Advent: Just Like You and Me

Week 4, Post-Advent Day 1

Read: Luke 8:22-25

"One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:22-25)

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"As they sailed, He fell asleep."

Yes, Jesus slept. Sometimes we tend to think of Jesus as some stoic, hovering spirit-being -- a man who never smiled (after all, smiling is a sin, right?) and who never broke stride. But Hebrews 2 makes it clear that Jesus was just like us in His humanity when it says, "he had to be made like his brothers in every way." In every way? In every way. That means he did the mundane and routine things we have to do every day for sustenance.

Jesus ate food. He had to or His body would die. Jesus drank from the watery brook and from the local well. He was cut and bled, maybe even to the tune of stubbed toes and blisters. After all, those 1st Century sandals weren't quite as comfy as our modern flip-flops. And in a world of rocks, hills, and dust, even the heartiest of feet get humbled.

In today's selection of Scripture, we find Jesus sleeping on a fishing boat. He even slept through the increasing storm. Why? He was so tired He did what you and I often do when we're wiped out. He went into deep sleep. Of course, unlike you and I, He got up and rebuked the storm and it obeyed. But that's because He was also 100-percent God.

So next time we're worn out or beat down let us remember that Jesus went through everything that we go through long before we did. He's been in our shoes. And He will give us the strength we need to make it through. He overcame, and because He did, so can we.

Be God's.


THE INCARNATION SONG

Callused hands and dirty feet; / Sweaty brows and tired legs
The miles, they pass, with little to eat; / But "Come follow me," the preacher begs

Climbing hills and fording streams / On His way from A to B
Travel’s tough and His body’s beat / Yet still He cries, “Come follow me”

He ate, He drank, He held out His hands
The God of all creation dwelling as a man
In all ways He was like us, though He knew no sin
Through His death we are redeemed
Through His life we’re born again

Advent: The Christmas Story

Advent: Week 4, Day 5 -- Christmas Day

Light all five candles to celebrate Christmas Day.
Read: Philippians 2:5-11.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (2:5-11)

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The Story of Christmas is the story of the Gospel -- that God would come to dwell with His creation in the flesh and blood of that creation in order to reveal Himself to it and redeem it. And as we dwell on the incarnation of Christ today and enjoy family and friends, it's important to note that the story of the manger is also the story of the cross. Jesus Christ was born to save us.

Philippians 2 is one of the greatest passages of Scripture about the incarnation. In its words we see the temporal progression of Jesus Christ from His pre-eternal existence as God with the Father and Spirit, to the humble taking on of human flesh, to His death on the cross and finally His exaltation after the cross. Jesus Christ became like us so that He might die in our place and offer Himself as our Savior. This is the message of Christmas just as much as it is Easter.

The Christmas Story we proclaim typically begins at the manger but it does not end until long after the cross. It is the Gospel Story, the good news that watchmen looked for in the Old Testament. It is the light that would shine in a darkened world, the peace that that would quell the storm that arises in every man's heart, and the joy that sets his feet dancing. The incarnation of Jesus Christ means life.

And it's a story worth telling every day.

Be God's and Merry Christmas!

Advent: The Virgin Birth

Advent Week 4, Day 4

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle
Read Luke 1:26-38

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

"Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."

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Why a virgin? Why did God choose to bring His Son into the world through a young and innocent maiden? Many people have tried to explain the birth of Jesus without acknowledging the virginity of Mary. They try to say that Jesus could have still been God if he came from the union of Joseph and Mary. After all, a virgin pregnancy and birth cannot happen, can it?

But Isaiah 7:14 prophesied that a virgin -- which could also be translated "an innocent young maiden" -- would be with child and that child would be "God with us," which is "Immanuel." A virgin would become pregnant. Even Mary knew how miraculous and unconventional this was. It was one of many miracles God worked in the earthly life of Jesus.

There could be many reasons given for the necessity of the virgin birth but any and all would only distract us from the miracle itself. Joseph's part in this tale was not to be as biological father. Mary alone was to give flesh to the Son of God. There must be no confusion about it.

The virgin birth was an act of God that no man could claim. It is truly another marvelous mystery we celebrate each Christmas.

Be God's.

Advent: The Blessed Mystery

Advent: Week 4, Day 3
Read: Colossians 1:15-22; 2:9-15

"Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation." (21-22)

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form..." (2:9)

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The nature of Jesus has been one of the most debated topics in the history of mankind since the calendar turned from B.C. to A.D. Who was Jesus? Was he a man? Was He God? If so, how much of each? Were there two personalities or just one?

What a mystery the incarnation is. And it is a mystery that will never be fully explained this side of heaven. Even Bible scholars and theologians have trouble explaining it. Through the years of the Church, many have tried to explain the nature of Jesus Christ out of honesty and good intent but instead have developed theologies that make Him one or the other, God or man, but not both.

Scripture tells us that God dwelt fully in the person of Jesus. He was called the Father's "Son" in the Gospels and said to be the "exact representation" of the Father (Heb. 1:1-2). But He was also born of the womb of Mary, a human, and had every appearance of humanity -- down to His need for food and sleep. And when He was resurrected, He showed up in the flesh before His disciples. He ate and interacted with them. And He ascended to heaven in the human body He possessed.

So Scripture makes the case that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. He was BOTH and not OR. It is the mystery of Christmas, Easter and every day in between. We're not asked to explain the person of Jesus, only to believe in Him and follow Him. Can you set aside your desire to explain everything and live a life of faith? Can you celebrate the mystery alongside the revelation? I'll leave you with the words to my song, "Mystery," which tries to celebrate this dual nature of Christ.

Be God's.


MYSTERY

We had wandered from the Garden, like an arrow flown astray
Sin divided, hell had conquered, each had followed his own way
But in our moaning, in our suff’ring, there was One who saw our pain
His holy angels cried out "Glory!" A Savior has been born this day

Oh, the mystery of incarnate deity!
The Son of God could be, become like you and me?
He left His heavenly throne, to make our earth His home
Oh, the mystery! Of Christ the newborn King

Though He dwelt in holy glory, the Son of God, He left His place
Humbly to come as a little baby so we could see His Father’s face
He who was sinless learned obedience, and was tempted in every way
Suffering shame, despised, rejected; the Son of Man, He overcame

So come ye wanton, come ye thirsty, come to the well and drink of this:
That God immortal, is a God of mercy, who cares to care for our lowliness

Advent: Like Us in Every Way

Advent: Week 4, Day 2

Light all three purple candles and the pink candle.
Read: Hebrews 2:10-18

"Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation (atonement) for the sins of the people." (2:14-15, 17)

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Every year, once a year, the high priest of Israel would stand before the people and slaughter a bull to offer its blood before the Lord as a sin offering for the people. The high priest would offer blood for two reasons: first, to atone for his own personal sins and, second, to atone for the past sins of the nation. The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, was the day in which the fate of the nation was placed in the hands of one man -- a mediator -- as he went before God.

Jesus Christ had to take on flesh and blood so that He could be a mediator between men and God the Father, the Righteous Judge of all. The people He was to represent on the cross needed to be people He fully related to in order for Him to be a substitute for them.

The logical (if it can be called logical) thought process went like this: Man was sinful so blood had to be shed to atone. No mortal man could be sinless and, thus, be a capable substitute. Only God was holy. So God had to shed His own blood. To do this, He had to take on flesh and blood just like a man. He had to be made like us in every way. So He decided to take on flesh in the same way normal men did -- from conception in the womb. In that way, he fully experienced the depth of humanity (and also the death of humanity).

Even more, the author of Hebrews tells us in chapter 2, Jesus chose to be like us in our day-to-day experiences so that He could relate to us in our day-to-day experiences. He was tempted in every way yet was without sin. He overcame so that we could overcome through following His example.

Jesus Christ is not only our Lord in His eternal deity but He is also our brother in His humanity. He considers us brothers, too, as crazy as that sounds. The only way He can do this is to be like us in every human way, and the incarnation accomplished that in a mysterious, grand way.

Be God's.

Advent Week 4: God Made Flesh

Advent: Week 4, Day 1

Light all three purple candles and then the pink candle.

The pink candle represents Christ's humanity. That God, the Almighty Spirit, could set aside some of the perks of deity to take on human flesh and blood is a mystery that no philosopher or detective can solve. It is the mystery of the "incarnation," a fancy word that simply means "to become flesh." God's Son became flesh so that he might live as one of us and die as one of us. However, even though He was human in form, Jesus never ceased to be fully God, either in nature or function. It's a mystery! But one to be celebrated, to be sure. So that's what we will do this week leading up to Christmas Day on Thursday.

Read: Isaiah 7:14, 40:1-11

"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." (Isa 7:14)

"Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" (40:9)

"Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:35-36)

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Even the most devout Jew knew that there would be a great prophet coming one day to lead Israel. They knew he would be of the line of David; ruling with David's might, and would fight on the Lord's behalf for Israel. He would be a prophet like Moses. And the power of the Lord would be with him.

But little did they know that this messiah would be none other than God Himself. The incarnation of Jesus Christ still remains one of the universe's great mysteries, perhaps second only to the triune nature of God. How could God Himself fulfill all the prophecies concerning the messiah? How could He become flesh? And why would He choose to do that?

Isaiah 7:14 and 40:9 are among many glimpses of the incarnation in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 40, here is the great herald, later identified as John the Baptist, proclaiming that the consolation of Israel had arrived and He is standing right in front of them. He does not say, "Here is your messiah!" He said, "Here is your God!" God Himself would save Israel. He would come with power and grace and be both a shepherd AND a lamb.

This week we will briefly explore various aspects of the incarnation leading to Christmas Day. There is more material in the Scriptures than we have time but perhaps the greatest treasures exploring the incarnation can be found in Hebrews 2:14-18, Philippians 2:1-9 and Colossians 1:15-22. God became just like us so He could fully redeem us and act as our intercessor and advocate. It is the marvelous mystery of the incarnation that we celebrate every Christmas.

We start with the Old Testament revelation that God would come in person today. Tomorrow we'll explore the incarnation further.

Be God's.

Advent: A Joy That is Pure

Advent: Week 3, Day 7

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Isaiah 51:11, Rev 21:1-4

"Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." (Isa. 51:11)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev 21:3-4)

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There is little worse than being far away from home but having no choice but to stay far from home. There's no going back -- at least not anytime soon -- and all that you feel is distant and lonely.

That's the was it was for the exiled Jews of the 500's B.C. They were in Babylon and Persia, a thousand miles or more away from home, and with little hope of going back home. But God gives them a glimmer of hope in Isaiah 51. He says that the people will be redeemed, indeed, ransomed, from exile and would return to their land with joyful singing. Everlasting joy would adorn them and worry and sorrow would be far away. What a beautiful picture!

The same is true for the believer in Jesus Christ. Because of the Babe in the manger, our Lord, we will have a homecoming that is just as wonderful. And joy will adorn us just as it adorned the Jews of old. Revelation 21 paints the picture of a new heaven and new earth -- a place where God dwells in person with man. A place where we can experience everlasting joy. There will be no more crying, no more pain. No more hurtful words, no more shame. But God Himself will wipe every tear from every eye. In other words, it will be joy purified.

Joy may be an emotion that we experience here on earth as well as a state of mind but it is also a promise. A promise that what is hurtful and wrong here on earth will one day fade away and what remains will not be regret but instead joy. A pure joy that allows us to celebrate from pure hearts and enjoy the pure presence of our pure and sovereign Lord.

Don't you long for that day?

Be God's.

Advent: Joy in Suffering

Advent: Week 3, Day 6

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Hebrews 12:2-3; James 1:2-4

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb. 12:2-3)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

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It is a marvelous mystery, this thing called joy. As an emotion, it causes people to laugh and dance, to shout and sing. It causes people to do things they would never do in their right mind, such as shout out praise in the midst of a human assembly like a man proclaiming his love for his wife on the crowded streets of Paris. It will even cause humble and outcast shepherds to seek out every living person in sight to tell them of a miraculous baby's birth.

As a state of mind, being joyous will bear the harshest of times, carrying a load of worry and hurt on its shoulders until the burden ceases to be and disappears. It will help us to see the bigger picture -- that picture of which our present difficulties are but specks of paint in a sea of reds, blues and blacks. Joy helps us through tough times. We know that whatever we face, Jesus Christ has faced it before, times ten, and has overcome it. We know that we are His children, His beloved possession, eternally secure and unable to be destroyed by our circumstances. We can live in a state of joy because we know the Truth, and He said he has overcome the world and that we can overcome it, too, through Him.

How can we experience joy in suffering? We may not sing and we may not dance but our heart can be at rest because of the babe in the straw, our Lord Jesus Christ. He was, as the great hymn proclaims, "born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth." We can be joyous because we know that Christ was born to crush sin and oppression, which He started at the cross and will complete when He returns to earth. We know that His blood can save us and give us a second birth. And that His salvation will remain even in the midst of our deepest despair.

So we may not always feel like dancing, but we know that we can still be joyous based on the knowledge of whom Christ is and what He has done.

Be God's.

Advent: The Joy of Good News, Part 2

Advent: Week 3, Day 5

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Luke 2:8-20

"In the same region there were shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (2:8-10)

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I'm always amazed at how amazed people of the Bible got when they encountered an angel. I can't think off-hand of one instance in which an angelic encounter did NOT result in fear and trembling. Most times the humans hit the ground as if they were dead. The shepherds at work in the Bethlehem fields were no different. When an angel of God stood in their midst, they hit the deck in fear. But the words of that heavenly messenger created another emotion inside them -- an emotion that led to swift action: joy.

Usually, angelic news was troubling or perplexing. I think of Daniel's amazement at the angel's futuristic news recorded in Daniel 10. Then there was the disturbed heart of Abraham, who pleaded with the Lord's angel (or maybe God Himself) to spare Sodom after being told it would be destroyed. But the early angelic announcements of the Gospels were joyous messages. The angel Gabriel told aging Zechariah he would have a son in Luke 1. Then he told Mary about her impending pregnancy. And an angel told Joseph about the glorious pregnancy in Matthew 1. Now an angel tells the shepherds that the glorious anticipation has ceased for the messiah had been born.

And they acted in response by rushing to Bethlehem to meet their newborn King. Their joy was put into motion, and as they returned to the fields they told everyone who would listen about the messiah's birth. It was joy turned into action. As Isaiah said 700 years earlier, "How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news!" First it was the angel, then the shepherds. And now it is up to you and me. Have you shared the joy recently? Will you try harder to do so in the near future?

Be God's.

Advent: The Joy of Good News

Advent: Week 3, Day 4

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Isaiah 52:7-10.

"How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace and brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation, and says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up [their] voices,
They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes
When the LORD restores Zion." (Isaiah 52:7-8)

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There is little that beats the arrival of good news. Truly, the arrival of a good word can lift someone's spirits or fill them with joy. Just like the birth of a child.

My dad was a student in seminary when I was born back in 1976. Dallas Theological Seminary is located just east of downtown Dallas and the hospital was about three blocks away from seminary. My mother went into labor in the early morning hours and I was born before dawn. When my dad showed up at the seminary that afternoon he told his mentor and boss, Mike Reese, about my birth and Mr. Reese broke down in tears. The news was so wonderful to him that he cried tears of joy. His reaction really left an impression on my father.

Good news has a way of doing that. It leaves its mark on us, chasing away our fears. It lifts the branches of our hearts off the ground, dusting them off and setting them free to wave in the breeze. I'm reminded of the shepherds of Bethlehem, minding their own business in the fields when an angel broke to them the good news of messiah's birth. After they picked themselves off the ground, their hearts were filled with joy and they rushed to see the holy Babe in the manger.

When was the last time you rejoiced at the hearing of good news? Has it been awhile? Or just recently? This Christmas be sure to let the joy of Jesus' birth reflect in both your heart and your actions.

Be God's.

Advent: Joy in Remembrance

Advent: Week 3, Day 3

Light three purple candles. Read: Isaiah 49:5-13

"Shout for joy, O heavens! And rejoice, O earth!
Break forth into joyful shouting, O mountains!
For the LORD has comforted His people
And will have compassion on His afflicted." (Isaiah 49:13)

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I once had a pastor tell me that one of the most important things he would do for a grieving family is hold an evening of remembrance and sharing about the deceased. Usually held on the night after the death, the time of sharing would be moderated by the pastor, who would ask them questions about their loved one and help them sort through their grief. Though not exactly a joyous occasion, the act of remembrance brought some comfort and ease to the family.

Knowing that Judah would go through over 500 years of toil and struggle after the exile to Babylon, God spoke through Isaiah the prophet to inform His people that there would be a comforter coming. The messiah would bring a new age with Him, a time of peace and forgiveness, and all who wished for relief would find it through Him. Part of Christmas is a celebration that God remembered His people and brought them His promised messiah. And this news was to bring great joy.

The fact that God remembered Israel and still remembers us in our various plights should bring forth joy in our hearts. For our God cares for us. And the birth of His messiah, His Son Jesus, is proof of that.

Be God's.

Advent: Joy to the World

Advent: Week 3, Day 2

Light three purple candles.
Read: Isaiah 52:7-10

"How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace and brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation, [and] says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up [their] voices, They shout joyfully together;
For they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.
Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem;
For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations,
That all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:7-10)

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Christmas is a time of celebration as well as a time of remembrance. It is a time of joy -- great joy for all who have longed for and embraced the Gospel message. "No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground!" Isaac Watts wrote in his classic hymn. Jesus has come to make His blessings flow as far as the curse is found. This week, even though Christmas Day is tomorrow, we will explore the subject of joy, particularly the joy that is found in the babe in the manger -- our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah said the feet of a messenger are lovely when he is bearing good news. What news doth he bear? He "announces peace and brings good news of happiness," and he "announces salvation, saying to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" For in the person of Jesus we have the promised restoration of mankind -- first in the heart and then, one day, in the whole wide world. Mankind can now be renewed from the inside out and the Lord is bringing His joy into the hearts of those who desire this renewal.

"Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!" another great song says. So during this most holy of seasons, take some time to rejoice and celebrate your salvation. For God has come to dwell with the lowliest man.

Be God's.

Advent Week Three: The Joy of Christ

Advent: Week 3, Day 1

Light all three purple candles.
Read: Luke 2:8-14

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

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I was reminded recently of an old hymn that talks about the joy of Christ's coming. Called, 'How Great Our Joy," the song is a German carol that captures the excitement that the shepherds must have felt at the announcement of the messiah's birth.

Have you ever wondered what the shepherds felt when they heard the news? Was it fear? Was it confusion? Or was it pure joy? The angel told them not to be afraid and that the news was joyful but I suppose the shepherds felt a combination of all three emotions. Whatever they truly felt, it was enough to compel them to leave their jobs and rush into town to find the stable or cave of Christ.

The German carol accurately captures this mixture of emotions. It goes:

While by the sheep we watched at night
Glad tidings brought an angel bright
How great our joy! Joy! Joy! Joy!
Praise be the Lord in heaven on high!

Can you see the excitement in those words? Can you imagine your reaction to the angel? Can you imagine leaving your job to rush to the cradle bedside of a newborn?

It must be joy. Joy, Joy, joy.

Be God's.

Advent: Peace in Life’s Storms

Advent: Week 2, Day 7

Light two purple candles
Read: Phil. 4:6-9

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-9)


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Another aspect of Christ's coming is the peace He brings inside our hearts. This peace I refer to is neither the peace of salvation nor the peace that comes between neighbors, but instead the peace that comes in the midst of life's storms. Paul writes to the believers in Philippi that whenever anxieties and worries come upon them, they should react with prayer. Give up your cares before God and He will take them from you. And the benefit of such action will be peace -- a peace that passes all understanding.

There is great peace when we are in communion with God. And we are in communion with Him when we are both talking and walking with Him. So next time a life storm rumbles on your doorstep, follow the advice given in today's passage. Take it to the Lord in prayer and rest in His perfect peace.

Be God's.

Advent: Peace With Men

Advent: Week 2, Day 6

Light two purple candles
Read Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:14)

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The subject of peace comes up frequently around Christmastime. And often the message of the angels in Luke 2 is taken as a call for men and women to all be at peace with one another. But the angel did not call for world peace, nor peace between neighbors. It's funny how we've taken scripture out of context through the years. The angels said peace will be among men with whom God is pleased. We know from yesterday's study that God is not pleased with all men, in fact, all of mankind is in open rebellion against God. Only those who have placed faith in Jesus have found His peace. Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is and [that] He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." But that's our attempt to please God. With whom is God pleased? Those who have placed their faith in His Son. Colossians 1 says that God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus, who died so that He might reconcile Himself to mankind. God was pleased withy Jesus' mission and accomplishment. Now He considers those who have faith in Jesus His children (Gal. 4:4-7).

This is the wonderful gospel truth, but it is also important to note that one aspect of Christ's coming deals with the peace we can now have with each other. Over and over again in the New Testament, we (believers) are commanded to be at peace with all of mankind (Rom. 12:18, Heb 12:14). This does not mean that we must bow to the world's wishes, but instead seek to be at peace with people. Personally, I think this peacefulness is more of a mindset than an action, though it is certainly active! It is that mindset we have which tells us to smile at a rude driver or seek to be disadvantaged for the sake of peace. It is a resolution to be a witness for Christ in every situation, regardless of the personal cost.

We are also called to be at peace with those in the church, even if we disagree with their theology or find them to be arrogant, rude or rebellious. We must be peaceful, even if it goes against our behavior type or background. Paul says in Romans 14:19, "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." Why should we be peaceful? Well, for many reasons, chief among them one common one: because the peace of Christ is in our hearts. Listen to these words: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body (Col. 3:15)." It is because of Christ that we live in peace with one another. So in this season of peace, let us give thanks for the Prince of Peace, who calls us to be at peace with each other.

Be God's.

Advent: Peace Through Blood

Advent Week 2, Day 5

Light two purple candles
Read Colossians 1:19-20

"For it was the [Father’s] good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say], whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Col. 1:19-20)

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The most important peace of Christ, in my opinion, is that peace He earned through His death on the cross. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:12-13, "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." This is the basic Gospel message.

It is true that apart from Jesus Christ we have no peace with God. We are His enemies, Paul says in Colossians 1 -- created by Him but in rebellion ever since Adam and Eve first sinned. And because of our sin and our broken nature, we were in need of someone to save us -- a person who did not need saving himself. So God chose to become man in the form of Jesus, and through His blood shed on the cross He paid the debt and bridged the gap between God and man. It is through faith in Him that we now have our peace with God. He has "reconciled" us to God and now we can have a restored relationship with our Creator. Just accept what Christ has done and trust Him.

Be God's.

"Hark!" The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn king
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled!"

Advent: Shepherd of Peace

Advent: Week 2, Day 4

Light two purple candles
Read: Micah 5:4-5; 7:14; Isaiah 40:9&11

"And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD,
In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.
And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great
To the ends of the earth. This One will be [our] peace." (Micah 5:4-5)

“Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance,
which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago.” (Micah 7:14)

"You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:9, 11)

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The motif of Jesus as shepherd will be explored later, but one aspect of His first coming was to be a shepherd of peace. The most famous shepherding passage, Psalm 23, begins, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." A shepherd played many roles in the ancient world. Among these roles was that of peacemaker. When a storm or predator caused the sheep to tremble and panic, the shepherd had to be the one to calm the sheep. He was the peacemaker. He led his sheep in peace and sought peaceful settings in which to place his sheep. Psalm 23 says the Lord leads His sheep by peaceful waters and is by their side through the darkest valleys. His rod and staff comfort them.

In John 10, Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know Me." Jesus came as the shepherd of peace, just as the Old Testament writers predicted. He came to bring peace between God and man and, as a result, between man and man. As we will study later this week, the angels first appeared not to kings or the village leaders of Bethlehem, but to humble shepherds. They announced that peace had come, in the form of a little infant, to those on whom God's favor rested. How ironic.

Be God's.

Advent: The Peaceful Sovereign

Advent Week 2, Day 3

Light two purple candles
Read Isaiah 9:6-7

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (Isa. 9:6-7)

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Isaiah is often called the "Fifth Gospel" because of the sheer number of passages that refer directly to Jesus. Inside the prophecies of Isaiah, who prophesied in the 700s B.C., one can find the entire Gospel message, from the virgin birth of Jesus, to His suffering, death and resurrection, and then to His second coming and future kingdom. Here, in Isaiah 9, comes a prophecy about the royal role of the coming messiah. Prominent in these two verses are the themes of peace and righteousness. Jesus will reign on David's throne with peace and righteousness, just the way you would want a king to rule.

Think about it: who would want to live under a monarch who lives in a state of war? or who would want their monarch to take advantage of them, or let others take advantage? David was considered to be the greatest king in Israel's history (still is). Among his many attributes, he was a mighty warrior who ruled with righteousness. And he was considered to be a godly king, God's anointed. And in 2 Samuel 7, God promised to David that a descendant would reign on his throne forever. It was an unconditional promise -- a covenant that God was bound, by His own will, to uphold. Through the next few hundred years, the people awaited this next great king, a king of peace and of righteousness. Finally, God worked through Isaiah and Micah to let the people know that this mighty king like David is coming. But he is more than a king. Isaiah says He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Eternal Father. Micah says His origin would be from days of antiquity (or eternity, depending on the translation). No ordinary man could fit this description. Even more, He would be a prince of peace whose government and peace would never end. How ideal!

Jesus is the king of Israel. He has never relinquished His throne. And He will never abdicate nor stain the office. He is King of Israel and His kingdom continues to this day, though His throne is in heaven and not all of His subjects accept His kingship. But as Isaiah prophesied and others echoed, the throne of Jesus will come to earth one day and this peace, this eternal peace, will descend upon the earth with Him. He is the Prince of Peace. Come Lord Jesus!

Be God's.

Advent: An Internal Peace

Advent: Week 2, Day 2

Light two purple candles.
Read Col. 1:19-20

"For it was the [Father's] good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say], whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Col. 1:19-20)

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Any study of the peace of Jesus Christ, in my opinion, must begin with the peace He earned through His death on the cross. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:12-13, "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

This is the basic Gospel message. Every human being begins life in rebellion against his or her Creator. We are aliens; foreigners; strangers to God. And the truth is that we can have no real peace with man if we do not have peace with God. Oh, sure, we can get along with our neighbor but do we have a lasting peace? Do we have a deeper peace?

Apart from Jesus Christ we have no peace with God. We are His enemies; Paul says in Colossians 1 that even though God created us, we have been in rebellion against Him ever since Adam and Eve first sinned. And because of our sin and our broken nature, we were in need of someone to save us -- a person who did not need saving himself.

So God chose to become man in the form of Jesus, and through His blood shed on the cross He paid the debt and bridged the gap between God and man. It is through faith in Him that we now have our peace with God. He has "reconciled" us to God and now we can have a restored relationship with our Creator. Just accept what Christ has done and trust Him.

Be God's.

Advent Week Two: Peace of Christ

Advent: Week 2, Day 1

Light the first candle, then a second purple candle
Read: Isaiah 9:6-7

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (9:6-7)

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Today begins the second week of Advent, a week in which we will celebrate the peace that Jesus Christ brought with His first coming and the peace that He will ultimately bring with His return.

In a world of toil and trouble, when nation and ethic groups are at unrest with one another, never has the peace of Christ been more needed. But not only do we need this peace in the external affairs of life but also inside the heart. Even for those who are already saved. Just because we are saved does not mean our troubles will cease. In fact, they are likely to increase, for we have gained an enemy in the form of our sinful world. But Jesus said to His disciples in the Upper Room, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:26)."

This week we will start on the inside with the peace of salvation and then gradually turn towards the peace we have with those around us. This week is a glorious week in which we get to celebrate our Prince of Peace.

Be God's.

Advent: Sharing the Light

Advent: Week 1, Day 7

Light one purple candle.
Read Matthew 5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (5:14-16)

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It's hard to hide a light.

During World War 2, entire cities practiced a defense policy called "blackout" in which citizens and businesses were told to shut off their lights at night in hopes of avoiding bombing or invasion. If the enemy could see a target, they could destroy that target. Just one light could give away the location of a city or an individual. Even New York City and places on the East Coast practiced blackouts during the War.

Jesus said a city on a hill couldn’t be hidden. It's there for all to see. Also, a light is not easily hidden. You could place it under a bowl or basket but the light would just go out. You can't revive it again without another match or flint. Also, if a light is under a bowl or basket, what good does it do? You can't see around you very well. Nor can others see you.

You see, Jesus is the Light of the World, and since we have been called to walk in His Light and reflect it we need to make sure that others see the Light in us. We are that city on a hill or that household light. We were made to shine the Light of Jesus Christ so that the world may see and turn to God in praise.

Are you letting the Light of Jesus shine in your life? Are there areas in which you are trying to hide that Light? Are there areas in which you are afraid to declare that you are a Christian? Jesus wants us to reflect and share His Light so that people will be attracted to that Light and come to faith in Him. So are you willing to sing with me, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"? I hope so.

Be God's.

Advent: Children of Light

Advent: Week 1, Day 5

Light one purple candle.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:6 and Romans 13:12

"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6)

"The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Rom. 13:12)

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)." (Eph. 5:8-9)

"You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." (1 Thess 5:5)

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The Light of the World has come, and He has shared His light with us. What should be our proper response? To walk as He walked and put aside our natural cravings for the things of darkness (a.k.a. sin). The above verses all come from the apostle Paul, who once saw that glorious light of Jesus Christ when on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).

It was that light that ushered in a complete change in his life, turning him from a murderous zealot to a graceful apostle. Paul knew what it meant to be without the light of Christ. He knew what it was like to walk in darkness. Most of you know what that was like as well. But now he was a new creature in Christ, just like you and I, and the darkness no longer has total control over him. He had a choice: walk in darkness or walk in the Light.

We, too, have this choice. And as the first week of Advent draws to a close tomorrow, it is important to hammer home one very important application. It is found in the verses I listed above. The same God who made the heavens and earth (and He did) and said, "Let there be light" has enlightened our hearts so that we can know Him through Jesus Christ. And because we know Him, we have received His light and no longer walk in darkness. We belong to it no longer.

So walk in the light as He is in the Light. And know that even when we stumble and fall, we still have the light of Christ in our lives. All we need to do is let it shine. Walk in the light of whom you know to be true. The Light of the World.

Be God's.

Advent: Showing the Light

Advent: Week 1, Day 5

Light one purple candle.
Read: John 1:1-9

"The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through Him. He was not the Light, but [he came] to testify about the Light. There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." (John 1:5-9)

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It was easy to make a mistake. Here was a prophet, John the Baptist, preaching about the kingdom of God and baptizing people in the Jordan River. Was he the light that Isaiah spoke about in Isaiah 60? Was he the messiah, the one to whom the nations would come and offer gifts?

I'm sure many people got very excited when John the Baptist burst onto the scene around A.D. 30. Finally, after 450 silent years, God appears to be speaking to us! But John's knowledge of who he was differed from the people. Some of them asked John, "Who are you? Are you the Messiah? Are you Elijah? Are you the Prophet like Moses?" John responded with the words of Isaiah, "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, "Make straight the way for the Lord.'" (John 1:19-23) How cool of a response is that! He was not the Light. Jesus was the Light.

John's calling was to prepare the way for Jesus and proclaim Him as the Light of the World. John had no power to enlighten the hearts of men. He had no power to reach into those same hearts and see the true motivation for how we act, think, and live our lives. Jesus did. So John's purpose was to show people the Light of Christ, in order that they may place their faith in Christ and be saved.

This Christmas season let your purpose be the same as John's. Be a testimony to Jesus Christ. Show people around you His everlasting Light and pray that they might see and believe. One reason we put Christmas lights up during this season is because we are celebrating Jesus as the Light of the World. And this tradition is celebrated all over the world, even in places like China and India, where lights are placed on roofs or inside paper bags. Jesus is the Light of the World. Let us proclaim Him!

Be God's.

Advent: To Walk in the Light

Advent: Week 1, Day 4

Light one purple candle.
Read: 1 John 1:5-7 and 2:1-6

"This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1:5-7)

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It's no fun to walk in the dark.

Most city neighborhoods have streetlights that come on at dusk and turn off when the sun rises. They're usually scattered every 100 feet or so and help people find their driveways and know where to place the trashcans. But my neighborhood seems to have a severe lack of streetlights. Most people have an outside light they turn on at night but if you're walking on the street you're nearly out of luck. My street slants to one side and has deep ditches on that side. A few stone retaining walls get close to the street and every now and then you'll come across an asphalt patch or square reflector. It can be dangerous walking the street at night!

First John paints a clear picture of what it means to walk in the darkness and to walk in the light. The apostle is nearing the end of his earthly life when he penned these words and his walk with the Lord is about to change dramatically. So now he's offering his last words to his readers and John says, "the one who says he abides in Him (Christ) ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked."

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. And we, as His followers, should walk in the light, forsaking all darkness, just as He did. We should walk in our Master's footsteps. Those who claim to be followers of Jesus need to truly follow Him with their lives and not be deceived. This is John's message.

However, we all know that each one of us stumbles and falls at times. Thankfully we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who speaks before the Father in our defense, much like a defense attorney (1 John 2:1). His blood has saved us and His Father has forgiven us, so now His grace is upon us. Rest assured.

The key to walking in the light, I believe, is what we do immediately after we stumble and fall. Do we remain in sin or do we come right back to the Father's throne of grace? Do we let the sin fester and dig roots within us, or do we forsake it and move on in Christ? I think of King David, whom was called, "a man after God's own heart." During his kingship, David murdered, fornicated and lied. But what made him a man after God's heart was his response to sin. David came back to God and sought his forgiveness (see Psalms 32 and 51). David sought holiness. For God is holy.

Those who claim to be Christians but do things that are sinful (whether borderline or outright) are not walking in the light. As their brother or sister, it is important that you gently correct them (do not judge) and guide them back to the light. And as fragile human beings, guard your own heart and mind to see that darkness does not seep in. And when it does, turn back to God and keep pursuing the Light.

Be God's.

Advent: The Everlasting Light

Advent: Week 1, Day 3

Light one purple candle.
Read: Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-20; John 5:35-36

"The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end." (Isaiah 60:19-20)

"John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me." (John 5:35-36)

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One of the things we tend to take for granted in our super-modern society is the light bulb. Think about it. With the power of the light bulb we get up in the mornings, staring at our lit alarm clocks until we decide to arise and turn on our bedroom or bathroom lights. We read our morning paper often by the power of the bulb and jump in our cars where the car clock tells us exactly how late we are. We office under the power of the light bulb and drive home at night using its darkness-piercing power. Indeed, there are fewer moments more terrifying than a nighttime power outage.

But light bulbs have at least one major flaw (likely many more). They burn out. Even the most expensive of halogen bulbs will eventually die. Sometimes they die with a pop, other times with a sizzle, but they always die. Not so with the light of Jesus Christ. One of the neat features of the Advent wreath set-up is its emphasis on light. It starts with one candle and then grows to two. Then three candles burn at the same time and then four. By Christmas Day all five candles are burning and the light of the Advent wreath is at its height.

Our Lord will always stand as light where darkness exists. To believe in Him and follow Him will always be the better choice. Decisions become clearer, obstacles appear, and fears fade away in the light of Christ. And His light is not a temporary thing, not like the light of John the Baptist. I love Jesus' words in John 5, when He talks about His authority and the authority of John. He says that John's light -- his power, influence and discernment -- burned like a lamp and the people enjoyed it. But John's lamp burned out, just like one of my light bulbs. Jesus' light, though, would always burn like an everlasting light.

In Isaiah 60 and in Revelation 21 we see the light of the Lord shining even in heaven, where darkness does not exist. Even when we are fellowshipping with Him in glory, He is still lighting our way. What a glorious picture!

Be God's.

Advent: Jesus as Light for the Blind

Advent Week 1: Day 2

Light one candle to celebrate Jesus as the Light.
Read Isaiah 42:1-9

"I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you,
And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
"I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.
Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things;
Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."

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I don't know what it feels like to be blind. It's possible that you don't know either. The closest I came was at a summer camp ages ago when I lost my glasses to the greediness of the camp lake. I was swimming with my cabin-mates, dove off a floating platform, and came back to the surface without them. I remember calling home to tell my parents but there was nothing they could do. I was stuck with blurry vision and disorientation for the rest of the camp. It was miserable. I couldn't see where I was going. I had to reach out for walls to balance me and lift my knees high to avoid tripping hazards.

Jesus came to be the Light of the World. As Isaiah prophesied in chapter 9, people walking in darkness would see His great light. And the darkness would disappear. Darkness is a metaphor for sin and judgment in the prophets. Light reveals truth and stands for righteousness. Jesus came to render the darkness powerless and clear the vision of those who were impaired by sin.

In Isaiah 42, we see part of the divine call of Jesus to be the Light of the World and Savior of man. God the Father speaks to His Son and says, "And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison." Part of Jesus' mission was to make the blind (in the literal and the sinful sense) see the truth of who God is and of who they are. And that's exactly what happens when a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ.

I'm convinced that there are two things that every person has to come to reckon with in their lives: Who God is and who they are. The answer to one question will always influence the other. Who is God? Is He real? Is He an old man with a white beard sitting on a throne on a cloud? Or is He more like Santa Claus, counting our sins and our good works and weighing them on a scale? Who is God? The answer will drive what we think of ourselves. We have to reckon with the nature of God and the nature of man. It's the first two points of the Gospel message: God is holy, we are sinful, and because of that we need a savior. The good news we celebrate each Advent season is that there is a Savior and, as the angels said to the shepherds, He is Christ the Lord.

Jesus said, "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should stay in darkness (John 12:46)."

Be God's.