QT 31 Dec 15, Heb 6:13-21, We don't love by living for ourselves

https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.6.13-20.esv

NOTE: What are the two unchangeable things that give us hope? God's oath and God's character. We also have this sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. We have salvation in the kingdom. We have a future and a hope. Our life does not consist of this life. There is another life still to come. We don't miss out on anything. No one has given up fields, family, or anything who will not receive 100 times as much in this age and the age to come. We can't lose, so therefore we need to live our lives for others and not for ourselves. We don't really get the peace and happiness we long for by living for ourselves anyway. But when we live for people, experience the joy of the Master. 

QT 30 Dec 15, Eccl 7:8b-10, The secret to contentment

Eccl 7:8b-10 … the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9  Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,

 for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?"

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

NOTE: There are three exhortations in these verses, and I believe the common theme is contentment. When we are content, we are patient with people and life. We do not get angry because things do not go our way because we are content with how things are going and not expecting more. We do not compare today to the past, because we are content with our lot. A lack of contentment is what drives most people today. Certainly it is not wrong to want the most out of life, but the problem is that we believe that this life is all there is to life, and if we don't get what we want in this life, we will forever have missed out. Fortunately for the believer, this life is not all that there is to life. God has promised us eternal life with him. There are many days ahead in the millennial kingdom and the age to follow. We will have opportunity to enjoy and experience life in many old and new ways. God originally designed the earth and life to be eternal, but we rebelled against him. He still plans to restore his original creation and we, who have believed in Christ, will get to experience life as he intended. We don't miss out on anything by living a relaxed and contented life. And we have the added pleasure of experiencing peace now.

QT 29 Dec 15, 1 Sam 7:12-13, Reminders of God

1 Sam 7:12-13 (ESV) Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, "Till now the Lord has helped us." 13  So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

NOTE: For some reason, I always associate "Ebenezer" with the pile of stones taken from the Jordan River when Israel crossed over with Joshua. It was not named but did also serve as a reminder of God's saving hand. We seem to need reminders. Either we are forgetful or we are disbelieving. While it is true that we do forget what God has done in the past, I think it is more likely that we are prone to disbelief. So, when faced with an obstacle in the present, we tend to disbelieve what happened in the past. Maybe it was just coincidence; maybe I did not perceive it correctly; maybe I was just lucky. For whatever reason, each new problem raises doubts on past miracles. I think part of the reason is that we don't believe bad things should happen to us, and when they do, we think that maybe God is not real or not in control. There are a lot of errors in that statement. Life is full of bad things, and partly because God is not in control. Shudder! What do I mean by that statement? In the garden, we rebelled against his rule and chose for ourselves to be our own gods. And God gave us what we wanted. So, in a sense, he is not in control of this world. He sees it completely and can intervene where appropriate to accomplish his will, but in general, we get what we mistakenly asked for in the garden--we get human rule and all the associated mess that goes with it. But as I said, God can intervene to accomplish his purpose. The story in Samuel is a case where he intervenes against man's rule to protect the nation of Israel, and his long term plan for redemption. So when bad things happen, they remind us of our need for God's rule in our life because of our rebellion. And when God intervenes, we are reminded that he is not without power to accomplish his will in our lives and in the world.

QT 28 Dec 15, Gal 2:20-21, Undeserved

Gal 2:20-21 (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

NOTE: This is one of the first verses I ever memorized. Over the years God has used it in a number of ways in my life. One particular thought is that he loved "ME" and gave himself for "ME." That is how much God loved "ME," and that amazes me and humbles me, because "me" does not deserve such attention. Another thought is the reminder that he lives "IN" me. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (Corinthians tells me), and yet what do I do with my body? I am so unworthy and such an unclean vessel. I fail so often and yet, he loves me and chooses to live in me. Verse 21 reminds me that I could not earn it (his love or my salvation) anyway. Christ died for a purpose, to redeem a person horribly cosigned to failure. We are weak and cannot save ourselves. We fail, but Jesus died for that very purpose--to save wretched creature and to give them the experience of redeeming love. Thank you Lord!

QT 17 Dec 15, Jer 2:1-5, Christmas reminds us of birth and rebirth

Jer 2:1-5 (ESV) The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord,

"I remember the devotion of your youth,

your love as a bride,

 how you followed me in the wilderness,

 in a land not sown.

3  Israel was holy to the Lord,

 the firstfruits of his harvest.

 All who ate of it incurred guilt;

disaster came upon them,

declares the Lord."

4 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the clans of the house of Israel. 5 Thus says the Lord:

 "What wrong did your fathers find in me

that they went far from me,

 and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?

NOTE: Part of the reason that Jesus wasn't received well during his first coming is that the people went after worthlessness and as a result, became worthless. We are living in a time full of worthlessness. They are so many things, but they are worthless in satisfying our deepest needs. We need a relationship with God but we fill our lives with idols made out of metal, plastic, wood, and precious stones--thinking that they will make us happy. And in our pursuit of happiness through the wrong means, we become blinded to what has true value. We become "worthless," unable to see and realize God's offer of love to us. And yet, God still stands at the door of our heart, knocking, asking to  come in and begin that relationship. Some have told him to go away, but he has not left. Some have ignored the knocking and so it seems pretty faint right now. But if we will wake up and see our need and open the door and ask him in, he will transform our lives and give us the sight to see what we cannot see now. It is not too late, there is still time, but our hearts get harder every day due to the worthlessness that invades us. Someday our heart will stop beating, and then it will be too late. Don't wait. This season of Christmas is a season of rebirth, seek God and ask Jesus to come into your life and begin the transformation.

QT 15 Dec 15, Matt 28:19,20, The world needs to hear the message!

Matt 28:19-20 (ESV) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

NOTE: This was the purpose of Christmas, a message of good news that would transform people's lives. I think we forget how transforming the gospel message is. We don't have the same burden to tell others that we once had. We've forgotten that the message is powerful and life-changing and most importantly, NEEDED. The world needs to hear the message of Christmas, that God's son visited his creation to save us from our sin and rebellion. It led to the death of God's son on the cross for our sins. And it culminated on Easter morning with the resurrection. Because of what God did, we now have the assurance of life after death and freedom from the bondage to sin. This is a great message, why am I so timid sharing it with others?

QT 14 Dec 15, Matt 1:18-25, God with us

Matt 1:18-25 (ESV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23  "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

NOTE: I know for a fact that none of us can comprehend the incarnation. We can believe it; we can verbalize it; but, we can't comprehend it. How does God become man? How does the infinite, eternal, unseen one become finite, localized, and seen? I can't begin to answer that question. I know that somehow God limited himself so that we could see and touch him. Only one generation was able to see God personally as Jesus, but his life is recorded in four gospels and 62 other books describe him in a less direct manner. We are without excuse if we say we do not know anything about him or if we say that he did not give enough evidence. The latter is an excuse devoid of logic and reasoning. The evidence is there, but mankind refuses to believe the incarnation. They refuse to believe that the records are an accurate recording of his life. But they really have no evidence to make such a claim. It is wishful thinking on their part. It is their own personal religion, "A Disbelief in God," which they put their faith in for their life. Their faith does not have any evidence, although they fool themselves into thinking it exists, because to dig too deep might upset their apple cart. But God is with us, and he (at least) once physically walked the earth. For those who put their faith in him as their savior, he lives within our hearts. And he is truly with us, every moment of every day.

QT 11 Dec 15, Ps 46:10, Tis the season to be still

Ps 46:10 (ESV)

10  "Be still, and know that I am God.

 I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

NOTE: (Thought inspired by Matthew West Devotional). This certainly is not what happens at Christmas. The busiest time of the year along with the fewest amount of work days -- well, for some at least. But no matter, it is so full of activities that we miss out on the most important activity of the year: to be still and reflect on what God did for us; to spend time thanking God for our salvation; and to spend time in awe of the incarnation. Quite frankly, we need time just to be still--no tv, no music, no computer, no phone, no facebook or twitter or instagram--no noise, just the bible, God, and quiet. In this hectic time of year, we need to find time for the truly important activity of the year: stillness and reflecting on God's wonderful gift of salvation.

QT 10 Dec 15, Ex 28:35, The bells of Christmas

Ex 28:35 (ESV) And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.

NOTE: (Thoughts inspired by an advent devotional written by Jari Kobe). The bells were required to be worn when Aaron entered the holy place, but there were also a comfort to those outside as they reminded the hearers that Aaron was okay. As long as the bells rang, Aaron was okay. Every day the priests enter the holy place and change the bread, refill the oil for the lamps, and add incense. And so every day a person could hear the tinkling of the bells. Christmas is a time for bells as well. Whether it the salvation army in front of Wal-Mart or the music on our radios, like silver bells. Bells are not unique to Christmas, but certainly more pronounced and emphasized. The bells comfort us as well, reminding us that God humbled himself by being born a man, and then dying in our place on a cross, and most importantly, offering us the same resurrection to eternal life. He loved us, not because we were lovable, but because he is defined by love. But he is also just, and so he paid the price himself for our rebellion. We are so blind. We don't realize all that he has done for us. We need louder bells, we need to shout to others, "the savior of our souls has come and offered us eternal life--we need to believe."

QT 9 Dec 15, Luke 2:13-14, Who pleases God?

Luke 2:13-14 (ESV) And suddenly there was 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 those with whom he is pleased!"

NOTE: So what does it take to please God? That is the great debate among religions. Christianity says that by yourself, you can't.  Paul argues "None is righteous, no, not one; // no one understands; no one seeks for God. // All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; // no one does good, // not even one. (Rom 3:10-12, ESV)" So, by ourselves, we have and can do nothing that pleases God, EXCEPT, the bible teaches that a person can please God by faith. The author of Hebrews makes that abundantly clear, "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb 11:6, ESV)" Faith is how one pleases God. The peace on earth is offered to those who have faith in God, and specifically in context, in the child whose birth we celebrate in this season. God didn't bring peace to the world, he brought peace to those who by faith would experience transformed life. He will bring peace as a result of this birth but that will only occur after he judges the world for its unbelief, rebellion, and sin. And then he will rule as he originally planned (until we rebelled), and we will have eternal life, as he originally planned, in a beautiful kingdom. But for today, there is an offer of peace with God to those who will repent and believe in the miracle of Christmas, God becoming man, and in the cross, the payment for our sin and the proof of life after death. Thank you Lord.

QT 8 Dec 15, Matt 2:3-6, Learning to walk by faith

Matt 2:3-6 (ESV) When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6  "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

NOTE: Israel had the details down but clearly dismissed the interest of the wise men from the east (probably Persians influenced by Daniel). Herod will go back when he learns he has been tricked and based on the information provided about the star will kill every child two years old. But why don't the chief priests and scribes go to Bethlehem?  Were they so proud that they did not think foreigners could see the signs that they could not see? Did they care? Did they believe God would provide since it had been 400 years of silence from God and they were now under the iron rule of Rome? We do give up when we don't see God working in a visible way. Our faith is so weak, we are in constant need of another visible sign. But that is not the faith that God desires. He promises to provide and meet our needs. Why can't we, or better yet, why can't I just believe God on the basis of his promise to me? Why do I need little answers to remind me of his hand at work? Forgive me Lord for my forgetting all that you have done. Forgive me for pursuing my own agenda. I want to wait on your best, not my idea of what is best.

QT 4 Dec 2015, Luke 2:1-5, The feeling of aloneness even when in the middle of God's will

Luke 2:1-7 (ESV) In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

NOTE: Later on, when Jesus is 12 years old, he will be lost among family members as they travel to Jerusalem for a feast celebration. But here, Mary and Joseph are alone, there are no family members, although both families should be traveling for the census. Why? Well, it seems obvious--no one in their families believe them, except Elizabeth, Mary's cousin. Until Joseph's dream, Joseph didn't believe Mary. Joseph's name is attached to all the rumors as well. Sometimes, being right in the middle of the will of God is an uncomfortable place. Things don't go as we would like. People don't look up to us or think good things of us. Life is painful and difficult. Sometimes. And sometimes, being in the middle of the will of God is comfortable as well. But we can't expect comfort or serve God with the idea of being comfortable. It is a false expectation. Mary and Joseph's aloneness is described even more vividly in Matthew, when they can't find an inn. As a husband, it would have been very painful to not be able to protect your wife, your pregnant wife, who is about to have a baby. Left alone by your family, and seemingly left alone by God, since there is no provision of a soft bed and a dry roof. Of course, God does provide, a stable, and while few would consider that a good provision, it serves as a beautiful metaphor of God humbling himself to save an ungrateful, inconsiderate, and uncompassionate people. Thank you Lord. Help me during my times of aloneness to continue in trust.

QT 3 Dec 2015, Luke 1:59-66, Failure is not the end of ministry

Luke 1:59-66 (ESV) And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, "No; he shall be called John." 61 And they said to her, "None of your relatives is called by this name." 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. 64  And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child be?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.

NOTE: I wonder what Zechariah was thinking all those long months as he waited for his child to be born but could not say anything. He was educated and he could write, probably Elizabeth too, since she knew his name was to be John, and Zechariah could not have spoken that to her. So they probably had many slow pen and voice conversations. But still, what was Zechariah thinking? I blew it … why was I so stupid … I'm am so sorry Lord … have mercy on a foolish man … give me another chance … I am okay with your work in my life. Actually, I think that is the progression, or at least, the progression I would have gone through. And then, another chance comes. He did not know if he would ever speak again, since he could not speak after the baby's birth and now 8 days have elapsed. But, in faith and obedience, he writes "His name is John," since they would not believe his wife. This was the opportunity. It was not common with culture to choose a name not in the family line, but he didn't care. This time, he was obeying the Lord. What are the things God is calling me to do that I am struggling against? Are second chances passing me by without me even knowing? God open my eyes to see the opportunities, the field are already white for harvest.

QT 2 Dec 15, Luke 1:18-20, 41b-45, We need the faith of little children

Luke 1:18-20, 41b-45 (ESV) And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time."

. . .

And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."

NOTE: Moses asked a number of clarifying questions too at the burning bush, but apparently there was a difference in the heart of Moses and that of Zechariah. Mary too, asked a question of how a virgin could have a child and was not rebuked. But Zechariah was immediately rebuked for unbelief. Zechariah wanted an additional sign, as if an angel appearing in the most holy place was not enough. In his heart, Zechariah did not believe. And yet, Zechariah was in service to God ministering in the temple. So the first possibility is as stated, Zechariah did not believe at all, and his question was a challenge question, not a question of faith. A second possibility is that more is required of men whom God has given knowledge and ministry opportunity. Zechariah was a Levite, like Moses, but actually serving in the duties of a Levite. Moses grew up as a ruler of Egypt and did not have the knowledge of Zechariah. So, Zechariah really should have known better--more was expected of him. He was a good man, as we saw in the previous verses, but his age, rather than strengthening his faith, has caused him to doubt God. That is a hard thing that we are all susceptible to. Father, protect our hearts, give us the faith of little children--may we never doubt your goodness.

QT 1 Dec 2015, Luke 1:5-7, Give your children to God

Luke 1:5-7 (ESV) In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

NOTE: There is a certain kindness in how God approaches this. In one case, we see the miracle of a childless couple, old, somehow miraculously having a child. That is special and significant in the many miracles of Jesus' coming. But because Zechariah and Elizabeth are old, they won't live to see John living in the desert and having his head cut off to please a spoiled daughter and an evil wife. They are spared some of the pain of childbirth, that is, seeing your children grow up in an evil world. The pain of childbirth is not just the physical pain the woman experiences, but the emotional pains that are part of raising children. Yes, there are many joys, but with those joys come heartaches and worries and the inability to fix all the things that go wrong. Life is hard and joyful at the same time. So what is the lesson to us? We are reminded of the need to trust God and give him our children. They have free wills, They will choose poorly at times -- do we actually think they could be different than us? We can't force their decisions. That is difficult. But we need to give our worries and cares to God. He sees them. He knows how he will use them. We need to trust God.