Monthly Archives: December 2014

STANDING AT THE DOOR

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel,”       (which means ‘God with us’). (Matthew 1:23)

Doors are sometimes fascinating to explore and were certainly made popular on the game show “Let’s Make a Deal” where contestants frequently got to choose from three blind-panel doors, at least one of them containing a nice prize. Behind the other doors there were often surprises encompassing less desirable items. This past Christmas season, I have enjoyed watching the reaction of people who were shopping as I would courteously hold the store entrance door open for them.  It’s always interesting to see who expresses appreciation.  While it is not unusual for an older person to pause to say ‘thank you,’ sometimes a person younger than myself smiles and nods as if to say, “I should be holding the door for you.”  On one occasion as I was leaving a store, I held the door open for a lady who appeared to have her hands full.  She passed through and so did at least four children, none of them offering to give me as much as the time of day while I delayed in their behalf.  Oh well, my purpose was to express a caring attitude toward others, and I must admit – it has also become a bit of a social experiment as well.

I have personally used the analogy of a door in many situations.  An frequent example I can recall is when someone asks me if they should go for a job interview.  I often say: “Why not walk through the door?  If the interview doesn’t go well, then you will probably forfeit the opportunity, and the door will close. However, if you are offered the position – then you have the choice to close the door by refusing the job, or you can pass through it again to accept.”  In other words, what does one really have to lose in a situation like that?  If it was a different set of circumstances like a marriage which required a binding commitment, I’m sure my advice would not be quite so relaxed.

Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). He is making it clear that the path to eternal life is His alone.  He is the way, the only door to salvation, enabling us to live without fear and remorse. He uses the familiar imagery of a shepherd guarding the entrance to a pen in the countryside or at a public sheepfold in a town where the flock would be herded at night for protection. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of stranger” (John 10:1-11).

As we leave yet another Christmas and begin the New Year, our world does not offer much optimism and harmony. We have every right to sometimes be afraid. Then somewhere along our path – we remember a stable in Bethlehem where God sent His son Jesus, who the prophet Isaiah referred to as Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14).  That, my friends, is the purpose of Christmas. Jesus came to offer hope and peace to a world which might otherwise serve to destroy us. He gave us the gift of protection, so that we might come to know Him for all of eternity. “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).  As Christ fulfilled the will of God, so do we who journey with Him through faith.  Like the sheep guarded by the shepherd, we can be certain that we are secure in all His purposes and plans as we turn the calendar for another New Year.  He stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Will you answer?

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NOW THAT IS GOOD NEWS

      “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,                  Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things,                             Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair . . .”  These are the words of Charles Dickens in the opening of the novel A Tale of Two Cities. This same language could easily be spoken by someone today. I have friends who intentionally don’t watch the news, and even though I like to be aware of what’s happening – I understand the feeling of sometimes just wanting to ignore the dismal and disheartening stories of today’s world. The eleven o’clock news is no longer something you want to watch before you go to bed, and who wants to start your day with depressing stories of doom and gloom?

But once in awhile if you listen for it, you find a news release that restores your faith in humanity at least for a time.  Such is the real-life narrative of a single mother in Central Pennsylvania who was informed last spring that she had terminal liver cancer. Facing the diagnosis was difficult enough, but her main concern was who would care for her 8-year old son because she had no family who would be capable of raising him.  So she asked her favorite nurse who, along with her husband, had recently applied to become adoptive parents through the foster care system.  As time progressed, the 45 year-old mother became weakened by the disease and treatment process.  Her nurse not only made a home for the son but also for his mother, now her former patient.  Together they became a family. Although the prognosis was poor, it is believed the love and care received in their new home extended her life for months, including a wonderful summer vacation.  Ultimately the mother entered a hospice for her final days, but she was at peace knowing that her son was loved and would be well cared for.

Over two-thousand years ago, shepherds attending to their flock also heard some wonderful news. “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 all the people. 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’ ” (Luke 2:9-12). As the baby Jesus grew into manhood, He began His mission here on earth. “But he said to them, ‘I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose’ ” (Luke 4:43).  The birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is the gospel, meaning good news. We have also been called to proclaim this gospel to others so that they might believe. “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15).

So in a day when we so often hear the expression, “No news is good news” – Max Lucado said it this way: “Perhaps Jesus, the only Son of God, was born in a stable to give hope to all whose lives look like one.  We sure do make a mess of things. Sometimes our actions stink. And though we try to make the best of it, the winter wind still sneaks into the corners of our lives, and the nights get cold and dark.  Too many days too far from God? Too many years too hard on others? Too much mess? God knows…and he has some amazing words for you.”  Those words are sometimes heard, for just recently a mother asked someone to care for her child, so that in her dying days she might have hope and peace.  But years before an angel of God spoke to a young virgin asking that she might care for His son, knowing that He would be the one to die in order that peace and everlasting hope would be brought into the hearts of all those who would believe.  Now that, my friends, is good news.

Merry Christmas!

 

IN THE PRESENCE OF ANGELS

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”           (Psalm 91:11)

For nine seasons, we came to know her as the angel who sometimes needed some tough guidance with her earthly assignments.  Her TV character, Monica, was played by the Irish actress, Roma Downey.  Sometimes her kind-heartedness got in the way of a smooth mission, but her wise, more experienced supervisor Tess (Della Reese) was always able to redirect her through her assignment.  This sometimes included an intersection with Andrew, the Angel of Death, when it was someone’s time to pass on to their Heavenly Home.  Together, the trio, always managed to provide a message of hope and let folks know that God hadn’t forgotten about them.  In the end, the story characters along with the viewer became inspired because, after all, we had all been “Touched by an Angel.”  The series left many wondering if angels are dispatched along the way to help us though our troubled times.

The story is told of an nineteenth-century English Bishop who early in his ministry was called out late to visit a dying man.  The journey into the dark of night several miles from his home turned out to be a “wild goose chase” and left the young pastor a bit mystified. Years later, he found himself on another visit, this time to a prison. During conversation, the condemned man asked the bishop if he remembered his useless walk many years before. “It was I who gave you the false message,” said the man, to lure you out that I might rob you.”  The bishop, Edward King, asked why he hadn’t carried out his plan.  “When you came near,” said the man, “I saw you were not alone.  There was a mysterious looking stranger walking close behind you, and he followed you to your home and then disappeared.” An angel from God?  Probably so.

Here we are . . . Christmas is just days away.  Once again, we not only hear the account of the birth of Jesus but also the role played by the many angels in the narrative. They are some of the most pivotal players. The angel Gabriel informs Mary that she is highly favored and will receive a diving blessing from God (Luke 1:26-38).  In Matthew 1:18-25, an angel speaks to Joseph who trusts and follows God’s direction. When Jesus is born, they enlighten the shepherds of good news and great joy (Luke 2:8-10). And following the visit from the Wise Men, an angel sends a warning to Joseph in a dream, and he obeys (Matthew 2:13-14). Their role in the Christmas drama has been practically immortalized by the writers of our hymns. While angels play a prominent role in the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, they appear on rare occasions throughout scripture at other significant times in unpredictable ways.

This raises a question from the modern day Christian as to whether there is a presence of angels along our personal journey.  Hebrews 1:14 explains, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”  Just as angels protected God’s people in the past, we can be assured that they are guarding us today. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it“ (Hebrews 13:2).  We are heartened by the knowledge that God’s angels are at work, and the reality of His angels should provide promise for us in our daily walk.   Billy Graham writes, “Every believer should be encouraged and strengthened! Angels are watching; they mark your path. They superintend the events of your life and protect the interest of the Lord God, always working to promote his plans and to bring about his highest will for you.”  And for those who have not yet joined us on the journey, there is hope.  For, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).  God provides the angels that we need when we need them, and for that we should all rejoice.

REFLECTION:  As you hear the words of the angels in the Christmas story this year, do you share their joy at the birth of Jesus?  How does the presence of angels in the scriptures reassure us that God is faithful to His people?  In what ways has your path been marked by angels?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., DECEMBER 20, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)

THREE WISE WOMEN

 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehemin Judea, during the time of King Herod,                       Magi from the east came to Jerusalem”  (Matthew 2:1) 

Several years ago I was involved with helping to arrange a special afternoon Advent service for residents at a local nursing home.  Part of my responsibility was to secure a pianist to accompany the hymn singing.  The night before, I had a call from Barb who had weeks before committed to play. As sometimes happens, a family crisis would prevent her from being there. The next morning I called Sandy, an old friend, who I was sure would be at her own church that morning.  I left a voice message, told her my situation, and asked if she could help me out.  I also stated that due to the fact it was last-minute, I did not know of anyone else I would feel comfortable asking.  I did not hear back from her but felt that my prayers were answered when I arrived at the nursing home about an hour before the service.  Sitting at the piano in the facility’s chapel was Michelle who was playing some music for her mother, a resident there. I knew Michelle by reputation as an excellent pianist, so I proceeded to explain my predicament. Long story short, she agreed to play for the service in less than an hour. All was well.

Prior to the service, several of us began to visit with and assist residents of the nursing home to its chapel. Michelle had already seated herself at the piano and had started to play some beautiful prelude music.  On my final round to gather residents, I came down the hall to find Barb outside the chapel with the pastor clarifying why it was not she who was playing.  Apparently, her crisis had been temporarily resolved, and she thought it would be best to check in and make sure we had found someone.  As I greeted her, I looked off to the side, and there was Sandy coming down the hall.  There they all were – three wise women.  One came because she had obligated herself to a promise she had not wanted to break.  The second, no doubt, had other things on her agenda that Sunday but had felt God’s call.  And the third came with only one purpose in mind but had been unexpectedly asked to share her talent.

Scripture tells us about the Magi who searched to find Jesus after they knew of His birth.  We often hear them referred to as the three wise men. Although there is no reference to the exact number, we can assume that there were at least three because of the gifts that they brought, that of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  We can also be assured that they were wise.  We know this because they sought Jesus (Matthew 2:9), they understood who He was (Matthew 2:10), they were humbled before Him (Matthew  2:11), and they followed God’s direction (Matthew 2:12). It’s obvious that their journey was inspired and guided by divine intervention.

As we move through the Sundays in Advent and celebrate Christmas, we should ask what motivates us to come to the manger?  For many of us, it is part of our heritage – it’s tradition.  No doubt for others who are home to be with family and perhaps get dragged to church on Christmas Eve, it may be nothing more than an obligation. To those who have not yet come to know the Christ-child, it may be the sense of awe one initially feels when they pass a live nativity scene reenacted by a local church or when they experience the dramatic portrayal at an event such as New York’s Radio City Christmas Show. It may be that you simply view it as part of a promise, the feeling of a call from God, or the sharing of a talent that only He alone can instill.  Just ask my friends.  They’ll help you to understand why they came.  You know, my friends – the three wise women.  It’s part of the awareness in their personal journey not just at Christmas but all year long.

REFLECTION: So what is it that you bring to Jesus this Christmas?  What and with whom will you share your journey to the manger?  How do we extend the invitation to those who might not otherwise feel welcome?

(MY NEXT WEEKLY DEVOTION WILL BE UPLOADED ON SAT., DECEMBER 13, 2014.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE REMINDED OF THE FREE WEEKLY POSTINGS, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO: LookUpwrd@aol.com  YOUR ADDRESS WILL NOT BE SHARED)