It’s Jesus’ birthday not ours

Another Christmas is now upon us, and if you’re like everybody else you have been busy shopping and preparing for a nice family Christmas. This past fall, Diane and I were given a DVD set of the early years of the TV program “Little House On The Prairie.” Recently, as we watched the early episodes it brought back so many memories of watching the show together with my children. I had forgotten how well the program depicted the life and struggles of the early pioneers, and how even though they had none of the modern luxuries we have today, nor the lifestyle, their spirit was much more appreciative. Even at Christmas time when they had little, there words were,“ after all it’s Jesus’ birthday not ours.” They were satisfied with just a warm fire, food, family, health, and the safety of a roof over their heads. As I watched it hit me, just how far I have grown away from appreciating the basic things that God has given me. Oh that we all have that attitude again, and remember that Christmas isn’t about us, it’s about the greatest gift that you and I could ever receive or share; Jesus! After all it’s his birthday not ours !

“Thanks”

In a few weeks we will be celebrating “Thanksgiving” with our families. The true meaning of thanksgiving can be seen by simply looking at the two words that make it up. “Thanks” meaning to be thankful for, and “giving” meaning to be willing to share what we are thankful for. In the OT when the Jew was thankful to God, he would offer back to God the best of his flock, or his increase. So why should it be any different with us. Being thankful is a state of mind that appreciates all that God has given to us. It doesn't look at what it does not have, but rather appreciates all that it does have. As Christians we have been given so much in Christ Jesus. Take our salvation. We didn't earn it, or work for it, all we did was accept it as a gift. It was simply given, therefore why not share what we have been given with others. If we are truly thankful for it we will because it will be our gift back to God out of appreciation. In (Luke 17: 11-19) ten lepers were cleansed from their leprosy by Jesus. Though all 10 were cleansed only one had the true spirit of thanksgiving. He came back to Jesus and desired to follow. Why, because his new life was a gift! I wonder how many of us truly appreciate not only our salvation, but all that this new life has given to us. If you do, offer some of it to others, and be truly thankful !

The Rod Of Power

Again this morning I’d like to challenge us all to Christian service. We have been called to serve, but how many of us have been discouraged do to some fear along the way. In (Ex. 3+4) Moses was called by God to lead the nation Israel out of Egypt, but do to fear he tried to back out four times. Last week we dealt with his first two fears or excuses; 1) unworthiness and 2) un-preparedness. It’s very common to fear God’s service, but unless we submit and go we will never see God’s miracles. This week let’s look at the last two fears or excuses of Moses. 3) uncertainty. No one knows the future, but God did when He told Moses to take his rod or staff with him into Egypt. Symbolically, that rod was Christ. The rod or power of Christ is a promise to each of us, that if we will just go and take Jesus with us people will believe and be saved, but if we fear to go and make excuses, they won’t. 4) Moses felt unable. Moses looked at his inability of speech, made it an excuse, and angered God by it. Be careful not to look at what little you can offer, more than what God can do with your little. When we go in the power of Christ, and with (Word of God) in our hand, it doesn’t matter how we speak as long as we just speak. It’s His power and His Word that convicts the unsaved, not our abilities. So stop looking at what you don’t have, and trust in what you do have; Christ and His Word!

We all have been saved to serve!

This morning I’d like to challenge us as Christians to serve and not be afraid. We all have been saved to serve, but how many of us have quit because of some fear along the way? In (Ex. Chp. 3+4) Moses was called by God to lead the nation Israel out of Egypt, but do to different fears Moses tried to back out four times. Why ? 1) Moses felt unworthy. Now in the service of God this is not necessarily a bad thing, for there is no place in the service of God for high minded people, but this is still a dangerous fear . You see, God wants us to see that Moses wasn't chosen for his worthiness, but rather for God’s purpose. He wants us to see that He can use anyone. God could have done it Himself, but He chose rather to use a man named Moses as an example of a surrendered life. God enjoys taking a sinner and making him useful, or using the weak to bring about miracles. None of us are worthy, but all of us should be willing. 2) Moses felt unprepared. Now I’ll deal with the other two next week, but here I want you to see that even Moses felt unprepared to do such a job. And so will we without God's help. God told Moses “to go” and to trust in Him for the right words to say, but Moses still feared. Listen, fear always causes us to make excuses for what we know God wants us to do, but if our faith is solely in God nothing is impossible. So don't fear, stop making excuses, and trust in God's ability, and not yours!

“And it came to pass.”

There are probably no more important words in the Bible then the words, “And it came to pass.” These words help teach us a lot about God; first of all that he always keeps His word, and secondly that He always has a time limit on whatever He does. Sometimes to us, God seems to take too long, or it may seem like He’s not listening, or that He doesn't care, when in reality He’s just waiting for the right moment to bring His perfect will to pass in our lives. The longer we are saved the more we understand that the silence of God does not mean abandonment, but rather wait. As we study the life of Joseph in the O.T. We see by example how God does bring things to pass, but only after His purpose and His time limit is up. Joseph was not ready at 17 to lead a nation of people, but at 30 he was prepared by many years of trials and much wisdom taught by experience. Some men have attributed the plan of God to an oven where God’s man is prepared over time by the heat of life, but always remember God’s oven has a timer . When we are ready, God will bring His perfect will to pass in our life. So, learn to be more patient with Him, and stop trying to run ahead. God’s will, will come to pass, it’s timed and it has an appointed end. So Wait!

The Building Of A Man For God Part 2

In my series, “The Building Of A Man For God” (A study in the Life of Joseph), it’s interesting to note that God had has a purpose for all that Joseph went through. Sometimes when we are going through a specific trial we question whether or not God really knows what we are really going through, especially when the trial gets worse rather than better? From God’s perspective, Joseph went through exactly what he needed to be God’s leader; rejection, slavery, being falsely accused, and even prison. And so we ask, was all this necessary? In God’s eyes, yes! God never uses anyone until they are ready, and like Joseph we too are being prepared by every trial to be more useable for God. Why? 1) God desires to teach us faith. Because faith is needed to keep going when everything seems to be going wrong. 2) God desires to teach us patience. (Rom.5:3-5) tells us that “tribulation worketh patience.” Listen, waiting on God is a hard thing to learn, and our flesh doesn’t want to wait when in a trial, but God knows that with each trial comes the valuable experience of learning to trust God more. 3) God desires to grow godly character in us. Joseph knew to run from lust, even when it cost him position, power, and finances. God places each of us in situations to test us spiritually on what we believe mentally. Godliness isn’t just knowing God’s Word, but rather it’s faithfully practicing God's Word in every situation and test!

Building Of A Man For God.

I will be preaching a series over the next three weeks on the “Building Of A Man For God.” It will be a series out of the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Like Joseph, we too need to be prepared and strengthened by trial before we can be used of God. God must strip us of our pride, selfishness, and personal will, before we can be of any use to Him. We like Joseph might not see the purpose or reasoning behind the trials that God puts us through in life, but we can remain confident in the fact that God has a greater purpose for it all in the end. I am always reminded of (Rom. 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”   Sometimes we convince ourselves because we are saved, that only good things are supposed to happen to us, but God knows and He wants us all to know that we cannot be strengthened without the spiritual exercise of faith. So God uses everything, our past sins, our present trials and blessings, all of it, to work out His perfect will for our good and His glory.  Like Joseph God has a plan for your life, so stop questioning why and start asking God for the wisdom to use it all for good.