THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER!

THE HEART OF A VOLUNTEER!

1 Chron 11:17-19

17 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!

18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,

19 And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.

           There is a scene in the movie Pearl Harbor, where Colonel Jimmy Doolittle makes this comment: “We may lose this battle but we will win this war. Do you know why? Them! (He gestures toward his flyers.) There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

           David was overheard longing for a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem, his home town. The problem was that this well was behind enemy lines so they broke through and drew water from the well and brought it to their king. David recognized it for what it was; their very life’s blood! Our church is not strong because of its leader; it is strong because of its volunteers.

           As we transition from one year to another I am aware of the accomplishments behind us and the exciting challenges that lie before us. None of the accomplishments could have happened without our volunteers and we will not overcome our challenges apart from those same volunteers.

1 Cor 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Dear Lord, thank you for the many volunteers that work without pay or personal benefit so that your church might go forward. AMEN

AN OFFERING OF WORDS!

AN OFFERING OF WORDS!

Hos 14:1-2

14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

           This verse has always intrigued me because I have often experienced people try to talk their way out of a difficult situation. When we are caught in an uncomfortable situation we will offer excuses and reasons why things aren’t as they should be. We even hire, at great expense, professional talkers called lawyers to do our talking for us. Words are very important. Hosea actually counsels us to take words when we turn to the Lord. I picture them in a bundle, carried carefully and placed before the Lord as a gift.

           The Old Testament sacrifices were bloody and costly. Hosea suggests that these be replaced with words. When the words come from the heart they are precious and effective. These words must include confession of sins and supplication for favors. The phrase “calves of our lips” do not refer to the lips themselves but to the sacrifice of words.

Ps 69:30-31

30 I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

31 This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

Heb 13:15

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Ps 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Come to Jesus this morning and take with you words!

Dear Lord, place a guard at the gate of my mouth and let my words be pure and acceptable to you. AMEN

JESUS’ PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR!

JESUS’ PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR!

John 17:9

9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.

15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

           Jesus never expected the world to be an agreeable place for believers. We are not of the world. Literally the Greek is ek tou kosmou ouk which reads “of the world, not!” It means that believers have another point of origin. Our birth into this world was physical but our new birth makes us citizens of heaven and makes us aliens here.

           Our hope for the New Year is that we might have some rest from moral decline but Jesus does not expect any great moral resurgence. Jesus did not pray for the destruction of “the evil” but that we might be kept from it. The word poneros means “that which is hurtful” and the definite article “the” makes it personal. Jesus prayed that believers would be protected from the one who causes hurt. We should not be surprised when there is hurt all around us.

2 Tim 3:13

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

           Jesus prayed for our “sanctification” which in the Greek hagiazo means “to make holy.” This is done through the Word of truth. The more a believer associates with the Bible the less he will be welcomed in the world. We can expect the world to be a hostile place and increasingly so if we draw closer to the Lord. However, we will not be made safer by abandoning God and embracing the world. The world will not return our embrace but knows, better than we, that we are aliens. The word “keep” in verse 15 indicates a garrison of soldiers posted to keep watch. Ah, that is comforting!

           If you are waiting at the gate for the departure of your plane you will watch and listen for announcements and signals that you need to board. I have consistently watched men and women clog the entry with documents in hand. I have never seen them wait their turn but they stand in anxious anticipation until their row is called. We also need to be ready to board.

Heb 10:23-25

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Dear Lord, I can sense a stirring at the gate of departure. As your coming draws nearer let me draw closer to you. AMEN

GEORGE MULLER’S FIVE RULES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER!

GEORGE MULLER’S FIVE RULES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER!

John 14:13

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

           George Ferdinand Muller (1805 – 1898) was a German born keeper of a large orphanage in Bristol, England. The orphanage at Ashley Down was built to house as many as 2,050 children! The architect who drew up the plans for the building donated his service.

           In his ministry as orphanage keeper, Muller never asked any man for donations. His requests were made known to God. In one case while 300 children were seated at the table for breakfast. A table grace was given although there was nothing in the house to eat. Suddenly the baker arrived with enough bread for all the children. Then the milk man knocked upon the door and donated milk because his cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. Muller had five rules for answered prayer.

1. Total dependence upon the merits of the Lord as the only basis for blessing.

John 14:13-14

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

2. Separation from all known sin.

Ps 66:18

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Prov 15:29

29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

3. Faith in God’s promises.

Heb 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

4. Agreement with the will of God.

1 John 5:14-15

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

5. Aggressive and persistent asking.

Luke 18:1-7

18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

Dear Lord, let us learn to pray “give us this day our daily bread” and let us, by faith, believe that you will provide it. AMEN

PRAYER AND A SOVERIGN GOD!

PRAYER AND A SOVERIGN GOD!

Ps 99:1

99:1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Dan 4:34-35

34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

           Brighter minds have undertaken the subject of the sovereignty of God. To me, and I suppose I am a pragmatist, God can be nothing else but sovereign or else he ceases to be God. If I could nudge God either to the right or to the left, and prompt Him to move, then I would have displaced Him and stolen His throne. If I could push Him and cause him to hurry or pull Him and cause Him to slow then I would have replaced Him. Yet we try to do these things all the time.

           We attempt to manipulate God by being “good” thinking that will secure His favor. We demonstrate our displeasure with God’s judgments by being “bad.” When God acts in a way that seems unreasonable to us we resist and revolt so that God might be brought back to His senses. We throw a temper tantrum until God awakes to our way of thinking. We are constantly trying to manipulate God for our own purposes.

           What is even more confusing is that God has created us in His own image. We have been given a mind to think and a will to act. Adam named the animals (Genesis 2:20) and God confirmed those names. We have been given self determination and the ability by our choices to control our destinies. Yet God is still God!

           Prayer has been given to us and it stands as the only means of moving God on our behalf. We can’t nudge, push nor pull but we have been invited to pray “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” The mind nearly explodes with the contemplation of it all.

           If I can’t push, pull or prod the One who sits in solitary splendor then it is important for me to learn His nature. If prayer has been given as a gift then it is important to know His heart. David, in Psalm 37:23, tells us that the steps of a good man are “ordered” by the Lord. This speaks of God’s sovereign direction of my affairs. Verse 26 speaks of the merciful nature of God. It is essential that I know this sovereign God and His nature.

           This sovereign God put on the robe of humanity to feel our pain and frustration. He became familiar with our limitations and allowed Himself to be contained by space, restricted by time and controlled by circumstance. He was touched by the feelings of our infirmities. He knew us that we might know Him.

Heb 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Dear Lord, Thou art the only wise God! You know the end from the beginning. You are kind and merciful. You know that we are dust. Look upon us today and act in concord with Thy knowledge and Thy nature. Be to us the Almighty God and let us be Thy children. AMEN

KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP!

KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP!

Eph 4:4-8 KJV

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

           Well, it is early morning. It is the day after Christmas and I am sitting in my son-in-law’s recliner. Last night we opened our presents and we were knee deep in ribbons and wrapping paper. Since Christmas came on Sunday morning, it was hard to know whether anyone would attend church but we had church anyway! The attendance blew me away! What was wrong with these people? Had I brainwashed them? Don’t they know they are supposed to obsess over presents and Santa Claus? No, they came to worship the Lamb of God. It was wonderful. I am in love with my church.

Whether your gifts were many or few, old or new, the idea of gift giving is an integral part of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Indeed gifts have taken the spotlight away from the newborn babe. The Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. All these were very valuable and all very symbolic of various aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus. The gold represented his royalty, the frankincense spoke of his priesthood and the myrrh foretold his suffering and death.

           Mary gave gifts too. She gave her body to be used as the first home of the savior. Within her womb God and man would join and grow. She also gave her reputation as a pure woman sacrificed on the altar of slander and gossip and disbelief. A sword shall pierce her heart also! This was the prophecy of Simeon.

           Joseph gave his love, protection and fatherly leadership. To Mary he gave the gift of acceptance and understanding. He took part of her shame and became the earthly father of the Son of God. It was a valuable gift.

           The greatest Giver is God who gave the gift of His Son to die for the sins of a fallen race and to offer salvation to any who would receive it. “He gave gifts to men” is what Ephesians 4:8 tells us. The Greek word for gifts is doma which simply means “a present”!

           Even for a few days after this wonderful day you will hear people ask: “What did you get for Christmas?” The answers will be as individual as the person responding to the question. I have received the wonderful gift of grace, a robe of righteousness which is a perfect fit, the forgiveness of all my sins, a companion to be with me forever and at all times. I also received a gift card worth a home in heaven to be redeemed at a later date. Yes, this Christmas, I am knee deep in ribbons and wrap!

2 Cor 9:15 KJV

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Dear Lord, thank you that along with the psalmist I can say: “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – forever”! AMEN

A SAVIOR!

A SAVIOR!

Luke 2:10-11

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

           The announcement of the angels proclaimed a Savior! The word soter in the Greek means “one who delivers or rescues.” The angels were pretty excited about it. Up to this point there had been human deliverers to rescue Israel from various political situations and from war but this Saviour was different.

           The Saviour would deliver and rescue man from himself. Sin has dreadful consequences. Those consequences culminate not only in physical death but in eternal separation from a holy God. Jesus came to deliver us from our oppressive selves and to rescue us from the consequence of sin. He would do this by being our stand in at the execution phase of our trial. Oh, we are guilty alright, but the sentence was passed down upon one who is innocent. Justice would be satisfied so that love and mercy might triumph.

           Christmas presents are easily broken and some are the wrong size. This morning as you sit surrounded by wrapping paper and presents, think of the greatest gift you have ever given. His name is Jesus.

Oh, come. Let us adore Him.

Oh, come. Let us adore Him.

Oh, come. Let us adore Him – Christ the Lord.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your unbreakable gift that fits me perfectly. AMEN

CHRISTMAS PICTURES!

CHRISTMAS PICTURES!

Luke 2:4-7

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn.

           This picture, painted or drawn, will grace many Christmas cards this year. There is Joseph, leaning upon his staff, standing beside a kneeling Mary and a gentle Jesus resting upon the straw. Shepherds peek in the stable to see the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes. All is calm and all is bright. A star shines brightly overhead and spreads a warm glow over the entire town and guides three dromedaries and their kings.

           Christmas is a time for pictures; for capturing loved ones frozen in a moment of time. I received a couple of them just this week. One was a puzzle to me because I did not recognize or remember the name of the sender. It was a picture of two laughing children. The children did not look familiar and the last name was foreign to me. I can only assume it was one of our many young ladies who grew up and married. Obviously she remembered me.

           Another picture arrived of my wife’s brother and his family. He also is a minister and his daughter is married to a missionary. What a dramatic shift it caused in my mind. I remembered the children as small but now they were in the bloom of youth. I was rebuked in my heart for my life too busy to keep in touch with family. I grieved for the mental picture that had been so disrupted by a new reality. People do not stay put; their lives keep moving.

           On this eve of the birthday of Our Lord, I wish for you many smiling pictures. May you be blessed with friends and family which are life’s truest treasure. May you be filled with joy which is one of God’s richest gifts.

Luke 2:13-14

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Dear Lord, I ask that peace reign in the hearts and homes of all who read this today. AMEN

A SPECIAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!

A SPECIAL BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT!

(A “classic” first presented December 23, 2010)

Isa 9:6 KJV

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:11 KJV

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

           I was born on Thanksgiving Day and today is my sister’s birthday. She was almost born on Christmas Day. I’m sure we two babies added something special to those holidays for my parents. I am sure the family and neighbors were told and all the vital details given of our length, weight and color or hair and eyes. I’m not sure why but those things are always important to parents. Friends and relatives would certainly gather around and chatter endlessly about the babies using words that end in “—est.” This baby was the cutest, his eyes the bluest or his hair the curliest they had ever seen.

           Perhaps the most unusual birth announcement was a mistake in printing. It seems a pastor of a church had ordered a sign for the church’s outdoor nativity scene. The sign maker asked what should be the wording on the sign and how big the sign should be. The pastor emailed the sign maker with the information and soon the sign arrived with this message: “For unto us a child is born 8 feet long and 3 feet wide.”

           The birth of Jesus was certainly a big deal. It made news in heaven and spilled over into earth. Isaiah talked about him in words that ended in “est”. He used words like wonderful, mighty God and everlasting father. He would be the Prince of Peace.

           The announcement to the shepherds focused on the most important aspect of all. The angel said “unto you is born a savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Well, He’s here and He’s perfect! He has his mother’s eyes and his Father’s strength of character.

Dear Lord, let me tell the good news and let me get it right! AMEN

THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH!

THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH!

John 1:1-4 & 14

1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

           The shepherds gazed upon a baby. There seemed nothing unusual about this newborn except his humble surroundings but the angels, a sky full of them, said this was God in the flesh. How could the womb contain the immensity of God? No wonder the angels sang a song of amazement. John declares him to be the Word, the logos. The word means “something said, including the thought.” Jesus was the expression of God.

John 14:8-9

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

           The word Incarnation comes from the Latin in carne and it means "in the flesh." Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy, saying, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16).

           The baby grew to become a man and even his apostles caught just glimpses of his true nature. Only at the transfiguration did he show himself. The sight so completely rattled Simon Peter that he spoke foolishly because he did not know what to say.

Luke 9:28-33

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here : and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

           The universe seemed to gravitate to the manger. Angels shouting, kings appearing and shepherds kneeling all declared that this was not just a baby. There was something very special and mysterious about him. This baby both hid and revealed the eternal God.

Dear Lord, in the words of the old Christmas song, “Oh come to us, abide with us, be born in us today!” AMEN

ANOTHER WAY!

ANOTHER WAY!

Matt 2:11-13

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

           They had seen the King, delivered their greetings and their gifts, and had left the holy family to their privacy. They were wiser still and glad for their journey although it had been long. Now it was time to go home but first they had to stop and see King Herod and give him the good news. Didn’t he say he wanted to worship Jesus too? They would start their journey home tomorrow but first a good night’s sleep.

           Sleep did not come easy that night for God did trouble them all. In the morning they agreed. They could not continue their journey as planned. They would go home by another, literally a different, way.

           Christmas changed everything! Can you feel it? It’s not about the presents but the presence! Jesus has come and our lives have been re-routed and our destination has changed.

Heb 10:19-22

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Dear Lord, guide my feet and keep my heart in this new and living way. AMEN

MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN!

MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF MEN!

Phil 2:6-7 KJV

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

           This portion of Scripture explains Christmas. When Jesus was still fully in the form of God, a plan was devised to redeem fallen man. Jesus would set aside certain prerogatives of divinity in order to assume the form of a slave, the lowest of humans. He would be born to a virgin girl and ultimately suffer death on the cross.

           In heaven Jesus was surrounded by adoring angels on earth he was born in the midst of barn animals. In heaven he was accustomed to glories and riches but he was laid on a bed of straw in a feeding trough. Though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. (2 Cor 8:9)

           In life he said he had no place to lay his head. When he had to pay taxes he told Peter to catch a fish and find a coin in the fish’s mouth. When he sent out his disciples he told them to take nothing but a staff, to enter a home when invited and to eat whatever was offered. (See Mark 6:7-9)

           God hidden in human flesh kept silent in the straw and submitted himself to the humiliation of physical circumstances. The bread of life nursed at his young mother’s breast and the God of all comfort was lulled by her song. Softly and sweetly she sings: “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” He was made in the likeness of men that we might be made in the likeness of God.

Almighty God who hid in baby’s flesh, dwell with us today. Send thy light into our dark places. Set bread before the hungry. Be a healer to the sick and a friend to the lonely. Receive our feeble attempts at worship. AMEN

SIMEON’S PROPHECY!

SIMEON’S PROPHECY!

Luke 2:34-35

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

35(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

           Fortune cookies and horoscopes are popular even among those who consider them only novelties. The reason is that most of us would love to have some insight into the future. We would like to be prepared for the unexpected and braced for the unthinkable. Simeon gave a prophecy regarding this child, this mother and this world.

           The original language offers some dramatic insight into the prophecy. Every word matters! For instance, when Simeon said “this child is set,” he was saying that the events and outcome of this child’s life is firmly established. When he said that Jesus would be the result of the “fall” of many, the literally meaning is “a crash.” But for those who crash there is the hope of rising again.

           Some of us know what it is like to crash before Jesus. We think we have life well in hand; we are flying high and straight. But when we are confronted by Jesus with who and what we really are we crash and burn. We have seen ourselves and it isn’t pretty. Then He gently reaches down and makes us rise again.

           For Mary there would be yet another sword which would pierce her soul. Already she had suffered the whispers of the gossips. One day she would see her boy grow to manhood and hang on a cross. All this was done “that the thoughts of many may be revealed.” Jesus strips away the façade to reveal man as he truly is.

Dear Lord, I am amazed that every pain you endured was known in Heaven before time. I am even more amazed that you endured all this for me. Thank you for loving me and saving me. AMEN

COINCIDENCES OF CHRISTMAS!

COINCIDENCES OF CHRISTMAS!

Luke 2:1-7

2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

           The events of the Nativity were manipulated by God so as to not appear divine! If man was to believe there had to be plausible deniability. There had to be reason enough NOT to believe. It would seem that God would do whatever necessary in order to aid faith but the opposite is actually true. God made it convenient to be an unbeliever so that belief, through the struggle of little evidence, might be strong.

           Why didn’t God make it easier for His Son to be born in Bethlehem? My research has revealed that the distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 70 miles or about one hour in a car traveling at turnpike speeds. How long did it take for a pregnant woman to reach her destination by donkey? It must have taken at least a week at an average of three miles per hour.

           Why did “the entire world” have to be removed to their home towns to be registered? Could an angel not simply told the couple that God wanted them to travel to Bethlehem so that the Scriptures could be fulfilled? No, Jesus would be born without any appearance of divine intervention. That is precisely why so much divine intervention was necessary. In this Christmas pageant God was the producer and director. His cast of characters was enormous.

           Could it be that the tiny details of your life are not coincidences at all? Might there actually be a divine plan after all? If you are stopped at a traffic light making you late for an appointment, could it be that you were spared the accident you witnessed along the way? Do you think it would be appropriate to thank God for the troublesome upsets in our schedule?

Dear Lord, thank you for the detours and upsets in my schedule. Thank you for being involved in what I think is coincidence. AMEN

BETHLEHEM – TINY TOWN!

BETHLEHEM – TINY TOWN!

Matt 2:6

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

           There are actually two towns named Bethlehem in the Bible. One is Bethlehem in the land of Zebulon. It is a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth and is mentioned only once in Joshua 19:15. The Bethlehem that we know about is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem.

           Bethlehem, or Beit-Lahm, means “house of flesh or bread.” It was the birthplace of another king named David (1 Samuel 16:4-13). There is a church still existing, built by Constantine the Great (A.D. 330 AD), called the "Church of the Nativity," over a grotto or cave called the "holy crypt," and said to be the "stable" in which Jesus was born. This is perhaps the oldest existing Christian church in the world. (From Easton's Bible Dictionary.) Tourists today gain access through a “needle’s eye” door which forces them to bend down to enter.

           In the margin of my old red-backed Bible there is an explanation that the word “rule” used in Matthew 2:6 is the Greek word poimanei which actually means “to feed.” This is the work of the shepherd king. Well fed was well led and it reminds us of the benefits mentioned in Psalm 23.

           God favors the unflavored. He loves to pit David against Goliath. He prefers Gideon and his handful of soldiers with pitchers and lamps. He loved Bethlehem and honored it as the birthplace of His own Son.

Mic 5:2

2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem

Words: Phillips Brooks

Music: "St. Louis" by Lewis H. Redner

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.

Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.

We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!

Dear Lord, favor those small and insignificant of your servants today. AMEN

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

Luke 2:15-19

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

           Two words in verse 19 deserve a closer look. The word “kept” is the Greek suntereo and one of the various meanings of that word is “to remember and obey.” Mary was keeping a log of data in her heart so that she might remember and obey. First there was the strange announcement by the angel that she would be pregnant without ever knowing a man and, further, the child would be the product of the Holy Spirit. He would be the Son of God. Next Joseph had told her of his own angelic encounter and now shepherds had appeared at the barn to tell of their experience with angels. This is corroborating evidence of a heavenly plan. The next word is “pondered” and this is the Greek word sumballo. It seems clear that Mary studied these things to fully grasp their meaning.

           For Mary there would be many more things to keep and to ponder. Yet another angelic messenger would soon warn them to move to Egypt. We, however, have been given the written Word of God to memorize and to study. May we, like Mary, remember so that we might obey.

Josh 1:8

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Dear Lord, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. AMEN