My Portion Forever

     As we face the approach of a new year, finding contentment in this life is often difficult to do. We tend to look at others and see what they have and wish we could have it too.  This is why big tech companies keep introducing new gadgets certain to make our lives easier.  They tantalize us with new features that make us want to purchase the latest device. Then when a friend gets one, the urge to purchase increases significantly. Whether it is an object or a neighbor down that street that seems to have everything, we can often get caught up in discontent. The Psalms speak to this issue.

     Psalm 73 is written by Asaph who is a music leader and teacher in Israel.  He begins this Psalm by
acknowledging that God is good to Israel, but he goes on to confess that he nearly has stumbled.  Vs. 3-5 says: “...for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.  They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” We can really relate to what he is saying here can’t we?  Aren’t there times when we wonder why the person who cheats in his business dealings gets away with it? We live in a world that seems patently unfair at times. However, when we look at Asaph, he is making an assumption about these wicked people. He is believing that their lives are better off than his until he goes into the House of the Lord.

     Often, we are tempted by our circumstances in life to envy others.  We may not understand why it seems that wicked folks are able skate along in life without a problem, while we may have lost our job, had a broken relationship or some other calamity.  The place to start to find the answer is by doing what Asaph did and that is going into the House of the Lord.  Asking God in prayer to show us why we are going through our current set of difficulties.  He, alone, can give us a new mindset. In Christ, we find our identity, our worth, our purpose as we trust Him.  Asaph came to this realization as he made his heart known to the Lord.  In verses 23-26, we read: “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” These words go along with what Jesus told us when He said: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).  The key to contentment is to keep our eyes on the Lord.  He is working all things together for our good. We must not allow the things in this world to distract us and pull us away from our focus.

     Certainly the many journeys of the Apostle Paul are a testament to his ability to grow in contentment.  We know he suffered want, stoning, beatings, a snake bite and various other calamities.  Yet, in his letter to the Christians in Philippi, he wrote these words in chapter 4:11-13:  “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” He learned to be content by walking through the hardships while keeping his eyes on the goal of Christ. Likewise, we need to ask God to show us what we are to learn when faced with the trials of living. Don’t envy those outside of Christ.  We know what their destiny will be if they do not repent.  However, we are to follow Christ and rest knowing that He is with us every step of the way.  He is fitting us for glory where we will live with Him forever.

     If we are struggling with being content and accepting the plan that God has for us, then, we need to remember that He is our loving Shepherd who is gently, carefully, and tenderly leading us even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Do not look at the wicked or the things of this world for they will pass away. Instead, let us lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven by never forgetting that God is our portion, and He is more than enough.  Selah! 

Shine As Lights in the Darkness

     As we were driving through our neighborhood one evening, we commented on all the beautiful Christmas lights that illuminated homes making them look like a fairyland.  However, when we passed those same houses in the daytime, and the magical look was gone.  Even if the lights were turned on in the daylight, they were almost invisible compared to the powerful radiance of the sun.  I couldn’t help but notice the comparison between this and our Savior who was called “the Light of the World”.

     Jesus said of Himself this in John 8:12:  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” No more beautiful words could have been said for He brought the light of truth into this dark, fallen world.  While He was among us, He brought light to false teaching, illumination to the meaning of God’s Word, and brightness into the hearts of all who believed.  Prior to His coming, the Bible describes the way men walked:  “They do not know nor do they understand. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken” (Psalm 82:5).  From the Garden of Eden onward, men chose to walk in darkness away from God for sin had entered the world.  What a difference, though, when Christ came into the world.  John Piper describes it like this:  “The light of Christ is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul.  Jesus speaks from God and for God and as God” (John Piper, “I Am the Light of the World” March 12, 2011).

     After Christ came and then, ascended to Heaven, He left behind the light of His truth in all who believed in Him.  We are called to now be the “light of the world”.  Though our light is much smaller than His, together we are mighty for dispelling the darkness of sin around us.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:  " 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  With the power of the Holy Spirit living in all believers, we continue to shed light in the darkness all around us just as the Christmas lights shine brightly each evening.

       Our Shorter Westminster Confession tells us that our purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever”.  Indeed, as we shine brightly by proclaiming to those around us the Good News of salvation found in Jesus Christ, we are bringing glory to God.  So the question is for us all:  Are we shining brightly in our world?  Do we bring the light of Christ to our workplace?  To our daily activities at home or out in public? Do people know we are followers of Christ?

       At Christmas time and every other time in life, we have been called to bring light into the darkness.  If ever there was a need for this, the time is now.  We know the moral depths to which our world has fallen.  We see the family being torn apart by the pressures present in this world; therefore it is all the more important for us to be a lighthouse to those around us trying to make it safely to shore.  One day, of course, Christ will return and when He does, He will drive all the darkness away.  This is when all the world will see His truth, justice and Lordship over all creation.  Until then, we must keep our lights shining. The best way to do this is to gather in fellowship often so that we may grow in His Word. This keeps the flame burning brightly.  Just as the Christmas lights bring joy to all who see them, so the light of our Lord Jesus Christ will dispel the darkness of this world.  Let us rejoice that He has chosen us to be representatives of His light this Christmas!  Selah!

The Case of the MIssing Items

     After our Thanksgiving holiday, several things turned up missing.  Of course, we also found a few things that were left behind as usual, but somehow my couch pillow in the family room had disappeared.  I contacted family members to see if someone scooped it up by accident.  No one had seen it.  I searched my closets, under beds and every place I thought it might have gotten to.  Having 21 people in your home, things have a way of being moved.  Finally, as I was sweeping the carpet, I decided to check under the recliner side of my couch, and what to my “wondering eyes should appear” (to borrow a phrase) but my pillow.  It fit neatly under the seat and I suppose the children tucked it in there as they spent time playing in the family room.  That was not the end of my hunt though.

     Having a busy toddler (18 months) in the house, I discovered a couple of pieces of my “Little People” plastic manger set missing.  He didn’t play with the manger set as much as throwing the pieces or placing them in different spots.  As I was looking for an item in my laundry room, I found one of the Magi in my plastic wrap for bottled water.  That was  a lucky find; however, Baby Jesus was still missing after they left to return home.  I think I searched about everywhere I could think when I saw something out of place in one of my plant pots.  I didn’t know what it was at first.  As I looked closer, it was, indeed, my Baby Jesus.  Hallelujah….I had found Him.  Putting Him back in the manger set, I wondered to myself, how often do we lose Jesus in all the activities of the holidays?  There is always so much to do after all.

      When we are up to our ears in Christmas decorations, cookies and receptions to attend, do we take time to pray, read the Word and spend time in worship?  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”  In other words, God meets our needs and cares for us.  We need not stew over things but the imperative for every believer is to put the Lord first in our lives. Then, Paul encourages us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:17).  I certainly did a lot of praying while looking for those missing items.  God never fails to answer either.  We just have to trust in Him to help us with the big things as well as the little things in life.  Finding manger pieces and a pillow may seem like silly things to pray for but God cares about all that we care about.  Throughout my life, I have learned to lean on Him when my five senses cannot locate something I have lost.  He has never failed to help me find those items.

       Perhaps the biggest thing that can get lost in the holiday season is time for genuine worship of God in the House of the Lord.  It is so easy to just stay in bed instead of getting up and preparing to go to church.  However, we deprive ourselves of the very spiritual food we need when we do this.  Hebrews 10:25 encourages us to persevere:  “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”  If we keep our priorities straight during this time of celebration, we will not get lost in the hustle and bustle.

       Time spent with the Lord is never wasted time.  We are enriched by His Word, filled with His presence in prayer and loved by Him through the care of others when we fellowship together at church. We must not get lost like my “Little People” in the manger set or my couch pillow.  Keeping Christ at the center of our activities puts everything in perspective.  Lets not get lost in activities but be “found” faithful in all that we do that the true meaning of Christmas will shine through us!  Selah!

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Christmas

     One of the Stories written by Dr. Seuss (my favorite) is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  It has been made into a cartoon movie and a live action one some years ago but it tells a good story about the true meaning of Christmas that changed the heart of a crabby old Grinch. The citizens of Whoville still had the Christmas spirit even without presents that were stolen by the Grinch.  Their decorations were all taken down as well. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel, his real name) wanted to let people know that materialism and the desire to get all you can at Christmas was not what Christmas was all about.  The story was written in 1957, and as even today, there was a great emphasis on gifts, decorations, and activities in abundance.  This is where we all need to take care lest we become “Grinched” at Christmas.

 

   Christ should always be first and foremost in our hearts during this season of celebration. The problem many of us face is getting ourselves wrapped up in too many activities, gift buying and endless rushing around until we drop with exhaustion.  Then, we begin to wish Christmas was over.  Our mood becomes less than cheerful.  Suddenly we become “Grinch-like” (crabby and negative) with friends and family alike.  It happens so gradually that we may not notice it but those around us can.  The stressed out look on the face, the tight smile, and snappy comments of complaint show others around us to stay away.   However, the Bible encourages us to do things in moderation.  

      In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses a church that seems to be a bit out of control.  There is infighting over spiritual gifts, problems with the Lord’s Supper and immorality.  So Paul reminds them of this (I Corinthians 6:19-20):  “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.” We really need to remember this because too much on our calendar can bring stress.  We must learn to be reasonable and stop and consider what glorifies God for that is why we were created.  There are times we have to graciously say “no” to some things that put us in a tizzy.  I love what Proverbs 25:28 has to say:  “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” 

     For much of my life (especially college years), I have lived full tilt with being involved in everything under the sun. This takes a toll on our body, our mind, and even our spirit.  God never meant for us to be “human doings”.  We are made in His image, and He should be the center focus for our life.  Remember, our salvation is a free gift from God not works oriented, do everything perfectly, have the fanciest decorations, the most gifts under the tree type of redemption.  He wants us to be formed into the image of His dear Son…not become like the Grinch.  As Jesus wisely said in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Read the whole chapter.  It is filled with encouragement for all worriers and overcommitted people.  So what should we do?

     At Christmas, we must take time to pray about how many activities and commitments we have on the calendar. I am certain they all look good, but must we be at each one?  Do we need to put up all the decorations so that we wow the neighborhood or should we keep it low key for the sake of precious time we might miss with our church family, our own family and especially with the Lord. God can guide us and give us His wisdom if we ask Him.

     Christmas is a time for worship, reading the Word of God and fellowship with other believers.  These activities should be our top priority.  Attending to these things first will put a new slant both on the celebration and who we are in Christ.  God has given us the means of grace through the preaching of His Word as well as the sacraments.  So in remembering to seek Him first, we will thwart having our Christmas stolen by the “Grinch” and experience the peace which passes all understanding.  Selah!!