Is Your Other Name Jonah? Following or Running Away?

IS YOUR Other NAME JONAH? October 20, 2014 What a strange title! In days of old, and some even today name their children with names that have meaning. Jonah’s name means “dove.” A dove is known for its’ gentle ways and beautiful pure white coloring, which stands for purity, and is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Maybe that was God the Father’s purpose in sending a dove to alight on Jesus at His baptism. We haven’t been told all the details of Jonah’s life, but we find he was commissioned by God in the early eighth century B.C. to warn the populace of Nineveh of coming judgment. He is considered a minor prophet. But not living up to his name he rebelled and tried to run from the presence of God. How foolish to think he, or anyone, can get away from God’s presence. If he had just read Psalm 139, he would have known he couldn’t run away from God. God saw him (and us) even when we were being formed in our mother’s womb, and His presence remains with us all the days of our lives. Even after death God sees us in our “grave,” whether in the ground, in tombs in caves, or the ocean depths. Whether alive or dead God sees us, and rejoices if we have chosen to become His children; or grieves if we have rejected Him. At this point in Jonah’s life, he had rejected God’s call and tries to “run from the presence of God,” which was impossible. Even in the belly of the fish the Spirit of God was with Jonah, convicting him of his rebellious ways. He remained in the belly of the big fish God had prepared to swallow him, but God was there. After three days Jonah repented and prayed to the Lord from the fish’s belly. He said in Jonah 2:2, “I cried out of my distress to the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of Sheol (the place of the dead) I cried, and You heard my voice.” Verse six, “I went down to the bottoms and the very roots of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever. Yet You have brought up my life from the pit and corruption, O Lord my God.” (Verse 7) – “When my soul fainted upon me (crushing me), I earnestly and seriously remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You.” Is your name Jonah? God has a call on each of our lives. This is a call to follow Him, but if we have not submitted to that call we are in rebellion and will end up at the bottom. But even there God is waiting for our cry, and when we “seriously remember the Lord” and send up our earnest prayer for deliverance from the pit, He will hear and deliver us back to where He has called us. Know and remember we cannot get away from God’s presence. Your name may not really be Jonah, but whatever your name may be God knows it and is calling you to follow Him, wherever that may lead. Following Jesus is the most exciting life possible. Read Psalm 91 – what protection, what comfort, what peace! Follow On (William O. Cushing) Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow. Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on, walking in his footsteps til the crown be won. Down in the valley with my Savior I would go, where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow. With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear, danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near. Follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus! Anywhere, everywhere, I would follow on! Follow! Follow! I would follow Jesus. Anywhere He leads me I would follow on!

Easter Words - "Death"

“For this perishable part of us must put on the imperishable nature, and this mortal part of us, this nature that is capable of dying, must put on immortality – freedom from death. And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then Death is swallowed up, it is utterly vanquished forever, in and unto victory. O death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory, making us conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:53-55,57) (Amp.). Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the most significant death in all of history. There have been more books written about His death, more sermons preached, more songs sung, and more enactments than all commemorations ever given. His death has affected the life and after-life of all mankind, some for good, and some for eternal sorrow and torment (those who refused to believe in His death as payment for their eternal security). This belief in Christ’s shed blood became the crux and the crossroads of the Christian faith, for the Jew and all peoples. Death comes to all, but no king, dictator, deliverer, or no person of a notable life ever rose from the dead. Their death was final. But because Jesus Christ rose from the dead and now lives, to the Christian there is no “grim reaper,” just angels to usher us into the Father’s and the Son’s presence (Colossians 1:22). There is only the hope of all the joys of heaven to come. There is hope in the fact that the tears, sorrows disappointments and sin of this world will be forever gone. There is hope after death of forever living with Jesus, the Son, the Father, and our loved ones and friends who died before us. To a Christian, death, and all that goes with it, is utterly vanquished forever. It is “swallowed up in victory, so there is no sting.” Jesus’ death became the pivotal point from “the Law” to “grace,” from sacrifice of a lamb for our sins, to the eternal sacrifice of “The Lamb” (John 1:29). Jesus’ death meant we are free from the demands of the Law. Jesus’ death meant we can live in the power, gifts, joys and in His spiritual Kingdom NOW. Jesus’ death meant because of His resurrection and ascension to the Father, He sent His Holy Spirit to live with, and in, us forever, to empower, teach and lead us into all righteousness (right living). Believers can shout, “Hallelujah!” for the death of Jesus, His resurrection and that He now sits at the right hand of the Father God to intercede for us! And Can It Be (Charles Wesley) And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me? http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP - "INTRODUCTION"

(Updated, September 12, 2014) There was a song back in the 40’s and 50’s which said, “The best things in life are free.” In the lyrics it mentions, “The moon belongs to everyone, The best things in life they're free, Stars belong to everyone, They cling there for you and for me, Flowers in spring, The robins that sings, The sunbeams that shine, They're yours and they're mine, Love can come to everyone, The best things in life, They're free.” These things are free – they are gifts from God for us to greatly enjoy! But nothing in this world we achieve or gain is worth having without great effort by someone. Anything that just cost money is “cheap.” And anything worth doing is worth doing well. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecc.9:10). These are a few statements that focus on the cost of a worthwhile life. Before we undertake a project, set a goal to achieve, spend time and money on something we wish to obtain, we should consider all that it will take to be successful in the final achievement. In Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14:27-30, He says we are to count the cost before our plans begin. He likens it to building any building, we first sit down and calculate the cost to see whether we have sufficient means to finish it. “Means” may include money, time, energy, goal setting, etc. Achievement will cost us something. There is also a cost to the Discipleship of Jesus. A disciple is one who is willing to follow the teaching, training and correction of another. After taking inventory of all it will cost to be “discipled,” we must ask ourselves the question, “Am I willing to pay the price it will cost to achieve that goal – to be like Jesus? Am I willing to lay the old life aside and be changed by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, by whatever it takes?” So the question we need to ask ourselves as we start this study is, “Am I willing to pay the “price” to be “discipled” that I may grow into the perfect image of Jesus Christ?” If we answer this question in the affirmative and are willing to be disciplined (trained) by the Father, then we have begun a wonderfully progressive “journey” to being on “The Way” to a transformation into the likeness of Christ! Webster says to be “transformed” is “to change in character or condition.” When we are born again, as Jesus said in John 3:3, 6 ,“You must be born again of the Spirit,” we receive a new heart and spirit (Eze.36:26); we sing a new song (Rev.14:3); we have a new name (Isa.62:2); we are given a new commandment (John 13:34); we are a new creation in Christ, the old has passed away and behold the fresh and new has come. (II Cor.5:17); and we are to look for a new heaven and a new earth (II Pet.3:13)! Everything becomes new! Just as being “transformed” happens from inside out, being “conformed” happens from outside in. Webster’s says, to be conformed is “to be obedient or compliant.” It is being stuffed into a mold. Paul admonishes us in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs), but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you” (Amp.). Being “conformed” is being stuffed into the world’s “mold” by the opinions and pressures of our peers or society in general. But we, as Christ’s disciples, are to be transformed by “renewing our mind by the washing of the Word” (Eph.5:26), and having the “mind of Christ” (Phil.2:5), from the inside out. “Though our outer man is progressively decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being progressively renewed day by day” (II Cor. 4:16b). We are renewed by confessing our sins (I Jn.1:9); by putting on our new self (robe of righteousness), Eph.4:24). Renewing our mind is a choice. Just as when we dress every morning, it is a choice what we put on. We must be intentional in putting on our spiritual clothes. We will learn more completely how to put on Christ in this study. -1- A beautiful analogy of the transformation that takes place in all who are “born again” is the metamorphosis of a butterfly. The beautiful butterfly that we see flitting and fluttering around is the finished version of its complete metamorphosis. This beautiful creature starts as a small, round or oval egg, which the adult butterfly has laid on leaves of plants. When the egg finally hatches, you would expect a butterfly to emerge from this stage of its’ metamorphosis, but the egg is just the first stage. What emerges from the egg is the second stage – larva (caterpillar). Having the same markings as the adult butterfly, without knowing what it was we might think it was just a big worm and we would probably mash it. Caterpillars do not stay in this stage very long, and in this stage all they do is eat, starting on the leaf where it was “born.” It is very important that the mother butterfly lays her eggs on the type of leaf the caterpillar will eat. Caterpillars need to eat and eat so they can grow quickly. Their exoskeleton (skin) does not stretch or grow, so they grow by “molting” (shedding the outgrown skin) several times while it grows. The third stage of a butterfly’s metamorphosis is the chrysalis (cocoon), or pupa. This is one of the “coolest” stages of a butterfly’s life. As soon as a butterfly is done growing and they have reached their full length/weight, they form themselves into a pupa (cacoon), also known as a chrysalis. From the outside of the pupa, it looks as if the caterpillar may just be resting, but the inside is where all of the action is. Inside of the pupa, the caterpillar is rapidly changing. Now, as most people know, caterpillars are short, stubby and have no wings at all. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called “metamorphosis,” to become the beautiful parts that make up the butterfly that will emerge. Tissue, limbs and organs of a caterpillar have all been changed by the time the pupa is finished, and is now ready for the final stage of a butterfly’s life cycle. Finally, when the caterpillar has done all of its forming and changing inside the pupa, you will see an adult butterfly emerge. When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are going to be soft and folded against its body. This is because the butterfly had to fit all its new parts inside of the pupa. As soon as the butterfly has rested after coming out of the chrysalis, it will pump blood into the wings in order to get them working and flapping – then they get to fly. Usually within a three or four-hour period, the butterfly will master flying. When in the fourth and final stage of their lives, adult butterflies are constantly on the look out to reproduce, then the life cycle will start all over. What a perfect analogy of the Christian’s “born again” experience. We are “born again” to a living hope of one day being like our Father – to have His heart of unconditional love; to have the Father’s eyes that find the good in things and full of compassion; to have His lips that always speak Truth in love; to have His hands that serve and stroke the depressed and down trodden and lift them up; to have His feet that are always walking in paths of righteousness. We also are in our early stage of just feeding on the Word so we can grow and be strong in the Lord, throwing off the old habits and actions and putting on the new man created in God’s image in true righteousness and holiness (Eph.4:24). The transformation process can be a painful and costly thing. It is painful to see ourselves as we are with all our sins and warts, but as a Caterpillar Christian we must hide ourselves in the Father’s arms, which enfolds and holds us while we continue to change – throwing off the old, putting on the new and undergoing the Father’s discipline, but then being transformed into the beautiful creature that will come forth looking just like our Father. While we are being transformed our spiritual chrysalis is sometimes ugly but when our “metamorphosis” is complete we will come forth looking like Him. “When He comes we shall see Him as He is and we shall be like Him” (I Jn.3:2). They say the longer people live together they get to look more like each other. Whether that is true or not, the Truth is that the longer we spend time with Jesus and His Word (and obeying it) we become more like -2- Him – “we put on Christ” (Rom.13:14). “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us.” This transformation begins with “regeneration” – to be “born again.” Some newly “born again” believers remain weak, ineffective and immature because they have not been “discipled” and trained by the Word of God and how to submit to the discipline of the Lord or they have chosen to walk in their “old self” (the flesh) and not to be transformed by His work in them. Knowing God is the most glorious and most precious privilege mankind can personally experience, and “whosoever will” can have this experience. God created us to “know” Him and have a personal, experiential relationship with Him. Oh, the height and breadth of God’s love and mercy toward us, and His creation, is incomprehensible! He knows us completely - our thoughts, our motives, even every word before we speak them (Ps.139). But why does God want us to “know” Him? This is a deeply profound and difficult question to answer because He is so infinite in all His being and we are so finite in our comprehension. But since God created mankind to have a relationship with Him, He knew He must become “known” to us. He wanted us to know Him as our Heavenly Father, as our Redeemer and Savior, as our Provider, as our Protector, as our Friend and confidant, as our Comforter, as our Advocate and Defender, as our Righteousness, as our Peace that passes all understanding, and as our shelter in the storms of life. God wants us to know Him as our All in All! He knew that our knowing Him would be our greatest fulfillment, and our mutual fellowship would be His greatest enjoyment! There are steps and seasons in this journey of getting to “know” this God of the Universe – YHWY! To begin this journey of discipline, we must first of all come into a relationship with Jesus Christ by believing that He is Who He says He is (the Son of God and Savior of the world), and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit Who lives in us. By this life-changing event, of coming into a personal relationship with the living God, we come to know Him as “Savior” – this is the beginning of a learning process of getting to “Know” the everlasting God – the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)! God the Father has a special “filial” (offspring) relationship with those who have been born into His family through faith in Christ Jesus (the “Anointed Messiah”). In Romans 8:15 Paul encourages us to develop intimacy with our Heaven Father, “For the Spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption (the Spirit producing sonship) in which we cry, Abba (Father!)”(Amp.) Because of this “adoption” we are freed from this “fear” of damnation, but now we are free to walk in the knowledge of God’s love, and that the Son has paid the price to save us from the judgment of damnation for our sins, and the Holy Spirit lives within us to empower and teach us everything that pertains to life and godliness” (II Pet.1:2-8). God is the only god who has a personal, intimate relationship with His children (disciples, followers, devotees). As a result of that relationship with God the Father, there comes a love for Him, just as a naturally born child loves his father, good or bad. A former pastor said, “To know Him is to love Him!” To love Him is to have a desire to serve and obey His every Word (I Jn.5:3; Jn.14:21, 23). As we obey Him we get to know and experience His “faithfulness” in all of His attributes. We get to know that He is our “Refuge and Strength (mighty and impenetrable to temptation), a very present help in trouble (Ps.46:1).” As Paul so beautifully put it, “My determined purpose should be to know Him, become progressively more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly, and come to know the power out-flowing from His resurrection (which it exerts over believers), and to so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed (in spirit into His likeness) even to His death, and (in the hope) that if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead, even while in the body” (Phil.3:10). Charles Stanley has written, “One of Christianity’s basic principles is that the more we know of the Lord, the more we want to learn of Him. When we receive new knowledge of God, our desire for Him will be kindled like dry twigs touched by a flame. And the more we seek to learn about Him, the more we will want to know.” -3- God in His unfathomable love for us, His children, “has shone in our hearts so as to beam forth the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ the Messiah (II Cor. 4:6). In Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians he says, “I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom, and revelation into the mysteries of the deep and intimate knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints. And so you can know what is the immeasurable greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all, for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself (Ephesians 1:17-23 Amp.). That we, mere humans, could “know” our Creator in such depth, height and width is just incomprehensible! To truly “see” Jesus Christ, our Savior, is to be illuminated with the knowledge of His majesty and glory, and we can do nothing but to fall at His feet in humility and worship. (Read my blog written on February 28, 2008, entitled, “Have You Looked Into His Face.” (http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com). By looking into His face by the illumination of the knowledge of Him, as seen in God’s Word, we will be transformed (Rom.12:1), by presenting all our members and faculties as a living sacrifice, holy (consecrated) and well pleasing to God. Dying to self in order to be “transformed” is costly – it costs us everything, all that we are and all we ever hope to be. Remember, “The Spirit within gives us love, power and self discipline” (II Tim.1:7). The knowledge of Him gives us power for life and godliness” (II Pet.1:3). The knowledge of Him gives us power to overcome sin in this life (Rom.8:1-16). The knowledge of Him gives us power to become like Jesus (to become godlike). Is that your desire and purpose? If so, you will learn self discipline (II Tim.1:7), and welcome the Father’s discipline (Heb.12:10-11). He disciplines us with His Word (II Tim. 3:16). Back to the initial question – “Are you willing to pay the cost to be transformed?” Do you want to know God personally, become His disciple, and learn of Him. If you do, accept Him and trust Him as your only Savior and way to eternal life, the rest of your life will become a marvelous and adventurous journey! This is your choice. The cost of being a disciple of Jesus is the continual “putting off the old self” and “putting on the new self” (Eph.4:22-24), this takes a disciplined life. It is like changing your clothes – you take off the old, soiled and ragged clothes of the old self and put on the new beautiful “robe of righteousness” of the new self. Just like the butterfly, you will emerge with your new beautiful clothes - looking like your Father. -4-

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "Z" - "Zenith"

December 25, 2013 “Because He stooped so low, God has exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) When I was little we would come home from school and lie in front of our Zenith console radio to listen to some exciting shows – “Superman,” “Tom Mix,” “I Love a Mystery,” “Stella Dallas,” etc. At that time I didn’t know the meaning of the word or its implications, but I just thought “Zenith” was the name of our radio. The Zenith company knew what the word meant and by using that name was inferring that their product was the top of the line. Since that time long ago the Zenith name and product have become archaic, and also since that time I have learned its meaning, and although I never use the word, except today when I needed a word beginning with “Z” to end my Twenty Six Days of Advent. As I thought about the word “Zenith” I began to see it is very appropriate to apply to Jesus and Who He is. Zenith means all that Jesus is – every superlative applies. Even before He came to earth He was already the El Elyon, “the God most high” - “the King of kings, the strongest Strong One, the Maker of heaven and earth.” He was (and is) El Shaddai, “the Almighty all sufficient God.” He was Adonai – “Lord, Master, Sovereign.” He already was El Roi –“the God Who sees.” He was Elohim – “the faithful, covenant keeping God,” He will never fail! When Jesus came to earth, He came as Jehovah – “our Savior” Who is “the self-existent One Who reveals Himself.” Jesus came with all the redemptive names of Jehovah (which means Savior). Even His name is above all names, it is the Zenith of names (Phil.2:9-11). At this blessed day, let’s meditate on this Name of names. This precious baby had within His DNA all these attributes, because He was Jehovah God! Jesus is Jehovah-Rohi – “our Shepherd, Who is our guide, provider, friend, protector, and deliverer” (Psalm 23). Jesus is Jehovah-Shalom – “our Peace, the Prince of Peace” (Isa.9:6), this peace the world did not give and it cannot take away – Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is Jehovah-Tsidkenu – “Our Righteousness” (Jer.33:16). We become righteous by no other name. Jesus is Jehovah-M’Kaddish – “The Lord Who sanctifies you” (Lev.20:7-8). He is the only One Who can wash us from our sins and set us apart for only His service. Jesus is Jehovah-Jireh – “Our Provider” – He provides our needs, spirit, soul, and body (Genesis 22:14). Jesus is Jehovah-Ropha – “My Healer” – (Exodus 15:26 & Isaiah 53:5). Jesus is Jehovah-Nissi – “My Banner of victory” – (Exodus 17:15). He causes us to triumph in all things in Christ Jesus (II Corinthians 2:14). Jesus is Jehovah-Shammah – “God is there” (Jeremiah 42:11). He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is Jehovah-Sabaoth – “The Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 1:24). He is the One Who will the lead the armies of the Lord against our enemy, Satan, and all his powers of darkness. When Jesus came to earth as a baby, He began His climb to the zenith of His purpose for coming – the Cross and the salvation it brought to mankind. Wouldn’t you agree that Jesus is the Zenith, the top of the line, the apex of any human who ever lived, or any god who was ever worshipped? He deserves all of our devotion and worship!! “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – there’s just something about that name. Master, Sovereign, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus – let all heaven proclaim. Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, But there’s something about that name.” (Bill and Gloria Gaither) Because of Him we can have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "Y" - "Yes"

December 24, 2013 “In Him it is always the divine “Yes.” For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their, ‘Yes’ answer in Christ. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God in His Person and by His agency to the glory of God.” (II Corinthians 1:19-20) (Amp.) When the Father said, “Yes,” to the heart cry of humanity for their need of a Savior, He fulfilled that “Yes” (promise) when He sent Jesus. God said, “Yes,” in Isaiah 9:6 to giving His heavenly Son to be born as an earthly son – what condescension! How was this “Yes” fulfilled? It tells in Luke 2. “In those days,” (Luke 2:1) Caesar Augustus ruled his vast empire with treacherous control. But he did not know God’s “Yes” that Jesus, the King of Kings, would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), in Caesar’s own kingdom, and that this “Yes” would be the ruler not only in Israel but of the whole world. “Yes,” the sovereign God was at work to bring the Savior into the world at the “Yes” (promised) time and in the “Yes” (promised) place. The Father said, “Yes,” to His Son being born in a dirty stable where the animals were kept and fed; and to humble parents; in the insignificant city of David - Bethlehem. The Father said, “Yes,” to the humble, obscure shepherds to be the first to hear the joyous announcement of His Son’s birth by the angels of heaven (Luke 2:11). The Father said, “Yes,” to creating a unique star for the wise men to follow to the place where the baby Jesus lay (Matt.2:1-2). The whole of Jesus’ life was a fulfillment of all the “Yeses” in the Old Testament. Now today the Father is orchestrating the fulfillment of every “Yes” (promise) He directed toward us, His children. As we accept His promises we can say “Yes” (amen – so be it) to demonstrate our faith in the promises of “Yes” regarding our requests in His Name and in His will. One of my favorite words is, “Yes.” “Yes” is so positive; it gives such a feeling of satisfaction knowing our request has fallen on listening and giving ears. My favorite “Yes” comes from my Father God. When He answers “Yes,” I can be assured that my request is in His will, and according to His promises. His “Yes, but wait” should not try my patience in wanting my request now, but I can be confident that in His perfect time, His “Yes” will be on the way and will be beautiful and fulfilling when it arrives (Eccl.3:11). If we meet these requirements when we come to the Father with our requests, we can be assured that He hears us and His answer will be, “Yes.” “And I myself will grant (say “Yes” to) whatever you ask in my name (as presenting all that I AM), so that the Father may be glorified through the Son” (John 14:13-14). The Father says “Yes” because our request has been filtered through the Son, and for which all that His name stands. In all this asking and answering the Father is shown to be faithful to His promises. His mercies, truth, love, graciousness, forgiveness, and all His attributes are proven and confirmed – all with His answer “Yes.” No problem to which we seek an answer, nor any need for which we are asking supply, will be ignored when we come in the name of Jesus, asking according to His will. The answer will always be “Yes.” Aren’t you glad He said, “Yes!” Let’s say, “Yes” to Him. “Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story of the Christ who died for me. Sing it with the saints in glory, gathered by the crystal sea.” – Francis Rowley

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "X" - "X Marks the Spot"

December 23, 2013 “So the shepherds went with haste and by searching found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger” (Luke 2:16). The phrase, “X” marks the spot,” has been around a long time, and many are the claims to its origin. The earliest newspaper photography used an “X” to mark the scene of the crime. “X” is marked by pirates in the place where treasure had been found. “X” marked the spot in navigation searches. Also “X” is a gene expression having to do with the “X” chromosome. So you see “X” is an important directional pointer. Although a literal “X” is not used, a figurative “X” marks many spots of Biblical importance in the life of Jesus. We’ll start with Bethlehem; this is the spot of Joseph’s and Mary’s city of registration, as told in Luke 2:3. The shepherds were in the fields watching over their flocks by night. On that night that was the spot to be (Luke 2:17). The highest heavens and on earth are the spots where the angels glorified God concerning Jesus the Messiah’s birth. Was that concert just for the shepherds or did anyone else hear? The shepherds were in the right spot at the right time! (Luke 2:13-14). The place of Jesus’ birth and where the shepherds found the baby Jesus was the manger – a simple feeding trough for the farmer’s cattle (Luke 2:12). Mary’s heart was a spot of purity and praise and a place of pondering all these marvelous things (Luke 1:46-55 & Luke 2:19). It was not clear where they stayed until the time of Jesus’ circumcision and to present Him to the Lord, and the time for Mary’s purification, but the spot for these rituals were in the temple in Jerusalem(Luke 2:21). What a holy place that was! Jerusalem and the temple were important spots throughout the life of Jesus. As already mentioned, it was the place of His dedication, to present Him to the Lord, along with the place they gave their sacrifices for the birth of their Son (Luke 2:22-24). Also it was in the temple in Jerusalem that Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, was waiting for the coming of the promised Consolation of Israel, Israel’s Salvation and Light to the Gentiles, and when Jesus was brought into the temple, Simeon took Him up in His arms and praised God for letting him see their Messiah; and he blessed Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:25-35). Also, it was in the temple that a widow prophetess came at the same hour. She had not gone out of the temple enclosure for eighty four years but stayed worshipping, praying and fasting. She gave thanks to God and told everyone who was looking for their Redeemer (vs.36-38). What a place to be! Nazareth, their home, became a spot where Jesus learned obedience and He grew physically, in wisdom, in understanding and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:51). The “X” that marked the spots for Jesus teaching were in many places: in the mountains (Matt.5:1-7:29), the temple (Matt.26:55), and wherever He had anyone who would listen (Luke 13:22). After the resurrection He taught the apostles on a mountain in Galilee to which He had directed them to go (Matt.28:16-20). The Hillsides and rooms of lodging became Jesus’ sanctuaries for Prayer. They were spots of solitude – on the mountains (Luke 6:12, in the wilderness (Luke 5:16). Gethsemane was not only a place of prayer but an infamous spot of betrayal by Judas (Matthew 26:36-57). The cross was even a spot for prayer for His executioners (Luke 23:34). Oh, the wonderful Cross – it was a spot of suffering and death but also a place of salvation, redemption and mercy (Matt. 27:27-54). Then after Jesus’ death they took Him to that spot in a borrowed tomb gently laid Him (Matt.27:57-60. The guards thought they had closed the door of the tomb with a stone, but that stone that covered the door was rolled away and the spot where He lay was empty (Matt.27:62-28:6). Because that spot was empty we can know that we will live again! After the resurrection, wherever Jesus went became spots of comfort – to Mary at the tomb, to the two on the road to Emmaus, to the eleven apostles at the dining table (Mark 16:9-15) Bethany - what a fitting spot for Jesus Christ’s ascension. Bethany was where Jesus had raised Lazarus, His friend, from the dead. It was where He had spent many warm and wonderful times with His friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Now again in the presence of the apostles and others, He blessed them and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51). We will never be in the same spots, with the same people, at the same time, but we can believe in three spots: the first is the manger with the virgin birth; and the second spot is the cross, which took His life on this earth – He died for us, and the third is the empty tomb – He’s alive! If we trust in these three facts of faith, then “X” will mark a spot for us in heaven forever.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "W" - "Why Did Jesus Come?"

December 22, 2013 “We have seen and know positively that the Son of God has actually come to this world and has given us understanding and come to know better and more clearly Him Who is true; and we are in Him Who is true – in His Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah. This Man is the true God and Life eternal” (I John 5:20). A common question to a curious mind is, “WHY?” Many of the young and old, educated and uneducated are just as inquisitive about the known and unknown. I have always been a very inquisitive person, wanting to know the whys and wherefores to all kinds of things; “why” for things I don’t understand the reason or purpose; and “how” and “where,” for more information. Our “whys” about the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and about spiritual things, are to satisfy our spiritual need to “know” God and His ways. I am sure people from time immemorial have asked the questions, Why do we need a Savior? - and Why did the Father choose Jesus of Nazareth to be our Savior? - and “Why did Jesus come?” God’s Word gives us the answers: 1) In Mark 10:45, Jesus came to teach us by example how to serve and be a servant. 2) He came to “Destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3:8). 3) He also came to fulfill the Father’s plan for us to be adopted into the Family of God (Ephesians 1:5). 4) Also Christ came to introduce us to the Holy Spirit Who was to be the “down- payment” of our inheritance and our acquiring complete possession of our redemption (Ephesians 1:14). 5) Another reason for Jesus’ coming, was to have the unity of all things to be consummated in Him, both things in heaven and things on the earth; and for God’s grace to be poured out on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6-10). 6) Isaiah 42:6-7 says that Jesus came to fulfill the promise for a covenant to the people of Israel and for a light to the Gentiles. 7) Jesus came to give us life abundantly (John 10:10), and He was born to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15). 8) Jesus said that He had come to show us the Father because He and the Father are one. (John 14:9) 9) He came to do the Father’s work (John 5:36), to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness from the prison.(Isa.42:7) 10) Jesus Christ came to satisfy the Father’s need for a pure and holy sacrifice for the people He had created and loved and wanted to call His own (I John 4:10). 11) He came to make it possible that whosoever would believe in Him would be saved (John 3:16). Why does God love us so much that He sent His own unique Son to bring reconciliation between God and man and to do all these things for us that we’ve mentioned? We probably will never know the answer to those questions, we just accept the fact that “God is love” and He does love us with an everlasting, unconditional love, and we should just bask in His mercy and grace. Why? John M. Moore Why did they nail Him to Calvary’s tree? Why? Tell me why was He there? Jesus the Helper, the Healer, the Friend – Why? Tell me why was He there? Why should He love me, a sinner undone? Why? Tell me, why should He care? I do not merit the love He has shown – Why? Tell me, why should He care? Why should I linger afar from His love? Why? Tell me, why should I fear? Somehow I know I should venture and prove – Why? Tell me, why should I fear? All my iniquities on Him were laid – He nailed them all to the tree; Jesus the debt of my sin fully paid – He paid the ransom for me.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "V" "Victory in Jesus"

December 21, 2013 “For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.” (I John 5:4) They say that more people, even Christians, deal with chronic depression more than any other emotional problem. But Christians have more to be “up” about than any people in the world. How can this be? But for reasons of clinical depression, many are just ignorant of Whose they are in Christ and that Satan has come to steal their peace and sense of well being by feeding into their minds condemnation over past sins, fearful thoughts of the future and a strong sense of self- consciousness rather than God consciousness. Satan wins the battle of the mind when we listen to his accusing and doubtful thoughts instead of putting in our hearts what God has said about us, His children. We must learn to look at ourselves, and our circumstances, and our world like God sees them. He looks at us with eyes of love, and those eyes see victory over Satan. Jesus was born into this world in the worst circumstances possible, except for the fact that He was loved and wanted by His parents. As He grew physically, He also grew strong in the knowledge of Who He was. He knew He had a purpose in this life and lived every day to reach His victorious goal. Satan tried to make Him fall and be led aside from His purpose by tempting Him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-10). But Jesus was victorious over all of them because He knew Who He was (the Son of God); He recognized His enemy’s tactics (deceit and appealing to His flesh – pride) and He defeated His enemy with the Word of God. Christ had His greatest victory at the cross when He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His purpose for coming to earth was finished; the plan of our salvation was finished – He was victorious over sin, the grave and hell! By trusting in God’s Word we can be victorious in all our temptations. If we obey His commandments God has made us the “head and not the tail, above and not beneath” (Deut.28:13). If we trust in Him and His strength, He will cause us to “run through a troop and jump over a wall” (II Samuel 22:30). “We can do all things through Christ Who gives us the strength” (Phil.4:13). Christ is our strength and courage and enables us to be victorious in all things. He leads us to triumph in all things (II Cor.2:14). Romans 8:35-37 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, but in all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. The end of “the Book” tells us that we who are in Christ have the victory over all Satanic powers (Rev.15:2) One of Jesus’ names is, Jehovah-Nissi, which means His banner of love, and love never fails, it is always victorious (SS 2:4). As long as we march to His drumbeat and step in His steps, and rely on His strength, courage and trust, we cannot be defeated; we will always have victory in Jesus! Our final victory will be when we stand before Him without spot or wrinkle, with clean hands and a pure heart – all because of our victorious Jesus! There will be no more depression, no more temptations to overcome, no more heartaches or tears – just victory! When it seems we cannot go on; we feel defeated, discouraged and depressed; we don’t know which way to turn; we feel like we are in a night of blackness – that is the time to turn to the Light. Jesus is the Light; He is our hope; He is the answer. Only in Him is there victory! “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5b). Jesus is the good news Isaiah talks about in chapter sixty one. The good news is that Jesus has come to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the physical and spiritual captives and the opening of the prison of the eyes to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of His favor and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. To grant joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened and failing spirit. We will be called “oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord – strong, overcoming and magnificent.” What He plants cannot be destroyed! Even death is swallowed in victory (I Cor 15:51-57)! We always have victory in Jesus! “Then Came The Morning” Bill Gaither Then came the morning, shadows vanished away before the sun, Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "U" - "Unique Son of God"

December 20, 2013 “To whom then will you liken God? Or with what likeness will you compare Him?” (Isaiah 40:18) There has never been, nor will there ever be, a man like Jesus, He is incomparable! He entered the world in the most unique way – Jesus alone was born of a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-23). He is the only, unique son of God (John 1:14). He is uniquely eternal – He existed from eternity past, He exists in the present, and He will exist for all eternity in the future (John 1:1-3, 14; John 8:58). Jesus alone is the One who bore our sins so that we could have forgiveness and be saved from them (Matthew 1:21). Jesus is the only Way to the Father (John 14:6); there is no other way to salvation. He is the only righteous One who could exchange that perfect righteousness for our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus uniquely had power over His own death and the ability take back His life again (John 10:17-18). His resurrection was not a “spiritual” one, but was physical (Luke 24:39), for His Spirit never died. His resurrection from the dead, never to die again, distinguished Him as the unique Son of God (Romans 1:4). Jesus alone could accept worship as an equal with the Father (Philippians 2:6), and indeed God the Father states that the Son is to be honored as He is honored (John 5:23). All others, whether Jesus’ disciples or angelic beings, rightly reject that worship (Revelation 19:10). Jesus has the unique power to give life to whom He will (John 5:21). The Father has committed all judgment only to Jesus (John 5:22). Jesus was with the Father and directly involved in the creation, and it is by His hand that all things are held together (John 1:1-3), and it is only Jesus who will forever uniquely rule the world at the end of this present age (Hebrews 1:8). It is Jesus who uniquely demonstrated that He had the attributes of God - the power to forgive sins and heal the sick (Matthew 9:1-7); to calm the wind and waves (Mark 4:37-41); to know us, being perfectly acquainted with us (Psalm 139) and to raise the dead (John 11). Even Jesus’ love was unique (John 3:16). There are a great number of prophecies concerning the Messiah’s birth, life, resurrection, person, and purpose. All were fulfilled by Him and no other (Isaiah 7:14). Scripture proves the uniqueness of Jesus, we just must have faith in God’s Word to believe that Jesus is the only unique Son of God, and came from the Father, and is one with the Father. Jesus is the only man Who was the second Person of the Godhead. Is it hard to have faith in this unique Person? The Father gives us the faith to believe, and this faith comes by hearing His Word (Romans 10:17) – not just with the ears but with the heart. G. K. Chesterton said that “faith is always on the verge of dying but never quite dies.” Satan brings all kinds of doubts about the uniqueness of Jesus, and even doubts about the Father God. These doubts may be fueled by the faithless teachers, and even preachers, in our secular schools and churches who do not believe in the uniqueness of Jesus or the Truth of His Word. Devastating circumstances may bring up thoughts of, “If there was a loving God, He wouldn’t have let this happen,” and etc. When it seems our faith is dead, but we choose to “believe” what God’s Word says about Jesus and His uniqueness, that “measure of faith” (Romans 12:3), which is never dead, just sleeping, is awakened and “survives all its conquerors.” One of the prophecies about the coming Savior says, “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick, He will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). Just changing our focus from our doubts, to our unique Savior (“the lifter of our heads”) drives doubts and fears away. It is a fact, Jesus is the unique Son of God !! Wonderful, wonderful Jesus, who can compare with You?

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "T" - "Trust"

December 19, 2013 “Keep and protect me, O God, for in you I have found refuge, and in you do I put my trust and hide myself. You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:1 & 11) In all of my days I have never known a time in which it was harder to trust in nearly anything or anyone. The banks, trust companies, and Wall Street are fragile and vulnerable. The Word tells us not to trust in “riches,” Proverb 11:28 says, “He who leans on, trusts in and is confident in his riches shall fall, but the uncompromising wise man shall flourish.” “Will you set your eyes upon wealth, when suddenly it is gone? For riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens” (Proverbs 23:5). Several years ago a friend recommended a new investment company in which he had invested a lot of his money – and he had a lot to invest. We have never had a lot of money but Wendell needed to make a decision about some investment that we were considering moving to something that had more promising growth opportunities. It was a lot of money to us poor school people, so Wendell decided to trust his friend and transferred the majority of the money from our more secure investment into the DOT.COM market. The investment did very well until (you guessed it) the NASDAQ companies’ stocks plunged and we lost all of the growth from our savings that we had put into that account. As in this Proverb, our “riches took wings.” This experience certainly reinforced what we already knew – not to trust in earthly riches. Thankfully we were not trusting in that money to sustain us, and God was merciful to teach us that it is only In Him we can trust. Hopefully, we have also learned that true riches are, “The reward of humility, and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life” (Proverb 22:4). Webster tells us that trust is: “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” In life we will find the only true One who is completely trustworthy is Jesus – Jesus never fails. You would like to think you could trust preachers, friends and family. But all of us can vouch for the fact that, although some have gained great status and admiration, some of these people will fall, some to great depths, and will greatly disappoint us. We must keep our focus on Jesus and completely trust only in Him. There is not a more perfect picture of trust than that of a baby. A baby is completely helpless and has to trust his caregiver for supplying every one of his needs. Jesus, in His humanity, was no different as a baby. His was a perfect picture of how the Father wants us to trust Him. A baby doesn’t fret because he is worried that his needs won’t be met, but there is a resting and he has perfect peace in this kind of trust. This is how we should relax in the Father’s arms, knowing He is not going to drop us and will meet our every need. What a beautiful picture. Matthew six paints this same kind of picture – “Seek first the kingdom of God and all of these things will be added to you.” This is the same picture of Jesus as a man – trusting the Father completely. Thoro Harris puts it this way, “Every need His hand supplying – every good in Him I see. On His strength divine relying – He is all in all to me.” After Mary had her conversation with the Angel of the Lord in Luke 1, and after her initial fear, confusion and questioning, she chose to trust and submit to the Object of her trust. She spoke of that trust in the 38th verse of Luke one, “Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be done to me according to what you have said.” God is always there in the midst of our fears, confusion and questioning. Like Mary that is when He wants us to trust in Him and to submit to the Object of our trust, and obey whatever He asks us to do. Trust and Obey John H. Sammis When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey – for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "S" - "Sacrificial Servant Savior"

December 18, 2013 “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Sheep are very helpless and dumb animals. A shepherd “serves” the sheep of his flock in every way. We are like sheep in many ways. Psalm 100 says, “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” The plan of the Father was that Jesus would be our Sacrificial Savior and Servant Shepherd. In Hebrews 13:20, Jesus was called the “Great Shepherd.” He was the great Shepherd because He was a “Good Shepherd,” (Eze. 34:11-16). There may have been many “good” shepherds, but Jesus is the “Great Shepherd” because He loves His sheep like no other shepherd could. He is the” “Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4). When we were going astray He drew us back - He is the Guardian Shepherd of our souls (I Peter 2:25). He cares for them and protects them like no other shepherd could. Verses 11,12 and 16 says that He searches for His lost sheep until He finds them – He doesn’t give up. He saves them out of thick darkness, where they can’t see where they are going. He will bandage the hurt and the crippled and strengthen the weak and the sick. The “good Shepherd” sacrifices his own convenience and even His life for his sheep (Jn.10:15). He makes his sheep to feed in bountiful places and lie down in safe places. Psalm 23 shows us the picture of a personal Shepherd (“my” shepherd), a perfect shepherd. This is a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd with His sheep (us). He calls Himself “the Good Shepherd” in John 10:11 and 14 – He lays down His life for His sheep; He recognizes His sheep and they recognize Him. He has a personal relationship with each of His sheep. As the Great Shepherd Jesus serves us sacrificially so He can be our Savior, even to death. Jesus is our Sacrificial, Servant, Savior Shepherd. He set the example and wants us to have a servant’s heart – to serve others with a humble, sacrificial love (John 13:14-15). In 1984 my mother came to live with us. She was 81 years old when she had a brain aneurysm, which she survived, but it left her a complete invalid. She went from one day being completely independent to the next day being completely dependent. She was in a nursing home in Oklahoma City for six months, where she was slowly and painfully dying from neglect. I determined she would not die there and after several monthly trips to check on her Wendell and I drove to bring her home with us. We made a bed for her in the back seat of the car and wondered if she would even live to get home to Marshall. She was in a pitiful condition and completely helpless, but was so glad to be in a loving, caring home. I have often thought about why God let her live, but I am assured God wanted to teach me a lesson in servanthood. At first mother couldn’t even stand on her legs so I learned how to lift her from the bed to the wheelchair. She was completely incontinent so I learned to diaper her, feed her, put on her make up, fix her hair and etc. I remember even giving her a perm in bed (I wish I had taken pictures). I had given myself, and our girls, home perms since we were teenagers, so I knew how to do it. I had inherited my mother’s straight hair, so undaunted I plunged right in. I spread the bed with a large shower curtain and funneled it over the side and down into a pan to catch the run-off. I turned her sideways in the bed and began with washing her hair, then curling it (that was the trickiest part with her lying prone in bed). After a rather lengthy procedure, Eureka! – Mother had curls! We were both very thankful for the end results. The perm was one of many prayerful, experimental procedures to help Mother heal, both physically and emotionally. She finally got strong enough to walk on a walker. She was able to come to the table to eat with us and she could go to the bathroom and take care of her own toiletry needs. The Lord heard our prayers for guidance and strength. It was a precious time for me learning how to serve and care for Mother. I never regretted one moment that I was confined because of her disability. I thanked the Lord every day for the privilege of “serving” her after her years of “serving” me and the rest of her large family. She gradually was able to go to church with us in a wheel chair and on her walker. Those were sweet days. Mother lived with us until her death at the age of 96. She couldn’t see because of macular degeneration, and she was nearly completely deaf and arthritis had twisted and distorted one of her legs so badly so she could no longer walk, but she never lost the joy of the Lord. Wendell and I were by her side in our home to care, pray and serve her during the long hours she was dying – what a blessing! Through those years I learned that serving others must come from a loving heart or it is not serving - it is duty. To love is to give of yourself, just like Jesus loved us and sacrificially gave himself for us. The Lord also taught me that serving others is a humbling experience. You joyfully sacrifice your own time, energies, and personal desires to meet the needs of others. Serving is a rich satisfying experience with many rewards. You have no regrets when you serve with a heart of love (like Jesus). “Make me a servant, humble and meek; Lord, let me lift up those who are weak. And may the prayer of my heart always be, Make me a servant, Make me a servant, Make me a servant today.” (Kelly Willard)

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "R" - "Remember"

December 17, 2013 “Remember your Creator (that you are not your own, but His property now) in the days of your youth.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1) They say that once you have “learned” something it will be engraved and stored somewhere in the recesses of your mind, and will never be truly lost. Sometimes those things will emerge unexpectantly, maybe a face, a name or a reoccurring event will spark that memory from the past. In my “old age” my memory is becoming more and more faulty (bring on the Ginkgo; I hear it helps your memory ). But one thing, I believe, you never truly forget are the Truths from God’s Word that you have learned and hidden in your heart, then practiced. I certainly haven’t learned the entire Bible, so Strong’s Concordance is my memory helper. There are many Truths we are told to remember and I have listed a few of them below. Secular society is not going to let us forget it is Christmas time, with all their “in your face,” “can’t-live-without” advertisements, bells, baubles, bangles, sparkles, whistles, parties, end-of-year sales, tinsel and big/little, real/artificial trees. Although sincere Christians take part in all of these, our real focus should be to remember “the Reason for the Season” – Jesus Christ. We should meditate on and remember the incarnation and all its’ scope: the miracle of the virgin; Jesus was born to be our sinless Savior and He came to reveal and show us the Father God to us. We must remember the price that Jesus paid for us: the humiliation at becoming a man (one like His own creation), being rejecting by his family, friends, church leaders and people in general. He took the humiliation of coming from sitting on His throne in heaven to hanging on a cruel cross on earth with two thieves on either side - just like a criminal. Part of the price of His humiliation was the mockery and beating He endured at the hands of the church leaders. Remember, He died, was buried, but rose from the dead and ascended into heaven – FOR US! . We are told to remember this price when we take the “bread and the cup” – (Communion). Don’t ever forget the price that was paid! We should continually and in every circumstance remember and think on how great our God is! Remember, He knows everything, He is forever with you, He is all powerful and can do all things abundantly, above all we could ask or even imagine. Remember, He loves you, that He is patient, kind, merciful, faithful, forgiving, and full of grace. Remember, that He is our Provider, Sustainer and Keeper. Remember, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Never forget that when Jesus ascended back into heaven He gave us and sent the sweet Holy Spirit to stand beside us as our supporter, guide, teacher, comforter and enabler. And even more - He lives in our hearts forever. Remember, this most wonderful Gift! We don’t like to think about our enemy, but we must remember that we have an enemy with whom we are fighting. His name is Satan, the deceiver, the father of lies and the accuser. He comes as an “angel of light” to deceive us. He comes “like a roaring lion” to make us full of fear and dread. Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy us. But, we must also remember that “Christ has come to give us life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). Against Christ no foe (even Satan) can stand. We must remember as Christians, we have been given the full armor of God with which to withstand all the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11-18). All of the Word of God is to be remembered, but I will end this writing with the two of the greatest things to remember: to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, this is the most important. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). If we remember to keep these two greatest commandments, we will be keeping all the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. If we remember to not love any other gods (our priorities) above Jehovah God; or we are not to have a likeness of anything in heaven or earth to which we bow down and worship. Nor should we speak His name without purpose; and we must remember to keep the Lord’s Day set apart and special for our worship of Him. These four Commandments have to do with loving and showing respect and allegiance to God above all else. The next six Commandments are about how we are to “love” our “neighbor.” If we love our father and mother, we will honor them – there is a promise of prolonged life if we remember to keep this one (v.16). If we love everyone, we will not murder anyone (v.17). If we love our “neighbor” we will not commit adultery with them; neither will we steal from them; neither will we lie about them; nor witness falsely about them; nor covet their spouse or anything that is our neighbor’s (vs.18-21). It will be well with us if we remember all of these Commandments. REMEMBER GOD’S LOVE!! Love Was When John E. Walvoord Love was when God became a man locked in time and space without rank or place; Love was God born of Jewish kin, just a carpenter with some fishermen. Love was when Jesus walked in history, lovingly He brought a new life that’s free. Love was God nailed to bleed and die to reach and love one such as I. Love was when God became a man down where I could see love that reached to me. Love was God dying for my sin – and so trapped was I my whole world caved in. Love was when Jesus rose to walk with me, lovingly He brought a new life that’s free; Love was God – only He would try to reach and love one such as I.

Twenty Six days of Advent - "Q" - "Questions"

December 16, 2013 “Are You the One Who is to come or shall we continue to look for another?” (Luke 7:20) “Have nothing to do with ill-informed, unedifying, stupid controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.” (II Timothy 3:23) Questions can be good, but some become bad. Those of us who are parents or teachers hopefully understand the barrage of questions that come from our inquisitive children are good for learning about life and the things in the world. But when questions about the veracity of God or others place doubts in our minds we must question the source of the question. Our minds are definitely “the devil’s workshop.” Just as Satan in the garden placed questions and doubts in the minds of Adam and Eve, “Did God really say?” and also with insinuations and innuendoes about God's character, he will do the same to us. Satan has come to “steal” our joy, faith and peace. He wants to “kill” our very bodies so we cannot praise and glorify God, and he tries to “destroy” our testimony, witness and influence. He can do all of these things simply by placing a question in our mind about God’s or someone else’s character. Philippians 4:8 says, “Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and gracious and winsome, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, fix your minds on them.” When Mary was found with child by the Holy Spirit I’m sure people didn’t and couldn’t understand the miracle of this holy conception. I’m sure they questioned her character, and their questions turned to doubt, rejection and thoughts of destruction. Even as Joseph questioned and studied how to handle this situation in love, an angel came to him in his sleep to reassure him that this pregnancy was of and from God (Matt.1:20-24). Questions even came to Mary, “How can this be seeing that I have no husband?” (Luke 1:34), but her questions were in wonderment. But as the angel talked with her about this blessed event that had happened to her, all her questions and fears turned to faith and praise. Her Magnificat so beautifully displays how all her questions were answered by the words from the Lord, through the angel. (Luke 1:46-55). There is nothing wrong with questioning circumstances, but when we begin to question God’s love, mercy, holiness, involvement in our lives and His character, we must ask those questions of the Father, Who has all the answers. Search God’s Word and seek the answer with all your heart and you will find Him, Who is the answer to all your questions. God has all the answers, “Then you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. Then you will seek Me, and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” (Jer. 33:3). Andréa Crouch put this truth in a chorus, “Jesus is the answer for the world today. Above Him there’s no other, Jesus is the way.”

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "P" - "Precise Prince of Peace"

December 15, 2013 “He is the sole expression of the glory of God and He is the precise imprint and very image of God’s nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3) Precise - this may sound like a strange word to use for an Advent writing, but our pastor used this word in a sermon and I immediately began to think of other words having to do with Advent that this adjective, “precise,” would describe. Webster says to be precise is to be “decisive, well defined, accurate, exact, inflexible and uncompromising.” What a wonderful adjective to describe Jehovah God, He is precise. He is decisive and uncompromising, He is the immutable God – He never changes. He has a precise plan for our salvation. That precise plan was for His Son to be born of a virgin, live as a man and die as our Savior, and send the Holy Spirit to live in us & empower us. Jesus never waivered nor was compromising from this precise plan. Jesus was the precise Person and precise Provision that would fulfill the precise plan, just at the precise time. The Father knew that man must have a perfect (exact, without a flaw) sacrifice for man’s sins. Jesus was the only perfect and precise Person that could satisfy God’s requirement for a holy sacrifice and bring us perfect restoration. The Father had a precise purpose, which was to pick us out for Himself in Christ, before the foundation of the world, and for us to be set apart and blameless in His sight, and be adopted as His own children through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:4-6). His precise purpose was to give us peace, joy, healing, hope and all we could ask for, all of which comes to us by our salvation. The climax of God’s precise purpose was in the maturity of time to unify all things and consummate them in Christ, both things in heaven and on earth. In Christ we obtained an inheritance in accordance to His precise purpose, Who works out everything. God’s precise purpose was for those who had relied on Him to be stamped with the seal of the precisely promised Holy Spirit and all the gifts that He has for us (Eph.1:6-14). The Father’s precise purpose and plan was also that His Son would come to us as the Prince of Peace. “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called….”Prince of Peace” (Isa.9:6). A prince is the son of a king. Jesus was born into humanity as the “Prince of Peace, the Son of God.” He would some day be King Jesus – King of kings. But from being “Prince” to “King” Jesus had to do a lot of living as a human. He was tempted with all kinds of sins, like all humans are, but without falling into sin. Have you ever thought when Jesus was a child if He ever bickered and argued in anger like all other children do? Did He tell those childish “little white lies?” Did He disobey His parents and was He selfish and even at times was He hateful like other children – after all, He was human? The answer is no to all these sins – He was sinless from birth. Although He was born into a human body, He was born the God-man. Although human He retained His holiness (purity, separation from sin). The whole concept of the truth of Christ’s incarnation is incomprehensible to us. He was the first and the last sinless human. For this reason we can trust Him to cleanse us from all our sinfulness, to live in us and give us a perfect heart. He came as a Prince (Son) to bring peace to us who, because we were born “children of wrath” (born with a sin nature) and thus we have been at war with the Holy Father. There is no peace, nor rest like having the “war” ended. Only by accepting this “Prince of Peace” can we ever truly know peace of mind and heart. Jesus came as the Prince of Peace but having done His “work” for our peace, He now sits as the King of kings with the Father and desires that we rule and reign with Him in His kingdom of Peace. Wonderful Peace W.D. Cornell Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls o’er my soul like an infinite calm. What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace buried deep in the heart of my soul, So secure that no power can mine it away while the years of eternity roll. I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, resting sweetly in Jesus’ control, And I’m kept from all danger by night and by day – now His glory is flooding my soul. And I know when I rise to that city of peace where the Author of peace I shall see, That one of the anthems the ransomed will sing in that heavenly kingdom shall be: Peace! Peace! Wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above, Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "O" - "One and Only"

December 14, 2013 “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in, (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not come to destruction and be lost but have eternal (everlasting) life” (John 3:16). We are all born as unique individuals with our own unique fingerprints, looks, personality and DNA. But there is only one Who is supremely unique – Jesus Christ. He was the only one born of a virgin, Who fulfilled every prophecy for the Messiah of the world and He will be the only One who will return as our coming King. Jesus Christ is the only one who lived a sinless life. He is the only one Who has been the expression of God – the out-raying of the divine, and He is the only one Who had the perfect imprint and very image of God’s nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. Jesus is the One and Only Who when He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus was the One and Only Who was the highest thought of God and the “altogether lovely” (S.S. 5:16). He is the One and Only Who was born to some day be King of the world, but today to be King of our hearts. As Dr. S. M. Lockeridge put it, “He’s the only one Who is enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast, He’s immortally full of grace, He’s imperially powerful, He’s impartially merciful, He’s God’s Son!” There was only one, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the babe of Bethlehem; the boy in the temple Who confounded the wise teachers; the Man who healed the sick and raised the dead and spoke as no other man; the man Who was crucified on a Roman cross, bled and died, rose from the grave and ascended into heaven – and all for our sins! There will never be another. He was the One and Only Who “finished” God’s plan of salvation. He is the only one Who has the power to deliver us from the pit; to keep us from falling; to give us a new heart and mind, and abundant life (here and now), and then life eternal. He is the only one Who deserves the praise, honor, power and glory! He is the Lamb, the One and Only, Who was slain before the foundation of the world, He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the only one Who we will be worshipping and never stop saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and Who is and Who is to come. I sing with the songwriter, Thoro Harris, “Who can cheer the heart like Jesus, by His presence all divine? True and tender, pure and precious, O how blest to call Him mine! All that thrills my soul is Jesus, He is more than life to me; and the fairest of ten thousand in my blessed Lord I see.” Jesus Christ is the ONE AND ONLY! There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) One Solitary Life Here is a young man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to a college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. While He was still a young man, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross, between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth, and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Nineteen centuries wide have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race; and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that One Solitary Life Anon.

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "N" - "Names of Jesus"

December 13, 2013 “Therefore, because He stooped so low, God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue frankly and openly confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11 Amp.) What delightful and meaningful names were given to the baby of Bethlehem - Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Savior and Redeemer. The Creator enters His creation into the world with great mystery. No other birth has affected this world as Jesus’ unique birth, and no other name has changed the course of history as His name – Jesus Christ. It is His-story. The following scriptures teach how Jesus’ names are powerful and demonstrate His character. If we believe and trust in His names, they will build our faith and He will become more precious to us! Blessed be the Name of the Lord! ……………….. “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). “You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have planted you, that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting, so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name (as presenting all that I AM, He may grant it to you” (John 15:16). Jesus praying for us: “I have made Your Name known to them and revealed Your character and Your very self, and I will continue to make You known, that the love which You have bestowed upon Me may be felt in their hearts and that I may be in them” (John 17:26). “These things are written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through His name (through Who He is)” (John 20:31). “And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in dependence upon His Person, giving praise to the Father through Him” (Col.3:17). “If you suffer abuse because you bear the name of Christ, blessed are you because the Spirit of God is resting upon you” (I Peter 4:14). “I know your works and what you are doing. See! I have set before you a door wide open which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and guarded My message and have not renounced or denied My name” “He who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God; he shall never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God…….and my own new name” (Revelation 2:17 &3:12). “They shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads” (Revelation 22:4). Jesus’ names Himself throughout scripture: 1) “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:13). 2) “I am the Root, the Source and the Offspring of David, 3) “The brilliant Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16). 4) “I am the Messiah, the Christ” (John 4:25-26). 5) “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35) 6) “I AM (the Eternal One)” (John 8:58) 7) “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12) 8) “I am the Door” (John 10:7) 9) “I am The Son of God” (John 10:36) 10) “I am The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25) 11) “I am The Lord and Master (John 13:13) 12) “I am the True Vine (John 15:1) Blessed Be The Name (William H. Clark) His name above all names shall stand, exalted more and more, At God the Father’s own right hand where angel hosts adore. Redeemer, Savior, Friend of man once ruined by the fall, His love devised salvation’s plan, and He has died for all. His name shall be the Counselor, the Mighty Prince of Peace, Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror, Whose reign shall never cease. Blessed be the Name, Blessed be the name, Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Twenty Days of Advent - "M" - "Mercy"

December 12, 2013 “It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given….and His name shall be called Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6). Before the creation of earth, in the Father’s time for His Son to be sent as a baby. Even coming as a baby was an act of God’s mercy toward sinful and rebellious mankind so we would know that He understood our plight as humans in this fallen world with all its temptations – He became one of us, yet without sin, for He remained the Mighty God. Throughout the history of time we have known our God to be a Mighty God of mercy. Beginning when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, it was the Mighty God, the Father, Who extended His mercy. God already had a contingency plan for the fallen couple who had broken the perfect fellowship with their Mighty God by disobedience and rebellion. This plan was called “Operation mercy and grace,” (my quote). Grace is mercy’s twin sister, both have the DNA of God’s love. Mercy is different from grace in that “grace” is the Almighty God’s gift to us which we do not deserve; mercy is Almighty God’s restrained justice that we do deserve. Further through the pages of “His-story,” we again see the Mighty God’s contingency plan at work with the Children of Israel. What blatant disobedience and rebellion they demonstrated after being rescued from Egypt and had been given the Promised Land. After repentance on their part and forgiveness on the Mighty God’s part, He vindicated the break between their sinfulness and His holiness, time after time, after time, He extended His mercy. Just as the Mighty God, extended His mercy to the Israelites when He brought them out of Egypt, He is able and willing to do it again for us today. Look at the story of Jonah and how the Mighty God even in Jonah’s continued “pity-party,” brought him, by mercy, from the “jaws of death” to life of an evangelist, though still reluctant. And look at the mercies of the Mighty God extended in the lives of Lot, Sarah, Moses, David, Peter, Paul and we could go on and on. We all in some ways and to some degree have been, and maybe still are, disobedient and rebellious, but the Mighty God with His hand of mercy has reached out to us and all we have to do is turn around, grab it and hold on. Everyone has that “hand of mercy” extended toward them, but all do not turn and lay hold of it. I believe that is why Jesus was so grieved over Jerusalem when He said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, murdering the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a mother fowl gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! (Matthew 23:37) God’s mercy is a mystery – why would a holy and Mighty God want to restrain His hand of justice toward us disobedient and rebellious people? LOVE! Think of the significance of the cross – what mercy and what grace and what love! There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea. There’s a kindness in His justice which is more than liberty. There is welcome for the sinner and more graces for the good; there is mercy with the Savior, there is healing in His blood. (Frederick W. Faber)

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "L" - "Love"

December 11, 2013 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) If you were asked to give a one word definition for love, what would it be? We use the word “love” very frivolously. We say we love chocolate pie; or we love this beautiful day, or we love your new dress. I have thought about this question a lot and have come to the conclusion my answer to this question would be, “give”. I believe the preface scripture makes it clear – to love is to give. We know that God is love, that’s His essence. “God so loved the world that He gave…” God’s love went to the “nth” degree when He gave His best, the summon bonum of heaven – He gave of Himself - His Son. That is LOVE!! The Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is incomprehensible. We must just accept it as being true reality just because God said it. God’s Son is the second person of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). He is eternal, just like the Father. His DNA (essence) is exactly like the Father’s. In fact, when He was here on earth Jesus said, “I and the Father are One” (John 10:30). Just as the Father gave His Son, so the Son gave His life for us – That is love! If we could understand everything about God, He wouldn’t be God, we would. In the same way, I can’t comprehend how God could desire to have man, His creation, to fellowship with Him, to live our life in and through His love and strength. He desires for us to talk with Him and to love Him with all our hearts. I truly cannot fathom how God could “so love the world that He gave His only Son,” who was part of Him. God’s love is incomprehensible. God gave up, for a time, the second part of the Trinity, His Son, because of His incomprehensible love for us. Can we reject such love? ---------- Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all! (Isaac Watts) ---------- Such Love C. Bishop That God should love a sinner such as I, should yearn to change my sorrow into bliss, Nor rest till He had planned to bring me nigh, How wonderful is love like this! That Christ should join so freely in the scheme, although it meant His death on Calvary. Did ever human tongue find nobler theme than love divine that ransomed me? That for a willful outcast such as I, the Father planned, the Savior bled and died; Redemption for a worthless slave to buy, who long had law and grace defied. And now He takes me to His heart – a son, He asks me not to fill a servant’s place The“far off country” wanderings all are done. Wide open are His arms of grace. Such love, such wondrous love, Such love, such wondrous love, That God should love a sinner such as I, How wonderful is love like this!

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "K" - "King"

December 10, 2013 “…Which appearing will be shown forth in His own proper time by the blessed, only Sovereign Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality and living in unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen or can see. Unto Him be honor and everlasting power and dominion.” (I Timothy 6:15-16) This baby, Jesus, is a king? How can it be? Only God’s Son could be this baby, born of a virgin. Yes, He is a king, He is the King of kings and He is my King! Do you know Him? “That’s My King” The late Dr. S. M. Lockeridge, a pastor from San Diego, California said these words in a sermon in Detroit in 1976: My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the king of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King! Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out his blessing. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King! He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all His people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King ! Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the Heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the over-comers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King! His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you…but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible, and He is irresistible. I‘m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him…the witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t hand Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King! Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory! Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matter is God’s power. Thine is the power, Yeah, and the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever……And when you get through with all of the evers, then….Amen!

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "J" - "Joy"

December 9, 2013 “Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present you unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation, with unspeakable, ecstatic delight – To the one and only God, our Savior, through Christ Jesus our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and dominion and power and authority, before all time and now and forever!” (Jude 24 -Amp) Have you ever read C. S. Lewis’ book, Surprised By Joy? It is the story of his life and how he “passed from Atheism to Christianity.” His own quote about this journey was, “Every step I had taken, from the Absolute to “Spirit: and from the “Spirit” to “God” had been a step toward the more concrete, the more imminent…To accept the Incarnation was a further step in the same direction.” The theme of the book was the longing to have the joy restored Mr. Lewis had experienced as a boy. By joy it was not meant mere pleasure but the “sublime experience of the transcendent, the glimpse of the eternal that is only fleetingly available in earthly loves and aesthetics.” This joy Lewis finally found in the Creator. “It is He alone who redeems His fallen creation and provides them joy.” The same is true of every human being. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” We could say the same, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are joyless until we find our joy in You.” In God’s presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). After the angel’s announcement to Mary of her bearing the Christ Child, and her subsequent visit to her cousin Elizabeth, she broke forth with joyous praises. I wonder if she had thoughts of what might happen when everyone found out about her pregnancy. After all, she was an unmarried woman who was pregnant and the penalty for adultery in those days and in that place, was stoning. She too was “surprised by joy” at the overarching privilege of being the mother of the Son of God – the Messiah – the Redeemer of the world!! That was over 2,000 years ago and God’s plan was completed at the cross, but in so doing God has granted us an unmatched privilege, and offer, of being adopted into His family and becoming an heir and co-heir with Jesus to all of the Father’s kingdom. If that doesn’t overflow your “Joy Cup,” it is because you have never taken the Father up on His offer. When you are a child of the King, joy is a part of your new nature. It is one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you. We should shout this good news from the housetops. This experience of going from the gloom of the kingdom of darkness into the joy of the kingdom of Light always brings “Joy unspeakable and full of glory!” Joy To The World Isaac Watts (From Psalm 98) Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing. Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love.

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "I" - "Immanuel"

December 8, 2013 “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel (God with us).” (Isaiah 7:14) Immanuel – God with us! Do you realize how supremely wonderful is this name that was given prophetically by Isaiah over 700 years before Jesus Christ of Nazareth was born. Jesus’ coming to earth was planned before the universe was created. We were in God’s heart back in those eons ago and Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was to be the central figure in this “working salvation in the midst of the earth”. The plan was that the fullness of God would come to earth as a baby, born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-21). His name would be called, Jesus (which is the Greek form of the Hebrew, Joshua, which means Savior), for He will save His people from their sins (that is to prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God). This baby born to be the Savior of the world was Immanuel, the God of heaven that has bowed so low to become one of us and be with us. How can this be? – The answer is God’s agape love. Our finite minds cannot comprehend such love and workings of the Lord, we must just accept it, believe it and trust in this kind of love, (Agape – unconditional, forgiving, merciful, patient and eternal) - all for us. In Immanuel coming to live with us, He came in His fullness with all His attributes. Immanuel is still with us, not in the flesh of Jesus, but in the Holy Spirit, and manifests His attributes toward us and on our behalf constantly. If you are one of His children you will recognize His attributes daily: His love, mercy, power, presence, wisdom and etc. Immanuel, in the form of the Holy Spirit, lives within every believer. He walks with us through every situation of our lives. He communes with us in prayer. He comforts us in our sorrows. He empowers us in our weaknesses. He convicts us of our sins. He guides us in our confusion. He gifts us for service. Immanuel, through His divine power, enables us to be over-comers in life’s every tangle and testing. Immanuel is God with us, not just standing near but living in us. It “blows your mind” to think that the God of the universe has chosen to live within each of us who accept Him. “For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form (giving complete expression of the divine nature). And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life (in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – and reach full spiritual stature). And He is the Head of all rule and authority of every principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10) (Amp.). WOW!! Immortal, Invisible Walter Chalmers Smith (I Timothy 1:17) Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes. Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious – Thy great name we praise. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might. Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above, Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small. In all life Thou livest, the true life of all. We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, and wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee. Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight. All praise we would render, O help us to see ‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "H" - "Hope"

December 7, 2013 “H” – “Hope” “Christ within us is our hope of Glory.” (Colossians 1:27) As I walk down memory lane, as I do quite often this time of year, I remember as a small child wishing with all my heart for a baby doll. I just wished, I knew I didn’t dare hope because I knew Mother couldn’t afford to buy me one with so many children for whom to buy. She made most of our Christmas presents. I had been given hand-me-down baby dolls but I wanted a new one that I could dress, feed and it would cry. After several years of wishing, and I was getting too old to play with a doll – I got one. I’m sure my older sisters had a part in that purchase. But now I didn’t want one – I was too old and my hope for ever getting one had been delayed too long. I have since been reminded of my disappointment when I read Proverbs 13:12, which says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.” We may hope (probably more of a wish) that God would remove the undesirable politicians out of office and make things right in the government. We hope (wish) the economy will right itself, and our military can end all wars and make peace in the world. We may hope (wish) that all diseases would be cured. The list of our hopes could go on and on, but true hope has to be anchored in the Truth of Jesus – what He has said in prophecies and promises, and in the Truth of Who He is! Our hope in His Word is the “anchor of our souls” (Heb.6:19). Our hope is never disappointed in Jesus! He is always on time and if we wait and hope He will make everything beautiful in its time (Eccl.3:11). Hope is a part of faith, an assurance down deep in our hearts that what we hope for will come to pass because God said it and we believe it. Hope is a patient, expectant “waiting” for God’s timing, knowing that in His time He fulfills all of His promises. Hope is a focus on God’s promised results although we don’t see or have those tangible results in our hands or in our sight. Hope is not illusive, but a solid and sure thing, not in our hands yet but fully assured that for which we are hoping will come and we have peace in believing. (Romans 8:24). We can say with Paul, “Jesus is our sure hope,” (I Timothy 1:1). Christmas immediately follows the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year, therefore has the most hours of darkness (I don’t like darkness). In the spiritual realm, Jesus came to dispel the darkness of sin. In John 8:12 Jesus speaks of Himself as being the “Light of the world,” and Isaiah prophesied that “the people who walked in darkness and the shadow of death have seen a great Light.” This Light is Jesus and He brought hope into this darkened world, and with His coming our hope is fulfilled. We now have hope in the present and sure hope for the future. Hope is the “anchor of our souls,” and with patient endurance this hope will endure to the end. Paul called Christ, the Messiah, the hope of Israel, and since born again Christians have been grafted into the Vine, He is our hope also. How sad for those who have no hope. If we haven’t seen that the Light shines into eternity and “hope only in this life, we are most miserable” (I Cor.15:19). We hope in His promises; and He has promised that one of the reasons He came into this world was to give us abundant life, here and now, and hope of eternal life. “Jesus is our Hope of glory, and His hope doesn’t make ashamed,” (Colossians 1:27; Romans 5:5). This is my prayer for you at this Christmas time when we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, the baby Who brought hope into this dark world: “May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope.” (Romans 15:13) My Hope Is In the Lord Norman J. Clayton My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me, And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary. No merit of my own His anger to surpress; My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness. And now for me He stands before the Father’s throne; He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own. His grace has planned it all – “Tis mine but to believe, And recognize His work of love, and Christ receive. For me He died, For me He lives; And everlasting life and light He freely gives.