Tuesday, December 27, 2016

New Year...A Time for Looking Back


“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever…”

(Psalm 136:1-3 ESV)



            We typically spend our time focusing on what we want God to do for us.  We look at the promises, given to us in Scripture, and long for them to be fulfilled.  We offer to him our prayers, again and again, laying our requests before his feet.  And we wait anxiously to have our requests satisfied.

            The longer we wait, the more discontent we become.  The longer we wait, the more we begin to question God.  The longer we wait, the more we doubt his love and goodness.

            However, have you ever taken the time to contemplate God’s faithfulness?  Have you taken the time to consider all that he’s done for you?  In Psalm 136, the Psalmist does just that.  He then responds to each remembrance of God’s faithfulness with the reminder that the love of God endures forever.

            He remembers, first of all, God’s work of creation.  He goes on to remember God’s work of deliverance, in bringing Israel out of Egypt.  He then remembers God’s work in leading his people through the wilderness.  And, finally, he remembers how God granted the people victory over the inhabitants of the Promised Land, giving it to Israel. 

Like the Psalmist, we can remember that it’s God who made us and who’s given us life.  We can remember his deliverance from sin and death, provided to us in Jesus.  We can remember his guidance and provision.  And we can remember how he’s brought us into the good place in which we find ourselves.

            As we do so, as we look back upon the work God has done for us, as we remember the blessings he’s bestowed upon us, it changes our perspective.  No longer do we question God.  No longer do we become frustrated as we await his answer to prayer or the fulfillment of his promises.  We, instead, live life in the knowledge of his unending love. 

            This is a great practice for us as we enter into the New Year.  As others spend their time looking ahead, as they spend their time focusing on changes they want to make in their life, we can focus on the blessings God has given us.  We can look at where we are and remember from where he’s brought us.  And this will only encourage us as we anticipate his continued provision and blessing, along with the fulfillment of the promises he’s given us.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Our Response to Christmas

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.”
(Luke 2:15-17 ESV)

            Most of us are familiar with the Christmas story found in Luke 2.  We remember how, as they took care of their flocks, an angel appeared to some shepherds.  He announced to them the birth of the Savior, telling them that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.  A whole host of angels then appeared singing praises to God.
            As we see in the above passage, upon receiving this news, they went to Bethlehem to find the newborn Savior.  They found Mary and Joseph, and baby Jesus lying in the manger.  They then went out and shared this news with others.
            This isn’t a terribly new insight.  However, whenever I read this account, it forces me to ask an important question of myself.  It forces me to ask: “What is my response to the message of the Savior?”
            For many of us, the story of Jesus’ birth is very familiar.  The message of the gospel is very familiar.  Perhaps it’s even too familiar.
            What I mean by this is that, because we’ve heard it so many times, it’s old hat.  It doesn’t fill us with awe, as it should.  Like the carols that we sing, it’s simply a part of the season that we enjoy, and that we go on to forget for another year.
            I’m reminded, as I read this passage, that my response should be like that of the shepherds.  Upon hearing the news of Jesus’ coming, my first response should be to go to him.  My response should be to receive him for myself as my Savior and Lord. As Jesus himself says to us in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
            This should be my immediate response because this is why Jesus was sent into the world, to save us from our sin.  And, in response to this news, I should gladly receive this gift God has given.  I should receive for myself the blessing of the Savior. 
            Then, like the shepherds, I should share this message.  I should share it because the Savior didn’t come for me alone.  As the angel announced, in verse 10 of Luke 2, this is good news of great joy for all the people.
            Knowing that the Christ has come to provide salvation for the world, I should take this message to all I encounter.  I should share with them the hope that they have in Christ.  I should share it with them in hope that they too might turn to him in faith.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Since we cancelled worship at Prince of Peace due to the extreme cold, here's an Advent devotion to start your day.
https://youtu.be/c3VAoBn8OzU

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

My latest publication, Reflections on Suffering, is now available in paperback.  It has not yet linked to amazon at this time, but it can be seen and ordered at https://www.createspace.com/6791873

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Announcing my most recent publication, Reflections on Suffering. It's now available on the kindle store, and will be released shortly in paperback.  You can check it out at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRWRC0A