Wrinkles in the Bedcovers

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hen I was a teenager I had some real quirks and odd habits. What teenager doesn’t?  I spent more time in the bathroom, I ran too much hot water, I spent more time on the phone, and I bugged my parents incessantly about letting me drive the car.  While all these things go hand-in-hand with adolescence, there was one habit I had that no other teenager experienced.

Every night before going to sleep I would get into bed and smooth down the covers.  I wouldn’t tolerate one wrinkle in the bedspread.  Sometimes it took me as long as thirty minutes before the bed covers were to my liking.  Why I did this is beyond me but I remember spending several minutes smoothing out the bedspread, making sure no wrinkles or pleats of any kind occurred in my bedspread.

When I was finally satisfied all was well with the bedspread, I would go to sleep.  However, when I awoke, things were not as I left them.  My bed covers were no longer wrinkle-free.  Instead, it looked as if the world championships of sumo wrestling had taken place in my bed and I had definitely lost.   All that work, all that attention, all that smoothing of the sheets just for them to end up in a knotted and twisted roll.  No matter how good my intentions, I simply could not change the fact that I slept, as my father so eloquently put it, “like a goat!”  I’ve never understood what that meant exactly, having never observed the sleeping habits of goats.

The prophet Isaiah understood that no amount of work, smoothing, or good intentions was enough to remove our sins from us.  He had a fundamental understanding of sin, knowing it to be a filthy, smelly, twisted, and knotty pile of rags that can never be straightened or smoothed by any human effort.  In Isaiah 64:6 we read, “All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

In this passage, Isaiah uses the word “all” three times.  It is clear that no one escapes sin’s hold and that no effort on our part, no matter how well intentioned or helpful it may be, can ever remove the stain and filth from our lives.  Paul echoes this same idea in his letter to the Romans, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

This is why we need Jesus Christ.  He came and shed his blood and became the sacrifice for our sins.  There is no other way to God but through him.  All our attempts, no matter how noble, how helpful, or how kind they may be can ever remove the filthy stain of sin in our lives.  The only thing that can make us clean is to be washed in the blood of Christ.  Are you still trying to smooth out all the wrinkles in the bedcovers of your life today?  

Giants In The Land

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t had been a long, tiresome journey from Egypt.  For centuries, the Hebrew children had awaited this day, the day when they actually learned first-hand what the Promised Land looked like.  All of Israel knew the story of Father Abraham and the promise God made to him so long ago.  They had told their children of Isaac and Rebecca, of Jacob and Esau, and of Joseph and his coat of many colors.  According to his wishes, the people had exhumed Joseph's body and had brought his bones to be buried in the new land. 

Forty days before, a band of twelve men entered the land with instructions to spy on its inhabitants and to seek out and bring back some of its produce.  Excitement and tensions mounted as the people eagerly awaited word of the spies' arrival back in camp.  Everyone's imagination conjured up vivid scenes of vast tracts of fertile land, oases laden with palm and date trees, and all types of exotic produce succulent to the eye and to the taste.  What had they seen?  What would be their assessment of the land and its people?  What advice would they give Moses for entering the land?

Finally, the word came that the twelve had returned.  Everyone pressed in close to hear the report and to learn about their new home.  Not a sound was made as the twelve recounted their findings.  Two men, Joshua and Caleb, displayed a large cluster of grapes that required a large pole and two men to carry.  Surely, they had found the land to be truly flowing with milk and honey, just as God promised. 

But suddenly, the excitement vanished and fear gripped the people.  Several of the spies gave vivid descriptions of the land's current inhabitants.  Everyone listened intently to the report and one word sent fear and despair through the crowd.  That word was GIANT.  Yes, there were giants in the land.  Of the twelve, only Joshua and Caleb felt they should proceed.  The other ten, were not so enthusiastic and their opinion carried the day.  The people refused to move forward.

What a tragedy this was for Israel.  For over 400 years, they served as slaves in Egypt, longing and praying for the day of their deliverance.  God brought them out of their bondage with a mighty hand and led them to the border of the land he promised Abraham.  All they had to do was to enter it and possess it.  However, they stopped short of enjoying God's provision and experiencing his deliverance because they chose fear instead of faith.

Numbers 14:9 records the faithful words of Caleb as he tried to persuade the people to take the land, “Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”  Like the other spies, Caleb had been in the land for forty days.  He had seen the giants and their fortified cities; he had observed their technology and their standard of living.  He knew their strengths and he also knew their ability.  But Caleb also knew God's promise.  He believed God's word to be true, that the land was theirs, that all they need do was take it.  The reports of the other spies focused on the giants in the land.  They compared themselves with the giants and became afraid. Numbers 13:33 records their reaction with the following words, "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Like the children of Israel, we all face difficulties and challenges.  There are always giants in the land that strike fear in our hearts.  Some of these giants come in the guise of health problems and some giants strike at the very hearts of our families.  The giants of self-doubt and discouragement loom on several horizons as well as the giants of failure and guilt. 

Today's scriptures present us with two different perspectives on God's promise.  We, like the ten spies, can look at our present situations and concentrate on the giants in our paths.  When we do this, we become grasshoppers, small, weak, and incapable.  Or, like Caleb, we can focus on God and his promise to be with us in all circumstances no matter what.  When we do this, our problems become bread for us, because God is with us.  In the first circumstance we yell, "Retreat!"  In the second scenario, we yell "Attack!"

Whatever your circumstances are today, remember that God never intended for the children of Israel to stop short of his provision.  He never intended them to enter the land by themselves nor to conquer it by themselves.  Instead, his plan was for them to possess the land by fighting their battles and routing their enemies before them.  And God intends us to live the same way.  He is waiting for us to decide whether we will attack or retreat.  The choice to attack is ours; the battle is God's!

Fill It Up

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he constant fluctuation in gasoline prices resembles a bad ride on a roller coaster.  The prices go up and down and make you feel as if your wallet has been turned upside down, emptied out, and run through a series of corkscrew turns!  Believe me, I feel your pain.  Every morning I pass several gas stations and the story is always the same:  up and down prices. 

All this makes me long for an earlier time when gas was at a decent price and the cares of the world seemed as far away as the state fair both in time and distance.  Our town was no different than many other bedroom communities dotting the North Carolina landscape. We had three family-owned grocery stores, several family-owned drugstores, shops, a hardware store, a bank, a savings and loan, and of course the ever-present local police force.

In addition to all these, there were several filling stations that offered full service. I remember going with my dad on several occasions to fill the car.  He would visit the different filling stations in order to patronize all of the owners in town.  No matter where we went, he always said the same thing when asked how much gas he needed:  “Fill it up!”  Sometimes he would let me tell Mr. Seate, Mr. Beam, Mr. Odell, or Mr. Reynolds to “fill it up!”  This always made me feel grown-up, as if I had conquered some small part of the world.

Later, when I was old enough to drive and had a car of my own, I found that these men served me as they had my dad, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. In fact, they gave the same service to the entire community.

Every so often, we couldn’t stop to get gas because a huge tanker was parked, delivering a fresh supply of gasoline.  At such times, dad would turn around and go back home or head for another gas station, searching for the necessary nourishment the car seemed to need with more and more frequency as both my brother and I started driving.

The memory of those tankers is indelibly etched in my memory.  I always wondered where the gas came from.  Where did they make it?  How far away was it?  Would the supply ever run out?  How long did it take to fill the tanks?  Nothing but questions, questions, questions.  Ahhh, such is the life of a six-year-old boy who had nothing else to do but ask questions.

The tankers arrived on a regular basis to make sure enough gas was available so Mr. Seate, Mr. Beam, Mr. Odell, and Mr. Reynolds could continue to give service to our community.  In essence, the arrival of a new shipment of gasoline was a source of encouragement to these gentlemen to continue their work serving the people of Cherryville.

The Apostle Paul understood the need for encouragement.  He, better than anyone, knew that the Christian life is sometimes fraught with ups and downs, twists, and corkscrew turns!  It was for this reason in several of his letters to the various churches he sent words of encouragement both in written form and in the form of a friend.

We find one such instance in Ephesians 6:21-22, “Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you.”

Tychicus is Paul’s tanker truck.  He is being sent to fill the tanks of those rendering service for Christ.  Notice that Paul describes Tychicus as being a faithful servant.  This means Paul could—and did—trust him to relay encouragement and strength to the Christians in Ephesus. His fuel was encouragement, something we all need on a consistent basis in order to continue our walk with the Lord.

Are you filling a little low?  Is the hand on your spiritual gas gauge hading toward “E”?  If this is the case, take encouragement from Tychicus.  God knows where you are. He knows the service to which He has called you and He will send extra fuel when you need it so you can continue to serve Him.  Just hit your knees, pull into the station, and ask God to “fill it up!” 

There is an art to washing dishes, and my mom was—and is—a skilled artist.  In fact, she is one of the great masters of all time.  I don’t find washing dishes to be a terribly nasty chore; in fact, I find it quite therapeutic.  Before we go much further, let me respond to two quick questions that may have popped into your mind. No, I don’t have a great love of dishwater, and yes, I have a dishwasher.  With those issues resolved, let’s get on with the subject of todays devotional.

I distinctly remember learning the art of dishwashing at the hands of my mother, no pun intended!  The most important aspect of this activity is ensuring the dishwater is hot enough, especially when the dishes are rinsed.  I always wanted to rinse the dishes in warm or cool water.  Each time I tried to get away with this mom would always say, “Blake, that water is not hot enough!!!!”  And guess what, yep, I had to do the dish all over again!!!  This, however, did not thwart me in my efforts to rinse in cool water.  But, in the end, mom won, as usual!

Now that I am on my own and washing my own dishes, I understand what all the hubbub was about all those years ago.  Hot water—I mean very hot water—ensures the dishes are in fact clean from soapy film and germs that may linger on the dish after washing.  The hotter the water, the cleaner the dish; it’s just that simple.

The book of Daniel tells the story of 3 Hebrew men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who learned first hand just what being in “hot water” was all about.  The story is well-known, especially to children who learn about these men in Sunday school or Vacation Bible School.  But there are implications for adults as well; implications that teach us a great deal about our walk with the Lord.

King Nebuchadnezzar had a large idol constructed and placed where all the people could see it.  His orders were that everyone should bow down and worship that idol.  Our three intrepid heroes, however, refused to bow to any one but the Lord and this infuriated the king.  So angry was he that he ordered the three men to be bound and thrown in a large furnace.

Daniel 3:19-20 records this for us, “Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.  You want to talk about hot!!!  According to Nebuchadnezzar, the “water just wasn’t hot enough!”  Notice that the king had the furnace heated seven times hotter, just for good measure.

Sometimes in the Christian walk, we feel as if God is heating up the furnace.  No matter which way we turn, no matter what circumstances we face, it seems God is only content to stoke the furnace of adversity and maker it hotter than ever before.  At times like these, we wonder why God allows these circumstances in our lives. But there is always a reason, and in the end our lives are fuller and our walks and relationships with Jesus are richer.

The end of the story is drastically different from its beginning.  When Nebuchadnezzar looks into the furnace, he sees four men—not three—walking in the fire.  He describes the fourth man as looking like a “son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:25).  When they exit, they are no longer bound, their clothes are not singed, and they don’t smell of smoke!

We must understand that taking a stand for God does not mean our circumstances will become easier.  In fact, just the opposite is true.  These three men took a stand for the Lord and found themselves in hot water!  But God was with them in the flame.  The great lesson here is that we do not go through trials and tribulations alone; God is with us even when our circumstances tell us differently.

How hot is the water where you are today?  Does it seem that God is stoking the furnace, making it unbearably hot for you?  Do you wonder if you have been forgotten or if God even cares about where you are?  Think about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in that furnace.  God did not forsake them but was with them through the entire ordeal and brought them safely out.  When they emerged, their faith was stronger, their understanding of God was clearer, and they were greater witnesses for God.  So, is the water hot enough where you are today?  If not and if God is heating things up, just remember the words of Job, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

The Rest of the Story

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alk radio hosts have a very devoted following.  No matter their activity, people will drop everything they are doing to catch up on the latest news and gossip.  In fact, some will go so far as to schedule their entire day around a particular show, letting nothing interfere or come between them and the latest juicy morsel of social and/or relevant news.  Several years ago, Paul Harvey’s talk show was listened to by millions, especially his segment entitled, “The Rest of the Story.”

The segment ran every day and went something like this.  Paul would give the latest news and in the middle of his report, he would introduce the first part of a story, generally about someone doing a good deed. He would stop the story in midstream and continue with the daily news.  However, he would always come back to his tale at the end of the broadcast and he always began the same way, “…and now for the rest of the story…”

So now it’s our turn to complete the story the angel began yesterday.  We left the shepherds in mid-message with the angel promising to share good news that would be good for all the people.  Let’s pick up where we left off and find out, along with the shepherds, the rest of the story.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Can’t you just see them, their mouths hanging open, their eyes opened wide, and their faces glowing as the angel continued his message?  And then, as if that wasn’t enough, the sky is suddenly and miraculously filled with a “great host” of angels all singing praises and glory to God.

The message was one of joy and delight.  A baby had been born, and not just any baby, but the promised Messiah, he whose coming was foretold by prophets hundreds of years before.  He is here, God’s promise of salvation has come, and the world will be forever changed because of this night.

The angel instructs the shepherds to search for the babe in Bethlehem, just as the prophet, Micah, had said.  It should come as no surprise to us that he who would call himself the Bread of Life would be born in a town whose name means House of Bread.  It should come as no surprise that he whom John would later call the Light of the World, would have his birth announced with the light of angels splitting the dark night and it should come as no surprise that God’s message, sent through the angels, would promise peace on earth by the one who would stand on the turbulent and stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee and whisper “Peace, be still!”

And so, having received the rest of the story, the shepherds leave their flocks and head straightway into Bethlehem to see firsthand the fulfillment of God’s promise and the angels’ message.  Won’t you join them as they gaze upon the rest of the story?

Opening Lines

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all me Ishmael…” The opening line of Melville’s Moby Dick was indelibly etched into my mind by Miss Lois Hoyle who taught Junior English at our high school.  Throughout the semester we learned about symbolism, irony, foreshadowing, and a whole host of other literary devices that, at the time seemed useless, but later on became such an important part of my college education. 

First lines are important! First words are important because they set the tone for the message that is to follow.  And this is exactly the situation in which the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem find themselves. When we last left the shepherds, their tranquil evening had been interrupted by a blinding light and the presence of one of God’s angels. Now we find them frightened, not willing or able to move as they wait for the angel to speak to them.  What will he say? What will the message be?  No doubt, they are braced for the worst but what follows is anything but a threatening message.

In Luke 2:10, the angel’s opening line is: “Do not be afraid…”  I can imagine the shock and the astonishment on the faces of the shepherds as they looked to each other to make sure they had all heard the same words.  Notice the statement is not a request but a direct command.  Whatever the remaining portion of the message, God wanted them to be open and unafraid to receive it.

Let’s consider the shepherds’ world for a few seconds and understand the importance of this opening line against that backdrop.  Palestine was a conquered country.  The Roman army was everywhere as soldiers patrolled the thoroughfares, occupied every city and village, and kept the people under constant surveillance.  In addition to this, shepherds, as we have already mentioned, were the lowest rung on the ladder, having no social standing or influence.

Yet God chooses to share the opening line about the birth of Christ with them and that opening line is one of comfort and peace.  As the shepherds stare and listen in certain disbelief, the angel continues the message: “...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  

From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden all the way down to those shepherds, the history of man has been one of enmity with God.  Yet, God’s message is one of hope, carrying good news to all who will hear it.

This is the way God works.  When it is dark, when we are alone, when we are at our lowest and we believe there is no hope, he speaks, not words of condemnation, but words of hope and good news.  And so we leave the shepherds in mid-message waiting to hear the good news the angel has promised.  Are you willing to receive God’s good news today?

Don't You Care?

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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!"

A Spiritual Ultrasound

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or several weeks I had been 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?  

A Game of Freeze Tag

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hat do you do on a summer evening?  This was never a problem in our neighborhood.  In fact, it didn’t matter whether it was summer, winter, spring, or fall.  We never had any difficulty figuring out what we would do.  The only question we had to consider was which of our mischievous activities would provide the most fun and the least amount of trouble with our parents or the adults in our neighborhood.

One of my fondest memories was playing a game of freeze tag in our back yard.  All the kids from the neighborhood would come over and an evening of games would ensue.  These could be basketball, dodge ball, HORSE, or a variety and/or combination of other games.  However, a game of freeze tag proved to one of the most fun and challenging.

For those of you who have never played freeze tag, here are the rules.  One person is chosen to be “it.”  This is a very democratic process, usually involving the election of someone to the office of “it” who wasn’t really planning on running for the job!  Anyway, a certain place is designated to be “home base”, another democratic process.  In our backyard, a small piece of concrete served to mark the spot for home base.  It also doubled for home plate when we played baseball but that is another story.

The idea of the game was to leave home base and make it back without being tagged by the “it” person.  If you were tagged, you were considered frozen and had to remain in that position until someone who had touched home base tagged you.  Then you ran like the wind to return to home base for safety.  If someone was particularly far away from home base and the “it” person was very good, the other members could form a line and pass the “electricity” from home base to that person.  The “it” person was powerless to freeze anyone as long as contact with home base was maintained.  When touched by the living chain from home base, the frozen person was thawed and instantly welcomed back home. 

Is there a more vivid picture of sharing the gospel and the wonderful truth of God’s salvation than this?  People all around us are frozen in position because they have never heard the truth about Jesus Christ or because no one from home base has come to share the wonderful story of and power of salvation with them.  They are all around us, some near, some far, some we know, others we don’t, but they are all frozen because they have never accepted Jesus as Savor and Lord.

In the wonderful book of Romans, Paul shares with us the great freedom found in Jesus and the salvation he offers to all who are frozen in sin.  Romans 8:1-3 reads, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.”

This is one of the most wonderful statements in all of scripture.  From the first verse of this chapter, Paul teaches that we are no longer condemned by God if we know Jesus Christ as our savior.  The Law (the Old Testament sacrificial system) had no power to forgive sins.  People were still frozen in their sin, keeping them separated from God.  But when Jesus came and offered himself as a sin offering, true freedom, the freedom God intended for us to have all along, came into the world.

Today, the game of freeze tag is still being played.  The playground is anywhere you go: to the mall, to the grocery store, to school, to work, and to church.  All around us, we see people frozen by sin, living a life in view of home base but never touching it.  For those of us who know Jesus Christ as savior, our mission is clear.  We must share the good news of salvation with those around us and bring them to home base.  The power of the gospel will thaw anything sin has done but unless we are willing to reach out and share with others, this game of spiritual freeze tag will continue. 

Where are you in this game?  Are you safely standing on home base, unwilling to leave its security or are you out there, sharing the power of Christ and his salvation to those who are frozen in life?  Are you sharing the power from home base today?

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?

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?  

Stuck 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?

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?

Mission Accomplished

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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?

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!