May you ring in the New Year with "The joy of the Lord, which is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Monday, December 31, 2012
Our Unchanging Jesus
December 31
As we embark upon another New Year, we ring out the old and ring in the new with the joy of knowing that the Christ we serve is in command of this entity we call time. We have seen the Mayan prophecy which many felt foretold a cataclysmic end to the world as we know it come and go without the total destruction of our planet that many feared.
We have heard the saber-rattling of bellicose nations, but to date, their machinations of war and conquest and subjugation have been kept largely at bay. We have noted the statistical increase of natural disasters such as earthquakes and devastating storms, but although the havoc they wreak is substantial, the earth still stands.
If there is one undeniable truth we may collectively reach at this juncture in time and place it is that the Savior of the world is still in the business of revealing Himself to lost man for the purpose of bringing as many as will receive Him into the arc of salvation that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior affords to all men (See I Timothy 4:10). As you, dear reader, begin the year of 2013, may you go forward in the strength of the Lord and in the power of your absolute faith in Him.
May you be among those who have complete confidence that, “What HE has promised, HE is able to perform (Romans 4:21). May you be among those who “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5), knowing the reality of the unseen promises of the Lord Jesus Christ far exceeds the seeming veracity of anything you can see with your eyes or hear with your ears or perceive in the natural realm.
May you go forward into the Happiest of New Years with the unshakable blessing of faith in our unchanging Jesus.
As we embark upon another New Year, we ring out the old and ring in the new with the joy of knowing that the Christ we serve is in command of this entity we call time. We have seen the Mayan prophecy which many felt foretold a cataclysmic end to the world as we know it come and go without the total destruction of our planet that many feared.
We have heard the saber-rattling of bellicose nations, but to date, their machinations of war and conquest and subjugation have been kept largely at bay. We have noted the statistical increase of natural disasters such as earthquakes and devastating storms, but although the havoc they wreak is substantial, the earth still stands.
If there is one undeniable truth we may collectively reach at this juncture in time and place it is that the Savior of the world is still in the business of revealing Himself to lost man for the purpose of bringing as many as will receive Him into the arc of salvation that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior affords to all men (See I Timothy 4:10). As you, dear reader, begin the year of 2013, may you go forward in the strength of the Lord and in the power of your absolute faith in Him.
May you be among those who have complete confidence that, “What HE has promised, HE is able to perform (Romans 4:21). May you be among those who “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5), knowing the reality of the unseen promises of the Lord Jesus Christ far exceeds the seeming veracity of anything you can see with your eyes or hear with your ears or perceive in the natural realm.
May you go forward into the Happiest of New Years with the unshakable blessing of faith in our unchanging Jesus.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Unsung Hero
December 30
Joseph is the unsung ‘hero’ of Christmas. This man, probably several years her senior, was betrothed to Mary the virgin who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The marriage between the two may have been arranged from her birth. We know such agreements were often reached between the parents of the bride and groom.
We are not told how long their engagement was to be but the custom of the day was that a betrothal would last approximately a year before the marriage was to take place. The driving factor that established the length of time between the official engagement and the wedding was usually the groom’s ability to pay the ‘bride price.’
When Mary was found to be with child “before they came together,” Joseph, a kind and godly man, decided to “put her away” quietly. According to the tradition of the day, Mary could have been executed for adultery, but Joseph was unwilling to “make her a public spectacle.” (See Matthew 1:18-19.)
At this juncture, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary unto you as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. The Son she shall bring forth, Jesus, shall save His people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah and he knew the voice of God, so he believed and assumed the role of father-protector over Mary’s holy Child.
Joseph is the unsung ‘hero’ of Christmas. This man, probably several years her senior, was betrothed to Mary the virgin who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The marriage between the two may have been arranged from her birth. We know such agreements were often reached between the parents of the bride and groom.
We are not told how long their engagement was to be but the custom of the day was that a betrothal would last approximately a year before the marriage was to take place. The driving factor that established the length of time between the official engagement and the wedding was usually the groom’s ability to pay the ‘bride price.’
When Mary was found to be with child “before they came together,” Joseph, a kind and godly man, decided to “put her away” quietly. According to the tradition of the day, Mary could have been executed for adultery, but Joseph was unwilling to “make her a public spectacle.” (See Matthew 1:18-19.)
At this juncture, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary unto you as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. The Son she shall bring forth, Jesus, shall save His people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah and he knew the voice of God, so he believed and assumed the role of father-protector over Mary’s holy Child.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Blessed Act of Believing
December 29
Mary the young virgin girl and her elderly cousin shared an exchange that evidenced the power of the Lord upon each of them. Elizabeth, still in a state of awed rejoicing at the news of her pregnancy understood that the child she was to bear would be the harbinger of the Savior to come after him.
Mary then said something that quickened within her heart upon reflection of the visitation of the angel with the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Their words resonate within each of us as we allow the reality of the Christ to be born in our spirits as they allowed Him to be birthed in theirs.
In Luke 1:45-49 Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary affirmed, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…and holy is His name.”
It is significant that these woman of faith pronounced words of blessing upon the act of believing first then magnifying their eternal God and Savior. We, too, have the privilege to hear the news of Christ and to embrace it to our hearts. When we have allowed Him to reign in our hearts and lives, we, too, glory in His holy presence.
Mary the young virgin girl and her elderly cousin shared an exchange that evidenced the power of the Lord upon each of them. Elizabeth, still in a state of awed rejoicing at the news of her pregnancy understood that the child she was to bear would be the harbinger of the Savior to come after him.
Mary then said something that quickened within her heart upon reflection of the visitation of the angel with the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Their words resonate within each of us as we allow the reality of the Christ to be born in our spirits as they allowed Him to be birthed in theirs.
In Luke 1:45-49 Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary affirmed, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…and holy is His name.”
It is significant that these woman of faith pronounced words of blessing upon the act of believing first then magnifying their eternal God and Savior. We, too, have the privilege to hear the news of Christ and to embrace it to our hearts. When we have allowed Him to reign in our hearts and lives, we, too, glory in His holy presence.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Who is Mary?
December 28
One of the significant points of doctrinal difference between the Catholic and the Protestant branches of Christianity is the perception of the personhood of Mary. Catholics consider her to be “Queen of Heaven.” They believe her to be co-equal with Jesus. He is perhaps able to be described as a loving son who consults His mother in matters of import.
Protestants perceive Mary to be a good and honorable woman of profound faith whose devotion to the law and whose love of her God stood out among other women and set her apart for her level of commitment to God’s truth.
Another significant difference is the Catholic belief that Mary remained a virgin her entire life while Protestants believe her marriage to Joseph was consummated after the birth of Jesus (see Matthew 1:25) and that Mary and Joseph had other children—brothers and sisters of the Lord.
One thing that is irrefutable is the fact that the Catholic Church has been instrumental in fulfilling the prophecy spoken of Mary by the angel in Luke 1:28, which says, “Hail, thou who art highly favored; the Lord is with you and blessed are you among women,” as well as the prophecy of Mary herself, “…all generations shall call me blessed, ”Luke 1:48.
The Catholic Church has been faithful to hold Mary in utmost regard and to perpetuate her blessedness through the generations.
One of the significant points of doctrinal difference between the Catholic and the Protestant branches of Christianity is the perception of the personhood of Mary. Catholics consider her to be “Queen of Heaven.” They believe her to be co-equal with Jesus. He is perhaps able to be described as a loving son who consults His mother in matters of import.
Protestants perceive Mary to be a good and honorable woman of profound faith whose devotion to the law and whose love of her God stood out among other women and set her apart for her level of commitment to God’s truth.
Another significant difference is the Catholic belief that Mary remained a virgin her entire life while Protestants believe her marriage to Joseph was consummated after the birth of Jesus (see Matthew 1:25) and that Mary and Joseph had other children—brothers and sisters of the Lord.
One thing that is irrefutable is the fact that the Catholic Church has been instrumental in fulfilling the prophecy spoken of Mary by the angel in Luke 1:28, which says, “Hail, thou who art highly favored; the Lord is with you and blessed are you among women,” as well as the prophecy of Mary herself, “…all generations shall call me blessed, ”Luke 1:48.
The Catholic Church has been faithful to hold Mary in utmost regard and to perpetuate her blessedness through the generations.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
This Heavenly Visitor
December 27
Just who is this heavenly Visitor who burst through the constraints of the realm of the unseen into the visible, tangible world in which man lives and moves and has his being? Who is this One whose anthems were sung by angels to the glory of God (Luke 2:10-14)? Who is this One who so polarized men (see Luke 2:28-32 vs. Matthew 2:13)?
From the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, 7 which says, “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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…His government shall be established on the throne of David,” we see that He shall be no mere mortal. This holy, royal child shall be the “Mighty God.”
From Isaiah 53, we discover that many will not believe that the One who comes is the fulfillment of the promise. He will suffer in the behalf of all men and He shall be put to a shameful death—but in so doing, He will secure the salvation of every man who would henceforth believe in the atoning power of His propitiatory death. In Zechariah 12:10 we learn that one day, even the Jews will recognize Him as their Messiah.
In John 1:1-14, we are told, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…He came to His own, and…as many as received Him were given the power to become the sons of God…the Word was flesh and dwelt among us.” This Living Word was Jesus, the One who cannot fail and cannot lie, the One who will yet stand when all else is shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29).
Jesus alone, the Living Word, cannot be shaken. Our unshakable security is in Him.
Just who is this heavenly Visitor who burst through the constraints of the realm of the unseen into the visible, tangible world in which man lives and moves and has his being? Who is this One whose anthems were sung by angels to the glory of God (Luke 2:10-14)? Who is this One who so polarized men (see Luke 2:28-32 vs. Matthew 2:13)?
From the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, 7 which says, “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, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…His government shall be established on the throne of David,” we see that He shall be no mere mortal. This holy, royal child shall be the “Mighty God.”
From Isaiah 53, we discover that many will not believe that the One who comes is the fulfillment of the promise. He will suffer in the behalf of all men and He shall be put to a shameful death—but in so doing, He will secure the salvation of every man who would henceforth believe in the atoning power of His propitiatory death. In Zechariah 12:10 we learn that one day, even the Jews will recognize Him as their Messiah.
In John 1:1-14, we are told, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…He came to His own, and…as many as received Him were given the power to become the sons of God…the Word was flesh and dwelt among us.” This Living Word was Jesus, the One who cannot fail and cannot lie, the One who will yet stand when all else is shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29).
Jesus alone, the Living Word, cannot be shaken. Our unshakable security is in Him.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Questions/Comments
If you have questions or comments, please e-mail me at:
sandralee_7@yahoo.com
Thank you for your interest in this blog. Please be blessed by it and please know that the God you love and serve loves you. His Holy Spirit is always within you and His guardian angel is always hovering over you to guard and protect you.
In Jesus' love,
Sandra Lee
sandralee_7@yahoo.com
Thank you for your interest in this blog. Please be blessed by it and please know that the God you love and serve loves you. His Holy Spirit is always within you and His guardian angel is always hovering over you to guard and protect you.
In Jesus' love,
Sandra Lee
Nothing More Wonderful
December 26
Part of the beauty of what transpired in the Holy Land at that first Christmas season was that an amazing truth was recognized. Ordinary people going about their day-to-day lives were touched by truth, and that truth transformed their lives.
From the young virgin who agreed to the plan posed to her by the angel, knowing her reputation would be in shambles and her life would be in danger, saying, “…be it unto me according to thy word,” Luke 1:38, to Simeon who gladly relinquished his life at the point when God’s amazing Promise was in his arms (Luke 2:25-32), they received the Truth that was extended to them with joy.
May we be like them. May we encounter truth and may truth set us free from the mundane pursuits of our lives to follow hard after the Savior whose birth we celebrate at this glorious season. If we will, we can be like Mary who simply kept the truth she received and pondered it in her heart (Luke 2:19), knowing a day would come when she would need the power of the truth to keep her as she watched her Son die on a cross.
Like her, we may encounter hardship because of loving Him. Or we may be like Simeon who realized the purpose of his existence had been fulfilled in holding the Christ to his bosom. Can any person of faith enjoy a greater measure of wonder than that which he senses when he allows Jesus to reign in his heart? No, there is nothing more wonderful than to slip from the grip of sin into the arms of Jesus.
Part of the beauty of what transpired in the Holy Land at that first Christmas season was that an amazing truth was recognized. Ordinary people going about their day-to-day lives were touched by truth, and that truth transformed their lives.
From the young virgin who agreed to the plan posed to her by the angel, knowing her reputation would be in shambles and her life would be in danger, saying, “…be it unto me according to thy word,” Luke 1:38, to Simeon who gladly relinquished his life at the point when God’s amazing Promise was in his arms (Luke 2:25-32), they received the Truth that was extended to them with joy.
May we be like them. May we encounter truth and may truth set us free from the mundane pursuits of our lives to follow hard after the Savior whose birth we celebrate at this glorious season. If we will, we can be like Mary who simply kept the truth she received and pondered it in her heart (Luke 2:19), knowing a day would come when she would need the power of the truth to keep her as she watched her Son die on a cross.
Like her, we may encounter hardship because of loving Him. Or we may be like Simeon who realized the purpose of his existence had been fulfilled in holding the Christ to his bosom. Can any person of faith enjoy a greater measure of wonder than that which he senses when he allows Jesus to reign in his heart? No, there is nothing more wonderful than to slip from the grip of sin into the arms of Jesus.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Jesus' Birth--Amazing Fulfillment of Prophecy!
ADDENDUM to Dec 25
The birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled 332 Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah.
The probability of a mere eight of these prophecies being fulfilled by one person is one chance in one hundred million billion. A noted mathematician calculated that the probability of fulfilling 48 prophecies was one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion!
Think about the probability of fulfilling 332 prophecies! That’s what Jesus did!
Another mind-boggling thought is that Texas, the second-largest state in the United States, could be filled six feet deep in silver dollars and a blind man required to find one specially-marked dollar out of the entire number—and he would have about the same chance of finding it as Jesus did of fulfilling just 48 of these prophecies.
How amazing is the miracle of Christmas— “Emmanuel, God with us!” Matthew 1:23
The birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled 332 Old Testament prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah.
The probability of a mere eight of these prophecies being fulfilled by one person is one chance in one hundred million billion. A noted mathematician calculated that the probability of fulfilling 48 prophecies was one chance in a trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion, trillion!
Think about the probability of fulfilling 332 prophecies! That’s what Jesus did!
Another mind-boggling thought is that Texas, the second-largest state in the United States, could be filled six feet deep in silver dollars and a blind man required to find one specially-marked dollar out of the entire number—and he would have about the same chance of finding it as Jesus did of fulfilling just 48 of these prophecies.
How amazing is the miracle of Christmas— “Emmanuel, God with us!” Matthew 1:23
Merry Christmas!
December 25 Unto You Is Born...
The angels cried out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of good will,” Luke 2:14. Although there have been volumes written to proclaim and to explain the birth of the Christ, perhaps these words from the mouths of the messengers of Heaven declare it best—with the advent of Jesus, the glory of God came into the world.
Or perhaps His glory was best declared by His mother Mary when she shared the news of His coming with her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant in her old age with Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…for He who is mighty has done great things, and HOLY IS HIS NAME,” Luke 1:46-49.
And who could forget the words of Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, who was struck dumb for his unbelief when the angel declared to him that he and his wife, both of advanced age, would have the son for whom they had waited a lifetime! In Luke 1:78, this godly man, his speech restored, proclaims, “Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on High (the Light of Heaven) has visited us.”
And when the Christ had been born and was taken to the Temple to be dedicated according to the law, we are privy to the words of Simeon, an old man full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit who took the Child into his arms and said, “God, You have fulfilled Your promise to me! Now let me depart in peace for I have seen Your salvation that You have prepared for all people—a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel,” Luke 2:25-32.
May we, like these who were privileged to hold the Babe of Bethlehem in their vision and in their arms, ever hold Him in our hearts. And may we declare Him boldly before men and angels as these men and angels did.
The angels cried out, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of good will,” Luke 2:14. Although there have been volumes written to proclaim and to explain the birth of the Christ, perhaps these words from the mouths of the messengers of Heaven declare it best—with the advent of Jesus, the glory of God came into the world.
Or perhaps His glory was best declared by His mother Mary when she shared the news of His coming with her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant in her old age with Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…for He who is mighty has done great things, and HOLY IS HIS NAME,” Luke 1:46-49.
And who could forget the words of Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, who was struck dumb for his unbelief when the angel declared to him that he and his wife, both of advanced age, would have the son for whom they had waited a lifetime! In Luke 1:78, this godly man, his speech restored, proclaims, “Through the tender mercy of our God, the Dayspring from on High (the Light of Heaven) has visited us.”
And when the Christ had been born and was taken to the Temple to be dedicated according to the law, we are privy to the words of Simeon, an old man full of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit who took the Child into his arms and said, “God, You have fulfilled Your promise to me! Now let me depart in peace for I have seen Your salvation that You have prepared for all people—a light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel,” Luke 2:25-32.
May we, like these who were privileged to hold the Babe of Bethlehem in their vision and in their arms, ever hold Him in our hearts. And may we declare Him boldly before men and angels as these men and angels did.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve
December 24 Christmas Eve
The figurative ink from the words “In the beginning…” of Genesis 1:1 is not yet dry when the Lord has already begun to weave the prophetic thread of His plan of salvation into the Biblical narrative. In Genesis 3:15, after the evil one has succeeded in beguiling the woman, who in turn lured Adam into disobedience against God, the prophetic words were spoken, “The seed of the woman shall crush the head of evil.”
The Promised One will not be the seed of Adam. The Promised One will be the seed of the fallen woman. Jesus, whose coming is foretold in the third chapter of the first book of the Bible, is the seed of fallen woman. There are men included as progenitors in His lineage—Abraham (Genesis 12:3, 18:18); Jesus will be the Lion of the tribe of Judah, from whose hand the scepter of kingship shall never fall (Genesis 49: 10); the coming Messiah will be the descendent of David (Psalm 132:11), just as the Psalmist was promised by the God he trusted. But all these men are part of the lineage of Mary, Jesus’ virgin mother. (See the complete genealogy of Jesus: Matthew 1:1-18 and Luke 3:23-38).
The place of Jesus’ birth was prophesied in Micah 5:2 and fulfilled in Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4. In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, God had to manipulate the then-ruler of the world, Caesar, to order all his subjects to return to the place of their family-origin to be taxed. Mary, heavy with child, therefore traveled from Nazareth where she lived with her husband Joseph to Bethlehem where the prophet said HE was to be born. It was also prophesied that God would call His Son out of Egypt. Joseph fled there when Herod declared all the infant boys were to be killed to prevent the rise of a new king. When Joseph was given the liberty by God to return, it was to Nazareth that he took the Holy Family, fulfilling yet another prophecy. (See Matthew 2:13-23).
In Psalm 72:10, 11, we are told that great kings will pay homage to Him and that is partially fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-11, but will be fulfilled completely when Jesus comes again (See Philippians 2:10-11). Just as our Sovereign God moved heaven and earth to accomplish the fulfillment of these and many other prophesies concerning the first coming of Christ, so we may be sure HE will do whatever is necessary to unfold the second part of His Eternal Plan—that Jesus will finally conquer all that stands against Him and that His Righteousness, His Joy, His Peace, His Truth, His Love will reign eternally. And we who believe shall be co-heirs with Christ of His glory. (See Revelation 1:4-8).
The figurative ink from the words “In the beginning…” of Genesis 1:1 is not yet dry when the Lord has already begun to weave the prophetic thread of His plan of salvation into the Biblical narrative. In Genesis 3:15, after the evil one has succeeded in beguiling the woman, who in turn lured Adam into disobedience against God, the prophetic words were spoken, “The seed of the woman shall crush the head of evil.”
The Promised One will not be the seed of Adam. The Promised One will be the seed of the fallen woman. Jesus, whose coming is foretold in the third chapter of the first book of the Bible, is the seed of fallen woman. There are men included as progenitors in His lineage—Abraham (Genesis 12:3, 18:18); Jesus will be the Lion of the tribe of Judah, from whose hand the scepter of kingship shall never fall (Genesis 49: 10); the coming Messiah will be the descendent of David (Psalm 132:11), just as the Psalmist was promised by the God he trusted. But all these men are part of the lineage of Mary, Jesus’ virgin mother. (See the complete genealogy of Jesus: Matthew 1:1-18 and Luke 3:23-38).
The place of Jesus’ birth was prophesied in Micah 5:2 and fulfilled in Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4. In order for this prophecy to be fulfilled, God had to manipulate the then-ruler of the world, Caesar, to order all his subjects to return to the place of their family-origin to be taxed. Mary, heavy with child, therefore traveled from Nazareth where she lived with her husband Joseph to Bethlehem where the prophet said HE was to be born. It was also prophesied that God would call His Son out of Egypt. Joseph fled there when Herod declared all the infant boys were to be killed to prevent the rise of a new king. When Joseph was given the liberty by God to return, it was to Nazareth that he took the Holy Family, fulfilling yet another prophecy. (See Matthew 2:13-23).
In Psalm 72:10, 11, we are told that great kings will pay homage to Him and that is partially fulfilled in Matthew 2:1-11, but will be fulfilled completely when Jesus comes again (See Philippians 2:10-11). Just as our Sovereign God moved heaven and earth to accomplish the fulfillment of these and many other prophesies concerning the first coming of Christ, so we may be sure HE will do whatever is necessary to unfold the second part of His Eternal Plan—that Jesus will finally conquer all that stands against Him and that His Righteousness, His Joy, His Peace, His Truth, His Love will reign eternally. And we who believe shall be co-heirs with Christ of His glory. (See Revelation 1:4-8).
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Newsweek Poll
There are many scriptural prophecies concerning the birth of Christ. We will discuss a few of them in the entries for December 24 and 25. There has also been much written by secular writers about His birth, life, death and resurrection.
It is somewhat interesting to read what others have to say about this Man among men--especially if we do so without allowing what mere men think to influence how we relate to the God-Man who abides in our hearts.
With that in mind, may I present a few statistics from a NEWSWEEK poll which was taken a few years ago. They reflect the opinions of people like you and me. Though all did not profess to be Christians who answered the poll, most of them expressed the belief that JESUS HAD IMPACTED THE WORLD FOR GOOD.
Here are the statistics:
If Jesus had never been born:
63% believe there would be less charity in the world.
61% believe there would be less kindness.
59% believe there would be less personal happiness.
58% believe there would be less tolerance.
47% believe there would be more war.
With that in mind, may we allow HIM TO REIGN IN US, SO WE CAN IMPROVE OUR SPHERE FOR GOOD BY HIS PRESENCE IN OUR HEARTS.
It is somewhat interesting to read what others have to say about this Man among men--especially if we do so without allowing what mere men think to influence how we relate to the God-Man who abides in our hearts.
With that in mind, may I present a few statistics from a NEWSWEEK poll which was taken a few years ago. They reflect the opinions of people like you and me. Though all did not profess to be Christians who answered the poll, most of them expressed the belief that JESUS HAD IMPACTED THE WORLD FOR GOOD.
Here are the statistics:
If Jesus had never been born:
63% believe there would be less charity in the world.
61% believe there would be less kindness.
59% believe there would be less personal happiness.
58% believe there would be less tolerance.
47% believe there would be more war.
With that in mind, may we allow HIM TO REIGN IN US, SO WE CAN IMPROVE OUR SPHERE FOR GOOD BY HIS PRESENCE IN OUR HEARTS.
Mindset
December 23
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is God’s desire to “come near” to His creation. In James 4:8 we are given this definitive insight into the matter: “Come near to God and God will come near to you and clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time must make your thinking pure.”
The one thing that stands between fallen man and his redemption is his thinking. If man allows his mind to be on the things of the world, if he maintains a double standard which causes him to cling to the treasures of time while attempting to grasp the promises of eternity, he will fail abysmally—perhaps at both endeavors.
But he has the assurance that if he will focus his heart upon the abiding gift the Lord Jesus died to attain for him—that “unspeakable gift” of salvation (II Corinthians 9:15)—the God of all that exists will assure his receipt of not only that most precious of gifts but of the accompanying treasures of hope, truth, joy, peace, faith and love.
We know that the Lord is faithful to His word. He is committed to man beyond any loyalty man has ever known. Psalm 27:10 says, “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.” Even if those nearest and dearest to us turn away, when we draw near to the Lord, HE will, “…stick closer than a brother,” Proverbs 18:24.
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is God’s desire to “come near” to His creation. In James 4:8 we are given this definitive insight into the matter: “Come near to God and God will come near to you and clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time must make your thinking pure.”
The one thing that stands between fallen man and his redemption is his thinking. If man allows his mind to be on the things of the world, if he maintains a double standard which causes him to cling to the treasures of time while attempting to grasp the promises of eternity, he will fail abysmally—perhaps at both endeavors.
But he has the assurance that if he will focus his heart upon the abiding gift the Lord Jesus died to attain for him—that “unspeakable gift” of salvation (II Corinthians 9:15)—the God of all that exists will assure his receipt of not only that most precious of gifts but of the accompanying treasures of hope, truth, joy, peace, faith and love.
We know that the Lord is faithful to His word. He is committed to man beyond any loyalty man has ever known. Psalm 27:10 says, “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me in.” Even if those nearest and dearest to us turn away, when we draw near to the Lord, HE will, “…stick closer than a brother,” Proverbs 18:24.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
All for You
December 22
The Lord your God loves you. Yes, He loves YOU. He wants to abide with you. What seems impossible given man’s fallen state from the time he succumbed to temptation in the Garden—because the broken relationship seems irreparable—how can a miserable, sin-laden mortal hope to relate to the Majesty on High?
Only because the Majesty on High loves miserable, sin-laden man and because HE did the one thing required to bridge the gulf between Himself and His beloved but errant creation. He assumed the role of Man as he had been without sin and lived the perfect life Adam chose not to live (see Philippians 2:5-11). HE did that for YOU!
The propitiatory life, death and resurrection of Jesus was in YOUR behalf. He came to save mankind, but until YOU EMBRACE THE AMAZING TRUTH THAT HE CAME TO SAVE YOU, YOUR PRICELESS GIFT WILL REMAIN UNCLAIMED! You must claim Jesus as the Author and Finisher of YOUR faith, as the Hope of YOUR salvation!
How do you do that? Jesus Himself tells you how in Revelation 3:20 where He says, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to sup with him and he with Me.” He isn’t just knocking; He is calling your name. Open the door. Allow the sweet fellowship with Christ to begin.
The Lord your God loves you. Yes, He loves YOU. He wants to abide with you. What seems impossible given man’s fallen state from the time he succumbed to temptation in the Garden—because the broken relationship seems irreparable—how can a miserable, sin-laden mortal hope to relate to the Majesty on High?
Only because the Majesty on High loves miserable, sin-laden man and because HE did the one thing required to bridge the gulf between Himself and His beloved but errant creation. He assumed the role of Man as he had been without sin and lived the perfect life Adam chose not to live (see Philippians 2:5-11). HE did that for YOU!
The propitiatory life, death and resurrection of Jesus was in YOUR behalf. He came to save mankind, but until YOU EMBRACE THE AMAZING TRUTH THAT HE CAME TO SAVE YOU, YOUR PRICELESS GIFT WILL REMAIN UNCLAIMED! You must claim Jesus as the Author and Finisher of YOUR faith, as the Hope of YOUR salvation!
How do you do that? Jesus Himself tells you how in Revelation 3:20 where He says, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to sup with him and he with Me.” He isn’t just knocking; He is calling your name. Open the door. Allow the sweet fellowship with Christ to begin.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Can We Be Sure?
December 21
How sure can we be that God is the light in whom we must dwell? How can we be confident that Jesus is the source of light that is available to all men who will but give up the burden of their sin in exchange for the freedom of His salvation? We can be sure, we can be confident, if we trust His unshakable WORD!
One very good way to trust Him is to simply open our hearts to the Holy Spirit who Jesus says will, “Teach you all truth” John 14:26. Jesus goes on to say that we are not to be troubled because we know the truth but are to be encouraged, knowing His words to us will stand. As we see them unfolding, He will affirm His veracity and power.
Our God is so sure that His words will not fail that He told us in Isaiah 54:10, “The mountains may disappear and the hills may fall into the sea, but My words will never fail; My love will never cease, My peace will have no end (in the hearts of men who enthrone Him within their hearts).”
This old world may crumble and fall before our eyes through war or the ravages of nature, but God’s word is eternal. God’s word will abide when all else fails, for He tells us that everything that can be shaken will be shaken (see Haggai 2:6 and 21), but His truth is unshakable (see Hebrews 12:27, 28).
How sure can we be that God is the light in whom we must dwell? How can we be confident that Jesus is the source of light that is available to all men who will but give up the burden of their sin in exchange for the freedom of His salvation? We can be sure, we can be confident, if we trust His unshakable WORD!
One very good way to trust Him is to simply open our hearts to the Holy Spirit who Jesus says will, “Teach you all truth” John 14:26. Jesus goes on to say that we are not to be troubled because we know the truth but are to be encouraged, knowing His words to us will stand. As we see them unfolding, He will affirm His veracity and power.
Our God is so sure that His words will not fail that He told us in Isaiah 54:10, “The mountains may disappear and the hills may fall into the sea, but My words will never fail; My love will never cease, My peace will have no end (in the hearts of men who enthrone Him within their hearts).”
This old world may crumble and fall before our eyes through war or the ravages of nature, but God’s word is eternal. God’s word will abide when all else fails, for He tells us that everything that can be shaken will be shaken (see Haggai 2:6 and 21), but His truth is unshakable (see Hebrews 12:27, 28).
Thursday, December 20, 2012
If You're Reading This, We're Still Here
"................................" Mayan Calendar
Well, we're still here…even though the Mayan calendar, which starts on a Mayan date called 4 Ahau 8 Cumku ends today. There are a lot of people who believe the conclusion of the calendar portends the end of life on earth as we know it. Today, 'same-old-same-old' today, proves them wrong. We will go through today as we have gone through all our yesterdays. We will continue to live and move and have our being in Jesus, the One who gives us life.
Each of us knows our personal transition from time to eternity can occur at any time and we know that the promise of Jesus' return, when He shall burst forth from the eastern sky is an eventuality that will occur in accordance with the Father's pre-established time table. But as the Word, that cannot fail and cannot lie tells us, "No man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven."
So we continue to trust the Lord today as we did yesterday and as we know we must for all our tomorrows. We continue to believe that He holds time and space and all that exists in the palm of His hand and that He will abide with us as we abide with Him because we believe that Jesus is 'the ultimate good' and our faith extends beyond mere acceptance of His being the Author and Finisher of everything…
…Our faith embraces the truth that He is working everything that transpires on this fallen planet to the good of people who place their lives in His loving hands. We know that there will be good experiences and bad experiences. We know there will be successes and there will be failures. We know there will be moments of rapturous joy in our lives and there will be moments of sadness, but we know that all things are working to our good.
The Word tells us to praise God for all things in all circumstances. Our praise evidences our complete trust in Him and He tells us that He inhabits our praise. When we are praising Him, He is able to evidence His presence and power with us to a fuller degree than at any other time, so we lift up our praise and extol His Holy Name, trusting that as we do, His unseen but mighty hand is at work in our behalf.
We trust Him that today and for all the tomorrows He gives to us, He will be at work in our behalf; and we trust Him that on that glorious day when He calls us to Himself we will fully perceive the beautiful things He has prepared for us which we presently see only "through a glass darkly."
The Mayan Calendar may have failed to meet the expectation of some people who anticipated time would end today, but Jesus will not disappoint our expectation that He shall come again--for each of us individually or all of us collectively--at His appointed time. Until He does, we will continue to love Him and trust Him and wait for HIm, for just as all the prophecies of His first coming are proven true, so will be all those that assure He will come again, so we rejoice that our hope is in the One who is eternal and eternally true.
Well, we're still here…even though the Mayan calendar, which starts on a Mayan date called 4 Ahau 8 Cumku ends today. There are a lot of people who believe the conclusion of the calendar portends the end of life on earth as we know it. Today, 'same-old-same-old' today, proves them wrong. We will go through today as we have gone through all our yesterdays. We will continue to live and move and have our being in Jesus, the One who gives us life.
Each of us knows our personal transition from time to eternity can occur at any time and we know that the promise of Jesus' return, when He shall burst forth from the eastern sky is an eventuality that will occur in accordance with the Father's pre-established time table. But as the Word, that cannot fail and cannot lie tells us, "No man knows the day or the hour, only our Father in heaven."
So we continue to trust the Lord today as we did yesterday and as we know we must for all our tomorrows. We continue to believe that He holds time and space and all that exists in the palm of His hand and that He will abide with us as we abide with Him because we believe that Jesus is 'the ultimate good' and our faith extends beyond mere acceptance of His being the Author and Finisher of everything…
…Our faith embraces the truth that He is working everything that transpires on this fallen planet to the good of people who place their lives in His loving hands. We know that there will be good experiences and bad experiences. We know there will be successes and there will be failures. We know there will be moments of rapturous joy in our lives and there will be moments of sadness, but we know that all things are working to our good.
The Word tells us to praise God for all things in all circumstances. Our praise evidences our complete trust in Him and He tells us that He inhabits our praise. When we are praising Him, He is able to evidence His presence and power with us to a fuller degree than at any other time, so we lift up our praise and extol His Holy Name, trusting that as we do, His unseen but mighty hand is at work in our behalf.
We trust Him that today and for all the tomorrows He gives to us, He will be at work in our behalf; and we trust Him that on that glorious day when He calls us to Himself we will fully perceive the beautiful things He has prepared for us which we presently see only "through a glass darkly."
The Mayan Calendar may have failed to meet the expectation of some people who anticipated time would end today, but Jesus will not disappoint our expectation that He shall come again--for each of us individually or all of us collectively--at His appointed time. Until He does, we will continue to love Him and trust Him and wait for HIm, for just as all the prophecies of His first coming are proven true, so will be all those that assure He will come again, so we rejoice that our hope is in the One who is eternal and eternally true.
Give It Up
December 20
God dwells in light. There is no darkness in Him. There is no shadow of turning in Him. This indicates His steadfastness. Our God is resolute in His commitment to light, for He is light. I John 1:5 tells us that in Him there isn’t any darkness at all.
The beloved Apostle goes on to tell us in verse seven that, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Further, John reminds us that “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we relinquish our sin to Jesus, He removes it from us; it is no longer a barrier that blocks us from God’s light.
The thing that stands between us and the light of the Lord’s love and truth in which He dwells is our sinfulness. As long as we deny our sin, as long as we cling to it instead of laying it at the cross of Jesus, we are bound by it and dwell in its darkness. When we give it up, it can darken our lives no more.
God dwells in light. There is no darkness in Him. There is no shadow of turning in Him. This indicates His steadfastness. Our God is resolute in His commitment to light, for He is light. I John 1:5 tells us that in Him there isn’t any darkness at all.
The beloved Apostle goes on to tell us in verse seven that, “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Further, John reminds us that “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When we relinquish our sin to Jesus, He removes it from us; it is no longer a barrier that blocks us from God’s light.
The thing that stands between us and the light of the Lord’s love and truth in which He dwells is our sinfulness. As long as we deny our sin, as long as we cling to it instead of laying it at the cross of Jesus, we are bound by it and dwell in its darkness. When we give it up, it can darken our lives no more.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Immaculate Reception
Dear Reader, please be sure no sacrilege is intended by applying this term to a play that is renown in the sports arena. There is a good lesson for life here and I hope you will glean it as you read this addendum to today's blog.
If you can't accept losing, you can't win. Vince Lombardi
Playing hard, playing to win, are definitive traits of individuals who attain a high level of success in any endeavor. In no other arena do we see the playing out of this combative element more than we do in professional sports.
Vince Lombardi, for example, never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling an impressive regular season winning percentage of 73.8% (96-34-6), a preseason winning percentage of 78.6% (44-12), and 90% (9-1) in the postseason for an overall record of 149 wins, 47 losses, and 6 ties.
While competition is an identifiable element of professional sports, while it is an extremely necessary component of each athlete’s emotional make-up, so is the willingness to accept defeat. Every contest will have a winner and a loser. Every player is required to give the game his best effort. But although he enters every contest to win, he must be prepared to accept defeat. He cannot allow a loss--even if it's the Super Bowl--to diminish his enthusiasm for the next game.
One of the most outstanding things about a lop-sided game is the fact that the players on the team that is being trounced still give it their all, still play hard, even when it appears that loss is certain. They subscribe to the truism, "It ain't over till it's over." And that's how we must view life. Each day is an opportunity for another victory to our personal account, but each day also holds the potential for us to make the misstep that will reduce us to failure on that day.
We can't allow ourselves the option of giving the game less than our best effort, even when our defeat seems inevitable. A great example of this attitude at work is the football play that has virtually gone down in the annals of sports history. Forty years ago this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers were losing to the Oakland Raiders in the final seconds of the game.
The Pittsburgh quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, threw what would be the final toss of the day. He was hit as he released the ball toward its intended receiver. He missed by a mile because the football bounced off one player and into the arms of Franco Harris, one of Pittsburgh's greatest all-time players, who ran it in for the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game! That play was dubbed by the Myron Kope, the famous Pittsburgh sportscaster, as the "Immaculate Reception."
I'm sure Franco was prepared for defeat when the last seconds of the game were ticking away, but he played like a winner to the end and his winning spirit snatched the victory from the Raiders and put the Steelers literally 'on the map' as a football powerhouse--which they had never been before. And that's the winning spirit YOU have to carry into today. That's the way you have to play the game today. You can't indulge the attitude of failure even if failure seems inevitable.
As Vince Lombardi said, as Franco Harris evidenced in his last-second miracle play, you (me, every player in this game of life) must be prepared to accept loss--but in doing so, it is merely part of our strategy for winning! You are "more than a conqueror," (Romans 8:37), you are more than victorious, because your Team Captain, your Jesus, is the 'winningest' player to ever suit up for the game of life. Play hard for Him today, play hard for yourself today. And no matter how today’s game turns out, be prepared to do it all again tomorrow.
If you can't accept losing, you can't win. Vince Lombardi
Playing hard, playing to win, are definitive traits of individuals who attain a high level of success in any endeavor. In no other arena do we see the playing out of this combative element more than we do in professional sports.
Vince Lombardi, for example, never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling an impressive regular season winning percentage of 73.8% (96-34-6), a preseason winning percentage of 78.6% (44-12), and 90% (9-1) in the postseason for an overall record of 149 wins, 47 losses, and 6 ties.
While competition is an identifiable element of professional sports, while it is an extremely necessary component of each athlete’s emotional make-up, so is the willingness to accept defeat. Every contest will have a winner and a loser. Every player is required to give the game his best effort. But although he enters every contest to win, he must be prepared to accept defeat. He cannot allow a loss--even if it's the Super Bowl--to diminish his enthusiasm for the next game.
One of the most outstanding things about a lop-sided game is the fact that the players on the team that is being trounced still give it their all, still play hard, even when it appears that loss is certain. They subscribe to the truism, "It ain't over till it's over." And that's how we must view life. Each day is an opportunity for another victory to our personal account, but each day also holds the potential for us to make the misstep that will reduce us to failure on that day.
We can't allow ourselves the option of giving the game less than our best effort, even when our defeat seems inevitable. A great example of this attitude at work is the football play that has virtually gone down in the annals of sports history. Forty years ago this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers were losing to the Oakland Raiders in the final seconds of the game.
The Pittsburgh quarterback, Terry Bradshaw, threw what would be the final toss of the day. He was hit as he released the ball toward its intended receiver. He missed by a mile because the football bounced off one player and into the arms of Franco Harris, one of Pittsburgh's greatest all-time players, who ran it in for the winning touchdown in the final seconds of the game! That play was dubbed by the Myron Kope, the famous Pittsburgh sportscaster, as the "Immaculate Reception."
I'm sure Franco was prepared for defeat when the last seconds of the game were ticking away, but he played like a winner to the end and his winning spirit snatched the victory from the Raiders and put the Steelers literally 'on the map' as a football powerhouse--which they had never been before. And that's the winning spirit YOU have to carry into today. That's the way you have to play the game today. You can't indulge the attitude of failure even if failure seems inevitable.
As Vince Lombardi said, as Franco Harris evidenced in his last-second miracle play, you (me, every player in this game of life) must be prepared to accept loss--but in doing so, it is merely part of our strategy for winning! You are "more than a conqueror," (Romans 8:37), you are more than victorious, because your Team Captain, your Jesus, is the 'winningest' player to ever suit up for the game of life. Play hard for Him today, play hard for yourself today. And no matter how today’s game turns out, be prepared to do it all again tomorrow.
Friends
December 19
There are friends and then there are friends. Some of the people we refer to as friends are really acquaintances. We have little in common with them and interact with them on rare occasions but we apply the term ‘friend’ to the relationship more because of a lack of precision in defining our association than because we truly count them as friends.
A real friend, as distinguished from a mere acquaintance, is a person to whom one is attached by feelings of affection or regard. These are the people to whom we turn, the people upon whom we depend, when we face difficulty; and they know they may turn to us in their times of need.
The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24, “Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will love you like a brother.” The association that could lead to our ruin is the one that must be avoided, for it is not true friendship. We think of Jesus’ words in John 15:15-16, which tell us, “…I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I heard from My Father…” By this definition, we see that the Lord demonstrates a trust in His people that establishes them as His true friends.
He goes on to say in this passage, “…go produce fruit that will last…” A genuine friendship will be based not only in mutual trust but also in shared goals. If we apply this criterion to our human friendships, we can quickly discern which relationship is worthy of the term. Those friendships that lift us in faith and in hope and in truth and in love are those which Jesus would have us to enjoy, remembering the advice that was spoken in James 4:4, "Friendship with the world is enmity with God."
There are friends and then there are friends. Some of the people we refer to as friends are really acquaintances. We have little in common with them and interact with them on rare occasions but we apply the term ‘friend’ to the relationship more because of a lack of precision in defining our association than because we truly count them as friends.
A real friend, as distinguished from a mere acquaintance, is a person to whom one is attached by feelings of affection or regard. These are the people to whom we turn, the people upon whom we depend, when we face difficulty; and they know they may turn to us in their times of need.
The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24, “Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will love you like a brother.” The association that could lead to our ruin is the one that must be avoided, for it is not true friendship. We think of Jesus’ words in John 15:15-16, which tell us, “…I call you friends because I have made known to you everything I heard from My Father…” By this definition, we see that the Lord demonstrates a trust in His people that establishes them as His true friends.
He goes on to say in this passage, “…go produce fruit that will last…” A genuine friendship will be based not only in mutual trust but also in shared goals. If we apply this criterion to our human friendships, we can quickly discern which relationship is worthy of the term. Those friendships that lift us in faith and in hope and in truth and in love are those which Jesus would have us to enjoy, remembering the advice that was spoken in James 4:4, "Friendship with the world is enmity with God."
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I'm a Friend
December 18
Some people are confused by the word ‘fear’ as it regards the Lord. In Psalm 19:9, for example David tells us, “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever…” This is not the temerity that causes one anxiety. No. This is the awe of the Lord that springs from a holy reverence for WHO HE IS, for His holiness that will abide eternally.
David had this reverent awe for His God and King and he lived his life in such a way that God allowed him to rise from the obscurity of being the youngest son in a family of shepherds and soldiers to being the king selected by God’s own hand.
In the name and power of the Lord, David did exploits, beginning with his slaying of Goliath. (See I Samuel 17:4-52.) The enemies of God had gathered around to destroy His people. Their champion, a giant named Goliath, had challenged the fearful army of King Saul to send their best warrior to fight him. The winner of the duel would then hand his victory to the entire nation he represented.
The shepherd boy David was the only one who trusted the Lord enough to accept the challenge and he defeated the mighty giant with a single stone, flung from his slingshot! David’s offense at the giant had been because of his mockery of the true God. God’s enemies were counted by David to be his enemies. But David said, “I am a friend to everyone who fears You, O, God, and obeys Your law,” Psalm 119:63.
Some people are confused by the word ‘fear’ as it regards the Lord. In Psalm 19:9, for example David tells us, “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever…” This is not the temerity that causes one anxiety. No. This is the awe of the Lord that springs from a holy reverence for WHO HE IS, for His holiness that will abide eternally.
David had this reverent awe for His God and King and he lived his life in such a way that God allowed him to rise from the obscurity of being the youngest son in a family of shepherds and soldiers to being the king selected by God’s own hand.
In the name and power of the Lord, David did exploits, beginning with his slaying of Goliath. (See I Samuel 17:4-52.) The enemies of God had gathered around to destroy His people. Their champion, a giant named Goliath, had challenged the fearful army of King Saul to send their best warrior to fight him. The winner of the duel would then hand his victory to the entire nation he represented.
The shepherd boy David was the only one who trusted the Lord enough to accept the challenge and he defeated the mighty giant with a single stone, flung from his slingshot! David’s offense at the giant had been because of his mockery of the true God. God’s enemies were counted by David to be his enemies. But David said, “I am a friend to everyone who fears You, O, God, and obeys Your law,” Psalm 119:63.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Touch the World
December 17
There is a wise saying that reminds us, “An organization takes on the character of its leader.” This is true in business and it is true in families. Those who are in authority over a group impose their values, their personalities, upon the people they lead. A prime example of this truth is the fact that leaders of great faiths have left a profound example for those who come after them to follow.
In His letter to the Hebrews, Paul the Apostle reminded the believers to do just that. In Chapter 12, verses 2 and 3 he said, “Let us look only to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith who suffered death on the cross, accepting its shame because of the joy God put before Him. He secured man’s salvation and He received His place at God’s right hand.
“Jesus accomplished this while wicked people were opposing Him, even unto death, so, like Him, we should never give up and never stop witnessing our faith.” Our adherence to the Gospel of Jesus might put us in conflict with the people around us. From mild chastisement as, ‘Bible-thumping do-gooders’ to outright persecution, the unbelievers of the world do not have much tolerance for believers in Christ.
Yet His Word tells us in Colossians 3:13 that we are to, “Get along with each other and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you.” If we can take on that aspect of His character, our glorious Leader Jesus Christ will touch the world with truth through us.
There is a wise saying that reminds us, “An organization takes on the character of its leader.” This is true in business and it is true in families. Those who are in authority over a group impose their values, their personalities, upon the people they lead. A prime example of this truth is the fact that leaders of great faiths have left a profound example for those who come after them to follow.
In His letter to the Hebrews, Paul the Apostle reminded the believers to do just that. In Chapter 12, verses 2 and 3 he said, “Let us look only to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith who suffered death on the cross, accepting its shame because of the joy God put before Him. He secured man’s salvation and He received His place at God’s right hand.
“Jesus accomplished this while wicked people were opposing Him, even unto death, so, like Him, we should never give up and never stop witnessing our faith.” Our adherence to the Gospel of Jesus might put us in conflict with the people around us. From mild chastisement as, ‘Bible-thumping do-gooders’ to outright persecution, the unbelievers of the world do not have much tolerance for believers in Christ.
Yet His Word tells us in Colossians 3:13 that we are to, “Get along with each other and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you.” If we can take on that aspect of His character, our glorious Leader Jesus Christ will touch the world with truth through us.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Pondering Heaven
December 16
One advantage that the terrorists of the world believe they have over the West is that they cherish death while they perceive us as clinging to life. Indeed, to the degree that perception varies within each citizen of the West, it is true. But, if what we in the ‘civilized’ world believe is true, then it is also true that many terrorists have gone to their demise under a false hope of what their reward in death entails.
The Western concept of the afterlife, rooted in Christianity, is that those who have embraced Christ and who have adhered to His teachings will abide with Him forever in Heaven where they shall know our God and King face-to-face. There is no place there for murderers or liars or thieves or haters--all of which all of us have at one time been..
That list includes all mankind—until he receives Jesus as Lord and accepts the cleansing He provides for all our sin. The terrorist who turns from his murderous mission and asks the Lord Jesus to forgive him will receive the reward of heaven. It won’t be a paradise populated with lustful virgins. The terrorist who does not turn from his vile deed and perishes in performing it will not find that anticipated reward! Rather, he will be gathered mercilessly into the arms of the demons of hell who will carry him to eternal punishment.
If what the Western world believes about the afterlife is true, there is only one justifiable reason for a man to give up his life. It is stated by the beloved Apostle in I John 3:16 where he says, “…Jesus gave His life for us; so also we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters in the faith.” Would we die for the love of the brethren? Many believers have endured torture and death in order to spare their comrades in faith from torture and death. But more than literally dying for our brethren, we must be willing to die to self in order that they and the lost who walk among us, may see Jesus in us.
One advantage that the terrorists of the world believe they have over the West is that they cherish death while they perceive us as clinging to life. Indeed, to the degree that perception varies within each citizen of the West, it is true. But, if what we in the ‘civilized’ world believe is true, then it is also true that many terrorists have gone to their demise under a false hope of what their reward in death entails.
The Western concept of the afterlife, rooted in Christianity, is that those who have embraced Christ and who have adhered to His teachings will abide with Him forever in Heaven where they shall know our God and King face-to-face. There is no place there for murderers or liars or thieves or haters--all of which all of us have at one time been..
That list includes all mankind—until he receives Jesus as Lord and accepts the cleansing He provides for all our sin. The terrorist who turns from his murderous mission and asks the Lord Jesus to forgive him will receive the reward of heaven. It won’t be a paradise populated with lustful virgins. The terrorist who does not turn from his vile deed and perishes in performing it will not find that anticipated reward! Rather, he will be gathered mercilessly into the arms of the demons of hell who will carry him to eternal punishment.
If what the Western world believes about the afterlife is true, there is only one justifiable reason for a man to give up his life. It is stated by the beloved Apostle in I John 3:16 where he says, “…Jesus gave His life for us; so also we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters in the faith.” Would we die for the love of the brethren? Many believers have endured torture and death in order to spare their comrades in faith from torture and death. But more than literally dying for our brethren, we must be willing to die to self in order that they and the lost who walk among us, may see Jesus in us.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
The Glue
December 15
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans 15:5-7, gives a rather protracted discourse on how believers may bring glory to God. He says, “Patience and encouragement come from God and I pray that God will help you all agree with each other the way Jesus Christ wants.
“Then you will all be joined together and you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.” The bottom line of this statement is that in finding a point of agreement, we bind ourselves together. When we are in unity, the Lord is lifted up.
At times, we must patiently search for that agreement. We know if one thing
negatively distinguishes Christianity it is our myriad points of doctrinal differences that separate one denomination from another. To recount them here is to further entrench them. Rather, we must patiently encourage one another, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye in all small points of interpreting the gospel message.
But there is one thing in which we cannot deviate if we are to call ourselves true believers in Christ. There is one thing our Lord said would distinguish all His followers and it has nothing to do with doctrine. In John 13:35 Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—that you have love one for another.” Small points of doctrine may separate, but His love will be the glue that holds us together forever.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans 15:5-7, gives a rather protracted discourse on how believers may bring glory to God. He says, “Patience and encouragement come from God and I pray that God will help you all agree with each other the way Jesus Christ wants.
“Then you will all be joined together and you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, which will bring glory to God.” The bottom line of this statement is that in finding a point of agreement, we bind ourselves together. When we are in unity, the Lord is lifted up.
At times, we must patiently search for that agreement. We know if one thing
negatively distinguishes Christianity it is our myriad points of doctrinal differences that separate one denomination from another. To recount them here is to further entrench them. Rather, we must patiently encourage one another, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye in all small points of interpreting the gospel message.
But there is one thing in which we cannot deviate if we are to call ourselves true believers in Christ. There is one thing our Lord said would distinguish all His followers and it has nothing to do with doctrine. In John 13:35 Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples—that you have love one for another.” Small points of doctrine may separate, but His love will be the glue that holds us together forever.
Friday, December 14, 2012
The Love That Never Fails
December 14
There is one commandment that supersedes the others, for in its keeping, so will the rest be kept. God said, “I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before Me,” Exodus 20:2, 3.
Of it, Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, 38, “This is the first and greatest commandment, that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength and the second is like it: that you should love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love is the imperative that transforms mere selfish, egotistical, shallow, fallen, corrupt men from the worst of their humanity to reflect the best of Heaven’s treasure—JESUS. When a man receives Jesus as his Savior and Lord, he will allow the Holy Spirit of the Living God to work within him to remake him into an image of Christ.
A man, remade in the Lord’s likeness, will reflect His love, His truth, His salvation, His glory, to the lost and dying world around him. That man will obey the commandment Jesus stated in John 13:34, “Love each other. You MUST love each other as I have loved you.” This is the love Paul says will never fail (I Corinthians 13:8).
There is one commandment that supersedes the others, for in its keeping, so will the rest be kept. God said, “I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods before Me,” Exodus 20:2, 3.
Of it, Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, 38, “This is the first and greatest commandment, that you should love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your mind and all your strength and the second is like it: that you should love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love is the imperative that transforms mere selfish, egotistical, shallow, fallen, corrupt men from the worst of their humanity to reflect the best of Heaven’s treasure—JESUS. When a man receives Jesus as his Savior and Lord, he will allow the Holy Spirit of the Living God to work within him to remake him into an image of Christ.
A man, remade in the Lord’s likeness, will reflect His love, His truth, His salvation, His glory, to the lost and dying world around him. That man will obey the commandment Jesus stated in John 13:34, “Love each other. You MUST love each other as I have loved you.” This is the love Paul says will never fail (I Corinthians 13:8).
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Emptied to Be Filled
December 13
The value system of Heaven is nothing like the value system of Earth; so, the value system of the Christian must not be like the value system of the world. Believers in Christ cannot esteem, let alone pursue, the things for which the citizens of the world system vie. The power, prestige, possessions of time, are of no value at all to those whose focus is eternal.
We who own Christ as our Savior and Lord must embrace His mindset which is described in Philippians 2:5-8, “…He humbled Himself…” We, too, must humble ourselves and allow only our God to be glorified in and through us. The arrogance, the abilities, the achievements of man cannot bring esteem to his God. Only the man who empties himself so Christ may fill him can reflect the Lord’s glory.
In Mark 10:43-45 Jesus said, “Whoever desires greatness among you must become as a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must count himself as being last. The truly great man will be the slave of all men, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to be the servant of others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
In John 13:14, 15, Jesus states it thusly, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so you should do as I have done for you.” Nothing we do is of any consequence to the value system of Heaven if it is not rooted in our Christ-like humility before Heaven’s God and King.
The value system of Heaven is nothing like the value system of Earth; so, the value system of the Christian must not be like the value system of the world. Believers in Christ cannot esteem, let alone pursue, the things for which the citizens of the world system vie. The power, prestige, possessions of time, are of no value at all to those whose focus is eternal.
We who own Christ as our Savior and Lord must embrace His mindset which is described in Philippians 2:5-8, “…He humbled Himself…” We, too, must humble ourselves and allow only our God to be glorified in and through us. The arrogance, the abilities, the achievements of man cannot bring esteem to his God. Only the man who empties himself so Christ may fill him can reflect the Lord’s glory.
In Mark 10:43-45 Jesus said, “Whoever desires greatness among you must become as a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must count himself as being last. The truly great man will be the slave of all men, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to be the servant of others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
In John 13:14, 15, Jesus states it thusly, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example so you should do as I have done for you.” Nothing we do is of any consequence to the value system of Heaven if it is not rooted in our Christ-like humility before Heaven’s God and King.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Be Like Him
December 12
The Lord Jesus Christ is to be our example in every aspect of life. We are to live and move and have our being in the shadow of who He is and what He did to accomplish our deliverance from sin and its horrible penalty of eternal death. We are to abide in the light of the salvation He purchased for us with His own blood on Calvary.
In His letter to the believers at Philippi, Paul stated this truth in a striking way: “In your lives, you must think and act like Christ Jesus, who Himself was like God in every way. But He did not think equality with God was something to be grasped. Instead, He gave up His place with God and made Himself of no reputation…
“He was born as a man and became a servant. While living as a man, He humbled Himself and was fully obedient to God—even unto death—even to the humiliating and demeaning death on the cross,” Philippians 2:5-8. If we espouse His example of humility and suffering, we will reflect the Lord through the surrender of our lives and through the ordeal even of death if that becomes our lot.
If we take upon ourselves for His sake the servant-hood that He embraced for our sake, then we will, like Him, be faithful unto death if death is required of us. We will not cling to our position or to our pride or to our self-perceived purpose, but we will desire only His will for us—so when we have served Him faithfully, we may, like Jesus, “receive a crown of life…” (Revelation 2:10) and reign with Him forever.
The Lord Jesus Christ is to be our example in every aspect of life. We are to live and move and have our being in the shadow of who He is and what He did to accomplish our deliverance from sin and its horrible penalty of eternal death. We are to abide in the light of the salvation He purchased for us with His own blood on Calvary.
In His letter to the believers at Philippi, Paul stated this truth in a striking way: “In your lives, you must think and act like Christ Jesus, who Himself was like God in every way. But He did not think equality with God was something to be grasped. Instead, He gave up His place with God and made Himself of no reputation…
“He was born as a man and became a servant. While living as a man, He humbled Himself and was fully obedient to God—even unto death—even to the humiliating and demeaning death on the cross,” Philippians 2:5-8. If we espouse His example of humility and suffering, we will reflect the Lord through the surrender of our lives and through the ordeal even of death if that becomes our lot.
If we take upon ourselves for His sake the servant-hood that He embraced for our sake, then we will, like Him, be faithful unto death if death is required of us. We will not cling to our position or to our pride or to our self-perceived purpose, but we will desire only His will for us—so when we have served Him faithfully, we may, like Jesus, “receive a crown of life…” (Revelation 2:10) and reign with Him forever.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
His Reflection
December 11
Some people think brand new babies all look alike—but we ‘ooohhh and aaawwww’ over them anyway as though each child who emerges from the womb is the loveliest and most perfect of the species ever produced. Their parents and grandparents believe it! Because we love our children, we want them to be the best of who we are.
That’s essentially how God feels about us. Make no mistake, He isn’t deluded into thinking more highly of any of us than we deserve; He knows our frame, He knows our heart, far better than we know ourselves. But because of His love, Jesus came as the propitiation for our sin. Because of His love, we can be pure; we can be like God.
Paul encourages us toward this end of Christ-likeness. In Ephesians 5:1, 2 he says, “You are God’s children, whom He loves, so try to be like Him. Live a life of love just as Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us as a sweet-smelling savor unto God.” God, our loving Heavenly Father, wants to look upon us and see purity and love within us.
Like any doting parent, God wants to see Himself in His children. Before our conversion to Christ, before our emergence from the womb of sin into the fullness of the Lord’s glory, we were indistinguishable from our fallen brethren. But when we gave our lives to Jesus, the image of God was planted within us by His Spirit. May we let it reflect Christ's glory!
Some people think brand new babies all look alike—but we ‘ooohhh and aaawwww’ over them anyway as though each child who emerges from the womb is the loveliest and most perfect of the species ever produced. Their parents and grandparents believe it! Because we love our children, we want them to be the best of who we are.
That’s essentially how God feels about us. Make no mistake, He isn’t deluded into thinking more highly of any of us than we deserve; He knows our frame, He knows our heart, far better than we know ourselves. But because of His love, Jesus came as the propitiation for our sin. Because of His love, we can be pure; we can be like God.
Paul encourages us toward this end of Christ-likeness. In Ephesians 5:1, 2 he says, “You are God’s children, whom He loves, so try to be like Him. Live a life of love just as Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us as a sweet-smelling savor unto God.” God, our loving Heavenly Father, wants to look upon us and see purity and love within us.
Like any doting parent, God wants to see Himself in His children. Before our conversion to Christ, before our emergence from the womb of sin into the fullness of the Lord’s glory, we were indistinguishable from our fallen brethren. But when we gave our lives to Jesus, the image of God was planted within us by His Spirit. May we let it reflect Christ's glory!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Hangers-on
December 10
The year 2012 was an election year in the United States. Candidates campaigned to garner votes and in the process, many people attached themselves to those who were running for various offices. Now, however, the election is behind us and the losers are left without the hangers-on who were recently clinging to their coat-tails.
Everyone wants to be close to the seat of power. Everyone wants to think he has some influence with the ‘high-muckety-mucks.’ Nobody wants to hang around the failed candidate. All his supporters are searching for other rising stars with whom to align themselves.
But this isn’t what Jesus expects of those who claim to be His followers. In I John 2:6 the beloved apostle states very clearly, “Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived.” And Jesus expected His disciples to stay close to Him. His admonition to them was, “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. He doesn’t want fair-fortune followers. He wants us to follow His example.
Jesus came to us, came to save us, although we were unlovely and unlovable. He wants us to stand by Him and His gospel of truth even if we might be persecuted, even if there might be a high price to pay for faithfulness. Jesus doesn’t expect us to be mere hangers on when things are going well for the Church. He wants us to be faithful even if the hour of persecution comes.
The year 2012 was an election year in the United States. Candidates campaigned to garner votes and in the process, many people attached themselves to those who were running for various offices. Now, however, the election is behind us and the losers are left without the hangers-on who were recently clinging to their coat-tails.
Everyone wants to be close to the seat of power. Everyone wants to think he has some influence with the ‘high-muckety-mucks.’ Nobody wants to hang around the failed candidate. All his supporters are searching for other rising stars with whom to align themselves.
But this isn’t what Jesus expects of those who claim to be His followers. In I John 2:6 the beloved apostle states very clearly, “Whoever says that he lives in God must live as Jesus lived.” And Jesus expected His disciples to stay close to Him. His admonition to them was, “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. He doesn’t want fair-fortune followers. He wants us to follow His example.
Jesus came to us, came to save us, although we were unlovely and unlovable. He wants us to stand by Him and His gospel of truth even if we might be persecuted, even if there might be a high price to pay for faithfulness. Jesus doesn’t expect us to be mere hangers on when things are going well for the Church. He wants us to be faithful even if the hour of persecution comes.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Your Calling
December 9
What have you been called to do? Some people feel a very pronounced direction over their lives, a clear sense of destiny. Individuals have claimed to have known from childhood exactly the career path they were to choose. Some had the sense of their life’s purpose planted by a science professor or an English teacher.
A beautiful novel, OCTOBER SKY tells of a man, Homer Hickum, inspired in 1957 by the flight of Sputnik over his West Virginia coal-mining town to pursue a career with NAASA. The book unfolds his struggles to overcome the twin negatives of circumstances and attitude to realize his calling to be an aeronautical engineer.
Many people ‘feel led’ by the Lord toward endeavors they never would have imagined for themselves. Perhaps they have devoted their lives to nursing the sick and dying as did Mother Theresa. Perhaps they have become missionary doctors or teachers. Whatever their God-ordained calling may be, they must be true to it.
All believers have been called to place their lives at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes that takes them to glorious heights; sometimes, into denizens of despair. No matter where we follow Him, we know the words of I Peter 2:21 are true, “This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you…follow Him; do as He did.”
What have you been called to do? Some people feel a very pronounced direction over their lives, a clear sense of destiny. Individuals have claimed to have known from childhood exactly the career path they were to choose. Some had the sense of their life’s purpose planted by a science professor or an English teacher.
A beautiful novel, OCTOBER SKY tells of a man, Homer Hickum, inspired in 1957 by the flight of Sputnik over his West Virginia coal-mining town to pursue a career with NAASA. The book unfolds his struggles to overcome the twin negatives of circumstances and attitude to realize his calling to be an aeronautical engineer.
Many people ‘feel led’ by the Lord toward endeavors they never would have imagined for themselves. Perhaps they have devoted their lives to nursing the sick and dying as did Mother Theresa. Perhaps they have become missionary doctors or teachers. Whatever their God-ordained calling may be, they must be true to it.
All believers have been called to place their lives at the feet of Jesus. Sometimes that takes them to glorious heights; sometimes, into denizens of despair. No matter where we follow Him, we know the words of I Peter 2:21 are true, “This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you…follow Him; do as He did.”
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Reflected Light
December 8
Some decades back there was a television show that presented the quandary of a surgeon in the 1800s who had to perform a vital operation at night. The frontier home was without electricity so his task was complicated by the necessity of attempting to do it in dimly lit candlelight.
To overcome the challenge posed to him by both the urgency of the procedure and the conditions under which it had to be performed, the surgeon sent word to all the neighbors round about requesting that they bring their mirrors to the home of the patient so the doctor would have sufficient light in which to do his healing work.
The work of the Christian who would evangelize the lost and dying world around him also requires light. In I John 1:5-7, the beloved apostle says, “Here is the message we have heard from Christ and now announce to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with God but continue in the dark, we are liars and do not follow truth, but if we live in the light as God is in the light, we can fellowship with each other, for Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin.”
When we are truly blood-bathed and washed free of sin, the light of the Lord will be reflected gloriously from our surrendered lives. We will be able to overcome the challenges of the darkness around us, for those whose lives are influenced by ours will see His salvation revealed in the light of the Lord Jesus as He reflects Himself—His truth, His hope, His joy, His love, and the power of His transforming WORD—from the mirror of our lives.
Some decades back there was a television show that presented the quandary of a surgeon in the 1800s who had to perform a vital operation at night. The frontier home was without electricity so his task was complicated by the necessity of attempting to do it in dimly lit candlelight.
To overcome the challenge posed to him by both the urgency of the procedure and the conditions under which it had to be performed, the surgeon sent word to all the neighbors round about requesting that they bring their mirrors to the home of the patient so the doctor would have sufficient light in which to do his healing work.
The work of the Christian who would evangelize the lost and dying world around him also requires light. In I John 1:5-7, the beloved apostle says, “Here is the message we have heard from Christ and now announce to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with God but continue in the dark, we are liars and do not follow truth, but if we live in the light as God is in the light, we can fellowship with each other, for Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin.”
When we are truly blood-bathed and washed free of sin, the light of the Lord will be reflected gloriously from our surrendered lives. We will be able to overcome the challenges of the darkness around us, for those whose lives are influenced by ours will see His salvation revealed in the light of the Lord Jesus as He reflects Himself—His truth, His hope, His joy, His love, and the power of His transforming WORD—from the mirror of our lives.
Friday, December 7, 2012
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt referred to the date as, "...a day that will live in infamy." Since then, WW II has been won, other wars have been fought and the conflagration among men rages on in one form or another. If there is one thing we discern from the continual conflict it is that the true infamy in man is his bellicose nature. The only remedy for that unfortunate reality of his being is the love of Christ.
God Is Love
December 7
God is love. God gave Jesus, the perfect God/Man as the faultless sacrifice for man’s sin because God is love. God shed abroad His Holy Spirit to quicken the heart of sinful man and awaken him to his need for a Savior—because God is love. God will forgive all manner of sin—because God is love.
“Well,” the unbeliever might ask, “what’s the big deal? God—if there is a God—is love; He cares about man so much, there’s no way He’d punish him by sending him to hell. Everyone will go to Heaven!” Although God disdains the thought of sending man to hell (hell is for the wicked, fallen angel and his minions, not for man), His righteousness compels Him to relegate anyone to that abysmal place who does not receive Jesus as Savior.
God cannot look upon sin, so no sin can dwell in Heaven. Jesus’ blood covers man’s sin and places upon him a robe of righteousness. All sinful man need do to be justified in God’s eyes is to accept Jesus as his Savior and Lord. The transformation is so complete when the fallen creatures that we are receive His free gift that we no longer reflect the errant nature of man, but we reflect the perfect beauty of Jesus.
From that point, we, “Live a life of love just as Christ loves us and gave Himself for us as a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God…Remind one another of His great offering with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs that make music in your hearts to the Lord…because we are part of His body,” Ephesians 5:2, 19, 30. When His love overflows from us, all men will be bathed in its salvation power.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
After God's Heart
December 6
David was a king whose reign over his people was absolute. If he called a man to be in his service, he came; if he desired a woman to be added to his harem, she was his. Yet in spite of his great power, he maintained a sense of humility before God. He considered himself to be a servant of the one true and living God.
Much of David’s rule over God’s people Israel was spent in on-going battle with the surrounding people who had made themselves enemies of Jehovah—primarily because they were worshipers of false gods. In Psalm 143:11, 12 David says, “Quicken me, O Lord, for the honor of Your name, because of Your righteousness, deliver me from trouble. Let Your mercy dispel my enemies; destroy all those who afflict me because I am Your servant.”
David didn’t base his warfare upon the animus of a ruler or a kingdom against himself but upon their disdain of the God he loved and served. David fought for the truth and integrity of the Living God of Heaven and Earth, and because that was his driving motivation, he anticipated that the God of Heaven and Earth would favor his exploits.
In Psalm 119:63, David states his affiliation in a more positive framework. He says, “I am a friend to everyone who fears You, to anyone who obeys Your laws and Your precepts.” David based the entirety of his person-hood, his thoughts, his actions, upon God’s law. David was a “man God sought who was after God’s heart,” I Samuel 13:14.
David was a king whose reign over his people was absolute. If he called a man to be in his service, he came; if he desired a woman to be added to his harem, she was his. Yet in spite of his great power, he maintained a sense of humility before God. He considered himself to be a servant of the one true and living God.
Much of David’s rule over God’s people Israel was spent in on-going battle with the surrounding people who had made themselves enemies of Jehovah—primarily because they were worshipers of false gods. In Psalm 143:11, 12 David says, “Quicken me, O Lord, for the honor of Your name, because of Your righteousness, deliver me from trouble. Let Your mercy dispel my enemies; destroy all those who afflict me because I am Your servant.”
David didn’t base his warfare upon the animus of a ruler or a kingdom against himself but upon their disdain of the God he loved and served. David fought for the truth and integrity of the Living God of Heaven and Earth, and because that was his driving motivation, he anticipated that the God of Heaven and Earth would favor his exploits.
In Psalm 119:63, David states his affiliation in a more positive framework. He says, “I am a friend to everyone who fears You, to anyone who obeys Your laws and Your precepts.” David based the entirety of his person-hood, his thoughts, his actions, upon God’s law. David was a “man God sought who was after God’s heart,” I Samuel 13:14.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Declare the Precious Truth
December 5
Paul evangelized the Philippians and indeed, he reached out with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ even to his jailers. In his letter to the Philippians, he posed some questions that he may have asked of those who held him bound in chains.
In Philippians 2:1, 2, he asks, “Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does His love comfort you? Do we share together in His Spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy and delight your Lord by having the same thoughts, mind, purpose, and love that HE has.”
Paul goes on to admonish against strife with others or pride within oneself. He declares that it is far better to esteem others above self. He is wise enough to know that we will not as quickly defame or disregard those who we see in a good light. As he continues his discourse, Paul pens some of the most amazing words ever written. In Philippians 2:5-7, he says, “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, although He was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be considered equal to God, took on Himself the form of a servant. He became a humble man…”
All this emptying of Himself was done to accomplish our salvation. Paul knew that this one singular event is transformative to the men who will embrace it, and he would have all men to claim it. Paul knew that in the pouring out of Jesus, sinners are delivered from the emptiness of their sin-laden lives to the fullness of the presence and power of the Son of God resident within them. Paul knew that it was his mission to share this precious truth with every man he encountered so he declared it even to his jailors. Paul declares it today—even to you and to me.
Paul evangelized the Philippians and indeed, he reached out with the message of salvation through Jesus Christ even to his jailers. In his letter to the Philippians, he posed some questions that he may have asked of those who held him bound in chains.
In Philippians 2:1, 2, he asks, “Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does His love comfort you? Do we share together in His Spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy and delight your Lord by having the same thoughts, mind, purpose, and love that HE has.”
Paul goes on to admonish against strife with others or pride within oneself. He declares that it is far better to esteem others above self. He is wise enough to know that we will not as quickly defame or disregard those who we see in a good light. As he continues his discourse, Paul pens some of the most amazing words ever written. In Philippians 2:5-7, he says, “Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, although He was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be considered equal to God, took on Himself the form of a servant. He became a humble man…”
All this emptying of Himself was done to accomplish our salvation. Paul knew that this one singular event is transformative to the men who will embrace it, and he would have all men to claim it. Paul knew that in the pouring out of Jesus, sinners are delivered from the emptiness of their sin-laden lives to the fullness of the presence and power of the Son of God resident within them. Paul knew that it was his mission to share this precious truth with every man he encountered so he declared it even to his jailors. Paul declares it today—even to you and to me.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Lives of Spiritual Power
December 4
Leaving our ‘first love’ happens with great regularity. Puppy love in middle school or high school fades fairly quickly and new interests capture the imaginations of the once-smitten love birds. Marriages, contractual agreements entered into by presumably more mature individuals, fare little better than their juvenile counterparts. Spouses cheat. When trust is broken, irreparable damage is done and divorce papers are signed.
Though it’s probably best that early love interests are abandoned simply because teens are not ready for life-long commitments, the trend established in these early flirtations should be replaced by more stability in future relationships as those who enter into them grow up. But it doesn’t seem to happen. Instead, a pattern is developed that results in an endless search for romantic adventure.
We have lost the fine art of abiding. We have discarded the vow we took at the altar to remain together, for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part. We see the same pattern of abandonment that we employ in romantic relationships in our religious experience also. Jesus said in John 15:4-5, 7, “Remain in Me and I will remain in you…as a branch cannot produce fruit if plucked but must remain on the vine…
“…In the same way, you cannot produce spiritual fruit without Me…if we remain together, we shall produce much fruit. Stay close to Me. Follow My teachings and you will have great power in your prayers. What you ask will be given to you.” Jesus here sets before His people the great advantage of abiding. He counsels that they not pull up stakes and leave if they desire to live fruitful lives of spiritual power.
Leaving our ‘first love’ happens with great regularity. Puppy love in middle school or high school fades fairly quickly and new interests capture the imaginations of the once-smitten love birds. Marriages, contractual agreements entered into by presumably more mature individuals, fare little better than their juvenile counterparts. Spouses cheat. When trust is broken, irreparable damage is done and divorce papers are signed.
Though it’s probably best that early love interests are abandoned simply because teens are not ready for life-long commitments, the trend established in these early flirtations should be replaced by more stability in future relationships as those who enter into them grow up. But it doesn’t seem to happen. Instead, a pattern is developed that results in an endless search for romantic adventure.
We have lost the fine art of abiding. We have discarded the vow we took at the altar to remain together, for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; until death do us part. We see the same pattern of abandonment that we employ in romantic relationships in our religious experience also. Jesus said in John 15:4-5, 7, “Remain in Me and I will remain in you…as a branch cannot produce fruit if plucked but must remain on the vine…
“…In the same way, you cannot produce spiritual fruit without Me…if we remain together, we shall produce much fruit. Stay close to Me. Follow My teachings and you will have great power in your prayers. What you ask will be given to you.” Jesus here sets before His people the great advantage of abiding. He counsels that they not pull up stakes and leave if they desire to live fruitful lives of spiritual power.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Formulae For Successful Prayer
December 3
Some of our prayers seem to be of none effect. Even when we pray in that name that is above all names, we do not always realize the object of our petition. Even when we pray in the name of Jesus, we can be disappointed in our expectation.
The Bible does give us some guidelines on how to pray in power. We are told that we must have our sins absolved if our prayers are to reach the ear of God (see Mark 11:25). We know a primary hindrance to our prayers is unforgiveness in our hearts.
In Luke 6:37 Jesus says, “…forgive and you shall be forgiven.” He is quite clear in the matter of our willingness to forgive others being central to our own cleansing from sin, yet standing clean before God is not the only requirement for our success in obtaining the things for which we supplicate. We must also pray in accordance with His will.
Our God will not grant to us anything that is contrary to His own Spirit within us. Further, He tells us in Matthew 18:20, “…if two or more gather together in My name, I will be there in the midst of them.” If Jesus is Himself part of the prayer group, those who are united in their petitions before Him may be assured He will respond.
Some of our prayers seem to be of none effect. Even when we pray in that name that is above all names, we do not always realize the object of our petition. Even when we pray in the name of Jesus, we can be disappointed in our expectation.
The Bible does give us some guidelines on how to pray in power. We are told that we must have our sins absolved if our prayers are to reach the ear of God (see Mark 11:25). We know a primary hindrance to our prayers is unforgiveness in our hearts.
In Luke 6:37 Jesus says, “…forgive and you shall be forgiven.” He is quite clear in the matter of our willingness to forgive others being central to our own cleansing from sin, yet standing clean before God is not the only requirement for our success in obtaining the things for which we supplicate. We must also pray in accordance with His will.
Our God will not grant to us anything that is contrary to His own Spirit within us. Further, He tells us in Matthew 18:20, “…if two or more gather together in My name, I will be there in the midst of them.” If Jesus is Himself part of the prayer group, those who are united in their petitions before Him may be assured He will respond.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Because They Fail To Understand
December 2
Love enables us to see things in others that are not readily discernible by those who do not know them intimately. The recalcitrant student at school is perceived by his teacher as a distraction to her classroom, while to his loving mother, he is seen as her delight.
A hard-driving executive is perceived as demanding and unflinching by his employees, but to the wife and children he loves, he is adored. Love establishes a distinction that nothing else can when it comes to interacting with people. Jesus stated the same thing to His followers in His words to them in John 14:21.
“Those who know My commands and obey them are the ones who love Me, and my Father will love those who love Me. I will love them and will show Myself to them.” If we love Jesus, we will desire to please Him by adhering to His commandments. Our love for Him will manifest itself to those around us. But, those who do not know Him, do not love Him, will not be compelled to obey His word; they won’t understand our blessing.
In fact, they will disdain the commandments of God. They will continue to endeavor to achieve the pinnacle of aggrandizement in their professional and personal lives, they will continue to strive to maintain the ‘upper hand.’ Because they fail to understand that there is a great dichotomy between raw power and abiding love they will continue to pursue the former. They will fail to see that one affords a temporary high; the other gives everlasting joy.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
II Timothy 1:7
"God has not given you a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love, and of a sound mind."
but of power and of love, and of a sound mind."
Jesus Never Fails
December 1
Here we are, at the threshold of the last month of the year of 2012. Many people enter this month with fear and trepidation because an ancient Mayan calendar concludes on what would be the 22nd day of this month. Many people stand in anxious anticipation of an onslaught by a rogue nation that is on the verge of achieving its nuclear ambitions. Connecting the ancient augur of doom to the modern threat of nuclear annihilation causes much anxiety. So, how do we differ from all people in all times and in all places?
Not much. Imagine the fear of those in the path of the mighty Roman Army with its highly trained soldiers whose skill at wreaking death and leaving destruction in their wake were notorious. How do we differ from those who feared being over-run by the Mongolian hordes or devastated by the Nazi war machine?
Fear has always been a profound factor in the human psyche. Man has always wrestled with the sum of his anxious dread. Whether fear of drought or disease or diabolical oppressors who come to rape and kill and steal and conquer—man has always had to overcome his dread of tomorrow in order to live for today. We who espouse Christianity, however, have a hope that can assuage our natural fear of the unknown.
We have the promise of the angels who announced that Jesus would return as He left after His resurrection (see Acts 1:11). We have the assurance of Zechariah 2:10 which says, “Shout and be glad, O Jerusalem, for I am coming and I will live among you, says the Lord.” The God we serve is a God of love and hope and joy and truth. “What He has promised, He is able to perform,” Romans 4:21. Jesus NEVER fails, so the heart that trusts Him need not fail with fear.
Here we are, at the threshold of the last month of the year of 2012. Many people enter this month with fear and trepidation because an ancient Mayan calendar concludes on what would be the 22nd day of this month. Many people stand in anxious anticipation of an onslaught by a rogue nation that is on the verge of achieving its nuclear ambitions. Connecting the ancient augur of doom to the modern threat of nuclear annihilation causes much anxiety. So, how do we differ from all people in all times and in all places?
Not much. Imagine the fear of those in the path of the mighty Roman Army with its highly trained soldiers whose skill at wreaking death and leaving destruction in their wake were notorious. How do we differ from those who feared being over-run by the Mongolian hordes or devastated by the Nazi war machine?
Fear has always been a profound factor in the human psyche. Man has always wrestled with the sum of his anxious dread. Whether fear of drought or disease or diabolical oppressors who come to rape and kill and steal and conquer—man has always had to overcome his dread of tomorrow in order to live for today. We who espouse Christianity, however, have a hope that can assuage our natural fear of the unknown.
We have the promise of the angels who announced that Jesus would return as He left after His resurrection (see Acts 1:11). We have the assurance of Zechariah 2:10 which says, “Shout and be glad, O Jerusalem, for I am coming and I will live among you, says the Lord.” The God we serve is a God of love and hope and joy and truth. “What He has promised, He is able to perform,” Romans 4:21. Jesus NEVER fails, so the heart that trusts Him need not fail with fear.
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