Humble firsts

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The whole story about the shepherds being the first to hear God’s good news takes much of the first 20 verses in chapter 2 of Luke’s gospel. Why did God choose shepherds? I wonder if, around their campfires that night they had been discussing the Messiah, did God see a longing in their hearts? Whatever the reason I am grateful Luke included them in the Christmas story.

Paul answers this puzzle in 1 Corinthians:

“God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In this day when the making of money and security of its flow is paramount our Heavenly Father sent His angles to announce the most important news ever given to Israel:

“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Not only had Jesus come, He had come in a lowly way, He was born in a stable and laid to rest in a manger. 

Jesus said of Himself:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. ‘

‭‭Luke‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When Jesus returns to rule and reign on earth, He will not come as a lowly rabbi, but as a king. He will rule and reign as the Jewish people have been expecting. The problem they currently have is recognising that He did indeed come to make a way for all mankind to be connected to the Father without guilt and shame. His death and resurrection were the forerunners. We can now come to the Father because of Jesus.

As this week leads up to Christmas Day, I am grateful! So grateful! He has made all things new and restored fellowship where it had been broken. Amen!

The kingdom

“The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.”Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These words were written by Solomon the wisest man to have ever lived, and a royal king. Perhaps he was reminding himself of the correct behaviour, perhaps he was writing this for his sons who would follow. They, unfortunately, did not follow in wisdom. Solomon’s latter life was away from the Lord, his sons probably followed that path.

Nonetheless, these worlds were written under divine unction. They are worth hearing and taking to heart by all. Fathers need to hear them, as do mothers. Christians need to hear them as they are called to rule and reign with Jesus. We are told:

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We are also told:

“For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If we have the mind of Christ, and if we are seated with Him in heavenly places, then we have access to divine wisdom when dealing with fellow human beings, we only need to ask.

As we approach. Christmas, may we have His mindset and approach it with His heart and wisdom. Amen!

Words

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 

The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give. 

The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.”Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬, ‭7‬, ‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How we use words is important. It is wrong to wait until you are so angry to confront, because then you spew out poison. It is better to be guided by godliness than anger and vindictiveness.

When do you know the time is up to end friendships? When grace for wrong behaviour is never enough. When the aggressor is intent on destruction of you and your world at the expense of a bitter heart which refuses to give up hatred and offense.

Empathy can stretch only so far, but taking the blame for wrong behaviour in others is submission to the darkness they carry. An unwillingness in a person to confront darkness within is destructive to them as well as you.

A smile and protestations of love covering bitterness soon become evident as a false statement. Falseness needs to be uncovered. The challenge is not to allow anger in the confrontation. Confrontation in God’s time and God’s way may bring peace. Look for peace, not at the expense of compromise but a clean house (heart).

Christmas can be a horrible time if dwelling with people who are bitter. Proverbs says: it is better to live on a rooftop than is a house with a bitter, faultfinding woman. (Or 21:9)

Confrontation, done for the sake of godliness and peace makes for a better experience. Praying into the confrontation so that the Lord speaks not the flesh is right, and the only way. Amen!

Defeat fear

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 This scripture is part of a message Joseph received after finding his betrothed pregnant. Joseph did not accept that Mary was pregnant by the HolySpirit, however the angel spoke to Joseph in a dream to accept the word as truth and keep to the plans to marry Mary. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joseph would have been caught with fear, hurt and disbelief, however, he believed the message and became the father of Jesus.

Only Jesus saves us from our sins, and empowers us to defeat fear. When we have to act in the face of fear we can trust our Lord to empower us. Amen!

Victory

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Today is the last day of my Nepali language exams. It has been an interesting week. I have had to battle overwhelming fear and sleeplessness with worship, reciting scripture and praise. I have found a new depth of overcoming, a deeper appreciation for my God who goes before me.

I’ve had conflict in the house and high blood pressure that refused to bow, but God overcame all my enemies. I refused to entertain the thoughts of retribution and God did an amazing work. A miracle happened before my eyes. I am speaking down my blood pressure and prophesying that after today it will be well, and it will.

Tonight I celebrate with good friends coming to dinner. I love to see people set free from entangling thoughts that the enemy plagues them with. Jesus defeated death and the grave, He stripped Satan of his keys. Yes! Victory in Christ alone! Amen!

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=l3-XroRBMrE&si=7oV7KNUs-0AodsoQ

Mercy

“But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you received mercy! I have! My God showered me with His mercy when He brought me to Himself and poured His love all over me.

Have you given mercy? Mercy is given when someone who deserves our wrath receives grace instead. You probably have someone right now who is causing you angst, a family member, a friend, a neighbour? What will mercy given to them look like?

Jesus did not treat me with the justice I deserved for my sins, He forgave me and gave me His mercy.

In Australia there is a couple who lost three of their children to a drunken, unlicensed driver. They were in the news. People could not believe such grace. This couple are Christians. The pain they must have endured would have been phenomenal. They not only forgave the offender they went on to have more children.

Who is God asking you to forgive today? Who can you show mercy to?

Jesus please help me, fill me with Your grace and mercy, and flow out through me to that broken person today!  Amen!

Trials

“These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am in a trial right now. I am attempting to sit a series of four exams and fear and anxiety are plaguing me. They will not win as my God is greater!

I look to Saturday when all this stress will be done for 6 weeks, praise God! Meantimes, I am spending a lot of time in worship and prayer. My enemies have to sit and watch as I worship my God for His victory! Amen!

Although I may be suffering, I rejoice that my son and grandson are winning souls to Jesus. Their evangelism is in full swing. What good news they bring me as a daily feast! God is good! Amen!