December 25, 2009

"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 answered, "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." Luke 1:18-19

"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." Luke 1:34-37

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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 1:18-21

We live in an age of "reality" TV shows, virtual reality devices and a 24/7 media that seeks to shape your sense of reality.

No wonder people are questioning, "What is real?"

Christmas give us the answer. Christmas clearly proves that God is real and faith in Him defines, yes, redefines our reality.

The events of that first Christmas challenged how Zechariah and Elizabeth and Mary and Joseph defined their reality.

For Zechariah and Elizabeth, in their "real" world, old barren people didn't have babies. They had long since cashed in their dream of being parents. They had done all the right things and lives served the Lord. But He had not honored them with a child. Disappointing as that was, they chose to remain faithful to God. They had adjusted to a world of barreness. And then one day, an angel showed up with a word news from God that challenged their reality.

When the angel asked them to believe the unbelievable they had to decide which reality would define their belief.

Mary and Joseph were both the kind of young people you would love to claim. They were faithful to God and lived with integrity. Their wedding was fast approaching and they looked forward to completing their love and being man and wife. Honoring God in their relationship wasn't easy, but it was right and they had done so.

Then the angel confronted Mary with a word from God that challenged her reality. How can a virgin conceive? She had saved herself for Joseph and now her first child would not be his. She had to decide which reality she wanted to live in? Did she want to please God and risk her relationship with Joseph, or disappoint God to protect her marriage plans?

Would she believe what made sense or would she believe the unbelievable and trust God - and Joseph? She had never heard of anything like this before. Could she trust God to do the impossible or remain in the world she knew?

We are not sure how the news came to Joseph that his fiance' was pregnant. Did Mary tell him or did the rumor mill get to him first? If she told him then she surely told of the angel and the plan of God. I am sure he wanted to believe her but it was an unreal story. Virgins don't get pregnant. He thought he knew Mary, but her story didn't square with the reality he knew. What would he believe?

And then the angel came to him in a dream and confirmed Mary's story. Now he would have to be open to a new reality.

Each of these principles in the Christmas story were asked to believe the unbelievable. They were asked to shift from a reality of limited possibilities to a new reality where "nothing is impossible with God"! Everyone of them took the leap of faith. And through their altered reality, God changed reality forever!

So, on this Christmas Day 2009, we find ourselves in the very same place they were. Christmas challenges our reality. Are we going to believe what we know and what we see? Are we going to live in the limited world of sight and sound and senses and previous experiences, or are we going to believe God?

Christmas was impossible - but now it is real! Before Christmas, salvation was impossible, but now it can be real! Before Christmas we were limited to a world of human possibilities, now we can step into a new reality of infinite power, presence, and peace.

Christmas is the ultimate reality show! Which reality will you show?

December 24, 2009

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:6-7

Sadly, for some people ChristMAS becomes ChristMISS.

In the Christmas story that truth is illustrated by the innkeeper and his wife.

With all the people who were in Bethlehem that day, the innkeeper hit the jackpot! He was able to rent every room and do it at a premium price. That is a small-businessman's dream!

But, when Joseph and Mary showed up, there was no room left for them. Because they couldn't make room for the birth of the Christ, they missed a once in an eternity opportunity. They could have partaken in the single most important event ever! But they had no room for Jesus. For them, the first ChristMAS was a ChristMISS. They hit the jackpot, but missed the joy.

Unfortunately, there have been recent contemporary examples of this same sad situation.

Most obvious is Tiger Woods. Tiger is the first sports personality to earn a billion dollars. He is healthy, good-looking, charming, has an incredible golf game, a mansion on the water, a 160 foot yacht, a beautiful wife and two lovely children. He has hit the jackpot! He has earned it. It just seems that he has missed the joy.

I pray that he can salvage his marriage. I hope he doesn't lose the jackpot trying to find the joy. I pray that he will understand his need to make room for Jesus. Jesus IS the joy!

Brittany Murphy was a beautiful young actress with a successful career, a Hollywood Hills home, and a husband. It appeared she had hit the jackpot. Then, a few days ago she was found dead in her bathroom. While the cause of death is yet to be determined, it is highly unusual for a healthy 32 year-old to die of a heart attack. Preliminary evidence does not look good.

It apprears to be another incident of someone who hit the jackpot but missed the joy. She made room for everything - except Jesus.

For the innkeeper and his wife it was ChristMISS. The same for Tiger. And for Brittany.

How about you? Have you made room for Jesus? Will you make room for Him at the center of your being?

If you do you will discover that the joy IS the jackpot!

December 23, 2009

"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels 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. 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, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:1-20

Here is your Christmas Eve eve assignment. I want you to take a couple of minutes and come up with a plan to save the world from its moral degradation. Your plan must provide a way to satisfy the penalty for all the sins of the world. Your plan must have a universal means of restoring fellowship with God. When this plan is appropriated by an sinful individual, it must be about to instantly bring life to their spirit and transform the way they think about God, theirself and others. This salvation scheme of yours must assure people of eternal life and remove the guilt and shame of their sinful past. Finally, this plan must provide an inner moral strength that will allow those who claim it to resist the power of sin.

Okay, time is up! What is your plan?

That's what I thought. I don't have one either.

Thankfully, the "good news of great joy" that is Christmas unfolded God's remarkable plan!

I would have never thought of it. Neither would you!

In fact, amazing as it it, God's plan is a strange way to save the world.

Who would give the best they have to save the worst they have - at their worst?

Who would allow a holy and innocent person to assume the penalty, guilt, sin, shame and sickness of every other degernate person is the world?

Who would put the only hope of redemption for the world in the hands of two teen-aged peasants?

Who would reduce the most powerful Child in the universe to a helpless infant? What all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise sovereign would dare to make himself that vulnerable?

Who would trust the proclamation of this incredible message into the hands of eleven weak, timid, uneducated, and unproven men?

Who, having absolute power, would choose to save the world through weakness rather than by wielding his power?

What a strange way to save the world! Who would come up with a plan like this?

I wouldn't!

Neither would you!

God did! Only He could! Only He is holy enough, wise enough, powerful enough, committed enough, and loving enough to conceive and execute such a strange AND wonderful plan!

I am SO thankful He did! This strange plan has transformed my life!

December 22, 2009

"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." Matthew 1:1-17

As I mentioned yesterday, we tend to skip over the Geneology when we read Matthew. But as legendary Coach Lee Corso says, "Not so fast my friends."

This imformation is very revealing when you take the time to study it. You might find it interesting to consider that there are five women listed in the list of anscestors which is unusual in itself, but even more incredible when you consider that these woman were not exactly the sort that you would bring home to meet your mother.

So, am I saying there were a few bad apples on the family tree of Jesus? Thanks for paying attention - that is exactly what I am saying!

With some help from lifeofChrist.com, see for yourself:

Women in Christ's Genealogy Matthew included five women in his genealogy of Christ. This is notable since it was not customary for Jews to include women in their records. Even more remarkable is the fact that Matthew included some women who had disreputable histories. The five women included were: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary.

Tamar: Genesis 38:6-30 Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. She was a childless widow, who was given to her brother-in-law after her husband's death. By this marriage, her offspring would continue the name and inheritance of the deceased. Such a union was later called a Leverite marriage (Deut 25:5-6). Unfortunately, Tamar's brother-in-law refused to have proper intercourse with her. God killed him for this. Afterwards, Judah would not give Tamar to any of his other sons. So Tamar disguised herself as a harlot and seduced Judah. Through him, she became the mother of Perez.

Rahab: Joshua 2:1-24 Rahab was a harlot who lived in Jericho. She hid the spies of Joshua. Because of this, the Israelites spared her life when they conquered Jericho. She later became the wife of Salmon, and the mother of Boaz. Rahab's faith was later commended (Heb 11:30-31).

Ruth: Ruth 1:1-4:22 Ruth was a foreigner from the land of Moab. She was the widow of a Jew. Her mother-in-law, Naomi, also lived in Moab. Naomi journeyed to Israel after her family died. Ruth's devotion was extraordinary. She left her own country to follow Naomi. While in Israel, Ruth was married to Boaz, one of Naomi's relatives. Ruth later became the mother of Obed, the grandfather of David the King.

Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 11:1-27 Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, who was a soldier in the army of King David. She and David had an adulterous affair. When David discovered Bathsheba was pregnant, he tried to cover it up by summoning Uriah home from war, hoping that Uriah would have intercourse with his wife. Uriah came home to Jerusalem, but refused to lay with Bathsheba as long as the armies of Israel were at war. So, David sent Uriah back into battle, with orders that Uriah should be withdrawn from when the fighting became fierce. After Uriah was slain in this manner, David took Bathsheba as his own wife. God punished them for this by killing their first child. Bathsheba later became the mother of Solomon.

Mary: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-56 Mary was the mother of Jesus and the wife of Joseph. She was a virgin when Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Joseph was betrothed to Mary when he discovered she was pregnant. He intended to put her away secretly because this was shameful. However, an angel told Joseph what had happened. So Joseph took Mary as his wife, and kept her as a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus. During her pregnancy, Mary spent time with her relative Elizabeth, who was the mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39-56). Mary was not a perpetual virgin, as she later became the mother of other sons and daughters (Matthew 13:55-56). Mary was a widow at the time of Jesus' death. While on the cross, Jesus committed her to the care of John, his apostle (John 19:25-27).

Why would God do this? Why would He include women against all normal custom? And why would He list THESE women who had less than sterling reputations?

One reason I touched on yesterday, Jesus came from ordinary people, by ordinary people to save ordinary people!

Also, the angel told Joseph to name the baby "JESUS", because He would save His people from their sins. If you want to emphasize that salvation that Jesus came to provide, why not do that by including some infamous sinners in the list?

Christmas IS "Good news of great joy" for all people! People of noble birth, people of low birth, virtuous people, treacherous people - Jesus came to redeem them all! He came from them and He came for them!

Think you are too bad for Jesus to save? I just showed you five reasons why you are wrong!

December 21, 2009

"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?

December 20, 2009

“NO ORDINARY JOE”

Week Three – “No Ordinary Assignment” Matthew 1:18-25

The theme song was very distinctive, "da da da, dadada, da, da, da" and Peter Graves would pull up to remote spot, get out of his car, turn over a stump and find a folder and minature recorder. He would open the folder and remove photos while he listened to the recording. It always began, "Your mission, Mr. Phelps, should you choose to accept it........"

From 1966 until 1973 “Mission Impossible” was a very popular TV Series. It returned in the late – 80’s on TV and then over the next few decades hit the Big Screen in a series of hit movies starring Tom Cruise. In all that time and in both venues, Mr. Phelps never refused an assignment.

That wouldn't have made for a very good episode.

Well, it just so happens that Christmas is an equally impossible mission – if the key players didn’t agree to accept the assignment. Jesus agreed to leave Heaven, Mary said “yes” to the angel and now it was up to Joseph to volunteer for his role.

We have been talking about Joseph this month in our series entitled “No Ordinary Joe”. Joseph was ordinary in everyway except for the three areas we are highlighting:
His Attitude Was Extraordinary:

“I Will Commit”
“I Will Care”
“I Will Contribute”

His Action Was Extraordinary:

OBEDIENCE – Joseph realized that obedience is imperative. God doesn't offer suggestions nor

does he give us options. When He gives assignments He expects obedience.

Joseph also understood that obedience needed to be immediate. Three times God spoke to Joseph and each time he acted immediately. Delayed obedience is disobedience.

This morning we will take one more look at what made Joseph extraordinary. This time it was his assignment from God that was delivered to him in a dream by an angel. Here is the assignment – His mission should he accept it:

“Forget About Everything YOU Want To Do”

“Do Everything I Want You To Do”

“And You Won’t Get Much Notice For It”

You say, “Brad, where does it say that in the Bible?”

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 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." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" —which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:18-25

WOW! THAT’S A TOUGH ASSIGNMENT!

It is! It’s tough when you first hear it and even tougher when you think about it!

“FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO DO”

What did Joseph want to do?

- Marry his sweetheart and enjoy the honeymoon
- Build his business and set aside some money
- Get to Bethlehem, get home and get back to work
- Set up their home and enjoy their new life as newlyweds

God’s plans would not allow him to do any of those things. That IS a tough assignment:

A FEW OTHER TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS:

ABRAHAM – “I Want You To Leave Home And Go – But I Won’t Tell You Where”
NOAH – “I Want You To Build A Boat To Save Your Family From A Flood Even Though You Know Nothing About Building Boats And Even Though It Has Never Rained”
MOSES – “I Want You To Lead My People Out Of Egypt Even Though Pharaoh Won’t Like The Idea”
GIDEON – “Take 300 Men And Defeat The Mighty Fearsome Midianites”
JOB – “I Am Going To Allow Everything You Hold Precious To Be Taken From You And You Are Going To Remain Blameless”

God gave Joseph a tough assignment, but He wasn’t the first nor would he be the last. Here is what we know about God’s assignments: He Always Gives God-Sized Assignments To Ordinary Men When He Wanted To Do Something Extraordinary!

How About You? Are You Willing To Surrender Your Dreams And Desires To God? Is There Something You Hold As More Precious Than God?

“DO EVERYTHING I WANT YOU TO DO”

- Take Mary To Be His Wife But Have No Sex With Her
- Put His Reputation At Risk By Marrying A Pregnant Women Who Was Not Pregnant With His Baby
- Raise A Child That Was Not His
- Live Life On The Run For Several Years

Joseph knew what we sometimes forget, “If you want God to bless you have to say ‘yes’”. God doesn’t bless you on your terms, He blesses you on His terms.

Even Jesus had to surrender to God, “Not my will but yours be done!”

God is not looking for part-time workers. Serving God is not a multiple-choice test.

God Did An Extraordinary Work Through An Ordinary Joe Who Was Willing To Do Everything God Wanted Him To Do.

What Could God Do In Your Life If You Were Willing To Do Whatever He Asked You To Do?

“AND YOU WON’T GET MUCH CREDIT FOR IT”

When you think about the Christmas story who do you think of first?

- The Baby Jesus
- Mary His Mother
- Angels
- Shepherds
- Joseph

Joseph was willing to give up everything that HE wanted to do in order to do everything GOD wanted him to do – AND NOT GET MUCH CREDIT.
How many people do you know that are willing to do that? Are you?

Human nature wants the spotlight. We want to be the star of the show and the pats on the back. If you are not careful you can get caught up in doing the right thing – serving God – for the wrong reason – personal affirmation.

Are you serving God for the right reason! Are you motivated by His glory – or yours? Joseph wasn’t like that! And because he wasn’t – Christmas happened!

JOSEPH HAD A VERY DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT –


“FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO DO”
“DO EVERYTHING I WANT YOU TO DO”
“AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT GETTING THE CREDIT”


Who Would Accept An Assignment Like That? Who Would Take That Deal?


Oh, I don’t know – maybe – JESUS!

Listen to this:

“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

Surely, God doesn’t expect us to do that does He? Sure Sounds Like It To Me!

Listen:

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25

This is the call to discipleship. This is what real worship is about. This is lordship. This is what we are called to.

Is there a point of disobedience in your life? If you have been delaying your obedience you have been disobeying. What could God do through you if you would just obey Him?

Is there something that you are clinging to that keeps you from loving God more or serving Him better? Is there a habit you need to break, a relationship you need to end, or a commitment you need to make in order to please God? Are you missing God's best because you won't surrender to Him?

Could God do more for you or through you if you didn't worry about getting the credit?

Joseph had a difficult assignment. He accepted it and God did something miraculous through him. God did the impossible through the average who did the exceptional.

God can do something like that for you if you can do something like that for Him!

December 19, 2009

"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." Isaiah 9:6

What would be your perfect gift? A gift that is practical, a gift that is enjoyable, a gift that is helpful, and a gift that is valuable. Is there such a gift?

I don't know about your world but in mine I usually have to choose between what I really WANT and really NEED. What I WANT is a new set of wedges for my golf club set. What I NEED is stuff like socks, underwear and pj's. Guess which I will get? I hope you have better luck!

So, is there a gift that gives you what you need as well as what you want? There most definitely is!

Where would you find such a gift?

You only have to look as far as your Christmas catalog, otherwise known as the Bible!

The perfect gift has been given by, none other than - God! Who else?

And what is that gift? Rather, WHO is that gift?

It is the gift of His Son, Jesus, the second person of the trinity.

Here are four reasons why this is the Gift that is both what you need and what you want:

First, in this complex and confusion maze called life, we need counsel and guidance. Isaiah tells us this Gift is a Wonderful Counselor! When you have this Gift you have all the wisdom, and the insight and the discernment to know which path to take, which choice to make and the fine line between what is good and what is best! WHAT A GIFT!

Second, God created us with a need for Him. In the very core of our being is a God-shaped void. Until you find that missing piece you feel incomplete. You know something is missing but may not be sure what it is. The Gift IS God! Receiving Him connects us spiritually with God and gives us a personal intimate relationship with Almighty God!

Third, this is the Gift of peace. When you receive the Counselor and the Almighty God, you have peace! When you are at peace with God you find peace with yourself spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Finding peace with God and peace within naturally results in peaceful relationships with others. God blesses peacemakers - and He IS the peacemaker.

The Fourth and final gift of this Gift is that it's affordable! In fact, it is free! This Gift is offered at no cost to you because the price was paid by Jesus on the cross!

If you have been in search of the perfect gift, this is it! Should you be looking for a gift that is both what you WANT and what you NEED - this is that rare combination!

So, you want this Gift. You need this Gift. Why would you not receive this Gift? What is keeping you from taking it?

Or, if you have received this Gift, what is keeping you from sharing it with others?