Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!


The first chapter in the book of Hebrews tells us that God has spoken “at many times and in many ways.” The reverberations of God’s word still shake, and shape the human heart and mind. Recently, my brother was down to visit family on the Oregon coast. It so happened that an epic storm off the coast was generating some tremendous swells that were impacting the coastline. As we stood on the precipice of a large cliff overlooking the turbulent waters, the force and impact of those massive waves could be felt in the ground beneath our feet. I remember how my heart trembled as I realized in that moment that I was somehow catching an infinitesimal glimpse of the power, strength, and majesty of God whose word spoke it into being, and whose word kept those waters in place. God’s word was still reverberating, still shaking, still revealing an aspect of His nature through His creation. But the most incredible way God spoke to us, the way God literally shook things up, was through His son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1 continues to say that, “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
God’s most incredible act, and most self-revealing demonstration was the Word becoming flesh. Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this incredible mystery, God becoming man, we have in Christ Jesus the greatest hope, and most secure assurance. No matter where you are in life, mo matter what you are experiencing presently, you can rejoice that God loved you so much that he gave his only Son for you. Why? Before Christ came, in the temple, the priests would offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Inside there were no chairs or places to sit. Why? Because the priests work of atoning for the sins of the people was never complete. There was always more sin to take care of. This is why it is so significant that in Hebrews 1:3 speaking of Christ says, “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”  Why did He sit down? Because He finished the work. His sacrifice was perfect and He did it all for me and you.  
There is a Word that makes the heart tremble, that shakes up our lives, that causes a hope that is never fading, and assurance that is as strong as the mighty right hand of God. It’s the incredible truth that God was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary, to live for me, to die for me, to rise for me; to be my Prophet that speaks to me, my King that leads me, and my Priest who intercedes for me. What a Savior we have in Christ Jesus the Lord!

Merry Christmas! 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

God Can Relate

Have you ever experienced the joy of connecting with someone who had walked through the same difficulties you experienced? To find someone who can relate with you in all your pain, hardships, triumphs, and joys is wonderful thing. Often times, we gravitate toward those who can relate to our lives because they have walked through the same hard things. For example, throughout my time in the military, there existed a common bond that was created through deploying to another country and being put in harms way together. The bonds created were lifelong and meaningful. Why? We shared a common experience and therefore could relate to one another in ways that other people who had never been deployed into a war could. Why am I sharing this?
We are about to celebrate the most profound act in the history of the universe. It is called the Incarnation. Emmanuel. God with us! John 1:14 declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...". Why is this so amazing? The eternal Creator God of the heavens and the earth, the sustainer of all things, after being betrayed by His creation, chose to come into human history to live the life you and I are supposed to live. This means that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, can relate to you perfectly. Perhaps you are going through difficulties financially. Did you know Jesus can relate to you? Mary and Joseph were very poor. They couldn't even afford a normal sacrifice of a lamb, so they had to purchase turtledoves (Luke 2:24). Jesus grew up in a single income family of a blue collar worker, and learned the trade of a carpenter. Jesus understood what it meant to live through hard times financially. He can relate to you. Jesus knows what it's like to have fun, experience joy, and even pain and deep sorrow. Jesus knows exactly what it's like to be betrayed by those He was vulnerable with. He knows what it feels like to have a Father turn His back on Him. God the Father knows what it feels like to lose a child. The list could go on and on!
What a wonderful God we have! I'm so thankful that God chose to come into the world. He alone truly knows what I'm going through at any given moment of my life. Did you know that He desires a relationship with you? We love to be in relationship with those who have walked through the same life experiences. I hope and pray that as we celebrate God with us, that our love for, and desire to be in relationship with Jesus, increases and matures as we see the glory of the Incarnation of God coming to live with, and save us!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!