Devotions

Tomorrow is a new year; in a way it is a new beginning. But I thought it would be great to end this year with this verse from Galatians 4:7: “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

Therefore. The reason the therefore is there for is to remind us that this is the outcome of what preceded it. Because God brought forth His Son in the fullness of time, because God brought forth His Son so that we might be redeemed and receive the adoption as sons and daughters, because God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts so that we might share the same intimacy Jesus had and call God our Father, we are now no longer a slave but a son, and in addition an heir of God through Christ.

No longer are we a slave bound to sin, serving the god of this world, frightened by death and the grave, outcast, shunned, unclean, full of evil thoughts and desires. Now we are a son and have been qualified to “share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”  [Col 1:12 NIV]

Too often as we approach a new year, we look back on the old one thinking only about the things we want to do differently. We want to eat better, lose weight, make better choices, save money, spend less, be more thankful, find a new job, etc.

This year however, I want to approach this New Year knowing that I certainly did something right so many years ago when I came to Christ. I want to remember that I am “no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

“Wonder of Wonders!”  See you in the New Year!

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” [Galatians 4:6 NKJV]

 Because we are sons (and daughters). I love the present tense, especially in Scripture. We are already sons and daughters of God. We are not waiting until we get there to become sons and daughters. Our adoption is a done deal.

Isn’t it interesting that in the Old Testament God is not addressed as Father? He is referred to as THE Father, but the intimacy of addressing Him as Father is absent. Not until the New Testament when Jesus arrives on the scene do we hear God addressed as Father, and not just Father, but OUR Father.

God, as part of the redemption brought to us by Christ, has now placed the Spirit of His Son in our hearts so that we can share the same intimacy that Jesus had. We can boldly approach God as our Father and not fear that we will be spurned or ignored.

We need to remember that this intimacy comes to us when the Spirit of His Son is in our hearts. It is not an intimacy shared with those who have rejected God’s plan of salvation. They may think of God as a Father, such as the Father of Creation, but without the Spirit of His Son, which comes to us through redemption, they cannot understand the intimacy found in those two little words … OUR FATHER.

“Wonder of Wonders!” 

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” [Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV]

God had a plan for Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child. When the fullness of time arrived for Jesus to be born, God’s plan was working right on time. God’s plan for us, unveiled in that Child was also right on time. That plan was redemption, so that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Adoption is a wonderful word to me. Bob and I have grandchildren that carry none of our genes but all of our hearts.

Little Carter (our first) miraculously appeared, 9-months old, big blue eyes, blond and beautiful. He became my ‘bud’ and was my only grandchild until Marcus arrived eight years later, and Travis six years after that. Recently, we added four more grandchildren and one great grandchild. The love I have is the exact same love for all of them. Each one is a delight in their own way, each one fills my heart with joy.

When we came to Christ in our helpless state, He redeemed us by His sinless life, His death on a cross, and His Resurrection and Victory over sin and death. That redemption allowed us to be adopted into the family of God, to be called children of God, sons and daughters of the King.

God’s plan for each of us might be different here on this earth, in the here and now. It might take us to different places, involve different ministries and life experiences, but the one thing that is sure in God’s plan is our adoption. The love that He has is the exact same love for His adopted sons and daughters as it is for His Only-Begotten Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord.

“Wonder of Wonders!”  What a thought to focus on as this year 2024 winds down!

I remember a time when Bob and I drove to California to spend Christmas with our son’s family. We were hoping for non-eventful-weather driving, checking the Weather Channel for what we thought was the best day for winter traveling.

Hopes for uneventful travel were dashed about 25 miles from home when we encountered snow, which at times became sleet. Roads were slick. Turning south at Jordan Valley, snow got heavier. At Winnemucca we had heavy rain. Over Donner Pass we added fog to the heavy rain, and one lovely microburst which pelted us with rocks. Finally, around Sacramento, the sun came out with 55-degree temperatures.  We laughed and noticed that we hit everything but hail. Shouldn’t laugh at Mother Nature. We had hail and fierce winds on Christmas Eve in Modesto. All in all, a typical winter trip of 635 miles and about 12-hours. At least it was in a warm comfortable car.

It is about 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, that’s how far Joseph and Mary traveled … with Mary 9-months pregnant.  I wonder what the weather was like then. I wonder how many days it took and if there were places to rest along the way. I wonder if they understood that the Child she carried had to be born in Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecies. I wonder if they truly understood God’s plan or if they were simply obeying the king’s decree to be registered for military and tax purposes.

“When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” [Gal 4:4 NKJV]

That first Christmas “the fullness of time had come.”  God was appearing in human flesh, in Bethlehem, in humility. God had a plan, and the time had come for God’s plan to be unveiled.

God has a plan for each of us. We don’t always see the pieces and parts as they fall into place, any more than probably Joseph and Mary understood all the reasons behind this arduous trip at this time, a trip that ended in a most humble place, a gathering place for animals.

God, in flesh appearing. “Wonder of Wonders!” 

There have been many times over the Christmas Season that things did not go as planned. One year we wanted to gather with our daughter and son-in-love at their annual Christmas Eve celebration, but a storm was raging and we were not able to get there. Another time our son and his family were unable to travel from California because Donner Pass was closed.

Sometimes disappointment is as common over a holiday as celebration is.

But one thing about Christmas that never changes is the reason for the celebration. It is the night LOVE was truly born among mankind. Listen to the song “Love Was Born” by Songwriters: Bernie Herms, Stephanie Lewis, Mark Schultz.

“Starlight shines, the night is still / Shepherds watch from a hill / I close my eyes, see the night / When Love was born.

“A perfect Child gently waits / A mother bends to kiss God’s face / I close my eyes, see the night / When Love was born.

“Angels fill the midnight sky / And they sing /Hallelujah, He is Christ Our King

“Emmanuel, Prince of peace / Love come down for you and me /Heavens’ gift, the Holy spark To let the way inside our hearts

“Bethlehem, through your small door / Came the hope we’ve waited for / The world was changed forevermore / When Love was born

“I close my eyes, see the night / When Love was born.”

Wonder of Wonders

Christmas Day is behind us now. The constant Christmas music on the radio is done for the year and we are back to regular programming. I think I must have heard the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” at least 100 times over the last weeks. Every time I hear that song two thoughts stand out.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas / Let your heart be light / From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas / Make the Yuletide gay / From now on, our troubles will be miles away

Can you guess which two thoughts?  “From now on, our troubles will be out of sight” and “From now on, our troubles will be miles away” are the two.

Really? I don’t know about you, but I woke up this morning after Christmas Day with pretty much the same troubles I went to bed with last night. They are not out of sight nor miles away! Christmas Day changed not a one.

AND YET, Christmas changed everything. God provided a simple solution for my greatest trouble of all – my relationship with Him. In the giving of the Son, God provided salvation and peace with Him. Now I know that whatever troubles I have, they are temporary, and that He will shoulder the burden of them (if I let Him). So maybe the songwriters are right after all … our troubles are out of sight and miles away.

“The angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.’” [Luke 2:10-11 NLT]

Wonder of wonders!

Just a simple “Merry Christmas” from my house to yours. May your day be filled with joy and may you know the Presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST in everything you do today.

Lots of Love and Hugs from me and Bob. God’s Blessings!

 “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6 NLT]

Wonder of Wonders!

When our family was young, Christmas Eve was always when we gathered with others in our home. It was our big meal, our time to party. Christmas Day was opening gifts, a special breakfast, and then snacking on leftovers for the rest of the day.

I remember reading a quote from Carol Nelson, “Christmas is a time when you get homesick-even when you are home.”

I guess I am homesick this morning. This Christmas Eve will begin with a trip over to the hospital infusion center for an infusion I get every four weeks. Tonight, our daughter and son-in-love are graciously bringing in dinner. It will be a time of joy, just a different time of joy.

As we have aged and our children have grown and have families of their own, Christmas has gotten quieter. Perhaps there is one last Christmas carol? One more in tune with the nostalgia I am feeling.

“Silent night, holy night / All is calm, all is bright / ‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child / Holy Infant so tender and mild / Sleep in heavenly peace / Sleep in heavenly peace.

“Silent night, holy night / Shepherds quake at the sight / Glories stream from heaven afar / Heavenly hosts sing, ‘Alleluia’ / Christ the Savior is born / Christ the Savior is born.

“Silent night, holy night / Son of God, love’s pure light / Radiant beams from Thy holy face / With the dawn of redeeming grace / Jesus, Lord at Thy birth / Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.”

Truly, Wonders of Wonders!

As we are ending this Christmas Journey 2024, I am so enthralled once again by God’s grace. I am captivated by God’s willingness – even what we might regard as eagerness to shed His love and grace upon an undeserving creation. His grace changes everything!

We are reminded each Christmas Season that God the Word became flesh and came to earth as a baby completely dependent upon a young Jewish maiden and her carpenter husband. John, in his opening chapter, presents a divine genealogy.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” [John 1:1, HCSB]

John reminds us that Christ Jesus, the Word, took up residence in our human flesh. John saw His glory, he witnessed His miracles, he heard His words.  “The Word became flesh and took up residence among us. We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [John 1:14 HCSB]

The part of verse 14 that always makes me catch my breath is that last phrase, however. This Jesus was “full of grace and truth.”

Full. It means abounding in, complete, completely occupied with. It is the Greek Word pleres, from which we get our English word plethora.

Jesus did not just have a little grace and truth, or even a moderate amount of grace and truth. Grace and truth were complete, abounding in Him. When He walked among us, He displayed grace and truth to all. Whether they accepted what He brought was their choice, but if they walked away from Him without, it was not because there was a lack in Him.

As we embrace Him and strive to be Christ-like, His grace and truth takes up residence in us. Wonder of Wonders!

When Paul wrote his two letters to Timothy, he reminded him of various truths he wanted Timothy to remember. He would begin with, “This is a trustworthy saying.”

 “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…’” [1 Timothy 1:15]

We are to remember that Christmas is all about Christ Jesus who came into this world for a specific purpose. We are to remember that He came to save sinners.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [Mark 10:45]

It is easy to forget the deep message of Christmas. The world wants to keep us on a superficial level. It wants us to think about gifts and elves on the shelves and Christmas movies and food and Santa Claus. The world wants us to focus on temporary things that will pass away.

The enemy of our soul has his own goal also. He wants us stressed, weakened, hopeless, lonely, and unsatisfied. He wants us dismayed.

It is only when we remember that the reason for the season is the birth of our Savior that we overcome the intentions of the world and the devil.

Wonder of Wonders!