What are you chasing?

She is a woman who pursues her work diligently. Her goals are clear and she is undeterred by the obstacles, unwilling to let other things distract her. I admire her focus that has brought her some amazing success in life. In contrast, I know another person of talent and intelligence who has left those gifts undeveloped, drifting from place to place, professing to be happy but living a difficult life. Both people are of similar backgrounds, spiritual heritage, and ability. Both have known opportunity and hardship in similar ways. One tenaciously works to shape the life she desires, the other is letting the currents carry her.

Do you know that the best Christian life demands much of you? 
Salvation, being right with God, is a gift, beyond our ability to earn.
Discipleship is our choice, requiring focus, purpose, and commitment.

After warning Timothy about the distractions of material things, the lure of the ‘love of money,’  Paul speaks of a different set of priorities.  "But you, Timothy, belong to God; so run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12, NLT)   In that short passage there are principles for us.

Some things must be left behind.

Life offers us many distractions and/or temporary comforts.  The television screen will fill endless hours with images and conversations of little consequence. Alcohol will ease the anxiety. A bowl of ice cream can soothe a soul. Pornography will provide false intimacy, for a moment.  Not all of those choices have equal consequence, but each one can become a substitute for living an engaged life.  Will we listen to our desires or will we turn our back?

The Way must be pursued.

No one drifts into a beautiful Christian life, filled with the fruit of the Spirit.  We must actively choose to love Christ, beyond our words, in more than a song on Sunday.  We gain sight of what it means to belong to Him, then with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness we follow Him, day by day.  ‘Easy Believism’ is a captivating lie that teaches us that we are loved by God and need not strive to become who He wants us to be. Like most half-truths it goes down well. But, there is no real spiritual growth without discipline.

The struggle is real.

The call of Christ sets us at odds with the world in which we live, creates a tension with our old sinful nature, and is opposed by the Evil One.  We are not ‘bad Christians’ if we are tempted. Godly people are tempted to hate, to lust, to crave pleasure!  If we are dedicated to Christ Jesus, He said we should expect to be rejected, perhaps even persecuted.  The world hated Him and if we are His followers we too will be hated.  We do not go looking for trouble. We do not seek to be offensive. But, we accept that we are aliens in a foreign land, citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom.

Hang onto Eternity.

The life of the disciple makes no sense apart from the promise of Heaven. Paul is blunt – “If for this life alone we have hope, we are of all people most miserable.”  The full realization of what we hope for will be found when we enter God’s presence, when we hear His commendation, when we finally know Him without the limitations of this present existence.  Hold onto eternal life now with faith!

Are you trying to walk the fence, so to speak, a creature of this present world while attempting to know the life of the Spirit?  Answer the invitation of discipleship, following Jesus … leaving behind those things that distract, pursuing Him with clear focus, fighting the good fight, with eternity in sight on time’s horizon.

Here is a word from the Word. "How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NLT)

__________

O Come All Ye Faithful

O come all ye faithful

Joyful and triumphant

O come ye O come ye to Bethlehem

Come and behold Him

Born the King of angels

 

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord

 

Sing choirs of angels

Sing in exultation

O sing all ye bright

Hosts of heav'n above

Glory to God all

Glory in the highest

 

Yea Lord we greet Thee

Born this happy morning

Jesus to Thee be all glory giv'n

Word of the Father

Now in flesh appearing

 

C. Frederick Oakeley | John Francis Wade

© Words: Public Domain

 

I’ve got this! - God

One phrase makes several appearances in the Christmas story -  “Fear not!”  Whenever one of God’s messengers shows up with news, they say, “Don’t be afraid!”  God is speaking to us today and HE tells us not to fear. Some Christians are acting in very strange ways these days because of fear. Conspiracy theories abound. Irrational statements are made as if they were revealed dogma. Why? In part I believe it is because we tend to forget the end of the Story!  Ah friend, we need to remember He reigns.  (I played the Hallelujah Chorus  during my morning worship and found myself overwhelmed with joy, moved to tears!)

Spoiler alert! You see this warning in a review of a movie when there is about to be a revelation of a critical turn in the plot. If you don’t want to ruin the story for yourself, you stop reading, right?  My destiny, because of Christ Jesus, is no mystery. God told us the end of the story.  We know the assurance of eternal life. We live confidently knowing that evil will be defeated. Our hope is secure in the house of our Father, a home in Heaven.  He reveals the End in His Book. I am so glad He did! Why? Because sometimes, in the middle of this thing we call life, everything can get really overwhelming. Whether we are talking about world problems – and there are plenty of those- or our personal struggles, we are encouraged to remain faithful to Him because we have divine assurance.  Jesus said - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

Have you read the final lines of Romans chapter 8 recently? It’s a sort of spoiler alert for our lives, but in the best sense. Because we are called and justified in Christ, "we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. …After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? … Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. … None of this (death, demons, etc.) fazes us because Jesus loves us." (Romans 8:37, The Message)

My heart has been full of concern this Advent season for the people in my pastoral care. There are broken hearts. Some struggle with unrelenting pain. Some face a financial need. COVID has made depression as common as a cold as some many try to make sense of what seems senseless, and more. I pray with hope because I have the promise that the "Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26, NIV)  I pray with faith in the promise that He has made us ‘more than conquerors’ through Christ Who loves us.  I know the end of the story, because I have read Word of the Eternal One .

Fearful?  God is saying, “Fear not.”  In a sense HE tells us, “I’ve got this. Let me guide you through.”

Here is a word from the Word.  It is from the End of the Bible, a kind of last word.  May this Truth overcome our fear, fill us with faith, and give us vision to live for the Glory of God, now and forever.

"And the angel showed me a pure river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, coursing down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will anything be cursed. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever." (Revelation 22:1-5, NLT)

Jesus says, “See, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay all according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13, NLT)

_______________

 

Hallelujah Chorus

 

Hallelujah (10X)

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah

The kingdom of this world is become

The kingdom of our Lord

And of His Christ

And of His Christ

 

And He shall reign forever and ever

And He shall reign forever and ever

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever

And Lord of lords

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah

 

George Frideric Handel

Public Domain

Beyond Warm Fuzzies

Our celebration of Christmas has the potential of getting swallowed up by “warm fuzzies” or being ruined by the lack of them. Warm fuzzies? In case you do not know, Merriam Webster definition says that ‘warm fuzzies’ are those feelings of happiness, contentment, or sentimentality that we get when there is good news, when we are loved.  Silent Night sung on Christmas Eve in a darkened church sanctuary while we pass the light from candle to candle is a warm fuzzy moment for this pastor. Yep, the warm fuzzies overwhelm me when I talk about Christmas’s of 30 years ago when four excited kids filled our house with noise.

Relax! I am not a Grinch out to rob you of those sentimental feelings. They are wonderful. Enjoy them, savor them, let them make your life richer.

Christianity does include some warm fuzzies for most of us. I cannot tell the story of the Lost Son who found his father’s arms open wide to him when he finally decided to go home without getting teary! It is such a powerful story of restoration.  In my personal worship there are moments when the Spirit of God comes close and I feel a kind of love that breaks my heart wide open, too. But, our Christian life cannot survive on warm fuzzies. We need to engage both heart and mind with our faith to keep it alive!

James tells us to keep our faith connected to real life.  What we believe, he says, must have a discernable effect on the way we live. "What’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.” (James 2:14-18, NLT)

Yesterday I found myself angry over the politics of COVID, deeply annoyed by what I perceive as a terrible over-reach of government authority. We may well differ in our opinions, but what disturbed me, as I reflected on my words, was the way that my response was out of sync with the heart of Jesus. My anger led me to sinful wrath, to conclusions that my faith would never support.  

 A Christian faith based only on feelings would have been incapable of correcting me, but the Truth that I knew in my mind, forced me to adjust my emotions and hopefully will help me adjust my rhetoric as well.  Is your faith in Christ Jesus powerful enough to challenge your thoughts, your words, your actions? Or, is Jesus just a warm fuzzy for you?  That is a pointed question worthy of an answer.  

Love is the core of Jesus' teaching, and yet many who claim to be His followers are full of rage these days. It is not an over-statement to say that many of us ‘hate’ the ‘other guy.’ Can we actually lay claim to loving God and  hang to bitterness against a neighbor?  Can we really have experienced the reality of God's love and desire harm to come to another?   

Read God’s Word and come to your own conclusion. "If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them." (1 John 3:14-15, NLT)

We are not Christians simply because we once said a prayer with Billy Graham at the end of a televised service, or because we affirmed some doctrinal statement, or because we are in possession of a certificate of baptism.  We are not a Christian if we shed an occasional tear when we hear our favorite worship chorus in church. When faith is real we will be engaged in living the Gospel of Christ in the real world, with the Spirit's help, on a daily basis .  John says, "My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality." (1 John 3:18-19, The Message)    

So, it's Christmas.   There's a ton of sentimentality attached to this holiday.   Let me encourage you to go beyond that little tear in the corner of your eye, that catch in your throat, to do the tough work of applying the Story to life.   If you believe that Jesus is really “Emmanuel, God with us,” then invite Him to live in you.    Embrace Him as both Savior and Lord – in your heart and with your mind – then let it show in how you live for the glory of God.

The word from the Word is a favorite passage for me. I pray this blessing for you this Monday morning.
"And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NLT)  

_________________________

O come, O come Emmanuel

O come, O come Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns  in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

O come,  thou Rod of Jesse free,

Thine own from  Satan's tyranny

From depths of hell  thy people save

And give them victory  o'er the grave

 

O come,  thou Dayspring,  come and cheer
Our spirits by  Thine advent here;
And drive away the  shades of night,
And pierce the  clouds and bring us light.

 

O come,  thou Key of David, come,

And open wide  our heavenly home.

Make safe the way  that leads on high,

And close the path  to misery.

 

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel, Shall come to thee,  O Israel!

 

O Come O Come Emmanuel -Neale, John M. / Coffin, Henry S. / Helmore, Thomas © Public Domain

A Christmas LOST?

Two weeks from today it will be Christmas, but for millions this celebration will not be what it usually is. Families in America these days tend to spread out, none more so than mine. My children are scattered from Florida to North Carolina to Alaska!  Pandemic concerns will keep us near our homes. 

I suppose I may be something of a old sentimental man, but I grow misty on hearing that Christmas song that was born during World War 2 when millions of GI’s were thousands of miles from family and home. “I'll be home for Christmas, you can plan on me. Please have snow and mistletoe and presents by the tree. I’ll be home … if only in my dreams.”  This need not be a Christmas lost, if we will seek joy.

I want to back up a moment and acknowledge the reality.  Millions will be longing for family and if you are sad you are not weird or unique. It may well be that you will not be able to travel to Mom’s, that your adult children will not make it home, that you will not stand in a church with others on Christmas Eve to sing “Silent Night.” 

Let’s remember that it’s normal and acceptable to grieve the real sense of loss.  So, go ahead and let yourself cry. Tell a trusted friend about your sadness. Buried emotions tend to be a lot like a splinter that gets dug in under our skin. If we don’t get it out, it festers and soon there is a red, swollen spot of infection that is sore.

Then, choose JOY!  
God wants those who love Him to trust Him completely, even with our disappointments. Paul was inspired to teach us that we should  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV)  That triad of actions will allow the Spirit to flow in our lives with His comfort. What does He ask?  Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!   

 Think back over this year and call to mind the faithfulness of God to you.
How did He minister to your need?
Whom did He send your way with a word of hope?  
Thank Him.

With confidence that fills our prayers because of the invitation of Christ Jesus, ask Him to heal your sadness; then let Him.

A heart of faith can reach out to take His gift of peace that leads to joy, even when great sorrow comes our way. I know this personally and I live those words. I love the promise "You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy." (Psalm 30:11, NLT)  If we hang onto our sense of loss, if we focus exclusively on what was, or what might have been, living in the land of ‘if only,’ we will never be able to see His gifts for today.

And, then, don’t forget to share the gift of grace with others. 

Yesterday, I received a card in the mail from a pastor that I knew 40 years ago.  I sat for my written ordination test at Bob K.’s dining room table in 1979!  Somehow, he and his wife discovered my daily reflections and they have found encouragement in them.  Their note about the blessings they receive from my writing ministry caused me to experience joy.  Who can you thank? Who can you encourage?  It is a double blessing to share God’s gift of grace – for the giver and for the recipient.

Perhaps you can find a tangible way to share life with someone in difficulty.  Ask your neighbor how life is going and listen. Offer to help a friend in a practical way. Give to your local church’s fund for those in need. Pray for someone you know that has a broken heart.  There are so many simple ways to share care… and when we do … we find joy in the giving.

Our word from the Word is one of my favorite reminders that we are conduits of God’s goodness. Paul is writing to the Corinthians after he has been subjected to terrible persecution. It was so bad he thought death was imminent but God delivered him and he told them he felt like a man returned from death!  Then he says,  "All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT)

Let’s not make it a Christmas lost! Instead, though it may be different, less even, than we had hoped, let’s allow for the joy of the Lord to overtake the sorrow.

_____________

Living Hope

 How great the chasm that lay between us

How high the mountain I could not climb

In desperation I turned to heaven

And spoke Your name into the night

Then through the darkness Your loving-kindness

Tore through the shadows of my soul

The work is finished the end is written

Jesus Christ my living hope

 

Who could imagine so great a mercy

What heart could fathom such boundless grace

The God of ages stepped down from glory

To wear my sin and bear my shame

The cross has spoken I am forgiven

The King of kings calls me His own

Beautiful Savior I’m Yours forever

Jesus Christ my living hope

 

Hallelujah praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain

There’s salvation in Your name

Jesus Christ my living hope

 

Then came the morning that sealed the promise

Your buried body began to breathe

Out of the silence the Roaring Lion

Declared the grave has no claim on me

Jesus Yours is the victory whoa

 

Jesus Christ my living hope

Oh God You are my living hope

 

Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham

© 2017 Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing

[c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

The RIGHT GIft

I reached back to a CoffeeBreak reflection I thought worth sharing again.  Christmas is just two weeks away and I wonder, how are you doing with your gift list? There are many ways to ‘give.’  My Bev loved Christmas and was a great gift giver! She started thinking about Christmas gifts when the Summer sun was shining. She found joy in finding just the right thing for that person, something that would delight them and reflect their personality.  I mostly write checks like a lot of men.

But, let’s think about gifting today.  I promise that there will be a spiritual application before I close.

There is the CHEAP giver.

This giver has 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?" This kind of giving misses the point 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.

“Click” the gift goes into the online cart, check!  In the store, she reaches quickly for something to fulfil the obligation of giving, the aim being checking off names on her list. Obligation, not love, is the primary drive behind the search.

There is the "PAY MY DEBTS" giver.

This person attempt to make up for a year’s worth of mistakes, neglect, or failures with one gift; usually too costly, often ostentatious. No gift can do this, and this giver is sadly set up for disappointment!

There is the "I'D SURE LIKE THAT" giver.

He buys gifts he would like to receive and presents them to others! His gifts are often nice, but don't 'fit.' Why? Because they are given from a place of Self, a revelation of that he is in love with himself. He cannot see what is going on outside of her own skin.

Hallelujah! There is the "BECAUSE I LOVE YOU" giver.

This is the heart of Christmas! This person thinks carefully about the person for whom he is getting a gift and, after a careful search, prepares a gift that he presents with no strings attached. It may be simple, cost next to nothing, and still have great value. 

This is how God gave to us.  John tells us that "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)

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?  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! Perhaps the gift will not be a ‘thing’ at all. Perhaps it will be the gift of your  listening ear, your concern, your prayer, an embrace, an encouraging word, or an expression of your confidence in that person.  This is always true: the best gifts are, like God's gift to us, a gift of ourselves.

Don't forget to offer your best gift to the One who is the Reason for the Season. Find time to worship, to serve, to give of yourself in His Name.  Let God love you, friend.  His love changes everything and those who are loved by God become the best gift-givers in the world for they learn to give richly, with purpose, to meet the need of the recipient, and with love - just like their heavenly Dad!

The word from the Word says It is a "surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:14-15, NIV)

____________

Mary Did You Know
(Carrie Underwood does a beautiful presentation of this Christmas favorite)

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would one day walk on water

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has come to make you new

This Child that you delivered

Will soon deliver you

 

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would give sight to the blind man

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Would calm a storm with His hand

Did you know

That your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod

And when you kiss your little baby

You've kissed the face of God

Oh Mary did you know

 

Ooh Mary did you know ooh ooh

 

The blind will see

The deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap

The dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

 

Oh Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation

Mary did you know

That your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations

Did you know

That your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb

And the sleeping Child you're holding

Is the great I Am

Oh Mary oh

 

Buddy Greene | Mark Lowry

© 1991, 1993 Rufus Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)

CCLI License # 810055

My King and My God

 

 While watching the news last night, I heard about more restrictions promised by government authorities. I know that these are well-intentioned attempts to control this pandemic and yet I found myself feeling suspicion. Like many people today,  I do not trust those who own the power in our institutions. One of the more difficult personal issues for me in this year has been wrestling with regulations that feel like an imposition on individual rights.

Do you trust government authorities, believe the best about those who hold high office?  History’s lessons confirm the assertion that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” (Lord Acton, 1857) That’s why I hope that our American system of ‘checks and balances’ within government is preserved. Perhaps you’re shaking your head and saying, “Who knew that Jerry was such a cynic?”

There is One whose power I love and to Whom I submit without reservation because I know that He is perfect, that He loves me, and that He wills my  good.

He is my King. Jesus Christ, my Lord and King! 

Paul declares the power of Jesus - "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV) That praise of God and His power comes at the end of Paul’s letter to a young pastor struggling with false teachers and his own fears.

The old apostle urges him to faith including a short testimony. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life." (1 Timothy 1:15-16, NIV)  Then, he breaks into this shout of worship - "Deep honor and bright glory to the King of All Time— One God, Immortal, Invisible, ever and always. Oh, yes! " (1 Timothy 1:17, The Message) 

I love Jesus, the Man,  I meet in the Gospels. God reveals Himself as “Immanuel” (God with us).  How wonderful it is to know that my Savior is not a deity far removed from my experience. In faith I receive His grace, trust Him to save me. And I know that the revelation of Jesus’ identity is not complete in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 

In Revelation, we meet the Christ, the King. The gentle Savior of the Gospels is the awesome Lord of Glory, the King, in those chapters. Do you know this Jesus? "They (the evil of the world) will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14, NIV) 

John ‘saw’ the culmination of the plan of God and assures that Jesus is triumphant.  "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14, NIV)

Humans given power may become despots or petty tyrants. But, my Lord is a King who loves me, who uses His power benevolently for me. He will not oppress me. He raises me up. He extends His power to protect me and promises to bring me into His kingdom, under His reign.

Is He YOUR King, too?  If He is only a ‘Babe in a manger’ in your faith, you will be subject to fear.  

As we celebrate Advent, worship Jesus, our Immanuel here, and do not forget to “Crown Him King!”  If we see Him all of His majesty, we are set free from fear and despair. As the song says, “He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.”  (Joy to the World, Isaac Watts)

The word from the Word returns to the passage I quoted a moment ago. Make this amazing declaration your meditation this day. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17, NIV

__________

Lead On O King Eternal

 Lead on O King Eternal

The day of march has come

Henceforth in fields of conquest

Thy tents shall be our home

Thro' days of preparation

Thy grace has made us strong

And now O King eternal

We lift our battle song

 

Lead on O King Eternal

Till sin's fierce war shall cease

And holiness shall whisper

The sweet Amen of peace

For not with swords loud clashing

Nor roll of stirring drums

With deeds of love and mercy

The heav'nly kingdom comes

 

Lead on O King Eternal

We follow not with fears

For gladness breaks like morning

Where'er Thy face appears

Thy cross is lifted o'er us

We journey in its light

The crown awaits the conquest

Lead on O God of might

 

Ernest Warburton Shurtleff | Henry Thomas Smart | Ovid Young

© Words: Public Domain

How will you experience Christmas?

 

I recently read that while most of us dream of a Christmas straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting, we actually live closer to the Griswold’s mess in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  How true! We dream of family gathered to tell stories, of warm emotions, loved shared over perfect meals.  In real life, people argue, feelings get hurt, somebody doesn’t show up.  

 In 2020, it is going to require a stretch to reach for Christmas joy. Most of us will not travel to large family gatherings. Our feasts will be suppers with few. If we go to church, at all, we will meet in smaller groups. A cloud will hang over the holidays, and yet …

JOY is possible. Happiness surprises us, joy comes from our inner reality.  Give me a couple of moments to invite you to reflect on the life we have not the one we may dream about. How can we live joyfully this year at Christmas?

FOCUS on the people around you.

I’m going to miss my family this year. There is no question about that. We will talk on the phone, perhaps make some video calls, but those will be poor substitutes for the happy chaos of a full house on Christmas morning. Still, there are people all around me that I can care for, who need a friendly face, a helping hand, an open heart. We can live wisely with restrictions imposed by COVID and still care, still be hospitable. Think about someone who needs a call and pick up your phone.  Listen a little longer to that person who stops you in the grocery store. (Keep your mask on!)  Pray for family members and friends, one by one, by name, asking God’s blessings. Joy is born in a heart that loves others.

Include worship in your life!

“Keeping Christ in Christmas” is not just about where we go to church or if we say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays.” (By the way, I always say, Merry Christmas.)  Use one of the many Advent devotionals to turn your thoughts to the things of the Lord each day.  Find time to get quiet with God, thanking Him for the gift of life in Christ Jesus.  I know you know the stories, but read them again --- from Matthew and Luke. "O come, let us adore Him... Christ, the Lord!"  needs to be our life attitude, not just a song we sing at church.

Give!

Paul reminds us that "Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And 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 9:7-8, NIV)  That text is often taught only in the context of church giving. The principle is much greater. Adopt an attitude of great-hearted generosity. Give forgiveness. Give love. Give time. Give away your expectations.

Recover wonder!

When you think about a Baby in a stable, a star in the sky – allow that story to speak to you about God's love. Jesus came for YOU.  Enjoy the music of the Season. Let the pseudo-sophisticates pretend to be bored by the holiday. Choose to be child-like in your wonder. See the lights. Sing the songs. Love the Gift God gave.

Here's a word from the Word -
"The Word became human and lived here on earth among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.
And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. ...
We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us—
one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:14, 16, NLT)

So, how will you close this year, in true joy or lamenting life? You choose!

________________

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

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

A Christmas gift for Dad?

When I was about 12 years old I really wanted to get my Dad a Christmas gift that would communicate my love for him! But, what do you get for the guy who already has what he needs?  Kids generally don’t have the kind of resources to go for that ‘big ticket’ item, so they wonder, “Do we just buy another shirt?”   

When I became a Dad it was clear to me that the greatest gift is love. Those handmade cards made by 10 year-olds who labor for hours to get it `just right' are priceless.  About 10 years ago my son, Sean, presented me with a beautiful book of memories, something he made with love, and that gift still evokes real and deep emotion in me when I hold it.  

Tragically, there are parents who somehow miss out on the basics of loving, who are incapable of the self-less love that is so critically important for the emotional and spiritual health of their child. Children are terribly damaged by a dysfunctional or selfish Dad who demands huge favors, who asks to be treated like a petty king, or one who cannot or will not engage with his progeny in warm and accepting affection.

God teaches us about giving, about love, by giving us of His best! That well-known passage reminds us of the heart of Christmas. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NLT)  We were not noble, nor were we seeking Him, yet He loved! "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NKJV)  Have you accepted His love, by faith, for yourself?  Do you come to Him with an open heart, not trying to manipulate Him, but content to love Him as He loves you?

Take a look at this Scripture that clues us in to the best way to love Him. It isn’t with some big gift that makes up for years of apathy or that spectacular moment designed to impress.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"

Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:33-36, NIV)

Does that make you catch your breath, give you a solid foundation to trust Him, to love Him, to receive His provisions for you?  

Immature Christians tend to make God too small, to miss the depth of His love, and to make their religion, their faith, into things done in the hope of somehow earning His favor.  IF we accept what our Father reveals about Himself in the Word, we turn that upside down.  We discover the amazing truth of the Gospel of Grace in Christ and learn to give him ourselves in love. 

Actually loving God is more difficult than giving Him an hour on Sunday or putting some money in the offering.  Loving God involves the whole of our lives, the pursuit of the Holy One. Let's not make the mistake of thinking we can buy His love. Let's not allow ourselves to enter the delusion that we have done something for Him that will make Him reciprocate. Instead, let's love extravagantly. That is what He desires from us.

Here's a word from the Word. May the Truth lift the weight of trying to ‘prove your love’ through religion. Believe, receive and pray for the release the joy of the Spirit in you.

"This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (1 John 4:10, NLT)  
"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world. Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us." (1 John 4:16-18, NLT)

__________

Go Tell It On The Mountain
(Zac Williams will start your day right! Enjoy!)

Go tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and ev'rywhere

Go tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born

 

The shepherds feared and trembled

When lo above the earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed the Savior's birth

Down in a lowly manger

The humble Christ was born

And God sent us salvation

That blessed Christmas morn

 

When I was a seeker

I sought both night and day

I asked the LORD to help me

He showed me the way

He made me a watchman

Upon the city wall

And if I am a Christian

I am the least of all

 

John W. Work Jr.

© Words: Public Domain