Tag: inspiration

Advent Reflection: “For Unto Us An Answer is Provided For Our Suffering World.” Isaiah 9:6-7

Isaiah 9:6-7 New King James Version

6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Nowadays, well, at least since my open heart surgery this past July, I think a lot about life – not just about my life and how it has just been so drastically altered by the rapid sequence of events leading up to it, but too the increasing suffering I had experienced in my physical body – the angina pains, shortness of breath.

How in the beginning, I hadn’t recognized these symptoms as being something of significance which if left unchecked would have resulted in great sufferings.

My wife had an inkling of the significance of what I was feeling in my chest and tried to drop several hints from her experiences with her own mom and father.

I, of course, was brushing it off – it was all just unrelated stuff and excused it all away because eventually, with a couple hours of rest, that suffering went away.

But gradually, even I had to acknowledge to my self and her that my new found suffering was not going away – in point of fact – it was getting that much worse.

After a couple of visits to my Primary Care Doctor, I was sent to the Emergency Room and several hours later, after numerous EKG’s and blood tests and Image Studies (Echocardiogram and Nuclear Stress Test) a Cardiologist told me that I was in a whole lot of trouble and needed an immediate Cardiac Catheterization.

Now, in addition to my physical suffering, was being added Spiritual suffering and a growing realization and growing anxiety level – something is very wrong.

The Catheterization revealed six blockages – three of which were very critical.

My one Coronary Artery was 99% blocked – 1% from a severe Heart Attack!

I was told by the Cardiologist that I required emergent Triple Bypass Surgery.

Three days of growing spiritual anguish later I had that Triple Bypass Surgery.

Within that mounting and maturing spiritual anguish, not so much physical as my medication regimen had been significantly changed to address all of those, I found found myself becoming more reflective and still more than I’d ever been.

Looking at the digital clock in my room slowly ticking away the seconds until I was rolled away for my five plus hours of surgery – Psalm 23 became far more relevant than it had ever been – its deeper meanings becoming far more deeper.

Especially relevant and more deeply meaningful was verse 4 – “yea, as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

“I will fear no evil,” ergo, neither will I fear my suffering – God is my Shepherd!

His Son Jesus who gave up everything and suffered enormously the very worst of everything humanly possible for me, through this indescribable suffering, for the joy which was before Him, endured the Cross – saved my suffering soul.

Psalm 23 New King James Version

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not [a]want.
2 He makes me to lie down in [b]green pastures;
He leads me beside the [c]still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will [d]dwell in the house of the Lord
[e]Forever.

Today, as I reflect back on those days of my suffering and then my waking up with my new surgically repaired heart to write this devotional, I think a whole lot about the suffering, questioning, world which has always been around me.

Always the inevitable questions about “is there an answer to all that suffering?”

What Is the Answer for a Suffering World?

Yes! There absolutely is an answer to all of those deeply theological questions!

Isaiah 9:6-7 New Living Translation

6 For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
    And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen!

One of the questions that I’ve heard many times is, if Jesus is the messiah then why is there still suffering and sin in the world?

Where is the greatest expression of shalom promised by all of the prophets.

I would point them to a couple verses in the Old and New Testaments.

Isaiah 9 verses 6 and 7 are one of them.

In God’s revelation through Isaiah it is discovered that the Messiah’s authority will “grow continually,” “His PEACE will come, His Peace will have NO END!”

It will not happen all at once.

In fact, Jesus refereed to the kingdom authority as leaven in dough.

It starts small and grows to eventually saturate the entire lump of dough.

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.” (Matthew 13:33)

In a similar parable Rabbi Jesus likened the kingdom to a mustard seed.

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13:31-32)

Reflect then, how appropriate it is that Immanuel, God with us, God within us, came from everything to the earth as the smallest, most humble form, a baby.

This baby would eventually grow and mature and radically change the world as we know it and bring eternal deliverance unto anyone who would follow Him.

Do not despise the small and humble beginnings in your life.

It is through all the small victories, even open heart surgery when compared to Calvary, as we sit and reflect upon the Word of God to cut open the soul and the spirit, follow the Lord that we grow and in turn we spread the kingdom with us.

God sent His Son (John 3:16-18) that God would use the humbled and obedient, the suffering servants, to serve in and through their suffering to do His work.

I and my newly repaired heart can strive mightily to be at max peace with that.

It is just waiting on the will of Him who saved my life twice, who is my Savior, to be revealed through my long period of prayer, study, Cardiac Rehabilitation.

The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 16 New Living Translation

Psalm 16

A psalm[a] of David.

1 Keep me safe, O God,
    for I have come to you for refuge.

2 I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
    Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
    are my true heroes!
    I take pleasure in them!
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
    I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
    or even speak the names of their gods.

5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
    You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
    What a wonderful inheritance!

7 I will bless the Lord who guides me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I know the Lord is always with me.
    I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.[b]
    My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead[c]
    or allow your holy one[d] to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life,
    granting me the joy of your presence
    and the pleasures of living with you forever.[e]

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Advent Reflection: “Listen to What I Say; Praying for Peace Everywhere!” But Can We Each Really Pray Without Ceasing? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Easy-to-Read Version

16 Always be full of joy. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

On my mind exactly right now is the word ‘Peace.’

Heavy on my soul exactly right now is the phrase: “Pray for Peace Everywhere!”

As I am allowing that phrase to weave in and out of my conscience, the words and music to my favorite Advent/Christmas Hymn start playing – calming me.

Do You Hear What I Hear? Song by Bing Crosby

Do you hear what I hear?

Said the night wind to the little lamb
Do you see what I see?
(Do you see what I see?)
Way up in the sky, little lamb
Do you see what I see?
(Do you see what I see?)
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite
With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
(Do you hear what I hear?)
Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear?
(Do you hear what I hear?)

A song, a song high above the trees
With a voice as big as the sea
With a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king
Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)
In your palace warm, mighty king
Do you know what I know? (Do you know what I know?)

A Child, a Child shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold
Let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
Pray for peace, people, everywhere
Listen to what I say! (Listen to what I say!)
The Child, the Child sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Noel Regney / Gloria Shayne

Do You Hear What I Hear? lyrics © Regent Music Corp., Jewel Music Publishing Co. Inc.

“Said the king to the people everywhere …”

“Listen to what I say! Listen to what I say!

“Pray for Peace, people everywhere …!”

Psalm 85:8 Easy-to-Read Version

8 I heard what the Lord God said.
    He said there would be peace for his people and his loyal followers.
    So they must not go back to their foolish way of living.

Psalm 85:8 Names of God Bible

8 I want to hear what El Yahweh says,
    because he promises peace to his people, to his godly ones.
        But they must not go back to their stupidity.

Well, I definitely want to hear what El Yahweh says, because I definitely want to live long enough to bear witness to the works of El Yahweh achieving His Peace.

Because I want to live long enough to bear witness to El Yahweh’s fulfillment of this great promise of His Perfect Peace to His imperfect people, His Godly ones!

Because I am, as so many other of His people are, so utterly tired of stupidity!

And it goes without saying, that El Yahweh, is utterly fed up with our stupidity!

Getting away from our stupidity to that place of perfect peace with El Yahweh is admittedly a onerous task, an impossible for us to accomplish on his own task.

Admittedly, too great a proportion of humanity loves their stupidity more than they love their El Yahweh and they refuse to give up their foolishness for Him!

But with El Yahweh, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for His most wayward of His stupid children, nothing is impossible-if God’s people will Pray.

2 Chronicles 7:11-18 English Standard Version

If My People Pray

11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the Lord and in his own house he successfully accomplished. 12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’

El Yahweh Gives His Command: Pray Without Ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Amplified Bible

17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

This is the spoken Word of God for we who are the Children of God.

Apostle Paul affirms the significance of prayer, and wrote in one of the epistles, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God, to develop a relationship with Him, and to cast your cares upon Him.

There are countless examples of prayer throughout Scripture.

It is apparent that prayer is significant to the faith of a believer.

When we read about the life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospel accounts, we find that He prayed often and made this spiritual discipline a priority in His life.

Jesus deliberately took time to get away and spend time with God.

Prayer is incredibly important for every believer’s spiritual growth.

To pray is God’s will for us.

But, as inspiring as that sounds, is it possible to pray without ceasing?

What did Paul mean by such a statement?

Praying without ceasing means to have a heart inclined to prayer, to pray often, and to make the spiritual discipline of prayer a high priority, just as Jesus did.

What Does “Pray without Ceasing” Mean?

The Apostle Paul wrote the epistle we know as 1 Thessalonians to the church of Thessalonica.

He sent it shortly after he had established the congregation there.

In the letter, he affirmed and commended their ongoing love and passion for Jesus.

Paul also warned the church of Thessalonica to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus by keeping their hearts pure and holy for His return.

It is in this context that we find Paul’s assertion to “pray without ceasing.”

Here in the fifth chapter of Thessalonians, Paul urged the church to cling to the Gospel message they had received, to hold onto what was good and righteous.

They were to continue living holy lives and the spiritual discipline of prayer was essential to that instruction.

Paul reminded them of the importance of prayer to keep their faith strong, to stay connected to God’s truth so they would not be deceived by false messages.

The Greek word translated to “without ceasing” is (adialeíptōs), which means constantly or without intermission.

In most Bible translations, this word is interpreted as “without ceasing,” but other versions also translate to continually (NIV) or all the time (The Message).

Whichever version of the Bible you read, the meaning remains the same and consistent with the Greek word.

The various translations of the Bible help emphasize the same message, which is to pray often and pray diligently.

Can We Really Pray without Ever Stopping? 

Throughout the Bible, there are many kinds of prayers demonstrated.

In our own lives, we may also be accustomed to saying a variety of prayers.

The verses and prayers that we read throughout Scripture can become the prayers we use in our time with God.

Realistically, it would be impossible to actually pray without ever stopping.

We have thoughts, we read, we sleep, we eat, we converse with others, we work, and have a whole host of responsibilities to tend to throughout the day that would quite naturally and obviously disrupt our attempts at constantly praying.

There are an over abundance of tasks and roles we need to participate in that would naturally hinder our ability to ever be able pray without ever stopping.

When we take into account the context of what Paul wrote, we recognize that Paul wasn’t instructing believers to give up their responsibilities and only pray.

Rather, the Apostle Paul teaches us in this passage that we each need to commit ourselves to maturing our discipline to prayer, make it top priority in our lives.

By doing so, we will remain holy and pure, living lives consecrated to El Yahweh making our life paths straight – having our hearts ready for when Jesus returns.

Prayer helps us stay accountable to living righteously.

Can We Realistically Apply This Verse to Our Lives?

The verse 1 Thessalonians 5:17 serves as a serious reminder to all believers how significant prayer is to our faith.

Prayer is the way we talk to God, hear from God, and keep our minds on Him.

Prayer is the channel in which we can let go of fears and concerns, and how we lift up our praises and thanks to God.

Prayer is vital to our spiritual formation and growth.

Just as Jesus was often seen taking time away to go pray, we should do the same.

Paul knew prayer was key to guarding our hearts against evil and to keeping ourselves in line with God’s will.

Proverbs 4:23 English Standard Version

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.

As Christians, it bears continual repeating that it is important to pray to God and to carve out time throughout the day to speak to Him and worship Him.

Paul was right when he wrote to the church of Thessalonica, urging them to pray often because prayer is what helps us find our way through difficult times, tough decisions, or expressing our hopes for a lasting peace and everlasting joy.

Prayer draws us closer to God and helps us practice our faith.

Prayer has been a spiritual practice since the beginning of time and the point Paul made was that the spiritual discipline of prayer is still something each and every Christians needs to spend quality time maturing, integrating in our lives.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’”

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Advent Reflection: To Make Room, to Truly Put Jesus First this Christmas. Luke 2:6-7

Luke 2:6-7 New King James Version

6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a [a]manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The time had come for Mary to give birth to her first child.

Husband Joseph goes from place to place to find warmth and comfort.

All Joseph hears is: “I am sorry but …!”

Place after place – rejection even for a pregnant teen mother about to give birth.

Let the words of these constant rejections come in direct contact with your soul:

“Sorry …”

“No room for them.”

“Sorry again …”

“No vacancy.”

“Nope! Don’t tell me, I know … I heard it before … but Sorry …”

“No place – no not none.”

Words when seriously considered, still seem to hang close, cold, cruel, today.

Makes my soul just bristle with anger-does no one care enough about this child.

Surely, not in our caring and compassion driven healthcare systems would the sound of such words ever be heard or if they were heard they’d not be tolerated!

No room in anyone’s heart to offer mercy, a place to stay – to save a life or two?

In our divided chaotic world that seeks to crowd the message of the child Jesus out, where busyness and distractions abound, and hearts are stirred to focus on other fear focused things, it can be hard sometimes to choose to keep Him first.

Why is it for us that it’s all too easy to get caught up in the whole hurried dash of the holidays, and not give our fullest attention to what seems more urgent?

Too many of us, focus gets blurred; and the most important gets pushed aside.

There is too much of that attitude – “Sorry, not today, but no room in my Inn.”

It takes an active, daily choice to put Christ first, especially in a culture that says you’re too busy to focus there. Or that life is too full. And there’s no more room.

I sit and pray a whole lot now that I have had my Triple Bypass Heart Surgery.

Proverbs 4:23 New American Standard Bible

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 The Message

23-27 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
    that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
    avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
    ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
    and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
    leave evil in the dust.

The proverb writer is deeply concerned about helping his children build a wise and discerning life. “Listen,” he pleads, “pay attention to what I’m saying.”

“Make room for God – Maximize all spaces within your soul => solely for God!”

Throughout the early chapters of the book of Proverbs we find one plea after another from author King Solomon who the wisest man to ever live, like this.

And in Proverbs 4:23 the writer points out the central issue in all this teaching.

“Above all else,” the writer says, “guard your heart.” In other words, “Look inside – less room for sin and maximum room for God who is our salvation.”

Be concerned about your inner life before you build your external life.

After all, your heart, your inner life, ‘is the very wellspring of life.’ Your heart shapes who you are.” More room for darkness means far more room for chaos.

Jesus taught this truth also. He said that a person produces good things when that person has a good heart— that is, a heart focused on living for God.

But if a person has room for only an evil heart, a sin darkened heart closed off to God, that will show up inside the evil things that person does. (See Luke 6:45.) 

Let’s simply talk about what’s inside. After all, it would be a wasted effort to try building a way of life (on the outside) if the heart wasn’t healthy (on the inside).

We can hardly go through any Christmas season without at least receiving one reminder that the infant Jesus was born in much less than ideal circumstances.

Christmas cards often have scenes of a stable filled with animals, while Mary and Joseph both look lovingly into a manger, where the baby Jesus is lying.

While many written and cinematic portrayals of this one scene aim for a warm, sweet, nostalgic approach, the birth of Jesus was far from a pleasant experience.

But remember how it began -forced to travel to Bethlehem for a Roman census, Mary and Joseph were repeatedly rejected, found no comfortable place to stay.

So Joseph had to go from place to place, each less savory, healthy, and Mary gave birth in a cold, dirty stable and used the animals’ feedbox for Jesus’ crib.

What irony! Repeated rejections, no room was available here for the birth of our Savior who had in truth came to prepare a place for us in heaven (John 14:1-3).

John 14:1-3 English Standard Version

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;[a] believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Everyday life has plenty of room its own ironies too.

For example, people were created to live in community and enjoy each other’s friendship.

The sheer chaos and havoc that sin has wreaked in this world often breaks down that sense of community and friendship, leaving far, far too many of us feeling as though there’s never going to be no place where we can actually feel at home.

The infant Jesus was born into a place that was hostile to the presence of God.

But, thanks be to God, the infant became a man who made room in His heart for all of God’s Children of all coming generations-made room, changed the world.

Throughout his entire ministry here, Jesus called people to Himself, where those who felt homeless, lost, lonely, and unwelcome could find a place where they experienced the warmth of being at home in the presence of the Lord.

May God help us to choose wisely, what room we make for whom, what voices we choose to listen to, and in Jesus’ name, where we give our attention today.

He is the only One who makes room, who brings true meaning to Christmas.

He is the only One who brings real peace in this all-too-often hectic season.

He is the only One worthy of making room for, giving our maximum time and attention, listen for God, we slow down the maddening rush around our lives.

We can make more room for God, we can know all of this in our heads, but may He help us to really believe it in our hearts…and choose to live it out this season.

Reminded.

Renewed.

Refreshed.

Repenting.

Believing the Good News.

That the Kingdom of God has, in maximum truth, Come Near.

And He will surely and certainly, as promised, come again!

Standing on the Promises of Christ our King and our Savior!

Making maximum effort to clear out maximum room for Him alone, first.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

ABBA Father, Help us to keep our focus first on Christ this season. Please forgive us for giving too much time and attention on other things. Help us to reflect again, on what Christmas is really all about. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy, that you came to make room in our eternal darkness for your Son.

Help us to repent, make room for Him, remember that the gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas, but for the whole year through. Fill us with your joy and the peace of your Spirit. Direct our hearts and minds towards you. Thank you for your reminder that both in seasons of celebration and in seasons of brokenness, you’re still with us. For you never leave us. Thank you for your daily powerful Presence in our lives, that we can be assured your heart is towards us, your eyes are over us, and your ears are open to our prayers. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. We choose to press in close to you today…and keep you first in our hearts and lives. In Immanuel‘s Name,

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Advent Prophet: if John the Baptist Called Out into the Gathered Crowds? Luke 3:1-14

Luke 3:1-14 New Living Translation

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler[a] over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler[b] over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene. 2  Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.  3  Then John went from place to place on both sides of the Jordan River, preaching that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 4 Isaiah had spoken of John when he said,

“He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
    Clear the road for him!
5 The valleys will be filled,
    and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
    and the rough places made smooth.
6 And then all people will see
    the salvation sent from God.’”[c]

7 When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

The Word of God for the Children of God

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Hypothetically, imagine slipping into an airline seat for a three-hour flight or boarding that same old commuter train for that long morning work commute.

The man next to you politely begins to exchange some general pleasan­tries.

But as the commute continues, the polite tone of the conversation changes.

The man begins to mutter something, in fact, he mutters several somethings.

These “somethings” are things which instantly cause you to bristle, to squirm.

Luke 3:7-9The Message

7-9 When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded: you “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and is it even flourishing? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire.”

Very soon you discover, realize that he also has extreme views about religion, even more extreme views about politics and governance, how people respond.

His goal as you fly the friendly skies or just try to get to work for another day, is to convince you that your far too casual way of life is putting you in danger of snake venom, the fires of hell – it dawns on you it’s going to be a very long day!

Now imagine that it is not just you who are in ear shot of all these harsh words.

You aren’t the only one on the airplane nor the only one on the commuter train.

On the plane we might hope that the louder and more raucous this guy gets that the flight attendants would not be so slow to intervene on this guys intrusions.

They might even try to move him to another seat – but that is no promise nor is it any guarantee that this guy will not just stand up and cause another ruckus.

Maybe if it gets to be too much – someone would inform the pilot – or if there was an Air Marshall with a pair of handcuffs and something to cover his mouth.

Maybe if it goes to the extreme of extremes, the Pilot will turn the plane around.

Anything, anywhere-as long as someone figures out how to shut the guy down.

Now, back in the commuter train – the people just have to sit restlessly and just listen until they get to the next station and hope he gets tired and he gets off or they do and they simply accept the uncomfortable fact they will be late for work.

Imagine walking the downtown streets of any city or serving meals in a shelter and this guy walks up beside you, gets into your ears, or hands you a meal tray.

Perish the thought and pray such an occurrence is one you’ll never experience.

In a homeless shelter?

In an overnight shelter?

Spending a morning, an afternoon or evening or a whole night with the words of John the Baptist ringing in your ears would have been a similar experience.

After all, John’s hardcore extremist views believed you got ready for Christ’s coming by taking a hard, long, in­tense look at the ethical quality of your life.

Hearing enough of this message, listening to all the vitriol, high end criticism spewing from his mouth about quite literally everybody – who would not want have the plane turned around, to call the police this guy arrested – like Herod?

Luke 3:19-20 New Living Translation

19 John also publicly criticized Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[a] for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for many other wrongs he had done. 20 So Herod put John in prison, adding this sin to his many others.

Which one’s of us reading this reflection would be praying to God to keep such a man out of our lives, as far away from our “Christian experience” as is possible?

The Covenant Reality of Becoming an Advent Prophet

Isaiah 40:1-3 New Living Translation

Comfort for God’s People

40 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
    says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
    and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over
    for all her sins.”

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,
“Clear the way through the wilderness
    for the Lord!
Make a straight highway through the wasteland
    for our God!

Yet our preparing a pathway for the coming of the Messiah is our Advent task.

That means listening to John’s words and some (Psalm 51) clearing away the moral rubble that prevents God from taking His straight path to your hearts.

I mean we’ll never like, nor appreciate, anyone calling us a “brood of snakes!”

Yet, OUR King is coming, and He will remember the poor, cut down the proud.

The all too comfortable, utterly corrupt order of things, must come to a change.

The hardest thing for “contemporary Christians” is actually taking the time for us disciples to make the U-turn of repentance, to straighten out their priorities.

Preparing our homes for the season, getting it ready for Christmas isn’t first a matter of our remembering our perfect gifts for everyone on our family gift list.

It’s about remembering the very nature of citizenship in the King’s king­dom!

It’s about taking a moral inventory of our lives. What changes do we need to make so that we can welcome Christ with integrity on Christmas morning?

More Like Christ – More Like John the Baptist First?

Ephesians 5:1-2 New Living Translation

Living in the Light

5 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

When I have asked, very Christian I have ever known will always profess this:

“Work in progress, trying to be more like Jesus every moment of every day!”

But, what about a bit more like John the Baptist in his camel hair wardrobe?

Luke 3:10-14 New Living Translation

10 The crowds asked, “What should we do?”

11 John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.”

12 Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, “Teacher, what should we do?”

13 He replied, “Collect no more taxes than the government requires.”

14 “What should we do?” asked some soldiers.

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.”

The changes John the Baptist was calling for do not appear .0001% radical.

One teacher I know of thinks John’s counsel is, for us, rather commonplace.

All we need to do, it seems to him, is to love a little, show a little kindness.

No career change is required.

I believe that interpretation goes too easy on many of us.

After all, many of us are well-to-do.

Many of us out there in the world have far more than two sets of clothing; many of us also have two cars, two or more credit cards, and maybe even two homes.

Our freezers are probably most full preparing for the Christmas feasts to come.

Yet, our hardcore reality: in light of our riches, John’s words become unsettling.

They demand a radical generosity that few of us are genuinely accustomed to.

True, John the Baptist does not specifically order anyone to leave his or her job.

But he definitely and directly does demand that we actually live out our faith by actually being honest and genuinely content and not ever abusing our power.

Clearly, any reading of Luke’s narrative reveals “John the Baptist Discipleship” is not something for the uncommitted, the timid nor for “after-hours only.”

We are not, so to speak, called or covenanted by God to moonlight for Christ.

Quite the contrary, our allegiance to Christ rules not only our after-work hours but also our hours travelling to work, our hours of actual work in the office, at the plant, on the road, in the air, on the trains, in class, at those sales meetings.

We can neither ignore the hardcore words of John the Baptist, leave Christ in church on Sundays nor let him “wait for us in the parking lot” on weekdays.

Here’s a question:

How do we, who are supposed to be dying to self and coming alive to Christ, do our work and other activities so that we honor Christ and respect our neighbor?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Lord Jesus, too often after hearing the good news we go right back to business as usual. Forgive us, and make our every thought captive to you. Lord, we admit that our lives are a mess. It’s been a long time since we’ve held them up to the light of your truth. Now is the time. Help us to begin today. Let us read these words from Luke’s narrative, let us hear the hardcore accusations spoken by John the Baptist against us as so called “contemporary Christians” and your so called Body of Christ, the Church in your kingdom, let us finally come to our senses. In your name, Amen.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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