Checking In
A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was shabby, old,
And his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head
Then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"
The old man said he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time
For finding strength and power.
I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away.
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is what I say:
“I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM,
CHECKING IN TODAY.”
The minister, feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, and said "Thanks".
He sped to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:
“HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
CHECKING IN TODAY.”
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That in here all the while.
Everyday at noon, He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
“I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY,
SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS,
CHECKING IN TODAY."
March 9, 2009
March 1, 2009
Visit from a devil
Visit from a devil
With the Bible in hand into bed did I creep
To read a few chapters before going to sleep
As my eyelids grew heavy I heard a faint sound
I held onto the good book and turned around
I saw a slight movement come out of the night
I jumped with a start and was consumed with fright
In my room stood a figure menacing and tall
His motion was fluid like a shadow on the wall
He stared at me with two piercing eyes
And said "Put down the book, stop reading those lies
My master has sent me to get rid of this lark
I am an agent of Lucifer the prince of the dark”
"I see you are reading in Genesis and Acts
More of God's ramblings, now here are the facts
Adam and Eve are a myth, they are God's fairy tale
Your ancestors were not human, you once had a tail”
"Man was not created, it took many eons of time
You have really evolved from a minute piece of slime
I am known as the destroyer, and Apollyon is my name
Listen to my plans of destruction, the reason I came”
"I will infiltrate your churches, and set up the stage
To replace the old time religion with mine the New Age
Forget God's Commandments, put your mind at ease
You can form your own destiny and do as you please”
"Why bother with God when you are Number One
Your father's not in Heaven, he's in Washington
I will replace prayers with psychics and make astrology the craze
It will be the same as Babylon back in the good old days”
"I will fill up the movies with sex, language and gore
Until it seems like the norm and the people want more
Then I'll bring it all in your homes and put it on TV
On daytime and prime time so the children can see”
"Why believe in marriage and spending life with just one
There are many fish in the ocean and swinging is fun
Stop being so pious, it's square to be pure
Fear not the diseases for which there's no cure”
"Feel free to party and partake of love's portion
And if pregnancy results, there's always abortion
It's not really a child, it's only a fetus that's dead
Let's kill off the children, and save the whales instead”
"I took prayers out of the schools and brought condoms in
The kids won't know the difference of what's Holy and what's sin
I'll keep the prisons overflowing and justice from the courts
Your streets will be a war zone, your homes will be forts”
"Do not believe in the Holy Spirit as the One who is just
Instead of looking for angels, try some angel dust
I will peddle narcotics in the cities and hills
Talking to me is so easy, just pop a few pills”
"I will print porno of all sorts and send it through the mail
The courts will allow it, we'll keep it upscale
The commercials and ads will revolve around sex
Until infidelity and rape become a reflex”
"I will set up your lifestyle so both parents must work
While in gangs and on the streets their children will lurk
Families will break up, the divorce rate will be high
I'll make money a problem and all it can buy”
"You will need alcohol and pills to relieve all your stress
Your mind will be a wasteland for my demons to possess
I will take away your morals and your work ethics too
I will subdue my enemy -- and my enemy is you"
When he finished his tirade he kept leering at me
I was now full of rage but had to agree
The things that he talked about were now taking place
His ultimate goal is to destroy the human race
I felt a strength come from within, I lost all sense of fear
This devil cannot hurt me, the Holy Spirit is here
My body is God's Temple, and I will not let it be soiled
For greater is He that's in me than he that's of the world
Still holding the Bible I opened the good book
To Revelation chapter 20, hey devil, take a look
An angel is going to bind Satan and throw him in a pit
And for one thousand years that's where he'll sit
He's then removed from the pit and thrown into a fire-filled pool
Where he will burn for eternity to pay for his misrule
He will experience the ultimate pain with the rest of his crew
When this happens to your boss, where does that leave you?
Now what's that you said, the Bible is God's fairy tale?
Listen to me now, devil, some facts I will unveil
The Bible is the true word of God and I can prove it to you
By all His fulfilled prophecies and the existence of the Jew
God said many times He would return His people to their land
And it's happening right now, don't you understand
For twenty long centuries, His people had to roam
Now they're coming back to Israel, back to their home
Many times has the world tried to kill off the Jew
But they have survived their enemies, does that give you a clue?
God said "I will make an end of all nations among which I scattered you"
Now tell me, devil, what has happened to Persia, Assyria and Babylon too?
Where is Edom and Moab and Ammon today?
The Philistines have vanished, what more can I say
Many countries that suppressed the Jews no longer exist
This is a fact that cannot be dismissed
But Israel is still here and as strong as before
Far outnumbered by their enemies yet they win every war
They became a nation again, back in May of '48
God foretold this in Isaiah chapter 66 verse 8
The Lord picked the Jews as His chosen race
And after thousands of years they survived by His grace
No other country of people have a history that long
How can such a tiny nation be so powerfully strong?
Many prophecies in the Bible predicted the coming of Christ
About His birth and His life and that He'd be sacrificed
Over fifty prophecies on Jesus and all of them fulfilled
You look a little sick, devil, how come you're not thrilled?
Archaeology has proven the Bible with findings of long ago
From the city of Babylon to the walls of Jericho
The stone of Pontius Pilate and the scrolls of the Dead Sea
The letters of Lachish and the obelisk of Shalmaneser III
The Cyrus Cylinder and the tombstone of Uzziah
The Assyrian king records and the tunnel of Hezekiah
Hey what's the matter, devil, now you don't look so tall
If all this is not enough, how about the Western Wall?
As I continued my rebuttal, I saw the devil start to weaken
He had no answers for me, I could see he was beaten
I looked him square in the eyes and applied the final thrust
I knew the following words would turn him to dust
I rebuke you, evil one, be gone from my sight
You may be from the darkness but I am a child of the light
You think you can enter my home and do anything that pleases
Get out of here devil -- in the name of Jesus
His cry was a shrill, more like a scream
He disappeared from sight, it was all a bad dream
I looked out the window and saw the sunlight
Good riddance to you, you prince of the night
Now I warn all of you, I'm sounding the alarm
Do not shake hands with Satan, you will lose your right arm
He roams the streets like a lion looking for prey
He will be the prince of this world until the Lord's Day
But the Lord's Day is at hand and satan's running out of time
He knows when Jesus returns, he'll pay for his crime
The final combat is coming and friends I'm not kidding
Get on the Lord's side now before the Battle of Armageddon
Many prophecies have been fulfilled in the last sixty years
That lead to the end times and it certainly appears
With the increase in earthquakes, pestilence, famine and war
This generation may see Jesus as written in Matthew twenty-four
Look around you my friends and see what's going on today
Parents ignoring their children and children who disobey
The profanity and violence and the moral decay
All this belongs to satan, this is not the Lord's way
The day will be a surprise when Jesus returns for His Church
Be prepared for that moment, give yourself time for research
When the saved leave the earth, there will be no goodbyes
Don't be left standing here with tears in your eyes
Turn your life over to Jesus, let your flesh be slain
To free you from sin, He went through suffering and pain
To spend eternity in Heaven should be your full-time quest
Remember the years here on earth are only a test
Turn your life over to Jesus, I'll say it again
I'll shout it over the mountains and through every glen
The Lord will be judging all sinners and those who backslide
And believe me, my friends, there's no place you can hide
Stop and listen, good people, He is calling to you
To put off the old and to put on the new
To bring Jesus in your life and be freed of Satan's snare
Just say the following words from this simple prayer:
"Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, come into my heart
Wash away my sins, give me a new start
You are the Son of the living God, I give my life to You
Fill me with Your presence, with a spirit that's new"
That's all it takes to bring Jesus in your life
To get rid of Satan's yoke and all of the strife
If you say this with meaning, then His presence you'll feel
The Holy Spirit will be there, and you'll be under His seal
George Konig
[Shared by Vinita Edward]
With the Bible in hand into bed did I creep
To read a few chapters before going to sleep
As my eyelids grew heavy I heard a faint sound
I held onto the good book and turned around
I saw a slight movement come out of the night
I jumped with a start and was consumed with fright
In my room stood a figure menacing and tall
His motion was fluid like a shadow on the wall
He stared at me with two piercing eyes
And said "Put down the book, stop reading those lies
My master has sent me to get rid of this lark
I am an agent of Lucifer the prince of the dark”
"I see you are reading in Genesis and Acts
More of God's ramblings, now here are the facts
Adam and Eve are a myth, they are God's fairy tale
Your ancestors were not human, you once had a tail”
"Man was not created, it took many eons of time
You have really evolved from a minute piece of slime
I am known as the destroyer, and Apollyon is my name
Listen to my plans of destruction, the reason I came”
"I will infiltrate your churches, and set up the stage
To replace the old time religion with mine the New Age
Forget God's Commandments, put your mind at ease
You can form your own destiny and do as you please”
"Why bother with God when you are Number One
Your father's not in Heaven, he's in Washington
I will replace prayers with psychics and make astrology the craze
It will be the same as Babylon back in the good old days”
"I will fill up the movies with sex, language and gore
Until it seems like the norm and the people want more
Then I'll bring it all in your homes and put it on TV
On daytime and prime time so the children can see”
"Why believe in marriage and spending life with just one
There are many fish in the ocean and swinging is fun
Stop being so pious, it's square to be pure
Fear not the diseases for which there's no cure”
"Feel free to party and partake of love's portion
And if pregnancy results, there's always abortion
It's not really a child, it's only a fetus that's dead
Let's kill off the children, and save the whales instead”
"I took prayers out of the schools and brought condoms in
The kids won't know the difference of what's Holy and what's sin
I'll keep the prisons overflowing and justice from the courts
Your streets will be a war zone, your homes will be forts”
"Do not believe in the Holy Spirit as the One who is just
Instead of looking for angels, try some angel dust
I will peddle narcotics in the cities and hills
Talking to me is so easy, just pop a few pills”
"I will print porno of all sorts and send it through the mail
The courts will allow it, we'll keep it upscale
The commercials and ads will revolve around sex
Until infidelity and rape become a reflex”
"I will set up your lifestyle so both parents must work
While in gangs and on the streets their children will lurk
Families will break up, the divorce rate will be high
I'll make money a problem and all it can buy”
"You will need alcohol and pills to relieve all your stress
Your mind will be a wasteland for my demons to possess
I will take away your morals and your work ethics too
I will subdue my enemy -- and my enemy is you"
When he finished his tirade he kept leering at me
I was now full of rage but had to agree
The things that he talked about were now taking place
His ultimate goal is to destroy the human race
I felt a strength come from within, I lost all sense of fear
This devil cannot hurt me, the Holy Spirit is here
My body is God's Temple, and I will not let it be soiled
For greater is He that's in me than he that's of the world
Still holding the Bible I opened the good book
To Revelation chapter 20, hey devil, take a look
An angel is going to bind Satan and throw him in a pit
And for one thousand years that's where he'll sit
He's then removed from the pit and thrown into a fire-filled pool
Where he will burn for eternity to pay for his misrule
He will experience the ultimate pain with the rest of his crew
When this happens to your boss, where does that leave you?
Now what's that you said, the Bible is God's fairy tale?
Listen to me now, devil, some facts I will unveil
The Bible is the true word of God and I can prove it to you
By all His fulfilled prophecies and the existence of the Jew
God said many times He would return His people to their land
And it's happening right now, don't you understand
For twenty long centuries, His people had to roam
Now they're coming back to Israel, back to their home
Many times has the world tried to kill off the Jew
But they have survived their enemies, does that give you a clue?
God said "I will make an end of all nations among which I scattered you"
Now tell me, devil, what has happened to Persia, Assyria and Babylon too?
Where is Edom and Moab and Ammon today?
The Philistines have vanished, what more can I say
Many countries that suppressed the Jews no longer exist
This is a fact that cannot be dismissed
But Israel is still here and as strong as before
Far outnumbered by their enemies yet they win every war
They became a nation again, back in May of '48
God foretold this in Isaiah chapter 66 verse 8
The Lord picked the Jews as His chosen race
And after thousands of years they survived by His grace
No other country of people have a history that long
How can such a tiny nation be so powerfully strong?
Many prophecies in the Bible predicted the coming of Christ
About His birth and His life and that He'd be sacrificed
Over fifty prophecies on Jesus and all of them fulfilled
You look a little sick, devil, how come you're not thrilled?
Archaeology has proven the Bible with findings of long ago
From the city of Babylon to the walls of Jericho
The stone of Pontius Pilate and the scrolls of the Dead Sea
The letters of Lachish and the obelisk of Shalmaneser III
The Cyrus Cylinder and the tombstone of Uzziah
The Assyrian king records and the tunnel of Hezekiah
Hey what's the matter, devil, now you don't look so tall
If all this is not enough, how about the Western Wall?
As I continued my rebuttal, I saw the devil start to weaken
He had no answers for me, I could see he was beaten
I looked him square in the eyes and applied the final thrust
I knew the following words would turn him to dust
I rebuke you, evil one, be gone from my sight
You may be from the darkness but I am a child of the light
You think you can enter my home and do anything that pleases
Get out of here devil -- in the name of Jesus
His cry was a shrill, more like a scream
He disappeared from sight, it was all a bad dream
I looked out the window and saw the sunlight
Good riddance to you, you prince of the night
Now I warn all of you, I'm sounding the alarm
Do not shake hands with Satan, you will lose your right arm
He roams the streets like a lion looking for prey
He will be the prince of this world until the Lord's Day
But the Lord's Day is at hand and satan's running out of time
He knows when Jesus returns, he'll pay for his crime
The final combat is coming and friends I'm not kidding
Get on the Lord's side now before the Battle of Armageddon
Many prophecies have been fulfilled in the last sixty years
That lead to the end times and it certainly appears
With the increase in earthquakes, pestilence, famine and war
This generation may see Jesus as written in Matthew twenty-four
Look around you my friends and see what's going on today
Parents ignoring their children and children who disobey
The profanity and violence and the moral decay
All this belongs to satan, this is not the Lord's way
The day will be a surprise when Jesus returns for His Church
Be prepared for that moment, give yourself time for research
When the saved leave the earth, there will be no goodbyes
Don't be left standing here with tears in your eyes
Turn your life over to Jesus, let your flesh be slain
To free you from sin, He went through suffering and pain
To spend eternity in Heaven should be your full-time quest
Remember the years here on earth are only a test
Turn your life over to Jesus, I'll say it again
I'll shout it over the mountains and through every glen
The Lord will be judging all sinners and those who backslide
And believe me, my friends, there's no place you can hide
Stop and listen, good people, He is calling to you
To put off the old and to put on the new
To bring Jesus in your life and be freed of Satan's snare
Just say the following words from this simple prayer:
"Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, come into my heart
Wash away my sins, give me a new start
You are the Son of the living God, I give my life to You
Fill me with Your presence, with a spirit that's new"
That's all it takes to bring Jesus in your life
To get rid of Satan's yoke and all of the strife
If you say this with meaning, then His presence you'll feel
The Holy Spirit will be there, and you'll be under His seal
George Konig
[Shared by Vinita Edward]
February 23, 2009
Why did Jesus born?
Why did Jesus born?
Why did He born? He entered this world to save you and me sinners because of His love for you and me. His birth brought glory in heaven, peace on earth and good will toward men forever and ever.
Why do you live in this earth sunk in the miry clay of sins? And why are you engaged with the temporary and vain pleasure? God sent His only begotten Son for He loved you and He loves you even now. Take refuge in Jesus who came seeking for you.
The tempter, satan is a liar and a murderer. Jesus came here to crush satan's head and destroy him. Are you tired in your life -- filled with troubles and temptations? Believe Jesus and run to Him, the Victor who took victory over satan.
Immanuel is with you, in your life. Even in the midst of your sufferings God is with you. HE is your light in times of darkness. Follow Jesus in the path of His light. If you do, your destiny will not be hell, but Heaven.
Monic
Tamil song -- transliterated version >>>
Song (*.wav) >>>
Why did He born? He entered this world to save you and me sinners because of His love for you and me. His birth brought glory in heaven, peace on earth and good will toward men forever and ever.
Why do you live in this earth sunk in the miry clay of sins? And why are you engaged with the temporary and vain pleasure? God sent His only begotten Son for He loved you and He loves you even now. Take refuge in Jesus who came seeking for you.
The tempter, satan is a liar and a murderer. Jesus came here to crush satan's head and destroy him. Are you tired in your life -- filled with troubles and temptations? Believe Jesus and run to Him, the Victor who took victory over satan.
Immanuel is with you, in your life. Even in the midst of your sufferings God is with you. HE is your light in times of darkness. Follow Jesus in the path of His light. If you do, your destiny will not be hell, but Heaven.
Monic
Tamil song -- transliterated version >>>
Song (*.wav) >>>
February 14, 2009
Reckless Romances!
Reckless Romances!Reading: Ecclesiastes 11:9 - 12:7
"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (Ps. 37:4)
Valentine's Day is celebrated today all over the world. Young men and young women, especially in spiritual circles, are bothered by the question, "Is it wrong to fall in love?” The peer pressure and the media appeal are too powerful for youngsters to resist.
Falling in love is not sin, but love at first sight is risky. Go slow. Consider the pros and cons. Consult your parents, trusted elders and senior Christians before giving word. Commit the matter to the Lord and wait before Him for a season. See if you have peace over the matter. If you are open and sincere, God will guide you with confirmations. If due to some reason or other, your parents don't agree, but you are assured of God's will, take time and do all that's possible to get them reconcile to the matter. Parental blessing is wonderful. Don't forget that in the Asian setting, marriage brings not only two individuals but two families together. Avoid unnecessary conflicts.
Even though love marriages are becoming more and more common in India, a recent poll in some of the major cities reveals that nearly 80% of the young people prefer arranged marriages. This is encouraging. However no two young people are alike. Even within a family one child differs so much from the other.
When parents arrange marriages there's a tremendous advantage of their wisdom and experience of years incorporated in the choice. As long as they don't force their sons and daughters to accept their choice, this procedure is welcome. Even in the ancient times, parents gave perfect freedom to their children to accept or reject their proposal. In some Indian homes, even educated girls have no say in this matter. This is wrong. Abraham's servant was very anxious to take Rebekah to be married to Isaac. But her brother and mother said, "We will call the young woman and ask her personally" (Gen 24:56,57).
Parents should sit with their grown-up sons and daughters and ask them whether they would like to make the choice themselves or have the parents make proposals. If the children opt for the first, there must be an understanding that the choice must be made known to the parents early before making commitments. If parents would choose the candidates, they should assure the children that they would not proceed with the matter without their wholehearted consent. Whoever makes the choice, don't marry in haste lest you worry at leisure!
Bro. Stanley, Blessing Youth Mission
www.StanleyOnBible.com
[Shared by Ebenezer Daniel]
February 12, 2009
A Revolution has Come
A Revolution has Come
I cringe every time I hear a parent warn a child, or a friend advise another friend, "Don't get your expectations too high. We live in an unjust world. Bad things do happen to good people" Well, it depends. Yes, if you are referring to the kingdom of this world alone, cruel and unjust things can prevail. If, however, through the lens of faith, you include the kingdom of God, you are dead wrong. That is the Good News! That is the Christmas story!
When the Savior of the world came to earth 2008 years ago, he turned everything upside down. The world has never been the same. Each day, but especially during the Christmas season, we are given the choice to believe or not believe in that often counter-intuitive, upside down revolution.
In fact, you are being invited by the Savior this very hour to join Him in the greatest movement that has ever run through history - helping the kingdom of heaven merge completely with the kingdom of this world. Talk about revolution! Through His radical, loving Son, God has nothing less in mind than to redeem the whole earth, His people, and all of creation. And, you can join that movement if you'd like. Your life will never be the same if you do.
As Isaiah the prophet wrote approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ: "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity." (Isaiah 9:6-7a)
Many Baby Boomers make the mistake of thinking that Jesus is a part of the establishment, status quo, and people of power. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus was the original revolutionary. He cannot be contained within a box, especially within a church structure which has become institutional and self-serving. He came to tear down the walls of anything and everything that supports worldly power apart from God. And, tear down the walls he has.
Who would have guessed that something more powerful than the Egyptian Pharaoh existed, that the Roman Empire would eventually become Christian, that the abuses of the Church would not prevail during the Reformation, that the injustices of slavery would cease, or that Karl Marx and his followers would see the day when millions of people in Russia and now China are finding greater purpose in following Jesus versus the Communist Manifesto?
God is on the move all the time, moving us closer to the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
Which injustices are bearing down on your own life? Which obstacles seem completely insurmountable? Are you wondering if there is any justice anywhere? Is your soul dying for the freedom the gospel offers? You have a choice. You can go one of two ways. The sirens of the world will invite you to join the cynics, the skeptics, those who will instruct you on how to live as a victim, be justly angry and bitter each day within the context of our fallen world which is mistaken for reality. Or, you can choose to surrender to God's grace, join the revolution, and live each day within a completely different set of rules and with access to the same loving, forgiving power which created the world.
And to think that it all started when God chose a lowly peasant girl named Mary to be the earthly mother of his son. After being approached by the angel, Gabriel, Mary understood immediately her role in the revolution. In song back to God, Mary exclaimed: "For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble" (Luke 1:49-52).
Dean Masters
I cringe every time I hear a parent warn a child, or a friend advise another friend, "Don't get your expectations too high. We live in an unjust world. Bad things do happen to good people" Well, it depends. Yes, if you are referring to the kingdom of this world alone, cruel and unjust things can prevail. If, however, through the lens of faith, you include the kingdom of God, you are dead wrong. That is the Good News! That is the Christmas story!
When the Savior of the world came to earth 2008 years ago, he turned everything upside down. The world has never been the same. Each day, but especially during the Christmas season, we are given the choice to believe or not believe in that often counter-intuitive, upside down revolution.
In fact, you are being invited by the Savior this very hour to join Him in the greatest movement that has ever run through history - helping the kingdom of heaven merge completely with the kingdom of this world. Talk about revolution! Through His radical, loving Son, God has nothing less in mind than to redeem the whole earth, His people, and all of creation. And, you can join that movement if you'd like. Your life will never be the same if you do.
As Isaiah the prophet wrote approximately 700 years before the birth of Christ: "For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity." (Isaiah 9:6-7a)
Many Baby Boomers make the mistake of thinking that Jesus is a part of the establishment, status quo, and people of power. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus was the original revolutionary. He cannot be contained within a box, especially within a church structure which has become institutional and self-serving. He came to tear down the walls of anything and everything that supports worldly power apart from God. And, tear down the walls he has.
Who would have guessed that something more powerful than the Egyptian Pharaoh existed, that the Roman Empire would eventually become Christian, that the abuses of the Church would not prevail during the Reformation, that the injustices of slavery would cease, or that Karl Marx and his followers would see the day when millions of people in Russia and now China are finding greater purpose in following Jesus versus the Communist Manifesto?
God is on the move all the time, moving us closer to the establishment of his kingdom on earth.
Which injustices are bearing down on your own life? Which obstacles seem completely insurmountable? Are you wondering if there is any justice anywhere? Is your soul dying for the freedom the gospel offers? You have a choice. You can go one of two ways. The sirens of the world will invite you to join the cynics, the skeptics, those who will instruct you on how to live as a victim, be justly angry and bitter each day within the context of our fallen world which is mistaken for reality. Or, you can choose to surrender to God's grace, join the revolution, and live each day within a completely different set of rules and with access to the same loving, forgiving power which created the world.
And to think that it all started when God chose a lowly peasant girl named Mary to be the earthly mother of his son. After being approached by the angel, Gabriel, Mary understood immediately her role in the revolution. In song back to God, Mary exclaimed: "For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble" (Luke 1:49-52).
Dean Masters
Christmas Gifts
Christmas Gifts
Like many other people, Christmas has been in my thoughts of late. It's hard to escape with the barrage of advertising on the radio and television and in the increased poundage of flyers in our mailbox. The advertisers work hard on convincing us to spend more and more.
Guilt and pressure seem to be the most effective means of selling this stuff. It must work because they spend a fortune doing it and if it didn't work they'd advertise in some other fashion.
If you really love someone you'll buy them this or that. To be really popular buy them this other thing. Expensive electronics, high end jewelry and more seem to top the lists. I guess I don't love people much because frankly I don't have the money to buy them everything on the must have list.
Giving is a part of Christmas. Mary gave her womb, Joseph gave his wife and his reputation, God gave us Jesus, the Magi gave gifts. Of course all of that took place over an extended period of time and probably not on December 25, but you get the idea.
Joseph and Mary had their reputation besmirched for the rest of their lives as many would never believe that the child was Holy Spirit conceived. Mary allowed the conception and carried Jesus for nine months and cared for him right up to his death and beyond. There was likely a two year gap (or so) between when the Magi saw the star and arrived to give gifts to the baby. God's gift of Jesus had eternal consequences.
All those gifts were extravagant, yet none was coerced or brought on by guilt or pressure. All were given willingly. That's so different that we see today.
This morning as we read part of Luke's and Matthew's Advent accounts, look for the gifts and ponder the marvel of His birth.
Luke 2:1-21 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Matthew 2:1-12NIV
MT 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " `But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Until next time praise God for the gift of His Son.
Kevin
Like many other people, Christmas has been in my thoughts of late. It's hard to escape with the barrage of advertising on the radio and television and in the increased poundage of flyers in our mailbox. The advertisers work hard on convincing us to spend more and more.
Guilt and pressure seem to be the most effective means of selling this stuff. It must work because they spend a fortune doing it and if it didn't work they'd advertise in some other fashion.
If you really love someone you'll buy them this or that. To be really popular buy them this other thing. Expensive electronics, high end jewelry and more seem to top the lists. I guess I don't love people much because frankly I don't have the money to buy them everything on the must have list.
Giving is a part of Christmas. Mary gave her womb, Joseph gave his wife and his reputation, God gave us Jesus, the Magi gave gifts. Of course all of that took place over an extended period of time and probably not on December 25, but you get the idea.
Joseph and Mary had their reputation besmirched for the rest of their lives as many would never believe that the child was Holy Spirit conceived. Mary allowed the conception and carried Jesus for nine months and cared for him right up to his death and beyond. There was likely a two year gap (or so) between when the Magi saw the star and arrived to give gifts to the baby. God's gift of Jesus had eternal consequences.
All those gifts were extravagant, yet none was coerced or brought on by guilt or pressure. All were given willingly. That's so different that we see today.
This morning as we read part of Luke's and Matthew's Advent accounts, look for the gifts and ponder the marvel of His birth.
Luke 2:1-21 NIV
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.
Matthew 2:1-12NIV
MT 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " `But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.' "
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Until next time praise God for the gift of His Son.
Kevin
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE CHILD
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE CHILD
It all comes down to the child.
A recent news report showed certain churches adding a different service to their Christmas celebrations. Called a "Blue Christmas Service", it offers a special time to those who are in grief and mourning, who are lonely and hurting, who, despite the smiles and happiness that appear in many, find themselves overwhelmed with sadness and sorrow. The causes of such pain are many: death of a loved one, sickness, financial ruin, a family torn apart, a house destroyed, a lost job, ridicule and hate from others, no self worth or self esteem, a broken dream. These churches have decided not to forget the forgotten.
But it seems no good deed can go un-criticized. Also in the broadcast were church leaders opposing such services, arguing they are inappropriate at this time when we must concentrate on celebrating the birth of Christ, praising Him, and joining in the joy and happiness. As one minister put it (and I'm paraphrasing here), "I will cry with you, but I will not help you cry. I will mourn with you, but I will not help you mourn. This is a time when we must rejoice and be filled with the happiness of this season."
What a pathetic response, one that is far too often the rule and not the exception. As we gaze upon the child in the manger, we need to understand what all of this is about. There is no celebration for the Son of God that ignores the suffering of His friends or forgets the plight of His followers.
It all comes down to the child... who came from the Father and entered the world (John 16:28) to seek and to save what was lost (Luke 19:10) and to testify to the truth (John 18:37). He would tell us, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life. (John 10:27-28a) If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34-35)
A few years ago a young husband and father lay in bed, very sick with pancreatitis. So weak that even talking was a major effort, he looked like one who would not be in this world by Christmas. Many began to pray, and over time God brought miraculous healing and strength. Eventually he was able to go home, but was still far to weak to return to work. That's when I got a call from Johnny Vaughn.
We'd been friends a few years and he had become both a great encourager to me personally and very supportive of Ciloa, even arranging one of our seminars for his Sunday School class. Johnny knew of the tough situation this man and his family were going through, and he couldn't sit by. Christmas was coming and he wanted to make sure they would have a great meal. "They have enough other things to worry about," he said. So he came by, picked me up, and off we went to buy a Honey Baked Ham (considered in these parts to be holy food), which we delivered to a surprised and grateful home.
I have to admit, when Johnny called my first reaction was of shame. I'd become so caught up in the hectic time of Christmas... the parties, gifts for family and friends, special music and celebration services... that I'd forgotten about the child. I remembered the angels, shepherds and wise men, but I forgot why He came. I remembered what was said about Him, but I forgot what He told us to do.
After all the running around, all the carols, all the nativities... I'd been a part of only half of what Christmas is all about. But my friend Johnny helped me remember the other half. Thanks JV.
Jesus said that one day He will separate those who follow Him from all others, and He will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. It is a time of celebration and reflection. A time of joy and sadness. A time of praising God and loving others. A time when we come together to honor the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It all comes down to the child. Remember Him... and have a Merry Christmas!
Chuck Graham
It all comes down to the child.
A recent news report showed certain churches adding a different service to their Christmas celebrations. Called a "Blue Christmas Service", it offers a special time to those who are in grief and mourning, who are lonely and hurting, who, despite the smiles and happiness that appear in many, find themselves overwhelmed with sadness and sorrow. The causes of such pain are many: death of a loved one, sickness, financial ruin, a family torn apart, a house destroyed, a lost job, ridicule and hate from others, no self worth or self esteem, a broken dream. These churches have decided not to forget the forgotten.
But it seems no good deed can go un-criticized. Also in the broadcast were church leaders opposing such services, arguing they are inappropriate at this time when we must concentrate on celebrating the birth of Christ, praising Him, and joining in the joy and happiness. As one minister put it (and I'm paraphrasing here), "I will cry with you, but I will not help you cry. I will mourn with you, but I will not help you mourn. This is a time when we must rejoice and be filled with the happiness of this season."
What a pathetic response, one that is far too often the rule and not the exception. As we gaze upon the child in the manger, we need to understand what all of this is about. There is no celebration for the Son of God that ignores the suffering of His friends or forgets the plight of His followers.
It all comes down to the child... who came from the Father and entered the world (John 16:28) to seek and to save what was lost (Luke 19:10) and to testify to the truth (John 18:37). He would tell us, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life. (John 10:27-28a) If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34-35)
A few years ago a young husband and father lay in bed, very sick with pancreatitis. So weak that even talking was a major effort, he looked like one who would not be in this world by Christmas. Many began to pray, and over time God brought miraculous healing and strength. Eventually he was able to go home, but was still far to weak to return to work. That's when I got a call from Johnny Vaughn.
We'd been friends a few years and he had become both a great encourager to me personally and very supportive of Ciloa, even arranging one of our seminars for his Sunday School class. Johnny knew of the tough situation this man and his family were going through, and he couldn't sit by. Christmas was coming and he wanted to make sure they would have a great meal. "They have enough other things to worry about," he said. So he came by, picked me up, and off we went to buy a Honey Baked Ham (considered in these parts to be holy food), which we delivered to a surprised and grateful home.
I have to admit, when Johnny called my first reaction was of shame. I'd become so caught up in the hectic time of Christmas... the parties, gifts for family and friends, special music and celebration services... that I'd forgotten about the child. I remembered the angels, shepherds and wise men, but I forgot why He came. I remembered what was said about Him, but I forgot what He told us to do.
After all the running around, all the carols, all the nativities... I'd been a part of only half of what Christmas is all about. But my friend Johnny helped me remember the other half. Thanks JV.
Jesus said that one day He will separate those who follow Him from all others, and He will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:34-36, 40)
Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. It is a time of celebration and reflection. A time of joy and sadness. A time of praising God and loving others. A time when we come together to honor the Christ, the Son of the Living God. It all comes down to the child. Remember Him... and have a Merry Christmas!
Chuck Graham
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