YEAR END THOUGHTS

YEAR END THOUGHTS!

Hab 3:17-19

17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

           2015 will end tonight at midnight. Some will celebrate its passing with wild partying while others, like myself, prefer to let it pass without fanfare. I hope to be snuggled safely in my bed while the old clock chimes twelve.

           Personally, there seems to be too much death at the end of this year. In just a few hours there will be a funeral at our church for a wonderful member who is a police officer. It will be a huge affair and promises to fill our church to overflowing. At the same time another church member is burying his mother and I mourn the fact that I can’t be at two places at the same time. On Saturday a beloved pastor friend will be laid to rest. It is emotionally exhausting.

           Nationally, we still have to endure one more year of a presidency that has no legacy to leave but misery. While taking every opportunity to push gun control or confiscation, this president has influenced an enormous rush to buy and own guns because people do not feel safe. Oh, if he could only finish his term playing golf instead of governing! In November we will have a chance to replace this lunacy with another kind of crazy.

           Internationally, a religion that claims to be a religion of peace continues its campaign of beheading its enemies in the name of its peaceful god. Nations meet together to discuss how quickly ice should melt while wealth and intellect melts at an incredible rate all around them. Poverty and ignorance continue unabated while they drink their wine and eat their canapés. A good time was had by all.

           Spiritually, mankind seems to be just as ignorant as ever but more hungry for the truth. Now is the time for boldness in telling the story of the good news of salvation through Jesus.

2 Chron 7:14

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Dear God, as this year limps across the stage, give us grace to face the new year with courage and fierce determination. AMEN

FATHER TIME AND BABY NEW YEAR

FATHER TIME AND BABY NEW YEAR!

James 4:13-17

13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

           The image of Father Time is the familiar image of a year grown old and tired with use and abuse. Certainly 2015 has been a difficult year for many and, while we may feel sorry for old Father Time, we will be glad to see him go! Waiting in line is the infant 2016 with his behind powdered and pampered. On his head is a shiny top hat cocked just so. There is a confident smile on his face and we are anxious to follow him into the future but isn’t that just what we felt at this time last year? Didn’t we wear our funny hats and honk our silly horns just one year ago?

           James reminds his readers that we should give some consideration to the frailty of life. He calls it a vapor; a fog that lifts with the morning sun. In his advice I see five things on which we might focus this morning.

           Presumption (verse 13)! James clearly warns that the plans we make have no guarantee of being accomplished. Chance and circumstance happens to all and we are not sure that we will buy, sell or get gain. We quickly read over it but please consider the presumption in the phrase “and continue there a year!” Isn’t this our presumption as well?

            Uncertainty (verse 14)! Like a rude slap to the face, James warns us of the uncertainty of life. Please focus on just three little words in this verse: “ye – know – not.” These little words are designed to make us careful but we ignore them. This statement is based on Proverbs 27:1 - "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."

            Consider God’s will (verse 15)! The God who knows the day and all the events within it should receive some careful consideration when we make our plans. God reveals His will in His Word, and yet most people ignore the Bible. In the Bible, God gives precepts, principles, and promises that can guide us in every area of life. Knowing and obeying the Word of God is the surest way to success (Josh 1:8; Ps 1:3).

           Foolishness (verse 16)! I see in the word “boasting” our own annual celebration which includes fireworks, funny hats and fuzzy headed hangovers from a night of drinking oneself stupid. One year is thankfully dismissed while another is welcomed by saying: “this year will be better!” All such boasting is foolish. James calls it sin.

           Neglect which is sin (verse 17)! Each day provides many opportunities to do what is right. Knowing the right that we should do and not doing it is sin. When confronted with our sin we protest by saying “I didn’t do anything” and that is just the point. When there was mercy to show we didn’t do anything. When there was wisdom to apply we again did nothing. It can’t be said better than James said it: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

This attitude expresses even more pride than does the first; for the person says to God, "I know what You want me to do, but I prefer not to do it. I really know more about this than You do!" "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them" (2 Peter 2:21).

Dear Lord, let me not be so proud as to think I know better than you do. Let me go forth warily depending upon you for guidance and grace. 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 His followers. 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 and the less attraction the world will have for him. 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

PRAYER AND A SOVEREIGN GOD

PRAYER AND A SOVEREIGN 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

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION!

Eph 3:14-21

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

           A benediction is, according to Merriam-Webster, “the invocation of a blessing especially at the close of a public worship service.” This benediction is at the close of chapter three but Paul continued on for an additional three chapters! If we analyze these eight verses we discover Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.

           I bow my knees! Paul’s posture in prayer is formal and humble. His prayer is offered to the Father, through the Son and in the Spirit. The posture in prayer is not as important as the purpose. It is essential that God knows our heart.

           There are four requests in Paul’s benediction and they build upon one another. The first request is for strength in the inner man. The Greek word krataioo means “to increase in vigor!” This refers not only to ability but attitude. Paul wanted his audience to be both able and energetic. The strength of the inner man is the strength of resolve.

           The second request is for depth. Three strong words are used by Paul. They are “dwell, rooted and grounded.” To dwell means to “inhabit permanently” or to settle down and feel at home. To be “rooted” means “to become stable;” and the word “grounded” means “to consolidate” or to bring all these things into one cohesive unit. Paul wanted them to become rock solid in faith and in love.

           The third request is for comprehension; the ability to grasp all the various aspects of the love of God. He wanted them to understand; to seize and possess its width, length, depth and height. Paul goes on in the next verse to say that the love of Christ surpasses knowledge and yet this is his request. How many Christians are satisfied with a casual friendship with Jesus instead of a full relationship?

           It is this fullness that Paul finally asks for. The Greek pleroma means “repletion.” It is the maximum that can be contained within the container provided. The idea is overflowing abundance. Paul wanted the Ephesians to be filled with the fullness of God because He is able to do much more than we ask of Him and much more than we think is possible.

           As you leave your place of worship today, why not let God out of your box! Give God the liberty to roam freely throughout your life unrestricted by your rebellion and lack of faith. He is able to function beyond your wildest dreams.

Dear Lord, it is a fearful thing to walk your high places without handrails, yet I give you permission to be God in my life today. AMEN

FIVE RULES FOR ANSWERED PRAYER

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

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

1 Sam 20:5-6

5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.

6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.

1 Chron 11:17-18

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,

           It is hard to find in the Bible the same kind of holiday homesickness that fills our hearts. We are so mobile, and the family unit is so scattered, that we can’t find a parallel culture in the scriptures. David probably comes closest to the longings for home that are so familiar to us.

           David was a home boy and family was important to him. When Saul sought to take his life he longed to return to Bethlehem for the annual gathering of family. This homecoming revolved around church and worship. There was an annual sacrifice and everyone came home for this special occasion.

           While David and his army was bivouacked in the field, the Philistines occupied his home city of Bethlehem. Trouble and discomfort caused him to think of home and he longed for a drink from Bethlehem’s well which was at the gate. Some of his soldiers overheard as he talked about this and broke through the lines to retrieve a drink for their homesick leader. Home and family was important to David.

           “Home is where life makes up its mind. It is there-with fellow family members-we hammer out our convictions on the anvil of relationships. It is there we cultivate the valuable things in life, like attitudes, memories, beliefs, and most of all, character.” Charles R. Swindoll (1934- )

           Each generation, just by living life day to day, produces nostalgic memories for the generation to follow. There is a strong tug at our heart to come home. The smell of turkey, sage, and pumpkin transports me home. A real wood fire in the fireplace may not be the most efficient way to heat a house but it is a most wonderful way to warm a heart!

           I once was the traveler but I’m now the destination for these holiday wanderings. All I have left of home and parents are pictures etched upon my memory. Now I am, without thinking, chiseling memories upon the hearts of my daughter and granddaughters. Other family members are widely scattered and the longing for family gatherings are difficult to fulfill. I sit, like David, longing for a drink from the family tap.

           This year my daughter, son-in-law, and two granddaughters arrived to spend Christmas with Grandma and “Buddy.” We will be in full celebration mode as soon as the grand girls wake up from their long winter’s nap. They have moved from the couch and cot to our bed. All is quiet now but it won’t last.

           People think it is morbid to talk of being homesick for Heaven but it is a very real condition. It is not a death wish but a longing to be gathered with family and friends. The loving Heavenly Father beckons us home and we brave the most uncomfortable conditions in our quest to arrive. One day the redeemed will receive that first hug on the threshold of home. It will be wonderful!

Matt 25:34

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Dear Father, satisfy those who long for home and family at this time of the year. AMEN

LET THE GENTILES REJOICE

LET THE GENTILES REJOICE!

Luke 2:27-32

27 And he [Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

           Mary was a Jewish mother. Joseph was a Jew. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. Even Simeon was a Jewish man, very old and carrying in his bosom a promise only he understood. He was told by the Spirit that he would not die, no matter how old, until his clouding eyes saw the Messiah but when he saw the baby Jesus he saw something for the Gentiles as well.

           He would be LIGHT! It would be ridiculously proud to think that the light of the sun would warm only Jewish cheeks. It was just as foolish to imagine that the Son would brighten only Jewish eyes. The Gentiles would benefit from the Jewish Prince. In verse 31 Simeon said “all people” as he spoke of salvation.

1. LIGHT PROVIDES COMFORT!

Eccl 11:7

7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun:

How many parents have heard the words “please leave the light on” when a child is full of fear? Even a child knows that closet monsters and other evil villains cannot survive the light!

2. LIGHT GUIDES!

Ps 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Isa 9:2

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3. LIGHT HEALS AND PURIFIES!

Even ancient physicians knew the wound healing properties of sunlight. Now modern science knows the germ killing ability of ultra-violet light.

1 John 1:5

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

4. LIGHT DISPELLS IGNORANCE!

Fearful shadows flee away in the light. A snake in the dark becomes a belt or a piece of rope in the light. Superstition is driven away by the light.

Acts 17:29-30

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Dear Lord, thank you for including we who are Gentiles in your great salvation plan. Thank you for the light. AMEN

FIT FOR A KING

FIT FOR A KING!

Luke 2:7

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 trappings of privilege were absent when the King of Kings was born. There were no pristine hospitals and no specialists were in attendance at Mary’s delivery. God filled the only room available to Him and it was sufficient. Even without the trappings of privilege there was majesty in the manner of Jesus’ birth. The stellar heaven sent out the birth announcement. Distant friends brought gifts to the baby shower and nearby friends came to call.

           The world’s leaders today, as then, seem to be defined by their fine accommodations. Without them they would hardly be noticed. When their babies are born they receive the best services that money can buy. They pace not so much from anticipation but from fear. All the fussing and fury is not a sign of strength but weakness. When Jesus was born the evidence suggested that God was sure of Himself. He was not worried that the bed was just of straw. He was not concerned with infection or exposure or lack.

Ps 103:19

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

[Had I but known…]

I would have turned the whole inn upside down,

His Honor, Marcus Lucius, and the rest,

 And sent them all to stables.

 So you have seen Him, stranger, and perhaps

 Again may see Him? Prithee say for me

 I did not know; and if He comes again,

 As He surely will come, with retinue,

 And banners, and an army--tell Him, my Lord,

 That all my inn is His to make amends.

 Alas, alas! to miss a chance like that!

 This inn that might be chief among them all--

 The birthplace of the MESSIAH--had I known!

   Amos R. Wells

Dear Lord, let me enthrone you in my heart today – and make my heart a place fit for a king. AMEN

ANNA MEETS JESUS

ANNA MEETS JESUS!

Luke 2:36-38

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

           When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for circumcision, they were met by Simeon and Anna. We don’t know just how old Anna was but she married and lived with her husband for seven years before he died. As a widow, she had spent most of her time in and around the temple for eighty four years. Guessing that she might have been seventeen when married then adding seven years of marriage plus eighty four years as a widow, Anna could have been as much as 108 years old. All we are told is that she was of great age.

           Anna was spiritually sensitive! Luke calls her a prophetess but most likely not of the fortune telling kind. We should think of her as a prophetess after the model in First Corinthians 14:3 “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.”  ‎So we find this holy widow proclaiming Jesus to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

           What a wonderful model for widows! She was active in the church, acquainted with the scriptures, and old enough to have wisdom to share. Don’t think that your life is finished because you are older. Hopefully, you will be able to minister in building people up, encouragement, and comfort.

Dear Lord, as I age, let me hang around church helping when I can and please gift me with the ability to give courage and comfort. AMEN

AWAY IN A MANGER

AWAY IN A MANGER!

Luke 2:7  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.

Luke 2:12  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

           The shepherds found a sweet earthly scene. A young mother had to resort to meager means to bed her newborn baby. A cattle feeding trough filled with straw would cradle the child. From the human perspective this contained all the sweet emotions we feel at the birth of any normal child but from heaven’s perspective “the eternal, self-communicating personality in the Godhead, passed voluntarily into the condition of humanity.” (Alexander McLaren)

           An extraordinary birth demands an extraordinary death. This child would become a man and, because he was also fully God, he would not fit comfortably into man’s fallen condition. He challenged man’s sin by simply existing. Whenever he commented upon sin the stark difference became almost unbearable and so man finally killed him in the most horrible way imaginable.

           Done! Now they were rid of him! Secure in a guarded tomb he would bother them no more and so it would remain for a full three days. But he who came voluntarily and died voluntarily also rose voluntarily. Man could not keep him dead any more than they could keep him from being born.

           Angels had announced his birth and now the disciples stand in awe as angels announce his return. “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11  We can expect Christ’s return as surely as we can review the facts of his birth, life, death, and resurrection. To doubt it would be to doubt it all.

Luke 2:34  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 (a target to shoot at) which shall be spoken against.

Dear Lord, while we enjoy the soft scenes of the manger, let us not forget that you were given as a lamb to take away our sins. AMEN

TWAS THE SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

TWAS THE SUNDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

Luke 2:16-19

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.

           ‘Twas the Sunday before Christmas and all through the church children were scurrying and teachers were in a lurch. The costumes were scattered and some all askew but the preacher was smiling at this old story still new.

           I wore the old blue bathrobe and a towel on my head that made me a shepherd with wonder and dread. The doll in the manger and Mary in blue were only actors we knew. Tommy and Joey and Sally and Sue all played a part in the old story now new.

           The coat hanger halo with tinsel and glue gave the bed sheet clad angels a wonderful hue. Their wings made of paper were tied with gold string and they sang off key to their new baby king.

           Joseph and Mary and shepherds and kings say Joy to the World is the message we bring! Then off to the kitchen for cookies and punch all knowing that it would ruin our lunch.

           Today, once again, we replay this old story and thank all the workers who help us bring glory to the babe in the manger who came down from heaven.

Luke 2:20

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND

FAR AS THE CURSE IS FOUND!

Gal 4:4-5

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

           The law was given to man as a gift. It was prescribed and, most likely, described to Moses. If God could create the earth in six days, I don’t think it would take forty days to write ten laws on a stone tablet. No, I think it took forty days to thoroughly explain the law to Moses. Law, then, had a written standard and, I think, took into account extenuating circumstances and established forms of correction and punishment. The result was supposed to be order and peace.

           As time went on, man ripped the law from God’s hands and misinterpreted it to suit himself. All one needed to stone an enemy was a couple of “pants on fire” witnesses willing to lie. Law that is not founded upon the character and integrity of God becomes tyranny and the result is disorder and anything but peace.

          

           The Romans pre-empted Jewish law with secular law. God’s law was designed for the benefit of man and the pleasure of God. Roman law was designed for the benefit of Rome and the forced compliance of her subjects. Under Rome’s brutality, the indiscriminate stoning of individuals would be greatly reduced. Execution would be according to Roman law and carried out by crucifixion. Stephen was stoned without a trial or even an indictment. Stephen died contrary to both Jewish and Roman law. It was mob murder.

           Jesus now enters “made under the law,” to redeem those who were under the law. He said that he had not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). In order to understand what Jesus meant, we must remember how He applied the law when asked to judge a woman “taken in adultery” (John 8:4-7). After hearing the indictment from the witnesses, he demands an innocent and impartial execution. Without a fair and impartial prosecution, Jesus dismisses the case with both mercy and a stern warning. Grace had come to the legal system.

           Jesus pulled the teeth from the law by declaring all to be guilty (Romans 3:19-20); by sentencing capital punishment (Romans 6:23); and by taking the punishment himself (1Peter 3:18). Only in this way could law and grace come together.

Joy To The World

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

Thank you, Jesus, for graciously taking my sin and my punishment and then giving me eternal life. AMEN

THE SACRIFICE OF CONVENIENCE

THE SACRIFICE OF CONVENIENCE!

Luke 1:35-38

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

           When Mary said “let it be done to me according to what you have said,” she laid herself upon God’s altar in total abandon to His will. There would be a lifetime of inconvenience and heartache. The sacrifice of personal comfort, ease and preferences was her gift to God. When she submitted the transaction was done and the angel departed. His job was finished. Hers was just beginning.

           We do not mean to pout, to be childish and selfish, but we are a pampered people. We have inserted into our belief system that God exists to enhance our comfort and ease. When He demands that we abandon that comfort for His purpose we recoil and resist. We resent God’s demands upon our time. We resent His constant interruption of our plans.

           So many players were involved in the first Christmas pageant and each player was called upon to make sacrifices. Each player, willingly or unwillingly, suffered some privation. We can not expect less from this Christmas time. If I am to be a servant of God then I should expect some inconvenience.

           The Apostle Peter lamented that he had given up much to serve and to follow. Jesus answered with a rebuke and with a promise.

Luke 18:28-30

28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Dear Lord, let me endure the sacrifice of my convenience with grace and let me count my blessings. AMEN