Month: December 2019

Posted on

God loves Shepherds!

James 1 2 shepherds2a

Advent Series: James 1 & 2 The Shepherds

Did you ever wonder why God Most High showered the shepherds with the gift of His Son? God loves shepherds and His Son would be known as the Good Shepherd. Think back to one starry night so long ago when God looked down from heaven and found a group of shepherds whose hearts were open to His gift. God gave His people the privilege of caring for sheep, the most vulnerable of all animals. Most likely Abel was a shepherd. When the children of Israel sojourned in Egypt the brothers of Joseph were shepherds. God lovingly provided a safe place to raise their flocks along with the Egyptian’s flocks and the flocks prospered under the care of the Israelites. Later, the psalmist sat on a hillside watching the flocks by night just as the shepherds Luke described. He wrote about himself as a sheep in need of peace and quiet–and God provided.

Truly the God Most High is the giver of gifts. He gives liberally and without reprimand. Yet, God does not give to just anyone but those whose hearts are responsive. If we want the gift to see His Son we must ask in faith without doubting because he who doubts is like one caught in the riptides of the sea being tossed to and fro. Perhaps James was considering that when he wrote: All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.

God’s eye is upon those whose hearts are receptive to His gift of the Savior.

 

Posted on

Will we be found faithful?

Hebrews book with candle2a

Advent Series–By Faith: Hebrews 11-13

When you hear the word faith what image do you have in your mind? Do you see images of men of long ago in robes and beards? Do you see women in their garments tending to families and then to Jesus as he traversed the land of Israel? The Hebrews author doesn’t want us to see any of those images but Jesus Himself fulfilling his role of prophet, priest, and king. He set the standard and others followed. Thus the Hebrews author’s Hall of Fame lists men and women who followed the Christ in all they did and how they lived. He wants us to know one truth above all: it is impossible to please God if you deny Him and His son but God rewards those who seek him. Thus begins the Hall of Fame beginning with Noah and ending with a legendary group of men and women who paid the price to be found faithful.  Their eyes were fixed on what was heavenly not the temporal.

Jesus endured the cross thus offering to us a picture of what is expected of us as His followers. He disregarded the shame, do we? Yet he alone was given the privilege of taking his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. When we endure suffering we are counted as sons of the Most High God.

Do you see yourself as one of the faithful?

 

Posted on

Jesus Paid it All!

 

hebrews 8 to 10 jesus gift2a

Advent Series Jesus Paid it All! Hebrews 8 to 10

We often equate Advent and Christmas with the manger but we need to look beyond that to the man who died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures. Thus because of that, He is the high priest who earned the right to sit down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the eternal inheritance he has promised since he died to set them free from the violations committed under the first covenant.

Note Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands—the representation of the true sanctuary—but into heaven itself, and he appears now in God’s presence for us. He was offered once to bear the sins of many, and will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation. He chose to do that we might be holy people made holy through the offering of his body once for all. Therefore, let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.  And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.

Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe, Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow

 

 

Posted on

Advent from Hebrews

Hebrews angelic

Advent Series from Hebrews

December comes and with it images of Christmas filled with, not sugar plums and fairies, but angelic figures. Dr. Luke’s angels come with news of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus for they are God’s instrument of messaging to men. Although we have no idea what angels look like, contemporary secularism has elevated them to near godlike state. Thus it was fitting that the author of Hebrews reminds his readers that angelic figures are just that, messengers of God to mankind. We are not to worship them but the Son of God. He alone is the radiance of God’s glory is to be worshiped. Paul reminds the Corinthians that Satan seeks worship and disguises himself as an angel of light but beneath that exterior is evil personified. Therefore, as we think and ponder angelic figures for our Advent season we are to be cautious and remember Jesus alone is far better than angels as he inherited a name superior name to theirs. He writes angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation which has been purchased by the blood of the Son. Again the Hebrews author reminds us that God in his infinite wisdom did not put the control of the world to them but to the Son.

It is Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death so that by God’s grace he would experience death on behalf of everyone; bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

As you prepare for Advent place angelic figures in their rightful place not as personages to be worshiped for that alone is given to the Son of God.

Posted on

Advent: Seeing Christ in Scripture

Titus Advent SEries2a

Advent Series from Titus

The more focused you are the more you can see is a truth that crosses all dimensions. For example, if you are focused on the images in a telescope you can see not just a mix of stars but if you look closely you can see particular stars. That is how it is with scripture. The more focused you are the more you are apt to see the Christmas narrative in each and every book. They say that Christ is found in every book of the Bible but until you focus you might miss the details that the authors have pointed out.

Ch 1: God, who does not lie promised the hope of eternal life before time began. John 1, in the beginning, was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was fully God. In him was life and the life was the light of mankind.  God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a human being, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it happen? [Num 23]

Ch 2: The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all people. We wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Luke 2: Simeon waiting in the Temple “for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples.

Ch 3: We are saved not by works of righteousness but on the basis of his mercy …poured out on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior. Note from Dr. Constable: God poured out His Holy Spirit on believers richly. He did this first at Pentecost (Acts 2), but He does it since then whenever individuals experience conversion (cf. Rom. 5:5).

Keep looking! Keep your eyes open to see Jesus in the OT and revealed in the NT! Happy Advent!

Posted on

Let Your Light Shine!

2tim 1 to 4 let light shine2a

Advent Series: 2Tim 1 Gifts!

The world is blind to the truth both visually and orally. We know that the enemy has blinded them so that they may not see the glorious Christ. They will turn away from the truth and turn to myths yet of all seasons, Christmas offers opportunities that open hearts. People are more open to the gospel message because it paints a picture of the many and beautiful gifts that God has promised to those who believe in him. Christmas gives us an opportunity for the three gifts that the Father has bestowed upon us of Grace, Mercy, and Peace to shine forth!  We have them in abundance because we know that every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In addition, God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control—which by the way is a Fruit of the Spirit!

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;  If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. God wants us to be open to the opportunities that he places in our grasp. We must be ready in season and out of season with the message and be ready whether it is convenient or not!

Pray that God uses your gifts this season to proclaim the truth of the gospel just as Jesus said: let your light shine before people so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven. [Matt 5].

 

Posted on

Are you like Scrooge or like God?

1Tim Scrooge or God2a

Advent Series: 1Tim 6 BecCareful you are not a Scrooge; Instead be generous like God

Many the world over are familiar with Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” with the main character of Scrooge who thinks only about gathering and keeping money. Three ghosts appear to show him his faulty logic. Paul’s counsel to Timothy is much like the wisdom of the ghost of Christmas present, Christmas past and Christmas future and the lesson of Scrooge is straight from the words in 1Timothy 6 that we all need to learn:

For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either. But if we have food and shelter, be satisfied with that. Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap. For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Just like Scrooge, we too must be wary of gaining and storing up riches for self. Jesus taught that same principle; no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Again he taught a parable about a rich landowner who boasted that he could eat, drink, and celebrate because he chose to store his riches in many barns. God called him a fool and said that that very night his life would come to an end.

Jesus asked: then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 

In this Christmas season may we learn from Jesus:

To whom much is given much is required.

What gift will you share from your abundance this season?

 

 

Posted on

Myth or Truth?

1tim adven2at

Advent Series: 1Timothy

Recently a friend received a note saying Christmas is just a man-made myth copied from earlier mythologies. Where did these ideas come from? We don’t need to go back very far to find evidence of these ideas. Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to John Adams saying that in the not too distant future generations will class Christmas as a fable. Thus we need to be armed with evidence from scripture to dismantle these godless ideas.

True, Paul counseled Timothy to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings and we should heed that counsel as well. Peter reminds us that the prophets who predicted the grace that would come to you searched and investigated carefully. In addition, Peter and John both spoke and wrote that they had been an eyewitness of this one who came for one purpose: to save His people from their sins. Paul tells Timothy what they had discovered: Christ was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

The world may seek to deny the divinity of Christ but if we are like the Bereans we can follow the path of truth just as the prophets of old so that we can say with them: Christ indeed was the Son of God just as the scriptures say.

Are you looking and watching?

If you are interested there is a page of Advent articles on Bible.org. Just put Advent in the search box.

 

Posted on

Advent–Looking for the Blessed Hope

1&2Thess keep watch

Advent Series: 1 & 2 Thessalonians…Looking for the Blessed Hope

Beloved, Christ came many years ago in a stable in Bethlehem but soon and very soon, He shall appear with flashing light and the trumpet of Gabriel. He will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. And wonder of wonders we shall see Him as the disciples saw him at the Transfiguration or as John saw him on the Isle of Patmos. He will come in the same way as a thief in the night and we who are sons of light will join him in the heavens.

In the meantime, may you be kept entirely blameless for his coming. May you be found spotless and worthy of his kingdom so he can present you before the Father’s throne. Strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, that you may enter his presence. Why does he desire this? He called you to this salvation through the gospel message so you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Encourage your hearts in every good thing knowing that he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one until that time.

Stay alert, Keep a watch for you know not when he shall appear. Are you ready?

Posted on

Keep Looking for Advent signs!

Phil 1 to 4 advent

Looking for Advent: Phil 1-4 “Complete your joy”

The heavens rang aloud that Advent night so very long ago and hymns have shared that joy which we sing at Christmas time. As we read scripture each day we should be looking for advent clues such as joy and Paul ensures that we do.

Paul says “complete my joy.” Be unified n spirit and in purpose. As you seek to complete the gift of joy do it humbly with the purpose of being unified. Look at the Savior as your role model who proclaimed joy wherever he went and in whatever he did. The result? God exalted him and honored him with a name above every name. The prophet Isaiah gave us that name along with other names given to him:

Isa 9:6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called:

Amazing Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This day as you read, keep looking for advent clues to help you celebrate this season with joy!

 

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Optimized by Optimole