With Advent in full bloom, we press on through the second week.
So little time, so much to do.
During this season of preparation for Jesus’ birth-day, we should be calmly meditating on the miracle of His birth. Yet, most of us are swirling through events, gatherings, obligations and the very preparations that consume time and energy.
I tell myself to breathe deep, keep moving, and go to bed as early as possible. Hubby knows when I am over-tired and often suggests that it is OK to step back from the ‘to do’ list and retire early after we spend our nightly prayer time together. Nice.
As we continue, enjoy some quotes.
“He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it as far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who, whether it be far or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.” St. Augustine
“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: He makes saints out of sinners.” Søren Kierkegaard
December 9 Amos 7:1-9; Psalm 25,9,15; Revelation 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33
Rev. 1:7-8 “Behold He is coming with the clouds and
During this season of anticipation, of looking forward to the ‘coming’ of Christ, the book of Revelation is important. John, the last Apostle alive, was given words from God, the Son, Jesus Christ, through an angel to this prophet, John, for the seven churches in Asia, and ultimately to us, generations away from the moment these words were received.
This letter is meant to be read aloud to the congregations, all at one time, all 22 chapters. It opens with a blessing over the one who reads this book and to the congregation who listens and acts upon God’s words.
Instead of the expected ‘thanksgiving’ at the beginning of the opening salutation, we read the above verses of expectation. John sees vividly through the Holy Spirit. In turn, we see vividly the ‘coming’ of the Lord, expected at any moment, according to John.
Instead of the expected ‘thanksgiving’ at the beginning of the opening salutation, we read the above verses of expectation. John sees vividly through the Holy Spirit. In turn, we see vividly the ‘coming’ of the Lord, expected at any moment, according to John.
The book of Revelation is powerful, majestic, beyond basic understanding. Yet, taken in context with the entire canon of scripture, makes perfect sense.
Jesus, God, was and is and will forever be. Jesus will come again as promised. Jesus is The Almighty, to be awed, honored, worshipped as One in Trinity,
God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
His Kingdom shall have no end.
It shall be eternal.
If we choose to step into the kingdom of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we also will have no end but will live eternally.
His Kingdom shall have no end.
It shall be eternal.
If we choose to step into the kingdom of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we also will have no end but will live eternally.
Think about it: What do you think of the ‘coming’ of the Lord? Are you prepared? The Apostles of Jesus thought Jesus would return in their lifetime. All had died before John and he, also, thought Jesus’ return was
Time means nothing.
Worship of the Lord, our God, means everything.
Focus on preparation for Jesus’ ‘coming’ is of greatest importance.
Worship of the Lord, our God, means everything.
Focus on preparation for Jesus’ ‘coming’ is of greatest importance.
Our ‘time’ on this earth, however short, is meant to prepare us to be with our Lord for all eternity.
Are we paying attention to the lessons the Lord gives to each one uf us, individually, that draw us into His intimate presence?
What if the words were turned around a bit. Instead of ‘Jesus is coming soon,’ what if we say, “We are coming to Jesus soon.”
The second coming is less important than our ‘coming to Jesus.’
Let’s work on our personal relationship with our Lord and preparation for eternity with Him before we concern ourselves with His second coming.
As we say in our communion prayers, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ WILL come again” . . . or, we will be with Christ again. Amen!
To ask Jesus a very basic question that all Jews could easily answer, makes this Sadducee look like the buffoon he was made out to be. One could not possibly follow the rest of the commandments if he could not follow the first one, “There shall be no other gods before you but the One God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Refresh your heart with a soul-sabbatical.
The book of Amos is part of what the Hebrew bible denotes as “The Book of 12.” These twelve are called “minor prophets” in our bibles. There is nothing minor about the prophets, sent by God, at various points of time but the books are very short, minor in length. The Book of Amos may have been written in the 720s BC but was edited many times during the Babylonian exile (587-539 BC). Amos lived in Judah, the southern kingdom, but was sent by God to the warn the people of the northern kingdom, called Israel, of God’s anger with them.
I remember when I was a teen and my grandmothercame to stay with us for a week while my parents took a trip. I was one of four closely knit siblings.
Jesus does not mince words! My goodness, what happened to love your neighbor? Jesus has, for three years, quietly expressed to the pharisees and sadducees his discontentment regarding their actions. Their high-minded superiority, their misleading those they should be teaching, their over-concern regarding the rules surrounding the Law of Moses and so much more have been a bane to Jesus. Now it’s time to be blunt.
Have you ever known a ’Saul’ who could become a “Paul” if turned around to see Christ Jesus as Lord? There are so many enthusiastic, gifted people in our churches who will have nothing to do with bible study or a prayer group or a growth group but they attend Sunday worship services.
I sought the Lord, not because I was struggling but because I had achieved most of my goals. I was in a very blessed place but I was bored. A dear friend invited me to a luncheon where I heard stories and sang songs of my childhood in church. These were beautiful Christian women, both inside and out. They drew me back to Jesus as they prayed and spent many hours with me over the next year.
En-JOY special moments of soul-bling.
12-10 Amos 7:10-17; Psalm 26,28,36,39; Revelation 1:9-16; Matthew 22:34-46
Matt.22:37-39 “You shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Secondly, love your neighbor as yourself.”
What prompted Jesus to respond to the Sadducees with these words? Pharisees and Sadducees had been following Jesus throughout his ministry. Now that Jesus was reaching the end of his earthy ministry, he ‘pushed the envelope’ by blatantly showing his divinity. This statement is the last of three challenges by these
authorities, the last being the question by the Sadducees, “Which is the greatest of the Commandments?”
Jesus responds to these devilish parasites (what Jesus thinks of the Pharisees and Sadducees) with Moses’ first commandment, the foundation from which all other commandments flow. See Deuteronomy 6:5. However, these men of ‘action’ simply follow the 613 rules that keep them from breaking God’s Law. Jesus shows them and the crowd that has gathered, “It’s all about the heart, not the action.” In other words, if the Love of God does not come from the heart and does not consume our soul, the brain cannot connect with God as God desires. God so LOVED us . . . We are to so LOVE God with the love God has given us, not by flaunting our actions, our good deeds, but my dying to self, dying to our status, dying to how we wish others to see us.
Pharisees pranced around in their finery that advertised their depth of learning and their status. They were, like the Apostle Paul, well trained in scripture and theology of the Old Covenant. Yet, they ‘showed off’ their priestly prayers on street corners during a time they should be praying quietly in a corner of the temple.
Sadducees were far worse. A council of ‘elders’, much like most church bodies have to help run the church facility, also pranced around seeking ways to upend Jesus’ ministry. They seemed to know little of Torah since this group consisted of lawyers, politicians and perhaps a doctor here and there. They were seen as leaders but could be tripped up in a heartbeat. They did not even believe in the resurrection which was believed by the Pharisees and most Jews.
Jesus added a bit of a twist so that, to this day, we can know it is our heart that Jesus desires. Any ‘acts’ of worship without the heart are null and void. He said, “LOVE the Lord, thy God,” as you worship our One God. It’s God’s LOVE that consumes our soul, which overflows to such an extent that we cannot help but worship the Lord, thy God.
Yet, we, as the body of Christ, seem to return to pharisee-like actions when we offer to serve others less fortunate than ourselves. We serve others a meal or provide clothing or help in their homes without one word to them about Jesus Christ. It’s as if we have lost the heart of our actions. We have forgotten the first part of the Great Commandment. We have forgotten to take time to develop an intimate relationship with the Lord that is so full, our Love of God gushes out of us as we serve others with gladness and draw them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Remember what Jesus says as the SECOND part of this commandment, not the first. “Secondly, love your neighbor as yourself.” SECONDLY. Did you get that? FIRST, give your heart fully to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Only then will we naturally exude God’s love as we serve our neighbor, as we serve and fill up our own soul.
Think about it: We have all memorized this verse. Right? If not, add it to your list. When helping others memorize this foundational verse, I add a visual to my
words. LOVE the Lord with all your heart (hand on heart) and with all your soul (move hand around trunk of my body) and with all your mind (point to my brain). If you think this looks foolish, think again. Many of us cannot connect to the meaning until we see these words acted out.
The ACT of LOVING God is not easy. Study, prayer, worship and so much more takes time. We are not ‘called’ to serve others until we have established a strong foundation with our Lord. Ask yourself if you are a giver, a giver of time and talents and whatever else you enjoy sharing with others. If, indeed you are, do you first give your time to the Lord, a quiet time perhaps? Have you studied scripture to fully understand what our Lord desires for you, as an individual? Good!
If you are feeling unfulfilled in whatever action or ministry you are involved, step back for a time. Give rest for your soul. Drink in the words of this great commandment.
Fall in love with the Lord all over again.
We all need to take a time-out now and again to remind ourselves to, “Love the Lord, they God, with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind.” Later, when the Lord moves us, the Lord will show us where and how to naturally love our neighbor as ourselves.
12-11 Amos 8:1-14; Psalm 38, 119:25-48; Revelation 1:17—2:7; Matthew 23:1-12
Amos 8:2 “God said, ‘Amos, what do you see?’ and I said, “A basket of summer fruit.’ Then the Lord said to me, ‘The end has come to My people, Israel; I will never again pass them by, and the songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day,” says the Lord, God; . . . ”
The book of Amos is part of what the Hebrew bible denotes as “The Book of 12.” These twelve are called “minor prophets” in our bibles. There is nothing minor about the prophets, sent by God, at various points of time but the books are very short, minor in length. The Book of Amos may have been written in the 720s BC but was edited many times during the Babylonian exile (587-539 BC). Amos lived in Judah, the southern kingdom, but was sent by God to the warn the people of the northern kingdom, called Israel, of God’s anger with them.
As usual, there is a play on words. The Hebrew word for ‘Summer fruit’ is “gayits” and the word for ‘end’ is “gets.” God presents Amos with a vision of a basket of summer fruit representing the end of Israel’s connection with God. Most oracles proclaim the end of an era, the end of a kingdom or the end of Judah and Israel (now a divided kingdom) as a tribal unit. In this fourth of five oracles from Amos, God tells His people that, “This is the end of My relationship with you.” That’s pretty hefty since God made a covenant with His people and cannot break covenant. . . ever.
[Covenant, made between God and Abraham regarding His people, Israel, means that even though God’s people break covenant, God cannot. Covenant is not a contract but an everlasting promise that cannot be broken by God for all eternity. “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” means just that . . . for ever and ever.]
We sometimes took advantage of our sweet, giving, grandmother by not answering when she called us to come downstairs or we would not be as polite as we should. Looking back, I cannot imagine us ever being unkind to our precious grandmother but we were all in our teens and . . . need I say more.
Suddenly she shouted upstairs, “I’m going home. I’m packing up. I’ve had it with you kids.” WOW! That was a shock! We never thought our slight abuses would come to that. We all shaped up pronto, came downstairs immediately, showered her with requests for forgiveness and never, ever, misbehaved again. That’s how much we loved our grandmother. And, to this day, I will never forget that moment.
That’s exactly what God was saying to His people. According to Amos, God was not speaking just to the sinners but to all the Hebrew people since God’s chosen people were still seen by Amos as tribal, one body, one entity. The wealthy in prosperous ‘Israel’ became so because they exploited the poor by swindling them at every turn. The poor became poorer and the rich became richer. Yet, God would leave all of them in the dust. ‘Summer fruit’ means ‘the end’, done, finished, “I’ve had it with you shameful children of God.”
Think about it: Do you ever wonder why God has not left us high and dry at this moment of time? It’s not that the rich are exploiting the poor. Far from it. Indeed, I’ve
seen fundraisers that bring in millions that all goes to projects for the needy. I could give you one story after another of incredible generosity in the United States of America. Even the poor help the poorer.
Yet, where is our relationship with God? We ‘act’ as if God were directing our path. Yet, it may simply be peer pressure that motivates us to be kind and giving and helpful to the less fortunate.
In your church, is there one who is like Amos, who prods people to pay more attention to the Lord? It may be your Pastor. After all, there is no better place to tell God’s people to ‘shape up’ but from the pulpit. That’s why many call preachers, “prophets of the day.” Indeed, they are. Perhaps this is the only voice that says, “shape up or I’m leaving you.” Yet, who is there to listen?
Of the hundreds who attend your church, how many hundreds more will never hear this message because they are not present? Can you think of one person you can invite to church to hear the message to return to God through His Son, Jesus Christ? First, pray and ask the Lord to direct your path in bringing that person into God’s presence. Then take action according to God’s will. If we each did this with a new person every year, WOW! The churches would be packed!
12-12 Amos 9:1-10, Psalm 37; Revelation 2:8-17; Matthew 23:13-26
Matthew 23:15 “Woe to your pharisees and scribes for you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte and when you make one you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”
The pharisees are learned, having spent years parsing every tittle and jot in scripture. They have memorized great numbers of passages and many have won the annual ‘lottery’ to be the High Priest for what we now call Yom Kippur, the most holy day of the year. Yet, they know about God but do not have that intimate, dying-to-self relationship with God. It’s as if the Holy Spirit no longer swirls around them to draw them into God’s presence . . . through His Son, Jesus Christ.
If the pharisees were more open to God’s intimacy with them, they would be curious. They would seek to know more and discern Jesus’ healing words that were received by thousands who had an intuitive sense about Him. All but a few pharisees refused to listen, watch, learn or be drawn into the divine work of Jesus Christ. Perhaps everything they stand for is at risk of being destroyed by believing that Jesus is not only a prophet of prophets but the son of God. After Jesus’ resurrection, pharisees who have accepted Jesus as the ‘divine one’ will emerge and become leaders focused on Christ.
Perhaps Jesus, moved by the Spirit,
knows what power the pharisees could use to turn around so very many Jews who have turned their backs on God. Jesus knows the heart and intent of these pharisees from the very beginning of their life, especially in their relationship with God. Like any church leader, looking the part, remaining intellectually above the fray or just being too busy to quiet the soul and maintain daily moments of prayer can draw one away from an intimate relationship with our Lord. Too often one gets caught up in the swirl of activity and we forget to take time for the important feeding we need from our Lord.
I often think of the pharisee, Saul, who sought to kill Christians because he thought they were seeking another god. Paul did not see what God was doing in his own life, much less others. He was so blind to what God was doing that God had to actually make Saul blind in order for him to see that his incredible gifts could be used to transform Jews, not kill those Jews who chose to follow Jesus. Only when Saul ‘saw’ God’s plan, ‘saw’ how Jesus was God in the flesh, ‘saw’ the incredible opportunity for God to use him, did he change. God changed a blind Saul into an insightful Paul. Paul, a new man in Christ, was given a new name and a new life . . . eternally.
Think about it: Did that happen to you or someone you
might know? Some we know may be intellectually knowledgable regarding scripture but they have yet to stop, quiet the soul and seek intimacy with the Lord.
Some we know are filled with joy only when life is good but spin out when ‘issues’ develop. They cling to the goodness of life with Jesus but do not understand that suffering is also part of being a Christian.
Some seek Christ when it is convenient but do not understand the work of the Holy Spirit continuously working within us to open our eyes to newness in Christ.
Have you ever known a ’Saul’ who could become a “Paul” if turned around to see Christ Jesus as Lord? There are so many enthusiastic, gifted people in our churches who will have nothing to do with bible study or a prayer group or a growth group but they attend Sunday worship services.
We all are doing our best, aren’t we! All too often we yearn to have someone with a bit more zeal in ministry. Look for that enthusiastic person in your church who may only appear at Sunday worship. Ask that person to join you for some fun activity that also focuses on our renewal in Christ. This is the season to draw others into special celebrations within weekly accountability groups.
Renewal in Christ can be engaging and fun yet transformative. Our Lord wants us to Know Him and make Him known to others. That is a mighty big commitment, isn’t it. What a joy it is to have a new name in Christ [joy-filled, inquisitive, seeker . . .] and follow Him with fulfilled heart and soul.
12-13 Haggai 1: 1-15; Psalm 31, 35; Revelation 2:18-29; Matthew 23:27-39
Psalm 31:2 “Be to me a rock of strength . . .”
This Psalm of David is a culmination of verses taken
from other Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Jonah. David, as a shepherd boy, had much time to recall scripture digested over decades and create many of the psalms we read today. This is a song of vulnerability in which David seeks solace and protection from the Lord. The psalm begins with a bold request, “Be to me a rock of strength.” Throughout the Psalms David seeks God’s forever love and strength and so can we.
The Psalms are a wonder-filled way to take a breath, step back, receive, feel loved. Not all psalms are soft and loving but as we read the Psalm of the day, the Lord will show us verses that cling to our soul, like this one.
Think about it: Have you ever taken a bit of scripture, a few words from several versions of the bible and put them together? For instance, when I was young I
memorized Psalm 100 in the King James version. When I re-memorized it as an adult I used the New American Standard version. The combination of words varies with translation and may confuse other who may have memorized it in yet another version. No matter the words, the essence is the same. My soul still clings to this glorious ode of Joy.
Reading the palm of the day is meant to fill our breathless soul between our other daily readings. It’s a song to store in the heart. As we have discovered over the past few months, Psalms tell stories that recall Jewish history, they show lament, they hit the soul like a dagger of shame and they console an injured heart. Psalms give us strength in the Lord, give us pause as we seek repentance and may even fill us the a new ‘fire’ to press through difficult circumstances.
So, as you read the daily Psalm, let your heart pick up
words it needs for tat particular day. Let your soul linger a little longer with with words that might heal or give you strength for a moment. “Be, to me, a rock of strength . . . “ speaks volumes to me during these very full days during Advent when I need to take more time than I have to simply ‘be.’ I am one to take hours with the Lord if given the time.
Have you set aside some time each day to simply ‘be’, to drink in the Lord’s strength as days get shorter, to complete difficult tasks, to address challenging moments? Isn’t it wonderful when we can bask in the luxury of drinking in God’s Word and lingering just a few moments longer than usual? Yum! I can taste the Lord’s presence already.
12-14 Haggai 2:1-19; Psalm 30,52,42,43; Revelation 3:1-6; Matthew 24:1-14
Haggai 2:4-7 A prophetic word from God to Haggai to God’s people, “. . . Work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts, according to the promise I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you, do not fear. For thus says the Lord of Hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations so that the treasure of all nations shall come and I will fill this house, says the LORD of hosts.”
This 2-chapter book, consisting of about 40 verses, works in tandem with Zechariah 1-8 to tell the story of two years of rebuilding the temple after the Babylonian exile. The dates are precise: August 29, 520 to December 18, 520. [NIB p.1333] Most likely this missive was prepared for the re-dedication of the temple in December.
Haggai expected that a king in the lineage of David would reign but was content with the current oversight of the Persian-appointed governor, Zerubbabel ben Shealtiel, along with the high priest, Joshua ben Jehozadak. The people returned from exile to find a decimated land and temple. There was no way they could provide a descent offering to the Lord for a very long time. Discontent, disappointment, no descent means to live and so much more turned the people away from God. Instead of imploring God for help, they gave up.
Haggai was used mightily by God to send words of encouragement and exhortation to these residents of
Judah. In essence, Haggai hit the people over the head with words such as . . . “Get back to work . . . rebuild the temple . . . you are desecrating your offerings to God by contaminating them, by not having a place to sacrifice for your sins and worship the Lord, thy God.” His words stuck to the souls of the Hebrew people.
They listened and began to work hard to complete a great work in a very short period of time. The words, “The Spirit abides among you,” was a powerful motivator. In those days the Holy Spirit would come and go according to God’s will. They heard Haggai’s words, were filled with a now ‘spirit’ and dug deep to give God all they had. Two years was very little time to prepare the temple and raise crops and animals to dedicate to the Lord, but it could be done . . . and it was done . . . according to God’s will.
Think about it: Have you ever, in your life, been in ‘exile’ from God? Many have been baptized, attended Sunday school, and were confirmed but that’s the last they recall of their time with Jesus. This may not be the case for you but for many raised in the church, leaving for college usually means leaving regular church attendance, leaving bible study and leaving Christian community.
Unfortunately, this scenario seems to be a prolific story these days. Our friends and neighbors say they were baptized in the Christian church but no longer feel the need to be in community with Christians. They find their ‘hill-top’ experiences with God on their own. This is not how God works. God made us for community in the same way God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in community. We are called to come together with others, in community, to learn together, to worship together and to build (or rebuild) our relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ.
I exiled myself from God at the age of ten when I did not agree with some stinging words from a Sunday-school teacher. I chose to turn away, for twenty years! But the Lord held on to me because at least one person prayed for me to ‘return from exile, rebuild my ‘temple’, my soul, my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Over those twenty years I drifted so far away that when I returned to seek God’s presence in Jesus Christ, the ‘land’ of my heart was decimated. The growth of soul-crops to dedicate to my Lord started from tiny seeds given to me by faith-filled Christian women who I met along my ‘seeking’ path.
Over those twenty years I drifted so far away that when I returned to seek God’s presence in Jesus Christ, the ‘land’ of my heart was decimated. The growth of soul-crops to dedicate to my Lord started from tiny seeds given to me by faith-filled Christian women who I met along my ‘seeking’ path.
After thirty years of being in love with my Lord, Jesus Christ, I continue to seek the fullness of the Lord’s presence in my life as I make Jesus known to others. It has been a whirlwind of blessing, challenge and JOY . . . a glorious ride that will continue to my last breath.
Can you tell your story in three minutes or less? Can you describe a time of ‘exile’ from God, what brought you back and how the Holy Spirit helped you to mature in Christ Jesus to this point in time? Ask the Lord to help you gather words and place them in your heart so that you can share your story as He brings seekers into your sphere of influence.
12-15 Third Sunday of Advent Gaudete Sunday . . . REJOICE !!!
Advent was a penitential season almost as long as Lent
until about the 400s. It was shortened to four weeks and is still seen as penitential but with less abstinence than the season of Lent. Indeed. this third Sunday of Advent we light the PINK candle, the JOY candle. It’s a reminder for us to ‘lighten up’ to take off our robes of the deep purple as a sign of this penitential season and exchange them, just this Sunday, for a lighter color, pink. It’s a reminder that we are closer to this grand celebration of Jesus’ birth. Our hearts jump with JOY as we re-JOYce in Christ’s coming.
12-15 Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146: 4-9; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
Isaiah 35:4b “Take courage, fear not, behold your God will come with vengeance. The recompense of God
will come but He will save you. :8 A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness. :10 Song: “They will come with Joy . . . “
Psalm 146:4-9 “How blessed is he who’s hope is in God . . . the Lord will reign forever . . . to all generations.”
James 5:7-10 “Be patient about the coming of the Lord as a farmer waits for produce of the soil. Strengthen your hearts. Do not murmur. Find a prophet [Saint] to follow as an example.”
Matthew 11;2-22 John the Baptist is in prison: He sent a note via his disciples asking Jesus, “Are you the expected one or should we look for someone else?” Jesus told these messengers to report to John of healings and resurrection from the dead and good news preached to the poor. Three times Jesus said to John the Baptist, “What did you go out and see?” :11 Jesus says, “Among those born of woman, none of these is greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in God’s kingdom are greater than he. :13-:15 “For all the prophets and the law prophecies until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!”
Why do I take excerpts from each of the readings
today? Because on Sundays great theologians have tied all the scriptures together to point to one theme . . . Jesus Christ. Since Sunday is the only time many hear or read scripture, the gist of His - Story, God’s story, history of God’s actions to bring us into His kingdom, unfold. Today is of particular significance because, as we come closer to celebrating Christ’s birth, we see Jesus’ divinity revealed significantly. But let’s step back a moment and reflect on each verse.
I always delight in the readings of Isaiah, the longest prophetic discourse of the old covenant. Isaiah, in these ‘comfort’ verses, embraces a scattered people with hope of One to come, a ‘highway’ that leads right to our savior. Think about how these verses ‘link’ together on the path of John the Baptist who was sent to prepare God’s people for one greater than he.
We pause to take a deep breath with the Psalm of JOY! “The Lord will reign forever!” For EVER! A joy-filled affirmation.
And then even James, the great exhorter, lightens
up a bit. “Don’t chomp at the bit, be patient, hold your horses, keep your mouth in check, He is coming.” James continues, “In the mean time, follow one who has gone before you, one whom you admire, one who has taught great things to draw people into the kingdom of God.” What a great idea for all of us. In other words, instead of being impatient, keep growing in our relationship with the Lord through the teachings and example of great ones who have gone before us.
And, of course Jesus’ discourse in Matthew reveals his divinity through his messages with John the Baptizer, the one who cleared the path, created the ‘highway’ for seekers to come into the kingdom of God through repentance, baptism and faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. These verses announce a messenger, Elijah, who prepares the God-seekers for God’s reign. This ‘Elijah’ is John, the baptizer.
Jesus says that none is greater than John. YET, the least in God’s kingdom are greater than he. Does that make sense? Yes! John does not live to see Christ’s death and resurrection. He does not live to receive the New Covenant, Jesus Christ. He does not live to be filled with the Holy Spirit as the other disciples of Jesus were filled.
YET, the Holy Spirit was with John to give him Holy
Boldness, to help him not mince words when he condemned Herod for his sin, which cost John his life in a convoluted chain of events. Read the story, totally amazing! John remains an old covenant prophet who is prized by Jesus and who is called only to prepare seekers for God’s reign. John prepared the way for us to receive all of God’s treasure in heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Think about it: Attach an action to each passage. Connect the dots. Are you ready for the One who was and is and is to come? Are you awaiting His coming with JOY-filled anticipation? Are you taking moments to digest God’s word, breathe deep, moments here and there to give rest for your soul? It’s all part of the preparation for a GRAND celebration that beats all other celebrations.
Dance with delight.
Sing with abandon.
Today we ‘lighten up’ and rejoice with the Light in our soul that pierces these ever-darker days.
12:16 Zechariah 1:7-17; Psalm 41,52,44; Revelation 3:7-13; Matthew 24:15-31
Rev. 3:10-11 To Philadelphia: “Because you have persevered in My word, I will keep you from the hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have so that no one will seize your crown.”
Revelation, or apocalypse, means the uncovering of something that has been veiled. The world is represented in symbolic language. Ugly beasts usually represent evil.
People in those days understood this type of literature, especially Christians who could ‘de-code’ many of the well known symbols. Good and evil, light and dark, God and Satan were sharply contrasted. Apocalyptic writers affirmed the faith of those who followed God. Like the book of Daniel and other prophetic books, God is near and the ‘end of life as we know it’ is near. The faithful are girded to be strong in an evil world. God is with us.
These words encourage those in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches to which John is writing. This is not a time of continuous persecution but it is the time of the rule of Domition through the time of Nero, known to be brutal toward Christians. Once in awhile there is a flair up and Christians are martyred. John exhorts some churches to stand firm in their faith. The church in Philadelphia seems to glow with the light of Christ already. They are encouraged in their active faith and John affirms to them to remain strong in faith for “Christ is coming soon.”
Perfect timing for reading these words as we celebrate the Advent, the Coming of Christ in hopes that we also will be with Him ‘soon.’ These thousands of years after the writing of these words, we are still waiting. Or are we?
Think about it: Life can be a struggle, even when we stand firm in our faith and follow all the precepts that scripture lays before us. We may be a model Christian, a leader in our church and so filled with grace that God’s presence is real to us 24/7/365.
Yet, catastrophe enters our life.
Our perspective of ‘rose garden Christianity’ is turned up-side-down.
Our Lord never promised to keep us away from testing. He promised that we will not FEEL the testing as much as one who does not have a personal relationship with God.
Yet, catastrophe enters our life.
Our perspective of ‘rose garden Christianity’ is turned up-side-down.
Our Lord never promised to keep us away from testing. He promised that we will not FEEL the testing as much as one who does not have a personal relationship with God.
Yes, we suffer. We are human with human emotions and feelings and dreams that might get smashed to smithereens. Facing a challenge is never easy but with
our Lord, we can do it. We can be like the church in Philadelphia. We can “Hold fast to what we have,” Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, our Father in Heaven. We can cling to the promises we learn from scripture. We can become the center of a prayer circle, surrounded by other faith-filled Christ followers. Testing, suffering, is relative isn’t it.
I was single for many years, when my friends were married and having children. People often would come up to me and ask how I managed to remain celibate or would exclaim that I had the gift of celibacy. To that moment I never thought of my being a mature, single Christian woman as a time of suffering or trial. It was just where I was in my walk, most likely by choice. I could have married sooner but God protected me from my inability to look for a Christ centered man.
Until I matured in my own faith, I could not discern what God would want for me, in the bond of marriage, for the rest of my life. Not until I was ready to step into a Christ-centered marriage would the Lord bring the right man into my world.
Indeed, when I was ready, I had several to choose from. I simply waited, prayed, enjoyed the attention, and the Lord picked my handsome prince who, to this day, is my spiritual leader in the home. Our gifts and failings complement each other. He is precious to me. Yet, maintaining a strong marriage is no easy task. Of the several careers I have had, marriage is the greatest challenge. I cannot think of self but must consider both of us at all times . . . just as he does for me.
Until I matured in my own faith, I could not discern what God would want for me, in the bond of marriage, for the rest of my life. Not until I was ready to step into a Christ-centered marriage would the Lord bring the right man into my world.
Indeed, when I was ready, I had several to choose from. I simply waited, prayed, enjoyed the attention, and the Lord picked my handsome prince who, to this day, is my spiritual leader in the home. Our gifts and failings complement each other. He is precious to me. Yet, maintaining a strong marriage is no easy task. Of the several careers I have had, marriage is the greatest challenge. I cannot think of self but must consider both of us at all times . . . just as he does for me.
To this day our many ‘testings’ have resulted in a
resilient, faith-filled marriage with abundant blessings too numerous to count. We thanks the Lord every day, especially through the challenges.
This is a simple story. Health issues, financial setbacks, major life changes and so much more may be the tests of your life. Can you see the Lord girding you with extra strength through your personal challenges? Can you deLIGHT in the darkness that surrounds you because you life in the 'light' of Christ? Do you anticipate, with JOY, the Coming of Christ? Step back. Ask the Lord to help you see your challenge in 'new Light.' As you pray, He will Light your path in amazing ways. 
"Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ WILL come again." Amen!
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