Thursday, December 31

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015

Malachi 3:1–4:6

Revelation 22:1–21

Psalm 150:1–6

Proverbs 31:25–31

 

 

As 2015 draws to a close, we both reflect backward on all that has transpired this year and look ahead to the adventures awaiting us in 2016.  We have each individually experienced highs and lows for 2015.  Yet, if we have enjoyed God’s presence this year, we have received a great blessing.  Perhaps you struggled through some setbacks, or maybe you rejoiced in seeing great breakthroughs.  Whatever the case, we each rested on the promise of God’s presence:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

 

As our 2015 reading similarly draws to a close, we find Revelation 22, which brings all of history to a close.  The new heavens and new earth offer fullness of life and freedom.  We read about a “a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”  Along the river, God placed “a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month.  The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.” (1–3)  Healing and life will be free to all those in God’s presence.

 

The saints will worship God freely.  “No longer will there be a curse upon anything….  And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.”  The Father will call us His own!  And His light will overwhelm all other forces:  “And there will be no night there – no need for lamps or son – for the Lord God will shine on them.  And they will reign forever and ever.”  We may rejoice in the permanence and security of His salvation.

 

In v. 17, we read a fitting invitation to conclude this year:  “The Spirt and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’  Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

 

Have you partaken of this free gift?  The Lord Jesus Christ has given each of us the ability to approach the throne of grace with confidence, having shed His blood on our behalf.  We understand that our sin deservedly causes a separation between us and God, one that we cannot cross on our own merit, sterling as it may be.  As Romans 6:23 summarizes, “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

As we head into 2016, I encourage you to pursue the Lord Jesus Christ and all His fullness with passion and persistence.  A great way of continuing in this journey is to read through the One-Year Bible for the first time or another time with us.  It will be a great opportunity for meeting daily with God, hearing His voice, and applying His truth to the 2016’s adventures.

 

May God bless you richly as you seek Him in 2016!

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your wonderful invitation.  We are richly blessed to know You and to receive this water of life.  We trust that Your provision for 2016 will carry us.  Help us to honor You with pure, passionate, and persevering lives in this new year.  Strengthen us to turn away from those attitudes that kept us trapped.  Bring us freedom and joy so that we demonstrate Your light and love to a hurting world.  Pour out Your Spirit so that we may care for others beyond our own strength.  We love You and give You our lives so that we may be Your servants, now and always.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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December 30

Proverbs 31

If anyone had asked me when I was younger what I wanted to be when I grew up, not knowing the full details behind the job description, my first response was always "a wife and a mommy".  In today's reading we get a glimpse of what this Proverbs 31 super woman is like.  Not only is she a wife and a mom, she's a seamstress, an importer, an realtor, a manager, she's up at the crack of dawn, and the list goes on and on. Really?  The day isn't long enough to achieve all that.   In the scope of life as we know it, these achievements, in and of themselves, are about as realistic as any one of us (male or female) ending up on the front page of a leading fashion magazine. We live in a world where appearance and status is easily mistaken and confused for a persons character.  I think the key to unlock all the doors of success in anything begins and rests in our reverence for God.  I can think of a few people who's character exemplifies the person described in our reading and each one of them puts God first in their lives.   "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  (v.30)  As we all start the New Year with resolutions, goals and commitment to change, I pray we seek first His Kingdom, everything else will be given to us as well.  (Matthew 6:33)



Randi

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Saturday, December 26, 2015

[Keesha Sullivan]

Many people have said to me over the last few weeks, "It just doesn't feel like Christmas." These people have also been pretty open about sharing their woes and pain. They have felt like they were in a dark hole with no light to be seen at the end of the tunnel. I have to admit that some of the situations were so bleak that I couldn't help, but joining them in their misery. I became a commiserator instead of an encourager. I became a worrier instead of a warrior.

From the reading today, it is abundantly clear that there is always LIGHT at the end of the tunnel. There is no situation that it is too dire for Jesus. There is nothing that is impossible for Jesus to turn around and triumph over.

As men and women of God, we know how the story ends. It says, "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers" (Revelation 17:14). Jesus destroys the enemy in the end, and He can do it now. Jesus rose from the grave and made a mockery of the enemy. Jesus has given us all the power that we need to overcome all the schemes of the enemy. We do not need to live defeated lives. There is hope, light, and power in Jesus Christ our Lord.

God help us to remember that Jesus is triumphant, and that He always wins! Help us to become encouragers! Help us to become warriors! Help us to remember that we are truly overcomers and that there is nothing too hard for You! You've got us in the palm of Your hands. Help us to tear down the lies of the enemy and remember that You are a promise keeper. "No weapon formed against [us] shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against [us] in judgment You shall condemn" (Isaiah 54:17). We love You, Lord! Thank You for being our God! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen! Amen! And Amen! :-)

December 25 Merry Christmas

Psalm 144

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Christmas is about salvation. David knew that it was the Lord who saved him and delivered him in every difficult situation. As we celebrate the great rescue plan of God on this Christmas Day it reminded me of a story we use to read our children. I trust this story will warm your heart like it did for our family. It is called "The Missing Jesus."

About a week before Christmas the family bought a new nativity scene. When they unpacked it they found 2 figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," the mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have 2."
    "You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126. "Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there."
    The manager of the store copied down mother's message and the next time they were in the store they saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing Baby Jesus, call 7126."
    All week long they waited for someone to call. Surely, they thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus," but it never was. Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time. He suggested just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it. "Put Baby Jesus back in the box! What a terrible thing to do said the children." "Surely someone will call," mother said. "We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone calls."
    When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight." "Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!"
    "Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you," Tommy and Mary began to put on their coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered.
    Tommy and Mary ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Mary got to the store first and pressed her nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," she shouted. "Every set must be sold."
    "Hooray," Tommy said "The mystery will now be solved tonight!" Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When they got back into the house they noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra Baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called and she went out to deliver the figurine," my father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present."
    Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell'em we found a home for Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk.
    "Now what has she gotten us into?" my father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. The wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this."
    When they got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room and, the moment we set foot on the porch steps, my mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here, Oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies."
    "Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" my father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way." "Never mind all that now," my mother interrupted. "There is no heat in this house and this young mother is so upset she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy.
    My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down.
    "I been doing washing and ironing for people and cleaning the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. "When the furnace went out, that number kept going through my mind, 7162 7162, that is what it said on the box." If a person is missing Jesus, they should call 7162 7162. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willing to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So stopped at the grocery store tonight and I called your miss's. I'm not missing Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missing heat. I have no
money to fix that furnace.
    "Okay, Okay!" said father. "You've come to the right place. Now lets see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs."
    Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them.
    Father finally got the oil burner working but said you need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes, sir, you came to the right place, father grinned.
    On the way home father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone.
    Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed?" "Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here I know you've got that pickup truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?
    By this time the rest of the family were pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after their bedtime when they were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let them ride along in the back of the truck.
    No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all. Jesus saves, that's what HE DOES.

Author Unknown

--

"Multiplying leaders to change the world"

Thursday, December 24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Zechariah 6:1–7:14

Revelation 15:1–8

Psalm 143:1–12

Proverbs 30:24–28

 

 

In today’s reading from Zechariah, we find an inquiry from the people of Bethel to the priests, wondering whether they should continue the ritual of mourning and fasting that had continued over many years.  From the verses that follow, we may gather that these practices had lost their spiritual grounding and had instead devolved into pure ritual.  In short, the people had taken on an attitude of outward obedience, with no inward change.  Their mourning and fasting had become a self-justifying behavior rather than one that sought and honored God’s presence.

 

As a test of their inward nature, Zechariah commanded the people to review their interactions with others:  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.  Do not plot evil against each other.’”  Their lack of justice, mercy, and compassion; their oppression of the vulnerable; and their mistreatment of others highlighted the very real shortcomings of their relationships with God.

 

From this passage, we may gather that their attitude towards these human relationships had become reflective of their inward posture towards God.  This very topic came up recently in a conversation with a friend.  We were discussing whether relationships reflect more on us or others, and I received a strong impression that our relationships – and our approach to them – most significantly reflect on our relationship to God.  When we trust in God and seek to honor Him, we will naturally look to serve and honor His people, created in His image.

 

As we reflect on Zechariah’s words, may we take a careful inventory of our attitude towards others.  How may we better honor the God image in them?  How may we demonstrate the love of Christ?  What steps could you take during your holiday visits with family and friends?  How could you communicate the amazing love of God through sharing about His goodness to you?

 

In the rush of Christmas preparations, there are many opportunities for our focus to wander.  May we take precious moments to recall the silence and humility of that first Christmas:  that a Child would be born to us, whose very nature was “full of grace and truth.”  As we grow older, we recognize the depth of His humility, His unselfish willingness to accept the very human pains of betrayal, hunger, mourning, loneliness, and weakness.  Yet, despite these human challenges, His heart never wavered from holiness, and His punishment has brought us peace with God and with one another.  We worship this Child as King of kings and Lord of lords!

 

 

Lord Jesus, we worship You as King and Lord of our lives.  Give us wisdom to discern how we may slow down to reflect on Your love this Christmastime.  Send us Your Spirit so that we may witness to the lovingkindness that You have shown in our lives by loving others deeply, and from the heart.  Diminish our pride so that we may love intentionally and freely.  We praise You, for You are worthy of all glory, honor, and majesty forever!  In Your Name, amen.

 

 

“O Holy Night” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU)

 

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December 23

Zechariah

In today's reading we learn that Zechariah was given a prophetic vision and delivered Gods message to the remaining Jews who returned to rebuild the temple.  As I was reading, what impressed me was the Zechariah was engaged in conversation with an angel.  We've read about God appearing through visions and speaking to people all throughout our readings.  It brings me to the conclusion that God wants to converse with us and seeks our devotion so that we can be apart of His Kingdom and accomplish His plans.  I  believe these relationships we've been reading about are examples for us and not limited to the people we've been reading about in the Bible.  God seeks us as we are His sons and daughters.  Just as the Jews who found themselves doubting as they were rebuilding the temple, we find ourselves in similar situations throughout our journey where we question what's going on and how we are going to accomplish the tasks at hand.  I think the answer is found in verse 6 "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord".  As confusion grows around us, we can't for a moment fall into the trap of thinking we can stand alone and do anything in our own strength.  It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that anything of lasting value can be accomplished.  Consistent with everything we've read, it's only through our relationship with God that we have access to the Holy Spirit.  As we walk in Gods presence, we are privileged to live in His power and be a part of His Kingdom mission.  On our own we have neither the ability or the power to accomplish anything.  " The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God"  (Psalm 14:2).  I pray for all of us that as God looks down on us today He finds us all looking up, and by the power of His Spirit we are strengthened and engaged in conversation with His angels.


Randi

Saturday, December 20, 2015

Saturday, December 20, 2015

[Kenny]

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.  The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me." (Psalm 138:7, 8a)

    If you read the newspapers on a daily basis you realize that Job had figured out life many many years ago.  In the writings that bear Job's name it is written, "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1 ESV).  Trouble is all around us!  Terrorism, profiling, racism, fear, fatherlessness, hatred, murder, political shenanigans, deception...and the list goes on and on and on.  Have a conversation with someone about this world's state of affairs, or that of their personal life, and you will find that many want to see life change, but few have little hope that their life will change in any significant way.  What do you tell them?  There is power in the testimony and Psalm 138 offers us a powerful one.

    "As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength."  The psalmist realizes that Hope is a person.  He refers to Him as Yahweh (the Lord), but His human name is Jesus.  Bending the heart in prayer requires faith, "the substance of things HOPEd for; the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).  What I love about prayer is that even with a faith the size of a mustard seed (1mm - 2mm in diameter; slightly larger than the tip of a pencil) one can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).  The power is not in the prayer or the pray-er, but rather in the One Who Answers.  Our job isn't to answer our prayers; our job is to pray in faith.

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you [Lord] preserve my life...The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me" (Ps. 138:7, 8a).  

    You may hear the reply, "But, I've prayed and nothing is happening."  Having enough breath to say "nothing is happening" is proof that something IS happening:  God is keeping you and fulfilling His purposes for you.  Jesus assured His disciples that there would be trouble in their lives, but to rest in knowing that He had overcome the world (John 16:33).  God may be using the trouble that the enemy meant for evil to fulfill some good in/through our lives (cf. Genesis 50:20).  

    Jesus once told a parable to make the point that we ought to always pray and not ever give up (cf. Luke 18:1).  Our faithful and good God always hears our prayers.  Our world is sinful and broken, but not Hopeless.  Hope is God IN us, preserving our lives and working through us to fulfill His purposes.