FATHER TIME AND BABY NEW YEAR!

 

Saturday, December 31, 2022

 

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 2022 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 2023 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 happen 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).” (From The Bible Exposition Commentary.)

 

          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

THOUGHTS AT YEAR’S END!

 

Friday, December 30, 2022

 

THOUGHTS AT YEAR’S END!

 

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.

 

          The Old Year lifts his lamp and wearily leans upon his scythe. He entered with great anticipation of hope and change, and the realities of life have mistreated him terribly. We have nearly exhausted the current year and at this time we often review the best and worst of happenings. When we think of the year nearly gone, we may experience extreme feelings of fear, disappointment, and disgust.

 

Nationally, Americans have government would serve us better if they did nothing. Most of us would welcome the relief if they obeyed one little phrase from the amendments: “Congress shall make no law...”  It seems that every law passed is yet another chip at our foundation. Morally, we have made legal the most outrageous things, and we seem to prefer wrong over right at every opportunity. The expression of divergent thoughts and lifestyles are everywhere applauded unless, of course, they are expressions of Christian faith.

 

Churches have morphed into entertainment centers which target human emotions instead of salvation stations which convert the lost. Pastors clamor to incorporate the latest craze into their worship services and can hardly hold church without bright lights and smoke machines. Denominational, and even doctrinal, distinctive have intentionally been abandoned in favor of a soup-slurry of blended beliefs that demand nothing from followers. “Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” (Ps 55:19) The result is a vagabond worshipper who visits these religious entertainment centers hoping to experience the latest sensation. There is no loyalty to anything but self.

 

          Habakkuk finishes his book with a thin-lipped pledge. He tells of failed crops and a ruined harvest. He complains of depleted stores and lean times. The flock has been cut off either by poor leadership or disease and the feed lot is empty of beeves. The expectation of hope and change had died.

 

          Yet he begins verse 17 with the word “although!” The word means “nevertheless” and first considers then ignores the consequent realities to look forward with great hope. There it is again – hope – but more than hope. It is faith with determination because it is not poorly placed upon the promises of some political figure. It is trust in a God who sits upon the circle of the earth and hangs the stars upon nothing!

 

Heb 6:17-19

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18 That by two immutable [unchangeable] things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil…

 

Ps 62:2

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

 

          Our hope is in the Lord and our change will surely come. Our confidence is not pinned upon the breast of politics, world economics, nor military conquests. Our light shines from the Sun of Righteousness and our feet are firmly planted upon the cornerstone of God. We shall not be greatly moved.

 

Dear Lord, you have carried us safely through another year and we look to you as we face a new one. We can’t know what lies ahead but we rejoice to know the One who knows the end from the beginning. AMEN

JESUS’ PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR!

 

Thursday, December 29, 2022

 

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 specific and 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 or comfortable 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

WHAT WILL THE NEW YEAR BRING

 

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

 

WHAT WILL THE NEW YEAR BRING

Isa 47:13

13 Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.

 

          Only once, in the Old Testament do we see the word prognosticators. It is translated into English from the Hebrew yada’ which means “to see.” It is found with a company of fortune tellers and stargazers. These Babylon thought would surely warn them of any approaching trouble. But they were wrong.

 

          Babylon was used by Jehovah to chasten disobeying Israel, but she exceeded her purpose in her cruel treatment of Israel and for that she suffered. (F. B. Meyer)

 

          Today’s electronic version of the tabloids found at the grocery store check-out site Nostradamus’ prediction for this coming year which includes the rise of AntiChrist, World War III, and the death of “the monarchy.” Which monarchy was not made clear. What does seem clear is that man has an insatiable and morbid desire to know the future so that he may avoid its troubles.

 

          In the Revelation, in 9:21 and 18:23, the word sorceries is the Greek pharmakeia and is easily recognized as our word pharmacy. Man is so troubled in mind that he self-medicates to alter or cancel reality.

 

          What will the new year bring? Certainly, it will bring us closer to the return of Christ and all the preparatory difficulties that accompany it. Are you ready for this new year?

 

Matt 25:13

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

Dear Lord, prospects for this new year are a sea of trouble but You are, as always, my rock, my fortress, and my anchor. Thank you. AMEN

CHANGE, FEAR AND HOPE!

 

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

 

CHANGE, FEAR AND HOPE!

 

Josh 3:3-5

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord  will do wonders among you.

 

          We are just three days from exchanging the old year to the new. Three things capture my thoughts: change – hope – and fear. 2022 has been a very stressful and difficult year for many and change is both welcomed and feared. Hope is encouraged.

 

          Change may have come in the form of empty chairs due to the tragic and sorrowful death of family members and friends. Other chairs, usually vacant, are now filled because of loss of employment. Nothing brings change like a new baby but even this can bring stress along with joy. Nothing is so unchanging as change.

 

          Uncertainty almost always encourages fear. It is why we dip our toes into the water before plunging in headlong. It is why investors are often called speculators. Uncertainty is a travelling companion of change. Uncertainty also travels with eager expectation which leads us into our third thought of the day.

 

          Hope is the expectation that things will turn out well. Sometimes it is based only upon itself. Hope in hope! In better times hope is based upon calculated circumstances and trends. It is what turns speculators into investors! The best hope is based upon solid character – such as the hope we have in Christ.

 

Heb 6:18-19

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

 

Dear Lord, we cannot stop change. We ask for help with our fears as we place our hope in you and your solid character. Thank you for your steadfastness toward us. AMEN

HE IS BOTH THE GIFT AND THE GIVER

 

Monday, December 26, 2022

 

HE IS BOTH THE GIFT AND THE GIVER

 

Eph 4:4-8

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.

 

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, 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.

 

2 Cor 9:15

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

CHRISTMAS IS LIKE A MAGNET!

 

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Note: The last time Christmas was on a SUNDAY was 2016, 6 years ago.  

 

CHRISTMAS IS LIKE A MAGNET!

 

Luke 2:1-7

2 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.

 

            His birth drew Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Rome took a census every fourteen years for both military and tax purposes, and each Jewish male had to return to the city of his fathers to record his name, occupation, property, and family. Augustus Caesar had become an unknowing and unwilling participant in the plan of God to provide a savior for man. Like a magnet, Bethlehem drew the holy family to herself.

 

            His birth drew the angels from heaven. They came to see the Creator being born as a creature. It amazed and excited them, and the air became electric as they rushed to and fro. “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 Tim 3:16)

 

His birth drew shepherds from the field. The angels were quite convincing as they shouted their “glory to God in the highest.” The shepherds left their flocks and came with haste. The barn was becoming crowded.

 

          His birth drew Magi from afar. Although we don’t know much about these wise men, it has been speculated that Daniel may have introduced them to the Jewish prophecies while in Babylon. The Magi, star gazers, would have pieced together physical phenomena with prophetic verses to conclude that there would be a king born to the Jews. The preparation and dedication required to take their journey is amazing.

 

          His birth draws churches and families together. Christmas produces floods of worshippers in churches. Families travel great distances to be together mimicking the journey of Mary and Joseph. Who can resist when they hear the popular “I’ll be home for Christmas?”

 

            His birth draws sinners to redemption. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” (John 6:44) The infant in the manger would become the savior on the cross. He came to take our sins and give us salvation. He took our ugliness and gave us beauty for ashes.

 

Dear Lord, there is a tug at my heart this Christmas season. Let me become closer to you in devotion. Let me become closer to my church in dedication. Let me become closer to family in love. AMEN

THE REAL SAINT NICHOLAS!

 

Saturday, December 24, 2022

 

THE REAL SAINT NICHOLAS!

 

Isa 7:14

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

 

Matt 1:23

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

 

          "A Visit from St. Nicholas", more commonly known as "The Night Before Christmas" and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823 and later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, who claimed authorship in 1837. Some commentators now believe the poem was written by Henry Livingston, Jr.

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

 

          The real Saint Nicholas was Nikolaos of Myra, a historic 4th-century Greek Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey).  His legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus through Sinterklaas. He was cast into prison during the persecution of Diocletian but was released after the accession of Constantine and was present at the Council of Nicaea.

 

          The Council of Nicaea was convened, among other things, to determine the true nature of the Son of God and His relationship to the father. Questions lingered regarding the virgin birth and whether Jesus was “begotten” and had no beginning or “created” and therefore did have a beginning. The amazing thing to me is that a group of men believed they could convene to determine truth! Truth stands regardless of the consensus of any council.

 

          It seems appropriate to me that the man who gave birth to Santa Claus would historically be involved in defending the truth that Jesus was virgin born.

 

Luke 1:35

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.

 

Dear Jesus, thank you for your virgin birth, your sinless life, your sacrificial death, and your victorious resurrection! AMEN