FORGETTING AND REACHING!

 

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

 

FORGETTING AND REACHING!

 

Phil 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

          Paul was probably referring to his past attachment to strict Judaism. He had given it all he had but when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was empty and frustrated. He had been ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit and was pursuing a painful goal that would leave him even more miserable.

 

          We borrow from his language to suit our purposes. On this last day of a difficult year, we are eager to forget those things that are past. The pain of some of those things lingers and we anxiously wait for that pain to subside. We’d like to be rid of it along with the year.

 

          The word “apprehended” is best understood by thinking of a police officer chasing a criminal. With lights flashing and tires smoking, the goal is just out of reach. We long to be done with the chase and to “cuff and stuff” our prey. Until then the chase continues.

 

          But our goal is to firmly grasp Christ in all that that means. Paul helps us when he describes his desire in verse 10.” That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Phil 3:10

 

Dear Lord, in the year just ahead of us, let us forget the past, honor you in the present, and trust you for the future. AMEN

 

AN OFFERING OF WORDS

 

Monday, December 30, 2024

 

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 offense 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 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” does 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

 

Sunday, December 29, 2024

 

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

 

CHANGE, FEAR AND HOPE!

 

Saturday, December 28, 2024

 

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. 2024 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

 

THE PEACE OF GOD!

 

Friday, December 27, 2024

 

THE PEACE OF GOD!

 

Phil 4:6-7

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

          Peace is that quietness of spirit that signals everything is alright. In that peaceful place the winds are mild, and the temperatures are moderate; bills are paid and there is sufficient for today. In that peaceful place our relationships are pleasant, and our enemies are kept far away. Peace! How we long for peace but there are at least four areas that are subject to turmoil.

 

          The heart is wounded throughout life by harmful things we have done and by damage done to us by others. One is guilt and the other is hurt. Unless we allow the Good Samaritan to bind up those wounds the hurt of the past will disturb our peace.

 

Ps 34:18-19

18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

 

          The mind is divided against itself and disturbs our peace. We profess to believe but there is inward doubt. Our greatest doubt is regarding our own value.

 

Matt 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 

          The will becomes paralyzed, and we suffer the loss of peace that comes from indecision. We halt between two opinions and in doing so neither seems right, and often neither gets done.

 

Josh 24:15

15 And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

          The soul is exposed to too much noise, business, information, and entertainment. The soul needs quietness, meditation, and rest. The soul needs prayer. Even the music we choose either agitates us or soothes us. Choose quiet places, quiet people, and quiet music. Find a place of refuge for the soul.

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Dear Lord, give peace to those who are troubled today. AMEN

 

KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP!

 

Thursday, December 26, 2024

 

KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP!

 

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 Christmas 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

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!

 

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

 

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

 

JOY IN THE MIDST OF SORROW

 

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

 

JOY IN THE MIDST OF SORROW

 

John 16:21-22

21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

 

During America’s Civil War, Henry W. Longfellow penned the words to “I heard the bells on Christmas Day.” In this classic hymn Longfellow acknowledges the frustration and depression that often accompanies the glitter and glamour of the season. The fourth stanza talks of his despair, but he finishes with triumph of the spirit.

 

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

 

I heard the bells on Christmas day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

 

And in despair I bowed my head

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

 

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men."

 

          It is a great encouragement to know that God is not disgusted with our periods of depression. He does not blame us for our fainting and moves quickly to our aid.

 

Ps 22:24

24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for always showing up on time. Thank you for understanding our troubled hearts in these troubled times. Thank you for the triumph of our spirits by your own Spirit. AMEN

 

A SINGLE ORANGE!

 

Monday, December 23, 2024

 

A SINGLE ORANGE!

 

Phil 4:12-13

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

          At Christmas 1971, I was a bi-vocational pastor of a baby church. I was fresh out of college and working at a hospital in a small Kansas town. On the time clock in the basement was a note that said, “be sure to pick up your orange in the cafeteria.” This was the Christmas bonus given to each hospital worker that year. A single orange.

 

          I went to the cafeteria to see what might be there. On a table was a cardboard box full of oranges. No bow and no wrapping! Just an orange. I picked through the box to find one that was not too soft, and I took it home to share with my wife.

 

          Why did I tell you this story? Because it was a learning experience. I learned how to be abased, which is the Greek word tapienoo. It means “to humiliate.” It wasn’t pleasant at the time, but I needed to learn how to respond to such conditions. Only then was I ready to enjoy abundance.

 

Dear Lord, most of us move through life with much more than we need and much more than we think we have. Thank you not only for daily provision but for overflowing blessings. AMEN