The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)
I have to confess, I've never really thought of that as an "Advent scripture" before. Not till I read the article in the Ann Arbor News the other day. The story, as best as I can remember it, goes like this:
A little girl has a birthday. She sends out invitations so her friends. However, she has a request. She would like them to bring presents that are unwrapped.
The reason: the presents are not for her!!
She plans to give the presents away to a Toys for Tots program in town. She ends up receiving 30+ presents, worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $400+. The reporter asks her what she thought about the presents. She responds, "There were a couple of really good ones I'd like to have kept for myself. But I know others needed it more."
I appreciated the honesty.
And I couldn't help but think this little girl was fulfilling Matthew 25:40, whether she realized it or not. She did it for "one of the least of these" who needed a little thoughtfulness and generosity.
And if it is true that we have done those acts, not only for others, but, ultimately, for Jesus, then isn't it safe to say that he comes to us in those acts of compassion? He arrives as we are being Jesus to others?
And what is Advent? Simply anticipating God's arrival.
May you and I find ways to usher in God's arrival into our lives and the lives of those around us.
Grace & Peace
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Advent: But Are You Ready?
Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time." (Luke 1:18-20 NIV)
Zechariah, the priest, has been praying, (apparently for a child [see v13]). God's messenger comes to personally deliver the message that they will have a child.
And now the priest does not believe.
This challenges me to be ready for God to answer what I have requested.
Have I asked for God to make me more like Him, only to find the process is painful?
Have I asked God for patience, only to find it requires me to be patient?
Have I asked for God to make me more loving, but chaffed at the thought of having to love and forgive those who have offended me?
Have I testified that I want to be more like Jesus, only to discover being like Jesus can be hard work?
I can really empathize with this poor man. How 'bout you?
Grace & peace
Zechariah, the priest, has been praying, (apparently for a child [see v13]). God's messenger comes to personally deliver the message that they will have a child.
And now the priest does not believe.
This challenges me to be ready for God to answer what I have requested.
Have I asked for God to make me more like Him, only to find the process is painful?
Have I asked God for patience, only to find it requires me to be patient?
Have I asked for God to make me more loving, but chaffed at the thought of having to love and forgive those who have offended me?
Have I testified that I want to be more like Jesus, only to discover being like Jesus can be hard work?
I can really empathize with this poor man. How 'bout you?
Grace & peace
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Advent: Blessing for Children & Grandchildren &...?
And he will go on before the Lord,
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous -
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 NIV)
This is the word about John the Baptist, prior to his birth. The angel speaks these words to John's father, Zechariah.
This must have been an amazing experience for Zechariah (who was a priest), for at least three reasons:
1. An angel shows up and gives you a message. Not an everday-sort-of-event, right?
("your prayer has been heard" he says to the elderly priest.)
2. A great future promised for your child.
("he will be a delight and joy to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth". What parent or grandparent wouldn't want to hear that about their offspring? Have you asked God if He would be willing to use your children in this way?)
3. And this one is kind of important...John had not been BORN YET!
Zechariah and his wife were well along in years, similar to Abraham and Sara. They had NO kids. We'll talk more about this one later.
But think about #2 for a minute.
What does God want to say about your child or children? For those of you who are parents or grandparents, you may know the child it is that is on your mind. What great promises and blessed futures does the Heavenly Father have in store for them?
May we take time to ask, seek, and knock on their behalf.
But for those of you who don't have children or grandchildren...
...this may seem to be a devotional that has NOTHING to do with you. Not so fast, my friend.
Zechariah thought the same thing. And God had something else in store.
Maybe it is a niece or nephew. Maybe it is a child at church who needs an adult to really show an interest in them. Maybe it is a neighbor who could use a "prayer warrior" interceding on their behalf.
May you ask, seek, and knock to find out how it is God wants to bless you and who it is God wants to bless through you.
Grace & peace
in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children
and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous -
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (Luke 1:17 NIV)
This is the word about John the Baptist, prior to his birth. The angel speaks these words to John's father, Zechariah.
This must have been an amazing experience for Zechariah (who was a priest), for at least three reasons:
1. An angel shows up and gives you a message. Not an everday-sort-of-event, right?
("your prayer has been heard" he says to the elderly priest.)
2. A great future promised for your child.
("he will be a delight and joy to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth". What parent or grandparent wouldn't want to hear that about their offspring? Have you asked God if He would be willing to use your children in this way?)
3. And this one is kind of important...John had not been BORN YET!
Zechariah and his wife were well along in years, similar to Abraham and Sara. They had NO kids. We'll talk more about this one later.
But think about #2 for a minute.
What does God want to say about your child or children? For those of you who are parents or grandparents, you may know the child it is that is on your mind. What great promises and blessed futures does the Heavenly Father have in store for them?
May we take time to ask, seek, and knock on their behalf.
But for those of you who don't have children or grandchildren...
...this may seem to be a devotional that has NOTHING to do with you. Not so fast, my friend.
Zechariah thought the same thing. And God had something else in store.
Maybe it is a niece or nephew. Maybe it is a child at church who needs an adult to really show an interest in them. Maybe it is a neighbor who could use a "prayer warrior" interceding on their behalf.
May you ask, seek, and knock to find out how it is God wants to bless you and who it is God wants to bless through you.
Grace & peace
Monday, December 15, 2008
Advent Questions
ADVENT QUESTIONS
We have been talking about anticipating God's arrivals in our lives the last few weeks.
However, anticipatin does not mean a passive waiting, twiddling our thumbs.
Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew 7:7)
If you could ask God for any 1 thing, what would it be?
(Would it be to change others? Get things for ourself?)
What is it you seek this season?
(What does your answer to these first 2 questions say about you?)
What do you perceive to be behind the door on which you are knocking?
(Spiritual growth and depth? Physical healing? Financial help?)
What is the difference between asking and complaining?
How long might we need to seek in order to find?
May God grant us the perseverance, patience, and passion required to ask, seek and knock, and the discernment to do so wisely.
Grace & peace
We have been talking about anticipating God's arrivals in our lives the last few weeks.
However, anticipatin does not mean a passive waiting, twiddling our thumbs.
Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
(Matthew 7:7)
If you could ask God for any 1 thing, what would it be?
(Would it be to change others? Get things for ourself?)
What is it you seek this season?
(What does your answer to these first 2 questions say about you?)
What do you perceive to be behind the door on which you are knocking?
(Spiritual growth and depth? Physical healing? Financial help?)
What is the difference between asking and complaining?
How long might we need to seek in order to find?
May God grant us the perseverance, patience, and passion required to ask, seek and knock, and the discernment to do so wisely.
Grace & peace
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Not Right for Me
ightIt would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. (Acts 6:2 NIV)
The disciples were in the early days after Jesus' death and resurrection. They were sorting through what it meant to carry out the Great Commission. They were gathering a group of people who were becoming the Church. Some of those people were widows who needed food. Confusion and hurt feelings developed over who was receiving what they needed and who wasn't. It was a time of excitement and confusion.
In the midst of the chaos, the disciples made several decisions:
1.) The widows needed to be fed, it was an important job.
2.) The Gospel needed to be preached, it was an important job too.
3.) They couldn't do both important jobs.
I was recently reading someone who said something like this:
It wasn't right for the disciples to neglect preaching in order to feed the widows.
Others could have said the same thing in reverse. "It's not right for us to neglect the widows in order to preach."
Aren't you glad God's Kingdom has a place for both preaching and feeding?
I've spent my time today dealing with worship, scripture, and people who are hurting.
What task are you at today?
Do you think of it as holy?
If you do it "unto the Lord" then it becomes a part of God's work in our world, whether you are nursing, working at a computer, chopping wood, teaching, working on roads, cooking and cleaning, building a building, visiting the sick and needy, or studying for a test.
One task within the Kingdom may not be right for you today. But another one is.
Do what you are doing as best as you can, to the glory of God.
Think about it.
Grace & peace
The disciples were in the early days after Jesus' death and resurrection. They were sorting through what it meant to carry out the Great Commission. They were gathering a group of people who were becoming the Church. Some of those people were widows who needed food. Confusion and hurt feelings developed over who was receiving what they needed and who wasn't. It was a time of excitement and confusion.
In the midst of the chaos, the disciples made several decisions:
1.) The widows needed to be fed, it was an important job.
2.) The Gospel needed to be preached, it was an important job too.
3.) They couldn't do both important jobs.
I was recently reading someone who said something like this:
It wasn't right for the disciples to neglect preaching in order to feed the widows.
Others could have said the same thing in reverse. "It's not right for us to neglect the widows in order to preach."
Aren't you glad God's Kingdom has a place for both preaching and feeding?
I've spent my time today dealing with worship, scripture, and people who are hurting.
What task are you at today?
Do you think of it as holy?
If you do it "unto the Lord" then it becomes a part of God's work in our world, whether you are nursing, working at a computer, chopping wood, teaching, working on roads, cooking and cleaning, building a building, visiting the sick and needy, or studying for a test.
One task within the Kingdom may not be right for you today. But another one is.
Do what you are doing as best as you can, to the glory of God.
Think about it.
Grace & peace
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
10 Reasons to Come to the Christmas Musical
"The Christmas Shoes"
A Dramatic Musical for Christmas
Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 6PM
(Refreshments to follow the performance)
Chelsea Church of the Nazarene
12126 Jackson Rd.
Dexter, MI 48130
TEN REASONS TO COME THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
10. This will be a one-time only presentation. You snooze, you lose!
9. There will be refreshments after the performance!
8. A chance to see the Crowders argue...live...on stage!
7. Where else can you hear "Silent Night," "The Grinch," and "Christmas Shoes" in the same evening?
6. It costs less than going to a concert, a play, or a movie
You can bring everyone you know and it won't cost you a dime...(It's FREE!!)
5. It's a non-threatening way to invite your friends and family to hear The Christmas Story.
4. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you won't leave the same
3. Have you ever seen the Pastor REALLY MAD?? You won't want to miss that scene!
2. Cute kids, energetic teens, and talented adults!!
AND THE #1 REASON TO COME SATURDAY NIGHT...
The word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Grace & peace
A Dramatic Musical for Christmas
Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 6PM
(Refreshments to follow the performance)
Chelsea Church of the Nazarene
12126 Jackson Rd.
Dexter, MI 48130
TEN REASONS TO COME THIS SATURDAY NIGHT
10. This will be a one-time only presentation. You snooze, you lose!
9. There will be refreshments after the performance!
8. A chance to see the Crowders argue...live...on stage!
7. Where else can you hear "Silent Night," "The Grinch," and "Christmas Shoes" in the same evening?
6. It costs less than going to a concert, a play, or a movie
You can bring everyone you know and it won't cost you a dime...(It's FREE!!)
5. It's a non-threatening way to invite your friends and family to hear The Christmas Story.
4. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you won't leave the same
3. Have you ever seen the Pastor REALLY MAD?? You won't want to miss that scene!
2. Cute kids, energetic teens, and talented adults!!
AND THE #1 REASON TO COME SATURDAY NIGHT...
The word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Grace & peace
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
What Does God Want from Me?
With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
He has told you, o mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness
and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6,8 NRSV)
What does God want from you?
It is a question the prophet Micah asks.
Does God want ritual? "Shall I come with burnt offerings?"
Does God want extravagant productions of sacrifice? "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of oil?"
Does God want us to suffer? "Shall I give my firstborn?"
No. God wants us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him.
That's not an easy balance to strike, is it?
Some of us are good at calling for justice. Make it right. Make 'em pay. Wrongs must go away.
Some of us are good at mercy and kindness. You're forgiven. You are loved. No sin is too great to be overcome.
But how many of us can do both justice and mercy?
I am convinced humility is the key.
"Humility is a realistic way relating to self that counters...pride and shame." (Transforming Spirituality by Shults & Sandage)
Humility keeps me from thinking too highly of myself (pride).
But it also keeps me from beating myself up (shame).
Instead, humility is anchored in my relationship to a God, who created me, bought me again, and constantly resources me.
May God help us to strike the right balance as we give Him what He asks of us:
justice
mercy
humbly walking with Him
Grace & peace
and bow myself before God on high?
He has told you, o mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, to love kindness
and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6,8 NRSV)
What does God want from you?
It is a question the prophet Micah asks.
Does God want ritual? "Shall I come with burnt offerings?"
Does God want extravagant productions of sacrifice? "Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of oil?"
Does God want us to suffer? "Shall I give my firstborn?"
No. God wants us to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him.
That's not an easy balance to strike, is it?
Some of us are good at calling for justice. Make it right. Make 'em pay. Wrongs must go away.
Some of us are good at mercy and kindness. You're forgiven. You are loved. No sin is too great to be overcome.
But how many of us can do both justice and mercy?
I am convinced humility is the key.
"Humility is a realistic way relating to self that counters...pride and shame." (Transforming Spirituality by Shults & Sandage)
Humility keeps me from thinking too highly of myself (pride).
But it also keeps me from beating myself up (shame).
Instead, humility is anchored in my relationship to a God, who created me, bought me again, and constantly resources me.
May God help us to strike the right balance as we give Him what He asks of us:
justice
mercy
humbly walking with Him
Grace & peace
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