We will be in Atlanta this week. Based on what we see the warm rain is better than the cold in Colorado. Today, we went to the local “YMCA” for some workout time. Later in the day we went to Mason’s basketball game. His team won and Mason played well.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “…wise people think carefully about everything.”  Proverbs 14:15 ERV

This is the time of the year that thoughts are turned to the end of one year and the beginning of another. The end of a calendar year can often be like the end of a week. That is if we apply the “Sabbath” concept of looking back in reflection and then preparing our lives for that which is ahead.

To “be” ready for anything, a trip, a business venture, a new discipline, a new year; it is important to “get” ready. The preparation aspect will of course vary depending on what you are preparing for. Since we are facing the turning of the page of the calendar to a New Year, let me suggest the following.

1- Think carefully. Proverbs 14:15 says a “wise” person thinks carefully about everything. Some people just “let life happen.” But those who make the most of life, take time to reflect, renew and recommit.

2 – Evaluate the past, don’t live in the past. Paul the Apostle’s commitment was, “…But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me.” (Phil. 4:13 ERV) For Paul, there were many things in his past that he could take pride in. There were also those actions against the Church before his conversion that allowed him to refer to himself as the “chiefest of sinners.” As we evaluate the past, the good and the bad only should serve the purpose of compelling our future plans and goals. We learn from the past, we don’t live in the past.

3 – Keep spiritual growth in the forefront. It is easy to plan and anticipate when it comes to business, personal finances, family and recreation and many other areas of life. Often we overlook spiritual goals for our life. We need to consider our commitment to God’s Word, prayer and service among other spiritual goals for our life.

4 – Remember change is inevitable, but growth if optional. Plans are what you hope takes place, reality is often far different from the goals and plans we make. Adjustments need to be made. Unexpected challenged will arise. I believe it was Pastor Rick Warren who said something like this: “growing things change, change creates challenges, challenges requires us to trust in God, trusting God results in growth….” The cycle then repeats itself at various times and for varying periods of our life. So we need to be prepared for those times, those “growth opportunities” when they arise.

The list is not exhaustive, but manageable. And that is often what is needed as we apply a strategy for the New Year to our life. What will you do to “get” ready to “be” ready for the New Year?

The morning we attended Restoration Church where Don Munn (son-in-law Nathan’s) is the pastor. It is always good to connect with people we have met during our previous trips to Atlanta. A highlight of our day was connecting with  Tom and Judy Price. They are our long-time friends from Arkon, Ohio. Tom is originally from Atlanta and was in the area visiting his brother. We have not seen them since they visited Colorado two years ago as I was being released from the hospital. They ended up spending many hours  in a hospital emergency room with us, when I was hospitalized with an infection after being home for three days.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “God sent his Son, who was born from a woman and lived under the law. God did this so that he could buy the freedom of those who were under the law. God’s purpose was to make us his children.” Galatians 4:4-5 ERV

One of the early events after the birth of Jesus involved a trip from Bethlehem to Jerusalem to offer the sacrifices required for the firstborn son. “They brought Jesus to Jerusalem so that they could present him to the Lord. It is written in the law of the Lord: “When a mother’s first baby is a boy, he shall be called ‘special for the Lord.’” (Luke 2:22,23 ERV)

Jesus was born in the House of David and lived under the Law of Moses as one of God’s chosen people. When God brought His people out of Egypt the death of the firstborn was the final plague. At that time God gave to His people these instructions, “Then the Lord said to Moses, “You must give me every male in Israel who is his mother’s first child…”  (Exodus 13:1,2 ERV)

The law later instructed that a sacrifice of a lamb needed to be made as a substitute and in place of the firstborn and as a sign of that child’s dedication to the Lord. If the family could not afford a lamb, a dove was accepted as an alternate sacrifice. “If the woman cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two doves or two young pigeons.” (Lev. 12:8 ERV) That is the sacrifice Luke says that Mary and Joseph brought as Jesus was dedicated to the Lord, circumcised and received His official name, the name “Jesus.”

[Perhaps this one incident is the overlooked evidence that the visit of the wise men came in the first two years of Jesus’ birth. We see that Herod killed the boys two years and younger based on the information given by the wise men. We also see that if Joseph and Mary would have been in possession of large quantities of gold, they would have been able to afford a lamb for the sacrifice.]

The devotion of Mary and Joseph to the law, was critical for Jesus to be known as the one who “fulfilled the law.” As they were obedient to obey the law, we see the encounter in the Temple with Anna and Simeon. These two aged saints, received the reward of their faith by seeing the promised Messiah. Also, the words they spoke would have confirmed and encouraged and yes dismayed Joseph and Mary. It was all part of God’s divine plan and timing.

Paul would later write and speak of the significance of the sacrifice made following Jesus birth. For Jesus, the sacrifice was an action that resulted in the “redemption” of his life as the firstborn son. But it was through Jesus, who was offered as the sacrifice for our sin on the cross that we would be redeemed from the penalty of death due to sin.

Paul to the Romans wrote,  ^“But God has a way to make people right, and it has nothing to do with the law. He has now shown us that new way, which the law and the prophets told us about. God makes people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. He does this for all who believe in Christ. Everyone is the same.” (Romans 3:21,22 ERV)

Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, so that we would be free from the law and its curse. The result is forgiveness and reconciliation to God through faith in Jesus Christ. “…you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.” (Eph. 2:8,9 ERV)

When we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we “do” the work the Law [God] requires.

Today we enjoyed our “family Christmas” with Nathan’s family here in Georgia. It was good to see everyone once again and to enjoy a good meal and time of conversation and more gifts. The warm temps here the Atlanta area allow us to enjoy a meal on the deck. Not what you would experience in Colorado regardless of how mild the winter.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “But when the right time came, God sent his Son, who was born from a woman and lived under the law. God did this so that he could buy the freedom of those who were under the law. God’s purpose was to make us his children.” Galatians 4:3,4 ERV

The actual date of Jesus birth is still a mystery. We know that it wasn’t  December 25. Many believe the date of  birth was more likely in the spring around the month of April. What we do know is the whenever Jesus was born it was the “right time” or as some versions state, “in the fullness of time.”

So the ultimate importance is the realization that when Jesus was born it was the “right time” in God’s plan of redemption. When Jesus was born we see that the world was ready, spiritually, politically and economically. There was a yearning among God’s people for God’s intervention into their lives. They wanted the Messiah to come and to restore the power and reign of David as the prophets foretold.

Politically the Roman empire with its unified political structure, the Roman roads and a unified language, brought a unity to the world at the time that had not been experienced in the past. When Jesus came to this world as the light of world we see the fulfillment that, “the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matt. 4:16 NIV)

The “take away” for us today is to be reminded that what the Lord does in His plan of redemption does not happen by accident or chance. We see this in the birth of Jesus, we see it in the timing of His death. During the feast of Tabernacles some guards were sent to arrest Jesus, but they failed.  We read, “Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.” (John 7:30 NLT) In the garden Jesus was “sorrowful unto death.” Yet the heaviness of what He was facing and the attack of Satan did not keep Him from His journey to the cross. It was on the cross that Jesus cried, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

As we anticipate the return of Christ that has been prophesied by the prophets of old, we realize that it will happen. And when it happens it will be at the “right time.” God is still in control, He know what He is doing and just as the birth of Jesus and the death of Jesus happened in accordance with God’s time, we can be confident that the end of the age will happen when God says it is time.

Until that point, we continue to serve, trust and share the good news with others. There are many who have predicted the “day of Christ’s return.” All of them with 100 percent inaccuracy. During His ministry, Jesus told His disciples, “…about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36 NLT) After His resurrection, Jesus told His disciples, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.“ (Acts 1:7 ESV)

We are reminded that we don’t know, but God the Father does know. That is the only reassurance that we need as we work and pray and anticipate the day of Christ’s return.

Merry Christmas! We traveled today from the snow and cold of Colorado to the unseasonably warm weather in Atlanta. We left Denver at 6:45 a.m. which meant a short night. But the trip went well and Nathan and Mckenzie were waiting for us as we walked out of the airport doors.

When we arrived at Stephanie’s home, the grandchildren held a few gifts to open until we arrived. It was certainly an exciting Christmas filled with a variety of gifts for all to enjoy. We trust that this Christmas day was a special time for you with family and in contemplating the “advent of our Savior.”

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed.” Luke 2:6,7 ERV

The pictures and movies that depict the shepherds visiting the new born baby Jesus, show Mary holding her infant son. Yet we see that the shepherds at least initially found the baby as the angels said, “lying in a manger.” I recall while visiting Israel, our guide pointing out a stone hewn “feeding trough” and saying that contrary to modern pictures and conception of a wooden feeding trough, that was undoubtedly more the type of “manger” that was used as Jesus’ first bed.

We see many aspects of the miraculous in Jesus’ birth from angel visitations to dreams and wise men following stars. We see many aspects of Jesus birth that are pointed out as metaphors for the life He would live or His sacrificial death. We see it often referred to in the gifts of the wise men. It is pointed out that the “strips of cloth” used to swaddle the new born are also used to wrap a body prepared for burial.

As I was concluding the chapel service at a local assisted living facility a two weeks ago, one of the 93 year-old residents followed my Christmas message with observing that a “manger” as a feeding trough, reminded us of Jesus as our source of life.

The connection between food and life is inescapable. In the Philippines that saying is, “no rice, no life.” We are consistently reminded of the plight and devastation that is created by those who live in need of an adequate daily food supply. All of these find a parallel to the spiritual realm.

After Jesus fed the 5,000 from the few loaves and fish available the crowds followed Him wanting to make Him King and to receive from him what they wanted for their “daily bread.” But Jesus told them He had something greater.

“…my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world….Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:32-34 ESV)

In John 15, Jesus referred to Himself as the “vine” and His disciples as “the branches.” In doing so, He let them know that He was their life source. John in his first letter puts it clearly when he says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.“ (1 John 5:12 NLT) (No Jesus, no life) John in his gospel records the words of Jesus, “I have come that you might have life, life to the full…” (John 10:10 NLT)

The compelling pictures of malnourished children with bloated stomachs and adults experiencing the effects of starvation, should remind us of the spiritual condition of those without the life Jesus alone can give.

It is important to remember that Jesus is not an “enhancement to our life” – He is our life! When it comes to spiritual health and vitality, He is not vitamins that supplement or give us a boost, He is the “rice of life.” When you consider Jesus the babe in the manger, worship and adore, but allow that to remind you that Jesus is the bread of life, the savior, who died in our place. Partake by faith of the life source that is found in Him alone…and live!

Welcome to Christmas Eve 2015. Today I helped greet at the first two of six Christmas Eve services at Timberline Church. I attended the second. I enjoyed not only the service, but welcoming people as they came for the services. Debbie had to work all day today and is looking forward to a break after a busy week.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “….His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 ERV

One of the significant aspects of Jesus birth is the foretelling and giving of His name. Names held great significance in the Bible. We see it reflected in the culture of the day. The first born son was often called after the father, or the father was the one who bestowed the name on the child.

Names and can reflect destiny and we see that character can lead to a “name.” If someone is known to be funny and a prankster, they might be referred to as a “clown.” If some one is good at reconciling parties, they might be referred to (or known) as a “peace maker.”

The well-known words of Isaiah that speak of the Messiah say that who He is and what He does will earn Him the name, “wonderful counselor” because there is no one who can guide and provide through life’s journey like Him.

He will be called the “Powerful God” because of the miracles that He performs in healing the sick and calming the storm tossed waves of the sea. He will be called the “Everlasting Father” because scripture declares that is was, “by him that all things were created.” (Colossians 1:16 NIV) The angel declared, “…he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33 NIV) He will be called the “Prince of Peace” because it is only through Him that we have “peace with God” and peace with each other. His forgiveness of our sin reconciles us to God and our forgiveness of others reconciles relationships.

When the news was given to Mary that she would have a baby from the Holy Spirit and when Joseph was instructed to not fear taking Mary as his wife, they were both told to name the baby, “Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins.” Jesus was not an exclusive or unique name. But in Jesus was find the fulfillment of that name, “the Lord is salvation.” For others it was a declaration of faith and hope, but in Jesus we find the realization of all that name meant and foretold of through the ages.

The final name we see with the Messiah is the name “Immanuel.” Matthew records, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). (Matt. 1:23 NIV) Again, this was not a name that was used in a practical manner, but it was what Jesus represented and fulfilled as God coming to this world in human flesh. God through His Holy Spirit had been with and is with His people today. But Jesus was the literal, physical manifestation of “God with us.” He was God in human flesh, revealing the Father, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

We have the joy today and grand opportunity to not only know Jesus by name, but to know Him in the fulfillment of all that He is. Do you need guidance, direction and counsel? Come to Jesus. Do you need peace in your life and relationships? Come to Jesus. Do you need stability and confidence for the future? Come to Jesus. Do you need forgiveness? Come to Jesus. Do you need the assurance of God who is with you, regardless of what life brings? Come to Jesus. Keep your heart open and your eyes on Him.

This morning I enjoyed a breakfast meeting with Jim Szakmeister the men’s ministry director at Timberline. Jim has been a friend from years past and it has been good to reconnect since our move to Fort Collins. The rest of my day was busy and productive getting some office work done in preparation for our holiday trip to Atlanta. We actually fly out early on Christmas morning. This will be a first for us to travel on Christmas day.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But after Joseph thought about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 ERV

They wonder and mystery of the birth of Jesus is reflected in the supernatural visitations and directions throughout the story. It begins with Zechariah in the Temple offering incense when an angel appears to him and tells him that his old and barren wife Elizabeth will have a baby. But not just any child. This child will have a special purpose and role in preparing the way for the coming Messiah. Zechariah is not only informed of the child’s destiny, but is told how he should be raised and what his name will be.

We see next that Mary receives a visit from the angel Gabriel who announces to her that she will become the mother of the Messiah. Again the message is not only about what is to take place and how special child this will be, but also what his name will be.

Joseph is directed several times by angels and dreams. The first time is to instruct him to go ahead and to “take Mary as his wife” and the dream reaffirms this child will be the Savior of the world and is to be named, “Jesus.” Later Joseph is instructed in dreams about what to do and where to go so they and they child would be safe and that scripture would be fulfilled.

The final reference about instructions through dreams is the wise men. These men were “astrologers” and not your typical men of faith in Jehovah God. Yet we see the Lord intervenes for the safety of the wise men and the holy family.

It is to the shepherds that we see angels appear and then fill the sky with a message of good news and proclamations of praise to God.

Angels are God’s messengers and often it is through dreams that the Lord is able to communicate and bring things to our attention. We see that in these days and times the Lord speaks primarily through His Word and through the life of Jesus. (Hebrews 1:2) Yet God is still God and is able to work by His Spirit in ways that stretch our faith and understanding.

I have heard accounts of many Muslims coming to faith in Christ, because of dreams and revelations. The Lord is still able to warn and instruct in any way He so chooses. “He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.” (Job 33:5 NIV) I recall one time when I composed and memorized an invocation for an event, in my sleep. At night the Lord may prompt someone to pray or to provide warning or words of comfort.

Psalm 4:4 admonishes, “Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”

Mystery and wonder in the story of Jesus birth is reflected in the work of angels and dreams. God is stilling at work today. Can we be open to the “mysterious” and the “wonder” that comes when God acts in ways that we don’t anticipate.

Today I had a fairly active schedule. After my morning prayer time with a couple of county officials, I had a massage appointment and then attended the Loveland Rotary meeting. Our guest today was Kelley Johnson, Miss Colorado. She was the second runner up in the Miss American pageant last fall. Her monologue on being a nurse has received over six million “You Tube” hits. It was great to see a local young woman express her humility and commitment to service

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “The angel came to her and said, “Greetings! The Lord is with you; you are very special to him.” But Mary was very confused about what the angel said. She wondered, “What does this mean?” Luke 1:28,29 ERV

It is in Luke’s detail of the life of Jesus we find the account of the angel appearing to Mary. Matthew has more of an emphasis on Joseph and simply states, “But before they married, he [Joseph] learned that she was expecting a baby. (She was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.)” (Matt. 1:18 ERV) In Luke we see angels involved in messages to Zechariah in the Temple and then later Mary.

The angel provides insight into “God’s selection” process. In the day of “reality TV” shows that feature competition for “being selected” based on musical ability, other talent or attractiveness trying to figure out the selection criteria can always be a mystery. Was Mary the best, brightest, most talented? What she from the “right” family? Of all the thousands of young women why did God select Mary? Was she the only young woman in the world who “pleased” God in her day? Why didn’t  God chose Elizabeth to be the mother of Jesus instead of the mother of John? We don’t know!

What we do know is that Mary “pleased the Lord” and the Lord showed “favor” to her. God in His sovereign  way and for His reasons demonstrated to Mary the grace to be chosen as the “mother of the Lord.” The Lord selected Mary just as He called Abraham. Just as He called the prophets, just as Jesus would call His disciples. The Lord calls people not because of who they are, but who He is and who they can become when they surrender their life to Him. That is a lesson for us all to learn and embrace. Can we be that type of person, to whom God can trust to believe and obey and be used by Him?

The angel encouraged Mary’s faith. As Mary was trying to “wrap her head” around the words of the angel, the angel told her, “…here’s something else: Your relative Elizabeth is pregnant. She is very old, but she is going to have a son. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant now for six months. God can do anything!” (Luke 1:36,37 ERV) I like that “Oh, by the way” kind of wording in the narrative. But it wasn’t by accident. The angel let Mary in on a “family secret,” but in so doing emphasized the bottom line, “God can do anything.” If He can allow an old woman to become pregnant by natural means, He can allow a virgin become pregnant by supernatural means. They are both miracles that can’t be explained by human rationale.

Mary’s faith, reflects the response of Abraham. Mary responded to the words of the angel, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let this thing you have said happen to me!”  (Luke 1:38 ERV) The Bible says when God made a promise to Abraham, that, “Abraham believed God…” (Gen. 17:9) Outside of the question, “how can this be?” We don’t read other questions or arguments or complaints from Mary. She was humble and submissive.

Mary was open to the mysterious. I’m not sure if that is the best description of Mary’s response to the visit of the shepherds. But we read, “Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” (Luke 2:18,19 ERV) I like the wording and contrast that comes through in other translations, “…all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:18,19 NIV)

Mary would have certainly been amazed and filled with wonder as the shepherds came and as they shared their “story.” But she went beyond just the moment of wonder. She gave this and I’m sure other events deep consideration. Perhaps she realized she would need to be patient to come to the full understanding of all that was transpiring.

We certainly see this taking place during the ministry of Jesus. He shared many things with His disciples that they did not full understand until Jesus was raised from the dead. An important aspect of our faith is that we, “know in part.” We don’t have the “full picture,” the full meaning of everything is not always revealed as the events of life take place. Like Mary we need to be willing to, “treasure and ponder.”

These are just a few observations that we can make from Mary’s life as she is chosen to be the “mother of our Lord.” As with many others in the Bible, what we see in Mary, challenges us today. God is still at work. God is till using human instruments to accomplish His purpose. Are we available for Him to use us, even in special ways, if by His sovereign favor He so chooses?

Today was a good day for me. I had a early morning fitness workout. My last one with my trainer for this year. Outside of that it was office work and getting ready for these final few days before Christmas.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid” Luke 2:8.9 ERV

As Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the town was busy and overcrowded, yet it was shepherds on a nearby hillside that received the announcement about the birth of the Savior. The darkness of the night sky was broken by the brilliance of angels. The understandable response of the shepherds was fear.

The angels announce that a “Savior has been born, He is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds are given instructions on how to find and recognize the baby. The intensity of what is taking place goes to a whole new level when a “host of angels” appear in the sky praising God. That image is one of magnificence that is hard to picture.

These shepherds represent not just the common people of the day, but those who were despised and rejected. So we find it interesting the one who the prophet described as being, “despised and rejected by men” (Isa. 55:3) would be first visited by those who were, “despised and rejected by  men.” When the angels declared, “…news that will make everyone happy“(Luke 2:10 ERV), they could not have found a more appropriate audience.

We then see the response of the shepherds. They quickly made their way to Bethlehem to look for the child. The magnitude of what they experienced would have been difficult to ignore. But we still see that having heard the news, their priorities were changed. What was important as the night began, we radically changed in a moment of time. That is what happens when we are confronted with the “good news” of a Savior. Our lives as they have been, cannot continue with the same focus and priorities.

They came and found out what they had been told was true. Their response was to tell others. That may included telling people about finding the baby, and the appearance of the angels that told them who the baby was. They could announce that, “this baby is not your normal baby.” The response, “Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:18 ERV)

These first ones to declare the news of Jesus would be much like the disciples Jesus would later call to follow Him. They were ordinary men who would surprise people by what they declared.

Finally we see as they returned to their fields, they did so praising the Lord and thanking Him for all that they had seen. These shepherds whose mannerisms and language would have been viewed course and unacceptable were demonstrating the change in their life after their encounter with the Christ-child.

Jesus came a light to the nations. We see a glimpse of that when He was born and the full meaning of that would be revealed through the word of His disciples after His death, resurrection and ascension. For these shepherds their response to good news and their encounter with the Christ-child have been reflected in the lives of many down through time who hear good news and “come to Christ.”