Light and Glory

"Simeon was there.

He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

'Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!'"

Luke 2:28-32 NLT

Jesus.  He came to save.  Some expected a glorious king who would rescue them from the oppression of the Romans, but God had something else in mind.  

Jesus came to make a way for all peoples to come to God.  Jesus came to earth as a man so that God's own people could know their Lord's true nature through faith and be delivered into a radical kind of covenant based on grace.

Jesus.  So much more than just a babe in a manger.

Do you know Him?

Holy Night

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,

keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them,

and the glory of the Lord shone around them,

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them,

'Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news that will cause 

great joy for your people.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you;

he is the Messiah, 

the Lord."

Luke 2:8-11

When I was a child, I remember looking out the window on Christmas eve as I lay on the top bunk.  I would search the skies, sensing a difference in the feel of the night, a holiness and wonder.  Finally, I would see it, finding what I was looking for.  A star that stood out from all the others, and I imagined it to be the beacon that heralded the birth of the Christ Child.  My heart swelled with anticipation, not even knowing exactly why I felt such a way.

This Christmas eve, let us take on this kind of child-like wonder as we look for signs of the Messiah born that night so long ago.  On the eve of the day we have set aside to remember such a miraculous event, may we seek out the One who, ". . .made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:7-8)

He came to save. (John 3:17)  He came for you.  He came for me.  Do you know Him, this Jesus?

Connected

"One of those days Jesus went out to

a mountainside to pray,

and spent the night praying to God.

When morning came,

he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them,

whom he also designated apostles:

Simon (whom he named Peter), 

his brother Andrew,

James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,

James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot,

Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot,

who became a traitor."

Luke 6:12-16

Here is a simple quiz you can take to help determine whether you are at risk for burning out on the job or in your ministry:

1.  Do you feel run down and drained of physical or emotional energy?

2.  Do you find that you are prone to negative thinking about your job or ministry?

3.  Do you find that you are harder and less sympathetic with people than perhaps they deserve?

4.  Do you find yourself getting easily irritated by small problems, or by your co-workers or team?

5.  Do you feel misunderstood or unappreciated by your co-workers or team members?

6.  Do you feel that you have no one to talk to?

7.  Do you feel that you are achieving less than you should?

8.  Do you feel under an unpleasant level of pressure to succeed?

9.  Do you feel that you are not getting what you want out of your job or ministry?

10.Do you feel there is more work than you practically have the ability to do?

Not only is this a great tool to use to determine whether or not I'm susceptible to burnout, but it is also an excellent way to gauge upon whose strength I am relying.

Jesus always stayed connected to His Father.  Consequently, His mind was always focused on His Father's will.  (Luke 2:49)  His habit of getting away from the task at hand and spending time in prayer with His Father kept Him in touch with the Source of all His power and gave Him an advantage when tackling the day to day frustrations that come with being human.

Wisdom

The world says that wisdom, or the power to judge and discern properly what is true and right, comes with age.  Psalm 111:10, however, says that, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."  Revering and placing God in the highest, most prominent position in my life begins a flow of His wisdom into my mind.  As I get closer to Him, He shows me how to live His way.   

Offering myself as a living sacrifice to God, committing myself to living for Him instead of for me, prompts Him to reveal His will to my transformed mind. (Romans 12:1-2) His way starts to become the preferred way for me.  

So when I'm connected to God and I'm faced with a major decision, my mind will be clear with the option He prepared for me at this time.  

When I'm following His lead and I come to a fork in the road, His preferred route will stand out to me as the clear path to follow.

When I am rightly related to my Father and disaster strikes, my heart will be at peace as He guides me through the steps He has for me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will give me wisdom to know His will for my life.

Strength

As a young adult, I competed in powerlifting.  As someone who was naturally strong, this sport seemed like a perfect outlet for me.  I ended up going to the Drug-Free Nationals and broke several records for my age group.  I had learned how to gain much physical strength.

But strong muscles do not naturally translate to emotional or spiritual strength.  If I'm physically fit, I am no better prepared to face the stresses and difficulties of life than my out-of-shape counterpart. 

I know a woman who is struggling with the loss of her daughter.  Her child did not die from a terrible disease, or run away from home.  No, this precious 14-year-old girl was abducted from the safety of her own bedroom.  To this day, the mother knows who took her, but not what her fate is.  Even though she is going through every parent's worst nightmare, she has an inner strength few can understand.  Some have called her cold and uncaring, others have assessed that she's in denial, still others wonder if she somehow played a part in this horrible act.  

The truth is, this mother has claimed, "The LORD as my strength and my shield." (Psalm 28:7) She knows from where her help comes (Psalm 121) and Who is the source of that assistance.  (Psalm 46:1-3)

Nineteenth-century clergyman Phillips Brooks put's it all into Kingdom perspective when he advised, "Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger people!  Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers: pray for powers equal to your tasks.  Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle but you shall be a miracle.  Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did will provide an unlimited source of strength to live for Him, no matter what comes my way.

Purpose

John the Baptist never suffered from an identity crisis.  He had been taught from the moment he could understand what his purpose was here on earth: "to make straight the way for the Lord." (John 1:23)  John's purpose was clear and he never wavered from fulfilling that plan until his death by beheading.  (Matthew 14)

Unfortunately, most of us don't know so clearly the plan God has for us.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Just the fact that a plan exists, however, is enough to give my life meaning.  If, instead, I thought life was a giant cosmic mistake, a series of events that occurred randomly and unintentionally resulted in the complexity that is human life, I would tend to think my life was pretty worthless.  What's the point if there's no greater plan?  

Thankfully, there is a purpose for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1) and God is the author of that plan!  Knowing there is a reason for my life gives me an impression that I possess value and also gives me a sense that I'm a part of a bigger plan that includes more than just me.  My piece fits into all the other parts and helps to create the whole.  (1 Corinthians 12)

When I put my life into the hands of the Master Artist, He creates a masterpiece.  Solomon poetically penned the thought that, "He has made everything beautiful in its time."  (Ecclesiastes 3:11)  Trusting God with my life means He's already done a beautiful thing, it's just a matter of waiting on the appointed time.  The fact that it will happen is a done deal.

As a child of God through faith in Jesus, I can count on the truth that God is transforming me into the image of His Son.  Continuing to walk in faith by obeying His personal guidance and allowing Him to keep up that transformational work means I'll develop godly desires to do what pleases Him. (Philippians 2:13-14)  This all comes through cultivating my relationship with the God who loves me.

Staying connected to my Father as Jesus did gives me a sense of purpose that guides me confidently through life as I follow His plan.

It's easy to burn out when I'm trying to live my life based on worldly wisdom, by working in my own strength and in creating my own plan for my life.  But endurance will come when I instead stay connected to my Father who dispenses His wisdom through me, gives me the strength I need when I need it and colors my entire life with a sense of purpose and design.  Then I will not only be able to avoid suffering from exhaustion and discouragement but will soar on wings like eagles.  (Isaiah 40)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to my source of wisdom, strength and purpose.

How do I try to rely on my own strength?

When do I float through my day, bouncing from one thing to another, instead of intentionally living according to His will?

Peace on Earth

The Word became flesh 

and made his dwelling among us. 

We have seen his glory, 

the glory of the One and Only,

 who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

We live in an age of relativity:  If it works for you and doesn't hurt anyone, do it.  Each person chooses their own path and own set of morals and beliefs.  There is no absolute, universal truth.  What's good for you may not be good for me.  In reality, there is such a thing as Truth, and He came to earth as a baby many years ago, heralding the coming of His Kingdom.  

At Christmas time, I hear a lot about peace.  Christmas cards proclaim "Peace on Earth," we wish each other peace, and it is a time when all of mankind (at least in the western world) is expected to come together in peace, even if its just for one day.  But Jesus is not a promoter of peace.  He did not come to bring peace into the world, at least in the way we think of it.  When the angels proclaimed the Messiah's birth those 2000+ years ago, they declared,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)   Does peace come to those who reject the  Babe in the manger who has now become the Savior of a lost world?  There is no fence sitting when it comes to Jesus.  Either you are for Him, or you are against Him.  So where is this peace on earth proclaimed by the angels?

In my heart and mind   There is no peace apart from God.  When I am following my own path, determining my way, and thus rejecting God's plan for my life, I will not have peace.  Peace comes when I turn all things over to God, trusting Him for all my needs, choosing not to worry about anything.  As a follower of Jesus, this kind of peace is readily available to me.  With all the last minute preparations that need to be made in the few days left before Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to reign in my heart and mind.

With God  Is it possible to make friends with our enemies?  Terrorism has divided this world as never before, yet there are those who still believe that if we're nice to our enemies, they will work with us and become our friends.  Diplomacy is not a sound foreign policy, in and of itself, because our enemies hold different beliefs, values and understandings of this world.  It is the same with me and God.  I am His enemy, and no amount of sweet talking will get me into His good graces!  But I do have hope in Jesus. When I accept the gift of salvation that came through Christ, taking the punishment for my sins, then my relationship with God is repaired.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1) Now I am free to worship God and relate to Him on an intimate, one-on-one basis.  This Christmas, I choose to celebrate the peace I now have with God.

With Others  The idealized version of Christmas shows an extended family sitting around the tree opening presents, delighted to be in each other's presence.  Unfortunately, in reality, this is not always the case.  Much of the stress of holidays stems from the fact that we are thrown together with people we have a hard time getting along with, or maybe don't even like, and then we are expected to have a wonderful time.  This is impossible with me.  But with Jesus, it is actually possible to have peace within my relationships with others.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called peacemakers "blessed," and said that they would be called the sons of God.(Matthew 5:9)  Peace is a hallmark of those who follow Jesus, because it is His calling for me to live in peace with those around me.  But this can only happen if I set aside my hurts, desires and pride, and put the best interest of others before myself. Only then will peace rule in my relationships with others.  When I am surrounded by those I may struggle with this Christmas, I choose the peace of Christ to rule in my relationships.  

Where is this peace on earth that the angels proclaimed that first Christmas morn?  It is in my heart and mind, in my relationship with God, and in my relationships with those around me, thanks to the "little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay."  

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that peace will rule in my life, even when strife and chaos is swirling around me. 

How can I let go of things that bother me for the benefit of peace in my relationships with people?

Where do I take for granted the sacrifice Jesus made so I can have peace with God?

Unspeakable Joy

". . . the star, which they saw in the east,

went before them,

till it came and stood over where the young child was.

 When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Matthew 2:9b-10 (KJV)

"And the angel said unto them,

'Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy,

which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.' " 

Luke 2:10-11 (KJV)

With a presidential election coming up next year, I am seeing more and more about the candidates who will be running.  Their campaigns are usually strategically planned with the hope of giving themselves the best face among the people in order to garner the nomination of their party, and ultimately the amount of votes needed to win the election in 2012.  Speeches are made, hands are shaken and babies are kissed, all with that goal in mind.  Every activity is purposefully chosen in order to influence the people who have a vote to give. 

Revelation  The birth of Jesus is not like a presidential campaign.  God chose to reveal the coming of the Messiah to two distinctly different groups: one being obscure wise men from the East, the other being lowly sheep herders from the local area.  His focus was not to elevate Jesus as a King, but to show those who were paying attention that His time had finally come.

Wise Men  These men had been watching the night sky and knew something about the prophecies of the Messiah.  Even though they were not of the Jewish heritage, they were paying attention to this important prophecy and to the formation of the stars.  When they saw a special star appear, they followed "His star" in order to come and worship the One of whom they had read.  I don't have to be born into the "right" family or live in a certain country in order to worship Jesus.  I need only to seek the Truth found in God's Word and pay attention to the signs that point to Him. 

Shepherds  In Bible times, the people who took care of the flocks were the lowest in that society.  Yet the most important birth to ever take place was first announced to these "low lifes".  This reveals the heart of God.  He does not pay attention to my position in society or the amount of money in my bank account.  Later, when Jesus entered into His time of ministry, He revealed His purpose by reciting the prophecy found in Isaiah 61:1-2.  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  The poor, prisoners, the blind, the oppressed.  These are the ones He came to save!  I do not need to work to impress God and win His favor in order to be found worthy to save.  Jesus came to set me free from the bondage of this belief.

Candle in the Window Am I paying attention to where Jesus is revealing Himself? Is my heart humble enough to hear the Good News as proclaimed by the angels?  There is a beautiful children's book written by Grace Johnson about a lonely man who, on Christmas Eve, waits for a visit from the Christ Child.  As he receives three unexpected and needy visitors drawn by the candle placed in his window, he meets their needs, all the while watching for the One whom he expected to visit.  But the Christ Child never arrived, or so He thought.  In reality, by receiving those who were hungry, thirsty and homeless, the old man received Jesus.  

Children's Message Maybe I'm looking for something more "important" to do for Jesus.  If I am not willing to help whoever God puts in my path, I am going to miss out on the joy the shepherds experienced in receiving the news the angels proclaimed.  When Jesus sent 72 of his followers ahead of Him to tell them the Kingdom of God is near, they came back with joy as to how the message was received.  "Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'" (Luke 10:21)  I need to be humble as a little child in order to hear and receive the Good News of Jesus. 

Jesus did not come to impress those who have something to give Him in return, as the presidential candidates do.  He came to save those of us who are lost.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I will be wise enough to recognize Jesus in the needs of those around me and humble enough to accept His calling.

Where am I showing that I know the Gospel, but do not live the Gospel? 

How do I carry the attitude that I have it all under control and don't really need a Savior?