Jesus: The Message of Hope

Christmas Character Series

John 1:1-18

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201%3A1-18&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

This headline appeared in the Columbus Dispatch on Christmas Eve morning. Initially, I thought how cool that on Christmas Eve they printed a story about Jesus. Instead, it was an article about the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 8 space mission that circled the moon.

 

Here is how the journalist introduced the story.

“At the end of a violent, turbulent 1968 in which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr and Robert F Kennedy were assassinated, protesters and police battled outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and American troops were mired in the war in Vietnam, there came a semblance of peace from 230,000 miles away.”

 

That “semblance of peace” was issued on December 24, 1968, as the astronauts looked out the window of their spacecraft, and saw the earth in a way that no human had ever seen before. As a message of hope, they quoted a passage from Genesis 1. However, I think the following verses would have been better.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

 

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.         NIV

 

This is the best message of hope possible. It is the message of God becoming man; of the word made flesh; of God with us. In The Message, it is paraphrased this way:

 

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and blood,
                        and moved into the neighborhood.          MSG

 

Thank goodness we don’t depend on the Columbus Dispatch, or any other temporal source, for lasting hope. But we can depend on the Living God, who sent His one and only Son into our world to seek us out and bring us love, joy, peace and hope.

 

May you experience “The Message of Hope” throughout the coming year.

 

 

 

 

The Shepherds: Unexpected Servants

Christmas Character Series

Luke 2:1-21

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202%3A1-21&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

Many years ago, we went to a Christmas program called Journey to Bethlehem. It was a series of scenes leading up to the birth of Christ. The manger scene was in the

sanctuary where there was a young couple playing Mary and Joseph. What made it especially touching was that their newborn baby was with them as Jesus.

 

As we walked into the sanctuary, the baby began crying, as babies will do. Just like that, the theatrical scene suddenly became a real-life scene. It took me back two thousand years to the real baby Jesus crying in his mother’s arms.

 

For over sixty years, I’ve celebrated Christmas with outdoor decorations, a Christmas tree with lots of presents, a big Christmas meal with family and a special Christmas Eve service. Despite all of that, it only took a little baby seconds to make Christmas real. It was unexpected, just like it was for the shepherds.

 

On that very first Christmas, the Shepherds were in the fields minding their own business. They weren’t aware of Caesar Augustus and his big plans for expanding the Roman Empire. They’d never heard of Joseph and Mary, and had no idea of what had been happening in their lives.

 

All they knew was to watch their sheep. That was their world. That is, before it was turned upside down when suddenly an angel appeared to them. Surprise!

 

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”    NLT

 

Once the angels left, the shepherds decided to go into Bethlehem to find the baby. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, except for the hint given them by the angel. Look for the sign. After all, how many new born babies would be lying in a feeding trough?

 

The crying baby was an unexpected sign for me. The angels were unexpected for the shepherds, as well as the baby in a manger. Are you ready for what God has for you that is unexpected?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph – A Devout Servant

Christmas Character Series

Matthew 1:18-25

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+1%3A18-25&version=NIV

 

There’s a new TV series titled “A Million Little Things”. The title is a play on the saying, "Friendship isn't a big thing – it's a million little things."

 

 

The series is about a group of close friends dealing with the suicide death of Jon, who before his death would always say, “Everything happens for a reason”.

 

My Mom was really good about making up stories about strangers. She would see a couple in a restaurant, and create a story just from how they looked and acted. We don’t really learn very much about Joseph in this passage, but based on the few facts available to us, my Mom might have made up the following story.

 

Joseph grew up in Nazareth where his father Jacob was the local carpenter. He had inherited the business from his father before him, and no doubt Joseph would do the same. They weren’t wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but there was always work.

 

The family were devout Jews going to synagogue every Sabbath. Jacob of course, was a descendant of King David. As a young man, sometimes Joseph would see a very pretty girl at synagogue by the name of Mary. However, they never spoke but only gave each other side glances.

 

Mary’s family also lived in Nazareth, but had moved there from the hill country of Judea where her cousin Elizabeth lived. Mary’s father came to Nazareth to find work. They lived a day to day existence.

 

At the appropriate age, the local yenta, or “match maker”, was approached by Joseph’s parents. She knew just the right girl – Mary. Soon the two were betrothed, but then the train fell off the tracks.

 

Mary told Joseph she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. The story was just too unbelievable though. So, after much discussion with his parents and the rabbi, Joseph decided to divorce her quietly.

 

But before he could act on his plan, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream confirming what Mary had told him. When Joseph woke, he discussed his dream with his parents and the rabbi; this time, deciding to stay with Mary.

 

I don’t know about you, but God hasn’t intervened in my life through an angel - by a dream or otherwise. For me, God intervenes through “a million little things”.

 

As a young person, He did it through my parents who raised me; through the plastic case of gem stones we bought on vacation; through my high school girlfriend who dumped me; through a college classmate who befriended me; through… a million little things. I believe that everything does happen for a reason.

 

How has God intervened in your life? How is God intervening right now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary: A Willing Servant

Christmas Character Series

Luke 1:26-38; 46-55

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38%2CLuke+1%3A46-55&version=NIV

 

God has a habit of using ordinary people to do extraordinary things!

 

Consider Moses, who wasn’t good at talking, but led the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Or David, who was a young, shepherd boy, but became the king of Israel which eventually led to his Messianic lineage.

 

A classic example of this was Mary; a teenage girl, living a hard scrabble life, who got pregnant by someone other than her betrothed, only to give birth to, and raise, the son of God.

 

But if you think about it, God could have chosen anybody that He wanted as the Mother of Jesus. It was His choice to set the criteria for her. If God had only used ZipRecruiter to find the best qualified mother then his ad might have appeared something like this:

 

Looking for a young, mature female with parental experience, either as a current mother or possibly a nanny or au pair. Needs to be able to deal with high stress, emotionally painful and complex situations. Must have the financial means to provide, not only for the child’s material needs, but also for his emotional, educational and missional needs. Should have a spouse who can provide the stability and security of a nuclear family that is necessary for a child to thrive.

 

Instead, God called Mary who was so insecure; so unstable; that God had to send an angel to build her up; to reinforce her; to give her the confidence that she was capable of actually doing the job.

 

²⁸ The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”      NIV

 

To Mary’s credit, she asked only one question. Following this, she was ready to commit to the job. She was ready to follow God’s calling; to be His servant no matter what it would mean.

 

³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”           NIV

 

Are you able to give such an unconditional commitment to follow Jesus? Mary has set the bar high. She has set a great example for us to follow. Despite the fact that, in many ways, Mary was unqualified for the job, she plowed ahead by faith.

 

When God calls you to what seems to be an insurmountable, unachievable task – remember how Mary responded. And then, like Mary, take the first step; say yes.

 

(Here’s a link for the song “A Baby Changes Everything” by Faith Hill. I hope you enjoy it.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y0_wNPSOaw

 

 

 

 

The Buckeye Faithful

Revelation 7:9-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%207%3A9-17&version=NIV;NLT

 

When we moved to Columbus in 1985, we had no idea how rabid Buckeye fans could be. However, we quickly learned when virtually every time we were introduced as moving from Lansing, Michigan, the response was invariably the same, “Well at least you’re not a Michigan fan!”

 

The center of these comments came from the rivalry between Ohio State and the University of Michigan. It was perpetuated by their coaches in the 70’s – Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler. However, since the year 2000, U of M has won only three times. This was to be the year when the tide turned, or so they thought.

 

Last Saturday, Ohio Stadium was packed with 106,588 mostly Buckeye fans. It was a sea of red screaming for their team. A friend of mine, who has season tickets, said he had never heard the crowd as loud when during the game Ohio State blocked a punt and ran the ball in for a touchdown.

 

Similar to “The Game” last Saturday, here is a different kind of victorious scene.

 

⁹ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”            NLT

 

John draws us a picture of believers who surround the throne of God worshipping Him. Because no matter what happens in life; no matter how bad our circumstances are; no matter how painful life is; when all is said and done; God is victorious. And His victory ultimately is ours.

 

The people who John was writing to were suffering great persecution. John himself had been exiled to an island penal colony because of his faith. Through this passage, he was giving them a vision of hope; of purpose; of salvation. He was giving them a reason to not compromise, but to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

 

That reason still exists today for you and for me. We may not experience victory every minute of every day, but it is there waiting for us. That’s a promise made by the Living God who is faithful yesterday, today and forever.

 

Therefore, like the Buckeye faithful, let us “shout with a great roar”, only not for the Scarlett and Gray, but for our victorious Lord.

 

 

 

 

Making Dad Proud

Hebrews 13:1-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013%3A1-17&version=NIV;NLT

 

Growing up there wasn’t anybody that I wanted to make proud of me more than my Father. I desperately needed his love and approval, and I’d do anything to get it.

 

Before my senior year of high school, my Dad got a job in a different state. Because I wanted to finish school with my childhood friends, my parents made arrangements for me to live with a family friend.

 

With plans to leave soon, my parents came to the last football game that they would ever see me play. The problem was that I spent most of my time on the bench.

 

Desperately wanting to get into the game to do something special, the coach called my name. I wanted to do something, anything to make my Dad notice me; to make him proud; to make him stand up and yell, “That’s my son!”

 

Hebrews 13 gives us a lot of ways to please God. In the first paragraph alone, the writer says to love one another; to show hospitality; to remember those that are in prison;1 and to comfort those who are suffering.

 

He also reminds us that God is always with us; that he will never leave us; that he is the same “yesterday, today and forever”; and that Jesus suffered and died for us to make us holy. And how are we to respond to who God is and what He has done?

 

¹⁵ Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.           NLT

 

In the moment of that high school football game, I would have run through a brick wall for my Dad. Instead, I picked out an overweight defensive lineman who was huffing and puffing about twenty yards from the ball carrier and leveled him with my best block ever. My Dad never mentioned the play.

 

But I have a Heavenly Father who is always with me; who loves me the same as He did yesterday, today and tomorrow no matter what I do or don’t do; who loved me so much that He sent His one and only son to die for me.

 

That’s the Dad that I want to make proud of me.

 

 

 

 

Murphy's Law

Romans 5:1-5

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205%3A1-5&version=NIV;NLT

  

When I was first married, we had a small leak in our half bath downstairs. When I tried to repair it, instead of tightening the pipes, I disconnected them. Do you know how small those pipes are? And do you know what small pipes do to water pressure? Water shot out of there so hard and fast that pieces of toilet paper were blasted onto the ceiling.

 

That was a perfect example of Murphy’s Law which is, “Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. Yup! Been there, done that!

 

My co-worker recently had a streak of bad luck. First her stove died and they went for weeks before the replacement arrived. Then one of their cars was making some weird noises. Several hundred dollars later, the noise was gone. Finally, the dish washer started leaking and had to be replaced. Have you ever heard of the saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”? Been there, done that!

 

Adversity, affliction, problems, struggles, suffering, issues, trials, temptations, testing, or troubles - whatever you want to call them; we’ve all experienced them. But Paul and James suggest dealing with them in a highly unusual way.

 

³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.    NLT

 

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.      James 1 NIV

 

To respond to adversity with rejoicing or pure joy seems not only counterintuitive, but ridiculous. Why would you do such a thing? I’m glad you asked.

 

⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.   NIV

 

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.         Romans 8 NLT

This is not to say that adversity isn’t hard, because it is. But even in adversity, we can know that God is with us; He is working in our life to draw us closer to Him; and that He loves us no matter what happens.

 

 

That, my friend, is cause to rejoice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wall

Philippians 1:3-6

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201%3A3-6&version=NIV;NLT

  

Marathon runners talk about hitting “the wall”. It is defined as “that period in a marathon when running changes from being pretty hard to being really, really hard. It is the point where your body and mind are simultaneously tested. It's the perfect intersection of fatigue and diminished mental faculties”. (Taken from Active.com)

 

The Philippian believers had been partners with Paul in ministry ever since they first believed. After responding to his message, they immediately joined in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. For this reason, Paul gives thanks for the Philippians. But not just for that reason.

 

⁶ And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.    NLT

 

There are a lot of pitfalls in life that can knock us down, or even lead us down the wrong path. The Philippians experienced them. You’ve experienced them. The Good News is that God is always at work in your life; working to bring you closer to Him; and working through you in the lives of people you know.

 

How do you keep your faith in the midst of trials and temptations? The author of Hebrews wrote about the great examples of the faith. Despite that, all of them had their own struggles with sin… with life.  

 

There is no simple formula to follow; no easy answers to finishing well. In fact, there are as many examples of those who didn’t finish well. But remember this: just like with the Philippian believers, God is faithful, “yesterday, today and tomorrow”.

 

Like a marathon runner, you may have reached “the wall” in your life. But remember, you can still finish well! And when you do, then you can be 100% certain to hear these words: “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behind Door #1

Revelation 4:1-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+4%3A1-11&version=NIV;NLT

In 1963, Monty Hall was the original host of “Let’s Make a Deal”. The show continues today under the same premise as when it originated. Contestants have to choose between prizes that are relatively known, and what is behind Door #1, Door #2 or Door #3. “What’s a person to do? Oh my!”

 

John saw a door of a different nature with a different prize behind it.

 

¹ Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”          NLT

 

In John’s vision of Heavenly worship, he describes God as the brilliant image of someone sitting on the throne. Then he goes on to describe the scene that surrounds the throne including the living beings and the elders. They are the ones who worship God continuously.

 

⁸ Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
    the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”            NLT

 

¹⁰ …the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,

¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”     NLT

 

Most likely, you’ve never experienced worship like this before. But when we come together to worship God, we are in His presence, just like John’s vision. There may not be strange looking creatures or a throne surrounded by gemstones or lightning and thunder; but, be assured that your Heavenly Father is there.

 

So the next time you have the opportunity to choose what’s behind the door that has flashing lights with heavenly and earthly beings in it, choose that door. You’ll win an eternal prize beyond your wildest imagination.

 

 

 

 

Baptism by Fire

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+6%3A1-11&version=NIV;NLT

 

Have you ever felt like you’ve been baptized by fire? When I started in insurance sixteen years ago, I didn’t know anything. Limits of liability, med pay, and uninsured motorist bodily injury were terms that made my eyes glaze over. Probably not too different from what your eyes are doing right now.

 

Baptism by fire is when you are learning something the hard way. It might be because you’ve been thrown into a situation that you aren’t prepared for; or you’re just facing a very difficult circumstance in life. But here’s how John the Baptist spoke of  it.

 

¹¹ “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.            Matthew 3 NLT

 

Baptism by fire includes the death of our old nature. It doesn’t matter what sinful behavior we acted out in the past, or will do in the present or future; we are forgiven.

 

A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list (of sinful behavior). Since then, you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.         1 Corinthians 6:11 MSG

 

Baptism by fire for you may have come as the result of the death of a loved one; the loss of a friend; being let go or looked over at work; diagnosis of a deadly disease; or dealing with an addiction. You don’t feel prepared; nobody educated you on how to deal with something like this. Yet here it is.

 

Just know that through Jesus’ Baptism by Fire he has made it possible for you to live a new life, free from the power of sin; free to love and to serve him. He gives you hope; gives you a fresh start; gives you renewed purpose.

 

We’re not perfect… just forgiven.

 

 

 

Ledger Legacy

Matthew 28:18-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028%3A18-20&version=NIV;NLT

 

When I was growing up, if I wanted something that cost money, I asked my Mom. That’s because my Dad grew up on a farm in Iowa where money was really tight. He learned very quickly how to count pennies to make ends meet.

 

He transferred that lesson to me. I still remember him sitting at his desk almost every night, writing entries into his ledger. He probably recorded every penny spent and every penny earned. I’m guessing he had columns for groceries, car, the house and probably one for me, since I was always getting Mom to buy me stuff.

 

However, he never sat down with me and explained his ledger. And yet, almost from the time I went to college I kept my own ledger. And before getting married, I put one together to make sure we could afford such a big step. I learned how to do this by watching my Dad over eighteen years. I guess you could say, I was his disciple.

 

God spoke these words to Moses to prepare His people for the Promised Land.

 

⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.    Deuteronomy 6:6-9 AMP

 

These verses were written to parents about raising their children. But they’ve been applied to rabbis and disciples; rabbis like Jesus and disciples like Peter, James and John… and you and me.

 

When Jesus first called his disciples he said, “Take up your cross daily and follow me”. When he left his disciples for the last time he said, “Go make disciples… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Being a disciple is a lifetime, two-way street. First you are a disciple; then you disciple others.

 

My Dad left a ledger legacy that he passed on to me, and in turn, I passed on to my daughter. What does it mean to “make disciples”? Do like my Dad did; set an example, live it out daily, and talk about it. When you do that, your children, your neighbors, your co-workers will see what it means to be a disciple, and those with faith will follow.