Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

Last week in a nearby town, a depressed, suicidal man encountered a 19-year-old boy home on college break and killed him, then turned the gun on himself. One man's failings resulted in the death of another family's son. The family who lost a son is a Christian family, and I'm certain that if they encountered someone who was depressed or in need they would gladly help them out. I'm also sure that, like any of us, they would defend their home to whatever degree they needed in order to protect their children.

That's why the love of God is so overwhelmingly amazing. An old hymn reminds us, "Love
is the theme, eternal theme." Today's Advent emphasis captures the heart of God. Sometimes we have a tendency to see God as having reluctantly given up His Son. We apply to Him the feelings that we think we would feel if someone else's failings resulted in the death of our child.

We forget so easily that His love for us prompted Him to voluntarily send His only Son. He had created a perfect world. We used our free will to believe a lie and our sin messed up that world. And God fixed it anyway - because love is His eternal theme. It lies at the heart of who He is; 1 John tells us "God is love".

God didn't protect Jesus from us. The worst of humanity was seen as Jesus was rejected, spat upon, beaten, mocked, and ultimately crucified. At any point He could have stopped it. But He endured the cross even as He despised its shame (Hebrews 12:3). Adrian Rodgers spoke well when he said "The cross didn't change God's heart; it revealed it."

When God looked down upon the scene in the manger, He saw more than His Son. He saw His love for the world made tangible, so that we would be able to be restored to relationship with Him. He saw the ultimate glory of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered around the throne, worshipping together for eternity.

He loved ... and so He gave.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. - (John 3:16-17 ESV)

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. - (Romans 8:31-39 ESV)

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. - (Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." The voice of your watchmen--they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. - (Isaiah 52:7-10 ESV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV)

Today's Advent Passage: Matthew 1:20-21

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25 ESV)

I would have to place Joseph's dream high on my list of top significant dreams in the history of the world.

Joseph, we are told, was a righteous man who wanted to do the right thing. Legally bound to marry a young girl named Mary, her pregnancy would have been reason for her to be subject to public shame. Yet Joseph didn't want to shame her - in fact, he was trying to make the divorce as quiet as possible.

But he considered things - he turned them over in his mind - and God gave him an answer in a dream. An angel of the Lord spoke into the situation and brought clarity, peace, and direction. And Joseph listened.

What a beautiful example of surrender. We don't have to understand all the whys and hows and wherefores. We don't have to have every question answered. We simply have to know that we've heard from the Lord.

This Advent season, commit anew to considering your problems in the context of relationship to God. Stay in prayer and in the Word of God, and let Him bring clarity, peace, and direction to your circumstances. Then surrender.

Today's Advent Passage: Philippians 2:5-8

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

(Philippians 2:5-8 ESV)

On the day of Jesus' birth, something miraculous and mysterious happened: God became a man. The Apostle John puts it this way: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). The Apostle Paul tried to capture this miracle and mystery by saying, "For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19).

However this marvelous event occurred, Paul tells the Philippians that it holds an example for us. Jesus didn't cling to His equality with God. He willingly gave up His divine privileges. He willingly took the position of a slave - completely focused on the will of His Master ... His Father. He humbled Himself fully and completely, to the point of death on a cross.

This, Paul tells us, should be our attitude. Holding loosely any benefits or privileges. Not focusing on position. Seeing ourselves as His servant. Fully obeying God, whatever the cost.

Tomorrow our church will have its annual Christmas pageant. Cute kids will demonstrate the familiar nativity story. My prayer for myself and all who see this is that when we see the baby Jesus lying in the manger, we will ponder that "in Him all the fullness of God" was dwelling, and yet He willingly set aside His divine privileges and took on human flesh. "A human baby bearing undiminished deity", the song below says.

http://youtu.be/mSEqXbnOrQU

Today's Advent Passage: Matthew 1:21

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

It's hard to add anything to this beautiful picture. Joseph, hearing from the angel to marry Mary, because the child is conceived of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being given the name for the child. Jesus, in Hebrew Yeshua, translated into English Joshua, means Yahweh Saves.

Yahweh - God Himself, and God alone - saves.

This is the Gospel. Yes, this alone is Christmas. Without any decorations, plays, music, lights, meals, guests, or gifts, this one verse holds the heart of Christmas.

May we keep that focus through these next 10 days.

Today's Advent Passage: Luke 1:31-33

"You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."

Jesus, born to die so He could save, was also born to reign. The angel's words to Mary remind us that although His first coming was not marked by obvious power and authority, wrapped up in those swaddling clothes was a baby who would reign over an unending kingdom. We have glimpses of this kingdom now, wherever hearts and actions are fully submitted to His reign. One day, when He comes again, Scripture tells us every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. But as the song says, "Still the greatest joy remains for those who gladly choose Him now."

Come, now is the time to worship.

Today's Advent Passage: Isaiah 53

Whether today's passage, prophesying the suffering of the Messiah who would come, is new or old to you, its words are powerful. I've included them from the New Living Translation for a fresh look at this amazing Scripture. Sometimes reading a familiar passage in a new version can awaken my heart in new ways. Today's passage continues the thought of yesterday's - Jesus Messiah came to die.

Praise God today for the child, born of a virgin, born to die, whose death became an intercession for rebels ... rebels like you and me.

Isa 53:1-12 NLT  [1] Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? [2] My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. [3] He was despised and rejected-- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. [4] Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! [5] But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. [6] All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. [7] He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. [8] Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. [9] He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. [10] But it was the LORD's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD's good plan will prosper in his hands. [11] When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. [12] I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Today's Advent Passage: Isaiah 52:13-15

Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men. Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15 NASB)

Jesus, the Messiah. Born to reign - but first, to suffer and die. Born to be high and lifted up and greatly exalted -- but only after having His appearance marred more than any man.

The myrrh in the wise men's gifts is in many ways the odd element. The gold and frankincense, gifts fit for a king, make sense. But myrrh was a spice used in burial rituals. Why present this to a newborn child, especially one worshipped by the wise men as the promised King of the Jews?

It's a reminder tucked into the middle of the joyous birth story that Jesus' first advent, his first coming, would be marked by His death. Indeed, on the cross Jesus was offered wine mixed with myrrh - a fitting framing of his life, beginning and ending with the idea that His death was God's plan all along ... as was His resurrection and ultimate eternal reign.

The blood shed when He was marred more than any man is for the nations. Like the sacrificial offerings of the Old covenant, Jesus' blood sprinkles those who draw close enough to the cross to experience its redemptive power. And when we are sprinkled with His blood, then we see and understand more than we could ever be told in mere words -- we begin to see the beauty in the presence of myrrh at the manger.

(from We Three Kings)
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
http://youtu.be/k8mjRxkMBkE

Today's Advent Passage: Numbers 24:17

"A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel." Numbers 24:17

Jesus, born of the tribe of David, to be not only Savior and Lord, but king. King of the Jews, King of the World. This prophecy is a reminder of His ultimate lordship. Hallelujah!

Third Sunday of Advent: Joy

The Third Sunday of Advent is definitely my favorite. On this day, we light the candle that is differently colored than the others (ours is rose while the others are purple, but traditions vary). I like to call it the Mary candle, after the first passage of the readings for this Sunday (see below).

I think the reason that I enjoy it so much is that so often, we forget that Christmas truly is a season of joy. We get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent, moving from event to event and task to task as if they were ends in themselves. Inevitably, a newspaper article will remind me that this is a season when depression spikes - often because of financial stress, family problems, and loneliness. Even those who don't fall into depression face disappointment in a less-than-picture perfect holiday. The truth is, when we make Christmas about gifts, parties, and an ideal coming-together of traditions and circumstances we will always be disappointed. Especially Christians - because God is far to faithful to let us find joy anywhere but in Jesus, especially at this time of the year.

Let's face it - the first Christmas was pretty messy. There is nothing joyful about a scandalous pregnancy, a long journey in the 9th month, the failure to find lodging, and childbirth in a place where animals were kept. God didn't pick a picture-perfect circumstance for His Son's birth.

That's why I love Mary's words in the Magnificat, Mary's Song. "...my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant." Mary knew that God could have found women from more elite families, but He had chosen her. She rejoiced despite her circumstances, in God her Savior. That is true joy, and that is the heart of Christmas.

The passages for this week remind us that joy wasn't just intended for Mary and those who walked with Jesus on this earth. Joy - a fruit of the Spirit - comes as we learn to have the mind of Christ. As we learn to see things as He does, then we will find joy where He does, as we see righteousness and praise springing up among all the nations.

"Joy to the World" is not just a great Christmas song - it's what He offers to all who embrace the truth that "He comes to make the blessing known/far as the curse is found." In all the dark corners of the world, He offers the hope of blessing instead of curse. The more we become part of that, the more we will experience "joy, unspeakable joy".

http://youtu.be/NLhb3qUA3uc
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In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ... And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."  (Luke 1:26-38, 46-55 ESV)

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:10 ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. ... For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 ESV)


So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:1-11 ESV)

Today's Advent Passage: Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.(Galatians 4:4-5 ESV)

Any expectant mother cannot wait for those last few weeks of pregnancy to be over and the baby to finally arrive. I'm sure that Mary, "great with child" as Luke 2 tells us, was no different.

The birth of Jesus didn't just fulfill Mary's natural yearnings for the baby to be born, however. Paul tells us in this passage that Jesus' birth marked a significant point on the kingdom calendar; it signified that the "fullness of time" had come. The time for prophecies about the Messiah, the season of anticipatory waiting, the preparation phase - these were essential, but not ultimate. Finally, one day God saw that it was time. The fullness of time - the completion of an earlier period or season of time - had finally arived.

And so, Jesus was born. Born to redeem - the crucial and essential element of our faith. If that was all, it would be enough. Yet Paul tells us there was more. Redemption wasn't the ultimate purpose - relationship was. God sent Jesus to redeem us so we could be adopted as sons. Adopted by Him. Restored to the relationship which He intended at creation - and even more, because instead of just being with us as He was with Adam, He is now in us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As we celebrate the fullness of time that spoke the word and sent forth Jesus into the world, let us also celebrate the relationship He gives us with the Father.

Today's Advent Passage (1 Peter 2:7)

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." (1 Peter 2:7, NASB)

When our family chose to start Advent traditions, we were very intentional about our Scripture selection. We wanted the traditional passages of Jesus' birth, and the key prophecies, but we also wanted passages that connected Jesus' birth to the Gospel. Christmas is only the beginning of the story, and so we wanted reminders throughout the season that the Christmas story wasn't complete until the empty tomb. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy of Messiah - not just the birth prophecies.

Peter quotes Psalm 118:22, reminding his congregation that Jesus was rejected by the "leaders". Encouraging them to godly, intentional living in the midst of an unbelieving society, Peter underscores that not everyone will believe. But to those of us who believe, He is precious.

Jesus is the chief cornerstone. The church is built on Him - no other foundation. He is precious, truly. Whether accepted as an innocent and truly perfect baby, or rejected by men, for those who believe He becomes the foundation that we need - for our lives, for our families, for our church, for our world.

Today's Advent Passage: Hebrews 1:1-2

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)

There had been no prophetic word from heaven for 400 years. No prophet was anointed by God. Israel experienced a "famine of hearing the word of the Lord."

Then an angel appeared to Zechariah, prophesying the forerunner to the Messiah, John the Baptist. Once again, God's eternal words greeted human ears. No wonder Israel turned out in droves to hear John speak. All the legalistic burdens of the Pharisees couldn't hold them back. They were starved for the Word of God.

And they hadn't heard the best part yet.

Soon, Messiah would be born in a humble manger. Soon, a baby's cry would pierce the night and few would realize that this very child was, in fact, a Word from God. THE Word from God. The Word made flesh, the Apostle John would call Him.

This is the miracle and mystery of the incarnation. When we embrace this, all we can do is bow down in awe.

"Hail, hail the Word made flesh; the babe the son of Mary" (What Child is This?).

Today's Advent Passage: Psalm 2:8

"Ask of Me and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession."

In Psalm 2, God is speaking to His Son. His Son, the one born in the manger. His Son, the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. His Son, born to die. His Son, whose resurrection was God's stamp of acceptance that His death truly paid the price for our sins. His Son, to Whom has been given all the nations as an inheritance.

As Abraham Kuyper said, "There is no square inch of earth over which the Lord Jesus does not cry, 'Mine.'" There are no God-forsaken places. Not here, not there, not anywhere.

Hallelujah. That makes for a very merry Christmas indeed, as we commit afresh to telling His story where it is old, and where it is new.
http://youtu.be/2Y_lHevMdpc

Today's Advent Passage: Isaiah 49:6

he says:  "It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."  - Isaiah 49:6

One of the beautiful things about Advent to me is the reminder that God is the God of the world - no one has a corner on Him! This prophecy of Messiah specifically connects His coming with the cause of global missions -- and when you think of what it meant for Immanuel, God with us, to come to earth, it is easy to understand why God says it would be too light a thing to do all that for only one people group.

The babe in the manger, the Lord of the earth, came as a light for the nations.

Today's Advent Passage: Galatians 3:16

'And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed'...He does not say, 'and to seeds', as referring to many, but rather to one, and to your seed', that is, Christ.

Jesus fulfilled the promise God gave Abraham to be the seed through whom the entire world would be blessed. During Advent we remember the promise that was anticipated for 2000 years - and the fulfillment that came in the manger when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Today's Advent Passage: Zechariah 2:10-11

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the LORD. And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. - (Zechariah 2:10-11 ESV)

The babe in the manger is LORD.

The heart of Christmas is this realization: Something incredible, unique, dynamic, and world-changing happened when Jesus was born. The witness of the New Testament is that Jesus fulfilled the promise of God to come dwell with His people.The LORD, Yahweh, has come down. Advent reminds us that Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

And He is for all of us. Zechariah's prophecy saw many nations joining themselves to the Lord. In the Revelation Jesus gave to John, he saw even more: People from every nation, tribe, and tongue. Every single people group on earth will be represented around the throne. No exceptions, no limitations. On that beautiful day around the throne, there will be no unreached people groups. None.

Jesus Himself linked His second advent, His second coming, to this truth: And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 ESV) If we long for His return, as Scripture says we should, then we should long to be involved in the one thing that will be required to hasten His return -- reaching those "nations" (the word refers to people groups, what we might consider tribes or clans rather than political nations) -- those people groups who have never heard.

On the day Jesus was born in the manger, God send angels to herald the news to shepherds in the field. Today, He sends His people - the church - to herald the news to those who have never heard. What is that message? God Himself has made a way for relationship to Him. He has entered the world He created, taken on human flesh, so that He could bear the death penalty for the sins we committed against a holy God. Jesus, full of grace and truth, revealed God's heart of love and mercy toward mankind.

Hallelujah, what a message! Hallelujah, what a Savior!
http://youtu.be/ogWRU29J78I

Second Sunday of Advent: Peace

As we light the candle for the second Sunday of Advent tonight, we remember the Peace that Jesus came to bring to the world. This peace is not like the world's peace - not what we would expect. Remarkably, He Himself became our peace. In some way that is beyond our human understanding, this baby in the manger became peace for us between sinful humanity and a holy God.

In his remarkable story, Peace Child, Don Richardson presents the saga of living among the Sawi people of New Guinea. In an effort to share the Gospel with this people group that valued treachery and deceit, he sought to find a cultural "key" that would unlock the beauty of the Gospel message. Everything was a dead end -- they even saw Judas as the hero of the crucifixion story -- until the day he learned about the Sawi concept of Peace Child.

For the Sawi, the only thing that could stop treachery and deceit between clans was to exchange a child. The clans would meet, and one clan leader would present the other with a child, who would be raised among the other clan. As long as the Peace Child remained alive, the two clans would have to maintain peace.

Richardson immediately saw the connection to Truth. He couldn't wait to get the leaders together. When he did, he told the about Jesus, the Peace Child that God sent to mankind. The Peace Child who lives forever. The Peace Child who was God incarnate. Immediately these Sawi leaders understood that Judas, instead of being the hero, had committed the ultimate sin in their eyes - he rejected the Peace Child.

Today, as you read the Scriptures below and light your Peace candle, remember Jesus who came, not to give a superficial or temporary peace, but to bring the ultimate Peace - peace between man and God. Eagerly anticipate the day when He comes again, bringing the perfect peace on earth for which we all long. And then pray those words He taught us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" - and ask Him to give us a glimpse of His kingdom by raising up leaders who will seek peace in some of the broken places of earth today.
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But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; (Micah 5:2-5 ESV)

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." ... After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 ESV)


The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD. - (Isaiah 2:1-5 ESV)


As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" - (Luke 3:4-6 ESV)


But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. - (Ephesians 2:13-16 ESV)

Today's Advent Passage: Isaiah 11:1-2

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. - (Isaiah 11:1-2 ESV)

Jesus' life is the perfect example of a Spirit-filled life. As we celebrate His birth, let us commit to reading through the Gospels in the upcoming months to be reminded again what a Spirit-filled life looks like.

Today's Advent Passage: Luke 1:35

And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. (Luke 1:34-35 ESV)

We can always trust God when He asks us to surrender.

Mary's surrender was to become the virgin mother of the Son of God. Our surrender will not be as dramatic, but we can always trust God.

His character is Holy. The fruit that is borne when He comes upon us and overshadows us will always be Holy.

Let us then say with Mary, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. - (Luke 1:38 ESV)

Praise God for the miracle of the virgin birth, a miracle beyond comprehension. Take a moment to be awed once again by the idea of a holy God wrapped in human flesh.

http://youtu.be/knKJOTt_uCc

 

Today's Advent Passage: Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. - (Micah 5:2 ESV)

Matthew 2:5-6 records that this was fulfilled in Jesus' birth in Bethlehem. Reflect on what it says about God that He chose the city of one of the smallest clans of the tribe of Judah to be the location for His Son to be born.

Today's Advent Passage: Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

Think about the names given to the child that was born to us - Jesus. Spend some time reflecting on the purpose and power of these names. As you see references to "baby Jesus", remember all that was wrapped up in that tiny package. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19).

Today's Advent Passage: Matthew 1:18-23

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). - (Matthew 1:18-23 ESV)


Thank God today for fulfilling His word to Isaiah. Reflect on what it means that Jesus perfectly fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah. Immanuel means "God with us"; throughout your day today remember that God is with you in every circumstance or situation.

Today's Advent Passage: Luke 1:17

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ... and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." (Luke 1:13 ESV)

Pray for God to prepare your heart for all the Lord wants to teach you this Advent season

Today's Advent Passage: Luke 1:68-69

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (Luke 1:68-69 ESV)

Thank God today for visiting us, in the person of Jesus Christ, and for the redemption and salvation He raised up by sending Jesus.

First Sunday of Advent: Hope

I recently read a quote from Lou Holtz: "I think that everybody needs four things in life. Everybody needs something to do regardless of age. Everybody needs someone to love. Everybody needs something to hope for, and, of course, everybody needs someone to believe in." 

Without hope, we quickly become depressed and lose the will to live.

With hope, even the tiniest spark, we can face the challenges of a day that might seem overwhelming on paper.

Jesus' birth brought hope - eternal hope to live forever with Him, and temporal hope for the difference He wants to make in the here and now. Jesus' entire life demonstrated both the practical and spiritual aspects of the hope that is found in Him alone.

As you read the passages below and listen to the song afterward, praise God for putting hands and feet to the Hope that He sent us in Jesus. Ask God to use you this week to bring hope to someone around you.

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Today's readings (read passages and light Advent candle - usually after dark, but whenever is best time for your family). 

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:21-26 ESV)

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. - (Isaiah 9:1-7 ESV)

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. - (Isaiah 60:1-3 ESV)

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. - (Isaiah 7:14 ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). - (Matthew 1:18-23 ESV)

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples--of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. - (Isaiah 11:1-10 ESV)

http://youtu.be/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuUYeSLMqnM&feature=player_embedded

In search of a child, they traveled so far
Led by a star to a place of joy
The wise men told a beautiful story
Describing the glory of a baby boy

Hope has hands
Freedom has feet
Truth will stand
The word will speak
The holy and the lowly will finally embrace
For love has a heartbeat
And grace has a face

Compassion has a tear
Joy has laughter
And here everafter
Peace has a smile
Redemption's blood has veins to flow in
A temple to glow in
For light is a child

Hope has hands
Freedom has feet
Truth will stand
The word will speak
The holy and the lowly will finally embrace
For love has a heartbeat
And grace has a face

The holy and the lowly will finally embrace
For love has a heartbeat
Love has a heartbeat
And grace has a face

Why I Love Advent

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth....For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14, 17 ESV)

Advent (from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/advent)

1. The coming or arrival, especially of something extremely important.

2. a. The liturgical period preceding Christmas, beginning in Western churches on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and in Eastern churches in mid-November, and observed by many Christians as a season of prayer, fasting, and penitence. b. Christianity The coming of Jesus at the Incarnation. c. Christianity See Second Coming.

Christmas Day is 28 days, 6 hours, and 56 minutes away as I write this.

In the United States, that frequently means 28 days of harried shoppers and store clerks, people going to ridiculous extremes to be the one to grab ridiculous bargains. In a word - commercialism.

A few years ago, our family grew tired of the growing commercialism. My husband and I wanted to set a different tone for our family. We had been reading a series of books by Jan Karon called The Mitford Years and learned through Episcopal priest Father Tim about a season on the liturgical calendar called Advent.

I grew up in a solidly Baptist home and had never heard of Advent. I was intrigued but a little skeptical. The more we researched, though, the more we realized the potential Advent held for our family.

Like any tradition, Advent can become just another date on the calendar. It can be reduced to chocolate calendars and pop-up toys. But at its heart lies a focus - an emphasis on the full meaning of the birth of Jesus. We made the decision to embrace this intention at the heart of Advent.

This year we celebrate our 10th Advent season. I've come to love Advent ... to anticipate it and crave the simplicity and focus that it brings to a season that can be filled with too much food, too many events, and an unnecessary amount of stress and tension. For me, Advent reflects the hope, joy, peace, and love that filled the manger that first Christmas morning.

Our culture has secularized Christmas in many ways. Advent reminds me that the "spirit of Christmas" isn't ours to redefine. Indeed, Christmas isn't about a feeling at all ... it's about a person. It's about the One who was born to die that I might live forever. Advent helps me keep my eyes on Him.

Advent doesn't require or expect a total rejection of what is called "the Christmas season". We still decorate, bake, host and attend special events, and shop for gifts for loved ones within a reasonable budget. What Advent brings is a simplicity and purpose to those activities. In fact, I've enjoyed Christmas more this side of adding the Advent tradition than I did before, when the focus was on how long I had to get things done until Christmas Day. Then I rushed through, hardly noticing the beauty around me. Now, I reflect on the depth of meaning behind every tradition, even when obscured by our culture. Truly, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. " (John 1:5)

If you are wanting to start your own Advent tradition, I encourage you to jump in starting tomorrow. I'll post our daily verses and weekly readings. I encourage you to make an Advent wreath, lighting one candle each Sunday with a focus on a different aspect of Jesus' first Advent each week (learn about making an Advent wreath here). As you walk through the Advent season, reflect on the "why" of Christmas traditions. Look intentionally for the light shining into the darkness. And ask God to help you be a light to guide others to understand the true meaning of the hallowed manger.

http://youtu.be/cTDA_awnl8g

 

Closer than we think: The persecuted in the body of Christ

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential, and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our unpresentable members are clothed with dignity, but our presentable members do not need this. Instead, God has blended together the body, giving greater honor to the lesser member, so that there may be no division in the body, but the members may have mutual concern for one another. If one member suffers, everyone suffers with it. If a member is honored, all rejoice with it. (1 Corinthians 12:21-26, NET)

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:3 ESV) 

It's easy to forget how closely connected we are to the persecuted church - how we are all part of the same body. A few years back when I injured my neck, God gave me a vivid illustration of how persecution affects the larger body of Christ. When my was neck hurt, I hurt all over! Honestly, I took my neck for granted before this episode. I didn't realize that my neck muscles play a role in typing, or opening the bathroom door, or tying my shoelaces. But when I was in severe pain, all those things hurt. I could feel my neck muscles in literally every movement.

That's how it can be with believers in other countries, and specifically the persecuted church. They can seem so far away, so unrelated to the immediate needs of staffing the nursery and cleaning the church and planning the Christmas pageant.

But no matter how distant persecuted believers seem sometimes, the verses above are true. The body of Christ is hurting when the church in the Middle East is nearing extinction ... when some believers recant their testimony rather than watch their children starved or their wives be raped ... when we exalt the persecuted church rather than identify with them. When my neck was at its worst, I didn't glorify the pain for the lessons it was teaching me; instead, my whole body threw itself into compensating for the pain and helping me get through it.

As we've looked this week at five things worse than persecution, it might be easy to think that perscution isn't all that bad. Not so. As I have learned more about persecution I have seen that the church either tends to ignore it or glorify it - both of which are unbiblical responses. (See this earlier post on myths related to persecution).

Persecution is bad. It can throw the church into a survival mode. It can tear churches apart when people give in to pressure and recant their faith and then repent and want restoration. At its worst it can destroy all the believers in a specific area (it's happened in places before and some feel is happening again in the Middle East as believers are either killed, recant, or flee to the West).

The persecuted church needs our prayers. Sometimes they need our tangible support - letters to officials, financial support for family members, Bibles. And we need them too. We need them to remind us of the importance of worship, prayer, and Scripture reading - those elements of our daily quiet times that can seem routine are their lifeline. We need them to remind us that this world is not our home, and that no matter what happens we always can have hope. We need them to demonstrate vividly that as bad as persecution is, there are things worse - things like apathy, lovelessness, denial, idolatry, and the absence of God's word.

Open Doors does the best job I've seen of connecting the persecuted church to the rest of the body of Christ, finding out what their real needs are and communicating how we can pray for them and meet their needs. There are other great ministries as well. I encourage you today, as part of IDOPPC, to take a few minutes to find a resource you can refer to regularly to remember those who are part of the body, but hurting today.

They are closer than we think.  

http://youtu.be/OHbs18dmKa4

Worse than Persecution #5: A famine of God's Word

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord GOD, "when I will send a famine on the land-- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12 ESV)

Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18 ESV)

There's a reason why believers imprisoned for their faith throughout the world are typically denied a Bible.

There's a reason why they treasure every word they recall or every portion of Scripture that is slipped to them.

There's a reason new believers in lands where persecution is prominent are taught to memorize Scripture.

• It is the means He uses to impart faith to our souls so we can believe and increase our faith as believers. (Romans 10:17)
• It teaches, reproves, corrects, and trains us for righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
• It's living, active, and pierces the deepest parts of our soul. (Hebrews 4:12).
• It gives us encouragement and hope. (Romans 15:4).
• It is eternally written in the heavenly places, so it can never be eradicated by man. (Psalm 119:89). This means it withstands every effort to destroy it, minimize it, or doubt it.
• When it is taught by pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophet, or apostle, it builds up the church. (Ephesians 4:11-16). Embraced by enough people, it has the power to transform a society.
• Wherever it is proclaimed, it goes forth with power - even if the proclaimer utters the verses with disbelief, sarcasm, or wrong interpretations. It never returns empty. (Isaiah 55:11).

Scripture contains everything God knew we needed to know until His return. It points us to Jesus so we can have a relationship with Him to guide us in those areas that aren't specifically spelled out in Scripture (which job to take, whom to marry, etc.).

Even when we don't realize it, we have an underlying hunger for God's Word. A famine of His Word would leave us searching, even if we didn't realize specifically what was missing. The absence of God's Word, therefore, is more devastating to a believer than persecution could ever be. We absolutely do not want to know where we would be without Word of God as revealed in the Bible.

We have to hear from Him through His Word.

Let us pray to be people immersed in Scripture. Let us commit to read every word God has revealed in the Bible - not in any certain time frame, but in an ongoing way, consistently reading through the Bible and being reminded of passages we had forgotten were in there.

And let us pray that those who are being persecuted will recall passages they have read or heard even one time. Let's pray for all those without Scripture in their language, so that when they find themselves facing persecution they will have been infused with its faith-giving words.

http://youtu.be/BYu8ZyETnKo

Worse than Persecution #4: Idolatry

Little children, guard yourselves from idols. - 1 John 5:21

I don't remember getting the hope chest in the picture above. From my earliest memories, this chest has held treasures primarily of my choosing. My mom gave it to me when I was too young to remember. In true southern fashion, she intended me to fill it with things I would need some day when I had a home of my own. What I put in the hope chest wasn't necessarily important to my mom, but every item was very special to me.

It's a sobering reality: The Apostle John wrote his first epistle to believers, specifically to give them assurance that they could know with certainty that they had eternal life -- but he still warned them about idolatry.

Christians can be drawn into idolatry. We might not build a golden calf as the Israelites did, but we certainly can have false "gods". Biblically, an idol is anything which a person places ahead of God - in importance, in priorities, in ultimate trust or hope. That's why Jesus said: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). "Treasure" here doesn't just refer to money - it refers to a place where good and precious things are stored. Our spiritual "hope chest", if you will.

That's not to say that trust and hope are bad - we're not supposed to be cynical or hardened - but we have to keep in mind that ultimately our trust and hope are in God alone. Everything circumstance or possession is merely His instrument. We must always look beyond His instruments to see the One on the throne over our circumstances. That spouse, that job, that retirement plan, that politician who's saying all the right things - none of them are our ultimate hope. When we are free from idolatry we know that if we lost them tomorrow, we would be ok.

That's why idolatry is worse than persecution. Idolatry says "my future depends on ___________". Idolatry places something in the hope chest besides God Himself. And where our treasure is, our hearts follow.

Ultimately my life looked very different than my mom probably envisioned when she gave me the hope chest. The treasures I placed in it were unique to me. Those things which tempt each of us to idolatry will also be unique. John's warning to "guard yourselves" literally means "protect from outside assaults.". We have to be intentional about protecting ourselves, especially in areas we know are temptations to idolatry.

Fortunately John gives the best antidote to idolatry in verse 20:

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20 NASB)

The revelation God has given us of Jesus is a revelation of truth. It's a revelation of certainty in who Jesus is and of our position in Him. This is the true hope, the true treasure. Let us pray that we will be so enthralled with the True that anything less will hold no appeal for us. Pray for those being persecuted to cast their total hope on God alone and hold fast their confession of faith. And pray that whether we ever face outright persecution or not, we will have all our treasure stored up in Him alone - that He will be our ultimate hope.

Worse than Persection #3: Denying Christ

Peter didn’t get it right the first time. Even when he was forewarned, Peter initially chose denial: 

Matthew 26:31-35 ESV - [31] Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' [32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." [33] Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away." [34] Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." [35] Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.

Luke 22:54-62 ESV - [54] Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. [55] And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. [56] Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, "This man also was with him." [57] But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him." [58] And a little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." [59] And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, "Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean." [60] But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. [61] And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, "Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times." [62] And he went out and wept bitterly.

Peter felt the depth of his denial, and wept bitterly. He didn’t take it lightly. Imagine denying Jesus then having Him look at you with His all-seeing, all-knowing, ever-loving eyes. Eyes that were not surprised. Eyes that saw ahead to Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost. Eyes that looked ahead to another time when Peter would reject denial and pay the ultimate price:

John 21:17-19 ESV - [17] He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. [18] Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go." [19] (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

 Reliable church tradition holds that Peter was executed under Nero’s reign:

Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was. (http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox101.htm)

When Peter got a do-over, he chose persecution over denial. 

Denying Christ doesn’t just happen with words, but with deeds:

Titus 1:15-16 NASB - [15] To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. [16] They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Let us pray for grace to never deny Him – with our words or with our actions. Denial is far more dangerous than persecution could ever be.

Worse than persecution #2: Lovelessness

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40 ESV)

It's hard to overstate the importance God puts on love - loving Him, and loving others. The Apostle John, that "Son of Thunder" turned "Apostle of Love", hits the point over and over in 1 John, unfolding the inseparability of loving God and loving others. And with good reason -- Jesus Himself laid out love of God and others as the top commandments. Loving God passionately and others selflessly should permeate every aspect of our lives. It's simply not optional.

That's why two of the most sobering passages in Scripture jump out to remind me again and again that lovelessness is to be avoided, period. Without a doubt, it's on the shelf labeled "Dangerous Things for Christians." Lovelessness is worse than persecution.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:12-13, NIV)

(Revelation 2:1-5 ESV) - (1) "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. (2) "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (3) I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. (4) But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (5) Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Taken together, these passages should motivate us to not harbor any vestige of lovelessness. Jesus warns that the love of "most" will grow cold. Not just a few - most. The word literally means "a multitude." It's sobering to see what motivates this lovelessness: An increase of sin. Oh, can I ever identify. My grandparents reached out to show love in ways I would never dream of today because of an increase of wickedness -- picking up hitchhikers, serving food to strangers walking through their property, leaving church doors unlocked day and night. I'm not saying we shouldn't be wise - absolutely we need to discern the times and act accordingly. But we must be very, very cautious not to let wisdom toward our fallen world turn into lovelessness. The challenge I give myself is to always look for ways to love, with wisdom, rather than excuses not to love. This keeps my heart soft and tender to God's very creative Spirit.

Ephesus bears another warning against lovelessness. Don't miss verse 3 - this church had successfully endured a level of persecution! Yet Jesus held against them their abandonment of love. Wow. We never, ever have an excuse not to love. Paul even tells us that martyrdom is no substitute for love:

(1 Corinthians 13:1-7 ESV) - (1) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3) If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. (4) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant (5) or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; (6) it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (7) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Scripture has so much to say on the subject of love that there is no way we can exhaust the subject. One very clear principle, though, is that love is not passive, theoretical, or distant. Look again at Paul's definitions. Love is active. Love is tangible, practical. (1 John 3:18 ESV) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. And love reaches out, just as God reached out to us in Christ. (Romans 5:8 ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

May we never settle for lovelessness. May we pray constantly to know His love more, to love Him more in response, and to manifest His love to others better every day.

Worse than Persecution #1: Apathy

Sometimes here in the west, we imagine that persecution is the worst thing that could happen to us as Christians. For most of us persecution remains only a distant, theoretical possibility, and so we are able to place it in a box on a shelf labeled "Dangerous Things for Christians". We may be fully willing to take down that box if circumstances warranted, but it's easy to forget one glaring truth:

There are worse things than persecution.

This Sunday, Nov. 13, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Along with others around the world, our church will be participating and prayer and awareness activities to identify with those who suffer - to be "One with Them." The persecuted church has been heavily on my heart and mind lately, and for years I've studied and written about persecuted believers.

But this morning in my quiet time, God caught my attention with a couple of passages that reminded me of something worse than persecution: Apathy.

Recounting Israel's history before his death and their entrance into the Promised Land, Moses describes a time when serious intercession impacted the course of events:

(Deuteronomy 9:11-21 NIV) - (11) At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. (12) Then the LORD told me, "Go down from here at once, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have become corrupt. They have turned away quickly from what I commanded them and have made a cast idol for themselves." (13) And the LORD said to me, "I have seen this people, and they are a stiff-necked people indeed! (14) Let me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make you into a nation stronger and more numerous than they." (15) So I turned and went down from the mountain while it was ablaze with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my hands. (16) When I looked, I saw that you had sinned against the LORD your God; you had made for yourselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. You had turned aside quickly from the way that the LORD had commanded you. (17) So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes. (18) Then once again I fell prostrate before the LORD for forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water, because of all the sin you had committed, doing what was evil in the LORD's sight and so provoking him to anger. (19) I feared the anger and wrath of the LORD, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the LORD listened to me. (20) And the LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too. (21) Also I took that sinful thing of yours, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust and threw the dust into a stream that flowed down the mountain.

Moses - described in Scripture as a very meek and humble man - was so distraught by Israel's idolatry and God's threat to destroy them for it that he smashed the tablets, fasted for 40 days and nights, and crushed the idol calf.

There is no suggestion that Moses hesitated even a moment before taking righteous action. He seems not to even consider that God would keep His plan going through another people that would come from Moses' line. Moses didn't take a laissez faire attitude toward the situation. He didn't let pride at being a potential patriarch of a chosen line guide his thoughts; he didn't justify prayerlessness by focusing on God's sovereignty; he didn't rationalize leaving the people to their own devices and letting them keep the calf and suffer the consequences.

Moses was anything but apathetic.

And his prayer made a dramatic difference. Instead of destroying the Israelites and starting over, God listened to Moses. The sovereignty of God and the free will of man intersected - God was glorified and the people benefitted.

There is no place for apathy in the body of Christ. Each day as I pray for a different country in Operation World, I learn much about God's global work. One principle I've seen played out repeatedly - where the church is on mission, God is working and spiritual battles abound. But where the church is apathetic, there is decline. There is often little spiritual warfare - there is no kingdom advance to which the enemy needs to respond.

Psalm 107 describes the stories of several who were rescued by God. One story spoke to me of those who are walking with the Lord through the ups and downs of life:

(Psalm 107:23-32 NIV) - (23) Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. (24) They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. (25) For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. (26) They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. (27) They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. (28) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. (29) He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. (30) They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. (31) Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. (32) Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

This group literally rode the waves with God - the ups and downs of the storm. They were glad when it grew calm - who wouldn't be? - but it was "in the deep" (v. 24) that they saw His works. Apathy might be safe, but it's when we actually get out into the deep with God that we see His works... even if it means riding the waves at times.

Christians aren't supposed to be apathetic. Jesus counseled the church at Laodicea: "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! (16) So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Rev. 3:15-16 ESV). Let us pray to have a burning passion for God and desire to know Him and make Him known. Let us ask for a heart like Paul's for those who don't know Him:

(Romans 9:1-3 ESV) - (1) I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- (2) that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. (3) For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

Let us ask He would break our hearts with the things that break His heart. Let us walk in the Spirit and always be prepared for the righteous actions that characterize those who have nothing to fear.

And let's remember that on that shelf of things dangerous to Christians, there are things much worse than persecution.

Little by Little

The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. (Deuteronomy 7:22 NIV)

It's reassuring to know that not every spiritual victory will happen instantly.

This truth (like many others) is one that we often know theologically, but struggle with in practice. We get frustrated with ourselves when we struggle in an area. We grow discouraged when someone in whom we've invested time and prayer falls. We want every victory to be a dramatic delivery from Egypt, a parting of the Red Sea and a dance on the banks of the river.

Such divine deliverance is an important part of our walk with Christ, establishing strongly within us an awareness of His character and ability to deliver. In the same chapter, God recounts this deliverance to the Israelites to encourage them toward faith, not fear:

(Deuteronomy 7:17-19 NIV) - (17) You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?" (18) But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. (19) You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.

God had a new victory planned for the children of Israel - but He tells them it will happen "little by little". His mighty hand and outstretched arm would be equally at work in the gradual deliverance as it had been in the dramatic one.

What a relief this is to me, and should be to anyone seeking to advance the kingdom of God. One reality God is teaching me lately is that just as ministry opportunities are present in every aspect of my life, the reality of spiritual warfare is also present. When we individually or corporately live with a focus on the kingdom, we will face ongoing struggles with the world, our own flesh, and satan - who wants to stop the kingdom in its tracks. God guarantees that we can walk in victory over all these enemies - but that victory might come "little by little."

"Little by little." That's encouraging, because in some of my ongoing battles I might not see progress over the past week - but I can look back a year and see definite forward movement. My part, especially in battles with my flesh is simply to walk humbly with my God - walking in surrender and obedience, trusting that He truly knows what is best for me in every area of life.

One of the principles that has jumped out at me in scripture recently is that the smallest acts of obedience take back ground and block opportunities for the enemy to gain an opportunity (See 1 Corinthians 7:5; Ephesians 4:27; James 1:14-15; Revelation 12:11). Spiritual warfare is not only reactive, it's proactive. Like the military and the underground in World War II undercut the enemy by sabotage, I can "sabotage" the enemy's efforts in my life by the weapons of worship, prayer,and the word of God - not only hearing it but living it out. This obedience sabotages the enemy by refusing to give him more ammunition and takes back ground he's gained. The purpose? To keep moving forward on mission with God. When we are not distracted by minor skirmishes, we are able to keep moving forward for kingdom gain and be prepared to fight for those still held captive. This does not mean a frontal assault won't come - but we can make it very hard for the enemy in the process.

Psalm 101 teaches a lot about the warfare of obedience. Every morning, we have to silence the voices that come our way which are not from God. We do this by taking in huge doses of the Word and setting our minds on what the Spirit desires by living His way, not our own. We make no room in our "temple" for evil, carefully choose who ministers to us, and refuse to allow the actions of those not walking in faith to "cling" to us.

Friedrich Nietzsche spoke of "a long obedience in the same direction". This describes the "little by little" victory quite well. Ultimately, our obedience is fueled by faith - and our faith is described in 1 John 5:4 as the victory that overcomes the world. Think about that - our faith itself IS the victory. Simply continuing to believe and persevere, to walk in faith, is in itself victory!

Whatever you are facing in your ministry today, in your efforts to engage the kingdom - keep walking forward in obedience fueled by faith. Remember that we don't have to know the 'strategic plan' for the battle. All He asks is for us to walk in him, and allow ourselves to be led by Him - in a word, to surrender. Don't resist the Spirit at any point; don't grieve Him by rebellion or quench Him by shutting out the gifts He gives us. When we do that, we will find ourselves right where He wants us - part of the victory, little by little.

Making an Impact

"I realized I'm not supposed to be pursuing impact, I'm supposed to be pursuing God. And when I pursue God I will have exactly as much impact as He wants me to have....We're not called to be a people of vision, we're called to be a people of revelation. God speaks and we follow."

- Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales on the lessons he learned after the failure of his company, Big Idea.

Today's "typical Christian" is not a white westerner in a megachurch, serving in the food pantry and giving generously to missions. It's not someone who applies business models to the church and creates five year plans and programs with goals and target dates. None of this is necessarily wrong - it can even be helpful - but it's certainly not "typical".

The "typical Christian", statistically speaking, is a poor woman from Africa, Asia, or Latin America. She's probably never been in a large congregation, and might even worship outside. Her church likely doesn't have a food pantry, but she willingly shares the little food she has with those who come to her in need. Like the widow who gave her last coins, she gives beyond generously - she gives sacrificially. She doesn't create plans and programs because she is just trying to do the next thing in front of her to care for her family and others God sends her way. She just loves Jesus with her whole heart, whatever the cost.

I think that I can learn a lot from this "typical Christian".

I am by nature a task-oriented person. That's a good thing - God made me this way for a reason. But like anything else, it is only beneficial when exercised under the control of the Holy Spirit. For many years, my task-orientation was completely controlled by my flesh, and the result was selfish ambition. When God gripped my heart with the message of His grace, it took a while for me to recognize the temptation to simply Christianize my ambitions. Slowly, He has taught me the lesson of John the Baptist: "I must decrease, and He must increase."

But when I read Phil Vischer's quote I was caught off guard. He's absolutely right of course - pursuing God is more important than pursuing impact. He asks us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness - not our impact! He doesn't need my ministry for Him more than I need Him. Yet sometimes it's easy to give into the temptation that some ministry or other - a phone call, an email, a blog post - needs to be prioritized over intimacy with Him.

Of course, balance is called for because sometimes we can get legalistic and miss a Divine appointment just to check off a box. I'm not saying that God will never prompt me to interrupt my quiet time to minister to someone. But the key is listening to His Spirit. He wants me present with Him - in intimate relationship. My husband and I have a weekly date - he doesn't want to spend it watching me do dishes even if I tell him it's for him. I talk to my mom on the phone frequently - she cherishes those times when I'm not doing something else in the background. Just being present with Him is part of seeking Him. It helps me reject the pride that says I need to minister more than I need to be ministered to.

What I learn from this "typical Christian" is that the biggest impact I will have will be the one that I don't even realize I'm making. God is doing amazing things in the "Global South" - the non-western part of the church. He's using ordinary people to reach entire people groups, just because they pray passionately, share His word faithfully, and trust Him implicitly. The simplicity of it all is beautiful.

So often in the West we allow our plans and programs to take the place of His Spirit. We allow our desire for impact and vision to turn into a desire to be in the "inner circle" and to feel significant. That wasn't the example of Jesus. He went to the outcasts. The poor. The suffering. We are called to join Him "outside the camp". It might not look very impactful. But it will be Kingdom-centered, and when we seek Him enough to join Him there, the impact will be more than we could ever imagine. And when we simply read His Word and obey it fully, we will find indeed that His revelation goes beyond anything we could ever envision.