Hope for 2010

Looking back on 2009 I have found out a few things...

1. 2009 started off quiet. By March, my life was a whirlwind of doctors and medical terms because of my father's cancer. The good thing was I started the daily updates to everyone that became a soothing balm to me and now a devotion for many of us (me included).

2. Summer got underway with the kids and I was officially hired on at my company It also brought many activities to our church. July brought our nephew's wedding and week in Alabama. We had a great time and a highlight was going to The Shed in Mississippi. If you ever get a chance to go...DO IT!

3. August brought Michael and Crystal Dawson to our church as Associate Minister and wife. What an asset and blessing they are!

4. School started up in a flurry of band camp, football practices, high school and junior high. It was a big adjustment for all of us.

5. The fall saw a lot of football, Allie's first homecoming dance (which she looked beautiful), and news that my dad's cancer was gone!

6. Now we are at the end of the year. I pray that 2010 will bring more happiness, wealth and fun for my family and yours.

2009 was not a bad year, but a year for me to contemplate a lot of things, especially about my family. I will not predict anything, but am hopeful that the new year will bring us health, happiness and lots of adventures! Hope is a funny thing. As long as I have hope in the Lord, I know that he will lead me where I need to be, when I need to be there.

Psalm 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Can I Hold Him?

Luke 2:21-28

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

As we end December, let's talk about the last two people mentioned in Jesus' birth. Simeon and Anna. Both of them were very old and stayed around the temple awaiting the Savior.

Simeon knew that before he died, he would see the Savior. The words that were translated here was the Lord's Christ. The Holy Spirit told him so. So he came to the temple and coming in the Spirit he saw the family. He then took Jesus in his arms and started talked to God. He told them that he had seen Jesus and he could die in peace now. He said that Jesus was a Light of Revelation to all the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel. The Holy Spirit revealed to him that Jesus was going to be for all people, not just the Jews. Simeon waited for Israel's salvation, in fact, he was searching for it. I wonder what he felt like when he took Jesus in his arms. Did he feel the peace and sweetness of a baby? Did he feel the pain and sorrow of the ages? Whatever it was like, I am sure it was magical.

Another person that was waiting for the Savior was Anna, a prophetess. She was 84 years old and she never left the temple. She was always serving, day and night. She came up to the family and started thanking God. She told everyone there about him as people came to the temple, looking for redemption.

Mary and Joseph were in awe and probably a little uncomfortable. Simeon blessed Mary. He told her how wonderful Jesus would be, but how heartbreaking, even for her it would be. Do you think that Mary and Joseph would ever get use having people just come up to them and either want to touch the baby or talk about him to them? All babies get a lot of attention, but could you imagine the attention that Jesus was getting? I am sure they were caught off guard quite a bit.

Today, as you look for redemption, remember that he has already redeemed you!

Pray for the Children

^{Luke 2: 21 - 38}

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD"), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, "A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS."

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel."

And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Eight days after he was born, he was given his name officially. Though the Lord had already told Mary and Joseph that his name would be Jesus. Then a little while later, Mary and Joseph took the baby to the temple. The verses say that it has to do with the law of Moses that a first born child, male has to have a special sacrifice made to the Lord. So Joseph and Mary did that. They came to the temple and present the child to the Lord. This was special, but every family who followed the law did this. It is in hopes that in doing this the first born male will be redeemed by God and be sanctified. So a price must be paid.

When my children were born, we were thrilled that God had trusted us with each child. We sacrifice each day for them. We love them, listen to them, and make sure their needs are met. We take great care in giving them a name that we believe will fit them and add to their uniqueness. We want the best for them. Our children are precious to us and we want them to be redeemed by God. But we believe that it is their choice. All we can do is show them with our lives, pray for them, and teach them that God loves them. We don't have to do it for just the first born male. We can do this for all of our children. So today, pray for your children. Pray that God will keep their hearts in his hands and they will always stay close to God.

Where Did They Go?

Matthew 2:13 - 23

Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him."

So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON."

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

"A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE."

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, "Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead."

So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene."

Once Herod realized that he had been duped by the Wise men, he went on a rampage. Angry, he decided that all baby boys that were born around the time of the census needed to be killed so the king would not rise up and take his place. He was very jealous and worried about that. So God sent an angel to Joseph, in a dream, saying that they better get out of Bethlehem. Being obedient, Joseph took Mary and the baby and went to Egypt to live.

So Mary first left her parents and went with Joseph to Bethlehem because of the census. Then she left there and had to run for her child's life to Egypt. It must have been like being the region's "Most Wanted". Always on the run, always in hiding. Jesus' childhood is not really recorded except in these verses and the trip to the temple. Most of us have some record of our children's lives. Whether through photo albums, baby books, videos or scrap books, we want to record every single thing our children do. Back then all they had was their memories at the most. Most of them weren't very educated to be able to write. How worried their families must have been. If I fell off the face of the earth (so to speak), my family may worry about me (I hope).

This weekend, we went and saw the movie, Did You Hear about the Morgan's?. It is a couple that witnessed a murder and had to go into hiding for a few days. How worried their colleagues were. Just to be taken away so that you have no connection with them ever. That will reek havoc on everyone. That is how I picture what happened to Mary and Joseph. They just kind of disappeared for a while. But they trusted God and that is all they needed. Can you trust God like that? If he came to you in a dream, would you be able to just get up and go where you need to go for him?

Mary Did You Know?

Luke 2:7-20

And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

I want to focus our attention on verse 19. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Those words are ingrained in my memory. One of the verses that I think about when I want to remember things. I am terrible at remembering things. Sometimes I want to remember something, so I write it down. Other times, I do remember and think them about them. I recall things that happened in the past and the fond memories for them.

Mary had a lot happen to her in nine months. She had a visit from an angel telling her she would be pregnant. She went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. She left her home and went with Joseph to Bethlehem and gave birth. Shepherds and Magi came to visit her. She had a lot going on. She wanted to remember everything, I am sure.

Mary was the one person who knew what it was like to see God, I think. She looked into the face of her baby and I wonder if she realized all that he was, all that he could be and all that he would be. I love the song Mary Did You Know. It is about that. Here is the words, and how I will close out this devotion. But first, from my family to yours, Merry Christmas.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would one day walk on water.
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
That your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered,
Will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know
That your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God?
Oh, Mary did you know?

The blind will see,
The deaf will hear,
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap,
The dumb will speak the praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation.
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb
And the sleeping child your holding is the Great I AM.

Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down

Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

'"AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

These kings were smart men. They knew the prophecies, and they realized that something special was happening and they wanted to see this King of the Jews. They also knew that they needed to see what King Herod knew. So they stopped in to see him. Maybe they knew that protocol was for them to announce that they were visiting his country. Anyway, they did realize that Herod had no idea what great things were happening.

I love this part of the story. The wanted to worship the Christ child. The praise chorus, Come Let Us Worship and Bow Down always reminds me of this story. The nativity is always set up with the shepherds and Magi entering the stable, and bowing in front of the the Baby in the manger. It was know by many that it would happen, but these people were given the birth announcement for Christ.

The Magi brought in at least three gifts we know about; Gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were gifts given out of prophesy, out of respect, out of love. Were they normal gifts to give a baby in those days? Probably not. But for the King of Creation, there is no such thing as normal.

So today, with the clouds overhead and the rain falling, remember the three wise men who followed the star from the East. We know that those wise men searched for Christ. But do wise men still seek him? Do you seek him? Merry Christmas Eve, Eve.

Get Over It!

Mathew 2: 1 - 12

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

'"AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him."

After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

So first, these nasty, smelly shepherds show up at the stable after God announced to them that the Savior was born. Now, some Magi from a distant land show up asking questions about the King of the Jews. This must have been a vast improvement over the shepherds. But I wonder, why not King Herod and his chief priests and scribes? Why did all the honor for our Lord come from those who either didn't matter or were not even from the same region? Could it be that those around didn't want to believe, didn't want to see, weren't as accepting as the others?

The Magi posed some problems for Herod. First, he had to acknowledge that there was another King in his territory. Was this person going to take over where he left off? Second, why didn't he know about this before now? How long had this king been in the area? Third, how could he get rid of this king, before trouble arose? King Herod wasn't going to share his kingdom. So he sent these Magi to Bethlehem and asked them to come back so he could worship the new king too. Well, we all know what happened. The Magi followed the star, found that place that Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were and worshipped. Then they had a vision to not go back to Herod, but leave the country another way.

When King Herod realized that the Magi were not coming back, he went on a rampage, killing all the baby boys in Bethlehem that were two years of age and under. Luckily, God had warned Joseph and he took his family to Egypt until King Herod died.

The evil of this man was predicted in Jeremiah.

¹⁷Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:

¹⁸"A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE."

Jealousy gets you nowhere. Look at the jealousy King Herod showed toward a baby. A baby! This child was nothing more than an infant, who would one day take over the world, but not in the way that he thought. Today, give up your jealous behavior and know that God has enough room in his heart for you. No matter your circumstance.