If anyone is reading this blog post today, this is the date many of us have set aside to recognize and honor the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and pray that the rest of this year and the next will be prosperous and filled with peace.
I would like to share something that I wrote in 1999 entitled “Christmas.”
When we are young, and life is like a flowering tree
We think only of the moment, and what is in it for me.
Christmas is a time of anticipation,
Youthful joy and expectation.
What will we get? What can we do?
It is all about me and little about you.
Then in our teens, those rebellious years
We bring to our parents both joy and tears.
Christmas is a time of anticipation,
Youthful joy and expectation.
Why can’t I go off with my friends and be allowed to see,
What this world can offer me?
Then as young adults with children of our own
We are not the parents and the worries to us belong.
Christmas is a time of our children’s anticipation
Waiting to see if we fulfilled their expectations.
If we fail, this we will hear, “But I wanted the latest and hottest fad,
I didn’t get it and now I am mad!”
Then come the twilight years,
Alone to face our aging fears.
Children and grandchildren are grown with families of their own,
It’s Christmas and we are alone.
Forgotten, it seems with no one to share
Life’s little joys and no one seems to care.
Remember this in your Christmas of Twilight
As you turn inward and face the darkness of life’s night,
It is not the specific day that makes Christmas so dear.
Isaiah 7:14 (NIV) Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Matthew 1:18-2:1 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” –which means, “God with us.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem
Luke 1:26-35 (NIV) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
From time to time I endure verbal abuse over celebrating Christmas and recognizing the birth of Jesus using the date of December 25th. Those who chastise me want chapter and verse for this date in the Bible and my canned answer for years has been, “He was born, the exact date is not the issue!” I don’t really care what day Jesus was born to Mary, a virgin who had conceived of the Holy Spirit and brought for the “Son of God” who would be the Savior of the world or the one who brought the “Hope of Salvation” to WHOSOEVER WILL! If you find that you cannot celebrate on December 25th, I have no problem with that and if you find that you can I honor that too. I choose to do so.
I strive to make this day not about the material but about the spiritual. I strive to make it about Jesus and God’s beginning of giving to mankind through the life of Jesus rather than about the commercial side of the holidays. I choose to focus on LOVE rather than “what’s in it for me.” I attempt to set time aside to worship Him and often find that the best way to do that is through ministering to those who are less fortunate than I. Although, I do not have a lot of this world’s silver or gold, as Peter & John said, “Such as I have, I give.” My greatest contribution has often been my faith and the encouraging of a downtrodden heart. Christmas would not be Christmas to me if we could not focus on JESUS!
Traditionally we have set aside this date as the date on which we seek to honor the Lord. We give no mention of any pagan celebrations, we refuse to focus on what the devil and his crowd might or might not do on this date. Rather, we focus on our Lord of Lords and King of Kings and Celebrate His Life, Love, and Gift to us! The greatest gift mankind could ever hope to receive, “The Mercy of God through Forgiveness!”
It is my hope that you can have a time and even many times throughout the year in which you make that day or moment Christmas by demonstrating the Love and Character of the Lord Jesus to those whom you encounter. I hope that you have a most blessed and happy time of fellowship with family & friends during this season and find that the coming New Year brings you great health, hope, and happiness. May it be a prosperous year in ever dimension, spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and economically. My Christmas wish to you is that you are blessed of the Lord richly every day of your life for the rest of your days here on earth!
God bless you and may you know and taste the great Love, Grace, and Mercy of the Lord during these holidays!
Be blessed and know that you are Loved and Loved greatly!
Luke 2:1-12 – “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” NASU
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Now let’s get back to our initial question, “How Do We Know When It’s Christmas?” It seems that the calendar, government, commercialism, people, and even religion are insufficient to truly answer that question. So where do we turn to find the answer? I am convinced that to truly know when we must first know the what and the why! We must view the celebration from Heaven’s point of view and in that we find the Reason and Cause for Celebration. I am talking about Christmas not the tradition of exchanging gifts, etc. but CHRISTMAS!
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
Is this just another of the many holidays recognized each year? Is it time for both hassle and pleasure in giving and receiving gifts? It is time for profit, merchandise, family gatherings, etc. What is Christmas? That is a worthy question I ask you to pursue with me.
Christmas is an Expression of God’s Love! The birth of Jesus was God’s gift to humanity for that child would grow up and become the Lamb Slain from the Foundation of the World the Sacrifice for the sin of mankind. The birth of Jesus revealed God’s, incredible Love. Christmas is Giving!
It originated with God in His gift to us, the first and best gift that could be given. But what are we to give? We are to give ourselves both to God and to others. We are to give gifts, not just token or reciprocal presents out of necessity or image, but the gift of help, love, concern, consideration, and friendship. That is the Spirit of Christmas, Love, and Giving!
We do not give for the return or reciprocation but out of love. Christmas is Manifesting Love!1 Corinthians 13 is a beautiful passage to read at this time of the year for it embodies what Christmas is all about. Love cares! Love acts according to ability, authority, and power. Love does not falter or fail and is forever faithful. GOD IS LOVE and He is the very center and foundation of CHRISTMAS which is LOVE.
Christmas is Living and living is a result of experience! When we combine love and giving that flows from a heart in which Christ Jesus resides, we have Christmas in our hearts! Christmas is living in such a fashion as to demonstrate Christ’s love. Christmas is living in such a fashion as to always point to the Messiah. Christmas is living in such a manner as to prove that Christianity is real and works in practical application.
WHY CHRISTMAS?
The Purpose of Christmas is to give hope to mankind! Christmas reveals the Hope of Access through Jesus. Christmas expresses the Hope of Heaven through God’s Love and Grace. Christmas declares the surety of God’s Promises. Without this miraculous event, the Advent, the Birth of Jesus which we identify as Christmas we would have no basis for hope but because He came, lived, died, and rose from the dead WE HAVE HOPE! We have CHRISTMAS!
WHEN IS CHRISTMAS?
From a legal, commercial, political, social, and even religious standpoint it is December 25th. From a spiritual standpoint, it is Christmas when the Spirit of Christian Love pervades our hearts and finds release and is demonstrated in our lives. In truth, Christmas is Christ in us, Christ through us, and us in Christ! It was Christmas (spiritually speaking) when Peter and John came to the Gate Beautiful and healed the lame man. It was Christmas (spiritually speaking) when the woman at the well came to Jesus.
Christmas is in the Heart and its Spirit can and should last and find expression 365 days per year. IT CAN BE CHRISTMAS TODAY and IT CAN BE CHRISTMAS next July. Christmas is Christ in Us and Us in Christ! MERRY CHRISTMAS and God bless you richly is my prayer and desire!
Luke 2:1-12 – “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” NASU
Christmas is one of the most, if not the most exciting times of the year for many people. It is the time of year we see visible changes in attitudes and activities. Those usually become more pronounced around the 1st week of December. Some of the changes are real and some are nothing more than facades, but many people begin to speak and act in a “Christmassy Manner.”
It is truly a wonderful time of the year. Yet, there are always the arguments as to when Christmas really is, some become disillusioned, disheartened, and diverted from the season and its reason. It is not always easy for the earnest inquirer to determine exactly WHEN IT IS CHRISTMAS! Thus, my question, “How Do We Know When It Is Christmas?”
ACCORDING, TO OUR TRADITION – We determine that it is Christmas by the CALENDAR.
December 25th is Christmas according to the calendar. It is printed in bright red letters on most calendars and this date is recognized as Christmas. Many of us reserve a special place in our hearts on this date to celebrate the Birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ and ring out the greeting, MERRY CHRISTMAS! But, is December 25th Christmas? I am not interested in engaging in a debate as to the specific date of Christ’s birth in that question but simply asking is that Christmas? Somehow, the date alone seems insufficient to make it Christmas!
ACCORDING TO OUR GOVERNMENT – We are told that the legal holiday for Christmas is December 25th.
Various amounts of time are allotted for holiday time off or vacation. Most stores and places of business close their doors on that date and the festivities which transpire tell us that it is Christmas. But, is that alone enough to truly identify when it is Christmas? Is free time, parties, banquets, and festivities the true indicator of when Christmas comes? Somehow, that seems to be lacking in truly identifying Christmas.
BASED ON COMMERCIALISM.
The business world, even before Thanksgiving begins its push to market Christmas and we begin to see evidence of the Season in the stores, streets, and shops. Trees are decorated, lights hung, tinsel streamers are visible, and wrapped presents visible. We know that there is a change in the season upon us. Each day we are informed of how many shopping days left until Christmas, all designed to enable us to accurately calculate when it’s Christmas. But, are the decorations, advertising, slogans, jingles, sales, promotions, etc. a true indicator of when it is Christmas?
DO WE KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS THROUGH PEOPLE?
As we enter the final month of the year, increasingly people greet us with MERRY CHRISTMAS or something similar. That greeting is heard even though our Politically Correct world frowns at the usage of that greeting telling us that we should say HAPPY HOLIDAYS instead. We will see smiles where frowns have been the norm and a more charitable and caring attitude. But, if this is our guide could they not do the same in July, October, or February and fool us? Does a simple greeting make it Christmas?
IS RELIGION OUR GUIDE TO KNOWING WHEN IT IS CHRISTMAS?
Tragically, there is much difference of opinion and even dissension within Christendom over Christmas we are sometimes drawn away from the Reason for the Season with hairsplitting and theological or genealogical arguments it loses its luster. Yet, even if we all agreed as to the time and place would that truly make it Christmas?
Thus, we come back to my original question, “How Do We Know When It’s Christmas?” I am not going to answer that question today so you will have to stay tuned for the next devotional to hear my response. However, I truly pray that you embrace the Reason for the Season and let the Joy of Christ flood your hearts and allow that which makes Christmas Merry flood your being.
God, bless you is my prayer and desire! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
John 8:10-11 – “And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.”]” NASB
As we proceed in this incredible story of Love and Forgiveness and how Jesus dealt with Sin and Religious Legalist, I pray that you will refresh your memories of what we have presented thus far.
These accusers were demanding a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response to their question, “Stone her or not?” Jesus refused to be caught in their trap and His response is a demonstration of God’s incredible wisdom.
It is clear from what we know of Jesus that He did not want to stone her, but He could never condone sin. He does not say that in so many words. Had He simply forbidden them to stone her He would have alienated that group of Religionists. They would be so adamantly opposed to any prospects of His being the Messiah they would believe they were right in rejecting and opposing Him. I believe that Jesus was just as eager to save those sinful legalists as He was that woman. He is not willing that any should perish.
His answer was “Stone Her!” In essence, He said, “By all means, stone her, provided you yourselves are guiltless. Let the one that is without sin cast the first stone. But, of course, if you have sin in your life and heart, you dare not throw even a pebble at her.” Some have suggested that He was saying, “Let him that cannot sin or cannot commit this sin.” I don’t know but His message struck deeply into their hearts. I challenge you to consider that we can throw stones with our hands or with our tongues and both are destructive.
Her accusers one by one dropped their stones and walked away. Jesus had brought them over to His side of the argument. By their actions, they were admitting to their need for mercy and voted for this woman to be granted mercy.
Jesus turned to the woman, the adulteress and asked, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” Some feel that she got off too easy and that Jesus was making light of sin. But that is far from the truth. He was demonstrating mercy.
I ask that you remember that under the Law there had to be two or three witnesses to secure a conviction. Now that the accusers had walked away, there were no witnesses and therefore no basis for stoning her. Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.” Wow! What mercy and we all need mercy!
Forgiveness is a Gift from God. None of us, even the best among us can earn or deserve it. What could this woman do that would turn back the pages and erase this sordid page of her life’s history? Nothing but repent!
That brings me to the real question, “Which of us is without sin?” What are we to do about our sin? That is detailed in the Bible. We are to Repent which means to do a 180-degree turn and go the other direction. We are to Confess and acknowledge our guilt. We are to accept His Mercy and then trust that Mercy.
Think about this woman and relate it to something in your life. This woman had been dragged into the presence of Jesus. She was, no doubt, filled with guilt, shame, and fear. She felt that she had reached the end of everything. Her life was over. There was no horizon in her life that gave her the hope of another dawn. She was guilty and doomed. What a horrid place to find ourselves! I have known the feeling of utter hopelessness.
Thanks to the Forgiving Love of God she found that this was not the end but the beginning. I can only imagine the boundless joy that must have flooded her heart. The Love and Mercy of Jesus had planted her feet firmly in the Land of Beginning Again. God gave her the opportunity to make a new beginning in life. Truly Mercy Rewrote her Life!
I need His Mercy all the time! I pray that He will extend that Mercy to each of us and bring us into the fullness of the newness of life and enable us to embrace the Abundant Life that He promised to give!
God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in His Mercy, Grace, Peace, Power, and Love!
John 8:1-11 – “But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 “Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. 10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 And she said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more.”]” NASB
What an amazing event that illustrates God’s Incredible Mercy! Here we see the Love of God manifested in a most beautiful and powerful manner. This story has a message of Hope for all who will hear and heed. Bible scholars are uncertain about where this story belongs. Some do not feel it belongs at all, because in some of the ancient manuscripts it is omitted.
I classify myself as a student and reader of the Word of God not necessarily a Bible scholar and believe that it belongs in the Gospels as it is presented. I believe this story is true, factual, and it is a record of an actual event in the life of Jesus and His encounters with the Scribes and Pharisees. It is Powerful.
This story is consistent with what we know about the Scribes and Pharisees. It is even more consistent with what we know about Jesus. It is a sordid story, at least in its beginning. It shows something of the ugliness of human nature. However, along with the sordidness, it presents rare beauty. Even though some of the characters are cruel and harsh, there is one who is strong, loving, and tender. Here the soiled rag of womanhood has come to what appears to be the end of her life but found that it was actually entering into the Land of Beginning Again!
I ask that you join me as we walk through some highlights of this story and consider its implications and ramifications. Hopefully, we will discover some important realities that will help us deal with difficulties and sin in life, ours and others.
FIRST – Let’s Take A Look at the Woman Who is an Unwilling Actress in this Drama.
Of course, she was a willing participant in the adultery but not the drama that unfolded upon her discovery. I find it interesting that the Bible makes no attempt to identify her. She is left nameless but labeled an adulteress. I find it incredibly interesting and even repulsive that her partner is not even mentioned nor is he accused of breaking the Law and worthy of death. That leads me to believe that this was not about her or him but an attempt to entrap Jesus and get Him to violate the clear directive of the Bible and the Law.
In that day there was, and often still is, an incredible double-standard regarding morals. A man had rights that a woman did not have. That has somewhat changed but the sad reality is that too frequently women have dropped nearer the level of men than men climbing to a higher level once occupied by women. You may not agree, but that is my perception.
She was Guilty! That was not debatable for she had been caught in the act. That smacks with being a setup but that’s not the issue. She was guilty! Her attitude is important. She was possibly young and perhaps had loved but not wisely. She may have been more sinned against than sinning, but still, she was guilty. She could have been cynical and hard, having lived a life of immorality for along time. We do not know, but none of that is particularly germane – She Was Guilty and now Exposed!
There were Eye Witnesses. That was required under the Law. Those witnesses told her story for her. Hers was a case of hopelessness under the Law. She was condemned already and now she could only await the final sentence and her impending stoning and death.
Imagine being caught in a sin that carried the death penalty under the Law. Imagine being paraded before the crowd and Jesus and your sin detailed so there is nowhere to hide. Imagine the shame and fear that she must have been experiencing.
I apologize for pausing at this point but time and space demands that I wait until the next meeting to address this more fully. I want you to think about the story and place yourself in her shoes or that crowd. I hope God will bring us to a place of tremendous spiritual victory as we proceed.
John 4:34-38 – “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. 35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 “Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 “For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38 “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” NASB
Last time we focused on the first part of a slogan, “Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do.” Today, I would like to move into the other aspects of that slogan and see how it relates to the Church and Believers today.
WE NEED – Faith to Believe.
Sometimes we see the need but fail to do what is needed because of lack of ability. If you see a $100 need and only have $50 you cannot meet that need and must wait until you can. God may be showing you the need so you can pray and work toward the fulfillment as He prepares the ability.
Mark 9:23 is a powerful passage and one that most of us wish were a constant reality in our lives, “…if you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God…” Who? God! It is not faith in your ability, your abundance or anything else, but Faith in God! He is the supply and the supplier!
We need to allow the Holy Spirit to ignite our hearts with confidence in God’s Ability to do what He Promised. We need a rekindling of confidence and trust in God’s Integrity to do what He Promised. We need to become willing and obedient instruments in God’s hands to complete His Purposes.
Matthew 17:20 brings faith into a powerful perspective. It says, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” The greatest factor of Faith is Obedience. It is hearing what God says, trusting Him, and saying, “Thank You!”
In the Revivals of the Church, we discover that Revival came to the Early Church because they heard and believed the Words of Christ. They obeyed that Word. They prayed and trusted God with their whole hearts. Revival continued in the Early Church because they made God the primary focus of their lives. They applied His words to their daily lives and they prayed and trusted God with their whole hearts. Do you see one common thread? They Prayed and Trusted with their whole hearts! God has not changed, and Revival, Renewal, and Restoration come from God and He has not changed! Seek Him and We will Find Him, but we must have Faith in His Promises and Faith in Him!
WE NEED – Courage to Do.
Tragically there are times that we see, and we believe that it needs to be done and can be done but we lose heart in the heat of the battle and never complete or attempt the task. James 2:17 addresses that saying, “faith without works is dead being alone.” Faith needs action to be complete!
We do not need to fear the enemy because we are victorious in God. Joshua 1:9 gives strong encouragement and admonition to “be strong and courageous and not fear.” The promise to Joshua and to us is that “God is with us wherever we go.” He is Omnipresent as well as Omniscient and Omnipotent. We do not have to fear man, this is God’s business. We do not have to fear the devil, he is a defeated foe. We do not have to fear obstacles all things are possible through Faith and Action.
Paul’s declaration in Philippians 4:13 resonates in my heart, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” In the Old Testament, the man we know little of but did incredible exploits was Shamgar. He slew 600 Philistines with an ox goad. Asa fit that description when he went against 2 to 1 odds and cried out saying, “Lord, size, and numbers do not matter to You, we have no power, but Your power so please help us.” God did! What about Gideon and the other heroes of faith and courage in the Bible?
I heard about a woman in a rural church explaining faith and obedience. She said, “If God tells me to jump through the hole in the wall. It is my business to jump and God’s business to make a hole in the wall.” That’s faith! We have the Message of Hope. We have the Power of Christ through the Holy Spirit. God is only waiting for us to say Yes to Him and go forth in complete trust and obedience. My prayer is, “Lord, please give me Vision to See, Faith to Believe, and Courage to Do.”
God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!
John 4:34-38 – “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. 35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 “Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 “For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ 38 “I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” NASB
Many years ago, in the City of Los Angeles, California the Chamber of Commerce offered a $500 prize for the best slogan submitted in the city’s campaign to promote LA. A mother of three children won the prize with this slogan: “Vision to See, Faith to Believe, Courage to Do.” That is a powerful slogan and one worthy of becoming the objective of each of our lives. When you examine the slogan, you find some powerful truths. There is a great need, in this hour, for God’s people and His church to embrace that slogan as our life objective.
WE NEED – Vision to See.
One of the most perplexing problems the church can have, has had, or will have, is the lack of vision. I am convinced that had the Early Church been limited in their vision, like many today, they would never have turned their world upside down for God. Christianity would have died in the 1st century due to lack of vision.
Thomas was not present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples after His resurrection and he made a statement that earned him the moniker, Doubting Thomas. He said, “expect I see, I will not believe.” Much of today’s church seems to be saying, “except I see, I will not do.”
We are informed in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Other versions translate it “cast off restraint or are unrestrained.” One says, “the people run wild.” For vision to become the driving force and the rallying point for people, someone must show them the way. Someone must write and expound the vision with clarity of understanding. A candle has no value if it is hidden under a basket. An eye that cannot see provides no ability to navigate the pathway.
I ask that we reconsider and re-read John 4:35, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” We need, no we must have Vision to See.
We Need Vision to See What Needs to be Done! Many are busy with busyness but never truly see what really needs to be done. They are doers without vision. They are flags in the wind, blowing but not achieving anything. We know that the commission and directive of our Lord were to take the Gospel to the whole world. If we do not take the Word and the Vision of God to the world, how will they hear? We need to catch the vision of God’s Church as His Body and that we are all individual members of that body. No sect, group, or denomination is the whole. It is The Body of Christ!
It is imperative that each of us sees that the spirituality and success of our local church depend on us. A local church will never be on fire for God until its members have been set aflame by the Spirit of God. It is imperative that we see that the effectiveness of our local church depends on us. Our dedication, commitment, involvement and pursuit of the Call and Commission of God will inspire and motivate others. I pray that God will open our eyes so that we have “Vision to See.”
We not only need to see what needs to be done but what is being done. If we see what needs to be done and what is being done, we can discern the best use of our time, talents, and treasures. God is calling and our response needs to be as Isaiah, “Here am I Lord, send me.”
I want to address the other two parts of the slogan but will pause until next time and ask that you open your hearts so that the LORD can open your eyes to SEE!
God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!
John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” NASB
We have considered the truth that John gave that if we are to enter into the fullness of the Abundant Life that Jesus promised, “He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease.” We have considered that He Must Increase in our Living and In our Loving. Today I want to move to another area in which He Must Increase.
HE MUST INCREASE IN OUR LONGING.
In Philippians 1:23 we read “…I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;” That causes me to cry out as John in Revelation 22:20, “Even so come Lord Jesus.” We are the people who are as declared in Titus 2:13, “looking for that blessed hope.” That Hope is the return of Jesus!
As we Increase in our Longing for His Return and His Presence, we find that our lives are totally and completely renovated and rearranged. We are Transformed! John spoke of that in 1 John 3:3 saying, “every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as He (Jesus) is pure.”
As He Increases in Our Longing, relationships become very important to us. Time becomes precious and we seek to redeem and make the best use of our time. We realize that the night is far spent, and we must work while it is day. We grasp the truth of Job that man who is born of woman is here only a short time. The Word of God is elevated in its power and prominence and our lives. God’s Promises become more sure and desirable. The condition and state of mankind becomes significant. We want none to perish!
He Must Increase! As He Increases in our lives, we find our hearts longing not only for His Return to but helps us become more involved in the work of God. Our commitment to Him and His Kingdom grows exponentially. Our faithfulness is increased.
He Must Increase! But, for Him to Increase I must empty myself of more and more of myself, through His Grace and enabling power of the Holy Spirit. His Increase causes our lives to be more Christ-centered. His Increase causes our love to be on things of above not things of this earth. His Increase intensifies our longing for His Return and that leads us to a life of total commitment. Eternity is at the forefront of our minds not only for us but for others.
He Must Increase, But I must Decrease! My simple prayer is, “Lord, help me and all reading this to commit ourselves to You and allow You to help us Decrease to Ourselves and Increase Your Presence in our lives.” Is He LORD OF ALL? Is He MOST IMPORTANT? Jesus says, “Come…”
God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!
John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.” NASB
In the last devotional we discussed that Jesus must Increase in our Living if we are to embrace and enjoy the Abundant Life that He promised to bring. There are a few more thoughts that I’d like to present about that dimension of His Increase.
He Must Increase in Our Minds (Thoughts). There must be an increase of the mind of God in our minds. 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Romans 12:2 instructs us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Philippians 4:7 prays, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” That is powerful and important.
Our thought lives or our minds must be fully submitted to Him. That is especially powerful considering Proverbs 23:7 in which we discover that “as he thinks in his heart so is, he.” We are not necessarily what we think we are, but we are a product of what we think!
He Must Increase in Our Decision Making. As His presence, will, and influence increase in our decision making our actions, attitudes, motives, ambitions, and goals are altered. When He is in control and His influence is elevated in our lives our carnal appetites diminish. His Increase decreased the self-life and increases life to His abundance. We become filled with His peace, His joy, and His love. We become men and women who are “after His own heart.”
When He Increases the self, becomes secondary. Matthew 6:33 gives the directive from Jesus as to how we are to live. “But seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you.”
HE MUST INCREASE IN OUR LOVING.
How could we ever move beyond the power and provision of John 3:16 when we consider Love? His love was a giving love. His love is sacrificial, He gave us His Son. His love is without prejudice, He gave for the entire world. His love is unsolicited, it is freely given.
He Must Increase as the Object of Our Love. We are instructed in Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” We are instructed in Deuteronomy 5:7, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
As He Increases as the Object of Our Love, He Increases our capacity to love and live. We are enabled to love as He loves, without prejudice. We are able to love those He loves, everyone! We are able to love with an unsolicited and sacrificial love. He Must Increase But I Must Decrease!
Divine Love is Incredible and Powerful. Divine Love displays patience of incredible duration. It is not envious or given to jealousy. It is never proud, conceited, arrogant or filled with pride. It is not rude. It does not insist upon its own way or rights. It does not harbor grudges and seeks revenge or vengeance. It is not touchy, fretful or resentful. It is never happy when another person is hurt. It is ready to believe the best in others. It never fades or dies. God, please grant us an infusion of Your Divine Love. He Must Increase in our Loving!
I want to address this one more time and hope that I am not belaboring the point. I pray that the LORD will help each of us seek His Increase in our Living and Loving.
God bless you as you enjoy His provisions on this beautiful day!
Roy's Covenant Corner 