New Opportunities

The last day of 2012 allows us three (3) significant opportunities. First, we can look back and review our successes as well as the failures of the past year. Second, we can fast forward our thinking and contemplate our future and prepare our hearts to respond appropriately. And finally, we can reflect on the "now" moments of our life and take some time to look inward in a sincere time of introspection. We can ask ourselves questions such as: "Am I reaching the full potential in my life (spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially)? Am I making a sincere effort to develop my relationship with Christ? Would I consider myself a better person at the close of 2012 than I was at the beginning of 2012? What is the top priority of my life?" Each of these questions and many more questions that you and I can ask truly deserve a serious evaluation from each of us. These questions and answers are not meant to be a deterrent to our progress and maturing growth rather they are meant to open our eyes and hearts to areas of weakness that all of us possess. These areas of weakness become focal points of prayer and adjustment as we enter the New Year. 2013 will afford each of us valuable opportunities to see the continuing development our relationship with God; the continuing development of our relationship with our family and friends; and the continuing development of our relationship with our fellow human beings. Buckle your seat belts and make preparation for the ride into the future. We will face the winds of turbulence and adversity but we will also enjoy the moments of victory and success.

The "R" Word

It is usually this time of the year when the "R" word begins making its way into our conversation.  We begin to speak about "resolutions" and our desire to change something about our lives.  We make resolutions to lose that extra weight that we have added through the years.  We make resolutions to read the Bible on a more consistent basis.  We even make resolutions to spend more time in seeking after God through prayer and meditation.  Our lists of resolutions can run the gamut of our needs and even desires in our lives.  But we all understand that many of these resolutions never quite make their way into our daily living on a consistent basis.  Resolutions have to transition to dedication if we are to see a successful conclusion to the initial steps to change some particular aspect of our lives.

 

Serving Christ in a manner of true love and obedience will require more than a New Year's Resolution.  Serving Christ will require a lifestyle of commitment and dedication to the work of Christ in our heart.  We can see the difference in commitment and resolution in the lifestyle of the top athletes of our world.  Resolutions do not send the athlete to the gym to put in his/her long hours in preparation for the athletic event.  Resolutions do not send the scholar to the classroom to finish their Master's or Doctorate degrees.  Resolutions do not send the artist back to the canvas to finish the masterpiece that they began.  What is the action that separates the "wanna be's" from those who are able to accomplish their goals?  It is the action of commitment.  Could we describe this action in these terms; "Truly successful people resolve to be committed to the goals/desires that have been placed in their hearts. 

 

Jesus shared this principle with us when He issued this call to His disciples.  Matthew 16:24-26, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. ²⁵ If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. ²⁶ And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (NLT)

 

Our walk with God will require commitment and not just resolutions.

Right on Time

I am amazed at the punctuality of God.  His presence is always at the right place and the right time.  God's timing is perfect and He lovingly and willingly provides for the needs that we face.  We can offer our sincere praise and adoration to God as we reflect on the times that we have sensed the Spirit ministering to us during specific times of need.  I read some interesting words from Chuck Swindoll this morning and I wanted to share them with you.

 

Wisdom Just in Time by Charles R. Swindoll

Do not worry about how or what
you are to say; for it will be given you
in that hour what you are to say.
Matthew 10:19

Do you know what I've discovered about the Lord? He doesn't give wisdom on credit. He doesn't advance you a bundle of insight. . . . Do you know when He gives us words and wisdom and insight?

Right when we need them. At the very instant they are required.

If you're a parent, you may have experienced this phenomenon. You find yourself in a situation you never anticipated, and couldn't prepare for. Suddenly, you're at one of the critical junctures of life where you're the mom or dad, and your child is looking into your eyes, depending on you for a right answer. Not always, but often, you are given the words you need. Later you realize that they were words beyond your own wisdom.

At that quiet moment, you breathe a little prayer of thanks. "Praise You, Lord. That's exactly what needed to be said."

Don't Forget

We have now turned the page from Christmas and we begin to move toward a new year that will be full of its own opportunities and challenges.  The gifts have been opened.  The final left-overs will be devoured in the next few days.  The naps have been a time of refreshing and re-vitalizing our minds as well as bodies.  Our nation will begin returning the gifts that are either the wrong size, the wrong color or in some cases simply the wrong gift for us.  We will take another look at the decorations in our house and in some cases outside of our house and realize that we need to take them down and store them away for another year.  Each of these above mentioned tasks does not leave us with that same "Christmas feeling" that we just experienced on Monday and Tuesday of this week.  Yet, they are a part of our Christmas preparation and celebration.  Let me add, I trust that each of you enjoyed a most wonderful Christmas celebration with your family and friends.  I prayed for those of you who have faced the death of a loved one this year and you were challenged to celebrate your first Christmas without them being present.  I truly believe that Emmanuel was present with you during those difficult moments.

 

But the Lord reminded me of something as I prayed last night.  I sensed that He was reminding me not to forget Him and not forget His presence that we have experienced in 2012.  He also reminded me that human beings have the ability to forget.  We forget where we laid our keys or glasses.  We forget where we parked our car in the parking lot.  We forget our spouse's birthday or anniversary.  And yes, it is sad to report but we do forget God.  Forgetfulness can even make its appearance in our spiritual lives.  Do you remember that God reminded Israel not to forget Him when they made their entrance into the Promised Land?  You can read this warning in Deuteronomy chapter 8.  We are preparing to enter 2013.  We can not afford to forget the goodness and mercy of God that has been shared with us in this past year.  We can not afford to forget the grace of God as we faced those moments of despair and temptation in this past year.  We can not afford to forget the love of God that was present when we stumbled and fell because of the heavy load from the cares of this life that we were carrying.  Simply put. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO FORGET GOD AND HIS MANY PROVISIONS AS WE PREPARE TO ENTER THE NEW YEAR OF 2013!

Christmas

Many people are making final preparations for their Christmas celebration. Some families will celebrate today while others will celebrate with their family on Tuesday. There are families who have already had their time of family celebrations due to the busy schedule that face many families. But one important factor remains true for all of us; we can not afford to forget the true reason for the season. I know that phrase has been used before and it probably has even been over-used in many cases. Nevertheless it still remains TRUE! The times in which we are living are demanding that we do not neglect the importance of Christ and we do not forget Him in the midst of all the activities in which we participate during this season of celebration. This is not just the "season to be jolly" it is also the season to have some deep introspection regarding our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What is the condition of your relationship with Christ? What is the condition of your family's relationship with Christ? What is the condition of your community's relationship with Christ? I sense that this Christmas season is calling us to be "about the Father's business." 2013 must find us being committed to evangelism and outreach through the message of the Gospel. I encourage you to celebrate with your family but I also encourage you to offer your life to Christ through sacrificial living as we approach the New Year!

Savior

A line from an old song declares, "In times like these we need a Savior..."  I can report to you today that we have a Savior and He was born according to the promises and prophecies of the Word of God.  Take a moment today and reconnect with the story found in the Gospel of Matthew.

 

Matthew 1:18-25, "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.   ¹⁹ Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  ²⁰ But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.   ²¹ And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”   ²² So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”  ²⁴ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, ²⁵ and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name Jesus." (NKJV)

Restraints

The tragic events in Connecticut is still very much on our minds.  The process of celebrating and remembering the deceased has begun as well as the conversation of how America and Americans should respond to the actions of this desperate and deranged gunman.  Is it not possible that we are looking for simplistic solutions rather than taking an in-depth look at the root of the problem?  It seems that tragedies cause us to look for areas of restraint that we might enforce against society.  Have we not learned that more restraints or more laws will not completely solve our problem?  The depravity and sinfulness of man will never be addressed solely through the restraints of our Judicial system.  The depravity and sinfulness of man must be addressed through the avenues of the spiritual and emotional as well as the adjustment of some of our legal measures or requirements.  I am not using this post to promote the idea that we do not need to make adjustments in the legal side of our problems but I am suggesting that we need to take a serious look at the spiritual and emotional/mental issues that our nation is facing.  Our post discussion of the tragedy that took place in Sandy Hook Elementary School must include mental health issues and the spiritual/moral health of our nation.  In my opinion we have lost respect for our fellow citizens and we no longer cherish the gift of life that God has given to all of us.  Christmas reminds us that Christ came to bring light to our darkness and His Light will transform us into people that love and care for one another.  Someone shared a prayer with me on Tuesday and I would like to share that prayer with you today.

A Christmas Prayer

Max Lucado

 

Dear Jesus,

It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.

The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were night shift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.

Hopefully,

Your Children

 

 

 



Tragedy in Connecticut

Many of us have watched the television coverage of the senseless murder of the innocent children and adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School.  It is hard to imagine the pain and sorrow that the community is feeling as they mourn the loss of their family and friends.  I am always amazed at the acts of kindness and compassion that arises out of the hearts of people as we deal with tragedies such as this one.  For a few moments we are able to lay aside our differences and focus on someone other than ourselves.  We have seen that played out many times in the history of our families, communities, and even our nation.  Why is it so difficult to learn from these situations and allow this compassion and concern to be a part of our daily lives?  Why do we allow the tears on our faces to dry to as we return to our normal lives of self-preservation, selfishness, and personal comfort?  I live in hope that we will learn to care about each other even more and allow this care to develop into a heart of sincere compassion that will reach people with the message of the Gospel.  The old song declares this prophetic word today "In times like these, we need a Savior..."

 

We are already hearing the pundits discuss the areas of appropriate action that we should take as the result of this tragic event.  We hear the calls for more gun control; we hear the calls for safer school buildings; we hear the call for security personnel to be assigned to schools; and we even hear the calls for better training for the staff of our local schools.  Each of these areas should be discussed and I am sure that there is room for improvement in many of them.  But can we ever "sin-proof" our schools?  Will be able to offer promises that no perpetrator will ever enter the hallways of our educational facilities?  Where is the call for the people of our nation to draw near to God in a heart of sincere repentance?  Yes, I am praying for the victims of this tragedy and yes there has been and is tears in my eyes as I watch the coverage.  I think about our grandchildren as they prepare to return to school this morning.  I think of the children of New River as they prepare to return to school this morning.  I think of the children of our nation as they return to school this morning.  But I also think of how many people have ignored God and pushed Him away because they felt all was "well" with their life.  I think of how we have allowed our lives to be dominated by the desires of the flesh and the call from the Spirit has been spurned and resisted.  When will someone have the courage to stand up and say that our nation is in need of guidance and direction from God?  How quick will we forget this tragedy and move back to "normal?"  Is it not time to allow the Spirit to open our lives to the heart of God and realize that He is ready to forgive and heal our nation of our sinfulness?  Will you take the time to listen for the Voice of God in your daily life?  He is near the broken-hearted!!!

Emmanuel

I am taking a working lunch at the world famous McDonald's restaurant. It is hard to beat the $1.00 menu (at least in my opinion). I look around the room at people who are of various ages, various ethnic backgrounds, various religious connections, and various personalities. Yet there is something common among all of us sitting in this room. The Lord God Almighty is aware of each of us and He is interested in our individual lives regardless of the differences that may define, describe and separate us. It does not interfere with the presence of Emmanuel no matter where life may pigeon-hole us in the grand scheme of things. The celebration of Christmas allows us to reflect on "Emmanuel, God with us." We can remember that the birth of Christ reveals to us that God is near to His human creation and we can find solace and comfort in the promises of His declaration. Let us take time to offer praise and adoration to God during all of the hustle and bustle of activities over the next few days. It may sound odd to say this but "Christ is still the Reason for the Season."

Personal Reflections

The past few days have been very hectic with ministry opportunities as well as a family celebration in Alabama.  I have shared the eulogies at two funerals and sandwiched in between those funerals was a Christmas celebration with my parents as well as the Sunday morning message at New River Worship Center.  The Spirit spoke a wonderful reminder to me in the midst of these services and family time.  I was reminded of something that I already knew but I understood that the Spirit was placing a renewed importance upon my heart and He impressed me to share that importance with you this morning.  Each of us are aware of the fact that life can become very hectic and busy.  We can become so overwhelmed by "everything that we need to do" that we fail to notice the people that are truly important to us.  We can become so consumed by the journey of life that we fail to remember and appreciate those individuals that God has placed on the journey with us.  Can I go so far as to ask this question, "Is it possible that we are even guilty of taking for granted those that are the closest to us?"  Can our relationships with our family and close friends suffer because we become so busy with the "stuff" of life that we fail to recognize the true gifts that God has placed in our lives?  I can remember times in which I had so much "stuff" on my mind that I failed to appreciate the time that I was having with my immediate family.  There have been times that I was so "busy with life" that I failed to enjoy those special moments with our close friends that mean so much to us.  It may not be the time to make resolutions for the New Year but I am determined to let the people in my life know that I love them and that I appreciate the investment and contribution that they have made in and to my life.  Take some time today and let someone know that you love and appreciate them.  You will feel better and the recipient of your kindness will be blessed and encouraged!

Fresh Look at Christmas

Even Christians have a tendency to take a "hum-drum" approach to the story that is revealed and declared during the Christmas season.  We can become so familiar with the contents and characters of the story that we can easily overlook the powerful message that was shared with humanity the day Christ was born.  It is so easy to remember the story from an intellectual point of view but fail to capture the spiritual truths in our hearts.  I want to know God in a spiritual manner and not just in an intellectual manner.  I am not saying that we do not need to know the "facts" and have those "facts" correctly stated and taught to each of us.  But I am saying that I want these "facts" written on my heart and revealed in my life on a daily basis.  Take some time this Christmas season and reacquaint yourself with the "Truth" in the story and not just become content to know the facts of the story.  Each of us may be surprised at what we would learn when we start looking to reacquaint ourselves with the Truth that is revealed in Christ!

Jesus, the Faithful Witness

John 14:7-11, "If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”  ⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

⁹ Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?  ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.  ¹¹ Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do". (NLT)

We can read the ministry stories of Jesus Christ and realize that His life not only spoke about the character of the Heavenly Father they also revealed the character of the Father to fallen humanity.  We can see the awesome Love of God demonstrated through the interaction of Christ with the broken, lonely, hurting, and those bound in the prison of sinful lifestyles.  We can rejoice as we learn about the compassion of God as Jesus wept over the condition of Jerusalem and those tears reminded us that God desires to draw us near to Him during our difficult moments.  We can learn the story of redemption as Christ teaches about His future death on the cross for the sins of mankind. We can also understand that the miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.  We saw the power of God demonstrated as Jesus dealt with the various maladies, diseases, demonic oppression, and even the power of demonic possession.  We can rejoice in the fact that Christ overcame all of the powers of evil, sin, and wickedness that He encountered.

 

Christ is truly the "Faithful Witness" that Revelation 1:5 spoke about.  He is still our Faithful Witness as we prepare for the second coming Christ.

Word of Encouragement

I realize that we are living in what an old song described as "troublesome times." I fully understand that the spiritual landscape of this world is one that is full of evil, wickedness, and darkness. The headlines from the various media outlets describe a world that appears to be full of more bad news than it is good news. I understand that it is easy to be overwhelmed and frustrated as we see these forces of evil making an impact on our society. But I do not want to leave you in that atmosphere of fear and discouragement. THERE IS HOPE and HIS NAME IS JESUS! According to the prophet Isaiah Christ was born during a time of darkness but He reminded us that the Light came to dispel the powers of darkness. We can put our trust in the True Light of the Gospel! We can rest assured that the Light is shining in the midst of today's darkness and I fully believe that Christ is calling His people to draw near to the True Light. The True Light will provide the direction that each of us need as we continue to place our trust and confidence in the promises of God.