Jesus, Light of the World (12-17-12)

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Advent Devotional, "Jesus, Light of the World," for preparing to light the fourth Advent Candle, the Wise Men candle.)

Matthew 2: 1-2
"As we begin our last week of preparation, anticipating the lighting of the fourth Advent Candle, our focus will be on another critical part of the Christmas Story.  This week we will be led to the manger by the wise men.  Their story can be found in the book of Matthew.

In the days when Jesus was born Herod declared himself King of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel where Jerusalem is located.  One day while Jesus was still an infant, a band of men from Persia arrived in Jerusalem.  They were called 'magi' (pronounced 'may-ji') which meant that they were from a certain sect of people who were specialists in the areas of astrology, medicine, and natural sciences.  They had so deep a wisdom and knowledge of these things that it separated them from other men.  And as you can probably guess, the word 'magi' is the root word of our word 'magic.'

These magi were well-studied in the Scriptures, as well, which were full of prophecies foretelling the birth of the Savior, to One who would be declared to be the King of the Jews (Zechariah 9:9).  Possibly, word had reach them concerning His birth because the shepherds had repeated to others what the angels from heaven had told them.  But either way, in their inquiries to King Herod, they called the child by name, saying 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?'  Not only had their studies of the Scriptures caused them to make this trip, but also their thorough study and mapping of every movement and change in the star patterns in the night sky.  They had seen the light that would reveal the Light they had read about.  On the night that the scriptures and the star lined up with each other, a conviction so deep came upon these men causing them to know in their hearts that the long awaited Savior had surely arrived.

Out of their great excitement and expectancy, the magi hurried to go and find the One who had been born King of the Jews.  Their wisdom and knowledge on this subject was profound and given by God Himself, but this wasn't what caused them to be considered wise.  At least not by God.  They were wise in the eyes of the One who created the stars because they had arrived at the correct conclusion after their study of both the stars and the Scriptures.  They saw how the two were in agreement, and therefore, they could rightly and wisely discern that the Messiah of Israel was surely the King of the Jews that the prophets of old had prophesied.  They knew that if they sought Him now,  they would surely find this newborn King!  Their long quest to ascertain when and where He would be born had paid of, for He had been born in their lifetime.  Now there were only two things for them to do.  They had to find this infant King, and then they would sure bow their knees in worship to the long awaited King.

We live in a day where a Bible is readily available to study.  It might not even be a book that we read from, but a computer or cell phone.  We have grown up in America where the name of Jesus is completely familiar.  But we so often do not have a heart that will bow down to Him and worship Him when we clearly know who He is.  Find a quiet spot today and come to Him.  Bow before Him and worship Him.  He is worthy of our worship and adoration.  At this Christmastime, you might use your nativity scene as your focus and prompts of specific prayers, using Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and yes, the wise men to call you into account and to lead you to fervent praise and worship.  You might even contemplate these questions:  'Does God consider me wise?'  'Today, how do I  actively seek Him?'  'Do I know and follow what the Bible says?'"

Jesus, Light of the World (12-6-12)

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Advent Devotional, "Jesus, Light of the World" in preparation for lighting the Bethlehem candle) 

Luke 2: 8-14

"In the continuation of the Christmas story as found in Luke 2 we see another picture of God bringing light into the midst darkness.  On a hillside somewhere outside of Bethlehem, with only the campfires of the shepherds lighting the night sky, a most unusual event occurred on the night that Jesus was born.  While the shepherds were watching their flocks of sheep, looking for predators that might break into the fold, the entire area was suddenly lit up by an angel of God who was standing in their very midst.  It was nothing other than the glory of God Himself that shone around them.  The angel was not sent to kings or governors, nor was he sent to anyone else of high class.  The angel was sent straight to the hillside where some lowly shepherds were performing their menial tasks.  The glory of God came not only to light the physical darkness; it cam to light the darkness of a particular class of people.  The light came to the ordinary.  I came to the least likely to be favored.  It came to men like you and me.

Just like us, the shepherds' collective response to this angel of light was one of ear, and not just any fear, but a 'shaking in your boots' kind of fear!  Can you imagine the scene? They were greatly startled by this highly unusual occurrence.  They had never seen an angel before,  and they certainly would not have been expecting such a thing.  Their fear, like our fears, would likely have created an even greater sense of darkness around them as they contemplated both this heavenly being and felt the conviction of their own unworthiness and sinfulness.

Immediately the angel addressed their fears and spoke directly of the purpose of his visitation.  'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be for all people.'  It is possible that God sent this angel to a class of people who were not esteemed, for the message to be completely clear.  The good news is for everyone, no matter what family you were born into, no matter how much money you have, no matter what your social standing.  Because this message was for all, we have no reason to remain in any 'status-induced' darkness.  If God would send this news to shepherds, by-passing completely the rich and famous, it is surely for all of as well.  And where were these poor shepherds told that they could find Jesus?  Ina a palace?  No!  He would be found by  them in  the obscure village in a dirty stable, lying in an animals feeding trough!  The would surely be able to relate to such a Savior, their Savior, Christ the Lord, who had come to earth like them, as a baby.

When the shepherds thought that they had surely witnessed the brightest light their eyes had ever seen, more angels from God arrived before them.  This army of angelic beings glorified God and brought to the lowly and frightened shepherds a message of peace.  If you want to experience the peace that the angels spoke of, you must find time in your busy holiday schedule to listen to the message that God  is speaking to you today.  Spending time in the Word, reading and meditating on it, and praying, will please God and bring peace to your harried hearts and souls.  Don't leave Christ out of your Christmas activities.  He has come to you; now it it your turn to come to Him!"

Jesus, Light of the World (12-4-12)

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Luke 2:7

(Second Advent Candle :  The Bethlehem Candle)

Can you imagine having traveled the treacherous and dusty roads from Nazareth to Jerusalem on the back off a donkey, and being nine months pregnant at the same time?  How relieved you would be to finally reach your destination, to climb down from the donkey, and find a place to rest your weary body while you prepared to give birth!  Now imagine hearing these words when you finally did arrive:

"'No rooms are available in my inn, and the rest of the town seems to be filled up as well.  It is late.  If only you had arrived a bit earlier,' the innkeeper told them.  'I am sorry,' he said, hanging his head because he sensed their great need, seeing that the woman was clearly in labor and about to give birth to a child.

Fear and anxiety surely flooded Mary's soul.  'How could this be?  No rooms?  No room for the mother of the Messiah who would be born soon?'  The questions seemed to flood Mary's thoughts as she considered this part of the plans of the God who had brought about so great a miracle as her immaculate conception.  But Mary's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the voice of the owner of the inn, and her heart was at once put to rest.  At least she would not be without some shelter.

'Sir, you must be exhausted from your journey, and your wife looks to be suffering greatly with labor.  I know it is not much, but it is the only thing I have left to offer you.  In the back of my inn there is a humble stable, and it is empty right now.  I know how filthy it is, and I do not wish to insult you.  I know it is not a suitable place for the birth of a baby, but there is fresh hay there, and water nearby.  It will at least be very private.  Please, use it if you would like.'  With no other options the nervous Joseph accepted the kind offer.

The only light in the darkness of the dirty stable came from a lantern hanging in the corner.  As Mary labored to bring her baby into the world, Joseph stood close by, feeling helpless at times, and fetching a cool cloth for her forehead as she needed it.  Their prayers for help and safety reached their God, and in the fullness of time, Jesus, the Light of the world, entered the very world He had been sent to by the Father.

If one would have been allowed to watch those world changing events, one thing would have surely been noticed.  Only one thing would have surely been noticeably different in that rickety old stable.  Yes, the dim light of the lantern would still be flickering in the night, but something new has come.  A panoramic view would reveal the change that had come.  It is that tiny infant that Mary laid in the fresh straw in the feeding trough.  It is Jesus and the heavenly and spiritual light that is emanating from Him!

That is what happens to one who is touched by the love of Jesus.  Our Savior looks down from His heavenly throne into the dark hearts of mankind.  When He sees a heart that is looking for Him, He comes into that sin-darkened heart, and the Light of His presence resides there and begins to emanate out of the new believer.  Once our eyes are opened as the scales of sin begin to fall away,  Jesus becomes the Light we need for our journey through this dark world.  He is our Light!

Why did God choose for Jesus to born in a humble, dirty, dark stable?  Because He wanted to show us a picture of Jesus' great desire to enter our dirty, sin-stained lives and bring us to the light of His glory.  God shows us, through the particular circumstances of the first Christmas, to what great lengths He will go to rescue us from our very own dirty, dark 'stables' of sin and darkness.

Take time today to thank Jesus for His humility and love for you.  Thank Him that He is your Light on your journey.  And it might be wise to consider the offering of the innkeeper.  The stable was the very last space he had left to give.  What we daily give to Jesus should not be the leftovers of the day, the last little bit before we fall asleep.  Don't do everything that you have to do today, and then offer Him the very last place of priority.  Begin to get into the practice of giving Him the best part, the first part, not your leftover 'stables' after all  your busy-ness has been carried out.  After all, the Christmas celebration is in His honor.  Don't forget to invite the Guest of Honor to the party!"

Jesus, Light of the World (12-3-12)

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Luke 2: 4-5

This week we will be preparing our hearts for the lighting of the second Advent Candle this coming Sunday.  The second purple candle of the Advent Wreath traditionally represents Bethlehem.  Our first candle, if you remember, pointed us back to the prophets who foretold the coming of Jesus, the Light of the world.  It seems quite appropriate that the second candle would encourage us next to remember the very place where Jesus was born.  Pondering Bethlehem this week, take time to consider where you are spiritually at currently, how Jesus can use someone as insignificant as we are, and even where Jesus found you when He drew you to His Light.  Take a look at today's Scripture.  Then travel back with me for a moment to ancient Bethlehem.

"Can you imagine the scene?  Bethlehem, the 'too little' city (Micah 5:2), teeming with more people than it could hold, animals running wildly in the dirty streets, more noise than the native could possibly stand, and of course, an astronomical increase in commerce!  Caesar Augustus surely had only given them a certain amount of time to get themselves registered under his census.  This description of Bethlehem sounds a little like our malls at Christmas, doesn't it?  It seems that there are just too many people, too much commotion, too many kids who are whining and crying as they stand in line to see Santa.  And every year, starting the day after Halloween, we feel the pressure of the short amount of time we have left to get everything bought, prepared,  and sent.  The 'countdown' to Christmas creates its own kind of frenzy, as we 'buy' into the pressures of Christmas, the pressures that we have created for ourselves.

But the spiritual scene of Bethlehem was far bleaker than the physical chaos of the day.  You see, for all who lived in or traveled to Bethlehem, whether Jew or Gentile, whether under the Law given by Moses or under Roman Law, this one thing was sure:  those who were gathering in Bethlehem were without a Savior.  The Messiah had not yet come, and spiritual darkness was the rule of the day.  The same could be said of most people today.

For the Jews, the only way that they could escape from sin was through their yearly atonement for their sins, a day called Yom Kippur.  Each year they would come and offer a sacrifice at the temple to remove God's penalty that they should receive for the sins that they had committed that year.  That is what they were required to do.  But that Law could never set them free from sinning again.   Returning to the temple and repeating this process, over and over again, for their entire lives, only left them in the exact same spiritual place.  They would continue to live in utter darkness because the Light had yet to shine into their personal darkness.

If we are believers in Christ, we have already experienced the freedom for sin that can only be found in Him.  But generally speaking, we still live in a very dark world.  Many, if not most, of our family members, our co-workers, the shoppers, the sales people, and the cashiers, and even our fellow football enthusiasts are still trapped in their sin and darkness, with no way of escape as long as they are continue to refuse the forgiveness of Christ.  There might even be some with whom we worship every Sunday who have not truly given themselves to the Christ Child.  The Light is not in them, and just like the Jews, and the Gentiles who were not yet grafted into God's family, people are lost and are living in the exact same total darkness.

Our reading for today tells of a man and woman who have made a very difficult journey to Bethlehem.  They were obedient to the one who was their earthly ruler, even though the trip would be quite uncomfortable, having been required of them at what appeared to be an ill-timed moment.  However, as the Lord would have it, Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem just in time for Mary to give birth to Jesus, the Light of the world.  That very night the Light would shine brightly in dark and sinful Bethlehem.  And with the passing of time, that Light has now spread to the entire world.

The time has come for you to step out in faith and bring the Light to someone you know who doesn't yet have the joy and the Light of Bethlehem.  Be obedient to the call of the One you claim is the Ruler of your life and preach the good news!  You might feel uncomfortable, even as Mary did as she traveled for days on a donkey in rough terrain being nine months pregnant, but it will be worth it!  Watch this week, and throughout the season, for someone with whom you can share your precious Light."

Who Controls You?

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(Excerpt from Cheryl Gnagey's Spiritual Healing:  The Surrender That Brings Victory, Chapter 9)

This morning I want to teach you a practical principle.  Let me begin with a question.  Is Jesus the LORD of your life?  To know Jesus as your Lord is to know that you are not in control of anything--He is.  And in order for Him to be in full control of you, you must live in a perpetual state of surrender. Moving from knowing Jesus as your Savior to knowing Him as both Savior and Lord requires a shift in your mindset.  You must begin to consider, over and over, that you are no longer in charge of your life; He is in control of it...every moment and aspect  of your today and everyday!

"Jesus will never be the Lord  of the lost in this world because they have yet to receive Him as their Savior.  We believers tend to accept and know Him readily as our Savior, yet we struggle to allow Him to be Lord.  Quite often the only real difference between the lost and the saved is that we believe that Jesus died to save us.  Most of us do not know Him as Lord  any more than the world does.  We only seem to know that He is supposed to be our Lord.  In actuality, for Him to be Lord, we have to live life surrendered to Him.  That will require us to crucify our desire to be in control of everything in our lives."

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  (Romans 12: 1-2)

"By looking at the Greek definitions of a couple of phrases (one today and one in tomorrow's blog) from Romans 12:1-2, we see a critical step in the walk of every believer.  The true rendering of the phrase 'present yourselves' is this:  a presenting and a yielding of your whole self.  Now let me ask you [another] important question.  Were you fully surrendered at the time of your salvation?  If you are like me, the answer is a resounding 'no!'  Jesus did not become the Lord  of everything in my life the moment I was saved.  He was both capable of and available to be that, but on the day that I was saved, I only surrendered to Him as my Savior.  I had no understanding of what it meant to know Jesus as my Lord,  my Master, as the one in full control of me."

Is that your testimony as well?  Then we must find motivation in our spiritual journey to discover the place where Jesus is Lord of us. That motivation can only be found and realized as we begin to truly know that Jesus is to be in full control of us, and respond to that by fully surrendering to Him.

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 29

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Day 29:  James, The Brother of Jesus (Mark 3:20, 31)

It hadn’t been easy growing up with Jesus as my older brother.  Hearing over and over the story of His divine conception only added to my feelings of inferiority.  How could I ever measure up to a brother who was the Savior?  He always seemed to do what was right, and I always had to learn everything the hard way. 

Jealousy became a way of life for me.  It started when Jesus didn’t pick me to be one of His disciples—ME!  His brother!  This feeling led me to do strange things that seemed right at the time.  For instance, there was the time that my family and I tried to take Jesus into custody because we were all sure He had lost His senses.  When we came to the place where He was, and they told Him that His family had arrived, He said that His mother and brothers were those who would do His will.  I was insulted!  Then I tried to get my brother to “go public” at one of our Feasts, knowing how many Jews would be there.  I wanted to cash in on His popularity and power, but He saw right through me.  Again, I was rebuked, and He didn’t attend the feast, at least as far as I knew.

But something changed in my heart as I watched Him at the trial and crucifixion.  Suddenly I knew that what I’d been told from the beginning was all true.  When Jesus rose from the dead that blessed morning, there were no doubts that remained.  I knew for sure He was the Savior.

Now I understood that to be His brother, I had to do His will.  He was no longer by biological brother; He was my spiritual Brother, my Lord and Savior.

Do you remember all those lessons I said that I had to learn the hard way?  They became a part of the Spirit’s contribution to God’s Word through me.  In the Bible you read today you can learn how to do God’s will in the book that bears my name, the Book of James.

Does it insult you that Jesus still says that His family is those who do His will, not the ones who just believe in Him?  Beyond your salvation, how are you purposing daily to do His will?  Have you seen in James’ life a God who can use you no matter what your sins have been?