Christmas 7. 31 December 2013

image by Richard McMillan

by Kaysi Hastings

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

Psalm 111

New Year's has been one of my favorite holidays for as long as I can remember. The idea of having a clean slate has always been so refreshing to me, so I love New Year's for all the blank pages it represents; however, I also love New Year's for its invitation to reflect. Looking back at how God's hand has worked in and around me at the end of each year helps me to find meaning and purpose in both my joys and my trials. The psalmist here speaks of remembrance, both on the part of humanity in remembering the wondrous works of God, and on the part of God in remembering His covenant with His people. Perhaps taking time to remember the Lord's goodness is a profitable way for us to invest in our relationship with Him as we approach the end of one year and the beginning of another.

Sometimes, though, God's goodness seems to be veiled from our vision. 2013 has been an unusually difficult year for many people in my life, and sometimes when you've been bombarded with pain it is challenging to try and uncover the good in what has happened. I don't think God expects us to pretend we're unaffected by the difficult blows life deals us. We often look to Romans 8:28 for hope, and indeed God is able to bring beauty from even the worst of our experiences. But that doesn't mean He wanted us to go through every heartbreaking circumstance we face. We live in a world broken by sin, sickness, and selfishness. These were not a part of God's design, and I don't believe He expects us to mask the heartache we face as a result of them, even if He calls us to trust Him in spite of them.

As I reflect upon 2013, I can say without hesitation my greatest joys as well as my deepest sorrows were tied to the relationships in my life. The relationship we share with our heavenly Father may be reliable and consistent, but our human relationships are often sources of disappointment and heartache. God cares about this, and His precepts, which the psalmist calls "trustworthy" in today's text, provide us with avenues toward restoration. An idea that helped significantly reshape my thinking last year was the concept that "in Christ, all relationships are made right." Author Allison Vesterfelt wonders "if this is why Paul urges us in Scripture not to let the sun go down on our anger --- not because it makes God happy (although it probably does), but because he knows it will make us happy. Perhaps he knows our deepest desires, as well as our deepest regrets, come from the same place: Our connection to others." I wonder if the psalmist didn't have this same thing in mind as he acknowledged the goodness of God's precepts...he recognized they were designed to foster whole relationships, a major source of our peace.

As we walk through life with God, we are blessed by His faithful presence, but we also are blessed by His Spirit's empowering to pursue peace with others (Romans 12:14-21). This will not always play out in happy relationships, because we can't control whether the other person in any relationship pursues peace, but it will lead us toward freedom as He helps us to let go of anger and bitterness, leaving our hands open to receive good things from Him and others. A God who cares enough about us to design life to work this way is one Whose goodness is well worth remembering as we reflect on the year behind us and welcome the one ahead. May 2014 be a year of hope as we remember the goodness of our God, as we love Him and as we walk in His ways, as we live in pursuit of restoration and healing amidst the brokenness.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

How have you seen God work in your life and in the world around you this past year? What disappointments and heartaches have you faced? How have you seen His goodness in spite of these things? (Perhaps the fact we can be honest with Him about our pain is itself evidence of His goodness.)

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

God, as we look back over the past year, we are so thankful that You care for us in our joys and in our pain. As we look to the year ahead, help us to remember Your goodness and faithfulness that lead us toward peace and freedom when we walk with You. Help us to trust You no matter what we face.

Christmas 6. 30 December 2013

image by Billy Alexander

by Kaysi Hastings

But they rebelled
and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
and himself fought against them.
Then he remembered the days of old,
of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
his Holy Spirit,
who caused his glorious arm
to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
to make for himself an everlasting name,
who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
they did not stumble.
Like livestock that go down into the valley,
the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
to make for yourself a glorious name.

Isaiah 63:10-14

Betrayal.

I was just talking with a close friend this past week about the excruciating heartache we would surely experience at having someone we sincerely, deeply love turn his or her back on us. We've both been hurt or disappointed by others (and certainly we've both done our own share of hurting and disappointing as well), but neither of us has ever experienced pain of the magnitude a friend of hers is currently bearing in the wake of a meaningful relationship that has shattered on account of the other party's sudden and drastic shift of heart.

In yesterday's text Isaiah spoke of the extravagant, lavish, compassionate love the Lord had demonstrated toward Israel. Today we read of Israel's own drastic shift that broke the heart of the God who loved them. This must have been devastating to Him not only because He loved these people and desired to receive their affections in return but also because He knew He was the only One who could supply all their needs. He knew the other sources to which they were turning their hearts would never be able to satisfy but would always eventually let them down and leave them empty. God's anger was surely not merely Self-focused but was a response to His grief in knowing the ones He loved were headed down a dead-end street.

Only one who truly cares for another would be able to move past the initial anger that follows betrayal and find the capacity to forgive. Only one who is genuinely more concerned about the well-being of another would choose to remember the good and persist in love, even when it is not reciprocated. Only one who knows what real love is would remain faithful even to the faithless. And only One has done this perfectly: the Lord, the God of Israel. Truly, what is more glorious than this?

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you deeply loved? What emotions did this stir in your heart? How have you betrayed the God who loves you deeply? What is your heart's response when you consider the fact that He has looked past these offenses and chosen to persist in His love for you?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Our Father, that You so mercifully, willingly, and consistently forgive us when we turn our backs on You is humbling beyond words. "Thank You" does not begin to do it justice. Grant us the grace to forgive as You have forgiven us - freely - that our lives might bring glory to Your name.

Christmas 5. 29 December 2013

image by pipp

by Kaysi Hastings

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
For he said, "Surely they are my people,
children who will not deal falsely."
And he became their Savior.
In all their affliction he was afflicted,
and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Isaiah 63:7-9

Steadfast love. Great goodness. Compassion. Isaiah paints a beautiful picture of the Lord here that reveals His deep love for His people. His love is not empty affection. He feels what His people feel, and it moves Him to action, leading Him to save and redeem and lift and carry them. But tucked within these descriptions is another statement that might catch us off guard if we paused for a moment to consider its implications. "For he said, 'Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.'"

What we see here is a sense of expectation, and it's not the sort of demanding expectation that suggests, "You will do this or else." On the contrary, there's a sense that God trusts His people to act with integrity. I think this is a little different from the image our focus on man's depravity often conjures up of how God views His people. I think most of us are a little more accustomed to thinking of God sitting back in His armchair waiting for the moment we will inevitably screw things up before He sighs and steps in to clean up our mess. But this statement quoted by Isaiah suggests perhaps we may be more resigned to our fallen state than God Himself is.

One of my favorite bands, Needtobreathe, sings a song in which various statements associated with such a sense of resignation ("I can't help but feel I'm on an island born to sink;" "We can't change, it's who we are;" "Say the truth will set you free, but it won't for me") are interspersed with the line, "Devil's been talkin'." I've often thought this was a very insightful way of looking at such patterns of thinking. Perhaps an inappropriately low view of humanity produced by an overemphasis on total depravity and a failure to remember men and women are created in the image of a loving God has led us to abandon our expectations that our lives could represent anything other than brokenness, but our Lord here seems to believe otherwise.

To be sure, we are still broken. But if we've truly acknowledged Jesus as Lord, we are also being transformed. Jesus' life on earth demonstrated what human life modeled after the overwhelmingly loving God Isaiah described might look like. And His Spirit living in the hearts of those who have submitted their lives to Him empowers us to follow in His footsteps. Now more than ever God has made it possible for us to live as "children who will not deal falsely." Maybe the ideas we buy into that suggest we'll never be anything more than lowly sinners are coming from our enemy, as Needtobreathe's song proposes. Maybe it's time we considered the words of our Father and shifted our perspective.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

Have you ever known someone who was perpetually critical and always seemed to expect you to fail? How did this affect your confidence/performance? Have you conversely ever known someone who seemed to consistently believe in your abilities and/or in you as a person? How did this affect your confidence/performance? Are you more motivated to please God when you think of Him as standing by ready to engage discipline when you fail or as watching over you with the belief you have the capacity through Him to do something good?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Abba, thank You for Your extravagant love that incredibly still recognizes Your image in us in spite of our fractured humanity. Give us discernment to recognize when our enemy is filling our minds with a false sense of defeat, and instead help us to listen to Your Spirit as He leads us into lives of love and integrity.

May Your love cause us to open up
Cause us to open up our hearts
May Your light cause us to shine so bright
That we bring hope into the dark
-The Brilliance

Christmas 4. 28 December 2013

image by fabrizio turco

by Jason Lowe

Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son who came from the seed of David according to the flesh, who was appointed the Son of God onto power, according to the Spirit of holiness, because of the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom we received grace and apostleship onto obedience of faith among all the nations, for His name's sake, among whom are you also called-out ones of Jesus Christ; to all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called-out saints:   Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1-7

When you first meet someone, what sorts of things do you tell them about you? I hope you're honest, even if it's ugly. To help you, I'll let you in on my own weakness. I scrub toilets as a day-time job, so when I meet someone at work I notice that I tend to quickly tell them that I'm in college (hence, "I'm not settling for a toilet-scrubbing career; it's just a means to an end"). I'm quick to inform them that I plan on getting a weighty degree (hence, "this kid's got a future so don't look down at me"). That's my ugliness, but what about you? What's important to you for others to know about you? Is it that you're educated or clever? What size your house is? Your vocation? Ministry? Bank account? Is it tied to your family, or even their achievements? Is it your philosophy (a.k.a. your religion)? The answers to these questions can reveal what you hope in as your core identity, role, and purpose in life.

In several of Paul's letters he introduces himself first and primarily as "a servant of Jesus Christ." I'm assured by the experts that the word behind "servant" was certainly understood in the first century as "slave", and should be translated as the LITV does (above). A slave was the opposite of a free person, and more along the lines of property that was sold or traded. So no one still hanging onto personal dignity would introduce themselves like, "Hi, I'm Jason---that guy's slave," but that was how the disciples saw themselves. Even the term "lord" has lost its luster in our culture, so maybe to recapture how the first disciples saw it, we should replace it with "master." When was the last time you considered yourself as a purchased slave of your Master, Jesus Christ?

As a slave, Paul was set apart from common use for his Master's use (vs. 1); he was to deny his own will and serve the will of his Master (vs. 5). Since our Master is the glory of kindness, he gives us prominent roles in his kingdom. Paul was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles where he was to wear out his life, even to death, in bringing the news of his Master's reign to the pagan nations. His very name was a daily reminder of his identity and calling, for when someone in the ancient world had new dominion over another, they changed their name to that of their own culture (as Joseph, Daniel and Abram experienced). Jesus changed Saul to Paul, a Gentile-Roman name, so every time Paul met someone he was reminded that he belonged to Another; that he was an apostle to the Gentiles.

A slave of Christ was Paul's identity. An apostle of the gospel was his role, and to fulfill this role and to please his Master was his sole purpose in life and death.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

What have you done, are doing, or plan on doing that you tend to hide under for "importance"? What is the supreme motivation underlying all that you do? In other words, whose slave are you? Compare yourself with Paul's example in these verses.

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

You are the Master and King of all the universe. Every atom and galaxy moves in accordance with the whim of your will. I'm so sorry for having the arrogance and stupidity to stand up and tell you no. Thank you worlds for your patience. Give your people willing hearts. Give us hearts bowed down to your will in reverence and love; in delight and obedience. Help us to use the few breaths you have given us to serve you, for you are the only God, the blazing King worthy of unquestioned obedience.

Christmas 3. 27 December 2013

image by Billy Alexander

by Jason Lowe

Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son who came from the seed of David according to the flesh, who was appointed the Son of God onto power, according to the Spirit of holiness, because of the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom we received grace and apostleship onto obedience of faith among all the nations, for His name's sake, among whom are you also called-out ones of Jesus Christ; to all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called-out saints:  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1-7

It was another cool morning for the new king of Israel, and the pinnacle of his career. He had his enemies underfoot, riches in his right hand and the nation's loyalty in his left. After pouncing out of bed he slid into a garment and called for the prophet. "Nathan, I'm so happy. The Lord has done everything for our country and me. I want to show my gratitude, and to show the whole world how good He is. I want to build a temple for the Lord." After hearing from YHWH, the crusty prophet replied, "You cannot build the Lord a temple". David's face sulked down as the words poured out, then Nathan continued, "but he will build you a kingdom. He swears to you that he will raise one of your descendents to be a king over Israel. Forever"

This story is from 2 Samuel 7 where the infamous Davidic Covenant is promised by the Lord. Yet this promise is not an isolated event. It began long ago in Eden when the Lord gave a rather fuzzy promise that Eve's seed would crush the head of the serpent's (Gen 3); then again, with slightly more clarity, He promised Abraham, "in your seed will all the nations of the earth be blessed" (Gen 22). As history unraveled it was clear this Seed from God would be a King after the lineage of David, a "Son of God" (Psalm 2), and even a "Son of Man" (Daniel 7), along with other confusing details slowly teased out as God sprinkled more clues in the Psalms and prophets. The picture was still blurry, with double vision and blaring static. No one really knew what to expect. Then YHWH himself tore through the fabric of space and time through the portal of a young virgin. Suddenly the picture is much clearer.

In this text, one of Paul's exciting points is that what has been promised since the dawn of the fall has finally been revealed. "The Son of God by the seed of David has been born to us!" At the very least this would have been a trumpet blast in Israel that God has proven his faithfulness by fulfilling a long-awaited promise. The promise is the power and Kingdom of God, beginning with the new creation-kingdom material of Jesus' resurrected body (vs. 4)...the center of this month's devotionals.

This is a promise that demands, as well as cultivates, obedience, since from the King we receive "grace and apostleship," which results in "obedience of faith among all the nations" (vs. 5). The promise of the gospel cultivates obedience because it reveals the beauty of God's faithfulness. When a God who keeps his promises is revealed, all who have eyes to see are wooed to rest in his faithfulness, freeing them to a high calling of obedient love. As you think of the story of redemption, take note of how often, how brightly, the Author speaks of His faithfulness.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

How does the knowledge of God's faithfulness keep us from meeting our needs by impatient, sinful methods? What tends to be the result (obedience/love) in how we relate, and react, to situations and people when we're not resting in God's faithfulness?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Oh Lord, your apostles so often wrote of our privilege of standing on the highest known revelation, and seeing more of your trustworthiness than even the prophets. Soak our minds with the sounds and sights of your faithfulness. Lead us to loosen our stiff, anxious grip and fall back with our eyes closed, trusting in the cushion of your goodness. Set us free from the slavery of control so that we can be free to love one another---your call of obedience. For the sake of your trustworthy name being revealed through your people, amen.

Christmas 2. 26 December 2013

image by Kuba Rola

by Pastor Eric Thompson

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

Galatians 4:4-7, ESV

Abba! Father!

I was blessed as a kid with a good Dad. He worked hard. He loved my Mom. He loved us kids. He loved Jesus. Still does. All of the above! I'm keenly aware there are many who didn't have this blessing and it causes me to value it so much more.

It was also true, however, that I was always a little afraid of him. He was a big guy, in fact, I never did get to be as tall as him. I am the oldest of 2 boys and a girl---five years older than my brother and 12 years older than my sister. I think he mellowed a little with my younger siblings, but I bore the brunt of his disciplinary intensity in my (and his) younger years.

I'm not exactly sure when the transition took place. It happened, though. There came a time when my relationship with my Dad went from being one between an adult and a child to being one where we could talk without a barrier of distance or discipline. He's always had wisdom to share but I was no longer a child in need of rules. The things he had instilled in me had come to maturity. We could simply enjoy spending time together.

In terms of humanity's relationship with the Creator, we know precisely when the transition took place. When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son. He came to bring us from a place of being under Law---under rule, under discipline---to being adopted as sons and daughters.

This is just the beginning. Being his children, God sent his Spirit into our hearts, thus turning our hearts toward him and allowing us to grow to maturity---able to inherit, possess, and enjoy the full blessings He intends for us. His Spirit comes complete with the incredible, inseparable love that the Father, Son, and Spirit eternally enjoy. Because the Spirit is in us, we have a relationship with God they of the old covenant could never have imagined.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

A couple days ago Kaysi reminded us of the contrast between keeping lists of behavioral rules as opposed to learning and simply walking in the way of Christ. Do you live in constant fear of violating God's rules or do you enjoy a relationship with him? What is the difference between being under the Law and being in constant fellowship with the Spirit? How does this change things?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Abba! Father! As we come to the day after the celebration of the incarnation of your Son we are reminded that there is a whole new life and eternity that comes from this gift! We want to enjoy the blessings of love and connection for which you have made us, redeemed us, and are restoring us. Thank you for what you continue to do through the presence of your Spirit to bring us to the fullness of joy and freedom that comes from knowing you!

Christmas 1. 25 December 2013

By Eric Thompson

“I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:1–5, ESV)

Don’t forget what Christmas is all about!

I grew up with the same two narratives that most kids of my generation had in relation to Christmas. One involved the modern adaptation of the legend of St Nicholas of Myra, more popularly known in our culture as Santa Claus. I doubt that the real St Nicholas owned a sleigh or reindeer in 4th Century Turkey but I knew I could look forward to his magical appearance at my house (which had no chimney) every 25th of December.

The other narrative involved the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. In Sunday School we learned about how Mary and Joseph had traveled to Bethlehem, finding no room in the inn. We heard stories about mangers and swaddling clothes. My grandfather would read the “Christmas story” from Luke 2 year after year before we were allowed to tear into our gifts.

Of course, being from a good Christian family, I was often admonished to remember what Christmas is all about. It turns out this is good advice. I’m just not sure if simply lowering or replacing the Santa Claus narrative with the manger narrative quite captures the real reason why Christmas is worth the plays, pageants, parties, and presents that accompany the season.

The coming of God into the world as a human being changes everything. The entire Old Testament is filled with man’s failure. Sin is an ugly thing. It seems that sin nearly always won and often with horrific consequences. But God had set out to bring man back to what he was meant to be. So he made a covenant. With God’s own word as a guarantee it was as good as done, but it wasn’t reality yet. Those under the law were still enslaved by sin.

Yet, it wasn’t God’s plan to have a collection of slaves. We weren’t supposed to be children forever. He sent his own Son into the world as a human so that humans could be his sons and daughters. We have been adopted into his family. We are co-heirs with Jesus. The presence of the Spirit means that we are free and we can grow to maturity as sons and daughters of God.

It will take all of eternity to understand fully what Christmas is all about. We can’t fully grasp all that is different, all that is ours, because God entered the world in order to come for us.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

What was life like for you before you met Jesus? How are you affected personally by the fact that he came?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Our God, we call you Father because it was your plan to have an entire race of sons and daughters. We are yours and have a relationship with you because of what you have done to make it so—even overcoming our own sin and rebellion by your love and mercy. On this day we have peace because of what is ours in Christ. We are also reminded of so many who do not know this peace--who have not recognized your love or been introduced to your mercy and grace. We thank you and praise you and offer our lives to you so that others might know the incredible things you have done for them as well.

Advent 4:3. 24 December 2013

image from HD Wallpapers Arena

by Kaysi Hastings

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven." But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test." And he said, "Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah---the king of Assyria."

Isaiah 7:10-17

Perhaps we, like King Ahaz, are guilty at times of attempting to be holier than God.

As Pastor Eric pointed out in Sunday's message, King Ahaz had, prior to this meeting with Isaiah, been guilty of seeking the help of pagan gods instead of trusting in the God of Israel as King David had done. In this passage, Yahweh Himself assures Ahaz that his current fears will not come to pass and even offers Ahaz the opportunity to ask Him for a sign. Rather than taking Yahweh up on His offer, Ahaz essentially tells Him, "No thanks," piously quoting a line from Deuteronomy that warns against testing the Lord.

Sometimes we point to specific passages of Scripture in an attempt to defend our positions. Perhaps, for instance, a particular set of verses seems to justify our dissociating from certain people. Yet the life of Jesus is marked by (and much of the criticism directed at Him came as a result of) His willingness to befriend sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, and the like...the very sorts of people those aforementioned verses seem to indicate we should avoid. Suppose, though, we are making the same mistake as King Ahaz, misusing segments of Scripture as grounds to perpetuate a stubborn desire to appear as though we have our acts together while missing the real point. Maybe we don't even realize we are doing so.

Love is spoken of extensively in the New Testament, and Christ's followers in the early church are consistently called to it, yet we sometimes make the assumption as we read Scripture that descriptions of the sorts of unrighteous behavior we are to avoid are grounds on which to abandon our call to extend love to certain others. But God Himself did not shy away from the sort of messy context we often try to steer clear of, choosing to have His own Son enter this world by way of an unmarried woman's womb. Oh, the scandal! Our Savior entered into the chaos of our sin and brokenness under circumstances that would raise eyebrows. So, too, He calls us to live in ways that we might be inclined to question - loving our enemies, praying for those who persecute us, and turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39-44).

Christ's life and teachings often seemed heretical to the religious leaders who misused Scripture in order to maintain their sense of power, but He was showing them the bigger picture of what it meant to be the people of God. Sometimes, like King Ahaz or like these religious leaders, we, too, allow minute details to distract us from seeing the bigger picture. But just as Ahaz's short-sightedness didn't stop God from giving His people a sign, neither does ours hinder Him from accomplishing His purposes in this world. We may choose to cooperate or we may stubbornly refuse, but God will follow through with His intent to reconcile people to Himself. And this is the good news of great joy that will be for all the people (Luke 2:10).

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

Are there teachings of Jesus that bother you? (Matthew 5 might provide some food for thought as you answer this question.) Can you think of Scriptures elsewhere in the Bible that might seem to contradict some of His teachings? If Jesus came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17), do you think it's possible that we could learn more about how God wanted His people to live by studying the life of Christ than by memorizing specific lists of behaviors in which to engage or from which to refrain?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Jesus, thank You for not being afraid to enter into our world in ways that challenge our logic. It is almost unfathomable that You would come not as a King demanding our allegiance but as a helpless baby, born to parents whose situation was surely frowned upon, only to serve humbly and to eventually be rejected and wrongfully murdered. Your entire life was marked by love, grace, humility, and forgiveness. Help us not to depend on our own understanding of Scripture as we walk through this life but to acknowledge You, the author and perfecter of our faith, in everything, following in Your footsteps as we go about our days seeking to bring glory to the Father. We love You.

Advent 4:2. 23 December 2013

image by kslyesmith

by Jason Lowe

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah

Psalm 24:1-10

I looked up and saw the thick expanse of clouds split with a trembling crack across the ceiling of the sky, then rush apart like heaven's curtains. All the nations, rulers and peoples looked up and stared in horror at what was like an enormous sun at noonday in the form of a man. He was wearing a crown that shone with lightning, and he sat on a king's horse, sparkling white and decorated for war. His name is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. He has finally come to stomp his enemies in the winepress of the wrath of God, and to reign over his creation forever.

The latter half of Psalm 24 describes the gates of Israel looking up in expectation to the king who will finally reign in peace and shepherd with justice. He is YHWH, strong and mighty in battle. In that day all the enemies of righteousness and goodness---Satan, sin, and death---will be destroyed and cast forever outside of his kingdom. In that day the Son of Man will sit in the place of every king, prince, and potentate to reveal, for the first time ever, the awful beauty of his design for global domination. It will be the healing of the nations on to unblemished restoration in all things. Righteousness.

Whose hope is this? Or as verse three puts it, "Who will go up to the hill of the LORD?" He who has clean hands and a pure heart. "But I'm filled with sin!" our living conscience screams at us, possibly leading us to the conclusion (or at least a sneaking suspicion) that we will be among those tossed outside the bounty of God's goodness into that burning valley below. To look carefully will reveal that these words are not commands, but descriptions. It doesn't exactly say to do these things. It says those who have this hope will do these things, making them more like exhortations. It's similar to saying, "You're no longer a slave to sin, so don't live like a slave to sin." The Scriptures speak this way all the time. So those who have a seed of purity and holiness in them (via the Holy Spirit, by Messiah's sacrifice) are those who have the hope of enjoying the holy kingdom to come. All who are serving the king today will reign with him tomorrow, and they will be among the masses of the Messianic army when He comes in the clouds with power and great glory.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

What attitudes, habits and reactions will you be most pleased to be eradicated of when Christ reigns? What about you will be the same that you can be pleased with now? Consider the same questions concerning society as a whole, and all creation.

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Oh Father, we know there is so much good in the world, and so many blessings in our lives, but it is hard for us not to be weighed down by the sin and corruption that permeates it all. Help us to be thankful for every expression of your goodness to us. When we are confronted with the sins, failures, brokenness, and sufferings of ourselves and others, help us to keep in mind the magnitude of glory that will one day be a present reality in your Kingdom. Help us to be exhorted by this text to be pure in our devotion to Christ.

Advent 4:1. 22 December 2013

image by dimitri_c

by Jason Lowe

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah

Psalm 24:1-10

Every so often a passerby crosses the wrong slice of land and is arrested, charged and fined for trespassing. It seems silly to sit in a cell because you forgot to give heed to the sign: "TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED." Ownership is one of the few characteristics shared by humans, animals, and God alike. Coyotes mark their territory; men fence their property; and God rules his universe.

This Psalm contains a foundational truth: the universe is private property, owned by YHWH. Why can he alone claim to be the Landlord? Because "He founded it" (vs. 2). Everything that is, and will be, was once only in his eternal mind. Then "God created the heavens and the earth." When the world he imagined from eternity past was met with divine will and omnipotent power, existence materialized; therefore, all things belong to him. From the stars and galaxies spiraling above, to the trillions of cells that make up our frail bodies---we are all the personal property of the Invisible God.

To truly own something means the owner can do whatever they wish with what they possess. So what is the purpose of the cosmos? The Owner of heaven and earth desires to build an eternal empire for the "King of Glory" (vs. 10). In fact it has already begun, inaugurated by the King and his predecessor. Out of their mouths was heralded "the gospel of the Kingdom of God" (Mk.1:14). The hope of Israel in this Psalm, and the good news for all the world, is the fulfillment of YHWH's kingdom on earth.

What about us? Why are our lungs pumping in air? Why are our hearts blasting life throughout our bodies? It is not for our will or our plans---our Crafter has his mind set on building a kingdom. Look at verses 3-6. This kingdom, called here "the Mountain of the LORD," a "holy place," is not just a place we dream of arriving at; it is a reality we live out with our hands and our hearts - indeed, with all our life. We don't get to merely hope in the kingdom, we get to become a brick in the palace; we aren't merely watching this drama unfold, we're invited to step on the stage and play out our unique roles. The Kingdom of the Messiah is God's promise, and our duty. It's the supreme reason why we're currently occupying the land of the living.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

How might the knowledge that everything is the personal property of King Jesus affect how you use things? Consider your eyes, hands, intellect, time, people, money, and myriads of other genres of valuables you are entrusted with.

We are each made for a kingdom function, but we're all in different phases of development. Some are still a cold slab of clay, freshly awakened by formation; others are being forged in the glowing flames of tribulations and inner agonies; some are sharpened, and we marvel at the King's use of them---but all are destined to fulfill their purpose, to live out the good works their King planned for them to walk in (Eph 2). Where do you see yourself in the King's building project? What special gifts are you entrusted with, and how can you maximize their potential?

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

To the Father of our King and Savior, Jesus: make his kingdom come. Make his rightness and goodness fill up more and more in our hearts, overflowing into our families and friends, spilling onto the streets of Reno, eventually to drown the entire world. Forgive us for misusing what is yours, masquerading around like we are king and everyone else our subjects. Forgive also us for worshiping competing kings. Give us the sight to bow our wills and our lives down to you alone, to have clean hands and a pure heart to seek your face.

Advent 3:7. 21 December 2013

image by cristiano galbiati

by Pastor Eric Thompson

As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,

"'Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Matthew 11:7-15, ESV

Doubt. Reprised.

Jesus might be expected to rebuke John the Baptist for his expression of doubt. It is indeed a truism of derogatory criticism that it nearly always comes from the detached. Those in yesterday's post who attacked the author who had the audacity to acknowledge his struggles did so from a high holy place of puffed up self-righteousness. Jesus forever abandoned this kind of detachment with the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. He is so close to our struggles, whatever they might be, that he knows our griefs and carries our sorrows. He is not untouched by the "feelings of our infirmities."

He didn't rebuke John, in fact, he affirmed him in case anyone present thought they might smear John's name for his weakness. He doesn't rebuke Mary who can't bring herself to understand why he let her brother Lazarus die. He doesn't rebuke Thomas for demanding to touch the wounds before he'll believe in his resurrection (we do that, forever branding him "Doubting Thomas").

Long waiting, unfulfilled hopes, trials, and adversity can cause us to question what we once believed. Sometimes this is helpful--we may have believed something untrue, like the idea that God is obligated to fulfill all of our longings. At other times the Enemy may seize upon an opportunity to whisper doubt into our hearts. When this happens, let us do as John did, having faith enough to direct our questions to the object of our hope. Let him speak to our doubts. He is not afraid of our questions. When we hear of someone struggling with doubt let us respond as Jesus did--by drawing near to love rather than away to launch an attack.

Take some time to consider the following. Perhaps it would be helpful to record your responses in a journal.

Do you feel like you can be honest with God? Has long waiting or hardship caused you to wonder whether his promises are really coming to reality? Take your voice or your pen & journal and tell him about it. It's not like he doesn't already know!

Here is a prayer in response to today's text. You can pray this as your own or use it as a prompt for a spontaneous prayer.

Lord God, there is nothing about us you do not know, including the fact that we don't experience 1000 years as one day like you do. Time here moves slowly for those who wait. Our minds don't see all as does yours. We have an active enemy who sows seeds of doubt and discouragement. You are not ignorant of any of this, nor could you ever feel threatened by our questions. You are the rock where we find an anchor, shelter, security, and strength. We glorify you because you are God, high above the storm yet wearing our skin.