Merry Christmas

On December 22, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

 

Amongst all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, I hope you find time to sit and savor all of the beauty of the holiday.  Breathe in the aromas, delight in the flavors.  Let your eyes feast on the twinkle of lights and colorful decorations.  I hope you enjoy every single silly and whimsical delight of this festive time of year.  I also pray that you find time to let your spirit drink in the deepest joy and greatest love.  I pray that your spirit will be as sensitive and tender as it was when you were a child so that you feel Jesus’ presence with you.  May you see his love in the smile of a stranger, his devotion in the twinkle in a loved one’s eyes, and his light radiating from every Christmas bulb and bauble.  May the blessing of this season and God’s gift to you fill you and keep you.

 

Merry Christmas!!

 

I will see you in 2022 as I take time to be with family and friends too.  Until then, Be blessed!

 

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Glory and Joy

On December 21, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 2: 6 – 18           TPT

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. You will recognize him by this miraculous sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in the feeding trough!”

Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:

“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!
For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.” So they hurried off and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough.

Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told.

The Christmas story never gets old. This was taken from the Passion Translation and shows a little more of the astonishment of the occasion. I am sure there are no words which could describe what people experienced during this time, though.

I want to leave you with a few thoughts. First, it is not an understatement to say that shepherds were regarded as lowly. They stayed out in the fields and smelled like their flocks. So, it is interesting that the host of angels should appear to such lowly folks. The reason is so that none of us can deny our own position in the kingdom. If God saw fit to appear to the lowliest of all people, then we are assured access as well.

Second, this good news, this miracle, is for all people. Those are important words and are still playing out. What began as an Israelite miracle, has transformed the entire world and continues to. This great savior is for all and what great news is that? Even as the shepherds heard the good news, foreign wise men began their trek, men who were not Israelites but you journeyed to offer expensive gifts to the king. Wow!

Third, the word the shepherds used regarding going to see this “miracle” was “rhema”. They said, let us go to Bethlehem and see this “living Word”. That is so amazing. You “Word” people should be shouting right now as I know my Jewish friends are. The shepherds heard what the angels were saying, that The Living Word of God had come in human form to save the world. Glory to God! I pray this fills your heart with great joy!

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Christmas Survival Plan

On December 20, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 29: 9

When a wise person has a controversy with a foolish person, the foolish person either rages or laughs, and there is no rest.

Otherwise stated, this verse says, there is no point arguing with a fool. Many of us will be spending the holidays with friends and family. Usually, there is someone in that group (maybe several someones) who presents a challenge. So, this is a good time to think about how you are going to handle those situations.

Let us all start now praying for peace, patience, tolerance, etc. Don’t wait until Christmas Eve to start praying. Go ahead and get your tank full! Second, let’s just understand that there is no point talking with some people. This verse is so right, they either fly into a tiff, makes sarcastic remarks, or make some completely foolish argument. They have no ambition for seeking absolute truth, have no intention to grow personally and are not interested in what you know or what you have learned in your pursuit of wisdom and growth. Understand who and where they are and just accept them as they are. Don’t try to lead, teach or guide. They aren’t interested, and in the end, they will resent you for it and usually make a scene too.

The best is when you can avoid these folks, but at this time of the year you know that isn’t possible, so we must develop another strategy. You may like to talk about meaningful things, to hear others’ opinions and to voice the counterpoint too. However, not everyone is interested in such a dialogue. That’s okay. So why frustrate yourself and allow the fool to stir up unrest? Solomon is trying to tell us there is no fruit in that pursuit.

Most people are happy talking about themselves, so maybe the best conversation to have with the foolish person you cannot avoid is to ask what they’ve been up to. Just try to avoid the controversy because there is no way to succeed with a fool. The best thing to do is pray for them. We all need more of God in our lives so begin sending your prayers to God now, for them and for you.

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Home Town

On December 17, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 68: 18       TPT

He ascends into the heavenly heights, taking his many captured ones with him, leading them in triumphal procession. And gifts were given to men, even the once rebellious, so that they may dwell with Yah.

Yesterday we saw that when we accept Jesus as Lord, God comes and makes His abode in us, Immanuel, God with us. Today’s verse leads us to an end time message which is pretty funny when you consider it was written before Jesus even came to earth. It is about Jesus, though, that this verse is written. This verse talks about us living with God. When we move into the next phase of life, we will go live with God. Jesus said that though he was leaving, he was going to prepare a place for us (John 14: 2).

There will be a glorious day when we will be set completely free from captivity. Finally, there will be nothing which holds us back. You will enjoy a level of liberty that you cannot even understand. You will say, “I really didn’t even realize I was captured and held prisoner until just this moment when the truth of complete freedom overtook me.”

David looked into heaven and received a vision of Jesus’ ascension. He saw us in his procession. Then God showed him that gifts were bestowed on humans. These would be spiritual gifts. What does that look like? Use your imagination but I think it is the gift of instantaneous travel, of seeing spirit beings, of different languages. Maybe there are gifts of patience and tolerance.

This verse reminds me of the Exodus from Egypt. Not only were God’s people set free, they left carrying gifts of great wealth given to them by the Egyptians. God’s idea of setting the captives free involves fitting them with the accoutrements of a good life.

One surely appreciates that even the formerly rebellious people were given good gifts. David might have been surprised but also gratified for none of us is without some blame. All of those failures are left behind as we enter the wake of Jesus’ glorious ascension. You can now ask the Father about your gifts and you can request gifts. Do you want the gift of tongues? How about the ability to see angels? They are called gifts because Father is giving stuff away. He has an unlimited supply and no interest in holding back his good gifts. Even if you were once rebellious, you now qualify for God’s best. Crazy, right? I am glad God plays by a kinder set of rules than we do. Everything is now available to us, including a home with the Father.

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In and Through

On December 16, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Ephesians 4: 6      TPT

And he is the perfect Father who leads us all, works through us all, and lives in us all!

Jesus rattled the world when he told people that he and the Father would live in us and through us (John 14: 23). He spoke of the Father with a familiarity that rankled the Jews. Truly, the familiarity with which we speak of the Father today still unsettles some. Interestingly, only the Apostle John leaned into this revelation of Immanuel, God with us. John understood that the name applied to more than Jesus spending a short time walking the earth. It is, in fact, the New Covenant in a word. Man, that is a big revelation, one we are still grappling with.

Paul came along behind the twelve disciples. Except for John, the gospel writers mostly gave an account of the life of Jesus. Paul took those accounts and Jesus’ teachings and explained them. I said last week, he seemed to understand the Apostle John well and he continued John’s teachings. This revelation that God lives in us is so big that even after both John and Paul unveiled this great mystery, it still remains cloaked for many people.

I hope you revel in the idea that God is not only with you, but in you, even if your mind cannot comprehend it. Honestly, I cannot fully grasp it either, but I do glory in the truth of it. We don’t need to pray to a far-removed deity, God in heaven. We can turn inward and find the creator right there. Isn’t that amazing?

Perhaps I am just in the Christmas Spirit, but this seems like a good Christmas message. Perhaps it is Christmas and Easter rolled up together. This “God with us” thing is central to Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father and what a job he did. He so thoroughly accomplished his task that the Father packed up and moved in with us. Can you even grasp the enormity of that? It is mind boggling!

I hope that this Christmas season, you will enjoy Emmanuel, God with us. Every time you hear a Christmas carol, I hope you are reminded of the King who came to make his abode with you. Merry Christmas!

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The Way

On December 15, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

James 5: 14

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 4: 17

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

Now we know. We can no longer plead ignorance. James tells us, plainly, what we are to do when we are sick. And yet, do we do it? If we do not, he says we are sinning. That’s kind of harsh but sometimes the truth is a hard taskmaster. There is no variance, no partial compliance.

I do not find that people comply with James 5: 14. We do not call for the elders and ask them to anoint us with oil and pray. We just don’t. Why? Are we not doers of the Word? Do we, instead, follow the path of the world? I believe God gave us medical science. I believe in the revelation he has given us. However, I believe the first line of defense is always James 5: 14. When medicine or treatment is called for, we should always take them with a healthy dose of prayer.

Is the reason we do not call for the elders and for prayer is because we are embarrassed to admit we have problems? Do we think that problems are evidence of a lack of faith? I sure do not. Paul asked for prayer for goodness’ sake. He didn’t seem to think it was a sign of weakness. Perhaps we don’t really believe in the power of prayer. Maybe we don’t believe in the ministry of elders. Or, could it be, that our real belief problem is that we do not believe in a living Christ who cares enough for us or is powerful enough to heal us. Is our Christ dead in our hearts? Do we really, in the deepest part of our spirits, believe that Jesus is alive and at work in people’s lives to this day.

To wit, this ministry has a dynamic prayer team. We certainly don’t use them enough. I often find myself surprised to hear of challenges Christians have gone through and never requested prayer. Use the prayer request feature by clicking HERE.

I have many questions today but not so many answers. What I know, though, is that Jesus’ brother gave us a clear edict and then threw down the gauntlet to see who would actually follow Jesus.

Is there any sick among you? This world is crumbling in around us. We better figure out, real soon, how to live according to “The Way”.

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Humility and Grace

On December 14, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Proverb 3: 34            The Voice

God treats the arrogant as they treat others, mocking the mockers, scorning the scornful, but He pours out His grace on the humble.

Yesterday’s proverb spoke about the arrogant person, that they stir up strife and that failure follows in their wake. Today we find this explanation. God abhors the arrogant. Wow! That is a bit frightening. He, Yahweh, scorns the scorners and mocks the mockers. Therefore, being scornful, arrogant or mocking others sets us up in opposition to God, a very frightening position to be in. If you look at the footnotes for this verse in the NLV Bible, you find the Greek version of this verse. It reads, “The Lord opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Grace is the unmerited favor of God. So, this verse reveals that God gives favor to the humble. Grace is that intangible blessing that follows you around making life click into place a bit better. God’s favor affects other people so that they see you and treat you as a VIP. Humility gives us what arrogance cannot. We can posture and act big trying to get people to treat us as important, but it is actually humility which yields that kind of favor. The minute we begin thinking or behaving as if we deserve it or that we really are special, it dissolves. A person can be humble at church and see the favor of God blessing them but act arrogantly at work and find that the grace just isn’t there.

Humility is not being a doormat for others. Sometimes we think it is. Humility is best understood in the scope of worthiness. In ourselves we were not worthy of God’s love or Jesus’ sacrifice, but Jesus has made us absolutely worthy, in him. We can be humble in our greatness because we know that it has nothing to do with our strength, skills or intelligence. Any gifts we have are from God. When we set our eyes upon Him and this truth, we can stand very tall in the fullness of God’s greatness understanding that we are here because Father decreed it and Jesus bought it. If your Father gives you a position, one you didn’t earn, you still get the position but perhaps you wouldn’t be so arrogant knowing that it is only by His grace that you stand in royal shoes.

God wants to shower His favor upon everyone. Truly, He wants everyone to be treated as someone special. We, however, either opt in or opt out of His plan. Interestingly, thinking we deserve it or that we are more special than others opts us out. Knowing that we are deserving as long as we stand in Jesus’ victory keeps us rooted. This is the great dichotomy which confuses so many. We are the unworthy worthy ones. We earned nothing, deserved nothing but as long as we are in Jesus – standing and abiding in him, we are kings. You have to know that you are deserving but humble because you know your worthiness is only in Jesus.

Arrogance is for the fool. The favor of God and man is for those who humbly receive all that God has for them.

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