What Do You Do When The Wine Runs Out?
2 The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”
11 This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11
The first miracle of our Lord took place in a town called, Cana of Galilee. The event was a wedding. Cana was a inconspicuous little town that lay outside of Nazareth. Cana had no social prominence in its day!
It’s interesting to note: Jesus ministry, like his birth, began in a small, unimportant town, to common everyday folks.
Weddings were, and are, a big deal in the Jewish culture. There is a certain protocol that was to be followed. The wedding ceremony would take place late in the evening after a time of feasting. The father of the bride would take his daughter on his arm, and with the wedding party in tow, would parade through the streets of the village so that everyone could come out and congratulate the bride. Finally the wedding party would arrive at the home of the groom. The wedding actually took place in the front door of the groom’s house. It was no short ceremony….no the festivities lasted for days. It was a time of great celebration.
The groom’s family was expected to provide all the refreshments for this week of festivities.
Suddenly the host discovers that they are running out of wine. They had more guests than they anticipated. It would have been improper for the culture of this time to not have wine. Jews did not get drunk at these celebrations—drunkenness was considered a disgrace. But the host would have been totally humiliated if he ran out of food or drink!
Evidently they did not have the money to go and purchase more wine. We can assume that Jesus’ mother was a close friend of the groom’s mother and she heard about the problem. Who knows, if these families were close friends it is highly possible that Jesus was a close friend of the groom himself.
Jesus’ mother comes to Jesus and says, “Son, we’ve got a problem here, and we need your help.” “They have no more wine.”
The fact that Mary came to Jesus with such a problem is a reminder that Jesus is concerned with the everyday things in life that we face.
Jesus answers his mother in what seems like a harsh way. He was not being harsh, he was just simply already focusing on his life and ministry, and had began to detach himself from his family.
John calls this first miracle a sign. Signs are usually placed in places to give us information, or point us in the direction. The miracles of Christ were always meant to reveal to us the glory of God, and point us to who He truly is.
Let’s take a look at what this first sign means for us today.
Notice that first of all…
This sign informs us that…The wine can run out. Mary realizes the seriousness of the issue. You can hear it in her words… “They have no wine.” To the Jewish people wine symbolized joy. The Jewish rabbis had a saying, ‘Without wine there is no joy.” At the wedding in Cana their joy had run out!
It is a reminder of the emptiness of our life without Christ. This statement by the mother of Jesus goes beyond liquid refreshment at a wedding. It is symbolic of our lives. It is a scary thing when the “wine runs out.”
There are times when the wine runs out. The joy is dry! And you and I have no resources available within ourselves to replace the joy. Only new wine can come from Jesus Christ.
When we run out of wine …
This sign teaches us that…When the wine runs out, Jesus can turn the water into wine.
Mary came to Jesus and told him of the problem that they were facing. I can just imagine her telling the groom’s mother, “You hold on just a minute! I know just what to do with this situation.” She came to Jesus and told him…how about her instructions to the servants. “Whatever he says to you, do it” Just Do It!
Jesus took the water pots that were filled with water for hand washing. When the guest arrived someone would pour some of this water over their hands in a symbolic purification. To eat with unwashed hands would have been a defilement. Jesus took this water and made approx. 180 gallons of wine. What a wedding gift.
It’s interesting to note that Jesus took the water for purification and used it for his first miracle. The water in those pots was merely for an external cleansing. Jesus ministry over the next three years would teach people about an inner cleansing.
If we look at the first miracle of Jesus we see this truth…Jesus is not just the giver of joy…he is the giver of “abundant” joy. He not only met their immediate need, but he gave an abundance.
a. Jesus did not just make some ordinary wine. No, the wine that he produced was better than that which they had started the celebration with.
b. Jesus didn’t just doctor the water so that it tasted like wine. No, the water in those pots was transformed into the finest wine the people had ever tasted.
c. The truth for us is this—Jesus is not going to just doctor up our lives a little bit. Just put a Band-Aid on our needs—no he wants to transform our lives, just like he transformed that water. Our lives will take on a new nature.
Someone once said, “Don’t focus on the stone water pots—and miss the whole point—Jesus is about transformation.
He turned…
• water into wine;
• he turns frowns into smiles;
• he turns whimpers of fear into songs of hope;
• he turns deserts into gardens,
• he turns sorrow into joy;
• he turns sin into grace;
• death into life.
Jesus is all about transforming power. Changing people—that’s what it’s all about.
This Sign teaches us that…Jesus offers an abundance of new wine at the end.
Sometimes it’s hard for us to understand God not only meeting our need but providing for us an abundance. But that’s the story of grace. There is no measure to grace. There will always be enough grace to meet our needs. That’s the story of God’s love. There is nothing that you can do that will cause God to diminish his love for you. Understand this principle of God today…God is not just a God of the required—he is a God of the abundance.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (Malachi 3:10) Not “just enough”—an abundance
Look at creation—have you ever been to the Smokies? There is an over abundance. God didn’t give us “just enough” beauty, it is all around us. Have you ever been to the seashore and looked out over the ocean. There is far more beauty that our eyes can absorb. Have you ever seen a field of wildflowers? Not just enough to fill a vase in your living room, but more than enough. This is the picture of grace…God always gives more than you will ever need!
So the wine is poured out and all the people who are present rejoice at the richness of this “new wine”. This was completely against custom. The best wine was always offered first. Isn’t that just like our Lord? The best always comes at the end. The grace we once tasted cautiously—we now drink freely. Jesus has poured out in us the richness of his love and forgiveness. There is one among us who is pouring out the rich “wine” and there is enough for everyone!
What do you do when the wine runs out? Mary showed us by example. She told the servants that if they would just do what Jesus commanded they would see a miracle. A miracle that not only met their immediate need...but a miracle of abundance.
Has your joy ran out today? Jesus wants to transform you! Bring your need to him!
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. (Psalm 51:10-12)
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are?
How to Find Your True Identity in Christ
Who are you? That’s a question many people struggle to answer.
Too often, people base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by those pursuits. But by doing so, they significantly limit their lives. The truth is that God intends for all people to find their identity in Christ.
If you’re a Christian, your identity encompasses all the abundance of being a beloved child of God. Here’s how you can start living your life fully in Christ, keeping in mind that:
You’re a saint. The fact that we’ve placed our trust in Jesus Christ is enough to qualify us to be a saint. Even though we’ll still struggle with sin (Even the Apostle Paul said “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15) while we live in this fallen world, our core identity as a Christian is as a saint, not a sinner – and we can always count on Jesus’ help to overcome sin in our lives. As John tells us, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ,..” (1 John 2:1) Rely on His help to resist temptation. When we do sin, confess and repent. ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ (Luke 24:47b)
Maintain attitudes of humility and gratitude for God’s grace.
You’re blessed. God has given us the greatest blessing of all – Himself. No matter what other blessings God may or may not choose to send into our lives, we can always be confident that God Himself will be with us, loving us, and working everything in our life out for good purposes when we trust Him to do so. This leads us to a scripture that is sometimes the hardest for us to understand: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
God also brings many different, specific blessings into our life regularly. We should make a habit of reflecting on those blessings every day and thanking Him for them. The Psalmist writes “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)
You’re saved. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we’re saved from: sin, death, Satan, our old human nature, and a pattern of worldly living. Paul writes to the church in Rome that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans10:13) We can respond in gratitude to our salvation by doing good works that God has prepared for us to do, to help others discover relationships with Him and help redeem this fallen world.
You’re reconciled. Jesus has spiritually reconciled us to God and other believers. “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Since God plans for all Christians – from all the diverse types of backgrounds on Earth – to live harmoniously together in heaven forever, we should do our best to live harmoniously here and now. We need to let the Holy Spirit help us be peaceful, humble, and compassionate toward other people.
You’re afflicted. Everyone in this fallen world – Christians and non-Christians alike – must endure suffering. Jesus Himself told us this in John 16:33 that “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows”. However, as a Christian, our suffering can accomplish good, redemptive purposes. Rather than asking “Why?” when we suffer, ask “Who?” instead, shifting our focus from trying to figure out something that we may not be able to understand and toward seeking God Himself, who promises to always be with us. “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18) And, “If we endure we shall also reign with Him.” (II Tim. 2:12) We need to ask Jesus to use the suffering we experience to make us more like Him and point more people to Him.
You’re heard. God always hears and responds to our prayers when we’re connected to Him through Jesus. We can feel free to confidently express any of our thoughts and feelings to God at any time, expecting Him to listen to us and answer our prayers according to what’s best for us. The Apostle John tells us we can approach God and “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14) And the Psalmist says that “I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.” Psalm 116:1
You’re gifted. God has given each of us special abilities that He wants us to use in the Christian ministry work He calls us to do – both inside our church, and out in our community. You can discover those gifts by asking yourself questions like: “Whom/where do you have a passion to serve?”, What do you have a burden to do?”, “What needs do you see in the church?”, “What do you find joy in doing for others?”, “What opportunities has God already provided for you to serve others?”, “What things are you best at and have the most success in?”, “What have godly people commended you for doing?”, and “What acts of service have given you the deepest sense of satisfaction?” The Bible has a lot to say about gifts. This is just one scripture that focuses on our Spirit given gifts: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6-8)
You’re new. Jesus placed a new spirit within us when we began a relationship with Him, so, at our core, we’re a new person than who we were before we became a Christian. Look at what the Bible says: “…. anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Wow!!
However, we will keep learning and growing every day for the rest of our life as we gradually become more like Jesus.
You’re forgiven. Since Jesus paid the price that God’s justice demands for our sin and took God’s wrath for us upon Himself, we were forgiven for all of our sins when we placed our trust in Jesus. Just look at this powerful scripture: ‘if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9)
We can thank Jesus for forgiving us by obeying His commands to forgive others who have harmed us and to seek forgiveness from people we’ve harmed. Forgiving others is big deal with God. Jesus said “… if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15)
You’re adopted. As a Christian, we’ve been adopted into God’s family. The work of our big brother – Jesus – on the cross has made it possible for us to become one of the sons or daughters of God the Father. The Bible says “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (Romans 8:15-17) So we need to make it our main goal of life to learn how to know, love, and trust God as our Father.
You’re loved. While the people who love us can’t do so completely unselfishly, continually, or perfectly, God does. As a Christian, nothing can ever separate us from God’s great love for us. Look at this wonderful promise: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
You’re rewarded. God will reward us for everything faithful and holy that we do as a Christian. Although we can’t earn our salvation, after we’ve been saved we can earn rewards in heaven for the work we do serving God on Earth. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
You’re victorious. Jesus has given us the power to ultimately overcome evil, sin, and death. We must use the spiritual weapons at our disposal as a Christian (truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, scripture, prayer, and the strength to stand) in spiritual battles, trusting that we can always emerge victorious. And this is backed up by scripture: “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)
How to Find Your True Identity in Christ
Who are you? That’s a question many people struggle to answer.
Too often, people base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by those pursuits. But by doing so, they significantly limit their lives. The truth is that God intends for all people to find their identity in Christ.
If you’re a Christian, your identity encompasses all the abundance of being a beloved child of God. Here’s how you can start living your life fully in Christ, keeping in mind that:
You’re a saint. The fact that we’ve placed our trust in Jesus Christ is enough to qualify us to be a saint. Even though we’ll still struggle with sin (Even the Apostle Paul said “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15) while we live in this fallen world, our core identity as a Christian is as a saint, not a sinner – and we can always count on Jesus’ help to overcome sin in our lives. As John tells us, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ,..” (1 John 2:1) Rely on His help to resist temptation. When we do sin, confess and repent. ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ (Luke 24:47b)
Maintain attitudes of humility and gratitude for God’s grace.
You’re blessed. God has given us the greatest blessing of all – Himself. No matter what other blessings God may or may not choose to send into our lives, we can always be confident that God Himself will be with us, loving us, and working everything in our life out for good purposes when we trust Him to do so. This leads us to a scripture that is sometimes the hardest for us to understand: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)
God also brings many different, specific blessings into our life regularly. We should make a habit of reflecting on those blessings every day and thanking Him for them. The Psalmist writes “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” (Psalm 33:12)
You’re saved. Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we’re saved from: sin, death, Satan, our old human nature, and a pattern of worldly living. Paul writes to the church in Rome that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans10:13) We can respond in gratitude to our salvation by doing good works that God has prepared for us to do, to help others discover relationships with Him and help redeem this fallen world.
You’re reconciled. Jesus has spiritually reconciled us to God and other believers. “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
Since God plans for all Christians – from all the diverse types of backgrounds on Earth – to live harmoniously together in heaven forever, we should do our best to live harmoniously here and now. We need to let the Holy Spirit help us be peaceful, humble, and compassionate toward other people.
You’re afflicted. Everyone in this fallen world – Christians and non-Christians alike – must endure suffering. Jesus Himself told us this in John 16:33 that “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows”. However, as a Christian, our suffering can accomplish good, redemptive purposes. Rather than asking “Why?” when we suffer, ask “Who?” instead, shifting our focus from trying to figure out something that we may not be able to understand and toward seeking God Himself, who promises to always be with us. “The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom. 8:18) And, “If we endure we shall also reign with Him.” (II Tim. 2:12) We need to ask Jesus to use the suffering we experience to make us more like Him and point more people to Him.
You’re heard. God always hears and responds to our prayers when we’re connected to Him through Jesus. We can feel free to confidently express any of our thoughts and feelings to God at any time, expecting Him to listen to us and answer our prayers according to what’s best for us. The Apostle John tells us we can approach God and “that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14) And the Psalmist says that “I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.” Psalm 116:1
You’re gifted. God has given each of us special abilities that He wants us to use in the Christian ministry work He calls us to do – both inside our church, and out in our community. You can discover those gifts by asking yourself questions like: “Whom/where do you have a passion to serve?”, What do you have a burden to do?”, “What needs do you see in the church?”, “What do you find joy in doing for others?”, “What opportunities has God already provided for you to serve others?”, “What things are you best at and have the most success in?”, “What have godly people commended you for doing?”, and “What acts of service have given you the deepest sense of satisfaction?” The Bible has a lot to say about gifts. This is just one scripture that focuses on our Spirit given gifts: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6-8)
You’re new. Jesus placed a new spirit within us when we began a relationship with Him, so, at our core, we’re a new person than who we were before we became a Christian. Look at what the Bible says: “…. anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Wow!!
However, we will keep learning and growing every day for the rest of our life as we gradually become more like Jesus.
You’re forgiven. Since Jesus paid the price that God’s justice demands for our sin and took God’s wrath for us upon Himself, we were forgiven for all of our sins when we placed our trust in Jesus. Just look at this powerful scripture: ‘if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9)
We can thank Jesus for forgiving us by obeying His commands to forgive others who have harmed us and to seek forgiveness from people we’ve harmed. Forgiving others is big deal with God. Jesus said “… if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15)
You’re adopted. As a Christian, we’ve been adopted into God’s family. The work of our big brother – Jesus – on the cross has made it possible for us to become one of the sons or daughters of God the Father. The Bible says “you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.” (Romans 8:15-17) So we need to make it our main goal of life to learn how to know, love, and trust God as our Father.
You’re loved. While the people who love us can’t do so completely unselfishly, continually, or perfectly, God does. As a Christian, nothing can ever separate us from God’s great love for us. Look at this wonderful promise: “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
You’re rewarded. God will reward us for everything faithful and holy that we do as a Christian. Although we can’t earn our salvation, after we’ve been saved we can earn rewards in heaven for the work we do serving God on Earth. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
You’re victorious. Jesus has given us the power to ultimately overcome evil, sin, and death. We must use the spiritual weapons at our disposal as a Christian (truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, scripture, prayer, and the strength to stand) in spiritual battles, trusting that we can always emerge victorious. And this is backed up by scripture: “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:56)
Sunday, January 13, 2013
We CAN Make a Difference
We CAN Make a Difference
A minister wore a carnation on his lapel every Sunday morning. He never gave it much thought until one day after church, a visiting boy about ten years old asked if he could have it. The minister handed it to him and asked him why he wanted it.
He said his grandmother takes care of him and feeds him and buys him clothes. The boy said that is why he wanted the flower, to give to his grandmother for loving him.
The minister could barely keep the tears back, but told the boy that he didn’t want the carnation. He said that for a reason that special, he needed a bouquet. He told the boy to go up front and get the big bunch of flowers in front of his pulpit and give them to his grandmother.
As the boy smiled and turned to go get them, the minister heard him say, “What a wonderful day – I asked for one flower and got a whole bouquet.”
How often do we brighten up the lives of others with special acts like this? More to the point, how often do we look for these opportunities? Each one of us can make a tremendous difference in other people’s lives. You don’t have to be rich or especially talented. All you have to be is loving. No matter what your circumstances, you can make a positive difference in other people’s lives.
WHY TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
There are several reasons we should try to make a difference in other people’s lives. We could say one of those reasons is that the world actually depends on it. Can you imagine a world where nobody cared about anybody else? Can you imagine a world where nobody tried to ever help anybody else?
The world we live in depends on people helping people. We depend on the world giving food and aid when there is a Tsunami or a gigantic earthquake. Think of all the help we have gotten form the C.A.R.E group (and others) here in Pleasant Grove after the tornado. And they are still here helping! We depend on the world to help when one nation unfairly attacks another, such as when Iraq invaded Kuwait. We would never survive if people didn’t try to help each other. Without compassionate people, this world would collapse into absolute satanic chaos.
We should also try to make a difference in other people’s lives because it makes such a wonderful difference in ours when we do. We are never told how the Good Samaritan felt after helping the man alongside the road, or how Paul felt when he helped deliver the money to a church in Jerusalem, but they both probably felt very good.
There was a teacher who, at Thanksgiving, had asked her third grade class to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She was sure that many of the underprivileged kids in her class wouldn’t really have anything to be thankful for. When the drawing were turned in, there were the turkeys and drawings of family, but one in particular got her attention. It was a picture of a hand.
She wondered if the child was drawing a parent’s hand or maybe even God’s hand. When she asked the little boy whose hand it was, he said, “It’s your hand, Teacher, because you are good to me and you care for me."
Just like this little boy, we can always find something to be thankful for, and there is always somebody in our life that we can help, IF we care enough to look for the many opportunities that exist.
As much as people need others to lend them a helping hand, there is one thing needed even more. People need somebody to reach out to them with a hand full of the love of Christ. There is no better way to strengthen your heart than to lift someone else up in the love of Jesus.
We are talking about helping people. Think for a moment about all the people we have known over the years. When we think about all the chances we’ve had to help these people throughout the year, how many can we really remember helping? Some say we shouldn’t get involved in other people’s lives, but that just isn’t right. Certainly we cannot be nosey, but we can, and should, offer our help.
Another reason we need to reach out to help in Jesus’ name is because we are expected to by God.
In Mathew 28:19, Jesus tells us to “Therefore, go and make disciples …”. He didn’t say if we felt like it, He said “go”.
I think that means that we are expected to reach out to others and make a difference in their lives; a difference for God, because if we will but introduce others to Christ, He will make a difference in their lives.
Jesus didn’t say to go and be happy. He didn’t say go and make money. He didn’t even say go to church and then go home. He said go and make disciples. The word disciples means one who embraces and assists in the spreading of a teaching. Certainly we embrace the teaching of Jesus, don’t we? And if we do, we are called and expected to assist in the spreading of that teaching. And that is the best way of all in which to help someone else.
So we should try to make a difference to others because – the world depends on it, it makes us feel very good, and God expects it. No, actually He demands it!
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Look through the Bible. The people who made a difference were not people of great talent or knowledge or anything else. They were just average people like you and me who were honest and sincere.
Someone wrote that to work for God, you have to be F.A.T. That stands for FAITHFUL, AVAILABLE, and TEACHABLE.
Certainly, many Christians are faithful in their belief that Jesus is the Son of God and our only Savior. Not all of those Christians are always available to help others, though. And many Christians do not let themselves become teachable, because to do that, they would have to be open to new ideas, and to be able to change some of their ideas, and they won’t do it. This is so sad!
But there are many who will do all that is necessary to reach out to help others.
You will find that many people actually resist trying to help others because that means they would have to get up and go, or get up and do. That is okay, because many of the people in the Bible who helped resisted at first, too.
Look at Moses. He tried his best to keep from going to Pharaoh. ( “But Moses protested again….” Exodus 4:1) But when he finally did what God told him to do, look at the tremendous impact he made for the Lord.
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. What did he do? “..Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3) He found a ship and “He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3) And most of us know what happened then – can we said “big fish”? He didn’t catch it, it caught him. (Jonah 1:4-17) He finally did what God wanted, too, and because of that, an entire city was saved.
Peter was chosen to be Jesus’ disciple, yet out of fear, he even denied that he knew Jesus. (Mark14:66-72) But Peter was given another chance and became a very great man “preacher”.
We can say we aren’t all that qualified. And that would be true but as Paul writes we “can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) And Paul, who has probably brought more people to the feet of Jesus than anyone else was not an eloquent speaker.
We see how feeble Paul’s qualifications were in 1 Corinthians 2:3-4. ”I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Billy Graham almost quit early on because he lacked confidence in his abilities. Now we can look back and see how many people he has introduced to Jesus as Christ.
We must realize that God does not call the qualified, but he does qualify the called. He wants us to work for Him. If we refuse, we will pay a price for that decision. (Remember Jonah?) And it doesn’t matter how big a laundry list of excuses we come up with, none are valid. But if we do His work, we will reap a reward better than our minds are able to understand.
King David was a man after God’s own heart, and he was one of the greatest difference makers in the Bible, but he started off a lowly shepherd; so unimportant that his own father forgot to mention him when Samuel came looking for the King of Israel.
And look at Mary. A simple and young peasant girl. Absolutely nothing outstanding about her, yet God chose her to carry the Christ child. Look at the difference she made.
In fact, look at the differences all these people made. None were qualified. None were overly smart, rich, talented, or anything else. But they did have one thing in common. What was it? They all had a heart the loved God and wanted to serve Him.
Too often, we aren’t available to work for God because we are very comfortable people, and in our comfort, we expect God to come down and let us work for him in the way we find, well – the way we find most comfortable to us. This is not how God works, however. God expects each one of us to sacrifice. He wants us to sacrifice our comfort zones so that we will have to depend on Him.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, we see why God wants to use all of us. “…. God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”
God is love and the most important lesson he wants us to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like him, so love is the foundation of every command he has given us; “the whole Law can be summed up in this one command; ‘Love others as you love yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)
God uses people like us. Has God used you to touch others? Would you want God to use you as His special envoy to help others? If you want Him to, He will, but we have to be willing to let God use us.
A minister wore a carnation on his lapel every Sunday morning. He never gave it much thought until one day after church, a visiting boy about ten years old asked if he could have it. The minister handed it to him and asked him why he wanted it.
He said his grandmother takes care of him and feeds him and buys him clothes. The boy said that is why he wanted the flower, to give to his grandmother for loving him.
The minister could barely keep the tears back, but told the boy that he didn’t want the carnation. He said that for a reason that special, he needed a bouquet. He told the boy to go up front and get the big bunch of flowers in front of his pulpit and give them to his grandmother.
As the boy smiled and turned to go get them, the minister heard him say, “What a wonderful day – I asked for one flower and got a whole bouquet.”
How often do we brighten up the lives of others with special acts like this? More to the point, how often do we look for these opportunities? Each one of us can make a tremendous difference in other people’s lives. You don’t have to be rich or especially talented. All you have to be is loving. No matter what your circumstances, you can make a positive difference in other people’s lives.
WHY TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
There are several reasons we should try to make a difference in other people’s lives. We could say one of those reasons is that the world actually depends on it. Can you imagine a world where nobody cared about anybody else? Can you imagine a world where nobody tried to ever help anybody else?
The world we live in depends on people helping people. We depend on the world giving food and aid when there is a Tsunami or a gigantic earthquake. Think of all the help we have gotten form the C.A.R.E group (and others) here in Pleasant Grove after the tornado. And they are still here helping! We depend on the world to help when one nation unfairly attacks another, such as when Iraq invaded Kuwait. We would never survive if people didn’t try to help each other. Without compassionate people, this world would collapse into absolute satanic chaos.
We should also try to make a difference in other people’s lives because it makes such a wonderful difference in ours when we do. We are never told how the Good Samaritan felt after helping the man alongside the road, or how Paul felt when he helped deliver the money to a church in Jerusalem, but they both probably felt very good.
There was a teacher who, at Thanksgiving, had asked her third grade class to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She was sure that many of the underprivileged kids in her class wouldn’t really have anything to be thankful for. When the drawing were turned in, there were the turkeys and drawings of family, but one in particular got her attention. It was a picture of a hand.
She wondered if the child was drawing a parent’s hand or maybe even God’s hand. When she asked the little boy whose hand it was, he said, “It’s your hand, Teacher, because you are good to me and you care for me."
Just like this little boy, we can always find something to be thankful for, and there is always somebody in our life that we can help, IF we care enough to look for the many opportunities that exist.
As much as people need others to lend them a helping hand, there is one thing needed even more. People need somebody to reach out to them with a hand full of the love of Christ. There is no better way to strengthen your heart than to lift someone else up in the love of Jesus.
We are talking about helping people. Think for a moment about all the people we have known over the years. When we think about all the chances we’ve had to help these people throughout the year, how many can we really remember helping? Some say we shouldn’t get involved in other people’s lives, but that just isn’t right. Certainly we cannot be nosey, but we can, and should, offer our help.
Another reason we need to reach out to help in Jesus’ name is because we are expected to by God.
In Mathew 28:19, Jesus tells us to “Therefore, go and make disciples …”. He didn’t say if we felt like it, He said “go”.
I think that means that we are expected to reach out to others and make a difference in their lives; a difference for God, because if we will but introduce others to Christ, He will make a difference in their lives.
Jesus didn’t say to go and be happy. He didn’t say go and make money. He didn’t even say go to church and then go home. He said go and make disciples. The word disciples means one who embraces and assists in the spreading of a teaching. Certainly we embrace the teaching of Jesus, don’t we? And if we do, we are called and expected to assist in the spreading of that teaching. And that is the best way of all in which to help someone else.
So we should try to make a difference to others because – the world depends on it, it makes us feel very good, and God expects it. No, actually He demands it!
WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Look through the Bible. The people who made a difference were not people of great talent or knowledge or anything else. They were just average people like you and me who were honest and sincere.
Someone wrote that to work for God, you have to be F.A.T. That stands for FAITHFUL, AVAILABLE, and TEACHABLE.
Certainly, many Christians are faithful in their belief that Jesus is the Son of God and our only Savior. Not all of those Christians are always available to help others, though. And many Christians do not let themselves become teachable, because to do that, they would have to be open to new ideas, and to be able to change some of their ideas, and they won’t do it. This is so sad!
But there are many who will do all that is necessary to reach out to help others.
You will find that many people actually resist trying to help others because that means they would have to get up and go, or get up and do. That is okay, because many of the people in the Bible who helped resisted at first, too.
Look at Moses. He tried his best to keep from going to Pharaoh. ( “But Moses protested again….” Exodus 4:1) But when he finally did what God told him to do, look at the tremendous impact he made for the Lord.
God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. What did he do? “..Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3) He found a ship and “He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD. (Jonah 1:3) And most of us know what happened then – can we said “big fish”? He didn’t catch it, it caught him. (Jonah 1:4-17) He finally did what God wanted, too, and because of that, an entire city was saved.
Peter was chosen to be Jesus’ disciple, yet out of fear, he even denied that he knew Jesus. (Mark14:66-72) But Peter was given another chance and became a very great man “preacher”.
We can say we aren’t all that qualified. And that would be true but as Paul writes we “can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) And Paul, who has probably brought more people to the feet of Jesus than anyone else was not an eloquent speaker.
We see how feeble Paul’s qualifications were in 1 Corinthians 2:3-4. ”I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Billy Graham almost quit early on because he lacked confidence in his abilities. Now we can look back and see how many people he has introduced to Jesus as Christ.
We must realize that God does not call the qualified, but he does qualify the called. He wants us to work for Him. If we refuse, we will pay a price for that decision. (Remember Jonah?) And it doesn’t matter how big a laundry list of excuses we come up with, none are valid. But if we do His work, we will reap a reward better than our minds are able to understand.
King David was a man after God’s own heart, and he was one of the greatest difference makers in the Bible, but he started off a lowly shepherd; so unimportant that his own father forgot to mention him when Samuel came looking for the King of Israel.
And look at Mary. A simple and young peasant girl. Absolutely nothing outstanding about her, yet God chose her to carry the Christ child. Look at the difference she made.
In fact, look at the differences all these people made. None were qualified. None were overly smart, rich, talented, or anything else. But they did have one thing in common. What was it? They all had a heart the loved God and wanted to serve Him.
Too often, we aren’t available to work for God because we are very comfortable people, and in our comfort, we expect God to come down and let us work for him in the way we find, well – the way we find most comfortable to us. This is not how God works, however. God expects each one of us to sacrifice. He wants us to sacrifice our comfort zones so that we will have to depend on Him.
In 1 Corinthians 1:27-28, we see why God wants to use all of us. “…. God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”
God is love and the most important lesson he wants us to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like him, so love is the foundation of every command he has given us; “the whole Law can be summed up in this one command; ‘Love others as you love yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)
God uses people like us. Has God used you to touch others? Would you want God to use you as His special envoy to help others? If you want Him to, He will, but we have to be willing to let God use us.
Monday, December 31, 2012
How to Make a Fresh Start
How to Make a Fresh Start
How many of us would like to have a fresh start in our Christian life? Many of us have made many mistakes in our lives as Christians. We have experienced many setbacks and failures throughout our lives. Sometimes we allow these mistakes, these setbacks and failures to enslave us to the point that we never enjoy the full Christian life that God has given us to enjoy.
In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that they (Believers) may have life, and have it to the full.” Then he goes on to tell us that there is an adversary, called the Devil, that seeks to “steal, kill and destroy” that life. The Devil will remind us of our past in order to keep us from enjoying the life that God gave us to live. The Devil does not want us to have a fresh start in life.
The good news is, God says, “I want you to have a fresh start in life, I want you to have a new beginning, I want to do something new and exciting in your life.” Maybe in the past we’ve said, “I am going to grow in my relationship with God. I am going to pray more, read my Bible more and get more involved in my church. I’m going to spend more quality time with my family. ” The list could go on. The fact is all of us have made some mistakes or we made some bad decision that hindered us from doing those things that wanted to do.
Well the good news is according to Psalm103:12, the Lord “has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Forget about what’s happened before. He says don’t think about the past. It’s over. We need to understand that God is far more interested in our future than He is in our past. So it’s not to late to “start over”.
Maybe that is where you are right now! You feel that you have made so many mistakes, you have failed God so many times and you have sinned it all away. Now God doesn’t want anything to do with you. You feel and believe that you have no future with God. The good news is, God is saying, “ It’s not over, I have plans for your life. I am about to do something new for you. ”
Let’s look at a formula for starting over. S.T.A.R.T. Hopefully, we will remember this and pass it along to friends when they have failures. We or someone we know may have really blown it and maybe made some decisions really regret. Regardless of the failure we’ve had in our life, here’s how we can start over.
S – Stop making excuses.
If we want a fresh start in life, we have to stop making excuses for our failures. We’ve got to stop blaming other people. We’ve got to stop seeing ourselves as the victim of “our” circumstances.
Other people can hurt us, other people can harm us, and other people can scar us. But the only person that can ruin our lives is us. Nobody can ruin our lives without our permission. We have a choice and can choose how we’re going to respond to those hurts. It is hard to get people to admit when they are wrong. People do not like to admit, “I made a mistake, and I blew it.” The Bible says that the starting point is to just be honest and accept responsibility for our part in the problem.
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
T - Take An Inventory Of Our Lives
We need to take an inventory of our lives. That means we need to evaluate all our experiences. We need to look at what we have left after the failure. We need to take an inventory of our life’s experiences and learn from them.
"Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?" Galatians 3:4
Learn from our mistakes. Failure can be our friend or our foe. We determine if failure will be our friend or foe by the way we react to it. We can choose to learn from it or choose to repeat it. If we learn from it then it can be our friend. However, if we don’t learn from it is our foe.
There are four kinds of experiences that God uses to shape our lives.
• He uses personal experiences. The family that you grew up in, the people you relate to. God can use your personal experience with your husband or your wife. He uses personal experiences to shape you.
• He uses vocational and educational experiences to shape you.
• He uses spiritual experiences to shape us, like coming to church, going on a retreat or reading our Bibles, having a quiet time.
• He uses painful experiences to shape us
As we take inventory of our lives in starting over, we need to ask - what have I learned? There are people 40, 50 years old but they don’t have 40 or 50 years of experience. They’ve had the same year of experience over and over. They’ve never learned anything. We need to learn from our failures.
A - Act in faith
We have to launch out into new territory. In other words “get out of the boat”. The Bible says that the key to changing anything is faith. If we want to change our circumstance, it takes faith. If we want to change our personality, it takes faith. If we want to change anything in our life, we have to have some faith.
Jesus says this in Matthew 9. ““Because of your faith, it will happen.” That is a very simple statement but it’s very powerful.
What are we expecting in life? Are things going to be better or worse? Are they going to be the same? If we act in faith then we will do something positive to ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes over.
To start acting in faith means we’ve got to stop having a pity party. We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves. “Poor me! I’m such a victim. Life is unfair.” Of course life is unfair! Whoever said it was fair? Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33) This world is filled with sin and because of that, life is unfair. But we have to go on with life anyway.
Stop worrying about what others say or think. Proverbs 29:25 says " Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”
R - Refocus
We need to refocus our thoughts if we want to change our lives. If we want to get going again, if we want a fresh start, we need to rework the way that we think. We probably need to change our minds about a number of issues. Paul tells us to “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2) and “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
The way we think determines the way we feel. And the way we feel determines the way we act. If we want to change our actions, just change the way we think and it will eventually change the way we act. If we are depressed, discouraged and distressed it may be because we’re thinking depressed, discouraged and distressing thoughts. That’s our choice. We don’t have to think those thoughts. If we’re acting in fearful, worried ways it’s because we’re thinking fearful, worried thoughts.
If we have to refocus our thoughts to start over to get a fresh start, that means we have to stop thinking some old patterns. Which memories are we still rehearsing that keep us from having a fresh start in life? The Bible says let go. Let go of those things. The more we hold on to that memory, the more we rehearse it, it continues to hurt us today. We have to change our mind and let go and get rid of those painful, hurtful memories of shame and guilt and other things. Of course, there are some memories that will not go away but we need to avoid focusing on these. Some are just painful and some are guilty memories and Satan will keep bringing those to our mind if we let him.
T – Trust
Trust God to help us succeed. Depend on Him. We don’t need depend on ourselves. We’ve already proven that we can’t do it on our own. That’s why we’ve failed. Some people just don’t get it. They stumble and fall and then they get up and say, “I’ll just try harder!” It’s like you go up to a wall and bang your head against it and the wall doesn’t fall down. You try it again and Bang! Again. You keep doing it thinking, “Maybe it will fall over this time.” That’s the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results. If we keep doing the same thing then we will keep getting the same result. We can’t change who we are, only God can do that. I am not speaking about the outward man but the inner man. The real person is the hidden person of the heart. The writer of Proverbs says “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Success in the Christian life is not trying harder, but living smarter. Giving God control of our lives! “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD” (Zechariah 4:6 )
When someone becomes a Christian, They become a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! God specializes in new beginnings. Jesus Christ has the power to do that. But we have to:
Stop making excuses
Take an inventory of our life
Act in faith
Refocus our thoughts
Trust God
How many of us would like to have a fresh start in our Christian life? Many of us have made many mistakes in our lives as Christians. We have experienced many setbacks and failures throughout our lives. Sometimes we allow these mistakes, these setbacks and failures to enslave us to the point that we never enjoy the full Christian life that God has given us to enjoy.
In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that they (Believers) may have life, and have it to the full.” Then he goes on to tell us that there is an adversary, called the Devil, that seeks to “steal, kill and destroy” that life. The Devil will remind us of our past in order to keep us from enjoying the life that God gave us to live. The Devil does not want us to have a fresh start in life.
The good news is, God says, “I want you to have a fresh start in life, I want you to have a new beginning, I want to do something new and exciting in your life.” Maybe in the past we’ve said, “I am going to grow in my relationship with God. I am going to pray more, read my Bible more and get more involved in my church. I’m going to spend more quality time with my family. ” The list could go on. The fact is all of us have made some mistakes or we made some bad decision that hindered us from doing those things that wanted to do.
Well the good news is according to Psalm103:12, the Lord “has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Forget about what’s happened before. He says don’t think about the past. It’s over. We need to understand that God is far more interested in our future than He is in our past. So it’s not to late to “start over”.
Maybe that is where you are right now! You feel that you have made so many mistakes, you have failed God so many times and you have sinned it all away. Now God doesn’t want anything to do with you. You feel and believe that you have no future with God. The good news is, God is saying, “ It’s not over, I have plans for your life. I am about to do something new for you. ”
Let’s look at a formula for starting over. S.T.A.R.T. Hopefully, we will remember this and pass it along to friends when they have failures. We or someone we know may have really blown it and maybe made some decisions really regret. Regardless of the failure we’ve had in our life, here’s how we can start over.
S – Stop making excuses.
If we want a fresh start in life, we have to stop making excuses for our failures. We’ve got to stop blaming other people. We’ve got to stop seeing ourselves as the victim of “our” circumstances.
Other people can hurt us, other people can harm us, and other people can scar us. But the only person that can ruin our lives is us. Nobody can ruin our lives without our permission. We have a choice and can choose how we’re going to respond to those hurts. It is hard to get people to admit when they are wrong. People do not like to admit, “I made a mistake, and I blew it.” The Bible says that the starting point is to just be honest and accept responsibility for our part in the problem.
“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
T - Take An Inventory Of Our Lives
We need to take an inventory of our lives. That means we need to evaluate all our experiences. We need to look at what we have left after the failure. We need to take an inventory of our life’s experiences and learn from them.
"Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?" Galatians 3:4
Learn from our mistakes. Failure can be our friend or our foe. We determine if failure will be our friend or foe by the way we react to it. We can choose to learn from it or choose to repeat it. If we learn from it then it can be our friend. However, if we don’t learn from it is our foe.
There are four kinds of experiences that God uses to shape our lives.
• He uses personal experiences. The family that you grew up in, the people you relate to. God can use your personal experience with your husband or your wife. He uses personal experiences to shape you.
• He uses vocational and educational experiences to shape you.
• He uses spiritual experiences to shape us, like coming to church, going on a retreat or reading our Bibles, having a quiet time.
• He uses painful experiences to shape us
As we take inventory of our lives in starting over, we need to ask - what have I learned? There are people 40, 50 years old but they don’t have 40 or 50 years of experience. They’ve had the same year of experience over and over. They’ve never learned anything. We need to learn from our failures.
A - Act in faith
We have to launch out into new territory. In other words “get out of the boat”. The Bible says that the key to changing anything is faith. If we want to change our circumstance, it takes faith. If we want to change our personality, it takes faith. If we want to change anything in our life, we have to have some faith.
Jesus says this in Matthew 9. ““Because of your faith, it will happen.” That is a very simple statement but it’s very powerful.
What are we expecting in life? Are things going to be better or worse? Are they going to be the same? If we act in faith then we will do something positive to ensure that we don’t repeat the same mistakes over.
To start acting in faith means we’ve got to stop having a pity party. We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves. “Poor me! I’m such a victim. Life is unfair.” Of course life is unfair! Whoever said it was fair? Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33) This world is filled with sin and because of that, life is unfair. But we have to go on with life anyway.
Stop worrying about what others say or think. Proverbs 29:25 says " Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the LORD means safety.”
R - Refocus
We need to refocus our thoughts if we want to change our lives. If we want to get going again, if we want a fresh start, we need to rework the way that we think. We probably need to change our minds about a number of issues. Paul tells us to “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2) and “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8)
The way we think determines the way we feel. And the way we feel determines the way we act. If we want to change our actions, just change the way we think and it will eventually change the way we act. If we are depressed, discouraged and distressed it may be because we’re thinking depressed, discouraged and distressing thoughts. That’s our choice. We don’t have to think those thoughts. If we’re acting in fearful, worried ways it’s because we’re thinking fearful, worried thoughts.
If we have to refocus our thoughts to start over to get a fresh start, that means we have to stop thinking some old patterns. Which memories are we still rehearsing that keep us from having a fresh start in life? The Bible says let go. Let go of those things. The more we hold on to that memory, the more we rehearse it, it continues to hurt us today. We have to change our mind and let go and get rid of those painful, hurtful memories of shame and guilt and other things. Of course, there are some memories that will not go away but we need to avoid focusing on these. Some are just painful and some are guilty memories and Satan will keep bringing those to our mind if we let him.
T – Trust
Trust God to help us succeed. Depend on Him. We don’t need depend on ourselves. We’ve already proven that we can’t do it on our own. That’s why we’ve failed. Some people just don’t get it. They stumble and fall and then they get up and say, “I’ll just try harder!” It’s like you go up to a wall and bang your head against it and the wall doesn’t fall down. You try it again and Bang! Again. You keep doing it thinking, “Maybe it will fall over this time.” That’s the definition of insanity – doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results. If we keep doing the same thing then we will keep getting the same result. We can’t change who we are, only God can do that. I am not speaking about the outward man but the inner man. The real person is the hidden person of the heart. The writer of Proverbs says “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Success in the Christian life is not trying harder, but living smarter. Giving God control of our lives! “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD” (Zechariah 4:6 )
When someone becomes a Christian, They become a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! God specializes in new beginnings. Jesus Christ has the power to do that. But we have to:
Stop making excuses
Take an inventory of our life
Act in faith
Refocus our thoughts
Trust God
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Where was God on “that” Friday?
Where was God on Friday, when innocent little children were slaughtered like animals? Where was God when evil was seemingly allowed to run free on a wild rampage? He was present. No, He was VERY present. He was in the classroom. Yes, I know there are all kinds are comments, FB posts and such where God says "y’all won’t allow me in schools anymore". I understand the argument that we booted God out, but we actually don't have the authority to tell God where He can and can't be!
He was there! And He gathered those kids up in His sheltering arms, like a hen gathers chicks under her wing. I know this because Jesus said “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14) And He who wept at the grave of Lazarus has a heart for all His children, and none more than little children. They are safe with Jesus!
The Bible says there's one thing that gets God's fullest attention more than anything else, and that is innocent blood which cries out to Him. Where is God in such tragedy? Very present! He is all over that kind of situation, giving a dying grace which you and I have not experienced only because we've not yet needed it. God is love, and in His character we know He is there where He is needed most.
And these kids which looked forward to their Christmas party next week awoke together, not in a better place, but the BEST place, and what a class party it was and continues to be...and we, the saved, will one day join in the festivities which will last for all eternity!
“Where was God?” …
1. The same place He was when Adam rebelled in Eden – He was present, and waiting to cover his sin. (Gen 3)
Where was God when man first raised his ugly head of defiance and rebellion? Was He really present? Couldn’t He have stopped it before it began? Oh, it is not a matter of whether or not He could have. It is a matter of His design for humanity and His plan of redemption. He designed us with a freedom of choice - freewill. In His sovereign foreknowledge He made provision before the world was ever created for man’s redemption; knowing full well that man would make disastrous choices from the beginning. When Adam and Eve finally “fessed-up”, He was there with a covering for their nakedness and shame; exacting the ultimate punishment on an innocent victim to cover man’s sin. But, He was there!
“Where was God?” …
2. The same place He was when Noah built an ark – very present, and protecting him from disaster. (Gen 6-9)
Sadly, man’s rebellion did not end with Adam and Eve. Sin brought a curse to the earth and bad things happen, not because of God, but because of man's sin against God! Adam's sons, and their son’s sons for every generation followed in their rebellious path. Until such time that the wickedness of man filled the whole earth and its stench rose as an offence to the Holiness of God. Yet in the midst of such ungodliness, “But Noah found favor with the LORD.” (Gen 6:8). Here was a man, not a perfect, but a righteous man, who faithfully proclaimed the righteousness of God. (2 Pet 2) And when God, grieved by man’s wicked rebellion, determined to wipe man from the face of the earth, He furthermore determined to spare Noah and his family, and from their stock re-populate planet earth. So in mankind’s greatest natural disaster, God was on His throne protecting His own.
“Where was God?” …
3. The same place He was when Joseph was rotting in jail – ever present, accomplishing His perfect will for higher purposes than man can discern ahead of time. (Gen 37-50)
If ever anyone was misunderstood and ill treated, it was Joseph. If ever anyone suffered wrongly, it was Joseph. Yet with all his hardships, problems and abuse, Joseph was able to honestly say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. (Genesis 50:20) This was certainly true in the case of his brothers selling him into slavery, Mrs. Potiphar falsely accusing him of attempted rape, and the lapse of memory of his Butler friend. Yet each step of the way, God was able to take Joseph’s trying circumstance and mold him ever more closely into the man he would one day become. He was there all the time, but Joseph must have wondered at times where God was, in the end all knew well He was there all the time.
“Where was God?” …
4. The same place He was when Job lost his children and everything he had {except a nagging wife} – present, and proving Himself to be God despite unfortunate circumstances. (Job 1-2)
Again we see a man, a good man, a godly man standing for what is right and hating what is wrong. Did being “blameless and upright” immune Job from problems, or even disaster? Of course not! There were evil men in his day, too, who were willing to kill and steal to get what they wanted. And, he became the special target of Satanic fury, and remember that Satan is the Destroyer who seeks to kill above all else, not discriminating between the innocent little children and the guilty man whose heart the devil likely possessed. God does not cause such tragedies, but sometimes removes His restraining hand and allows mankind to see that the wages of sin is death.
Job lost everything of value; even his precious children. Where was God? Had He turned His back on Job? Would Job return the favor by turning his back on God? No! and NO! God had not deserted Job. And Job would not curse God, even though he was urged to do so. Where was God when Job was losing all? Where was He when Job’s children were killed? Where was He when Job’s flesh was wracked with pain? Job maintained his integrity and recognized that it was God’s sovereign prerogative to give and take, and it was his duty to “Bless the name of the Lord.” And in the end God was there giving him double of all he had lost!
“Where was God?” … We could go on and on and tell of many more experiences especially the treatment of the Apostles who, with the exception John, lost their lives as a result of bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
But maybe the greatest insight into the heart of God when a tragedy strikes such as this week is to respond in this way to the question…
“Where was God?” …
The same place He was on another Friday when His own son's innocent life was being taken from Him. Very present – Jesus was God in the flesh, enduring the pain for the benefit of others. (Matt 27) And even the Father didn't flee the scene, but simply turned His back in those final moments when the sin of the world was placed upon His Son. Even Jesus felt forsaken, and asked God why His presence wasn't felt. But God was present, but allowed sin to run its course, and that is always a most ugly scene!
We really can’t even imagine what Jesus went through. Not just the thorns on His brow. Not just the lashes on His back. Not just the bruises from the beatings. Not just the insult of being spit on. Not just the nails in His hands and feet. Not just the spear piercing His side. All of this, yes; plus the weight of the sins of the world pressing down on His shoulders.
Where was God when His one and only Son hung dying on the cross? Didn’t He know? Were the mockers right? Shouldn't Jesus have been able to come down from that cross? Couldn’t the Father have prevented it? Was He helpless? Was He not aware? Didn’t He care? Of course He knew! Of course He could have prevented it! Of course He could have stopped it! Of course He wasn’t helpless! Of course He was aware! And, Of course He cared! The Father knew it was happening, could have stopped it, … but He didn’t. For this we are glad!
He had a larger picture in view. There was a greater good to be accomplished by the suffering and death of Jesus. Through the suffering of One, many would be made whole. Through the sacrifice of One, many would have their sins forgiven. Through the death of One, many would be made alive.
He wasn’t just sitting idle and helpless as His Son suffered. He was using the schemes of wicked, evil hearts to bring about the redemption of mankind. He reminds us that … ““My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” … “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isa 55:8-9)
God was not surprised on that Friday in Connecticut
But He was saddened by it.
God did not cause this tragedy,
But He does comfort those affected by it.
God may not prevent future acts like this,
But He will provide peace to those whose hearts are filled with hatred if they will turn to Him.
Let us pray that America responds to this wake up call, that it will be used mightily for God's purposes of good, that we will return to Him, and that multitudes will come to Jesus like a little child in faith, and hop up into His lap, and let Him fill their hearts. Let us pray against the way Satan wants to use this. Already the devil is causing us to suddenly not feel so guilty about the sins in our own lives, because, by comparison, we're nothing like this evil maniac. The world says, Hey, I shouldn't feel so guilty about my drinking, adulterating, cheating, and such. I'm not like THAT guy. I'm a good person! Even Christians are prone to try to make ourselves feel better about our own wickedness by comparing ourselves to others. "Hey, I'm no child killer!"
No, we're all evil. “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23) God doesn't differentiate between big sins and little sins. We are all capable of great wickedness, and we prove it every day when we choose to do wrong...we prove ourselves as sinners in need of a Savior.
Judgment must begin in the house of God. The God who said, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14) reminds us today that it begins in our homes and our church. The fix isn't found in simply posting guards in our schools or throwing more money at educating minds more. Wicked sin is in the heart, and hearts must be changed. No metal detector can change the evil human heart.
I like what author Max Lucado wrote about the tragedy:
Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene. Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger. This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Rediscover A Thrill of Hope at Christmas
Rediscover A Thrill of Hope at Christmas
Does Christmas thrill you?
Children get excited at the coming of the season, and often we might feel a bit of a charge through experiencing their amazement, but the chores we go through to provide that for them are often the very things that rob us from knowing the wonder for ourselves. Plan the party, decorate the tree, max out the credit card, wrap stuff, mail stuff, take a trip. And that’s assuming we aren’t one of the multitudes who find themselves with a case of the Holiday Blues.
Christ’s coming into this world offers hope, and hope provides a thrill, how do we locate this experience amid the distraction and disillusionment of December?
Well that’s the cool thing about Hope. Just as total darkness can’t hold back the light of a tiny flame, so does even the smallest increment of Hope provide joy and purpose.
Here are some scriptures on this subject:
“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1).
Notice the parallel between “what we hope for” and “things we cannot see.” Talk about a paradox ( a statement that seems contradictory or that does not make common sense) ; try applying “assurance” to something your five senses can’t detect. It’s a challenge. The plus side is that hope, through Christ, is available to you no matter what you see, hear, or feel. It’s above your circumstances.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5).
Do you ever hear people say, “I don’t want to get my hopes up” because they’re afraid of being disappointed? What would you make of Paul’s claim that “hope will not lead to disappointment”? Might it have something to do with what we’re hoping for or expecting? Max Lucado thinks so:
“Hope is not what you’d expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I’m dreaming ending… Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction.”
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Ever wonder why faith, hope, and love are the greatest virtues?
Maybe hope isn’t actually something we do, but something we receive, like grace. If it’s true that “..it is impossible to please God without faith” (Hebrews 11:6), perhaps it’s conversely true that without Hope it would be impossible for Him to please us. The same verse says that “that he rewards those who sincerely seek him”. Is hope that reward?
If faith is what we give to God, and hope is what He gives to us, then we have the ingredients of a powerful relationship. With that in place, we can love. So love is built on hope, which is built on faith.
For hope to exist, unfortunately it looks like there has to be hopelessness first. A perfect world wouldn’t have any need of hope. Deliverance arrives undeservedly and perhaps unexpectedly, just as in the unlikely way God came to earth to provide a once-and-for-all substitute for the sins of all men on the first Christmas. That’s why things can look bleak, but that’s where hope lives.
The good news is: you simply can’t hope big enough, which goes back to the idea of our minds and senses being inadequate to judge God’s design and methods, and hope being more a function of God’s involvement than our desires. God says in Isaiah 55:8-9: “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” ….. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
We readily acknowledge that we could not have conceived of the plan of salvation or the virgin birth. We couldn’t have imagined the plan for the walls of Jericho to crumble, for hungry lions to turn into Daniel’s pet kittens, or the Red Sea to part and offer up dry land. So neither do we know how our problems will be solved, or what miracles we’ll be blessed to see this Christmas.
The scripture in Isaiah 9:6-7, is concerning the hope of the prophecy being fulfilled that brought us a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The last sentence of verse seven says that “The passionate commitment of the LORD” will accomplish this. God is excited! He’s zealous, enthusiastic, passionate, even obsessive, to bring us this hope!
Romans 15:13 should be our Christmas prayer: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Why is there hope? Because Jesus was born! O holy night.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! (Luke 2:8-11)
And He still lives today. “…for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Romans 8:34)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Love Divine
Love Divine
(So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. John 1:14)
What does Christmas mean to a mother who has lost her husband, who must take care of 3 or 4 children, working every day, never quite getting everything done, never making ends meet? What does Christmas mean to her?
What does Christmas mean to the little man in Zimbabwe, 80 years old, living in a hut, who knows nothing of shopping malls or Christmas trees? What does Christmas mean to him?
What does it mean to little children with smudges on their cheeks, & sparkling eyes that look up as you walk past? What does Christmas mean to them?
What does it mean to missionaries who are half a world away from families & friends, who are sacrificing so much to take the precious gospel message to others who have never heard? What does it mean to them?
There is one thing we can be sure of: it means different things to different people.
To merchants it is the busiest time of the year. Stores stay open longer, & hire extra people to accommodate all the shoppers. It means more profit, hopefully enough profit to see them through lean times ahead.
For some employees it means a Christmas bonus, a little more money in their pockets to do things that they want to do.
For many teen-agers & adults it is a time of fun & parties. For children it is a time of impatience, with time seeming to pass so slowly, as they wait for Christmas morning.
But sometimes there is a feeling that we are like the folks who decided to throw a party to honor a very special friend. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, & had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there.
Finally, they made the embarrassing discovery that no one had ever invited the guest of honor.
Do you suppose this may happens at Christmas time? Do we go through all the decorating, & buying presents, & preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is?
One family tried to overcome that by putting an extra place at their Christmas table for Jesus, & calling Christmas, "His birthday party." When one of their daughters was asked if she got everything she wanted for Christmas, she answered by saying, "No, but then it’s not my birthday."
It isn’t our birthday, is it? It’s the Lord’s birthday & it’s a time to remember His birth & what it is supposed to mean to us.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:8-14)
The fact that God made the announcement to shepherds helps us to understand the real meaning of Christmas. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," (John 3:16) & He chose to announce that to shepherds first of all.
Shepherds were at the opposite end of the social structure from King Herod & all the influential people of the day. They lived in the fields with their animals. They weren’t respected. They had no power or prestige. Yet, God’s angel came to them & said, " The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" Unto shepherds a Savior was born.
In that one simple announcement God made known some very important truths.
First of all, it tells us, "No matter how insignificant we may think we are, God knows us, & we are important to Him."
All throughout scripture we see God honoring & using people & things that the world often overlooks or ignores.
The Apostle Paul writes, "26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the word things counted as nothing at all,..." (1 Cor. 1:26-28a).
A Jewish youth was sold into slavery by his brothers & carted off to Egypt. Yet, when God wanted to deliver a very special message to mighty Pharaoh, it was the slave, Joseph, who was brought out of the dungeon to interpret the message. God uses the lowly & despised to show His power.
Five thousand men, plus women & children, stayed late on a hillside one day, listening to Jesus. There was no food & the people were hungry. Well, that is not totally accurate. There was one little boy who had 2 fish & 5 little loaves. But it was enough, because God took that small amount & fed the many. He is always doing that, isn’t He?
So when God decided to select a mother for His Son, He went past the fashion salons & beauty parlors. He went past the furs & diamonds & gold, & went to an insignificant village called Nazareth. He found a peasant girl. She did not dress in designer clothes. She did not have a sophisticated education. But she was pure, & God selected her to be the mother of His only begotten Son.
So when the Christ comes, He is not born in Mt. Sinai Hospital in Jerusalem, surrounded by gynecologists, nurses & assistants. But rather, He is born in a stable. He is wrapped in swaddling clothes & laid in a manger.
The world looks down its nose & says, "That’s foolishness." But Paul says, "25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)
When God makes His announcement, it is delivered to shepherds. It is like Jesus saying in the Sermon on the mount, "If God cares about sparrows & lilies, then He cares about you." (Matthew 6:25-30) If God cares about shepherds, He cares about you!
We need to hear that, don’t we? Children 12 & 13 years old need to hear that in orphanages when they see younger children being adopted & realize that they probably never will be adopted. They need to hear that.
Mothers of children without a husband to help need to hear that. Lost souls on skid row who drink away their fears need to hear that. People who are lonely need to hear that. People who have lost their spouses in death need to hear that. Church people who feel useless & empty need to hear that.
We all need to hear that. All of us have known feelings of rejection. All of us have known feelings of being left out. Christmas comes. The light shines, & God says, "No! You’re wrong. I made the announcement to shepherds, & I make it to you. Unto you a Savior is born."
The second thing this passage teaches us is that life matters. Not only to us, but our life counts with God.
Can you imagine those shepherds sitting around their campfire on cold nights & wondering if life was really worthwhile or not. "What difference does it make if we watch the sheep or not?"
Maybe we wonder, too, "What difference does it make if I get up every morning or not? It seems as if my life is an endless cycle of things that really don’t mean anything. I just wonder if life is worth living at all?"
When God comes & makes His announcement to shepherds, He is also saying to us, "Your life is worthwhile. It is My gift to you. Therefore live every golden moment of it, because your life does matter to Me."
Every life matters. We should know that. It’s impossible to live, even for a few moments on this earth, & not influence somebody in one way or another. We are always influencing someone, either for good or for bad.
Life counts. Life matters. Your life & mine. Lives of shepherds & lives of kings, all are important to God.
Finally, this. our faith matters, too. Shepherds were men of faith. They probably had more faith than some of the scribes & Pharisees who went to the synagogue every day.
They believed in a Messiah. All of God’s chosen people believed in a Messiah. When things got especially hard, during times of poverty & enslavement & exile, they would think about the Messiah & God’s promise that one day the Messiah would come.
They prayed over & over again for hundreds of years that the promised Messiah would come.
There must have been many who quit praying, & quit having faith. But when the announcement came to shepherds, God was saying, "Your faith matters, & it is not in vain. I am a God who hears & who keeps His promises. Now the Messiah has come, & I have kept My promise."
How about us? Sometimes we become weary. There may be times when we wonder if it is worthwhile going to church. There are times when we wonder if it is worth sacrificing for God.
But one day He will come back. He will come for all of us, shepherds & kings, wise men & peasants. He will come for His people. He’ll dry our tears & take away our pain. There will be no more death, no more good-byes. Then we’ll say, "It was worth it. It was worth it all!"
(So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. John 1:14)
What does Christmas mean to a mother who has lost her husband, who must take care of 3 or 4 children, working every day, never quite getting everything done, never making ends meet? What does Christmas mean to her?
What does Christmas mean to the little man in Zimbabwe, 80 years old, living in a hut, who knows nothing of shopping malls or Christmas trees? What does Christmas mean to him?
What does it mean to little children with smudges on their cheeks, & sparkling eyes that look up as you walk past? What does Christmas mean to them?
What does it mean to missionaries who are half a world away from families & friends, who are sacrificing so much to take the precious gospel message to others who have never heard? What does it mean to them?
There is one thing we can be sure of: it means different things to different people.
To merchants it is the busiest time of the year. Stores stay open longer, & hire extra people to accommodate all the shoppers. It means more profit, hopefully enough profit to see them through lean times ahead.
For some employees it means a Christmas bonus, a little more money in their pockets to do things that they want to do.
For many teen-agers & adults it is a time of fun & parties. For children it is a time of impatience, with time seeming to pass so slowly, as they wait for Christmas morning.
But sometimes there is a feeling that we are like the folks who decided to throw a party to honor a very special friend. They sent out invitations, decorated the hall, & had the food catered. All the people came together at the designated time, but to their surprise, the guest of honor was not there.
Finally, they made the embarrassing discovery that no one had ever invited the guest of honor.
Do you suppose this may happens at Christmas time? Do we go through all the decorating, & buying presents, & preparing elaborate meals, but somehow forget whose birthday it really is?
One family tried to overcome that by putting an extra place at their Christmas table for Jesus, & calling Christmas, "His birthday party." When one of their daughters was asked if she got everything she wanted for Christmas, she answered by saying, "No, but then it’s not my birthday."
It isn’t our birthday, is it? It’s the Lord’s birthday & it’s a time to remember His birth & what it is supposed to mean to us.
8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:8-14)
The fact that God made the announcement to shepherds helps us to understand the real meaning of Christmas. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," (John 3:16) & He chose to announce that to shepherds first of all.
Shepherds were at the opposite end of the social structure from King Herod & all the influential people of the day. They lived in the fields with their animals. They weren’t respected. They had no power or prestige. Yet, God’s angel came to them & said, " The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" Unto shepherds a Savior was born.
In that one simple announcement God made known some very important truths.
First of all, it tells us, "No matter how insignificant we may think we are, God knows us, & we are important to Him."
All throughout scripture we see God honoring & using people & things that the world often overlooks or ignores.
The Apostle Paul writes, "26 Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the word things counted as nothing at all,..." (1 Cor. 1:26-28a).
A Jewish youth was sold into slavery by his brothers & carted off to Egypt. Yet, when God wanted to deliver a very special message to mighty Pharaoh, it was the slave, Joseph, who was brought out of the dungeon to interpret the message. God uses the lowly & despised to show His power.
Five thousand men, plus women & children, stayed late on a hillside one day, listening to Jesus. There was no food & the people were hungry. Well, that is not totally accurate. There was one little boy who had 2 fish & 5 little loaves. But it was enough, because God took that small amount & fed the many. He is always doing that, isn’t He?
So when God decided to select a mother for His Son, He went past the fashion salons & beauty parlors. He went past the furs & diamonds & gold, & went to an insignificant village called Nazareth. He found a peasant girl. She did not dress in designer clothes. She did not have a sophisticated education. But she was pure, & God selected her to be the mother of His only begotten Son.
So when the Christ comes, He is not born in Mt. Sinai Hospital in Jerusalem, surrounded by gynecologists, nurses & assistants. But rather, He is born in a stable. He is wrapped in swaddling clothes & laid in a manger.
The world looks down its nose & says, "That’s foolishness." But Paul says, "25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)
When God makes His announcement, it is delivered to shepherds. It is like Jesus saying in the Sermon on the mount, "If God cares about sparrows & lilies, then He cares about you." (Matthew 6:25-30) If God cares about shepherds, He cares about you!
We need to hear that, don’t we? Children 12 & 13 years old need to hear that in orphanages when they see younger children being adopted & realize that they probably never will be adopted. They need to hear that.
Mothers of children without a husband to help need to hear that. Lost souls on skid row who drink away their fears need to hear that. People who are lonely need to hear that. People who have lost their spouses in death need to hear that. Church people who feel useless & empty need to hear that.
We all need to hear that. All of us have known feelings of rejection. All of us have known feelings of being left out. Christmas comes. The light shines, & God says, "No! You’re wrong. I made the announcement to shepherds, & I make it to you. Unto you a Savior is born."
The second thing this passage teaches us is that life matters. Not only to us, but our life counts with God.
Can you imagine those shepherds sitting around their campfire on cold nights & wondering if life was really worthwhile or not. "What difference does it make if we watch the sheep or not?"
Maybe we wonder, too, "What difference does it make if I get up every morning or not? It seems as if my life is an endless cycle of things that really don’t mean anything. I just wonder if life is worth living at all?"
When God comes & makes His announcement to shepherds, He is also saying to us, "Your life is worthwhile. It is My gift to you. Therefore live every golden moment of it, because your life does matter to Me."
Every life matters. We should know that. It’s impossible to live, even for a few moments on this earth, & not influence somebody in one way or another. We are always influencing someone, either for good or for bad.
Life counts. Life matters. Your life & mine. Lives of shepherds & lives of kings, all are important to God.
Finally, this. our faith matters, too. Shepherds were men of faith. They probably had more faith than some of the scribes & Pharisees who went to the synagogue every day.
They believed in a Messiah. All of God’s chosen people believed in a Messiah. When things got especially hard, during times of poverty & enslavement & exile, they would think about the Messiah & God’s promise that one day the Messiah would come.
They prayed over & over again for hundreds of years that the promised Messiah would come.
There must have been many who quit praying, & quit having faith. But when the announcement came to shepherds, God was saying, "Your faith matters, & it is not in vain. I am a God who hears & who keeps His promises. Now the Messiah has come, & I have kept My promise."
How about us? Sometimes we become weary. There may be times when we wonder if it is worthwhile going to church. There are times when we wonder if it is worth sacrificing for God.
But one day He will come back. He will come for all of us, shepherds & kings, wise men & peasants. He will come for His people. He’ll dry our tears & take away our pain. There will be no more death, no more good-byes. Then we’ll say, "It was worth it. It was worth it all!"
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