The World Changer

The World Changer

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7

Into a cold night the Christ Child was born. Although the heavens opened and a chorus of angels sang, their audience was not one of princes or kings, but shepherds. I imagine heaven could not contain itself and had to herald him into the world he had created!

Jesus our Savior came with no roof over his head—born in a barn. God chose to teach us humility by coming in the most humble manner. He came, not to be served, but to serve. The lesson started on the day of his birth. Innocent and meek. Dependent and defenseless. Not what was expected of a King. Oh, and what a lesson to be learned. One where pride had no place. Instead, the love of God was demonstrated by obedience—lived out in faith and trust.

“For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19

A miracle happened on a cold night in Bethlehem. A promise was fulfilled. The strength of heaven came as a helpless Babe.

Miracles are still happening. God’s still choosing the humble over the proud, using the meek instead of the strong, and the selfless over the selfish. He still provides salvation to those who trust and have faith in him.

Do you believe God can change the world by using the weak? By using the vulnerable? By a baby?

I believe he already has!

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world—things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 (NLT)

God is With Us

God Is With Us

“All right then, the LORD himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Isaiah 7:14

Every year it seems there is more emphasis on the marketability of the Christmas season than there seems to be an appreciation for the real reason for the season—Jesus. Some sorrowful believers have penned poems about the substitution of the Santa-myth for the truth of God’s perfect gift.

“Twas the night before Christmas and it seemed such a shame,
not a soul mentioned our dear Savior by name.
They talked about Santa and the reindeer and elves
as their dust-covered Bibles just lay on the shelf.”

The baby in the manger—heralded to lowly shepherds by an angelic choir and illuminated to the Magi by the star in the east—came to give us hope. The message of Christmas is that God sent us his Son, Immanuel, to be our Savior.

What is it you are needing this Christmas? Jesus is the best giving-and-receiving gift ever. Have you considered that every book of the Bible, God’s Word to us, proclaims God’s Son?

The Apostle John wrote Jesus has been with us from the beginning (John 1:1-3). Read and savor how each book reveals who our Immanuel is.

Genesis: Jesus is the Creator who promises to redeem all of creation as the promised seed of Abraham.
Exodus: Jesus is the Passover Lamb whose blood saves those who are under it.
Leviticus: Jesus is the ultimate High Priest who offers Himself to atone for the sins of His people.
Numbers: Jesus is the Bread of Life, sustaining the people of God and the Living Water from the Rock, quenching their thirst.
Deuteronomy: Jesus is the obedient son who earns the blessing but freely takes the curse so His brothers and sisters may be blessed as well.
Joshua: Jesus is the one who conquers the enemies of God’s people and leads them to victory and rest.
Judges: Jesus is the one who delivers His people from injustice and reminds them of God’s covenant faithfulness.
Ruth: Jesus is the kinsman-redeemer who provides abundantly for the foreigner and the widow.
1-2 Samuel: Jesus is the righteous King who is also the faithful Prophet and the holy Priest.
1-2 Kings: Jesus is the King who gives an easy yoke to His people and unites them in love.
1-2 Chronicles: Jesus is the Son of David who reigns forever with justice and mercy.
Ezra: Jesus is the faithful priest sent to instruct and encourage the people of God.
Nehemiah: Jesus is the one who restores His broken people and leads them to restore that which was broken around them.
Esther: Jesus is the faithful One who reigns over kingdoms and individuals even when He is not recognized.
Job: Jesus is the voice of wisdom calling us to glorify the Sovereign God of Creation.
Psalms: Jesus is the True Song declaring God’s glory to His people and to the nations.
Proverbs: Jesus is the wisdom of God guiding the people of God through the trials of life.
Ecclesiastes: Jesus is the Eternal Wisdom giving purpose to our brief lives.
Song of Songs: Jesus is the Faithful Husband rejoicing in the beauty of His Bride.
Isaiah: Jesus is the Suffering Servant whose wounds heal His people.
Jeremiah: Jesus is the Righteous Branch offering shelter to all who will come to Him in faith.
Lamentations: Jesus is the prophet who weeps for the disobedience of God’s people and the one who will restore them.
Ezekiel: Jesus is the Son of Man who brings life back to God’s people by sending the Spirit to resurrect them.
Daniel: Jesus is the Son of Man enthroned over the nations who nonetheless walks through trials with His people.
Hosea: Jesus is the Husband who is faithful even when His Bride is not.
Joel: Jesus is the one who restores what the locust has eaten and sends the Holy Spirit to His people.
Amos: Jesus is the one who proclaims justice for all regardless of wealth or fame.
Obadiah: Jesus is the brother who never fails His kinsmen.
Jonah: Jesus is the prophet declaring salvation for even the most unlikely of people.
Micah: Jesus is the lowborn peasant who reigns through justice and mercy to bring God’s salvation.
Nahum: Jesus is the judge who offers mercy but will assuredly bring justice if rejected.
Habbakuk: Jesus is the all-sufficient righteousness of God who enables perseverance through trials.
Zephaniah: Jesus is the missionary judge calling all people to receive mercy and a new identity.
Haggai: Jesus is the one who restores worship in the people of God.
Zechariah: Jesus is the humble King who allows Himself to be pierced for His people’s salvation.
Malachi: Jesus is the Lord who remembers His servants and sets them apart from those who do evil.
Matthew: Jesus is the Messiah who fulfills the Law and sends His people to proclaim the good news.
Mark: Jesus is the Messiah who serves the people of God.
Luke: Jesus is the Messiah who seeks and saves the lost.
John: Jesus is the Messiah reconciling God and man.
Acts: Jesus is the Lord who sends His people to proclaim and establish outposts of His kingdom everywhere.
Romans: Jesus is the righteousness of God accessible to all who confess Him as Lord and believe in His resurrection.
1 Corinthians: Jesus is revealed in the lives of His people and they ought to live in love, holiness, and unity as a result.
2 Corinthians: Jesus is the promise made to God’s people of what’s to come.
Galatians: Jesus is the only thing God’s people need.
Ephesians: Jesus is the source of unity and salvation.
Philippians: Jesus is the source of joy and humility.
Colossians: Jesus is the source of all things and the life of His people.
1 Thessalonians: Jesus is the encouragement His people need for the present and the hope they need for the future.
2 Thessalonians: Jesus is the coming Judge who will avenge the people of God.
1 Timothy: Jesus is the Savior of the worst who provides for their life in community.
2 Timothy: Jesus is a treasure worth guarding and sharing.
Titus: Jesus is the standard of truth against which every teacher is measured.
Philemon: Jesus is the one who calls His people to unity regardless of status, history, & other considerations.
Hebrews: Jesus is better than everything.
James: Jesus doesn’t accept lip-service but calls His people to whole-hearted service.
1 Peter: Jesus is the example for God’s people to remain faithful in the midst of suffering.
2 Peter: Jesus is the one who ends the history of sin and restores creation in righteousness.
1 John: Jesus is Love.
2 John: Jesus is Truth.
3 John: Jesus is Good.
Jude: Jesus is the one who has mercy on us and keeps us from stumbling.
Revelation: Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who makes all things new.

Immanuel. God with us. God in human form. We couldn’t reach heaven on our own, so Jesus came to earth to make the way. He says to us today,

I’m here. Call on me.”

So, Sisters, will you not seek him out and invite him in? To live in your heart…now and forever? He is all you need and will ever need.

Jesus is who you are longing for.

Wise men sought him out and followed the star. They were diligent seekers for the truth. They had eyes to see and ears to hear to be diligent observers in their studies and searching.

They were willing to follow the evidence and go wherever it led. It took them many months. By staying the course—finishing strong with determination—they recognized who Jesus was and worshipped him.

“O come let us worship and bow down: Let us kneel before the Lord, our maker…” Psalm 95:6

In the silence, as he speaks…will you be wise or otherwise? Hope is on the way.

offered by Peggy Carson

Emmanuel in the Midst of Grief

Emmanuel in the Midst of Grief

“I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.” Psalm 6;6

We had a failed adoption last month.

We drove a sweet baby boy home in our minivan, my hands pressed over my mouth to temper my excitement. The next day, I found myself balled up in the same minivan, hands pressed over my mouth trying to hold back my ugly sobs.

The social worker wrestled to unlatch the car seat in order to take back custody. I couldn’t watch. I couldn’t help. My own spirit was wrestling to unlatch him from my heart. He was screaming, I was shaking, and the social worker was timidly whispering apologies before she drove away with our ‘Maybe Baby’.

No words could reach the uncharted space now exposed in my heart. This was a new kind of sorrow—a raw wound inflicted. I felt no one could understand if they hadn’t experienced this exact situation. I was so certain that no one on the planet—the universe—the cosmos—could ever ‘get it’. I lay face down on the surrender spot next to my bed, and sobbed out loud…

Lord, I know you’re trying to comfort me, but you can’t understand. You’ve never had a failed adoption…

Sweet Jesus, I can be so ignorant. My Father God hasn’t had a single failed adoption—he’s had thousands. Our God, in his self-sacrificing love, literally died on a cross to make us his sons and daughters. It’s his heart’s desire that all people accept this truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Sadly, not everyone does. And here I was, accusing him of not being able to understand my grief. I had grief over the loss of one. He’s had grief over a multitude.

God didn’t bring this truth to my spirit so I’d feel foolish, but to reveal there’s no anguish he doesn’t understand. This was a new kind of ache for me, but not for Him. He carries all the sorrow of the world on his shoulders. I’ll never be able to wrap my brain around the mysterious way God manifests absolute joy as he simultaneously pours out tears of lament, but he does. And because I am adopted by him, he carries my sorrow, too. And because he sent his Son to earth, he empathizes with it.

He broke through history and time to dwell among us—to demonstrate that he understands what it means to be human. Isn’t that what the Christmas season illuminates?

Christmas celebrates the awesome jaw-dropping truth of Emmanuel, “God with us”. Whatever pain or trial you may be experiencing, don’t let the enemy tell you that you’re alone. God ‘gets it’. He’s been there on a much deeper level than you could even imagine.

We planned on keeping this baby forever.

Even when our plans fail, God’s promises prevail.

He is still “God with us”. He will never leave us nor forsake us through the uncertainty. This season, I’m focusing on the ‘baby’ sent to reign in my heart forever.

We’ve had people ask if we’d ever accept another placement. Honestly, my heart is begging not to be laid bare in this way again. However, I’m reminded that Emmanuel understands the human experience—the laughter, the agony, the elation, the toil.

Every effort is used to summon us to the heart of God—to help us understand his great love for the world and spur us to action. He inspires us to love fiercely and to fearlessly embrace vulnerability…for it was the vulnerability of the cradle that led to the victory on the cross.

“Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done wonderful deeds. His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!” Psalm 98:1

by Jenna Masters



Trust

Trust

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

Learn through obedience – I was in that between sleep and awake time when I heard these words impressed on my heart, but as if they were the end of a sentence. I lay there with my eyes closed willing myself to remember the whole sentence. “Learn through obedience” was all and I thought to myself if I just lay still maybe the Lord would repeat Himself, but the absurdity of that thought got me out of bed. As I stumbled to get my coffee, the events of the day before played through my mind. It was not a good day! Not by a long shot! Misunderstandings and hurt feelings had me sobbing before I could gather myself enough to even think of what it was all about. It felt like when a bomb explodes and the smoke clears all the bystanders have that look like, ‘What just happened?’

Immediately after the ‘explosion’ I felt sad and tired. I thought to myself when will the consequences of my past sins stop coming up – ‘Dear Lord will I live with this guilt for the rest of my life?’ I didn’t get an answer and so I prayed and went home and cooked – I made Turkey Noodle Soup for my community group – the shredding and dicing and bubbling helped soothed my heart. By the end of the night after an awesome discussion about John 4:1 – 26 the day was forgotten and peace ruled in my heart.

Learn through obedience, I’ve never been good when disciplined but I rather the Lords disciple than mans and God is faithful! I look to Him to make His purpose known, He always does

“My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11 & 12

A Remarkable Moment

A Remarkable Moment

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.” John 1:14

It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. As moments go, that one appeared no different than any other. If you could somehow pick it up off the timeline and examine it, it would look exactly like the ones that have passed while you have read these words. It came and it went. It was preceded and succeeded by others just like it. It was one of the countless moments that have marked time since eternity became measurable. But in reality, that particular moment was like none other. For through that segment of time a spectacular thing occurred. God became a man. While the creatures of earth walked unaware, Divinity arrived. Heaven opened herself and placed her most precious one in a human womb.

The omnipotent, in one instant, made himself breakable. He who had been spirit became pierce-able. 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. God as a fetus. Holiness sleeping in a womb. The creator of life being created. God was given eyebrows, elbows, two kidneys, and a spleen. He stretched against the walls and floated in the amniotic fluids of his mother. God had come near.

He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held him were unmanicured, calloused, and dirty. No silk. No ivory. No hype. No party. No hoopla. Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of star-gazers, there would have been no gifts. Angels watched as Mary changed God’s diaper. The universe watched with wonder as The Almighty learned to walk. Children played in the street with him. And had the synagogue leader in Nazareth known who was listening to his sermons….

Let him be as human as he intended to be. Let him into the mire and muck of our world. For only if we let him in can he pull us out.

Listen to him. “Love your neighbor” was spoken by a man whose neighbors tried to kill him. The challenge to leave family for the gospel was issued by one who kissed his mother good-bye in the doorways. “Pray for those who persecute you” came from the lips that would soon be begging God to forgive his murderers.“I am with you always” are the words of a God who in one instant did the impossible to make it all possible for you and me.

It all happened in a moment. In one moment…a most remarkable moment. The Word became flesh.

There will be another. The world will see another instantaneous transformation. You see, in becoming man, God made it possible for man to see God.

When Jesus went home he left the back door open. As a result, “we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”

The first moment of transformation went unnoticed by the world. The next time you use the phrase “just a moment…” remember that’s all the time it will take to change this world.

~~ Max Lucado

shared by Anne Martin