Thursday Thought – June 30, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” (Matthew 2:1-3)

You see two opposite reactions to the news of the new King in this text. The Magi came seeking the King when they saw His sign. Later, when they see the star again leading them to Bethlehem they are overjoyed. Seeking the King and overjoyed when they find Him, that’s one reaction to the news of Jesus.

Herod’s response was the opposite. When Herod heard the news of the King, he was disturbed. He was angry and frightened. He was angry because he didn't want anyone, not even God, threatening his kingship. He was frightened because this was one threat that would be difficult to deal with, after all, it included a supernatural sign, a star in the sky.

People still respond in opposite ways to the news of the King. When some hear, they seek Him and are overjoyed to find Him. Others respond like Herod did, with anger and fear. Some want a King. Some are afraid of what a King would mean for their lives.

How do you respond to the King?

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – June 29, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Matthew records the most profound statement in the entire Bible. It is in the account of the events that led up to the birth of Jesus. He said, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ -- which means, ‘God with us.’” (Matthew 1:22-23)

He was quoting from the prophet Isaiah: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

John declared the same truth as he began his gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1;1,14)

And one more time, this from the pen of Paul: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:5-7)

The most profound truth in the history of the world is that God came into the world when Jesus was born! The Creator lived with His creation. The Holy One walked with sinners. The Eternal One clothed Himself in flesh. God lived -- and died -- here on earth. Because He loves us. Because it was the only way to provide for our greatest need. God came to earth!!!

WOW!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – June 28, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:18-21)

From the beginning of His life, Jesus’ purpose was to save us from our sins. His purpose was planned before He was ever born! His name, Jesus, reflects His purpose. Jesus comes from the Hebrew word “Joshua” and means “Jehovah is salvation or Savior.” He came to bring salvation to us.

God had been planning this since before time and waited until the time was just right. “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son.” (Galatians 4:4) Peter made the same point, “He was chosen before the creation of the world.” (1 Peter 1:20)

Sometimes people consider the birth of Jesus as just a beautiful story of the humble birth of a great man … like Lincoln born in a log cabin. From God’s perspective, that’s not at all what it is. God knew what Jesus was here to do. The cross cast its shadow across Jesus’ entire life, even across the manger! God sent Jesus knowing full well what the world would do to Him. He knew the mocking and hatred Jesus would get. He knew many would not listen to Him and the betrayal He would face. He knew the pain, the torture, and the death that awaited Him.

Knowing what He was coming to, God still sent Jesus. He did it for you and me. That’s how much He loved, and loves, us.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – June 27, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Paul’s final greeting and encouragement to TItus, “Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.” (Titus 3:15)

The letter to Titus was from an experienced, mature Christian leader (Paul) to a younger, less experienced Christian leader (Titus). Paul was a mentor to Titus, helping him with the issues of faith and ministry with which he was confronted. Paul’s expectation of Titus was that he would also seek those that he could mentor. He was to appoint leaders in the church of Crete and take responsibility for helping those leaders fulfill the ministry to which God had called them and help them in their own Christian lives, too. Those leaders, as they were being mentored by Titus, were to take responsibility for the congregation they led, mentoring those people to be sure they were growing and maturing in the faith.

What is described in the relationships between Paul, Titus, the Cretian leaders, and the Cretian Christians is a continuum of mentoring, with each responsible for being in a relationship in which they were being mentored and to be in one or more relationships in which they were mentoring others.

That’s always been God’s design for the church. The church is to be made up of people helping people grow and mature in their relationship with the Lord. We aren’t to be in this alone. We are to rely on others to help us and be available to help others.

Paul’s relationship with Titus brings up the question of our own relationships with others in the faith. Are there one or more mature and experienced Christians to whom you look for mentoring? They serve as models and teachers to you in the things of the faith and in your service in the Kingdom of God. Just as important, are there younger, less experienced Christians to whom you serve as a mentor – perhaps in a formal way or, more likely, in an informal way?

To be mentored and to be mentoring – that’s God’s way to keeping us all growing!

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – June 24, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11)

Unity among His people is a deep desire of God’s heart. Divisiveness breaks His heart and brings His displeasure.

Unity attracts God’s blessings. The Psalmist wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3)

Unity was the prayer of Jesus on the night of His betrayal. Unity means so much to the Lord that it was on His mind in the midst of the most difficult night of His life. Jesus prayed for unity because He knew that the unity of His people was an essential element in reaching and changing the world with His message of grace and love. He prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)

So many of the New Testament letters to churches and individuals speak directly to the issues of unity and divisiveness. It becomes obvious that unity means a great deal to God and that divisiveness is a real disappointment to Him and a direct disobedience to Him.

That’s not just true in the church. That’s also true in our individual lives. God desires that we get along with the people around us.

Paul’s advice is clear, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

So, are you getting along with the people around you? God desires it. God commands it, as much as it depends upon you.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – June 23, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” (Titus 3:8-9)

There are things worth giving your time to and there are things that are not worth it. It’s a matter of priorities.

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Can God create a boulder so big that even He could not lift it? Those are just two of the multitude of meaningless arguments that some people in ages past have wanted to debate. They aren’t worth spending time talking about! There are more important things to which to devote yourself.

Too often, arguments and controversies take the place of action. People spend their time debating theology instead of putting what they believe into practice. Paul challenged Titus and those with whom he worked to “devote themselves to doing what is good.” It was a challenge to action, not debate.

Paul wrote similar advice to the Philippians: “If on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” (Philippians 3:15-16)

Don’t give so much time and effort to trying to resolve disagreements that you fail to live what you already believe!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – June 22, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

Paul includes several of the most impressive and important words in all language.

Saved: that’s what God has done for us. He did it, not us nor anyone else. We were doomed and He rescued us. We were headed for the pit of hell and He turned our destination around. We were lost, in every sense of that word, and He found us.

Mercy: someone defined that as “not getting what we deserve.” We deserve hell, in Christ, we won’t get it. We deserve to be punished for our sins, but Someone else got what we deserve and let us go free from our rightful consequences.

Justified: that is to be given right standing before God. Someone simplified the definition for it to say it means, “just as if we’d never sinned.” That is the way God sees us through Christ. Our sin goes onto His account and His righteousness is transferred to ours.

Grace: there’s almost no greater word than this one. It means to “get what we don’t deserve.” Because of mercy, we don’t get hell. Because of grace, we get heaven instead. Grace is derived from the word for “gift.” That’s what God has done for us, given us a gift, the most generous gift imaginable. In fact, it’s so generous it’s unimaginable!

There are more words in those few verses, too. Words like: heirs, hope, eternal life, generously, and more. Let me mention one more:

Jesus. Now, that’s the most impressive and important word you’ll ever know, because everything God has done for us is because of Him. All of the other impressive and important words are firmly and forever attached to Him.

His, by Grace, Steve