Monthly Archives: December 2017

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

It’s that time of the season when many of us subscribe to the old adage, “Out with the old, in with the new.”  For many, it’s a chance to have an imaginary clean slate. I don’t know about you, but for the most part – I like to be able to visualize things coming to a conclusion. At work, I am pleased when a project has a successful ending. At home, I get a sense of satisfaction when I am able to cross items off of my ‘to-do list.’ Whenever I am watching a really good episode of one of my favorite TV programs, I resent it when the program is coming to an end and the words “to be continued” flash on the screen. Of course, that’s how the producers get you hooked so you keep watching.  After all, the “Star Wars” franchise didn’t become a mega-billion-dollar operation overnight. But with its sequels and prequels since its debut in 1977 – the ‘force’ has indeed had a successful run for a very long time.

In life, we do find that there are some things worth holding onto. I once heard a story about a fire that occurred a number of years ago in the Black Forest of Colorado. Upon returning to a leveled home following the fire, only the brick fireplace appeared to have survived. As the owner began to look through the charred rubble, he started to search for a very small ceramic figurine. It was a statuette of the baby Jesus which had been made years before by his wife. Of all the things he had lost, this would be the treasure he would hope to recover. It was an established family tradition that his wife would hide the Jesus figure, with other family festivities not commencing until it was found. He paused and asked the question, “Is the baby Jesus still here?” As he continued the search in the area of what would have been the garage of their home, he located some burned remnants of a nativity scene. It was there that he found the baby Jesus figurine, undamaged by the fire. The owner had described the state of his property as bleak, but the small statue served as a new symbol of hope for him and his family.

When we think about the scene of the original nativity – at first look, it appears to be a rather tranquil one. The kneeling shepherds, the lowing cattle, and the amazement of the birth of an innocent child now lying in the manger collectively represent the peaceful celebration of the newborn king. Following a visit from the wise men, however, there would be no peace for the family of Jesus. “After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. ‘Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him” (Matthew 2:13). Only when it was safe again did the family go back home to Nazareth. Once again, Joseph had a dream in which he was told, “Get up!” the angel said. ‘Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead’” (Matthew 2:20). The stories around the birth of Jesus look not only to how he entered the world but to his whole life: the calling of disciples, what He taught, the miracles He performed, His death, His Resurrection, and how we as His modern-day disciples will respond to these events today.

What gives meaning to Christmas isn’t simply God taking on human flesh and being born as a baby. Fortunately for us – the narrative continued with Christmas as just the prelude. Good Friday and Easter become the pivotal point of His story. In explaining Christ’s life here on earth to his student Timothy, the Apostle Paul said, “Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). Our story will conclude as we are called to enter our Eternal Home, or when He returns. God’s Word says – “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). In a short time, we begin a new year. The days after Christmas give us the chance to think about how our story will be reflected along with His.  It’s not an end but just a new beginning of His work to be continued through us here on earth.

REFLECTION: How will you live out your faith story in the days ahead? Are there changes you might consider? What are the ways you might view the new year as a continuation of your journey with Christ?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., JANUARY 6, 2018.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

DIVINE INTERRUPTION

“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)

It was Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. I was checking online for the prices of TV’s, trying to make a decision if I had the best price or whether I should wait wait until Cyber Monday. Finally I decided to go for it, and I placed my order with a large retailer that deals in electronics. Immediately I received an email confirmation and was able to arrange my delivery date through the website appointment manager. I chose December 5, between 8 am and noon.  On December 4, I received an email reminder stating “We’ll see you tomorrow.” On December 5, I woke up to receive another email. Guess what it said?  You are correct – “Today is the day.” It wasn’t long until I got a phone call from the company giving me their estimated delivery time. I no sooner hung up the phone when I noticed an email in my inbox stating, “You can expect Matthew to arrive at approximately 10:35 a.m.”  About a half hour later, I looked at my watch. It was just after 10:30, and almost like a little child expecting Santa – “off to the window I flew like a flash.” There he was pulling up in front of my house. Santa??? No, Matthew of course, with my package.

In these days of instant notification, one can track your pizza delivery order being fulfilled, or you can find the location of your online order and its projected appearance at your front door. In addition, young children are able to use the NORAD tracker to find out exactly how much time remains before Santa leaves the North Pole. In the case of my TV delivery, everything worked just like clockwork with nothing left to the imagination. The anticipation of my Christmas gift had been fulfilled. The first Christmas, however, was a bit different. The testimony of the Old Testament prophets provided a long history of faithfulness that the Jewish people would at some future point receive their long-awaited promise of a Messiah (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2). This was followed by four-hundred years during which the prophets appear to be silent. Then one day, a teenage girl by the name of Mary, experienced a divine interruption when an angel appeared to her (Luke 1:26-38). Mary’s response was not only humble; it was also courageous. When Joseph discovered his betrothed was with child, who would not have questioned how God would have anything to do with this sudden turn of events? It was an interruption for certain to the matrimony plans he was anticipating.  He could have been bitter, yet through his faith God assured him that this child would bless mankind and “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:18-25).

If somewhere in your lifetime you experienced a divine interruption, then you are in remarkable company.  Selected individuals in God’s Word were simply leading normal lives which were deliberately interrupted to fulfill a greater purpose. The Apostle Paul said – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Joel Olsteen stated it this way: “We all have times when our plans don’t work out. We get delayed, interrupted and inconvenienced. It’s easy to get frustrated and fight against everything that doesn’t go our way. But, not every interruption is bad. Every closed door doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. Every delay doesn’t mean you’re not where you’re supposed to be . . . The next time you’re interrupted, delayed or inconvenienced, don’t start thinking, ‘This is a pain. This is getting me off schedule.’ No, get a new perspective. Look for what God wants to do because it could be divine interruption or divine protection. Trust Him today because He is directing your steps.”  Christmas is a time for remembering the greatest interruption which ever occurred. After all, the small hands of the innocent Christ-child born in a stable in Bethlehem were the same ones which only a few decades later would be nailed to a cross on Calvary in His fulfillment as the Savior for all mankind. Like Jesus, when we surrender to God’s interruptions – we can rest in the knowledge that He always has a higher purpose for us. Little do we sometimes know that when our lives are divinely interrupted, what may appear as a tragic ending may only serve to become a beautiful beginning.

REFLECTION: Can you attest to having experienced a divine interruption at some point in your life? How did you become a different person as a result, or have you drifted back into your ‘old self’? Are there ways that you might start anew this Christmas to serve Him more profoundly?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 30, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

TRADITION

“Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions  even as I delivered them to you.” (I Corinthians 11:2)

There is probably no holiday that highlights the practice of tradition more than Christmas.  One family saves their Christmas tree following the season. As the wood begins to dry out, it is cut into logs which are saved to burn in their fireplace the following Christmas Eve. A newly-established tradition at our home was initiated several years ago following a visit to the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World where I purchased a pickle ornament from a store in the Germany attraction. I learned that it is tradition there for parents to hide this ornament on their tree for the children to find on Christmas Eve. The child who locates the special decoration receives an extra gift from Saint Nicholas as most observant child.  When I was in my teens, my family was invited to attend church with our neighbors on Christmas Eve. The church held their service at 11 p.m., so by the time you were singing the last hymn – it was Christmas Day. During the numerous choruses of Silent Night, candles were lit all over the sanctuary by each attendee. As the service concluded, participants were encouraged to make it home with their candle still burning. In this way, you were carrying the light of Christ out into the world and also bringing His light into your own home.  In the last few years we attended, this practice was discouraged.  Even though protectors had been provided for each candle, apparently too much wax was being dripped onto the carpet in the church. I suppose it was a practical consideration, but the significance of the candle lighting and the challenge to get it home somehow forfeited a tradition that, for me, was never quite the same.

In the Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof, the main character Tevye sets a major theme for the play. He says: “Because of our traditions, we have kept our balance for many many years . . . For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask – how did this tradition get started. I’ll tell you . . . I don’t know. But it’s a tradition. And because of our traditions, everyone of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.” We all try to hold on to our traditions, as the world around us is constantly changing. Sometimes we have no idea why they were started. Jesus rebuked the judgment of the religious leaders and teachers of the law who were making accusations about His disciples not following the ceremonial practices of the day. His response to them was, simply – “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” (Mark 7:6-9).

Traditions can be comforting to us on many levels, and sometimes they will be questioned by those who challenge the sincerity of our faith.  For instance, in Jeremiah 10:3-4 we read: “A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.” At first glance, it might seem that this passage is referring to Christmas trees. But a more careful look at the entire passage makes it clear that God is talking about making a carved image—or idol— made from the trunk of a tree. Unless one is worshiping their Christmas tree, there is no logical reason to discontinue this tradition. In fact, Martin Luther was so struck by the beauty of the fir tree that he taught that it represented the everlasting love of God. Believers in Christ should give serious thought as to whether any of their traditions contradict God’s Word or distracts them from it. Paul said, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8). There you have it. As long as your holiday customs are not separating you from your walk with Christ, then they are just simply that . . . tradition. Enjoy!

REFLECTION: Is your religious experience based upon family tradition or on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you blindly accepted traditions not of your own making without consideration as to whether they are supported in God’s Word?  Have some of your traditions influenced the way you practice your faith? Are there any of your personal or family traditions that might require closer examination?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 23, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

WITHHOLDING CHRISTMAS

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15)

“Now you’d better be good, because Santa’s coming in a few weeks. If you don’t act the way you should, instead of those presents you want – he’ll bring you a lump of coal.” As children become excited about the anticipated visit from the man with the white beard in the red suit, parents will sometimes say or do almost anything to mellow their restless behavior. The lump of coal legend is one that has been around for generations. However the threat of withholding Christmas, in whatever form, is an act of manipulation which often works and sometimes surpasses the innocence of childhood. I recently heard the story of a young man who lives in a different state than most of his relatives. For years unresolved tension has existed with his parents, even though they have tried to make amends.  Again this Christmas, the son will travel to his hometown to visit with siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins but will withhold Christmas from his parents by intentionally making no effort to spend time with them.

Several years ago, a consultant to a company for which I was employed decided that he would no longer be able to serve our organization in the upcoming year.  It had been our usual custom to purchase Christmas gifts for individuals who had provided services to the establishment. The individual who purchased these gifts for the company pursued my opinion as to whether we should give a gift to the person who would be discontinuing his services. My reply was that this individual should be treated the same as all the others, because I had always viewed the gifts as a token of appreciation for what had already been done. To be honest, I suppose I also did not want to burn any bridges not knowing what the future might bring. Therefore, gifts were purchased and delivered to everyone.  A few days later, I took a phone call from the consultant humbled that he had received a gift after presenting his resignation.  I extended my gratefulness for the services he had rendered. For you see, the point of Christmas is about giving . . . not withholding.

These stories beg the question – have you ever withheld Christmas from another person? My guess is that you have more times than you would dare to imagine. I know this is true in my life as well. For you see, there are many ways to withhold Christmas.  It doesn’t have to take the form of not giving a gift or deciding to exclude someone from your visitation schedule. Every time we have an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus and fail to do so, we are doing just that. When the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds, these words were spoken: “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10). Notice that the angel said that the good news was for everyone.  That, my friends, means not just you and me.  It’s also the guy you regularly see eating alone in the diner you frequent. ‘All’ refers to the neighbor who often disturbs your day with the noisy dog and the loud motorcycle. It means the person you intentionally omitted from your Christmas party invitation list for whatever reason. No doubt you can think of more.

Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). It was a point He tried to make to the religious leaders of His time, but it escaped their understanding. It sometimes escapes ours as well, for we have come to define abundance in the form of material possessions rather than spiritual gifts. It is important that we are passionate about the unique gifts God has given us and be ready to share His Good News. Sometimes we feel we don’t have the right words, but readiness includes a state of willingness. So, simply be a good example in the community and an authentic witness to the faith that is within you.  “And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ” (Philemon 1:6). This Christmas we can fill the needs of the lonely, bring joy to those who are sad, and give hope to the depressed. Christ has commissioned us to share the Good News of His birth. We are all called not just to the world of those we love but also to the wider world of the hurting who need to be uplifted at this time of year. Jesus stated it this way – “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). In taking up His call, we will never withhold Christmas again.

REFLECTION: Why do you think Christmas remains one of the most likely times of the year for non-believers to consider matters of faith?  What are some practical ways you might allow God to use you to bring hope to others this Christmas? What obstacles might you have to overcome in order to do so?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 16, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.

THE NEED FOR A SAVIOR

“I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:11)

I was decorating my light post and the bushes in front of my home for Christmas. A former work colleague who saw me as he was driving by pulled over, got out of the car and began to reminisce. The weather was fairly mild, so we stood outside and talked for a while. About half-way through the conversation, there was an attempt by my friend to turn the conversation toward politics. I rather promptly shut down the subject by simply stating that I didn’t like to get into political discussions. Then I concluded by saying, “Quite frankly, I have come to the conclusion that the world is a mess.” My visitor could not resist in agreeing that my statement contained a lot of truth. As I reflected on this dialog later, I decided that my attitude was a rather dismal way to feel as we prepare to begin the four weeks of Advent leading to Christmas. Then I thought there have undoubtedly been many Christmas seasons during which mankind must have found themselves in a dark state of unrest.

One of those was in December, 1941 when much of the world was at war. On December 6 of that year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a personal appeal to Japanese Emperor Hirohito to use his influence to avoid war. One day later, America was caught off-guard when the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Pearl Harbor. The surprise attack, which killed 2403 U. S. citizens with another 1178 wounded, came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the nation’s entry into World War II. For the next three years young men were called to serve, and the United States and their allies were at war during Christmas. “Peace on Earth” was not just a nice phrase found on holiday cards, but it was also the number one wish of all people throughout the world. The season gave hope that maybe next year the war would be over while song lyrics like “I’ll be home for Christmas…if only in my dreams” topped the charts.

Throughout much of history, we find the world searching for some kind of peace. We should not be surprised then to realize that even the birth of Jesus occurred during a dark time in a turbulent land. Anticipating the coming of the Christ-child centuries before His arrival, the great prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine (Isaiah 9:2). When we consider that Christ came to bring light to a deeply troubled world, the image we form is one which is awe-inspiring and beautiful. For we all face seasons of darkness, and God in the flesh (‘the Incarnate’) knows exactly how that looks and feels. God sent His Son into the darkness as one of us when He had every reason to refrain from doing so. His justification: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

So we find ourselves in a fallen world as fallen persons looking for some kind of salvation. Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Here, he describes the void we each sometimes feel in our lives. The effortless search to find a savior will never be satisfied until we find the one true source of light in this dark world. Jesus himself said, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:5-6). In the hours of our greatest doubt, fear, pain, and worry – Jesus was born to take up residence in our lives. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10). It’s okay to conclude that this world is in a real mess. It will continue to be that way until Jesus returns. Until then, we will receive the confidence that only God can provide through the Holy Spirit and His Word. As we do so, we can rest assured that the hope of the Advent season will deliver the only Savior we need.

REFLECTION: How do you presently feel about the state of the world? Are there ways you might use this Advent season to remind yourself “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4)? As you interact with others over the next few weeks, how might you be able to lead those who have a need for a savior in their life?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., DECEMBER 9, 2017.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.