Christmas Eve on December 22nd

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Some families celebrate Christmas on the eve of December 24th and others on the morning of the 25th. Recently I discovered that my family had the whole world beat as we often celebrated Christmas on the eve of December 22nd. 

Recently as I was organizing and labeling some old photos I'd digitized (before the persons and dates of the events were lost forever to the ether of time) and I came across what at first I thought was just an incorrect date on photos that were obviously of Christmas eve. On the back of many of these photos was the year and the date December 22nd. How odd I thought, and then I remembered my Dad was a December baby and his birthday was on the 22nd. Having two celebratory events so close together often made it easier to just observe them both on the same day (or evening as it were here).

I'm sure my Dad endured a lifetime of getting screwed on both birthday and Christmas gifts as I'll bet no one bought him double the gifts to correctly celebrate both occasions. Who knows though as all I ever remember Dad getting for gifts were clothes from my mom and sister and golf related stuff from his friends. I always got him the gag gifts that usually had some reference to flatulence that he proudly would display on his bookshelf in the basement.

This will be the 25th Christmas I've not spent with my Dad as he passed away in 1996 but I fondly remember the fun times my sister and I had tearing into our presents on the eve of his birthday and our early Christmas. I love you dad and mom (she passed away in 2016) and miss you both, especially during this time of year. If you still have your mom and dad to enjoy during this time of year, go and give them a special hug and let them know you love them. 

God bless you all and as I remember my earthly Dad's birthday Christmas this year, take a moment to remember our Father God's birthday Christmas as well and welcome Jesus into your hearts and homes.

Merry Christmas everyone!

From Prison to Promise

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Orphans are children without mothers or fathers who live with foster (temporary) parents or in actual orphanages. The lives of these children are ordered by rules and regulations established by the social services system. Many within this structured process feel like they are living in a prison.

Galatians 3:22 & 24 (ESV) says “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”

This scripture outlines that all of us are prisoners under sin and that the law was our guardian. Everything changes when Christ arrives and redeems us from the law. 

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

Often foster families will adopt the foster children under their care and make them legal members of their family. Everything changes for the child when the legal requirements of the law are fulfilled and they go from orphan to son or daughter. 

The same happens for us sinners when we receive the promise of Jesus through faith. The role of the guardian (the law) is fulfilled in Christ as we enter into a new way of relating to the Father. We are now sons and daughters of the King and heirs to the blessings of all eternity. 

Prayer:  Lord, we are utterly lost without You, We are prisoners of sin and orphaned from our Father. Through faith we receive the promised gift of eternal life purchased for us by Jesus Christ. Thank you for redeeming us and adopting us into the family of God. We love you and pray you would help us to live in this new life of freedom. In Jesus name, Amen.

VOID Not!

 Listen to this Sermon - Galatians 2:21

Berkshire Hathaway Check

• (Oracle of Omaha) Warren Buffet a financial superhero.

• 6th richest person worth $99.6 billion

• Owns 6%  of Coca-Cola Company with 400 million shares

• Collected bottle caps, sold most popular sodas door to door

• I’ll come back to the check amount...

Easter is Super Bowl Sunday for Christians 

• When NFL starts it’s anyone’s season

• Except for the Cleveland Browns. 

• Might as well be from Nazareth.

John 1:45-46 (ESV) 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Nathan answered and said, “See I told you, he’s even wearing a Cleveland Browns jersey!” (added for effect).

• Super Bowl Sunday like Easter - someone is going to triumph. 

• The day everything changed! 

• Dividing line between the Before and the After. 

• For early Jews 

• Before - atonement (sacrifice lamb & blood)

• After salvation through faith - finished work of Christ’s death/resurrection

• For Us 

• Before - unaware of sin & need for redemption

• After - Holy Spirit’s work of salvation (our easter morning)

What if early Jews remained in the Before?

• Continue following the Law

• Raise a lamb to sacrifice

• Insane! Treats Christ’s death as non-event

Galatians 2:21 (CEB) I don’t ignore the grace of God, because if we become righteous through the Law, then Christ died for no purpose.

What if we remained in the Before?

Galatians 2:21 (CJB) I do not reject God’s gracious gift; for if the way in which one attains righteousness is through legalism, then the Messiah’s death was pointless.

1. Following Legalism 

• Strictly following rites & rituals of religion. 

• I’ll earn my way to heaven

Galatians 5:1-3 (ESV) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision (a former requirement of the law), Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. (Score 100, be perfect).

James 2:10 (ESV) For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all of it. 

• If keeping score, you must score a 100 and be perfect or you fail. 

• Dedication & attendance is fine as an outflow of our connection to Christ or it’s worthless!

2. Being ruled by Guilt & Shame

• We cannot accept we are forgiven.

• Live under shadow of shame

• Maybe in fear of sins we will commit

• Set up safeguards (find an accountability partner)

• Avoid areas of vulnerability (where you may be tempted)

3. Disregard Christ’s death by comparing ourselves to others

• We’re not as bad as some and probably better than most. 

• I’ll get into heaven (like God grades on a curve)

• Getting into heaven is not like surviving a bear attack by being the fastest one in the group. 

Romans 3:23 (ESV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

4. We remain in the Before by ignoring our need for salvation. 

William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army) said the dangers confronting Christians today are: 

Religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, Forgiveness without repentance, Politics without God, Heaven without Hell

• We live in a world with no absolutes

• Taught to be independent & self-reliant

• I’m fine just as I am

Revelation 3:15-17 (ESV) I know your works (not your heart): you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) We are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;

• Question: was your salvation experience genuine?

• Do you still seek repentance?

• Are you still utterly dependent upon Christ?

In 2010, Bill Gates & Warren Buffet set a challenge to give 50% of their wealth to charity.

This year I decided to stop playing the lottery

• Before few bucks a week

• “If I don’t play, I can’t win.”

• God told me “putting your hope in this leaves me no place to bless you”

My check is $10,000,000.00. 

• Could significantly change my life. 

• Pay off my mortgage 

• Set aside enough money to retire now. 

However, if I choose to live in the before…

• Be like writing word VOID across this check

• Making it worth nothing.

Galatians 2:21 (ASV) I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought (nothing).

When the significance of Easter ceases…

• We void the grace of God and

• Christ’s death & resurrection of no value.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

We live in the After by embracing the ministry of reconciliation

• Consider those we deem the most unworthy

• Those that rub us wrong may be God’s salvation targets

• You have to pray just to be around them, pray them into the kingdom

[Prayer]: Lord help us not to remain in the Before where we retain our useless practices of works, living under guilt & shame, comparing ourselves to others or simply being self-reliant. Let us not make void your grace and render Christ’s death and resurrection meaningless. Instead may we continue to be impacted more and more each day by the power of Christ’s life in us. Help us embrace Your ministry of reconciliation and be open to whomever you would bring to us. Amen.

Under Attack

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There have been recent reports in the news about an upswing in persecution against Christians around the world, primarily in China and the Middle East. Even in the United States the government is considering extending funding for churches to enhance security, due to the recent rise of violence. However, we as believers have always known that the we are under attack. So what can we do to protect ourselves?

1 Peter 5:8-10 (ESV)  advises, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

We should be alert and when we identify our enemy we need to be on our guard against him remembering we do not fight our foe on our own but with a strong throng of fellow believers. For enduring we will be restored, strengthened, confirmed and established by our loving Father.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (ESV) encourages us, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

[Prayer]: Lord, make me wise to the schemes of my adversary and strengthen me to resist him firm in my faith. Protect my persecuted brothers and sisters around the world who are living their lives for you in the midst of great peril. Preserve your people and establish your church. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Take Time to Train

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About six months ago, I started going to the gym, after nearly 3 decades without a fitness regime. It is quite inspiring and a little intimidating how dedicated some individuals (even older than me) are about maintaining their physical form. This truly is good for both a healthy body and mind, however 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) reminds us, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

So godliness is of greater value than even our physical exercise, but like going to the gym we also need to train our minds in order to better walk the walk of faith. 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) outlines that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

In order to truly excel in our Christian faith we need to pursue training in righteousness. This includes daily time in the Word for personal edification as well as some sort of organized group Bible study to both learn from and share your insights with others.

My muscles don’t get stronger just because I have a gym membership, but because I go there three times a week and lift heavy weights. It’s not always fun but the benefits, like regular prayer and time in the scriptures, provide a blessing I can enjoy every day.

[Prayer]: Father, help me to become a better student of Your Word. Teach me and train me daily to learn your ways so that I may grow stronger and better able to mentor others. In Jesus, mighty name, amen.

Let Things Settle

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If you take a jar and fill it nearly to the top with small rocks, then pour in sand, the sand will quickly overflow out the opening. However, if you take and gently shake the glass, the sand that pooled at the top will settle between the rocks to the bottom. In much the same way, we can often be tempted to react too quickly to an event because it seems overwhelming. In kind, if we allow the emotion and intensity of the initial situation to subside, we will find that the glass truly is only half full.

The other day I woke up feeling very angry with my wife. Wisely, I gave myself some time and space to process the situation. It took the better part of the day for the intense emotions of the early morning to finally settle down. My wife and eventually discussed things and resolved the issues that bothered me.

James 1:19 (ESV) instructs, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” and Proverbs 15:18 (ESV) also adds, “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”

When we take time to assess our circumstances before we act or speak, we exhibit great wisdom and mirror the very character of God our Father. Psalm 103:8 (ESV) extols, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

Great regrets can be avoided by simply giving yourself the gift of time whenever faced with overwhelming strife or struggles.

[Prayer]: Father, help me to plan now for how I will respond in the heat of the moment later, so that my patient reply will be practiced and perfected. Allow me to reflect your demeanor of mercy and  grace to all I encounter in every circumstance. In Jesus mighty name, amen.

Control the Flow

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When I was a kid I used to take baths and would stay in the tub until the last drops of water circled down the drain. I would create waves toward the drain trying to make the water swerve away faster, however no matter how hard I tried, the water still drained at the same speed.

What I didn’t realize was the simple science at work which was the drain size dictated the speed of the water volume passing through it. As long as the size remained constant so would the speed of the escaping water.

In our modern age of mass media and up to the second news reports, we often try to process information the same way I tried to make the water in my tub disappear, as fast as we can. And just as the drain size dictated the speed of flow of the H20, our heart, mind and spirit can only absorb and process information at a certain rate. Our fact digestion speed is also affected by the severity of the news (tragic events like 9/11 or Columbine) and whether or not we are personally impacted by those circumstances.

Philippians 4:9 (ESV) reminds us, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

It’s not always easy to find honorable, pure and lovely things to balance the wicked, cruel and unjust reports that daily bombard us. In order to balance the flow sometimes we just need to turn off the news and take a break from current events. Don’t worry, if it’s really important, someone will share the headlines with you. We can’t control the rate at which we process information, but we can manage the quality of the water that flows into our souls.

[Prayer]: Father, help me to be more discerning about what I allow to enter my mind. Allow me to retrain my focus upon things commendable and worthy of praise. Above all may I meditate upon your Word day and night. In Jesus, mighty name. Amen.