12-15-14 God and the Helpless

Dec. 15, 2014

Scripture: And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.  And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:8-11).

Thoughts: It was not the high and mighty, the religious leaders or kings of this world, to whom the angels appeared.  It was to shepherds, to those who were not considered good, smart, powerful, or trustworthy.  They were nobodys in the social structure of the ancient East.  They were not even able to testify in court because their testimony was considered unreliable.  Yet they saw the angels and were entrusted with a twofold sign, namely, this child would be wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.  What does this twofold sign signify?  First, it signifies that the child wrapped in “swaddling clothes” (i.e., rags) would not only suffer cold and hunger as any other baby who has come into this world, but he would also suffer helplessness until his last day when it was said of him: “He saved others; himself he cannot save” (Matthew 27:42).  Second, the manger foreshadows the homelessness he would experience throughout his life to the point that one day he said: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).  For those who know they are homeless and helpless in this world apart from God, the shepherds – even though they were not considered good, smart, powerful, or trustworthy – point us still to him who is our help and who leads us home.

Prayer: Lord, help us in our helplessness and homelessness in this world to rely on you by following your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  Amen.

Application: Do a kind deed in Jesus’ name for someone who is spiritually or materially helpless or homeless in this world.

12/14/14- God and the Small

Dec. 14, 2014 – WEEK 3- Dr. Richard Burnett is writing this week’s devotionals Concentrating on Luke.

Scripture: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled.  This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria.  And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered.  And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-7).

Thoughts: Are you not struck by the smallness of it all?  Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem were very small, insignificant towns in the wider context of the Roman Empire and the census decreed by Caesar Augustus.  Mary, Joseph, and the babe wrapped in “swaddling clothes” also appear rather small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.  Why did God choose to reveal himself in such small, insignificant, and humble circumstances?  C.S. Lewis claims: “Proud man would have died had not such a lowly God come to him.”  Augustine wrote: “Because man fell through pride, He [God] applied humility as a cure.  We were trapped by the wisdom of the serpent; we are freed by the foolishness of God” (On Christian Doctrine I, xiv, 15).  God uses the small, humble, seemingly insignificant and even foolish things to confound the wisdom of the wise in this world and bring about His redemption.  Does he not continue to do so?  And should we not be watchful and ready to participate in such work among such circumstances?

Prayer: O God our Father, help us to believe that you work in the small, humble, and seemingly insignificant circumstances of life to bring about our redemption.  We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Application: Take some time think about the small, humble, and seemingly insignificant circumstances of life God has used to teach you about himself and to bring about your redemption and the redemption of those you love.

Today's (and this week's) devotion was written by Dr. Richard Burnett, Interim Associate Pastor at Lake Murray Presbyterian and Professor at Erskine Theological Seminary

12/13-A Weeping Spirit

12/13 Scripture - When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” (Matthew 2:16-20)

I confess I find these words some of the most disturbing in Scripture. What a horrific scene that breaks my heart.  Why in the midst of the beauty of the Word being made flesh are we told about humanity’s immense capacity for evil? But that is why the baby Jesus was born in the first place. He came to redeem, transform, and restore us. And as Herod shows we desperately need redemption from the evil in our hearts.

Christmas is a beautiful wonderful time. But it has a spirit of darkness. For many Christmas is a lonely, depressing, desperate time.  It is a time when one is “supposed” to be happy, but in truth depression and suicide rates rise each December.  Christmas is a time when too many people feel broken. Many are hurting and grieving. Others are ill or facing challenges in their families. And all these problems seem bigger when cast in the light of “Happy Holidays.”

As the church of Jesus Christ and as His brothers and sisters we are to cast out this spirit of darkness and fill it with light and love. Jesus came to give us eternal and abundant life. He sent His Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. The Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life and through the Spirit Jesus keeps His promise that he will never leave us.  In truth we are never alone for God is with us. But as Christians we are to look for those that the world has hurt and welcome them especially this time of year. We are to offer everyone the certain hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ and the peace and joy He freely gives to His disciples. And as each person finds hope and healing, our joy increases and so does the Lord’s!

Prayer: Lord use me to cast out darkness. Heal those who are broken and hurting. Make me an instrument of your peace this Christmas and always.

Application: Invite someone to worship or another activity at LMPC. Help them connect with others here.

Today is 12-13-14 getting ready for 15!
The devotion today is written by Rev. Tracie Stewart, Associate for Pastoral Care and Education

12/12/14 Spirit of Unrealistic Expectations

12/12 Scripture: When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

Another spirit that makes it hard to embrace the holidays is the spirit of unrealistic expectations. Each year is supposed to be “the best Christmas EVER.” Each eleven months we have to compete against our best efforts from years past. We must have the best and most and the first! This lying spirit convinces us that the quality of our Christmas lies in our actions – in how much we do and spend and how busy we are. It is exhausting and ultimately self-defeating.

Herod had unrealistic expectations about his power and might and he let them consume him. He wanted to control his kingdom and his fate. He was willing to destroy anything that was in the way of how he thought things should be. Even helpless babies were expendable if they were in his way. But Herod most well-laid schemes were no match for God.  Jesus was kept safe. And end in the end all Herod’s riches and power, all his earthly expectations came to nothing at his death.

God created us to love us not for what we do, but for who we are. He loves us despite our sins. We do not earn our salvation. We never could. God gives it to us a gift, completely unearned and undeserved. This is grace! Surely such grace should fill our Christmas celebrations. Let us rest and relax knowing through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, that the perfect Christmas is one where Jesus is worshiped and adored.

Prayer: Lord, may your Holy Spirit cast out any expectations that are not centered on you. Help me to grow in grace and rest in your love.

Application: Spend quiet time reading the Christmas story or listening to carols. Think about how much God has done for you and how much He loves you.

Devotion by Tracie Stewart

12/11/14- Spirit of Consumerism

12/11 Scripture: “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” (Matthew 2:9-12)

One of the most overwhelming spirits we encounter this time of year is consumerism.  We are not just to buy things but to consume them. We need bigger, shiner, newer and always MORE!  We are encouraged to eat everything in sight, to buy as much as we can, to decorate every inch of space. The excess and waste is incredible. While around the globe people perish for lack of necessities we are fed a mantra that just because something attracts us for a moment we MUST have it.

I have always wondered about how Mary and Joseph must have received the magi and their gifts. These men were offering them a fortune! And they were truly poor. In Luke they give most meager offering the law allowed at Jesus’ birth. And yet here all their wildest dreams are coming true. They have literally won the lottery and can change their lives. But these gifts quickly became a lifeline. Most scholars think they provided the funds for the Holy Family to flee to Egypt. Jesus grew up as the son of a poor carpenter.

In a world that is all about “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” what does it say that our Lord chose to be poor? His priority was His relationship with His heavenly Father and with other people. He came not to serve but to be served and give His life as a ransom for many. The Holy Spirit can teach us to put others first and to resist the siren songs of our culture. And what blessings will follow as we learn to be content with what we have and truly enjoy life rather than exhausting ourselves seeking more.

Prayer:  Dear Jesus, help me to discern between what I want and what I need. Send your Spirit into my heart to teach me to resist greed and temptation and to serve others.

Application: Consider buying some gifts from fair trade cooperatives (they give poor people fair prices for goods like coffee, jewelry and art pieces). Or consider an alternative Christmas gift such as a gift to a charity.

12/10- Submitting Our Spirit to His

12/10   Scripture  - “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When 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.  ‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written: ‘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.’  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He 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 2:3-8)

Ancient Byzantine drawing of Magi

This is a very ironic scene. The magi have traveled a great distance to worship the new-born king. Naturally they go to where they expect the king to be – in the palace. Not only is there no king, but these devout men actually put Jesus in danger. They alert Herod to his birth and then they tell him all they know about this king and his natal star. Herod represents all that is evil, all that is the “spirit of the flesh.” He seeks power and wealth and will destroy anything and anyone that gets in his way. He is a liar and cheat and above all a coward who fears infants. Being in tune with the spirit of the flesh can only bring misery.

In contrast the Holy Spirit bears good and lasting fruit – peace, joy, patience, love, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control. To submit our will to that of the spirit seems very difficult – especially at first. Our sinful nature cries for what we want. But over time we learn that God’s ways are full of wisdom. His plans are better than we could ever imagine. He is faithful and true and as we reap these fruits of the spirit we desire to grow ever-stronger in our discipleship. To submit our will to Christ is one way to worship and adore him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Take my life as an offering to you. Use me for your glory.

Application: Give Jesus a Christmas present.  Either give up something that displeases Him or take up an additional thing that pleases Him (participate in a ministry, read your Bible or pray more).

[Written by Rev. Tracie Stewart]

12/9- Matthew 2- Spirit of Commercialism

12/9 Scripture – “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and 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.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Another spirit of this world that can make our Christmases difficult is the spirit of commercialism. Charlie Brown even counters this. He sees Snoopy’s First Place doghouse decorations and cries in frustration, “Even my dog has gone commercial!”  Throughout December and even earlier we are bombarded with things that we can buy that will guarantee our happiness this Christmas season. One of the most moving was the old Coca-Cola commercial that showed the world putting aside all differences over a Christmas soft drink!

But this can create incredible stress as we buy things we don’t need, stress over the right gifts, and try and purchase joy even at enormous cost to ourselves.  Debts can pile up and stresses and tensions mount. And yet the best Christmas moments are not bought in a store. The moment a loved one comes home. A precious memory that warms our hearts. The mystical moment every Christmas Eve when Silent Night is sung by candlelight.

The Holy Spirit creates true unity, joy, and peace. Some of my favorite Christmas traditions are the simplest.  I love to string cranberries and popcorn into garlands, to make “gifts” for the birds with pinecones, to just sit by a fire. But like those wise men long ago the most meaningful times are when we lose ourselves in worship. My husband’s mother started a tradition when the boys were young. Each Christmas Eve we would go out to the barn singing carols. Grace had placed Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in one of the stalls. It was cold and musty and dusty and so peaceful as we shared the Christmas story in a barn. No amount of money could by the feeling on that sacred night in a Spirit-filled barn in the Carolinas. Let us be still and know God this Christmas.

Prayer: Father, make me still so that I may feel your presence and be filled with your peace. Draw me ever-nearer to You and Your Son, and Your Spirit.

Activity: Plan a special time of worship just for you or for you and someone special in your life.

By Rev, Tracie Stewart