Friday, December 20, 2019

Basking In The Light

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ur house on Main Street underwent many transformations.  Every time our family grew, the house grew right along with it.  Every few years, or so it seemed, it was time to rip out something, rearrange several rooms, or add something to the house.  My mom and dad loved the end result but living through a remodel was, shall we say, challenging.

One of these remodels provided my brother and me with a new room.  Our sister, Heather, needed her own space so she took our old bedroom and the guest bedroom was transformed into a new bedroom, complete with new closets and a desk.  The carpet was royal blue and the wallpaper was a vibrant mixture of orang, blue, white, black, and yellow stripes.  It was very pretty and fun to see.  I remember our first night in the new room.  My brother and I had no problem falling asleep.  But the next morning, we learned just how “vibrant” that new wallpaper was.

Mom hit the lights at 7 a.m. sharp and with all those bright colors our closed eyelids provided no protection.  One minute I was snoozing in a velvety blanket of darkness and the next I was hit with a wave of light that jolted me into consciousness.  I opened my eyes and for a brief moment I didn’t know where I was.  Nothing looked familiar and I wondered if perhaps I was dreaming.

I believe this is the way the shepherds felt when the angel appeared to them.  Until that moment, everything had been routine.  The hills looked the same, the conversations were the same, the lowing of the sheep sounded the same, it was pretty much business as usual.  Then suddenly, from nowhere, the image of something they had never seen appeared before them.  What’s more, it spoke and there was light everywhere.

Luke records this for us in Luke 2 9b “…and the glory of the Lord shone around them…” Can you say hit the lights?  Just imagine how shocked these men were.  They were catapulted into reality and I’m sure they wondered if they were seeing things or even dreaming.  But notice that this light was all around them.  It dispelled all the darkness and left them only basking in the light of God’s glory.  How fitting this is.  The first thing created was light and the angel was announcing the birth of the “light of the world.”

No matter where you are on life’s road today I want you to grasp this truth.  The light of God’s glory dispels all darkness.  Wherever he is, there is light. Light to show you the way, light to dispel your fear, light to provide comfort, and light to assure that we don’t walk in darkness.  John said it best, that God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.  Are you basking in God’s light today?

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Do You See What I See?

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o the shepherds are in the fields with their sheep and it is dark outside.  There are no street lights. No glaring headlights from the nearby Interstate reflect on them, and the lights of the city are far away.  The shepherds are gathered around the glow of their fire, talking of the day’s events, sharing their hopes and dreams and frustrations with each other, preparing to face the long, dark night ahead.

But in a flash, everything changes.  In Luke 2:9a we read these few words, “An angel of the Lord appeared to them…”  There in the darkness, in the remoteness of those fields, God sent his messenger to share the good news of Christ’s birth. I’m sure the shepherds wondered what was going on and if they were seeing things.  I imagine none of them spoke, afraid the others may not be seeing this strange site and afraid to mention it for fear of being accused of hallucinating or worse!

And yet, all of them did see it.  The darkness around them suddenly grew bright and God shared with them the wonderful news that his promise had been fulfilled.  This is just like God, isn’t it?  When we think we have been forgotten, when the darkness is all around us, when we feel abandoned or rejected, just at the proper time God shows up.  Everything takes on a different look as God reveals to us the wonderful promises and plans he has for us.

Although on the fringes of man’s society, the shepherds were squarely in the center of God’s plan.  He knew where they were and he knew that they, above all others, would take his message to heart, accept his invitation to see the Messiah, and spread the good news to all they met along the way.

This is what God still looks for today.  Will you accept his invitation to come to Christ?  Will you respond to him with the heart of a shepherd? Remember, it is in the dark that God’s presence is felt the most.  Is it dark where you are today?  

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Studk In A Rut

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et up.  Go to work. Work all day. Come home. Go to bed. Get up. Do it all over again.  Sound familiar?  Life seems like this at times, doesn’t it?  We fall into the same routine and we basically hit the automatic pilot button as we go from one day to another.  Monday looks like Tuesday looks like Wednesday, well you get the picture.  We simply seem to go through the motions and then we wonder what happened and where the week went.

Today’s passage paints just this picture.  We have spent the last several days concentrating on Mary and Joseph and their journey from Nazareth.  Today we look at the other people who play a part in the Christmas story.  Not only is God working in the lives of Mary and Joseph, he is also working in the lives of ordinary, every-day people like you and me, preparing them to receive the good news of the coming of Jesus and of the fulfillment of the promise God made all those many years ago.

Luke 2:8 simply reads, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” Shepherds.  In the time of Christ, these were the lowliest of the low.  They had very little if any social standing.  They were uneducated, poor, and had very few prospects in life.  Their job was to work with sheep, dumb, stubborn animals that were helpless, defenseless, weak, and prone to doing things their own way.  And yet, here these men are, faithfully discharging their duties and notice that the passage tells us it was night. 

So, what is so great about shepherds?  They are loyal, faithful, compassionate, caring; the list goes on and on.  It should come, then as no surprise, that God would reveal the birth of Jesus to ones such as these.  Jesus will say of himself that he is “the good shepherd.”  He will also refer to us as sheep and if you read the description above, you will see that he is right.

Jesus entire ministry can be summed up with his words, “the last shall be first.”  What better way to begin this ministry than by announcing the birth of the Messiah to those who were considered to be the “last” rung on society’s ladder.

And so we leave them here, in the fields, taking care of their flocks, unaware that in a brief few moments, their lives will be changed forever.  Jesus is already in the cradle not very far away.  The shepherds have settled down for the night.  But something is about to happen, something they never expected, and something they will never forget.  Who knows what God has in store for you today? Are you ready to find out?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Mission Accomplished

“A
nd she gave birth to her firstborn, a son” Luke 2:7b.  In other words, mission accomplished!  God’s purpose for moving Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem is now revealed.  It wasn’t because of Caesar’s decree that they made their move, it was because God had said centuries before that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2).

Here, in this small, unknown, unimportant corner of the world, God chose to fulfill his plans.  It is no accident that the Messiah, the heir to David’s throne, would be born in the City of David.  God’s plan is flawless, right down to the smallest detail.  But Mary and Joseph were probably not thinking about all of that. All they knew was that the baby had finally come and that their lives would never be the same.

God works in our lives, sometimes in the most unforeseen ways.  We do not know his purposes nor do we understand all the details of his plans.  What we do know is that our God is faithful, that he keeps his word, and that everything, and I do mean everything, he promises, he brings to pass.

The birth of Jesus on that night to Mary and Joseph marked the soon-to-be culmination of God’s plan to save and reconcile mankind.  In the form of a helpless baby, the omnipotent God came to help helpless man.  In order to save us, he became one of us.  What could be more confusing to human reason?  The ministry of Jesus would reveal his care for the “least of these.”  He will always preach and proclaim that “the last will be first, and the first, last.”  What better demonstration of this than for the Son of God to be born to an unknown couple, in an obscure part of an obscure city, surrounded by animals, and visited by shepherds who had no social standing and were counted as those living on the fringe of society?

And so, here we are.  Mary and Joseph are now parents to the baby Jesus.  God has entrusted them with the care of his son and given them the responsibility of caring for him, teaching him, and bringing him into manhood. What an assignment!  We know that God will not place on us more than we can bear which means he trusts us, even when we don’t understand his actions.  What has God entrusted to your care today?

Monday, December 16, 2019

No Room

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xpectant parents the world over go through the same ritual as the time for the birth of their child draws ever nearer.  Baby clothes are bought and stored away, a plethora of “must-have” toys are purchased, and the all-important crib is selected, taken home, and assembled.  The nursery is prepared with a fresh coat of paint, a rocking chair, a bassinette, a changing table and whatever else the soon-to-be parents can fit into the room.  Grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. also get into the act and before long, enough items have been purchased and stocked to supply the young couple and their child well into first year of life if not further.

As if this weren’t enough, parties are given in honor of the couple and more gifts are showered upon them.  The preparation for the arrival of the newborn child gets underway extremely early and the hardest part is waiting for the child to show up so all these things can be put to use.

The last half of Luke 2:7 stands in stark contrast to today’s ritual of preparing for the arrival of a newborn. Luke tells us “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  Instead of a nursery, Mary had a stable. Instead of a crib, Mary had a manger.  Instead of new clothes, Mary used strips of cloth.  Instead of family and friends, Mary had only herself and Joseph.  And yet, unknown to the world, the Messiah, the King of Kings had been born. God’s promise was fulfilled.

Instead of making everything perfect for the child, God made the child perfect for us. In that manger, nestled in the hay, was the bread of life.  Bethlehem means “house of bread” so how fitting that the one who would bring us spiritual manna should be born there. 

Mary and Joseph used a stable because there was no room anywhere in town.  And yet, shepherds, wise men, the local town’s people, and millions of people since have found room in their hearts for the Messiah.  And how about you?  Is there room in your heart today for the child born in Bethlehem?

Friday, December 13, 2019

Timing Is Everything

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iming is everything! How often have you hear or said these words?  In today’s world, it is all about timing.  We run our lives by the clock.  Don’t believe me?  Just count the number of clocks in your house.  We are so enamored with time, we even strap clocks to our wrists and are constantly looking at them throughout the day. There is a time to get up, a time to get dressed, a time to eat, a time to leave for work, a time for lunch, etc.  The list just goes on and on. We like to believe that we control time but in reality, time controls us.

It was no different for Mary and Joseph.  No, they didn’t have clocks all around their home and Joseph, as far as we know, didn’t have a designer-label sundial attached to his wrist.  But time played an important factor in their lives.  However, the timing affecting their travel to Bethlehem was under God’s design and control.

Luke 2:6 tells us the following, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born…”On the surface this seems to be a very matter-of-fact statement.  We know Mary is pregnant and we know that their journey takes place just prior to the birth of Jesus.  But look very closely within this passage and locate the most important word, time.

The purpose of the journey now takes on a different air.  Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem in order to register for Caesar’s census.  But while they were in Bethlehem, the alarm on God’s clock sounded. From Joseph and Mary’s perspective, the time could not have been worse.  They are not at home.  Friends and loved one’s are not with them and the location of Christ’s birth is anything but what they had imagined it would be.

This is the way God works.  We have our time; he has his.  His timing is always perfect and always serves his purpose.  We may not understand—and in fact we usually won’t—his timing or the reasons for the circumstances he orchestrates; but rest assured that God knows exactly what he is doing and has selected both the time and place for his will to be accomplished.

Remember today as you go down life’s road that God is in full control of your life.  The little twists and turns, the detours, and the awkward and unseemly places into which you journey, are all hand-picked and designed by a loving father. The purpose he has for you may not be evident now, but when the time comes, he will work out his will for your life.  What is God up to?  Only time will tell!

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Another Purpose

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hen I was a little boy, I hated going to the doctor.  Not that I love going now, but I really hated it then.  My only concern is whether or not the nurse would stick my finger in order to check my hemoglobin.  This singular event ruined my entire day and left me in a state of perpetual fear. I asked my mom over and over again if my finger was going to be stuck, knowing full well the answer would be yes.  I felt that the entire reason for my appointment was for the nurse to stick my finger when in reality there was another purpose, making sure I was in excellent health.

God always has another purpose, a purpose we don’t see or understand, for placing us into the various circumstances in our lives.  We see the difficulty but God sees the end result!!  It is that way for Mary and Joseph as they travel along the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  Yesterday we focused on the arduous journey and the long and winding road leading to Bethlehem.  Today, we will see that there is a dual purpose for the journey.  There is Joseph’s perspective and then there is God’s.

In Luke 2:5 we read, “He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”  Please notice the purpose of Joseph’s visit. He goes to Bethlehem to register in accordance with Caesar’s edict.  Although we are told that Mary is expecting, at no place in this passage is it stated that Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem in order to give birth.  While the possibility of Mary giving birth may certainly have been on Joseph’s mind, and probably weighed heavily on it; it was not his purpose for her to give birth in Bethlehem.  Joseph certainly intended to register and return home as quickly as possible.

As we shall see tomorrow, God’s purpose was very different.  Bethlehem was the goal, the place where Jesus would be born and the world would forever change.  Already in Bethlehem, the shepherds who will hear the angels’ message are tending their flocks.  In the Far East, the wise men who will eventually make their way westward following a star are going about their daily lives not knowing the role they will lay in such a short time.  Herod is alive, and somewhere, in towns and villages all across the region, the men who will become Jesus’ twelve disciples are growing up or are soon to be born.  John the Baptist has already been born and Pontius Pilate, the governor who will condemn this child to death, is pursuing his political career.

Yes, they are all accounted for and Joseph must take Mary to Bethlehem to fulfill the purpose God has for him.  This is our encouragement today.  God has a purpose for all of us, for me and for you.  We cannot always see that purpose but when the time is right, God will reveal that purpose and we will understand the reason for it all.

Wherever you are today in your journey with the Lord, understand this that whatever you understand about your circumstances there is another purpose behind them that God is using to get you into position for him to use you.  Just keep walking!!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Everyone's Invited

Y
esterday we left Mary and Joseph preparing to leave home and head to Bethlehem in order to comply with Caesar’s dictate for a worldwide census.  They had to pack up and make their way across rough road to arrive at their destination.

Although today’s verse is very small, there is a great kernel of truth lodged within it.  Luke simply records in verse 3, “And everyone went to his own town to register.”  Please notice the word, everyone.  Status didn’t matter.  Location didn’t matter.  Bank account size didn’t matter.  Political influence didn’t matter.  In fact, nothing mattered except that everyone, regardless of station, was invited to the census party.

Once again we see God working in the daily situations and circumstances of life.  The edict applied to everyone, both citizens and non-citizens, there were no distinctions between them. And although there were many people heading to Bethlehem with Mary and Joseph, the purposes of their journeys and the end results were not the same.  Everyone went to be counted; but Mary and Joseph had another purpose, a purpose not known to them.

This is God’s way with us.  We are not always aware of the present purpose of our circumstances.  God doesn’t always reveal to us why things are the way they are and why we must face the various situations life sends our way.  He does promise, however, that everything will work to our good as Paul shares in Romans 8:28.

The prophet Micah had foretold that the birthplace of the Messiah would be in Bethlehem but no one at that time foresaw Roman occupation and the census it would require in order for this prophecy to be fulfilled.  Isaiah was correct when he recorded God’s statement that His ways are not our ways.  How true this is.

And so, Mary and Joseph are now on their way with the rest of the population toward a destination that will forever change their lives and the world.  It may be that you are being moved from one place to another today.  If so, trust God’s working in your life.  He has in mind a purpose for you and when the time and the circumstances are right, he will bless you and use you for his glory.

Wherever you are on life’s road today, my prayer for you is that you will enjoy the journey, knowing full well that we serve a God who has our best interest in mind and who will never move us unless and until he is ready to use us for his glory.  Just keep walking!!!!

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

The Long and Winding Road

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ne of the last songs recorded by the band, The Beatles, was entitled The Long and Winding Road.  While completely removed from the Christmas story, the image of a long and difficult journey is most appropriate for today’s devotional.

In Luke 2:4 we read, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” This verse has been read hundreds of thousands of times over the centuries and yet we can find within it fresh insight and encouragement for our journey today.

The road from Nazareth to Bethlehem represented an 80 mile journey.  On a good day, a man leading a donkey could cover approximately 20 miles before retiring for the evening.  This would mean that the journey could be done in 4 days.  Let’s put this into perspective, shall we?  Yesterday I put 60 miles on my car in the space of just 2 hours.  So, 80 miles for us could be just a normal day’s journey.  I can fly 1000 miles in a little over 2 hours and I can be half way around the globe in less than a day.  So, 80 miles doesn’t really affect us, or does it?

Let’s see if we can understand Mary and Joseph’s circumstances.  Mary is 9 months pregnant and almost ready to give birth. Even today, physicians discourage women who are close to term from travelling great distances.  Mary must ride on the back of an animal over roads that are not paved.  I imagine that the donkey didn’t have great shock absorbers and that she felt every dip and bump in the road.  Moreover, there were no hotel chains along the way to offer them comfortable lodging for the evening.  They may have had to sleep on the ground and for a woman at full term, sleep in a good bed is still a challenge.

But the passage says that Joseph went up to Bethlehem.  Despite the circumstances, despite the throngs, despite lack of comfort, Joseph went to Bethlehem.  And during the long journey which could have taken more than a week, God cared for them, provided for them, and kept watch over them because he had a purpose for their lives.

We have this same assurance.   God watches over us and cares for us.  His purpose, while unknown to us, can be trusted and he will ensure we arrive at our destination intact, on time, and ready to be used for his purpose.  In Isaiah, 55:8 the prophet reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts.  Mary and Joseph do not know what awaits them at the end of the road, but God is already there.  The same is true for us today.  Who knows where your road will lead?

Monday, December 9, 2019

On The move

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oday is the 9th of December and, in case you are wondering, there are now only 16 days left until the big day which means you only have 15 days to make your final preparations.

At this time of year, people are in constant motion, running here and there with greater fervor and focus than at any other time of the year.  That seems to be the mantra of almost anyone to whom you speak.  “I gotta go” or “I’ve got to get all this shopping done” or better yet, “Where has the time gone?”

For the next several days we will be taking a journey through the first 20 verses of Luke 2.  We will take a look at the shepherds, the wise men, and all the circumstances regarding our Lord’s birth and the purpose for his coming to earth.  So, let’s get started.  I invite you to open your Bible and join me with the opening verse of Luke 2.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  You want to talk about movement?  The entire known world was in flux with people packing up all they had to report to their various destinations to be counted and recorded.  What a time that must have been when everyone, and I mean everyone, was going somewhere with no time to spare. 

Joseph and Mary pack up and head to Bethlehem to comply with Caesar’s demand that entire world be recorded.  What lesson are we to learn from this brief passage?  What could God have possibly packed into these 19 words that will help us today?  A lot.

In life, we are seldom in control of our circumstances. Things happen, events occur, and unforeseen situations rear their ugly heads at the most inopportune times.  It was the same with Joseph and Mary.  The day before Caesar’s decree, everything was normal; but the next morning, their world changed.  Joseph had to take his very pregnant wife from their home to the town of Bethlehem to register his family.

Joseph, in all likelihood, was not thrilled about traveling in the first place and he was most certainly concerned about Mary who was due to give birth very soon.  But the circumstances of life dictated that he go to Bethlehem and to Bethlehem he went.

Here is our lesson for today.  God is in control of our circumstances.  We may not understand the events surrounding us and we may not comprehend why we have to move when it would be easier to stay put. But had Abraham never moved there would have been no Isaac.  Had Moses not been moved, there would have been no Exodus.  Had David not moved into the valley, there would have been no victory over Goliath.   We could go on and on but the lesson is the same.  In order for God to bless us and use us, he sometimes will require that we move, leaving everything behind, heading toward a destination and events we do not know or fully understand.  Whatever the circumstance, to receive God’s best, we must move.

And so, we leave Mary and Joseph on the road to Bethlehem, traveling over a rocky road, in the dry and arid climate, on their way to fulfill God’s promise that he would send a deliverer to save mankind. Does God have you on the move today?  If so, get ready for him to do great things both in you and through you

Friday, December 6, 2019

Don't Squeeze The Middle

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om, we’re out of toothpaste again.”  This was a regular occurrence at our house early in the morning as we were getting ready for school.  After breakfast, I went to the bathroom to wash my face, comb my hair, and brush my teeth.  I opened the drawer, removed my toothbrush and the toothpaste, and, just like every kid in school, I squeezed that tube right in the middle.  For a while, I was successful in getting the paste out of the tube. However, when the two sides of the tube met and no paste came out, I called mom to inform her that we were completely out of toothpaste.

Every time this happened, mom would come into the bathroom, squeeze the tube, and magically she would succeed in milking the toothpaste from it. I am thoroughly convinced there was a secret compartment inside that only she knew about!!  Mom always started at the bottom of the tube and moved the paste forward and she encouraged me to do the same.  The word encourage is really too tame for how she explained the mechanics of removing toothpaste from the tube.  What she really did was tell me over and over again that it would be easier to get more paste from the tube if I started at the bottom.  The paste at the end of the tube was the deepest and if I began in the deep end, the rest would just come out.

Somehow, though, all her coaxing and repeated instructions just never seemed to sink in.  It was work to force the paste out of the bottom of the tube and squeezing the middle was a lot more fun.  While I was able to get some paste from the tube, I left so much more inside because I was unwilling to work harder to remove all the paste buried deep in that tube.  Even when mom bought little plastic keys that fit on the end of the tube to help me get all the paste out, I still insisted on squeezing the tube in the middle.  Only later in life did I realize that squeezing in the middle meant I was only getting half of the paste out.  The rest was still in there and forcing it out after having flattened the tube required more work than if I had done it correctly to begin with.  If I had only listened to mom!  But that’s usually the way it goes, isn’t it? We always know better!

Far too often in our relationship with God we are content to simply squeeze the tube in the middle.  We open God’s word and search for a quick verse to make us feel better, we say a quick prayer, spending very little time with our Heavenly Father, and far too often we feel that our relationship is depleted and empty when in reality there is so much more for us to receive and experience.  We leave far too much in the tube because we don’t want to exert the effort necessary to have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. 

We quote the scripture that says God rewards those who seek after him diligently (Hebrews 11:6) and claim it for our own.  Yet, when it comes to actually seeking after him diligently, deliberately, and faithfully, we fall woefully short of the mark.  We are content to squeeze the middle, taking what we can get out of a few minutes of prayer or devotion, content with our feeble efforts, believing the relationship is spent when in fact there is so much more.  How much more of God we could have if we would just determine to go deeper.

The writer of Psalm 107 encourages us to do just that.  This entire Psalm is one of thanksgiving, of praising God for His wonderful love that endures forever and protects us in all circumstances of life.  In Psalm 107:24, the psalmist writes a most interesting passage, “They saw the works of the LORD , his wonderful deeds in the deep.”  The beginning of this section of Psalm 107 speaks of those who used the sea to ply their trade as merchants.  These men encountered all the wonder and fear of storms at sea.  They knew what it was to rise high on tumultuous waves only to be plummeted to the depths as the waves crashed over their vessels.  Yet, the psalmist tells us that God’s unfailing love protected them. He calmed the seas and the storms and guided them safely into port.  No wonder the psalmist tells us these men fully understood God’s love. They experienced it in the depths, out in the water, in the face of the storm, where no one save God alone could come to their rescue and provide comfort and peace.

Oh my friend, have you ever been there?  Have you ever been out in the deep with God, to see His hands, to feel his arms, and to see his protection in the difficult areas of life?  Are you pursuing him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?  Are you pushing deep into his word, understanding the depths of his love, and seeking the unfathomable riches of his blessings to all those who call upon his name?  I pray that you are.  I pray that you are launching out into the deep, relying on him as your only means of provision and strength. 

This type of relationship is the type God means for us to have with him.  It is only in the depths of the sea and in the middle of the storm that we can fully appreciate his love for us.  It is only when we have no strength that we fully experience his power.  It is only when we determine to live the deeper life that we experience the fullness of God.  So why are you still squeezing that tube in the middle?  Go for the bottom, squeezing until you get the full measure of all that God has and wants to give you today!

Thursday, December 5, 2019

After Sunset

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he hefty 747 airliner rumbled down the runway gathering speed in its effort to leave the ground and become airborne.  Just a few more seconds and we would leave the earth behind and begin our ascent toward the magical altitude of 37,000 feet, destination Paris, France.  The captain pulled back on the stick and the bulky piece of metal jumped into the air and gently floated aloft, upheld by the cool air passing over its wings and lifting it gently higher into the sky.

The plane continued its ascent, passing through cloud banks, playing tag with the small clouds that drifted near its wings, and shaking ever so slightly as small bumps of turbulence were overcome with ease.  After a hard right bank, the pilot evened the plane out and the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport was soon nothing but a speck and a memory.  In the distance, the sun was making its way toward the western horizon, inching slowly downward, heading for the darkness of night and a well-earned rest.  All that remained was the soft drone of the engines and the conversations of passengers in the seats around me.

About three hours into the flight, I cast one last glance out my window and could see the final rays of sunshine disappear into the western sky.  The sun slipped below the horizon and night cast her velvety shawl over the clouds, bringing peace to the earth below.  What a wonderful sense of calm I experienced as I gazed at that sunset until the moon rose in the distance.  Then I closed the blind, adjusted my blanket and settled in for my journey around the world, still thinking about the sunset I had seen at 37,000 feet.

There is something soothing about a sunset, whether it is viewed from terra firma or from 37,000 feet in the air.  It brings closure and is a welcomed rest from the work and hustle of daytime hours.  Perhaps this is why Mark paints the following scene of Jesus healing the sick and possessed after sunset.  In Mark 1:32 we read, “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door,“  In the cool of the evening, after the hustle and the bustle of the day, Jesus comes and heals the people of the village.  He takes away the cares of life and replaces them with his presence, his joy, and his peace.  After sunset and in the presence of Jesus, the troubles, cares, pressures, and problems of this life simply vanish.

Jesus is aware of the difficulties of life.  He knows when friends forsake us, he knows when unexpected trials and tribulations come, and he is aware of life’s most difficult and challenging moments.  He invites us to bring our burdens and our cares to him and to place them at his feet.  Have you spent time after sunset with Jesus? Wouldn't you love to do that today?

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Don't You Care?

S
ummers in North Carolina are known for their heat and for their humidity.  The air is so heavy with moisture that a quick walk to the mailbox and back can leave you wringing wet.  The month of August is especially this way when the summer reaches its hottest point and all outside activity comes to a standstill. 

In addition to the humidity, Carolina summers are also infamous for the severe thunderstorms that appear from nowhere.  The day can be perfectly clear with few clouds in the sky.  Suddenly, large, black clouds form on the horizon, the sky grows an eerie gray, the winds increase in intensity, and the rains come.  Added to all this, keen lightening and loud claps of thunder frequently accompany these storms.  At times, the thunderclaps are so loud they shake houses and buildings to their foundations.

One of my aunts dreaded thunderstorms, I remember her coming over to our house with my cousins, riding out the storm because she didn't want to be at home alone.  She would sit on our couch and every clap of thunder caused her to shudder and grow more frightened.  The storms scared me as well, especially when the power went out.  However, I knew we were safe as long as we remained inside and as long as one of my parents was with us. 

Luke's gospel records a very famous account of a great storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had been teaching all day and he and his disciples were tired.  They got into a boat to cross over to the other side of the lake.  Jesus, worn out from the day's work, fell asleep in the stern of the boat.  Suddenly, from nowhere, a huge storm formed over the lake.  The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden, tumultuous storms that form suddenly.  Due to the geography around the lake, these storms are usually accompanied by ferocious winds, causing large waves on the surface of the lake.  These storms have led to the sinking of many boats caught in the middle of the lake when they appeared.

Understandably, the disciples are afraid.  They see the winds, they feel the boat rocking back and forth, and they know the swelling waves could sink them.  Can't you just see them?  They are panicked, scared, and at their wits’ end.  They don't know what to do, or where to turn.  They only know they are in trouble!!  And where is Jesus?  Where is their friend and confidant?  Where is the one who promised to be with them?  He is in the stern of the ship, asleep!  Yes, in the middle of all this chaos, Jesus is sleeping!

The disciples wake him and fire one question at him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"(Mark 4:38).  Jesus, having been roused from a sound sleep isn't startled, angry, or the least bit agitated.  Their question doesn't offend or shock him.  However, instead of answering verbally, he demonstrates his care for them by calming the winds and the waves. 

This is always God's way.  He is not upset or shocked or agitated when we ask questions like the one the disciples asked Jesus.  Who among us hasn't wondered where God is at certain times in our lives?  Who among us hasn't asked why bad things happen if God loves us?  Who among us hasn't honestly wondered if God cared, really cared about his children?  We have all asked these questions and, perhaps, we are asking them now. 

Life's sea is not immune from storms. Nowhere in the Scriptures does God promise us that smooth sailing lies ahead for those who follow Christ.  On the contrary, Jesus promised us we would have difficulty in this life but that we should be happy for he has conquered the world.  Notice that Jesus is in the storm with them, not hiding out somewhere, but he is right there in the boat with them.  This is a great truth.  God is not way out in space, far from reach.  Instead, he is with us in our trials, sharing our difficulties, experiencing all the things we experience in life's challenging moments.

Like the disciples, we often accuse God of not caring, of not paying attention to our needs.  These questions and accusations are usually born out of frustration, anxiety, anger, and fear.  At such times, God does what he does best.  Instead of verbally telling us he loves us, he shows us.  He wraps his arms around us and holds us to his chest.  There it is safe, warm, peaceful, and free from all care.

Today, if you are experiencing a storm in your life, don't be afraid to call out to God.  He knows where you are, he knows you are afraid, he knows you are anxious, and he knows you are frustrated.  Do what the disciples did, go to him, make your request to him plainly, and let him show you how much he loves you!  Had it not been for the storm that day, the disciples would have never learned what it is to have God say, "Peace, be still!"

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

A Spiritual Ultrasound

F
or several weeks in the fall of 2013, I habeen nursing a bum leg.  I’m not sure how I injured it but according to the doctor’s initial diagnosis it seemed I had torn a muscle, a tendon or both.  Not being able to tell from the outside what the problem was on the inside, my doctor ordered a series of tests to determine the extent of the injury and the best course of treatment. 

So I went to the hospital for an ultrasound of my right leg.  This test would reveal the soft tissue and underlying structures of my leg and would also indicate the presence of a blood clot which we hoped we wouldn’t find.  The test did show some damage to the leg but no blood clot. 

As I lay there, the technician and I chatted and she explained the procedure.  What amazed me about the ultrasound was its ability to use sounds I could not hear to reveal problem areas deep within my leg.  How it did this was beyond me but when it became apparent there was no blood clot in my leg, I was eternally grateful for what I could not hear. 

As I think about that test, the words of Romans 8:26 come immediately to mind.   Although neither the technology nor the idea for the ultrasound existed in Paul’s day, he described its function with chilling accuracy. However, Paul was not discussing physical ailments, rather, he was describing an ultrasound of the soul with the Holy Spirit as the both the technician and the physician. 

Romans 8:26 simply states, Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  The concept of the ultrasound is here in all its implications.  The Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf with words and groanings that are beyond sound, which is what ultrasound means. He searches the deep areas of our hearts and our souls, locating our needs and exposing our areas of difficulty in a way that only God understands. 

Based on the results from the ultrasound, my doctor ordered more tests and we located the problem.  Deep within my knee, a torn ligament was the root of the problem.  Without that ultrasound and the problems it uncovered, I would have had no answers and no solutions. 

Today he Holy Spirit is performing ultrasound tests.  You don’t need an appointment, you just need to lie on the table and ask him to examine you.  He will locate the very source of your needs and will identify the areas of your life that need attention.  Won’t you let him examine your heart today?