The WHO in Christmas

Dec 21 Heb 1-6 "WHO is Christmas?" Jesus; the heir of all things; the radiance of God's glory; the exact representation of His nature; upholding all things by the word of His power; sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty; better than angels; more excellent name than they; God's Son; first born; sits on the eternal throne; righteousness is His scepter; Creator; crowned with glory and honor, merciful, faithful high priest; Apostle and High Priest; faithful Son of God; Priest forever; and to all who obey is the author of eternal salvation.
Thus with Isaiah we proclaim: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Today take time to reflect upon the "WHO" of Christmas.

Are you looking for Jesus this Christmas?

Christmas! What does it mean to you? Does it mean Santa and gifts or the Christ child? As I sat in church yesterday I was amazed at the Pastor's sermon on Luke 2 and Simeon. As he read the passage stopping along the way he asked us to visualize the entrance of the Christchild in the Temple. But, that was not his focus; instead it was Simeon. Who was this man? What do we know about him? Why was he there in the temple? How did he recognize Jesus? Why did God allow him to see Jesus as the Messiah who would die for our sins? These are questions that lay unanswered but we do know some details that help fill in the blanks:
1. he was old
2. he must have lived in the vicinity of the Temple or at least in the city of Jerusalem
3. he was righteous
4. he was devout
5. he was looking...note that...looking for the consolation of Israel...aware of God's promises from the OT...that means he was educated in some way about them
6. he was anointed by the Holy Spirit
7. he had been given a special revelation by the Holy Spirit
8. he had been given a promise: no death until he had seen the one for whom he had been looking...longing.
9. he came into the Temple...in the Spirit. Remember what Paul said...be ye filled with the Holy Spirit
10. he noted and stopped Mary and Joseph and took the child
11. in the Spirit he prophesied
12. he blessed God

So what is it about Simeon that we should "take away" for our lives? Are we too looking for Him? are we filled with the Spirit? Are we righteous? Are we devout?
Are we in God's house so we can be aware of His presence when He comes? Do we know the promises of the OT? OR
Are we so busy with the trappings of Christmas that we are not looking for Him "in the temple" but instead we are looking for Santa? Where are we today in our preparation for Christmas?

Looking for Jesus? Start here...in His house...in His Word...and receive the promises that are awaiting you.

Perhaps this song will inspire you to think: where's the line for Jesus?
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

The Veracity of Light

The Veracity of Light

Anyone who has lived in Florida or Texas for any time knows the impact of lightning as it illumines the sky for a fraction of a moment. If it happens at night the illumination is startling and revealing as happened recently when there was thunder, lightning and then hail which was hidden to the naked eye until the illumination occurred.
It revealed what is hidden in the darkness. Just as physical illumination reveals the good, the bad and the ugly so spiritual illumination reveals the same. Think of it this way. Within the heart of man likes a big black gem that is hidden from the eye of man but is seen through the lens of the Creator and the created one, Satan, that stepped away from Him in days long ago. This evil one knows of the darkness and seeks to keep it hidden from the illumination that will not only reveal it but cause it to be eradicated. He blinds (2Cor 4:4) the mind of the one who has had a glimpse of his darkness lest he turn from his evil ways and turn to the Creator/Christ. Into this scenario steps the Light of the World to not only reveal this darkness but also to give the human his opportunity to turn and be illuminated. But as scripture tells us that men loved darkness rather than light, (Jn 3:19) but to those who love the light He gives them the right to become the children of God (Jn 1:12) with all of the rights and promises such as are listed in Ephesians 1 (saint, blessed with every spiritual blessing, chosen before foundation of the world, holy, unblemished, redeemed, forgiven, God’s own possession, sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit).

The veracity of our decision to throw off the darkness and yield to the light is when we either do as the wicked servant by hiding his talent or gift it in the ground or we proclaim the message of these gifts to others who are still walking about wrapped in the cloak of darkness. To the world we stand unchanged or changed; they are watching and listening. Should we hide our gift in the ground one day we will hear “thou wicked and slothful servant” or if we share these gifts we will hear “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord”. Whether you are a sower or a reaper we will rejoice together (Jn 4:36). Should you not be growing through study and meditation upon His Word, not proclaiming nor hungering for the Word there is to the world and Christendom alike a real question of your state.

Will your light shine or be hidden under a bushel?

2Cor 4:4 the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God
John 3:19 Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.
John 1:12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name – he has given the right to become God’s children
John 4:36 The one who reaps receives pay and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that the one who sows and the one who reaps can rejoice together

Reformation Day and Entrusting Treasures

In two books, Paul challenges his readers to know that God has entrusted His treasure of His Word in us, (Titus 1 and Timothy 2) His chosen vessel. On Oct 31, 1517 a man lived that out and put his life on the line. His name was Martin Luther and it was today that he posted his 95 theses on the Wittenburg Church Door in Germany calling all of Christendom to halt where they were and to understand that it was because of the gift of Jesus Christ that now they could as justified believers live by faith and faith alone apart from any works. So it is because of his stand before the entire church of Rome that today we are able to say I am righteous not by my works but by grace alone without fear of reprisal. (Eph 2:8-10).
HAPPY REFORMATION DAY

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-reformation-day-all-about/

The Eternal Perspective

"The eternal perspective" from the books of John, 1 John, 2 John and Revelation.

In all three of these books we hear from the Apostle John of his life with the Master Redeemer. Note his words:
John 1:2 The Word was with God in the beginning; vs 14 Now the Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We saw his glory – the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.
1 John 1:1-2 This is what we proclaim to you: what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and our hands have touched (concerning the word of life – and the life was revealed,
1 John 2:2 he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.
Rev 1:4 Grace and peace to you from “he who is,” and who was, and who is still to come, v 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God – the one who is, and who was, and who is still to come – the All-Powerful!

Now try to put yourself onto the island of Patmos and allow yourself to be invited to sit beside John as he reflects upon these words and recalls the past when he and Jesus walked about the earth through the land of Israel, hear his reflections of the Feeding of the 5000 and other miracles and then look deep into his eyes as he looks upon the Crucified Christ and share in his grief. See grief to joy as he tells you about seeing the empty tomb, watch with him as he sees the Master ascend. From there see his eyes as he beholds a man who is in need of healing as he and Peter walked to the Temple, and now see his eyes as he recalls all of this and more and his time as a persecuted prisoner ...I John am on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony about Jesus.

The question before us is how was it that John outlasted all of the Apostles, the Jewish Sanhedrin's "fire", the tribulations and persecution? (and more importantly how do our brothers and sisters across the world as well as ourselves endure times of challenge/tribulation) The answer comes from his own words: vs 10 I was in the Spirit ...which reminds us of Paul's words to the Ephesian church: be filled by the Spirit. The Power of the Illuminating Teacher Holy Spirit was His lifeline to the eternal perspective: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.

Take time today to reflect upon where you have walked and where you are now walking....allow the Spirit to bring to your mind that which is tied to the eternal perspective that you may join Joshua and the cloud of witnesses from Heb 12 to be able to say: be strong and brave! don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do and experience [editor's addition]

Is Your Slip Showing?

Ever been to a function only to have some kind lady come up and speak quietly into your ear: your slip is showing? Every gal who has experienced this felt the onrush of a scarlet face and then looking around for the nearest ladies room! Once there you tug it up, fold down the waistband, breathe a sigh of relief and ask the next gal...is it showing now?

Paul reminds the Corinthian Church that their "slip", (their conduct) was to be as his: pure and without hypocrisy; with holiness and godly sincerity. In the NET 2Cor 1:12 it reads "pure [without contamination] motives [thoughts, words or actions] and sincerity" Paul is emphasizing this in a phrase with two close synonyms. He gently reminds them that it is their conduct, worn before a world whose eyes are blinded by the evil one that must be guarded at all costs. They are a letter of Christ and may be the only letter the blinded world reads. Therefore, may your actions/words/thoughts be uncontaminated and without hypocrisy.

So is your slip showing? Listen carefully to the whispered quiet word of the Illuminating Holy Spirit - you may have to exit into the nearest restroom and do an adjustment.

Fragrance

II Corinthians has become a sweet fragrance to my soul in the last few days as I see my precious husband grieve over the loss of both parents in the space of 18 days and having read Christina Wilson's blog on memorial stones (see http://users.bible.org). My heart has been churning on ideas, thoughts and memories in a time of grief.

In going through all of the funerals, the many wonderful "things" that made up their lives, and seeing the fruits (literally flowers, squash, pumpkins) it became abundantly clear that their lives were a sweet fragrance to many that we were not aware of even though we spent time with them, interacted with them weekly, visited as often as work allowed. As we viewed family photos, dug through the many boxes in the attic, there were more than enough of those to fill a consignment shop, we became more acutely aware of their love of creating crocheted rugs for family members, saving items for a future date or for their loved ones upon their passing. The greatest gift of all has been looking through their Bibles for notes and sermons, pastor's names and ideas they had gleaned over their 73 yrs of marriage. Yes they will be missed but their legacy of a sweet fragrance lives on. This challenges me to begin thinking, what fragrance am I leaving for my loved ones should the Lord tarry His coming?

2Cor 2:14-16 God ...who makes known through us the fragrance that consists of the knowledge of him in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – to the latter an odor from death to death, but to the former a fragrance from life to life.