Washed and Groaning and Hope

1st Pastorate After Seminary

As I sit alone in my home with my fireplace blazing (thanks to Netflix and “Fireplace for Your Home with Music”) today has become a day of somber reflection.  Perhaps it’s because another year is ending leaving me longing and yearning for the “redemption of my body” (Romans 8:23) and once again another new year is rushing in with its hint of hope and fulfillment.  This will be my sixty third experience on this journey of new years. 

Yesterday I made another pilgrimage to an area representing part of my past.  As I traveled through some of those rural areas I was reminded of many wonderful people whom I have loved and who have loved me, and my mind was flooded with many memories of life experiences during those years, both good and bad.

However, the most pervasive realization and emotion that I experienced was one that I’m having a difficult time expressing.  Perhaps the following words, each having their own weight, coming together, express a more complete explanation:  horror, sadness, emptiness, repugnance, repulsion, revulsion, hurt, heaviness, regret, misunderstanding, helplessness, ignorance and wonder.  It was not a positive or affirming emotion!

The geographical area I’m referring to is actually west Tennessee, years before my secrets became public.  The emotions were not based on my secrets being exposed but on the knowledge that I was living in the midst of secrets that controlled my life and that caused me to walk in legalism with a spirit of judgment and condemnation.  During that season of my life I was miserable on the inside and I was out of control and there was no help being offered . . . I was living a life of secrets and oppressing darkness and no one knew . . . but GOD.

Bi-Vocational Pastorate
While Campus at Union University

All I can say is I never ever want to go back to where I once was.  I’m not speaking about a geographical location.  I’m speaking about a state of being or existence.

I continue to thank GOD for His grace in orchestrating a church intervention (years later) in 1995 that initiated a new perspective on life as it is to be lived in this foreign land until that day.

And so I say along with Paul:  “[18]For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  [22]For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  [23]And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8)

ADVENT: Day Twenty Five – December 25, 2013

Read Luke 2 – The Christmas Story

John 3:16 & 17 – “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For GOD did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

MESSIAH has come!  JESUS is here . . . the Savior of the world!  GOD sent JESUS in love for the whole world . . . for me . . . for you!

Celebrate!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twenty Four – December 24, 2013

Yes! The Cross encapsulates all of Christmas!

Read Romans 6:5-11  “[6]Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; [7]for he who has died is freed from sin.  [8]Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, [9]knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.  [10]For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all, but the life that He lives, He lives to GOD.  [11]Even so (just like this) consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to GOD in Christ JESUS.

This is it!  This is the message of Christmas . . . and the message of Easter.   You see, the message is exactly the same.  GOD had a plan from the foundations of the earth to consummate (to redeem) His purpose for creating us in the first place.  His plan in creating us was to have someone to walk with in His garden.  Ultimately, it was for Him, not us.

In His omniscience He knew that to have someone to walk with Him in His garden with integrity of intimacy His creation had to have freedom to choose to desire walking with Him.  Therefore, He created the Serpent . . . and a choice was made.

Through Christmas (incarnation) and Easter (atonement) GOD gives His creation grace, with an opportunity to choose a second time.  And for all who choose to walk He grants them righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) once for all (Hebrews 10).    And they walk in His garden happily ever after!

I cannot understand it . . . I simply believe it and embrace it . . . with tears of great anticipation, peace, joy, and love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twenty Three – December 23, 2013

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in Christ JESUS our LORD.” –Romans 8:38-39

Here is an awesome thought and truth . . . the love of GOD stands firm . . . nothing can tear it down . . . nothing can weaken its force and power.  The power of GOD’s love for us and demonstrated in JESUS cannot be overcome.  NOTHING!

GOD’s love came on Christmas Day in the form of a weak little baby, but the love He brought into the world was anything but weak or small.  Nothing can weaken the power of GOD’s love.  The power of His love demonstrated through JESUS is able to redeem ALL who believe.

May we open our hearts to this deep and powerful love that GOD has for us!

JESUS loves me . . . this I know!  And JESUS loves you too!  Celebrate it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twenty Two – December 22, 2013

Today has been the 4^th Sunday of Advent.  This morning at our church we lighted the last purple candle which is known as the Angel Candle or the Candle of Love.

1 John 4:7-9:  “[7]Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from GOD; and everyone who loves is born of GOD and knows GOD.  [8]The one who does not love does not know GOD, for GOD is love.  [9]By this, the love of GOD was manifested in us, that GOD has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.”

GOD has chosen to share His love with EVERY person.  On Christmas Day GOD performed one of the most incredible acts the world has ever witnessed!  Think about it!  GOD became a man and pitched His tent among us!  WOW!!!  The theological term is “incarnation” – the divine perfect spirit GOD became a part of the created human world in the form of a baby born in humble surroundings.  I continue to be absolutely astounded by it.  But it didn’t stop there.  GOD invites us to participate in His demonstration of love.

Amidst all the family traditions, decorations and activities that Christmas holds, may we fix our hearts upon GOD’s great demonstration of love that took place on that first Christmas day.  May we praise GOD for inviting us to participate with Him.  And may we walk in faith as we cooperate with HOLY SPIRIT and submit our flesh to Him that we may love GOD with all our heart, soul and mind and that we might love our neighbor as we love self (Matthew 22:36-40).  This is GOD’s great command.  It is the ultimate purpose of Christmas!

Amazed by GOD Incarnate!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twenty One – December 21, 2013

“[9]But you are a ‘chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for GOD’s own possession,’ so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; [10]for you once were ‘not a people’ but now you are the ‘people of GOD;’ you had ‘not received mercy’ but now you have ‘received mercy.’” 

“And He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him.”—2 Corinthians 5:21

One of the most exciting truths about the Christmas event is that it is the incarnation of GOD’s redemptive plan for all who believe.  GOD’s redemptive work isn’t simply about making it possible for us to go to Heaven when we die but what His redemptive work accomplished to make that possible.  The most tragic consequence of the Fall is that all who are born of Adam (which is everyone who has ever been born to man and woman) inherit Adam’s sinful nature which separated Adam from GOD.

GOD’s redemptive work resolves that curse.  JESUS (GOD in the flesh) did not commit sins but literally became sin (took on the sin nature of Adam . . . became the 2^nd Adam) and, as the Perfect Sacrificial Lamb of GOD, took on the penalty (death sentence) of Adam’s rebellion against GOD.  As a result, when we believe, our Adamic nature dies and in its place we receive the “spiritual DNA” of JESUS . . . HOLY SPIRIT invades our spirit and we are totally and completely take on the very perfect nature of JESUS Himself.

We were once “not a people” but now, in Christ, we become the “people of GOD.”  At one time we had “not received mercy” but now, Christ, we have “received mercy.”

Praising GOD . . . Our Great Physician and Redeemer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twenty – December 20, 2013

Read Luke 2:8-14:  “[10]But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; [11]for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the LORD.’”

GOD’s heavenly messenger brings good news . . . MESSIAH has come . . . The SAVIOR is born!  

This Angel has looked out over us from every
Christmas tree top for my whole life.  She was
born some time in the 1940's.

This is cause for great JOY, not just for some people, but for ALL people.  JESUS the Messiah is the Redeemer for ALL who will believes . . . regardless of economic standing, regardless of political leanings, regardless of heritage, regardless of reputation, regardless of the depths of depravity . . . JESUS is the Savior for ALL who believe.

Think of the most exciting Christmas gift you ever received; think of the anticipation you had as you counted down the days; think of the way you kept trying to guess if this was really going to be that gift and the way you built up hope and excitement.  And then the day comes and you tear into the package and there it is!  It is exactly what you were dreaming of.  Obviously, the gift that GOD has given us on Christmas Day eclipses any other Christmas experience or gift of our entire lives. 

Like the angels did that night two thousand years ago we rejoice and we give GOD glory and praise for the gift of His Son, JESUS!

Living in great JOY because the Savior, who is Christ the LORD has come!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Nineteen – December 19, 2013

Read Luke 1:39-55:  [44]Elizabeth said: “For behold, when the sound of your (Mary) greeting reached my ears, the baby (John) leaped in my womb for joy.”  Mary said:  [46]My soul exalts the LORD, [47]and my spirit has rejoiced in GOD my Savior.  [48]For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.  [49]For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name.”

John leaps with joy in his mother’s womb because of the presence of JESUS.  Amazingly, before JESUS is even born He is bringing joy to the world.  This is still true today.  As we celebrate this ADVENT season the world is filled with great joy and expectation.  It is important that we do not allow ourselves to become to accustomed to the story of Christmas.  Do not lose your childlike anticipation of the Christ-child.  May our hearts continue leaping with great joy as we embrace the truth of Christmas morning.

As Mary thinks about GOD’s inclusion of her in His incredible plan of redemption she is overwhelmed with joy.  She is overwhelmed with joy at the coming redemptive work of GOD.  She is overwhelmed with joy because GOD is making good on His promises.  May we also be continuously overwhelmed by GOD’s redemptive plan . . . at the gift of JESUS, My Deliverer.  May we be continuously overwhelmed that GOD is Faithful and is fulfilling His promises.  May we be continuously overwhelmed because, like Mary, GOD has chosen us to be included in His plan of salvation. 

By GOD’s grace He chose Mary to bear His Son, and by His grace He has chosen me to be His Son!  That is the source of our JOY during this season of Advent!

I am overwhelmed with great JOY . . . My prayer is that you know what I mean!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Seventeen – December 17, 2013

Read Isaiah 9:1-7:  [1]”But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish . . .; [2]The people who walk in darkness will see a great Light; those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine on them, [3]You shall multiply the nation, You shall increase their gladness; they will be glad in Your presence s with the gladness of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. [6]For a Child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

The prophet continues to look ahead to the joyful day of redemption.  As the light of dawn breaks the darkness bound by night, so will the Light of GOD’s life penetrate the darkness of sin and death.  The fulfillment of this great vision of GOD’s redemption came on Christmas Day.  JESUS, the Light of the World, came down into the darkness of this world and into the darkness of our lives.

This is precisely why we celebrate Christmas in a very big way!  Christmas Day is the day we set aside to remember . . . Messiah has come . . . the Light of the World is shining brightly . . . redemption is nigh!  Through the CHRIST GOD has changed my past.  I am no longer a son of Adam!  I am now a son of GOD . . . a brother to JESUS . . . a joint heir with Christ!  Through Messiah’s birth . . . for the purpose of His suffering and taking upon Himself the penalty for my sin . . . I have become the righteousness of GOD in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)

 As Madea might say . . . HALLELUJER & PRAISE THE LORT!” – This is Good News indeed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Sixteen – December 16, 2013

Read all of Isaiah 35:  “[3]Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.  [4]Say to those with anxious heart, take courage, fear not.  Behold, your GOD will come with vengeance; the recompense of GOD will come, but He will save you.”

Isaiah is painting an incredible picture of the coming day of salvation.  GOD will come giving sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the lame will walk, and the mute will speak.  JESUS fulfilled this prophecy as He healed the blind, the deaf, the lame and the mute.  But another Advent is coming when MESSIAH returns and brings eternal healing.  There will be no more sorrow, no more tears.  We experience incredible JOY at JESUS’ first coming as He has brought literal healing, but even more importantly, He has brought spiritual healing.  Most will not see the truth in that statement.  It seems to most, literal, physical healing here and now is more thrilling that JESUS’ eternal healing of our soul.  That is unfortunate.  One day there will be only gladness and JOY unspeakable for ever more.

I picked this one up in Kenya in 1999

JESUS’ coming on Christmas Day is good news for a broken and hurting world.  It is good news for my brokenness, pain, and suffering.  I rejoice in JESUS’ healing of my soul here and now!  Yet, I eagerly await His second advent, when there will be no more tears and no more sorrow.  As I remember His first arrival on Christmas Day, I truly long for His second . . . “washed and waiting” . . . “living between the Edens!”

Greatly anticipating JESUS coming . . . on Christmas Day . . . and soon forever!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Fifteen – December 15, 2013

Isaiah 52:7-10:  [9]”Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem [all who believe]; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem [all who believe].  [10]The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our GOD.”

Today is the third Sunday of Advent.  The Candle of JOY (pink) is lighted reminding us that GOD’s salvation brings JOY!

The prophet Isaiah looks to a day when GOD will come and fulfill His promise of salvation.  He will comfort.  He will redeem.  He will bring salvation to the ends of the earth and to all who believe.  This time of great joy is inaugurated at that first Christmas in the little town of Bethlehem.

The LORD alone is our salvation.  In Him are hope, peace and JOY.  As I prepare my heart for Christmas Day, I am reminded of the salvation I have in JESUS CHRIST.  This is the JOY that comes only from GOD through JESUS!  It is a JOY that exceeds my circumstances.  It cannot be ignited by my circumstances nor can it be quenched by my circumstances.  It is JOY unspeakable and causes me to behave in ways that seems foolish to those around me who do not believe and therefore who cannot understand.

Foolishly & wildly expressing my great JOY because of Christmas Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Fourteen – December 14, 2013

Luke 2:13-20:  “[13]And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising GOD and saying, [14]Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.  [17]When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  [20]The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising GOD for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.”

WOW!  A birth announcement delivered by angels!  That’s how my birth was announced!  Well, maybe not!  How do you suppose those humble shepherds must have felt?  This is such an incredible part of the story.  GOD’s amazing plan of redemption and the ultimate fulfillment of His promise had occurred and it was being revealed to a group of poor, lowly shepherds.  GOD’s plan did not exclusively apply to the spiritual elites and culturally powerful, but with all people.  People like you and me!

John 3:16-17 reminds us that JESUS came for all people, for the entire world . . . to the rich and the poor, to the famous and the forgotten.  JESUS came for you (put your name there).  JESUS came for me.  I did not deserve His love.  I did not earn His forgiveness and redemption.  Just as GOD brought JESUS into the world historically then and announced His birth to humble shepherds on that Christmas night  He has come for you and for me.

I’m rejoicing with the angels and with the shepherds . . . MESSIAH is born!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Thirteen – December 13, 2013

Luke 1:67-80:  “[68]Blessed be the LORD GOD of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, [69]and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David His servant.  [79]’To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,’ to guide our feet into the way of PEACE.” (quote from Is. 9:2; 59:8)

At the birth of his son, Zechariah begins to prophesy regarding GOD’s great plan of salvation.  He not only rejoices at the birth of his son named John the Baptist, but also in the gift that his son points toward, the MESSIAH.  GOD has remembered His promise.  The MESSIAH is coming and He will lead GOD’s people out of the valley of death and darkness and into PEACE and JOY!

This is the message of Christmas.  Through JESUS the MESSIAH sent by GOD, born in a manger on Christmas Day – all who believe will be delivered from darkness into Light and their [Sin] will be washed and cleansed by the blood of The Sacrificial Lamb of GOD!  The paths of those who believe will lead to an eternal intimate love relationship with GOD.  The LORD’s purpose for creating us will be completed.  This is the pathway that leads to ultimate PEACE.

Celebrating with great Joy & Peace . . . the Light of the World has come!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Twelve – December 12, 2013

“[2]But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clams of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.  His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.  [4]And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His GOD.  And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth.  [5a]This One will be our peace.” – Micah 5

Micah is prophesying about One who will come who will be a king who will bring PEACE.  This shepherd king will bring GOD’s PEACE to all people who believe. 

On Christmas Day JESUS was born.  JESUS is the One Micah spoke about.  At times our lives may feel hectic and out of control and anything but peaceful and secure.  Today, we are reminded that we have an eternal security in and through JESUS, the Messiah, and the Promised One.

Celebrate this greatest gift of all . . . eternal security . . . everlasting PEACE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Eleven – December 11, 2013

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.” –Isaiah 9:6-7

GOD’s promise of PEACE is found in a child.  This child is the long awaited King of David.  This child is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty GOD, Eternal Father and Prince of Peace.  His reign will never end.  He will come on Christmas Day!  I cannot wait!

GOD does not shrink back from this fallen dark world or our horribly messy lives.  On the contrary, He meets it head on and He loves us while we are in the very midst of our brokenness and messiness.  Through this child He introduces a new kind of King and a new kind of kingdom. 

Part of the Christmas message is that GOD is inviting us to be citizens in this new Kingdom as we bow the knee to this new King.  It is a kingdom of never ending peace.  It is life in an eternal intimate love relationship with GOD Himself!  WOW!  How amazing is that!

I am just about ready to explode with anticipation and excitement!  How about you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Ten – December 10, 2013

Ezekiel 37:26-28:  “[26]I will make a covenant of PEACE with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them.  And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever.  [27]My dwelling place also will be with them; and I will be their GOD, and they will be My People.  [28]And the nations will know that I AM the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forever.”

In the midst of this present darkness and evil GOD is moving to fulfill His everlasting promise of PEACE on earth.  His desire continues to be to have intimacy of relationship with us and to give us His PEACE.  This covenant will never end.  For all eternity we will live in intimacy of relationship with Him and we will dwell in His PEACE.  The beginning of this covenant occurred when JESUS was born at Christmas, and it will be consummated when JESUS comes again.

I want to encourage you to meditate on this truth throughout this Advent and Christmas season:  The birth of JESUS CHRIST on Christmas Day ushered in the beginning of GOD fulfilling His eternal promise of reconciliation between Himself and fallen humanity . . . between Himself and YOU!  The birth of JESUS CHRIST on Christmas Day ushered in the beginning of GOD fulfilling His heart’s desire . . . to have an eternal (never ending) intimate love relationship with all who believe.  Do you comprehend this unbelievable truth?  Your soul purpose for existence is to fulfill the deepest longing of GOD’s heart . . . to have an eternal (never ending) intimate love relationship with GOD.  That’s why GOD made YOU!

Overwhelmed with the PEACE of GOD!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Nine -- December 9, 2013

Yesterday (Sunday) was the eighth day of Advent and the lighting of the second Advent candle. This candle is purple and is often known as the Bethlehem candle and represents peace.  So the focus for week two of Advent is PEACE.

Read Genesis 3:1-7:  “[7]Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.”

You may be wondering what this passage has to do with Christmas.  GOD created us to live in PEACE with Him.  He created us to have intimacy in relationship with Him.  When Adam and Eve sinned they said “no” to this intimate relationship with GOD and, therefore, they said no to PEACE with GOD.  They said “no” to having an authentic intimate love relationship with Him.  Their sin was an act of rebellion.  But, in the midst of our rebellion, GOD’s plan of peace and intimacy remained.  Thousands of years later, in the little town of Bethlehem, a baby would be born who would restore our PEACE with GOD and our intimacy with GOD.

Oh my!  This is why we celebrate Christmas in a BIG WAY and in absolute craziness!  GOD’s plan for our PEACE and for His desire to have intimacy in relationship with us was not thwarted by the Enemies’ evil ploy!  GOD intervened!  GOD send His only Son, JESUS, so that we can live in PEACE with Him and so that we can experience intimacy in relationship with Him!  This has been GOD’s desire . . . His heart from the beginning of time.

Christmas . . . GOD’s plan for the fulfillment of His heart’s desire . . . you and me!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Seven -- December 7, 2013

Matthew 1:18-25:  “[23]Behold, the virgin shall be with Child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, ‘GOD with us.’”—Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14

As I think about JESUS being born of a virgin and named “Immanuel” I think of John 1:14:   “And the WORD became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  Folks, this is one of the most significant historic events ever in the entire world!  It is important that we understand the magnitude of this event. 

JESUS was GOD from all eternity and yet joined Himself to sinful humanity in the Incarnation.  The GOD-man possessed all the attributes of deity and the attributes common to humanity (apart from sin), and He will exist forever as the GOD-man in His resurrected body.  Only the GOD-man could be an adequate Savior; for He must be human in order to be able to suffer and die, and He must be GOD to make that death effective as a payment for sin (the fallen nature as opposed to sinful behavior).

Can you understand why it is so important that we make much of Christmas and that we celebrate this Christmas season in a very big way?  Indeed, the Christmas event is equal only to the resurrection of JESUS in significance. 

GOD became man and pitched His tent among us!  CELEBRATE WILDLY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Six -- December 6, 2013

Luke 1:26-38:  “[34]Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’  [35]The angel answered and said to her, ‘The HOLY SPIRIT will come upon you, and the power of the MOST HIGH will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the SON OF GOD.”—Luke 1:34-35

My pastor Aarron Schwartz (Restoration Church, Nashville) is preaching an Advent series called, “Expecting the Unexpected.”  This announcement of Gabriel to Mary is certainly

unexpected.  We thought the King would come with pomp and victory of a worthy king.  GOD’s plan often plays out in unexpected ways.  GOD’s own Son, the King of kings, will be born to an insignificant, poor, young virgin woman.  Right!  A virgin!  Come on; who are you kidding!  The Virgin Birth is one of the reasons many refuse to believe.  It just doesn’t make sense.  It seems foolish . . . ridiculous!  But it is true!  The Messiah will arrive in humility.  However, the hope of the world is not determined by the limitations of human circumstances or in what seems totally illogical and foolish. 

Every time I think about this incredible historical event I am reminded of the GOD’s words:  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways . . . for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

GOD alone is the Author and Giver of hope! 

Walk in excitement and with great expectation . . . Messiah is near!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Five -- December 5, 2013

Matthew 1:1-17 – “[16]Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom JESUS was born, who is called the Messiah.  [17]So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” –Matthew 1:16-17

The promised child of Eve, Abram, and David has come!  He is the One who will crush the head of the serpent.  Here is the One who will bless all the people of the earth.  Here is the One who will be the Just and Righteous King forever.  JESUS, the Messiah has come!

The world around us may seem dark and wicked but JESUS who has come is overcoming the world.  It may seem sometimes that GOD’s plan has been thwarted by the force of human history, but GOD is providentially moving His plan forward to its ultimate fulfillment.  At just the right time the Hope of the World was born.  This baby born in a manger two thousand years ago is My Hope today!  I pray that He is Your Hope as well.

JESUS . . . the Hope of the World!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Four -- December 4, 2013

“[1]Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.  [2]The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.  [3]And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; [4]But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.  [5]Also righteousness will be the belt about His loins, and faithfulness the belt about His waist.” –Isaiah 11:1-5

My hope is not in this world; not in the things of this world (materialism), not in any worldly leader, and certainly not in my flesh or works.  My hope is in the promise of GOD who has sanctified me [you] through the offering of the body of JESUS, the Promised One, once for all (Hebrews 10:10).  Your Redeemer has come and His name is JESUS the Christ.

Celebrate wildly . . . JESUS, the Shoot from the stem of Jesse . . . the Branch from the roots of Jesse has come!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Three -- December 3, 2013

“[1]After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not fear, Abram, I AM a Shield to you; your reward shall be very great.’  [2]Abram said, ‘O LORD GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ [3]And Abram said, ‘Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.’  [4]Then, behold, the word of the LORD came to him saying, ‘This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.’  [5]And He took him outside and said, ‘Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’  And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’  [6]The he BELIEVED in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” –Genesis 15:1-6

Even now I gaze into the heavens and search through the stars that I might see some hint of the promise of GOD being fulfilled.  Though I am still watching and waiting I do so with a sense of hope because I BELIEVE GOD is Faithful and that He is true to His promises.  I encourage you . . . look unto the heavens . . . the LORD is near!

Trust . . . believe . . . have faith . . . He is coming!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day Two – December 2, 2013

“[14]The LORD GOD said to the serpent, because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life; [15]And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel” (Genesis 3:14-15).

There is a battle raging for the souls of men and women.  The Enemy has come to “steal, and kill and destroy” and he is the accuser of the brethren.  But JESUS “came [is coming] that they [all who believe] may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).  Oh how my heart yearns for My Deliverer is this wicked and perverse generation.  Hurry, My Savior, come and rescue us!

Praise the LORD . . . He is coming!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ADVENT: Day One -- December 1, 2013

ADVENT: Day One -- December 1, 2013 

"[1]Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD, [2]LORD, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. [3]If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? [4]But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. [5]I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. [6]My soul waits for the LORD more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. [7]O Israel [His people], hope in the LORD; for with the LORD there is lovingkindness, and with Him is abundant redemption. [8]And He will redeem Israel [His people] from all his iniquities." -- Psalms 130

Oh my, this is an awesome word of hope & expectation! I have a sense of hope in the midst of this world of darkness . . . the LORD is loving & kind toward me . . . He brings me redemption. Praise His Holy name! I'm waiting with great expectation for the LORD to come! He will be here soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Making Much of Christmas . . . Observing Advent

Advent is a season of anticipating the coming birth of the Messiah.  I have felt the Church has missed opportunity to celebrate one of the most important historical events the world has ever seen.  Why do we allow it to get lost with our focus on more stuff!  I wish to encourage everyone to consider making much more about Christmas this year than perhaps you have ever done before.  After all, it is about celebrating the incarnation . . . GOD became a man and pitched His tent among us (John 1:14) for the sole purpose of dying in our place to bring our redemption so that we can embrace our eternal destiny.  How can we not celebrate and make much of Christmas!

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas (today, December 1) and ends on Christmas Eve.  It is a season for Christians to prepare for celebrating the birth of JESUS by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah.  In Advent, we’re reminded of how much we ourselves also need a Savior.

One way you can participate in Advent as a family is to have an Advent wreath in your home using three purple candles for Sundays one, two and four which signifies seriousness, repentance, and royalty.  On the third Sunday you would light a pink candle which signifies joy because we are reminded that even as Advent helps us get in touch with our sober yearning for GOD to come to us, we know that He did in fact come in the person of JESUS.  So, our major-theme of waiting has a grace note of joy mixed in.   A white candle placed in the middle of the wreath is the Christ-candle and is lighted on Christmas Day (or possibly at mid-night Christmas morning).

During Advent your family could share in an Advent devotional together daily.  You could also use an Advent calendar.  There could be a surprise in the little door each day for the children along with a scripture verse that speaks to the coming Messiah.

It is important that throughout the Advent season that excitement for the birth of JESUS is building culminating in a great celebration on Christmas Day.  Observing Advent will enrich your celebration of Christmas.  Taking four weeks to focus on the hope of Christ’s coming will make your Christmas Day celebration much more exciting and joyful when you finally get to celebrate it.  The more you realize your need for a Savior, the more you will rejoice at the Savior’s birth.  Observing Advent will also help you resolve the age-old problem of secular Christmas vs. spiritual Christmas.  As believers we realize the most important thing about Christmas is to celebrate the birth of JESUS.  It’s a holiday that focuses on the meaning of the Incarnation.  Yet we spend most of our time fulfilling the demands of the season that have little to do with JESUS’ birth. I love that part of Christmas too but I think it is extremely important that we do not allow that part to crowd out the most important part.  You can still do that part but by observing Advent you will be drawn near to GOD in a way that you might not otherwise be able to.

Let’s make this Christmas season a testimony to the world.  In the midst of darkness and despair the Light is coming . . . Hope is coming . . . Messiah is coming . . . CELEBRATE with great expectation!

Living Between the Edens

Many of us have believed the lies of the Enemy for way too long.  As we do that we begin to embrace those lies and live them out.  This is why some believers eventually embrace a gay identity rather than their true identity in Christ. 

One of the main purposes we exist as a ministry is to provide a safe place for gay people and their loved ones to work through this process and to embrace their true destiny and their true identity in Christ.  This is also an important role for the Church to embrace regardless of what the issues may be.  We are called to encourage one another, to stir up one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).  Paul calls us to “be transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2).  This is a major part of spiritual warfare that all believers battle.  However, if we believe the Enemy’s lies long enough we will walk in negativity and defeatism.  But as we grow in our belief of who GOD says we are in Christ we walk in liberty, joy and peace.

My pastor (Aarron Schwartz, pastor of Restoration Church Nashville) is preaching through a series he calls “Living between the Edens.”  The basic premise is to remind us that we are living in a fallen and broken world and to walk in redemption does not mean we are suddenly exempt from temptation or suffering.  Men and women who experience attractions to the same sex and who come to JESUS are not necessarily instantly “cured” from those attractions. 

Paul declares: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).  To embrace a gay identity is to embrace a “yoke of slavery.”  In Romans 8:1 Paul makes another incredible declaration:  “Therefore (see Romans 7:24 & 25 for why the “therefore” is there) there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

However, it is not that we have been delivered from temptation, struggles, and suffering in this world, but that in the midst of them we have been set free from the Law because JESUS condemned sin in the flesh through His death on the cross; something the Law could never accomplish.  Hear what Paul is saying:  Our redemption is a work GOD accomplished by condemning sin (not us) in the flesh and, therefore, the requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us because we are now in the Spirit (Romans 8:2-4; 9).

Because we have divorced salvation from sanctification, and have preached a gospel of “cheap grace” and “easy believism,” (works-based salvation) we have lost the beauty of holiness that is so essential to walking in freedom while living in this fallen world.

It is critically important that we as believers recognize the biblical truth that redemption has three levels:  (1) Justification (we have been redeemed) – the instantaneous born again experience where the old man has been crucified with Christ & the new man is risen (Romans 5:18; Romans 6); (2) Sanctification (we are being redeemed) – the journey of “living between the Edens” in this world and growing in holiness and Christ-likeness (Romans 7:15-25; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 and much of the New Testament); (3) Glorification (we will be redeemed) – embracing our true destiny through shedding the body of flesh and receiving a glorified body for eternity (Romans 8:18-25; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Corinthians 4:14-18).

The mission of Sight Ministry is to share the redemptive process of the GOSPEL OF JESUS with individuals for whom homosexuality is a reality.  We attempt to fulfill our mission basically in three ways:  (1) Through Mentoring and Discipleship:  One-On-One and Small Groups; (2) Through Assimilation into the local church; (3) Through Outreach to the gay community.

It is important that those of us who choose to follow JESUS rather than our sexuality find a safe place to live and walk “between the Edens” so we can embrace all that GOD has created us for and all that He has redeemed us for.  This is the call of the Church.