A Time for Restoration

     As the New Year fast approaches, many of us take the time to reflect on the events of the past year.  Of course, the year 2020 will long be remembered because no one expected a Pandemic, rioting in the streets, and damage to the economy.  Change of any sort grabs our attention, and wakes us from complacency.  Certainly this was true for the remnant of Israel that had returned with Ezra to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

     They returned after living in exile 70 years in Babylon.  We can only imagine their grief at looking at the ruins of their city and Temple but also they were told about
the Law of the Lord which they had not obeyed. Yet Ezra encouraged them to remember that their joy and strength would come from the Lord as they walked in obedience to His Word (Nehemiah 8:10b).  They were not to grieve as people with no hope, and this message is one we need to embrace as we enter the New Year ahead.

     No one knows what the coming days have in store for us, but we know that God holds the future.  He is our source and provision.  He knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and is our Good Shepherd (Psalm 23).  With His guidance, we can experience the fullness of His joy.  In John 15:10-11, Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full".  So how should we respond to the words of encouragement we hear from the Lord?

     First, this is a great time to reflect on the past year.  Prayerfully, we need to think on our lives and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas where we have missed God.  This is what the people of Israel did.  They heard God's Word read to them and repented of their sins.  Then, they sought to be obedient to His Word once again.  As they stepped out in faith, they trusted God to give them strength and restore their joy.  We need to do the same both individually and as a church fellowship.

     After reflection, we need to come to a place of true repentance. As the Holy Spirit shows us areas where we have not lived in obedience to the Lord, we need to seek His forgiveness.  I John 1:9 assures us of the Lord's total forgiveness when we confess our sins to Him.  Both sins of commission (things we know we have done) and omission (things which we may not even be aware of at the time) are areas we need to ask for the Lord's forgiveness.  Keeping our account clean before the Lord and with our neighbors allows His joy to fill us completely.

     Following repentance, we can enter into His complete restoration and renewal.  Every morning brings new opportunities just as every new year does as well.  The old has passed away and all things are made new in Christ.  When the Lord is at the center of our lives, we find real joy and peace. Certainly, the remnant of Israel found great comfort in their restored relationship with the Lord and in obediently serving Him.  They rebuilt the Temple and the city to His glory.  In the same way, we can rebuild our lives to be more conformed to His image by immersing ourselves in worship, Bible study and prayer.  Let us enter the new year ahead with a greater resolve to seek Him in all things that we may glorify the Lord and find His joy and strength in all we do.  Selah!

At Just the Right Time

      At this time of year, so many fond memories come flooding back into my mind.  Funny things as well as those touching moments that we hide deep in our hearts.  For example, there was the Christmas when we were eating at my grandparent's home.  Redi Whip was a new product on the market for whipped cream which none of us had ever tried before.  We were seated at the table and my mother decided to add some whipped cream to her pumpkin pie.  My father was seated across from her.  Since this was a new product, she did not know how to get the cream to come out.  She pushed down on the nozzle and instantly covered my father's new suit coat with whipped cream.  She was shocked as was my father and we all had a good laugh!

     Then there was another occasion when my mother had not gotten all of her gifts wrapped before a family get together; so she sat in the back seat of the car and wrapped presents as we drove along.  She stayed in the car until she was done.  Talk about last minute!  This was not the only time this happened and those of us who are busy can most likely relate.  However, God's timing in all things is perfect.  He is never too early and never too late.

     In his letter to the Church at Galatia, Paul wrote these words (Gals. 4:4,5):  "But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law."  We do not know why God chose this time period, but it was right time according to His plan for our salvation.  The long awaited Messiah was born into the world.

     Thirty three years later, God did another amazing thing on our behalf.  Romans 5:5-6 tells us:  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God through His sacrifice on the cross.  The entire story of the birth and death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, is all about being "at just the right time."  

     Almost two thousand years later, many are wondering, even as Jesus' disciples did, when will He return?  He is our strength, our hope who will one day rule and reign over our messy, hurting world.  Only the next time He comes, Jesus will not be a babe in a manger but He will return to judge the world as our conquering king.  We do not know when this will take place.  He gave us hints in the Scripture as to what things to look forward to happening but of the exact hour, we do not know.  In 2 Peter 3:8-9, we are told:  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”   These verses tell me that when the time is just right, our Savior will come again in glory.  Until that time, we are to stand in faith against the wiles of this world.  We are to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, be obedient to His commands and never forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

     While my mother may have been time challenged in wrapping her Christmas gifts, we are to be ready because "at just the right time" Christ will come again for His church.  Like those Bridesmaids in the parable whose lamps were filled with oil and ready for the Bride Groom to come, we must also be ready (Matthew 25:7).  

     On this Christmas, may we find joy in the preparation of our celebration and be ready for our Lord's return at any moment.  He will come like a thief in the night, and we shall be with Him forever.  Selah!

     

Its the Little Things that Count

      In this season when we think about gift giving, we often think of the big things we can buy or do for the ones we love; yet, in reality, the love of Christ is best demonstrated in the small acts of kindness we do for others.  Let me give an example.

     This year, Thanksgiving was different for us.  Having had knee surgery, I wasn't able to stand for hours working on pies and various side dishes. So, our children volunteered to make all the sides, get the desserts and cook the turkey.  They took care of the dishes as well, and as an added bonus, they got out our Christmas decorations and put them up for us.  This was such a blessing!  This is the type of gift that money cannot buy.  We often overlook these little things but Jesus reminded his disciples in Luke 16:10a:  "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..."  Character is often revealed in the many small acts of kindness we show to others.

     During this time of celebrating the birth of Christ, what are some of the little things we can do, then, to bless others?  Some are so simple, we might overlook them.  I belong to a Post Polio Support Group and a member once mentioned that she felt overlooked when she was in a store because she was riding a scooter.  She said that people rarely take time to look at her since she is
seated when passing them.  I picked up on this, and now, when I am in a store, I take the time to look at those in a wheelchair or on a scooter and look them in the eye.  A smile and a kind word go a long way.  Acknowledging someone rather than ignoring them is a gift of love to that person.

     Another little thing we can do is to call someone and ask how they are doing.  Phone calls are the next best thing to an actual physical visit.  At this time, many are uncomfortable with in person get togethers, but we have things like FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook Messenger video chat and other possibilities.  When God lays a person on your heart, take it as a reminder to contact them and pray with them.  It could make their day!

     Sending a card or a note in the mail is also a blessing.  I often think of Berdene Johnson (now home with the Lord) who had a faithful  card ministry.  Every year, she sent my husband and I a card on our anniversary.  Few people even remember your wedding day so its a treat to receive a special card.  Being remembered by Christian friends can lift a heart.

     Finally, we can offer a helping hand if someone is moving or needs some cleaning done.  This is a blessing if the person is ill or just needs assistance with a big job that needs to be completed.  While we are helping them, we can be sharing the love of Christ with them as well.  Fellowship and work often go hand in hand.  Proverbs 3:27 tells us:  "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."  This is a great reminder to all of us to do those little things we often neglect.

     Our lives keep us busy with so many activities daily that it is easy to overlook the little things that could make the lives of others so much better.  We take it for granted that friends and family know we love them, but when we show them by blessing them in a simple manner, it enriches not only their life but ours as well.   Let us look for ways to shine the light of Christ into the hearts of those around us this Christmas season.  We will never regret the time we spend in doing the little things for others.  Selah!