The JOY of Christmas . . . then and now ~ Day 3

Pray | Shepherd, Ruler, King, Redeemer, may I have eyes to see and ears to hear the good news of your birth and worship you with joy with as much, or as little, as I have.

BORN A KING
Jesus has been born. Magi show up in Jerusalem asking not about the one born who will be king of the Jews, but the one born king of the Jews. These gentile men from the East, most likely wealthy, educated astrologers were excited and joyful enough to make a make this journey for they knew something spectacular had happened.

Read | Matthew 2:1-11

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

Reflect |  Spend some time reflecting on the following: 
Herod, and all of Jerusalem, were disturbed by the news the Magi brought; if the king of the Jews had been born, then what was on the horizon was disruption. The chief priests and teachers of the law should have recognized this prophecy unfolding and been filled with joy, not trouble. Yet even now, we are much the same, some will hear about Jesus and feel disturbed, bothered, troubled. And some, like the Magi, will be drawn to, and go searching for the one who draws the nations to himself. Where does your heart stir when it comes to hearing of Jesus?

We read that the wise men were overjoyed when they saw the star. And upon seeing the Christ child, they bowed down, worshipped, and presented their gifts. Oh that we would be like them, filled with joy, getting up and giving time to seek the Messiah.

In this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, in all the busyness swirling around us, let’s take some moments to feel the joy of this birth, consider what treasures and gifts we will offer him, and pause quietly and in reverence, bowing down, and worshiping our King.

The JOY of Christmas . . . then and now ~ Day 2

Pray | God, my Savior, may my spirit rejoice in who you are, in your mercy, promises, and faithfulness.

A SCANDAL OR A PROMISE FULFILLED?
Mary, betrothed but not yet married, becomes pregnant, offering the appearance of quite the scandal. Her story is that an angel visited her and called her favored, telling her she would conceive and give birth to the Son of the Most High, who would have a kingdom that would never end. I’m sure there were days when even she questioned what was happening to her. A visit to her relative Elizabeth offers assurance that what the angel said, and what she submitted to, is indeed unfolding. 

Read | Luke 1:41-56
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

And Mary said:

“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.”

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Reflect |  Spend some time reflecting on the following: 
Despite what must have been a difficult time for Mary, she erupts with joy at the knowledge that the Lord is mindful of her and has done great things for her. Acknowledging his mercy and fulfilled promises, her soul rejoices in the Lord. Mary’s song of praise is a model for us even today. It displays that even when walking in difficult circumstances, there is still a place for joy, for God is mindful, present, merciful, and faithful. Christ is on the throne and his kingdom has no end, and if nothing else, we can rejoice in that!

Spend a few quiet moments reflecting on what great things the Mighty One has done for you this year, and let your soul glorify the Lord.

The JOY of Christmas . . . then and now

Pray | Lord Most High, thank you for the gift of your Son, the submission of Mary, and the joy we experience in knowing you are God with us.

DO NOT BE AFRAID
In Luke 1:30-33, Mary was visited by an angel and told, “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” The angel also told Mary that her relative Elizabeth, though old in age and unable to conceive, was pregnant. Confused and likely afraid for countless reasons (despite the angel’s words to not be afraid), she availed herself to the Lord and then hurried to see Elizabeth.

Read |Luke 1:39-45
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Reflect |  Spend some time reflecting on the following: 

Can you just imagine the JOY in this house? A baby in the womb leaps for joy upon hearing the mother of Jesus enter the house ~ a cousin, the Messiah, is recognized even before birth. Elizabeth is able to share the joy of pregnancy with her relative, and Mary hears words from Elizabeth that only the Lord could have given her! How relieved and joyful Mary must have felt not only having someone not question this pregnancy with doubt, but to loudly exclaim belief and blessing over her. This shared bond in the Lord must have brought joy, peace and unity to these women as they spent this time together.

This Christmas Eve let us each consider the joy we experience in faith shared with others, may we speak blessing over those with which we visit, and reflect and rejoice in the divine purposes set before us.

What Does This Mean?

Pray | Father, draw me near to the empty tomb that I might become full. Amen.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

There was a time in my journey when chocolate bunnies and new dresses loomed a little too large for me on Easter morning. Glad to hear of the empty tomb, though not grasping the gratitude and joy that could have gripped my soul and song. I showed up to Easter a little shallow in my faith (a truth, not a judgment), and upon reflection, a little confused on what it all meant. But maybe I was just a little like the women at the empty tomb and the disciples in the upper room, not grasping the reality of what was unfolding.

Read |Luke 24-1-9, 36-39

Luke 24-1-9
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly, two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

Luke 24:36-39
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.  He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Reflection |

Startled, troubled and frightened are not likely the words that come to mind when we think about Easter. But if “He is not here, He is risen!” is true, then this changes everything!

If you find your own faith journey sometimes confusing, troubled, or even a little shallow, be as gentle with yourself as the one who beckons you to come and see that He is not in the tomb. In him there is no condemnation, but a calling to come and see what the Lord has done, to feel his touch and know he is near. He is risen, indeed!

Where are you in your faith journey this week? What does the empty tomb mean to you personally?

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church

Misguided Anticipation

Pray | 
Father, may I learn to submit my hopes, yearnings, and prayers over and over for your will, not mine. Amen

Jesus entered Jerusalem when huge crowds were in the city for Passover. After experiencing Jesus and hearing of his teachings, healings, and miracles, the crowd went wild upon his entry. Many recognized and celebrated the fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” But to fully understand what Jesus’ entry meant was not something they could comprehend. The Israelites had been long-suffering, waiting, hoping for injustices to end, and it was looking like the time had finally come for a new ruler. Coats and palm branches flooded the path as joyful shouts of “Hosanna!” filled the air.  

Read |Matthew 21:6-11

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” The crowds answered,

“This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Reflection | 

It’s easy to be a little judgmental of this fickle crowd, celebrating Jesus and whooping it up one moment, but within days dispersing and calling for his crucifixion. This was a hopeful people, enthusiastic as they anticipated so many wrongs to be made right. They believed liberation and freedom were about to be upon them, and they were expecting things to unfold in ways they could understand only from their worldly perspective.

As much as we might believe we are different from these people, I’m not so sure we are. We may see or experience Jesus work in some way and we get excited. We might be hopeful as we whisper, “Hallelujah, something is going to happen now!” And then, it seems it doesn’t. Our expected and hoped-for outcome isn’t fulfilled (at least in our eyes). We might not be yelling, “Crucify him!” but we may turn away from Jesus, thinking our hope has been misplaced.

Is there an area you’ve been longing for Jesus to make right? Is it possible we might have misguided anticipations or understanding of what God is doing along our path, or the path of someone we love?

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church

Hey Jesus, I’m confused

Pray | God, it’s so easy for me to concentrate on my concerns. Help me to shift my thoughts and direct my prayers to your concerns, for they are higher and better. Amen.

CONFUSION
When Jesus was with his disciples, he shared so much with them – meals, celebrations, lessons, truths, and certainly concepts that seemed confusing: the last will be first and the first will be last, that he came to serve, not be served, where he was going, they could not follow, and on and on. These baffling conversations included Jesus telling his disciples, more than once, that he would be killed and then rise three days later. This was an outcome they couldn’t fathom or believe; it just didn’t make sense.

Read | Mark 8:31-33; 9:30-32
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Mark 9:30-32
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Reflect | Spend some time reflecting on the following:

“Get behind me Satan!” is a stunning statement. I would think none of us can imagine hearing those words from Jesus, and yet as we read the next words, we likely should be able to put ourselves in Peter’s place. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” How often do we put our human concerns in front of, or in place of, the concerns of God? Our world view, as well as the desires of our heart, have the power to stunt our understanding of what God may be doing. I, possibly like you, want my friend to be cancer free, I want struggling to cease for those I love, I want the many wars to end, injustices made right. I want, I want, I want. But what is the concern of God? Or, what might he be doing that I just don’t understand? I appreciate Mark 9:32 “But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.”

How often are we afraid to get quiet and ask God about the very thing that baffles us? Is there something you are afraid to ask him about?  

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church  


Rams and Oil or Mercy?

Pray | Lord, where I am critical or maybe standing back from you, may I know you are merciful and kind and come closer in response. 

The Pharisees were out to discredit Jesus, and their work to test and trap him seemed endless. In their eyes, everything came down to the law. Jesus responds by acknowledging and respecting the law but replaces malice with mercy. Jesus doesn’t just see the law; he sees the people. 

Read | Matthew 12:10-14; Micah 6:6-8
Matthew 12:10-14

Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.

Micah 6:6-8
With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Reflection |

Hey Jesus, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? Should this adulterous woman be stoned? Your disciples unlawfully picked that grain on the Sabbath! You healed a crippled man on the Sabbath?! These are just some of the questions and accusations thrown at Jesus. The response to his compassion was constant criticism and eventually death. The Pharisees didn’t care about hunger, shriveled hands, invalids, and the like. They focused on rules and violations, thus missing miracles and restoration.

Though God gave the Law, he consistently also spoke of mercy. In fact, he delights in showing mercy (Micah 7:18). Through Jesus, God continued to show kindness and compassion, rendered aid and healing, and offered forgiveness and our own salvation. Ultimately, he closes the gap between the law and our sin.

We can bring our rams, oils, calves, tithes, offerings, volunteering and more yet still miss the mark of what God desires from us. Our questions might be: How do we respond to Jesus? Do we isolate and pick apart what we don’t like about him, or do we take in the whole of who he is, trusting him and coming near to him? Are we ever as blind as the Pharisees, sometimes missing miracles and restorations?

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church

Is this really about the Sabbath?

Pray |Lord, as I read your word, help me to really know it so that I can walk it out as I interact with others.

In the story of the disciples picking wheat on the Sabbath, at first glance it might seem the tension is about keeping the Sabbath; but maybe it’s not. Sometimes real issues are clouded beneath frustrations felt and words said. There are times we just don’t say what we really mean.

Read |Matthew 12:1-8

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.  Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Reflection 

When Jesus responds to the Pharisees, you can kind of feel the tension in his response. Haven’t you read? Aren’t you aware that David ate the consecrated bread? Haven’t you read about the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple? And you know these words: “I desire mercy not sacrifice.” Jesus knows his audience. He knows the Pharisees know what David did. They know that priests have work to do even on the Sabbath, and he knows they have ignored God’s word on desiring mercy, not sacrifice.

Maybe the Pharisees had been so long in looking for violations of the law that the intent of the law was no longer within sight. Perhaps this response to Jesus was less about the Sabbath and more about them looking to bring him down and take him out – his upside down kingdom was certainly messing with the established rank and order of the day.

One of our takeaways from these verses might be to examine our hearts and check our vision. When something inside wants to sling words, accusations, or our own (perceived) righteousness, could we instead take a breath, inhale grace, and offer mercy? The reality is, sometimes that’s difficult. But we are not alone in this journey, Jesus is with us walking through the office and sitting at family tables. He’s in our hearts as we peruse and comment on all manner of things we see and hear on that world wide web. If we pause, we might just hear him ask, “Hey, child of mine, haven’t you read. . . ?”

Does our response to Jesus impact our response to others?

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church

So many rules . . .

Pray | Father, help me to know your law, understand the intent, and respond well.

As we consider the verses below, we see the disciples picking wheat on the Sabbath because they’re hungry. The Pharisees see this and pounce, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath!” It’s almost as if they’re following Jesus around just to watch, judge, and challenge him.

The Pharisees were highly concerned about following the law – right down to the letter – as well as every other letter they had added. For perspective, the fourth commandment, Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy, had been given 39 types of prohibited work, creating more laws around the law. These were called fence laws. In fact, 1,500 of these laws were created around the Ten Commandments (maybe originally out of concern for the people), attempting to create a wide berth around sin.

Read |Matthew 12:1-8

At that time, Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began picking some grain heads and eating them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.  For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Reflection | 

In response to the law, extra laws and heavy burdens had been put on the people. Then along came Jesus, who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus cares deeply about people, which doesn’t mean he dismisses the law, though he does lean into the intent of the law.

It seems that somewhere along the line, the original concern for people to follow the law got complicated and out of focus. Rules, regulations, expectations, and judgment reigned; maybe pride came near, and mercy was squeezed out. However it happened, people of faith started hurting people of faith. Unfortunately, we still do that today.

The challenge for us is to question ourselves: Are we watching for and pointing out what other Christians say and do that we interpret as wrong? Do we approach (or post) from places of pride and pouncing, or do we draw near with mercy and grace? As we walk out this life alongside others, do we truly desire mercy over sacrifice?

Today’s devotion was written for and originally published in DailyLife Devotionals for Five Oaks Church

Hello NEW YEAR – Day 3

Pray | 

Lord, you know the number of hairs on my head, have seen my days, and have made a way for me. May I truly trust you this year.  

If you have left the previous year with joy in your heart and contentment in your soul, then rejoice and be glad in that! Or maybe you find yourself walking a new path this year that’s difficult, lonely, has traces of regret, or looks uncertain; maybe joy just isn’t coming easily. In our jobs, churches, and daily living we are shoulder to shoulder with ones who are in really good places as well as ones who carry heavy weights and shed quiet tears. If the latter is you, take heart because splashed all over the Bible are good and true words that call us to lift up our face.
Read |

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the dry land.

Lamentations 3: 22-24
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Revelation 21:5
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

We have a tendency to ruminate on regret, anger and frustration, and no one’s better at beating ourselves up over the former things than our own selves. But God tells us not to dwell on the past, his word says to put our eyes forward to look for the new thing he is doing. If we’re lost in a wilderness or walking in a dry land, God says he’s making a way and creating streams. Do we perceive it? And God loves us so much, has such compassion that even when it feels like we are, we cannot be consumed by grief, anger, heartache, disappointment, or fill in the blank. In addition to all of that, believe it or not, his compassions never fail, his mercies are new, waiting each and every morning; we can hang on, he is indeed faithful to make everything new.

Consider pausing to assess how you’re really doing before pushing through this first month of the year. What do you believe you need from God and others to move through these days?