Crowning Glory

"In the past days God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.  The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word."                                

 Hebrews 1:1-3

     There is a shaking that is happening today throughout the earth.  There are revolutions, commotions, convulsions, and changes that are occurring among the nations.  The Old Testament prophet, Haggai, described just such an occurrence (Haggai 2:7-9).  Possibly, this shaking is happening  concurrently with the labor pains that Matthew describes ( Matthew 24:8) and the great distress about which Luke teaches (Luke 21:23).  While these points are debatable,  the one absolute we have is that we live in a world filled with uncertainties.

     I  believe the shakings will continue.  However, in the lives of believers around the globe, that which could not be shaken will be used for God's glory.  Spiritual promotions are coming to many and new assignments and callings will abound.  It is time for us to take up the authority in Christ that we have been given. Whatever lies dormant in the recesses of our souls must now arise to bring glory to our King.

     Around this time every year, I pray and ask God to give me insight for the upcoming year.  This year,  as I was praying, Brent sent me an interesting picture via text ( it is posted next to this blog).  I was astounded because it felt like God was saying that during this next year Jesus would be lifted up in all all the earth ( notice the Northern lights depicting a crown).

     When we consider the fact that Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's glory and combine that with the meaning of the Jewish Year  5775 ( see August posting entitled, "Palindrome"), there is reason for much anticipation of things to come this year.  It is as if God is yelling from the heavens for us to pay attention to what He is accomplishing during this time. In this year of the Crowned King, we will see Jesus lifted up and the gospel advancing in the earth.

     It is time to make more room in our lives for the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. To do that, we must let go of all the things in our lives that do not bear fruit. Elisabeth Elliot describes it this way, "Think of the self that God has given us as an acorn. It is a marvelous little thing, a perfect shape, perfectly designed for its purpose, perfectly functional.  Think of the grand glory of an oak tree.  God's intention when He made the acorn was the oak tree.  His intention for us is...' the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.'  Many deaths must go into our reaching that measure, many letting-goes.  When you look at the oak tree, you don't feel that the loss of the acorn is a very great loss.  The more you perceive God's purpose in your life,  the less terrible the losses seem." 


     God is continuing to develop each one of us.  The depth to which we cooperate with Him will be the height to which His glory will be revealed in our lives.  We must decrease so that His Holy Spirit within us can increase.  Charles Spurgeon says, "You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself."  Peace and acquiescence to Him will reign as we submit to the power of the Cross.

     Proverbs 1:7 tells us that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."  We fear God when we honor, reverence, and cherish Him.  Awe in God gives us spiritual eyes to see both His judgment in the earth, as well as His transcendent glory.  Jim George tells us that "Everything God does- past, present, or future, whether in grace or in judgment- is to reveal His glory."


     The more time we spend in God's Word and in God's presence, the more satisfied we will be.  John Piper describes it like this, "The greatest joy is joy in God.  This is plain from Psalm 16:11: 'You [God] will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is the fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.' Fullness of joy and eternal joy cannot be improved.  Nothing is fuller than full, and nothing is longer than eternal.  And this joy is owing to the presence of God, not the accomplishments of man.  Therefore, if God wants to love us infinitely and delight us fully and eternally, He must preserve for us the one thing that will satisfy us totally and eternally; namely, the presence and worth of His own glory.  He alone is the source of full and lasting pleasure.  Therefore, His commitment to uphold and display His glory is not in vain, but virtuous.  God is the one being for whom self-exaltation is an infinitely loving act.  If He revealed Himself to the proud and self-sufficient and not to the humble and dependent, He would belittle the very glory whose worth is the foundation of our joy.  Therefore, God's pleasure in hiding this from the 'wise and intelligent' and revealing it to 'infants' is the pleasure of God in both His glory and our joy."


     The word 'glory' comes from the Latin word 'gloria', which means fame and renown.  The term is used to denote the manifestation of God's presence.  As image-bearers of God, often God chooses to reflect His glory through His children in order to advance the gospel throughout the world.

     In the midst of chaos and turbulence, it is a natural response to ask, "Where is God?" That is because eternity is stamped in the hearts of mankind and we desire for Him to show up and make Himself known.  It is God's mercy and long-suffering that cause Him to pause to allow for the full number of salvation to be completed.

     God will one day be fully glorified in the earth, just as children of God, one day our glorification will be complete.  Based on the signs in the heavens ( Acts 2:19-20), the symbolism of the Jewish New Year, and God's Word, I believe we will see a release of God's glory in this New Year.  His purpose is that all would know Him and that not one soul would perish ( 2 Peter 3:9).

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the peoples."  ( 1 Chron 16:24)

"Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth."  ( Psalm 57:11)

"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, just as the waters cover the sea."                                                                                                                          (Habakuk 2:14)

                 HAVE AN ABUNDANTLY BLESSED NEW YEAR!!!!!!

The Ultimate Gift

"He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.  Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.  Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.  Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.  Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet  He cast out demons.  Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.  Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.  Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.  Jesus died, yet by His death, He destroyed the power of death."

Gregory of  Nazianzus

     The Christian faith is unlike any other religion in the world. For every other religion, it is as if their god(s) stands at the top of  Mount Everest and men work judiciously to reach and appease a distant and cold being. In Christianity, however, God comes down from the mountain to where the people are. He then endures rejection and humiliation for the sole purpose of relentlessly, passionately, and unapologetically pursuing them.

   When I consider the greatness of God, I am completely in awe. It is impossible to fully fathom His majesty and splendor, even when we have a vivid imagination. David describes God's greatness as follows: "Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from You; You are ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious Name. "

(1 Chronicles 10-13).

     Despite His power and greatness, God designs a sacrificial redemptive plan that emanates from before He even created man. Our provision was secured before we were even conceived! Why in the world would God abandon His majestic reign to relentlessly chase after sinful men?

     God continually gives us the ultimate gift, His One and Only Son, because of His perfect love for you and me. The Creator of all desires fellowship with the created and is willing to sacrifice all to accomplish what He has purposed in His heart. Kenneth Gangle describes this phenomenon as follows, "In the miracle of creation, God made man.  In the miracle of the Incarnation, He gave man the God-man."

     Jesus' incarnation is an enigma to many. He came as both one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God. He stands eternally as the sole living being that existed on this planet while being comprised of both humanity and deity. Never again will this occur. Colossians 2:9 explains it this way, "For, in Him, the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily."

     Before Jesus arrived upon this earth, God made a promise to Mary. Faith caused Mary to believe God's promises and submission to God's will caused God to radically change Mary's life. These were not minor tweaks in the course of Mary's future. And yet, she still believed.  Elizabeth told Mary, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her." (Luke 1:45)

     Long before God's promise to Mary came the prophecy that Jesus' life would be both anointed and eternal. Psalm 45: 6-7 tells us, " Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has set You above your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy."

     Being filled with faith, Mary overflowed with gratitude even before Jesus was born. Her thoughts raced as to why God would include her in His divine plan. Here is her beautiful song of praise:

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is His Name. His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as He promised our ancestors." (Luke 1:46-55)

     It was hope inside Mary's heart that anticipated the fulfillment of God's promises. And, with patience, she quietly waited. I am quite sure she had more questions than answers, and yet, she chose to trust.

     The fulfillment of all prophecies and promises regarding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus did occur. The first chapter of Hebrews explains, "'In the beginning, Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe.  Like a garment, they will be changed.  But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.'"  ( Hebrews 1:10-12).

     The sacrificial love of our God continues to pursue us today. If we really believe the promises and prophecies given to us in God's Word, then what should our response be?  How do we respond to a love as great as this?

     If true love for God burns within our souls, we will genuinely love, forgive, believe and hope in demonstrative ways. We will be more concerned for the welfare of others than we are for ourselves. Gilbert Keith Chesterton says this, "To love means loving the unlovable.  To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable.  Faith means believing the unbelievable.  Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."


     

     Jesus loves us wildly, intimately, and with reckless abandon. He gave us two hundred percent and then poured out His Holy Spirit so that we would burn with passion for His Names' sake. We are here to glorify Him and make His glory known. What adjustments do we need to make in our lives so that His glory can be immeasurably poured out upon this earth?

     We do not have to work and strive to gain God's approval.  That is a gift already given to us. The only requirement for true transformation in our lives is to fall madly in love with the One who is madly in love with us. Loving God without restraints will completely change the trajectory of our lives.

   

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!!

Timely Treasures

"I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all.  But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. "

                                                                                                                                    Martin Luther

     Herod paced. The wise men sought. Joseph and Mary followed, while the angels heralded and the shepherds rejoiced. The fullness of time had finally arrived and it was the moment for the long-awaited Messiah to be born. It is the highest glory of God to redeem a broken world and the birth of this newborn baby would set His divine mission in motion.

     Joy flooded the hearts of the wise men upon the sight of that star. This was a foretelling of the day-star rising in the hearts of mankind. Being allowed to participate in such a holy event had to fill them with both awe and jubilation. Then, in an instant, their world stood still the second their eyes fell on the glorious King they sought.

     They barely noticed the humble surroundings and lack of notoriety that should have accompanied Christ's entrance into the world. Instead, they presented their finest gifts to their King: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their hearts overflowed with wonder as they delivered their finest to the One who would give them His all.

     During this season of giving, I believe it is imperative to focus on the importance of sowing into the lives of others. The desire to give should be tantamount in the core of every believers heart. Jim Elliot says, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

     God is the ultimate giver. There is no one who can outgive Him. First of all, He owns all things and we are the ones who are called to steward them well. He gave us His very best and this is the example set before us: "For God so loved the world that He GAVE His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).

     Since God gave us His most prized possession, He calls us to a life of extravagant giving. In His eyes, our faith and our finances are inseparable (Matthew 6:21).  In Luke, Chapter 3, three different groups of people ask John the Baptist about the fruit of repentance. He gives three answers: everyone should share food and clothes with the poor (v.11), tax collectors should not pocket extra money (v.13), and soldiers should be content with their wages and not extort money (v.14).

     These people had asked about spiritual transformation. John the Baptist showed them that money and possessions are not just important to our spiritual lives- they are central to them. He could not talk about spirituality without talking about how to handle money and possessions.

     Earthly treasures are not evil- they are neither good nor bad. The truth about them is that they will never last. We either lose them while we are alive, or we certainly lose them when we die. All of earth's currency will ultimately become worthless.

     Therefore, all of the selfishness in our hearts must be nailed to the Cross. It is selfishness, greed, and fear that inhibit our generosity. Life is never about getting what we want; it is about wanting what we get. Paul tells us that he actually learned how to be content in all situations ( Philippians 4:11).

     Trusting in Christ to meet all of our needs is the fundamental core of stepping out in faith with our finances. When we know beyond a shadow of doubt that God will provide for us, we can give liberally and without hesitation. Brent and I are friends with a couple who are missionaries. This is their testimony. They never ask for one penny to do the work of the Lord. They do not raise support. They pray and believe that God will meet their needs. Time and time again, whether it is a large or a small need, God has brought it to them. They always then give the glory and praise to God. God is glorified in this level of faith and subsequently abundantly blesses the work of their ministry.

     Jesus gives us the most valuable investment advice we will ever receive. He tells us to, "store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." (Matthew 6:20). When we become enlightened in our thinking, we not only prepare for our eternal future but we also become a conduit for God to be glorified through our lives.

     His glory is always for our good. There is an abundance of joy released in our hearts when we serve and give to others. John Piper explains it this way, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

     Our truest satisfaction occurs when we prioritize the greater treasure in lieu of temporal ones. Joy is added in our lives when we sow into the lives of others and it is multiplied when it also extends God's kingdom. Hudson Taylor says this, "The less I spent on myself and the more I gave to others, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become."

     When we give out of our need, rather than our abundance, our joy is intensified. The Macedonian Christians understood this precept. "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." (2 Corinthians 8:2).

     Giving is not a luxury of the rich; it is a privilege of the poor. Anytime we have an opportunity to give sacrificially, it is a gift that has been given to us. Our giving is acceptable to the Lord when the will of God is the rule of it, the glory of God is the end of it, and it is done in His strength and for His sake.

     We are the most like God when we give. If we look upon the face of Christ long enough we will become a giver. And, if we give long enough, we become more like Him.

     Sacrificial giving requires faith and trust that God will meet our needs and that He will meet them at the right time. When we operate in this level of faith and trust, it is probable trhat we will be cheerful in our giving and joyful as a result.

     We truly become the hands and feet of Christ when we meet another person's need at the perfect time. When the three wise men presented their gifts to Jesus, it was providence that provided relief to Mary and Joseph's poverty. They came at the perfect point of their need.

     When we share with others, we are really saying with our actions that we love God. It is not altruistic or philanthropic- it is a reflexive response to God's grace in our lives. This type of giving causes others to praise God: "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" ( 2 Corinthians 9:15).

     Jesus keeps a record of our smallest acts of kindness. He tells us that what we do for others, we are actually doing for Him  ( Matthew 25:35-36).  When we practice and "excel in the grace of giving"  ( 2 Corinthians 8:7), Jesus even rewards us. "For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done."  (Matthew 16:27).

     Whether or not we officially have the gift of giving, each one of us are destined to it. We are living at this time and place in history with purpose.  After Jesus' resurrection, with added emphasis, He spoke with authority and intent, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35). Everyday, we can choose to become that timely treasure in someone elses life!

"Each person's destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is determined by what we say, what we do, and whom we trust."

                                                                                                                                S. Truett Cathy

 

Merry?

           "Of whom shall I be afraid? One with God is a majority."

                                                                                                                                           Martin Luther

     Her name means "beloved" and it also means "sea of sorrows". Paradoxical in nature, the name of Mary, mother of Jesus, has a story to tell. The angel, Gabriel, calls Mary "highly favored one" and "blessed among women". And yet, I cannot even imagine the emotions surrounding the life of Christ that must have pulsated through her veins. It seems to me that fear, quite possibly, made up the bookends to this miraculous life that commenced in her womb.

     When Gabriel appeared to Mary, he told her to not be afraid. (Luke 1:30). It seems that every time an angel appeared to an individual in the Bible, it is necessary to instruct them to "Fear not".  Quite likely, this implies that they are scared out of their ever-loving mind and God needs to give them reassurance.

     Mary did not allow fear to reign in her heart, however, because she: listened to the angel, asked a few questions, and then set an example of godly submission and trust. She stated, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." (Luke 1:38). Mary recognized that God was worthy of her devotion,  even though I am certain she realized some of the personal implications of her choice.

     For such a young, teenage girl she was endowed with wisdom and grace. What a privilege to be the first to hear the news about the coming of the long-awaited Messiah! Not only that, but she was chosen by God to carry Him into this world! God had bestowed the ultimate honor on Mary to bear the child that was the ultimate gift to the world!

     There had to be moments of sheer joy, unparalleled to any other, in Mary's life. And yet, witnessing Jesus' crucifixion had to bring sheer terror that ripped through this mother's heart. It is hard to fathom how this blessed, beloved, and highly favored woman navigated the storm of emotions found within her sea of sorrows.

     Mary had to feel quite alone. After all, there was not one other mother that could understand her plight. There was no support group for 'Moms of Messiahs' or small group that could help. This journey designed for her was one that necessitated total dependence on God for her to navigate successfully and victoriously. In turn, God was absolutely faithful to this young woman- in fact, He was the perfect Captain for her voyage.

     The seas were not always calm, however, and the sun did not always shine. Mary's life is an example that shows us that even when we submit our lives in faith and obedience, there still will be difficulties. She was privileged to be chosen to: birth the Messiah, encourage His first public miracle, witness the accomplishments of God's purposes at Calvary, and receive the impartation of the Holy Spirit after Jesus departed. And yet, it also had to be excruciating to disappoint her fiance and family, flee from Bethlehem in the middle of the night, and watch her beloved Son be tortured and murdered in front of her very eyes!

     There had to be moments and times when God's master plan evaded her understanding. She still continued to persevere. Ultimately, God's plan did become apparent, and despite her personal sorrow, I am quite sure she sighed a sigh of relief.

     The truest blessing that Mary received was that she was able to walk so closely to Immanuel.  From the moment of conception, she had God with her- always! Even after Jesus' crucifixion, it was only a short period of time before He sent her [and others] the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit.

     Hundreds of years before Mary was alive, the prophet, Malachi, had prophesied Jesus' birth:

     "'Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and He will clear the way before Me. And the Lord,

     whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom

     you delight, behold, He is coming,' says the Lord of hosts.

    'But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He

    is like a refiner's fire and like fullers soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and

    He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present

    to the Lord offerings in righteousness.'" (Malachi 3:1-3).

     If the life and name of Mary has a story and a truth to tell, how much more does the life and name of Jesus? Jesus' name means Yeshu'a, which means "YAHWEH is salvation". through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Jesus is the firstfruit of eternal hope for each one of us.

     And yet, Isaiah prophesies Him to be a 'Man of Sorrows':

     "He is despised and rejected by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." ( Isaiah 53:3).

     Jesus continually encountered people who wanted to ruin His ministry and His reputation. Instead of being welcomed, loved, and esteemed, He was often met with harsh questions and rejection. Despite such intense opposition, Jesus continued to share God's unconditional love and forgiveness with all. The pain and denial of this world could never thwart His efforts or quell His love. Our comfort lies in the truth that Jesus will never turn His back on us or reject us.

     Our culture today, once again, does not esteem Jesus. It has engaged in every machination to remove Christ from Christmas. Schools now have winter holidays in lieu of Christmas breaks. Atheists sue to remove nativity scenes and every other reminder of Jesus. Could it be that we are ramping up for a similar scenario of rejection and vitriol to play out for the second coming of Christ?

     As we scurry and hustle to imbibe the materialism of our society, is there any possibility that we, too, are boxing Jesus out of our celebration? As we sip our eggnog, do we remember to esteem the very One who makes this season merry? Does our happiness revolve around the values of this world or do we have the true joy of walking with Jesus?

     There are so many distractions during this season. My prayer is that we will keep the main thing the main thing and that we can help others to do so, as well. Immanuel is still with us and our joy will be complete when we esteem Him above all else! Merry Christmas!!!!

" Looking unto Jesus is at the same time a looking away from everything else."

                                                                                                                               Erich Sauer