Tuesday, December 30, 2008

New Year's resolutions

This week, I want to take a look at New Year's resolutions. What exactly is a resolution. If you take a look at Webster's dictionary, you will find at least 9 different definitions. One of them that I like is "a firm determination to do something". That is usually what our New Year's resolutions are about--determining to do something about something in our lives we don't like about ourselves. We resolve to lose weight, to tone up our muscles, to exercise, to spend more time in Bible study and prayer, to spend less time at work, etc. etc. etc. I don't know about most of you, but I typically end up breaking most if not all of the resolutions I have made. That's why I don't really try to make them anymore.

But, one definition in Webster's was interesting---the word resolution was equated with music. Webster's musical definition of resolution is "the progression of a voice part or the harmony as a whole from a dissonance to a consonance". Now if you're like me, that went way over my head, so I consulted one of my college friends who had a degree in music and she said this is what that phrase means: that is a progression of a sound that is out of tune and unpleasant to the ear to one that is pleasing in tune. Maybe that should be our New Year's resolution: to be in tune with those around us. Or maybe take a higher road and be more in tune with God!

That's what I think Psalm 103 is about--Praise the Lord, oh my soul, all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not his benefits. He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. He redeems you from the pit, and crowns you with love and compassion. As you read the rest of Psalm 103, it is truly a Psalm of someone that is in tune with God. The writer of this Psalm knew exactly what God had done for him and was ready to praise Him for everything--again, being in tune with God. And if we are in tune with God, we can't help but be in tune with others around him. Practice tuning up this year. Just like all piano's, we all need a tune up.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

It's Christmas Week

Well, this is it....the week of Christmas. Hopefully, you have everything you wanted to accomplish, done by now. If not, I'll say a prayer for you.

I want to look at the subject of light this week. Since it is Christmas time, we can focus on light. Some of us may have lights up at our house. Some of us, may have lights on the tree. Some of us may have sweaters that light up. But think about light for a minute. Light started in the very beginning of time--"and God said, Let there be light! and there was light". When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, what did God provide them for guidance during the night? That's right....a pillar of fire (light). Then came the birth of Christ....what guided the visitors to the manger? A star (light) in the sky! All through Jesus' life, there are references to light--"I am the light of the world"......"let your light so shine before men"..Jesus also said "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in darkness" (John 12:46). Even the book of Revelation talks about living in the light and all the rulers of the nations will one day walk in it.

Jesus came as a baby to bring light into a dark, sinful world. He is full of light. Those who walk in Him will not walk in darkness but in light.

As our youth performed their Christmas program at church, there was a song in the program that has stuck in my mind. It is called "We All Bow Down". In this song, it talks about no matter who you are (a prince or a pauper, sinner or saint), we will all bow down some day, because Jesus is the light of the world. I have written the lyrics to the song below, but what I challenge you to remember this Christmas week is the light that Jesus brought into this world, even as a baby and we are to carry that light to those around us each and every day.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter and light!

We All Bow Down
Princes and paupers, sons and daughters
Kneel at the throne of grace
Losers and winners, saints and sinners
One day will see His face
And we all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
He is the love, unfailing love, He is the love of God
Summer and winter, mountains and rivers
whisper the Saviors name
Awesome and holy, a friend to the lowly
Forever His love will reign
And we all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
He is the love, unfailing love, He is the love of God
He is the light of the world
And Lord of the cross
And we all bow down
Kings will surrender their crowns
And worship Jesus
He is the love, unfailing love, He is the love of God

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Focus on Christmas

As we prepare for the season I love the best, I will take the next few weeks and focus on Christmas.

This week I want us to look at the subject of wonderful impossibilities. Think a minute of Mary. The birth of Jesus was not just difficult, but it was an impossibility. Mary was a virgin and only God could create a baby inside of her womb. When the angel told her that she would bear a son, did you ever wonder what might have been the first thing in her mind? If it had been me, I would have said, "No way, it's impossible". But as we know, the Scripture says that with God all things are possible. But how many of us really believe that? When we face our impossibilities, do we change those into possibilities, knowing that we have a God that can do anything? Or is there still some seed of doubt that we hang onto?

Let's learn during this holiday season, to first remember that we serve a God who specializes in impossibilities. Next, let's take those things in our lives that seem like they are impossible to us and totally turn them over to God and watch Him work. Take your impossibilities and let God turn them into possibilities.

Some Encouraging Thoughts

I wanted to share with you a quote that I ran across as I was preparing this week's encouraging moment with you. I hope you don't mind that I am quoting someone else, but this is a perfect lead into what I would like for us to think about this week:

"Trouble is like a pebble. Hold it close to your eye and it fills the whole world and puts everything out of focus. Hold it at a proper distance and it can be examined and properly classified. Throw it at your feet and it can be seen in its true setting, just one more bump on the pathway to life."(Celia Luce)

Remember the story of Lazarus? Lazarus and Jesus were close friends. Lazarus became sick, and immediately Martha and Mary (his sisters) notified Jesus. They called for him to come to their house. However, he didn't respond to their request immediately. Lazarus then died. Can you imagine how disappointed Mary and Martha were? No one had a clue how Christ would intervene in these circumstances, but Jesus knew exactly what he was going to do. He had a plan.

What was true so many years ago, is also true today. God's higher purpose often exceeds our need for immediate help out of our circumstances. We are sometimes forced to live in the middle of a trial and face the pain of that trial until God steps in with a miracle. We think we know what we need, but God knows what's best for us. Often, people want God to do their will for him instead of allowing God to do His will for them. Often we respond to trouble by asking God to immediately deliver us from it. Paul wanted deliverance from his problem, but he did know that in Christ, grace was sufficient for him and Christ's strength was made perfect thru his weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).

Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead. We need to trust Jesus even when things don't happen as we think they should and never give up. God always has a higher purpose He is willing to work in our lives. Though we don't always understand his timing (like Mary and Martha probably didn't), we know that his ways are perfect.

As we continue to plan for our event, if things don't happen in our timing, sit back and wait. Wait on the Lord to work a miracle. And rely on his strength thru our weaknesses.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Something to Think About

I want to focus on the humility of Christmas and those involved in the first Christmas season. Let's again, take a look at Mary. Mary was a very humble girl, with a humble lineage. She was not a royal princess. She was not rich by society's measurement. Mary herself confesses in her song found in Luke 1: 48-49 that "For He took notice of this lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed. For he, the Mighty One is holy, and has done great things for me."

But God chose this unknown girl to give birth to His precious Son. He chose her because she was a willing vessel to be used by God. Sometimes those that have everything are not willing to be used by God, in whatever way He wants. However, Mary chose to be willing to be used. God is not looking for riches or material possessions. He is looking for women with obedient hearts. He is looking for those who have the same spirit as Mary when she said, " I am the Lord's servant. I am willing to accept whatever He wants." (Luke 1:38) She was totally surrendered to the will of God.

Let's be women like Mary......let's be women that say "God, I am here to serve you. I'll do whatever you want me to do". Let's recapture the humility that Mary showed that first Christmas season.