THIS SEASON OF HOPE

THIS SEASON OF HOPE

 Every Advent season motivates me to seriously consider the meaning of Christmas.  As students of history, we are well aware that the chosen date for this festive celebration was first authorized by Pope Julius I, who in 353 A.D. designated December 25^th as Christmas Day.  Who would have thought it would become what it is today?  And in 1832, when Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America, who would have thought it would become the festive season that it is today?

 Every passing century somehow distances fallen humanity from that miraculous and awesome night when the angelic host sang joyously, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” (Luke 2:14)  We try to envision the shepherds who witnessed God’s heavenly light-bearers suspended in the air.  We strive to imagine the magi, that wise and faith-filled trio who sojourned from the East to bring majestic gifts to the Christ-child.  And we seek to mentally conceive of the joy and wonder of Mary and Joseph when they first beheld their infant son, whose destiny was to become the King of Kings.

 Now the question for this hour is this: What will WE do with these powerful-but-fading impressions?  What will OUR response be to this Lamb of God, who graciously takes away the sin of the world?  The answer is simple indeed.  We, too, must bow before Him.  We, too, must honor Him.  And beyond that we, too, must worship, adore and covenant with Him, not only in this special season, but for all the days of our lives.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

TRUE REPENTANCE

TRUE REPENTANCE

 Contemporary believers must be ever mindful to avoid embracing what Dietrich Bonhoeffer labeled as “cheap grace.”  He described it as “the grace that we bestow on ourselves…the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline…grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.”

 In modern society, far too many tend to equate membership on church rolls for genuine Christian discipleship.  That is, many operate under the mistaken notion that we can mystically add Christ to our lives without the personal commitment to subtract sin.  Cheap grace means a superficial adjustment in our intellectual beliefs without an accompanying change in our behaviors.  According to the book of Revelation, this is tantamount to having a name [a reputation] that we are spiritually alive while we are actually spiritually dead. (Revelation 3:1)

 Let’s strive to be absolutely authentic, i.e. real in our relationships with Jesus Christ.  For only Jesus Christ can inscribe our names on “The Book of Life.”  (Philippians 4:3 – Revelation 3:5 – Revelation 13:18 – Revelation 17:8 – Revelation 20:12;15 – Revelation 21:27 – Revelation 22:19)  Our names cannot be signed there by our family, our friends, our ministers, or any others – only Christ.  It is mission critical that we live right for Him, not for the affirmation or approval of others.

 All that we need is available at the foot of the cross of Calvary.  Bow before Him.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

OUR AWESOME GIFT

OUR AWESOME GIFT

 In Richard Baxter’s book entitled “The Free Gift,” he relates an interesting behind-the-scenes story that took place during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay.  The project was way considerably behind schedule because several workers had accidentally fallen to their deaths from the lofty bridge scaffolding.  Engineers and administrators could find no solution to those horrendous and costly delays.  Finally, someone suggested a gigantic net that would be hung under the bridge to catch anyone who might accidentally fall.  Despite the enormous cost, the engineers opted for the safety of the net.  After it was installed, progress was rarely interrupted.  Workers did accidentally fall into the net, but all were saved.  Ultimately, all the time lost due to construction accidents and fear was regained by replacing their fear with faith in the net.  

 This engineering solution is a powerful reminder of God’s grace.  The Sovereign God has provided a salvation net for you and I.  Indeed, we have paid nothing for the Father’s eternal love, nothing for the Son of His love, nothing for His comforting Holy Spirit, nothing for His matchless grace and mercy and nothing for our miraculous covenant relationship.  We are not at all deserving, just as the word “grace” suggests, but we are constant and blessed recipients of His love.

 What a mighty and marvelous God – to whom we worship, honor, submit and serve!  During this Advent season, we must pause often to reflect prayerfully on His awesome gift of grace.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

NEVER ALLOW LONG-TERM ABUSE

NEVER ALLOW  LONG-TERM ABUSE

 Our society has become increasingly violent within the family setting.  According to a survey by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in seven American couples has experienced some form of physical abuse during domestic arguments. 

 Not only is this problematic for the partners involved, but it has long-term poisonous implications for the next generation.  The fact is that children who either witness or experience abuse are six times more likely to abuse their spouses when they eventually marry.

 A related University of New Hampshire study reports that 15% to 34% of female children experience abuse, while 3% to 9% of young boys have these destructive experiences.  Admittedly, I don’t have all the answers to this tragic social dilemma, but it is mission critical that the church be proactively engaged in highlighting this corrosive issue, while ministering compassionately to those who suffer such life-changing experiences.

 The question is begged: ‘Should any of us grant passive permission to another by remaining in situations in which we are physically or emotionally abused?’  In your heart, you already know the answer.  It is God’s will that “you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (III John 1:2)  If any relationship produces constant pain or danger, seriously consider, seek help, faithfully pray and take appropriate action.

 Bottom-line: Let wisdom reign in your family affairs, and live a healthy and happy life.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

KEEP LOOKING UP!

KEEP LOOKING UP!

 Our life journeys suggest that we can always expected the unexpected.  Although we are under the sovereign protection of Almighty God, none can escape occasional appointments with pain, or loss, or disappointment, or suffering, or sorrow.

 James Russell Lowell said that our “mishaps are like knives that either serve us or cut us as we grasp them by the blade or the handle.”  Therefore, the key to victorious living is learning how to process and deal with everything from Heaven’s perspective, which is the Word of God. 

 Romans 8:28 assures us that God is powerfully and providentially present in all of life’s circumstances, especially for those of us who truly believe and walk in divine purpose.

 So no matter what comes, or who goes, trust Him.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

AMEN!  AMEN!  AMEN!

 I read an interesting article today, simply entitled “Amen.”  It is reprinted below for your spiritual edification, enjoyment and enlightenment.

 II Corinthians 1:20 declares, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”  That word “amen” is most remarkable.  It was transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek of the New Testament, then into Latin and into English and many other languages, so it is practically a universal word, arguably the best-known word in human speech.

 This word is directly related--in fact, almost identical--to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman).  Thus, it came to mean “sure” or “truly,” an expression of absolute trust and confidence.  When one believes God, he indicates his faith by an “amen.”  When God makes a promise, the believer’s response is “amen”—or so it will be!  In the New Testament, it is often translated “verily” or “truly.”  When we pray according to God’s Word and will, we know He will answer, so we close with an “amen,” and so do we also conclude a great hymn or anthem of faith.

 The word, “amen” is even a spiritual title of Christ Himself.  The last of His letters to the seven churches in Asia begins with a remarkable salutation by the glorified Lord: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.” (Revelation 3:14)  We can be absolutely certain that His Word is always faithful and true, because He is none other than the Creator of all things.  He is our eternal “Amen.”  As the Apostle Paul reminds us, every promise of God in Christ is “yes and amen.”  

 It is, therefore, profoundly meaningful that the entire Bible closes with an “amen.”  Recorded by the Apostle John, it reads “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)  It is our assurance that the entire biblical book is absolutely true and trustworthy.  AMEN!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

SHINE!

SHINE!

 Lamps never talk, but they sure do shine!  Words are certainly powerful, but someone’s practical observation of ‘The Light of the World’ glowing from within is the brightest spiritual illumination.

 Jesus Christ to past and present disciples: “You are the light of the world.”  (Matthew 5:14)

 I love the way that the legendary preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, framed it.  He wrote, “A man's life is always more forcible than his speech.  When men take stock of him they reckon his deeds as dollars and his words as pennies.  If his life and doctrine disagree, onlookers reject his teaching.”  

 So let’s make sure that there is harmony between what people hear and what they see.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!