The Testimony of the Shepherds

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them” (Luke 2:15-20).

The birth of Christ was announced to some shepherds who were dutifully guarding their sheep late at night. Theirs was a humble, lonely, and dangerous occupation. Though the products of their flocks, wool and meat, were highly valued, the profession and lifestyle of the shepherds were held in low esteem. How ironic and wonderful that the Baby that would interrupt the worlds of kings and wise men should be announced by angels to such commoners as these shepherds. Three encouraging truths for growing disciples are revealed in the testimony of the shepherds.

The most obvious evidences of growing faith are an increasing knowledge of Christ… “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3), and a growing burden to make Him known… “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). If you want to know Christ better and become a more effective witness, I pray you’ll be as blessed by the testimony of the shepherds as I have been.

The shepherds desired Jesus. The wonderful proclamation of the angles had left something fresh and new in their hearts. They could have returned to their work but something deep inside compelled them to… “Go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened”. They had heard the good news and were compelled to seek confirmation of that... “Which the Lord has made known to us”. There is clear evidence of God’s grace at work in the shepherds’ hearts here. The men who were preoccupied with the lonely, lowly work of guarding sheep were now consumed by a compelling desire to seek Jesus. That’s what God’s grace does to the hungry heart. At the hearing of His Word, God’s grace rearranges our priorities, sets us free from all hindrances, and draws us to Christ… “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). Hungry disciples trust and respond to God’s grace as we diligently devour His Word in hopes of seeing more of Jesus Christ.

The shepherds discovered Jesus. They immediately obeyed the command of the angels and the compulsion of their hearts and they headed directly for Bethlehem. They had a clear vision of what to look for and were not distracted. Their haste to find the Christ child was rewarded as they… “Found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger”. There is encouragement here to respond to the truth God reveals in His word and ignites in our hearts with all diligence. The Holy Spirit inspired the Prophet Jeremiah to exhort us with the truth that God is revealed to those who seek Him wholeheartedly… “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Maturing disciples seek God’s truth wholeheartedly and testify that we have found Jesus Christ.

The shepherds declared Jesus. The message of the angels was confirmed right before their eyes. Their hearts could not contain the excitement and joy that seeing the Christ child ignited within them. Their mouths burst open and their lips proclaimed… “The saying that had been told them concerning this child”. There is inspiration here to share the testimony of our search for and discovery of Jesus with others. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would compel and empower His followers to tell others about their growing relationship and fellowship with Him… “And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning” (John 15:27). Genuine disciples have such an amazing, fulfilling walk with our Savior and Lord that we are compelled to tell the whole world about Jesus Christ.

As we grow up into Christ we are encouraged to know Him and to make Him known by…

The Testimony of the Shepherds.

The Three Abiding Gifts of Christmas

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:8-14).

Today’s story took place in the hill country of Judea, near the small town of Bethlehem. The date is lost to us, but it was well known to Luke’s first readers. It was the year of the Imperial Tax, levied by Augustus Caesar, and collected by his governor, Quirinius. Who was there? A few shepherds keeping an eye on their flocks. In Christmas cards, the shepherd’s life is a romantic one, but in fact, it was the sorriest job in the world, combining dullness with danger, long hours and low pay. But that night, the tedium was broken and the scant wages were no longer important. An angel appeared to the men and God's glory was shining around him. This glory had not been seen in Israel for a very long time, but every pious Jew knew what it was, and what it meant. The Glory that departed from Israel when they went into exile was back in full force! The angel announced that God had come home at last and included for serious truth seekers in his message is the revelation of the three abiding gifts of Christmas.

Christmas is overwhelmed with giving and receiving gifts, but one of the marks of the maturing disciple is a growing appreciation for the most important gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to call Christ the gift that is so great there are no words to fully express or describe it… “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). As we grow in Christ and we know Him better we find that all other gifts pale in His shadow. The angel pronounced that Jesus Christ is truly the gift that keeps on giving in at least three very wonderful ways.

In Christ we receive the glory of God. Every bit of creation was created by God and intended to reflect His glory… “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). God created mankind in His image as the crown of creation to reflect His glory in all we say and do. But sin keeps us from knowing and reflecting God’s glory… “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Christ came to pay for our sin and to show us how to experience and share God’s glory again… “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

In Christ we receive the peace of God. He made us to live in relationship with Him, each other, and the rest of creation. But we don’t live this way. Our sins make us selfish and abusive, and until they’re taken away we cannot know the peace He intends for us. This is what Christ has done. He has taken away our sins, by bearing them in His own body on the cross. And, in doing this, He has satisfied the justice of God and restored us to fellowship with our Creator… “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

In Christ we receive the pleasure of God. When He finished creating the world God said everything He had made was good. Then sin entered and infected our world with evil. Until we are reconnected with God we have no clue what is really good for us. But God does. Jesus Christ reveals and extends God’s pleasure or grace toward those who seek Him… “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). It’s the favor and grace of God that quickened us who were dead in sin so we could receive life in Christ by faith… “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

As we grow up into Christ we are blessed again and again by…

The Three Abiding Gifts of Christmas.

The Absolute Authority of the Lord

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 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 2:1-7).

Surely the God who arranged the perfect lineage of Christ through the generations from David and arranged the perfect location for the birth of Christ could easily arrange accommodations for Christ’s family on the night of the nativity. When we hear the words… “There was no place for them in the inn” we are impressed by the humility of Joseph and Mary as they appear to make the best of their circumstances in a world that has no place for their child. But the Spirit of Truth shows us here that Christ was in complete control of every detail of His birth and He inspired Luke to record for us a wonderful illustration of the absolute authority of the Lord.

There is great encouragement here for truth seekers to trust in the sovereignty of Christ over the people and circumstances of life. There is no crisis too big or detail too small for Jesus to be unaware or unconcerned about. The Dutch reformer Abraham Kuyper described the sovereignty of Christ with the words… “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine”. As we reflect on the three truths about Christ’s sovereignty presented in Luke’s report of the birth of Christ, let’s ask the Spirit to help us apply them to areas of our lives that need to be surrendered to the absolute authority of the Lord.

God aligned the ancestry of Christ’s family. God promised that Christ would be a descendant of David… “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). God was active throughout the ages ensuring that His Son would come through the line of David… “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32). We cannot choose our family, but when we are born again Christ claims us as His children and adopts us into His family… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

God administered the activity of government. God promised that Christ would be born in Bethlehem… “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2). Christ came in the midst of a government decree that compelled His family to travel to Bethlehem, the City of His ancestor David, to be born at just the right place and time… “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11-12).

God adapted the availability of Christ’s community. God promised that Christ would be marked by humility… “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9). It was not the insensitivity of the innkeeper or the overcrowded inn that forced the holy family into the barn. It was Christ’s choice to transform the lowly manger into the crib of the King… “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective disciples as we learn to surrender all of life to…

The Absolute Authority of the Lord.

The Prophet of the Lord

And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel (Luke 1:67-80).

At the end of nine months of silence Zechariah was quick to obey the instructions of Gabriel, and with a pen he named his son John. Immediately an explosion of praise and prophecy flowed from his pent up heart through his freshly opened mouth. Zechariah proclaimed the mighty deeds of God in the past and declared that his son and the coming seed of the house of David would be God’s instruments for the fulfilling of His promises to the offspring of Abraham. There would be complete deliverance from all enemies and an outpouring of mercy that together would set Abraham’s seed free to serve the Lord in holiness and righteousness forever. Then, Zechariah described the role his son was to play in this marvelous plan as he prophesied that John would be called the prophet of the Most High. Because everyone needs the same mercy, forgiveness, and salvation described by Zechariah, every generation needs disciples who are willing to imitate John and for their generation become the prophet of the Lord.

Would you like to be part of work that produces lasting results? Are there people in your life that have not experienced the forgiveness of Christ? Do you know someone who will spend eternity in Hell because they do not know the Way to Heaven? What keeps you from sharing the gospel of Christ with others? In the prophecy of Zechariah over his son John, the Spirit shows us some truth about God’s prophet that can make us better witnesses and empower us to be more effective in the work that produces lasting results, the work of leading others to Christ. As the Spirit helps us apply the following truth, maturing disciples can become powerful prophets of the Lord to our generation.

The Prophet of the Lord prepares hearts to receive Christ. It is with the heart that faith is exercised… “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:10). John prepared the hearts of his audience by confronting them in word and deed with the sinful condition of their hearts. When, like John, our words and deeds convict the hearts of those watching us, we live as the prophet of the Lord… “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19

The Prophet of the Lord proclaims Christ’s gospel. John gave his audience the knowledge of forgiveness and salvation. When, like John, we share the forgiving, saving message of the gospel we speak as the prophet of the Lord… “So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people” (Luke 3:18).

The prophet of the Lord presents God’s mercy. John offered God’s mercy to sinners. Mercy is God’s love for those who don’t deserve it. When, like John, we love the unlovely, we love as the prophet of the Lord… “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

As we grow up into Christ we prepare hearts, proclaim His gospel, and present His mercy as…

The Prophet of the Lord.

The Hand of the Lord

Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.  And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him (Luke 1:57-66).

John was born to a couple too old and to a mother too barren. His father’s obedience was immediately rewarded with a miracle of divine healing. But when the talk died down, something else continued to mark this child as special. As he grew up, John’s life was blessed by something this is to be desired by all serious disciples of Christ, the hand of the Lord.

The hand of the Lord prospers God’s chosen. The Old Testament records several examples of the hand of the Lord identifying individuals as His chosen prophets. The Lord’s hand enabled Elijah to outrun King Ahab’s chariot… “And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel” (1 Kings 18:46). The Lord’s hand gave Ezra favor before King Artaxerxes to be the leader of a great revival and the rebuilding of Jerusalem… “This Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him” (Ezra 7:6). The Spirit inspired Luke to record that the hand of the Lord was with John. Luke was moved later to record Jesus teaching that the same hand of the Lord was available to any disciple that would surrender to the call to serve God… “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28). Are you seeking and trusting God’s hand to prosper you as you are fully engaged in His work?

The hand of the Lord protects God’s children. The Teacher is clear throughout God’s Word that His hand works for those who serve and trust Him and against those who oppose Him… “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him” (Ezra 8:22). The Spirit echoes this truth through the pen of the Apostle Paul… “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). John would encounter much opposition as he answered the call to prepare the way for Jesus, but the hand of the Lord would guarantee his safety until the mission was completed. It is the protection of God’s hand that should embolden us to stand confidently in the presence of our enemies… “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). It is the power of God’s hand that makes us more than conquerors over His enemies… “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Where do you need to stop fighting your enemies and trust in the protection of God’s hand?

The hand of the Lord empowers God’s Church. Like Elijah, John the Baptist experienced the power of God’s hand on his ministry… “He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:17). The disciples experienced the same power as they were obedient to the great commission… “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). Are you seeing others turn to Christ through the power of God’s hand as you share the gospel?

As we grow up into Christ He prospers, protects, and empowers us as our lives reflect…

The Hand of the Lord.

The Gospel in the Magnificat

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home (Luke 1:46-56).

On the heels of Elizabeth’s confirmation of Mary’s belief in… “A fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:45), the humble virgin was inspired to praise the Lord. The Holy Spirit moved Luke to record her words in what has come to be known as The Magnificat. The Church has transposed Mary’s praise into a hymn also known as The Song of Mary. In this spontaneous outpouring of praise Mary revealed three truths the Teacher deemed worthy to be recorded in the Bible for truth seekers like us. These truths are indispensable to our salvation as they are revealed by the gospel in the Magnificat.

Mary confessed the truth about herself, that she was a sinner. She acknowledged her need for a personal Savior with the words… “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. She took the first step toward salvation by confessing her humble estate before the mercy of God. In her song of praise, Mary revealed a second indispensable step for all who would be saved from the consequences of sin as she confessed that she was a sinner who needed a Savior… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Mary confirmed the truth about God, that He alone could be her Savior. She presented the indispensable gospel truth that there is only one Savior, the Lord God of Israel… “I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:11). Gabriel told Joseph to name the child Mary carried in her womb Jesus because He would save sinners… “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In her song of praise, Mary confirmed the divinity of Christ, later affirmed by Jesus himself… “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and confirmed by the Spirit through the pens of Paul… “The glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) and of Peter… “By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1).

Mary committed herself to the mercy of God toward sinners. She revealed her understanding of the motivation of God in sending His Son to Earth with her words… “In remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever”. It was God’s mercy that would transform her humble estate, inspire generations to call her blessed, exalt all those of humble estate, and fill the hungry. This is God’s mercy revealed in His words to Abraham about his offspring Israel… “But you, Israel… You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off;  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:8-10). This is the mercy God promised to bless the nations with… “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 26:4). This is the mercy for all sinners that God promised to send through Abraham’s offspring Israel… “Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised” (Acts 13:23). In her song of praise, Mary committed herself fully to dependence on God’s mercy just as all sinners must in order to receive forgiveness from the Lord… “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

As we grow up into Christ our lives should echo the truths first proclaimed by the mother of Jesus in…

The Gospel in the Magnificat.

A Holy Admonition

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord” (Luke 1:39-45).

Mary ran to Elizabeth where she was met with an amazing confirmation of the promise from Gabriel. As the words of Mary’s greeting entered Elizabeth’s ears the baby leaped in her womb. This confirms the existence of two distinct lives in pregnancy and the intimate connection between a mother and her yet-to-be-born infant. God knew all about the fragile condition of Mary’s heart. He was aware of the confrontation of doubt and faith that was raging in her soul. As Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit a wonderful thing happened. Her words were transformed and with a loud cry she spoke a powerful blessing into the heart and soul of the very humble young mother, Mary. Hungry disciples learn here about how the Holy Spirit can transform our speech into a holy admonition.

We often forget about the power of our words. We are created in the image of God, and He created everything through the power of His spoken word… “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). We are the only creatures like Him with the ability to reason, communicate, and create ideas that might be turned into things. The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to admonish us that our words have the power of life and death… “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21). The Teacher moved James to teach us that our words have power to bless or to curse… “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). Jesus taught that our words are a sure reflection of what is in control of our heart… “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). So, one sure way to keep our words God-pleasing… “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14), and life-blessing… “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29), is to keep our heart filled with God’s Spirit… “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The Holy Spirit can empower our words to become a holy admonition.

Elizabeth’s words were an acknowledgement of Mary’s call. She reminded Mary that she was chosen and blessed by God. Spirit empowered words acknowledge that others are created and called to special works by Christ… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Elizabeth’s words were an anointing of Mary’s baby. She touched both mother and child with a confirmation that Mary was the mother of the Lord. Spirit empowered words confirm that Christ died so all believers might be anointed by His Spirit… “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Elizabeth’s words were an affirmation of Mary’s faith. She recognized that Mary would be blessed with all she would need for the fulfillment of God’s promise as her faith grew. May our words affirm the faith of others… “That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:12).

As we grow up into Christ His Spirit fills our heart and He transforms our speech into…

A Holy Admonition.

The World Recoils?!

The Schoolmaster doesn't get political very often, but God is sovereign over every area of life and His Word pricks our heart and sometimes prompts a prophetic voice that cannot be easily suppressed.

CNN Headline #1: World Recoils at US Torture

The world recoils at alleged (inserted by me because it's truly alleged torture that should be reported by our unbiased media) torture used by a legitimate government in defense of its citizens under attack at home and around the world. Is this the same world that barely blinks at public beheading of aid workers,, killing of children who won't convert to Islam, and other forms of violence?

What is the motivation behind publishing a report like this? Couldn't the Senate act on the findings of this report to invoke the kind of change it feels is necessary to protect the rights of prisoners of the war on terrorism? The publication of this report is getting a very predictable response and our soldiers and citizens here and around the world are under an increased threat of terrorism once again. Way to go Senators! This kind of reporting only incites more violence and has placed our military on even higher alert at home and abroad. Way to go CNN!

CNN Headline #2: What's in the CIA Torture Report?

Again, let's emphasize this is alleged torture, although that requires CNN to be unbiased enough to assume innocence in the absence of proof. I have not read the report but I am compelled to respond to the media's incitefull report of the report. I am curious about who the sources are in the Senate report that has stirred up this controversy. CNN reports that the Senate Intelligence Committee spent five years looking at more than six-million pages of CIA documents. Very encouraging when we remember how the same folks admitted they did not read the thousands of pages in the Obama Care Law before passing it! Let's admit that pages of documents are a record of activities and techniques used and reported by witnesses. Let's consider who the possible witnesses of this alleged torture might be...

Were the Senate investigators eyewitnesses? Certainly not. If such zealous seekers of justice had been present, surely the alleged torture would have been reported long ago.

Did testimony come from soldiers who participated in the alleged torture? Hard to believe they would so willingly shirk their duty to uphold the constitution, turn so easily on their comrades in arms, or so seriously perjure themselves.

Does the report rely on the testimony of captives and former captives who claim to have been the victims of alleged torture? Would sensible, serious truth seekers really believe the testimony of persons who are admitted members of terrorist organizations sworn to destroy the US? Wouldn't you expect such persons to give the kind of testimony that will incite criticism and increase distrust of our military? Wouldn't you expect these kind of persons to offer testimony that will promote division among our citizens?

CNN Headline #3: UN Demands Prosecution of US Torturers

This headline provokes the question, by what law should we prosecute the perpetrators of this alleged torture? According to the Constitution of the US? The victims of the alleged torture are sworn to destroy this Constitution. The alleged perpetrators of the torture are sworn to defend this Constitution. It guarantees and protects the right of US citizens, not US enemies. How ironic, insensitive, and illogical to invoke the very target of terror to protect the imaginary rights of terrorists.

A Biblical Response

All of this provokes me to more prayer. I'm praying that God will defend and protect those who've answered the call to defend our country, our citizens, and our Constitution... "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

I'm also praying more fervently for our enemies, foreign and domestic, whether they are members of terrorist organizations or government officials right here at home... "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).

Finally, I'm praying for educated, truth loving and seeking citizens to see through the inciting twisting of the facts by the media that is charged not to create and promote an agenda, but entrusted to keep us informed... "Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,  in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

The Confession of Faith

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:34-38).

Mary’s life was disrupted by God’s plan. Next, her doubt was confronted by God’s truth. She placed her reservations on the table with a very reasonable question… “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” This was her way of raising the most obvious and impossible problem with God’s plan in the presence of God’s messenger, Gabriel. The angel responded by confronting Mary’s doubt with God’s truth and her life was changed as she exchanged her concession of doubt with the confession of faith.

Gabriel revealed the truth that God will do it. God’s messenger angel foretold how the power of the Most High will be released when the Holy Spirit comes upon Mary. All she had to do was wait and surrender to the Spirit. Gabriel confronted Mary’s doubt with the truth that if she believed and surrendered to the Holy Spirit, God will do the work.

Gabriel revealed the truth that God has done it. Gabriel reported how Elizabeth, her cousin has also conceived a son. She who was too old and barren to have a child had conceived and was already in her sixth month of pregnancy. That conception was through her husband Zechariah, but it was also the result of the supernatural work of God. Gabriel confronted Mary’s doubt with a testimony that confirmed the truth that if she surrendered to the Holy Spirit and believed the word of the Lord, God will accomplish this work because God has done it.

Can you imagine for a moment what the Church might be like if every professing Christian had the kind of confessing faith that Mary had? How might your life be different if you could live every day in the same confessing faith that transformed Mary from humble virgin to mother of a King? Mary’s doubt was confronted and crushed by truth from Heaven. In the light of God’s compelling truth Mary no longer saw herself as too young or too virgin to be the mother of God’s Son. In the light of God’s truth Mary saw herself as she really was. She was the servant of the Lord and she could believe according to your word. The Holy Spirit reveals two indispensable ingredients of the life changing confession of faith here.

The confession of faith requires agreement with God’s truth about ourselves. The world strives to convince us we are feeble, frail, and fatal. God’s Word says we are created and saved to part of His eternal work… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God’s Word says His Spirit will empower us to accomplish His work… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Effective disciples like Mary, believe we are God’s servants, according to His Word.

The confession of faith expresses agreement with God’s truth revealed in His word. The world seeks to immerse and immobilize us with deceptive and foolish philosophy. Jesus taught the truth that sets us apart from the world and makes us available for God’s work is found in His Word… “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). He identified true disciples as those who were freed from the world’s deception by being fully immersed in His Word… “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). Effective disciples like Mary overcome doubt by abiding in the truth of God’s Word.

As we grow up into Christ His truth confronts our doubt and we are transformed by…

The Confession of Faith.

The Favor of God

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:26-33).

Talk about disruption! Mary was betrothed to Joseph. She was so legally engaged to be married that in order to end this relationship a bill of divorce was required. We might imagine the wedding date was set and the invitations were in the mail! Then Gabriel showed up with a divinely different plan! Mary was disturbed by the angel’s message. She did not hide her fear. In recording Gabriel’s caring response to Mary’s obvious concern, Luke presents a striking contrast between the humble character of Mary and the grandeur of the divine plan that was about to unfold. What made all the difference and enabled and empowered a humble virgin to become the mother of a King was nothing less than the favor of God.

There is very encouraging truth here for humble, ordinary truth seekers like you and me. It’s not easy to believe God can use us in His divine work. The evidence of our fragile, mortal circumstances is always right before our eyes. The feebleness of our natural estate gets even more obvious in the light of the inspiring record of God’s supernatural work presented in the Bible. We do not deserve to be used by God in any significant way. But every now and then, the Holy Spirit confronts us with truth that breaks into our hearts and sets us free to believe in God’s supernatural possibilities. The compelling truth of Scripture inspires us to jump into God’s supernatural plan! The Spirit moved Luke to give us a revelation of such compelling truth. Mary was a virgin. She was engaged to be married. There was nothing in her life that qualified Mary or marked her as deserving a chance to be used by God. What changed Mary was the unmerited favor of God. It was the favor of God that confronted and dispelled her fear. The favor of God enabled her to see past the circumstances of her life and to grasp the possibility that God could empower her to be the mother of His Son. The favor of God would cover and take care of the people and circumstances that would be disturbed by the coming miracle. The Spirit asks us today, how might we be transformed by a better understanding of and a deeper longing for the favor of God?

God wants to include us in His supernatural, life-changing, and lasting work. He loves to use us in spite of ourselves. The Spirit teaches that God is looking for those who are wholeheartedly committed to Him so He can strengthen their hands… “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). God loves to add His favor to our feeble hands to empower us to do works that are established and lasting beyond ourselves… “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” (Psalm 90:17). Paul called this favor of God that transformed his work into God’s work, grace… “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). When ordinary folks like Mary, you, and I surrender to His call to become fully engaged in His supernatural work we become vessels of His grace and our work reflects the supernatural heart and power of our great God to the unbelieving world around us… “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). It is the grace, or the favor of God working in us that enables us to fulfill our highest calling, to bring glory to God.

As we grow up into Christ our humble lives are transformed to accomplish His great will through…

The Favor of God.

Three Demands of the God-Directed Life--Live

The senior pastor whispered to me in the middle of last Sunday's 11am worship service, "I believe the Holy Spirit wants you to preach to these folks next Sunday". Nothing sweeter than Holy Spirit led and confirmed appointments. Here's the word the Teacher already gave me... "Three Demands of the God-Directed Life", some precious advent season Spiritual truth revealed in the lives of God's humble servants Zechariah and Elizabeth. Would love to see some of my friends at the 11am service... 

St. John's UMC is at 149 Ganttown Road, Turnersville, NJ 08012.

Persistent Faith

And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home. After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people” (Luke 1:21-25).

Zechariah’s unusually long time of service inside the Temple prompted wondering among the congregation that prayed outside. When he appeared, his silence provoked a buzz in the crowd. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. For them, this was confirmation that God’s presence still blessed the Holiest Place in His Temple and He still spoke to His people through the priests that ministered there. Unable to communicate with the crowd, Zechariah completed his time of service and went home. He was able to communicate the vision to his wife Elizabeth and she soon conceived. This confirmed that Zechariah and Elizabeth had a unity of faith in God who sent His messenger Gabriel. Finally, the Spirit prompted Luke to record that Elizabeth kept herself hidden for five months. She was not ashamed or doubtful, as revealed by her declaration of praise. She simply had no desire to leave home or her husband’s side, especially now that in every conversation, she would have the last word! Zechariah and Elizabeth were huddled together for nine months in anticipation of the birth of their miracle child and in this precious couple we see a beautiful picture of persistent faith.

Persistent faith requires confidence before the crowd. Zechariah kept faith in front of the bewildered, questioning crowd. He is a great example to earnest disciples like us who live according to our faith in the middle of a bewildered, questioning world. Zechariah reminds us that our Christ-centered lifestyle should provoke others to ask about what makes us different, and the Spirit exhorts us through the pen of the Apostle Paul to always be prepared to answer the questions of the crowd… “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

Persistent faith requires contentment in the calling. Zechariah kept faith at his work. He did not immediately run home, but He dutifully finished out his appointed time of service. He is a clear example to maturing disciples like us who are faithfully seeking to discern and obey God’s will in the midst of a world of temptation and sin. Zechariah reminds us that discovering and pursuing God’s perfect will does not require that we change our job or leave our home. Rather, as we give ourselves wholeheartedly to the ministry and work He has already provided for us, and as we are sensitive to His Spirit’s leading, God will keep us in the center of His work and His will. When we work as if we work for Christ we make ourselves available to Him, to be placed where He wants us to be… “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Persistent faith requires consistency in the confidential. Zechariah kept faith at home, between himself and his wife, when no one else was looking. They did not boast publicly as the couple who had been visited by an angel. Instead, behind the closed doors of their humble home, Zechariah and Elizabeth faithfully fulfilled their marital duties and despite their advanced age and Elizabeth’s barren condition, they waited patiently for the fulfillment of the vision. They are a precious example to diligent disciples like us of behind the scenes faith. They remind us about the integrity of genuine faith. Because real faith is a matter of the heart, it is just as important and evident in both the public and private lives of real believers… “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

As we grow up into Christ He includes us in His supernatural work as we grow in…

Persistent Faith.