“I” – “Immanuel”December 8, 2011
“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, be 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!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Advent - "H" - Hope
December 7, 2011
“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 hopebecause I knew Mother couldn’t afford to buy me one with so many children for which 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 "baby 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.”
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, and 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 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 also 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 us 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)
“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 hopebecause I knew Mother couldn’t afford to buy me one with so many children for which 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 "baby 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.”
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, and 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 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 also 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 us 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)
Advent - "E" - Everlasting Man"
December 4, 2011
“E” – “Everlasting Man”
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.” (Isaiah 40:28).
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
They say that the minute a baby is born he begins to die – the sloughing off of old cells, the general aging of the body; etc. Only doctors and scientists can attest to this. Never-the-less, the older I get, I heartily agree. Every morning I wake with a new twinge or a new ache - it’s my body wearing out! The Word tells us that the days of our life are numbered – only God knows how many. Even nature has its "season." Everything God created has a specified time to live; a beginning and an end. They say even the stars die. Ecclesiates three speaks to the fact that there is a time for everything – “a time to be born and a time to die.” This earth also will come to an end, “in its time.”
Even Jesus was born for a “season.” His life span on this earth was preplanned, but His birth was not His beginning, neither was His death His ending. He is the “Everlasting Man,” as G.K.Chesterton named Him. He had no beginning. He was there before creation; He will be there when all creation, as we know it, is gone. His immaculate conception and consequent birth, in Bethlehem of Judea (as foretold by the prophets), was His earthly beginning and His death on the cross was His earthly ending, but because He is the Everlasting Man, He lives forever, and we will also!
He is God from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 92:2). He has made an everlasting covenant with us (Heb.13:20). He has given believers everlasting life (John 3:16). We live in His everlasting kingdom (II Peter 1:11). Underneath us are His everlasting arms (Duet.33:27). His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 100:5). That is why we have everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10)!
We are created in His image. Our spirits will live forever, either with or without Him, depending on our believing in Him while we are in this life. He created us with a spirit so we could live with Him forever, because “God is a Spirit and we that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in Truth.” Once we are born into this world we have become everlasting beings, either to live forever with Jesus or we live forever without Him – I call that “everlasting death” (Daniel 12:2).
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Elisha A. Hoffman
What a fellowship, what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how bright the path grows from day to day leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near leaning on the everlasting arms!
“E” – “Everlasting Man”
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.” (Isaiah 40:28).
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
They say that the minute a baby is born he begins to die – the sloughing off of old cells, the general aging of the body; etc. Only doctors and scientists can attest to this. Never-the-less, the older I get, I heartily agree. Every morning I wake with a new twinge or a new ache - it’s my body wearing out! The Word tells us that the days of our life are numbered – only God knows how many. Even nature has its "season." Everything God created has a specified time to live; a beginning and an end. They say even the stars die. Ecclesiates three speaks to the fact that there is a time for everything – “a time to be born and a time to die.” This earth also will come to an end, “in its time.”
Even Jesus was born for a “season.” His life span on this earth was preplanned, but His birth was not His beginning, neither was His death His ending. He is the “Everlasting Man,” as G.K.Chesterton named Him. He had no beginning. He was there before creation; He will be there when all creation, as we know it, is gone. His immaculate conception and consequent birth, in Bethlehem of Judea (as foretold by the prophets), was His earthly beginning and His death on the cross was His earthly ending, but because He is the Everlasting Man, He lives forever, and we will also!
He is God from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 92:2). He has made an everlasting covenant with us (Heb.13:20). He has given believers everlasting life (John 3:16). We live in His everlasting kingdom (II Peter 1:11). Underneath us are His everlasting arms (Duet.33:27). His mercy is everlasting (Psalm 100:5). That is why we have everlasting joy (Isaiah 35:10)!
We are created in His image. Our spirits will live forever, either with or without Him, depending on our believing in Him while we are in this life. He created us with a spirit so we could live with Him forever, because “God is a Spirit and we that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in Truth.” Once we are born into this world we have become everlasting beings, either to live forever with Jesus or we live forever without Him – I call that “everlasting death” (Daniel 12:2).
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms
Elisha A. Hoffman
What a fellowship, what a joy divine leaning on the everlasting arms.
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way leaning on the everlasting arms.
O how bright the path grows from day to day leaning on the everlasting arms.
What have I to dread, what have I to fear leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near leaning on the everlasting arms!
Advent - "C" - "Called"
December 2, 2011
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
Everyone loves to be called by their name. Whether it is a new teacher at school, our boss on a new job, getting acquainted with a new friend, meeting new people at church or a new civic organization we have recently joined – we like to know that people care enough to remember our name (especially after a little time). It is understandable that most would have difficulty remembering very different and difficult names of people they have recently met or are seldom with. But you would be surprised that as easy and common as my name is, Mary Jones, it is quickly forgotten by some. Some people have a gift of remembering, but mostly I think one has to work at and practice remembering and it is important to people to be called by their correct name. But there is One Who created us who never forgets our name and if we "know" Him, He will some day give us a new name in heaven that no one will know or understand that name except the one who receives it (Rev.2:17). I believed God will call us by that new name and we will recognize our new name.
In some countries babies’ names were descriptive of that child. Some were not named immediately after birth but the parents waited for a while, for whatever reason. In the Bible Manoah and his wife called their son Samson, which means "sunshine." In Exodus 2, Pharoah’s daughter rescued Moses from the water and called him Moses, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Also, in the Bible God told several what their coming baby should be named. God told Hagar, Abraham’s wife’s handmaiden, that she was to call Abraham’s baby she was carrying, Ishmael, which means “God hears” (Genesis 16:11). Later in Genesis 17:15, God said Sarai was to be renamed and to be called"Sarah," which means "princess." Then in Genesis 17:19, Abaham and Sarah’s son was to be born he was to be called Isaac, which means, "laughter." There are many more, too many to name in this space, but there is One whose name above all names is the most significant to the entire world and all of mankind. His name was called, "JESUS," and when we pray to the Father in that name, every knee must bow, in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:9-11). “And her (Mary’s)promised husband, Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to shame and disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her quietly and secretly. But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 2:19-21) God said in Matthew 2:15,“Out of Egypt have I calledMy Son,” referring to when Herod was trying to kill all the babies and Mary and Joseph, with Jesus, fled to Egypt.
So the prophecies would be fulfilled, He was called a "Nazarene" (Branch, Separated One, (Isa.11:1) (Matt. 2:21).
Jesus was called"Christ" (anointed One) (Matt.27:22).
In Luke 1:32 it says, “He will be called the 'Son of the Most High.' ”
Throughout Jesus’ lifetime He was called and manifested many names, whose meanings of which we are the blessed beneficiaries. Thank You, Father for giving us Your Son, and for calling Him, JESUS, Savior!
“Because He Lives”
Gloria and William Gaither
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
Everyone loves to be called by their name. Whether it is a new teacher at school, our boss on a new job, getting acquainted with a new friend, meeting new people at church or a new civic organization we have recently joined – we like to know that people care enough to remember our name (especially after a little time). It is understandable that most would have difficulty remembering very different and difficult names of people they have recently met or are seldom with. But you would be surprised that as easy and common as my name is, Mary Jones, it is quickly forgotten by some. Some people have a gift of remembering, but mostly I think one has to work at and practice remembering and it is important to people to be called by their correct name. But there is One Who created us who never forgets our name and if we "know" Him, He will some day give us a new name in heaven that no one will know or understand that name except the one who receives it (Rev.2:17). I believed God will call us by that new name and we will recognize our new name.
In some countries babies’ names were descriptive of that child. Some were not named immediately after birth but the parents waited for a while, for whatever reason. In the Bible Manoah and his wife called their son Samson, which means "sunshine." In Exodus 2, Pharoah’s daughter rescued Moses from the water and called him Moses, “Because I drew him out of the water.” Also, in the Bible God told several what their coming baby should be named. God told Hagar, Abraham’s wife’s handmaiden, that she was to call Abraham’s baby she was carrying, Ishmael, which means “God hears” (Genesis 16:11). Later in Genesis 17:15, God said Sarai was to be renamed and to be called"Sarah," which means "princess." Then in Genesis 17:19, Abaham and Sarah’s son was to be born he was to be called Isaac, which means, "laughter." There are many more, too many to name in this space, but there is One whose name above all names is the most significant to the entire world and all of mankind. His name was called, "JESUS," and when we pray to the Father in that name, every knee must bow, in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:9-11). “And her (Mary’s)promised husband, Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to shame and disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her quietly and secretly. But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 2:19-21) God said in Matthew 2:15,“Out of Egypt have I calledMy Son,” referring to when Herod was trying to kill all the babies and Mary and Joseph, with Jesus, fled to Egypt.
So the prophecies would be fulfilled, He was called a "Nazarene" (Branch, Separated One, (Isa.11:1) (Matt. 2:21).
Jesus was called"Christ" (anointed One) (Matt.27:22).
In Luke 1:32 it says, “He will be called the 'Son of the Most High.' ”
Throughout Jesus’ lifetime He was called and manifested many names, whose meanings of which we are the blessed beneficiaries. Thank You, Father for giving us Your Son, and for calling Him, JESUS, Savior!
“Because He Lives”
Gloria and William Gaither
God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.
Advent - "G" - "Gift/s"
The Twenty Six Days of Advent December 6,2011
“G” – “Gift/s”
“Now thanks be to God for His precious (beyond telling), His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift!” (II Cor.9:15)
Christmas is all about love, gift giving and celebration. It is about “love” because love is giving (“God so loved that He gave…”). It is about “gifts” because our Father gave the most precious, unspeakable and perfect – the superlative Gift (Jesus) to the ones He loved the most – you and me. It is about “celebration.” Because of this most wonderful Gift we have been adopted into the family of the God of the universe, we have been “cleaned up” and redeemed from the darkness and bondage of sin, we have been given the constant and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and we have been given an eternal hope for eternal life with our Father. So now (December 25th) and always, we must celebrate!
Advertisers know there is one certain way to attract everyone’s attention is to announce they have a free gift – something for nothing. If you take them up on their offer you usually find their gift was worthless or completely undesirable, but it is free, so some spend time and effort to receive it. But what really brings joy and deep satisfaction is to receive a gift you have long desired and know it was given from a heart of love that wanted you to delight in their gift. It brings great joy to the giver’s heart to know they have filled the longing of your heart.
My family has never been wealthy in money, but my mother was the epitome of a wealthy person in love. She gave all she could give to her family and others. At Christmas I knew what my gift from Mother would be – a homemade pair of pajamas, like all the other siblings at home. My older siblings, who were working, gave me two or three pairs of underwear, socks, or other necessary garments. These types of gifts may seem hum-drum to others who received a lot of toys and fun stuff, but I was grateful for something new and just for me.
I remember when I was about nine or ten my mother received an inheritance from two maiden aunts who were doctors and bequeathed their money to their family. I don’t know how much it was, but Mother offered to give each of us anything we wanted but could never afford. My sister just older than I asked for a pair of shoe-skates. I don’t remember what the others asked for, but I boldly said I wanted a piano. Mother knew my love of music and saw that the Lord had gifted me with an ear for playing the piano. Without blinking an eye Mother agreed to her gift to me of a piano. I didn’t have to work to help pay for it – it was a free gift!
That was about sixty five years ago and now I know what joy it must have given my mother to get me my heart’s desire, whatever the cost. I got many years of pleasure out of my piano and kept it until I had been married a few years and we moved to Florida. If I had to think over the past and decide what was the most precious gift I ever received, I would have to say that piano, because it fulfilled my deep longing and I knew it was given in love (without strings attached).
God’s giving heart that desires and has offered the greatest Gift we could ever long for and which would fulfill our fondest dreams and this Gift was free. You guess it! That magnanimous Gift God gave to the world is Jesus, His Son, and the eternal life in heaven with Him; an abundant life here and now (all that comes as a bonus)! All we have to do is accept this Gift.
Riddle: What is the most wonderful, free gift we can give to any and everyone and yet keep it? Answer: Jesus! At this time of the year as we are contemplating gifts for others, carefully consider sharing the good news of this wonderful, free gift with everyone we can. December 25th may not be the exact date of Jesus’ birth but it is the spirit of rejoicing and celebrating the fact that God was willing to give His priceless treasure, His Son, to us that we can live forever with Him! How could we help but praise Him with unsurpassed celebration?
Joy To The World
Isaac Watts
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room; and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing; and heaven 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,
Repeat the sounding joy; repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found;
Far as the curse is found; far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
“G” – “Gift/s”
“Now thanks be to God for His precious (beyond telling), His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift!” (II Cor.9:15)
Christmas is all about love, gift giving and celebration. It is about “love” because love is giving (“God so loved that He gave…”). It is about “gifts” because our Father gave the most precious, unspeakable and perfect – the superlative Gift (Jesus) to the ones He loved the most – you and me. It is about “celebration.” Because of this most wonderful Gift we have been adopted into the family of the God of the universe, we have been “cleaned up” and redeemed from the darkness and bondage of sin, we have been given the constant and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit and we have been given an eternal hope for eternal life with our Father. So now (December 25th) and always, we must celebrate!
Advertisers know there is one certain way to attract everyone’s attention is to announce they have a free gift – something for nothing. If you take them up on their offer you usually find their gift was worthless or completely undesirable, but it is free, so some spend time and effort to receive it. But what really brings joy and deep satisfaction is to receive a gift you have long desired and know it was given from a heart of love that wanted you to delight in their gift. It brings great joy to the giver’s heart to know they have filled the longing of your heart.
My family has never been wealthy in money, but my mother was the epitome of a wealthy person in love. She gave all she could give to her family and others. At Christmas I knew what my gift from Mother would be – a homemade pair of pajamas, like all the other siblings at home. My older siblings, who were working, gave me two or three pairs of underwear, socks, or other necessary garments. These types of gifts may seem hum-drum to others who received a lot of toys and fun stuff, but I was grateful for something new and just for me.
I remember when I was about nine or ten my mother received an inheritance from two maiden aunts who were doctors and bequeathed their money to their family. I don’t know how much it was, but Mother offered to give each of us anything we wanted but could never afford. My sister just older than I asked for a pair of shoe-skates. I don’t remember what the others asked for, but I boldly said I wanted a piano. Mother knew my love of music and saw that the Lord had gifted me with an ear for playing the piano. Without blinking an eye Mother agreed to her gift to me of a piano. I didn’t have to work to help pay for it – it was a free gift!
That was about sixty five years ago and now I know what joy it must have given my mother to get me my heart’s desire, whatever the cost. I got many years of pleasure out of my piano and kept it until I had been married a few years and we moved to Florida. If I had to think over the past and decide what was the most precious gift I ever received, I would have to say that piano, because it fulfilled my deep longing and I knew it was given in love (without strings attached).
God’s giving heart that desires and has offered the greatest Gift we could ever long for and which would fulfill our fondest dreams and this Gift was free. You guess it! That magnanimous Gift God gave to the world is Jesus, His Son, and the eternal life in heaven with Him; an abundant life here and now (all that comes as a bonus)! All we have to do is accept this Gift.
Riddle: What is the most wonderful, free gift we can give to any and everyone and yet keep it? Answer: Jesus! At this time of the year as we are contemplating gifts for others, carefully consider sharing the good news of this wonderful, free gift with everyone we can. December 25th may not be the exact date of Jesus’ birth but it is the spirit of rejoicing and celebrating the fact that God was willing to give His priceless treasure, His Son, to us that we can live forever with Him! How could we help but praise Him with unsurpassed celebration?
Joy To The World
Isaac Watts
Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room; and heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing; and heaven 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,
Repeat the sounding joy; repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground.
He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found;
Far as the curse is found; far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love, and wonders, wonders of his love.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Advent - "D" - Destination - The Cross
December 3, 2011
We took a memorable trip this Fall to see family and old friends along the way – over 2,200 miles. Every day had its new destination, with sight-seeing and being over-whelmed by the beauty of God’s creation as we tried to drink in the awesomeness of the Great Smoky Mountains in all of their Fall glory of color – what joy, what delight and what a worshipful experience! There were many joys on our way to our destination, but there were also heartaches we experienced with every family we visited. But with all our joys and sorrows along our journey we continued with hope in the anticipation of our final destination – home. There’s no place like home!
Before the earth was formed or one star was put in the sky the Plan for the redemption of fallen man was set in place, the Plan had it’s destination at the cross of Calvary. We must all come to this destination, the cross, either in acceptance or rejection – we must choose, and in choosing we determine our destination. All of us are on a journey now, on this earth. This trip is also filled with joys and sorrows, but those who love and serve Jesus have a most glorious hope of our final destination – Home with the Father and Jesus, our Savior. Some day, I pray very soon, we will take a much longer trip, either by way of the grave or be caught up into the air by our Lord, and forever to be with Him!
The Son of God knew the plan was for him to leave the wonders and glories of heaven with His Father, to take on the humility of life as a human. This would be the first stop in His life on earth to His final destination. It would begin as a baby born in a stable and the animals watched while this newborn human baby was laid to rest in their feeding trough.
Jesus was destined to come forth as the Branch out of Jesse, David’s father. Mary and Joseph both were descendents of David, Mary from Nathan and Joseph from Solomon, just as was planned. Isaiah 42 tells us that Jesus was destined to bring justice and reveal truth to the nations; that He would not be discouraged till He established justice in the earth; and the islands and coastal regions would wait hopefully for Him for direction and law. He was to be the Hope of the nations (Rom.8:22-25)!
There is an old secular song that said, “There are many compromises on the way to my horizon.” But there were no compromises as Jesus walked the path to His destination. Like Isaiah, in 50:7, Jesus knew the “Father would help Him; therefore He was not ashamed or confounded. Therefore, He set His face, like a flint.” He would confidently walk the path set before Him to His destination.
Isaiah 9 tells us the government (authority) and peace would be on His shoulders and His name would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Ever-lasting Father and the Prince of Peace (Matt.28:18; Luke 2:11). Luke 2 tells us that Jesus’ destination (the cross) was to be our Salvation (v.30); a Light to the Gentiles (v.32) and Isaiah 49:6 a Light to the nations; and in John 8:12 Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Light of the world.” While He walked on this earth He was all of these things and fulfilled His final destination.
Jesus'final destination was prophesied in Isaiah 53, how He would be despised and rejected and forsaken by men (v.3); He would carry our grief and our just punishment on the cross; He would be wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our guilt. The chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we were healed and made whole (vs.4,5). Even His final destined resting place was preplanned (Isaiah 53:9) - a borrowed tomb.
Jesus yielded to the "preplan" of His final destination on this earth – the cross. And He let Himself be regarded as a criminal (Isaiah 53:10-12; yet through all of His suffering He took away the sin of many and made intercession for the rebellious (Luke 23:34).
Thank You, Father, for Your "preplan" and thank You, Jesus for finishing the plan to Your destination. Thank You for the hope we have to be with You eternally all because You finished the course at the cross.
The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame.
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world has a wondrous attraction for me.
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died to pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear.
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down.
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Advent - "B" - "Because of Love"
December 1, 2011
“B” – “Because of Love”
The skeptics always want proof of Jesus’ magnanimous love and His complete sacrifice for mankind. Without faith in the fact that Jesus was born, lived and died for "who-so-ever will," nothing can convince the skeptics. What proves Jesus’ love, humility and mercy was sufficient for our salvation? First of all, because “He stooped so low” to fulfill the Father’s plan of salvation. Only God could love this much! Some glibly talk about the "sacrifice of Jesus" as if He was just inconvenienced for a while here on earth. Have you ever meditated on the condescension of the God of the universe Who guided the stars and galaxies through the skies He had created; Who ruled over myriads of angels (some of them fallen); and Who prearranged the plan of salvation for His one creation that was created in His image. He sat on a throne, He walked on golden streets, He was all knowing, all wise, ever-present and all powerful -He left all this because He loved us and wanted to have fellowship with us. Still He came to the earth He had created, He became a human like He had created, experiencing an immaculate conception, gestation, and birth in a dirty, smelly cave, which served as a stable which housed the farm animals He had created. This tiny baby, Creator of all, was born of a very common mother, and into a hostile world of sinners who were irreconciled to God, His Father. When He was a small child He was the object of a search to kill Him by a jealous king, because He was also a king Who had stooped so low as to be born into a world of enemies who hated Him; all this heartache because He loved us. Another truth that proves His love is that He lived with, and forgave, the undeserved hatred, rejection, betrayal and eventually death as a criminal on the cross – because He loved us so much and wanted us to be reconciled to the Father and have eternal life in heaven with Him and the Father. He wanted us to sit on the throne with Him at His right hand, as He sits at the right hand of the Father – all because He loves us. Actions speak louder than words – He told us, then because He loved us, He stretched out His hands to be nailed to a cross - to show us.
Because He Lives
Gloria and Bill Gaither
God sent His Son – they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.
“B” – “Because of Love”
The skeptics always want proof of Jesus’ magnanimous love and His complete sacrifice for mankind. Without faith in the fact that Jesus was born, lived and died for "who-so-ever will," nothing can convince the skeptics. What proves Jesus’ love, humility and mercy was sufficient for our salvation? First of all, because “He stooped so low” to fulfill the Father’s plan of salvation. Only God could love this much! Some glibly talk about the "sacrifice of Jesus" as if He was just inconvenienced for a while here on earth. Have you ever meditated on the condescension of the God of the universe Who guided the stars and galaxies through the skies He had created; Who ruled over myriads of angels (some of them fallen); and Who prearranged the plan of salvation for His one creation that was created in His image. He sat on a throne, He walked on golden streets, He was all knowing, all wise, ever-present and all powerful -He left all this because He loved us and wanted to have fellowship with us. Still He came to the earth He had created, He became a human like He had created, experiencing an immaculate conception, gestation, and birth in a dirty, smelly cave, which served as a stable which housed the farm animals He had created. This tiny baby, Creator of all, was born of a very common mother, and into a hostile world of sinners who were irreconciled to God, His Father. When He was a small child He was the object of a search to kill Him by a jealous king, because He was also a king Who had stooped so low as to be born into a world of enemies who hated Him; all this heartache because He loved us. Another truth that proves His love is that He lived with, and forgave, the undeserved hatred, rejection, betrayal and eventually death as a criminal on the cross – because He loved us so much and wanted us to be reconciled to the Father and have eternal life in heaven with Him and the Father. He wanted us to sit on the throne with Him at His right hand, as He sits at the right hand of the Father – all because He loves us. Actions speak louder than words – He told us, then because He loved us, He stretched out His hands to be nailed to a cross - to show us.
Because He Lives
Gloria and Bill Gaither
God sent His Son – they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, an empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.
Because He lives I can face tomorrow, Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future and life is worth the living just because He lives.
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