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Christmas & its Entirety

’tis the season for Christmas, New Years (& their resolutions), friends, family, food, & many other things. What I’ve learned in this past week is that we cannot celebrate Christmas without the Cross. Normally the Cross is associated with Easter, but in reality isn’t that what Christmas is about? Jesus came so that he could die on the cross. So I invite y0u to think about the Cross this year during Christmas. Let’s try not to get lost in the busyness of all this mayhem known as Christmas time. It’s a wonderful time of year, but its meaning can be lost sometimes. It’s not about the presents & who gets the coolest new gadgets & trying to out-do your neighbors with the decorations. It’s about Jesus coming to us in a manger so that He could die on a cross to save us so that we can spend forever with HIM. I may not be on until the New Year, due to the fact that I have Christmases galore & a birthday coming up. So I’ll be back in ‘09!! Wow..how weird does that sound? To those of you planning to make New Years Resolutions..Congrats! I encourage you to keep them & not let them fall through before February like I normally do. To those of you who are not planning on having a resolution..hm..maybe you should rethink that. Maybe even have a small one?

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Dear Bloggers,

For the very few of you that read this: Sorry for the unannounced break. I needed it though. I did some re-evaluating & settled some things that needed to be settled. I've also been out of town a lot lately. So with Christmas coming soon I don't see much time for settling much more. Anyway, here is finally another devotion.

A Call to Persevere
Hebrews 10:19-39
(Related verses: Deut. 32:35-36, Psalm 135:14, Hab. 2:3-4)

19-21So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.

 22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

 26-31If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God's Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he'll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: "Vengeance is mine, and I won't overlook a thing" and "God will judge his people." Nobody's getting by with anything, believe me.

 32-39Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.

   It won't be long now, he's on the way;
      he'll show up most any minute.
   But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
      if he cuts and runs, I won't be very happy.
But we're not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We'll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.

(THE MESSAGE version from www.biblegateway.com)

Questions.
1. What is your favorite part of the church service you attend?
  -singing.

2. Note the four "let us" statements in verses 22-25. What does each one mean? What incentives are given?
  -let us be cleanses by His Blood & be baptized in His Spirit. Cling onto your faith. Do not waver in your faith, keep strong, confess your faith. Encourage one another. Come together as followers. These are all things we need to do to strengthen our faith.

3. In rejecting Christ, of what three grievous sings would a person be guilty (v. 29)? With what consequence (v.31)?
  -insluted the Spirit of grace, treated the sacrifice as unholy, & trampled The Son. Fall into the hands of God & His judgement.

4. After such a dire warning, how does the author encourage the people he was writing to (v. 32-39)? Which appeal do you find persuasive?
  -we will be rewarded & saved not destroyed. do not lose confidence, etc. Encouragement.

5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
  -stand my ground & do better. Encourage others in faith.

6. What can I do this week to help you in prayer?

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Doing What is Good

Titus 3:1-25

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Final Remarks

 12As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. 13Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. 14Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

 15Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
      Grace be with you all.

1. What memory comes to mind when you think of being disobedient as a child?
     -being sent to the corner, or my room
2. Why do you think Paul again stresses "doing good" (verses 1, 8, 14)? What about human nature makes such reminders necessary (verse 3)?
     -if you have real faith you will do works-without works your faith will fall and we need to demonstrate our love for Christ to others; we are/were all foolish and deceived living in and of the world
3. What do verses 4-7 say about God's character? About His work in us?
     -He is saving, compassionate and merciful, He has done a miraculous work in us-cleansing us, making us whole, forgiving us, and making us heirs to His Kingdom
4. Over the past year, where do you sense growth in leading a "productive" life for God (verse 14)?
     -doing mission work, sponsoring a compassion child, being a light in my own school & youth group
5. What is God saying to you in this passage?
     -quit straying, come home & do what is good & shine his light
6. How can I/we help you in prayer this week?
     -KOSOVO

Again, these are just my opinions & my answers for these guided reading-like questions. You are not pressured to answer these questions, only if you wish to do so

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GO! BE! LOVE!

When Jesus was on earth, He made the earth look more like God’s Kingdom. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, fought injustice, & shared God’s love. Then He went to heaven & sat down at the right hand of God. In His physical absence, He left two things on earth to carry out His mission–His Spirit & His people.

That’s ->US<-

We are God’s plan to carry out His mission.

& we’ve been equipped for the job. Filled with His Holy Spirit, we have the same awesome power in us that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20). & Jesus-the King of Kings & the Lord of Lords-goes with us wherever we go (Matthew 28:20).

We have the Holy Spirit’s power. We have Jesus’ presence. We have great potential. God has told us that He will give us all we need as we do His work. So we can’t fail. & the eternal clock that is ever ticking forward has put us centerstage in time. There are people who need help, & we are the helpers. Our time is now.

In the words of the great Dr. Bill Bright: “Are you interested in revolution? Do you want to help solve the social ills of the world? We invite you to join with us in following the Greatest Revolutionary of the centuries. He is alive.”

Let’s follow our King.

Let’s make our mark in His Kingdom’s history.

Let’s Go! Be! Love!

From YW Magazine. November 2008 Issue