Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

When was the last time you were so awed by what Jesus was doing in your life that it overwhelmed you enough to fall to your knees in deep awe of Him?  What a glory those “shock and awe” moments are to us, right?  It seems to happen when we are at our lowest, feeling nothing but extreme tiredness and discouragement, knowing we have exhausted all our own efforts at making life better.  Then Jesus comes, intervenes with a miracle unimaginable, and changes everything about us! 

Luke 5, The Message

Push Out into Deep Water

^1-3 Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.

⁴ When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”

^5-7 Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.” It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

^8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

^10-11 Jesus said to Simon, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.” They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The Chosen series depicts this passage well as it tells of the fisherman, Simon, who will do anything and everything, legal or not, to merely keep food on the table for his family. This series captures the emotions of Simon who will be called Peter, the Rock, by Jesus later.  But for now, nothing in Simon’s life turns out well.  Simon is what we would call a “player”, a manipulator who is as untrustworthy as the tax collectors in his community!  Simon has been put down by the oppressive government who demands more taxes than he and his brother can possible pay. No one can afford what the Romans expect in payment.  This is oppression that keeps people in their powerless state of mind in all ways so the Romans can stay in control over them. 

Along with Roman oppression is the oppression of the religious leaders who also want/demand power and control over God’s people.  Growing up in the Hebrew system of teaching as a young boy at the local Synagogue, Simon observed the power grabbing, arrogant Teachers of the Law whose goal was to gain great wealth and prestige on the backs of those just trying to survive each day.  Simon is smart and witty, impetuous, and quick tempered.  He hears and memorizes the Word but does not see the value in following priests who seem to only perform for applause and guilt people into paying more temple taxes while being void of the compassion of caring for the conditions of the people God called them to serve.  Simon has a warped view of God.

Where God guides—He provides!  With the funds gained from this haul of fish, that filled not one boat but two, prepared the fishermen with an immediate way to follow the One who called them to be fishermen of men and women! 

Then Jesus enters Simon’s way of life, disrupting his thinking and view of life and of God!  Jesus’ miracle “catch of the day” catches Simon of guard!  This “shock and awe” moment drives him to his knees—knee deep in fish!  What a perfect miracle for a fisherman!  This miracle also causes a sinful Simon to fall to his knees in humility before Jesus.  Simon has a new attitude!

Jesus tells them the Truth because Jesus is Truth.  They are drawn to Truth.  Jesus has come into their world to show all people the Way back to God, the Truth about God, while offering Life forever with God!  These fishermen don’t understand it all—yet—but they know enough to realize their need for Jesus and all He has to offer—so they follow. Yes, Jesus changes everything about us when we say yes to Him.  Simon was changed.  Simon’s view of God was no longer blocked.  Simon was not the only one who followed that morning of miracles!  Andrew, James and John also followed.

Our world is hungry to know Truth, too.  Have we been so knee deep in awe of Jesus that His glory can be seen on our faces and observed in our behaviors?  Are we telling the Truth and living the Truth of Jesus each day so others will know?  Who are we “catching” as we throw out the nets of His love, mercy, and grace of the Truth of Jesus’ salvation for all?  We are called to be “fishers of men and women.” Are we?

If you are not sure of knowing the Truth of Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life, there is a way to be very sure and assured: 

• Believe, really believe that Jesus is who God said He is. 
• Repent of sins in Jesus Name and sins are removed and gone forever!
• Bury the past and avoid going back to the “scene of your crimes” to replay the hurt.
• Follow Jesus with all your focus on Him.  Be attentive to His Holy Spirit who now lives in you to help you follow Truth.
• Ask for His wisdom and God will give it.  Confused? God will give you clarity.
• Where God guides, God will provide more than you can imagine to help you grow in His loving ways as you relate to others.
• Allow and invite the Holy Spirt to lead you into all Truth. 
• Truth is, God doesn’t want anyone to perish in darkness but to thrive forever in the Light of His glory and grace. 
• Know that God is for us, not against us. 
• Trust God.  Surround yourself with others who trust God no matter what the circumstances.

Be knee deep in awe of Jesus who saved us and reconciled us to God!  Hallelujah!  For as Jesus said, “There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women.”

Oh Lord,

Thank you for all the ways you show us that you are with us always! Thank you for your Word that assures us. Thank you for all the miraculous ways you intervene in our lives that draw our attention away from the dark ways of the world to the light of your love, mercy, and grace.  You are Truth.  Cleanse our repentant hearts, renew our thinking, refresh our souls with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy, peace and awe of your salvation at work within us.  To you be the glory!  Hallelujah, what a Savior!  Be in every detail of our lives today as we declare your salvation to the world in need.

In Jesus Name, Amen

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14

God heard the cries of the humble.  He provided a way back to Him with healing, wholeness, and forgiveness in one package.  God sent His One and Only Son, the One with power to heal, set free those bound by demons, while showing a refreshing and sincere compassion to the brokenhearted and oppressed with love for those the community deem unacceptable. He is Messiah come to save us from all our sins.  He is the Way, Truth, and Life for everyone who believes and follows Him.  He is Jesus Christ, Son of Man who bore our sins and Son of God who is the Victor over death.

Luke 4, The Message

He Healed Them All

^38-39 He left the meeting place and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was running a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. He stood over her, told the fever to leave—and it left. Before they knew it, she was up getting dinner for them.

^40-41 When the sun went down, everyone who had anyone sick with some ailment or other brought them to him. One by one he placed his hands on them and healed them. Demons left in droves, screaming, “Son of God! You’re the Son of God!” But he shut them up, refusing to let them speak because they knew too much, knew him to be the Messiah.

^42-44 He left the next day for open country. But the crowds went looking and, when they found him, clung to him so he couldn’t go on. He told them, “Don’t you realize that there are yet other villages where I have to tell the Message of God’s kingdom, that this is the work God sent me to do?” Meanwhile he continued preaching in the meeting places of Galilee.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The demons recognized Jesus because they knew Him well.  They knew where He came from and where He was going.  They knew His mission as Messiah!  The devil, AKA as “the father of lies”, lived among the angels in heaven until this demon of pride was expelled, throw out, and banished from heaven for trying to be God and take His place.  Yes, to say the demons know Jesus is an understatement.  They know Jesus and know what He is capable of doing. 

This fallen angel, as scripture describes, has an army of demons who were banished with him.  Who is this fallen angel?  What does he look like and how does he behave?  God’s word is full of descriptions and warnings so that we can be made aware of the dangers of succumbing to his antics, temptations and stirred thoughts that seek to destroy us.  The devil’s character traits are opposite of God’s character.  Galatians 5 and other passages in God’s Word describe these traits clearly.  AND like a chameleon, he can look like all that is good!  But he is not…it’s all an act to draw us in for the kill!

“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.”   1 Peter 5:8, MSG

The devil’s demons know Jesus has power over them.  That’s why we read often that the demons scream for mercy!  The demons of the devil, the real enemy of mankind, know they don’t stand a chance of holding their grip on the souls of those possessed by them when Jesus enters the room. They knew and still know that Jesus was/is/always will be the Son of God, sent by God, who will heal, rescue, and ultimately be the sacrifice for all the sins of the world.  But the demons of the devil still put up a fight while knowing they won’t win.  Their persistent goal is to continue to make life miserable for their victims until Jesus is asked to intervene and set them free from bondage!

When the crowds of people found Jesus, they clung to Him and would not let Him go.

To combat the demons in our lives that continually harass us with thoughts of discontent, worry, and selfishness that breeds pride and arrogance, cling to Jesus.  It’s a daily decision to stay in His Presence guided by His Holy Spirit.  When you feel the pull to do otherwise, look up and say, “I trust you, Jesus!”  “Lead me, dear Jesus.”  You will be amazed how this declaration diminishes the devil’s promptings when prayed in the Name of Jesus!

Believe and be saved.  Repent and be restored. 

Cling to Jesus and don’t let Him go from your heart, mind, and soul. 

Love as if your life depended on it…because it does!

Lord,

We cling to your love today with a firm grip of faith.  Come and cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, refresh our souls with your new mercies and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work within us.  Thank you for loving us the way you do. Thank you for warning us of the dangers of the evil one who seeks to distract us from you and all that is good.

In Jesus Name, Amen

We must admit, it is hard to go back where we grew up and expect people to realize we did indeed grow up!  You’re not that kid anymore that people “freeze-framed” in their minds.  Maybe we left our hometown to go to college in another state or country.  Maybe our work took us to another city.  Whatever the situation, we find ourselves meeting new friends with different backgrounds.  We have new experiences that open the doors to new learning about all people, not just our hometown people.

Maybe we even developed a new language or accent different than the way we talked before we left our hometown. Living among people with different cultural traditions expanded the world for us.  We are thought of with current information our friends know about us with today’s perspectives of us.  We are not judged by our past but by our present persona and behaviors by those with whom we’ve have met and formed relationships.

To go home takes us quickly back to the “way we were,” like an old, sad song, to a place where people “knew you when” and love to remind you all of all the mistakes you made.  Jesus understands because He lived it even as He became the “talk of the town whose words made things happen” like no one else before Him—except in His own hometown of Nazareth. And He was perfect, without sin! 

Luke 4, The Message

To Set the Burdened Free

^14-15 Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside. He taught in their meeting places to everyone’s acclaim and pleasure.

^16-21 He came to Nazareth where he had been raised. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,

God’s Spirit is on me;
    he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
    recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
    to announce, “This is God’s time to shine!”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, “You’ve just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.”

²² All who were there, watching and listening, were surprised at how well he spoke. But they also said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the one we’ve known since he was just a kid?”

^23-27 He answered, “I suppose you’re going to quote the proverb, ‘Doctor, go heal yourself. Do here in your hometown what we heard you did in Capernaum.’ Well, let me tell you something: No prophet is ever welcomed in his hometown. Isn’t it a fact that there were many widows in Israel at the time of Elijah during that three and a half years of drought when famine devastated the land, but the only widow to whom Elijah was sent was in Sarepta in Sidon? And there were many lepers in Israel at the time of the prophet Elisha but the only one cleansed was Naaman the Syrian.”

^28-30 That set everyone in the meeting place seething with anger. They threw him out, banishing him from the village, then took him to a mountain cliff at the edge of the village to throw him to his doom, but he gave them the slip and was on his way.

^31-32 He went down to Capernaum, a village in Galilee. He was teaching the people on the Sabbath. They were surprised and impressed—his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to.

^33-34 In the meeting place that day there was a man demonically disturbed. He screamed, “Stop! What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to. You’re the Holy One of God and you’ve come to destroy us!”

³⁵ Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The demonic spirit threw the man down in front of them all and left. The demon didn’t hurt him.

^36-37 That knocked the wind out of everyone and got them whispering and wondering, “What’s going on here? Someone whose words make things happen? Someone who orders demonic spirits to get out and they go?” Jesus was the talk of the town.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Isn’t this Joseph’s son, the one we’ve known since he was just a kid?”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:  It was Jesus’ custom to attend public worship, a custom His followers should imitate today (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Jesus might have argued that the “religious system” was corrupt, or that He didn’t need the instruction, but instead, He made His way on the Sabbath to the place of prayer. He followed tradition.

• A typical synagogue service opened with an invocation for God’s blessing and then the recitation of the traditional Hebrew confession of faith (Deut. 6:4–9; 11:13–21). This was followed by prayer and the prescribed readings from the law and from the prophets, with the reader paraphrasing the Hebrew Scriptures in Aramaic.
• This was followed by a brief sermon given by one of the men of the congregation or perhaps by a visiting rabbi (see Acts 13:14–16).
• If a priest was present, the service closed with a benediction. Otherwise, one of the laymen prayed and the meeting was dismissed.

Jesus was asked to read the Scripture text and to give the sermon. His earthly family was probably in attendance.  The passage Jesus read included Isaiah 61:1, 2, which He chose for His text. The Jewish rabbis interpreted this passage to refer to the Messiah, and the people in the synagogue knew it well. You can imagine how shocked they were when Jesus boldly said that it was written about Him and that “today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  But the hometown leaders and onlookers could only judge Jesus as that kid of questionable birth rocking their world with saying He is who they have been waiting for—the Messiah come to save them!

God’s Chosen hear a renewed perspective from the same loving God through His Son, Jesus:  God is for all people!  At first, the people in the synagogue admired the way He taught, but it didn’t take long for their admiration to turn into antagonism. Why? Because Jesus began to remind them of God’s goodness to the Gentiles! The prophet Elijah bypassed all the Jewish widows and helped a Gentile widow in Sidon (1 Kings 17:8–16), and his successor Elisha healed a Gentile leper from Syria (2 Kings 5:1–15).

Jesus’ message of grace was a blow to the proud Jewish exclusivism of the congregation, and they would not repent. Imagine this hometown boy saying that Jews had to be saved by grace just like the pagan Gentiles! And yet we who are Gentiles can take great comfort in these words from Jesus!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

What others say about us based on what little knowledge they might have becomes so irrelevant and insignificant in the Light of who God says we are to Him—His sons and daughters—joint heirs with Jesus, the One who came to earth to save us!

Scripture proves God’s Truth:  Salvation is for everyone!

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Romans 10:9-13

“But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?”So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”  Romans 10:16-17

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!

For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to give him advice?^]
And who has given him so much
    that he needs to pay it back?

For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.”  Romans 10:33-36

There is no one like our God!  Immanuel, “God with us”, Messiah who has come to save us!  All of us! 

Lord,

You welcome home all who believe.  We might not be able to go back to where we grew up and be treated with respect for who we belong to now but You treat us with equal compassion when we come home to You.  This world is not our home.  You are!  Your faithfulness to us has been evident through all the generations behind us, currently, including all ahead of us.  Your compassion and mercies never fail and your deep love for us never changes!  You see our hearts and encourage our growth.  You are for everyone who believes and loves you back.  Thank you for giving all of us as many chances as necessary to fall on our knees and declare you as our Savior and Lord of our lives.  I am grateful.  You are good, so good. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m “at home” when I am with you always.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Wouldn’t it be great if a liar’s pants really would burst into flames with the first hint of a lie?

If you deny there is an evil spirit who lurks around seeking people whose minds are easily used by him for evil, then you are a prime candidate for Satan.  If you say Jesus is impressive and worth celebrating at Christmas but He is not your Savior and Lord; then you are putty in the hands of the evil one who is ready to do great harm in you and around you.

Oh, but that’s not all!  Even if, or especially if, we believe in God and love God with all our heart, mind, and soul and have given our life to Jesus and are living a redeemed life in Christ—The devil comes at us with full force!  But he cannot overcome us or separate us from what God has done for us and put into us—His love and His salvation of our souls.    

The devil does not “make us” do anything, we have the ability and power to choose to allow his lies, his empty promises, his thoughts of evil to strike back at anyone who offends us to enter our being and determine our eternity.  (Read that again—as many times as necessary.)

How does the Devil do this?  The following passage shows how powerful this fallen angel from God’s Presence thinks he is.  This being’s power is very limited and behaves in every way that is not of God.  That is our first clue to his lying ways.  The devil wants us to think he can do anything.  But he cannot.  He is a liar.  In fact, Jesus calls him “the father of lies.”  Every lie created by man and said out loud originated from The Liar.  He teaches us to lie.

The devil is also crafty and manipulating as he plays on our weaknesses to get what he wants most—our souls.

The devil knows Jesus well.  The devil is so proud of himself that he thinks he can bring God’s Son to his way of thinking …

Luke 4, The Message

Tested by the Devil

4 ^1-2 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

³ The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”

^5-7 For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”

⁸ Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

^9-11 For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?”

¹² “Yes,” said Jesus, “and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’”

¹³ That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn that the Devil wants our souls for the sheer pleasure of seeing our faith in God ultimately destroyed and our bodies burned in a fiery forever death by torture.

We learn that Jesus, Son of God, was tempted by the Devil as we are tempted today.  The Devil lied to Jesus about his limited power to get him to jump off a building to his death.  The Devil also lied about what he could offer to Jesus.  How ridiculous!  The Devil is crafty but so full of pride he is ignorant—thinking that he owns what belongs to God and is able to give it to His Son!  Wow.

Jesus teaches us how to combat the enemy—with knowing and quoting God’s Word that is Truth.  God’s Word is always the opposite of the devil’s lies and propositions to us.  God’s Word sifts through all the lies and the “almost truth but not quite” thoughts that the devil plants in our minds to reveal what is right and good for us—Truth.  Truth always rises to the top when the lies of people whom the devil uses in his scheme to destroy us is put into motion.  That’s way we “wait” at times on God to reveal what is True.  God always reveals Truth and does not withhold it from us!

The devil confuses us.  Jesus bring clarity to any given situation.

Does the devil enter our thoughts?  YES!  Our minds, even in sleeping, is the entry point for his manipulation of our thoughts!  Just last night Randy and I both had separate dreams that troubled us so much we woke with wonderings.  We dreamed that our love for each other was attacked by each other!  What?!  We woke troubled for a nanosecond until we realized the lie told to us in our sleep!  Yes, the devil works on our minds first then he will suggest behaviors to follow those thoughts. Watch out for that crooked finger of beckoning that is consistently tempting us to forget God and all that is good from God!

Be like Jesus. Know God’s Word. 

Jesus immediately responds to the father of lies with God’s Word.  Jesus teaches us that responding with Truth combats and defuses the Lie.    

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 God’s bank of knowledge and wisdom is our best line of defense as we skirmish with the one who has already been defeated in the ultimate battle.  Jesus has already won but the devil still seeks to draw us from Him in tiresome skirmishes until Jesus comes back again. 

Jesus worships God the Father and no one else.  Ask daily: Who is the object of our worship?  We are easy prey if there is something or someone we worship that blocks us from our view of God and our relationship with God.  What we think about most is what we worship.

Jesus responds to, “you can do whatever you want” by the devil, with a resolute and final word— “Do not test the Lord, Your God.”  This put an end to the testing—for now.

When we look at the life of Jesus’ ministry closely, we learn that He often spent “time away by Himself” in prayerful communication with His Father.  In fact, before anything significant was done by Jesus, Jesus first spent time alone with God.  Before choosing his disciples, before miracles, before healing, before the sacrifice for our sins–before anything—Jesus went to His Father first.  What a great example for us!

And guess what?!  What the devil hates most and limits his power is seeing we who believe on our knees in communion with God in the Name of Jesus, His Son!  God’s word says, he will flee when we are in this state of mind.  “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) The devil knows he cannot win against God but what keeps him going in his game of manipulating our hearts, minds, and souls, because to him this is an open door in his attempt to crush our spirits, test our faith, with the goal to ultimately destroy our souls.

“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.” James 4:7, MSG

So, we have a choice.  Who do we worship?  Who do we believe?  Who will we follow? 

Who do you trust?  Who do you love with ALL your heart, mind, and soul?  Who do you say yes to every day of your life?

I pray wisdom for all of us.  We have the resurrection power of Christ who lives in all who believe to resist the temptations of the evil one.  Rely on His power!

Lord,

Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil and evil’s schemes to draw us from all who is good—You.  May your will be done in every detail of our lives today and always.

In Jesus Name, Amen

It was a lovely early summer day in May, the time when we “visited the graves” to clean away the weeds and placed flowers on the headstones of those who had gone on before us.  This was a ritual that was performed by my grandparents and then my parents in my growing up days.  On my dad’s side of the family; it was a family reunion.  We would first meet at the grave of my grandfather who passed away before he was 60 who left behind a very young widow.  My grandmother had four sons who brought her great joy when they would together there with their families.  After placing flowers, meditating with a prayer over the grave of my grandfather, we would then go to a local park to enjoy a picnic lunch.  The kids played ball and enjoyed each other’s company while the adults talked and laughed loudly, catching up on each other’s lives.  This was tradition.  I smile because as a young child I thought everyone did this.

We did the same with my mom’s side of the family. As my parents passed however, these traditions faded as being less important.  The family reunions of the past were no longer tradition as families scattered across the nation.  Honoring those who have gone on before us are remembered only by the memories that pop up in our minds while doing daily tasks.  However, I still lay flowers on my parents grave…I am compelled by love to honor them in this way.

But before my parents passed, I distinctly remember one of the last times I went with them to visit the grave of my grandparents as if it were yesterday.  We had completed our mission of cleaning up the area around the graves and laying flowers and were headed back to our car.  This cemetery where my grandparents were buried was located “way out in the country” on a hill in Oklahoma.  As I was corralling my kids who were running around, an elderly man limped hurriedly came over to greet me and no one else.  He was staring right into my face as he said, “You have to be Blanche Lacquement’s girl—I see her in you.”  Tears welled up in his eyes.  I told him, “Why yes, I am her granddaughter.”  I will never forget that day as this moment connected me once more to those who greatly loved and cared for me as a child and whom I adored.  This connection also reminded me of what they taught me about God and His connection to us.

Why am I telling you this memory alongside (an obscure to most) passage of Luke that shares the lineage of Jesus both as Son of Man and Son of God?  It is important to God for us to know we are descendants as “sons and daughters of Adam” who God created. It is important for us to know where we came from and where we are going.  It is important to know that Jesus is alpha and omega—He was at the beginning of creation with God, died and rose again so that we could follow Him in victory over death, and that Jesus will be at the end of time on earth when HE comes back once more to claim all “family members” and establish God’s Heavenly Kingdom for all who believe in Him.  Now that is a family reunion!  New life in Christ leads us to eternal life with God, the father of all who began the lineage of eternal hope! 

We who believe are connected!

Luke 3, The Message

Son of Adam, Son of God

^23-38 When Jesus entered public life he was about thirty years old, the son (in public perception) of Joseph, who was—

son of Heli,

son of Matthat,

son of Levi,

son of Melki,

son of Jannai,

son of Joseph,

son of Mattathias,

son of Amos,

son of Nahum,

son of Esli,

son of Naggai,

son of Maath,

son of Mattathias,

son of Semein,

son of Josech,

son of Joda,

son of Joanan,

son of Rhesa,

son of Zerubbabel,

son of Shealtiel,

son of Neri,

son of Melchi,

son of Addi,

son of Cosam,

son of Elmadam,

son of Er,

son of Joshua,

son of Eliezer,

son of Jorim,

son of Matthat,

son of Levi,

son of Simeon,

son of Judah,

son of Joseph,

son of Jonam,

son of Eliakim,

son of Melea,

son of Menna,

son of Mattatha,

son of Nathan,

son of David,

son of Jesse,

son of Obed,

son of Boaz,

son of Salmon,

son of Nahshon,

son of Amminadab,

son of Admin,

son of Arni,

son of Hezron,

son of Perez,

son of Judah,

son of Jacob,

son of Isaac,

son of Abraham,

son of Terah,

son of Nahor,

son of Serug,

son of Reu,

son of Peleg,

son of Eber,

son of Shelah,

son of Kenan,

son of Arphaxad,

son of Shem,

son of Noah,

son of Lamech,

son of Methuselah,

son of Enoch,

son of Jared,

son of Mahalaleel,

son of Kenan,

son of Enos,

son of Seth,

son of Adam,

son of God.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Revel in being connected!  We all have different memories, traditions, cultures in which we were raised but we are one in Christ who connects all of us to God and each other!

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”  Romans 8:17

What does it mean to be co-heirs/joint-heirs with Christ?

According to this verse, we share in the sufferings of Christ now and will share in the glory of Christ later as His “co-heirs” or “joint-heirs.”

The term heirs of God emphasize our relationship to God the Father. As His children, we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade . . . kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:4). The Greek term translated “heirs” in Romans 8:17 refers to “those who receive their allotted possession by right of sonship.” In other words, because God has made us His children (see John 1:12), we have full rights to receive His inheritance. We are His beneficiaries (see Matthew 25:34; Galatians 3:29; Colossians 1:12; 3:24).

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, is the natural “heir” of the Father. “God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father” (Hebrews 5:5; cf. Psalm 2:7).

Christ’s inheritance is the whole universe, all that is in existence. Hebrews 1:2 says that the Son has been “appointed heir of all things.” Being a co-heir with Christ means that we, as God’s adopted children, will share in the inheritance of Jesus. What belongs to Jesus will also belong to us. Christ gives us His glory (John 17:22), His riches (2 Corinthians 8:9), and all things (Hebrews 1:2). We are as welcome in God’s family as Jesus is; we are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV). All that belongs to Jesus Christ will belong to us, the co-heirs, as well.

“You are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7). Think of all that means. Everything that God owns belongs to us as well because we belong to Him. Our eternal inheritance as co-heirs with Christ is the result of the amazing grace of God!

Why wait?  Believe and be saved.  Trust God and be made whole.  Be assured you are part of the family that is always and forever connected and reconciled to God!

Lord,

Thank you for the memories you brought to my mind today of the rich inheritance of the examples of faith from my parents and their parents, but also of the rich inheritance I have in you—all because of Jesus.  Thank you for reminding me of the connection you established with your created from the beginning.  Thank you, dear Jesus, for paying the price for our sins so we can be reconciled—reconnected back to God!  I am grateful.  I will live gratefully as I remember how deep your love flows in and through us.  I pray that our children and grandchildren know how much I love you and believe and love You, too.  On and on and on—throughout all generations—you are faithful!

In Jesus Name, Amen 

Going public is a corporate practice in the business world in which an unlisted, private company allows the public to purchase its old or new stock for the first time.  This initial public offering (IPO) helps the general public to make a profit while assisting the corporation in raising capital and becoming a publicly traded firm.  Going public in the business world is all about making a profit for those who control the company.

Going public in the Kingdom of God means inviting everyone—poor, disadvantaged, rich, unknown, famous, men and women of all nationalities, to life change from the inside out and outside in.  There is no cost except to lose control over things we do not own and think we manage in order gain the dividends of a Love from God, the Creator, Protector, Provider and Sustainer who has no limits in loving His Created.  We are invited to own shares in His Kingdom by merely accepting Jesus free offer of salvation from sins.  More dividends are given in the form of new and fresh mercies given each day!  God’s gift of grace secures a forever life with Him “joint heirs” with Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  Going public in the God’s Company is all about the net gain of souls saved for eternity.

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” –Jesus (Mark 8:36-37)

Luke 3, The Message

A Baptism of Life-Change

^1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!
“Prepare God’s arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God’s salvation.”

^7-9 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your lifethat must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and flourishing? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.”

¹⁰ The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?”

¹¹ “If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.”

¹² Tax men also came to be baptized and said, “Teacher, what should we do?”

¹³ He told them, “No more extortion—collect only what is required by law.”

¹⁴ Soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He told them, “No harassment, no blackmail—and be content with your rations.”

¹⁵ The interest of the people by now was building. They were all beginning to wonder, “Could this John be the Messiah?”

^16-17 But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.”

^18-20 There was a lot more of this—words that gave strength to the people, words that put heart in them. The Message! But Herod, the ruler, stung by John’s rebuke in the matter of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, capped his long string of evil deeds with this outrage: He put John in jail.

^21-22 After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The crowd gathered around John asked this same question— “What should we do?”  How do we respond to Truth?

First:  Believe, repent of our sins, and be saved, redeemed from all sins! 

Upon believing, we receive God’s Holy Spirit, who is a part of God.  His Holy Spirit will lead and guide us through our life transformation from thinking and behaving like the enemy, who leads us into darkness, into a new, well-lit pathway to real life, abundant and free from sins, with expectant hope of eternal life! 

We are changed and continue changing from the “inside out” when we believe in what God says!  John preaches life change versus merely getting wet for show and Jesus affirms this truth in His preaching later!  We walk in the Light of God’s Presence with God going before us, standing beside us, and protecting behind us no matter what our circumstances might be in this life as we prepare for life forever with God!  Let God lead. 

The power to change does not come from us but from believing in Jesus!  We must tap into His unsurpassed power by calling on the Name of Jesus!  In times of indecision, frustrations, and challenging circumstances; look up and pray, “what should I do?” and the answer will come from the One who loves us most.  He is for us, not against us!  Trust and obey for there’s no other way…to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey….

Upon believing in Jesus, our hearts, minds, and souls are filled to overflow with His love.  To know God through Jesus is to know a relentless, unconditional, love that cannot be contained—it must be told!  Upon believing; we are baptized as “an outward sign of an inward change” taking place in our lives for the Body of Christ and everyone else looking on to see!  We are declaring we belong to Jesus!

Baptism is going public, with our profession of who we believe and will follow all the days of our lives!  Jesus was baptized by John signifying the beginning of His mission to save the world.  God’s love was expressed to Jesus because of Jesus’ obedience, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  Guess what?!  God says the same to us when we follow Jesus in our public display of our love for God! 

The dividends of believing:  We are “joint heirs,” shareholders, in the Kingdom of God!  Forever!  “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” Romans 8:17.

Lord,

Wow, the lessons you teach us each day as we come to you with a willingness and readiness to learn from you are so amazing and encouraging!  Thank you for always being with us through thick and thin, through good times and challenging times in this life. Thank you for saving our souls and making us whole as you consistently transform our thinking that guides our behaviors!

Cleanse our hearts , renew our minds, refresh our souls with your new mercies for today, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation always at work within us by your power.

In Jesus Name, Amen

And we’re singing…with Scripture proof, in case you need it!

“God of Angel Armies” by Chris Tomlin

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind

(Exodus 33:14 and Deuteronomy 31:3-8) and behind him as rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

(Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:5-9, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 139:7-10, Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24, Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 28:20, John 14:16-17, Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38-39, and Revelation 3:20).

The one who reigns forever

God will rule for all eternity (Exodus 15:18, Psalm 10:16, Psalm 29:10, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, Lamentations 5:19, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 6:26, Micah 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:16, 1 Peter 5:11, and Revelation 11:15).

He is a friend of mine

(John 15:13-15).

The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

There comes a time in every good parent’s life when the child they have complete control over, the child they have told what to do and where to be always, the child they have meticulously taught what is right and wrong with wisdom experiences that moment when they realize the child has and has been developing a mind of their own and now they show it!  Sometimes they show it when you least expect it!  There is a mix of emotions, however, that arise in this season of parenthood. 

We are taken aback when, as parents, we realize the work is paying off in the life of this child we love with our whole being.  Our investment of teaching is paying off in great dividends when we see them making choices on their own that are good!  But we are also a little sad that the “control” of overseeing, protecting, nurturing, and providing begins to wain as self-control in our child begins to blossom. 

As believers, we pray for our children to grow up in the Lord’s ways.  So, don’t be so surprised; be elated and delighted when they do as they begin to bear the “fruits” of your labor and the partnership of God’s Holy Spirit of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”!  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Luke 2, The Message

They Found Him in the Temple

^41-45 Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.

^46-48 The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt.

His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”

^49-50 He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.

^51-52 So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus’ parents think He is lost when they can’t find their boy but soon discover their boy is becoming the Son of God while being the Son of Man.  After twelve years of raising the boy in faith, sending Him to school to learn God’s Law, the boy is becoming the man He was sent to become—Savior and Lord. 

Only the gospel of Luke gives us a glimpse of the “boy” Jesus.  Here is Joseph and Mary’s first encounter with Jesus who is not lost but who is now displaying Who He was born to be.  Did they forget for a while Who they were assigned to care for and nurture from birth?  Maybe…parenting is challenging!

They lost sight of Jesus, but Jesus was never lost.  Jesus is learning, growing in stature and wisdom thanks to good devout parenting.  He is blessed by God to be a blessing to God’s people.  Jesus, Messiah come to save the world from the bondage of sin.  But Mary and Joseph were human with human emotions of fear for his safety and hurt that He did not consider their feelings.  Jesus knew it hurt so he left with them and lived obediently.  Mary never forgot the moment and held the experience close to her heart—I wonder if she knew more than she wanted to realize about Jesus? 

Jesus knew what she needed most at that time…to go back with them and live obedient to His earthly parents until His Father God told him the “time has come” to do His will. 

Jesus, lost?  No, Jesus was and is never lost.  It is we, who are lost until we find Jesus.

Lord,

Thank you for the privilege of parenting three children to adulthood by your Holy Spirit’s guidance and help.  Thank you for the grandchildren that came from marriage to three fine people who came into their lives.  Thank you for helping us “let go” of them to you at just the right time so they could find you and follow you, too by choice not by demand.  I pray they make the right choice of leaning on your understanding and wisdom, be found in you, and follow in all your ways.  Thank you for Your Word that teaches us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

I have had people come alongside me in my life that blessed and mentored me without fully knowing that they were doing it.  I praise God for them even now because I know He sent them at just the right time.  These men and women who spoke wisdom into my life were tenaciously so close to God they could obviously hear His voice of His Holy Spirit.  They lived their lives eagerly looking forward to obeying what God said no matter what was happening around them!  Their faith and trust are unshakable—consistently proven to be so through their behaviors. 

These God-people have a devoted, unrelenting love for God which drives their quick obedience to God in their daily lives.  I enjoyed those in my past and now enjoy talking with those presently because our conversations were filled with love and truth.  Their observed demeanor and behaviors were/are inviting as they compel me and others to be like Jesus, not them, all because of God’s love that flowed freely from their hearts, minds, and souls. 

“God-people” have a special wisdom no one else can come close to having.  Being close to God is being “in the know” of who God is and how He loves—with complete trust in His promises to help us and to save us.  They are not perfect—but they know they are perfectly forgiven.  These people are who I want to be when I grow up.

Luke 2, The Message

Blessings

²¹ When the eighth day arrived, the day of circumcision, the child was named Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived.

^22-24 Then when the days stipulated by Moses for purification were complete, they took him up to Jerusalem to offer him to God as commanded in God’s Law: “Every male who opens the womb shall be a holy offering to God,” and also to sacrifice the “pair of doves or two young pigeons” prescribed in God’s Law.

^25-32 In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God:

God, you can now release your servant;
    release me in peace as you promised.
With my own eyes I’ve seen your salvation;
    it’s now out in the open for everyone to see:
A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations,
    and of glory for your people Israel.

^33-35 Jesus’ father and mother were speechless with surprise at these words. Simeon went on to bless them, and said to Mary his mother,

This child marks both the failure and
    the recovery of many in Israel,
A figure misunderstood and contradicted—
    the pain of a sword-thrust through you—
But the rejection will force honesty,
    as God reveals who they really are.

^36-38 Anna the prophetess was also there, a daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was by now a very old woman. She had been married seven years and a widow for eighty-four. She never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers. At the very time Simeon was praying, she showed up, broke into an anthem of praise to God, and talked about the child to all who were waiting expectantly for the freeing of Jerusalem.

^39-40 When they finished everything required by God in the Law, they returned to Galilee and their own town, Nazareth. There the child grew strong in body and wise in spirit. And the grace of God was on him.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

It is time for Joseph and Mary to obey the Jewish tradition of circumcising their male infant after 8 days of birth—according to The Law.  Joseph and Mary’s devout obedience to God, despite their circumstances, is their way of life.  This requires another trip walking or on the bony back of a beast, with an infant, as they travel from Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth, to Jerusalem for the ceremonial dedication.

God gives them the gift of two “God-persons” who are fully devoted to God and have relied on Him with “prayerful expectancy” of the coming Messiah—God’s Son.  The time has arrived and God will not allow Simeon and Anna to miss it!  Don’t you love this?!  Because they are led by God’s Spirit there is no chance of missing what God has done! They are “in the know” because they know God!  Simeon recognizes Jesus as Messiah immediately—without question!  Anna, widowed young, spent her life praying and fasting for this moment right here—and God obliged and blessed her with seeing the fulfillment of The Promise.  Wow!

Simeon and Anna are great examples of how faithful obedience to God measures our pure love for God.  So, I prayerfully ask myself today, based on what I have learned from this passage:

Is my relationship with God as close as it could be? 

Do I hear from God with quick obedience because of my love for God? 

And is my love for God and others seriously a way of life that attracts others seeking a Savior?

Do I love without expecting anything in return from others because the love of God thorough Jesus is more than enough for me?

God provided Simeon and Anna as a gift to Joseph and Mary that day as “family” in the ceremony of dedication and as verification once more of who Jesus really is.  Simeon and Anna provided exactly what this young couple needed—a word from God. 

God blessed Simeon and Anna with a glimpse of the Savior, the Messiah who they had prayerfully expected and waited to see.  God is good—so, so good. 

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the gospel of Luke who spoke to the depths of my heart today! Thank you for giving us examples of rock-solid faith through the lives of “God-people” who live fully for you both then and now.  Thank you for loving us the way you do.  Thank you for the Godly mentors of my past and present.  Help me to pass on what I have learned about You to others.  That’s how you work—it’s how we “roll”.

In Jesus Name, Amen

This is the sing-song chant by kids on the playground or in the hallways when juicy information is leaked or overheard by teachers talking.  “Guess what we heard,” they shout, especially if it is great news that is for everyone!  (And kids do not have the capacity to whisper!) Others who do not know because they did not hear it for themselves lean in closer to those “in the know” to hear news that might affect them. 

Good News is hard to contain—especially when delivered by God’s lead angel backed up by a choir of God’s best angelic singers!

Luke 2, The Message

The Birth of Jesus

^1-5 About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

^6-7 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

An Event for Everyone

^8-12 There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

^13-14 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

^15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

^19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Yes, God’s great news of His Son, The One God’s people had been waiting for, was delivered with power and might to the lowest of the low in that culture.  God’s Light burst forth in the dark of night as shepherds sleepily watched over the herd. God’s messenger was glowing with the Light as he told God’s great news that was for all people.  Yes, God’s news was first given to the “least of these” according to how people rank each other.  Fortunately, there is no “rank and file” in heaven.  God knew to “leak” this new information to those who would go and tell as quickly as they saw and believed.

“Messiah has come”! the angel proclaimed.  God led the shepherds to go and see!  How do we know? The angel followed up the news with directions!  “Let me tell you where He is and what to look for when you arrive!”  God knew that “believing is seeing” and would add passion and punch as they told others!  Yes, those in the know will tell others who do not know—Messiah has come!

And then there’s Mary with Joseph.  Mary, a devout young girl, experienced the favor of God as she gave birth in a cave for animals.  Mary and Joseph worked together to deliver the Prince of Peace in a place of their heritage—according to scripture written centuries before.  The delivery of a child who would later deliver the world from the bondage of sin, would be the first of many occasions when they will see and realize that all scripture will be fulfilled in this birth.  This is the Savior, Messiah, Son of God, sent to save the world.  No one else in Mary’s world, other than Joseph, Elizabeth, and Zechariah, will understand the calling of God she has been given. 

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself.” Did God send the shepherds to verify and affirm Mary and Joseph that who they brought into the world was indeed the Son of God?  With God all things are possible.  With God all things are verifiable!  Mary knew before anyone else who she would be holding deep within her.  God assured Joseph, her fiancée, in a visit from angel in a dream so he would know exactly who Mary was going to deliver nine months later.  Joseph, a devout man of God, was also a willing participant in God’s Plan. 

After the pain of childbirth, God now sent excited, humbled, shepherds to this weary couple.  The shepherds told Mary and Joseph the message God’s angel proclaimed to them. I’m sure the shepherds didn’t leave out any of the details, especially the seeing and hearing of the heavenly choir!

How reassuring!  What great news of God’s glory expressed by these shepherds must have been for Mary and Joseph!  God loved them so dearly that He sent these watchers of sheep to bow down before the Lamb of God, His Son to demonstrate once more His love for Mary and Joseph and to prove they were no longer alone in “knowing”.  Wow.

Could it also be… that though the trip was hard, to give birth away from the gossipy community in which they lived each day was probably a kindness from God?  This couple who everyone whispered about behind their backs is so favored, protected and provided for by God to whom all glory, honor, and praise is due.  Yes, Mary indeed has a lot to treasure and ponder as she lives her life fully committed to God no matter what is happening around her as she does His will. And there is much more to come…

“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 (written centuries before) 

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”  Luke 2:11  (prophecy fulfilled)

Immanuel— “God with us.”  With God there are no coincidences.  God’s Plan prevails.  His people who follow His Plan are assured and reassured.  That includes us.

Oh Lord,                

When life gets rough, you are there.  When life is easy, you are there.  When life is confusing and climatic, you bring clarity.  You are life to me.  I will trust in what you say for what you say and do is always good and right.  Cleanse our hearts, remove what gets in the way, renew our minds, reassure our souls, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within all who believe.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Before Jesus came to earth, the known world of God’s chosen people had not heard from Him for four centuries.  That is a long time of silence!  No prophets.  No messages.  Only growing darkness of destructive deeds, people wandering and wondering with no hope, oppressed, and poor in all kinds of ways became the norm.  But still there were a few devout people, (there is always a remnant), whose hearts were completely committed to God, who still clung to what God said, and still lived to obey the commandments God provided for them.  For generations, these devoted few taught their children.  They heard or read what the prophets foretold about the coming Messiah, the One sent from God, the One and Only who would save them—at last.  And they waited—for generations—they waited.

And then, suddenly, God opened the gates of heaven and sent Light into this dark world.  The Light, His One and Only Son, a part of Him, descended from His throne in heaven, transforming into the form of a fetus who settled within the womb of a virgin who was engaged to a devout man of God.  Mind blowing, right?

This Light would soon pierce the darkness, bringing hope to the hopeless with salvation to those lost in the dark.  His name was to be called Jesus.  He is the Messiah everyone who believed longed to see come in their day.  The Messiah will be The Way back to God, The Truth of who God is with what is right and good, while providing God’s gift of eternal Life.  Our part is to believe, really believe—and be saved from the darkness.

Luke 1, The Message

A Virgin Conceives

^26-28 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her:

Good morning!
You’re beautiful with God’s beauty,
Beautiful inside and out!
God be with you.

^29-33 She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus.

He will be great,
    be called ‘Son of the Highest.’
The Lord God will give him
    the throne of his father David;
He will rule Jacob’s house forever—
    no end, ever, to his kingdom.”

³⁴ Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.”

³⁵ The angel answered,

The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
    the power of the Highest hover over you;
Therefore, the child you bring to birth
    will be called Holy, Son of God.

^36-38 “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.”

And Mary said,

Yes, I see it all now:
    I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve.
Let it be with me
    just as you say.

Then the angel left her.

Blessed Among Women

^39-45 Mary didn’t waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, straight to Zachariah’s house, and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sang out exuberantly,

You’re so blessed among women,
    and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
And why am I so blessed that
    the mother of my Lord visits me?
The moment the sound of your
    greeting entered my ears,
The babe in my womb
    skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
    believed every word would come true!

^46-55 And Mary said,

I’m bursting with God-news;
    I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.
God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
    I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!
What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
    the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
His mercy flows in wave after wave
    on those who are in awe before him.
He bared his arm and showed his strength,
    scattered the bluffing braggarts.
He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
    pulled victims out of the mud.
The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
    the callous rich were left out in the cold.
He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
    he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
It’s exactly what he promised,
    beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

⁵⁶ Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home.

The Birth of John

^57-58 When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her.

^59-60 On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: “No. He is to be called John.”

^61-62 “But,” they said, “no one in your family is named that.” They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.

^63-64 Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, “His name is to be John.” That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah’s mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!

^65-66 A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, “What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this.”

^67-79 Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
    he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,
    and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
    through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
    and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
    as he remembers to do what he said he’d do,
What he swore to our father Abraham—
    a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
    made holy before him as long as we live.

And you, my child, “Prophet of the Highest,”
    will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
    the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
    God’s Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
    those sitting in the shadow of death,
Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
    down the path of peace.

⁸⁰ The child grew up, healthy and spirited. He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We cannot separate this long passage for these two women are pivotal to God’s story of salvation.  These devout women encouraged each other as they held and nurtured God’s miracles in their wombs.  God gave these two women a work to do that would make the rest of their world raise their eyebrows as they did it.  But they obeyed willingly and even joyfully when they were with each other. 

They loved and understood each other.  Elizabeth mentored Mary while Mary encouraged and helped Elizabeth.  I am convinced, (because God’s ways are always perfect), that God gave opportunity for Mary to be with Elizabeth to escape the sarcastic gossip of her community.  God also gave Mary, a teenager in our culture, opportunity to serve Elizabeth in her preparation for the birth of John.  Both sons had very specific purposes from God.  Both women felt blessed by God to obey their mission.  Both women praised God no matter what the rest of the world thought!  I love that!

Jesus and John

John would prepare the dark world for the Light with the message of hope, telling the world that the coming of the One who would take away the sins of the world for all who believe and repent of their sins has finally arrived.  The words from John, “Behold, the Lamb of God”, will change everything.  God is no longer silent!  God has come to save us!

Jesus was the Light who had the power and authority to save people from their sins.  Jesus was God in the flesh who came down from heaven and moved into the neighborhood of humanity who desperately needed a Savior and Lord.  Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin—becoming the perfect, unblemished sacrifice for all the sins of the world, so that there was no reason for anyone to perish—unless we chose to reject Him.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Because God so loved these women who believed, He gave them to each other to  love, support, and cherish their divine pregnancies together.  Because of this gift of each other, their praises for God overflowed from their hearts and couldn’t be stopped!  Songs of praise burst through the darkness of ridicule, mocking and sarcasm and was replaced with the pure, unspeakable joy of God who enveloped both! This joyous praise was exclaimed in spontaneous songs, thanking God for what He has done and is doing specifically in their lives!  What a time of worship between two souls brought together by God’s call and purpose!  Wow!

Our response?  Trust God and believe what He says!  God still does this today!  He brings people into our lives who also believe with the desire to do what God says so we can love, support, encourage, and learn from each other.  Don’t let an opportunity go by that God has arranged to grow a friendship with someone who provides healthy, mutual spiritual growth.  Wherever God guides us in His will for His purpose, He also provides those to come beside us who understand each believers’ part in His Plan to seek and to save the lost. 

Lord,

Thank you for the story of your loving servants, Mary and Elizabeth. You have touched my heart by their loving kindness for each other along with their praises to You. You gave them purpose and meaning by giving them You.  You do the same for us still today.  Cleanse our hearts and make us ready for your will, your agenda for us, today.  Remove all that offends you as we repent.  Change our minds.  Refresh our souls with your new mercies.  Restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work within us.

In Jesus Name, Amen