weight, worry, and preconceived idea of what the will of God should look like in our current situations and leave it in the capable hands of the One Whose birth we are celebrating! Have a very Merry Christmas and may you find peace unspeakable in the decision to trust the One who already set us free.
despised people and tributary to the Roman yoke and when the house of David was buried in obscurity. The performance and provision of God comes when circumstances would place upon it the heaviest it has to offer. Ease and convenience are not the components of fulfillment. The Christmas story is a story of hope in the face of all that is contrary. “Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word…” (Rom.4:18a, TPT)
pronouncement & the experiences of those involved in the broadcast cannot be explained in mere natural terms. Not only did angels appear to Jewish shepherds but a heavenly phenomenon caught the attention of learned Gentile observers and drew them to the City of David to worship One whom they would hail as King of the Jews. (Acts 4:12, Amp) ”And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.”
martygabler 