A Purpose in Old Age

25Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Led by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. And when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what was customary under the Law, 28Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised,

You now dismiss Your servant in peace...

36There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, 37and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four.dShe never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2)     

Anna and Simeon were older.  Some could wonder why they were left there.  They may have wondered the same thing on occasion.  But they were left alive by God for a reason.  They gave confirmation to the calling and the person of Jesus as the Savior of the world.  There are people who have given up on hope because they are sick, or because they are discouraged and do not see a productive future for themselves.  In our day, people are cast aside as nothing if they start taking away money instead of adding money to the family.  We devalue the human soul when we devalue the poor or children or the elderly because they do not add to our bottom line right away.  Jesus came as a baby to show us that God values babies.  He gave value to Simeon and Anna just by being there.  In our secular culture it is all about the money- and nothing about the soul.  Often in a nursing home someone will ask, “Why am I still here?  I can’t work?  The most common age for men to have a heart attack is 65- the age of retirement.  You would think it would be younger with the stress of work-but many put their identity and hope all in their work so that when they retire they lose their purpose. So the elderly say to themselves, “I am costing my children their inheritance”- which often they provided by the way.  It is a bit crazy- secular people want to hang onto this life scratching and clawing because we think there is no heaven, but then we want to end this life because we are not productive and medicine and care costs so much.  We have the ability to keep someone’s heart pumping seemingly forever- and I am not advocating that.  I am advocating to allow people to end their life with God’s timing and God’s way- and not play God.  One general rule is: “Do not harm.”  I have seen a woman lead a nursing aid to Christ a week before her death because of her faith and trust in God in the midst of pain.  Just because you do not understand your purpose does not mean there is none- God has a purpose for your life- right where you are.  Christians are called in scripture to trust in God at the end of their lives.  We are called to do what Simeon did at the end of life and say, “Now, Lord you can let your servant depart in peace.”  

Prayer: Lord, Give me grace to know that you have a purpose for everyone .  Help me to value the soul more than money.  Give me wisdom and balance at the end of life so that I may trust in you.  

Finishing Well

Now you can let your servant depart in peace... (Luke 2:29)

Thoughts: It is important to finish well.  We believe we are to grow in our faith more and more.  As we grow in sanctification, we hope to become stronger and stronger in our faith and our desire and ability to please God.  Getting out of the starting blocks is great- but if we fade it means little or nothing. 
Simeon was one who grew in sanctification.  He was seen as a godly man- "righteous and devout" He was willing to leave this world- and leave it in peace.  Some hold onto this life tightly-afraid of death with their hopes dashed or disappointed. 
There is a book by Loklier called "Last Words of Saints and Sinners."  He compares the last words of those who strongly believed and those who claimed to not believe.  The difference in their last words is staggering.  Simeon is an example where more and more prayer, reading of scripture, worship, fellowship,  and service.  We should all strive to grow in our faith and finish our year well- but also finish life well.

Prayer: Lord, let me finish 2018 well, growing in my faith.

Putting Christmas Away

“Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

8And sending them to Bethlehem, he [Herod] said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.”

Many people are thinking- when shall I put my Christmas decorations up?  For Protestant liturgical churches January 6 is Epiphany when we put our decorations up*.  But that is not in the Bible- and Calvin would say it is a superfluous. 
    But some do not just put Christmas away- they put Christ away.  To love God doesn't mean to love and worship Him only one day a year.  Yet, one day a year is better than no days a year- as so many just drift into apathetic non-practice and eventually apathetic unbelief.  It is amazing that we can be apathetic to the One who made us, came to earth for us, and gave His life that we might live.  Our spiritual enemy would love to have us think God- who made and loves us- is irrelevant or powerless.  He would also like anything to get in the way- a bad word from a church member, a poor sermon, an off-key anthem, busy-ness, a cold shoulder, tough times, embarrassment for sin or misconception, or whatever.  When I was dating my wife, I would let anything- any naysayer, problem, headache or whatever get in my way of dating her.  It was important to me because of love.  When you love God you want to spend time with the One you love- including God.  The wise men came to pay homage.  Herod faked homage in order to try to get rid of his supposed rival.  Herod wanted to put Christ away forever.  Let Christ be a part of your ending year and your coming year. 

Prayer: Lord, Let me remember you, putting you first in my life all year long.   

Orthodox churches celebrate Crhsitmas January 7 Armenian on January 8. 

Christmas Clean Up II

Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean.  Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7

"Behold, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  (John 1:29)

Whiter than snow, whiter than snow, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

There is nothing quite like snow.  It makes a dirty landscape become beautiful.  It covers over the flaws, the dips- making everything even, filling in holes.  So Christ's coming is a cleansing.
Revelation 5 describes Christ as a sacrificial lamb who is standing on the altar.  It is through this sacrifice that people are allowed into heaven.  His sacrifice covers over our flaws and sins- as snow covers the landscape.  David writes Psalm 51 out of the guilt of adultery.  He feels separated from God and saddened.  But he also anticipates forgiveness, cleansing, and the washing that makes him whiter than snow.  It is not the sacrifice of ordinary lambs that can do this.  It is the payment for sin by the death of the one who was truly innocent.  His infinite life given for our finite but many and deep sins.  Jesus was first identified b John the Baptist at the beginning of his ministry as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  John's baptism didn't cleanse but it pointed to a deeper cleansing.  Out baptism itself doesn't cleanse our souls, but it points to our sins being taken away by Christ's sacrifice.  This is the deeper Christmas clean up and why Christmas is so important.

Prayer: Lord, wash me and I will be whiter than snow.  But wash me.  Cleans me and I will be clean.

Youtube Song; Are you washed in the blood of the lamb? 

Christmas Clean Up and Work

Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.  He is the Messiah the Lord.  (Luke 2:11)

After Christmas, there is clean up, restocking, and looking at the checkbook/credit card bill.  The presents are open, and the garbage can is full of the wrapping paper bought and wrapped so carefully before Christmas.  We are beginning to ask, "How long can we eat on this (ham/turkey/whatever)." 
Howard Thurman has a great poem that we have used on our benediction on Christmas Eve:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
The real work of Christmas is to continue to the work of Jesus.  Part of following Jesus is to continue His work. 
    But the other angle on this is that there is a sense that Jesus came to keep us form believing we have to do and do in order to get to heaven.  Christ came down not just so we would be inspired to do good, but because our goodness is limited.  "Born to raise the sons of earth- born to give them second birth" (Hark the Herald Angels Sing).  The power of Christmas is in the person of the baby born- the little Prince of Peace.  We are called to put our trust in Him.  He will cleanse and save us from sin.  From the beginning He is called "The Savior" by the angel.  He cleans us up.  He helps us up.  Work is inadequate.  Trust is our calling from the birth of Christ.  When we trust Him, then we are inspired to do His work.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you and thus be inspired to do your work.  

Merry Christmas

12/25- “I Bring you Good News”  Luke 2:9-14

9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Thoughts: Christmas is here! It is in part the fulfillment of our hopes.  We imitate this fulfilling of hope in our secular world. We make lists and then check them off; we go shopping and wrap each present with care; We buy food hoping the family will all come and devour it; We hope Mom and Dad and the kids will all get along this year.  Christ came to fulfill the hope of the ages (Titus 1:2). 
    Christ coming is indeed good news of great joy that will be for everyone on the whole earth.  Jesus saw his mission to be bringing good news.  He stayed on the positive side of hope.  It is meant to be for everyone and not just for some.  It is meant to be for all time and not just for a lifetime.  He is the eye of the storm- the hope of rest in the midst of craziness.  It is meant to be good news of joy even for those who are living in the shadow of death.  Jesus is that.  He brings us the good news that there is a basis for hope.  He is the hope of the world. 

Prayer: Lord, may I believe the good news, and live it in the way I talk, live, and think this Christmas day!

Song:#134 “Joy to the world! The Lord has come, let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare Him room- and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Light for all Peoples

12/23- “A Light of Hope for All peoples” Luke 2:29-32

29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss ^d your servant in peace.

30For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

Thoughts: From the very beginning, Jesus was seen as a ray of hope to a dark world.  This was not just a ray of hope to the Jewish people, but to all people.  Because God’s promise of hope for the world is being fulfilled, Simeon and the rest of us may rest in peace.  God keeps His promises.  Jesus changed everything in opening up belief in the God of Abraham and Isaac to all the world.  We should seek to not keep the Gospel to ourselves but to invite others to worship with us, and to pray for the continued spread of the Gospel. 

Prayer: Lord, my your good news spread through me.  May my soul find peace because I know you have come for me.

Nothing is Impossible with God

12/20- I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me Phil. 4:13

“I am the vine, you are the branches.  If a aman abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

“Nothing is Impossible with God”  (Luke 1:37)

Thoughts: The scripture teaches us two important and paradoxical truths: 1) Apart from Him I can do nothing (John 15:5) 2) Nothing is impossible with God.  This allows us to dream big. 
    Jurgen Moltmann is a German theologian writing about post-Christian Europe.  He writes that Europe seems like the dark side of the moon with empty crater after empty crater- barren, dry, just there.  We can let the terror of war (like WW1 and WW2) devastate us so that we think there is no hope or that our hope is not important.  In America many are giving up faith, hope, and love for alcohol and drugs.  If you look at places devastated by drugs- some parts of Chicago, or LA or even sections of Richland and Lexington counties- you find the same kind of hopelessness, barrenness.  The people of the church need to hold forth the banner of hope. 
     There are those who have given up on heaven as a place of hope.  It is not a far step for these same people to give up on earth as well.  The doomsday drums of nuclear, ecological and political apocalypse beat louder every day.  This is the bad news that apart from Christ we can do nothing. There are those who say that hope is meaningless, and does nothing.  But there is true power in putting our hope and trust in God.  It is not just wishing- it is trusting.  It is not giving up but persevering until we are back up again. 
     There is hope.  Nothing is impossible with God.  We can work to make the world a better place.  We can ignore the power of the bad news and fight it with the spread of the good news of Christ.  The hope we have is not found in ourselves- but in the One who tells us that with Him- nothing is impossible.  It is this hope that strengthens us.  It enables us to say and believe, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

Prayer: Lord, help me to believe and concentrate and have hope. 

“Opitmism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”  Helen Keller.

Song: #128: Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all.  Swift are winging, angels singing noel’s ringing, tidings bringing, Christ the babe is Lord of all!  Christ the babe is Lord of al!

Hope In what we do not see

12/19- Believing Even When the Sun is Not Shining

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

  The old inscription in the Nazi concentration camp said, “I believe in the sun even when its not shining; I believe in love even when I am alone; I believe in God even when He is silent.”  This is hope.  And faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
    To be able to be certain of your hope is what faith is all about.  So in some ways, faith is based on hope.  The question of faith, therefore is what do you hope for, and what do you hope in?  Our hope is in God.  But God gives us content to the objective hope that becomes our own subjective hope.  There is a solid hope out there.  We do not make it up.  We do not simply guess. There is a basis for our hope.  It is found in the person of Jesus the Christ.  He came down to show us hope.  He cam down to show us that God indeed cares enough to come down- this is love.  He came down and died as a sacrifice to show us the extent and depth of His love.  But the resurrection and the ascension are the great miracles that testify to the reality and basis of our hope.  We believe in victory- not simply because we have a good team.  We believe in victory because He has already won. 
     I like to watch Youtube videos of my teams past football victories (it cuts out the commercials and speeds up the game).  When I do this sometimes I can get anxious- the team falls behind, drops a great pass, misses a sure tackle.  I can get anxious.  But then I remember- the victory has already been won!  Then I have a hope that eases my anxiety.  To believe is to put your trust in the hope and your faith in the God who wins.  You may not feel like you are winning, but the victory has already been secured. 

Prayer:  Lord, give me grace to put my hope in you.  In the valleys as well as the mountains may I be faithful to you in my hope and love. 

Song: #130- Break forth O beauteous heavenly light and usher in thr morning.  You shepherds shudder not with fright, but hear the angel’s warning.  His child now weak in infancy, our confidence and joy shall be, the power of Satan breaking, our peace eternal making. 

Peace for Those with an Irritable Itch

12/17- Peace for Those with An Irritable Itch- Jn. 14

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ^a ; believe also in me. 2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”
25“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Thoughts: Jesus gives us, in this chapter both a hope of things to come and a hope in the present.  Both hopes enable Him to say to our souls: “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” 
    The hope to come is that Jesus is going ahead of us to make a room ready for us.  I like the translation of the King James Version- “In my Father’s house are many mansions …and I go there to prepare a place for you.”  The rooms are spacious- enough- a home.  We will have a place after we die for our eternal souls and it is not simply in this life.  He has to die to get there.  We all do.  But death no longer has the same sting.  It is not a fading into meaninglessness.  Some today simply cope with death by just coming to terms with the finality of it, or the hope that we will somehow influence others- through our teaching, example, and even DNA.  But while that is important, in the face of our eternal soul, it is even more important to follow Jesus into heaven- into the place He has prepared for us. 
    The second hope He gives us is peace in the here and now.  This is not the only peace, but it is a part of it.  God sends Himself, the Holy Spirit to help us.  The Spirit is called “the advocate, the comforter, the counselor- the “parakletos.”  Paraklete comes from “para” (along side- like parallel) and kletos (meaning help).  He is the One who comes alongside us to help.  He teaches us, reminds us of His Word (we have to read it first so He can remind us later), and He gives us peace.  For both reasons we do not need to be troubled, and we do not need to be afraid. 
     If you have ever had an allergic itch- like to poison ivy, you know how scratching it gives a millisecond of relief, but actually inflames the problem making it grow.  But if you get the right potion, it sooths the itch and shrinks it.  We are born with an itch- we are born with a desire for God and a desire for eternity in our hearts (Eccles. 3:11).  Jesus comes and offers us peace to come, and peace in the here and now. 

Prayer: Lord, give me hope.  Hope beyond this life, and hope in the here and now.  May this hope that came at Christmas, make me alive to you. 

Song: #132- Good Christian friends rejoice, with heart and soul and voice; now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ is born for this!  He has opened heaven’s door and we are blest forevermore!  Christ was born for this!  Christ was born for this!

Hope Found in the Here and Now

HOPE ALIVE IN THE NOW 12/16-22
12/16- Comfort Now for those Suffering- “Comfort, Comfort you my people.” Mt. 11:28-30

 28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30)

Thoughts: Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.  He wants to soothe those who are being overwhelmed by the problems of life- bodily sickness, hatred, legalism, bigotry, selfishness and pride of all kinds.  It was only the self-righteous (which can also be a kind of pride and selfishness) that He afflicted. 
     How did He comfort?  With the answer of hope (hope fulfilled) and the promise of hope.  Jesus actually healed people who were sick.  In those days He did it simply through prayer.  Today He uses prayer but also medicines and the doctor’s hands.  Many healings that come from medicine are an answer to prayer- insight given to researchers, and using materials God has made in the right way. Some of these are answers to prayer from many a mother over her child. 
     But there is another, even deeper way He heals- healing our soul.  This healing doesn't wait until after we die. When we come to Him- we find rest for our soul.  We find our hearts true home.  We find power to overcome our selfishness and power to turn the other cheek and love our enemies (even if they might be our relatives- coming for Christmas).  He helps us pull our weight.  The image given here is of an oxen yoke.  There are places for two oxen.  He comes alongside us as the larger power to help us pull our way through the problems of life.  He makes our yoke- our burden light by heling us.  We rely on Him and follow His lead.  We come to Him, but He- by His grace- invites us to come. 

Prayer: Lord, come alongside me this advent.  Come alongside my family.  As we get busy and as we try to fulfill obligations, help us set our priorities making the seeking of you our first priority.     

Song: #123 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow, Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing. O rest beside the weary road, And hear the angels sing!

The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy

Here is a link to the 2018 Advent Devotional: "Hope is Born" 

12/15- Hope in a Closed Womb- The Virgin Conceives

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive
and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ...  (Isaiah 7:14)

Thoughts:  The virgin birth is not just a simplistic miracle.  It is a statement of God.  It is the way God is saying that He is doing something unusual, and that this person born is not unusual either.  You might expect that if God is going to come into the world, it would be in an unusual way.  He did come with angels; He did come with wise men bringing  gifts; but his actual birth was unusual- humble, yet spectacular. 
     Parthenogensis- is another name for virgin birth.  It happens in amoebas and in rabbits.  But in the Bible over and over again God tries to tell us that He is in control of our being born.  So Sarah conceives past 90.  So Rebekah conceives; So Rachel conceives; so Hannah conceives- when it was though impossible.  Mary and Hannah are actually two similar characters- both were humble and both conceived in an “impossible” way. 

     The virgin birth is a reminder that God became human but He is also different in holiness and in nature. 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for your sign of special care in the virgin birth. 

Song: The virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy; the virgin Mary had a baby boy, and the name of the boy was Jesus.  He come from the glory, He come from the glorious kingdom. Oh yes, believer.  He come from the glorious kingdom. 
[For Kingston Trip YouTube- click here] 

Hope and Perseverance

12/12- Hope Enables Us to Persevere-

And we ^b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we ^c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)

 And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Thoughts: The story of God’s redemption is not a temporary short fix.  It is a story for the long haul.  This life is hard.  That is why both perseverance and hope are necessary.  Perseverance is required because we are a work in progress- God isn’t finished with us yet.  Hope is necessary too.  Maturity gives us both perseverance and hope.  As we fix our eyes on our hope, we will persevere and not give up.  It is when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and saw the wind and waves that he began to sink [when he tried to walk on water]. 
     Florence Chadwick was the first woman to swim the English channel both ways.  In 1952 she decided to swim from Catalina Island to California- 15 miles. But it was foggy she could not see the coast.  She begged her mother to get into the boat, but her mother told her it was not far.  When they pulled her out of the water, she was less than a half mile from shore.  She told reporters that she could have finished if she only could have seen and had hope.  We are called to persevere and not give up because we have hope.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus who for the joy set before him endured the scorn of human beings.  Jesus teaches us to persevere and trust in God even in the midst of the crosses of life. 

Prayer: Lord, Help me to persevere by trusting in you. 

Song: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down His sweet head; the stars in the sky, shone down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 

No doubt Mary and Joseph were in a fog and could not see the end of where God was taking them or their son.  But they trusted God.

Giving in Hope

12/11- Hope Enables Giving When we Have Little- Widow’s Mite

1As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
     5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6“As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

Thoughts: Jesus and the disciples were in one of the seven wonders of that ancient world- the Temple.  The limestone shone brilliantly in the afternoon sun.  It was a symbol of the presence and power of God.  Yet Jesus was more pleased with this widow’s offering than all the glory of the Temple.  In truth, it is the dedication of hearts like hers that makes a Temple worthwhile.  She was all in.  There are some who say we should wait until we have plenty and then give out of that plenty.  This widow, in contrast, knew that all she had was a gift from God- and she lived it.  She gave not because she had a surplus, but because God meant so much to her.  I have seen some South Sudanese do the same thing.  They had no money for food, but they would put in what they had in the offering plate in trust that God would provide for their needs.  This is faith.
    But, this is not all.  The way the widow gave shows deep hope.  For widows in that day, there was no food bank or welfare system.  There was only begging.  Many in our day would have given up hope.  We trust in God when things go our way, but when things get tough we blame God and drop Him (like that puts us in a better position to get through our tough time!).  This widow was not mad at God for her humble situation.  She knew she needed to trust God in the valley of the shadow as well as beside still waters and green pastures.  To walk by faith and not by sight requires great trust and great patience.  It is a trust and patience that is normally rare, but in our very secular day is rare indeed.  Yet the widow teaches us not just about giving, but about faith and hope in God.  We should believe in the sun even when it Is not shining, and in God even when we do not see Him.  Jesus came to give hope to this widow.  He saw her need and saw her giving spirit.  He sees ours as well.  Put your hope in God and see how that changes your perspective, your expectations, your joy, your true freedom, your purpose, your love, and your hope. 

Prayer: Lord, you are my everything and I am willing to give everything to you.  But take what I have and multiply it for your glory.   

Song: What shall I give Him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man I would do my part.  What shall I give Him?  I Give my heart. 

Hope in the darkness

12/10- Hope in the Darkness- “A light shines in the darkness”  Isaiah 9:1-7

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:1-7)

Thoughts: The people of God were in a tough time.  The nation had shrunk- the northern kingdom of Israel had been defeated by the Assyrians (who were threatening the southern kingdom of Judah).  The warrior’s boot had trampled down their fields and kicked in their doors.  The people were confused and perplexed.  Their leaders (political and religious gave little help.  There was injustice replaced with bribery and an ignoring of the poor.  There were problems galore. 

    But Isaiah prophesied a time when a child-prince would be born to restore the blessings of the nation.  This in the end, is the Child Jesus- the Prince of Peace.  Let us not be over-awed or over-terrified by the powers of this world.  The power of God is much greater and will help us to persevere and overcome. 
    Perhaps you have felt betrayed, treated unfairly, In your perplexity- your confusion- find hope in God.  When all other hopes are gone, it is a reminder where our true hope lies.  Instead of choosing to live in fear and confusion, live with the Prince of Peace- the light that shines in the darkness.  The hope of the world, and your hope!

Prayer: Lord, remind me as I light candles this advent that you are my ultimate hope. 

Song #85- Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise. Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward.

Hope in a Small Town

12/9- Hope in a Small Town- “But you Bethlehem…out of you will come the Messiah” Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 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." 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi ^a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
   3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ^b ” 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2)

Thoughts: Sometimes, because things happen in the past, we assume they have added layer on layer of mystique.  However, the New Testament was written down within the lifetime of the eyewitnesses who could corroborate or deny the events.  While over the years layer of tradition is laid on top of the story (for example there were three wise men because there were three gifts; and the names of the wise men), the truth behind the legends is not suspect.  We know, for example, from outside sources that King Herod was a real king.  We know, in accordance to this passage that he was an extremely jealous king (even killing his own family members- wife and sons in suspicion of undermining his throne).  There are also many theories about the star that make that a possibility- the alignment of planets for example about 4 BC. 
      But we can miss the meat of the story by trying to defend the veracity of it.  The meat of the story is that a small, forgotten, sheep herding town became famous once again.  This time, not just nationally famous (birthplace of king David), but globally famous (birthplace of the Savior of the world).  It is the classic story of God lifting up the humble. 
   This humility is pointed out- But you Bethlehem, though you are least among the towns of Judah… People value worth in terms of popularity, and how well known some place or person is.  But God sees the small, the neglected, those that are otherwise in darkness.  This is the good news.  A carpenter’s son became King of kings.  He was not born in the throne room or palace.  He was not born in the capital with tabloids and social media blasting out every detail (think Prince George).  He was born in the smallest darkest, most hopeless place.  Then he was born in a barn, with a feeding trough for his bed.  All this points to God’s lifting up the humble and remembering those the world forgets.  Let us be faithful where we are.  God does not forget you, but is watching you.  Your faithful acts and work for Him will be rewarded. 

Prayer: Lord, let me not give up hope in the midst of humility.  Instead let me see that you are the lifter of my head. 

Song: “1. O sing a song of Bethlehem,Of shepherds watching there, And of the news that came to them
From angels in the air: The light that shone on Bethlehem Fills all the world to-day; Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth The angels sing alway.