Month: December 2021

On this Christmas week, we again look at another person within the birth of Jesus and the very personal struggles he went through. Have you ever been betrayed and humiliated by another person you loved and trusted? Then you know how Joseph felt when he discovered his soon-to-be wife was pregnant…and not by him. Joseph was this kindly, simple carpenter from Nazareth…a very conscientious Jew who adhered faithfully to the Law, where an engagement between two people was nearly as binding as marriage itself. But even though he was completely and utterly crushed by her pregnancy, he still loved Mary and wanted to spare her the indignities required by the Law, even though he had every right…for no self-respecting Jewish man would allow such a disgrace befall him. So he had in mind to quietly divorce Mary in attempt to lessen the gossip of her infidelity. We can only imagine what Joseph went through…all the emotions churning within him, from disbelief, anger, sadness, and depression, that someone he truly loved and cherished could do something like this to him. But it wasn’t until he learned in a dream the truly Divine origin of this unborn child did Joseph immediately trust God’s promise and take Mary as his wife.

This week coming up to Christmas I want to look at the familiar faces of the Christmas story in the Bible but in a more personal way. None of the cast of characters were super Christians, rather they were struggling Believers just like you and me. Today we’ll look at Zechariah and Mary. Both were visited by God’s angelic messenger, Gabriel, both were promised a son in what most of us would consider impossible situations. But we see here where Zechariah was skeptical and full of doubt and disbelief. Whereas when Mary was told the same thing, she was confused, but not unbelieving. (Luke 1:34) Also, as a Priest, Zechariah should of remembered the prophecy of Malachi that foretold of the coming “Elijah” – a clear reference to this promised son, John the Baptist, coming in the spirit and power of Elijah. (Luke 1:17) Contrast this to a young, uneducated peasant girl who took Gabriel at his word and accepted the impossible as possible. Everyday we have the same choices to make…”Do I trust God or not?” We can be like Zechariah and walk in doubt, or be like Mary and walk in assurance that whatever God is wanting for us is His very best.

Maybe you’ve seen them, maybe you’ve even wore one at some time…it was those wrist bands popular back in the early 90’s with W.W.J.D. printed on them. The acronym stood for “What Would Jesus Do?” and they were to be a reminder to act in a way that personified Jesus Christ. But I would challenge you today to take it a step farther and ask yourself this question…Am I glorifying God? Where the wrist bands were meant to make us think before we spoke in situations…the deeper question of “Am I glorifying God?” goes to the very core of our relationship with Him. In other words, in everything I do, say, and react, am I bringing honor to His Name? The gist of this summed up for us in the Scripture here where the word glorify is used five times, showing us the revelation of God’s glory through Christ, and in the process, Jesus being glorified by His obedience to the Cross.

When your world is on shaky ground…when others have hurt, misled, and lied to you, it’s comforting to know that God isn’t that way at all. When people let you down and their promises turn out to be false…know that God’s promises are reliable and trustworthy. When others are unkind, thoughtless, and just plain mean…know that God is always benevolent, gracious, and merciful towards His children. So remember this today…God’s promises never fail, His covenant of love endures to a thousand generations, and His reign is without beginning or end…but most importantly, He loves you with a never ending love.

Faith puts Jesus first not ourselves, and it’s an absolute necessity in a right relationship with our Savior…but daily this is put to the test as our faith and common sense battle. And if you think about it, the two can’t be more different…it’s the difference between natural life or spiritual life, impulsiveness vs inspiration, or good sense over revelation sense. Hebrews 7:19 tells us that we have a better hope when we draw near to God rather than relying on ourselves. That’s because it all boils down to trust…”Who am I going to trust today, myself or God?” For the life of faith says, “Lord, this appears to be irrational in my mind, but I’m going to step out in boldness, trusting in Your Word.”

In John’s series of letters to the Church we read how false teachers had infiltrated, bringing with them confusion and disunity. Much like today with Social Influencers, Tic Tok Stars, and copycat school shooters, we see the same kind of confusion as evil is celebrated as the latest trend. Here, John is calling the Church to have discernment and not go along with the crowd…and to refuse to copy the warped ideology just because “everyone else is doing it.” John exhorts them much like Jesus preached in Matthew 7:16 that by careful discernment, “You will recognize them by their fruits”…or lack there of. Sadly, imitating evil isn’t going anywhere…and daily we have the decision to either maintain a upright conduct and righteousness in our life or cave to the subtle influence of evil around us.

This verse speaks of restoration and mercy as God, Himself, takes on the role of Shepherd…rescuing His flock from neglect and cruelty. Jesus spoke of this deliverance in the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3-7…of leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Have you been wandering aimlessly…searching but not knowing what you’re searching for…feeling lost, desolate, and empty? Well, I have some good news for you, the Lord is actively searching for you also…ready to bind up all your pain, calm your fears, and embolden you to be courageous and take steps to change your life today for the better. The void you’re feeling deep inside is God calling to you, plain and simple. So end your search today, for God promises He will never stop searching for you.

It’s only by the grace of God that we have been set free from the condemnation and compulsion of the Law, filled with its impossible obligations and demanding obedience. But we can’t really blame the Old Testament Law but rather fault our inability to achieve it. “Is the Law, therefore, opposed to the promise of God? Absolutely not! For if a Law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the Law.” (Galatians 3:21) Righteousness comes from faith, or as Romans 3:27 tells us, “Where, then, is boasting? It’s excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the Law? No, but on that of faith.” Or as verse 22 in this Chapter states, “Righteousness comes only from God through Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Our right standing with God could never come from a Law of works, but only from the graciously given Law of faith in His Son, Jesus Christ…Who fulfilled all the Law’s demands and bore its curse on the cross for us.

“There is no one like the Lord our God.” (Exodus 8:10) And to try to compare Him to the gods of other nations…or even to the gods within our own hearts is ridiculous. That’s because they are all but idols and have no real existence or power. In Genesis, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” But there too we are but a shadow of God’s true power, sovereignty, and might. Bottom line is, God is incomparable and matchless…or as Hannah prayed in I Samuel 2:2, “There’s no one holy like the Lord; there’s no one besides You; there’s no Rock like our God.”

All flesh is like the grass of the pasture or the flowers of the field…it is but temporary, its glory fleeting. When Isaiah asked, “What shall I cry?” He was given these examples to show just how limited and momentary our lives are in light of the everlasting and ever-continuing Word of the God. Isaiah’s message then was one of the Lord’s judgment and blessings, which were declared before the beginning of time. We are also to receive the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God…not manipulating it to fit our own agenda, or accepting bits and pieces while rejecting the rest. The Word of the Lord stands alone and stands forever.