There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:36-39 (NIV)
The New Year is here. May the Lord bless your days with His presence, His grace, His fellowship, and His protection. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
. . . and what I will say are two different things. I think I’d like to end the year with some profundity but fear of failure leaves me wanting.
To comment on the highs of 2009 requires such a deep gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ for His provision, His power, and His pacing—and the fact that He consumes and occupies the very meaning of profound—that I doubt I can capture any of the intensity in mere words on a blog post. You know? Somehow by rating thankfulness as the most important emotion which hurtles to the front of all I can think of, I can’t seem to make it overcome “trite”. And that’s disappointing. Because being thankful isn’t trite in any form. Especially when it pours from the heart.
Somehow, in spite of some very personal heartache in our family, we survive with hope and grateful spirits. Even with the battle being played out before us we understand that God is good. And just. And right now that justice seems mighty important to us.
We remain thankful that soldiers we know, and many more who we don’t, fight for our freedoms and deserve our respect, our gratitude, our prayers, and our whole-hearted support for their sacrifices past and present.
There is evil in the land, and we need to be prayed up, prayed in, prayed out, and prayed for in order to do our part to combat the heinous ways and demonic influences parading around in all forms of deceit and corruption.
I can tell you this. I’ve lived many years and learned some things of value. The most important of them: nothing outside of God’s will has any merit or inherent value, yet He is able and willing to work everything together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Jesus loves everyone. We struggle to love a few. He died to save everyone. Only a few will take Jesus up on His gift.
My desire remains to love God, to obey God, and to praise God. I’m blessed. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Happy New Year to You in Jesus.
As the end of the year 2009 approaches and New Year’s Eve looms, I recall some times of welcoming in the new year when politics didn’t phase me and only the immediate future seemed to matter . . .
One New Year’s Eve a friend spent the night at our house. At the turn of the New Year we headed outside with a couple of my mom’s pans and big spoons and ran around the yard banging on the pans shouting “Happy New Year!”
On another New Year’s Eve I went to a costume party with my boyfriend dressed as a genie (as in “I Dream of Jeannie”). That evening didn’t end too well with the angst of teenage “love”, a forgotten key to my house (where could I have put it in my costume?) and parents had gone out for the evening, too, the Righteous Brothers singing their heartbreak song . . . Aaahhh, the drama.
How ’bout you? Any special memories of New Year’s Eve?
Father, we look forward to your plans. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
About the Lord’s business . . .
Of course as Christians if we hear the word “savior”, we think of our Lord who is the savior. We are pleased to celebrate His birth this time of the year and give Him the honor He deserves year round.
I told you how much I admired Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ, and the young mother Mary who demonstrated both her love for and obedience to God instantaneously after being visited by the angel Gabriel. The profound honor placed upon this couple was full of personal sacrifices and required enormous faith. As humans, I’m sure they experienced their share of tearful confessions to one another during the trials of relocating and raising the son of God. And then Mary lived to watch the One who had been miraculously conceived in her die a gruesome and sorrowful death, only to see Him rise again to deliver her and the entire human race from punishment if they so chose to believe in His sacrificial act of redemption.
So what about those who are called to be single, without a spouse, without a mate or helpmate? According to Paul, it is the better choice to remain singular. “An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.” (1 Cor. 7:32) An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.” (1 Cor. 7:34) “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.” (1Cor. 7:8)
Those of us who are married know there are multiple sacrifices made to stay married, to work out the problems of sinful humans cohabitating. Our selfishness strives against benevolence. Our demands strain to be concealed or rise to be satisfied. We have all kinds of issues to face and overcome. Some do, and sadly some don’t. Marriage is hard work. Worth every effort in almost all cases, but very hard work to keep it functioning at a godly and inspiring level of operation.
So this is a tribute to those who have been called to the sometimes lonely office of being single. To find that you have the unique place of being devoted to the Lord’s business without the distractions of trying to keep another person satisfied in a living arrangement does not mean that the requirements of that life are any less difficult or potentially stressful when neglected but rather allow for a possible greater extension of service in the kingdom. There is no greater duty, call, privilege, or responsibility than being about His business. Every position in the kingdom is valuable, but it is also part of a grand design. No one should feel less or more because he/she is single or married. We all have our things to do.
The single person must forge his way without the help or interference of another human partner. Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the partners in making the way for decisions to accommodate the business of God. Who better and more helpful? What better way to become more dependent on God instead of on another human being?
This supernatural kingdom has a place for all of us. God dictates the ways and supplies the means to enter into His service. No more noble duty for the people of earth than to follow Him. Some will volunteer and serve faithfully. Others will begin their service and then be drawn away. Some will snub the Savior of the world and carry on with His enemy’s business. And still others will be pursued by the Spirit of God and give up and give in to His overtures to embrace the Savior.
Christmas always causes me to reflect on all aspects of humanity. As some work tirelessly within the holy kingdom without recognition while others give their lives for the King of Kings while succumbing to torture, each person given life on earth has a worthwhile place in the kingdom of God if he so chooses. No one need be excluded. There is a plan for every individual, yet some will never come to believe it’s possible for them.
Here’s to all my brothers and sisters who have looked upon the Savior and said: I want you, I need you. Take over for me, Jesus. Thank you for coming to live and to die for me.
Heavenly Father, we honor you. Your high ways are beyond our abilities to comprehend, but we accept them with our finite understanding. We ask to receive your revelation for more of you. As always, we are desperate for you. Increase our insights and discernment during these hard times. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
A year ago Christmas was very different for our family. Snow fell all day which was very unusual for our area. A white Christmas rarely comes our way.
This year the ground wore white but it was frost, and the sun shone all day from a bright blue sky.
The weather spoke of only a small part of the differences for our family . . .
The past always affects the present . . . one way or another. And oftentimes we choose how we allow it to affect us. Significant changes cause sadness or rejoicing in personal affairs, but we must make the decisions to keep propelling ourselves forward from shocking tragedies, sorrowful events, or severe losses. Not easy decisions to make for most of us.
We cannot revisit the past. It melds into our history either closely or creating distance. We cope or we delete or we ignore or we engage whatever it takes to keep going. Sometimes the elements of the distant past determine who we’ve become in the present, and sometimes we must let go of those elements to advance our emotional and spiritual maturity. Clinging to those things of the past which we’ve become accustomed to without inventorying their value will only produce more of the same and usually lead us to repeated disappointment or failure.
As we approach the end of another year, I wish you a clear vision of what the Lord has designed for you. If you follow Him, He will not lead you astray. Through the difficult, the impossible, the wonderful,and the astounding, Jesus is faithful, truthful, direct, forthright, and foolproof. He knows. Even when you don’t.
Follow Him. Use the past to advance the present. Remember this: Jesus is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
Father, lead me in your ways everlasting. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:25-35 (NIV)
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 strips of cloth 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.”
Luke2:8-14 (NIV)
Happy Birthday, Jesus. Your peace on earth in the hearts of men.
Still the heart
And the soul.
Listen in silence
To the music of peace.
Laughter and dance
Hope and reverie
Heralding He’s here!
Spirit of God:
Still me
That I may see
Who you are.
Yesterday, today, and forever.
The spectacular meaning of Christmas can be lost or misplaced by those of us who worship our Savior. We are not immune to the secular version, or even the cynicism, which can accompany this exceptional holiday. Some of us begrudgingly go through the motions of decorating and purchasing gifts, finding no joy in the process. Some of us struggle with losses so overwhelming the Christmas season makes them seem enormous and unbearable. Some of us succumb to the legalistic refusal to embrace the day set aside for Jesus’ birth because it’s speculated he was actually born in March or April and by somehow putting up the tree and decorating with lights, we celebrate a pagan approach to this holy event.
The “traditions of men” referred to in Scripture by Jesus Himself reads as follows:
“He [Jesus] replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’
“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”
(Mark 7:6-8 NIV)
These verses were in reference to the Pharisees’ complaint about the disciples eating food with “unclean hands”. In His further reply Jesus amplifies the discussion and implies that God is not impressed with man’s version of what is clean and unclean. God is always checking out the heart of man on matters.
This is where we can struggle during this huge Christmas season. I know many who feel “forced” to buy presents for relatives they rarely see except at Christmastime. I know at times I’ve felt guilty receiving a gift from someone who surprised me and felt compelled to rush out and buy a reciprocal gift. Not so anymore. It’s not about buying, it’s about bringing. Bringing joy, smiles and laughter, while conducting a spiritual examination and taking inventory of our relationship with the Holy One. To breathe in the magnitude of what we fail to fully comprehend. To honor someone and something so much greater than ourselves and any human knowledge we’ve acquired. It’s the season of the supernatural and Jesus is the very heartbeat of it.
Extravagance or simplicity? Both remain non-factors when the heart is right with God. The love of Jesus radiates from our countenances because this is a time of celebrating the true famous one (almost a shameless plug)! No one can rob us of this truth. We are mystified by the magnificence of something so unique and strange we can only claim it is our faith which compels us to know its truth. We know Jesus!
There are innumerable posts, articles, television spots, and suggestions from friends, relatives, and pastors, all instructing us on how to reduce the stress of the season. If we could just step back and realize the stress comes from “the traditions of men”, we could tone down whatever it is that drives us to focus outside the miracle of Jesus: God come to earth to save us from our sins. Surely there is nothing more celebratory than this single fact. Our manufactured stress can be replaced by a grateful joy, a silent peace.
The Prince of Peace brought and provided reconciliation to our Creator. He came in as a baby just like us, born to sin-stained parents who did everything they could to follow God throughout the supernatural adventure thrust into their lives. This whole event has never been and will never be equaled.
It’s worth celebrating.
Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Mankind.
