Seeking the Life in Christ: 2022

Friday, December 30, 2022

With Reverence and Awe

Meditations for the Season of Christmas

December 30, 2022

With Reverence and Awe

This is my last meditation for 2022, and I am closing the year with a prayer for you. First, a bit of context. A Methodist pastor from Central Pennsylvania I follow on social media recently posted this:

“Compared to historic liturgies, a few things stand out about modern services:

—MUCH less Scripture

—More pastor-centric

—Lord's Supper isn't central

—Prayers are mostly extempore & not as theologically rich

—More sentimental

—Avoid death, judgment, hell.”

I smiled as I read his assessment of modern worship services and thought of the contrast between his observation and my experience in our local church. The sacrament of Holy Communion is central to every worship service. During Advent instead of the themes of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love which are traditionally represented in the Advent wreath, our study was on the four last things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell. We had rich class discussions each week that truly enhanced our Christmas celebration.

My prayer for you in 2023, wherever you worship our Risen Savior, is that your worship is fully grounded in the Word of God, that Jesus is fully glorified, and when you celebrate the presence of Christ in Holy Communion, your service is thoughtful and deliberate.

My Takeaway, and My Prayer for you:

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29 NRSV)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Thursday, December 29, 2022

A Light in the Window

Meditations for the Season of Christmas

December 29, 2022

A Light in the Window

Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.

Revelation 21:14

Cheryl and I started a tradition several years ago. Every Sunday morning at breakfast, we pick a blessing, places where we have experienced God moving in our lives, from the previous week and make a note of it on a slip of paper. We put the paper in a quart mason jar. On New Year’s Eve, we put all those slips of paper in a basket. Then, one by one, we will review all our many blessings from 2022. And yes, even though we have experienced health challenges and loss of loved ones this year, our Blessing Jar is overflowing with the goodness of God. (And, on Sunday, January 1, 2023, we will start filling the jar once again!)

Our circumstances differ, but there is one essential truth that is for all the followers of Jesus Christ. When we reach our final destination, we will lift our heads, and we all will see a light in the window of God’s Mansion, with a sign on the door,

“Welcome Home, My Beloved.”

I pray this eternal truth will guide you as you take time to review your life of 2022 and set your sails for 2023:

Your Heavenly Father is head-over-heels,

passionately in love with you.

You are His beloved child,

with whom He is delighted

and upon whom His favor rests.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

I Trust Him with All My Heart

Meditations for the Season of Christmas

December 28, 2022

I Trust Him with All My Heart

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.”

Psalm 28:7

Jesus taught his disciples “with God everything is possible” (Matthew 19:26). Sometimes our faith is tested because we do not see answers to our prayers. Can we still believe, even though we do not see? The writer of the letter to the Hebrews makes clear that faith is the unwavering determination to trust God, to believe God, even when we do not see the results we want.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (Hebrews 11:1).

Because God is the Lord of the impossible, bringing life out of death, bringing success out of apparent failure, we can look at seemingly impossible circumstances and choose the way of the psalmist:

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart.”

In the first portion of this psalm, David seems overwhelmed with the corruption of society. He steadfastly believed in the judgment of God and did not want to be caught up in God’s judgment of the wicked. As David prayed to the Lord, his rock, he asked for mercy. Then, in the midst of his lament, his prayer for mercy turned into a prayer of praise,

“Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy.”

What caused his change?

I believe the Apostle Paul helps us understand this change. In Romans 8: 15-16 Paul writes,

“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.”

When we come to God in faith, God participates in our prayers. God’s Spirit bears witness to our spirit, and God’s Spirit thus helps us stand firm in our faith, even when our circumstances have not changed.

My Takeaway: Consider this wonderful promise as we close out 2022 and prepare to enter 2023: With the Spirit’s help, we can trust God with our lives. Thank God for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. He did not leave us alone.

Hallelujah!

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Grace, From Start to Finish

Meditations for the Season of Christmas

December 27, 2022

Grace, From Start to Finish

“Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

John 21:16

Read: John 21:15-19

In our quietness yesterday, we became enchanted with Jesus. From our enchantment, the Holy Spirit leads us to become fully devoted followers of Jesus as we serve our Lord. As I contemplate my service unto Christ, I am drawn to this conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-19. There are nuances in the dialog, and clearly the three questions by Jesus relate to Peter’s three denials of Jesus. This conversation allowed Peter to confront his failures and to realize that his failures did not disqualify him as a disciple. (In a previous appearance by Jesus, John 20:21, Peter is included in Jesus’ commissioning of the disciples: “As the father sent me, so I am sending you.”)

In the conversation with Peter, Jesus revealed the foundation for all Christian service. Whether we are the preacher, the musician, the greeter, the usher, the teacher, the server in the food line, the bell ringer for the Salvation Army, whatever our service may be, the foundation for our service is our love for Jesus. Even though we may have failed Jesus countless times, Jesus wants our love for him to bring us back to him, and then he gives us a chance to express our love for him by serving others. Our expressions of love will be healing for our hurts and failures. These expressions are not ways to earn forgiveness – nothing can ever do that. Our relationship with Jesus is built on GRACE, from start to finish. Our expressions of love are offered in joy because we are forgiven; our service is not what we have to do, but what we get to do.

My Takeaway: Because we love Jesus, what do we get to do today as an expression of that love?

“I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love. Amen”

Jude 1: 1a-2

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, December 26, 2022

L’ENCHANTÉ

Meditations for the Season of Christmas

December 26, 2022

L’ENCHANTÉ

To whom can you compare God?

What image can you find to resemble him?

Isaiah 40:18

One of my favorite devotions from Brennan Manning is a beautiful story that is recounted every Christmas in the forest of Provence in southern France. I know I have shared this in years past, but to me it is so simple and yet profound, I want to share it again this year. It’s about the four shepherds who came to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. One brought eggs, another brought bread and cheese, the third brought wine. And the fourth brought nothing at all. People called him L’Enchanté.

The first three shepherds chatted with Mary and Joseph, commenting on how well Mary looked, how cozy was the cave and how handsomely Joseph had appointed it, what a beautiful starlit night it was! They congratulated the proud parents, presented them with their gifts and assured them that if they needed anything else, they only had to ask.

Finally, someone asked, “Where is L’Enchanté?” They searched high and low, up, and down, inside, and out. Finally, someone peeked through the blanket hung against the draft, into the crèche. There, kneeling at the crib, was L’Enchanté. – the Enchanted one. Like a flag or a flame taking the direction of the wind, he had taken the direction of love. Through the entire night, he stayed in adoration, whispering, “Jesu, Jesu, Jesu – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” (Brennan Manning, The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Revell, 2004)

My Takeaway: Let’s make time on this first day after Christmas to find a quiet place. Then in the quietness, we can allow our heart to become enchanted with “Jesu, Jesu, Jesu – Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, December 23, 2022

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 23, 2022

Zechariah’s Prophecy

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Luke 1:78-79

Read Luke 1:66-79

Zachariah’s insight into the continuity of God working through his people can be an example and inspiration to all the followers of Jesus:

“He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant— the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham” (Luke 1:72-73).

Zachariah interpreted God’s action in his son John, and in Jesus, as God’s faithfulness to His covenant promise to Abraham. In Zachariah’s world, the people of Israel had been over-run by foreigners for hundreds of years. Oppression and brutality by invading forces had become their way of life. Most of Zachariah’s countrymen had hatred for both the foreigners and the leaders of their own country. John the Baptist was born into a culture of angry people. Even so, there were still sparks of an eternal hope within Elizabeth and Zachariah.

We too, in this present age, are living in a culture of angry people. The approval ratings of our national leaders reach new lows each week. In print and electronic mediums, we are bombarded with angry messages telling us what to think. In contrast to the present darkness of this age, Jesus calls his followers to also draw hope and strength from the faithfulness of God.

In this Advent and Christmas, amid the continuing darkness of our deeply divided partisan body politic, let us draw inspiration from the sparks of hope displayed within Elizabeth and Zachariah.

My Takeaway: As we choose to trust God with our present and our future, we can become counter-cultural and embrace Zachariah’s faith in the ultimate victory of God. Praise the Lord, the God of Hope.

“And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Hebrews 6:11-12

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Birth of John the Baptist

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 22, 2022

The Birth of John the Baptist

He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Luke 1:63-64

Read Luke 1:57-66

Zachariah makes a huge leap of faith in the naming of his son John. The cultural tradition called for him to extend his family name by giving his first-born child his own name. Nine months before this, when the angel of the Lord appeared to Zachariah in the Temple, he balked at believing the angel’s prophecy and was made mute. This time, Zachariah didn’t balk at the leading of the Lord, but followed the instructions of the angel of the Lord and named his child John.

As I reflect on Zachariah’s disobedience and obedience, I am grateful the Lord has not severely punished me for my many acts of disobedience, or failures to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The hymn writer nailed me perfectly when he wrote, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.” (Come Thou Fount, Robert Robinson)

During the nine months Zachariah could not speak, he could hear. I believe it was during this time Zachariah was inspired by the Holy Spirt to formulate the prophecy which is the passage we will consider tomorrow. For today, let us reflect on how, in our silence, we can open our hearts and minds to the leading of God in our lives.

My Takeaway: Over the last year, Cheryl and I have fallen into the routine of participating in the sacrament of Holy Communion twice each week. I have experienced a growing anticipation of kneeling at the altar to receive the bread and cup. One result for me has been a keener sense of the prompts of the Holy Spirit in my life, and a more willing spirit to obey.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

The Magnificat

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 21, 2022

The Magnificat

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

Luke 1:46-47

Read Luke 1:46-56

Almost every word of Mary’s beautiful song is a quotation of scripture. Elizabeth’s child is John the Baptist, and his preaching will echo Mary’s song.

Mary and Elizabeth are far from naïve. There is yet to come much pain and sorrow in their lives. Why then could they speak with such excitement and joy about a child who then was still thirty weeks from birth? I believe they could celebrate with such uninhibited joy because they knew they were participating in God’s plan of salvation. In their Hebrew Scriptures, they met the God of Creation who is the Holy One, the Powerful One, the Faithful One, the Merciful One, and the One who is Love for all His creation. When they realized God was literally moving within them to fulfill his promises, their spirits responded with words of reverence and joy, the words of scripture.

When I read Mary’s song, I think of that most beautiful of sonnets, Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet XLIII. It begins, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach . . .”

I believe an appropriate Advent practice for us is to write our own sonnet for Jesus. Our sonnet may begin with the words, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” Then we can fill in the remaining lines with the many ways, grounded in scripture, we have experienced God our Savior.

My Takeaway: I’ve never written poetry, so my poem will be one that only Jesus could love. But it will be my expression of love for the One who set me free from sin and death.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

He Remembered us in Our Weakness

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 20, 2022

He Remembered us in Our Weakness

This will be a sign for you:

you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth

and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:12 (NRSV)

In Colossians 1:15-20, the Apostle Paul affirms Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. Jesus is supreme over all creation; through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. Jesus holds all creation together.

Jesus, who is Supreme over all creation, entered our world, not through power or pomp and circumstance. Jesus came in the way of weakness, vulnerability, and dependency on others. On a dark night, in a cold and drafty cave, God in Christ, who always was and always will be supreme over all, was presented to humankind as a helpless God in Christ who calls us to come close to him.

Are you like me? I struggle at times to draw close to God by exercising discipline, practicing discipleship. My desire is to mature into a strong-in-faith, fully-devoted follower of Jesus, but at times, it seems like my progress is only slight. I so need Christmas to remind me, “He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 136:23 NLT).

My Takeaway: Like the Apostle Paul, each time I petition the Lord for strength, I hear Him reply, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” By His grace, may I also embrace my weakness as did Paul, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, December 19, 2022

In Desperate Need of Hope

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 19, 2022

In Desperate Need of Hope

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

People came early one Christmas Eve for the 11pm service at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York City. Among them was a recovering alcoholic, six months sober, who slipped into the eleventh row. This was his first Christmas since his alcoholism had cost him his family. A family of four sat down two rows in front of him. Seeing them together was crushing. He decided he couldn't handle it -- he had to have a drink.

As he moved from the sanctuary to the narthex, he ran into Pastor Thomas Tewell. "Jim, where are you going?" the pastor asked.

"Oh, I'm just going out for a Scotch," Jim replied.

"Jim, you can't do that," the pastor responded. "Is your sponsor available?"

Jim replied, "It's Christmas Eve. My sponsor is in Minnesota. There's nobody who can help me. I just came tonight for a word of hope, and I ended up sitting behind this family. If I had my life together, I'd be here with my wife and kids too."

Pastor Tewell took Jim into the vestry to talk with a couple of other pastors. Then he slipped into the sanctuary, having no idea what to do. He whispered a prayer: "O God, could you give me a word of hope for Jim?" He welcomed everyone and told them about the church. Then he said, "I have one final announcement. If anyone here tonight is a friend of Bill Wilson -- and if you are, you'll know it -- could you step out for a moment and meet in the vestry?" (Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., is a cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous.)

From all over the sanctuary, women, men, and college students arose and made their way out. "And while I was preaching in the sanctuary about incarnation," said Pastor Tewell, "the Word was becoming flesh in the vestry. Someone was experiencing hope."

My Takeaway: I suspect if we ask God to help us to be sensitive to the needs of others, we will cross paths with someone in desperate need of experiencing hope. Perhaps even at the Christmas Eve service we will attend this Saturday. May someone experience hope through our witness this Advent and Christmas season.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, December 16, 2022

My Proper Position Before the Manger Of Christ

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 16, 2022

My Proper Position Before the Manger Of Christ

Every knee will bend to me,

and every tongue will declare allegiance to me

Isaiah 45:23b (NLT)

This prophesy about Jesus from Isaiah is fulfilled by the words of the Apostle Paul:

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

Christmas is known for glitter and bows, pageants and cantatas, and decorations that range from the sublime to the gaudy. For most of our marriage, Cheryl and I shied away from many decorations in our house. Before I retired, we were always on the go through the season, and after working on Christmas Eve, we were traveling on Christmas Day to visit family. Things changed when we retired. For our first Christmas in our own home, we went all out with decorations, even though it was just the two of us, and our faithful Springer Spaniels. Our second Christmas was even more special. We both had experienced significant medical issues, and we were very happy to be alive. We thoroughly enjoyed the glitter!

Presently, our very special decoration is a beautiful crèche carved from olive wood that we purchased in Bethlehem. I love it as a reminder of our visit to Israel, but I often find myself smiling as I gaze upon it and remember the archeological site we visited near Megiddo. The artifacts there included a manger hewn out of solid rock and the remnants of what a stable would have been like when Jesus was born. It was not the pretty, quaint, and warm snuggly environment depicted on Christmas cards.

My Takeaway: I’m OK with some of the sentimental stuff, and nostalgia about Christmas celebrations have their place, if they point me to my proper position before the manger of Christ as announced by Isaiah: “Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.”

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, December 15, 2022

My Old Life Is Gone; A New Life Has Begun!

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 15, 2022

My Old Life Is Gone; A New Life Has Begun!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

As I recall, it was William Barclay who wrote of two friends walking home from a Christmas Eve Service. It was the custom of their church to hold a combined service on Christmas Eve with a small church they had helped start out in the countryside. At the conclusion of the Service, members of both congregations would kneel together at the Altar to receive Holy Communion. As the two men walked along, one commented, “I noticed you took Communion next to old Tom. That’s quite a miracle to see Tom at Communion.” Old Tom was a convicted criminal, and the man’s friend, a judge, had sentenced Tom to prison. After his parole, Tom began attending the small country church. Certainly, it was a miracle that the criminal had come to faith in Christ, and now shared the sacrament, side-by-side, with the judge. The judge shocked his friend by replying, “Yes that is a miracle, but a greater miracle still is that I was at the Altar. “How can that be?” his friend asked.

The Judge replied, “Old Tom was raised in a broken home in a very rough neighborhood. There was little hope his life would avoid prison. However, in prison it is not that unusual for a man to turn his life around. On the other hand, I was born into a loving family and never lacked for anything. I was afforded a fine education and a good start in life that led to my legal career. For one such as me, to come to the place where I recognized that I desperately needed new life in Christ, every bit as much, if not more, than Old Tom, that to me is a greater miracle.”

At Christmas, the astonishing enormity of God’s love being birthed in a manger is proclaimed far and wide. As we bask in the light of such love, let us never lose sight of the truth that God became flesh in Christ Jesus because humankind was desperately in need of a Savior. Without Christ, regardless of our worldly acclaim, or lack thereof, we are destined to die. Our only hope is to affirm with the Apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

My Takeaway: Will you join me in my Christmas prayer?

“My old life is gone; a new life has begun! Thanks be to God!”

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

All These Things Are Gone Forever

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 14, 2022

All These Things Are Gone Forever

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

2022 has been a very violent year. Terrorists and gunman have inflicted pain, suffering and death on innocents. Hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes have brought death, devastation and unimaginable pain and suffering. The inconveniences, ailments and other matters in my life that seem so urgent may pale in significance as compared to the suffering of others, but if it were not for Christmas, I could find myself weighed down with pessimism and a sense of hopelessness.

But Christmas is a reality that changed the world forever. Christmas doesn’t mean there will be no suffering, discouragement, disappointment, frustration or even death. Christmas means that the Kingdom of God will conquer all the forces that work against the fulfillment of God’s eternal promises. All these forces may impede me now, but they cannot separate me from the everlasting love of God in Christ Jesus. Nor can they follow me into the eternal Kingdom of God.

Christmas means I can experience the presence of my Abba Father in my life now and forever. Christmas means there is a time coming when God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.

My Takeaway: I know for many these truths of God may not seem like much in the stark reality of terrible losses experienced through violence and natural disasters and the loss of loved ones. Even so, I choose to fully embrace the Apostle Paul’s benediction:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (NRSV)

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

What Do You Want Most for Christmas?

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 13, 2022

What Do You Want Most for Christmas?

They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee,

and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

John 12:21 (NRSV)

How do you think people would respond if you were to stop them as they walked down the sidewalk and ask, “What do you want most for Christmas?” Or what if you were in your Sunday School class, or small group and asked that question, what kind of answers do you think you would receive?

Several years ago, I conducted a similar experiment during a worship service. Each person in the congregation was given a 3x5 card. I asked them to think of the young people in their lives, those less than twenty-one years old, and list on the card the two or three things they hoped for the most in their lives. Not surprisingly, the answers primarily centered on the ideas of health and happiness, described in varying terms. What was surprising to me was what was not included on any of the cards. No one mentioned, ‘To know Christ,’ or something similar. Not one hoped their young person would choose to go to a Christian college, enter full-time Christian service as a minister or missionary or related field.

Jesus’ response to those people who wanted to see him included, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be” (John 12:26). And we all know Jesus final command to his followers: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19). Even so, not one person listed on their 3x5 card anything remotely connected to Jesus’ Great Commission.

I suppose that it is possible that people assume that you know the thing they hope most for, and want most for the people they love, is to know Jesus and to live in such a way that they will hear their Master say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’ Possible, maybe, but I don’t think it is too probable. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel once said, “God is of no importance unless He is of supreme importance.” I think we can very well say the same for Jesus Christ.

My Takeaway: Jesus commands us to make disciples -- fully-devoted followers of Jesus. I believe as we fully embrace this mission, all the priorities in our life will align with God’s will.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, December 12, 2022

Jesus Overcame The World; He Can Overcome You!

Meditations for the Season of Advent

December 12, 2022

Jesus Overcame The World;

He Can Overcome You!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

As I study history, I have been struck by the huge difference for good just one person can make. History records the deeds of many individuals who at one time seemed like a lonely voice in the wilderness calling for change, and change came. Think of Wilberforce’s leadership to stop slavery in England, or John Wesley’s zeal to take the Gospel to the common man, or President Harry Truman taking a stand for the state of Israel. Of course, the corollary is just as true. Either for good, or for evil, one person can make a huge difference.

Some people are in places where their actions can influence hundreds, even thousands of others. Some people are in places where their range of influence may not stretch beyond their nuclear family. Even so, all people have influence. Too many people negate their potential for influence because they seem to have so little influence over their own lives. For these people, it seems they are continually waging war, and not winning many victories against the same enemies: moodiness, laziness, grudges and resentments, self-centeredness, and their feeble lives of faith.

May I suggest to anyone who feels their personal failures cancel their potential to be an influence for good in the lives of others that the issue is not whether you are able; the issue is whether Jesus is able! Our Savior, Christ Jesus, transformed the world through his birth in Bethlehem. Take heart! He has overcome the world and is quite capable of transforming your life!

My Takeaway: Every Christmas we can again receive God’s gift to us of hope, and we can again give our life to God to be used by Him as a force for good in His world!

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, December 30, 2022

With Reverence and Awe

Thursday, December 29, 2022

A Light in the Window

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

I Trust Him with All My Heart

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Grace, From Start to Finish

Monday, December 26, 2022

L’ENCHANTÉ

Friday, December 23, 2022

Zechariah’s Prophecy

Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Birth of John the Baptist

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

The Magnificat

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

He Remembered us in Our Weakness

Monday, December 19, 2022

In Desperate Need of Hope

Friday, December 16, 2022

My Proper Position Before the Manger Of Christ

Thursday, December 15, 2022

My Old Life Is Gone; A New Life Has Begun!

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

All These Things Are Gone Forever

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

What Do You Want Most for Christmas?

Monday, December 12, 2022

Jesus Overcame The World; He Can Overcome You!

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