TerryLema

I came across a YouTube video from a Gaither Vocal Band and Janet Pascal rendition of a song called, “Tell Me.” (I love this rendition and put a link to it at the bottom of this devotion.)

“Tell me the old, old story. It shall be my theme in glory. Tell me once again about His love.”

After tomorrow there are two Sundays left before the Christmas holiday, and one Sunday directly after. Every year I’ve struggled with coming up with something new or different to say about the Christmas Story in my Sunday messages. Should I look at it from the viewpoint of the participants, or the songs or the genealogies in the Gospels? What haven’t we heard before?

Then I realized that it isn’t about what we haven’t heard before … it’s all about what we have heard before. It’s about that old, old story that never ever grows old. It’s about God’s love on display. It’s what I’ll, and you’ll be singing about in glory for all eternity!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16 NKJV]

It’s about God’s loving so …. It’s about God’s giving …. It’s about everlasting life …. That’s the old, old story that shall never grow old. That’s what I want to focus on this year. I want to sing the old carols that have been sung for centuries. I want to read the Christmas story in Matthew and Luke, just hear the inspired words of the Scriptures and allow them to flow deep into my being. I want that old, old story to be my theme this year … after all, it shall be my theme in glory. Why not get a head start!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsPXZSSdaD4

I am reading the accounts of the birth of our Lord Jesus as I prepare messages for the Sundays leading up to Christmas. As I read the story in Luke, I came across a familiar announcement … it was spoken by the angels to the shepherds. “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” [Luke 2:11]

 The thing that struck me are two words, “to you.” A Savior has been born “to you” the angels told the shepherds. I would not damage the context I’m sure, if I said it this way, “A Savior has been born ‘for me,’ [or for us] he is Christ the LORD.”

This Savior, Christ the LORD, born to Mary in a humble setting in the city of Bethlehem, came to you, and to me. He came to us.

While the angels announced His birth, they will never experience what it is to know that God’s Son came to set them free from the ravages of sin and iniquity. They will never know the profound blessing of faith, of redemption, of salvation. They will never truly understand what it means to hear the chains of bondages fall to the ground because Christ the LORD has broken every chain that bound us.

This Savior has been born to us, to men and women, tainted by the fall, under condemnation of death. He has set us free, made us alive in God, and taken us by the hand leading us into the family of God. His coming to us allows us to come to our Father God, no longer enemies, but now as His beloved children.

I think I like those two words, “to you.” Thank you, my Blessed Savior.

I came across a clip of a mega-pastor saying that “if you are poor, broke and defeated, all that means is that you are poor, broke and defeated. That doesn’t bring any honor to God.”

As I listened to that clip, I prayed that it was taken out of context, that perhaps later on he explained what he was really saying. I prayed because that statement is so offensive to the Gospel I know. And to the God I know.

Paul faced this kind of arrogance in the Corinthians. They were boasting of their wisdom and gifts and Paul needed to remind them that God has made foolish the wisdom of this world. He reminded them of what they were so that they could view what they are from a position of humility, not arrogance.

“Brothers [and sisters], think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.’” [1 Cor 1:26-31]

I am not a proponent of what is called the prosperity Gospel. I am a proponent of the Gospel that embraces humility, service, the giving of everything within us to others and to the glory of God. I believe that as Christians we are to have the power of God indwelling us, we are to have abundant and deep faith. But the power of God is always displayed under control in meekness (as Jesus displayed it), and our deep faith is to be exercised always and only not for our own accumulation of wealth, but in the trials and tribulation of life that we and others endure.

Let’s not boast in our arrogance or prosperity – Let’s boast in the LORD!

I was reminded recently that we live in a fallen world, one where life and death, blessings and sorrows, good and evil intermingle. It’s not always easy to navigate this world. We are pulled one way, and then another.

The prophet Nahum brought a declaration of judgment against the wickedness of Nineveh. The first chapter is one long statement of condemnation on wickedness, except … right in the middle of the chapter God declares through Nahum, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” [1:7]

There are many such declarations in the Scriptures about God being good, His being a refuge in times of trouble, and His care for those who trust in Him. We find them in the Old Testament and in the New. As I thought about that this morning, I realized why it is so necessary to have so many such statements … because (as I opened this devotion) we live in a fallen world.

We need to be assured and re-assured often that no matter what opportunities or challenges we face, God is always good, He is always our refuge and He always cares for His own.

Every year during the holiday season, the world tries to cover its fallen nature with glitter and sparkles. We hang lights and play happy songs and spend money (often money we don’t have). We think we can push aside all the darkness and difficulties that often walk with us. The glitter and sparkle, however, only last for a moment and then they fade.

But, but, the goodness of our LORD is eternal. When the world opposes, God provides a glorious refuge. When we place our trust in Him, He cares for us … with ALL His power and glory.

I sat looking at this date, December 2, for a long time this morning before I began to write. I wanted to pause, just remain here, December 2, for a while. Not sure why? Maybe I don’t want to get into all the hoopla of the season. Maybe I just want to sit and think about Jesus for a little while, think about what God has done.

I do love the days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, but this morning I would love to just spend time on December 2 thinking about my LORD. I don’t want to get moving. I don’t want to tackle my list of things to do. I don’t want to think about decorating or shopping or anything else. I just want to think about Jesus.

The psalmist Asaph must have been having a bad day when he began Psalm 77. His distress is palpable in the opening verses, but then at verse 11 something changes. He remembers, and he meditates. “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” [Vs 11-12]

I’m not in distress like Asaph. I just want to remember the deeds of the LORD and miracles of long ago. I want to meditate for a bit on all His works and mighty deeds before moving on to daily life.

Before moving into this holiday season at the pace life often demands, I want to reflect on the wonderful love of the Father who, before the foundation of the world, before Adam was ever created – long before the fall in the Garden of Eden – this wonderful love of the Father chose to send His Only Son to redeem us, to save us, to deliver us, to indwell us.

I think I can meditate on that love … that miracle of long ago … for a long time.

It’s here! December has arrived. Christmas is around the corner. The crazy season has begun. The stores are in mega-selling mode. Black Friday began about a month ago. Houses in our neighborhood are starting to show their holiday spirit. We are bombarded by Christmas movies, Christmas commercials, Christmas deals. And behind all this hoopla the reason for the season may be obscured.

His name is Jesus. Mary and Joseph were told to give Him that name because, “he will save his people from their sins.” [Matt 1:21]

The name Jesus means “YAHWEH saves” or “YAHWEH is salvation.” A transliteration from the Hebrew and Aramaic is “Yeshua.” In English, the spelling of “Yeshua” is Joshua. In the Greek, it is Jesus. The name carries the meaning of rescue, deliver, or save. The name was quite popular in first-century Judea, so this Jesus was known as “Jesus of Nazareth.”

“When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” [Galatians 4:4-5]

Christmas has a purpose, and it’s not Santa or reindeer or sleigh bells. It is the honoring of God’s purpose of sending His Son, Jesus, to save us. God’s Son emptied Himself to become a humble man. He lived up to His name as none other could.

So, as we begin this season, let’s decide what or whom we are honoring, God’s Son, born of a woman, sent at the appointed time to save us, or fairy tales and commercialism. I know where my focus will be.

I’m not letting go of my “thankfulness” theme that seems to have permeated my recent devotions. Tomorrow begins the last month of the year, which is always a crazy, fast-paced time for many people, and a time of loneliness and discouragement for others. Most of us don’t escape December unscathed by stress or anxiety.

So as we depart November, I am once again reminding us to “be thankful,” with a Scripture that I have tried to live by, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” [Col 3:17]

I don’t know if I would call this my “life verse,” but it a lot more than just a part of my signature line on my emails. It has driven my life for many years. Paul had reminded us in this section of Colossians 3 to let Christ’s peace rule in our hearts and to let His word dwell in us richly. He told us to teach and admonish each other with wisdom and to sing songs with gratitude in our hearts.

Then it is as if he runs out of specifics and just reminds us that it doesn’t matter what we are doing, whether acting or speaking, whatever it is, it is all to be done in the name of the LORD Jesus and with the giving of thanks to our Father.

“Whatever you do….” That pretty much covers everything you do. Whether in a church or secular setting doesn’t make any difference. It is not the setting in which we are working that matters, it is the motivation of the heart that God sees. People who do all in the name of the LORD Jesus while they work in ministry jobs are no more pleasing to God than those who do the same in their white color or blue color jobs.

It doesn’t matter if you are a housewife or househusband, if you are retired, in the military, at work in an office or cleaning service or behind the counter in a burger den. It only matters whom you are trying to please, whom you are honoring by your integrity and honesty. And by your “giving of thanks to God the Father.”

Monday morning, I opened my computer and saw an email with the title, “What to do when you don’t feel thankful.” What?

I headed straight to my Bible Study program and looked up “feel thankful” in my concordance. I checked the NIV, the KJV, the NKJV, the ASV and the Living Bible. I didn’t find even one reference to “feel thankful.”

I did, however, find references to “be thankful,” such as this one. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” [Col 3:15]

God has called us to “be thankful,” no matter what our feelings are. Our modern society rests and moves on its feelings. It has replaced critical thinking with emotions. It can’t seem to think beyond whatever emotion is driving it in the moment, anger, rage, offense, hatred, lust. Whatever it feels, it seeks to satisfy.

God cares about our emotions; I know He does. He is a good, good Father, but He wants them in the right place. They are not to lead us or drive us, they are to follow our faith, our renewed mind, our eternal encouragement, our good hope, our assurance of grace, mercy, and love.

Paul simply tells us to let Christ’s peace rule our hearts and to be thankful. Be thankful. That’s a sweet command that turns our attention from the trials and sorrows of this life. It reminds us of the blessings that are ours even in the deepest darkness. Be thankful. God has given us His love, His grace, His strength, His mercy. He has shown us His goodness and faithfulness. He asks us in return to … Be thankful.

I don’t know what might be troubling you today. I don’t know if the “after Thanksgiving” blues have set in or if perhaps yesterday wasn’t what you hoped it would be. Still, we are commanded to not allow troubles, blues or disappointments to rule … instead today remember to … Be thankful. Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a wonderful holiday. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It was the one where our entire family used to gather, sometimes with friends and acquaintances coming to our house also. I would do much of the cooking, starting several days in advance. Some of us would form teams and play Trivial Pursuit after dinner, while others would watch football. It was loud and fun, and I would be happily exhausted for days following.

This year is different. All of our children are gathering in California, so Bob and I are celebrating quietly, watching a little football. If it snows, as some are forecasting, I have a small ham and will cook an easy meal. If it doesn’t, we’ll head off to McGrath’s for their Thanksgiving meal. Either way will be fine. Our LORD is with us.

Today, whether surrounded with people or in a quiet setting, is a good day to praise the LORD. I love the words of Psalm 150.

Praise the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heavens.

Praise him for his acts of power;

praise him for his surpassing greatness.

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

praise him with the harp and lyre,

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

praise him with the strings and flute,

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD.