The black, velvety sky was clear and studded with sparkling stars that had looked down on Earth since the beginning of time. Shepherds appeared to be sitting idly by their flocks but in fact were keeping a sharp lookout for anything or anyone who might harm the sheep entrusted to their care. In the distance, the lights from the town could be seen and the noisy commotion could be heard as more people were coming into the town than the town could hold.
On the clear night air, sound traveled easily and somewhere from the direction of the village inn someone slammed a door.
And a baby cried.
The Seed of the woman, Who would open heaven’s gate and welcome any and all who place their faith in Him . . . had been given!
The Hope that was born that night continues to radiate down through the years until it envelops your heart and mine.
Dec 14, 2013
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say
it again: Rejoice!- Philippians 4:4
Does your joy come and go? Ebb and flow? Is it so connected to your feelings that when life unravels, so does your joy? The apostle Paul penned the above words when he was imprisoned in Rome. Yet he had learned to rejoice always. In every situation. Under any circumstance. I have been learning in a fresh way that choosing to rejoice can require intentional focus when things go wrong and I’m hit with multiple problems at the same time. Let me share just a few of the ones that have occurred within the two months leading up to this Christmas…
Are you facing the future with eyes wide shut, teeth clenched, body tensed, dreading your tomorrows and what they may hold? Do you feel as though you are standing on the brink of a deep, dark abyss of helplessness and despair, caught up in events involving yourself or your loved ones that are beyond your control? Regardless of what those events may be, no matter your mental or emotional or spiritual state, God’s vision of the future can fill you with hope right now.
You and I can look forward WITH HOPE! because we have the blessed assurance of Heaven, My Father’s House!
The Jews had many preconceived ideas about the Messiah based on their interpretation of Scripture and what they wanted. When Jesus of Nazareth came on the scene with His public ministry, He was neither the Messiah they had been expecting, nor the Messiah they wanted. The Jews wanted someone Who would:
raise their standard of living,
grant them privileges without responsibility,
and restore them to the world power they had known under King David and King Solomon.
They wanted someone who would meet their physical and material and emotional needs.
They expected a glorious, victorious King Who would rid them of the Romans and establish them in national peace and prosperity and prominence. But the first time He came, He came to establish the kingdom of God, not in the world, but in the hearts of men. He was born to die. And so He was rejected as the King of Hearts. Then. But what about now? Would you crown Him King of your heart today?
While the woman of Samaria and I have many differences, we have one thing in common. I, too, find myself from time to time running on empty.
In the busyness of ministry,
the weariness of activity,
the excitement of opportunity,
I sometimes wake up and realize, “I am so dry and thirsty.” Invariably, when I examine myself, the reason for the dryness of spirit can be traced to one thing. I’m not drinking freely of the Water of Life. I’m neglecting my Bible study. I’m rushing through my prayer time. I’m not listening to the voice of the Lord because I’m just too busy to be still. At those times I carve out quiet interludes to confess my sins and read and meditate and pray and listen and just drink Him in. Thank You, dear God, for still giving us today, Living Water from the Well that never goes dry.
