Merry Christmas ...

 

 

Morning with Beverly will resume
Monday 01-06-2025
Stay in The Word
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Come and See

Have you ever talked something "to death?" Without a doubt, you knew the right thing to do but then talked yourself out of doing it. After the angel [and the heavenly host] appeared to the shepherds, here's what Scripture says: "When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.' So they came in a hurry ..." (Luke 2:15-16a, NASB). The angel gave a clear and concise message of what had happened that night; let's be sure we understand ... the message was from God! Note the shepherds' response - they went in a hurry to see "this thing that has happened." Their response didn't seem to involve deliberations or considerations - who will watch the sheep? ... we'll go first thing int he morning! ... goodness, we don't even know where in Bethlehem; no, Scripture says they simply "hurried off" (NIV). There's a lesson for us today in the speedy response of the shepherds: "When God draws me, the issue of my will comes in at once. Will I react to the revelation He has given me? Will I come to Him? It’s a question of obeying, not of discussing." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). God drew the shepherds to find "the baby as He lay in the manger" (Luke 2:16b, NASB). The shepherds' quick obedience to draw near to the Christ Child was rewarded when they found Him. What an example in setting aside things that hinder and deprive us of discovering the deep riches of God Himself and the beauty of a relationship with Jesus. Don't miss the Message or The Messiah: Christ is born ... come and see.

His Peace

Seeing and wondering about unidentified flying objects is nothing new! Luke's gospel tells of shepherds doing what shepherds do - that is, watching over sheep doing what sheep do - when they [too] saw and wondered about what they saw: "An angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened." (Luke 2:9, NASB). It's not surprising they were afraid; imagine yourself in that situation - fear is real and comes without invitation! God knew it so He had His messenger say, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, Who is Christ the Lord." (V.10). The angel re-directed their fear to wonder about the message of the Birth Announcement of all birth announcements: Jesus the Savior is born! The heart focused on Christ will always be calmed and comforted with hope that Jesus gives. The psalmist affirms that is exactly what The Lord does: "I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears" (Psalm 34:4, ESV). What is your greatest fear? No fear is too great for He Who brings peace and calm to anxious hearts. Jesus, Who years later calm the raging storm, is the same One Who offers us His peace and rest today. Give Him your fears and know ... His Peace.

Know Jesus

Most of my grandchildren bear strong resemblances to their parents in one way or another. Mister Bill and I are amused to see personalities develop and the resemblances are way more than physical features! "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:18, NASB). We know Joseph was father to Jesus only by way of an earthly relationship: it was The Holy Spirit that caused Mary to conceive. This is crucial to understanding the relationship of Jesus to God; although Father and Son, they are One. Many Believers today miss knowing The Father because they neglect to nurture a relationship with The Son! The more we read-of and learn-of Jesus and His life spent in the flesh on this earth and His teachings, the more we learn of the character and nature of God (The Father). "And the Word (Christ) became flesh and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father [the Son Who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, AMP). When we focus on Jesus (The Son), we are literally looking into the heart of God (The Father). It is way more than a resemblance or a reflection; Jesus is exactness, literalness, the same. Do you long to be closer to God, to know Him more intimately? If so ... know Jesus.

Serve The King

We may be asked, "will you do me a favor?" In other words, we're being asked to grant an act of kindness or goodwill to another. The angel said to Mary, "you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). The news that followed surely puzzled Mary, even made her wonder how God saw any of that as His favor! Oh, but the angel continued, "He [Jesus] will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 2:32-33). Oh! It should be the longing of every child of God to be used by Him. We really know very little about Mary except that she was a young virgin; we can easily imagine there was nothing extraordinary about her yet God looked upon her and she "found favor" in His eyes. Perhaps you wonder at times what you have to offer the Lord; here's something I've learned - even the smallest of things are mighty in the hands of God. There's nothing too small or insignificant when offered unto The Lord: a smile, a hug, a card, a prayer, a kind word ... literally nothing that God will refuse when it's offered as Mary offered herself: "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to Your word." (V.38). The circumstances of God's favor will differ but the King's favor is always "as dew on the grass" (Proverbs 19:1). As God's servants, let no kindness be undone ... let no sweet morsel of the tongue be unspoken ... let no gentle blessing be withheld. At all and in all times ... serve the King.

Longing Hearts

Signs - road signs, protestor signs, handmade refrigerator signs - whatever the sign, a sign is intended to be seen, to be and to convey a message. "The LORD Himself will give you a sign: listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14, AMP). God's message to the world through His prophet, Isaiah, was this: I AM is coming to live among you. The sign of God-with-you will be an unheard-of and incomprehensible conception of The Holy Spirit and a virgin, and the child's name will be Immanuel, which means "God with us." Much like in Isaiah's day, people missed both the sign and the significance of God's message; even at the appearance of the sign, the world was too busy with itself to notice. Make no mistake, we have our own Bethlehems with bustling streets and no vacancies - holiday gatherings, gift exchanges, food buffets and flashing lights - more than enough to make us miss Jesus, Immanuel. "Come, Thou long expected Jesus - Born to set Thy people free - From our fears and sins release us - Let us find our rest in Thee - Israel's strength and consolation - Hope of all the earth Thou art - Dear desire of ev'ry nation - Joy of ev'ry longing heart." (Words by Charles Wesley). Immanuel - God with us - in every season, the joy of ... longing hearts.

Blog Break

 Morning with Beverly will resume
Tuesday 12-17-2024
Stay in The Word!

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Oh, The Name

Most of us have three names: first, middle, last. Maybe perhaps like the younger-me, you rarely heard your full name unless you were in trouble! In Isaiah 9:6 (AMP), we read: "For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." That's way more than three names, and it's only a partial list; just a few others given in Scripture are - Author and Finisher, Bread of Life, Bright Morning Star, Chosen One, Emmanuel, Holy One, King of Kings, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Living Water, Redeemer, Shepherd, Word ... and we call Him Jesus. To hear the full name given me by my parents may have meant trouble; in contrast, to hear the name given Jesus throughout the Holy Scriptures meant an end to all that troubles the human heart and spirit. "God has highly exalted Him [Jesus] and bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, ESV). One of the wonders of this particular season is the opportunities to acknowledge and honor The One from The Father  - Jesus, Messiah, the bearer of the Name of all names! Oh, The Name.

Love At Its Best

It's hard to imagine any of us have failed to experience love on some level: not all love is warm and fuzzy - sometimes love is hard and difficult. When love is perfected, however, the experience compares to little else. Jesus said, "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another." (John 13:34, AMP). I find it particularly interesting that Jesus instructs us to love on the deepest level - His level, the level by which He loved us. We tend to love only after we've investigated, pondered and concluded those [whom we are to love] are worthy of our time and devotion not to mention if that love will be welcomed and returned. That is not how Jesus loves! As the ultimate expression of love, God sent Jesus to a world that would neither welcome nor embrace His love. He was not deterred; He loved and continued to love and commands us to love [one another] in the same way. Consider those who gathered near the Christ Child - the simple, the powerless, the wise ... none out of God's love nor should they be ours. God has shown us ... love at its best.

Celebrate Jesus

The phrase "been there, done that" is often used to express a real understanding of a circumstance or situation: literally, we know and have experienced it and all that comes with it! We read in Lamentations 3:22, "It is because of the LORD's lovingkindness that we are not consumed because His [tender] compassions never fail." (AMP). God's tender regard for the plight of those who love Him is real and it's deep! Deep because He understands - not just because He is God and knows all things but because He's "been there, done that." "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:3-4, ESV). The truest meaning of "compassion" is a suffering with another, a painful sympathy, a compound of both love and sorrow. You see, Jesus' compassions never fail because from His first to last breath, Jesus knows - He experienced it all and overcame it all. What an advocate we have in Him! Just one more wonder to ... celebrate Jesus!

No Wonder!

Arrogant people and their pretentious behavior can bring on thoughts of he-needs-takinig-down-a-notch-or-two. If we're completely honest, we tend to enjoy seeing haughty people get their ... comeuppance.  God's Word says, "But we do see Him Who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." (Hebrews 2:9, NASB). In essence, Jesus was humbled although briefly so that He could suffer for sins He did not commit! We celebrate His first coming this time of year - let's make sure we understand: God, rich in mercy and love, caused Jesus to descend into a less high or less elevated form so that Jesus could take-on the limitations of humanity, suffering all things even death that you and I would not have to experience eternal spiritual death for our sin. No wonder angels filled the night sky to announce Jesus' arrival - No wonder shepherds hurried to see what had taken place in Bethlehem - No wonder wise men made such a long perilous journey from the east to bring Jesus valuable gifts and to worship Him - No wonder Mary pondered all things concerning Jesus' birth - No wonder!  Unlike our own arrogant behavior at times, Jesus had no comeuppance a'coming - He had done nothing wrong, He was perfect in every way yet He came willingly accepting His lowly form. No wonder The Father crowned Him with glory and honor. It is Jesus Messiah we celebrate, and ... no wonder!

God In Us

As best I recall, I was an adult when I first attended a circus. Nonetheless, it was thrilling - an experience long remembered! "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV). Those words of John's never grow old!  We can be assured that neither did the reality of who Jesus was grow old to those who actually witnessed His life on earth - the unique, only One of His kind, God's Son. From eternity past without limitations of time and space, Jesus took-on for us human form, fully embracing in every way limitations of time and space! Jesus came to "live" among us - to "pitch His tent" among men, much in the same way God dwelt among men in the wilderness tabernacle! Oh, if we could father - that is, grasp the full measure of meaning to how deeply God loves and desires to be our personal Emmanuel: not just God with us but ... God in us!

Seek and Worship

Anyone ever told you that you can't "see the forest for the trees?" If so, let's be clear: that's not a compliment! The implication is that you cannot understand nor appreciate the larger picture because you're too focused on the details of the moment. I'm evermore amazed at how God misses neither the details nor the bigger picture! "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'" (Luke 2:1-2, AMP). Almighty God, with big picture in mind, promoted Daniel (of 605-536 BC) to rule over the entire province of Babylonia including all the wise men (Daniel 2:48) who [undoubtedly] learned of Jehovah God and the coming of a child king. Surely, they studied the Scriptures of old: "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17, ESV). One significant detail - Daniel and wise men of the east (Babylon) - as God prepared the way for the world to see the bigger picture: God's salvation come to earth for all mankind. It's been rightly said, "wise men still seek Him." Indeed, we are wise to seek Him then do exactly as the magi did: worship Him!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

It's doubtful any of us can recall the town crier proclaiming, "hear ye hear ye" ... in other words, "listen up, people." The hear-ye phrase was a call to attention, something very important was about to be announced! This is exactly how Mark begins his gospel: "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (Mark 1:1, AMP). Three decades after Jesus' resurrection, Mark starts his writing with a declaration ... listen now, pay attention ... you're about to hear the facts concerning the Gospel, the Good News about Jesus! It is quite simply through Jesus' life, His ministry, His death and resurrection that Mark tells the eternal significance of The Savior. Throughout Mark's gospel, it's a no-frills account of the grace of God as expressed in His Son, Jesus; one commentary summarizes Mark's words this way: "here is the truth, believe it, and let's get on with following Jesus." Are we not reminded of the shepherd's quick decision to go to Bethlehem and "see this thing that has happened" (Luke 2:15). How slow, however, we are to respond to the facts, the truth when set before us "as it is written." This Advent Season, will you listen and hear and respond without hesitancy to God's call to draw near to Him? Hear ye, Hear ye!

Celebrate Jesus!

Thankfully, I've only been part of one house-building - that was enough! My part, of course, was mostly choosing paint colors, floor patterns, counter tops, etc. Like I said, that was enough. Read this sweet passage about The Savior: "Behold, a Man (Messiah) whose name is Branch, for He shall branch out from His place (Israel) ... and He shall build the [ultimate] temple of the LORD. Yes ... it is He Who shall build the [ultimate] temple of the LORD, and He shall bear the honor and majesty [as the only begotten of the Father] and sit and rule in His throne." (Zechariah 6:12-13, AMP). What a wonder that God would choose to dwell among mere men in the form of His Son, Jesus. "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you." (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV). We are God's building - His dwelling place is within the heart of all who believe. Jesus was born to dwell among us - He died to dwell within us, making our hearts His home. Celebrate Jesus!

See - Hear - Know

The older-me likes early notifications - a change in plans, prices and products. There is, of course, so many unanticipated things in life that advanced notice is just nice! The appearance of Jesus shouldn't have been a surprise. God said in Deuteronomy 18:15, "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like [Moses] from among you, from your [brothers] . You shall listen to him." He promised a prophet like no other - a true prophet, Jesus. Like Moses, this Prophet's life would be spared as an infant; like Moses, He would deny royalty; like Moses, He would have compassion for the people; like Moses, He would speak with God face to face; like Moses, He would be the mediator of a covenant. God said, "I will put My words in His mouth ... He shall speak all that I command Him." (Deuteronomy 18:18, AMP). The Promised Prophet was then announced by Heaven's hosts - "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:14); then later at a triumphal entry to Jerusalem - "Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the LORD - Hosanna in the highest" (Matthew 21:11, AMP). Yet, He was rejected; still today, He is ignored and neglect: how is it possible for One of such greatness! Amid the many sights and sounds of the Season ... see Him, hear Him, know Him.

Always That Season

By now, if you've not made a list and checked it twice, I suggest you're gonna be a'scramblin' soon enough! Those who know me know I'm a slow-go with Christmas. however, I've learned devoted attention to Advent helps effectively stir my heart ... in the right way. The Prophet Micah wrote these words of God: "But as for you, Bethlehem ... from you One shall come forth for Me [who is] to be Ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, from ancient days." (Michah 5:2, AMP). From this Old Testament prophecy, we learn that there would be a birth like no other: the birth of a Savior King - a pre-existing One from eternity past! The fulfillment of this is part of what we know as the Christmas account: "So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child." (Luke 2:4-5). Now we know from Proverbs 16:9 that the heart of man may plan his way, but it's the Lord Who establishes our. Perhaps Joseph's and Mary's hearts weren't quite ready for a ninety-mile, three-day journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem but it was part of God's plan, establishing Jesus' birth [as promised] from the royal line of David. Obediently, they made the long hard journey! Throughout this coming Season, let's remember how these two young people - chosen by God - humbled themselves to a plan and a good far greater than themselves. Quiet - Humble - Obedient ... 'tis always that season!