Trust in the Lord, Not in Man

I opened my Bible to Jeremiah 17 today which has a few of my favorite verses. I think its appropriate today, both as a reflection, and in light of the fiscal cliff discussions. The Lord is our only real source for confidence and provision, and looking anywhere else, is dangerous to our faith.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. [6] That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. [7] “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. [8] They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

So, let us remember to put our trust in the Lord, so that we can see His provision and blessing. As we trust in Him we will become a source of light and life to those around us, for we will be drawing life from the true source of life. Difficult times sometimes provide the greatest opportunities, especially for spiritual growth and openness to the Gospel. Let us look to Him and let Him guide us to His life, and experience His blessing daily in 2013!

In the Face of Opposition

This morning I opened my Bible to 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV
"But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, [9] because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me."

I was just thinking about the optimism of Paul, and his willingness to continue on in the face of opposition. Here in one sentence he talks about a a great door for effective work being opened, and in the same breath the fact that there are many who oppose him there. He was not discouraged by the opposition, rather it appears he was just acknowledging the fact, but had his eyes focused on the opportunity.

I think at times, I would experience the opposition and be dissuaded from my efforts, because I don't want to cause conflict. The reality that Paul understood was the fact that the Gospel will cause conflict, for it is the establishment of a new Kingdom, and the old kingdom will not just give away what it possesses. The defeat of an existing kingdom is always accomplished through conflict. As representatives of the Kingdom, we need to understand that conflict and opposition will occur and we should not be afraid of this. Rather it is a sign that we are advancing the Kingdom. We must recognize the fact and accept it and let the opportunity drive us forward.

I think in the coming years, as our nation becomes covered with darkness, it will be even more important for us to understand this concept. Lord, help us to put our trust in You, and continue to work to advance Your Kingdom.

Pressing On

Hosea 6:3, 6 NIV
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ” [6] For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

As I opened my Bible this morning, was directed to Hosea 6. This verse about pressing on to acknowledge God really caught my attention. As I was writing yesterday, my tendency is to quickly become distracted or to wander off the path. I like the fact that this is an encouragement from one person to another. I see in my minds-eye the guys racing on the beach in the movie Chariots of Fire, encouraging one another to run faster.

The promise is clear, its in pressing in and pressing on, that we will see Him. He will come, He will appear. He will bring refreshment and life.

The second verse is translated a bit differently in the NASB version, replacing the word mercy with loyalty. This is closer to the original Hebrew. It also makes more sense, following the first verse. God desires our loyalty and faithfulness and acknowledgement more than sacrifices or burnt offerings. This speaks to me of constant regular communication, rather that the once or twice a year grand show. I know for me the choice to remain loyal to the Lord, following His word, living by His example, is a daily, hourly and even almost every minute decision. Pressing on speaks of persevering in pursuit, kind of like Tommy Lee Jones in the movie The Fugitive, just dogged pursuit that never gives up.

Let us press on to know Him and love Him, and He will come!

Staying on Track

This morning I was reflecting on my inability to stay on course for a long period of time. At some point I start making decisions, or choices that slowly lead me away from the path I want to be on, and for a while I don't even notice. When I opened my bible this morning, I felt led to read from Deuteronomy 17:13-20 NIV:

[14] When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” [15] be sure to appoint over you a king the Lord your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite. [16] The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” [17] He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.
[18] When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. [19] It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees [20] and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.

Verses 18-20 really seem to be helpful in maintaining a consistent walk, as they were intended to guide and ground the king in the reality of who they are, and their purposes, and dangers to their focus. I think this would be very helpful to me, to write down the directives of the Lord for me in this season and read them every day, and meditate on my following them. Lord, I pray that You will help me, for I know You desire me to walk in Your ways.

Looking to Others

This morning I felt like I should be reading about John the Baptist. Luke 3:3, 7-9, 16 NIV
He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

[16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

As I read through these verses I am reminded that there had been a drought of hearing the active word of God for 300+ years, since the last prophet was sent. That is probably close to 10 generations of people. The message of repentance was familiar, for it was spoken in the major prophets, as well as the minor prophets with some regularity. However it hadn't been spoken of in hundreds of years by anyone with the authority of God active in their lives, like John.

Its interesting that the fruit of there repentance that John focused on was looking beyond themselves to those around them. He was speaking against the pure individualism, and the greed that was present. The call was to not just change their mind, but to change their actions.

Luke 3:10-14 NIV
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. [11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” [12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” [13] “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. [14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.”

I think this is a fitting word for my life, and I see in many ways the same type of environment all around me. Let us embrace the message of John and seek forgiveness for our sins of selfishness and greed and turn to those in need.

A Child is Born: Isa. 9:6

This morning as I came downstairs to pray I was humming Handel's Messiah, the wording comes from Isaiah 9:

Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7 NIV
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. [3] You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

[6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The day of the Lord's visitation, the day of His birth was a day of incredible blessing. Jesus revealed to us the Holy Spirit the wonderful counselor, showed us the Father, gave proof of God's love, justice and righteousness, in Himself made peace between the Father and all people, and demonstrated the power of God! The people of Israel were looking for King to rule them, but He was so much more. They were looking for a great human king, and kingdom to be established. He brought forth a heavenly kingdom on earth. The signs of Kingdom were cleansing, healing, miracles, deliverance and raising of the dead. His Kingdom is still present and still active in our day, as Isaiah correctly prophesied - "He will reign ... over His Kingdom...from that time on and forever!"

Finally it is the 'zeal' of the Lord almighty that will accomplish this. The Hebrew word here translated zeal, has a bit more depth. The word is Qin'ah:

Definition
1. ardour, zeal, jealousy
a. ardour, jealousy, jealous disposition (of husband)
1. sexual passion
b. ardour of zeal (of religious zeal)
1. of men for God
2. of men for the house of God
3. of God for his people

If you look at the three main words ardor, zeal and jealousy, they speak of a burning passion, a fervent pursuit, and protectiveness all based out of love and desire for another. This is how the Lord views us...passionately loving us, pursuing us, protecting us and guarding us, desiring that we love Him alone.

That burning love and passion for us is what caused Jesus to come to earth, born as a baby boy, and become as we are so that forever a way might be open to the Father, and we might enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. Lord, help us to recognize Your burning love for us today!

The Humility of Christmas

I was just thinking about amazing it is that You decided to come to earth Lord, that You humbled Yourself to become man. It is so far outside our expectations of a true God. We have stories from Greek and Norse mythology of gods coming to earth in disguise. We have stories in scripture of the sons of god coming to earth and having children with human women - Gen 6, and I think those stories all seem plausible or reasonable, because at no point did they ever give up their divine powers or abilities, they just cloaked them for a time so the could appear like us humans.

In coming to earth and becoming fully human, is where the real miracle of Jesus birth comes from. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he describes this emptying of divinity:

Philippians 2:6-8 NIV
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!

And John describes the miracle well in the opening verses of his Gospel:

John 1:1-5, 9-14 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
[9] The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. [11] He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. [12] Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--- [13] children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As I sit and meditate on this reality I am just overwhelmed by the complete humility it took to empty Yourself of all Your divinity, truly becoming a man, in the flesh, who was capable of dying, being wounded, and every other human condition. The idea that God became a human infant, fully dependent on his mother and father continues to be astounding.

Lord, help us to think of the reality of what Christmas is about this year. Help us to take time from out parties and gatherings and family events to think about the miracle and wonder of You becoming man, and becoming man, being humbler still and being a newborn baby.

The Real End Of The World

I had not intended to write about the end of the world, but this morning I felt led to read out of Joel 3:14-18 NIV:

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. [15] The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine. [16] The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. [17] “Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. [18] “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the Lord’s house and will water the valley of acacias."

I find this an interesting verse to read on this day, when so many people are thinking about the end of the world. In one way, they are all correct, there will be an end to the world, according to scripture, these verses in Joel are just one example from the old testament, and the words of Jesus, in Matt 24-25 as an example. It will come, it will be terrible, and our only refuge in that time will be in God.

This supposed end-of-the-world is for the most part laughed off by people and largely an excuse for an end-of-the-world party. The real end of the world will not be something to be taken lightly, nor will it be pre-scheduled event that you can plan a party for in advance. It will be an event where it becomes very clear that there is indeed a true God, whole protection is real, and whose provision is our only hope, as described in the verses above.

I think its wise to think about the end of the world and what is beyond. Our faith tells us there is an eternal life which we are invited into, whose invitation is extended through relationship with Jesus. This eternal life exists after the end of the world. Our place in eternity is dependent on our lives here, and as such worthy of thought and action. As it says in 1 John 5:11-13 NIV:

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. [13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

Let us consider our final destination today, not because today is the end-of-the-world, but because we are one day closer to the real end.

Semi-Random Thoughts on His Birth

Continuing my reading of Luke:

Luke 2:7-14 NIV
"...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. [8] And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. [9] An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. [11] Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. [12] This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” [13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

As I was reading these verses, I had a few new thoughts:

1. The very first of created things to see Jesus, besides His parents , were the animals in the manger. I find that an interesting thought, as God does nothing by accident. Is there a purposeful parallel between His birth and the creation account, where the animals were created before man?

2. The lowly state of Jesus birth, a clear sign of the completely different revelation of God than what was expected, makes me wonder why God chose this time to reveal that component of His nature?

3. The first people to hear about his birth are shepherds, who weren't even looking for Him, or probably even that religious. I find it reassuring that God chooses to reveal His plans and purposes and glory to those who are not looking for Him.

4. Most people missed the real significance of the first Christmas, and that is understandable. We, on the other hand, have in large part lost the real significance of this celebration, due to our own distractedness, or spiritual blindness.

I pray that we all might experience the visitation of the Lord in unexpected ways! I pray that we might be reminded of the real significance of what we are celebrating - that God chose to come to earth, to reveal himself more fully, and to save us all by taking our place, and paying the price we could not pay.

Part of the Plan

Continuing in my reading of Luke's account of the birth of Jesus, from Luke 1:67-75 NIV
"His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: [68] “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. [69] He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David [70] (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), [71] salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us--- [72] to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, [73] the oath he swore to our father Abraham: [74] to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."

There is a sense of fulfillment in Zechariah's words that is important for us to grasp and understand, in our need everything now society. God's purposes are generational, and are played out over hundreds of years. We are so quick to try to fully understand things in our present context, but God is operating at a completely different level. God's promise to Abraham was given approximately 2000 years before Zechariah uttered these words, according to some bible time lines. Regardless of the actual number of years, this gives us some context for understanding the perspective God has versus our limited time perspective. I can rarely remember clearly more than a few days in the past and see not at all into the future. I want to understand how my situation fits into the grand scheme of things, but in reality, don't really have a clue.

For example, I recently have been looking at my genealogy, and have traced my ancestory back to the 1700's. As I look back at all the marriages and children born, and each successive generation that leads to my own birth, I get a better sense of the ordering of God's purposes, for each link in this genealogy and each relationship is critical to my existence. I have their DNA in me. Seeing 300 years into my past is amazing, and helps me to see the greater scale of things, and God's ordering of all.

We really need to learn to be at peace with God's workings in our life, trusting that He does know what He is doing, and does have a master plan, of which we are part and participants. Most of the time we won't understand it all, but once in a while, like Zechariah, we will be able to see how we fit into a part of God's plan. Lord, give me patience and help me to trust You

Believing in His Promises

This morning I am reading from Luke again.

Luke 1:41-45 NIV
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [42] In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! [43] But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? [44] As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. [45] Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

My attention was drawn to the last line of her statement - "Blessed is she who has believed the the Lord would fulfill His promises to her!" I guess I am still thinking about the promises of God, and meditating on their significance.

A few thoughts:

1. They are God's promises - owned by Him. He made them, and His word is perfect and He is true and faithful. We can believe them because of His nature and character.

2. Our work is one of belief. Continuing to believe in His promises, even while in the waiting period is good for us. We enter into a place of humility, and anticipation, and longing for God, all of which are things He looks for in His people. I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV: "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

3. Elizabeth's statement was as much about her as it was about Mary. Both believed in the promises of God, and both were blessed. In the same way, God's word and promises can be applied to many people and many situations for it is perfect.

Let us believe in the Lord's promises to us! Let us turn to Him and pursue Him in prayer and humility, anticipating His time of visitation in our lives and the fulfillment of His promise. Let us believe in the revealed character of our Lord, made visible in Jesus

Light in Darkness

In response to the happenings in CT last Friday I think the following verses are helpful:

Isaiah 60:1-3 NIV
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. [2] See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. [3] Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

Matthew 5:16 NIV
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Philippians 2:14-16 NIV
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life."

We, in the Body of Christ, need to rise up in these circumstances and be a light to the nations. Our light is Christ, and as we let Him shine through us, people will recognize there is hope and peace in Him. Our ministry should be that of love and mercy! Let us love these stricken families, let us love our own children and let us turn to Him, who is our peace. We are truly living in a time of increasing darkness and we were destined for such a time as this. Let our light shine!

Approval to Expand

This morning I felt I should read from Joshua 17, and was surprised to see that this contains the story of Tirzah and her sisters, which is a great story of how the Lord extended the blessing and inheritance to the daughters as well as the sons. It also talks about the encouragement that Joshua gives to the two tribes of Joseph - Manesseh and Ephraim. They were complaining because they needed more room, since the Lord had blessed them and made them multiply. They wanted Joshua to appoint for them some other inheritance that they didn't have to work for. Although this isn't stated exactly that way in scripture, reading between the lines of verses 14-16 you can see that is their desire.

Joshua, on the other hand, feels that they can extend the borders of their inheritance by some hard work, and that will bring an increase to their inheritance. He encourages them in their abilities and in their efforts to expand their territory - verses 17-18.

This is what I felt the Lord's encouragement was today. That if you are feeling constrained by your situation, due to increase, the Lord is approving and encouraging expansion. However, it won't just be handed over with no effort, but rather through perseverance and new strategies. God desires our increase and is the God of abundant provision and blessings, and He means for us to expand our territories, and will provide the means to expand. This will require effort on your behalf, but it will be worth it.

Here are the verses from Joshua 17:14-18 NIV:
"The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.” [15] “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites. ” [16] The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” [17] But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph---to Ephraim and Manasseh---“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment [18] but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

God's Humor

This morning I was reading through Luke again and I was struck by the humor in one of the stories about the birth of Jesus, that of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Here are the critical verses:

Luke 1:20, 23-24, 64 NIV
"And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

[23] When his time of service was completed, he returned home. [24] After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

[64] Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God.

So as I was reading this, I realized how funny this situation was, and actually started laughing, hopefully you find the humor in this as well. Setting the stage for this comedy - Here we have a man and his wife, well past the age of being able to have children, and God takes away the husbands ability to talk, right after He tells him that his wife and he are going to have a baby. I think there is a whole bunch of stuff that happened between the end of verse 23 and the beginning of verse 24.

What struck me as funny was imagining Zechariah coming home and trying to explain to Elizabeth this whole situation, without being able to speak. Granted that Zechariah could write, but only so much can be communicated that way, and here he is trying to convince her that they needed to try and get pregnant, and that he saw an angel, and why he lost his voice, etc. I find that quite humorous, and can imagine myself trying to convince my sweetheart of something this significant without the ability to talk, and failing miserably.

Add to this his inability to talk for close to 10 months and it becomes quite a bit funnier. I am wondering how does he explain to his friends and family when Elizabeth becomes visibly pregnant. I can imagine all the one sided conversations that happen in his house prior to the birth. Anyway, I could go on imagining situations and circumstances that would be funny or awkward or both.

I just think looking at the humanity of this situation, and seeing the humor in it is proof that God enjoys a good laugh!

God Protects His Promises

This morning as I was thinking about the birth of Jesus, the Lord pointed me to an unusual theme, His ability to protect His promise. I was reminded of the several times God sent Angels to provide directions and reveal the plans of the enemy to try and kill Jesus when He was yet a child. It is very clear that God is capable of stepping into our lives to guide and direct us.

I think sometimes we believe that God and the enemy are equal powers, or that God is generally either disinterested or disconnected from our lives. All of these are lies and as such we need to recognize them and cast them away from our thinking. The Bible is a great record of God's ability and willingness to step into our lives and reveal His love and faithfulness to us. I can think of numerous times in the old testament, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, and on and on, when God touched their lives, gave them direction, protected them, and blessed them. The whole message of the New Testament is that God cared so much for us that He came to earth, took on Himself our punishment and established a new kingdom in the midst of this fallen World. That is exactly what we are celebrating at Christmas.

My meditation today is on God's ability to protect His promise, and at the same time not interfere with the fulfilment of His plan. I am amazed that He came to earth, took on the form of man fully, and became absolutely the most vulnerable form possible, that of a new born baby. Jesus purposely chose to become fully man, and in doing that put himself at the mercy of those around Him. When He was in danger, He could have taken back that which he gave up freely, His Godhood, but then he wouldn't have been able to fulfill the requirements of the law as a man. So God the Father chose to entrust His son, in this most vulnerable, state to people like you and me, Mary and Joseph, and guide them to safety with angelic visitors.

Here are a few verses that speak of those interactions:

Matthew 2:7-8, 12-14, 19-20 NIV
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

[13] When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” [14] So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt,

[19] After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt [20] and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

I know that I tend to think that this would happen with Jesus because He was God's Son, and of course God would protect Him. What I felt the Lord say today, is that He does the same thing for all of us. We are all His children. He loves each of us uniquely and individually. The story of His protection over Jesus is meant to reveal to us the Father's heart for us all! He watches over us, and He watches over His promises, and He is capable of delivering both. Whether its through Angelic visitors, family members who watch over us and protect us, or the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives, God is fully capable protecting His promise, of which we are part. God is not disconnected or ambivalent about our lives and situations, but sees our lives clearly and understands our needs. He is willing and able to break in and move in our behalf, but He also gives us the ability to choose our destiny. What a great love and faith in our nature, allowing us to choose Him.

So in summary, if God has spoken a promise to You, He is good for it. He hasn't forgotten; He hasn't become bored with You; He hasn't decided He likes some else better; He hasn't taken back the promise because of something bad you have done, or something that's happened to You. He loves You and will stand by You.

Amen Lord!

The Long Wait

Continuing my read of Luke's Gospel - I was struck by the personal story of Zecharaiah and Elizabeth. So often I read stories and am so familiar with them, I just pass over really significant things, and don't let them fully impact me. In this case it was the fact that they were both, according to Luke, very old. Even in those days they knew when a person was past being able to bear children, and understood the normal rhythm of life. If the author, in this case Luke says they were barren and says they were very old, it must have been clearly so (see verse 7 below).

I was thinking about the personal ramifications of this barrenness. There was a belief that children were a blessing from God, and unfortunately a couple without children was considered disgraced - or unblessed by society. Yet in the midst of that social stigma, these two were faithful and honoring of God, and unwilling to become offended at God, which is such an important perspective to choose. I am also struck by how often we look at people in difficult situations and somehow think it is their fault, or they are to blame somehow. That was a weight they felt, and more specifically felt by Elizabeth as her child-bearing years passed her by. She speaks about being free of that disgrace - in the Greek 'a bad name' in verse 25, so it clearly was something she felt.

One almost gets the feeling that they had probably, by this point, stopped praying for a child, as the time was past. Yet those prayers that were long ago prayed were still remembered by God. They didn't know their long wait was over, and that God had a miraculous plan for them.

That was my encouragement this morning, that God's plan and blessing is worth waiting for and believing in, regardless of how long of a wait there is on our part. He is capable of reaching into the most impossible of situations and bringing life and blessing. In the perfect time, God will act and it will be glorious. I heard someone say that the longer we wait for the fulfillment of a promise, the more glorious will be the fulfillment. So that is my encouragement today - to not give up on God, no matter what, it will be worth the wait!

Here are the verses from Luke:

Luke 1:5-20, 23-25 NIV
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

[8] Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, [9] he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. [10] And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. [11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. [12] When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. [13] But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. [14] He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, [15] for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. [16] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous---to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” [18] Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” [19] The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. [20] And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

[23] When his time of service was completed, he returned home. [24] After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. [25] “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

The Messenger of Good News

This morning I was continuing my reading of Luke. I am so encouraged by this verse: Luke 1:19 NIV. The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

God loves us enough to send messengers from His every presence to bring us good news. The good news that is proclaimed originates from the goodness of God. All good things come from Him! His love for us, His mercy, His perfect will, His words of life are all good. His invitation to intimacy, relationship, and interaction are all so good.

I love Gabriel's statement about who he is - "I stand I the presence of God". That closeness is all we need to know about to recognize the authority in his words. As I was saying previously, intimacy is closely related to authority. Here is a mess anger who stands in the Father's presence, being dispatched with a special message of hope and life.

I love the fact the God knew exactly where and when to send the angel to meet with Zechariah. In the same way he knows where we will be and when, and knows what we need to hear. That is the thing about His word being perfect, not only is completely true, it s always spoken at the perfect time, to accomplish exactly what it was supposed to accomplish.

I guess I am just encouraged because I know that good news is coming to those that need it. Lord, I pray that You will send messengers with Good News to all of us that need our hope and life renewed.

Parents and Children

This morning I was reading from Luke's Gospel the story of John the Baptist, and my attention was drawn to the following verses:  

Luke 1:16-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

As I was reading through these verses, I was intrigued by the fact that this turning of parent's hearts to their children was part of the preparation for the coming of Jesus.  I know this is a restating of the last verses of the Old Testament - Malachi 4:6, but I think there may be more to this than just linking what was happening at that moment with what God had promised.

My experience with God is that His words are perfect, and often times have more than one meaning and application.  I believe that in addition to being the first prophetic words heard in about 400 years in Israel, these spoken by an Angel, they are also significant in exactly what they say.  There is something that changes the spiritual environment that prepares the way for the Lord to come, when parent's hearts are turned toward their children.

As I think about my own heart during the Christmas season, I am always more aware of my children's needs, wants and state of mind.  My heart is warmed towards them, more than normal, as they open the gifts that I have given them.

As I put that in the context of this verse, I think that the Lord's desire for all of us is that we would turn our hearts toward our children (as parents) and towards our parents (as their children) and that this would not just be a seasonal change, but something that has lasting affects in our lives.  Additionally, as we see our relationships changed for the positive, we are preparing the way for the Lord to come again!

One of the Greatest Gifts

In the season of gift giving I am reminded of (NIV)Matthew 7:7-11:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

And the parallel passage in (NIV)Luke 11:9-13:
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Also referring to the Holy Spirit Jesus said the following: (NIV)John 16:7, 12-15: "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [12] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

I think these last verses, and specifically John 16:7, are astounding. Here we have the Messiah, the long awaited one, the Son of God incarnate, telling us that its better for us if He goes away (to Heaven) that the Holy Spirit might be given to us! I think the giving of the Holy Spirit is one of the great accomplishments of Jesus coming to earth. He dies on the cross to fulfill the law, His blood atones for our sins, He opens the door to Heaven that we might enter in, and the Holy Spirit is poured out on all men - see Acts 2:17!

So, in this season of gift giving, let us ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit, one of the greatest gifts of all time!!!

The Season of Preparation

Last night I read from Isaiah 40 again. (NIV)Isaiah 40:1-5
"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. [2] Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. [3] A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. [4] Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. [5] And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

As I read this, I am reminded of the season we are in, waiting for Christmas, which should directly relate to our waiting for His second coming. We celebrate His first coming, and wait in joyful anticipation for His second coming. The ministry of John the Baptist fulfilled this prophecy literally. The work of preparation for the coming of the Lord was initiated by his ministry in the wilderness. He called the people to repentance, and remembrance, and preparation.

I love the season of Advent which some churches celebrate as a season of watchfulness and waiting and preparation before Christmas. It is right and good for us to remember what we are celebrating and what we are looking towards. Our culture has made this season all about gifts and family, and shopping and parties, but the real reason for the season is to call us to remembrance and repentance, preparing the way for the Lord's second coming.

David Guzik wrote the following commentary on these verses: ii. The idea of preparing the way of the LORD is a word picture, because the real preparation must take place in our hearts. Building a road is very much like the preparation God must do in our hearts. They are both expensive, they both must deal with many different problems and environments, and they both take an expert engineer.

Lord, I know that so often my thoughts don't go anywhere near these thoughts during this season. I am often more concerned about what gift I need to purchase than I am with what changes I might need to make in my heart. Lord, I pray that You will help me embrace this season of preparation and help me to call to remembrance the real reason for this season. Help me to prepare myself for Your coming!

God Cares

I am reading from Isaiah 40 this morning.

(NIV)Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? [28] Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [29] He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. [30] Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; [31] but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

As I was reading through this, I was thinking of how many people think that God doesn't care about their situation, or feel that because of what they have been through that He doesn't love them. The truth is that God does love you and does care and is always there. He is the only one we can depend on always. His view is eternal, He sees everything and hears everything. This doesn't mean that we won't have difficult times, or won't ever stumble, but rather that when we do, He will be there to give us strength and hope.

It is in turning to God, acknowledging Him, and seeking Him that He is found, and in finding Him that we experience His mercy and love. I am reminded of some verses in (NIV)Isaiah 55:6-8: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. [8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord."

Lord, I thank You that You are not like us, not limited like we are, not unforgiving, not unmerciful, not unaware. So often we want to think of You like You are human, but then You would be limited and undependable. It is so reassuring to me to know that You are God Eternal, all powerful and all knowing, and that You care for me.