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This week, as part of the Advent Celebration, the fifth and final candle is lit on the Advent Wreath. This is The Christ Candle.
Take a moment to read Psalm 148:1-14:
1-5 Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven,
praise him from the mountaintops;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his warriors,
Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, you morning stars;
Praise him, high heaven,
praise him, heavenly rain clouds;
Praise, oh let them praise the name of God—
he spoke the word, and there they were!
6 He set them in place
from all time to eternity;
He gave his orders,
and that's it!
7-12 Praise God from earth,
you sea dragons, you fathomless ocean deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and ice,
hurricanes obeying his orders;
Mountains and all hills,
apple orchards and cedar forests;
Wild beasts and herds of cattle,
snakes, and birds in flight;
Earth's kings and all races,
leaders and important people,
Robust men and women in their prime,
and yes, graybeards and little children.
13-14 Let them praise the name of God—
it's the only Name worth praising.
His radiance exceeds anything in earth and sky;
he's built a monument—his very own people!
Praise from all who love God!
Israel's children, intimate friends of God.
Hallelujah!
Prayer: God, the candles have been lit. The light is here. The darkness is no more. We have walked too long in darkness, and now Your Son, the Light of the world, will show us the way. Welcome, God; You have been expected. Amen
This week, as part of the Advent Celebration, the fourth of five candles are lit on the Advent Wreath. This is The Angel Candle, or the Candle of Peace/Love.
Imagine for a moment that when the angels appeared to the Shepherds, not only were the shepherds frightened, but the sheep as well. Now, I don't believe the sheep ran off. I believe that God watched over them and gave them peace. But, if they did run off, the Shepherds may have filed a claim with their insurance company to cover their loss. I can only imagine a response like this:
To: Malachi, the Shepherd
From: Bethlehem Life and Casualty Insurance Company
Dear Malachi:
We have had the chance to review your claim of lost sheep last month and are sending you this letter to inform you that your claim has been denied.
While we at Bethlehem Life and Casualty have always prided ourselves on being a friend to sheep herders and all those in the animal husbandry field, I'm afraid that this is the first time we have heard a claim of this sort.
To review, in your claim, you stated that you were watching your flocks by night with several other sheep herders when a "multitude of the heavenly host appeared in the sky and began singing glory to God in the highest; and peace on earth, good will toward men." You further claim that while you were distracted by hallucinations, several of your animals were frightened and ran off unbeknownst to you or your fellow sheep herders.
We cannot compensate you for your loss of animals based on the following reasons:
- Safety regulations in your coverage manual clearly state that shepherding in done primarily during the day. If you were watching over your flocks by night, you were outside of the covered time period.
- To pay out on this claim would recognize one religion over another, and BL&C has a long history of ecumenical work and does not put one faith above another.
- If you refer to form 174-A, which you filled out with your application, among the tools of your trade section you listed "wineskin." We can only assume the wineskin was for carrying wine and, therefore, calls into question any angelic presence or multitude of the heavenly host. In addition, no one here in our office has ever heard of the HALLELUJAH CHORUS.
- In further consideration, we determined that if we were to recognize your claim of a divine presence as the reason for the loss of your livestock, we could only write it off as an act of God in which case you would not be covered anyway.
We wish you the best of luck in your future shepherding endeavors. If you have any questions regarding this claim, feel free to contact us during normal business hours.
Sincerely,
Bethlehem Life and Casualty
Take a moment to read Jeremiah 33:12-16.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, give us wisdom, guidance and peace in addition to the understanding that you are in control and that you are Immanuel.
In the Jewish mind, inheriting the earth had to do with life in the age to come. For the time being, it was Caesar who was divvying up the earth. Or it is Donald Trump or someone like him who is dividing the earth, the wealthy, the powerful, the beautiful, the well-spoken, the haves, the “A” team. But Jesus announces that it is God who will divide the inheritance. And God will do it in God’s own way, not according to the world’s criteria. It’s tempting to turn Jesus’ words into a formula: If we get better at being meek, then we’ll be blessed. But Jesus isn’t giving a formula. He’s making an announcement. The have-nots, the “B” team, and the nobodies have a place in the age to come, and in Jesus, that age to come is breaking into the present.
Jesus’ listeners were well versed in the Old Testament. So his words about the meek inheriting the earth probably caused them to think of Psalm 37. Read Psalm 37. Where do you see “strength under control” in Psalm 37?
The way that God is ordering the world says that everyone has a share in the inheritance. Everyone belongs. Who do you know at work, in your community, in your school, in your church, or in your neighborhood who doesn’t seem to fit? What can you do this week to let them know that they are significant and that they belong?
This week, as part of the Advent Celebration, the third of five candles are lit on the Advent Wreath. This is The Shepherd Candle, or the Candle of Joy.
As we sat in church yesterday morning, I found myself deep in thought about some of the aspects of the shepherds' part in the story of Jesus' birth. Take a moment to read Luke 2:8-18.
I've got to think that these weren't the cleanest guys in the world. They were probably dirty, living most of their lives outside, and smelled like sheep. And, that didn't bother them at all. When they left for Bethlehem, there is no mention of getting cleaned up. Likewise, we don't need to get cleaned up to meet with Jesus.
It doesn't say the angel or host of angels that appeared to the shepherds were flying or even that they appear in the sky, although that's how we often picture the situation.
One angel scared the daylights out of the shepherds, and got the point across. Why, then, did the whole host of angels appear? Wasn't that overkill? I don't think so. I think it served to strengthen the testimony of the shepherds later on. I think it was also a great motivator to drop everything they were doing and get going!
What'd they do with the sheep while they were gone? What a risk they took in just leaving them behind, presumably unattended. I think it goes to show that if you trust and obey what God has called you to do, he'll take care of you!
The Bible records that the shepherds "ran to the village and FOUND Mary and Joseph." The word "found" implies that they had to do some searching. They had to put some effort into it. Also, it stands to reason that it may have been that the people they came into contact with in searching for Mary and Joseph were the same people that they "told what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child" when they were leaving. They planted a seed going in. They watered that seed going out.
As dirty and grimy as they were, why were they, of all people, the first to hear the announcement of the Savior's birth? Why did the angel appear to them? They wouldn't have been the first people on any guest list to the palace. They wouldn't have been invited to any banquet or dinner party. Yet, they were the first to be invited to the birth of Jesus Christ. Why? I think their actions answer that question. The Bible says when the angels left, the shepherds said, "Come on! Let's go!" and they RAN to the village to find Jesus. They didn't wait for a couple of days, trying to decide if it was the right thing to do. They didn't wait for a couple of hours, relishing in what just happened; "Dude, that was cool!" They RAN right away! AND, they told everyone they came in contact with after that about their experience. They shared their joy! The bottom line is this: I think God chose them because He knew he could count on them to spread the word about His son.
Makes me wonder: How many awesome experiences do I miss because God knows that I will keep it to myself and not spread the word to everyone that I come in contact with or because He knows I will be to busy to notice it to begin with? There's something to think about!
Activity: This week, as you brush your teeth in the morning, pray for someone in your life who is an outcast (like the shepherds) or groups of outcasts in our world who need to experience the joy and love of Jesus. In the evening when you brush your teeth, pray for someone who needs the joy of Jesus, including yourself. You can even write the names of those people on the handle of your toothbrush with a permanent marker!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, come and show us the way to salvation.
Take a look at Matthew 5:4. The words "blessed" or "God blesses" and "mourn" do not ordinarily go together. But, Jesus' point was not that a person needed to mourn to be blessed. In our deepest darkest moments of mourning, we can be blessed; we can be comforted. No pit is too deep. No rope is too short. No sorrow is too great for Jesus to bring comfort to the midst of. Surrounded by a group of hurting, broken people, who were well acquainted with mourning and unbearable sorrow, Jesus spoke these powerful words. He planted Himself right in the middle of them. He looked into their faces, reached out and touched them.
Likewise, I think "mourning" also refers to grieving over the things that grieve God, such as the unfaithfulness, immorality and cruelty that is so rampant in the world today. Those who mourn over sin and its effect on people's lives - and commit themselves to helping rescue people from evil - are comforted by receiving God's "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14:17)
What are some things that you've mourned in your life? What kinds of things did people say or do to try to comfort you that weren't helpful? What was helpful? Who do you know right now that has something to mourn? How can you be a comforting presence in their life this week? Do that!
This week, as part of the Advent Celebration, the second of five candles are lit on the Advent Wreath. This is The Bethlehem Candle, or the Candle of Faith, or the Candle of Preparation. This candle commemorates the faith of Mary and Joseph, going on their pilgrimage to Bethlehem, and their belief that what was about to happen was a miracle!
If you think about it, the entire Christmas story is about interruptions, and how people responded to those "God gifts" of interruption. Mary and Joseph's plans for marriage were interrupted when an angel came to visit and foretold their role in the coming of the Messiah. (Think about the preparations that were put on hold.) Mary's ninth month of pregnancy was interrupted by their trip to Bethlehem. The innkeeper, whose time was no doubt being spent accommodating all of the guests in the inn, was interrupted by the arrival of Mary and Joseph. The shepherds were interrupted by an angelic visit. (By the way, who watched after the sheep when they left?) The wise men were interrupted by the star. Herod was interrupted by the wise men...
Think about the interruptions you've had in your life; today, this week, this month, this year? Are you willing to receive the gift of interruption? Are you willing to allow God to interrupt your plans, your thoughts, your ideas, your hopes, your dreams? Are you willing to trust and obey? Are you willing to follow Him? Are you willing to go where He sends you? Are you willing to do what He asks? Are you prepared for Jesus' coming?
Activity: This week, consider EACH individual character of the Christmas story (Luke 2; Matthew 1-2). Consider what it would have been like to be THAT character in the story of Jesus' birth. View the story from their perspective. For example, Joseph: What was it like to be visited by an angel? What were his parents' reactions? What was he thinking in continuing with the plan to marry Mary? How was it then, in the midst of all this, to plan a trip to Bethlehem with a 9-month pregnant woman? What would it be like to raise the Son of God?
Prayer: Jesus, feel free to interrupt us. Prepare us. Come and save your people.
Take a look at Matthew 4:23-5:3. A little background: Jesus was walking throughout Galilee, preaching in synagogues, healing the sick, and delivering the demon possessed. As you can imagine, word spread quickly about what was going on! As a result, large crowds followed him wherever he went. Some, I'm sure, just wanted to hear him preach. Others, no doubt, wanted something; healing, deliverance, etc. Still others probably showed up just to watch the spectacle.
Galilee, a large region in northern Israel - hot, arid, rocky, rural - was full of really broken people. It was here that Jesus spoke these words. Jesus could have focused His ministry on the beautiful cities and towns of the surrounding area, but he didn't. That wasn't His style.
While His words may not seem to make a lot of since otherwise, knowing a little of that background helps. When He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" it wasn't just a teaching; it was an announcement. The teaching, touching, healing, deliverance that had just taken place was exactly that: God coming, in Christ, to teach and touch the "least of these", the poor in spirit. The Kingdom of God came to them! How cool is that?!
And, if He chose those people then, isn't it likely that He does the same today? The drunkards, the addicts, the broken, the needy, the poor, the hungry - to anyone who is willing to humble themselves, He's there. Not because they've "earned" it, but simply because blessing, God's grace - getting what you don't deserve/unmerited favor - is what God does, and everybody, everywhere is fair game!
Take some time this week to reflect on what God has done for you. How has He touched you in your brokenness?
This week we started a new teaching series on Sunday mornings on the Sermon on the Mount. We'll bne here for the next 13 weeks.
The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' longest "sermon" is found in Matthew 5 through Matthew 7. It contains a powerful yet practical revelation of the principles and standards by which God expects all Christians to live. Of course, this life is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. In this message, Jesus teaches a large group of potential followers what it really means to follow Him and be a part of God's Kingdom. All who belong to the Kingdom are to demonstrate godly character and have an intense hunger and thirst to do what is right and maintain a right relationship with God. Enjoy!
Sometimes we use the word "Pentecostal" to describe this church. There is one main reason for that. We believe that on the Jewish holiday of Pentecost that Christians were baptized in the Holy Spirit and were given supernatural gifts from Him.
Take a look at Acts 2:1-4. The gifts God give to us as ordinary Christ-followers are extraordinary, strengthening the church and helping us to reach the lost.
There’s an old saying that "More is better". As it relates to gifts, wouldn't you agree?! With very few exceptions, if we are given a choice to have more or less of something, we’ll choose ‘more’. With that in mind, take a moment to answer the following questions:
1. To be fair, sometimes more is not better. What are some examples where more is NOT better?
2. Still, most of the time, it’s true – more IS better. And one particular example of this is our relationship with God. The Bible tells us over and over again to seek God, and the natural result of seeking God is being filled with more of the Holy Spirit. What are some signs in our lives that we have more of God?
3. Read Acts 1:14 and Acts 2:1-4 again.
4. Being used by God in the gifts of the Holy Spirit can seem intimidating, but it really is as simple as wanting more of God in our lives. If we’re constantly seeking to be closer to Him, we will be filled with more and more of His Spirit, and the gifts of the Spirit are the evidence of that. Do you think the people in the upper room knew what to expect when Jesus said they would receive the Holy Spirit?
5. What do you think they might have been more likely expecting?
Read Matthew 7:9-11. We can be confident that the "more" God has for us is in our best interest. Take a few minutes and make a list of good things God has given us. It can be a big step of faith to put the gifts of the spirit into practice in our lives, but if our focus is on having more of God in our lives, it will be a natural step, and will change our lives for the best. Having the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the only way to make an extraordinary difference in the world around us.
Been away from the blog for a while, but what better time to restart than the first week of Advent!
Being in a church that doesn't celebrate Advent or other liturgical calendar events like Epiphany and Lent has created a curiosity in me that I decided to act upon this year. Most of the people in my community are devout Lutherans or Catholics and adhere to these events "religiously", no pun intended. I think it's important for us to know what "they" believe and why it's important to them. Helps us become a more united Body of Christ. Besides, and for the record, it's not that we don't believe in these "celebrations" as much as it is that our focus is not on religious practices, but on our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Advent, as I understand it, marks the beginning of the church year; the beginning of the liturgical year. Advent is a slowing down time. It's a time of waiting and preparation for the come of Jesus. We live in a world that starts putting out Christmas stuff at Halloween and starts playing Christmas carols before Thanksgiving. The purpose of Advent is to prepare you, on the four Sundays preceding Christmas, to get ready for the coming of King Jesus. Back in the day, Advent was a period of fasting in preparation of the coming of Christ.
Advent provides us an opportunity to retell the story of Jesus. In the busyness of the year, it's good to set aside a specific time of the year to dedicate to the teaching and telling of the birth of Christ.
This year, Advent began on November 29 and ends on Christmas Eve. To give a brief overview of how that affects the church calendar, Christmas Day begins the "Twelve Days of Christmas", the Christmas Season, ending on January 5. January 6 begins Epiphany. As Advent prepares us for the coming of Christ on Christmas, Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. It commemorates the visitation of the three wise men, Jesus' childhood, His baptism in the Jordan River, bring the Light to the Gentiles, and His first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. Epiphany lasts for about 40 days and is immediately followed by Lent.
The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer - through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial - for the annual commemoration the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The 40 days of Lent begin on Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2010), and conclude on "Holy Saturday" (the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday; April 3, 2010). The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the 40 days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death.
Back to Advent, Week 1. This week, as part of the Advent Celebration, the first of 5 candles are lit on the Advent Wreath. This is the Candle of Expectation/Hope; also called the prophet Candle. This candle reminds us of the hope that the Light is coming into our darkness. Hope that God is in control and has the future in His hand. Hope of things already and not yet. Hope that all things will be made new. Hope in a baby, born in a manger, who is THE ONE true King! Hope in the Messiah!
Activity: This week, consider the ways you can bring hope to your little piece of the world. Pray for areas and people in you/our world that need the hope of Jesus today. Take some time and read through the worlds of the prophets that reveal the coming of Jesus, like in Isaiah 9:1-7.
Prayer: Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, come and dwell among us!
