Morning Devotional Time

Here is something I just wrote for the guys in my Tuesday morning group - maybe there is something here for you.

Dear brothers,

In our group this morning some of us expressed a desire to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ in our experience with the Bible in the morning. Here are some thoughts that might help:

1.    Don’t turn on anything but the lights and the coffee maker. I have found this to be critical because once I turn on the TV or the computer or look at a smartphone it is pretty much all over – my mind is moving at warp speed as soon as I open my mind to the outside world.

2.    A visual image I use is of a blank sheet of white paper. What do I want written on that paper? How do I want to begin my day? What do I want my first impressions of the day to be? That paper represents my heart, my mind, my soul – I want our Father and Christ to have the first imprint on my day as I invite the Holy Spirit to speak to me through God’s Word.

3.    Choose a place in your home that is conducive to quiet and use the same place every morning.

4.    Have two pads of paper or notebooks with you. One is to write down any wandering thoughts like, “Don’t forget to take the trash out. Don’t forget to make a dentist appointment.” Once we write these things down we don’t need to worry about forgetting them – it gives us some immediate closure. The other paper is to write down any impressions and thoughts you get from Christ in His Word in your devotional time. I use a journal or composition book to write my thoughts and impressions during the quiet time. I don’t write things down every day, or even every week – (some folks do and that’s great) – but when I do write something down it’s nice to be able to go back and look at it.

5.    I am a big advocate of reading one Psalm a day. No matter what else I’m reading I want to read one Psalm a day. Actually I start with Psalm One and read 30 Psalms a month – this means that in February I double up on some days, and in 31-day months I don’t read a Psalm on the last day. Why? Because this way I read through the Psalms every five months – there are 150 Psalms. It also helps me keep track of where I am reading since every month begins with either Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, or 121. I am simple and need a simple system. You’ll be amazed, I hope, at how you’ll begin to feel at home in the Psalms.

6.    I also recommend taking the Gospel of John and reading a passage during your devotional time – not necessarily an entire chapter – and go with the flow.

The above is, I think, a good way to begin. Make it a time of talking to our Father and Lord Jesus and listening – in motorcycle riding there is the idea of “letting the road come to you” and finding your “line” in the road – you don’t want to force things on a motorcycle or you will soon have road rash at best, or a bad accident at worst. When I was riding and I learned to find my own line and not try to be someone else I learned to enjoy riding.

Start the road trip, fire the bike up, and see where God takes you in 2020.

Our Father and Lord Jesus love YOU with all that they are. Relax, take your time – let your time be God’s time – let God surprise you – He will…He absolutely will.

And remember please – there are only two things you should turn on – the coffee maker and the lights – trust me on this boys, I know from experience.

I love you,

Bob

War in the Temple

I suppose things have always been this way, but when I ponder the divisiveness within the professing-church I am reminded of Josephus’s account of the siege of Jerusalem – even though a Roman army had encircled the city, even though there was famine within the city – Jewish religious factions were fighting each other – literally fighting each other, people were dying – within the Temple precincts.  

I wonder if we can learn anything from this.

Advent?

First Advent? Second Advent?

Perhaps the Second Advent is but the capstone of the First Advent; in the sense that His First Advent continues in His People and it is consummated at what we call the Second Advent. That Second Advent is one of completion - when He shall be admired in all those who believe in Him (2 Thess. 1:9).

A Christianity Today Editorial

As some of you likely know, yesterday Mark Galli, editor of Christianity Today, wrote an editorial about President Trump. This is an unusual step for Christianity Today.

I still have a copy of a CT editorial that is well over ten years old in which the editor reminds us that the US Constitution is not the Bible, something I thought important to say then and perhaps even more important to say now. 

As Galli points out in yesterday's editorial, we ought to apply the same standard to Mr. Trump that we (Evangelicals) applied to Mr. Clinton. Many of us (whoever "us" is these days) have rightly been accused of hypocrisy for the way "we" acted with vitriol toward Mr. Clinton and the free pass "we" give Mr. Trump. 

"We" were checked-out during the Civil Rights Movement and "we" are checked-out in terms of moral and ethical and spiritual consistency during the current presidency. 

This morning I read about a mega-church pastor who has prophesied that God will intervene on Mr. Trump's behalf. I see a lot of this kind of thing publicized, but I see little mentioned about other Christian leaders who have grave concerns over the current administration...as well as over our government in general - including both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill. 

This mega-church pastor might want to take a look at the false prophets in the employ of King Ahab - and others of their Biblical ilk. 

It seems to me that if we are to have a credible prophetic voice that it must be without regard to red or blue.

Galli also points out that Billy Graham, one of the magazine's founders, (and one of the founders of my seminary, Gordon - Conwell), in later life regretted his uncritical relationships with Presidents Johnson and Nixon - a lesson his son Franklin does not appear to have learned. Galli does not make the obvious connection between father and son, but it is there for those who have eyes to see. 

Click to go to the editorial

The Magi

Here is what I've written for our small men's group to ponder, maybe there is something here for you. 

For December 24^th, lets please take a look at Matthew Chapter 2.

Where do you see yourself in this passage?

Herod? The priest and scribes? The magi? (Wise men – “magoi” is the word used in Greek – it is plural).

I imagine that I’ve played each part in my life, let me rephrase that, I know that I have played each part in my life. What about you?

The important thing is where we are today…isn’t it?

Some observations and questions:

It is likely that when Matthew wrote his Gospel that his immediate audience was the Jewish people. Throughout his Gospel, including in this chapter, Matthew appeals again and again to the prophets of ancient Israel. While the other three Gospel writers also work with the prophets, this is a primary focus for Matthew – more so than Mark, Luke, and John.

This being the case, Matthew is somewhat “in your face” by bringing Gentiles (the magi) into the story at the beginning. This reminds me of when Jesus spoke in His hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:14 – 30) and His hometown folks wanted to kill Him because He spoke about God’s grace to two Gentile women. Furthermore, Luke also introduces a promise to Gentiles in Luke 2:32.

We don’t know how many magi there were, we may think there were three because they brought three gifts that were mentioned, but we don’t really know. In fact, there is a lot we don’t know about this chapter – but at the end of the day Matthew tells us what we need to know.

The magi were likely from Persia, and they were likely of a caste that studied the heavens and natural sciences. We see glimpses in the Old Testament of non-Hebrews with special knowledge of the true and living God: I am particularly thinking of Balaam in Numbers chapters 22 – 24 (fool though he was, and evil as he went), and of course Melchizedek in Genesis Chapter 14. My point here is that God seems to be always revealing Himself to the peoples of this world who are open to Him (Romans 2:12 – 16).

The magi were looking to the heavens with expectation and hope – they had some understanding of the birth of Messiah (“Messiah” is Hebrew, “Christ” is Greek). Psalm 19 is one of many places in the Bible that tells us that God reveals Himself in Creation – see also Romans 1:20 (most of us, including me, have lost our “sight” to discern God in Creation – at least in the manner Paul and David wrote of, and which the magi practiced).

The magi were willing to make a long journey – it may have taken around two years (Matthew 2:16) – the were willing to go on pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is an important Biblical concept – 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11; Hebrews 11:13; Genesis 47:9; Psalm 119:54.

Are you on pilgrimage? What does that mean? What does that look like? Just as a ship’s captain maintains a log, are you keeping a log of your pilgrimage?

Are we looking to the heavens, to God’s Word, to guide us in following Christ? What does that look like?

How is God molding you into the image of Jesus Christ as you are on pilgrimage?

We put our time and energy and money into the things that matter to us – what does that look like in our lives?

I guess the magi assumed that the people in Jerusalem would know about the birth of the King of the Jews. Here Matthew introduces two themes found in the Gospels – the antagonism between government and God’s Kingdom, and between “self-righteous religious leadership” and God’s Kingdom.  The magi went to the center of civil and religious power and didn’t find the Messiah…that is typically the case throughout history…and in current events. We ought to know better (James 2:1 – 7; 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 31). Pilgrims keep moving toward Christ and His Kingdom, they tend not to be seduced by earthly centers of power, wealth, and prestige – they learn to see them for what they are – things that are passing away.

Are we seduced by what the world considers power, prestige, religious knowledge; or are we following Christ?

During this Advent season I have been particularly struck by the magi’s reaction to finding Christ (Matthew 2:10). Matthew didn’t just write, “They rejoiced exceedingly.” He didn’t write, “They had great joy.” Instead he wrote:

ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.

“When they saw the star, rejoiced joy great exceedingly.”

Or in good English, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

Matthew is emphasizing the joy the magi experienced – it must have been overwhelming.  They were filled up with joy, they were overwhelmed with joy. Every fiber of their being was filled with joy.

Gold, frankincense, myrrh – worship is divine (gold) and fragrant (frankincense and myrrh).

Is there a Divine fragrance is my worship of Jesus Christ? Am I falling on my face before the Face of God in Jesus Christ?

What about you? What does your worship of Christ look like? What does it smell like?

Ted Williams used to ask young sluggers, “Can you smell it?” He didn’t explain what he meant; he simply asked the question. You either knew what he was talking about or you didn’t.

There are times when the bat hits the ball so hard that the wood of the bat gets so hot you can smell it – you have either had that experience and know that smell or you don’t.

What does our worship smell like? (Revelation 5:8; 8:3).

Just some closing observations:

Jerusalem is six miles from Bethlehem, yet the religious leaders didn’t even make the trip, just in case the magi knew what they were talking about. This is a characteristic of religious arrogance – “if it didn’t come from us it can’t be true.” This is a dumb jackass attitude – don’t you think?

People can know the Bible and be dead in their sins – the religious leaders exhibited this truth throughout the Gospels (a good example is John 8:31 – 59).

Herod – Governments, at the end of the day, will never tolerate the worship of anyone or anything but the State. (Psalm 2).

This is all about worship – this is all about who we give our hearts to, this is all about falling on our faces before the Living God, this is all about loving God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength.

This is all about giving Christ everything we have and everything we are. This is worship.

The Magi rejoiced with exceeding joy. We joy over the people and things that mean the most to us. Are we rejoicing over Jesus Christ? Are we falling down on our faces to worship Him?

What is in your wallet?  Who is in your heart?

What does the Incarnation look like in your life? Is Christ born in us as He is born in Bethlehem? Is the Incarnation continuing in us, and in our churches?

As St. Athanasius says, “He became like us so that we might become like Him.”

I love you!

Merry Christmas,

Bob

A Christmas Carol Poem

Gilbert Keith Chesterton, 1874 - 1936

The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary were the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood on Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown,
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down

The Best House?

A day or two ago I had a mental picture of this neighborhood. I hope we are not being foolish during this Advent season - carried away by the insanity of materialism. 

What Is The Best House In The Neighborhood?

Robert L. Withers

What is the best house in the neighborhood?

Is it the one with exotic cars in the driveway and garage?

Is it the one with the Olympic-size swimming pool?

Is it the one so large that it takes many maids to clean?

Or perhaps the one with professionally landscaped and maintained grounds?

Maybe it is the house with thousands of Christmas lights?

Surely it could not be that little house at the end of the road,

At the end of the subdivision.

That is the house whose owners refused to sell

when the developers came to town.

That is the house modest in size, modest in appearance.

Surely it cannot be considered as even a remote candidate

For the best house in the neighborhood.

A day however comes when the river floods and the waters

Break its banks.

The levies collapse with a terrifying rush as the storm surge

Pushes them aside.

The hurricane spawns tornadoes, and the winds carry houses away,

And as the flotsam and jetsam assault the neighborhood

Only one house will remain that day.

It is the one that was there before the developers came

The one modest in every way, the one the neighbors were

Embarrassed about, the one they wished would go away.

But it did not go away, in fact it stayed, through the floods

And the storms that day, for that modest house had something that

The others didn’t, and so it did not float away.

It had a deep foundation you see, built upon the Rock; deep down

Through the earth it was laid – a firm foundation, that is what it was –

And that House is still there today.

So my friend don’t measure your life by things, by possessions

Or by what people say, there is only One measure in life,

Only One my friend – and of Him we need not be ashamed.

A life whose foundation is Christ is a life, though modest it may be,

That has eternal treasure, and that without measure;

With Him we ever shall be.

(Luke 6:46 – 49)

In The Bleak Midwinter

BY CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,

In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,

Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;

Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,

The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;

But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,

Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Slaves? Perhaps.

I could not pass this quotation up, it is from poet James Russell Lowell:

They are slaves who fear to speak

For the fallen and the weak;

They are slaves who will not choose

Hatred, scoffing, and abuse,

Rather than in silence shrink

From the truth they needs must think; 

They are slaves who dare not be

In the right with two or three.

As King Lemuel's mother taught him (Proverbs 31:8 - 9):

Open your mouth for the mute,

For the rights of all the unfortunate.

Open your mouth, judge righteously,


And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Are we, God's People, speaking up for the disenfranchised today?

Or, are we slaves?

Highly Favored

“Greetings favored one, the Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28.

“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30.

These words of Gabriel to Mary are the words of God to all who belong to Jesus Christ. Can we hear the words of the Apostle Paul, over and over again, to the recipients of his letters, “Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ”?

The favor bestowed on Mary was the favor of mercy and grace, just as that conferred on us is the favor of mercy and grace; God’s sovereign and unmerited mercy and grace given freely to us according to the pleasure of His will.

Christ is born of Mary without the participation of a man; Christ is born in us without natural means: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 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).

As Jesus says, “That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6).

As with the individual, so with the Church; the Son of God cannot be formed within His People by natural means – only the Life of the Son can reproduce the Life of the Son – the flesh cannot produce the spirit nor understand the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians Chapter 2).

Those in Christ are highly favored with their Father’s mercy and grace – O that we might hear God speaking His Word to us in Christ Jesus, and O that we would respond in obedience to His Word.