The Day After

How was your Christmas day? Was it a busy day spent with family? Did you go from one place to another? Were you the host of several family members? Did you spend the day alone? Were there family traditions upheld? Are you ready for some rest? How will you move forward?

Christmas day is different for many people. Some are bouncing around from one house to another. Some are the host for family gatherings. There are family traditions to carry on. But some spend the day alone. There will even be some who must deal with grief and sorrow.

Those of us who enjoyed a boisterous and happy day, when it is all over, we need a breather. We need to take time to rest a bit. It is simply a very busy season in our current world. Yet, there is also another important decision to make amidst the potential emotional letdown—we need to decide how to move forward.

It is more important for us to follow the Apostle Paul’s guidance to the church in Colossae than ever. For it is in a time of depression, coming down from an emotional high, that we can also turn away from being like Christ. We just remembered and celebrated His wonderful birth. We celebrated the freedom we have because He came to save us. Yet, we can quickly become ugly in attitude and actions.

Recommitting ourselves to compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience will keep us from crashing after the emotional high. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the gifts God has given us. We just should not forget that we are his ambassadors here on earth. Each day requires us to make a decision to be a good ambassador or revert to a heathen attitude.

I pray we all enjoyed Christmas celebrations. I pray we remember we are God’s ambassadors. I pray each one of us clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. You are God’s ambassador. Be compassionate. Be kind. Be humble. Be meek. Be patient.

Colossians 3:12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Light of the World

When the time is right, things happen. When it is time for a baby to be delivered, it doesn’t matter where you are, the baby is coming. The same is true of God’s timing. When the appointed time arrives, God will do what he has promised to do.

Isaiah had prophesied a Son would be given, that He would have all authority, and He would be the Savior of the world. He had also prophesied the Son would be born of a virgin. It all happened as Isaiah prophesied. The Light, Jesus, came into this dark world.

Think about the ways God worked through people who had no idea who he is to make the prophecies come true. He worked through Caesar, causing him to call for a census. He worked throughout the lineage of David. He set up his plan hundreds of years in advance and positioned people along the way.

God sent the angel Gabriel to let Zechariah know he and Elizabeth would have a son. He sent Gabriel to tell Mary she would have a Son. God brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. He even ensured it would be crowded so there was no guest room available to them so that his Son would lie in a manger.

There is a song titled In A Manger by Paul Good. One idea presented in it is the Bread of Life came to lie in a manger. Think about that for just a moment. The hay the animals would normally eat was the cushion for our livelihood. The imagery that appears random on the surface becomes a purposeful message to us.

I pray we all know the Light came into a dark world. I pray we know God is working through us. I pray each one of us understand that Jesus’ coming into the world as a babe in a manger was on purpose. See the Light. See God working. Know Jesus came for you. Know the purpose for Jesus.

Luke 2:6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 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.

The Nuances

Many will attend a Christmas Eve service this evening. But how many pay close attention to the Scriptures that are read? How many will make note and read them again? How many will catch the nuances of those passages? How many will ask questions to better understand?

There are many things in the Scriptures, little nuances, cultural references that we miss when we read or hear the Christmas story. One of the favorites that will be read today is Isaiah 9:6. It is one that is often posted on social media to point out God’s plan for Jesus come into the world.

Isaiah prophesied more than seven-hundred years before Jesus was born. The first thing this tells us is God had planned to come into this world long before Jesus came. God knew there was no other way to reconcile the human race with him. The Father had to send the Son. The Son knew He had to come.

Perhaps one of the most important nuances we miss in today’s passage is Isaiah’s reference to God as one and referencing all three personhoods. He references God as one when he says he will be called Mighty God. We sometimes say Almighty God, which is means the same. But notice how he goes on to reference all three personhoods:

The Father = Everlasting Father

The Son = Prince of Peace

Holy Spirit = Wonderful Counselor.

Isaiah states authority rests upon his shoulders. Jesus displayed His authority while carrying out His teachings and performing miracles. He also spoke of His authority when He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). He said this as He was sending His disciples out with what we call the great commission.

I pray we all pay close attention as Scripture is read. I pray we take time to read them again. I pray each one of us will seek to catch the nuances in Scripture and better understand God’s plan. Pay close attention. See the nuances. Seek to better understand. Know God has a plan.

Isaiah 9:6

For a child has been born for us, 

a son given to us; 

authority rests upon his shoulders; 

and he is named 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Light in Darkness

Have you ever been in complete darkness? Have you been in darkness that was so dark you could not see your hand even though it was touching your nose? Have you been in a dark place emotionally? Have you been severely depressed? Have you seen the light?

I can remember being in a jungle in Okinawa, Japan on a training exercise. Underneath that canopy, there was no way any light from the moon could find its way through. At night, you could not see your hand in front of your face. It meant any noise was amplified by your heightened sense of hearing.

I have also been in a dark place emotionally. I have been stressed, depressed, and thinking there was nowhere to turn for help. Thankfully, I had my faith. Therefore, I turned to God. Though he didn’t immediately remove the stress or my feelings, he did walk the path with me, showing me the next step to take.

Isaiah tells us that people who walk in darkness will see a great light. Of course, we see this as prophecy about the coming of Jesus. He surely shined. Not only did He come in a time of darkness for Israel, a time when they had been conquered by the Romans and were still an occupied nation.

Jesus still comes to those who feel conquered and occupied. He comes to those who feel as though they have nowhere to turn. All we have to do is ask. When we ask, He does not disappoint. He shines His light into our hearts and minds. He leads us on the path He knows is best for us. So, turn to Jesus at all times, and especially when you are in darkness.

I pray we all know that Jesus is our light. I pray we turn to Him when we are in dark places. I pray each one of us will allow Jesus’ light into our hearts and follow Him on the path He wants us to take. Jesus is our light. Turn to Him. Allow His light into your heart. Follow where He leads.

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness 

have seen a great light; 

those who lived in a land of deep darkness— 

on them light has shined.

Blessed Among Women

What does it mean to be blessed? Have you considered that? Do you believe you have been blessed? What would it mean if you were especially blessed? What if God blessed you for a specific purpose? How would you react? Would others know your blessing?

When Mary came calling on Elizabeth, Elizabeth immediately recognized the blessing Mary had received. Though Mary had left nearly immediately after Gabriel had foretold her pregnancy, Elizabeth knew Mary was pregnant and knew Gabriel’s message.

Elizabeth did not know of her own accord. She was filled with the Holy Spirit who revealed the news to her. She knew not only that Mary was pregnant, but that she carried her Lord in her womb. This is very significant and it confirms the prophecy Gabriel had given Mary.

Since Zechariah, the priest who Gabriel had foretold of John’s birth, had gone home with Elizabeth and was rendered mute, he could only sit and listen to the exchange between Elizabeth and Mary. He likely had a wide variety of thoughts going through his mind. God had sent a messenger to proclaim his forthcoming work.

Not only was Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit, but so was John, whom she carried in her womb. John being filled with the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of the prophecy Gabriel had given Zechariah. This was proven when John leapt in her womb as Mary came in.

I pray we all feel blessed. I pray we recognize the blessings of God for us and others. I pray each one of us understands the blessing of Mary’s faith and her willingness to be God’s chosen servant. Feel blessed. Recognize God’s blessings. See Mary’s faith. Be willing to be used by God.

Luke 1:41-43 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?”

Everything Changed

How do you view yourself? Do you see yourself as someone important? Do you ever think the world could not go on without you? Do you think of yourself as just another person among billions on this earth? Do you rejoice in God’s blessings? Do you magnify his name?

We have different viewpoints of ourselves depending on the situation. We may think highly of ourselves, if we hold a high position in a company. We may think less of ourselves, if we are in an entry level job. We may think we are on top of the world when we first fall in love.

We may give thanks to God when things are going our way. When we ask for something and it comes to pass, we are elated. But when things are going against us, we may blame God, thinking he has turned against us. Our thankfulness can be fickle. Yet, it should not be. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Mary sings her song of praise to God for what he had done for her and for all generations. As we read her song, the Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55, we see that she was looking beyond herself. Mary realizes God has done a magnificent thing for the world. She realizes her son was the most significant turning point in history and that He would bring peace, comfort, and joy to people throughout the world. She realizes the prophecy she had heard about in the synagogue and temple was about to be fulfilled.

I pray we all give thanks to God in all situations. I pray we don’t think too highly of ourselves. I pray each one of us realize what God has done by sending his Son into this world. Give thanks to God. Know that God loves you. See what God has done. Know that Jesus changes everything.

Luke 1:46-48a And Mary said, 

“My soul magnifies the Lord, 

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.”

Security and Peace

How would you like to live secure? Wouldn’t it be nice to not have anything to worry about? Don’t you desire to have peace in your life? Wouldn’t you like to be at peace within your soul? Have you been seeking a secure life with peace? Where have you been looking?

Being at peace is something we all crave. We also desire security. We want to be financially secure, physically secure with our health, and job security. However, when we cannot obtain peace and security, we attempt to trick ourselves into thinking we have them.

God tells us that Jesus provides the peace and security we desire through the prophet Micah. Jesus is our good shepherd who cares for us and does so with the strength that only God can provide. Not only is Jesus our good shepherd but He has the majesty of God. Jesus is both our brother and our King. He can be beside us in the mud and the muck and yet reign from the throne.

Because Jesus is who He is and has the all the power of God, He provides us with security and peace. We are secure in our knowledge of spending eternity with Him. Our hearts and minds can be at peace knowing He is always with us. We simply need to put our faith in Him—give Him our whole heart, mind, and soul.

I pray we all know Jesus is our Good Shepherd. I pray we trust that God will provide for us. I pray each one of us seek our security and peace from Jesus and see Him as both our brother and our King. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Trust God to provide. Seek security from Jesus. Find your peace in Jesus.

Micah 5:4-5a

And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, 

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 

And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great 

to the ends of the earth; 

and he shall be the one of peace.

Right Time, Right Place

Being in the right place at the right time is important. We can make all our plans and still not accomplish it. We may consider it to be luck that puts there. We may believe it is fate. Yet, there is another reason for us to be in the right place at the right time.

God moves in our lives. The more we seek to follow his plan for our lives, the more often we are in the right place at the right time. Make no mistake, we can refuse to follow his plan. After all, we have free will. Yet, God even uses our disobedience to accomplish his plan.

The prophet Micah prophesied Jesus’ birth seven hundred years before He was born. God, through the Holy Spirit, gave Micah the prophecy to speak to his fellow Israelites. He stated the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. His prophecy stated the Messiah would rule in Israel, which is why they were looking for a king who bring the nation back to prominence.

Yet, when we continue to read what Micah prophesies, we see that the Ruler existed long before Micah. How can this be? The only answer is one that doesn’t make sense from a human point of view but does make sense according to God’s plan. God came into this world in the form of an infant and lived among us. In fact, one name he took on, Immanuel, means God with us.

Our challenge at times is understanding how God is moving in our lives. We must keep our eyes and ears open. We must keep an open mind and have a heart that is seeking to understand God’s plan. God is at work in our lives. He may not provide us with prophecy as he did to Micah, but he continues to have a plan for each of us.

I pray we all seek to understand God’s plan. I pray we know that God has a plan for us. I pray each one of us will keep our eyes, ears, and minds open to see and hear God working in our lives. Seek understanding. Know God has a plan. Keep your eyes open. Keep your ears open. Have an open mind.

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, 

who are one of the little clans of Judah, 

from you shall come forth for me 

one who is to rule in Israel, 

whose origin is from of old, 

from ancient days.

Pure and Sanctified

What comes to mind when you hear the word abolish? Do you think of abolishing old laws or antiquated traditions? What about sanctification? Is it some big religious word you don’t know what it means? Or is it something you are striving for? Are you trying to earn it?

The abolishing of old laws and traditions can be very good, liberating, and exhilarating. We can all think of things that were legal in the past that are no longer legal and be glad they are not. Abolishing the negatives to bring about positives is progress in civility.

But when we start speaking of sanctification, even some who have been members of churches for decades are not really sure what it means. We may think that being sanctified is only for those who are leaders in the church. In fact, far too many I know think that way. Yet, we are wrong when we think that way.

Jesus came to abolish the sacrificial system the Jews had been practicing for hundreds of years. He did so to establish a new system. One without the need for additional sacrifices. No longer do we need to sacrifice sheep, goats, pigeons, or doves. No longer do we need to bring grain and bread to the altar. Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice to rid the world of the need to continue to sacrifice.

In the process of making His sacrifice, Jesus sanctified those who believe in Him. What does that mean? It means we are seen as clean and pure in the eyes of God. We are seen through the sacrifice of Christ. We can’t earn it. We don’t deserve it. But Jesus acted on our behalf and purified or sanctified us before a Holy God. Certainly something for us to be thankful for.

I pray we all understand the sacrifice Jesus made. I pray we know that His sacrifice has sanctified us. I pray each one of us knows we are pure in God’s eyes and thank Jesus for it. Jesus sacrificed for us. Jesus has sanctified us. Jesus has made us pure. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:9b-10 He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

No More Sacrifices

Have you ever thought about living a simpler life? Have you thought you would like to go back to a life without computers, tablets, cell phones, and electronic games? Have you thought about what it would be like to live in the old west? What about the time Jesus came into the world?

I must confess, I have often thought I could live in the old west. I have wondered what it might have been like to have lived a hundred years ago. I have even wondered what it might have been like in first century Israel. I try to understand that time period to better understand Jesus.

When Jesus was born, the Jews were still abiding by the sacrificial system. When you understand that roughly ninety percent of the population lived in poverty, living day-to-day, you quickly realize it was no piece of cake. They didn’t have machinery to use for building or farming. They used an abacus to make computations. Pulleys and ropes were used to move heavy objects or lift objects to a rooftop. Oxen and a single bottom plow were used to plow a field. Planting the field was done by hand.

Not only did the people live a day-to-day existence but they were required to provide sacrifices periodically to God for their forgiveness. Imagine barely scraping out a living to provide a home, clothing, and food for your family, then having to give up your firstborn sheep as a sacrifice. That is the world Jesus came in to.

When Jesus when to the cross so that no other sacrifices were required, imagine the freedom that provided for those who believed in Him. There was an immediate positive financial impact. There was an immediate feeling of relief. There was an immediate freedom from worry and anxiety over any sin someone might commit. They no longer had to forfeit the possibility of feeding their family to provide a sacrifice for forgiveness. We, too, live with this same freedom.

I pray we all recognize the freedom we live in. I pray we understand the impact Jesus’ sacrifice has had. I pray each one of us give thanks to God for the sacrifice Jesus made for us. You live in freedom. Understand Jesus’ impact. Thank God for his plan. Know your forgiveness comes through Jesus.

Hebrews 10:5-7 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 

“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, 

but a body you have prepared for me; 

in burnt offerings and sin offerings 

you have taken no pleasure. 

Then I said, ‘See, God, I have come to do your will, O God’ 

(in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”