Category: Christian Living

‘Immanuel’ Revealed in the Prophecy Candle Today

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During this time of year, we remember specifically different aspects of the Christmas story each Sunday of Advent. The four Sunday’s leading up to Christmas Eve are celebrated by the light of a candle remembering part of the Christmas story. The first is to be lit today. It is the Prophecy candle proclaiming the coming birth of Christ, Isaiah 7:14, and it represents hope. The second is the Bethlehem candle highlighting the manger and coming Christ child, Luke 2:12, and it represent love. The third is the Shepherd’s candle highlighting the announcement to the shepherds of Christ’s birth and it represents joy, Luke 2:8-11. The fourth is the Angel’s candle which represent peace from Luke 2:13-14. The last or center white candle is the Christ candle. This candle is lit on Christmas Eve and represents the arrival of our savior who came to cleanse us from sin, Isaiah 1:18.

Today’s verse from Isaiah was given hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. It is such a specific prophecy that it is amazing. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” From this the Israelites were to expect their Messiah to have a miraculous birth and he would reveal God to them, as his name means ‘God with us’. Since he would be born, he would be a human child, but He would reveal himself as God. He would live with them and it would be as if God himself was with them. I can’t imagine how hopeful and yet confused they must have been to read this over the centuries. As time elapsed, they knew that God had promised them a flesh and blood representative to reveal God among them. It was a hope-filled message for them and for us. Today as we know Jesus came revealing God to all mankind. He died to redeem and reconcile us to God. His resurrection frees us from the bondage to sin and promises eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Today we learn that God is a god of HOPE. He wants us uplifted from our everyday lives with His blessed hope provided in Jesus. Jesus came to bring us hope so we would know ‘Immanuel’, God with us.

May you experience His hope today as you worship Him on this first Sunday of Advent.

Linda

The Blessedness of Waiting

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There are many Old Testament prophesies about the coming Messiah. One that leads directly into our story is that of John the Baptist. He was born just prior to Jesus to the aged parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth. His coming was foretold in Isaiah 40:3-4. His was to be a voice proclaiming the Messiah to come.

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain. The poetic words of Isaiah tell of one that will be proclaiming and preparing the Israelites that were willing and ready to listen for the coming of Jesus.

John’s lineage was from the line of Aaron as his father was a priest. The story of John’s conception and birth was a miracle to this older couple. Luke 1:5-7 gives the beginning of their history.

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. 7 But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

These 2 servants of God did everything right. They followed God with their hearts and souls and they were observant doing what God commanded in their daily lives. In those days, being childless or barren was considered a curse from God. They might have felt that they were not doing as God desired for their lives, were sinning or perhaps they felt their ancestors had sinned. I’m sure they felt forgotten by God. However, it did not dampen their ardor or love for God. God knew their true hearts and their devotion to Him. Scripture sets the story straight that they had not sinned against God and were being punished by not having children but it was His timing for them to have a child in their old age. This sets them apart from others and makes the appearance of John, God’s messenger, all the more marvelous.

How often have you felt God is forgetting about you and your needs? Have you prayed fervently for your hearts desire and yet God seems not to hear. Perhaps, in your case as in that of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the timing is not yet right. God has a plan and His timing for events is always perfect. We do not see all the circumstances that surround our requests. We do not know all the people and things that are involved. Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for a child and left the timing and the happening to God. They were blessed either way.

Take heart from the story of this godly couple and present your requests to God and then continue serving with all your heart and soul. God sees and God knows and God listens. Today’s truth about God’s is that His timing and ways are not our own and that requires us to TRUST Him with the details. God declared in Isaiah 55:8-9. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.“

As the story unfolds we will see the great blessing that came to Zechariah and Elizabeth because of their willingness to wait upon the Lord.

Linda

Black Friday=Greatest Gain for You and Me!

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I was thinking this morning about the designation ‘Black Friday’.  It seems that since the 1950’s the day after Thanksgiving has been called ‘Black Friday’.  It began as a term to describe the crowds,  like the street was black with pedestrians.  It then became a day  to retailers signifying when they began to turn a profit and moved from the ‘red’ into the ‘black’ as the volume of their sales increased.   In the Bible the blackest Friday would be the day of the crucifixion. It was the day when the skies turned black and darkness covered the land.  “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.  Luke 23:44-46   The blackness of that Friday is a picture of the sin that Jesus bore on the cross for you and me.  His death on that darkest day brought the greatest profit for us.  John 12:46 puts it in perspective for us as to why that blackest of Friday’s had to happen.  “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”

risen

Even on that blackest of Fridays, the people were rushing around preparing for their Sabbath.  Since they could do no work on the Sabbath, they hurried to get Jesus down from the cross,  buried and settled in a borrowed tomb.  Mark 15:42-47 describes these events done in haste.  After the Sabbath was over, several women came back to the tomb to anoint Jesus with spices as his burial had been done in such a hurry they felt they had not been able to treat his body properly on that Friday.  “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.”  Mark 16:1  Their walk to the grave site was done in sadness but their return was joyous as the learned of Jesus’ resurrection and defeat of sin and death.  An angel spoke to them when they got there, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  What joyous news they had to share!

colossians 1 ;21

That blackest Friday brought death to Jesus and  burial brought the greatest profit to you and me.  Colossians 1:21-22 explains where we were on the black Friday and where we are now because of it.  “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”    That was the the biggest gain or profit for mankind ever in history.  Christ reconciled us to God so that we can be in communion with Him and have our sin’s forgiven.   We are free to live a life in Christ that is pleasing to God and that is free from the penalty of death brought on by sin.  That Black Friday was the best one in history for you and me.

As you venture out today to do some shopping, think about that blackest of Friday’s and how much you gained through Christ.  Praise Him as you do.

Linda

P.S. I have posted this piece several times on Black Friday. It is a message I need to remind myself of especially before the Christmas Season. It helps to keep my focus on Christ and not on the world. Hope it helps you too.

Thanksgiving 2023, A Day for Giving Thanks

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I pray this has been a wonderful day filled with thankfulness. Whether you are alone or with family, it is a time to reflect and take stock on what God has graciously given to you this past year. Be it health, shelter, friends, wealth, an improved attitude, hopefulness or peace, God’s goodness puts it all into perspective. We could be ill, homeless, friendless, poor, experience depression or anxiety, despair or agitation BUT if we place our focus on Jesus, He will help us to see His good, His provision in whatever circumstances in which we are tangled. May you see this psalm in your day and in your own time. Let your voice be raise din thanks and praise.

A Psalm for giving thanks.

1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2     Serve the Lord with gladness!
    Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

5 For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

Blessings this Thanksgiving and may you find a reason to praise God each and every day. Praise Him and claim Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” and 2 Corinthians 12:9 ‘But he (Jesus) said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.as you navigate each day.” He will provide all you need!

Linda

Jesus shows Sovereignty over….

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John Chapter 2 opens with Jesus, his disciples and his mother Mary in attendance at a local wedding. Weddings typically lasted multiple days as relatives and friends celebrated with the new couple. For whatever reason, the bride’s family was running short of wine. This would have been a major source of embarrassment for the family. Here is the scene as Jesus’ mother, Mary, comes to him seeking a solution.

John 2:1-10 “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

Mary sought Jesus’ help in a difficult situation and knew he had an answer as she directed the servants to follow his orders. She knew that she could come to Jesus with her problems and that he would help in some way. She believed in him and his ability to change things for the better. Jesus simply gave orders to fill the jugs with water. The master of the banquet tasted the water and realized it was great wine. He questioned the bridegroom about saving such wonderful wine until so many of the guests had over indulged. Isn’t that just like Jesus to provide the very best and give it freely? The only ones who knew about it were the servants and the disciples. Mary had left the job to Jesus. Jesus protected the ‘timing’ of his revealing himself and still solved the problem.

Jesus showed his sovereignty over natural things by changing the water into fine wine. Here are the results according to verse 11 “ What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Jesus’ solutions always glorify him and produce faith. His new disciples needed to experience him in action to solidify their new budding faith.

What has Jesus done for you to confirm your faith? Has He spoken to you though His Holy Spirit, given you a vision, a dream, a miracle or a friend to verify and confirm your faith? Each one of us is unique and God will confirm for all of us that we belong to Him! Romans 8:16 puts it this way “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Be open and willing to listen for His confirmation. God is faithful and will confirm for each of us that we belong to Him.

Linda

Confronted by Jesus, what to do?

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So far in the gospel of John Jesus has called Andrew and Peter to follow him. In this next passage from John 1:43-51 we see Philipp and Nathanael added to the group. Philp was a local boy and from the Galilee area and he found Nathanael and told him of Jesus saying he was the one whom Moses had written about.

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

It would seem from the next words recorded by John, show Nathanael to be somewhat of a cynic and regarded Nazareth as a place of less culture and worth. He remarks, surely nothing good or noteworthy could possibly come from there. Philip is undeterred and still invites Nathanael to come and meet Jesus. 46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

Jesus greets Nathanael head on with comments about his personality. This takes Nathanael by surprise and causes him to question this man. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” 50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” Nathanael comes away convinced of who Jesus is because he was able to tell him what he was doing even before meeting him. Jesus is amused as he says you are amazed at that small feat, you just wait there is so much more you will see.

What do we learn about Jesus from the calling of Philip and Nathanael? Some people, like Philip, need little persuading. They see and experience Jesus and step out in faith. Then there are the cynics and doubters like Nathanael. When they take the step into faith, they are totally convinced and ready to set their previous cynicism aside and join in. Like Andrew, Philip was eager to tell his friend Nathanael of who he had found. What about you? Do you seek to bring others with you to church or gatherings with Christian friends so that they may be exposed and hear about Jesus? Are you cynical and waiting for ‘proof’ before stepping out in faith. Where ever you are, Jesus will meet you there. He desires that all should know Him. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

Being called to walk with Jesus and learn from Him is an amazing opportunity that will change your life. Step out and see for yourself. You will be convinced and not disappointed.

Linda

Who can you tell about Jesus?

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John records what John the Baptist said about Jesus to two of his disciples in John 1:36  “When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Andrew was one of these the disciples and after following and spending time with Jesus he went to tell his brother Peter.

John 1:40-42 “ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

I love this scene as it tells us so much about Jesus and His impact upon people. After meeting and spending time with Jesus, Andrew believed Jesus to be the Messiah. He could not wait to go and tell his brother Peter. Not only did he tell him, but he brought him physically to see Jesus. We also see Jesus meeting and telling Peter something about his future. He not only would believe in Him but would be a ‘rock’ in the church. As we know from the gospel accounts Peter was eager, impetuous and failed to claim Jesus as Lord on the night of the trials. However, we see a transformation after Jesus’ ascension and Peter’s work recorded in the book of Acts into the rock that Jesus proclaimed him to be in the early church.

As New Testament Christians, we need to ask ourselves, when was the last time we introduced someone to Jesus? Did you invite them to a service to hear more about Him? Did you invite them to join a Bible Study or volunteer to meet them and study the scriptures together? Our excitement over our Savior should be as compelling as Andrew’s was. If yours isn’t, pray about it and ask the Holy Spirit for an infusion of joy and purpose to tell others about our wonderful Savior.

What about your transformation? What do you see God doing within your character? As a believer you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus He is doing a work within you. Are you fighting Him or are you submitting and letting him mold and shape your character to be more and more like Jesus? We know that Peter’s transformation happened over time as he learned more about Jesus, his love and his ways of treating others, his hope for the future and what it meant to be a part of His forever family. It takes time. Take stock of your own growth and look at Galatians 5:22-24 where Paul describes the fruits of the Spirit. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Are you seeing more of these traits within your character? If not, make it a matter of prayer with a repentant heart. God will transform us if we are willing. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:1-2 to take this seriously and commit ourselves being willingly transformed. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Go back and read the scripture above again. How are you like Andrew? How can you be more like Andrew in the days to come?

Linda

“Come.” It is that simple.

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John the Baptist mentions to 2 of his disciples, as Jesus passes by, “Look the Lamb of God!” John had just baptized Jesus and now knew He was the Messiah. We don’t know if these men were present earlier but I would assume not or they would have recognized Jesus themselves. John 1:33-39 “The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.” The disciples were intrigued by John’s comment and decided to see for themselves. Jesus, as always, goes to the heart of the matter wanting to know what they want. He knew what they needed and invited them to come. They went and spent hours with Jesus.

The next scene tells us what happened with one of those men who went to meet Jesus. John 1:40-42 “Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).“ Andrew was so affected by his encounter with Jesus he went to tell his brother Simon. He brought Simon to Jesus and Jesus told him his future involved a name change.

What truths about Jesus do we see in these encounters?

**Meeting Jesus face to face is life changing. Andrew, Simon and the other disciple were never the same after meeting Jesus. We will see this truth over and over in John’s gospel as lives are transformed though encounters with Jesus. Nicodemus, lame man, the Samaritan woman, the royal official and the list goes on as people are never the same once they meet the Savior.

**Meeting Jesus and learning who He is causes us to desire to share that wonderful information with others. We want others to know and experience this Jesus too. We will see this again and again as the Samaritan woman runs off to tell the whole town, the official tells his whole household and all are saved, later the people who are fed by Jesus continue to seek him and bring others.

**Meeting Jesus changes our future and gives us purpose and hope for eternity with Him. The disciples were never the same as they sought to tell the known world about Jesus. They took the gospel to the world In Acts we are told about their adventures and Paul wrote of his love for others and seeing them come to know Christ in his letters.

The question for you and me is, what will we do with our knowledge of Jesus? Do we have the desire to tell others and seek to live for Him? Jesus was issuing the command to ‘Come’ to those in His time and to you and me. Just as those first followers found Jesus to have the answers to life and death so we too can find those same answers if we will only Come to Him. We will be amazed as we learn more and more about Jesus. The excitement will grow and we will want to speak out and tell others, so they can experience Jesus too.

Linda

What a Sight!!

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John the Baptist did not know the Messiah until he came to be baptized him. God confirmed to John that this was His Son by means of a dove descending upon him marking him the chosen one of God. John knew that the one he was proclaiming was coming. He knew he would be greater in God’s power, but he did not know who it was. Can you imagine his surprise when he beheld the dove staying on him while he baptized Jesus? It was a baptism like so many others and yet, it was altogether different. John’s proclaimed Jesus’ mission and purpose that he was the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. John’s also knew that Jesus was the chosen one of God by this dove’s presence. Jesus did not need baptism to show his repentance, he had never sinned. His baptism was a proclamation and affirmation of who He was and why he had come. He was the sinless lamb come to save us from the wrath of our sin. We know from Romans 3:23 “ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” There was no way to erase or mitigate our sin. Jesus changed that fact. He provided a way through his death on the cross and resurrection for us to be reconciled to God.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

Several things stand out to me from this scene: John knew Jesus as his cousin and did not hesitate to recognize him as the anointed, chosen one from God. He did not question God about anything but accepted Jesus as fulfillment of what God had promised. John again showed his humility by continuing to acknowledge Jesus as his superior and affirm that he would look to him as Messiah. As we continue to read the gospels, no where do we find John boasting about baptizing Jesus, he accepted Jesus’ position with grace and considered it a privilege to have been a part of God’s plan. I am amazed at John’s godly character. He did not try to get any glory by being related to Jesus. He did not ever try to claim prominence for having been the first to baptize and call people to repentance. He did not boast of having baptized the Messiah. He showed grace, maturity and godliness. What an example he is to us!

Linda

Humble John Puzzled the Crowds

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How would react to someone asking you, “Who are you?” We like to be recognized and known. But, when what we are doing is odd or out of place for a person with our background, do you react positively or defensively? In John 1:19-27, John was approached by the religious leaders and asked who he was? They were confused by his message for people to repentance and to be baptized.

“He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” John was honest with them and told them plainly who he was and who he was NOT. He did not try to take any glory for himself but pay it forward to the one who was coming- Jesus.

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John tried to clarify for them his purpose and place. Yes, he did call for people to repent and turn or return to God and whole hearted allegiance to Him, but he did not claim to be the Messiah. He knew the scriptures and why they were questioning him but he faithfully pointed them to the coming Messiah.

The picture I get from this passage is of a humble servant of God doing his part for the furtherance of the kingdom with great humility. He did not take credit or make claims. He wanted God to get all the glory and for the focus to be on the one who was to come, Jesus. What about you? When you are serving at church or work or in the community, do you serve with humility? Do you try to take credit for you achievements in a prideful or boasting manner? We need to take pride in our work and credit for those things we do, but not let it be pride filled. Scripture is filled with verses about humility. Here are a few to ponder:

Psalm 25:8 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” Psalm 149:4 “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

May our actions be humble and bring Glory to God this week.

Linda