Grace Encounters

So, this old earth has made another trip around the sun and in a few hours we will see ‘22 morph into ‘23. When you think back over the last year is there sadness, joy, regret, celebration, accomplishment, missed opportunity, peace, or anxiety? As I prayed and thought about the closing year one phrase filled my mind – grace encounters.  Just as He has done in the past, the Father again met me this year with His great grace, giving me a life that I do not deserve. Before you say the word “lucky” let me quickly say that my life is not without sorrow, loss, or disappointment. However, even in the dark moments there is a grace that fills me with gratitude, hope, and love.  

When I look back over the decades I see that God’s grace guided me, even through the darkest moments. In a season of bitter disappointment 35 years ago, He met me with grace and led me to serve a small church in New England, a place where I knew some of the greatest joys of my life with that congregation.  In a time of deep depression, He graced me with friends that prayed with me and loved me until the light shown again, and I learned that His grace is constant even when I cannot perceive it.  I am living proof of the words of Paul that wonder at God’s grace:  He "made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:5-7, NIV)

My friend, His grace is not just for some. It is not reserved for those who are ‘good enough,’ smart, beautiful, or rich. Jesus, when He announced His mission using the words of Isaiah, closed by saying that He came  “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  (Luke 4.19) His work was to restore the relationship with our Father, to give us back the rights of inheritance lost to sin, to free us from the grasp of evil; yes, to give us grace gifts of salvation!  Don’t make salvation just about ‘getting to Heaven,’ though that is our great hope.  We are ‘saved’ so that we may live in a state of grace, enjoying the Father’s love, able to enter His Presence confidently to "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16, NIV)

As the year closes, present yourself to God, in faith, and receive the grace given freely through Christ Jesus. Seek HIM, not just His blessings. Open your heart and mind and thank Him for grace that is ours through Christ, the Lord.

In your tears, find the grace of His comfort. 
In your sins, find the grace of His forgiveness. 
In your successes, find the grace of humility that recognizes that ‘every good gift comes down from the Father.’  

In your fears, find the grace of peace. In uncertainty, find the grace of knowing that He holds all our tomorrows in His hands.

One of most widely known hymns reminds us of God’s Amazing Grace. “I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.”  John Newton, the author of those words, had been captain of a ship that engaged in the slave trade.  He was ‘a wretch,’ but somehow, grace reached him.  He became a pastor in 18^th century England, a vocal opponent of the slave trade, a man who knew grace (God’s undeserved favor).  You can know that grace, too. Receive the Giver of Grace by faith and let the Spirit of God transform you, too, from sinner to saint. He will, graciously!

My favorite benediction fills my eyes with tears and my heart with gratitude. As 2022 comes to a close, I offer it to you today.

"I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link

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Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

 

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

 

My chains are gone I've been set free
My God my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love amazing grace

 

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

 

Chris Tomlin | John Newton | Louie Giglio

© 2006 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Vamos Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

 

 

A Bit Part Player?

 

Do you ever feel invisible, a bit part player in life? People around you have sparkling personalities that make others love them, but you are just there.  Others have amazing stories but your life is ordinary, not terrible, but it feels like you could disappear unnoticed. The world needs people who are faithful, steady, who show up to do what they do every day.  We meet a person like that in the Christmas story. His name? Joseph!

We know next to nothing about him. None of his words are recorded in the Holy Scripture. Matthew tells us he was a ‘righteous man.’ Luke tells us that he took his family regularly to Jerusalem for the holy festivals, a sign of true devotion to the Lord. He was responsive to the Holy Spirit’s revelation that his fiancé was pregnant by God’s will and he made the hard choice to go ahead and marry her in spite of the whispers he knew would follow him around the small town where everybody knew everything. And, he named the baby as God directed calling Him, Jesus.  (Yeshua, which means, God saves)

The fact is that without Joseph the story of Jesus’ birth would be much different. A single mother was a disgrace. An outcast, judged for her ‘sin,’ she would have been poverty stricken, consigned to a miserable life, but for Joseph! His role may seem minor, but he is an indispensable part of God’s plans and purposes for the revelation of Himself in the Person of Jesus, the Savior.  The enduring part of Joseph’s story is his faithfulness and obedience, without recognition, without thanks, in a rather obscure role.

As we move to the celebration of the Savior’s birth and the salvation of the Lord that He brought to the world, let’s pray to be like that man in the shadows, who did his part in the plan of God. When all has been said and done it is God who rewards and in His plan, there are no bit parts. Each of us is gifted to serve and to become an indispensable part of His will.  Paul was inspired to teach that “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!” (1 Corinthians 12, The Message)  What matters most? Faithfulness!

So, as you worship this Christmas, as you look at the creche, and remember the story, take note of that guy in the background and pray, “Father, help me to be faithful to Your plan, right where I am, just as I am.”  In that obedience, we find deep contentment, fulfillment, and ultimately the best words ever –  the Father’s commendation - “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enjoy your Father’s house forever.”

The word from the Word to take with you today is from Matthew’s Gospel. "Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this happened to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us).” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus." (Matthew 1:18-25, NLT)  Lord, help me to like Joseph. Amen.

(Video of this blog at this link)

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O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye bright
Hosts of heav'n above
Glory to God all
Glory in the highest

Yea Lord we greet Thee
Born this happy morning
Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

© Words: Public Domain

 

 

Savior and King!

Americans and independence are like ice cream and apple pie! Our nation was born out of frustration with a monarch that disregarded the needs of his subjects to enrich his empire. The founders were ‘radicals’ of their time, discarding traditions of kings in favor of self-rule.  Those same founders took the threat of tyranny so seriously that they did their best to build checks and balances into the Constitution of our republic, so that no one could govern ‘above the law.’  

Today cynical attitudes towards authority abound in our society.  Many do not trust the police. Pastors feel the rejections of their leadership due to the multiple failures revealed in recent years. We won’t even address the problems that our politicians have created for themselves with self-serving agendas.

 

Christian, have you unconsciously carried an anti-authoritarian attitude into your relationship with the Lord Jesus? Do you question His will and resist His commands? 
(By the way, let’s not confuse the edicts of church dogma with the will of God.
They are not necessarily the same!)

Christ is our King!
The angelic announcement of His birth said: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11, KJV)  Lord is a synonym for supreme ruler, i.e., a king.  How we love to sing of the Savior’s love. It is comforting to think of Him as the One who forgives our sins, who welcomes us into the Presence of God. And, these are truly wonderful. He is King of King and Lord of Lords, too. 

Writing to Timothy, Paul reminds him (and us) of the Savior/King identity of Jesus. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NIV)  The Savior!  Then, he breaks into this shout of worship - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV)  If you’re where you can do it, read that line loudly, joyfully, declaring to all the world your praise for the King!

It’s comforting to say “I love Jesus,” thinking of the Man we meet in the Gospels. From those pages the mystery of “God Immanuel” (God present in my life) driven home to us. This is more, however, to the revelation of Jesus’ identity. In Revelation, we are told of our King.  Do you know this Jesus? "They (the evil of the world) will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14, NIV) 

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14, NIV)   “O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!”   Those Revelation words strengthen my faith and invite my humility.  He is my Friend, to be sure, and He is the King who triumphs over sin, death, and Hell.  I must serve Him.

 

We need not fear that He will be king like old King George that stirred the revolutionaries of the Americans two centuries ago.  He is a King who loves us, who uses His power benevolently for us. He does not oppress,  He lifts us up. He extends His power to protect us and promises to bring us into His kingdom, under His reign.

 

Is He YOUR King?   Today, I took all my trials, my fears, my foes and gave them to my King.

In humility I confess Him as Lord and Sovereign, praying that my life will be spent in His service. How about you?

As we celebrate Advent, worship the Jesus, our Immanuel here, and do not forget to “Crown Him King!”  

The word from the Word invites our worship - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

 

(Video of this blog at this link)