Matthew 1: 22, 23 "All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 'Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means "God is with us."'"
Immanuel. God with us. It's a wonderful idea. It's a great caption for Christmas cards. But is he? Is he with us? You see, today I am wrestling with sorrow. A lot of it. Sorrow in the world and sorrow in the lives of my friends. I have been reading lately about Belgian exploits in the Congo in the late 1800's, Jew hunting Nazis in Holland in the 40's, and child slavery in Asia today. Pain and sorrow reach every decade, and every continent. I also have been wrestling with sorrow in my friends lives. Sorrow closer to home. Miscarriages, abuse, marital struggles and deaths in the family are a reality these days. In these moments of sorrow and sadness I wish for a God who was with us. Is he and if he is, how can I share that? How can I show that? I believe God was and is with us. I do. I believe Jesus is near to each one of us. I pray today I can share his love with those around me. I pray that his joy can conquer the sorrow I see today. Today this sorrow needs a Savior.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Monday, December 08, 2014
Zechariah
Luke 1:13 "Don't be afraid Zechariah! For God has heard your prayer..."
And the Christmas story begins. An angel appears to Zechariah and announces the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah can't hardly believe it and I can't blame him. An angel shows up out of nowhere, tells you you're going to have a child, and you're just supposed to act like that's normal, part of the average day? Probably not. But despite his reaction, God's plan was underway. Do I see God's plan unfolding in my life? Are my eyes open to see how God is working through my circumstances for his will? Instead of laughing it off or reacting in disbelief like Zechariah, how can I partner with God for his plan in my life?
And the Christmas story begins. An angel appears to Zechariah and announces the birth of John the Baptist. Zechariah can't hardly believe it and I can't blame him. An angel shows up out of nowhere, tells you you're going to have a child, and you're just supposed to act like that's normal, part of the average day? Probably not. But despite his reaction, God's plan was underway. Do I see God's plan unfolding in my life? Are my eyes open to see how God is working through my circumstances for his will? Instead of laughing it off or reacting in disbelief like Zechariah, how can I partner with God for his plan in my life?
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Cubans, Snakes, and Manna for Dinner
Numbers 21:5 "...they complained "There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!"
Last night at prayer group, Bob and Theresa shared a story of their son Nick who is a missionary in Honduras. A few days ago, Nick and others noticed something bobbing in the water not far offshore. They paddled out to it in their kayaks and discovered it was a 16 foot boat filled with over 20 Cuban refugees, including one pregnant woman. They had been adrift for 14 days and hadn't eaten in 4 days. Nick and his companions rescued them with their kayaks. As Bob relayed the story to me he mentioned that the moment these refugees are all in the boat and off the shore of Cuba is the happiest for them. Imagine that! They fill their entire family into a tiny boat, push out to a dangerous sea, and it's at that moment they are the most excited, joyous and happy! It puts things into perspective. And perspective is what the Israelites needed in Numbers 21. They sound like my kids complaining about what's for dinner. Did they not realize that God had just rescued them from slavery and oppression. Did they not realize the God of the universe was guiding them and right along side them day and night providing for them? Did they not realize that he was leading them to the promise land and would prosper them and bless them? Apparently they didn't. So the snakes came. How do I compare? How do I compare to these Israelites, those Cubans or my kids at dinner? Am I grateful? Am I appreciative? Do I realize and see God's blessings in my life?
Last night at prayer group, Bob and Theresa shared a story of their son Nick who is a missionary in Honduras. A few days ago, Nick and others noticed something bobbing in the water not far offshore. They paddled out to it in their kayaks and discovered it was a 16 foot boat filled with over 20 Cuban refugees, including one pregnant woman. They had been adrift for 14 days and hadn't eaten in 4 days. Nick and his companions rescued them with their kayaks. As Bob relayed the story to me he mentioned that the moment these refugees are all in the boat and off the shore of Cuba is the happiest for them. Imagine that! They fill their entire family into a tiny boat, push out to a dangerous sea, and it's at that moment they are the most excited, joyous and happy! It puts things into perspective. And perspective is what the Israelites needed in Numbers 21. They sound like my kids complaining about what's for dinner. Did they not realize that God had just rescued them from slavery and oppression. Did they not realize the God of the universe was guiding them and right along side them day and night providing for them? Did they not realize that he was leading them to the promise land and would prosper them and bless them? Apparently they didn't. So the snakes came. How do I compare? How do I compare to these Israelites, those Cubans or my kids at dinner? Am I grateful? Am I appreciative? Do I realize and see God's blessings in my life?
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Exodus 32
Exodus 32: 28 "The Levites obeyed Moses' command, and about 3,000 people died that day."
While Moses is up on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites make a golden calf to worship and follow. Needless to say, God gets ticked. And Moses is ticked. He calls together all of his priests and they kill 3,000 of their own people that day as a punishment. Yes, Exodus 32 is a happy chapter. What is to be learned? Sin is serious. Abandoning God is a big deal. What sin am I not taking seriously enough today? In what ways have I abandoned God this week? How can I repent and turn back towards him now?
While Moses is up on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites make a golden calf to worship and follow. Needless to say, God gets ticked. And Moses is ticked. He calls together all of his priests and they kill 3,000 of their own people that day as a punishment. Yes, Exodus 32 is a happy chapter. What is to be learned? Sin is serious. Abandoning God is a big deal. What sin am I not taking seriously enough today? In what ways have I abandoned God this week? How can I repent and turn back towards him now?
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