MERRY CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:4-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Birth of Jesus

4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.

6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.


My prayer for you and all your loved ones is that today, you are experiencing all the hope, love, joy and peace that comes with Christmas.

Thank you God for Baby Jesus!

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM

Matthew 2:1-2
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Visitors from the East

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”


We have called them Magi … Three Kings … Royal Astrologers … Wise Men. What we call them is not the important part of their story. The important part is that they sought the “… newborn king of the Jews…”.

We don’t have to travel great distances, follow special stars or avoid the trickery of evil political leaders (for the most part) to find Jesus. Christian churches are in almost every neighborhood. Christian broadcasting is available by satellite, cable, TV, internet or radio. Bookstore shelves include writings by various Christian authors and the holy scriptures … The Bible … remains the best seller.

If you seek Jesus … wise men, women and children still do … the sources are all around you. “Seek first … the kingdom of heaven.”

GOOD PLAN

Matthew 1:18-25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.


Joseph had a good plan. Mary was a sweet girl. He cared for her a great deal but she had obviously been unfaithful. Still Joseph didn’t want to cause her public disgrace. He would “… break the engagement quietly.”

God had a better plan. His plan trumped Joseph’s plan. “Joseph … do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” That dream was a hard pill to swallow. Praise God for Joseph’s faithfulness and obedience.

Where has God given you a hard pill to swallow. Are you practicing Joseph’s kind of faith?

OBEDIENCE

Luke 1:57-66
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. 58 And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

59 When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. 60 But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

61 “What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” 62 So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. 63 He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

65 Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.


The angel Gabriel told Zechariah, before Zechariah lost his ability to speak, to name the baby John. Somehow, either Zechariah or the Holy Spirit communicated this to Elizabeth. Breaking with family tradition, they both were obedient to the instruction from God. They named the baby John and we have come to know this John as ‘John The Baptist’.

The answer to the question, “What will this child turn out to be?” is the one who prepared the way … the forerunner … the one who baptized with water … the one who baptized the Son of God. Yes … “…the hand of the Lord was surely upon him…”!

HOW DID ELIZABETH KNOW?

Luke 1:39-45
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”


Zechariah couldn’t tell her. He was still speechless at this time.

Mary didn’t tell her. There were no long distance phone lines, no email or text messaging.

At the sound of Mary’s voice, things started to happen with Elizabeth. Her unborn baby leaped in her womb. The Holy Spirit filled her and somehow she knew what was happening with Mary.

It had to be God. I guess we could call this Holy Spirit ‘instant messaging’.

IMPORTANCE OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH

Luke 1:26-38
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.


Let’s not miss the importance of this part of the overall Christmas story. The sin nature passes to every man or woman by the seed of the man. It required a miraculous birth … the virgin birth … for their to be a perfectly sinless sacrifice. The Old Testament sacrifices covered the sins of the people for a season … a period of time. The Lamb of God … the Son of God … the only sinless One … Jesus Christ … takes away the sin of everyone who believes for all eternity.

That is why the virgin birth is so important!

THE COMING LORD

Luke 1:11-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”


The chronicling of the birth of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the people for the coming of the Lord reminds us during this Christmas season that Jesus came. This was God’s plan for our salvation … the turning of our hearts back to God the Father.

It also reminds us that Jesus is coming again and that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, should be continually preparing for His coming and calling the lost to repentance. Only tribulation awaits those who fail to turn back to God before Jesus comes again. That is why there must be an urgency about our work of evangelism.

The Lord is coming … tell somebody today!

NOT ALONE

Philippians 4:21-23
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Final Greetings

21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.

23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.


Who are these brothers with Paul? Who are those in Caesar’s household? Paul is in prison and has spread the Good News with those with him … fellow prisoners … prison guards … and those who have come to visit him. They too are counted among “… God’s holy people – all who belong to Christ Jesus.”

When we share the Good News, wherever we are, we advance the Kingdom of God. Share it with someone today.

MOTIVATION FOR GIVING

Philippians 4:15-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts

15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.


In Genesis Chapter 4 we find the account of Cain’s offering to the Lord. His gift did not receive the favor of God.

Do you give God what’s left over? Is your giving grudgingly? Do you bring your offering to God only out of obligation? This kind of giving will never be “… a sweet-smelling sacrifice…” to the Lord.

Our giving finds favor with the Lord when we put Him first (give our first fruits – the tithe); when we give willingly; and when we give as an act of worship. It is in this context, giving that is pleasing to God, that Paul writes “…my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

GIVING

Philippians 4:10-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Giving to support the work of ministry has been a part of the church since it’s beginning in the 1st century. Paul praised the Lord for the willingness of the church at Philippi to give and for their concern for him. He let them know that he was content. He might have said, “You didn’t have to do it but I’m glad you did.” What he did say was “…you have done well…”

Many people give careful thought to their giving. Year-end giving (to take advantage of tax breaks) has become very important for many ministries and non-profits. In our broken economy, this year-end will be even more important for many ministries. It may mean the difference in continuing operation or not. Pray about your giving opportunities and I encourage you to ‘do well’!.

NOTE: In my new role as pastor at Nazareth MB Church, leadership of a non-profit is included. The primary function of the Nazareth Church Community Ministry, Inc. is a day-care center offering affordable service to low income families. We depend on donations to supplement the fees these families pay to keep our doors open. If you feel led to support us through a one-time donation or monthly contribution, it may be sent to: NCCM, Inc., 611 Dixie Avenue, Mendenhall, MS 39114. As in the past, your support for the various projects I am involved in and requested your help (Kids Across America summer camp, Kairos Prison Ministry), is greatly appreciated. I have not dropped the previous projects. My list has just grown to add one more. Thank you for what you do, wherever God leads you to help!

BEING POSITIVE

Philippians 4:4-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Words of Encouragement

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.


You can be critical if you want to. You find the fault in every situation. Maybe you are the pessimist … you know … the glass is half empty vs. being half full. You wake up on the wrong side of the bed every day and stay grumpy all day. Negativity is just your way.

God has a better way … being positive. Paul encourages us to “think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” and practice living for Christ. What will this being positive lifestyle bring to you?

“Then the God of peace will be with you.”

WORK IT OUT

Philippians 4:1-3
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Words of Encouragement

1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.

2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

Admit it. From time to time, disagreements will arise, even among the faithful. There were two women in the church at Philippi, this church that gave Paul so much joy, who were not getting along. Paul’s encouragement to them was to work it out. He didn’t stop there. He encouraged the whole church to help them work it out. Why? Because the work of spreading the Good News was more important than their disagreement. They had worked together in the ministry before and Paul’s desire was for them to continue to work together, advancing God’s kingdom.

Are you out of fellowship with a co-worker for Christ? Is there a situation you know about where ministry partners are at odds with each other? Now is a perfect time to work it out!

CITIZENSHIP

Philippians 3:17-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Pressing Toward the Goal

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

As Christians and earthly citizens, we are responsible to “…render unto Caesar…” That means God commands us to follow the laws of the land, pay taxes, vote, etc. The Christian aught to be the best citizen around because we represent Christ.

While we are being good citizens here on earth (our physical citizenship), Paul reminds us that our true citizenship (spiritual) is above. “…we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” One day, either by death or rapture, we will live with Jesus for eternity. Don’t wait until you get to heaven. Practice now how to live in the presence of the Lord.

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

ONWARD AND UPWARD

Philippians 3:12-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Pressing Toward the Goal

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

The Christian life is not spent reviewing the past. While reflection on past events, circumstances, successes or failures can be helpful, the true benefit of that review lies in what you do and how you handle what lies ahead. We learn from past mistakes. We build on successes but we don’t live there. Life is lived in today and tomorrow.

The Apostle Paul speaks of reaching perfection … pressing on … looking forward … receiving the heavenly prize. For Paul, it was about making progress … becoming spiritually mature.

The end of 2008 is fast approaching. As you review this year, how have you matured spiritually? How much progress have you made? What do you have to build on going forward? What goal will you be pressing onward and upward toward as we leave 2008 in the past?

PRICELESS

Philippians 3:7-11 (New Living Translation)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

You have probably seen the MasterCard commercials…

• Family lineage … $200
• Following the Law strictly … $300
• Circumcision … $50
• Position as a Pharisee … $500
• Knowing Christ … PRICELESS

When Paul met Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road, everything which he formerly zealously counted as having value, became worthless in the light of Christ.

What do you hold on to and value greatly? How do those things compare to the value of your personal relationship with your Savior? I pray your answer is Paul’s answer … PRICELESS!

RELIGIOUS CREDENTIALS

Philippians 3:1-6
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!

5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.


The Judiazers (Jews who believed both the Old Testament law and New Testament grace were requirements for salvation) were challenging the Apostle Paul regarding his religious credentials. Paul’s response to their challenge could have been to ‘measure up’ to their requirements. Rather than go there, Paul pointed to Jesus Christ as the only necessary requirement. “We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us.”

Faith in the work of the Cross is the Christians only credential.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Romans 1:5-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.


As I rest, relax and enjoy this Thanksgiving break, I have so much to be thankful for. Family … friends … fellow saints in the Body of Christ. As I think of you all, I am thankful to God for the many blessings (each one of you), He has poured out on me from His abundant storehouse in Heaven.

I have something new to be thankful for this year that has never been a part of my thank you list before. God has blessed me in the past with ministry opportunities in His church but this past October 15th,2008, He called me to the position of pastor of the Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church in Mendenhall, MS. The people of Nazareth have opened their hearts to my wife and I and made us feel unconditionally loved. Our love for them is overflowing. This is making this Thanksgiving very special!

Now put on top of that the wedding of my youngest daughter this coming Saturday evening and I am about to bust wide open, like that stuffed turkey, with joy and happiness.

I pray your Thanksgiving is also filled and overflowing with the joy we only get from God.

NO LONE RANGER

Philippians 2:19-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul Commends Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.

25 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.

28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.


From the very beginning of the Christian church, the work of spreading the gospel was done by groups, not individuals. Jesus called a group of twelve disciples and taught them this strategy. He them out two by two (Mark 6:7). The Apostle Paul had two ministry companions that he praised for their work in ministry, in keeping with this no Lone Ranger strategy.

Who has partnered in ministry and had an impact on your spiritual growth? This would be a great time to say thank you. Who has partnered with you on a work to spread the gospel? Have you paused to say well done? Use this season of Thanksgiving as an opportunity for ministry commendation.

SHARED JOY

Philippians 2:12-18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Shine Brightly for Christ

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.


When those you are ministering to, follow God’s instructions … it brings joy.

When they are working hard, spreading the gospel … it brings joy.

When they are obedient to God, above reproach, living clean, innocent lives … it brings joy.

When they are bright lights to the dark world ... it brings joy.

When they don’t complain or argue, doing the work that is pleasing to God … it brings joy.

When they hold firm to the Word, never wavering … it brings joy.

The Apostle Paul experience this joy because of the faithfulness of the Philippian church and exhorted all of them to share that joy. Personal joy is great. Shared joy is fantastic!

CHOOSE HUMILITY

Philippians 2:9-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Have the Attitude of Christ

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


An old preacher once told me that when you see ‘therefore’ in scripture, you take a look back to find what the ‘therefore’ is there for. This therefore points us to the ‘I’m Third’, Christ-like attitude we have discussed for the past two days. The ‘therefore’ says because Christ was humble in His attitude …

Whether we or the world want to admit it or not, the highest place has been given to Christ. The greatest name is the name of Jesus. The day is coming when believers and non-believers alike will bow before Him.

I would rather humbly choose to bow than be forced to my knees. Jesus is coming soon. Begin practicing humility today.

THE CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE

Philippians 2:4-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Have the Attitude of Christ

4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.


Christ ‘took the humble position of a slave’. Christ ‘humbled himself in obedience to God’.

Where does humility fit in your personal list of character qualities? When others observe you … hear you … interact with you, does your pride blind them or does your humility glow through? Christ has many positive character qualities … compassion … empathy … courage … boldness … to name a few. We should purpose to develop all these positive qualities in our own character. It seems that the Apostle Paul puts humility at the top of the list. Why? Because humility will enhance the worlds view (the glow) of all the other qualities and humility leaves no room for the blinding light of pride.

I’M THIRD

Philippians 2:1-3
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Have the Attitude of Christ

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.


We live our lives running after being first. We want to be the top in our class … first in line … leader of the pack. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you keep an ‘I’m 3rd’ attitude in achieving your goals.

To get by the obvious question, “How can you be first and third at the same time?”, see if you can grasp the ‘I’m 3rd’ principle.

• God 1st
• Others 2nd
• I’m 3rd

Give God first place in all things in your life. Humbly regard the feelings, interests and needs of others before yourself. Give them second place. Lastly, set your course, work your plan, achieve your goals, always remembering that your success never makes you better than someone else. The real winner in the Christian race can proudly proclaim, ‘I’m 3rd’.

LIFE IS A STRUGGLE

Philippians 1:27-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Live as Citizens of Heaven

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.


I don’t have to tell you that life is a struggle. We are living in perilous times and the struggles we face, while not all the same, are common to all mankind. A worldwide economic crisis … unemployment and foreclosure figures rising daily … communities devastated by crime and drugs … school campuses under lockdown … the constant threat of terrorism. I think we can agree that life is a struggle.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that in the midst of these struggles, believers are to live differently from the world. This world, with it’s struggles, is not our real home. We are “…citizens of heaven…” and we must live on this earth that way.

In the midst of all of life’s struggles, our main struggle must be for the faith. In all things … in all circumstances … keep your main thing the main thing. The main thing is the Good News of Jesus Christ. You have it … share it!

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE MODEL

Philippians 1:20-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Life for Christ

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.

What is the model for the Christian life?

• Never be ashamed of Christ
• Be bold for Christ
• Bring honor to Christ
• Live for Christ
• Do fruitful work for Christ
• Grow in your faith in Christ
• Experience joy in Christ
• Take pride in Christ (give Him the glory)
• Die anticipating being in the presence of Christ

In the Christian life, everything you do has Christ in focus.

REJOICING IN CHAINS

Philippians 1:12-19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Joy That Christ Is Preached

12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.


I have seen a similar reaction to incarceration. Many mock jailhouse religion. They say it is only an act to portray a rehabilitated soul for the sole purpose of gaining parole. While I’m sure this is true in some cases, there are also cases of those who rejoice about coming to prison because of a legitimate conversation … a sincere relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul’s conversion happened prior to his arriving in prison. His joy came from the opportunity to share the Good News while he was there and from the Good News being spread by others because he was there. That is an awesome picture of prison ministry and an encouragement for all who have this calling. If we only reach one with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we rejoice for that addition to the Kingdom.

Pray about God using you to reach those who are in prison and pray for those who have already responded to God’s call. Pray continually for free access to the prison vineyard and for the lost to come to Christ.

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

Philippians 1:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.


The list of you who receive these devotions or those of you who follow my blog has grown over the years. I am grateful to God for each one of you, not just for allowing me to clutter your inbox but to share what God puts on my heart each morning. This is my daily quiet time. This is how God has chosen to speak to me. As I put these together each morning, my prayer is that God speaks and that I don’t get in the way.

I also rejoice that you have Jesus Christ in your heart, that you are showing the “… righteous character …” Jesus is producing in you to the lost in the world, and that your love and joy is overflowing as you grow in the Lord. Your overflow draws those who need salvation to Jesus.

Yes, you have a special place in my heart just as the Church in Philippi had for the Apostle Paul.

I love you with the love of Jesus Christ!

BETWEEN NOW AND THEN

Philippians 1:1-6
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Greetings from Paul

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.

I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.


The ‘now’ is today. We can’t change yesterday. That is already recorded in the annals of time. What we did or did not accomplish yesterday, can only be impacted by what we do today. It has been said that today is the first day in the rest of your life.

The ‘then’ is “…when Christ Jesus returns.” Jesus is coming back again. He will appear in the clouds and gather to himself His church. When ‘then’ comes, there will be no time left to do anything.

Between ‘now’ and ‘then’, we have the privilege to be “…partners in spreading the Good News about Christ…”.

Joyfully embrace this privilege, knowing it will only be finished when we are caught up with Jesus in the air.

A GRACE CALLED GIVING

2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

A Call to Generous Giving

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.


We are entering the season of the year when we will be asked, over and over, to give. The Apostle Paul has given us some guidance for this topic.

Paul praised this church who gave in support of his missionary work. They gave when times were difficult for them and they would have had a good excuse not to.

They gave according to God’s will … first to the Lord (their tithe) … and then to Paul (their offering). Offerings start when the tithe has first been given.

They gave joyfully … they gave out of free will … they counted giving as a privilege … they excelled in the grace called giving.

And so should we!

WE HAVE THE VICTORY

Romans 8:28-39 (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

More Than Conquerors

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


This passage from Romans 8 is one of my favorites. It reminds me today that the real victory, the only victory that really counts, is the victory we have through Jesus Christ.

His victory on the Cross gives me victory over hate … sin … death … and the grave. Without the Cross, all these things would have varying degrees of control (dominion) in my life. Because God loves me (so much that He sent His Son to die for me), I too am a conqueror over each of them. Yes, they will touch my life but they won’t separate me from God’s love.

Because of God’s love for me, I can live loving others and I can die resting in the assurance of eternity in His presence. Thank you Jesus!

THE LOT IS CAST

Proverbs 16:32-33, 18:17-19 (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

32 Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.

17 The first to present his case seems right,
till another comes forward and questions him.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes
and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.


It is the morning after and the lot has been cast. The votes were counted and the lot has fallen to President-Elect Barack Obama. Our democratic process has yielded this result which has made some happy and left some disappointed.

For the happy, God calls us to humility.

For the disappointed, God calls us to trust … “…every decision is from the LORD.”

Let us pray for our nation, our president-elect and all our leaders. Let us pray for God’s guidance. May we all be sensitive to His direction and obedient to His will.

RENDER UNTO CAESAR

Matthew 22:15-22
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Taxes for Caesar

15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”

22 His reply amazed them, and they went away.


Today is a day to render unto Caesar. No it is not tax day but voting day. Rendering unto Caesar is participation in the process. Rendering unto God is using His guidance as you vote your choice. When you cast your vote, choose the candidate(s) who you see best reflecting The Great Commandment (loving God, loving your neighbor). It is interesting that it comes just a few verses after Jesus response to the test concerning Caesar.

The bottom line … GO VOTE!

ROOTS OF THANKSGIVING

Leviticus 7:11-15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Further Instructions for the Peace Offering

11 “These are the instructions regarding the different kinds of peace offerings that may be presented to the Lord. 12 If you present your peace offering as an expression of thanksgiving, the usual animal sacrifice must be accompanied by various kinds of bread made without yeast—thin cakes mixed with olive oil, wafers spread with oil, and cakes made of choice flour mixed with olive oil. 13 This peace offering of thanksgiving must also be accompanied by loaves of bread made with yeast. 14 One of each kind of bread must be presented as a gift to the Lord. It will then belong to the priest who splatters the blood of the peace offering against the altar. 15 The meat of the peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is offered. None of it may be saved for the next morning.


As we begin the month of November, we look forward to the end of the month and Thanksgiving. We can look back in scripture to the Old Testament Law and find the roots of thanksgiving. As Moses gave the instruction for the “…peace offering … an expression of thanksgiving…”, it was to “… be presented to the LORD.” Living in grace, we are not required to prepare the Old Testament sacrifices. That being said it would be good … it would be expedient to keep the focus of our thanksgiving on the LORD.

He is the One worthy to be praised!

JOHN’S TESTIMONY

John 21:24-25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

24 This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

25 Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

‘The Gospel According to John’ is the apostle John’s testimony to the events to which he an eye witness. About his testimony, John says it “…is accurate.” If John was a witness in a court room, he would lay his hand on the Bible and swear to the truth of his testimony.

But what John is quick to add is that it is not the whole truth. He confesses that he has only recorded a portion of the things he witnessed.

There is more to this Jesus than is captured on written pages. Think about it. What is your story? How has Jesus touched your life? Is your testimony published in a book? Most of us would answer ‘no’ … confirming the truth of John’s final statement. The world could not contain all the books … of all the testimonies … of all the people … Jesus has touched.

FOLLOW ME

John 21:18-23
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”

22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”


Jesus did not paint Peter a pretty picture. There was no sugar coating what lay ahead for the disciples.

You will have trials and tribulations … “Follow me.”

You will suffer humiliation … “Follow me.”

Don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones. The life of others is not your focus … “Follow me.”

Death will be part of the picture, yet your death will bring God glory … “Follow me.”

This would not be considered an attractive message … an appealing picture … for modern day recruiting. But for Peter, it came from the One who rose from the dead. He followed. The record is he was eventually crucified hanging upside down.

What about us? We don’t face the same circumstances as Peter, but we have our own set of trials. In them, Jesus still says … “Follow me.”

CALL TO A SHEPHERD

John 21:15-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

I can see a three-fold call to the pastor/shepherd in Jesus’ exchange with Peter.

1. “…feed my lambs…” – the church must have a focus for children and youth, the lambs, the young sheep.
2. “…take care of my sheep…” – the church must have a focus for seniors, those who need care most (spiritual and physical).
3. “…feed my sheep…” ­– the church must teach God’s Word, the sheep are hungry.

Pray for pastors who love Jesus like Peter did and follow this model for their flock.

FISH FOR BREAKFAST

John 21:7-14
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

7 Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8 The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9 When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

12 “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.


Fish is not a regular item on my families breakfast menu. When I was much younger, I remember those special occasions when my father would prepare a breakfast of salmon, rice and scrambled eggs. Can you imagine how special it was in the memory of these disciples, the breakfast of fish and bread prepared for them by the risen Lord.

For fishermen, any meal with fish was probably very ordinary. What made this special was the preparer. They had seen Jesus crucified. They had also had visits from Him in the upper room. Now here He was out in the open. “They knew it was the Lord.” Here He was, meeting their needs. The great catch of fish He had directed them to … and breakfast. Every day stuff made special because this was the risen Lord.

WHAT A CATCH

John 21:1-6
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Epilogue: Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples

1 Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2 Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

4 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5 He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

6 Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.


It’s got to be more complicated than this. This is just too simple. But the truth in this passage can change your life.

If you do things like Jesus says … “Throw out your net on the right-hand side…” … the results, the outcome, the catch … “…they did and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish…”… will be amazing.

PURPOSE IN ALL THIS

John 20:30-31
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Purpose of the Book

30 The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.


What a joy it has been to walk through the Gospel of John! It has not been without purpose. When John concluded his writing, he encouraged the readers to, “… continue to believe…” and to live “…by the power of his name.”

I pray these devotions are a blessing to you and share in John’s purpose.

FAITHLESS NO MORE

John 20:26-29
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Appears to Thomas

26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”


Thomas needed to touch and see and Jesus offered him just what he desired. Thomas responded with faith. “My Lord and my God!” He said, ‘my Lord’. It was now personal for Thomas. After three years of following Jesus and observing His ministry, Thomas became a believer. He was faithless no more.

I was raised in the church, sang in the choir, on the usher board, in the Easter and Christmas programs … you get the picture. I knew who the preacher and teachers said Jesus was. It was, however, well into adulthood before I invited Jesus into my heart and confessed Him as Lord. It was only then that it became personal and I was faithless no more.

If you never have, ask Jesus for a touch today. Get personal with Him. Just as He did with Thomas (and me), Jesus will let you get personal with Him. In fact, that is His desire. “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” Be faithless no more.

SEE FOR MYSELF

John 20:24-25
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”


They said to Thomas, “Take our word for it.”

Thomas said, “I’ve got to see for myself.”

Because of this exchange, many have labeled Thomas as a doubter. ‘Doubting Thomas’, we call him. I have a different thought on this passage.

Our relationship with Jesus Christ may well start with a word from someone else. Parents and grandparents have been working in God’s vineyard down through the ages, training children in the ways of the Word. Friends share there faith, introducing their friend to Christ. Pastors and Sunday School teachers present the gospel. All that is good but this is the bottom line. You must see Jesus for yourself. The words of others are great but our relationship with Jesus must be personal.

That’s what Thomas was looking for … a touch that would make it personal.

BEHIND LOCKED DOORS

John 20:19-23
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

We live in a time, in a society, where locking the doors is a practical necessity. Without the locks, the church would be easy picking for thieves and vandals. It has not always been this way. Time was that the church was respected as sacred ground and even thieves and vandals feared God. Today however, sometimes locks aren’t enough. Security guards and systems are also required.

The disciples had the doors locked, not from fear of thieves and vandals but from fear of those who had just crucified Jesus. They had witnessed the crucifixion and rightly so, feared the same fate. In the midst of their fear, Jesus shows up, pours out on them the gift of the Holy Spirit and immediately starts talking about forgiveness. The very ones who had carried out the sin against Jesus, the crucifixion, needed forgiveness. The disciples could not stay locked away behind closed doors. They had a mission to carry out. They had work to do. Jesus was sending them out with peace of mind, with forgiveness in their hearts and with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Are we locked away, behind closed doors? Do we fear those who look different … think different … act different … were raised in a different culture? Do we lock ourselves away physically … socially … emotionally? Do we build barriers between ourselves and those of other races or nationalities? Are we allowing our politics to be another wall of separation? If Jesus showed up in our midst, as He did with the disciples, wouldn’t His response be the same? “Go … take my peace with you … forgive.”

Let the Holy Spirit empower you as you, “… do what is right … love mercy … walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

I HAVE SEEN THE LORD

John 20:14-18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”

She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

16 “Mary!” Jesus said.

She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.


Mary Magdalene saw Jesus early that Sunday morning, as she stood by the entrance to the tomb where He had been buried. Where have you seen the Lord?

I have seen the Lord in the birth of a child and in the death of a loved one.

I have seen the Lord in the uniting of a loving couple in marriage.

I have seen the Lord in the baptismal pool surrounding a young child who has confessed her faith and again moments later when her father steps in the water, also confessing his faith.

I have seen the Lord in the healing from cancer of a young mother and in the ultimate healing of a man whose cancer is too far gone.

I have seen the Lord in Spirit-filled churches … in Spirit-filled saints … in Spirit-filled ministries … where it’s all about Jesus (and not about us).

Praise God! “I have seen the Lord!”

SUNDAY MORNING

John 20:11-13
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.

“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”


What does Sunday morning look like at your house? (You can go ahead and tell me it’s none of my business … you are getting too nosey … too personal … I’ll understand.) Do you wait to the last possible moment to roll out of bed? It’s not a work day. Do you run out of the house … jump in the car … still finishing the last touches on your make-up or tying your tie? Do you arrive at church, just in the nick of time and if the light caught you, a minute or two late?

Mary was up early on Sunday morning and the first to arrive at the tomb. It was Mary who got the first inkling that something special had happened there. It was also Mary who was the last to leave. John and Peter had come to see what happened but soon turned and went home. Not Mary. She hung around and because she did, received a special visitation from heaven.

Do you have a clock on the preacher? It’s time for him to wind this up. I can’t be late getting in line at the restaurant or miss the NFL Sunday kickoff.

I wonder what we miss when we rush away from worship, chasing our busy schedules? Sunday is His day. Early Sunday morning, HE ROSE. It should be every day, but especially on Sunday, let Him rise again in your day. Let Mary Magdalene be your model for Sunday morning.

RUNNING FOR JESUS

John 20:1-10
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Resurrection

1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home.


“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; … run and not get weary;…” – Isa. 40:31

When Mary Magdalene saw the stone rolled away, she ran. When John and Peter heard about the stone being disturbed, they ran.

There is a lyric from a song by the Mississippi Mass Choir:

I’ve been running for Jesus a long time;
I’m not tired yet.

What is your response to the resurrected Christ? Are you wearing out your running shoes?

SECRET FOLLOWERS NO MORE

John 19:38-42
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Burial of Jesus

38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.


When Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus showed up on Calvary hill to claim the body of Jesus after He was crucified, their secret was out. Pilate knew. The soldiers who performed the crucifixion knew. The other Jewish leaders knew. Anyone of the crowd who still remained around the Cross saw these two, previously secret disciples, take away the lifeless body of Jesus. They no longer cared who knew they were believers.

Do we hide our faith? In this secular, lost world, do we think it’s wise to maintain Christian anonymity? Do we try to keep peace at home, at work, at play by being secret disciples? The day came when Joseph and Nicodemus didn’t care who knew. So it will be with us. Jesus is coming back. When that happens, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Don’t wait. Show your faith today and every day.

FULFILLED PROPHESY

John 19:28-37
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Death of Jesus

28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”[a] 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.

31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was the Passover). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also can believe.[b]) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,”[c] 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.” [d]

Footnotes:

• a. John 19:28 See Pss 22:15; 69:21.
• b. John 19:35 Some manuscripts read can continue to believe.
• c. John 19:36 Exod 12:46; Num 9:12; Ps 34:20.
• d. John 19:37 Zech 12:10.

I usually remove the footnotes but today, the footnotes are the point I want to drive home. In these brief nine verses from the Apostle John, we find six Old Testament references from the Law (Exodus and Numbers), from the poetic books (Psalms – 3), and from the prophets (Zechariah).

We refer to ourselves as New Testament churches, living in the dispensation of grace. How true! The best proofs of the truths of our New Testament faith are found in the Old Testament scriptures. The odds that one man, Jesus, could fulfill the 315 Old Testament references to Him and His life, death and resurrection, is a tremendously big number. If He only fulfilled eight of these prophesies, the number would be 1 in 10 to the 17th power or 1 in 100, 000, 000, 000, 000, 000.

Jesus loves me, this I know because the Old Testament tells me so! Of course … the New Testament too.

OPPOSITION TO GAMBLING

John 19:23-27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Crucifixion

23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.

25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.


Why does the church stand in opposition to gambling? Casting lots or throwing dice was a practice used throughout the Old Testament in decision making. One scripture says, “We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.” – Proverbs 16:33. Gambling has many negatives (addiction, financial calamity, family destruction) attached to it. I believe the most prominent reason gambling is opposed by the church however, is it’s attachment to the crucifixion.

While Jesus was hanging on the Cross, the soldiers were gambling at His feet.

It is interesting that while the soldiers were participating in a practice which, among other things, destroys families, Jesus took time to focus on His family. He “…saw his mother…”, and in the midst of His own suffering, secured the service of the disciple John to make sure His mother didn’t suffer.

HE KNEW

John 19:16-22
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Crucifixion

16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”

22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”


Deep in his heart, Pilate knew the truth. You can’t come face-to-face with Jesus and not know the truth. That’s why Pilate was unwilling to change what he had written.

The Apostle Paul had the same experience. When he encountered the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road, it changed his ministry focus because he knew the truth.

It is the same for you and me. When we encounter Jesus on a personal level, He reveals the truth to us. We come away changed … brand new … we will never be the same.

Jesus, the Living Word, is truth and reveals truth. That’s why it is so important … so good … to have daily time with Him in prayer, Bible study and meditation.

TURN UP THE HEAT

John 19:12-16
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

12 Then Pilate tried to release him, but the Jewish leaders shouted, “If you release this man, you are no ‘friend of Caesar.’ Anyone who declares himself a king is a rebel against Caesar.”

13 When they said this, Pilate brought Jesus out to them again. Then Pilate sat down on the judgment seat on the platform that is called the Stone Pavement (in Hebrew, Gabbatha). 14 It was now about noon on the day of preparation for the Passover. And Pilate said to the people, “Look, here is your king!”

15 “Away with him,” they yelled. “Away with him! Crucify him!”

“What? Crucify your king?” Pilate asked.

“We have no king but Caesar,” the leading priests shouted back.

16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified.

So they took Jesus away.

‘Friend of Caesar’ is a technical term which means ally of the emperor. Pilate was a political appointee. He served at the will of the emperor. To be accused of not being an ally of the emperor really turned up the heat on Pilate and he caved in to the wishes of the Jewish leaders.

What happens in your life when the heat gets turned up? Are you able to stand up to the heat or do you cave in? Temptation … anger … bitterness … unforgiveness. When the pressure is on, call on the Holy Spirit to help you be strong … to stand … to not cave in.

When the heat got to Pilate, he turned Jesus over to be crucified. Think of caving in as crucifying Jesus again. Commit to HIM … NEVER AGAIN!

PAWN IN THE PLAN

John 19:7-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

7 The Jewish leaders replied, “By our law he ought to die because he called himself the Son of God.”

8 When Pilate heard this, he was more frightened than ever. 9 He took Jesus back into the headquarters again and asked him, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave no answer. 10 “Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?”

11 Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.”


Did Jesus let Pilate off the hook for his role in the crucifixion? At the very least, Jesus made sure Pilate knew who was in control. Having just endured the severe whipping, Jesus says to Pilate, “You would have no power over me at all …” My Father has a plan for the salvation of mankind and you are just a pawn in His plan. “… unless it were given to you from above.” These words, spoken with the authority of the divine, put Pilate in his place.

The same God who sent His Son to die for our salvation also has a plan for our lives. He has given us free will to operate within that plan, yet in His infinite wisdom, He knows the outcome of every detail of that plan. Our finite minds have difficulty getting a grip of how He is able to do this. Simply stated, He’s God! All we have to do is trust the sovereign God.

NOT GUILTY

John 19:1-6
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Sentenced to Death

1 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 “Hail! King of the Jews!” they mocked, as they slapped him across the face.

4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, “I am going to bring him out to you now, but understand clearly that I find him not guilty.” 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, “Look, here is the man!”

6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

“Take him yourselves and crucify him,” Pilate said. “I find him not guilty.”


This is a portion of a prayer used in the Kairos Prison Ministry titled, “Prayer to Christ, The Prisoner.”

• “… You were cuffed and shackled, and led stumbling to court,
• You were forced to stand in front of judges and prosecutors, with no attorney to help you,
• You were accused by lying, paid witnesses,
• You were tortured with beatings, insults, and whippings,
• You had men spit in your face,
• You had sharp thorns shoved into your scalp, …”
  

And Pilate declared not once but twice, “I find him not guilty.” What a way to treat an innocent man, let alone the Son of God.

THE TRUTH

John 18:37-40
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

37 Pilate said, “So you are a king?”

Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.”

38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime. 39 But you have a custom of asking me to release one prisoner each year at Passover. Would you like me to release this ‘King of the Jews’?”

40 But they shouted back, “No! Not this man. We want Barabbas!” (Barabbas was a revolutionary.)

The truth is Jesus was not just a king. He is The King.

To borrow from ‘The Glorious Appearing’ ­– (LaHaye & Jenkins): My Bible says He is a king … He’s a seven-way king.

• He's the king of the Jews; … that’s a racial king.
• He’s the king of Israel; … that’s a national king.
• He’s the king of righteousness.
• He’s the king of the ages.
• He’s the king of heaven.
• He’s the king of glory.
• He’s the king of kings.

Besides being a seven-way king, He’s the Lord of lords … That’s my king.

Pilate was seeking the truth. He wanted to know who Jesus really was. Do you know Him? Is He your King?

OUT OF THIS WORLD

John 18:33-36
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus’ Trial before Pilate

33 Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him.

34 Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”

35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?”

36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”


When we say that something is ‘out of this world’, we are admitting that we can’t find the words to describe something which is awesome.

Pilate was trying to understand Jesus. On one of his albums, Kirk Whalum says that’s an oxymoron … understand Jesus. The clay is not going to understand the potter. With all our Bible translations and transliterations, commentaries, dictionaries and studies, we still struggle to understand many things in the Scriptures.

Jesus told Pilate, “… my Kingdom is not of this world.” In my imagination, I can hear Jesus telling Pilate, “My Kingdom is out of this world. It is too awesome for you to understand. We don’t have enough time for me to explain it to you. Just go on and do what you have to do,”

Yes, we struggle just as Pilate did but we have the Holy Spirit to help us and the promise of God that we will see it all clearly one day (1st Corinthians 13:12).