Worship for the Weekday
Augustus Decreed A Census by Jon Walker
I can 't think of a better commentary on the "Christmas spirit" that we should carry with us all year long. This is a devotional by Jon Walker that he shared on 12/13/07. (Reprinted by permission)
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. … All returned to their own towns to register for this census. (Luke 2:1, 3 NLT)
Can you believe it's almost Christmas? Praise God for the gift of his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who was born as a baby in Bethlehem!
As we read about the birth of Christ, can you see how God used circumstances to guide his Holy plan and how he uses circumstances to speak to us even now?
Jesus was born in Bethlehem because God decreed it so. His birth in Bethlehem was foretold by the ancient prophets. But what would compel Joseph and Mary to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially late in a pregnancy?
How would they – just as human as you and I, and still looking through the glass darkly – know they were to go to Bethlehem for Jesus to be born?
In Luke 2, we see God used a bureaucratic announcement made by a secular authority to guide Joseph and Mary. Augustus said the population should be counted, and that meant everyone was required to return to the “ancestral home.” Joseph was a descendant of King David, so he headed toward David’s ancient home – Bethlehem. (Luke 2:4-5)
What does this mean?
· God knows you – You were born at the right place and at the right time. God was not surprised by your birth, the circumstances of your birth, or where you were born. He spoke you into your mother’s womb, and he knows you by name.
· You’re free to see – Knowing that God is working through your circumstances, you are free to take your eyes off the circumstances and to look around and look above. Peter took his eyes off the circumstances and walked across the water toward Jesus; only when he looked back at his circumstances did he begin to sink!
· You can be active; not passive in circumstances – Instead of saying, “Why me, God?”, you can ask, “What’s up, God?” God is working all things out. Look for where he is at work.
· Christmas question – How would you view the circumstances of this Christmas season differently if you were certain God was working in your circumstances? “For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Labels: Christmas, circumstances, God, hope, plans
Comfort and Peace
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Joshua 1:8-10
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Psalm 31:24
24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.
John 16:33
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
I’m not really sure why I am focused on courage today. In fact, this is the topic I was thinking about yesterday and really didn’t have the time to gather my thoughts. When I looked up courage at dictionary.com I found this: Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear; n. The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
No, I’m not feeling as if I’m in danger. I’m not even particularly afraid of anything that I can think of—at least nothing new! So I asked myself Why do I need courage? What is the message here? Well, I’m not sure of the personal application at this point, but I have learned that when God gives us a message, a word, a thought, we are to follow through until we understand what He wants us to know.
The verse from John is one of my “hallmark” verses. If you notice, it’s on the banner of this site. I take a deep breath and relax a little every time I read it. Somehow Jesus telling us to take heart is very comforting. The meaning is very close to being of good courage, and don’t be discouraged. As I reflect on these passages I realize sometimes there is no particular situation or circumstance that causes us to become discouraged or to lose heart. Sometimes life just bogs us down.
It’s so easy to get to the point where we feel as if we’re spinning our wheels, isn’t it? Add on the extra tasks and duties of the holiday season, and one can get pretty overwhelmed. God wants us to know that we are not alone in our journey, in our struggles. He is there with us every inch of the way. The way we can be assured of that is to meditate upon the Book of the Law day and night.
Jesus has overcome the world. Because of him, we can face anything. But we don’t face it alone.
My prayer today is that you take heart and be of good courage. And that you remember the one who is the source of all comfort and peace.
Mary
Labels: comfort, courage, discouragement, hope
Hope and Good Courage
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Psalms 146:1-6
Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:
Deuteronomy 31:6-8
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he [it is] that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. The Lord God goes before us. I’ve come to terms with this truth recently in a rather surprising way! Our son has dealt with some undiagnosed learning disabilities his entire life. At 19 (this year) we finally received a valid diagnosis, and so are able to acquire some services that will allow him to live a full and productive life. My initial response to the situation was not one of joy, though. I was angry and sad—in fact, I was both outraged and devastated that he did not receive the help he should have had while in the school system.
Last week, I met one of my dear brothers in Christ for our annual Christmas “meet at the book store coffee shop” to get caught up on the year past and share plans for the upcoming year. While we were talking I had the revelation that I was being quite sinful in that I was limiting God and his power and doubting his wisdom. I had shared that I was so sad and angry that my son might not have the life he “could have” had if he had of received more help during his school years. Then I posed (to myself as much as my friend), “Who am I to question God?” Further, I shared, “How do I know that God did not intend the exact path for my son that he was on throughout his life?”
Even if the path was not the one “originally” planned for him, God surely will use everything my son has experienced and struggled with and celebrated and use it for his good and bountiful future! I wasn’t looking at all the wonderful qualities my son has, at all the ways he sees the world as a godly and faithful young man. I was discounting God’s ability and desire to overcome whatever obstacles man puts in our way and to turn it into something more, even better, than it might have been otherwise.
These verses tell us not to “trust in man” or to rely upon the wisdom or inherent goodness of human kind. We are rather to lean upon God and his understanding, wisdom, power and will. His knowledge is perfect. His wisdom is without flaw. His understanding far surpasses anything the human mind can comprehend. My son’s hope has always been in the Lord. It is my hope that has faltered and been overshadowed by doubt and fear.
God not only prepares us for our future, he sustains us in our present and transforms our past to equip us to do His good will. If that is not reason for hope and good courage, I don’t know what is. I’ll say it again: God not only prepares us for our future, he sustains us in our present and transforms our past to equip us to do His good will.
My prayer today is that you will Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid. And that you will sing praises unto your God while you have any being.
Mary
Labels: courage, faith, fear, future, hope
As Quiet As A Childby Jon Walker
This has been waiting for me in my email since early November. I say that because I hadn't opened it until this morning. Somehow, the timeliness is not a surprise to me. I tend to be a worrier and if you've listened to even a few minutes of the national and international news lately, there seems to be plenty about which to worry. Even just considering the day-to-day "worries" of our lives, we can get pretty bogged down and downright dejected. When I feel that myself getting bogged down, I do try to turn to scripture to refocus and redirect my thoughts. Negativity draws to us negativity. Positive, fruitful thoughts draw to us fruitfulness and more positive energy, after all.
Here's the devotional:I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD— now and always. Psalms 131:1b-3 (NLT)
Today’s devotional actually comes from my sister, a godly woman and serious prayer warrior. She emailed this morning, saying she’d been thinking the peace of God that passes all understanding.
She said she’d spent some time meditating on Psalm 131 –
· Verse 1b – “… I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me …” We are free to live out our purpose when we relinquish control of the things that don’t belong to us in the first place. Such as -- worry about things over which we have no control; or trying to control something we have no business trying to control.
· Verse 2 – “But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother ….” I trust, even when the out come seems a long way away. A nursing child wants attention NOW, but weaned child trusts and is content to wait.
· Verse 3 – “… Put your hope in the LORD— now and always.” We hope in the Lord with confident expectation. In other words, we truly believe that he will answer our prayers, that he will respond, that he will get us through. You can declare confidently that the Lord will pave you way and walk with you and keep your feet from stumbling. He’s done it before and He’ll do it again!
Praise God for His peace! It is through His peace that we can do all things - and endure so much. It is a peace that passes all understanding.
What now?
· Overly Concerned – Is your peace undermined because you’re concerned about matters that are not even your responsibility? Or, matter that you have absolutely no control over? Ask God what should be on your ‘responsibility’ list; ask him what items you should remove from your ‘responsibility’ list. Psalm 131:1b – “I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me.”
· Prayer, but Delayed Gratification – Are you at peace because you have learned to trust God and wait? If not, ask God to reveal what makes you demand an immediate answer from him, and talk to him about what he reveals. Ask God to help you learn to trust him – and to wait. Psalm 131:2 – “But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me.”
· Confident Expectation – When you say you hope in the Lord, really hope in the Lord. Expect him to come through for you – at just the right time in just the right way. Psalm 131:3 – “O Israel, put your hope in the LORD— now and always.”
© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.
Labels: hope, prayer, worry
Take Courage, Fear Not
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Isaiah 35:3,4 NASB
They will see the glory of the LORD, The majesty of our God. Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."
Are you feeling exhausted and feeble? All of us get to the point sometimes where we just feel spent. Especially around the holiday season, we can get run down and lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. All the added activity and increased number of tasks can absolutely overwhelm us.
It’s important to remember, though, that no matter what we are going through, no matter how hard life may be at any given point in time, we can have hope. That hope is not borne of desperation or of childish beliefs. It is a hope borne of a magnanimous and omnipotent God and His promise to us.
The broken hearted and those who rejoice have the same promise and the same hope because they worship the same God. Sometimes, that hope is the only way we can make it through the day. Sometimes that hope compels us to go an extra mile, to try a little harder, to endure one more hour. God’s words to Isaiah are words for all time, not just for the people of that day. “Take courage, fear not.”
This is short and sweet today. I don’t think there is much I need to add. The words from Isaiah speak volumes all on their own.
My prayer today is that you take courage in the promise and the hope of a good and loving God. And that you remember that he has worked throughout history to uplift and sustain his children.
Mary
Labels: courage, fear, hope
I Can Only Imagine
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Revelation 4:8-10 NIV
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Revelation 7:11-12 NASB
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty- four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."
Do you notice a pattern or theme in these passages? I think everyone spends time wondering what heaven will be like. Of course, we cannot even begin to imagine it! Following is a song that is one of my all-time favorite songs. If you haven't heard it, you should try to find it and listen to it. It is absolutely beautiful and I often start to cry when I hear it because of the emotion with which it's sung. I think these passages and the lyrics to the song will suffice to put you in a positive frame of mind today!
"I Can Only Imagine"
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face Is before me
I can only imagine
[Chorus:] Surrounded by Your glory,
what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence
or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah,
will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do Is forever
Forever worship You I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do Is forever,
forever worship you
My prayer today is that you imagine heaven. And that you have hope in this life because of what awaits us in the next.
Mary
Labels: heaven, hope
Despair is the Opposite of Hope
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Isaiah 19:20 KJV
And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
Psalm 40:17
As for me, I am poor and needy; but the Lord takes thought for me. Thou art my help and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God!
I’ve been a bit of a funk the past few weeks—not depressed, really, just feeling not quite at rest in my soul. I know some of the reason is that my daughter was married recently and life has settled back into somewhat of a routine—no more spreadsheets and to do lists for the wedding! More time to ponder the state of things now! Also my son is growing up and at nineteen will be leaving for some special training and schooling in a few months. That means he’ll be independent and capable of existing without me!
I identified the other day the reason for my funk: I’m disappointed. Disappointed in the world, in the public school system that didn’t give my son the support and guidance he should have had, disappointed with the field of presidential candidates, disappointed with the local government, disappointed with the seeming moral decline of society, and well . . . I’m just plain disappointed in everything! Well, I’m not disappointed in myself or my family. Hmmm. Looks like I’m disappointed in all those things out of my control.
I shared with some friends last night that I am keeping watch over myself that my disappointment doesn’t turn into despair. Of course, I don’t think that will really happen. Despair is an absence of hope and I am ever hopeful because of Christ. I know that may sound a bit trite but it’s true. In times like these, I do call out to God continually. I ask that He reveal to me what is next for my life. I pray about what I am to do now. I’ve spent the last 22 years being a mother before all else; doing the business of mothering before anything else.
As for the world . . . I guess I’ve been too busy lately to fully grasp the disappointing state of affairs! When I checked dictionary.com for disappointment I found the words sadness and disillusionment. I think those are better descriptors of what I’m feeling. I know – everything is going relatively well in my life! I’m going to try to figure out what I can do to feel more empowered and to make a difference regarding all the disappointing situations in the world.
As for me, I am poor and needy; but the Lord takes thought for me. Thou art my help and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God! I know I must wait for God to reveal what’s next. I just don’t like to wait! Enough whining for today! I am truly ever hopeful! I am impatient for the day Christ comes again in glory. Until then, I’m just going to have to do whatever I can to hasten that day!
My prayer today is that you cry unto the Lord—the source of all hope, the Great One, the Deliverer. And that you pray about what you can do to bring about a world worthy of the second coming.
Mary
Labels: deliverer, despair, disappointment, help, hope
