December 28, 2015

“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 like you are weak and your life out of control, but "Fear not" a miracle is on its way!

December 27, 2015

"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!

December 26,2015

"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 bareness.

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 day after Christmas, 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 25, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

"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

Joyous Christmas to you!

Here is another reason why the good news of Christmas brings reason for joy.

Christmas brings the joy of His presence, and the joy of His pardon, and the joy of His peace. Anyone of those is reason enough alone - but ALL of them are available to you through Christ!

Want more?

Find joy in His power!

It was the power of God that caused an elderly couple to conceive and give birth to John the Baptist, the greatest prophet ever! From their weakness came the strength of God! From their impotence sprang a miracle! His power brought Zachariah and Elizabeth great joy!

Why?

Because "nothing is impossible with God"! That is His power!

Through the power of God a virgin gave birth to the Son of God without ever knowing a man! It is impossible, but it happened! Because "nothing is impossible with God"! He has the power to accomplish everything He wishes to accomplish. And he can do it through weak human beings! Mary found exceeding joy through the power of God at work in her!

Christmas demonstrates the amazing power of God! Nothing is impossible because of His great power! And that power resides in you when you walk in Christ and His Spirit!

Perhaps you are facing some difficult challenges as you celebrate Christmas 2015. Find joy in the power of God! Take joy in the knowledge that "nothing is impossible for God"!

Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2015

"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what sort of greeting this might be." Luke 1:29

God called a teen-aged Jewish girl named Mary to commit to an overwhelming life-changing experience so He could offer life-change to a world overwhelmed with sin.

And while we find her feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of this story it ends with her being overjoyed. 

How did she go from being overwhelmed to being overjoyed?

That's what we are considering around the blessed Christmas Holiday 2015.

First, let's consider what overwhelmed her.

She was overwhelmed when an angel from God appeared to her. 

I can't speak for you but I would find the sudden and unexpected appearance of an Archangel an overwhelming experience.

So did Mary.

Anytime you are confronted by God it is overwhelming because you are reminded of His holiness and your humanity. 

She was overwhelmed by the angel's announcement.

Anytime you are confronted by God He calls you to surrender your will to His will. That is an overwhelming proposition.

Have you been confronted by God's will and not found it overwhelming? I haven't because to start doing His will means I must cease doing mine.

We know Mary was overwhelmed by virtue of her announcements to the angel:

V. 29 - "Mary was greatly troubled at his words......"

V. 30 - "How can this be possible since I am a virgin?"

The reason we are having this conversation about Mary is because even though she was overwhelmed by His will she was open to it. She didn't say, "No" she asked, "How"?

I find it very encouraging that when God knew she was willing to obey, He helped her by speaking to some of her concerns. God helps those who want to obey!

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed around the Christmas Holiday Season?

Perhaps you are there now!

You are in good company!

Despite the manic attempts by our culture to secularize Christmas, still it confronts you with the will of God. Could it be that you would rather overwhelm yourself with Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, Christmas baking, Christmas decorating and Christmas gift-wrapping rather than allow yourself to be confronted by God?

December 23, 2015

“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

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Luke 1:46-55

The first chapter of Luke is one of the most exciting chapters in the Bible because it announces two miraculous births – the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus!

I selected these two portions of Scripture from Luke 1 because they first show in the beginning Mary is overwhelmed but at the end she is overjoyed! (Actually, the same is true of Zechariah and Elizabeth).

How do you go from being overwhelmed to being overjoyed! How does that happen?

Christmas Season is supposed to be a season when Christians are overjoyed but I find they are often overwhelmed so it is important to understand how Mary began that first Christmas overwhelmed but ended it overjoyed.

Before I explore that further I want to ask you to think about the last time you were overjoyed about your life.

Can you remember?

Let me ask you this, “Before you were overjoyed, was there a season where you were overwhelmed?”

I thought so!

That was true of Mary, it was true of Zechariah, it’s often true of people I minister to and it has been true in my life!

Seasons of praise usually arise out of seasons of pressure and problems.

Is that not true?

Have you thought of that?

Maybe you should!

That’s one of the great truths of Christmas! God sent Jesus to give overwhelmed people a chance to become overjoyed!

December 22, 2015

^“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…..” Luke 1:26-34

God’s will presents you with two difficulties:

1) Discerning it, and:

2) Doing it after you have discerned it

God’s will was to have a Son and save the world.

Mary’s desire was to have her wedding.

You will see God’s will one of two ways, either as a problem or as a possibility. One of the things that made Mary exceptional is that she embraced the possibilities of the angel’s announcement once it was presented to her.

Now, granted, having an angel announce God’s will makes it much easier to discern! I can honestly say an angel has never appeared to me to reveal His will.

Even though God’s will was clearly presented to her and she knew the problems it would create for her and for Joseph she didn’t back away from submitting to His will.

One of the reasons God was able to accomplish a wonderful world-charging plan through Mary is because she chose to focus on the possibilities rather than the problems.

How did she do that?

Why did she do that?

The answer to both of those questions is the same: she loved God’s will more than she loved her own wedding plan. She didn’t deny the potential problems or discount them she just valued the God’s plan above her own pain. She valued God’s purpose more than her own peace of mind. She believed the power of God that would accomplish His purpose could also bring her through the problems associated with it. Mary chose to focus on the possibilities of God’s will because she was convinced of His power, she was called to His purpose and she was committed to His plan.

She surrendered her wedding but she saved her world.

Mary chose the possibilities of God’s will despite the problems it caused her. She understood that the biggest problem would have been to deny God’s will and disobey Him.

This lesson of Christmas is clear:

God’s will is more rewarding that your will.

God’s plan is more righteous that your plan.

God’s purpose is more redemptive than your purpose

God’s power is a resource sufficient for your problems.

And, God’s possibilities are released through your obedience.