"Have a happy holiday, sir." the service attendant said as we closed the transaction, "and a Merry Christmas to you," I replied. "Merry Christmas!" he then said, with obvious enthusiasm. "Hey, guys, # 4 for Merry Christmas," he shouted to his co-workers in the shop with obvious glee. He then explained that the policy of the company forbade him to extned the traditional Christmas greeting to customers unless that customer said it first! The greeting was so rare, he said, that they were now keeping count. I was number four that week. The little exchange made me laugh. I guess all the noise that some people made about keeping Christ is Christmas is having some effect.
But, it isn't really a matter of words, is it? It's easy to wish somebody a Merry Christmas, but much more difficult to share the Christ of Christmas. A day after that incident in that auto service establishment, I went to our local county jail to conduct a service. Six men showed up and we sang Christmas carols together with gusto as I plunked out the tunes on my electric keyboard. We sounded nothing like the Mormon Tabernacle choir, to be sure, but we glorified God with worship. Emotion is off-limits for men who are behind bars, but there was a glint of tears in their eyes when we sang. We opened our Bibles to Romans and talked about the gift of God - eternal life - that Jesus Christ brought to us when He came to love us and to die for our sins. We were still having an animated discussion about God's love and our forgiveness when the officer knocked on the door to tell us that our time was up. It was much more than just a "Merry Christmas," and a wave! I had the opportunity to actually share the Christ of Christmas.
I sincerely hope that you will go beyond a cheery greeting, do more than share some brightly wrapped gifts with friends and family, in celebrating this wonderful Season. Don't settle for just a "Happy Holiday!" Make it a real "Merry Christmas," by remembering Jesus Christ and His love. Pull out your Bible on Christmas morning and ask your family if you can read them the story from the 2nd chapter of Luke's Gospel. Take a cue from Mary, the mother of Jesus, who heard the shepherd's report of angels in the sky, singing of a Messiah in a manger, and she "treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19, NIV)
Meditate on the amazing fact that the Lord of Creation stepped over the threshold of time and space to become a Baby, that He submitted Himself to life as we know it, being "tempted in every way as we are," (Hebrews 4:15) so He is able to be our Great High Priest now in God's Holy Presence, interceding for us. Remember that He was purposefully born to die - the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world (and mine; and yours!)
Make sure to include times of personal and corporate worship in your celebration, too. Bow before the King of Glory and offer Him, anew, your life. It is the only Gift that is fitting for Him.
And my prayer is that you will have a Joyous Christmas, fillled with the Presence of the Lord Christ, Jesus our Savior.
___________________________
The words of this carol are familiar, but as you read them today- really read them!
They are amazing, wonderful, and tell the story inside and out.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing-- Wesley, Charles / Mendelssohn, Felix
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Christ, by highest heav'n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail, the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as man with men to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
Hail the heav'n born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Come, Desire of nations, come!
Fix in us Thy humble home.
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head;
Adam's likeness now efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King."
© Public Domain
Friday, December 22, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
An Intentional Love
Dean pointed those of us gathered at the Men's Ministry group to John 13, where we read about Jesus washing the feet of His friends at the Last Supper. As we talked our way through the text, one thought was persistent in my mind. Jesus' actions that evening did not come from some surge of emotion at the realization that this was the last Passover He would celebrate with those 12 men. He was intentional, taking advantage of the moment to teach the the self-sacrificial quality of love that God desires in each one of us. "After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet." (John 13:12-14, NLT) Dean helped to remember that Jesus also washing Judas' feet, a choice to serve the man who was about to betray Him to His enemies! Dan added that loving people out to do us wrong is possible only if we are acting in faith, honoring God with our actions, without any demand for a specific outcome.
I am asking myself, "Jerry, is your love intentional in that way? Do you choose to love, or wait for some stirring of sentiment before you act?" Serving others comes easily when they're nice, appreciative, and are capable of reciprocating my loving acts. But, what about those who are nasty, mean, selfish, and/or critical? Will I serve them with love on purpose? The questions are difficult because they reveal a very human trait in me that tends to love the lovely! Jesus puts it straight - "If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that." (Luke 6:31-34, The Message)
During this Christmas time, there will be gathering that will likely bring you into contact with people at work who have tried to undermine you or who have been critical of you during the year. Are you going to 'play nice' and paste a smile over your hostility, or will you take the road of Jesus and serve them with intentional love? Extended families will gather. When you meet up with Aunt Emily, who has snubbed you too many times to count over the years, you will have an opportunity to be genuinely loving. Will you do it, for Jesus' sake?
Jesus could not have found washing the feet of those twelve men all that enjoyable! Come on, take off the rose-colored glasses and see the story for what it is. Dusty, sweaty, stinking feet of men who had walked through city streets where animals walked and emptied their bowels and bladders, where garbage was thrown.... yeah, there it is! That's where those feet had been. Now, He's holding them in His hands, washing the grime from them. No soft lighting, no violins playing the background. It isn't the movies, it is real life! His love was intentional, costly, and - best of all- life changing for those men, though not for all of them. John never forgot that moment and decades later wrote it down for us. Judas missed the lesson, went out and betrayed the Lord, and died at his own hand, filled with regrets.
Learn from Jesus. Love with intentional love, and yes, even love the unlovely.
-- “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45, NIV)
__________________
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Townend, Stuart
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross.
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
© 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055
I am asking myself, "Jerry, is your love intentional in that way? Do you choose to love, or wait for some stirring of sentiment before you act?" Serving others comes easily when they're nice, appreciative, and are capable of reciprocating my loving acts. But, what about those who are nasty, mean, selfish, and/or critical? Will I serve them with love on purpose? The questions are difficult because they reveal a very human trait in me that tends to love the lovely! Jesus puts it straight - "If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that." (Luke 6:31-34, The Message)
During this Christmas time, there will be gathering that will likely bring you into contact with people at work who have tried to undermine you or who have been critical of you during the year. Are you going to 'play nice' and paste a smile over your hostility, or will you take the road of Jesus and serve them with intentional love? Extended families will gather. When you meet up with Aunt Emily, who has snubbed you too many times to count over the years, you will have an opportunity to be genuinely loving. Will you do it, for Jesus' sake?
Jesus could not have found washing the feet of those twelve men all that enjoyable! Come on, take off the rose-colored glasses and see the story for what it is. Dusty, sweaty, stinking feet of men who had walked through city streets where animals walked and emptied their bowels and bladders, where garbage was thrown.... yeah, there it is! That's where those feet had been. Now, He's holding them in His hands, washing the grime from them. No soft lighting, no violins playing the background. It isn't the movies, it is real life! His love was intentional, costly, and - best of all- life changing for those men, though not for all of them. John never forgot that moment and decades later wrote it down for us. Judas missed the lesson, went out and betrayed the Lord, and died at his own hand, filled with regrets.
Learn from Jesus. Love with intentional love, and yes, even love the unlovely.
-- “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:43-45, NIV)
__________________
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Townend, Stuart
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross.
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.
© 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
"Two are better than one!"
I watch Survivor, the CBS TV series. The season which concluded this past Sunday evening was notable for the group dynamics. This season started with 20 or so people divided into ethnic groups: African American, Latin, Asian, and Caucasian. Over the 13 weeks those divisions broke down as people realized the need to work together. By mid-season there were four people - an African American woman, an Asian man., an Asian woman, and a Latin man - who had formed a working alliance that defeated a much stronger group of twice the size. The difference? Primarily it was the level of cooperation and trust. That foursome would not allow anyone or anything to divide them fro each other and it got them successfully to the end of the show.
Nothing can replace a friend! A movie is twice as funny when viewed in the company of a companion. A project does not seem half as difficult when an extra pair of hands is available. A walk in the evening is much more enjoyable when a friend walks with you sharing the time and conversing about life. Even worship takes on an entirely different dynamic at church compared to our private devotions. Sure I can sing, "How Great Thou Art" in my living room, alone, and the words are the same. But the song is much more majestic when lifted on the voices of a hundred people joined in praise of their God and the response of my soul is different, too. When a person becomes isolated, she is much more likely to have emotional and spiritual difficulties. Despair grows like a weed in the heart of the person who has withdrawn from others because of disappointment or pain. Sin flourishes when bitterness causes us to build walls of separation. We need each other. Having a friend is not just a luxury! Dr. Dan Allender writes: "Without human relationships to provide us with encouragement and home, the world seems dangerous, cold, and profitless - in a word, meaningless. This perception leads to deeper, chronic despair when we ... escape into lonely isolation." The Cry of the Soul, NavPress
I am convinced that one of America's greatest challenges in 2007 goes beyond terrorism, crime, or the state of the economy. We have a community crisis; a breakdown of human relationships that create trust, that cause us to sacrifice for another, that provide the web work of a truly great nation. In my work with a local congregation I am deeply concerned about the need to build connections between people who occupy the church house on Sunday. It is not enough to come together just to sing some songs and hear a sermon. A church that is creating strong, healthy Christian disciples is a place that encourages relationships. But that is becoming more and more challenging in a society that celebrates radical independence, where we spend most evenings in our house watching TV instead of engaged in some activity or service involving other people. Even teenagers who usually do things in groups, are increasingly relating to each other virtually using the Internet and online places such as My Space or Facebook.
Solomon, the wise, observed: "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT)
Because of the importance of relationships the Evil One works hard to divide people from each other. Conversely, God is love! Where God is truly invited, people are drawn together in close and self-sacrificing relationships! Don't confuse "God" with religion. Religion separates people. There are few things in the world as ugly as a church fight where all kinds of "God talk" is used to attack, destroy, and demean other people. Millions of people down through history have been killed in the name of God by other's who assumed they were superior because of their 'truth.'
The Truth is demonstrated in what we celebrate at Christmas - Emmanuel - "God with us!" Our Creator would not stand at a distance to observe us like some science experiment. He desired to know us, to be with us, to walk with us, to know us. Our disobedience had created a chasm, a break in relationship, which we could not bridge, but He did - by sending us His Son to live with us, to die for us, and to invite us back into the Family, with our debt settled at His expense.
Experience the love of God by receiving the Savior. Invite the Lord of Love to touch your heart, to convince you of His care for you. Trust Him - with the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. Allow Him to forgive you for your sins, to release you from the guilt of the past, and to give you a bright hope for the future. Find a community of Believers that is more than religious, real people who are working out the implications of loving God - individually and corporately. Join them! Might you be disappointed? No, you most certainly will, for we human beings are notorious for failing each other. It is in that moment that you have a choice - follow the Devil's road into isolation, division, and ultimately into despair; or follow the way of Christ Jesus, dying to self, and embracing the people around you with love.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. May it speak deeply to you and help you to build bridges to people, beginning this Holy Season.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11, NIV)
Nothing can replace a friend! A movie is twice as funny when viewed in the company of a companion. A project does not seem half as difficult when an extra pair of hands is available. A walk in the evening is much more enjoyable when a friend walks with you sharing the time and conversing about life. Even worship takes on an entirely different dynamic at church compared to our private devotions. Sure I can sing, "How Great Thou Art" in my living room, alone, and the words are the same. But the song is much more majestic when lifted on the voices of a hundred people joined in praise of their God and the response of my soul is different, too. When a person becomes isolated, she is much more likely to have emotional and spiritual difficulties. Despair grows like a weed in the heart of the person who has withdrawn from others because of disappointment or pain. Sin flourishes when bitterness causes us to build walls of separation. We need each other. Having a friend is not just a luxury! Dr. Dan Allender writes: "Without human relationships to provide us with encouragement and home, the world seems dangerous, cold, and profitless - in a word, meaningless. This perception leads to deeper, chronic despair when we ... escape into lonely isolation." The Cry of the Soul, NavPress
I am convinced that one of America's greatest challenges in 2007 goes beyond terrorism, crime, or the state of the economy. We have a community crisis; a breakdown of human relationships that create trust, that cause us to sacrifice for another, that provide the web work of a truly great nation. In my work with a local congregation I am deeply concerned about the need to build connections between people who occupy the church house on Sunday. It is not enough to come together just to sing some songs and hear a sermon. A church that is creating strong, healthy Christian disciples is a place that encourages relationships. But that is becoming more and more challenging in a society that celebrates radical independence, where we spend most evenings in our house watching TV instead of engaged in some activity or service involving other people. Even teenagers who usually do things in groups, are increasingly relating to each other virtually using the Internet and online places such as My Space or Facebook.
Solomon, the wise, observed: "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble. And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT)
Because of the importance of relationships the Evil One works hard to divide people from each other. Conversely, God is love! Where God is truly invited, people are drawn together in close and self-sacrificing relationships! Don't confuse "God" with religion. Religion separates people. There are few things in the world as ugly as a church fight where all kinds of "God talk" is used to attack, destroy, and demean other people. Millions of people down through history have been killed in the name of God by other's who assumed they were superior because of their 'truth.'
The Truth is demonstrated in what we celebrate at Christmas - Emmanuel - "God with us!" Our Creator would not stand at a distance to observe us like some science experiment. He desired to know us, to be with us, to walk with us, to know us. Our disobedience had created a chasm, a break in relationship, which we could not bridge, but He did - by sending us His Son to live with us, to die for us, and to invite us back into the Family, with our debt settled at His expense.
Experience the love of God by receiving the Savior. Invite the Lord of Love to touch your heart, to convince you of His care for you. Trust Him - with the good, the bad, and the ugly of life. Allow Him to forgive you for your sins, to release you from the guilt of the past, and to give you a bright hope for the future. Find a community of Believers that is more than religious, real people who are working out the implications of loving God - individually and corporately. Join them! Might you be disappointed? No, you most certainly will, for we human beings are notorious for failing each other. It is in that moment that you have a choice - follow the Devil's road into isolation, division, and ultimately into despair; or follow the way of Christ Jesus, dying to self, and embracing the people around you with love.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. May it speak deeply to you and help you to build bridges to people, beginning this Holy Season.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11, NIV)
Monday, December 18, 2006
"Good news of great joy"
I am praying for joy this Season; joy to the world! There's so much sadness all around. Maybe I am just more aware of this than most because of my calling as a pastor. Almost everyday people with crises, big and small, enter my life. So many are like the man I'll call Sam, who stopped by my office on Saturday. I was just getting ready to go home and I heard a tentative knock on the door. I looked up to see a middle-aged man with obvious distress on his face. I opened my office and invited him in. He sat and it took a moment for him to compose himself, tears brimming in his eyes, hands wringing. "How can I help you, friend?" I asked and waited. Finally, in a quiet voice, he said, "I'm mentally ill, alone, and broke." The way that he said it was less a statement than a challenge, as he implied, 'what can you do to help with those kinds of situations?' No, he wasn't belligerent; more like desperate, I'd say. We talked for a few moments and I think the fact that someone treated him kindly, actually listening, meant as much to Sam as anything else. I promised we could help him from the church's food pantry and gave him $20 from my discretionary fund before he left. Ours was, hopefully, a conversation that will continue, because I want Sam, and the millions who are living with quiet little dramas just like him, to find the lasting joy that Jesus alone can give.
Christmas brings us a story that creates the possibility of joy; "for all the people!" With this phrase, "I bring you good news of great joy," the angel reassured a group of frightened men, shepherds who were seeing the strangest sight ever there in the field outside of Bethlehem! Shepherds of that day were not anywhere near the top of heap of society. They were a rough lot, earthy men. They were likely illiterate, almost certainly not well versed in the prophetic texts, or even all that observant of the Law. But God choose to make His announcement to them. Accidentally? Did the angels get lost on their way to the home of the mayor of Bethlehem? No, of course not. God's desire was to bring all people - shepherds from the field - and wise men from the East - to worship the Savior. And in that worship, they found joy.
My prayerful goal this Season is to bring people the joy of Jesus. I hope I can provide a little happiness this year, with some appropriate gifts. I hope that our family celebration brings us some cheerful moments. But, even more important to me is the sharing of the lasting joy of the Lord with those whose lives I touch. People like Sam, the man who stopped by my office, need more than a cheery moment or $20! They need to know God's love. Those who are working through loneliness or illness or dealing with the limitations brought on by aging, or the devastation visited on their well-being by their sins or the those who have sinned against them, won't be 'fixed' by a present or a happy song. Only in God can the find a reason for real joy, a hope that is bigger than any set of circumstances in this world.
I invite you to join me in this mission! "Hey, Jerry, we're no angels." Right you are! But we are ambassadors, God said so. We have the awesome privilege of leading others to Him, sharing with them the Hope we have found. The Bible says,
"All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins.
God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them.
We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. " (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, The Message)
Pray for opportunities to be a bringer of joy, a messenger of hope.
If you're reading this today and you do not have real joy (not to confused with transient happiness), let me point you to Jesus. He came to be our Savior, to close the gap between the Father and ourselves. He came to give us the gift of eternal life, which we can own now, while we wait for the Second Advent of our King. Tell Him your deepest need, yes, in your own words, your own way. Ask Him to help you. His answer may not come in the way you expect, but He will come to you. He promises!
_____________________________
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be;
Which inspire your heav'nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
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!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Angels We Have Heard On High
Chadwick, James / Barnes, Edward Shippen
© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
Christmas brings us a story that creates the possibility of joy; "for all the people!" With this phrase, "I bring you good news of great joy," the angel reassured a group of frightened men, shepherds who were seeing the strangest sight ever there in the field outside of Bethlehem! Shepherds of that day were not anywhere near the top of heap of society. They were a rough lot, earthy men. They were likely illiterate, almost certainly not well versed in the prophetic texts, or even all that observant of the Law. But God choose to make His announcement to them. Accidentally? Did the angels get lost on their way to the home of the mayor of Bethlehem? No, of course not. God's desire was to bring all people - shepherds from the field - and wise men from the East - to worship the Savior. And in that worship, they found joy.
My prayerful goal this Season is to bring people the joy of Jesus. I hope I can provide a little happiness this year, with some appropriate gifts. I hope that our family celebration brings us some cheerful moments. But, even more important to me is the sharing of the lasting joy of the Lord with those whose lives I touch. People like Sam, the man who stopped by my office, need more than a cheery moment or $20! They need to know God's love. Those who are working through loneliness or illness or dealing with the limitations brought on by aging, or the devastation visited on their well-being by their sins or the those who have sinned against them, won't be 'fixed' by a present or a happy song. Only in God can the find a reason for real joy, a hope that is bigger than any set of circumstances in this world.
I invite you to join me in this mission! "Hey, Jerry, we're no angels." Right you are! But we are ambassadors, God said so. We have the awesome privilege of leading others to Him, sharing with them the Hope we have found. The Bible says,
"All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins.
God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them.
We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you. How? you say. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God. " (2 Corinthians 5:18-21, The Message)
Pray for opportunities to be a bringer of joy, a messenger of hope.
If you're reading this today and you do not have real joy (not to confused with transient happiness), let me point you to Jesus. He came to be our Savior, to close the gap between the Father and ourselves. He came to give us the gift of eternal life, which we can own now, while we wait for the Second Advent of our King. Tell Him your deepest need, yes, in your own words, your own way. Ask Him to help you. His answer may not come in the way you expect, but He will come to you. He promises!
_____________________________
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be;
Which inspire your heav'nly song?
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
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!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Angels We Have Heard On High
Chadwick, James / Barnes, Edward Shippen
© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
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