Course correction due?

A couple I know recently turned a 45 minute trip into a 3 hour journey! How? They missed just one turn and, because they were in an unfamiliar area, did not realize their mistake. If my friends had consulted a map, they would have spared themselves a long detour. Years ago, when I was a student pilot, I set off on a flight on a bright sunny day and about an hour later came to the realization that I was far from the course that I had planned to fly. My airplane was pointed in the right direction, but because I was a rookie, I was not aware of the cross winds that were having a major effect on my true course. If I had kept my flight charts open and checked them, I would have quickly known about those winds. It is possible to think you're making great progress while traveling in the wrong direction!

At this year's end, we have the opportunity to check our progress in life. We need to ask ourselves some hard questions, make certain that we are 'on course.' Perhaps you think that your life is going in the right direction because you're feeling good, having fun, and are self-satisfied. The truth is that we need a way to evaluate our lives using a guide that is outside of ourselves. That is where the importance of the wisdom of the Scripture, the counsel of mature Believers, the guidance of the Spirit, and the practice of regular corporate worship enter the picture!

More than just doing 'good' things, a Believer is called to live in the purposes of God. Rick Warren coined the phrase, the "purpose driven life." He proposes that instead of letting life happen to us, reacting to situations that develop around us as we drift from day to day, that we learn what God desires of us, set our course, and fulfill His plans. Through the preacher Jeremiah God told His people who had let themselves fall far from their holy calling that He had not forgotten or forsaken them. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV)

In order to find those plans and that promised destiny, we must commit ourselves to obedience and we need to do regular course corrections, asking:
"Am I making the choices God wants me to make or following my own desires?
Am I consistently doing what is right or taking the easy way of expedience?
Am I intentionally growing in character or drifting with the crowd and the current?"

December 31st is just another day on the calendar, another flip of the page. However, it is a reminder that a course correction might be due. I urge you to spend some time prayerfully reflecting on your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of those choices you're making that need to be brought into line with the purposes of God.

Perhaps you have made a wrong turn. If you're tolerating something that you know is not pleasing to Him, determine today to change course. Don't wait until you're far from the Way! And know this, too; everyone of us, even those who make good, God-honoring decisions from day to day, have to deal with crosswinds. Temptations arise and threaten to blow us off course. Illness, job loss, political change, and other factors beyond our control brings storms that effect our progress, but if we are guided by the Spirit, they will not take us from His purposes!

Here's a word from the Word. God asks His people to evaluate their lives.
Let these ancient words speak to you today.

"Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the Lord." (Haggai 1:5-8, NKJV)

I pray that His Purposes will become your purposes and that you will find, in Him, a glorious "hope and future."

Happy New Year!

Reason for Joy

Imagine a world without Jesus Christ. I am not blind to the fact that many terrible things have been done in His name. However, I also know that because of Him, the world is a better place! He ended the time of brutal and blind justice expressed in the phrase "an eye for an eye," and taught us to forgive those who sin against us. This, He said, is how God treats those who come to Him seeking forgiveness. He took up the cause of the oppressed, the weak, the marginalized and taught us the value of all persons. At a time when children did not count for much, He held them in His arms and taught us that knowing God was possible only to the one with the faith and heart of a child. He took God from behind the curtains of the Temple and brought Him to us, teaching us that He is not just the Transcendent Almighty One. He is also the Waiting Father who looks down the road for us to come home. And, yes, He erased the debt of sin by becoming 'sin for us' and dying on the Cross as the Final Sacrifice.

No wonder the angels prefaced His birth with the announcement of "Good news of great joy for all the people!" In Luke 4, when Jesus was beginning His ministry, we are told that He read the prophecy of Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth, choosing this text - "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies." (Isaiah 61:1-2, NLT) Before He sat down that day, He astonished the congregation telling them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21, NKJV)

The prophecy He read alluded to the Year of Jubilee, the 50th year in the cycle of 7's that God told Israel to observe. At the end of the 7th cycle of 7's, debts were to be forgiven, slaves freed, and society was to be given a new beginning. It was a radical plan and most scholars agree that the Jews observed it only symbolically, if at all.

Jesus says that His ministry is a time of Jubilee - a new beginning, a time of cancelled debts, a era of freedom! And, dear Believer, that is the message He entrusts to you and to me. Wherever we go, in His Name, we announce a new era for humanity, a time of new hearts, fresh starts, and freedom. We are not people of the Letter of the Law that brings death. We are people of the Spirit, who gives Life.

It is my passion to have a ministry of grace that builds bridges for all people to know God's Presence and Power through Christ Jesus.

There is a message of Christmas that is sentimental and sweet, centered on a young mother, a patient father, and a Baby in a manger. However, that is not the Message of Christmas. The real message was the one that God sent to the shepherds - "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."(Luke 2:9-12, NIV) He is both Messiah and Master, the Promised One for whom you have longed for ages, and the One who will defeat sin, death, and Hell!

Believer, embrace that message. At the invitation of Christ, come home to your Father. He will give you back what sin stole from you, release you from the debts that enslave you, teach you how to live as God planned for you to live, and give you hope and a future. Wow! All that, and Heaven, too.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere!
Go, tell it on the mountain,
that Jesus Christ is born!
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TFTD will be back on January 2. It's time to take a break, recharge the batteries, and spend some time with family.

Thank you for reading along for another year. I pray that my early morning musings on His Word are helping you to live in the Kingdom.

You're invited to be in Worship at the Assembly on Christmas Eve at 7 PM.
In a beautiful service of Carols and Communion, we will give thanks for our Jubilee!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

"Fear not!"

I am not a coward, nor am I given to running from life's challenges; but I sometimes experience fear! Knowing just how vulnerable I am to things as widely varied as microscopic viruses, out of control tractor trailer trucks, and the up's and down's of the national economy - is enough to make me quake! The best that I can do is limited risk management, trying to reduce the impact that the unplanned and the unforeseen can have on my life. That said, I do not spend a whole lot of time focusing on the potential dangers that lurk all around me. There is simply too much living to do! I will not let fear take away the joy of living.

My best ally in dealing with the uncertainties of life is the Almighty!

My life is in His hands. Either I trust Him or I do not; there is no middle ground. He is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all. When I am tempted to be fearful, I renew my understanding of His rule over every part of my life and my desire to live in the center of His will. I am not claiming that I understand everything that happens to me or to those around me. The phrase, "God's will," is much abused and misunderstood even by Believers. In a recent conversation with a person who had relocated to a new city, a new job, far from home, I asked, "so how did you come to make this decision?" Without a pause she answered, "God told me to move. It was His will." I do not doubt her sincerity for a moment, but I found her words jarring. Inwardly I thought, "You mean to tell me that you had no part in this decision? You weren't attracted by better money, or a different climate, or the fact that friend lived there? It was just 'God's will' pure and simple?"

For me the will of God is much less concrete than it seems to be for my friend! I seldom make a claim like she made. Why? Do I lack faith? No! But I know well what He declares in the prophecies of Isaiah - "my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." (Isaiah 55:8 NIV) I know that I am incapable of knowing all of His purposes, and that because I am still a creature of two natures - spiritual and sinful - it is entirely possible that I will get it wrong when it comes to my motives and actions. My faith is set on the fact that He is greater than my failures and that He is capable of working through, around, and in all the circumstances of life - the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly!

He is God and I am not - therefore, I will not fear. He says to me, "For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people." (Isaiah 51:15-16, NIV)

In the story of the birth of Christ the phrase, "Fear not!" is recorded on three separate occasions when persons encountered the messengers of the Lord.

Mary, when she was told that she would be the mother of Jesus, was not elated. Luke tells us that at first she was "confused and disturbed" by God's will. But, the angel assured her that God's favor would rest on her and then he said, "Fear not!"
Joseph heard that his fiancé was pregnant and he knew he had not slept with her. He was torn between his desire to love her and his honor. He had decided to quietly end the engagement when the Lord showed up and told him "fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." (Matthew 1:20, KJV) Isn't it amazing? Basically, Joseph is told, "just trust Me!" And, he did!
Zechariah was doing his priestly work, offering incense on the prayer altar, when he was told that he was about to become a Daddy. The only thing was that Elizabeth, his wife, had been unable to conceive and was now by all human accounts too old to have a child! How did Zechariah respond? "He was troubled and fear fell on him." (Luke 1.12) And what did God say? You've figured it out by now, right? Yes, you're right - "Fear not!"

Mary did not know how it was going to work out, what God's announcement would mean for her life, but she trusted God anyway.
Joseph did not have any explanation for a virgin's pregnancy, but he was willing to step over his lack of understanding and do what God wanted him to do as he trusted the Sovereign Lord.
Zechariah took a while to come around, but he gained a deeper knowledge of the Person of the God he served, and came to trust Him completely.

Now the question comes to you and me - will we trust Him with all things? Will we argue for fuller explanations, demand that He make His plans, even for tomorrow, crystal clear?
Or will we hear Him say, "Fear not!" and choose to live faithfully, just for today?

Here is His promise to those who trust and obey:
"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV) "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV)
_________________

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and nature sing,
And heav'n and heav'n and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ.
While fields and floods,Rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove.
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, and wonders of His love.

Joy To The World
Watts, Isaac / Handel, George Frederick© Public Domain

TFTD today is compiled from excerpts from Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas (Zondervan).

Up until about 350 years ago, the only real Christian holiday was Easter. As Christ's birth was an important part in the Bible, folks wanted to mark it as they did their own birthdays. At first different churches chose different days, with early January being the most common. Yet the church ultimately moved it to December 25 in an attempt to erase a Roman celebration of the time. This pagan holiday centered on Saturn and involved a lot of drinking, partying and about every sin that could be imagined. Church leaders felt that if Christmas were celebrated on December 25, the depraved behavior would change. In truth, in the old Roman Empire, it did not. Folks forgot the Roman holiday, but exhibited the same behavior on Christmas. In other words, in many places, such as England, the partying at Christmas, the drinking and violence, continued for over a thousand years. In fact, the New York City police department was started to combat the criminal behavior that took place on Christmas Day. In the U.S., Congress met on Christmas Day for almost 70 years.

Believe it or not, for Americans, Christmas, the joyful day of Peace on Earth, is only about 160 years old. A Christian, an educator and a father named W. Clement Moore, first published, "'Twas The Night Before Christmas." Initially this poem established Santa Claus as an important facet of the American Christmas, but that was really just the beginning of Moore's magic. Christmas was a holiday that was all but ignored in the New World until the poem opened the door for real celebrations. When combined with the popularity of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," and the traditions brought to England and America by Prince Albert from Germany, the holiday began to focus on children. Finally, in the United States, churches began to open on Christmas Day for worship. The government got with the program and closed up shop for Christmas. Business shut down as well. By the Civil War, Christmas became a day of staying with family. Also, Moore's poem opened up the door for gifting giving to become an important part of Christmas. For English and American Christians, who for centuries had little positive to embrace at Christmas and the Church who all but ignored it, it was Santa Claus who saved the holiday and brought Jesus back into the spotlight.

Santa Claus?
Two wonderful Christian men really began the Santa Claus legend through their selfless actions and their faith. The first was Nicholas, a priest who gave presents to poor peasant children in the third century, even before the church actually recognized the holiday. The second was a devout duke in Borivoy, who became the leader of Bohemia at a very early age. Each Christmas Eve, this man would go through the snow giving out gifts to his poorest subjects. We now remember him through the song he inspired, "Good King Wenceslas." These two probably shaped the image and personality of Santa more than any others.

Christmas 'colors' - The gold is easy; this is the color of royalty and the most precious metal on earth. It was also one of the gifts to Jesus from the wise men. The red and green can really be traced to several different important traditions, such as holly and ivy, wreaths, Christmas trees, as well as mistletoe, all initially pagan symbols, given new life and depth through Christian faith. In essence, the green represented life that went on through the difficult times of winter, just like faith that could not die in the difficult times of life, and the red reminded Christians that Christ's blood was shed on the cross for sins, the real reason for His coming to earth in the first place.

X in Xmas?
Few know that using X as a sign for Christ predates even our initial celebrations of Christmas. X or Chi is the first letter of Christ's name in Greek. Many early followers of Christ were Greek and would place an X over their doors or wear something on their persons with this letter to reflect their faith as a disciple of Christ. For more than 1,000 years, the church spelled out Christmas with just an X. It was not done to take Christ out of Christmas, but to put Him there where everyone, even those who could not read, could understand that this day of worship was for the Son of God.
____________________________________

Keep Christ in your celebration!

While the Bible says nothing about December 25, blinking lights, decorated trees, or rotund jolly men dressed in red suits - it does tell us about God's Gift - 'wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.' Angels announced the birth as reason for great praise and as a sign of peace and the arrival of God's favor for all of humanity. A world without Jesus is beyond imagination. His birth and life changed history, and His death and resurrection changes our destiny, promising us eternal life.

Here's a word from the Word on which to meditate today-- "...Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! . . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-8, 10-11, NIV)

"Come and worship,
Come and worship,
Worship Christ, the Newborn King!"

Time to follow?

In the Spring of 1971, I started learning how to be a pilot. The first flights were exciting in spite of the fact that we never left the vicinity of the airport. The instructor taught me the basics of aerodynamics, the various control operations of the airplane, and the 'feel' of flying. Shortly after my 16th birthday, in July of that year, we did the usual stuff - the preflight, the review of what maneuvers George planned for me to learn that day, and then off we went for a short flight in the 'pattern.' That means we took off, flew a short distance, made a climbing 90 degrees left turn, then another. Leveling out at about 1000' above the ground, we flew parallel to the runway, past the end of it, then started a descending 90 degree left turn, and another, going into short final and a landing. George asked me to taxi to the office and did something he had never done before. He got out of the airplane, leaned back into the cockpit and said, "Jerry, go ahead and take her 'round the pattern a couple of times!" Then he turned, closed the door, and left behind a young man who was possessed of equal parts of terror and excitement. It was time to fly. If I would not do this, then I could abandon my dream of being a pilot. I distinctly remember the sweat of fear that dripped from my forehead as I taxied to the end of the runway. My feet literally vibrated on the rudder pedals because I was trembling! For a moment I wondered if I was ready to commit myself to the sky alone in that tiny Cessna 150. With a push of the throttle , the plane started to pick up speed, then with a bit of pressure on the yoke, I was free of the earth, and I could say I was a rookie pilot!

Jesus said, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it." (Mark 8:34-35, NKJV) There is a moment of decision when the Lord asks each one of us, "Are you ready to become my disciple?" Just as I did not become a pilot by hanging around the airport, or even by sitting in airplanes, we do not become Christian disciples by going to church or joining a ministry or learning Bible verses. Though those things are valuable parts of the process, there must be a moment of irrevocable decision to relinquish one's life to the Lordship of Jesus with complete trust! I had to commit myself to the task of learning to fly and then actually do it!

I am convinced that many people who experience 'Christianity' as unfulfilling or boring feel that way because they are not, in fact, disciples of Jesus Christ. They are dabblers, inquirers, hangers-on, but not followers who have taken up the cross of self-denial and adopted the will of God as their singular passion. I read this statement recently, "Without real discipleship there is trust in God, but there is not a genuine following of Christ.. Cheap grace is a deadly enemy." (Shane Warren, Enrichment, Winter, 2008) Cheap grace causes people to believe that they can enjoy the benefits of being a Christian without practicing the spiritual disciplines that make a mature Believer of solid character. Disciples know they are (by very definition of the word) followers, not leaders of the parade. They embrace the fact that they have few rights and many obligations. They serve the purpose of Another. So why would anyone want to be a disciple? Because Jesus Christ promises this to those who follow Him closely: life, not death!

You might be thinking, "But, Jerry, I am alive!" And so you are, which is a good thing. However, the life we live on this earth is a ephemeral thing, quickly passing. Just yesterday I was that eager 16 year old who thought men over 40 were really old. Now I am 52, and realize that in a blink, if I am blessed, I will be 75, and then I will be living on borrowed time! Truth is, in natural terms, no one is really living. We are dying, a day at a time. Morbid? No, just the cold reality of biology. But, I am not just a natural man, with an inevitable appointment with the grave. I am a disciple of Christ, therefore I am already eternally alive. What I do today, is invested in Heaven.

I am living the truth of the Word which declares, "Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT)

The promise of life that comes with discipleship causes me to relinquish my desires for fame, fortune, and self-fulfillment to take hold of Christ and the calling of being His disciple. A disciple makes the pursuit of Christ Jesus his passion. Paul says, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14, NIV) Following Christ is a decision I made once, and that I make daily! At first I was tempted to hold onto the good things I knew, because my faith in the potential best was limited. The Holy Spirit urged me onward. The Word called me upward, and faith surged. I was and am obedient, therefore, I can lay claim to being a Christian disciple.

Are you a real disciple, or one of the many who live an uncommitted life deceived by cheap grace?

Surrender it all, friend. Give yourself away and then walk out the disciplined experience, discovering the adventure of living by the Spirit in this present world, while enjoying the promise of eternal life in the world to come. You will never regret it.

What a Name!

The church's van was frozen in place in our parking lot, clumps of ice created by the snow plow earlier in the week surrounding it. The Girl's Ministry wanted to use it, so in my usual 'make it happen' fashion, I determined to free it from its ice prison. Even after they said they no longer needed it, I decided to drive it out of that spot before the additional ice and snow of the storm promised the next day made it impossible to move. As I gunned the van in reverse, the tires caught traction on the salted runways I had created. Bang! Crunch! The sound of bending metal filled me with instant regret as I saw the driver's side door, which I had left open so I could see if the wheels were spinning, catch a piece of ice and fold back into the front fender. A split second decision caused a few hundred dollars in damages and a ton of second-guessing! That moment on Saturday was not the first time in my 52 years that I have wished for an instant replay! Bent doors are repairable.

Some of my mistakes and sins have been much more serious and costly than that Saturday morning's folly. More than once I have wanted to reach out and retrieve angry words within seconds of having them leave my lips. I have stared into the darkness of the early morning hours asking myself, "Why did you do that?" as my guilty conscience ached with pain exceeding that of anything my body has ever known. Unlike a vehicle damaged by thoughtless actions, the wreckage produced by sinful behavior cannot be repaired by a local technician. That is why I need a Savior!

In Matthew, we are told that the angel of the Lord visited Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife despite her pregnancy "...because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21, NIV) I love that last phrase - "He will save His people from their sins!"

The name, Jesus, is a transliteration of the Hebrew name, Joshua, which literally means, "God saves!" The word "save," in the original language of the New Testament (Greek- sozo), is rich with meaning, carrying the implication of rescuing a person in immediate danger and/or restoring a person at risk from sickness to wholeness and health!

God saw me careering towards destruction, sickened unto death by the depravity of the sinful nature, and sent Jesus with an offer of salvation! He reached into my life, called me to Himself, and when I responded in faith, the Holy Spirit took up residence in me making a whole life; indeed, an eternal life; mine! I am forgiven, a new creation by the grace of God. When I sin (and I do!) I have a Savior who is my Advocate before the Righteous God of Heaven. Jesus Christ offers Himself to satisfy the justice of God so that I can live and not die. I want to shout, "Hallelujah, what a Savior!"

I love the story of a Baby born and laid in manger. I love the tenderness of Mary, the gentleness of Joseph, the glory of angel announcements made from the night sky to shepherds tending their sheep. But most of all, I love the declaration that He would 'save His people from their sins!' There is nothing in me that demands such a intervention in history. Only the amazing love of God would bring this kind of Gift to us.

Are you crushed by guilt, friend?
Does some choice made in secret make you dread meeting a holy God?
Is your life marred by failure, too great to fix by any effort or expenditure on your part?

There is a Savior! Receive the gift He offers to you today. Perhaps you once did, but you have forgotten the place where He found you and drifted from a place near His heart. Go to Him. He will not push you away. He is full of mercy. Ponder the promise of the Word.

"God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ...

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:4-10, NLT)
___________________________

Come, Thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer; (a monument of remembrance!)
Hither by Thy help I come.
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wand'ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Hither to Thy love has blest me;
Thou hast bro't me to this place;
And I know Thy hand will bring me
Safely home by Thy good grace.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Bought me with His precious blood.

Come Thou Fount© Public Domain, CCLI License No. 810055

Don't miss the real Christmas!

Christmas is great! I am as excited as a little kid over all the things that get packed into December; special services at church, shopping for gifts, decorating the house and the tree, cooking big meals, going to parties, staying up too late, eating too much. Already I can feel the anticipation building over the arrival of the our sons and daughters and their tribes in seven days. I know that by January 1, I'll be spent, ready for a few gray days of winter and the usual slowdown after the holidays. I am determined, however, in the middle of all this excitement, that I will not forget why it's all happening.

Last night I enjoyed two hours that I know will be one of the highlights of the 2007 Christmas Season for me. The King's Brass performed at the Assembly, presenting a concert that was outstanding; world class, in fact. As they played a selection from Handel's Messiah, I wept, touched by the music that declared, "for unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given!" After the concert, Phil, one of our church's elders, and I were chatting about how much we enjoyed the music when he made a statement that still echoes through my mind this morning- "and we know Who this was really for...." He is right! The brass ensemble's music, the preparations of our building to host them, the expenses involved were not for the audience in the pews. We did it to honor Jesus, the Christ! It was part of His celebration. Sure it was expensive and time consuming for all who were involved. It was just as it should have been, appropriate to celebrate the birth of our Savior and King!

Have fun this Christmas. Enjoy the garish decorations of tinsel and blinking lights. Listen to the songs of the Holiday - secular and sacred - joyfully. Buy gifts that are appropriate and affordable. Just do not forget the why of it all! Plan to attend worship services. Build 'down time' into your schedule, for prayer and reflection. "But, Jerry, you are adding to the long list of things I am already committed to doing in the next two weeks." Perhaps I am. My intent is not to add, but to encourage you to prioritize. Put first things, first. Wouldn't it be a sorry thing to announce a birthday party and not acknowledge the person who is the reason for it?

Millions will forget Jesus and make Christmas into a Santa holiday extravaganza. Don't be one of them. I do not have any issues with the whole "Santa Claus" deal. It's fun, but despite his ubiquity, he's not 'it!' The good news is old, yet new, news - "Jesus, the Savior, is born!"

It is all but impossible to come to the end of December without being weary, but if your efforts have a purpose, it's a good kind of tired. Engage yourself with others. Listen to the Spirit. Focus and then re-focus on the story of God becoming Flesh, a baby born in a manger who brought the Word to us. Ponder this passage prayerfully:

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:9-14, NIV)

________________________
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
And the mountains in reply,
Echoing their joyous strains.

Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be;
Which inspire your heav'nly song?

Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

See within a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heav'n and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
With us sing our Savior's birth.

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

© Public Domain

The ripple effect

Going negative! That was a headline in the news yesterday. As the first primary electoral contests near, races tighten, and the candidates start looking for a way to hit the opposition. So the ads have gone from smiles and being about how much Mitt will do for you in Washington to grim warnings that Huckabee is a wild spender, a liar. Ah, yes; it is the ugly side of American politics; going negative. Hillary Clinton, sensing the momentum shifting to Barack Obama, raised the issue of his past use of drugs yesterday, as if he had been a street addict, smoking crack! The trouble with going negative is that it usually is answered by more negativity. Issues are obscured by person attacks and the truth is dragged into the mud along the way.

People are quick to believe the worst. Frightening tales of impending doom gain an audience much more quickly than good news. There is a story in the Bible about some men who went negative. It is found in the book of Numbers. The Lord told Moses to send 12 men into Canaan to scout the land for the invasion. What they saw was amazing! "A land flowing with milk and honey," they reported. They were intimidated by the people of the land who lived in fortified cities. Ten of the men "spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size." (Numbers 13:32, NIV)

In the next chapter we read about fear spreading throughout the Israelites literally overnight! Out of that fear, came an irrational desire to return to slavery in Egypt, as they preferred the familiar past to God's promised future! In days, they were plotting a rebellion, even attempting to kill Moses at one point! Then, God drew the line and pronounced His judgment - "You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. " ‘You said your children would be carried off as plunder. Well, I will bring them safely into the land, and they will enjoy what you have despised. But as for you, you will drop dead in this wilderness." (Numbers 14:30-32, NLT)

For the next 40 years, the Israelites remained a refugee nation as the entire generation died off, one by one.

Such is the ripple effect of negativism! Twelve men saw the real difficulties that were part of the process of owning the Promised Land, but only two had faith. Ten failed to remember how God had met their needs with manna, opened the Red Sea, and led them day by day across the Sinai Desert. Those ten let fear own them. Their negative report destroyed an entire generation. It is sobering, isn't it?

Do you realize the power of your example, of your words?
What kind of influence are you spreading?
Is it positive, faith-filled, encouraging? Or, is it negative, fearful, and leading to despair?

Remember this. God doesn't ask us to ignore reality in order to be positive. Some mistakenly think that acknowledging that life is hard, or that circumstances are not favorable, or that the future is unclear are evidences of a lack of faith. Not at all! The mission of the men sent into Canaan was to get a truthful, reality-based view of what was ahead. Moses told them to "See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps?" (Numbers 13:18-19, NLT) Then, that report would be wrapped in faith in the God whose Word had proven true again and again. God had already said, "Go up and take the land!" Their mission was not to be a feasibility study. It was to prepare a strategic plan to implement the will of God. When we really know what we are up against, but choose to be obedient to God's direction - we show the most authentic faith!

So, what is the real situation in your life today? Not so great? You can complain, react in fear, and refuse to follow the Lord. If you do, the ripple effect in your family, your church, and your community will be tragic.

Or, you can choose faith. You can say, "I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what He’s trusted me to do right to the end. " (2 Timothy 1:12, The Message)
Faith, too, has a ripple effect, infusing entire communities with hope, stirring people to accomplish wonderful things with God's leading.

Genuine faith is never founded on mere optimism. It is anchored to the unchanging nature and promises of God!
___________________

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Many of us still have people on our gift list without a matching present! We will venture out to make our purchases motivated in many different ways.

Consider these...

There is the CHEAP giver.
He is driven by one goal - buying something, anything, that satisfies the imperative for gift giving -while spending as little money or energy as possible. My one question to this person is - "Why bother?" You have missed the meaning of Christmas entirely. Save yourself the effort because the person who receives your 'gift' will only be obligated to write an insincere 'thank you' note!"

There is HURRIED giver.
With hummingbird-like rapidity, she darts from store to store, grabbing this and that, checking off the names on her list. Obligation, not love, is the primary motivation forgiving a gift, so most any gift will do, just get it and wrap it up.

There is the "PAY MY DEBTS" giver.
This person foolishly believes that with one gift, usually one that costs way too much, he can make up for his failures through the year. Yes, it is particularly a 'man' thing! Men are much more likely, according to published reports, to overspend to compensate for misdeeds than women. But, the truth is, no single gift can erase a year's worth of inattention or emotional distance. This shopper is in for disappointment!

There is the "I'D SURE LIKE THAT" giver.
He buys things he would like to receive and presents them to others! His gifts are often very nice, but they don't 'fit.' Why? Because, his gifts are not thoughtfully chosen with the recipient in mind. Even his 'giving 'reflects his preoccupation with himself. To me a 1 Gig USB Flash Drive is a fine gift, but if I buy one for my wife, she'll say, "What's this?" She has no use for it, and probably doesn't even know what it is.

And, there is the "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" giver.
Finally, we find the heart of Christmas! This person thinks carefully about the tastes, the needs, the personality of the person for whom he is getting a gift and, after a careful search, prepares a gift that he presents with no strings attached. This kind of giving reflects what the Bible says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35, NLT) This is how God gave to us. John says, that "God so loved the world (you could insert your name in place of 'the world')that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)

God's Gift to us was -
costly,
prepared from eternity,
based on our greatest need, and
shaped by love!
What a gift!

"Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:24, The Message)

In your gift-giving, make LOVE the reason.

Having trouble finding a gift for someone on your list?
Relax and think about who they are, what they need, and how you can express love in a language they'll understand. It will come to you!____________________

The wellspring of life?

Melina, a young woman who works in our office, reminds me frequently about taking care of my physical health. Last year at Christmas she gave me a book- YOU, the owner's manual, which outlines the basic principles of healthy living. As a result of getting educated I do not drink diet sodas or catch a quick burger for lunch very often these days. I have a better understanding that 'junk' food is called that for a good reason! Over time I retrained my tastes so that I no longer enjoy a fast food meal, preferring the complex flavors of a great salad; really! Now if only I could get myself disciplined to exercise more regularly.

Let me take up Melina's role and encourage you to consider the nutritional value of what you feed your mind and soul. As surely as the body will grow diseased when fed a constant diet that is high in fat, sugar, salt, and carbohydrates, the soul that is fed a steady diet of TV sit-coms and pop music will not grow deep in the ways of the Lord! I know how easy it is to get home weary from the day and to flip on the TV and let two or three hours go by thoughtlessly. The flow of images and sounds from that box distracts us from the problems of the day or offers us a brief escape into other worlds. It's not all bad! Some programs inform us, others teach us. But, many are truly 'junk' food that feed us materialism, greed, and lust.

Then, too, let me ask - what is the soundtrack of your life? Most of us are not consciously aware of the music that underlies the movies or TV programs we watch until it is missing! The soundtrack is just part of the background, but it makes a huge difference in the way we 'see' the story. Music is everywhere today. Our cars and trucks have music systems that let us enjoy a mobile concert hall while we travel. Stores play music while we shop. Many of our homes are filled with the sound of music. What's playing right now? I am not speaking so much to the style of music as I am the content. If the soundtrack of your life is full of sex, rage, and/or despair - as so much music is - it will most certainly have a negative effect on your spirit!

America's primary health problem is unique in history. Up to this era, the greatest concern was maintaining a supply of food to avoid starvation. Now, we are a 'fat' nation because despite having an abundance of quality foods available at amazingly low prices, many of us choose to eat 'junk!' So, when we could have the best quality of life ever known to humanity, we are eating ourselves to death! The same situation exists in terms of the mind! We have access to education, to resources, to music of amazing quality. We can attend university without leaving our living room. We can visit an exotic culture and learn with a click of a TV remote. We can read fourteen different versions of the Bible! We can buy and read books that explain the Christian life in detail. But, too often, we fill up our mind with 'junk!' Change the channel, change the tune. Buy a book, interact with your family. Spend time in thoughtful prayer. Pick up your Bible and a good book that contains some solid soul food regularly.

The Scripture urges us to a good diet for the soul, so we will become able to know the Truth. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:15-16, NIV)
In another metaphor, the Word speaks to the need to mature our understanding. "You need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:12-14, NLT)

Do you want the ability to be creative?
Do you want to really know how to worship the living Lord in a way that goes beyond superficial emotions?
Do you want to be able to overcome sin and live a noble and holy life that honors God?
Do you want to meet temptation and beat it?

Start by choosing to nourish your spirit with good food!
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today - "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

Let your kingdom come

Even with the few details available in the media, imagining the chaotic scene at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO yesterday brings me deep sorrow. One account said that the man, armed with a rifle, entered the church's foyer, a large spacious area with a cafe, just as the 11 AM worship service was over. He started shooting; wounding several and killing two, before an armed security guard shot and killed him! In August, 2005 I stood in that very space , browsing the bookstore, enjoying a cup of coffee in their cafe. A larger than life bronze sculpture of an angel/warrior is the room's centerpiece, standing as a symbol of the powerful Presence of God in our lives. Yet, that church, which proclaims the Name, is now a place where death came to the unsuspecting. We can only wonder why the Lord allowed this as we pray for those families who mourn this morning.

Sorrow is so much a part of life in this world, isn't it?
That's not just the pessimist in me speaking. To be sure there are glorious moments when love and light shine brightly on us, when praise comes easily to our lips and our hearts overflow with joy. But there is an incredible amount of pain to be experienced in the course of life, too. The icy fingers of evil find a way to touch us - be it with personal tragedy, family division, natural disaster, or the kind of incidents that keep our news media in operation 24/7. Some mistakenly think that this is new to our time, but the ancient words of the Psalms reveal that suffering, even for the godly, was known in every age. "Death wrapped its ropes around me; the terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow." (Psalm 116:3, NLT) If that were the last word, the despair would be unbearable. But the Word goes on to say, "Then I called on the name of the Lord: "Please, Lord, save me!" How kind the Lord is! How good he is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me." (Psalm 116:4-7, NLT)

We are part of a great struggle in which our God allows the Evil one to exist. We cannot know the reason; it defies our understanding.
But this we know, the Lord calls us into the struggle with sin, suffering, and Satan! He equips us with the gifts of His Spirit, and wraps us in the assurance of salvation and life eternal. Would I like to live in a Eden paradise without evil? Yes! Do I desire a world without cancer, without divorce, without conflict, without gunmen who shoot down unsuspecting people in malls and church lobbies? Yes, yes, yes! But I am not God and I do not get to shape the universe. What I can do is work faithfully in my little corner of it to build the kingdom of Heaven. By that I do not mean that I build high fences to isolate myself from the realities of my ugly world! I am called to be a bold warrior of love, one who invades the darkness with the Light. Because of His grace I can love others and make His Presence known. In a world where some deal in death, taking away hope and robbing peace, I will, by the power of God, give life, encourage others with love, and make peace!

And, of this I am confident; there will be come a moment when the larger questions of evil will find an answer with the coming of the King, who is the Lord of Righteousness. In this season of Advent, we remember that He came to us once as our Savior, God Incarnate; and that He will come to us again as King, Lord of Glory. Faithfully we pray the closing words of the Holy Scripture -
"He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen.
Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen." (Revelation 22:20-22, NIV)
___________________

Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you today.
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:10-12, NLT)
"Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness." (Ephesians 6:14, NLT)
___________________

Father, my world - both inward and outward- is chaotic today.
The suffering that I see is hard to fit into a system of logic,
but I pray for faith to cling to your promise.
Keep me from fear and make me bold in your service.
Fill me with the love of Jesus and let that love
overflow in my word and actions today,
spilling into the lives of those who are without the comfort of faith.
Break the curse! Defeat the Evil one!
Let Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven.
In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

I'll stand with you!

Have you ever felt shut out, like you didn't belong? Rejection is a painful experience. And it is all too common! From the time of childhood, right through adulthood, we human beings have the awful capacity to scorn the person who is different - in color, in race, in religion, in language, even in ability. During World War 2, Americans decided that being of Japanese descent was enough to make a person suspicious, and this land of the free, took thousands of its own citizens and locked them in internment camps. We are shocked by that national policy, but after 9/11 many Americans decided that being Muslim was reason enough for rejection and discrimination. Just as some of our grandparents approved of a policy based on fear of those of Asian descent, many in our time justify discriminatory policies towards Muslims simply because of fear.

Joseph heard that his fiancé, Mary, was pregnant and he determined that he would break their engagement, albeit quietly, without trying to publicly shame her. Can we blame him? His heart was most likely broken by her apparent unfaithfulness and his honor was at stake. He knew that as soon as her pregnancy became obvious, there would be stares and whispers. As he wrestled with his fears and disappointment, God sent a messenger that assured him of Mary's fidelity and with a challenge- "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was 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." (Matthew 1:20-21, NLT) Stand with her Joseph! And he did! He was an obedient man who took whatever shame and criticism that she might have borne on himself.

God loved us when we were outcasts and rejects. The Bible says, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" He stood with us and now He desires that we love those who are rejected, identifying ourselves with them, standing with them. We are called to take up the cause of those that would be denied justice. It is what Jesus would do, and so must we. The Scripture says, "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." (James 1:27, The Message) God asks us to practice a costly love that sees the need of others and reaches out to meet that need.

We need to guard against a patronizing kind of assistance that reaches 'down' without really coming alongside of those in need. Much of the so-called care for the poor, the needy, the rejected is done from a distance without really becoming one of 'them,' whomever they are. Simply offering a meal or a pat on the back or a check to help with rent is a nice gesture and relieves some measure of suffering, but such efforts do not change people's lives or show them God's salvation. Only if we are willing to get involved in a way that makes our lives intersect with those in need, can we hope to really make a difference. This is what Jesus did in the Incarnation! "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish." (John 1:14, The Message)

Believer, when it comes to those in need are you just sending a check, or are you presenting yourself? There's a big difference. Jesus said, "I'll stand with you." I hope you and I will do the same for those who are suffering, rejected, alone, or trapped by sin's consequences.

"With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:6-8, NIV)

Martha blew a gasket!

At Bible study last night, our text was that familiar story from Luke about Martha's big dinner in honor of Jesus. In brief it goes like this. (Jerry's version)

Jesus was coming to Bethany to visit and, as usual, would be stopping in to see his friends; Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Martha thought it would be great to have a big dinner for Jesus and so she invited friends and set the date. On the day, Jesus arrived with the group that traveled with him and they sat in the courtyard, where he taught and shared. Mary adored the Lord, just soaking in the wisdom of His words, so she got a rug and sat down right at his feet! And there she stayed all afternoon. Every time Martha looked out at the group, all she saw was Mary gazing up at Jesus and each time she became more angry that she had all the dinner preparation to do alone.

About 5 pm, when she was trying to put the finishing touches on the roast lamb and still supervise the servants who were bringing in the additional furniture, she wiped away the perspiration and at that very moment saw Mary just sitting there. Martha forgot her manners and marched right into the center of the group where she confronted Jesus. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." (Luke 10:40, The Message) The atmosphere went distinctly chilly and silent.

How would Jesus handle this outburst? Everyone was embarrassed for Martha, though they understood her frustration. His reply was unexpected, less than comforting, even confrontational: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42, NKJV)

The Bible leaves the story unfinished!
Did Martha's heart change? Did she storm off in anger? Who knows? But we do learn a powerful lesson: serve well and take joy from the privilege of serving!

Martha's mistake was not in making dinner, but in thinking that her sister was obligated to be a part of her service! Her resentment destroyed her joy in offering her gift of service. In that she is a lesson for everyone of us. I hope to remember this story throughout this time of Christmas when there are so many opportunities to do good, to serve. I hope I remember to just do what I do for the sheer joy of it, and not to think that everybody needs to think that what I am doing is so important that they must join in! The Word shows us how to serve in a way that avoids frustration: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

Jesus did not condemn Martha's efforts, nor did He not appreciate her offering of a wonderful meal. He challenged her attitude in preparing it! How would He view what you do for Him, friend? Is your giving, your serving, your worship offered from a sense of obligation, with an edge that says, "I'm the only one who gives myself at this level of sacrifice. Why am I surrounded with such a bunch of turkeys?" If so, the most wonderful service in the world is tainted, the joy of it both for the served and the server lost. We need to stop looking around to see who is joining in, who is applauding, who appreciates what we do and just look up! There in the face of Jesus is all the reward and affirmation we need.

Martha blew a gasket when she let all the details of serving dinner to Jesus overwhelm her so that she lost sight of the reason she was doing it in the first place - to show Him her love. Let's not make the same mistake.

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
Study how he did it.

Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.

And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (Hebrews 12:2, The Message)

With you to the end!

When our children were little on occasion one of them would appear at our bedside in the middle of the night crying, "I had a bad dream." She would then crawl up between Bev and me and snuggle in. In a matter of minutes (usually seconds) she would be sleeping again, comforted by the presence of her parents. I would then pick her up in my arms and carry her back to her own bed. In the morning, she usually did not even remember her midnight distress! Even as an adult, I know this 'presence of another' phenomenon. In a situation where I would be afraid to walk alone, I feel no fear when accompanied by another.

In story of Israel's exodus from Egypt, which is a metanarrative for the Believers journey from sin to sainthood, at one point Moses has a conversation with the Lord about his uncertainty about being able to fulfill his calling. "Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. ..." The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:12-16, NIV) Moses reveals his fear of the future, his inadequacy for the task. God's answer is to assure him of His Presence.

When Jesus was about to return to the Father, bringing the era of the Holy Spirit, He issued a commission and gave a promise of Presence to His disciples and, by extension, to us. "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV) Christians believe that God is everywhere, that He is not localized in some building or mountaintop. We call this the omnipresence of God. While this is an important part of our theology, Jesus was promising something more than this to us. In John's Gospel, we read His promise that God's Spirit will be living in us. He explained that we would be connected to Him like a branch is connected to the vine!

We need never walk alone nor fearfully, but sometimes we do. Why?

There are several reasons that we fail to experience the Presence of God in our lives. In no special order, here are some of them.

Faithlessness! At times we become so focused on the immediate circumstances that surround us, we lose sight of God's larger purpose. Peter walked on water, by faith, until he became focused on the waves beneath his feet. Then, losing sight of Jesus, he sank!

Sinfulness! Everyone of us is subject to temptation. Depending on our personalities, situations, opportunities, and experiences there will be differing kinds of temptations. One will be attracted by material things; another by power; and yet another by pleasure. While dealing with temptation can be tiring, there is no sin until we give ourselves to the seduction, making the choice to reject the way of God for our own way. When we do, we sin and sin separates us from knowing the Presence of God.

Fatigue! Knowing how to find rest, when to step aside, and the importance of regular worship (the OT teaches us the Sabbath principle) will keep us from this hazard. But, many times we allow the tyranny of the urgent to drive us beyond our limits, to cause us to ignore the necessity of renewal, and we become victims of fatigue. God has not forsaken us, but we think He has. Like Elijah, we wail, "I am the only one left among the faithful." The sweet rest of His Presence is replaced by a sour driven dutifulness that dries up our spirit.

Dear friend, it is easier to write of living in the Presence of God than it is to actually do it! He is faithful always, we are not! If you are weary, drained, and afraid, do not believe the lie that God has forsaken you, left you forever. He does not move from us. We move from Him. Quiet your mind today. Make time to be worshipful. If temptation is lurking, thank the Spirit for His power in you that allows you to resist and rise above it. Take a simple passage of the Word and meditate on it. And... wait patiently for the Lord.

Here is a word from the Word. "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God. ... A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else! I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked." (Psalm 84:1-2, 10, NLT)
___________________

You're calling me to lay aside the worries of my day.
To quiet down my busy mind, and find a hiding place
Worthy!!! Worthy!!!

I open up my heart and let My spirit worship Yours.
I open up my mouth and let A song of praise come forth.
Worthy!!! You are worthy!!!

Of a childlike faith,
Of my honest praise,
And of my unashamed love!
Of a holy life,
Of my sacrifice,
And of my unashamed love.
Worthy!!! You are worthy!!!

Unashamed Love
Lamont Herbert
CCLI License No. 810055

The Word and the Light

God presented us with a beautiful, wonderful world!

On Nature, a PBS program that I watched Sunday evening, the complexity of the Creation was on full display. From tiny creatures to huge whales, in vivid colors, I saw God's creativity in a way that makes the best art of humanity look like the crayon sketches of a little child. And then I see what man does to Creation - polluted rivers dying, amazing jungle habitats burned, blue skies turned grey with smoke.

God's gifts go beyond the splendor of rivers, oceans, and canyons. He gave us the exquisite gift of love and sexuality, the ability to become 'one' with another. What can compare to the love of a man and a woman? And what have we done with that? We have turned love into a commodity. We cheapened sex, made it into an act of the darkness. We sell it on the street, use it to enslave and exploit, and turn something beautiful into something that pollutes body and soul!

Yet, another gift of God, the desire to know Him that He placed in us, that longing for Life; is turned into religion that only produces Death! The glory of the Transcendent Lord was 'exchanged for images made to look like mortal men, and birds, and animals, and reptiles.'

Thus, Jeremiah laments that "the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9, NIV)

But, all is not lost. As we celebrate Advent we find the Promise that brings us to renewed hope for the restoration of all things at the coming of the Lord. Our hope looks back to the Incarnation, when "the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." And, we saw "His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NIV) He lived to bring us Truth about our God, died to bring us Reconciliation with our God, and was resurrected to bring us Eternal Life in the presence of our God. However, that was only the first act! The second act is the Coming of the Lord of Glory. John, in language rich with symbolism, explains that He will ride out of Heaven to destroy evil and restore what God made to bless us. "I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. . . . On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:11, 16, The Message)

And this, Believer, is what the Season is really all about. No wonder we rejoice. In this intermission between the Incarnation and the Revelation, we have the opportunity to be agents of reconciliation that appeal to those around to look up, to turn from their devotion to empty things to gaze on the wonder of His majesty. We invite them to accept the grace of God, to become part of the conspiracy of righteousness, which Jesus described this way. "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. . . . The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." (Matthew 13:31-33, NIV)

Do you live in the Light?
Do you know the Truth of the Word?
Are you filled with the Beauty of His Holiness?

The Gift is yours to receive, by faith, provided without cost to you, at great cost to God. Accept Him today. In honesty, own up to the darkness, the hidden sin, the rejection of His ways, the ignorance that made you a slave to evil. But don't wallow in guilt! Take the offer of grace that makes you a child of God, that restores your inheritance, that gives you dignity and worth. Believer, live in that Glory. "Become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." (Philippians 2:15-16, NIV)
_________________________

Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room,
and Heaven and nature sing!

No more let sin and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make,His blessings flow,
far as the Curse is found!

He rules the world with Truth and Grace,
and makes the nations prove,
the glories of His righteousness.
and wonders of His love.

-- Isaac Watts, Public Domain

Just trust Him!

In 1977, Bev and I left our first real ministry call and moved to Wyoming. A boom town called Gillette, full of young workers and with a shortage of spiritual care, caught my attention and seemed like a place where a young preacher could do something good. I felt that the Spirit was in the desire to relocate far from family, friends, and the familiar, so, we packed up and moved. We were on an adventure with no safety net or job promise! The first three months that we lived in that town brought one trial after another. Our son, Jay, then an infant, developed critical pneumonia and was hospitalized. The denomination that credentialed me balked at transferring my ministerial license to another District because, due to my inexperience, I had failed to observe proper protocol. To support my little family I took a back- breaking job in construction working from sun-up to dark! It sure looked like I had made a colossal error in judgment! After a year in that town, we moved back to New Jersey and to the position we had left. I looked like a kid that lost his nerve and failed in his mission. The whole move appeared to be a meaningless detour. But, all these years later, I am still convinced that God sent us to Gillette, Wyoming. What I did not know then, but do now, was that His purpose was not to use me to save the town! He used the town to save me! In those 12 months, He provided mentors and experiences that gave me lessons about His faithfulness and grace that changed my life, literally!

A half-century on this earth has made me aware of one sure thing - God's way are higher than my ways! Just when we think we made our plans and secured our future, everything turns inside out. Our new business runs headlong into a recession. Our investments lose a ton of money. We suddenly learn of a major physical problem. Or, just when it looks like we're about to go over the cliff, a bridge across the chasm Providentially appears. When there seems to be no answer, God reveals a divine solution. I believe that God smiles at our sense of surety, not because He's mean, but more like a father who knows how much his children do not know. As I watch my own adult children I sometimes want to rush in to offer them the benefit of my experience, but realize that they need to figure it out for themselves. My counsel is available, but not forced on them. God, too, offers the counsel of the Word and the Spirit, but is patient as we work it out.

And, for this I am so thankful - that He is a patient Father that works out His purposes; sometimes with our cooperation, and sometimes in spite of our obstinacy! When we are so certain that He's got one plan for our life, but He keeps on working out His purposes using even the detours for our benefit. Not every experience ties itself up into a neat package with a complete answer. Some our our experiences remain puzzling. We ask, "Why did that happen? What purpose did that serve?" The Lord told Isaiah, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.... For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, KJV) So, we trust Him.

Remember Moses? His mother, fearing that Pharaoh would put him to death along with the other Israelite babies, set him afloat in the reeds. An Egyptian princess found him and took him to the palace where he grew up in royal privilege, given a great education, and learning to deal with power. Then, he grew headstrong, killed a man and became a fugitive. Did it appear that any promise in his life was gone? Sure enough! He spent 40 years tending a few sheep in the desert, far from power and privilege. But God had not forgotten him. In a moment of revelation at the burning bush that miraculously was not consumed by the fire, Moses heard God commission him to go and lead the Israelites out of slavery. He balked. He dallied. He stumbled. God steadied him, led him, and used a refugee, murderer, fearful man who stuttered, to build a new nation for His glory.

Perhaps you're 'in the desert' today. The bright promise you once knew is gone. It might be because you made some dumb or sinful choice, like Moses. It might be for reasons you cannot understand. Just know this, God knows who you are, where you are, and He still has a purpose for your life! Trust him! "But my work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose at all. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand; I will trust God for my reward." Isaiah 49:4 NLT

I do not mean to suggest that we should become fatalists, floating down the stream of life without using the oars provided to us by the Lord. We need not bounce off all the rocks while we stupidly shout, "Praise Jesus!" Choices must be made and they need to be shaped by a God-honoring obedience. It is important that we live intentionally, `on purpose.' Yet, it remains that even when we are obedient, even when we have the best of intentions—there will be side trips and detours that leave us wondering. In those moments, we must `let go and let God lead.'

Here's a word from the Word. Let it reshape fear into faith and change despair to hope. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son,
so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" (Romans 8:28-31, NLT)
________________________

Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move,
at the impulse of Thy love.

Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise;
Take my intellect and use
ev'ry power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will and make it Thine.
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own.
It shall be Thy royal Throne.

- Frances Havergal
Public Domain

An open door!

How my will and God's will intersect is not always crystal clear for me. Bev and I were talking about some life-changing decisions we've made in the past; accepting new positions, relocating to a different church. What part did God's will play in those choices and what part did we play? Even the two of us who shared in those decisions saw them differently. At various times one of us saw God leading, while the other viewed the choice as human will in operation! One move from long ago she labeled 'impulsive,' on my part, while I called it an obedient response to God's leading. To a degree, we both are right. How can I say that? Because I am convinced that both of the following statements are true despite the apparent contradiction: God rules the affairs of my life; and I have the freedom to cooperate or resist His will.

The story of Mary, mother of Jesus, illustrates the point. God sends his messenger to tell her of His plan that she should bear the Savior of the world. Could she have refused this calling? The Scripture implies that she had that power. Here's an excerpt of the story. "The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." ... the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:28-31, NIV) "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:38, NIV)

God opened the door to an impossibility; Mary stepped through it. Her obedience to the plan of the Lord was difficult and raised questions for which she had no answer. When her Son was born and shepherds showed up to tell of angels' in the skies announcing that a "Savior has been born to you,: she heard them and "kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant." (Luke 2:19, CEV)

Believer, if we wait until we have all the answers, until we have plotted the whole course from start to finish, before we engage ourselves to do the will of God, we will accomplish little for Him in this life! Sometimes all He gives us is the promise of His Presence to guide and an open door! Like Mary, we need to humbly say, "I am the Lord's servant!" and step through the door. Some will say we have been impulsive. Others will see us as bold. Some will call us foolish, while others will praise God for our vision! All of that matters little if we are living in humble obedience, seeking to know and do His will from day to day. Are you?

The life of the Spirit-led individual is an adventure. I am not advocating stupidity, arrogance, or irresponsibility. I am not suggesting that any of us should refuse to be accountable to those who offer wise counsel to us. But, we must be ready to hear Heaven's call and to respond readily. Humility is the key. If we detect even the tiniest amount of grandiosity, even the smallest amount of an attitude that says, "I'll show you," we need to throw on the brakes and get our heart right before God. Mary had no need to become famous, no need to be the Messiah's mother, no need to try to impress God. She was just a peasant girl in Nazareth when God came to her and opened a door of unbelievable opportunity and she said, "Yes!"

Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:7-8, NIV)
_______________

I've a yearning in my heart
that cannot be denied.
It's a longing that has never yet
been satisfied.
I want the world to know
the One who loves them so,
Like a flame it's burning
deep inside.

To be used of God,
to sing, to speak, to pray.
To be used of God,
to show someone the Way.I long so much,
to feel the touch
of His consuming fire.
To be used of God
is my desire.

When I think about the shortness
of my earthly years.
I remember all the wasted days,
the wasted tears.I long to preach the Word,
to those who've never heard,
of the One who can dispel all fears.

To Be Used of God
Audrey Meier© 1954 Manna Music, Inc.
ARR UBP of Manna Music, Inc. (35255 Brooten Road, Pacific City, OR 97135)
CCLI License No. 810055

Where is the Church?

In the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of Worship Leader, Bebo Norman writes about Gary Haugen, founder of IJM (Int'l Justice Mission), an organization that fights injustice among the poorest of the world. This Christian group grapples with human depravity at its worst. Human slavery and sex trafficking of children are just two of the ugly practices they try to end in the name of Jesus. Back in 1994, Haugen was asked to part of the United Nations inquiry in Rwanda. Haugen's assignment was grim. In a nation where more than a million people were hacked to death by their neighbors using machetes, he was asked to dig up mass graves and sort through piles of body parts in stadiums around that nation to try to arrive at an accurate estimate of the number of deaths that resulted from this outpouring of hatred! Most of us would collapse under the weight of such an horrific assignment, probably whining and blaming God by asking, "Where were You?" Gary Haugen asks an entirely different, and much more useful, question: "Where were God's people?"

I fear many of us have asked God for easy assignments, far from the front lines. God's people are often missing in action at critical moments when evil might be turned aside, when sin threatens to overwhelm yet another life, neighborhood, or nation! How many pray or, at least think, something like this - "I will serve you, Lord, but only where it requires minimal inconvenience and little sacrifice in terms of my autonomy and lifestyle."
Have you ever considered any of the following....
...Going to live in an urban center of America that are torn apart by violence, drugs, and poverty to be a light for Christ and His Gospel?
...Staffing a missions outreach in lonely, hard post in a developing nations?
...Taking on a ministry call to teach kids, feed the poor, visit those who are elderly and lonely, or lead a prison Bible Study?
...Getting up regularly to pray for the world at 4:30 AM?
...Encouraging your kids to accept a call to full-time Christian ministry as a pastor or teacher despite the sacrifice that comes with that vocation?
If not, why not?
Have you preserved your own comfort and offered to serve, but only at your convenience?

Jesus issued an 'in your face' challenge, words that we usually either ignore or soften, but that deserve our full attention. He said, "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26, CEV) That's not Mommy-talk! That's drill sergeant growl! The Lord of Glory wants us to realize that the stakes are huge. The destiny of your family, your church, your town, your nation; yes, the world - depends on the Church (you and me) standing up and reporting for duty.

Andy Stanley teaches that real and passionate visions develop in four stages:
1. Defining the Problem.
2. Outlining a Solution.
3. Determining the Reason something must be done.
4. Deciding to do something now!

The problem is that evil is on the rampage, destroying lives, and deluding people to march straight for Hell.
The solution is the message of the Gospel, that Christ Jesus has defeated evil and opened the way to eternal life.
If we don't step up, a generation will be lost, our generation!
So, "knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, NKJV)

When you decide to answer the call, watch out that you're not diverted into the sub-culture of evangelical Christianity that is so consumed with preserving a certain kind of lifestyle! Jesus did not die on the Cross to make us all Republicans so we could pay lower taxes and fight bloated government spending! Our mission is one of justice, mercy, and compassion. We are advocates of the poor, liberators of those enslaved by sin, and priests of the living God who are sent to bring healing to the nations.

Get desperate! Get serious! Let's show up and, by the power of the Spirit, let's make a difference in our generation.
____________________________

Who said it should be easy?

People with purpose commit themselves to a way of life that goes against the flow! Things left to themselves quickly deteriorate, don't they? As I write, I'm looking out on my little half acre lawn. It requires constant attention to be kept attractive. Today there are leaves scattered across the grass, waiting for me to rake and mulch them. Come Springtime, weeds will invade if I do not put down the proper herbicides. Then, the grass will need a weekly mowing. It's not just the lawn that needs to be maintained. Organizations fall into ineffectiveness without constant leadership. The church that I lead presents new challenges for my pastoral leadership almost everyday! Our President called together leaders from Middle East nations yesterday. Why? Peace, or what passes for it in that hotspot of the world, requires nurturing, arm-twisting, and negotiation under pressure. Even nations left to the natural course of things do not tend to peaceful relations, but rather to the chaos of war!

Why is the course of nature towards disintegration without intervention and work? The Bible explains it with these words in Genesis. God said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made." (Genesis 3:17-19, NLT)

Evil is a virus infecting every relationship, every organization, everything in this Creation. Unchecked evil destroys the best and causes the worst to emerge.

Why does a good God allow evil to continue to wreak havoc in this world? That is the question of the ages, for which we have only incomplete answers. But this we know: He calls people to Himself through Christ, gives them the power and gifts of the Spirit, and commissions them to do the work of reversing the Curse of evil! Wherever Believers faithfully do the work of God, good follows. The suffering of sin is defeated by the proclamation of the Good News that Christ is Lord of all, by the diligence of those who throw themselves into the battle against evil in all of its awful expressions.

It is no easy task, nor is it done once. Only the work of the Cross is finished, complete for all time. The work of setting the world right is ongoing, a task in which we renew our efforts daily. Yesterday's victories are challenged by new demons, new conflicts, new weeds growing in our world today.

Does that all sound exhausting? It can be if we attempt to wage the war in our own strength and by our own wits! That is why the Scripture reminds us to suit up for battle. "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.... Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet." (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13, The Message)

Taking up the call of God is not for cowards, lazy people, or those looking for an easy road. It is a way of struggle and sacrifice. And, it is a high and holy calling that brings rich reward in this world and in the age to come. God needs a few good men. (That term, dear sisters, is generic!) Will you be one of His mighty men, one of those who resists evil and builds the kingdom of righteousness?

Here's a word of encouragement from the Word. "...you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Corinthians 1:7-9, NIV)
_______________________

What this dying world could use,
Is a willing man of God.
Who dares to go against the grain,
And work without applause.
A man who'll raise the shield of faith,
Protecting what is pure.
Whose love is tough and gentle,
A man whose word is sure.

Men full of compassion,
Who laugh and love and cry.
Men who'll face eternity,
And aren't afraid to die.
Men who'll fight for freedom,
And honor once again.
He just needs a few good men.

God doesn't need an orator,
Who knows just what to say.
He doesn't need authorities,
To reason Him away.
He doesn't need an army,
To guarantee a win;
He just needs a few good men.

A Few Good Men
Jennings © 1990 Townsend and Warbucks Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055

A Redeemer Kinsman?

The question is an obsession for me: "How does a Christian maintain a distinctly God-honoring life while being effective in his calling to influence his friends, family, and community?"

Some Believers I know are so immersed in their world and culture, that their Christianity is all but invisible! They are materialistic consumers, obsessed with their status and things, doing little (at least that I can see) to advance the cause of Christ. They can sing all the current tunes and discuss the latest movie, but have little to say about what the Spirit is saying to them through the Scripture, of which they know little or nothing. Others choose to live so separately, that they are out of touch and irrelevant, incapable of having a meaningful conversation with anyone who is not 'on the inside' with them! They can win a Bible Trivia quiz anytime, but they don't build any bridges from the Church to the world and fail miserably as articulate communicators of the Gospel. Each side claims its own proof texts from the Bible. Those who are 'relevant,' point to Jesus' words about being 'salt and light,' and not putting a covering over their light so it can shine. Those who are separatists point to the verse that says, "Touch no unclean thing... come out from among them and be holy!"

As usual in my moderate stance, I am in the middle! Those who completely withdraw from the world of which they are a part miss out on many opportunities to do God's work in that world. Without recognizing it, they become hypocritical. They take advantage of the education, the technologies, and the medical knowledge that others who they look down on as less 'spiritual' produce; but refuse to make their own contribution to the processes that bring those advances. Those who are engaged with their world, risk being swallowed by it! Many who have stepped outside of the safety of the 'church' culture in an attempt to bring Christ to the world lose their footing and fall headlong into the muck they hoped to clean up.

My early Christian experience was primarily expressed in a separatist mode. My attitude towards 'the world' was one of contempt. I regarded it as destined for destruction and said, "It's all gonna burn, so let it go to Hell." In one sense I was right. The Scripture is very clear about the temporary nature of the present order of things teaching us that "the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." (2 Peter 3:10, NLT) Repeatedly the Bible warns about being seduced by the world that is passing away, about loving things that we cannot carry into Eternity.

However, (you knew that was coming, didn't you?).... the Believer is to be redemptive, not dismissive, in his stance towards the world! That word, redemptive, comes from the institution of slavery. A person who fell into debt because of mismanagement or misfortune, could be seized, along with his family, and forced into servitude to his creditors. A wretched existence resulted. But the extended family could gather resources to satisfy the creditors claims and 'redeem' their kinsman from servitude, restoring his freedom. That person was called a redeemer kinsman. (For a wonderful story about this, see the short book of Ruth. Boaz became her redeemer kinsman!)

Our model in our relationship with the world around us is Jesus Christ Himself, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14, NIV) In this Season of Advent, we remember that He was willing to leave His place in Heaven, to become fully human, to suffer temptation, deprivation, and rejection to -- yes, become our Redeemer! His death on the Cross was not for His benefit, but for ours. His Incarnation was not for His own reputation, but so that He could become our Priest, creating a bridge from God to fallen humanity.

So, Jude tells us to "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 22-23, NIV) And how do we do this without losing ourselves to the world?

Answer that as you ponder this word from the Word today.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.... To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 20-21, 24-25, NIV)

Go, in the power of the Spirit, and be REDEMPTIVE to someone today!

You Gotta Have Heart

The marriage was in trouble. She was finished, she said, no longer willing to play second fiddle to his car, his friends, his sports, the TV, the kids, and his job. As we talked I found that he never forgot their anniversary, showed up with flowers from time to time, and paid the bills. But through her tears she explained that she could not recall a conversation about their shared dreams, about their hopes, about what love meant to him. "I feel," she said, "like another of his investments!" Many is the husband who is mystified by that kind statement. "What does she want?" he asks angrily. "I pay the bills, provide well for our family. Isn't that enough?" If a couple wants a marriage with intimacy, that goes the distance, and is fresh and alive well into old age, it isn't!

Great marriages include the heart, too! We all want to be loved for more than for what do. We want to be desired, to be valued for who we are! In my own marriage, I want that kind of love with Bev, too. Sure, I appreciate her part in making our home function, but I also want that kind of connection that lets our eyes meet from opposite sides of a room full of people and communicate "I love you!" I want to know her well enough be able to finish her thoughts.

Jesus wants us to love Him in that way, too. He wants more than our tithe, more than our regular attendance at church, more than our dutiful Bible reading, or 'Lord, bless my day,' functional prayers. He wants our hearts, to be the Center of Life. Heartless Christianity is all too common in my opinion. Sincere Believers do all the right things and have an orthodox confession, but their hearts are full of the 'other stuff' of life. You may find His words harsh, but they are true. Take a look. "...at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ " (Matthew 7:22-23, The Message)

The prophet Isaiah indicted the people of God with a similar judgment. "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13, NIV)

So, what does 'heart' look like? Maybe you're like that husband who wondered, "What more does she want anyway?" You point to the things you do for God, or at least you think you're doing them for Him. Consider that you may, in fact, be acting from very selfish motives! Your 'acts of worship' may be more about keeping up appearances or staying on God's good side than real passion!

Heart deep devotion to God is a love that informs daily choices, that draws us into prayerful reflection often through the day, and that gives us eyes that see God at work, even in the small things. It keeps us from chasing the illusions of happiness that the Tempter dangle in front of us. It makes us authentic and preserves us from shallow religion. If we love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength we will take great care not to offend Him with careless or sinful choices, not just to avoid judgment, but because causing Him to be disappointed brings us terrible pain. Keeping this love alive requires daily attentiveness just like keeping a marriage fresh requires constant communication. If we want to love Him from the heart, we will have to wrestle with Him, seeking to know His will, listening to discover His plan, and working through the surprises that make us wonder if He cares! Yes, even those who love Jesus Christ with their whole heart find themselves angry and/or disappointed from time to time. But, they don't turn to another lover in that moment. Instead, they pursue Him, wait on Him.

Passionate Christianity will produce a person of amazing depth of character. The Bible says that they will have the fruit of the Spirit in abundant evidence - that being, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV) Don't confuse great works, big ministries, or long, windy prayers with passion for Jesus. Don't confuse effusive emotionalism with love for Him, either.

Look for love's evidence. "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.... Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.... Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)
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My eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold;
And I know how I ought to be:
Alive to You and dead to me.

But what can be done
With an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine!

The oil is You, the Spirit of love.
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.

My Eyes Are Dry
Keith Green © 1978 Birdwing Music
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