The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "F" - "Friend"

December 5, 2013 “F” – “Friend” “……there is a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother.”(Prov.18:24) Since I was in the third grade I have enjoyed a little red-headed girl friend who was closer to me than my own siblings. We walked to and from school together; we had weekly sleep-overs; we laughed together and cried together and told each other our secrets and most intimate hopes and dreams. We had the same socio-economic background and came from single parent families. We understood and trusted each other and loved one another. After sixty five years we still are in contact with one another – birthdays, Christmas and summer vacations when I return to my hometown. She will remain my friend until I die. But my little red-headed friend, as much as she may have wanted to, could not meet all my needs. But I know a Friend Who is “closer than a brother,” and can, and does, meet all my needs – His name is Jesus! He has been my closest Friend since I was about four, when I invited Him to be my forever Friend. He is a friend who will never leave me nor forsake me. He has been my friend through all the lonely, disappointing, trying, fearful, sorrowful and joyful times in my life. He has invited me to come “boldly” to Him and cry on His shoulder; to thank Him for His goodness and answered prayer; to praise Him for all His attributes; for forgiveness for all my failures and sins; and to be able to intercede for the needs of my earthly friends. There’s no friend to me like Jesus! There are millions of people using social networking with “real” friends with which to communicate, sometimes thousands of miles away. To me these friends are very superficial compared to my Friend Who knows me completely and loves me anyway. He has and “is” the answer to all my questions and problems. He will never become disillusioned with me but believes the best in me (because He knows my heart). These “social” friends, and even my little red-headed friend, are God’s cure for our need for a human touch. We may have a lot of friendships, but few true friends. Jesus will always be our true Friend, if we let Him. Jesus taught us how to be a true’friend. He tells us we are to carry one another’s burdens just as He encourages us to “roll all our cares on Him, for He cares for us.” He knows how weak we are, but He is strong. He knows our indecisiveness, but He knows the way. He knows our deepest hurts, but He can comfort and heal. Our lives, minds and hearts may be in turmoil, but this Friend can bring us peace. He is all-in-all. Those we thought were our friends may forsake us, but Jesus has promised He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He will be that friend who “sticks closer than a brother.” No, Not One Johnson Oatman, Jr. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus – no, not one! None else could heal all our soul’s diseases – No, not one! No, not one! There’s not an hour that He is not near us – No, not one! No, not one! No night so dark but His love can cheer us – No, not one! No not one! Did ever saint find this friend forsake Him? No, not one! No, not one! Or sinner find that He would not take Him? No, not one! No, not one! Was e’er a gift like the Savior given? No, not one! No, not one! Will He refuse us a home in heaven? No, not one! No, not one! Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide till the day is done. There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus – No, not one! No, not one!

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "E" - "Everlasting Man"

The Twenty Six Days of Advent December 4, 2013 “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. Ecclesiastes 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!

Twenty Six Days of Advent - "D" - "Destination"

December 3, 2013 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! 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. 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! 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, and He was not ashamed or confounded. Therefore, as Isaiah said, 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 in 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. Jesus’ destination was the cross first, then home in heaven! Our destination is Heaven!! WHAT A DESTINATION - HEAVEN!!

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "C" - "Called"

December 2, 2013 “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, 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 believe God will call us by that new name and we will recognize it. 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 and he was to be called Isaac, which means, “laughter.” There are many more, too many to name in this space, but there is one which is the most significant to the entire world and all of mankind. His name was called, “JESUS.” “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 called My 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.

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "B" - "Because of Love"

December 1, 2013 “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) 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. 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 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 – 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.

The Twenty Six Days of Advent - "A" ABUNDANT

November,2013 “He is able to do abundantly above all we could ask or imagine.” (Eph. 3:20) “He has come to give us life and life more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Mr. Webster says abundant means, “plentiful.” There is no want, there is more than just enough, and the supply is undiminished. In Exodus 34:6, the Lord says of Himself, “The Lord! The Lord! A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” The only thing God is lacking here is His anger – aren’t you glad? II Cor. 4:15 and I Timothy 1:14, Paul speaks of God’s abundant grace (and even superabundant grace). Paul perceived, acknowledged and praised God for His profuse grace being poured out upon him. Shouldn’t we do the same? I Peter 1:13, tells us that “By His boundless abundance of mercy we have been born again to an ever-lasting hope.” Abundant mercy, grace and loving-kindness comes out of His magnanimous heart of love. Psalm 36:7-8 describes God’s love, “How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of your wings. They relish and feast on the abundance of Your house; and You cause them to drink of the stream of Your pleasures.” These abundant pleasures and joys are at His right hand and in His presence forevermore, (Psalm 16:11). All of these wonderful attributes of God that are lavished on us was part of the divine DNA that was born in that tiny baby, Jesus, and He lived His life, and died for us, demonstrating His abundant grace, mercy and love which He so willingly poured out on us! And Can It Be? Charles Wesley He left his Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace! Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race! Tis mercy all, immense and free, For, O my God, it found out me. Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God shouldst die for me!

Fearful or Dismayed?

August 30, 2014 “Fear not, for there is nothing to fear, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes I will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice.” (Isaiah 41:10 Amp.) I just had a complete shoulder replacement surgery which left me disabled to a large degree (because of the intense and reoccurring pain), and feeling very vulnerable. Thankfully this was in my left shoulder, and I am right handed, so I can still use my good arm and hand and am able and learning to use my left arm and hand without too much pain. Even in my pain and disability I am amazed at the wonder of God’s knowledge He reveals, in this case, to modern medicine. My entire old and diseased shoulder was taken out and a new, shiny titanium shoulder was put in. I was sewed up and am now healing nicely. One of my great-grandsons, who is nearly four, and after being explained to that my new shoulder was “metal,” prayed for me over the telephone, “Dear God, heal Gran Gran’s robot shoulder.” I know God heard his prayer! In all of this I have found that Jesus is enough. I don’t have to fear whatever the future may hold - any disastrous contingencies, either personally, family-wise, nationally, or even world-wide disasters. Just as He is enough now, He will be then in all my future! The promises in Isaiah 41:10 are effective today, tomorrow and forever, and “though heaven and earth may pass away, His Word (promises) will never pass away” – and they are for you and me! As I was reading this verse I was struck by the totality of life and all of its problems, but with God as the answer and enough today and forever, we don’t have to be afraid or dismayed. Let’s scrutinize the wonderful truths and promises in this one verse. “Fear not!” There is nothing to fear, for I Am with you.” Do you realize Who the “I AM” in this verse is? He is El Shaddai – “God Almighty, all sufficient,” He is El Elyon – “The God most high, King of kings, the Strongest strong One, the Maker of heaven and earth.” He is El Elyon – YHWY God - “strong, faithful, covenant keep God.” He is El Roi – “The God Who sees.” He is Jehovah LORD AND GOD – “The self-existent One Who reveals Himself in the redemptive names of deity.” Although we may not comprehend fully, if we embrace these truths our faith jumps to new heights and we can believe that whatever we face we do not have to fear, for this Almighty God Who lives within us is greater than any force, problem, or disaster we face in this world! So why fear, because this great I AM is with us, “He will never leave us nor forsake us” (Heb.13:5); and “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom.8:31). Next, we are cautioned to “not look around us in terror and be dismayed, for I AM your God.” You must remember that this great I AM is your God – He sees, He knows, and He is able and sufficient to meet your every need, whether spirit, soul or body! I AM doesn’t want you to be dismayed at the horrific happenings in your lives or around you, because I AM will “strengthen you (if you are weak in any way), I AM will help you (however you need help); I AM will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice.” When troubles (like illness, surgery, money problems) make us fearful and dismayed, remember our verse, Isaiah 41:10, and live in peace and rest, knowing I AM is awake and watching and working. So why should we be fearful or dismayed? So “Casting the whole of all your care, all of your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully” (I Peter 5:7 Amp). Just rest in Him! http://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com