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
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
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!
___________________
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!
___________________
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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!____________________
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!____________________
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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 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)
Monday, December 10, 2007
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.
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)
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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)
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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.
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