THE MYSTERY & THE MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born;
He is Christ the Lord.”
(Luke 2:10-11)

The mystery of Christmas is the incarnation of Jesus Christ – God became a man.  Max Lucado paints the picture well…

The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable.  He who was larger than the universe became an embryo.  And he who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young girl. 

He looks like anything but a king!  His face is prunish and red.  His cry, though strong and healthy, is still the helpless and piercing cry of a baby.  And he is absolutely dependent upon Mary for his well-being.

Majesty in the midst of the mundane.  Holiness in the filth of sheep manure and sweat.  Divinity entering the world on the floor of a stable, through the womb of a teenager and in the presence of a carpenter. 

This baby had overlooked the universe.  These rags keeping him warm were the robes of eternity.  His golden throne room had been abandoned in favor of a dirty sheep pen.  And worshiping angels had been replaced with kind but bewildered shepherds.

But the miracle of Christmas is the salvation of mankind – Jesus abandoned his throne in heaven for a lowly manger.  He was born in a manger to die on a cross.  And He died on a cross for our salvation.  As the angel said to the shepherds, “a Savior has been born.”  Jesus came to save mankind from their sin.  He came to restore man’s relationship with God.  He came to offer us the best Christmas gift of all; the gift of eternal life. 

I encourage you to take some time during your Christmas celebration this year to pause and behold the wonder of Christmas.  Take a few minutes to reflect on both the mystery and the miracle of Christmas.

 Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us the gift of your Son, Jesus!
Thank you for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
And thank you for the privilege of being one of your children.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

HOT OR COLD?

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot,
I wish you were either one of the other!
So because you are lukewarm – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
(Revelation 3:15-16)

On a hot summer day in Phoenix, sometimes all you want is a nice cold refreshing drink of water.  So you go over to the faucet and turn on the “cold” water.  What do you get?  Lukewarm water!  In Phoenix, there is no such thing as “cold” water out of the faucet.  You either get warm or hot.  So what do you do when you get a mouthful of warm water after expecting cold water.  You spit it out and walk over to the refrigerator for some ice to cool it off. 

On a cold day you may long for a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate.  How do you respond when all you get is lukewarm coffee or lukewarm chocolate?  Again, you want to spit it out and head over to the microwave to zap it for a few seconds.

That’s how Jesus feels about lukewarm Christians.  According to Revelation 3, lukewarm Christians are nauseating to the Lord, and He just wants to spit them out of his mouth.  God would rather that you were either cold or hot.

A cold person has no vital signs of spiritual life, no passion, no vitality, no spiritual interest at all.  But at least a cold individual doesn’t think they’re on track with God.

A hot person is “on fire” for the Lord.  They have a deep love for Jesus Christ, a burden for the lost, and a passion for the things of God. 

But a lukewarm person has let the fire fade.  They may think they’re on track, but three words best sum up the lukewarm Christian – compromise, comfortable, and complacent.

I’m afraid there are a lot of lukewarm Christians in America today. In fact, of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, the Laodicean church may be the one that sums up the American church best.  We have gotten very comfortable with our Christianity.  We have compromised with the world.  And we have become complacent about our faith and indifferent about reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.

Which are you?  Are you cold?  Are you lukewarm?  Or are you hot?  I trust & pray that you are “on fire” for Jesus Christ.

 Heavenly Father,
I don’t want to be a lukewarm Christian.
Forgive me for where I have become complacent in my faith.
Restore in me a passion for Jesus Christ
And give me a burden for the lost.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAD OR ALIVE?

“I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive,
but you are dead.  Wake up!”
(Revelation 3:1-2) 

What’s the difference between a dead person and a living person?  What’s the difference between a dying church and a living church?  And how do you distinguish between an individual who is spiritually dead and one who is spiritually alive?  Obviously, the difference in all three cases is life!  One has life flowing through his / her body; the other doesn’t.  But do they look much different?

In Revelation 3, Jesus draws a sharp contrast between two churches – the church in Sardis and the church in Philadelphia.  To the church in Sardis Jesus has no words of commendation; only condemnation.  But to the church in Philadelphia, just the opposite is true.  What’s the difference?  One is dead; the other is alive!  But what is most interesting is that by all outward appearances the two churches didn’t look much different.

The church is Sardis had a good reputation.  They were wealthy – they had nice facilities and probably even supplied their pastor with the latest model chariot every year.  They had top-notch programs – a flashy youth group and the best worship around.  In fact, they may have even hosted an annual “Sardis Church Growth Conference.” By all outward appearances you would have thought they were right on track.  But Jesus looked much deeper.  And when he did, he found a church that was dying.  They were going through all the motions, but there was no life!  Jesus could barely detect any spiritual vital signs.

When you go to a doctor he always checks your vital signs to determine if you’re healthy – your blood pressure, pulse, temperature, reflexes, etc.  Likewise, Doctor Jesus doesn’t just look at externals; he checks the spiritual vital signs of churches and individuals.  In a church, those spiritual vital signs would include our passion for God, our love for one another, and our passion for the lost.  In an individual, He would check much the same.

How are your spiritual vital signs?  How’s your spiritual blood pressure – do you have a passion for God?  How’s your spiritual pulse – do you truly love others as Jesus loved you?  How’s your spiritual temperature – do you have a passion for the lost?

Are you spiritually dead or alive?

 Heavenly Father,
I confess that sometimes I find myself going just through the motions.
I pray that You might restore my passion for Jesus.
Help me love others as You have loved me.
And give me a burden for the lost around me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

BEWARE OF TOLERANCE

“I have this against you:
You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.
By her teaching she misleads my servants…”
(Revelation 2:19)

We live in a world of political correctness.  And in the name of political correctness we are taught to be tolerant of everyone.  There’s one problem, though.  Our culture has redefined the word, tolerance.  In the past, Webster defined tolerance as “bearing with or putting up with someone or something not especially liked.”  And in that sense, the Bible encourages us to “bear with one another” in love.

But tolerance means something completely different today.  Most of the time you hear the tolerance doctrine taught in the world today, whether in schools or in the media, it means that we are to accept all values, beliefs, lifestyles and truth-claims as equal.  Spanish philosopher, Fernando Savitir put it this way, “Tolerance…means that all opinions are equal.  Each one has its point and there is no way to distinguish between them.”

Beware!  Jesus actually came down strongly on a church in Revelation for being “tolerant.”  They were tolerating a false-prophet in their midst who was teaching false truth-claims and leading people into immorality.  Jesus did not have very nice words to say about this false-prophet.  You can read it in Revelation 2:20-25.  Obviously Jesus was not worried about political correctness.  If He were here today in the flesh, He would be accused of intolerance. 

Here’s the catch:  when it comes to people, we are indeed to be loving and gracious toward others, bearing with things we don’t like.  But when it comes to truth and holiness, we dare not tolerate sin or compromise God’s holy standards.  God’s Word is our standard.  It is absolute truth!

Loving? – ALWAYS!   Tolerant of sin and unbiblical values? – NO!  It’s time for Christians today to stand up for truth and righteousness in America!

Heavenly Father,
You are absolute truth!  Your Word is true!
Thank-you for revealing Yourself and Your will to us.
Give me the courage to stand up for truth and righteousness.
At the same time, may I also reflect Your love and grace!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

GIVE THANKS

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.”
(Psalm 100:4) 

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday:  food, family, and football.  But it’s more than that.  Thanksgiving is a time to praise the Lord for his many blessings in our lives.  Yes, even in the midst of economic woes, there is still plenty to be thankful for.  God is good.  And even through the tough stuff of life, he brings good to His children.  So take some time this week, especially on Thanksgiving Day, to thank God for what He’s doing in your life.

If you’re wondering where to start, here are a few things I’m thankful for.  I’ll even try to stick with the letter “f” to go along with food, family, and football… 

• forgiveness – my salvation in Christ
• family – my wife, children, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and extended family
• fellowship – my church family
• friends – too many to name them all
• freedom – America
• fun & frivolity – life itself
• difficulties (okay, it doesn’t start with “f” but it has 2 “f’s” in it)

Yes, we can even thank God for the difficulties – the trials and tribulations of life.  God uses the tough stuff of life to mold us and shape us and strengthen our faith in Him. 

Now, you take a stab at it.  What are you thankful for?  Don’t worry about your list starting with the letter “f” – just tell God “thanks” for His many blessings in your life! 

 Heavenly Father,
Everything we have is a gift from Your gracious hand.
Thank you for Your many blessings in life.
You are good and Your love endures forever;
Your faithfulness continues through all generations.
Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!

YOU ARE BLESSED

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms
with every spiritual blessing.”
(Ephesians 1:3)

We just wrapped up a 9-week series at NMC entitled, “Our Spiritual Blessings,” from Ephesians 1-3.  As God’s children, we are incredibly blessed by God.  With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching this month, I’d like you to take a few moments to review and reflect on all your spiritual blessings in Christ and praise God for His love!

I’ve written these blessings in first person.  I encourage you to read them aloud and just bask in the wonder of God’s amazing grace.  After you’ve reviewed your spiritual blessings in Christ, take a moment to thank God for His love and grace.

• I am chosen by God   (1:4)
• I am adopted as God’s child   (1:5)
• I am redeemed   (1:7)
• I am forgiven   (1:7)
• I am sealed by the Holy Spirit   (1:13)
• I am guaranteed an inheritance in heaven   (1:14)
• I am raised to new life   (2:5)
• I am seated with Christ in heaven   (2:6)
• I am saved by grace   (2:8)
• I am God’s masterpiece  (2:10)
• I am near to God   (2:13)
• I am reconciled to God   (2:16)
• I am at peace with God   (2:17)
• I have access to God   (2:18)
• I am a citizen of God’s Kingdom   (2:19)
• I am a member of God’s household   (2:19)
• I am the temple of God   (2:22)
• I am united in one body – the church   (3:6)

“Now to him who is able
to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:20-21)

A VETERAN’S DAY ANALOGY

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…”
(Galatians 5:1)

Today (November 11th) is Veterans Day.  This is the day our country honors those men and women who have served in our Armed Forces over the years to protect our liberties and freedoms.

We are indeed grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans.  You have given up years of your life to serve our country.  You have put careers and families and dreams on hold.  You have left the comfort and security of home to serve around the world.  Many have fought in horrific wars and witnessed terrible tragedy and death.  Some have been shot and maimed and injured.  Some have suffered emotionally.  And others have been called on to pay the ultimate sacrifice for freedom – their own lives.  To all the men and women who have served to protect our freedom; we say a simple but heartfelt, “Thank-you!”

This day reminds me of another person who paid the ultimate price for freedom.  Jesus fought a spiritual war in Gethsemane and on Calvary against the enemy of our souls.  He paid the ultimate price for you and me. He sacrificed His life for our freedom.  Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we have…

• freedom from sin & Satan
• freedom from condemnation
• freedom from spiritual death
• freedom from an eternity in hell
• freedom to love and serve God with all our heart

Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross.  Praise God for our freedom in Christ!

 Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the men and women
who have fought for our freedom in America.
Thank you that Jesus gave His life
to free my soul from sin and condemnation.
May I now use my freedom to freely love and serve You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

BEEF FISHIN’ LATELY?

“’Come follow me,’ Jesus said,
‘and I will make you fishers of men.’”
(Mark 1:17)

When I was young, I loved to go fishing.  I had three favorite fishing spots – the Little Colorado River near Greer, Christopher Creek near Payson, and Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona.  I liked fishing in streams instead of lakes.  In lake-fishing, you throw your hook into the water with a bobber on it; then you just sit and watch the bobber until a fish bites.  I didn’t like just sitting and watching.  I’m too impatient.  Of course, if I had a boat I might have liked lake-fishing better.

But in stream-fishing, I kept on the move.  I liked getting wet and dirty.  I liked getting in the water, walking down the stream and through the brush, looking for the perfect fishing hole.  Sometimes the fish hid out under the rocks; other times they liked the running water.  I usually tried two or three different baits or lures in each spot – salmon eggs, worms, spinners, z-rays, etc.  Then if I got no bites, I went hunting for another fishing hole.  Eventually, I found a spot where the fish were biting.

Jesus has called his disciples – you and me – to be fishers of men.  We need to go where the fish are instead of waiting for the fish to jump out of the lake.  We need to walk down the streams and through the brush in life to look for the fish.  We might even try two or three different baits or lures while fishing. And when they’re not biting, God may want us to look for another fishing hole.

Been fishin’ lately?

 Heavenly Father,
Thank your for calling me to be one of your disciples.
I recognize, Lord, that I am called to be a fisherman.
Give me a genuine burden for the lost.
And give us a passion for our community.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A FROG IN THE KETTLE

“I know where you live – where Satan has his throne.
Yet you remain true to my name…”
(Revelation 2:13) 

I’ve been told that if you place a frog into a pot of boiling water, it will immediately leap out to escape the danger of the hot water.  However, if you place a frog into a kettle of water at room temperature, it will be comfortable with its surroundings and will remain in the water.  Since the frog’s survival instincts are geared to detecting sudden changes, you can now begin to increase the temperature of the water very slowly and the frog will stay content in the water, completely unaware of any danger.  Continue to turn the temperature up until the water is boiling and the poor frog gets cooked – content, but dead.

I wonder how often the same thing happens in our spiritual lives.  We receive Jesus as Savior, start going to church and Bible studies, and settle in to our new environment – content and comfortable.  Then as the world around us changes very gradually, we get sucked in and begin accepting the world’s standards and compromising our own moral and spiritual standards.

The third church of Revelation (Pergamum) had that problem.  They lived in a very pagan society, and somehow got sucked in.  They began accepting Satan’s lies fed to them by the pagan culture in which they lived and they compromised their faith.  So Jesus had some strong words for them.  (Rev. 2:12-17)

Sometimes it’s difficult to discern right from wrong today.  And sometimes it’s very easy to compromise our faith.  Don’t let it happen to you!  Remain true to Jesus’ name.  Here are three steps to remaining true and faithful to Jesus… 

• Read God’s Word – Know the truth & the truth will set you free!
• Recognize Satan’s lies.
• Repent of compromise.

The world around us is changing all the time.  The standards of righteousness are softening gradually and constantly.  Don’t be a frog in the kettle.  Jump out of the kettle and be counted for Jesus Christ!

 Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Your Word, the Bible.
Because You are absolute Truth, Your Word is truth, as well.
May Your Holy Spirit guide me into the truth of Your Word,
and may Your Word always guide my daily life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WHEN IT’S NOT EASY BEING A CHRISTIAN

“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer…
Be faithful, even to the point of death,
and I will give you the crown of life.”
(Revelation 2:10)

When we think of persecution, we usually think of the early church when Christians were imprisoned, thrown to lions, and beheaded.  Or, we may think of Christians during the Reformation era when many of the Reformers were burned at the stake.  But, persecution is still a reality today.  According to the World Evangelical Alliance, over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights today solely because of their faith, and over 175,000 Christians are killed for their faith every year.   This is primarily in Muslim and Communist countries.  But persecution of Christians is on the rise in America today, as well.

When Jesus wrote his postcard to the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2, He identified 4 different forms of persecution…

• Poverty – from Christians losing their jobs because of their faith
• Slander – ridicule, mocking, insults, and false accusations
• Imprisonment
• Death

Granted, in America we may not face imprisonment and death for our faith at this time, but you may suffer persecution on the job (lack of promotions or loss of jobs) and through slander.  Even though tolerance is the politically correct doctrine taught in schools and workplaces today, it just doesn’t seem to apply to Christians.  Our culture is increasingly anti-Christian.  So, how do we endure persecution and suffering for our faith?  Jesus gave two words of encouragement in Revelation 2:10…

(1)   Don’t be fearful! – Keep looking up!  Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross on your behalf!

(2)   Do be faithful! – Keep looking ahead!  Remember, the temporary suffering we endure on earth pales in comparison to the eternal glory awaiting us in heaven.

Heavenly Father,
Thank-you for Jesus who suffered and died on the cross.
I consider it a joy to suffer for His name.
May others see in me the reality of my faith in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.