The Kingdom of Heaven

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3)

The text is in the present tense…“theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” not “theirs will be the kingdom of heaven.”  What did Jesus mean by “the kingdom of heaven?” In his book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote regarding the kingdom of heaven, “It means, in its essence, Christ’s rule or the sphere and realm in which He is reigning…Wherever He was present and exercising authority, the kingdom of heaven was there.” (p. 30) 

Scripture makes it clear that Jesus Christ is eternal.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Rev. 4:8b)

PAST

When Jesus walked the earth two thousand years ago, the kingdom of heaven was near. In Matthew 4:17 it says, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  In Matthew 9:5-6 He demonstrated His authority on earth by saying, “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins – then He said to the paralytic – ‘Rise, take up your bed, and go home.’”  Throughout His ministry, He proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom and demonstrated His authority through miracles.

PRESENT

The poor in spirit recognize that they are completely incapable of saving themselves. When they accept Christ as their Savior, they grant Him the authority to rule and reign in their lives. “For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Col. 1:13)  While we continue to live on earth, “..our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 3:20) We who are poor in spirit dwell in the kingdom of Heaven, and the King of that kingdom dwells in us!

FUTURE

One day soon there will be a new heaven and a new earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” (Rev. 21:3)  “Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.”  (Daniel 7:27)

Jesus – Emmanuel – God with us…past, present, and future.

The poor in spirit are blessed because His sacrifice covers our sin -- past, present, and future.

The poor in spirit are blessed because He walked among us, dwells within us, and will reign over us from now through eternity.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:3)

Steward of Grace

Since the beginning of the year I have been doing a series on the word “blessed.”  I lost a bit of momentum for a while due to travel and a busy schedule, and then a global pandemic hit out of nowhere.  I have struggled with anxiety, fear, lack of motivation, and most notably, an inability to focus.  Writing takes immense effort right now, but I do have something that I would like to share.

In the weeks leading up to the crisis, our church has been studying the book of Ephesians.  In Ephesians 3:1-2 it says, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you...” (emphasis mine).  That phrase caught my eye and has been rattling around in my head ever since.  I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it…until now.  It is quite strange and a bit unsettling to find ourselves in the midst of a national crisis where a call to unity requires us to stay away from each other.  While we have witnessed selfish behavior in some, we have also seen people come together and ask what they can do to help. 

As believers, we often hear people say that they want to be good stewards of what God has given them.  They want to take care of what God has blessed them with (home, finances, gifts, talents, etc) and use them to bless others and further His kingdom.  During these unprecedented times, let us not forget to be good stewards of the most precious gift of all…His grace.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8)  Paul says that the stewardship of God’s grace was given to him for others.  Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” 

We have a unique opportunity right now to be salt and light in our communities.  If we truly understand the magnitude of God’s grace toward us, let us extend that same grace to those around us and be a good example and a fragrant aroma.  How do we do that when we are housebound?  Creativity is the key.  We are blessed to live in a highly technological age.  Examples I have seen so far include musicians doing free online concerts, people sharing exercise routines, people sharing ideas and resources to help with home education or keeping little ones occupied, physicians explaining what’s going on in simple terms that we can understand, and people cooking meals in step by step tutorials to help those who might not be as proficient in the kitchen.  For those who are not online as much, I have seen women sewing masks/mask covers by the dozen, cards being written and mailed, sharing of supplies, and people shopping for those most at risk.  Extending grace can be as simple as just having a good attitude and a ready smile and wave when you encounter people on a walk around your neighborhood or saying thank you to those serving you through essential services. 

When you wake up in the morning, ask yourself, “How can I be a good steward of God’s grace today?” and then walk in that.  It is possible to love your neighbor from afar.  There may be shortages in the supply chain right now, but the supply of God’s grace is vast and infinite.  Being a good steward of God’s grace is guaranteed to bless Him, bless your neighbor, and bless you.

The Mirror of His Word

Most mornings I will join my husband for coffee at our local coffee shop.  We enjoy the smell of roasted coffee beans, the tinkling sound of the bell on the door as customers enter, and the homey décor. I love this wall of mirrors.  It occurred to me the other day that the Word is also like a mirror to us.  It reflects both the truth about God, as well as the truth about us.  I thought I’d switch things up for this post and put it in a Q&A format, and let the Scripture speak directly to your heart.

Is anyone good?

“As it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.”  (Romans 3:10-12)

What does the unsaved person think of the message of the cross?

“For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Why do the unsaved view the gospel as foolishness?

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

What happens when the veil is removed?

“But whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  (2 Corinthians 3:16-18)

The only way a mirror is effective is when the lights are on. 

What (Who) is the source of the Light?

“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 4:6)

What should our response be when we behold God in the light of His Word and reflect on the truth?

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5)

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at this natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.  But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.”  (James 1:23-25)

When we reflect on His truth and walk in obedience, we are promised three things.  We will:

·       Be transformed into His image (2 Cor. 3:18)

·       Bear much fruit (John 15:5)

·       Be blessed (James 1:25)

Behold

In addition to writing, I enjoy dabbling in photography.  I love to capture beauty, whether it is the shadow of a fern on a wooded path,

or the architecture of a cathedral. 

Photographs help me to remember a moment in time, like my daughter at her dance recital. 

Photography forces me to slow down and really observe my subject, such as the vibrant color and delicate curve of the petals on a flower.

The word “behold” appears well over one thousand times in the Bible.  As I’ve been studying the word blessed, I’ve come across this word several times, so I decided to stop and consider it for a moment.  In the Greek, "behold" means “to gaze with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable.”  Our culture moves at a frighteningly quick pace.  We are constantly bombarded with information, and our attention is often pulled in multiple directions as we scroll on our phones or drive to our next meeting.  To truly behold something, means that we must slow down and focus.  

Let me use photography to illustrate my point.  

We can see flowers,

or we can behold them 

Photography has taught me that in order to capture detail, I must be close to the subject.  If I am photographing a close-up of a flower, I am completely absorbed in the moment.  I am captivated by the vibrant colors and appreciate the intricate beauty of the stamen and the petals. The scent is pleasant and soothing. I adjust my focus within the frame and try to artfully capture the unique beauty I am observing. 

Scripture promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  (James 4:8)  When Jesus visited Mary and Martha, Martha was distracted and rushing around with her preparations, but Mary chose to sit at His feet and listen to His word...to behold her Savior.  The Lord told Martha in Luke 10:42, “but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”  King David expressed in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” 

In order to know our Savior and learn from Him, we must slow down and take the time to observe and consider Him through the light of His word.  We must draw near and adjust our focus.  

There is great blessing to be found in beholding our Savior!

Poor in Spirit

To be “poor in spirit” is not a phrase we hear often.  In a culture that encourages and rewards self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and self-promotion, it seems like a bit of a mystery to think of a person who is poor in spirit as one who is blessed.  To be poor in spirit does not mean to be meek, shy or introverted.  It has nothing to do with finances.  It is not the act of covering a proud heart with false humility.  To be poor in spirit means that your spirit is humbled and utterly broken before the Lord.  It means both recognizing and acknowledging your total depravity in the presence of God.  Romans 3:10 says, “as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one.”

The root word for “poor” in the Greek is “ptochos” which means absolute, abject poverty.  The root word of “ptochos” is “ptosso” which means to crouch or cower.  This is not the kind of poverty where you eke by and are scraping along.  This is “begging poor,” the kind of poverty where you have no power or resources to help yourself in any capacity.  You are completely reliant on the grace and mercy of someone else for your very life.  While these definitions describe financial poverty, Jesus teaches that to be truly blessed, our spirits must be broken and humble before Him. 

As we begin to understand what He is requiring of us, we may wonder, “But if I’m that broken and humbled all the time, wouldn’t I be sad and depressed?  How can I be blessed in that state of mind?”  The reason why we struggle with this is because of the ongoing battle of the flesh in our minds and hearts.  The world insists that “if you work hard, you will get ahead,” “you don’t get something for nothing,” and “practice makes perfect.”  These messages are so ingrained in us that we forget that “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment,” (Isaiah 64:6) and that apart from Him we “can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The truth is, no matter how much we strive, apart from Jesus we will never attain the kind of perfection required to be in the presence of our holy God.  In our fallen nature, we are completely incapable of saving ourselves.  Spiritually speaking, we are “begging poor.”  When we truly wrap our heads around this truth and accept it and cry out, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner,”(Luke 18:13) we begin to understand the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf and the grace offered to us if we simply accept His gift.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)  Our sins, past, present, and future, have been covered by His blood.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) 

We are so undeserving of His love and grace, and yet He lavishes it upon us!  This is where we begin to experience joy and blessing.  We can draw on His promises.  

“But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)  

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)  

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)  

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)  

“…for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

I can think of no greater joy than to be reminded that while I was stuck in my sin and before I even acknowledged Him, Jesus died for me. By accepting His sacrifice on my behalf, I am considered righteous before God the Father.  All of my sins have been forgiven.  I can approach Him with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and rest in His promises.

How truly blessed are the poor in spirit!

Jesus, Our Eternal Joy

A couple of weeks ago I was standing in line at the customer service counter at Kohl’s.  There were several people in front of me, so I decided to look up my order number on my phone to have it ready when my turn at the counter came.  As I was scrolling through my email, I began to notice a commotion occurring at the front of the line.  A woman was trying to return some “World’s Greatest Grandma” hand towels and apparently things were not going well.  Her arms began to flail and the volume of her voice began to increase at an alarming rate.  As the customer service rep calmly explained the return policy and began processing the return, this woman slouched on the counter, buried her forehead in her hand and began to dramatically (and repeatedly) sigh.  One thing was abundantly clear.  She was not happy.

The word “blessed” is repeated nine times in the introductory section of the Sermon on the Mount known as the Beatitudes.  The root word in the Greek is “makarios,” which means happy or blissful.  This is the kind of happiness that is impervious to the randomness of life.  The last line of verse one in “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” describes Jesus as the “joy of every longing heart.”  To be blessed is to experience steadfast joy – Jesus – in your heart.

Jesus said in John 15:10-11, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.  These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (emphasis mine)  The kind of joy that Jesus offers has nothing to do with circumstances, and everything to do with abiding in Him.  When we accept Him as our Savior, we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit.  His love is complete and we can rest in this joy because we know it is secure and will last forever.  John 10: 27-28 says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”  

When we truly begin to understand this magnificent truth and internalize it into our minds and hearts, it begins to be a little easier to understand how to “consider it all joy” when we encounter various trials.  Trials are part of the sanctification process.  James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  In John 16:23-24, Jesus says, “…Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name.  Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.”  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  John 15:16 says, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you."  

One of the best descriptions I’ve seen about this kind of joy is, “Human happiness is something that is dependent on the chances and changes of life, something which life may give and which life may also destroy.  The Christian blessedness is completely untouchable and an assailable.” (William Barclay)  

To be blessed is to experience life with Jesus.  By His Spirit, we have the kind of joy that dwells within, is full and complete, eternally secure, and freely given to those who call upon His name. What a blessing it is to know that whatever life throws at us, Jesus is our steadfast joy!

Start at the Beginning

One of my favorite songs from the Sound of Music begins with Maria singing, “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start, when you read you begin with A, B, C, when you sing you begin with Do, Re, Mi.”  Maria wants to share her love of music with the children and encourages them to join her by teaching them the basics.  She gives each note a name and sings them in the order of a scale.  She understands that if they learn the notes and the general framework of music, they can join her in the joy of singing a song together.  That’s one of the beautiful things about music-- once you understand the basic structure, the song possibilities are endless!

In the gospel of Matthew, we find the Sermon on the Mount, and at the beginning of the sermon is a section of verses often referred to as the Beatitudes.  This is the place that I have chosen to begin my study of the word “blessed,” because its repetition caught my attention and sparked my interest in wanting to dig deeper into the word.  While the sermon was given in the presence of a multitude of people, it was specifically directed to Jesus’ disciples.  The Beatitudes embody the fundamental characteristics of a true believer in Christ, and thus a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.  It is important to understand from the outset that we cannot achieve this kind of living without the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit. 

Perhaps it is the musician in me, but as I read through the Beatitudes it reminded me of a musical scale.  The first note of a scale is called the root note.  The melody of a song is built on, and revolves around the root. Just as Maria started with the naming of the notes of a scale, so Christ names the characteristics that describe a true believer in ascending order.  Jesus teaches his disciples that the root or foundation of a life with Him begins with, and revolves around, a spirit of brokenness and humility.  It means acknowledging that you are a sinner, completely unable to save yourself.  Without an emptying of yourself, you cannot be filled with the Spirit who enables you to live as a true representative of His kingdom.  All of the other “notes” of His scale are based in humility, and that is why He begins with it.  It is the foundation on which your life in the kingdom is built.

The characteristics listed in the Beatitudes serve as both the identifiable marks, as well as ongoing goals, of a believer.  He promises blessing, both now and forever, to all who call upon His name and live according to His commands.  He invites us to join Him in the song of heaven, and the first note we must learn to sing is humility.  To sing His song is to be truly blessed indeed.

One Word: Blessed

Each year in the fall, I pray and ask the Lord if He has a word for me to dwell on in the upcoming year.  During my extended break from blogging, I was given the words “Grace” and “Intentional.”  I spent a little over two years with the word “grace,” and it changed my life.  It quieted those inner voices of accusation and guilt that I battled with for years.  I began to practice the discipline of preaching the gospel to myself every day.  Gaining this knowledge made the transition to “intentional” living a natural progression.

My word for 2020 is “blessed.”

It is not the passive form of blessed, as in “I am blessed,” but a call to action.  I see this word as an extension of the word “intentional.”  God promises blessing to His children who obey His commands.  In order to obey, and walk according to His commandments, we must be intentional in the way we think and act.  If we do that, He will bless us.  My plan is to begin the year in the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount, and then follow where He leads me from there. 

I am excited for the journey, and look forward to a deeper walk with Him in 2020!

Looking Forward to Christmas

The month of December is typically the time when most Christians focus their attention on the birth of Jesus Christ.  Many churches celebrate Advent, and sermons tend to focus on this miraculous event in history.  When we read the accounts in Matthew and Luke, we look back and marvel at the miracle of our Savior’s birth.  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 

The account of Christ’s birth in Matthew emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy.  In the first two chapters alone, we read of the fulfillment of five different prophecies.  Biblical prophecy tends to take on a near/far pattern and is progressive in nature.  The details of a prophecy not only pertain to the near future of the prophet speaking, but also refer to the far future, even as far as the Day of the Lord and the events surrounding the end times. 

As we look back, let us not forget to look forward.  Emmanuel, God with us, was born in a stable over two thousand years ago.  He was born in order to save His people from their sins (Matt. 1:21) and through the power of the resurrection, He is still with us! 

“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b)

“…for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”  (Heb. 13:5)

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.” (1 Thess. 5:9-10)

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” (Rev. 21:3)

Yes indeed, I am looking forward to Christmas in two days, but I am also eagerly anticipating His return and dwelling with Him forever.  Maranatha!

Christmas Covenant

Matthew chapter one has always presented a challenge for me.  Around verse three, I begin to lose my focus.  My eyes begin to skim quickly over the long list of names in the genealogy of Christ.  I know that it was important for the people of that day, as well as all future generations, to know the historical record of where their Messiah came from, and from whom He descended.  This season I made the decision to dwell in this chapter and ask myself, “What does this passage tell me about God?”  I wanted to find more than the easy answer of “It tells me the genealogy of Jesus.”

The first thing I noticed was that God has a plan.  From the very beginning, even before the creation of the world, there has always been a plan.  God created the world in absolute beauty and perfection and placed man within it to govern and steward His creation.  Man’s decision to disobey His commands and the introduction of sin into the world was not a surprise to Him, and it did not derail His plan.  God would send His only begotten Son to be born of a virgin…fully human, yet fully God, to redeem us and reconcile us back to Him.

As I made my way through the list of names, I recognized some of them and remembered their stories.  Rahab was a prostitute.  David, someone described as a man after God’s own heart, was both an adulterer and a murderer.  Solomon, a man with whom God was pleased and granted him wisdom like no other, loved many foreign women.  Though he was warned by God not to associate with them, he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, who turned his heart away from being wholly devoted to the Lord.  Manasseh, a king of Judah, did evil in the sight of the Lord.  God is sovereign, and will bring about His plan, even through the imperfection of man.

He is a God of order and symmetry.  We see in verse seventeen that there are fourteen generations between Abraham and David, David and the deportation into Babylon, and from the deportation to the birth of Jesus.  I recently heard a sermon that highlighted these three sections of the chapter and referred to the covenants associated with them.  God is a covenant keeper.  A covenant is an agreement which establishes a relationship between God and his people.  It is initiated by God, who announces to its recipients both its conditions as well as its reward of promise and blessings to those who are obedient to its terms.  The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 22) represents reconciliation and grace.  The Davidic Covenant (1 Chronicles 17) represents the Messiah, son of David, as a ruler.  Isaiah 9:6-7 confirms that “..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.  There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.”  Finally, in Jeremiah 31 it speaks of a new covenant.  The Lord declares that He will be their God, and they will be His people.  In verse 34, the Lord declares “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”  In Matthew 26 during his final Passover meal, as he passes the cup around to his disciples, he declares, “for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”  Jesus is the only one who has the ability to forgive us our sin and make us righteous before God.

We read throughout the Old Testament that time and again the people were disobedient, yet God remained faithful to His word.  In the very first chapter of the New Testament, we see that God has always had a plan.  Through this long line of imperfect people, God sent His Son for the purpose of redeeming and reconciling back to Him those who would believe and accept the sacrifice provided.  That very same Son will one day be our eternal King and Ruler.

Jesus
The Promised One
The Promise Keeper
Our Hope and Promise for eternity.

Fear Not

If someone were to ask me to list the feelings most commonly associated with Christmas, I’d probably rattle off love, joy, and peace.  Fear is not usually the first emotion that comes to mind when we think of Christmas, yet when you read the Christmas story, fear is a common thread with the people involved.  Both Mary and Joseph were told not to be afraid.  Zacharias struggled with fear.  The shepherds were terribly frightened when the host of angels appeared before them.

It is also important to note that all of these people were people who loved the Lord.  Joseph was a righteous man (Matthew 1:19).  Mary was favored by God (Luke 1:28) and declared herself to be a bondservant of God (Luke 1:38).  Zacharias was a priest in the Temple and described as one who was righteous in the sight of God and walked blamelessly in all His commandments and requirements (Luke 1:5-6).  The shepherds recognized that the Lord had sent the angels to announce the birth, and glorified and praised God (Luke 2:15, 20.)

It comforts me that these people who were considered righteous and blameless struggled with fear. I have battled with fear for most of my adult life.  I am all too familiar with this particular foe.  Fear and anxiety rob us of joy. The angel came bearing good news of great joy which shall be for all the people. Jesus…Emmanuel…God with us.  He became flesh and dwelt among us, and while He did not fear, He clearly recognized and understood the human propensity for it.

When Zacharias named his son John, scripture records that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied that Jesus had been sent so that “we, being delivered from the hand our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”  (Luke 1:74-75)  Our Savior and Redeemer was born to save us from our sins and deliver us from our enemies, and that includes the iron grip of fear.  One of my favorite verses in scripture is Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you.  Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  

There is the Christmas story in the first eight words of this verse.

Do not fear, for I am with you.

Jesus,

Emmanuel,

God with us.

Only by the grace of God and the blood of Jesus, my Savior and King, am I able to stand before God and be declared righteous and blameless.  While I readily admit that I struggle with fear, I also experience love, joy, and peace in my heart this Christmas season.  The Baby born in a manger two thousand years ago is with me, strengthening me, helping me, upholding me with His righteous right hand.  Being reminded of this means that I can serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness all of my days, for “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Citizenship

Twenty years ago, I never imagined that I would be living in a time when “fake news” is both a common phrase as well as a reality in the American culture.  It has become less about truth, and more about he who screams loudest.  When it comes to American politics and government, corruption is rampant.   I firmly believe that the founding fathers would be shocked and dismayed at what has become of this great nation since its birth.   

While I am disappointed when I consider the political landscape in which I live, I am proud to be an American and realize what a blessing it is to live in this country.  I do my best to be a good citizen.  I pay taxes, obey the established laws, and exercise my right to vote.  If I’m being honest though, I find myself increasingly tempted to throw in the towel and declare that I’m done.  I’m done trying to determine what the truth is when I watch the news.  I’m done with the arguing and vitriol.  I’m done with Twitter wars and Facebook scandals.

Lest you think I am without hope, I assure you that I’m not.  My hope is in Jesus Christ.  I am a citizen of His government, a government of which there will be no end to its increase, and one characterized by peace.  His kingdom will be established and upheld with justice and righteousness forever.  So how do we as believers navigate through the daily onslaught of corruption that is streaming at us through our phones and televisions?  How do we maintain focus and sustain hope? The answer is that we look to Jesus, the Son of God.  He is both God and Man.  

As we enter the Christmas season, we begin to hear music proclaiming His birth.  We read again the Christmas story and marvel at the humble, yet glorious entrance our King made into our world (which He created.)  This year I have decided to read the Christmas story and focus on the humanity of the people involved.  Who were they?  What did they do?  What were their emotions?  Joseph was a good citizen.  He made his way from Nazareth to Bethlehem to obey the decree sent out by Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken.  This was not a quick car ride up the freeway.  It required planning and physical effort. Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy. It would have been much easier for them to stay in Nazareth near family and friends who could help them. 

I marvel at the sovereignty and power of God in this aspect of the Christmas story.  God moved upon Caesar Augustus to order a census in perfect timing so that Joseph and Mary would be in Bethlehem in order to fulfill the prophecy in Micah 5:2 which states, “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”  Right here in the Christmas story is a real-life example of Proverbs 21:1 which says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”  God is sovereign over all, and that includes governments and leaders.  Whether they acknowledge Him or not, He will bring about His will in all things.  His word always comes to pass. 

What is my role in all of this?  Jesus instructs me to be good citizen.  “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)  I will continue to pay taxes, obey the law, and live peaceably in a land where I am blessed with the freedom to vote, speak freely, and worship my King.  I will no longer strive to determine “truth” (#fakenews) when I already know the Truth.  My hope is in the King who is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6), whose power is not thwarted by man’s ego or corruption, and who uses governments and leaders in spite of themselves, to bring about His word and blessings for His people.

Fellowship

Autumn is my favorite season.  The air is crisp and cool, pumpkins dot the fields, and trees ablaze in fiery colors of orange, red, and gold fill the landscape.  Brittle leaves skitter across the road and rain begins to tap-tap-tap at the window.

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving.  Family and friends will gather around the table and enjoy a special meal together.  As bowls and platters are passed around, perhaps we will share what we are thankful for, or recount stories from past Thanksgiving gatherings.  We will look at each person around our table, smile, and be thankful for their presence in our lives and this opportunity to enjoy fellowship.

I have so much to be thankful for, and today my thoughts are focused on fellowship.  It is truly amazing to me that not only can we enjoy fellowship with each other, but with God Himself.  At the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, the veil in the Tabernacle was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51).  After His resurrection, He encountered Mary in the garden and told her, “Go to My brethren, and say to them ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'” (John 20:17, emphasis mine)

“And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”  (John 20:21-22)

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”  (Romans 8:14-17)

“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”  (Ephesians 3:11-12)

“Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.”  (Hebrews 4:16)

As we draw near to each other today for a time of fellowship, let us draw near to Him and remember His provision, grace, and mercy.  Scripture promises that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us, and  for that I am truly thankful.

Abide: Finding Rest, Part 2

In yesterday’s post, I compared the concept of oxen yoked together with a more modern day example of being a part of a caravan.  While aspects of the example are fitting, the picture has a critical flaw -- it is stressful to be in a caravan, not restful as Christ promises if we abide.  It occurred to me that the person who is most at rest in a caravan is the passenger in the lead vehicle!  He doesn’t have to worry about keeping everyone together, and since he is with the lead driver who has declared that he knows the way, the passenger can simply sit back and enjoy the trip.  Even the passengers in the follow vehicles feel a measure of stress because they know their driver doesn’t know the way.  As a driver in a caravan, you are with your leader, but if you are a passenger assigned to the first car, you are in the same car as your leader.  In John 15:4, Jesus doesn’t say, “Abide with Me,” He says, “Abide in Me.” (emphasis added).

I’ve been trying to piece together a picture of the rest that comes with abiding in Christ, and it took my son getting his learner’s permit this week to help me connect the dots.  As my son got behind the wheel for the first time, I could tell that his “stress-meter” was peaking in the red zone.  He was excited to have his permit and be granted this new privilege, but as he put his hands on the wheel for the first time, he also realized the huge responsibility involved in driving, coupled with the fact that he had no idea what to do.  He had proven he knew the rules of the road, but he had zero knowledge of how to operate a vehicle.

I sat in the front passenger seat right next to him, and began to explain the dashboard, turn signal, wipers, etc.  I touched and pointed to everything as I explained.  After he turned on the car, I had him pause and think through all of the steps he would need to take before entering traffic.  As we pulled away from the curb, I could sense his rush of excitement, but his knuckles were the whitest I’ve ever seen them!  I kept up a constant stream of instruction mixed with praise and reassurance.  The first stop sign produced a sudden jolt. He nervously apologized, and I chuckled and told him it was just fine, and he was doing great.  His first trip was one mile in length, and involved stopping, turning, and learning how to stay straight in the lane.  We even laughed together when I had to say, “turn, turn, Turn, TURN!!!” and when both of our heads jerked back when he began to proceed after a stop sign.

Sitting next to him in the car reminded me of the Matthew 11:28-29 passage which tells us twice that it is being near Christ that provides rest.  “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.”  My son is learning how to drive, and that requires me to be near him -- coaching, guiding, instructing, and reassuring.  We are in the car together.  We see, hear, and experience every aspect of the trip together. He has been watching me drive his entire life, and knows that I have the knowledge and experience to teach him this new skill.  He listens to my voice and does everything I say because he trusts me.

On our second outing, I was still very vocal in pointing things out as he drove.  At times, I was quiet for short periods, and noticed that he was talking to himself.  He checked in with me constantly to ask, “Was that ok?” and “Who has the right of way here?”  After one particularly smooth turn, he said, “Hey, that was my best one yet, right?!!?”  I noticed that as we circled our small town, his knuckles began to be ever-so-slightly less white!  The more he drove and got the feel for things, the more he began to relax.  It is my nearness and constant conversation with him, coupled with hands-on experience that is already beginning to bring him rest and the reassurance he needs that he can do this!

Here is the mystery and joy of abiding.  We have all heard the metaphor of letting Jesus “take the wheel” of our lives.  We want and need Him to be in the driver’s seat, taking us where He wants us to go.  But He also wants us to learn from Him!  He has tasks for us to accomplish with His help and guidance, and this is when He lets us take a turn behind the wheel.  Our lives are marked with sudden stops and jerky, tentative starts.  Sometimes we need to make a turn, but don’t know what that feels like or how to make it happen.  He is right next to us gently saying, “turn, turn, Turn, TURN,” I imagine with a smile on His face and gentle reassurance in His voice.

I just love this picture of abiding.  As my son’s teacher, I know he can do it.  From my son’s perspective, he knows he can trust me.  So it is with the Lord as my teacher, and me as the student driver.  The mystery of abiding is allowing Jesus to be the driver of my life, but understanding that He wants me to learn from Him as I accomplish the plans He has for me.  The best way to learn is to be near Him, constantly talking with Him and checking in for encouragement and direction.  He is in my car (life) with me, and will guide and direct my path, every step of the way.  He knows the way, and I just need to listen and obey.  He is gentle and humble in heart, and I know that He loves me…

…and that brings me…

…rest.

Abide: Finding Rest, Part 1

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.”  (Matthew 11:28-29)

One aspect of abiding in Christ is learning to rest in Him and on His promises.  We live in a fast-paced society with incessant demands for our time and attention.  It is oh-so-easy to get distracted by technology and over-booked schedules, and sometimes our quiet time with the Lord begins to suffer. The “tyranny of the urgent” rears its ugly head, and suddenly we realize that it has been days (weeks?) since we have spent time in His word.  We wonder why we are exhausted and feel distant from God.  He has been there the whole time, but we were not abiding.

Notice in these two verses, that the Lord mentions twice that we need to be near Him to find rest.  

“Come to Me…and I will give you rest.”

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me…and you shall find rest for your souls.”

I’m a city girl.  I’m not exactly well-versed in yokes and oxen.  I was paying attention during the American Pioneer unit in fourth grade, though, and know that a yoke is used to keep two oxen together as a team to help a farmer plow his field.  Those two animals are linked together at the neck, and become one unit that must work in unison.

If we take His yoke upon us, it means that we are agreeing to submit to His will and direction for our lives.  If we are yoked with Christ, we are by the very design of a yoke (metaphorically speaking), near Him.  Walking right next to Him, day by day, we begin to hear and recognize His voice a little better.  The longer we walk with Him, the closer we become, and the more we learn -- both about who He is, and His will for our lives.  When we yield to His will and direction for our lives, He gives us the ability and joy to do it, and thus we find rest and security in Him.

Since I’m not very familiar with yokes, I tried to think of a modern example that I can relate to, and came up with caravans.  We have probably all been a part of a caravan at some point.  A group of people in multiple cars needs to get to a specific destination, but not everyone knows the way.  A person who does know the way volunteers to be the leader, and we all agree to follow the leader.  As a driver in a caravan, your whole focus is to stay as close to the leader as you can…change lanes when he does, turn when he turns, and stop when he stops. You know that if you lose sight of your leader, you will be lost in unfamiliar territory and things will begin to unravel quickly.

I liked this example of the caravan, because of the picture it creates in explaining the need for a leader, the importance of staying close, and following and submitting to direction.  This picture begins to fall apart though, because while it is true that you will be lost if you lose sight of your leader, being a part of a caravan is stressful!  Lights turn red, cars cut in front of you, and while you do what you can to stay close, you are also bound by the law to obey all traffic rules.  Running a red light just to stay with your leader is not an acceptable option!  Knowing that you could suddenly find yourself lost and without direction is stressful, not restful.

Abiding is about resting!  I have been mulling this over in my mind for a couple of weeks, and trying to come up with a better example, and then…

…my son got his learner’s permit on Monday…

…and suddenly it clicked.

(Tune in tomorrow for Part 2 of Finding Rest!)

Come, Follow, Abide

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  
(Matthew 11:28)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”  (Matthew 16:24)

“Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”  (John 15:4)

Come

There is a clear progression laid out for every person.  At some point in life, we encounter Jesus.  In learning who He is and why He came, we must face and consider the sinful nature of our heart and make a decision.  Jesus bids us to come to Him.  By His work at the cross, He will exchange our yoke of sin for a robe of righteousness.

Follow

If we choose to accept His free gift of salvation, He commands us to follow Him.  It isn't enough to accept the gift and walk away unchanged.  By accepting His sacrifice, we acknowledge our sinfulness and through true repentance, seek to walk in a manner worthy of His calling.  Sin should become distasteful to us, and our old fleshly habits should begin to fall away as we walk in newness of life. While we are forgiven, we still battle our sin nature on a daily basis.  We may struggle with pride, selfishness, or anger (for example), but if we are truly seeking Him, and allow Him to work in our hearts and minds, He will refine us.  When Jesus bids us to come to Him, not only should we come the first time, but we should continually come to Him.  He is our high priest who can sympathize with our weakness because He too was tempted in all things, yet remained without sin (Hebrews 4:15). He understands our struggle and offers strength and rest for our weary souls.

Abide

Following Christ should progress into abiding in Him.  As we allow Him to change us from the inside out, we begin to experience His love and power in our lives, which deepens our love for Him, which solidifies our resolve to continue walking in His ways.  Abiding in Him involves obedience (following Him) and resting on His promises.  The act of abiding strengthens and deepens our faith. John 15 says that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit.  Spiritual fruit is outward evidence of our relationship with Christ.  The more we abide, the more abundant the fruit, which should be noticed by others, and perhaps encourage them to consider and answer His call upon their lives.

What a beautiful cycle!

One by One

1395.  A carload full of their friends

1396.  Listening to them chatter and be goofy

1397.  When my son taught me how to do a trigonometry problem just for fun...

1398.  ...and I successfully did one on my own!

1399.  Springtime weather in February

1400.  Grandparents' Day at the school

1401.  Singing patriotic songs with people who have served our country

1402.  Listening to my dad speak about his service during the war

1403.  Seeing his medals and uniform patches for the first time

1404.  That the class showed respect and asked good questions

1405.  A memorial service that beautifully honored a dear friend

1406.  The life and friendship of M.N.

1407.  The poignant reminder that life is fragile...

1408.  ...and every second is a special gift

1409.  The aroma of fresh baked banana bread

One Word: Abide

Each year in the fall, I pray and ask the Lord if He has a word for me to dwell on in the upcoming year.  I have been doing this for the past four years, and have been so encouraged and blessed in digging deeper, and learning the lessons that He has for me.  Since beginning this yearly exercise, my words have been “Courage,“ “Cultivate,“ and “Trust.“  

My word for 2015 is “Abide.”  I first began to hone in on this year’s word while listening to a series of sermons by John MacArthur on John 15.  Suddenly, it started popping up in sermons, on the front of bulletins, and in conversations with friends!  Jesus tells us in John 15 to abide in Him.  What does that really mean (deeper than the “Sunday School“ answer)?  How do I abide in Him?  These are the sorts of questions that I am seeking answers to this year in my personal study.  

Periodically throughout the year, I hope to share my findings here in this place.  Won’t you join me, and learn with me, how to abide in Him?

One by One

1380.  New home office furniture...

1381.  ...including a comfy chair I've had my eye on for years

1382.  Ferry ride to Catalina Island

1383.  Watching dolphins and seals play in the water

1384.  His expert driving skills in avoiding an accident

1385.  Another successful Whisperings All-Star Event

1386.  Conquering something technological on my own with no help!

1387.  Brisk walks in the fog

1388.  Her sweet Valentine's Day song that she made up for me

1389.  His written words of love

1390.  That she opens up to me when her heart is hurting

1391.  Glorious sunsets on the beach

1392.  A great group of kids on the yearbook committee

1393.  Surprising my kids with homemade cookies

1394.  Finding the perfect piece of fabric to complete a project

Five Minute Friday: Open

Stubborn jar lids.  It seems to be an inevitability of life.  I’m in the middle of prepping a meal and grab a jar.  I give it a twist, and nothing happens.  Applying a bit more pressure, I wait to hear that magical “pop” of the seal breaking, but don’t feel it budge…not even a little bit.  I give it one more go, applying every ounce of strength I’ve got, red in the face, muscles straining.  Nothing.  Figuring maybe my hands are slippery, I grab a towel and try again, but to no avail.  By this time, I usually grab a butter knife and start beating around the lid in a few places with the handle.  That usually is enough to pop the seal, and then I can twist it right off.

God has placed within us gifts and abilities He wants to use for the kingdom.  We need to be willing and open to both receive from Him, as well as to pour out what He has given us in order to bless others.  Do our hearts and lives resemble a stubborn jar lid, unmoving and requiring incredible pressure to open?  Or are we the jar that opens easily, ready to be poured out and used for His glory?