The Old Year has Passed

 2 Cor.5:17-21  I hope and pray that as you reflect on the past year you are able to remember good things amongst the despair that seems to highlight much of it.  Perhaps we should highlight what Christ has done for us.  Paul tells the Corinthians "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." God's work of reconciliation began first of all with His dealing with our sin.  Jesus' died for all, that those who live would no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. The applied work of Christ to our lives anticipates change. When the work of Christ is applied to our hearts by faith our spiritual residence changes from being outside of Christ to being 'in Christ'; the result- we are a new creation. There is a transaction that takes place as Christ takes our sin on himself (21) and we become the righteousness of God in him.  The righteousness of Christ is 'imputed' immediately on the one who is reconciled (made right with) to God.  The word imputed can be described as 'being clothed.' It is witnessed in Gen.15:6 as Abraham believes God's promise to him. 'Counted', 'credited', 'accounted' are different words that describe the gift of God to Abraham. Imputed righteousness was given Abraham. The idea is of being clothed in the righteousness of Christ- a righteousness outside of ourselves. (Zechariah 3:1-5).  No works, just grace. Let's thank God!

A Childhood Question

 Matthew 2:1-12 Daddy, How did the wise men follow the star? I don't think they move!  Maybe your children haven't asked that question! I'm sure glad mine didn't! I would have had to say, "I don't know." Perhaps we don't need to know, and after all is it really that important? This is more of a curiosity post.

For an interesting study on this subject visit The wise man's star.   It will take a few minutes but may help as you worship Jesus our soon coming king this Christmas.

Senior Saints

 Luke 2:25-38  Its interesting what is recorded in scripture.  But when we turn to John 20:30,31 we are given a lesson in the importance of what is written throughout God's word. So why did God include these two senior citizens in the written record of His word?

First of all, because all human life is of high value to him! God does not determine value by age! Nor does he determine usefulness by age.  It is only our society that does those things.

Second, Both Simeon and Anna had something to offer.  Simeon had an offering of praise and thankfulness as well as a word from the Lord. He prophesied that Mary would experience pain as she watched her son suffer, and he spoke of how Jesus' message would be both received and rejected and finally he would reveal the true heart of man.  Anna, on the other hand, who was an 84 year old widow, is remembered first of all for devotion to God in her night and day worship, fasting and prayer.  She was known as a prophetess which highlights her willingness to speak the Lord's message, observed in her immediate announcement to as many as would listen that the redeemer was born.

Notice Joseph and Mary's response.  Verse 37 tells us they marveled at what was said about their baby.

These two seniors lived fulfilled lives as they devoted themselves to God and his service. Perhaps that a good reminder for those of us who are closing in on what society deems to be senior.

For those of us who are a ways off, perhaps we can learn from Mary and Joseph and be reminded of the value and wisdom of those who have a little higher mileage!😁

We can all encourage them. This Christmas season let's take the time to phone a senior and say thanks!

But, before you do, think about why you are thankful!

Pastor Paul

Royalty in a Manger

 If I were to ask, "What are your plans for Christmas?" Most of you would respond, "What plans?" Perhaps this is a good year to sit back, relax, and reexamine what typically makes the season such a blur.   I enjoy seeing the lights, walking through the mall enjoying the festivity that is part of the season. No mall wandering this year! I also enjoy the family time and feasting.  I'm sure you have time honored traditions as well. 

Since the opportunity is ours, let's simplify things a little and step back in time, perhaps 2000 years, or so. That first Christmas was not celebrated in the way we do. What we do know is a loving God stepped into the world in a new manner, via a baby, born to a young woman, born in obscurity, in a manger. So what is the significance? First of all Mary's pregnancy came, not by Joseph her fiancé, but the Bible tells us it was by God's design and power, through Holy Spirit.  As such the angel who visited Mary to prepare her for this, announced, "The child will be called holy--the Son of God."

A special birth in such humble circumstances needs to have some reconciliation.  Why these oddities?  The first reason is found in the baby's names. Jesus means 'God saves' and a second name 'Immanuel' means 'God with us.'  His names reveal both his mission and his identity and are confirmed by the angel's words to nearby shepherds, "The Savior- the Lord- has been born today in Bethlehem." To some of those who witnessed it, his birth seemed to be merely circumstantial- the rooms in the Inn were all occupied. But from God's perspective it was indicative of who Jesus would be- a servant, one whom people would not be drawn to because of his looks or rank, but because of who He was/is. 

Glamorous Events

 2 Peter 1:16-21  Peter is reminded of Jesus' transfiguration, which he was privileged to witness, as he writes these verses. He is reminded of the voice he heard from heaven- the voice of God.  What is interesting to me, though, is the trustworthiness he attributes to the scripture compared to the voice of God he personally heard.  It is an extremely important lesson for us to understand and hold onto.  

The Transfiguration was majestic (Luke 9:28-36) and generated an awe no doubt similar to that of the shepherds upon seeing and hearing the angels shout 'Glory to God in the highest.' But even the awe and the voice from heaven does not preclude or take precedence over the value of scripture.  In vs.19 Peter says we have a more reliable or 'a more sure word' in the prophecy of scripture. Peter understood the value of God's word over any experience we may have, no matter how glorious, even if it was the voice of God.  He understood the propensity of  man to value experience and glamorous things over other trustworthy sources. In the case of the scrolls of scripture they were written by the hand of man as his mind and hand were directed by the Holy Spirit.  Peter in essence is saying, 'I will trust the Holy Spirit's direction in the hand of scripture more than any majestic thing that happens to me.' God's word is faithful and wholly trustworthy, far beyond any of my imaginations or miraculous wonders that I may witness.  Food for thought!

Pastor Paul

Confidence in Our Calling

1 Peter 1:9-11  So, why the New Testament's emphasis on godly character?  We have talked about this subject from time to time.  Peter's concern is that is readers be confident in their salvation. Vs.9 very bluntly states that if we have no desire to change from what we were prior to coming to Christ then we don't know what we have been saved from- we don't recognize how spiritually deplorable our previous state was.  A problem in our world today is that sinfulness has been normalized.  What I mean is that there is no sense of accountability or shame- 'I can do what I want, when I want, it's my life.' The problem with that philosophy is that it does not take into account that there is a judgment day coming. We will be judged for the deeds done in the flesh.  God is real! (2 Cor.5:10) The reason we come to God seeking his mercy for our soul is because the awfulness of our sin lies before our eyes and its sure punishment  confronts us. Sorrow and remorse are important aspects of repentance.  If I don't have any remorse why would I desire mercy?

Peter goes on.  Vs. 10 is a call to be active (diligent) in pursuing God honoring behavior (that's the supplements mentioned in vs.5-7).  As those virtues take hold in our lives, they give us confidence in our walk with God- that it is pleasing to him.  As they are applied they change the trajectory of our lives as well- but remember it all begins with our bowing before Jesus seeking his mercy- salvation for our soul.

Finally, as these virtues supplement our faith they also prepare us for a grand entrance into heaven-a richly provided entrance. For myself, when I enter heaven one day, I would like to hear, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." I don't want to enter by the skin of my teeth!

Pastor Paul

The Divine Nature

 2 Peter 1:3-5  Some interesting thoughts enter my mind as I read these words from the Holy Spirit via the hand of Peter.  It is through the promises of God that believers become partakers in the divine nature.  No, believers never become part of God, nor do they become little God's, but amazingly they share in his nature as they become increasingly like him. His promises include the indwelling Holy Spirit, new life in Christ, likeness to God, eternal life in heaven, continual presence and others. 

Transformation takes place as a result of faith and must take concrete form in our lives.  This is not a call to add to our salvation by some sort of works, but is an exhortation to live as Christ taught.  The virtues listed in vs.5-7 are the result of faith and if I read it correctly their implementation in our lives is key to the divine nature being relevant and recognizable in our lives. (2 Peter 1:8)  When you consider the various supplements listed in vs.5-7 and how they interconnect one with another, then we need to recognize they need to be underpinned correctly. If one block is missing the building is unstable and crumbles.  Peter does not say to supplement our faith with some of these, but the intent is all of them. If we possess them and are open to being stretched in these areas our lives will be effective and fruitful. It's a great challenge! Perhaps since we have a less than 'full' social calendar these days😑 we could use a little of that time to consider the extent we are allowing these spiritual health aids to influence our character.  

Pastor Paul

Silent Night, Holy Night

 Luke 2:8  This favorite Christmas carol, fondly known as 'Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht' by many who have a European/German heritage, was written by the pastor of a small Austrian church in 1818. It was put to music and sung as the result of a roving band of actors showing up in the small town on Dec.23 to perform a Christmas drama. Because the church organ was broken they performed in a home. When the performance was over, rather than his normal route, the pastor chose to walk home the long way which overlooked the town. As he mused over the performance and viewed the small town laying peacefully in the snow, with post card perfection, he was reminded of a poem he had written weeks earlier. He then decided to have the church organist put it to music, which he did the next day. Rather than an organ the musician used the only instrument available to hear his composition- a guitar. It was sung for the first time by the pastor and organist that Christmas day, the accompanying instrument being- you guessed it- the guitar.  However it was the organ repairman who, a few days later, took the words and music beyond the little church in the Austrian Alps after listening to it being played on the repaired organ.

Certainly the night of Jesus birth was also filled with wondrous events that spawned awe (and fear), followed by worship.  The night Jesus was born was not 'normal' either. But rather than limited travel and socializing, the census ordered by the Roman government required everyone to travel to the city of their ancestry to be taxed. It no doubt had it's own kind of stress.  It is ironic that God chose a chaotic, anxious time for His Son, Jesus, who would also be known as 'The Prince of Peace', to be born.  Rather than anxiety, our Bibles tell us that 'the peace of God which surpasses all understanding' is available to those who through prayer ask God for it.