This is why you are alive

 

As we begin this ordinary day most likely we are focused on just ‘getting things done,’  going to work, earning a living, tending to the needs of our body, communicating with others. And underneath it all, every now and then, the question comes to us – “But, why?”  We may not even ask it consciously, but we do try to answer that longing for meaning in many different ways. 

Some are achievers, constantly pushing for the next award, a bigger office, some mark of success. Others look for pleasure – seeking that perfect meal, planning for a vacation. Others accumulate ‘stuff,’ building their investment accounts, buying an impressive vehicle, getting a larger home.  Will an award, a moment of pleasure, another possession satisfy us?  Truthfully, no. Though we might find momentary happiness in those things, eventually they will lose their luster and leave us hungering for more.

Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us that no matter our status, regardless of our situation, we can know purpose - "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV)   I live, as do you, to give praise, glory, and honor to God.

Understanding those words requires a radical shift in perspective in life. Instead of being focused on ‘what makes me happy,’ those who want to glorify God must give themselves away and choose to live outwardly focused. Jesus said it simply – ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV)  This is a difficult concept for us, trained as we  are from our childhood to seek self-fulfillment.  We are deeply committed, even if unconsciously, to a radical individualism.

Jesus’ call to surrender and humility makes the Gospel all but incomprehensible to many people. They hear the words but the concept seems foolish. “How could I possibly be a happy person if I chose to live with less, to readily forgive others, to seek the good of others over my own desires, if I live as a ‘servant?’  I am a follower of Jesus for more than a half century and still find myself questioning that call.  My natural impulse is to care for Jerry. The appeal of ‘doing my own thing’ and building my own little kingdom is still present in me! That is why I need a Savior, One who will give me grace, who will lead me to life, Whose Spirit will live in me to reveal the way to life eternal. I hasten to add that when I willingly and humbly respond to His invitation to love and serve, I do find amazing joy and sense God’s purpose for my life. 

As we approach the celebration of the Incarnation, remembering that God came to us, a Baby born in an animal shelter, identifying Himself with the least and the low, may we turn to Him and receive the life of the Spirit. Let’s pray for faith to accept Him, to let the Spirit change us from the inside out.  And, as we love Him and others, we will discover the promise that Jesus made – “life more abundant!”  (John 10.10)

The word from the Word is one of those passages in the Scripture that is familiar. Step beyond the familiarity today and meditate on the invitation. Ask God to turn you around, to give you eyes to see His purpose and plan, that you might live in His joy.   Here it is –

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God.
He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.
And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.

Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven
and gave him a name that is above every other name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11, NLT)

Lord, teach us to live to give You praise, glory, and honor and so find the purpose for which You made us.  Amen

(Video of this blog at this link)
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O Come All Ye Faithful

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

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

Sing choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye citizens of heav'n above
Glory to God
All glory in the highest

Christ the Lord
You are the Lord

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

You are the Lord
You are the Lord
You are the Lord
Yeah

We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
We'll praise Your name forever
Christ the Lord

Glory in the highest

Chris Tomlin

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CCLI License # 810055

 

What kind of Gift?

 

(Today’s reflections are some I have shared just about every Christmas season. May God teach us to be like Him, giving because we love.)

Gifting. It’s a major part of our holiday season, isn’t it?  Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Finding the “right” gift is not always easy. What’s appropriate? What will be meaningful?  Admittedly, some of us miss the meaning gifting which is what I’ll address in a moment.  Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which we give at Christmas .

The CHEAP giver is driven by one goal - buying something, anything, that satisfies the need to offer a present.  He wants to spend 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!

The HURRIED giver just wanted to get it over and done. She darts from store to store, grabbing this and that and checking off the names on his list. Obligation, not love, is the primary drive behind their search.

The "PAY MY DEBTS" giver hopes that with one gift, usually one that is far too extravagant, that she can make up for her failures through the year. No gift can do this, and this shopper is sadly set up for disappointment already!

The "I'D SURE LIKE THAT giver" buys gifts he would like to receive. His gifts are often very nice, but they do not bless the recipient. Why? They just don't 'fit.' Why? His gifts are not thoughtfully chosen because he is too in love with himself to be aware of what really going on outside of his own skin.

The "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" giver finds the heart of Christmas!

This person thinks carefully about the tastes, the needs, the personality of the person for whom she is getting a gift and, after a careful search, prepares a gift that she presents for no reason other than the joy of blessing another.  Her gift has no payment, no obligation, nor guilt attached!

The heart of the Christmas story is about God’s Gift that was given for us, costly, to meet a real need, to restore us.  The passage is so familiar you may be tempted to skim through it, but let your mind and heart absort the words with faith.  “God so loved 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) 

Paul exults in the extravagance of God’s gift. "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!)" (Ephesians 2:4-5, NLT)  He is totally sufficient in Himself, yet He gave. He has no aim other than to bring us life. His Gift was rich, prepared from eternity, given to settle my debts, based on my need, and shaped by His love for me!

In your gift-giving, make LOVE the reason.
Having trouble finding a gift for someone on your list? 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!

And remember this - The best gifts are, like God's gift to us, the gift of ourselves; our love, our tender care, our gentle words, our encouragement.

Let’s be great givers this Christmas season. 

(Video of this blog at this link)
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Christmas Day 

Joy to the world
On a night like no other
Emmanuel
God is with us

Beggars and kings
Let us come and adore Him
Rest in His peace
And bow before Him

Sing all you people
The Lord almighty reigns
Sing ev'ry creature of God
Come bless His name
For He is good for He is good
He was born to conquer the grave
Light of the world
The reason for Christmas Day

Stars we have seen
Over deserts and oceans
The darkness was deep
But never hopeless
Redemption came
And His name is Jesus 

From the mountains
We will shout it out
For the Lord our God almighty reigns
He is with us
He is with us now
For the Lord our God almighty reigns

Light of the world
The reason for Christmas Day 

Andrew Bergthold | Ed Cash | Franni Cash | Martin Cash | Scott Cash

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JOY, really?

 

In our Advent journey brings us to “Joy.”  Are you experiencing JOY?  It is a choice we make based on the promise and Person of Jesus.  As yesterday closed, I reflected over a day of mixed emotions – some positive, some not so much. Our pastor had urged us to choose joy.  He made the point that the joy of the Lord is beyond situation and circumstance.  As much as I agree, it can be a challenge to actually live joyfully in a world where evil produces so much pain.  So, last night, in the dark of my bedroom, I prayed for faith to accept joy and to live to bring joy to the world.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, God’s messenger declared - "I bring you good news of great joy."  The angels sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."(Luke 2:14-18, NIV) And in that worship, they found joy.

Will you choose surrender of your own agenda, your own desires, to find the joy of the Lord today?
His joy is found at the end of our striving and our demands to live life on our own terms.  In the choice for joy worship is the key.  It’s more than the worship that that we do in a church sanctuary. 
True worship is the presentation of ourselves to our God with humility, our very lives a prayer to honor HIM in our thoughts, our words, our choices.

Want to find the joy that we talk about as Christians?

First, turn to Jesus, seek Him, worship Him.   

That worship starts with a willingness to set aside the demands of the day. The shepherds could have remained with their sheep. But they chose to go to see the Baby. They became part of a strange and wonderful story of God’s entry into our world. Wherever you are today, whatever your situation – find time to look for the Savior, to thank Him, perhaps just to wait quietly before Him as you offer yourself in worship.

Second, ask God to make you a source of joy for others.

Paradoxically, when we give away our demand to be ‘happy,’ and turn outward, we create the possibility of joy for ourselves and others.  Your circle of friends includes many who need to know God's love. Perhaps they feel worthless or forgotten. Perhaps they are overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness. They may be carrying the weight of a chronic illness, or experiencing  the limitations brought on by aging. It could be they are weighed down by guilt and regret.  

Love makes joy possible!  The suffering person needs more than your happy song.  Be the Joy of Jesus shown in love.

Be a reflector of the Light, . Only in God can we find a reason for real and lasting joy, a hope that is bigger than any set of circumstances in this world.

Let’s take on the mission of the angels and announce JOY!  You might say, "Hey, Jerry, I’m no angel."  Neither am I. But we are people of the Spirit, “Christ’s ambassadors.” We have the awesome privilege of leading others to Him, sharing with them the Hope we have found. So, let’s pray for opportunities to be bringers of joy, messengers of hope. If your heart is so heavy that Joy seems impossible, by faith let me remind you that HE is the Healer of broken hearts, the Restorer of our relationship with the Father, the Hope of the hopelessness. Ask Him to help you. His answer may not come in the way you expect, but He will come to you. He promises!

Here is a word from the Word.  I’m using a contemporary paraphrase of the Scripture today – The Message.  Lord, use Your Word to shape our lives today. Amen.

"So reach out and welcome one another to God’s glory.
Jesus did it; now you do it!
Jesus, staying true to God’s purposes,
reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders
so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them.

As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able
to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God.

Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do!
For instance: Then I’ll join outsiders in a hymn-sing; I’ll sing to your name!
And this one: Outsiders and insiders, rejoice together!
And again: People of all nations, celebrate God! All colors and races, give hearty praise!
And Isaiah’s word: There’s the root of our ancestor Jesse, breaking through the earth and growing tree tall, tall enough for everyone everywhere to see and take hope!

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy,
fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives,
filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit,
will brim over with hope! " (Romans 15:7-13, The Message)

(Video of this blog at this link)
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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Hyfrydol)

Come Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart

Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne

 

Charles Wesley | Rowland Hugh Prichard

© Words: Public Domain