Friday, December 31, 2010

"Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes". Song of Solomon 2:15

Some years ago a headline told of three hundred whales that suddenly died. The whales were pursuing sardines and found themselves marooned in a bay. Frederick Broan Harris commented, "The small fish lured the sea giants to their death. They came to their violent demise by chasing small ends, by prostituting vast powers for insignificant goals."1

How often in life "little things" can seem so insignificant. For instance, the kid who smokes his first cigarette probably reasons with himself, "One smoke will not hurt," never dreaming he would get addicted to nicotine. The same is true of the alcoholic and the drug addict. One drink will never hurt, or one drug will never hurt never dreaming that they would end up as hopeless addicts.

Then there are those of us who pride ourselves that we are not addicted to any substance, but allow our lives to be consumed by so many little things that are harmless in and of themselves but take us away from God's purpose for our life.

All too often even good things become the enemy of the best in that they hinder or stop our becoming all that God has envisioned for us.

May we so live that in the end when we meet God face to face we will have no regrets but hear his welcoming words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." How we live today will determine what that outcome will be.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the good sense to know that my life here is just a journey and a preparation for eternity. Help me to know what your purpose for my life is and so live that I will have no regrets when I am called home, but will hear your words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. John C. Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1993),

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Nahum 1:7

"The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7

It's nice to be known. When you walk into a room full of strangers, you immediately look for a familiar face. Why? We don't like to be alone. If we see two faces that we know and they are on opposite ends of the room, we have a choice to make. Invariably we move to the end housing the person with whom we are most comfortable. We just like to have company in a strange or uncomfortable situation.

How important it is then that we know the Lord. Even more important that He knows US! There have been times that I walked up to that familiar face only to discover that the person didn't know (or remember) me! Now that's embarrassing. What do you say when you greet a person with a hearty "Hello, Bob. How are you." Only to be greeted with a puzzled look and a "Do I know you?" It makes you want to melt through the cracks in the floor!

It certainly is comforting that we are known by the Lord when we take refuge in Him. Not only are we known by Him,but He welcomes us with open arms. He asks how we are doing. He inquires about our spouse, our kids, the job . . . . He is interested in all our doings. He makes us feel welcome - at home - at ease. When we are in His refuge, His shelter, His fortress, we have nothing to fear. If you are outside the stronghold looking in, open your door and enter. Yes, you read me right. The only door that keeps you out of God's presence is the door that you keep closed to Him - your door - your heart - your privacy. In all reality, God has no doors on His kingdom for He is willing to accept all comers. It is only our refusal to accept Him as our Savior, our Lord, our King, that separates us from the joy and peace we all seek.

So, open your door and walk into the presence of Jesus. Though you may have done it before, you can do it again - every day. Don't allow yourself to be kept apart from Him. He certainly wants you in His presence. He will never turn you away if you are seeking His face. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked;for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." Gal 6:7

Some things in life are certain. Some are not. Today's verse is certain. If a farmer sows beans, he will get beans. If he sows dandelions, he'll get dandelions. What Paul is saying is that what you put into your life, you will get back. If you sow alcoholic beverage into your life, you are likely to grow a case of alcoholism - fancy language for "you may become a drunk!" If you sow illicit sex, you are almost certain to eventually get an incurable disease - AIDS is only the most famous of the batch of incurable Sexually Transmitted Diseases. If you sow greed, you may die a very rich, but miserable person.

With this in mind, we can determine that Paul is saying that if you want to push the limits of God's Law and live for yourself, you will end up in Hell. However, if you want to reach Heaven, you will have to push in that direction by obeying the commandments of the Lord. In all reality, the choice is totally yours. No one will force you to go wrong. No one will force you to go right. You may be presented with some pretty powerful arguments one way or the other, but in the end the choice is yours.

Fortunately, if we choose to be heaven bound, we have some good fuel to boost us in that direction. It starts with the Blood of Jesus bringing us to salvation. It continues with the Word of God directing us (the Light for our paths). Along the way we receive some high octane called the Holy Spirit who empowers us to do what God wants us to do with our lives. All in all, it's a pretty good deal. Make Jesus your final answer. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

John 3:19-20

Jesus said, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed" John 3:19-20

Epictetus, who lived from A.D. 55 to about A.D. 135, said, "Only the educated are free.

Admittedly, there is truth in what Epictetus said. For one thing, dictators don't want the people under them to be educated. Dictators control people through ignorance and fear. If the people were educated, and especially if they were enlightened, there would be greatly increased rebellion. This is one reason why it is important that people everywhere are educated - or at least enlightened. Why enlightened? Because there are millions of educated fools and highly educated criminals, but one would hardly call these people enlightened. These people are "endarkened." As Jesus said, "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."

Education, as important as it is, in and of itself does not give one wisdom, understanding, moral character, or make one enlightened.

In God's Word darkness is symbolic of evil while light is symbolic of truth. To be enlightened, we need to "walk in the light;" that is walk in truth, openness and honesty. For only the truth sets people truly free. As Jesus also said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" John 8:31-32.

So the question is, are you/we enlightened?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you again for your Word which teaches me how to become enlightened. Help me always to walk in the light and become not only enlightened, but also find true freedom. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Monday, December 27, 2010

Hebrews 12:11

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" Hebrews 12:11

Billy Graham commented how, "When a ship's carpenter needed timber to make a mast for a sailing vessel, he did not cut it in the valley, but up on the mountainside where the trees have been buffeted by the winds. These trees, he knew, were the strongest of all. Hardship is not our choice; but if we face it bravely, it can toughen the fiber of our souls."

And that's exactly why God disciplines us and allows us to go through trials. They are designed to strengthen us and help us to grow healthy and strong. And while "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful," what we always need to remember is that "the Lord disciplines those he loves" Hebrews 12:11,6.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that you love me as I am, but love me too much to leave me as I am. And I thank you that you allow trials to come into my life to help me grow, mature and become strong. Help me to accept your discipline and use it to fulfill your purpose for my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Thought and Prayers

Today there is no sermon. I simply want to share a simple little story with you - and then have you consider in a minute or two of silence what the Christmas story means to you - and then, in a time of prayer lead you further into the conversation with God that you have already started with our hymns and readings and with the time of silence.

The story goes like this:

There once was a father wanted to read his news magazine, but he was being bothered by his little daughter, Vanessa.

In the manner of children everywhere, she was bouncing around where he was sitting - asking her Daddy to pay her some attention - asking him to look at this - and to tell her about that - and generally she was more in his face than was his magazine.

How many of you have been there with a child of yours?

After a while, and with a certain sense of exasperation, Vanessa's father came up with scheme to keep her busy so he could read in peace.

He pulled a page out of his magazine, on which was printed the map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to her along with some tape and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together."

After only a few minutes, Vanessa returned and handed her Father the map - correctly fitted together.

Her father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.

"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got Jesus in His place, then the world came out all right."

When I got Jesus in his place, the world came out all right.

Both the wonder and the challenge of Christmas is this: - it is about getting Jesus in his place and keeping him there so that the world, and so that our lives, come out all right.

Think now about the place of Jesus in your life and ask - is he is his place - the place he wants? That place where, when he is there, causes the world to come out all right.....

Let us be silent for two or three minutes as we think about this and whatever else God may be putting upon our hearts - and then we will pray....

(TWO MINUTE SILENCE)

Loving God, as Christmas comes each year we are tempted to say, "We have heard all this so many time before; we know the story of by heart." Lord, remind us of the difference between knowing the story and knowing the one that the story is about. Help us to see ourselves and our attitudes lived out by the people in the Christmas story and help us to embrace the good and turn away from the bad.... Lord, hear our prayer....

We think, O Lord, of the inn-keeper who couldn't find room for you in his inn.... Dear Father, may we cease from cluttering our lives with countless things - things that don't really matter - things that crowd you out....Lord hear our prayer

We think, O Lord, of Herod - hostile, jealous, and hating, because he was afraid of what your coming might do to him... Dear Father, replace our jealousies with unselfish joy, our fears with hope, and our hates with forgiveness... Lord, hear our prayer....

We think, O Lord, of the shepherds who were scorned by others as unskilled labourers and regarded by many as ignorant sinners, but who heard the music of your coming even while they worked... Dear Father, deliver us from pride that thinks some tasks too menial, and from prejudices that blind us to your glory... Lord, hear our prayer...

We think, O Lord, of the wise men from the east; who journeyed far to find you and who heeded the dreams that you gave to them.... Dear Father, grant to us a will like theirs - the will to seek you out despite the obstacles the world puts in our path - the will and the desire to listen to you and to worship you and to give you our most precious gifts....... Lord, hear our prayer...

We think, O Lord, of Mary and of Joseph who gave over their lives to you and who did all that you asked of them so that through Christ Jesus, Emmanuel, you might show your love for the whole world.... Dear Father, help us to surrender our lives to you and to Christ Jesus as did they and to know the glory that they received because of their faith.... Lord, hear our prayer....

We think, O Lord, of the Angels who proclaimed the birth of Jesus with a song of joy and who announced that peace comes to all who with whom you are pleased.... Dear Father, help us to joyfully proclaim the good news of Christ Jesus through our lives. This year let those love now who have never loved before; and let those who always loved - now love even more....Lord, hear our prayer...

0 God, our loving Father, help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesusand to put him in his right place so that we may share in the songs of the Angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. May Christmas this year make us happy to be your children. We pray our joy in the birth of Christ will last forever and that our love for Christ will
be a light to the world, both now and forevermore. Amen.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Why The Bells Chimed

Source: "Why The Bells Chimed" by Raymond Macdonald Alden. This story is found all over the Internet and apparently comes originally from Alden's Why the Chimes Rang and Other Stories, (The Bobbs-Merrill Co., Inc).

Today I wish to share with you a wonderful Christmas tale written by Raymond MacDonald Alden many years ago. It is a story that is delightful and warm and I pray that you may be blessed by it as have many others. It is called "Why the Bells Chimed".

There was once, in a far-away country where few people have ever travelled, a wonderful church. It stood on a high hill in the centre of a great city; and every Sunday, as well as on sacred days like Christmas, thousands of people climbed the hill to its great archways, looking like lines of ants all moving in the same direction.

When you came to the building itself, you found stone columns and dark passageways, and a grand entrance leading to the main room of the church. This room was so long that one standing at the door-way could scarcely see to the other end, where the choir stood by the large altar. In the farthest corner was the organ, and this organ was so loud that sometimes
when it played, the people for miles around would close their shutters and prepare for a great thunderstorm. Altogether, no such church as this was ever seen before, especially when it was lighted up for some festival, and crowded with people, young and old.

But the strangest thing about the old building was the wonderful chime of bells. At one corner of the church was a great, grey tower, with ivy growing over it as far up as one can see. I say as far as one can see because the tower was quite grand enough to fit the grand church, and it rose so far into the sky that it was only in fair weather that anyone claimed to be able to see the top. Even then one could not be certain that it was in sight. Up and up climbed the stones and the ivy, and, as the men who built the church had been dead for hundreds of years, everyone had forgotten how high the tower was supposed to be.

Now, all the people knew that at the top of the tower was a chime of Christmas bells. They had hung there ever since the church had been built, and were the most beautiful bells in the world. Some thought it was because a great musician had cast them and arranged them in their place; others said it was because of the great height, which reached up where the air was cleanest and purest. However that might be, no one who had ever heard the chimes denied that they were the sweetest in the world. Some described them as sounding like angels far up in the sky; others, as sounding like strange winds singing through the trees.

But the fact was that no one had heard them for years and years. There was an old man living not far from the church who said that his mother had spoken of hearing them when she was a little girl, and he was the only one who was sure of as much as that. They were Christmas chimes, you see, and were not meant to be played by men or on common days. It was the custom on Christmas Eve for all the people to bring to the church their offerings to the Christ-child; and when the greatest and best offering was laid on the altar, there used to come sounding through the music of the choir the Christmas chimes far up in the tower. Some said that the wind rang them, and others that they were so high that the angels could start them
swinging. But for many years they had never been heard.

It was said that people were growing less careful of their gifts for the Christ-child, and that no offering was brought great enough to deserve the music of the chimes. Every Christmas Eve the rich people still crowded to the altar, each one trying to bring some gift better than any other, without giving anything he wanted for himself, and the church was crowded with those who thought that perhaps the wonderful bells might be heard again. But although the services were splendid and the offerings plenty, only the roar of the wind could be heard, far up in the stone tower.

Now, a number of miles from the city, in a little country village where nothing could be seen of the tower when the weather was fine, lived a boy named Pedro, and his little brother. They knew very little about the Christmas chimes, but they had heard of the service in the church on
Christmas Eve, and had a secret plan, which they had often talked over when by themselves, to go and see the beautiful celebration.

"Nobody can guess, Little Brother," Pedro would say, "all the fine things there are to see and hear; and I have even heard it said that the Christ-child sometimes comes down to bless the service. What if we could see Him!"

The day before Christmas was bitterly cold, with a few lonely snowflakes flying in the air, and a hard white crust on the ground. Sure enough, Pedro and Little Brother were able to slip quietly away, early in the afternoon; and although the walk was hard in the frosty air, before
nightfall they had trudged so far, hand in hand, that they saw the lights of the big city just ahead of them. Indeed, they were about to enter one of the great gates in the wall that surrounded it when they saw something dark on the snow near the path, and stepped aside to look at it.

It was a poor woman who had fallen just outside the city, too sick and tired to get in where she might have found shelter. The soft snow made of a drift a sort of pillow for her, and she would soon be so sound asleep in the wintry air that no one could ever waken her again. All this Pedro saw in a moment, and he knelt down beside her and tried to rouse her, even tugging at her arm a little as though he would have tried to carry her away. He turned her face toward him so that he could rub some of the snow on it, and when he had looked at her silently a moment, he stood up again and said:

"It's no good, Little Brother. You will have to go on alone."

"Alone?" cried Little Brother, "And you not see the Christmas Festival?"

"No," said Pedro, and he could not keep back a bit of the choking sound in his throat. "See this poor woman. She will freeze to death if nobody cares for her. Everyone has gone to the church now, but when you come back you can bring someone to help her. I will rub her to keep her from freezing, and perhaps get her to eat the bun that is left in my pocket."

"But I cannot bear to leave you, and go on alone," said Little Brother.

"Both of us need not miss the service," said Pedro, "and it had better be I than you. You can easily find your way to the church; and you must see and hear everything twice, Little Brother, - once for you and once for me. I am sure the Christ-child must know how I should love to come with you and worship Him; and oh! if you get a chance Little Brother to slip up to the altar without getting in anyone's way, take this little silver piece of mine, and lay it down for my offering when no one is looking. Don't forget where you have left me, and forgive me for not going with you."

In this way he hurried Little Brother off to the city, and winked hard to keep back the tears as he heard the crunching footsteps sounding farther and farther away in the twilight. It was pretty hard to lose the music and splendor of the Christmas celebration that he had been planning for so long, and spend the time instead in that lonely place in the snow.

The great church was a wonderful place that night. Everyone said that it had never looked so bright and beautiful before. When the organ played and the thousands of people sang, the walls shook with the sound and little Pedro, outside the city wall, felt the earth tremble around him, for the sound was so great.

At the close of the service came the procession with offerings to be laid on the altar. Rich men and great men marched proudly up to lay down their gifts to the Christ-child. Some brought wonderful jewels, some baskets of gold so heavy that they could scarcely carry them down the aisle. A great writer laid down a book that he had been making for years and years.

And last of all walked the king of the country, hoping with all the rest to win for himself the chime of the Christmas bells. There went a great murmur through the church as the people saw the king take from his head the royal crown, all set with precious stones, and lay it gleaming on the altar as his offering to the holy Child. "Surely." everyone said, "we shall hear the bells now, for nothing like this has ever happened before."

But still only the cold old wind was heard in the tower, and the people shook their heads, and some of them said, as they had before, that they never really believed the story of the chimes, and doubted if they ever rang at all.

The procession was over, and the choir began the closing hymn. Suddenly the organist stopped playing as though he had been shot, and everyone looked at the old minister who was standing by the altar holding up his hand for silence. Not a sound could be heard from anyone in the church, but as all the people strained their ears to listen there came softly, but distinctly swinging through the air, the sound of the chimes in the tower. So far away and yet so clear the music seemed - so much sweeter were the notes than anything that had been heard before, rising and falling away up there in the sky, that the people in the church sat for a moment as still as though something held each of them by the shoulders. Then they all stood up together and stared straight at the altar to see what great gift had awakened the long-silent bells.

But all that the nearest of them saw was the childish figure of Little Brother, who had crept softly down the aisle when no one was looking, and had laid Pedro's little piece of silver on the altar......

Friday, December 24, 2010

What is Christmas (MUST READ)

When is the last time you read the Biblical passages on the purpose of Jesus, His birth, death and resurrection?

Well here's your chance - give a gift to yourself this Christmas by reading it all, even with your loved ones, and finding yourself filled with His peace in so doing.

The Gospel IS and only IS about Jesus - the 'good news' that He came to earth and made salvation from sin His priority. It is a fact that the crucifixion and resurrection are BOTH the vital points of His earthly service to God...as well as His ministry...but time changed when He was born (BC to AD, or BCE to CE), and death was conquered by His resurrection. Hope for life eternal to be spent with God was now a reality, and front page news!

'The Cross & Christ Crucified' -- this is THE Gospel and it involves both Jesus' miraculous birth and miraculous resurrection from the dead, breaking the curse of sin & death.

Read on....

Matthew 1:

"This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Luke 2:

"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

"Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

"When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about”

"They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

"After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them."

But is that ALL there is to know about what Christmas is? No!

Here's the rest:

Luke 24:

"But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

"The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

"Then they remembered that he had said this. So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples — and everyone else — what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened.

"That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

" He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

"They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

"Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."

And there's this:

John 1:

"In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

"God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world."

"e came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God."

"So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

"John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

"From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us."

Christmas isn't merely December 25th ---- Christmas is rightfully celebrated EVERY DAY, 365 days a year!

Jesus isn't merely the babe in the manger ---- He is God, Lord of all and is due all glory, honor, and respect as is God.

Jesus speaking...“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28

He rose again from the dead, breaking the curse of sin & death. He sacrificed His life so that we could have eternal life spent with God.

So much attention has been given to Christmas that Easter gets lost, and seriously underplayed.

Yes neither day is celebrated on its rightful day. Historical records indicate Jesus was likely born in October. Resurrection Day is properly honored at Passover time in late March/early April [since Jesus' was crucified and He rose again at Passover time according to the Bible records].

But that is not what is the most important thing to remember!

It is important, vitally eternally important to remember that Jesus came, gave His life for us, rose from the dead, is the Son of God, He is God...AND He is coming back!

Coming back as Lord of lords and King of kings.

You ready?

Make sure today! Get right with God today!

Hebrews 4:13

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" Hebrews 4:13

You may have read about an experiment where "pigeons were put in cages with one green and one red button. In one cage, if the birds pecked the green button they got food every time. In the other, the green button yielded food erratically and the pigeons had to persist to get enough food. In both cases, pecking the red button did nothing. Both sets of birds thrived, learning what they had to do to survive and ignoring the red button that yielded no food. But when the birds that were used to getting a reward every time were put in the cage that fed them only occasionally, they failed to adapt; they hit their heads against the cage and pecked wildly at everything in sight."

Birds and animals can be very smart and quickly learn to pursue activities that produce positive results while avoiding activities that don't. Pity we humans aren't always as smart Too many of us invest our lives in empty, meaningless or even harmful activities and relationships, and have a way of continually hitting red buttons that always result in getting negative responses.

Others, who, like the pigeons that were used to getting rewarded all the time when put in the cage where they were rewarded only occasionally, couldn't cope, so people who, when growing up, were overprotected, spoiled, or had parents that did far too much for them, have a difficult time adjusting to adult life and accepting personal responsibility.

As adults we need to eliminate (overcome) our own red buttons that trigger our unresolved issues from the past, and not purposely hit others' red buttons that never result in obtaining what we need or want.

Furthermore, we need to learn through experience and hard work to accept personal responsibility for every area of our life. True, we were not responsible for our upbringing and early training, but as adults we are totally responsible for our recovery, our actions, our well-being, for what we become, and for every area of our life. To expect otherwise is self-defeating and ultimately self-destructive.

Most important of all is that we need to remind ourselves that we are not only responsible for ourselves and what we do, but we are also responsible before God and one day will be required to give an account of our life to him.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the gift of life and for all the blessings you have given so freely to me. Help me to see issues in my life that I need to resolve and overcome, to avoid unnecessarily hitting others' red buttons, and help me to accept personal responsibility for every area of my life so that when I stand before you, I will hear you welcoming words, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Psalm 91:4

A little something to put things in perspective.

An article in National Geographic several years ago provided an interesting picture of God's wings.

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.

When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die those under the cover of her wings would live.

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge." (Psalm 91:4)

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Mat 18:18

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Mat 18:18

Everyone seems to be power hungry these days. Corporate executives are climbing all over each other to reach the top in their companies - there's just something about the letters CEO after the name that excites the power hungry. Lesser men and women are not exempt. Men buy powerful cars and trucks, soup them up to more power and speed, all to claim to be the fastest on the street/track. Women brag on their children giving the impression that they are the smartest, cleverest, best child ever born - Jesus not necessarily excluded - all with the intent of saying "I'm the best Mom in the world because I raised the best kid in the world!"

So how's this for power? "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." That's power. If we are in the will of God, then what we do is upheld in heaven. Whether we bind or loose, when it is done by someone who is operating in close relationship with God, the action is confirmed, recorded, and duplicated by God. That's power.

So who has that power? The Pope? Billy Graham? The president of a denomination? The Pastor of a local Church? Sunday School teachers? Yes. . . . . . . and no. The fact is we all have that authority. It is not reserved for anyone in particular but for everyone who is a child of God. So what do you do with it? When called upon by God to do some binding, you can bind demons, powers, authorities, and principalities - but you must be called to do it. This power is not some toy to play with. Ask the sons of Skevea. They tried to cast out demons in the "name of Jesus whom Paul preaches." The demons responded, "Paul we know. Jesus we know. But who are you?" and tore them to shreds!

What can we loose? We can loose the non-believing, demon possessed person to hear the Word of the Lord preached and spoken to them. We can loose the power of the Holy Spirit upon someone who needs to be saved from themselves and sin. Again, this is no toy. Use this power only under the direction of the Spirit of God - and when you are in a close relationship with our Savior. (Note: you don't have to be perfect, just in a good relationship with the Father.) Power? You've got it. Use it wisely. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Gal 6:12

"As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh,these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ" Gal 6:12

I'll say it right up front. Some of you won't like what I am about to say. That's ok, I understand. But I must say it and I will say it - as simply and clearly and lovingly as possible. After we have been believers for some good amount of time, something happens to us. The fire begins to smolder. There is more heat than light, and a little smoke begins to flood our hearts. This is rather natural. The Jewish believers had gotten that way. They had an exclusive in Judaism. They were the chosen ones who had the One True God. All others had multiple, false gods. They were proud of this fact. So proud that they wanted to keep Him to themselves. When Gentiles began to be saved, there was only one solution - make them Jews!

So they began the task. They would follow the most successful evangelists -- in particular Paul -- and teach all of his converts that they had to be circumcised to be Christians. Circumcision was the physical act of becoming a Jew for men. In those days circumcision was rare amongst non-Jewish people. The new believers struggled with this a bit, but would often succumb to the teaching. Of course after they became "Jews", then there followed all the Jewish regulations and traditions. Eventually the new believer was so "Jewish" that he found himself in as much bondage to legalism as he once was to his own gods.

Paul set the record straight. Those gentiles who became believers did not have to become Jews. Jesus made the final sacrifice. He paid the blood price for their souls. No further sacrifice was necessary. When a person found freedom in Jesus, there was no need to resort to the bondage of the Law. Jesus fulfilled it - all of it. When you are free - seek to stay free.

Ok. So are you with me? Now comes the part you won't like. We"mature believers" can become so legalistic that we become like the early Jewish believers. We begin to preach to the new believer that he/she has to stop smoking to continue being redeemed. Then comes the swearing, followed by the clothes they wear. What we want them to be is carbon copies of ourselves. We want them to look like us, talk like us, walk like us, dress like us, eat like us. We don't want them to be different. Gone are the all night get togethers where the new believers get together and talk about what Jesus is doing for them. Gone are the street corner preachers - they're just too radical. Missing are the things that made them want Jesus in the first place. Yes, they look like us, talk like us, walk like us, dress like us, eat like us. They also are cold like us, weary like us, complacent like us. They, too, have become "wet blankets" on the fires of new believers.

It's time that we take upon ourselves a little of their fire, their excitement, their hunger for the Word, their love for Jesus,their prayer lives, their faith. After all, Jesus said we should have the faith of a little child - not the faith of the sainted Pharisee. Yes, all those other things have their values. But, let's let Jesus do the work. Let Him remove the nose rings. Let Him lower the hem line. Let Him bring the language into line. Let Him stop the smoking and drinking. He can do it without putting out the fire. Indeed, He will fan it and make it burn hotter. So what if they are different. You were once, weren't you? Jesus says we should be different - cast in a different mold - march to the beat of a different drummer.

Whoa! I think I hear an unusual drum beat now! Hey, there it is -let's march! After all we ARE the ARMY OF GOD! Amen and Amen.

Monday, December 20, 2010

1Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" 1Thessalonians 5:11

As a child in school Gordon had a problem with dyslexia,but nobody was able to diagnose his problem at the time. For years his mother took him to speech therapy, and he practiced saying, Thora thrust thick thistles through the thinning hedge," five thousand times!

What turned Gordon's life around was his fourth grade primary school teacher, Miss Higgins, who called the class to order when they laughed at Gordon's attempt to read before the class. You could imagine how terrible Gordon must have felt every time other kids poked fun at him because of his inability to read. I would have felt devastated. But thank God for an understanding teacher who said to the class: "Do not laugh at his reading. One day Gordon will be the best reader in the whole school." Little did Miss Higgins or his school mates realize just who Gordon would become. And little did Miss Higgins realize that her encouragement planted the seed to motivate Gordon towards an extremely fruitful and productive life.

Today Gordon is known as the Reverend Dr., The Honorable Gordon Moyes, MHR.

Besides being the senior minister and superintendent of the very influential Wesley Central Mission in Sydney,Australia, Gordon has been a radio broadcaster for 44years, the host of a weekly TV program on the National Nine Network for 26 years, and is a Member of the House of Representatives in the state government of New South Wales. Gordon is still dyslexic and still mirror reads God as dog - which presents quite a problem for a minister of religion!

In his appeal to the state government for children with dyslexia Rep. Moyes said, "The effect of dyslexia in society possibly includes unemployment, poverty, alcoholism, drug abuse and dependency and even family breakdown, and as a result dyslexic people are over represented in the prison population, are more likely to drop out of school, and often withdraw from their friends and family or attempt suicide.

"Children with dyslexia often have high IQs but poor reading and writing skills. They are often sent out of classes or to the back of the room as they become distracted because of the frustrating nature of their condition. You can understand my concern for such children of our members or in our Sunday Schools. Dyslexia is a disability, and the Government should supply support for such students."

May we all remember Gordon's story and always be an encourager to children, teens, and adults who struggle with any kind of a handicap.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for every teacher and all who give the gift of encouragement to those who struggle with life's handicaps. Thank you, too, for all who encouraged me when I needed it most. Please help me always to be sensitive, loving, kind and encouraging to any and all fellow strugglers who come into my life and/or who cross my path. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Isaiah 7:10-16; Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:26-38,46-55

Gracious God, source of hope, peace, joy and love - attend this time of speaking and this time of hearing - this time of prayerful seeking and this time of meditation. Move in me and in all here assembled - that your saving word may be experienced and your name glorified in us and through us, now and evermore. Amen

We have looked at three ways of being prepared for the coming of Christ this Advent Season.

We have stressed the need to keep the vision of God's kingdom alive in our hearts - that vision that gives hope as it tells us about the purpose and meaning of life.

We have looked at the wonder of how God's peace comes as a gift to us when we seek it, when we turn from those things that build walls between us and our neighbours and our God and follow in the path shown to us by Jesus,

And we have briefly spoken of how God grants his gift of joy to those whose hands are open to give and receive the blessings that he pours out on his faithful people.

Today - as we see Christmas approaching, I want us to consider the importance of our saying Yes to God's love and how our saying yes to love is able to bring to birth in our world a new and marvellous thing, how it prepares us and others for the coming of the Messiah.

You know the Christmas Story is strongly reliant upon something that most people find very strange. It is reliant upon two people saying yes to God. And saying yes in most unusual circumstances, to a proposal that seems most strange indeed.

We are all keenly aware of Mary and how she said yes to God, and so came to be the earthly mother of the Messiah, mother of the one we call the Son of God, mother of the one who would die so that we might live.

But have you considered how this Yes profoundly changed the course of Mary's life? How her willingness to trust the angel of God and to accept his word altered her entire world?

Engaged to be married, she is suddenly to be with child by one who is not the man she loves.

The risks are tremendous.

And what is this child of God's love to be? This child that she says yes to when she opens her life so totally to God?

At the time that Mary conceived there were many Messiahs, many people who proclaimed that they had been chosen of God to take the throne of David, - to take David's throne back from the corruption of the rulers who sat upon it - to take it back from the control of the many who had manipulated it since the fall of Jerusalem: from the Persians, the Greeks, the Egyptians - and now the Romans, - to take it back and to sit upon it and bring to Israel that time that God
had promised would come.

There were many Messiahs at the time Mary conceived. Most of these were either ridiculed or were killed or both.

So why would her child - this child that she was told would be of God be any different?

Truly Mary had a lot to store up in her heart and ponder, as the scriptures tell us over and over again that she did, she had not only to store up the angel greetings and the words of shepherds and wise men and prophets, she had to ponder what all these would do with her life and the lives of her child and of her husband.

And Joseph? What did it mean for him to say yes to God? How easy could have it been?

Joseph is the odd man out in the Christmas Story, isn't he?

A minister that I know tells the story about how once a worried mother phoned the church office on the afternoon before the annual Christmas program to say that her small son, who was to play the role of Joseph in the Christmas Pageant, had a cold and had gone to bed on doctor's orders.

"It's too late now to get another Joseph," the director of the play said. "We'll just have to write him out of the script."

And they did! Joseph just disappeared! And few of those who watched that night actually realized that Joseph was missing."

Joseph is often forgotten. But consider his role in bringing Jesus into this world for a minute.

Without Joseph how would Mary have been supported? Her family would have been bound by the law to reject her if Joseph had rejected her. Her baby would have been seen as illegitimate. Her life, and his, would have been in a ruin.

Joseph nurtured and protected and watched over and loved both Mary and her child. And so brought into the world - as much as did Mary - that child whom we call the gift of God's love.

But how easy could it have been at first?

How easy could it have been for him to say yes to the Angel who came to him and told him that the story that Mary had told him was true?

It is hard to believe many of the things that God tells us, hard to accept, especially when our feelings have been hurt and our sense of what is really possible in our world is limited by the pain that we experience and the pain which we see in the world around us.

Could it have been any different for Joseph?

Joseph, the scriptures tell us, was a righteous man, a good man, a kind man.

He didn't want to expose Mary to public disgrace, but he certainly didn't want to marry her either, in fact he had resolved to cancel their betrothal just before the angel finally appeared to him.

It must have been hard for him to accept what he heard - yet, with the same kind of faith with which Mary said yes to God, so did Joseph. He said yes to God and he took Mary to be his wife.

And what would the future bring? What would Mary's and Joseph's Yes to God bring?

It would bring to them a wonderfully intimate experience of God's love. It would bring to them and to the world not just the marvel of a new and tender life. It would bring to them and the world the King of Love, the Shepherd of the Sheep, the one whom we await this day and the one whom we know already in our hearts if we too have said Yes to God.

You know the promise is to us - as well as to Mary and to Joseph. The promise that if we say yes to God and his gift of Love that we and our world will be blessed.

But it is no easy thing to say yes. To say yes involves risks. To say yes involves overcoming our sense of pain and hurt.

Think of the number of people whom you know who seem to live by the maxim: "once burned, twice shy." The number of people who are unwilling to risk accepting love. The number of people who are afraid to show the love that God puts into every heart. The number of people who have erected a wall around their life so that they will not ever again feel hurt or pain because of how an imperfect love has let them down.

Yet, ultimately, love is what it is all about - what living is all about, whether that love be the perfect love of God or the imperfect love of human kind.

Pain and hurt will come to us all - whether we love or not. Pain and hurt will afflict us all - whether others love us or not. They came to Mary. They came to Joseph. They came to Jesus.

The big question for us - is will that pain and hurt have any meaning? - will it have any sense???

People unfamiliar with our God, marvel and wonder at the sign of his love that we display. They marvel and wonder at the cross - a symbol of suffering - yet also a symbol of so much more. That cross signifies that God loved us so much that he gave his only son so that we might not perish.

That cross signifies that God loves us so much, that he walks with us into the worst that life can deal out, and helps us to overcome it.

When we say Yes to God's love we say Yes to that which will change our lives and give to them meaning and purpose.

When we say Yes to God's love we say Yes to that which will transform our lives and give to them a radiance that transforms others.

Christmas, as most people over the age of five know, can be a very difficult time of year.

It is a time when we feel that we are supposed to be happy and joyous, a time in which we and the world around us, so it seems, puts upon us this expectation that we should be full of good cheer and at one with all of our family and with all of our friends.

We can really lay a trip on ourselves and allow others to lay a trip on us during this season.

And it is so hard - when we do see others full of joy and expectation - and we have in ourselves little but a sense of pain and loss, it is so hard to really embrace what this season is truly about: - which is nothing more or less than making room in our lives for God's love, - than saying yes to the wonderful gift that God offers us through Christ our Lord.

There are no 'shoulds' at Christmas other than the should of saying yes to God's love, and that should always comes to us as a gentle knock at the door, rather than an overwhelming pressure to be happy and to be a million and one other things that we simply are not and cannot be.

I have talked to you over this Advent Season about be being prepared for the coming of Christ into our lives.

I have spoken about hope - about peace - about joy - and now about love.

I urge you as you prepare for Christmas day to remember that these things, hope, peace, joy, and love, are gifts to us, not demands upon us.

They are gifts by which God comes to us and changes us and our world.

Say yes to God's love as did Mary and Joseph even though the saying yes involves risk and sacrifice.

Say yes. Keep the vision alive. And walk in the path of Jesus with open hands and hearts,
and God will come to you and to our world, and make the rough places smooth.

He will come and as he did at the creation of the world and at the tomb of Jesus and he will bring order of chaos and life out of death.

This is the mission of our God in and through Christ Jesus our Lord, who by the power of the Holy Spirit can accomplish all things

Praise be to God day by day. Amen.

Acts 3:2-3

"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,asked for alms." Acts 3:2-3

What do you want when you go to church? Why are you really there? What is it you are seeking? Are you present only so that you can tell others that you go to church? Are you there so that you can play a role that you think gives you some kind of status in your community? Are you there just to keep peace in your family and to avoid the nagging and pleading of your wife or your mother or your children? Jesus once asked a group of people concerning John the Baptist, "Who did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaking with the wind? A man, clothed in soft garments? A prophet?" It is an important question for us to ask ourselves: Who are we going to church to see and hear?

If we are going to church just to hear the choir sing or a preacher speak, we are making the same mistake that the lame man made when he was carried to the Beautiful Gate that day. He was looking for the wrong thing. He was seeking alms. He wasn't expecting healing. We also need to ask ourselves some serious questions about the way we regard the people we meet on a day-to-day basis: How are we looking at other people? What do we expect from our encounters with them? So often we approach people the same way this lame man did. We are looking for what they are going to do for us. We are looking for what we can get from them. We aren't looking for what it is that God wants to do in us or through us. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Psalm 103:11

"For as the heavens are high above the earth,So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him" Psalm 103:11

Here are some questions that require some deep thought. How huge is "huge"? How far is infinity? How deep is bottomless? How long is eternity? Where did God come from?

See what I mean? So I'll ask one more: "how great is God's loving kindness towards you and me?" How do you measure it? In pounds? Inches? Cubic feet? There is no measuring it. That's why the psalmist says "as high as the heavens are above the earth." Surely with modern science we can measure that! After all, we have the Hubble telescope. It can see farther than we have ever seen before. WRONG! While we thought that wonderful instrument might be able to see the end of the universe, it keeps finding something a little farther out! If the heavens are immeasurable - even today - God's grace and love towards us is even greater. Yet He applies it to you and me.

Have You ever felt God's love? I have. I've felt it when I fell so far that I thought no one could love me. I felt it in His forgiveness. Do you need a bit of His love? Go ahead, take it. It is free. It's renewed every day. It's unending. Take all you need. Take a little extra. There's plenty to go around. Take enough to share with a friend or a loved one. Go ahead. But don't hoard it. It will spoil like warm milk. God's love is intended to be spread around. Don't know that you could ever love someone in your life? Take some of God's love. It's powerful enough to overcome any amount of evil. Spread it unconditionally on the unlovely. You'll be surprised at how well it can make the ugly vanish!It's the original and only "vanishing cream"! Works every time! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Psalm 45:7

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions." Psalm 45:7

Some how it just doesn't seem right. There is turmoil all around you - but you are at peace. There is trouble at home - but you have a joy in your heart that can't be explained. Even in the midst of suffering, you find happiness. It just isn't natural-- but you'll take it! David says that those who love righteousness and hate wickedness (he did not say those who are perfect!), are anointed with gladness. He did not say you will be anointed-- he says you are anointed! There are no exceptions to the rule. There are no deals in small print. It doesn't seem natural - because it isn't natural. God isn't natural. God is spiritual - Spirit - and all that He does has spiritual overtones. The fact remains, if we lover righteousness and hate wickedness, we will be blessed. You say it doesn't seem like it?

Note, David didn't say we would be trouble free. He just said we would be glad. Glad in our troubles? No, glad in Him. Glad in our turmoil? No, glad in Him. How glad? More than our companions who are not lovers of righteousness and do not hate wickedness. So you aren't glad with all that happens in your life? How much do you want God? How much do you want to serve Him? How much do you desire to see your friends saved from wickedness and sin? How much do you hate the sin but love the sinner?

If you are running shy of seeking God with all that is in you, you are running shy of loving righteousness. If you are enjoying some of the things of the world, you are running shy of hating wickedness. If these are true in your life, you may run shy of gladness. However, if you are doing your best, God will do the rest. This I say with all confidence. Your friends and neighbors, and unsaved family are watching you. If they see you crumble under the pressures of life and the enemy's attacks, they will say you are no better than they are. If you show a measure of gladness (in the Lord and with your lot in life), they will see a difference in you - they will eventually ask "what makes you different?" They will then be open to your testimony of what the Lord has done for you. Try it, you'll see! Amen and Amen.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Psalm 103:12

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us" Psalm 103:12

Something strange happens when we are forgiven. Though God forgets, we don't forgive ourselves. How often we think about our past sins. How frequently we pray, "God, I've sinned the same thing again!" All we are saying is that we haven't forgiven ourselves. We still have our eyes set upon our past. Don't get me wrong. It is not bad to look at the past. We must learn from our mistakes. We must realize how we got into the mess that caused us to "fall" into sin. If we don't, we are condemned to continually repeat our sins. The truth is that we must remember our past, but in remembering, we must grow beyond it.

The thing that is wrong is dwelling upon the sins of the past -- continually feeling condemned because of those sins. After all, when you are forgiven, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! Get that? The psalmist says that God removes our sins "as far as the east is from the west". Think about it. Can you ever go so far east that there is no longer an east before us? Absolutely not! We can never come "full circle" and become reattached to our sins. Can't be done. Our problem is that we cling to them. Perhaps they are a crutch we think will help us hobble into God's ways. Maybe we hold to them as a lifeline - thinking that if this "God thing" doesn't work out that we can follow that line back to the old ways. We might even think that we need to punish ourselves by pondering what we were, constantly whipping our spiritual selves so that we can be forgiven. We may even think that we can straddle the fence and live a bit in both worlds. WE CAN'T!

It is time to realize that when God forgives us, we need to forgive ourselves and quit dragging up those sins. It is time that we understand that when we ask to be forgiven, the guilt is gone. Any further guilt we fell is not conviction which leads us to reconciliation with God, but is condemnation which comes to us from Satan and leads to eternal damnation.

If you've sinned, ask God to forgive knowing that He will. Then move on into the future knowing that God is your right hand, your strength, your salvation. All things past are forgiven. All things are made new. This day is like God's grace. It is new, fresh, and clean just waiting for us to make it into a good day! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Gal 6:2-3

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself? Gal 6:2-3

After his eventful day of murder and mayhem, Cain asked God if he was his brothers keeper. Some centuries later a popular musical hit of the 60's stated "he's not heavy. He's my brother." There is a lot of history in between those two events. The most significant moment in time between them was the life and death of Jesus Christ. It is he who brought about the change from "no" to "yes" (from the human stand-point) to the brother's keeper question. For He taught that we should bear one another's burdens. He said we should love our neighbors. When asked who our neighbor was, He replied "whoever is in need."

By bearing each other's burdens, we fulfill the "law of Christ." What law is that? Try this one on for size. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Or, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Can you imagine what our world would be like if we would only "bear one another's burden?" Who would sell drugs on that dark corner? Who would rape the first girl he saw? Who would commit murder? Who would rob or steal? Would you dare lie to a brother who's burden you were carrying? Would you cheat on your wife or husband? Of course not! You are to bear their burden, not make them heavier. Just in case you think you might be above this command, Paul tells us the man who thinks he is something when in actuality he is just a little, frail human like the rest of us, is deceived - not by Satan, but by his own thoughts. This means that none of us are so high and mighty that we can forget about our brother or sister in their need.

Truthfully, the person who has the most should be willing to help the most. Don't get me wrong. I do not advocate socialism in any way. What I do suggest is that we willingly share out of our bounty with those who are in want. This type of generosity cannot be legislated through taxes. Nor can it be commanded by "generosity police." It only comes through the firm belief that Jesus is our Lord and Savior and that He alone gives us the love we need to be generous. Granted, there are those who have an innate goodness without Jesus, but they are the exception, not the rule. And even then, they are most likely to have a Christian background. Let's take the opportunity this week to develop a bit of generosity. Instead of looking down on the poor, let us help to lift them up. Instead of shunning the "ugly," let's find the "beauty" in them. Instead of hoarding our meager wealth, let's give it away! I can guarantee that there is no way you will ever out give God. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Psalm 103:13-14

"As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust" Psalm 103:13-14

Wouldn't it be a scary thing if our God was not compassionate? Could you imagine the fear we would live in if our God were mean like the false gods? You borrow a penny from your wife's purse without her knowing. Is it stealing? Will God strike you with lightning - or worse yet - a lingering fatal illness? You say an angry, hateful thing to your mother. Do you duck for fear of some celestial punishment? Talking about living in fear, that would do it.

Fortunately our God had great compassion on those of us who have a healthy fear of Him. That fear is a healthy respect for, not a breath wrong and you die type of fear. Because of this great love, we live in peace knowing that forgiveness is always available should we sin.

Unfortunately, many of us have forgotten that God can be a severe judge. We take for granted that He will love us no matter what. We have not seen an Ananias and Saphira type of incident in our churches lately. So what is there to fear. We can neither see God nor feel Him nor hear Him with an audible voice. This all gives rise to the question "Does he really exist? And even if He does, is He really interested in what I do?" Sure, we never really ask those questions. But we all too often live like we did. Think about it. What do you really think about God? Who is He really? What is your real relationship with Him? Do you really know Him? Do you really care about what He says? I urge you to honestly answer these questions. If you do, you may be surprised about how much you have to grow in your spiritual life. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Isaiah 35:1-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:1-10

Let us pray – Lord God, Creator and Maker of us all, speak in the calming of our minds and in the longings of our hearts, by the words of my lips and in the thoughts that we form. Speak O Lord, for your servants listen. Amen

For those of you who are wives I am sure you will be in agreement with me if I said that every year you do spend a lot of time looking for the perfect birthday card for your husband. I came across a story of a woman who was searching for the perfect card for her husband, and came across one that she quite like; it was written on the outside “Sweetheart, you are the answer to my prayers.” Then she opened up the card, and look inside, and saw what was inscribed there was “You are not what I prayed for exactly, but apparently you are the answer to my prayers.”

For thousands of years, the people of Israel had been praying for a Messiah. A Messiah who would lead them into the conquering of all their enemies. A Messiah who would establish in this world a kingdom of righteousness and might. A Messiah who would throw off the Roman yoke. Their Messiah would be powerful. Their Messiah would be a warrior and a king. They prayed that they can have such a Messiah so that Israel will rise up again as a nation, and the Israelites would rule their world in peace and prosperity. In other words, they were praying for earthly things. The praying for worldly things, does this not sound familiar to you?

Then here comes Jesus, a poor carpenter, and to make matters worst, he had for his friends, tax collectors, prostitutes, thieves, and all kinds of sinners. From society’s point of view, all his friends were questionable. He came to set up a very different kind of kingdom to the one they had bee praying for. And I think we can easily forgive even Jesus’ strongest supporters, let alone the Pharisees and the Scribes for asking “Are you really the answer to our prayers?”

John the Baptist had, throughout his life, been praying for and preparing for the Messiah all his life. He has been preparing the people for the coming of the Lord. He has been doing all this with a harsh criticism of the ruling religious establishment and a stern call to the people to repent.

Like all the Israelites of his time, John the Baptist’s idea of the Messiah, was, one of the warrior kind, someone who is like John the Baptist, preach fire and brimstone. John the Baptist had even told the people that he baptized with water, but the coming Messiah will be baptizing with the “Holy Spirit and Fire.”

In today’s Gospel reading, we heard that John the Baptist is in prison. Herod had put John into prison for having criticized him in public for marrying the wife of his own brother, Herodias. Needless to say, Herodias hated John the Baptist more than Herod hated him.

It is very likely that John knew that he will be dead soon. It is very likely that he heard from his own disciples of all that Jesus had been doing; the very same Jesus whom he thought was the Messiah. In preparation for the Messiah’s coming, he has been working very hard. In preparing for the Messiah’s coming he had given his whole life. He possibly heard from his disciples, that Jesus, instead of preaching hell and brimstone, was actually performing acts of mercy. John the Baptist was totally confused and therefore started having doubts. He sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one to come.

In reply to the question of John the Baptist, Jesus could easily have said, “Yes, I am the one.” He did not do that, but he did not avoid the question either. Jesus would have made an excellent salesman, for he performed what most top sales people would have done, he, as he frequently does when asked a question. He throws it back to the questioner. Here we can see Jesus showing his clear understanding of human nature. Anyone who has been to a counseling course will know that there is no easy answer to hopes and doubts.

I remember the story about a newly graduated psychiatrist starting his practice. A patient said to him, quite frankly, that she was certain that he knew what her problems were clearly. She asked him to tell her what her problems were, and therefore save her a lot of money by cutting short her therapy. He was so new and green to his profession that he did as she asked him to do. At which point she literally exploded, ran out of his office, shouting, “Well, if that is what you think of me, I certainly have no wish to have you as my psychiatrist.”

In order for an answer to be of value and valid for the person who is asking the question, it must always come from deep inside the questioner, even if Jesus is the person answering the question.

The possibility of salvation for Israel and for some people present in this world today may perhaps seem a bit remote, because maybe some of us are looking for the wrong kind of salvation. Maybe instead of looking for salvation, some of us are looking for a parent who will make things “better” for us, without our doing anything at all.

Or maybe some of us are looking for a Saviour who is more modern, more global, and flashier. Just like the Israelites who were looking for a warrior kind of Saviour who will help them defeat the Romans and throw off the yoke of the Roman occupation.

Jesus’ answer is different. In order for us to hear it, we need to let the answer to the problems of the world thrown back at us, just as Jesus threw the answer back at John the Baptist.

Imagine what a big difference it can make in your own life to try the slow way of change, of taking personal responsibility and living out the Saviour’s way of life. We may not be able to perform miracles just as Jesus did, but we can certainly work to bring to reality the prophet’s visions of a better world. A world where those who are in need are ministered to and the Gospel of a loving God is made know by word and actions.

We can certainly work together to bring to reality the prophet’s visions of a better world.

Yes, this is a slower way to make the world a better world to be in; it is a slower way to bring about the kingdom of God into this world; it will take time and a lot of work to see results. It will require the patience that the epistle of James that we heard this morning – the patience of the farmer, who waits for the crops to grow. A farmer will never be that silly to pull up the plants to see how the roots are doing. The slow way will be requiring the same kind of patience from each and every one of us. James was telling us what we should be doing while we are waiting for the precious crops, strengthen our hearts for the coming of the Lord, and not complaining against each other. I know that I am an impatient man and, if you ask my wife, I complain a lot. I do not know about you, but I know that this reading from James for me.

I remember hearing the story of a man who came upon a number of cocoons from which moths were emerging. He picked up one of the cocoons and saw through the membrane that a living moth was moving. Noticing that his warm breath upon the cocoon accelerated the emergence of the moth, the man continued to blow gently upon the cocoon. The membrane quickly opened up, the struggling moth came out, but not in the way that the man expected. The moth’s wings only partially unfolded while the moth struggled helplessly. The man learned that it was foolish of him to forcefully take matters into his own hand. It would have been best to wait upon subtle and hidden powers beyond the powers of one’s own will.

To get back to the story, Jesus answered John the same way that God answers us, and not as what John expected Jesus to answer him.

It is the same as with our prayers and expectations. We come to Jesus with our shopping list, and he gives us the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus sent John’s disciples back to John with the very same quotation from the book of Isaiah we heard from the first reading of this morning. Jesus knew that John would understand, for John, together with Elijah, was the greatest prophet that Israel would ever know.

It is very interesting to note that Jesus never directly answered John’s question: “Are you the expected One or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus never gave a straight “yes” or “no.” Jesus could have pointed to hundreds of Biblical prophecies that his life and work had fulfilled. He could have performed some great miracle that would have immediately silenced all of John’s doubts. Instead Jesus said, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”

Why did Jesus choose these particular things to prove that He is the Messiah? What does his answer tells us of his priorities?

All these miracles seem to involve restoration and compassion. Just as they are today, the deaf, the blind, and the lame are normally kept outside the mainstream of the society of the world. They are often forced to beg in order to support themselves. A lot of people viewed their disability as a punishment from God. Lepers were outcasts, unclean, cut off from all social acceptances. Cut off from all religious acceptances. Jesus did not just hear the cries of these people; he restored their place in society. And the restorative powers of Jesus were never on greater display when he resurrected a dead person back to life.

These answers show to us the compassion he has for the least and the lowest. They remind us that Jesus came for the helpless, the hurting, and the overlooked people of society.

Jesus came for the helpless, the hurting, and the overlooked people of society.

This is a good thing to remember at this time of the year when the greed and materialism of human beings are in full show for the world to see. Do not confuse our society’s way of celebration of Christmas with the character of Jesus. The two are as different as day and night.

There was, during the Vietnam War, an army lieutenant who spent seven years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. During his second Christmas in that rotten hellhole of a prisoner of war camp he made an amazing discovery. He has been stripped of everything by which he normally measured his identity; his rank, his uniform, his family, money. And yet, alone in a cramped three by seven foot prison cell, he began to understand the meaning of Christmas.

Removed from all the commercial distractions, he was able to focus on the simplicity of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Although he was afraid and lonely, he realized that this Christmas could be his most meaningful, because now, more than ever before, he understood the meaning of Christmas.

I think we can assume that John the Baptist discovered exactly the same thing. As he sat in his prison cell, stripped of all the things that we consider to be necessary for life, he discovered the one most important thing in life: hope. John glimpsed the hope that the Messiah had come to set up an eternal kingdom. A kingdom of compassion and healing, of justice and mercy. A kingdom that was for all mankind.

I pray that during this Christmas season we may all discover the same hope. May his name be blessed forever, Amen.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

John 10:10

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill,and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

Many people have security systems for their houses, or alarms for their cars. They know they have something of value. And they also know that there are thieves loose in the world who are likely to want the valuable possessions they have. While this is true for material possessions, so many men do not have a security system for their emotional and spiritual lives. Part of the reason is that they don't know they are valuable to God. And another part of the reason is that they don't know that a thief is loose in the world who wants to steal, destroy, and kill everything of value that they possess.

You can put bars on the windows of your house...You can put an alarm system on your car that will cause sirens to sound and lights to flash on and off... You can put video cameras and silent alarms in your store... You can put padlocks on your bicycle or on trucks filled with things you hold to be valuable... You can put your most prized possessions in sealed vaults with highly sophisticated security systems...But are you putting something in and on and around yourself to guard your precious emotional and spiritual life from the ravages of the thief who wants to steal from you your very life? Amen and Amen.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Eccl 2:11

"Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" Eccl 2:11

Solomon was an amazing man. As a young leader, he renounced gold and power in favor of wisdom when God offered him a choice. He chose wisdom so he could lead his nation in right paths. He thus became the wisest man ever to live. In the process, he was granted both wealth and power. And what did he do with it? Read the book of Ecclesiastes and you will certainly have your eyes opened! He squandered it all in search of pleasure. He had more wives than any man could enjoy. He topped that with concubines to serve his every wish. He amassed great wealth and spent it upon himself. He built beautiful cities as monuments to himself. He spread his influence around the known world - to draw attention to himself. All of this and more did he do - in order to please himself.

Near the end of his life, he penned the words to this revealing book. Multiple times he repeats some variation of today's verse. "All was vanity." There was no profit in it. It served no lasting purpose. After all. Where are all of Solomon's buildings? In ruins. And his military accomplishments? In dust. His great wealth? Gone with the wind. Even the majestic Temple he built as a dwelling place for God was destroyed, smashed to bits, plundered, and hauled away by Israel's enemies. In the end, Solomon realizes that all earthly things are"vanity". The only thing that lasts is what a person does for God. Serve God. Live for Him. Spend all the energy you have in His service and you will be building up great treasures - not on earth, but in Heaven where it really counts! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Rev 2:10

"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life" Rev 2:10

This verse starts with an ominous tone: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer." That's kind of like the doctor who walks into the room saying "Now, I don't want you to worry, but . . ." Sure. Don't worry. Don't fear. OK. Let's get this over with. What am I about to suffer.

Remember that Jesus suffered. At the end of 40 days of fasting, He suffered serious temptation. At the hands of the religious leaders of the day, He suffered ridicule. Finally, in order to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind, He was beaten, abused, stripped naked, nailed to a cross, and died. Our Lord knows a bit about suffering. Not too many of us have suffered to that extent. Also remember that our heavenly Father is keeping His eye on us - not to pry, but to protect.

So, He knows what we are about to suffer. What is it?" Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days." The question is: "ARE WE READY?" If this word were spoken directly to you, what would you say? "Hey, I'm outta here. Suffering was not in the contract!" OR "Well, I suppose the devil is ok. After all, God created everything - including Satan -- so I'll just make friends with him. Perhaps he will go easy on me." OR " Come on, Satan. I've been looking for you and I'm ready."

"What's that?" you say. "Thrown in jail? What for?Testing? Hey, I graduated from college years ago. I don't need any more tests." Perhaps you have already read the last part of the text, "ten days". "Oh, that's ok. I can surely endure prison for 10 days!" STOP! In the scriptures, 10 is a number of judgment and trial and tribulation. In this case, 10 days means the trial will last a while, but the time is predetermined. It will not go on forever. That's supposed to be an encouraging word - IT WON'T LAST FOREVER! And it fits whatever you are going through right now. IT WON'T LAST FOREVER!

"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Jesus encourages us with these words - be faithful. I think we can do that - ONE DAY AT A TIME. Be faithful until death - some of the Smyrnan believers would die in their prison cells. Some would die from the persecution. But they could be faithful. As an incentive, Jesus promises the faithful a crown of life! So we are faithful a day at a time until we finally die. Then we trade our fleshly tents in for a crown of ETERNAL LIFE! What a trade! The perishable for the imperishable. The sick for the whole. The dying for the ever living. I'll take it! How about you? Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

1 Pet 1:13

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind,be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" 1 Pet 1:13

Do you want to win? Do you really want to win? Then you must train. No boxer will enter the ring without proper training. It would be suicide. So with us, if we want to win the important battles, we must train.

Fortunately, Peter gives us a training schedule - the things that need to be worked on the most if we expect to win. First, gird yourself for action. This involves putting on the proper garments - We need to be wearing the full armor of God. We must prepare our minds with the weapon of our warfare - the Word of God. We must allow it to flood our thoughts so that we may fight effectively with our best weapon.

Second, keep sober in spirit. This doesn't mean that we can't have fun. It means that while we go through our lives, we need to keep alert. Like a soldier on the field of battle, we must keep our spiritual eyes always open - always looking this way and that for sneak attacks from the enemy.

Third, fix your hope completely on the grace of Jesus. There is nothing more important than realizing that the battle is ours. No matter how out numbered, how under powered, how grim the vision is, our hope and our faith is to be in Jesus Christ. If we will keep that in mind at all times, we shall remain strong in Him. And the battle will be ours - we will WIN!


You say you have no vision of grace? Sure you do. Itwas given to you the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Remember it? Remember how clean and fresh you felt that day? It is still there. Look to it. Attachyour hope to it. It is a lifeline that you will never consume -- it will always be there. Follow these threesteps and victory is assured. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Ephesians 4:31

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior" Ephesians 4:31

Dwight L. Moody, the famous evangelist, was once told by an irate church lady, "Mr. Moody, I don't like the way you do your evangelism."

In reply, Mr. Moody said, "I don't necessarily like all of it either, but it's the best way I know how. Tell me, how do you do it?"

"Oh, I don't," was the reply.

"Well," said Moody, "I like the way I'm doing it better than the way you're not doing it."

It's always easy to know what to do when we don't have to do the job, and very easy to criticize others when we're not doing the work ourselves.

Some time ago when I was a member of a large group and things weren't going too well, I was asked what I thought about the situation and what could be done to improve things. I said I didn't feel I had the right to criticize unless I was prepared to do something about it. I was, however, prepared to help, and with several of us working together things greatly improved.

In this instance as in most other instances, criticism without offering help would have only made matters worse and caused greater dissension among group members - something that happens to be detestable to God! So, if we're not willing to put our shoulder to the wheel and help, let's not stir up dissension through negative criticism.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be positive in all that I say and do and not have a negative, critical attitude when I am not prepared to do anything to bring about creative and helpful change. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name,
amen."

Monday, December 6, 2010

Matthew 17:20

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" Matthew 17:20

I remember reading years ago in Reader's Digest about a company who glued a mustard seed to a brochure that was advertising the product they were manufacturing. Beneath the mustard seed they had words to the effect that: "If you have faith as much as a grain of mustard seed in our product, it will produce profound results for you."

Some months later a customer wrote back to the company saying, "You will be interested to know that I planted your mustard seed and it has already grown into a very robust plant bearing healthy tomatoes!"

There's a fine line between faith and presumption. Every one of us has mountains in our lives that can only be removed by strong faith and a lot of hard work. That mountain may be a bad habit, an addiction, a resentment, or a toxic addictive person in your life who is destroying you. We know it is God's will for us to deal with and overcome these mountains.

Sometimes, however, we want to do something for our own ends, and to justify it we say it is God's will, or God is leading me, or God told me to do such and such. When we do this, it is not faith but presumption.

True, we need faith to do what God wants us to do, but we need to be certain that our faith is in the right seed!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, sometimes I feel like Thomas who said, 'Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.' And please help me to know the difference between faith and presumption. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, Amen."

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:-13; and Matthew 3:1-12

O Lord, we pray, speak in this place, in the calming of our minds and in the longing of our hearts, by the words of my lips and in the thoughts that we form. Speak, O Lord, for your servants listen. Amen.

The good news - the gospel - began before Jesus arrived on the scene. It began with John The Baptist, and John's message was received with the same great joy that the message of Jesus was received with.

John was the one spoken of by Isaiah. He was the voice crying in the wilderness
"prepare the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!"

And people heard John this way - they saw him as the promised one, the one who was to come before the Messiah, and they went out to him in the wilderness, out to him from Jerusalem, and Judea and from all the region around the Jordan and they listened to his message - and they responded to his call - and in the thousands they were baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

"I tell you", said Jesus later on, "I tell you that among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist..."

And why is this?
Why this praise?

Looking back I think we often see John as strange character.

With his camel hair clothing and leather belt, and his long hair and his diet of locusts and wild honey, John often ends up reminding us of the cartoons we have seen, the cartoons of a strange looking character who stands on the street corner waving a sign that says - "repent , the end is near."

John seems scary - frightening almost: - telling people that they are a brood of vipers, and that the axe of judgement is even now being laid to the roots of their lives. And yet thousands heard his message that the kingdom of God was near - and thousands responded to his call to repent of their sins - Thousands were baptized and made ready to welcome Christ into their lives.

What are we missing in our picture of John? In our picture of what he did and said as he spoke of repentance and the one to come after him?

I don't want to belabour any points today. I think what we are missing is the marvel of what John called the people of Israel to receive as they came out to him at the Jordan.

John called people to be ready for the coming of Christ, by letting go of their burdens and receiving the forgiveness of God.

John said to all who came near to him that they could get a fresh start in life; that they could begin again as newly washed individuals - pure and holy in God' eyes; and that God would visit them and redeem them as promised by all the prophets of old.

John proclaimed the love of God, the forgiveness God, and the day of God's coming,
and he made this personal and particular, by giving that love and forgiveness to all those who came to him and entered the river with him.

What John proclaimed and gave was hope, the hope that peace in our lives is possible, that the past can be forgotten, that it can be washed away, and that when the new comes, when God comes, we can meet him and stand before him without fear.

The call of John for us to repent is not a word of criticism nor a word that claims that somehow he is better than we.

No, on his lips the call to repentance is a word of opportunity - it is a way into the future with God, - it is a renewal our relationship with the Lord. - it is a new beginning in our relationships with each other.

It is a foreshadowing of the message of the one to whom he pointed, the one who preached peace to those who were far off, and to those who were near.

Peace in forgiveness,
Peace in the Spirit,
Peace in a new life,
Peace in a new heaven and a new earth.

Despite how John railed against the sins of those who thought they had none, his message was that of the one who followed him: There is none so lost, that they cannot be found, none so bad, that God still will not seek them out to save them, none so hopeless, that their life cannot be changed.

Last week I spoke of how important it is to have a vision of God, to hold onto his promises.

Today I tell you - it is important that we open our hearts to God, to admit to him what is wrong in our lives, to ask for his forgiveness and to vow each day to live as he has shown us.

It is important, not only to have a vision of what God has done, is doing, and will do; it is important that we be willing to confess our need for him and to accept from his hands the forgiveness he offers, the new life he gives - the life which leads us to his son.

It is what, in the end, we all need, and it is what God offers to us, it is what John pointed to as he spoke in the wilderness of the one who was to come after him..

At the last few bible studies we have had on Monday evenings we have started having lengthy periods of silent prayer - time in which I ask each person present to close their eyes and to get relaxed, to focus at first on their breathing, and to allow thoughts and images of God to come into and then to pass out of their minds, time to listen to the thoughts that they have, and time to let them pass - and sometimes as they do this I provide some words for this time of deep prayer. It has proved to us to be a powerful experience - one in which we have felt God and heard God speak to us .

I would invite you all now to close your eyes, and to think of John the Baptist,
standing by the River, calling to you to be ready, ready for the one whose sandals he is not worthy to carry, calling you to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and to start new today, walking in God's way. knowing that Christ will appear to you, very soon.

Close your eyes...,
and see John and listen to John
and pray to God as the Spirit leads you...

wait

Oh Lord, we think of the gift that John offers us in your name...the gift of forgiveness, the gift of washing away our sins, the gift of making our hearts ready for Christ to enter in, and we thank you....

Oh Lord, we think of John and we confess to you that the path in our life is not smooth, we confess that we have sinned against you, we have put up road blocks....we are sorry Lord, take them away Lord, make the path straight once more

O Lord, we listen now to John
We listen now to Jesus
We listen now to you as the water of forgiveness pours down upon us
We listen as you proclaim the word of peace the word of your coming.

And now we thank you again O God. We give you thanks for your servant John who prepared the way in your people for your son. We thank you for levelling the mountains and filling in the valleys and making straight his path. We thank you for the message of forgiveness and hope he proclaimed. We thank you for the new life you give to us through him.

We praise you and we adore you, God of God, Light of lights. WE praise you God, Lord of Lords, King of Kings. You who enter every trembling heart. Glory and honour be to your name, now and for ever and ever, Amen.