A Birth!

Luke 2: 7

⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger…

 

Attached is a picture of our second grandchild, Macyn, who was born to Jake & Ashley Gibson late Monday evening.

As you would expect, this old grandpa thinks this baby is perfect.

 

Macyn was 1 of 370,000 babies born into this world, on the same day.

As blessed as this Poppy feels right now, there was a baby who tops all the rest.

 

When Jesus was born, there wasn’t a team of doctors or midwives, or even a sterile environment.

I have to wonder though, what the Heavenly Father must have thought, when He snuck a peak of this baby wrapped in cloths.

 

Jesus was perfect, in every way.

As much as I hate to admit, Macyn isn’t.

 

As cute as your baby picture is, there’s no comparing it to Jesus.

I’m so very glad this baby came so long ago—because my imperfect granddaughter, so much needs this perfect Jesus…and so do all of us… 

 

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

blinded?

Luke 6: 39

39 He also told them this parable: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?”

Jesus had gathered around Him, a great number of all kinds of needy people.

The Bible says that a “large crowd of His disciples”, had followed Him to the place where He spoke.

Not too far away, had to be the people Jesus had much debate with.

The religious elite were in close proximity, and Jesus spoke loud enough where they could clearly hear—and He didn’t mince any words.

I’m amazed at the people now days, who follow the advice of blind people.

Those blinded, are the ones who still have not embraced the real reason that Jesus came in the first place.

These people have good intentions, and they also have just enough Christian lingo in their vocal arsenal, to make them very dangerous.

Jesus was speaking mostly, to false church people.

Maybe we should take a lesson from Jesus, and call things as we see them.

Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be politically correct.

One question: Would you take advice on how to steer a ship, from the man who captained the Titanic?

People do every day, and then one day, they may in fact wonder, why it was they got lost in the first place…

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

Carefully obey!

Exodus 23: 22

²² “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

People often tell me that, they send this morning reflection to other people they know.

That always humbles me in the deepest way.

Folks also ask me, where I get these devotional thoughts from.

They come to me as I listen to God through His Word—and they also come to me from the people I meet every day.

God does speak through people. Today’s verse came to me from a Pastor friend of mine.

I have never felt like I had to reinvent the wheel, when it comes to the things of God.

So then, I guess the question this morning is this: “Do you carefully obey God’s voice?”

Maybe the reason we have so many enemies, is because we haven’t obeyed yet.

That’s entirely possible, isn’t it?

Did you know that God is hostile towards those who oppose us?

The hostility toward our enemies from God, only comes as a direct result of our obedience.

That’s something to think about on this Monday morning…

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

Blessed or Cursed?

Genesis 12: 3

3 “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

If you were not able to catch the speech by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, I would definitely take the time to listen.

This was a historic moment, in World history!

He said that to allow Iran to have nuclear weapons, would be like winning the battle, but losing the war.

He also said, that if need be, Israel will go this battle alone.

Make no mistake about it my friends, God is watching from the balcony of Heaven.

The next steps by America, will be closely monitored by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Something that Netanyahu said, was actually wrong. Israel is never alone—and their God will go before them.

Those people, are God’s people. He will fight for them, until the very last breath of mankind.

God is saying to all of us… “Either you’re with me—or you’re against me.” Be sure of this—there’s no middle ground!

It’s time we decide which side we’re on—and we as a country, had better chose wisely…

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

Faith measure

Hebrews 11: 6 (KJV)

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Hebrews chapter 11, is known by some, as the “Faith”, Hall of Fame.

The writer of Hebrews says that without faith, it is impossible to please God.

This was our theme verse yesterday morning, as 18 men gathered for prayer at church, in the wee hours of the early morning.

We set up a “Prayer Chair”, in a circle, and each one of us confessed our sometimes weak sense of faith.

There’s something about a group of men, becoming humble and honest with one another.

There’s also something cool about 18 guys, laying hands on one another, asking God to give us all a greater measure of faith.

I’m not sure any of us will ever appear on any “Faith” Hall of Fame—but I know our collective faith increased.

We want to be counted as those, who are rewarded as we diligently seek the Father.

How does your faith measure up today?

How about increasing it, as you diligently seek Him throughout the day…

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

You must die to live!

Genesis 40: 9 – 10

9 “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, ¹⁰ and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes.

This dream interpretation of Joseph, reminded me of something, yesterday

Have you seen that all the department stores have all kinds of seed packets out, to start your summer plants?

I just love this time of year.

Spring is really an enjoyable time—that is if it ever gets here!

Sometimes the picture on the outside of the package, does not match the yielded outcome in the garden.

The only way the seed produces clusters of anything, is when the seed actually dies and is buried.

So I need to ask you all this morning: Are you the cluster of fruit after death, or are you still a seed, just sitting in the packet?

Do you look at all like the blossom, or haven’t you even died yet?

And yet that’s where a lot of believer’s are today.

They still haven’t taken a dirt nap. Maybe that’s why there still isn’t any fruit…

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?

Be in Agreement!

Mark 5: 22 – 24

²² Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.

²³ He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴ So Jesus went with him.

There’s something striking about the exchange between Jairus and Jesus.

Jairus was desperate to have Jesus come and lay hands on his ailing, dying daughter.

A prayer of agreement, is possible and very powerful.

When there’s a spirit of disagreement, there is always a high price to pay for that.

Jairus is in agreement with the great healer, and he receives the healing he was looking for.

The reason that the power of Christ prevailed, is because Jesus is in complete agreement with His Dad.

The spirit of disagreement, is the one thing that keeps churches from seeing the manifested power of Christ.

What disagreeing spirit are you carrying today, that’s keeping you or your church, from experiencing the power of Jesus?

Jesus will not move, where the spirit of disagreement is fostered and incubated… 

·         What is this text of scripture, trying to teach me?

·         How am I currently falling short of the mark?

·         What am I really willing to change?

·         How can I make this change, a habit in my everyday life?