Dec

13

The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory~ John 1:14

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The advent season has begun. They joy of everything Christmas-y has begun in the streets and the shopping malls. Though for the believer, Christ’s birthday celebration is alive in our hearts every day—not just in December.

In thinking about our Lord, we understand his ways are certainly not our ways, and the more we dwell in his word and contemplate his birth, the more we can appreciate the sacrifice of the suffering servant, who came to fulfill his father’s wishes—to save the lost and dying.

How unfathomable to comprehend the path of Jesus to reconcile us to the Father. What a marvelous mystery that he would condescend to earth but to come here in the form of a man and live among us? Is not his glory too superior? He left paradise for this?

At some point this winter season when our little town of Phoenixville is glistening in a blanket of whiteness, may we understand that because of Jesus’s blood, a believer’s sins are even whiter than the brilliance of the snowfall.

May every step you take be with Jesus…adopting his examples of love to the brethren, especially, and aslo to the world as you travel the rest of your life.

Sep

29

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

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The world has been— from the beginning of time—a place where man seeks his own predominance. Love of one’s self began in the Garden when the serpent tempted Eve to become a self-seeker and deny God’s commandment. The battle continues today to gain ground when we take our eyes off of our Master.

Cultural clashing of one group over another is more than ideologies butting up against each other. It’s not just about civil unrest vs. civility, racial fairness vs. inequality. It’s more about man’s idea of wanting to take the reins of power upon himself to live, rule, and dictate toward these same ends. It’s all about domination and dictating as man sees fit and not seeking God in the process. This isn’t only a worldly issue; it can happen, sadly, even within the walls of a church congregation.

In the midst of cultural warfare, there is but one weapon that needs to be used. It’s God’s truth shared in love. If man were to take his cues from the Almighty maker of heaven and earth and keep his eyes focused on Him, there would be no necessity for war, rioting, societal upheaval, nor division in the church. What’s not done in the spirit of love is all but dross.

Sep

17

It’s all about grace

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Of all the people in the New Testament, one interesting figure is Apostle Paul. A former persecutor of the church and Pharisee, his experiences forthtold in the New Testament show a man who could have easily exalted himself above his peers, for he’d been granted the privilege to be caught up into the “third heaven” where he saw some utterly amazing things. However, later, he was also granted a thorn in the flesh.

Much speculation has lent to theories on exactly what the apostle’s thorn was. His eyesight perhaps? It’s not for certain, but Paul beseeched the Lord three times to have it removed from him. However, Paul didn’t receive the answer exactly as he requested. Why?

 “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness… “~ 2 Corinthians 9

Later in this same chapter, Paul makes it clear that he understands why the Lord withheld the removal of the thorn.  It was so that Paul would not exalt himself more than he should and to safeguard his humility.

God reminded Paul that the power behind Paul’s ministry was not in Paul’s experiences or abilities or even in the absence of troubles. Rather, it was God’s grace. When we are weak, God’s power is even more evident. He provides the strength for us to withstand whatever challenges come upon us. It’s a faith walk.

Sep

10

Crossroads of life…

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Sometimes, we find ourselves at life’s crossroads where, like Apostle Paul, we are to just shake the dust from our feet and move on from a person, place, or situation that has become toxic to our souls.  Whether the dust is legalism, slander, gossip, unfairness, or even someone’s own dysfunction….whatever the dust may be,  don’t let it linger on you. Don’t get caught up in your feelings about it for we cannot be in God’s will and wallow in our feelings at the same time.

God has a plan for you, and it doesn’t stop when you encounter an obstacle.  Our beloved Lord opens and closes doors for a reason. Nothing is lost on him. Often the Lord works in ways we cannot see or acknowledge. It’s all good. Though there may be grief over it, don’t lose heart. There are doors waiting to open for you…new opportunities to share God’s love…other saints waiting to encounter  your love and light that comes through Him.

Perhaps you’ve outgrown the arena you find yourself, or maybe it’s time for a promotion. Your plight feels wrong, but God makes all things work for the good for those who are called according to his purposes.  God is not through with you yet, and your purpose on earth and your calling aren’t subject to someone else’s opinion or approval. Some are so busy pointing fingers that they don’t have time to examine themselves. So caught up in being right that they become blind to their own failings and shortcomings. How easy it is to find fault with another when there is no humility. “First examine the LOG in your own eye before you find fault with the TWIG in a brother’s…”

Oh, the high-minded among us are unknowingly on their own shaky pedestals of falling like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. So filled with a sense of their own purity, they couldn’t see beyond their noses. Though we must pray the Lord deals with them gently in the face of their folly when they get too full of their own self-importance.

Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord. Let him do the hard work. Justice always prevails in God’s kingdom, and may the redemptive spirit rise high above the fray as on the wings of an eagle.

May the graciousness of our Holy God grant you much peace in the face of every trial and temptation, knowing it is written in scripture that we are to count it all joy!

James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various  trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Sep

04

Do you need refreshment?

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Water is a vital commodity we know and essential for life. Go more than three days without water and it’s dangerous. Water not only quenches our thirst but is also a metaphor in the Bible for life. When we are parched—not only of physical thirst but the spiritual thirst of our souls as well—a never ending spring of life flows abundantly from our Lord and can satisfy like no other.

Living water is something Jesus promised to the woman at the well when he spoke:  Those who drink of the water I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life (John 4:14).

The water of salvation that flows from the very presence of God is available in endless supply for humanity’s deepest needs.

When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
the Lord will answer them,
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water… ~ Isaiah 41:17-18

Are you thirsty today? Even the most securely saved, blood-bought of Christians have need to be refreshed by the water. What God did for Israel, he can do for you. The Lord cares for you, and the water of salvation is yours for the asking when you have the faith to believe.