Saturday, December 31, 2011

January 1, 2012

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

 God Is Calling You To Faith!

God did not send the angels to Zechariah, Mary and the shepherds He did not send them to put fear in the hearts of those good, godly

But He sent them to call them out of fear and into faith!

“Fear not” is another way of saying “have faith”! And we have a Savior because they did! They let fear motivate them rather than allowing it to debilitate them!

How about you? Are you going to allow yourself to live in fear or are you going to choose faith?

Are you going to hide behind your weaknesses and huddle up in fear of how out of control your life is?

Those ARE the questions as you tip-toe into 2012, aren’t they?

Let me ask you:

Do you REALLY believe that God is aware of your fears?

If you do, then you can trust Him in your weaknesses! In fact, you can expect Him to show up at those points of weakness and call you to faith! Those areas the very areas where He wants you to grow this year! Try this - you can just tell the Devil that if he is planning to intimidate you in those weak areas, all he will do is help you develop your faith!

Three people are aware of your weaknesses – you, the devil and God. If you try to handle your weakness you will live in fear of having that weakness exposed to your shame. Or, the devil will come against that weakness and overwhelm you with fear. But if trust God in your weakness He will unleash His power through it and turn your fear into faith!

You can know He is aware of your fears because according to I Corinthians 10:13, nothing can happen to you without His approval and He knows how much you can take – AND how much you can’t!!

So – not only is God aware of your weaknesses and your fears - HE IS AWARE OF THEM BEFORE YOU ARE!

Do you REALLY believe that God is bigger than your fears?

Zechariah did and look what happened!
Elizabeth did and look what happened!
Mary did and look what happened!

The Shepherds did and look what they got to see happen!

If you really believe that God is bigger than your weaknesses or anything that causes you to fear, here is what I want you to do – I want you to think of the absolute worse thing that you could think of happening to you in 2012 and ask yourself, “Is God bigger than that?”
If your answer is “yes” then tell yourself, “Fear not!”
I DON’T KNOW WHAT 2012 WILL HOLD BUT I DO KNOW WHO HOLDS 2012 AND HE IS GREATER THAN YOUR WEAKNESS! “FEAR NOT!” HE WILL TURN YOUR FEAR INTO FAITH!

THIS YEAR REFUSE TO FEAR!

Friday, December 30, 2011

December 31, 2011

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

God Is Aware Of Your Fear!

Fear usually arises out of our weakness or areas where we feel out of control. God knows that.

Zechariah and Elizabeth lived under the fear that they would be judged as less spiritual because they were childless. Children were seen as a sign of God’s blessing and God’s blessing was considered a reward for your level of spirituality.

So, Zechariah had labored faithfully as a priest but had done so with a heavy heart over being childless and being disrespected because of something he couldn’t control.

You get a sense for the level of his disappointment when he hesitated to believe the angel’s announcement.

But to that fear the angel spoke, “Fear not!”

Mary’s biggest fear after being assured that God would cause her to become pregnant with the divine child even though she was a virgin, was how her pregnancy would be viewed by Joseph and the rest of her neighbors in Nazareth.

What if Joseph didn’t believe her story and chose to divorce her? She had no control over how he would respond.

What if the people of the town didn’t believe her story – she could be stoned to death! She had no control over what they might decide to do.

Those were very real fears, but to them the angel spoke, “Fear Not!”

Out on the Judean hillside those shepherds also struggled with fears. They feared insignificance. All they were was lowly shepherd, some of the most overlooked and unappreciated people in the land. The shepherds had little control over the level of disrespect they received but it was hard to take.

But God valued them and gave them significance by sending the angel to say, “Feat not!”

You and I see our weaknesses as obstacles to faith, but God sees our weaknesses as opportunities to show His power!

As God told St. Paul, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness!”

Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and the shepherds all became significant players in the birth of Jesus our Savior and each one did so at the very point of their weakness and fearfulness!

Think about any miracle of the Bible and it happened at point of human weakness, neediness or fear! That is why you should “fear not” and be aware of how He delights in building your faith and the point of your fear!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

December 30, 2011

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

The top 10 fears: Economy, Job, Personal Finances, Relationships, Health, Children, Terrorist Attack, Divorce, Death, Insignificance.

The New Year is always a mixed bag isn’t it? You approach it with equal amounts of anticipation and anxiety. One moment you are filled with hopes of a better year and the next you are haunted by the hurts of the past. There’s an optimistic voice within that assures you this will be your year and then the realist interrupts and reminds you that was what you thought last year.

If you are stuck somewhere between faith and fatalism as 2012 approaches, I have two words for you from the Christmas story – “Fear not!”

Wouldn’t that be great if you could launch into 2012 with anticipation rather than anxiety? It can be as easy as ABC!

Three times in the events leading up to the birth of the Savior we hear these reassuring words, “Fear not!” Once it was to the priest named Zechariah, a second time to a young girl named Mary, and the third time to shepherds on a cold and lonely hillside.

I want to draw from each of those angelic appearances to help you understand why you don’t have to fear as you look to a new year. One thing that is clear from each of the three “Fear not” announcements is that fear is a choice! You can choose not to allow fear to dominate your heart or mind. Instead, you can choose faith! Why would God tell you to “Fear Not” if He knew you had no control over your fear! He wouldn’t!

It is up to you to “Fear Not” – as easy as “A – B – C”:

God Is Aware Of Your Fear!

God Is Bigger Than Your Fear!

God Is Calling You To Faith!

Over the next few days I want to build on these ABC’s of “Fear Not” from the Christmas Story!

God can help you remove the “fear factor” from your New Year! Are you ready for a “Fear Not” year?

December 29, 2011

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”   Luke 2:10-11

God Is Aware Of Your Fear!

Fear usually arises out of our weakness or areas where we feel out of control. God knows that.


Zechariah and Elizabeth lived under the fear that they would be judged as less spiritual because they were childless. Children were seen as a sign of God’s blessing and God’s blessing was considered a reward for your level of spirituality.


So, Zechariah had labored faithfully as a priest but had done so with a heavy heart over being childless and being disrespected because of something he couldn’t control.


You get a sense for the level of his disappointment when he hesitated to believe the angel’s announcement.

But to that fear the angel spoke, “Fear not!”


Mary’s biggest fear after being assured that God would cause her to become pregnant with the divine child even though she was a virgin, was how her pregnancy would be viewed by Joseph and the rest of her neighbors in Nazareth.


What if Joseph didn’t believe her story and chose to divorce her? She had no control over how he would respond.


What if the people of the town didn’t believe her story – she could be stoned to death! She had no control over what they might decide to do.

Those were very real fears, but to them the angel spoke, “Fear Not!”


Out on the Judean hillside those shepherds also struggled with fears. They feared insignificance. All they were was lowly shepherd, some of the most overlooked and unappreciated people in the land. The shepherds had little control over the level of disrespect they received but it was hard to take.

But God valued them and gave them significance by sending the angel to say, “Feat not!”


You and I see our weaknesses as obstacles to faith, but God sees our weaknesses as opportunities to show His power!

As God told St. Paul, “My strength is made perfect in your weakness!”


The exciting news is that God used weak and fearful people to change the world! He met them in their doubts and at their inadequacies and in their anxiety and unleashed His power through them.

You may feel weak and your life out of control but "Fear not" a miracle is on its way!


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 28, 2011

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10


Once famous evangelist, Billy Sunday said, “if you have no joy, there’s a leak in your Christianity.”

Joy was a new experience for the shepherds because joy arrived with the coming of Jesus! But it should not be a novel experience for you. Jesus intended for His believers to live in joy:


"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:11


"Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24

So, what can you learn about joy from this encounter between the angel and the shepherds?

First, joy comes from receiving the good news.


These shepherds heard the good news in a very dramatic way. The angels came to them with this amazing announcement. How great was that?!

You will not get the news from an angel but the good news is no less powerful. One of your main responsibilities is to put yourself into places where you can receive the good news. Whether that be church service or small group or listening on radio or on the Internet or watching TV or in your daily devotions, it is up to you to get your daily dose of good news! No one else can do that for you.


How can you have joy if you are not regularly hearing the good news? What are you doing to make sure you regularly hear the good news?

Second, joy comes from responding to the good news.


The shepherds immediately responded to the good news. When they heard about what was happening they went to see it for themselves.


What do you do with the good news you receive? Do you obey it? Do you test it? Do you live it out in your daily living so that you know it it true? Do you let it guide your decisions and steer your emotions? Joy is not an emotion, but it is an action that leads to positive feelings. Feelings always follow faith and faith is the preferred response to the good news.

Living in joy means receiving the good news and responding to the good news and thirdly, joy results from relationship with the good news!


Joy is the natural response to living in relationship with Jesus. If you receive the good news just for information you will not live in joy. If you receive purely for inspiration it will not remain. But if you will commit to living in an intimate personal relationship with Jesus, your joy will not leak. The good news is about truth and Jesus IS the Truth! The good news is about finding your way and Jesus IS the Way! The good news is a way of life and Jesus IS the Life!

How is your relationship with Jesus? How well do you know Him? Is He your Source of Joy?


Don't let the joy leak out of your life. Plug that leak by plugging into Jesus! Receive His good news daily and respond to it and live in relationship with it!

Have a joyous day of worship!

Monday, December 26, 2011

December 27, 2011

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

As the prophet Micah foretold, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was the city of his ancestor, King David and by decree of Caesar Augustus that all throughout the land the citizens were to register of the census in their home town.

It was while Mary and Joseph were there in Bethlehem that Mary's baby was born in a manger at a local stable because the inn was full. So the history records that Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. It was prophetic but it was also symbolic.

The word "Bethlehem" means "house of bread". Jesus, the Son of God, was born in "the house of bread". The Bread of Life was born in the "house of bread"! How good is that? Think about what that birth in Bethlehem signified.

First, it means that Jesus sustains life. As bread was a staple of their diet and an important part of ours and sustains our physical life, Jesus sustains the spiritual life of anyone who believes in Him and "feeds" on Him spiritually.

Second, it means that Jesus strengthens life. Just as a healthy diet of good food, such as bread, is necessary to strengthen the body, so "feeding" on Jesus strengthens the spirit of a believer.

Third, it means Jesus satisfies life. Few things a more delicious and substantial than a hot freshly made loaf of homemade bread. You can almost smell it now, can't you? In the same way, Jesus satisfies the spiritual hunger of those who "feed" on Jesus!

How do you "feed" on Jesus?

Have faith in Him. Believe what His Word tells you and life according to those truths.

Have fellowship with Him. Walk with Him daily. Talk with Him through pray and hear Him through His Word. Regularly partake of Communion in the fellowship of your local church.

All of this is possible and available to us because the Bread of Life was born in the "house of bread"! What good news this brings to a hungry world!

December 26, 2011

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." John 2:10


Over the past several days I have been focusing on the announcement made by the angels to the shepherds that holy night. What was this "good news of great joy"? Why don't we see more joy in the church among believers?

We have recognized there should be joy in the presence of God and joy in the pardon from God and because of the peace of God though Christ. Also, you can find joy in the power of God. Christmas was impossible but impossible things happened so Jesus could be born!

How about another reason for joy?

You can take joy in the promises of God! In the events leading up to and culminating in the birth of Jesus there were 360 prophecies fulfilled. That means that 360 things that God predicted in advance were going to happen happened! And they happened exactly as they were foretold!

That incredible fact proves that God had His fingerprints all over the events that led up to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! And the accuracy of these predictions should give us joy in knowing that the promises of God are true and reliable!

Whatever His Word promises He will do!

There is no one else you know and love who could keep his promises 100% of the time! Every person over promises and under delivers. BUT NOT GOD!

If you are facing a difficult circumstance right now and you desparately need Him to be Who His Word says He is - rejoice! Jesus is everthing He promises He is and He can do and possibly has already done what ever He says. What He can do is posted in His Word. Read it, memorize it and claim it!

Find joy in praising Him that He will do what He promises to do! Christmas proves it!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS!

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."  John 14:1

Long before there was Occupy Wall Street or Occupy Oakland there was Occupy Bethlehem.

But rather than union members, and college students, and leftover hippies from the '60's, these characters were an entirely different sort of radicals! Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, and Zechariah were called on to occupy key roles in the redemptive plan of God. These very ordinary folks were required to become radical in their faith, in their commitment and, especially in their obedience. Rarely has the world seen radicals like these!

A radical redemption from God was required to overcome the results of a radical rebellion that took root in the heart of Lucifer in Heaven and was re-enacted by Adam in the paradise called Eden. Those two acts of flagrant disobedience radically disrupted two perfect places and one perfect plan. They allowed sin to occupy the place once reserved only for God. But the grace of God is much more powerful than the greed of man. God's radical plan was announced right after the destructive deed was prepetrated, So the LORD God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15

From the moment of that announcement a patient, purposeful, persistent, and powerful plan was enacted from the heart of God that would require radical faith and radical obedience from a faithful few from generation to generation. Heroes of faith like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Noah, Moses, and David demonstrated a radical preoccuption to having God occupy their hearts. Because each was faithful to occupy their roles in His plan, the stage was set for two teens in tiny Nazareth of Galilee.

If history teaches us anything it shows us the world is shaped by those who are the most radical in their beliefs, desires, and devotion. The rise in radicalism among socialists, communists, progressives, anarchists and militant Muslims should remind us of that fact.

The radical obedience of Joseph and Mary won the Day for God by allowing Him to send His Son to fulfill God's amazing plan and display His radical grace. They also demonstrate for us How God can occupy you, radically transform you and use you to change your world for Him!

On this day when we celebrate Occupy Bethlehem, will you once again become preoccupied with God? Will you allow His Spirit to occupy you and empower you to radically obey Him in the same way Joseph and Mary did? It is time to get radical! Radical righteousness defeats radical rebellion every time!

Christmas proved it!






Friday, December 23, 2011

December 24, 2011

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH.” John 1:14

That just has a nice sound to it doesn’t it – “full of grace and truth”?

I could love a God like that! I could trust Him to love me!

What a joy to know that the very same Word Who spoke the universe into existence with just a few words, tempers all that power and authority with grace and with truth! I wouldn’t want One who possessed that much might being spiteful or dishonest. Would you?

Amazingly, not only does His grace and truth keep His massive power in check but grace and truth balance each other.

Grace, as wonderful as it is, can actually become harmful if not balanced by truth.

I’m sure you have known people who are so gracious they allow others to get away with harmful and unhealthy behavior. A good relationship requires boundaries that make grace meaningful. Those boundaries are formed and established by truth. That is best illustrated by the Ten Commandments God gave His people on their way to the Promised Land. He wanted them to prosper toward Him, their families and in society, so He established the guardrails of truth to define healthy relationships.

This wasn’t in my notes, but as a parallel thought here, remember when Jesus said that He didn’t come to abolish the Commandments but to fulfill them? In part, this is what He was talking about. Check out the Commandments and you will see that all ten deal with relationships. And Who better to demonstrate for us how relationships should work than God in the flesh?

Jesus even tried to simplify it for us by reducing truth into two big concepts – “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself”. Truth and grace are to define our daily reality and our relationships.

The Master also made it plain He could help us execute those two realities by identifying Himself as, “the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life”. Anyone see a theme developing here?

Have you noticed how much trouble people create for themselves and others when they try to become arbiters of truth? No wonder our culture is so bad at relationships! How can I ever hope to have a healthy relationship with you when we are operating from two different versions of truth? The only way I can extend you grace is if you line up with my version of truth! It is hard to love someone you are tying to dominate. If I am trying to manipulate you and control you and cajole you with attempts to force you into my reality, how can that foster trust or respect (the two foundations of healthy love)? Hello, conflict! Hello, conditional love!

Truth and grace in proper balance equal unconditional love! That is exactly why that Baby was born in that manger two millennia ago! That’s why Christmas should count!

Aren’t you glad that the Word came “full of grace and truth”? Will you, like Mary, ponder these things in your heart and let His Holy Spirit of truth minister to you?

Thursday, December 22, 2011

December 23, 2011

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

Given that I am a rebellious sinner at my core, I really need God’s grace. What great news to hear that Jesus came from God “FULL OF GRACE”!

Grace is such a wonderful concept! Someone expressed it this way – GRACE = God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense! Grace means that when you and I deserved judgment and justice from God instead He gave us mercy! When He should have sent the Sheriff He sent His Son! And His Son didn’t come as a social worker He came to be a sacrifice for my sins!

God’s grace means I have a choice! I don’t have to live in guilt and bondage to sin!

God’s grace means I have a chance! I get a “do over”! I get a “mulligan” in life! If I receive God’s grace by accepting the Gift of His Son as our Savior, I can live in relationship with God!

God’s grace means that if I make my choice and take the chance and I can have a change! I can change from a sinner to a son of God! I can change from an enemy of God to an ambassador for Him! I can change from death to life! I can change from being full of guilt to filled with grace!

Christmas celebrates the greatest gift ever given – the gift of grace!

Another wonderful fact about His grace is that He is “FULL OF GRACE” and yet when He offered His grace to all the world He had no less grace to give! You can receive His grace and I can receive His grace and He is still “FULL OF GRACE”!

However, just like any gift you will give this Christmas, it must be received! God was so very gracious to give this amazing gift, you must be humble enough to receive it! What a shame to let grace be given in vain.

Do you need a new choice?

Could you use another chance?

Are you ready for a change?

Take the gift!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

December 22, 2011

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-14

Here is another amazing paradox in the Christmas story: The Creator became Christ, the creature, in order to allow you and me to be re-created in Him!

Think on that for a moment!

Before I elaborate on the significance of the “Word” becoming flesh, let me talk about what it means for you.

God, the Word, put on flesh in order to correct us – “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it”

Sin had plunged the human race into spiritual darkness. Darkness is the symbol of spiritual ignorance and sin. Light stands for God’s truth and His holiness.

Have you ever been in total darkness? Maybe you were in a cavern or in a cellar and you couldn’t even see your hand in front of your face. If you can relate to that experience and how it felt, then you have a clue about your spiritual condition apart from Jesus, the Word of God,

We were so morally and spiritually lost in the darkness of sin and ignorance we did not even know we were lost. We thought God grades on a curve and we can do enough good things to earn a passing grade.

Jesus, the Word that became flesh, came to declare the truth about out lost condition. But, praise God, He proclaimed the truth in grace!

God, the Word, put on flesh to connect us – “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”

Because the Word was God and because He “put on flesh and dwelt among us”, He was uniquely able to as a Holy Son to introduce us to His Heavenly Father.

That connection did not become possible just because The Word was born in a manger, but it happened because He died on a cross. In fact, the reason He was born in human flesh was so He could die on the cross to atone for our sins. His atoning sacrifice on the Cross paid the price of your adoption as a child of God.

Because the Word become flesh, the Son of God, died to pay the penalty for your sins, trusting Him to be your Savior will connect you to God by faith!

God, the Creator, was born into the world in the flesh of a creature, to make it possible for you and me to be recreated – from the inside out! Have you been made new?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17

December 21, 2011

"A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. The Birth of Jesus Christ." Matthew 1:1-17

Over the past decade or so there has been an increasing interest in tracing family trees. Websites like Ancestry.com have sprung up to respond to this trend.

Do you know your family history? How far back can you go in your know of relatives?
I would like to have a better grasp of my family lineage. It is interesting to know about your heritage.

While this is interesting information for us, it was essential information to the Jewish people to whom the Gospel of Matthew is addressed. That explains why it was tucked in at the beginning of the Gospel record. You and I tend to skip over this portion of the Gospel when we do our Bible reading. It holds little interest to us. But the Hebrews were big on family pedigrees. For them to accept the story of Jesus, His ancestry had to be established beyond question.

In my next couple of posts I want to share why this rather obscure group of verses should matter to you and me.

As you look through these names, there are a few celebrity names that are easily recognizable. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David are "superstars" who jump off this page. I'm sure we all have a few ancestors we point to proudly, while ignoring the wierd uncles, etc.

But again, the strong message of Christmas is clear - God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things! The fact that you are familiar with most of the names should be an encouragement to you!

I am one of those ordinary people who no one has heard of. So are you! Sometimes we wonder if it is worth the sacrifices we make or the struggles we endure trying to be odedient to God and true to the faith. What difference will it make! How can I be sure it matters? No one will ever hear of me. No one will care about what it took for me to remain faithful.

This geneology testifies that it DOES matter. You have no idea who may come along in a generation or two in your family line. If you compromise your faith or sell out to selfishness, you can be sure that the blessings will cease. I would venture to guess that every person listed in this geneology had decision points where they wondered if it was worth it. They became discouraged. They struggled with faith. They knew the loneliness of being misunderstood because of your values. BUT they remained faithful! And it mattered! Through them came a Savior!

From the Christmas Story comes the great news that faithfulness matters! It matters for individuals. It matters in families. It matters to God. He notices. He blesses. He moves in and through those people. Ordinary people in ordinary families who commit to exceptional faith make and extraordnary difference under the Hand of God.

We all know that Christmas is a family Holiday. Now you know that it REALLY is! In more ways than you imagined. God emphasized that at the very beginning of the story! Before He told the amazing story of Christmas, He told the story that made it possible!

Will you embrace that truth? Will you take encouragement from it? Will you recommit to creating a legacy of faithfulness in your family?

Monday, December 19, 2011

December 20, 2011

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I wanted the GI Joe Commando Kit that Christmas but I got new socks and underwear instead.

That is what happened growing up in a family with lots of kids and limited cash. Christmas usually was about getting what you needed not what you wanted. But, what kid really knows what he wants anyway – not to mention what he needs.

My mom understood that I needed to have enough underwear that I could always wear a clean pair. As you well know, it is essential to always be sporting a clean pair of undies in case you happened to be in a car accident,

Parents know better what their children need and place a higher priority on needs than wants. They are better at distinguishing wants from needs that children are. So is God! That is what Christmas is all about!
Christmas was God sending us exactly what we needed – A SAVIOR! We needed salvation and God had a Son Who would come to be our Savior.

We didn’t ask for a Savior. We thought we could save ourselves.

We didn’t know that we needed a Savior. We thought we were good enough to save ourselves. In fact, many religious people thought they already had salvation because they were born into God’s chosen people, the Jews. They foolishly believed they could keep the Commandments and earn their salvation.



What they wanted from God was credit for their “righteousness”. God sent them what they needed, the Christ! There was desperate spiritual need they couldn’t meet and God wanted to meet that need. Christmas proves how much God wanted to meet man’s need for salvation from sin.

Now that I am older and wiser I am a little better at knowing the difference between my wants and needs. I know I need salvation and I know I want Jesus as my Savior. He is the point where my need and my want join in faith. When I stopped living by what I wanted and accepted what I needed, I got them both in Him!

Have you acknowledged your need of salvation? Have you confessed that you are a sinner and you need to be saved? Do you know for sure that if you were to die before you finish reading this article that you would immediately find yourself in Heaven? If you are not sure, do you want to be?

You need to be!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

December 19, 2011

"Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” Luke 1:18-20

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month." Luke 1:34-36

Have you ever noticed how most people find it easier to believe bad news than to believe good news?

When Zachariah and Mary were presented with some of the best news ever shared, they questioned it. Understandable - but not acceptable.

However, it is encouraging to notice how Gabriel responded in each case. He gave them evidence! And I believe he did so because he understood that they wanted to believe but they weren't used to such good news! so, he helped them!

In Zachariah's case, he struck him dumb, so he could not speak. At first glance it looked like a judgment, but I believe it was evidence. I think it was for Zachariah's benefit. How better to believe a supernatural report than to see something supernatural happen?

For Mary, the angel gave her two proofs, a longer-term proof - pregnancy; and a shorter term proof - her formerly barren cousin, Elizabeth's pregnancy.

Here's the good news I get from both of these examples, God not only asks to have faith, He gives it to us! When He knows we really want to believe He will give us evidence to believe. I like that! I need that!

Now on my part, I need to work on my faith until I find it easier to believe good news from God, from His Word, and by His Spirit. I must condition my faith to expect good things from the Hand of God and to know that He will also turn the bad news into good in His time! That is my part! But I can even count on His grace to help me there! And I can condition my heart and mind and spirit by saturating them in the Word of God.

So this is the good news of Christmas - for those who believe and those who are wanting to believe more - there really is only good news! There is immediate good news and there is ultimate good news! That is the God we serve! Christmas is the evidence!

Saturday, December 17, 2011

December 18, 2011

Has your “expecter” expired? Have you have been disappointed by God? Are you got tired of praying and believing without seeing an answer? Are you tired of expecting little – and getting it? Would you like to expect big things?

“Expecters” are powerful because expectations are powerful. Expectation and faith are “kissin’ cousins” and faith is powerful. Faith is expecting God to be Who He says He is and to do what He says He will do.

The challenge of faith is to keep your “expecter” expecting.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is an example of someone who had a good “expecter”. What if Mary would have had the same mindset that Leah and Lydia had? But she didn’t! She believed God!

Even though nothing had happened in Bethlehem it didn’t keep Mary from believing it could! Rather than believe what she had seen she chose to believe what God said, “Nothing is impossible with God!”

Here’s the story:

“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” Luke 1:26-38

So, what can you do if your “expecter” is expired? How do you inspire your expired expector?

What you have to do is develop a “Mary mindset”. You need to have the same expectations of God that she had.

We have two very different mind-sets on display here! One mind-set says:

“NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE”

The other mind-set says:

“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD”

Could it be possible that nothing ever happens here (where you are) is because nothing is happening here (in your head) or here (pointing to heart)?

Last week I talked about a “Joseph Heart” – being willing to do whatever God asks you to do, be willing to not do want you want to do and be willing to get no credit.

When you develop a “Joseph Heart” that is one of the things that must happen here (your heart). This morning I want to talk about what needs to happen here (point to head) and that is a “Mary mind-set”.

How do I inspire my “expired expecter”? How do I get a “Mary mind-set”? How can I get to where I believe that something CAN happen where you are?

LEARN FROM MARY:

1) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO BE BIG AND POWERFUL

2) MARY EXPECTED GO TO DO BIG AND POWERFUL THINGS

3) MARY EXPECTED GOD TO USE HER IN BIG AND POWERFUL WAYS

4) GOD EXPECTED MARY TO BE USABLE

BIG THINGS HAPPENED IN BETHLEHEM BECAUSE THINGS HAPPENED HERE (POINT TO HEART) AND HERE (POINT TO HEAD) FOR MARY AND JOSEPH.
WHEN YOU HAVE A JOSEPH HEART AND A MARY MIND-SET YOU WILL SEE SOME MIRACLE MOMENTS HAPPEN WHERE YOU ARE.

IS YOUR “EXPECTER EXPIRED”?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR HEART?

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN YOUR MIND?

Friday, December 16, 2011

December 17, 2011

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8


I am having trouble getting my mind around this Scripture. This is pretty radical stuff! On one hand it sends a comforting message of how much God loves us, but it also confronts us with our responsibility to love each other like Christ loved us! What Christ demonstrated at Christmas must be how we love each other year-round!

Let's examine that love again today.

The first thing I notice is that Christmas love sees the needs of others.

Romans 5:8 tells us, "God demonstrated His love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us!" Wow! God provided for our need before we were even aware we had a need! He provided a solution before we even understood the problem!

How atuned are you to the needs of others? Are you too consumed with your own problems and pains that you become oblivious to the plight of others? Christmas love sees the needs of others and seeks to ways to minister to those needs. Christmas love is not selfish.

Can you imagine a church fellowship where each member saw the needs of others and stood ready to help? What a radical place that would be!

Christmas love also serves the needs of others. Jesus wasn't simply an observer that saw rhe needs from the security of Heaven and waited for someone else to do something. Christ, the omnipotent sovereign Son of God, shed all His power and priviliges to become a servant! He surrendered control and became vulnerable so He could serve a needy race! Christmas love is humble in order to be helpful.

How about you? Are you willing to humble yourself to serve someone else? Are you willing to give up control and allow yourself to be vulnerable if it means meeting the needs of others? Can you be weak to strengthen someone else?

Imagine a fellowship like that! What a radical place that would be! Why can't there be a place where members see each others needs and step up (or down) to serve those needs?

Also, Christmas love sacrifices for the needs of others. This may be the most radical of all because it usually involves death. For Jesus, the sacrifice didn't begin at the cross. It because at the throne of His Father in the most exalted place in Heaven! Everything we dream about and desire, Jesus had - and He laid them down! He saw our needs and judged our crisis to be more urgent than His own comfort. Christmas love willingly traded Paradise for pain. How can God die? BECAUSE HE WANTED TO!

What have you sacrificed for someone else? It is nice to see a need and feel compassion. But Christmas love sees the need, serves the need and sacrifices what ever it takes to solve the need. Love is hard work! Love is costly! Love hurts! You can't love safely and conveniently - you must love sacrificially!

I dream of a fellowship where Christmas love is a reality. Why can't we love until it hurts? Why can't we die to serve others? Didn't Jesus call us to "deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him"? What if there was a group of believers who actually decided to be that radical!

Christmas love will cost you, but Christmas love will change you - and everyone around you!

Christmas love could create a contagious fellowship! It could be Christmas in July - and August, and Septemeber and...........

Thursday, December 15, 2011

December 16, 2011

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8

Christmas was driven by love.

In these three incredible verses Paul reveals the motive of why Jesus gave up His exalted position and all the privileges of being God and did some serious down-sizing to become flesh and blood. He stepped out of eternity and into time. He came from a serene and secure paradise to a sinful, selfish and savage world.

What would possess Him to do such a thing?

LOVE! No other explanation makes sense.

Not only was Christmas driven by love but it defines love.

Love begins with an attitude - "have the same mindset as Christ". No one loves accidently. No one loves naturally. Love is a decision. You and I love because we choose to love. Even Jesus, Who was God - and God IS love - had to set His mind on leaving Heaven.

Love becomes an action - "He made Himself nothing". Love has to be more than a thought or a feeling. Love has to be demonstrated with cooresponding actions. Love seeks! Love serves! Love sacrifices! The Bible says that God loves us BUT Christmas showed it!

Love bought atonement - "He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross"

Love properly expressed results in life-change. Real love is transformational! It changes the heart, it changes the head and it changes the habits. Loving like Jesus loved changed the world! When you receive His love it changes you - it helps you love yourself. Loving yourself enables you to live for God and love others. Paul begins this portion of Scripture by commanding us to love like this in ALL of our relationships!

What drives your life? What defines your life? What difference does your life make?

Christmas demands an answer! Christmas holds you accountable to love! Christ took away all the excuses!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

December 15, 2011

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." Romans 5:1-11

So, what have you done for me lately?

That's the world we live in, isn't it?

How often do you hear someone cry out to God in a desparate moment, "God, why don't you do something?" Maybe you have uttered that question before.

Christmas shouts back the answer, "God did something!"

In fact, God did everything! There is nothing more that He can do that He hasn't already done! He sent His ONLY Son to become a man, born as a baby of a virgin, to become the atoning sin sacrifice for your sins. That is all He CAN do. That is all He needs to do. He undid what the first Adam did. He redeemed us from the sins of our first parents. Through His death and resurrection He made it possible for us to be forgiven from our sins and cleansed from our sin nature. By ascending to His Father and sending the Holy Spirit He made it possible for us to live in spiritual power and purity. And, by fulfilling all these prophecies, He proved that the Word of God is true and reliable for you to live by. It is a life-giving Word.

So, on this week before Christmas God wants to ask, "What have YOU done for me lately."

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

December 14, 2011

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation”. Romans 5:1-11


According to this GREAT portion of Scripture, even if you are the Grinch and you don’t believe any of the Christmas story, Christmas means this – GOD BELIEVED IN YOU!

How do I know that?

The verses above clearly say so. There are a number of other portions of Scriptures declaring the same truth.

“But I don’t believe the Bible”, you say.

That changes nothing! He still believes in you!

Christmas happened because God believed in you. He believed you were worth redeeming. He thinks you should have a second chance to be rescued from your sins. He believed it so strongly that He gave His Son in exchange for your salvation. He believes that you are worthy of an even swap – His son for your sins.

Think about that for a moment. Even though you may not believe in God, He believes in you! Even though you may not believe in you, He does! And He is the One Who knows EVERYTHING about you! Imagine all those secrets that you hide from every one for fear if you’re ever exposed you would be flatly rejected by those you love – He knows! And knowing every ugly truth about you He still chooses to believe in you and offers you a chance to be more like Him!

Christmas can make believers out of unbelievers! That is the point of Christmas! God was willing to prove He believes in you in hopes that you would some day be convinced to believe in Him.

Believe it!

Monday, December 12, 2011

December 13, 2011

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:8-10

There are some things you never get tired of.

You never get tired of Christmas and you never get tired of hearing people say, "I love you."

Personally, I never get tired of butter pecan ice cream, but I probably could at some point.

If Christmas and expressions of love are two things you always look forward to, there is a reason. Those two experiences are inextricably connected.

Christmas means so much because love means so much. Love is what Christmas is all about. Love is why Christmas happened. Love is how Christmas happened. Christmas is what love looks like! The Bible makes that abundantly clear:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Every celebration of Christmas is a reminder of God's love. Every thought of Christmas is a reminder of love. No wonder Christmas has such strong emotional implications! Christmas seems to bring out the best in everyone! Even people who are not people of faith, still love Christmas. People who are not ordinarily in a good mood are generally in a good mood at Christmas.

Retailers love what Christmas does for their bottom line, but beyond that, they find that customers are generally are in a better frame of mind.

Everyone loves Christmas because everyone loves being loved! And Christmas is all about being loved - unconditionally and extravagantly! Christmas brought love down to our level and lifts us up to a supernatural level of love!

You've got to love it!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

December 12, 2011

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:1-11


Everything about the events of Christmas make the world a much better place.

Peace on earth is still an illusive dream but it is actually possible now through the Prince of Peace.

But I want to comment on an aspect of the story that would contribute to world peace even for those who are not very spiritual.

A message of Christmas is this: “give up your rights and take up your responsibilities”.

Think about how much of our culture is corrupted by people demanding that their rights be honored without taking responsibility for themselves or toward others. Can you imagine how quickly our culture would improve if Americans embraced this important aspect of the Christmas message?

Obviously, as this verse declares, Christ had more rights and privileges than anyone has ever had or ever will have! But He voluntarily surrendered His rights and advantages to assume the responsibility of becoming the Savior of the world.

But, Mary, also surrendered some rights and accepted a very heavy responsibility. Had she clung to her rights, she could not have known the blessing of bearing the Son of God.

Joseph, also, refused to cling to his rights and surrendered them to take on the awesome responsibility of parenting the Son of God!

What could happen in your life if you chose to focus on your responsibilities and not cling you your rights?

Choosing responsibility over your rights IS difficult because it means you have to give up something that is natural and live up to something that is supernatural. Taking responsibility means DOING right not having rights. That is why it is so powerful – and so rare.

How would it impact your marriage? How about your parenting?

What would it do for you in the workplace?

Can you imagine what it could do for your church?

If Jesus, Mary or Joseph had clung selfishly to their rights rather than commit to their responsibilities there would have been no Christmas.

Is there an area of your life where you are clinging selfishly to your rights and refusing to take responsibility? How is that working for you? What would happen if you changed?

Saturday, December 10, 2011

December 11, 2011

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." I John 4:8-10

There are some things you never get tired of.

You never get tired of Christmas and you never get tired of hearing people say, "I love you."

Personally, I never get tired of butter pecan ice cream, but I probably could at some point.

If Christmas and expressions of love are two things you always look forward to, there is a reason. Those two experiences are inextricably connected.

Christmas means so much because love means so much. Love is what Christmas is all about. Love is why Christmas happened. Love is how Christmas happened. Christmas is what love looks like! The Bible makes that abundantly clear:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Every celebration of Christmas is a reminder of God's love. Every thought of Christmas is a reminder of love. No wonder Christmas has such strong emotional implications! Christmas seems to bring out the best in everyone! Even people who are not people of faith, still love Christmas. People who are not ordinarily in a good mood are generally in a good mood at Christmas.

Retailers love what Christmas does for their bottom line, but beyond that, they find that customers are generally are in a better frame of mind.

Everyone loves Christmas because everyone loves being loved! And Christmas is all about being loved - unconditionally and extravagantly! Christmas brought love down to our level and lifts us up to a supernatural level of love!

You've got to love it!

Friday, December 9, 2011

December 10, 2011

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

Christmas means so many things to so many people in so many different ways. Some are very happy and some are very painful. All are very meaningful.

But this morning I want to focus on two things Christmas offers that everyone should welcome because they are in short supply - "good news" and "great joy".

In a culture that has been negatively shaped by the 24/365 cable news cycle, bad news constantly assaults our consciousness. Even as one who is a "news junkie" I would get overwhelmed by the bad news were I not firmly ground in the "good news". So, in a very real and powerful way, Christmas is the antidote for CNN, MSNBC, HNN, and even FOX cable news outlets.

What is that "good news"?

The "good news" or the "gospel" is that God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He bridged the moral/spiritual gap that separated a sinful fallen race from a Holy God. Thousands of years of religion could do it. Centuries of recycled philosophies could not do it. Political power and might couldn't do it. Even the prophets, the promised land and the prosperity of God's people couldn't do it.

But God did it and the angels announced it, "Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." The good news is that God sent us a Savior! We could not save ourselves because we were the problem! We needed to be saved FROM ourselves!

So how could that be accomplished? How could the great moral/spiritual gap that separated God and man be closed when we could not reach up to God? THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

God reached down to us! God became like us to provide us a shot at becoming like Him! God's Son emptied Himself of all the privileges and rights of the Godhead, checked out of Heaven and slid from eternity into time! Why would someone do that? UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

This unique and miraculous incarnation was the only possible way to reconcile God and man. And only God could pull it off! Come on, only God could think of it! THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

So, what about the "Great Joy"?

That is what happens when you receive the "Good News"! That is the result of believing the "Good News" and being reconciled to God! That is what happens when you get so fed up with the bad news of sin that you repent and turn to the "Good News". "Great joy" is the proof that you have received the "Good news"! It is confirmation that into you a Savior has been born!

How is your joy this morning?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

December 8, 2011

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:8-11


According to the Herald Angels, (and who wants to argue with them) Christmas is a season of good news and great joy. The good news has not changed, so where is the joy? The story is the same, our need is the same, our God is the same, the work of Christ has been completed and His Spirit is available and active in our world, so why is there so little joy?

Because this is such an important question I have given it some serious thought. It seems to me the best way to answer it is to consider why these shepherds found such joy. Once we understand that we can try tap into their sources of joy.

The first obvious answer is they heard from God.

Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it? God is the Source of joy so hearing from Him brings joy!

You may be thinking, “Sure, Brad, if I could hear from angels I would be joyful, too!”

I’m not saying it couldn’t happen but you have several other more practical options for hearing from God.

Prayer is a primary way to hear from God. The shepherds had angels but we have Jesus interceding for us as we pray and the Holy Spirit inspiring us and instructing us and interpreting for us as we pray!

If joy is missing from your life the first place to look is your prayers? Are you regularly communicating with God through prayer? Are you making your requests known to Him AND are you listen to His?

Bible study is another way of hearing from God. The Bible is the Word of God. Every time you read it you get a fresh word from Him. When you open the Word you activate Jesus, Who is the Word, and you activate the Holy Spirit Who inspired the Word, and you connect with the Father.

“But, Brad, I read the Bible a lot and I don’t hear from God,” you may be thinking.

With all due respect, it is impossible to read God’s Word and not hear from God. By it’s own testimony, God’s Word never returns void. It always has an effect on the reader or the hearer.

If you are reading the Word and finding no joy, ask yourself, “Am I reading it objectively and am I reading it obediently?” By reading it objectively I mean, are you reading with an open-mind ready to hear what God has to say through His Word? Or. Are you reading it with an agenda trying to justify a point of view or validate your own idea? If you don’t read it objectively and open to hearing from God you won’t hear from God. There is no joy in reading God’s Word to support you own bias.

If you are reading His Word with no intention of obeying it, you will not hear from God. Why should He dishonor His own Word by speaking to someone whom He knows won’t obey it.

The second answer is they hoped in God!

You could debate whether these shepherds heard from God because they were hoping in God or, if they were hoping in God because they had heard from Him. Maybe it was both!

Hope is rooted in the good news that God is still in control of this world and is working in this world to establish His Kingdom in you and through you. Hope is grounded in the reality of Christ not circumstances.

But joy is a result of hoping in God! The problems and perils and pain of everyday life will beat the hope out of you in a hurry if you do not have a reason to hope for a better day. The hope that brings joy is a hope borne out of a determination to believe in the goodness of God despite all evidence to the contrary. Hope is a decision to trust in the last Word you have heard from God until you hear a new Word from God. This hope is built on a foundation of God’s Person. It is never wavering in your belief of His holiness, and His goodness, and His power, and His purposes and His promises. Hope deliberating chooses to believe that what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal and defines reality by the invisible not what is seen.

When you go day after day in the same situation facing the same suffering and circumstances, it is easy to lose hope. But you can choose not to lose hope. Hope doggedly holds onto what you have heard from God until you hear from God again!

Hearing from God produces joy and hoping in God preserves joy!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

December 7, 2011

“In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” Luke 1:26-34


Christmas makes it a little easier to believe the unbelievable.

However, we are looking at the incredible events of Christmas after the fact. It happened and it is recorded history.

Mary was called on to believe something that seemed unbelievable BEFORE it happened. God confronted her with the choice of believing beyond the possible. God was asking her to commit to something that had never happened and believe that it could. The fact that it was announced by an Archangel may have made it a little easier to believe, but it still required a big leap of faith.

No virgin had ever become pregnant before. Not only had she never heard of such a thing, such a thought had never entered her mind. It was a plan so incredible only God could have conceived it yet Mary was asked to believe it. God called her to believe the unbelievable and to disbelieve what she had always known to be true. She had a “Mary moment”.

We had Christmas and we have a Savior because she didn’t fail her “Mary moment”.

How well have you handled your “Mary moments”?

What do you do when God calls you to believe what He is saying rather than what you are seeing?

If you want to honor God you will have “Mary moments”.

If you want to change the world for God you will have “Mary moments”.

If you want to see God move in miraculous ways you will have “Mary moments”.

Mary was faithful in her “Mary moment”! The world has never been the same!

Will you MAN UP in your “Mary moment”? God may only be a few “Mary moments” from rocking your world!

Monday, December 5, 2011

December 6, 2011

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,"  Philippians 2:5-9


Christmas could also have been called Christ-yes.

What do I mean by that?

I mean that Christmas could not have happened without several willing "yeses". Over the next few posts I am going to show you what I mean.

The first "yes" was out of this world! It had to come from Heaven because the first one Who had to say "yes" was Jesus, the Son of God.
Our Scripture text assures us that He did.

When Jesus said, "Yes" to Christmas, He was saying "no" to all the safety, security, and splendor of Heaven.

When Jesus said, "Yes" to Christmas it meant saying "no" to eternity and stepping into the restrictions and limits of time.

When Jesus said, "Yes" to Christmas he also said "no" to the power, the privilege and the paradise of Heaven.

When Jesus said, "Yes" to Christmas in order to come as God's gift to the world, it meant He had to give up everything that was special or advantageous about being equal to God.

When Jesus said, "Yes" to Christmas He was saying "no" to the peace of Heaven and facing the pain of an evil planet filled with wicked people.

Christmas was not an easy "yes" for Jesus. It required saying "no" to some pretty precious privileges. Christmas would be no holiday for Jesus. He would leave all that was holy, and familiar and deserved, to live among sin and strangers and sacrifice.

Christmas was actually Christ-yes. It could not have happened unless several people were willing to "yes" to God and "no" to all that was comfortable or convenient to them. The first among that group was none other than Jesus Christ Himself!

In view of all the hard things that Christ said, "Yes" to for you,  where do you need to say "yes" to Him?

Sunday, December 4, 2011

December 5, 2011

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

How would it impact your job if you were never at your best? How far would your worst get you on a regular basis?

What would it do for your relationships if you always showed your worst side?

How would you feel about your worst moments? What if you judged yourself only by your really bad moments? How would that affect your self-esteem?

What would you get for Christmas if Santa made your list based on only your worst days?

Give those some thought and I doubt if your answers will be positive.

As you think about what results from your worst efforts and poorest attitudes in life, let me brighten your day a bit!

There is good news of great joy from the reality of Christmas! As this verse from Romans reminds us, God's response to man's worse was giving His best!

Who does that? Who would give his very best for people who are doing their very worst? Who would send the best they have to redeem those who have already seemingly wrecked their his dream? Who would do that?

Other than God - no one! But God did!

From the moment that Adam exercised his will against God and activated the sinful nature in the human race, God announced His plan to redeem the race. The only way that God could restore a fallen race and rescue it from its worst self was to send His very best!

That is exactly what He did!

Did we request it? No, we were clueless.

Did we deserve it? Not even close.

Did we need it? Absolutely! It was our only hope.

Why would He do it? Ah, that's the good news of Christmas!

It is called unconditional love! It is called grace! It is free - but it is not cheap. It cost God His best for a people at their worst!

Joy, to the world, the Lord has come!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

December 4, 2011

“The Perfect Baby Gift”


Really Bad Baby Gifts:

1) A Cactus

2) English Leather Cologne And After Shave Combo

3) A Reversible Electric Power Drill

4) A 1000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

5) A Pit Bull

6) A Craftsman Tool Kit

7) Velcro Sheets

8) A Sonic Toothbrush

9) A Bowling Ball

10) Soap On A Rope

Now, let me tell you about the best baby gift ever! The most perfect baby gift ever was A PERFECT BABY!

This perfect Gift was motivated by a perfect love!

God, the Perfect Father sent the Perfect Baby Gift – HIS SON, JESUS!

God GAVE His Baby In Order to SAVE Your Baby!

That is the exciting news of Christmas! That is the “good news of great joy” announced by the Angels to the shepherds on that first Christmas!

It is why Christmas is such a favorite Holiday – because it celebrates that glorious truth that never grows old – God sent His Baby so that your baby can someday go to see Him!

This is especially significant in light of what we have done this morning – dedicating your babies back to the God Who gave His Baby!

Here is how it is announced in the Bible:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:30-35

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1-4, 14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:8-14

The reason I still excited about Christmas after all these years is because of the PERFECT BABY GIFT that God gave you and me – the gift of a Savior!

WHAT DEFINES A PERFECT BABY GIFT?

Who Gave the Gift?

The more significant the giver of the gift then the more significant the gift will be. When the giver is precious to you the gift they give will be as well!

The Perfect Baby gift was given by God - the Giver of all good gifts.

How Much Did It Cost?

While you never know exactly how much a person pays for a gift because they take the prince tag off and it would be very tacky to ask, but most people know a costly gift from a less expensive one. When someone who could afford to purchase an expensive gift gives a cheap gift, it can bother you.

God's Perfect Baby gift caused Him everything! He is the most expensive gift every given!

The Thought Behind The Gift

When a gift is so special or unique it shows a good deal of thoughtfulness, that makes it extra special as opposed to someone who knew you were expecting a boy and gives you a pink dress.

God thought of us before we were ever created - that's why we were created. And, while we were still sinners the Bible says that God sent His Son to die for you and me.

How Long Will The Gift Last!

A good gift will not be too small to wear or so poorly constructed that it falls apart, but will be the right size and the best quality.

This Perfect Baby gift not only lasts forever but will allow you and I to last forever.

How Appropriate To The Need?
A good baby gift will meet a need that will make life easier for the mother and the newborn.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23

"If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior."

CHRISTMAS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE WE NEEDED A SAVIOR AND GOD GAVE HIS CHILD TO SAVE YOUR CHILD – AND YOU!

Can you imagine how much God loves YOU to send His Son?! HE LOVES YOU AS MUCH AS HE LOVES HIS SON!

Here is what it looks like – watch!


Christmas means God sent the PERFECT BABY GIFT – He Gave His Child To Save Your Child!

A Gift Like That Should Be Received Gladly! How Could You Refuse It?

What other plan do you have for your salvation?