Hebrews: Viewing the Light of the World

glass igloo

A friend on facebook posted this picture of thermal glass igloos to view the Northern Lights in Finland.  Isn't that a fun, amazing thought?!  I just had to share it on my wall with the caption "Field trip, anyone?"  I was just kidding, of course, but I was shocked at how many people commented, "Count me in!"  "Me too!"

Here in the Dayton, Ohio area, it began snowing this morning after rush hour got going.  So we thought it the wise thing to cancel our afternoon Bible study in Hebrews because of impending road conditions.

bible and tea

As I settled in to enjoy my warm, free day at home, I thought of those igloos to view the Northern Lights.  How much better, as I grab my cup of warm "something" this winter afternoon, to view the Light of the World from my warm "igloo" of God's Word.

Would you like to join me?  If so, here are some other passages to meditate on as we rest for another week in the glorious first chapter of Hebrews:

John 1

Colossians 1

Then in connection with the first warning of Hebrews 2:1-4:

Matthew 13 -- especially the parables of the wheat and the tares, and the sower and the soils

HAPPY COCOONING WITH THE LORD!

See you next time!

Hebrews 1:1-2:4 -- The Beauty of the Incomparable Christ...the Son of God

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Back in 1995 we lived in Centerville, Ohio.  Centerville had a wonderful little post office in those days right behind Bill's Donuts.  In February of that year I stopped by to buy some stamps, noticing a large poster of the current stamp. As I awaited my turn in line, I reflected on the picture of the cherub I saw on the wall.

sistine madonna cherubs

"Wait a minute," I said to myself, "I've seen that cherub before, but in a bigger painting."

I had taken art history in college and loved it! So I was wracking my brain to try to remember what painting it was part of. I couldn't let it rest...so it sent me to the library to those big, dusty art books.

Sure enough, here's the painting those little cherubs are part of:

sistine madonna, raphael

The cherubs are hardly noticed in this painting.  The obvious focal point is the mother and child...but the mother, more than the child!

"Wow," I thought, "Isn't that just like what we do in our Christian life?  We loose our focal point -- the Lord Jesus Christ!  Rather we focus on all the peripheral Christian things, as good as many of them may be...things like the spiritual disciplines, godly behavior, our motivation, the latest Christian best-seller, the current Christian "band-wagon," the retreat or conference everyone is talking about...the Christian to-do list!

Those of you who studied the book of Colossians with us had our focus sharpened to see that truly...

Jesus + nothing = Everything

And that is what we will see again in the book of Hebrews.  In fact, right here in the first chapter, we see the exalted Christ...God's final revelation...the culmination, the fulfillment of all that has gone before.

He's better than prophets and preachers; better than angels and other emissaries; He's God's Son...God Himself!  The Father has spoken in His Son, the Logos, the Word (John 1)!

And as with any speaking, there's the expectation that someone will listen.   So it is and much more so when it comes to hearing God in His Son:

This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him! Matthew 17:5

Why must we hear HIM? He's the Darling of Heaven! He's the Indescribable One, beautiful beyond human words! The Incomparable Lord Jesus Christ! 

He's the One our God describes and compares in the letter to the Hebrew Christians of the first and second century.  And He's the One our God wants US to hear in the 21st century.  So, my friends...

Let us HEAR HIM!

I Stand in Awe by Mark Altrogge

You are beautiful beyond description, Too marvelous for words, Too wonderful for comprehension, Like nothing ever seen or heard. Who can grasp your infinite wisdom? Who can fathom the depth of your love? You are beautiful beyond description, Majesty enthroned above.

(Chorus) And I stand, I stand in awe of you. I stand, I stand in awe of you. Holy God, to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of you.

You are beautiful beyond description, Yet God crushed You for my sin, In agony and deep affliction, Cut off that I might enter in. Who can grasp such tender compassion? Who can fathom this mercy so free? You are beautiful beyond description, Lamb of God, Who died for me.

(Chorus)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgUvKan0i3I[/youtube]

Homework --   Read Hebrews 2: 5-18 Answer questions in Hoping for Something Better, p. 188-190 Read chapter 2, p. 21-36, Hoping…

Class notes for Hebrews 1:1-2:4 : THE BEAUTY OF THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST

For a well-known sermon by A.B. Simpson, click on HIMSELF.  It is well-worth the few moments of reading!

Hebrews: HE IS!

hebrews scroll

It's all about Jesus...it's all about HIM! How He's the Son of God...and the Son of Man!

How He's better than everything! How He's incomparable! Our Great High Priest! The Captain of our Faith! Our Savior! The Great Shepherd of the Sheep! Our Sabbath Rest! The Sacrifice for Sin! And so much more!

And because of Him and all He is and all He's done... Because He's gone before, paved the way for us...

Now we can "run our lap in God's race of faith" with endurance [after all, it's a "marathon"], hope, faith, love [it's also a "relay"]

Fixing our eyes on Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...

Remembering we are part of something bigger than ourselves...God's great timeline of people of faith (Hebrews 11)

And remembering we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken!

That's the book of Hebrews...that's the Bible, Old Testament and New

It's all about HIM...because HE IS!

HE IS Aaron Jeoffrey

In Genesis, He's the breath of life In Exodus, the Passover Lamb In Leviticus, He's our High Priest Numbers, The fire by night Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice In Joshua, He is salvation's choice Judges, law giver In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet In Kings and Chronicles, He's sovereign Ezra, true and faithful scribe Nehemiah, He's the rebuilder of broken walls and lives In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage In Job, the timeless redeemer In Psalms, He is our morning song In Proverbs, wisdom's cry Ecclesiastes, the time and season In the Song of Solomon, He is the lover's dream

He is, He is, HE IS!

In Isaiah, He's Prince of Peace Jeremiah, the weeping prophet In Lamentations, the cry for Israel Ezekiel, He's the call from sin In Daniel, the stranger in the fire In Hosea, He is forever faithful In Joel, He's the Spirits power In Amos, the arms that carry us In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior In Jonah, He's the great missionary In Micah, the promise of peace In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield In Habakkuk and Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage In Zechariah, our fountain In Malachi, He is the son of righteousness rising with healing in His wings

He is, He is, HE IS!

In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is God, Man, Messiah In the book of Acts, He is fire from heaven In Romans, He's the grace of God In Corinthians, the power of love In Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin Ephesians, our glorious treasure Philippians, the servants heart In Colossians, He's the Godhead Trinity Thessalonians, our coming King In Timothy, Titus, Philemon He's our mediator and our faithful Pastor In Hebrews, the everlasting covenant In James, the one who heals the sick. In First and Second Peter, he is our Shepherd In John and in Jude, He is the lover coming for His bride In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords

He is, He is, HE IS!

 The prince of peace The Son of man The Lamb of God The great I am He's the alpha and omega Our God and our Savior He is Jesus Christ the Lord And when time is no more

He is, HE IS!

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Bible study

Hebrews outlines:

Plan of the Epistle to the Hebrews

Homework: Read, read, read Hebrews (use the charts to help)Hoping for Something Better:   Read pages xi-xx *Do the questions on Heb 1:1-2:4 on p. 186-188 Read chapter 1, p.1-20

Class notes for the Introduction: JESUS IS BETTER, intro

Hebrews: Reading Week

Devote yourself to the...reading of Scripture...  1Timothy 4:13 Let's begin our restful study of the letter to the Hebrews by reading, reading, and then reading again.

Or as my almost 4 year old grandson Carter and I would say, "Reading?...reading?...how about reading?"

And why should we read?  Because it's by repeated reading that we begin to get the "big picture" of what God is saying in the Bible.   We also begin to notice repeated key truths.  And most precious of all, we begin to hear the Lord speak to us through His treasured words.

As the prophet Jeremiah once said,

Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.  Jeremiah 15:16

Or as my sweet friend Penny once prayed,

LORD, Your words are so delicious!

So this week, grab a journal or notebook, your Bible (maybe different versions for each day) and start reading.  You may want to read a brief introduction in your Bible...then just read, read, read the book of Hebrews (not books about Hebrews!  Not yet, anyway!)

Write down verses that jump out, thoughts that come to you in the reading...and of course, prayers that rise up.  Write it down.  Trust me, you will forget!  So you will be glad to have recorded what God may be saying to you!

So...HAPPY, RESTFUL READING...and I'll see you later on :)

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All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17

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Here's a link to Bible Gateway. You can read Hebrews in many different versions at his site. Just enter the passage and the version you want and...voila!

I've been enjoying Hebrews in The Voice, a new translation of the New Testament published by Thomas Nelson. For a free download and short video clips, follow this link:

http://www.nelsonfree.com/voicent

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Here is a chart that will help you as you read through the book of Hebrews multiple times.  Make notes in the corresponding boxes for each chapter as you go along:

Hebrews Reading Chart

For info about our study book: Hoping for Something Better, by Nancy Guthrie

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Listen to our brother Jason Nightingale recite the entire book of Hebrews.  At the same time, you will also be watching on youtube  :)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Coming Soon: a Winter Bible Study in Hebrews

Hoping for Something Better

Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God, our Savior is better…better than “to do list” religion, better than the most eloquent spiritual leader, better than the Christian “band-wagons” we hop on and off of, better than anything we may try to add to HIM to feel alive and experience hope, peace, and rest! Join us as we explore the letter to the Hebrews to see afresh that JESUS is God’s everything…God’s BEST!

We will be using Nancy Guthrie's excellent book Hoping for Something Better.  Get your book by following this link.

So order your book, grab your Bible, and start reading through the book of Hebrews.  Get ready for an exciting adventure that may very well just change your entire worldview.

Beginning on January 18th and continuing for 11 weeks...a great way to stave off the winter doldrums!

For more info on the book, go to the author's website.

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Giving and Receiving...2013

What do you have that you did not receive? 1 Cor 4:7 NIV

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38 NIV

Giving and receiving...isn't that what life is all about?

But it seems that some of us are better at receiving than giving.  Others of us are better at giving than receiving.  Both can be virtues, can't they?

Graciously receiving recognizes that we need...hugs, forgiveness, help, family, community.  It humbles us.  And it brings joy to giver and receiver alike!

Giving lavishly, even recklessly, also humbles us...love, forgiveness, words, money, goods, service.   It proves that we don't really own what we have...we are God's stewards, His go-betweens!  And it too brings joy to giver and receiver alike!

Let's simplify our lives and move into 2013 as both lavish givers and gracious receivers.

What might that look like in your life?

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Simple Living Keith & Kristen Getty

A rich young man came to ask of Christ "Good teacher, will you tell me What must I do for eternal life I've kept your laws completely." "Sell all you have, give to the poor Then heaven's treasure shall be yours." How hard for those who are rich on earth To gain the wealth of heaven

Now Jesus sat by the off'ring gate As people brought their money The rich they filled the collection plate The widow gave a penny "Now she's outgiven all the rest Her gift was all that she possessed." Not what you give but what you keep Is what the King is counting

O teach me Lord to walk this road The road of simple living To be content with what I own And generous in giving And when I cling to what I have Please wrest it quickly from my grasp I'd rather lose all the things of earth To gain the things of heaven

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Sue Cutting

Be sure to see Sue and her Fleeting Sands of Time

You might also like:  Facing the New year without Regret

The Fleeting Sands of Time

The clock is ticking...the 2012 calendar pages are getting ready to close... And as they do, I'm happy to introduce you to another "guest branch."  Sue Cutting is a long-time friend, sister in the Lord, fellow homeschooler of yesteryear...but most of all a devout and earnest follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this short piece, Sue writes from a "senior" perspective about the passage of time.  But this is not just for us seniors.  It's also for all younger folk:  moms, dads, singles...even teenagers.  Why?  Because life is fleeting...it's a vapor, a mist as the book of James says,

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  James 4:14

So join me in reading  and reflecting.  Thank you, Sue, for these wise words.

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Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time…Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

A collection of hourglasses is gathered on a small, round table in our home. They are visible reminders of time relentlessly and silently slipping away.  At this point in our lives, more minutes are gone than yet remain and we want to be on guard against “time thieves” waiting to steal our treasured moments.

We remind ourselves that we can’t afford to waste time worrying. It is far better to pray, meditate on truth – and trust God.  We can’t afford to squander our days chasing fantasies or amassing more trinkets destined to rust, corrode or be eaten by moths.  No time left to “impress people” at the expense of pleasing God. No time left to expect others to meet the deepest needs of our hearts – because only God can do that.

We have these fleeting sands of time to live intentionally, thankfully, being mindful of the beauty around us and the multitude of blessings from a good God.  

For God so loved the world that He sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The privilege and responsibility of sharing this Good News with succeeding generations becomes more precious and pressing as the hourglass empties.

Sue & Tom Cutting

3rd Week of Advent: EMMANUEL, Our God is WITH Us...

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If ever we needed to know God is WITH us in every possible way, it's NOW, after the crushing, excruciating events reported from Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut.  In reality, this little town could be Everytown, USA.  We can't make sense of it all, but we can turn afresh to the One Who has us in the palm of His Hand. The God Who became One of us...flesh and bone and joint and sinew...who experienced every emotion possible, raw and gripping, tender and affectionate!  He felt it all!  And He feels this with us too!

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested... This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do... So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 2:18; 4:15-16 NLT

This is what we want to explore this week in our Advent devotions...God WITH us!  All the levels of God's WITH-ness!  But first, a song and our Advent readings for the week.

I love this song by Michael Card.  Michael is a Bible scholar as well as a musician, and it shows up in his music.  In this glorious song, there are several Scriptures expressed musically.  What a celebration of the amazing truth of God's WITH-ness!  The verses of Immanuel reference two beautiful prophecies in the Old Testament book of Isaiah:

Nativity

The Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).Isaiah 7:14 NLT

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.For those who live in a land of deep darkness,a light will shine. Isaiah 9:2 NLT

The song continues with, comes back to, and ends with this glorious truth in the repeated chorus:

If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ...Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow —not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love... —indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39 NLT

Sing, rejoice, celebrate our Immanuel!

IMMANUEL Michael Card Album: Joy In The Journey

A sign shall be givenA virgin will conceiveA human baby bearingUndiminished deityThe glory of the nationsA light for all to seeThat hope for all who will embraceHis warm reality

Chorus: ImmanuelOur God is with usAnd if God is with usWho could stand against usOur God is with usImmanuel

For all those who live in the shadow of deathA glorious light has dawnedFor all those who stumble in the darknessBehold your light has come

Chorus:ImmanuelOur God is with usAnd if God is with usWho could stand against usOur God is with usImmanuel

So what will be your answer?Will you hear the call?Of Him who did not spare His sonBut gave him for us allOn earth there is no powerThere is no depth or heightThat could ever separate usFrom the love of God in Christ

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Readings for the 3rd Week of Advent:

Sunday -- Luke 12:49-53 Monday -- 1 John 2:24-29 Tuesday -- Luke 1:8-23 Wednesday -- Matthew 1:18-23 Thursday -- Luke 1:24-38 Friday -- Luke 1:39-56 Saturday -- Luke 1:57-80

We recently viewed again The NATIVITY STORY.  It is one hour and forty minutes well-spent...very moving!  You will be blessed! Here's a link to the entire movie:

1st Week of Advent: O Come, Emmanuel!

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When I was a child, I always loved Advent.  There was a melancholia, a longing...but mixed at the same time with anticipation and hope. How did I get all that as a child?  I'm sure I didn't, except to say that maybe all the sights and sounds and smells...all the scriptures and songs and prayers and stories of the "liturgical celebration" weren't entirely lost on me, nor on many of you.  The reality of our God-Man Jesus has grown in me over the years as I've walked and talked with my Savior.

But whether you have had that sort of background as a child or not, why not journey with us these next weeks.  Take it all in as if for the first time...all the sights, sounds, and smells...all the scriptures and songs and prayers and stories.

Below are Scripture readings for every day this week.  Let the Word of God wash over you day by day.  I've linked the passages to biblegateway.com so you can change the version as you wish.

But first, enjoy this Christmas Carol to start off your Advent devotions.  It's one of my childhood favorites: O Come, O ComeEmmanuel.

I love the intense longing expressed in this song...a longing for the presence of God Himself into our frail humanity...a presence that is our Present Reality in Christ.

Who would have ever imagined it?  God in the flesh!  C.S. Lewis was right when he called the Incarnation (God made Man, God with Us),The Grand Miracle.

Sing it with us, and let the emotion and wonder of it all bathe over you!

O Come O Come Emmanuel Selah

O come, O come, EmmanuelAnd ransom captive IsraelThat mourns in lonely exile hereUntil the Son of God appearRejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan's tyrannyFrom depths of Hell Thy people saveAnd give them victory o'er the graveRejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheerOur spirits by Thine advent hereDisperse the gloomy clouds of nightAnd death's dark shadows put to flight.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,And open wide our heavenly home;Make safe the way that leads on high,And close the path to misery.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,In ancient times did'st give the Law,In cloud, and majesty and awe.Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel. 

For an interesting story behind the song, click here.

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Readings for the First Week of Advent:

Sunday  --  Luke 4:16-21

Monday  --  John 1:1-18

Tuesday  --  Hebrews 1:1-14

Wednesday  --  Philippians 2:1-11

Thursday  --  Luke 2:41-52

Friday  --  Matthew 3:1-17

Saturday  --  Matthew 4:12-25

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Voice NT cover79

The Reading Plan I'm using this year is found in The Voice, a new translation of the New Testament published by Thomas Nelson. For a free download and short video clips, follow this link:

http://www.nelsonfree.com/voicent

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Advent artwork courtesy of my cousin-in-law Marilyn Parente. Of these beautiful creations, Marilyn says, "I created them using images of panels of glass I shot in Disney with a bit of clipart and some Photoshop thrown in for good measure." Thank you so much for sharing, dear sister in the Lord!

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For another Advent devotional, take a look at Today in the Word, a publication of Moody Bible Institute (my alma mater).  The December issue is titled The Very First Christmas Pageant.  Here's the link:

December 2012, Today in the Word

Advent Devotions: Celebrating GOD WITH US

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Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming." It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday. Advent prepares us to celebrate  what C.S. Lewis calls the Grand Miracle...the Incarnation!

The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation...God became Man.  Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this....it was the central event in the history of the Earth--the very thing the whole story has been about. Miracles, "The Grand Miracle," C.S. Lewis

Join us for the next four weeks in celebrating, through Scripture readings, songs, and devotional thoughts, the greatest miracle of all...God With Us, our Immanuel!

Favorite Things: Nativity Lollies

I typically don't do advertising on this site.  But I just have to tell you about Lulee's Lollies, a Dayton-based confectionery, owned and operated by a friend of our son Jeremy Loyd and daughter-in-law Cortney. Luanne Storer, owner and baker, creates delights for eye and pallette.  Her own description reads: Hand made Confections on a stick. Perfect for any and all occasions!

Last Christmas we had all our grandsons (ages 1 to 5) together.  I wanted our celebration to be extra special and applicable to the little ones.  So I emailed Luanne Storer to see if she could make her luscious lollies in the likenesses of our familiar Nativity characters.

Well, she outdid herself!  The lollies were amazingly delightful to all of us, young and old!  See for yourself:

But we didn't just eat them...though the eating is amazing in itself.  We used them to act out the Christmas story.  My husband read the story from a children's version and each of us acted on cue with our characters.  It was fun, unique, effective, and ultimately delicious :)

If you have children or grandchildren, you may want to consider this creative option to Christmas dessert and devotions.

Get your orders in early, as I have already done.  Here is the info you need: The Nativity Lollies are $36/bakers dozen. Holiday pickups are on Friday the 21st @ 12:30pm & 6pm. 330 W 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402 (937) 776-7645 Visit www.luleeslollies.com for contact info or their facebook page

Luanne also says,

We do have a Christmas fund raiser for www.love146.org that will be running every Friday in December. We will have Christmas Signature Lollies (Signature Lollies drizzled in green & red) for $24/doz and also Christmas Custom Lollies (santa hats, ornaments, Christmas trees, snowflakes, etc.) for $36/doz. All profit goes to LOVE 146. Home | Love146.org www.love146.org

My "Need-Meeter"...and "Icing on the Cake"

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:9-10 ESV

Jesus is my Need-Meeter!

When I don't remember that, I get myself into lots of trouble.  I start expecting people -- husband, adult children, grandsons, friends, relatives, students -- to fill me up!

I expect the things I do to satisfy me to the nth degree...my teaching, my writing, even my "spiritual activities" like Bible study, prayer, meditation, etc.

If I look at anything or anyone as the meeter of my needs, I'll come up empty and hollow of soul.

BUT...

When I keep in view the Lover of my soul...the MEETER of my NEEDS, my beautiful LORD JESUS CHRIST...I experience the fullness that is in Him!  And I can afford to pour myself out for others, because it's HIM that's poured out through me, His vessel!

So I repeat...

Jesus is my Need-Meeter!

And If Jesus is my Need-Meeter, everything else is just icing on the cake!

In fact, even the icing on the cake is HIM!  All is Gift because HE's my Source!  Everyone and everything else is off the hook!

...Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit... John 7:37-39 ESV

We Are His Hands and Feet {Patty's story...and ours}

Patty Renner

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV

"I get it, Janet!  That's why I'm crying...I get it!"

So ended a recent phone conversation with my sister-in-law Patty. What did Patty get, you ask?  Let me back the story up to the beginning.

Early this past summer, a long time friend of Patty's was diagnosed with cancer.  The prognosis for Ellen was not good from the start.  But Ellen went through some rounds of chemo and other treatments.

quilting fabrics

In the meantime, not long after learning about Ellen's diagnosis, Patty began hearing the still, small voice of her Shepherd (John 10:27):

"I want you to make Ellen a quilt.  I'll tell you how to put it together.  And I want you to give her a message from Me."

So Patty (who by the way is an incredible seamstress and works at a quilt shop) set out to choose the fabric and make it according to the promptings of the Spirit.  The whole time, Patty knew she was God's instrument, His messenger.

Later in the summer, my husband & I  stayed with Patty and my brother Conrad.  It was then that she told me the story and showed me the almost-completed quilt.

The quilt was incredibly beautiful (see below).  In fact, it almost took my breath away!  Patty's choices of fabric, colors, design could only have been done by inspiration coupled with gifting.

And the most wonderful thing -- God had a message for Ellen.  And the Lord's message was embedded in the quilt itself -- a heart at each edge spoke of LOVE, HOPE, FAITH, COURAGE!    The quilt was to be a reminder that He was wrapping his arms around her and would be with her always.

A few weeks ago came my phone call from Patty.  She told me the rest of Ellen's story.

Quilting-225x300-2

Patty had finished the quilt, delivered God's message, and prayed.  Patty wasn't sure if Ellen understood the message she had delivered.  But when she heard that Ellen wanted the quilt buried with her, Patty knew she had understood.

Several weeks passed.  Then came the news...

Ellen had gone home to her loving God.  She had lost her battle with cancer, but she found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:42-46).  Now she was wrapped in the real, loving arms of God...she no longer needed the quilt.

And Patty was in tears...why?

She got it...that the resurrected, living Lord Christ lives within her, His child.  The Lord had reached out and loved her dying friend Ellen through her...as Patty, the gifted seamstress and outgoing friend that she is.  All she had to be was willing.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves... 2 Cor 4:7 NASB

The same is true for us, dear brothers & sisters in Christ.  The living Lord lives His life through us, as us, to manifest Himself to the world.

But you may say, "I'm not gifted like Patty or like ______________!  I'm broken!  I've had a rough background!  I'm no asset to God...in fact, I'm a liability!  All I seem to do is mess up, even though my heart is to honor my Lord."  And on and on...

Listen to what author Dan Stone says:

earthen vessels

As earthen vessels, we are a variety of colors, sizes, shapes, appetites, interests, and energies.  The bottom line is that we're always operating from what a friend of mine calls the Holy Wink:  to others, it looks like us, but we know it's Christ in us.  We are at peace in our spirit union with God, knowing that our outer humanity is God's perfect instrument.  It is the means by which God touches the world.

Thank God for your humanity.  Thank God for your parents, even for the difficult things you inherited from them.  God used them to make you the perfect instrument you are.  Thank God for your warts.  Praise God for them, because He's going to make them a blessing in someone else's life.  Take back your humanity as the dwelling place of the Most High God.  Make peace with you...

Let it dawn on you that you are no longer a liability to God.  You are God's wonderful and beautiful and necessary asset.  You are the vessel by which the world drinks.  You are the means by which the world sees the love and life of God. The Rest of the Gospel, p. 118

The Lord Christ lives through us; He loves through us; He serves through us...in the unique us He made each of us to be.  We are His instruments, His messengers to each other and to the world.  Whatever your personality, your background, your gifting...just say "Yes" to Him, listen for His voice, and follow.

Perhaps you would like to pray this at the dawn of each new day:

morning

Lord, As I begin this day, and as I continue throughout the day, I invite you to walk around in my body, love with my heart, speak with my lips, and think with my mind. I thank you that you promised to do greater things through me than you did when you were here on earth. John 14:12-14 By faith, I acknowledge your greatness, your power, and your authority in my life, and I invite you to do anything you wish in and through me today. Amen.

We are His Hands White Heart

We are His handsWe are His feetWe are His peopleChildren of the LordWe share the hopeWe share the dreamBelievers in JesusChildren of the King

His Spirit lives within usFlowing like a riverFilling us with strengthSo that we can reach out for our brotherHelp one another

Some of us build, some are teachersSome can sing like angelsBut all of us can loveLike He loved, pure and simpleSo warm and gentle

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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The Rest of the Gospel: Song of the Week {God and God Alone}

awesome God

Years ago when I was still raising my children, I struggled with my health.  There was little known at that time about the mysterious symptoms I suffered. Because of that, it was hard to find anyone to believe me.  I felt alone, judged by God and man, and despairing.

It was then that God's love broke through to me.  I began to know HIM as my LIFE, not just as Someone way out there...throwing down a little help now and then if I asked correctly.

This song was popular in Christian circles in those dark days.  God used Steve Green's big songs about a big GOD to help lift me out of depression into His marvelous light and LIFE.

Worship Him with me:

GOD AND GOD ALONE

God and God alone

Created all these things we call our own

From the mighty to the small

The glory in them all

Is God’s and God’s alone.

God and God alone

Reveals the truth of all we call unknown

All the best and worst of man

Can’t change the Master’s plan

It’s God’s and God’s alone.

Chorus:

God and God alone

Is fit to take the universe’s throne

Let everything that lives

Reserve its truest praise

For God and God alone.

God and God alone

Will be the joy of our eternal home

He will be our one desire

Our hearts will never tire

Of God and God alone.

The Rest of the Gospel: C-c-courage and so much MORE

Dorothy, wizard of oz

In this world, you will have trouble,But take courage, I have overcome the world!John 16:33

Who doesn't love the classic movie The Wizard of Oz?  And of all the characters, the Cowardly Lion is a favorite!  Why is that, I wonder?  Could it be that we see ourselves in him -- while putting on a brave front to face life, we find that, in reality, we are scared little "kitties" inside?

cowardly lion

I especially love the lion's "courage monologue":

COWARDLY LION:  Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? What have they got that I ain't got? DOROTHY, SCARECROW, TINMAN: Courage! COWARDLY LION: You can say that again!

Can you identify?I can...

And that's how I felt with teaching and speaking in front of people.  I was inwardly terrified!  I felt a lot of shame about this, because I wanted to trust God completely.  (I've since found out, though, that speaking in public is one of the top fears among women -- go figure!)  Anyway, this fear was debilitating...often to the point of physical illness.

This was especially true when it came to a big meeting connected to my job with a local Christian school.  I used to be a home school coordinator, and in those early days, I had a very large group of families to help.  At the end of the summer each year, we would meet as a group with all our families -- new and returning.  At that time, we would tell them about ourselves, encourage them, and explain how the program ran.

Well, I dreaded it!  Not because they were a hostile group...in fact the opposite was true!  And they loved me to boot!

DCS homeschool moms 2009

DCS homeschool moms

So in my mind, this fear was totally illogical and unfounded!  I talked to myself and the Lord about it...but to no avail.  It would ruin my whole summer every year!  UNTIL...

One summer, I was agonizing as usual over the big home school meeting. In the midst of my agony, I thought to myself, "I need courage!"  So I proceeded to beg, plead, pray for courage.  I tried to do my best "courage self-talk".  All to no avail!  I was still a wreck!

In the meantime, that summer I happened to be teaching the little book of Colossians...for the 2nd time (I'm a slow learner!).  As I was preparing to teach the second chapter, the Holy Spirit highlighted two verses to my mind and heart:

For in Him [Christ] the whole fulness of deity [God] dwells bodily, and you have been filled in Him... Colossians 2:9-10 ESV

All of a sudden the realization came crashing through:  Jesus wasn't a wimp! Remember how He stood up to the Pharisees -- not exactly a friendly audience!  Courage is part of the fulness of God in Christ.   And the courageous God Christ lives within me.  He will live His courageous life through me as I trust Him! That's what being filled in Him means.  No more begging, pleading, self-talk, Christian mental mind games!  No more shame & despair!

So I decided to trust the Courageous Christ.  And guess what?  He WAS courageous through me so that I could relax and be my charming :) self--to the glory of God!  And it broke the bondage for me in those situations...now I have normal levels of nervousness.  And I know that every situation is a new opportunity to trust the full Christ within to be who He is in and through me.

So do you need courage today?  The Courageous Christ will be courageous through you as you trust Him. Do you need love today?  The Loving Christ will love through you as you trust Him. Do you need to forgive today?  The Forgiving Christ will forgive through you as you trust Him. Do you need patience today?  The Patient Christ will be patient through you as you trust Him. Do you need _______ today?  (You fill in the blank)  The _________ Christ will be ________ through you as you trust Him.

If you are a child of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the full Christ lives within you.  He is full through you as you trust Him!  It's the devil's lie to get us to think of ourselves as separate from our Lord.  He's not up there, and we're down here, praying He throws down a little courage (or whatever) if we pray correctly!  NO!  We are one with Him...united in a way that nothing in heaven or earth can separate!

I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

So, dear sisters & brothers, look at whatever you are facing today as your opportunity to experience Him in His fulness!  Praise His Holy Name!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. 2Peter 1:3 ESV

...that you may be filled with all the fulness of God. Eph 3:19b ESV

The Rest of the Gospel: Around the table of the KING

communion

How appropriate is Communion, the Eucharist (thanks - grace - joy all rolled into one celebration) at the end of this week. We have pondered the blood-side of the Cross...Christ died for us, for  our sins, so we could have forgiveness

and

we have pondered the body-side of the Cross...we died united with Christ, in Him, so that we could have life...HIS life!

So we read...

...on the night before He died,

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it[a] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:14-20

and after the resurrection on the road to Emmaus...

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”   Luke 24:25-32

And so we eat and drink and give thanks...join us with your cup of juice and piece of bread:

Behold the Lamb (Communion Hymn)

cross & hands

Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away, Slain for us - and we remember The promise made that all who come in faith Find forgiveness at the cross. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of peace Around the table of the King.

The body of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Torn for you - eat and remember The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life Paid the price to make us one. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of love Around the table of the King.

The blood that cleanses every stain of sin, Shed for you - drink and remember He drained death's cup that all may enter in To receive the life of God. So we share in this bread of life, And we drink of His sacrifice As a sign of our bonds of grace Around the table of the King.

And so with thankfulness and faith we rise To respond, - and to remember Our call to follow in the steps of Christ As His body here on earth. As we share in His suffering We proclaim Christ will come again! And we’ll join in the feast of heaven Around the table of the King

The Final Finding...for Now!

No, we are not finished with our files.  But we are getting there, praise God! But we will spend the next few weeks on our Fall Book Club.  So I thought I'd end these Findings with one that I absolutely love!  In fact, I shared it earlier this summer in my series on prayer: Inviting Jesus into Your Boat.

I don't have a title, but here it is in it's profound simplicity.  May you be comforted by the presence of the Lord in your storms, even when He seems to have fallen asleep!

Thou art the Lord who slept upon the pillow, Thou art the Lord who soothed the furious sea, What matters beating wind and tossing billow If only we are in the boat with Thee?

Hold us quiet through the age-long minute While Thou art silent and the wind is shrill : Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord, are in it; Can the heart faint that waiteth on Thy will?" — Amy Carmichael

Findings in the Files: Unconquerable? No, Conquered!

220px-William_Ernest_Henley_young

These two findings are a true study in contrasts -- Invictus by William Ernest Henley and My Captain by Dorothea Day. The famous poem Invictus has been used to inspire everything from humanistic lofty goals, like that of Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, to prideful, "in your face" statements like that of Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber.

Timothy McVeigh chose the poem as his final (written) statement before being executed.  Nelson Mandela, incarcerated for anti-apartheid activities, was encouraged by it to rise above his circumstances.

Take a look at the poem for yourself:

INVICTUS William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.

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220px-Dorothy_Day_1916

In stark contrast is the next poem.  I was homeschooling my son Jeremy in 6th grade when I came across the poem My Captain by Dorothea Day in his curriculum.

In the early 1900's, young Dorothea Day had been attracted to Henley and his humanistic philosophy.  When she was later converted to Christ, Dorothea took each line of his blatantly humanistic poem Invictus and gave an inspiring Christian answer.  Read and give all praise to our Sovereign Lord God!

MY CAPTAIN Dorothea Day

Out of the night that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance, I would not wince nor cry aloud. Under that rule which men call chance My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears That life with Him! And His the aid, Despite the menace of the years, Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate, He cleared from punishment the scroll. Christ is the Master of my fate, Christ is the Captain of my soul.

​God exalted him to the highest place    and gave him the name that is above every name,that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,    to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

For a "side-by-side" arrangement, click here.

Findings in the Files: the Green-Eyed Monster and other Fruit Killers

green-eyed monster

These next two findings were perhaps among the most life changing for me at a particular period of my life.  God so used these two quotes that my daughter printed and framed them as a gift for my birthday that year.  They are still displayed in my home...and I keep multiple copies on hand in my file :) In my early blogging days (about a year and a half ago now), I did a series on the Vine and the branches.  It was in one of the blogs in that series that I shared my story and my precious "quotes."  Here's the story again.  I pray you also will be blessed as I was.

By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:8

When you think of "fruitful Christians", who comes to your mind?  Billy Graham? Mother Teresa? Beth Moore? John Piper? Others?

Mother Teresa painting SDC15427

Mother Teresa, painting by Elizabeth Loyd Filson

What is it about them that makes them "fruitful" in the John 15 sense of the word?  ...displaying godly character?  ...doing good works? ...teaching the Bible?  ...leading many to Christ?

My guess is that the main reason they are fruitful is that each has allowed the Lord to live through his/her unique life in His unique way, despite criticism, opposition, and perhaps even jealousy by others.

And I think it's the same for us too!  The Lord wants to show forth His glory in a unique way in each of our lives:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Gal 5:22-23

As each one has received a special gift, use it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold [multi-faceted, multi-colored, variegated] grace of God.  Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so by the strength which God supplies, so that in all things, God will be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

But there are hindrances to the fruit-bearing process.  One of the biggest "blockers" to unique fruit-bearing is jealousy...and related evils, like comparison and competition, one-up-man-ship, expectations, holding offenses, and the like.  All of these will kill the fruit the Lord wants to produce in our lives.

Think about it!  If we are always comparing ourselves to "other branches," we have our attention off of the Lord and what He may be doing in and through our lives.  What a waste of precious time and energy...much less spiritual fruit!

As I was in the midst of writing this blog, our pastor gave an amazing sermon on jealousy and competition from John 3:22-30.  He said that jealousy minimizes what we have and exaggerates what we don't have.  Quoting Rick Warren, he pointed out, "Envy is resenting God's goodness to others and ignoring God's goodness to me."  What a sin against our Creator and Redeemer!

But there's also a "flip-side" to this issue.  What if it's obvious to you that someone is jealous of you and competitive toward you?  And that someone is important in your life, like a sister or brother or spouse or friend or in-law or co-worker or neighbor? How do you handle that?  Do you shrink back from what you feel God is doing in and through your life so as to not cause problems or so they don't think you are showing off.  Or do you continue to live your life, focusing on the Lord despite criticism and "emotional walls" that may go up toward you in those relationships?

Several years ago, I was struggling with this very issue.  It was at a time when our son was a student at University of Dayton.  Jeremy was being inducted into an honor society, and there was, of course, a ceremony with speeches etc.  I was happy to be there but somewhat dreading having to sit through long speeches.

Wow! Was I surprised!  God in His grace used the short, but pointed speech of the college chaplain to speak to my heart.  I don't remember what he said, but I do remember two quotes he used which changed my life that very day.

I'll close with these quotes and with the prayer, dear sisters and brothers, that the Lord would set you free to be His unique abiding branch.  Then you will bear His unique fruit to the glory of the Father!

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. If you give the world the best you have, it may never be enough. Give the world the best you have anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and other people anyway.

Often attributed to Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us… And as we let our own light shine, we give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nelson Mandela 1994 Inaugural Speech

Findings in the Files: Himself

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Several years back I discovered a wonderful little poem quoted in a book I was reading. I tried to find out the background of this poem on-line.  Wow, did I hit the "jackpot" when I came across the sermon connected to this little treasure! So enjoy this little finding in my file, and then click on the link to read the entire sermon.  May Christ be praised!

  HIMSELF By: A. B. Simpson

Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word. Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own; Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost. Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast; Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer; Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care. Once 'twas what I wanted Now what Jesus says; Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be; Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me. Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One; Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine; Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine. Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail; And my hopes are anchored Safe within the vail.

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 A.B. Simpson's sermon Himself.

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