December 25, 2012 Fully Opened Gift

Fully Opened Gift Luke 2: 36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. 39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. AS WE celebrate God’s miraculous gift for you, there’s one thought I‘d like to give with you. You can live the same kind of life Jesus did. Jesus lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. That same Spirit is available to live inside you and change your life. How does this happen? You confess your sins to Jesus and acknowledge him as your Lord, the highest authority in your life—and as your Savior—the One who cancels all the debt of the sin in your life. When Jesus’ Spirit lives in you, you will gradually gain a more clear understanding of God’s will in your life. When you follow his will, you will find that the Spirit fills you with power to take steps down new paths and strength to resist temptation. You will grow in your relationship with God day by day as you hear his voice from the Bible, from the Spirit and from those who teach his Word. You will fall in love with him, and you will know his deep love for you. And in this love relationship with the Almighty God, your heart will then live in peace because your life is focused on the Prince of Peace. You will live in joy knowing the God of the universe cares deeply for you. You will live in hope of a new life with him for eternity. May you joyfully celebrate Christmas, and faithfully anticipate your Savior coming again. Jesus loves you. It’s True! When you unwrap God’s gifts, you will fully receive his loving Savior, his gift for you. Merry Christmas.

December 26, 2012 Seeing God in the Book of Job

Seeing God in Job Job 1:20-22 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; 5 the name of the LORD be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. & Job 2:10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” I KNOW. Job’s (Jobes) story is nasty. It’s awful, heart-rending, sad, frustrating, weird and scary—to name a few. Someone said, “Do we have to read Job? I like to read through it as fast as I can.” Well, yes, if you want to get to know God much better, you do have to read Job. What other reason is there to read the Bible? And instead of racing through it, try spending some time in Job’s agony. Then you will more fully celebrate Job’s victory. The verses above are, I think, the foundation of Job’s story. From the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam decided they deserved more than God had given them in the perfect Eden, humanity has been asking God for more. We blame God for the bad things. We accuse God of not loving or caring for us when life is tough. We turn from him to pursue other things because we think God has too little to offer. Worshiping God is often far from our minds—even if (and especially if) things are going well. But look. See Job’s heart. See Job’s submission. He knows that EVERYTHING is from God. He knows God has the power and the right and the privilege to do with our lives as he pleases. Hard lessons come to us reluctantly. We want to reject them. Most of us never do get it right. Job eventually did. He has some learning to do. Stay with me, and let’s learn with him. It’s True! Great lessons come with great awareness.

December 27, 2012 Turn On the Light

Turn On the Light! Job 3:1-5 After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 “May the day of my birth perishes, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is born!’ 4 That day — may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. 5 May darkness and deep shadow claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm its light. HAVE YOU ever felt this way? Your mind, heart and soul wrapped in a cloud of hurt and despair, depressed and hopeless? Life’s circumstances can get that way too quickly, can’t they? You can have a very difficult time seeing out of the cloud, can’t you? As Job lives in the darkness that has come into his life through the deaths of his children, the loss of his wealth and his health, he feels God has put a hedge of darkness around him. He says, in verse 26 “I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” His emotions are a mess. What will he do? The story of Job is the story of a man who works through his grief, despair and depression to see that God really is waiting to help him. Job will assess his circumstances. His friends will accuse him of doing wrong and offer advice. Job will go to God with the intention to tell God why he doesn’t deserve all these problems. In the end, the light of God’s holiness and love will turn on in Job’s heart. He will turn from his pain to see God’s wonder and majesty. He will repent, breathe out his sadness and despair to God, and he will walk out of his dark, depressive cloud into the light of life in God. It’s True! God is bigger than life’s dark clouds.

December 28, 2012 Let Me Care for You

Come and Let Me Care for You Job 5:8-10 “If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. 9 He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. 10 He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.” IT HAS been an interesting week in ministry. God seems to be moving in hearts to seek him. It seems almost as if people have read these words and said to themselves, “I need help. I need a church. I need to talk to a pastor. I need to know more about Jesus.” I pray that is what is happening. There are so many reasons why people are feeling hopeless frustration, deep anger, imprisoning anxiety, and guilt. They’ve tried a myriad of “solutions” to find ease to their pain. But there is only one solution. Eliphaz is wise to direct Job to the sovereign LORD. Job wants to die. He curses his birth date. He moans for release from his affliction. He’s experiencing all the anguish I listed above and much more. ALL is GONE. Or is it? No, all is not gone. In fact, ALL is waiting for him when he calls on God to say, “I have nothing. You are everything. Can I come to you?” Of course, God will be delighted to say, “Of course you can, Job! I love you. You have lost your family and your wealth. But I am ALL you need. Come here and let me care for you.” It’s True! God offers his ALL to you.

December 29, 2012 Compassion from Heaven

Compassion from Heaven Job 7:17 “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, 18 that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?” HAVE YOU ever felt someone’s watchful eye constantly over you? Every time you do something or say something, that person seems to have a “suggestion” for you about how to do something better. That person causes you to feel judged and inadequate without mercy. Job has that feeling with God. He is miserable and feels that God has brought severe circumstances into his life through constant scrutiny in all he does. “Why are you watching me so closely, God? What have I done? Why not concern yourself with larger things in the world? Leave me alone.” We can feel that way in our relationship with our heavenly Father, can’t we? Often we view his laws and his teachings as restrictive judgment on our lives. We prefer he leaves us alone to live as we desire without sense of guilt or of God “watching” our every move. But isn’t it good to know that God does watch over your life? Everything that happens to you is under his guidance and care. Certainly he has a clear path for us to walk in a right way with him, and he makes the way clear because he is a God of compassion. He watches over you with his eyes of love to bring you to look back at him with your eyes of love. Yes, we often may not understand the reason for grief and trouble in our lives. But what do you say and do in response to those hard things? Do you complain to God? Or do you seek God’s compassion and mercy? It’s True! Your compassionate God will care for you as you seek him in the Bible and in prayer.

December 30, 3012 Secure Hope

Secure Hope Job 8:20 “Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. 21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tents of the wicked will be no more.” WHAT DO you think when you look at your life and the world around you? I get a mix of “life” reviews from people I talk with and to whom I minister. Some of you are really struggling with your life circumstances, desperate for hope that you or your loved ones will have a better life. Some of you live with a view that things could be better. You feel you’ve missed some things and long for the filling of those empty places. Some of you have an unquenchable hope for your life as you enter into each day. I think most of us are in the second category. How do we live into the life of true hope for our lives, our family and for our world? I’ll say to you what Bildad said to Job, “Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers.” The essence of hope comes in the truth of God’s words for you. Throughout scripture, God promises you blessings of his care over you and hope for your life as follow his ways. God is a promise-keeper. He will do as he says. In God you have the righteous expectation, the true hope that he will guide your life to blessing as you follow him. He’s not promising you riches and comfort. He’s promising you much more—himself. Fix your heart on the Lord of all, and see his eternal truths are for you. It’s True! Hope in God is certain and eternal.

December 31, 2012 Rebuilding Hope

Rebuilding Hope Job 9:21 I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life. WOW. This is tough stuff. Job is at the bottom. He has gone from a satisfied, prosperous life showing a great love and worship for God to a life of bleak depression. He has no hope. He despises himself! That’s one of the reasons this book is hard to read. We see a man beaten down by life’s circumstances. His family is dead. His property is destroyed. All that has given him value is gone. He looks at what has happened to him and says, “Why me? I’m innocent. I’ve lived a life in fear of God. How could this happen? What’s wrong with you God you would let this happen? What did I do?” We often ask those questions, wondering why our sovereign God allows hard things in our lives. Where do we find the answers? Where will Job, and where will we find relief? Let’s look further into today’s reading. Here is good advice about what to do in the darkness: Job 11:13-18 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! 14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. raid, 15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. 16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. 17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. 18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety. Creator, Redeemer, Restorer, God not only takes away our sins, he removes our darkness. He gives us hope. It’s True! Life gets better as God gets brighter.

December 24, 2012 God's Word is Life

God’s Word is Life 2 Kings 23: 10 He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice his son or daughter in the fire to Molech. OFTENTIMES you read in the Bible of the worship of Baal and Molech and how these gods are detestable in the sight of the Lord. Too often, it’s easy to dismiss that view as a God-view. How bad can it be? This scripture tells you on bad it can be. Unbelievably, people of Jewish descent who knew of their wondrous God of life were convinced to kill a child—usually their oldest son—in a sacrificial worship of the evil. What happened in Israel and Judah to turn the hearts of God’s people so violently against life and to death? The main thing that happened is that God’s people became totally ignorant of his Word. His Law had been “lost” in the Temple. Generation after generation had failed to tell of God’s glorious deeds of deliverance for his people and the conquest of the very land in which they lived. God’s people had forgotten the blessings he had promised them and turned to the curses of the devil. Sadly we have the same problem today. You might say, “No one kills their son in the fire.” But stop to think that since Roe vs. Wade in 1973, 54,559,615 children have been killed by the abortionists in the United States. And we grievously mourn the death of 20 children in Connecticut, but who is mourning the 2,716–and counting—uunborn children who died in America today? What has happened? Oh, that’s right; we’ve ignored God’s Word. It’s True! When you hear, read and learn God’s Word, you will find life.

December 23, 2012 Discovery

Discovery 2 Kings 22:10-11 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. KING JOSIAH had ordered repairs and remodeling to the Lord’s Temple in Jerusalem. As they men began their work, the high priest Hilkiah, apparently in a cleaning out process, made an amazing discovery – the Book of the Law of Moses. We call this the Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the Bible. Think about this. The priests had been doing their work in the temple, and the people had been coming to offer money and sacrifices to God, but they did not know the Word of the Lord! It’s as if you go into church, and the pastor reads from a story book of some mundane topic that teaches nothing of God. (I actually witnessed that once.) It’s as if you say you are a Christian, but you never read the word of God. (Have you ever seen anything like that?) It’s as if people gather in a church for a meeting about Jesus’ church, but they never read God’s Word and pray for guidance. (Could that be possible?) Note Josiah’s response to the Law’s discovery. He tore his clothes. He grieves in the discovery that God’s Law has been undiscovered in God’s House for about 200 years! In response to discovering the Law, Josiah begins a work throughout Judah that removes the worship of evil from the land. The Law of God becomes the law of the land. They celebrate Passover again and rightly remember the Sovereign Lord, who has called them to be his people. What must you do to discover God’s Word in your life? What must your church do to discover God’s Word in its life? It’s True! You need to know God’s Word.

December 22, 2012 A Prayer

A Prayer 2 Kings 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. 17 “It is true, O Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men's hands. 19 Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” JERUSALEM is besieged by the world’s strongest army. For nearly 300 years Assyria has violently dominated the Middle Eastern region and Egypt. Surely it is an army that will destroy one city. Hezekiah has only one place to go for rescue, and faithfully he goes to God. See his prayer. He praises God and acknowledges him as Lord of all. He speaks of how Assyria’s king has insulted God by saying God is the same as other nations’ gods. Then Hezekiah pleads for deliverance from the enemy for this reason: “so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” Hezekiah’s prayer points to God, acknowledging his Lordship over all the earth. Hezekiah prays for his own and his people’s deliverance not for their sake, but that God will be known to the nations. Let us pray: O Lord, may the people in our families, community and church see your magnificent power as you protect and guide them today. Amen” It’s True! Prayer is about praising and trusting God.

December 21, 2012 Hold Fast

Hold Fast 2 Kings 18:28-32 Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29 This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you from my hand. 30 Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, ‘The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ 31 “Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, 32 until I come and take you to a land like your own, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey. Choose life and not death! “Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, ‘The Lord will deliver us.’” YOU’VE been there. Temptation comes to say, “Listen to me. Give up God’s ways for my ways. You’ll find great pleasure if you listen to me. Surrender to me. You’ll have fun.” If you listen, you might have fun for a while, but very soon you learn you’ve made the wrong choice. Temptation’s ways are the ways of death to your relationships, your health, your joy and your peace. Assyria’s superbly trained army was at Jerusalem’s gates, demanding King Hezekiah’s surrender. They tempted the people to choose surrender and go with them to a supposed lush physical life. Of course, their purpose was to destroy Judah and her people. How do you trust the Lord and stay with Him when Temptation is so inviting? Here’s how: 2 Kings 18:6 Hezekiah held fast to the Lord and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. It’s True! Hold tightly to God, and Temptation will lose his grip.

December 20, 2012 God or Not?

God or Not? 2 Kings 17:35-41 When the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. 36 But the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. 37 You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. 38 Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. 39 Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” 40 They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. 41 Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. HOW MANY times do you need to instruct a child before he will obey you? How often do you speak helpful things to your friends before they will believe you? You get frustrated when people deny your helpful, even loving instructions, don’t you? Do you think God might be frustrated with you? After all, he has clearly spoken through the Bible of his commands to teach you how to worship, honor and love him. Those commands, too, guide you to loving relationships with family, friends and your “neighbors”. Jesus’ examples and parables of right living with the Lord are his instructions and helpful words to lead you to live in faith every day. What do you do with God’s commands, instructions and help? Ignore them or live in them? It’s True! Listening to the Lord is life.

December 19, 2012 Devotion

Devotion 2 Kings 15: 4 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. WHAT YOU are reading right now is often called a “devotion”. Why? It is a reading that draws your attention to God’s Word and helps you commit your mind, spirit and soul more to God’s truth in your life. Devotion to God is your commitment to know Him and to faithfully live in his truth everyday as you commit to know God. This scripture today is a phrase that pops up in many places in 1 and 2 Kings. There is a sense of the king’s daily devotion to God, but many people in the land remain undevoted to God, committed still to pagan idols. God’s people did not display a devotion to God’s truth. What do you do with this devotion? What do you do with God’s Word? Do you read and discard it? Do you read it and consider God’s Word for your day? Or do you read it and consider God’s Word for your life? Do you bring God’s Word into your life each day to build up your devotion to God, to live in faith, to follow his ways, or not? What’s clear in scripture is that it is not enough to say no to sin; you must also say yes to a devoted life in God. An occasional or even a daily reading is not enough if you do not devote your spirit, mind and soul to know God’s words for your life and to live in his words. Be devoted to God’s Word and live in faith every day. It’s True! Devoted to God, you will have true life.

December 18, 2012 Helper

Helper 2 Kings 14:26-27 The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. 27 And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. MANY of you have seen distress in your family, haven’t you? A son, a daughter or a sibling has faced difficult times because of their own decisions or as victims of circumstances. How do you respond? As a child of God, you ask yourself and the one in distress, “How can I help?” You have a helping heart for your loved one in distress. Who gives to you your helping heart? In today’s scripture you see the Lord’s heart to save his people, who had “no one to help them”. His heart is for his family, the people he had called to be his own. Many, many times he sent a savior to help them in their distress. Some he sent were good kings, great warriors, or godly prophets. One time he sent his Son. Your helping heart reflects God’s compassionate heart. As God desires to save, you also desire to save your loved ones from distress, don’t you? That is God’s heart in you. How do you help? Sometimes you can act in specific ways. Always, you can pray for God to relieve your loved one’s distress. You must pray, too, for God’s wisdom to know how to help. God’s wisdom will lead you to be a God-like helper. Are you under stress as your loved one is in distress? Then seek your God, the Helper. Let him be your strength and your guide. It’s True! Psalms 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

December 17, 2012 Under the Influence

Under the Influence 2 Kings 12:1-3 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother's name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. ARE YOU a faithful priest of God’s Word? You see how Joash learned of God’s ways and ruled in God’s ways because the priest of the temple taught him. The priest was faithful to know God’s Word and to instruct Joash in God’s truth. He put a shield of truth around Joash to discern right and wrong. As a result, Joash, under the influence of the priest, ruled Judah under the influence of God’s laws. As I ask then, “Are you a priest?” I’m asking, “Do you represent God’s Word to people around you?” This priest, Jehoiada, is a good model for you. As the priest he was a man of great influence. If he taught the truth, they would receive it. If he taught lies, they would live in the lies. He could influence people for God or away from God. And so can you. Yes, it is true that your life has much influence over people around you. What would happen if you lived under the influence of the Gospel? As you know God’s Word and share God’s word with others, you would help them see how to live. They would see the truth in the Jesus-like ways you treat them, forgive them and love them. They would be under your influence as you brought God’s Word into their lives. Isn’t that a good way to influence someone? It’s True! Your life can and will influence others for Jesus.

December 16, 2012 God Acts to Save You

God Acts to Save You 2 Kings 11:21 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. GREAT turmoil has infiltrated Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Ahaziah, Judah’s king, was killed by Jehu under God’s instruction because Ahaziah pursued evil. As a result Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, ordered all of the royal family in Judah destroyed to avenge her son’s death. To save Joash, an infant nephew of the dead king, a woman named Jehosheba, wife of the high priest, hid Joash and his nurse safely in the temple. That was a really smart thing to do, because the Baal-worshiping Athaliah would never go into the temple. Seven years later, God acted to complete the cleansing of Judah and to bring the boy Joash to the throne. Why is this worth considering? Can you think back to Moses? He, too, was under threat of a high official, Egypt’s Pharaoh, to be killed as a newborn Hebrew boy. He was saved by his quick-thinking mother and helpful sister. 80 years later, God anointed him to be Israel’s great Law Giver. God miraculously saved and used Moses to advance his plan of salvation for the world. Likewise, God miraculously saved and used Joash to advance his plan of salvation to the world. Why Joash? Joash is of the lineage of David in Judah. As God decreed his Savior would come from David in the nation of Judah, he preserved the one child left in Judah who carried David’s blood line. He preserved, too, his promise of a Savior to destroy sin forever. Joash was a boy king, but in the power of God, he would advance the purpose of God. Question: Do you feel limited to advance God’s purpose? Then pray to God to touch you with his power and trust him to use you as he will. It’s True! God has acted through specific time with specific people to save you.

December 14, 2012 Blessed to Bless

Blessed to Bless 2 Kings 8:1 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.” 2 The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years. THE STORY of Elisha’s connection with this Shunammite woman begins in 2 Kings 4:9-10 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." From this gift of hospitality, God blesses this couple with a son. God then demonstrates his great blessing on them as he uses Elisha to resurrect her son from a sudden death. Then God’s blessings come to the woman as Elisha advises her to leave Israel to avoid a famine. What’s more, when she returns, her land and goods are fully restored to her. One good deed, one gift of the heart, one blessing to a man of God and God blesses the woman over a period of years. Although earthly wealth and comfort, good health, or resurrection from death isn’t the experience of everyone who is faithful to God, you can know that this woman’s life is an example of protection, peace and provision God offers to his own. There are many stories of faithful people I know who receive that surprise check in the mail, that great job offer, that house at a great deal and healing from disease. Certainly it is God’s choice to bless you as he desires. Scripture is clear, however, that his desire is to bless you as you live a life that blesses him and his people. It’s True! Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

December 13, 2012 Dramatic Change

Dramatic Change 2 Kings 7:1 Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” DO YOU believe God is a God of sudden change? Do you believe God can turn the darkest of days into the brightest of tomorrows? That’s what he does in this dramatic, life-changing account of how God redeems Samaria from starvation. The King of Aram had laid siege to the city. Famine became a hideous reality, and there was no limit to what people would do to eat. So when Elisha prophesied these words to say that food would be very cheap tomorrow, the king’s officer was in total disbelief and said, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” As it is with so many of us, the officer had no faith in God. He had forgotten God created the heavens and the earth, redeemed Israel from Egypt and the many ways God had dramatically redeemed his people through the centuries. And so it happened. God caused the Arameans to desert their camp, and the next day the citizens of Samaria plundered the food and wealth the Aramean soldiers left behind in their tents. Indeed, food was suddenly very available and very cheap. Sadly, the officer missed the bounty. God punished his disbelief, causing his death as people ran over him for the plunder. What dramatic change do you need in your life? Stop your disbelief and go to God. Ask him for that change. Have faith that the God of dramatic change will, indeed, bring change to your life. It’s True! In 3 days Jesus changed the world.

December 12, 2012 Sadly Imperfect

Sadly Imperfect 2 Kings 5:25-27 “Where have you been, Gehazi?” Elisha asked. “Your servant didn't go anywhere,” Gehazi answered. 26 But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 27 Naaman's leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha's presence and he was leprous, as white as snow. I’M VERY sad. Are you? After all, through the first 4 chapters of 2 Kings, you see Gehazi faithfully “in the mix”, ministering with Elisha. But then he makes this sad mistake. When Namaan, a commander of the army of the king of Aram was sick with leprosy, Elisha told him to dip 7 times into the Jordan River. Namaan reluctantly agreed. Healed, he then came to Elisha to offer gifts, but Elisha refused. When Namaan left, Gehazi pursued him, and Namaan happily gave much to Gehazi. But see Gehazi’s lies to his master. Who does he think he is dealing with? Elisha has an incredible anointing of the Holy Spirit over him. Does he think Elisha will not know he lied? Is your heart as Gehazi’s? Do you think you can faithfully follow God most of the time and then lie when temptation is too much? Sadly, one sin, tiny or huge, separates you from God as surely as Gehazi’s leprosy separated him from Elisha. When asked, “Where were you?” Gehazi needed to humble himself and repent before Elisha’s authority. Instead, his lie increased his sin and separated him from Elisha forever. No lie is worth your separation from your holy, loving God. Let the lies go. Live in the truth. It’s True! Lies you cannot hide. Get rid of them.

December 11, 2012 A Little Oil, Much Faith

A Little Oil, Much Faith 2 Kings 4:1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a little oil.” 3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” IMAGINE you are the widow—no money, no hope for money and the threat of your sons sold as slaves. What would you do? Would you go to God? And when you heard his answer would you do what he said? Elisha’s ministry is full of remarkable acts of God on lives of people in Israel, Judah and in other countries. They common connection is that they act in faith. Some need to be coaxed into following Elisha’s instructions more than others. But eventually all that act in the ways he tells them see God heal, resurrect, conquer and provide for daily needs. It’s True! Faith guides you to God’s power.

December 10, 2012 A Loving Devoted Friend

A Loving Friend 2 Kings 2:1-2 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. PLEASE take 2 minutes to read 2 Kings 2…Good. God really showed up, didn’t he? Did you also notice Elisha’s loving friendship with Elijah? In these verses above and twice more in 2 Kings 2, Elisha testifies, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” Elisha is adamant to stay with his mentor and friend. See, too, how Elisha refuses to discuss Elijah’s impending ascension and how he tears his clothes – the Hebrew sign of grief – as Elijah disappears into the sky. Elisha is truly a devoted, loving friend who mourns his mentor’s death. What I’d like you to learn from this is that it is okay to grieve the loss of a friend or loved one to death. Oftentimes we almost feel guilty mourning a loved one’s death. We feel we should be rejoicing as our loved one has entered Heaven. But think of this: Elisha saw God swoop his friend off the earth and into Heaven! He knew with the greatest certainty Elijah was alive with the Lord God. And yet, he mourned. Why? A void was in his life. He felt cheated out of a great relationship. He felt God had betrayed him. Elisha felt the same way you and I do when a loved one dies long before we’re ready to let him go. But amid his mourning, God shows up to empower Elisha with the same power that was in Elijah. The work goes on and so does Elisha. Elijah appropriately mourns. Then he willingly moves forward. It’s True! Mourning is good. Moving on is necessary.

December 9, 2012 Who's Your God?

Who’s Your God? 2 Kings 1:2-4 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” SAMARIA is the northern kingdom of the Jewish people, the kingdom called Israel. The ancestors of these people came out of Egypt, strained for 40 years in the Sinai Desert and entered the Promised Land. They saw and heard the power of God’s Word on his people generation after generation. Yet Ahaziah determines disdains the Living God and consults a non-existent, dead God. God’s judgment on him is sure and swift as he dies in his sin. What do you do, Christian? Do you consult dead gods of philosophy, self-help books, or take-the-next-pill remedy? The means of man are not the means of life’s eternal answers regardless of how hard we try to fit the temporary solutions into our eternal needs. In need of healing or help, we turn every which way but to the Way. Then we wonder why we’re dying inside. Why do we disdain Life Himself as our answer? Do we think there’ something new in the universe? Do you keep the Bible closed on the table because you think, “That’s not my God in the Bible.” Think again. It’s True! God’s eternal way is the only way.

December 8, 2012 A Moment for You

A Moment for You Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. THE DISCIPLES are hiding in a room, uncertain about their future, likely wondering if they, like their Master, will soon be crucified or stoned. Fear grips them in the gut! Then their loving Master appears to remove their fear. He is indeed the risen Son of God. As he speaks with them, they for the first time truly trust that Jesus is the one who saves. How often had the disciples heard Jesus teach the Scriptures? Many times they had heard his words; and yet, they did not comprehend. Only when the resurrected Jesus opened their eyes did they know. Have you heard Jesus’ message? I’m sure you have. How do you respond? Do you hold back from trusting him, especially with the big things in life, especially with your own life? Listen to Jesus’ truths. Receive him in trust, and he will replace your gut-gripping fears with heart-gripping faith. Yes, he enters into your presence in the midst of life’s most awful moments and says, “I’m here. You can know I am the Lord of life.” That moment changed the disciples’ lives. Fear disappeared and trust entered their hearts. That same moment awaits you and will change your life, too. It’s True! You can trust Jesus. He’s alive.  

December 7, 2012 Give It Up

Give It Up Luke 22:5-6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. WHAT HAPPENS when you want to do something a “little” wrong? I’ve been dieting lately, and today I ate something for breakfast I shouldn’t have. I ate alone when “no crowd was present” and I can get away with it if I choose. But wait! There is evidence in the cupboard. Someone will wonder, “Where are the muffins?” The truth is, I can’t really hide it. The truth is, God sees everything I do. And if this were truly a sin to keep secret, He would certainly know my sin. Judas had something on his conscious. He knew he was acting secretly against his teacher who raised the dead, spoke what people were thinking and calmed the storm. Did he really think Jesus wouldn’t know what he was doing? He must have known Jesus knew. Judas’ conscious was telling him, “You are so wrong, Judas.” But Judas was gripped with deceit for his own purpose. Judas stepped into sin’s darkness. And he never saw Jesus’ light again. Often I talk with people who years ago went to a place their conscious said, “Don’t go.” The forbidden website, the bottle of booze, the cocaine or the lies were wrongs they knew they must avoid. But they went anyway. Now, they can’t escape the sin. People know. Their lives are encased in guilt because they’re too ashamed to go to Jesus, the Light of the world, and say, “Take my sin, Lord, it’s too big for me.” Is that you? Are you feeling shame in your sin? Give up the sin. Then give up the shame. He’s waiting lovingly for you to speak his name. It’s True! You’re guilty. Give it up to Jesus.

December 6, 2012 What is Rich?

What is Rich? Luke 21:1-6 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” 5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” HERE we see great contrast between what God perceives as rich and mankind’s view of rich. The poor widow receives Jesus’ praise because she gave nearly all of her earthly goods. She was a “heart giver”. She gave of herself in love and devotion to God. Even though it looked weird to the world, her gift was beautiful to her Lord. Then the disciples praised the beauty of the buildings. But Jesus viewed the future. He knew the structures would fall against God’s judgment, and in his view, the beautiful stones and adornment symbolized destruction. This contrast in Jesus’ words shows us how vital our heart offerings are to God. Heart offerings are those things we give to God when we sacrifice. We give, and others say, “That’s weird.” It may be our time, spiritual gifts, talents, or money. When we “heart-give” to God, our offerings will make an eternal difference for our lives and for those we serve. Go ahead. Be a Kingdom of God builder. Use what he’s given you. Trust God with all you have—even if it looks weird to the world. It’s True! You are rich in God's gifts to you. Use them.

December 5, 2012 The Author's Authority

The Author’s Authority Luke 20:38-40 “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” 39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!” 40 And no one dared to ask him any more questions. WHEN someone writes a book on a factual subject, the author is often given immediate credit as an expert. Even those who write fiction novels must have a wide and varied knowledge of their subject to give credit to the story line and its characters. Luke 20 is about the authority of Jesus to proclaim the Word of God. He is challenged by chief priests, teachers and elders of the temple. They are appropriately asking him, “Who gave you this authority?” The trouble is, they weren’t ready to accept the authority of the author of life. As he answered them with a question, he wanted these men to discover the answers for themselves. It is likely they knew the answer but were unwilling to say it. That is essentially what happens here. Jesus answers the authority question by first pointing to John the Baptist. Then he tells the parable of the land tenants who disdained the authority of the landowner and killed his servants and son. He points to the authority of Rome to tax and the authority of God to receive a tithe. And the chapter concludes with Jesus pointing to the ultimate authority – the Living God. My question for you is this: Are you willing to accept the authority of the Living God in your life? If you’re not, you’re the same as Jesus’ questioners—always asking questions but never willing to admit to the authority of the author of life over your life. If you are willing to accept God’s authority, what will change in your life? It’s True! Jesus is the Living Word, and his words are the authority of Heaven. Listen.

December 4, 2012 Your Protective Savior

Your Protective Lord Luke 19:45-46 Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “’My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.’” AS YOU consider Jesus’ love for you, it is necessary for you to pause and consider Jesus’ great love for his temple, his “house”. God gave the Hebrews in the Sinai Desert his picture of the Savior in the Tabernacle. That picture grew and expanded with the temple in Jerusalem in Solomon’s reign. 1 Kings records how excited God was to have the Temple built that his people might worship him as the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. God is the King come to his throne to receive honor and worship from his own. Sadly, as God’s house is desecrated many times, God causes its destruction and rebuilding twice before Jesus comes, rebuilt a third time, then destroyed in 70 AD. Why? Vagrant sin had entered. Sin-wielding merchants turned the Temple into a profit center, cheating the devout with false rules. Money and prestige worship replaced God worship. When Jesus cleanses the Temple, he shows he is about to clean the human temple, the soul, from its vagrant occupiers that cheat people from their worship of the Lord. Once again, he is about to build a new temple but this time it’s different. Ephesians 2:21 In Jesus the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. The “whole building” is Jesus’ church, his new temple. The temple is gone, it’s irrelevant now. What matters is the church—that’s you—not a building but you. Are you caring for Jesus’ church, your very relationship with your Lord? You must keep the temple clean. Keep out the vagrants. Be filled with God’s glory and worship him only. It’s True! Jesus is very protective of his church. Keep it clean.

December 3, 2012 In His Time

In His Time, In His Will Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. DO YOU wonder “Why pray if God has everything planned?” Yes, God has his plans: Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” You see, God will give you what you desire, but it may not look like what you desire. Jesus’ point here is that as we pray, God will gradually answer your requests in the way it benefits you within his plan for you. For example, if a child comes to you requesting a treat before “treat time” you will say, “Not now. But at 10 o’clock you can have a piece of fruit.” You have a plan to nourish your child. But you will not put your plan into action if he doesn’t ask. Now he’s asked. You, as the all-knowing adult give to the child in order to answer his request within your plan to care for him. The child’s treat may not be as he originally wanted. But it will be an answer to his request. And it will be a gift to the child within your view of what’s good for him. Even if you say, “No, wait until lunch time.” you will still answer his request for food. In a like manner, God plans good things for you in his timing and in his purpose for you. He wants you to participate in his giving by requesting from him, so you see him as a loving Father in his giving to you. He may not give you what you want when you want. But Jesus says to persevere in your prayer and trust God’s answer in his time and in his will. It’s True! Your Creator God knows the best plans for you.

December 2, 2012 Jesus Loves You

Jesus Loves You Luke 16:24 “So (the Rich Man) called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’” I KNOW. You don’t need a description of Hell to inspire you. Life is troubled enough without this agonizing scene from the Good News of Luke. But maybe it is just what you and I need to be inspired. How many times have we warned someone about a danger or awful consequence if they do something wrong? “You’ll lose money if you gamble.” “Drinking and driving will kill you.” “Don’t text and drive, you’ll kill someone.” “Exercise, or you’ll get fat.” We say these things because consequences are real. We say them because we care about the people we warn. We say them, even in love, because we want our loved ones to live well. We know absolutely that if people purposely do bad things, bad things will happen to them. So, why don’t we tell people, “Believe in Jesus, or you’ll suffer the agony of unending thirst in hell?” Don’t we trust that the consequences of rejecting Jesus are really, really, really horrible? Do we think we might hurt their feelings, make them feel uncomfortable? Do we think they might not like us if we tell them the truth? The truth is, warning people about the true consequences of a life apart from Jesus is the most loving thing you can do. Are you inspired enough in your love for someone to tell them of Jesus? Do you love someone enough to point him or her to Jesus’ Heavenly promise? It’s True! Jesus loves you enough to warn you of Hell and promise you Heaven.