December 11, 2013 Why the Desert?

Why the Desert?

Advent Day 11: Luke 1:80 and the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

HE LIVED in the desert? Isn’t John supposed to be someone really special, born to point the way to Jesus? You’d think God would pamper him and let him grow up with good home cooking, a nice bed to sleep in and good friends all around. Why the desert?

     Why? It is always a tenuous question when it comes to understanding life and how God directs us. But the desert may be the perfect place to strengthen John. Notice how the verse says, “the child grew and became strong in the Spirit”. God has prepared a world-changing ministry for John. He is going to send John to challenge the norm, to prepare people to salvation, to repent of their sins.

     These are difficult physical, emotional and spiritual challenges for any man. And John needed to be ready. John had no comforts of a typical son of a priest. He experienced the strengthening of a man called by God.

     Are you perhaps wondering why you are in a “desert” in your life or do you have friends asking you, “Why is my life so difficult?”  As mentioned, answering the “Why?” can be a challenge, but the Bible often tells us these times in our lives are strengthening times. These are the times God is waiting for us to turn to him and say to him, “I can’t do this on my own, Father. I want to trust you.”

Pause and Consider: how a desert blooms with the slightest rain, how its plants are deeply rooted to withstand the dryness and the heat.

December 10, 2013 The Big Event

The Big Event

Advent Day 10: Luke 1:76-79 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

IN THE LATE 19^th and early 20^th centuries, the circus was a celebrated form of entertainment throughout the cities, villages and rural areas of the world, particularly here in America. Before a circus would come to town, the circus public relations people would go into the towns with big posters and nail them to any flat surface to announce the Big Event about to hit town.

     People’s hearts grew in expectation of the acrobats, clowns, musicians, high wire acts, and all the wonder of a circus. Then the circus entered town with a colorful, noisy parade announcing its arrival and inviting the townspeople to their performances as they set up their huge tents. The town was transformed in a matter of hours, and an ordinary Advent Day into one extraordinary.

     God sent many prophets, many “public relations” people to “nail the posters” and announce his Son coming to earth. His people had lived for centuries in expectation of the Messiah. Now God is sending the “parade” in the form of John, Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son, to literally point to the Lord Jesus.

     Jesus will come and perform his mighty work. He will transform the world from ordinary to extraordinary. Salvation through the forgiveness of sins will guide his people and you out of darkness to the light.

     Advent is about celebrating the Big Event. Yes, you have the gift; now go give the gift to someone else. The Big Event is here. Everyone needs to know something special and wonderful has “come to town”.

Pause and Consider: how truly big God’s great gift is for you.

December 3, 2013 Big Arm

Dec 3

A Big Arm

Advent Day 2: Luke 1:51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

GOD has a big arm, doesn’t he? I checked through the Old Testament and found a number of references to “outstretched arm”. Each time the phrase demonstrated God’s power to deliver his people from harm.

     This reminds me of a loving parent who reaches out to protect a child from a car coming down the street, from falling off a bicycle or from the pain of someone’s hurtful words. God’s “outstretched arm” protected his people and delivered them into the Promised Land of safety and abundance.

     If you are feeling weak or not very important, please know that God’s outstretched arm is ready to embrace you, protect you and fill you with his goodness. God’s mighty power is at the ready to care for you when you humbly go to him and tell him, “Forgive my pride, Father God. I am weak in my ways, and I know you are my strength. Embrace me with your outstretched arm, Father. Fill me with your strength that I may rest and rejoice in you.”

     As we leave Mary’s praise to the Father, I encourage you to take some time to speak or write your own praise to God. Speak to him of your needs. Proclaim to him your love for him. Celebrate the ways he has cared for you in your life. Praise him for the ways he will care for you tomorrow. 

    

Pause and Consider: Praising God will give you great joy. Write it down on the next page.

Advent Day 2 A Big Arm

Dec 3

A Big Arm

Advent Day  2: Luke 1:51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.

GOD has a big arm, doesn’t he? I checked through the Old Testament and found a number of references to “outstretched arm”. Each time the phrase demonstrated God’s power to deliver his people from harm.

     This reminds me of a loving parent who reaches out to protect a child from a car coming down the street, from falling off a bicycle or from the pain of someone’s hurtful words. God’s “outstretched arm” protected his people and delivered them into the Promised Land of safety and abundance.

     If you are feeling weak or not very important, please know that God’s outstretched arm is ready to embrace you, protect you and fill you with his goodness. God’s mighty power is at the ready to care for you when you humbly go to him and tell him, “Forgive my pride, Father God. I am weak in my ways, and I know you are my strength. Embrace me with your outstretched arm, Father. Fill me with your strength that I may rest and rejoice in you.”

     As we leave Mary’s praise to the Father, I encourage you to take some time to speak or write your own praise to God. Speak to him of your needs. Proclaim to him your love for him. Celebrate the ways he has cared for you in your life. Praise him for the ways he will care for you tomorrow. 

    

Pause and Consider: Praising God will give you great joy. Write it down on the next page.

Advent Day 1 A Strange Combination

A Strange Combination

Advent Day  1 Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

“MERCY” and “fear” don’t seem to go together, do they? Wouldn’t it make more sense if Mary said “mercy’ and “love”? How does mercy extend to those who fear God?

     Have you ever had an argument with your dad against something he wanted you to do with him? Who won? Did you walk away satisfied you got your point across? Did he walk away thinking, “My child does not respect me.” Who won?

     You didn’t. Oh, you may think you did, but you didn’t. You got your way, but you lost a part of your relationship with your father. You showed no respect, no “fear” for his authority and position as head of your family. And he wondered, “Does my child love me?”

     This type of relationship with your father continued for years. You obeyed him only when it was convenient for you.  Then one Advent Day  you got into trouble. “Dad, can I have some money to fix my car?” His response surprised you. “No, my child, you have rejected me too many times. You show me no respect when I ask for your obedience. You will have to solve your problem on your own.”

     Dad is out of mercy for you, his wayward child. He asked repeatedly for you to obey him. But you said, “No.” This is what happened with the Hebrews repeatedly as God called them to obey. When they kept refusing, he removed himself from their presence, and they suffered horribly. But when God’s children called on him, obeyed his laws and feared his ways, he showed them great mercy.

     Fear God. He is absolute over your life. He will leave you if you ignore him. He will punish you if you disobey him. He will be merciful to you if you obey him. Fear of God leads to mercy from God.

Pause and Consider: God wants your fear. He wants to shower you with his mercy.