The Women's Ministry Connection

A Well Tuned Heart

2012-02-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

I willpraise You with uprightness of heart,

when I learn Your righteous judgments

Psalm119:7

TAKINGIT IN

Aninstrument that has not been finely tuned will certainly lack the tone of thebeautiful music for which it was made.

We willnever gain true renewal of heart, mind, and conscience – the revival of oursouls – as long as we give lip service only to obedience to God’s Law. Thepsalmist insists that worship comes from an upright heart, and an upright heartis formed by learning the holy, righteous, and perfect ways of God.

Remindyourself today of where you were before you came to know Jesus Christ. (Icringe when I think of where I was). You are not that person today because youhave learned of His righteous judgments. His Word has changed your life. If youthink about where you were then and where you are now, praise fills your heartwith gratitude that He has changed you from the inside out.

And likean instrument that is being finely tuned, your heart is becoming more and moreattuned to the sound of His voice, the ways of His Word and an uprightness ofheart begins to manifest!

It wasone commentator who said:

Themore we know of God, the more shall we see in Him to praise. The larger ouracquaintance and experience, the more our hearts will be disposed to magnify Hisname. This remark must extend to all that there is in God to be learned; and asthat is infinite, so there will be occasion for renewed and more elevatedpraise to all eternity.

MAKINGIT MEANINGFUL

Theupright heart is a heart filled with truth and it now yearns and longs forintegrity in life as it pursues to learn more about the ways of God.

The ideaof “learning” in this text goes beyond the kind of information-gathering,processing, and sorting that characterizes so much Christian learning today.

The Hebrew verb here means “to become accustomed to.” Every area of ourlives become accustomed to living according to God’s prescribed ways and webegin to understand how great and perfect His Word is, and no otherresponse but praise can rise in our hearts. As we humble ourselves recognizingthe errors of our own way, we are thankful for His grace and mercy and how Hepatiently works in our lives to bring us to Christ-likeness.

Take inthe deep truth and promise of Psalm 84:11 today. Write it down and commit it to memory.

WORKINGIT INTO MY HEART

The Word ofGod reveals the beauty and glory of the Lord. It illuminates the path and leadsthe way into abundant life. Under the loving teaching of the Holy Spirit, the Wordconvicts us of sin, points to the way of righteousness, and warns of thejudgment of God against all who ignore His commands.

We knowthe Law does not save us. We are saved by the righteousness and sacrifice ofJesus, which we appropriate by grace through faith.

While the Law does notsave us, it enables us to work out our salvation. As we become accustomed toliving in God’s Word we learn to delight in it, and make more time to meditatein it day by day. The Word renews our minds and provides us with a biblicalworldview and an eternal perspective. The Word of God, as we learn it and growincreasingly accustomed to living in it, fine tunes our hearts – it utterlyreforms and revives our souls, giving us new vision, new aspirations, and newpriorities in line with those of God Himself.

ReadPsalm 1 and journal your thoughts in light of what you have learned today. Thensing it with an upright heart and give praise to God!

The Two Sides of Shame

2012-02-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

The Two Sides of Shame

Then Iwould not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments.

Psalm119:6

"Mymemory is nearly gone; but I remember two things;

that I am a great sinner, andthat Christ is a great Savior."

– John Newton (1725-1807)

TAKINGIT IN

You mightremember when basketball star Kobe Bryant was charged with the sexual assaultof a 19-year-old hotel worker in Eagle, Colorado. Soon after the incident, with his wife Vanessa at his side, he denied the assaultcharge. But he confessed, in tears, to having sexual contact with the woman. The statementincluded the words: "...I sit here before you embarrassed and ashamed forcommitting adultery..."

Shame is a word that reminds us of disgrace,embarrassment and humiliation. In our Scripture today we learn that the Bibleteaches a two-fold truth about shame and it’s important that we know and walkin both truths.

InGenesis 2:25 we learn that before sin entered the lives of Adam and Eve, theywere both naked and were not ashamed – but shame quickly came with sin and italways does.

As thedays grow darker and sin becomes more evident in the world around us, wewitness the lack of shame. Culturally we see that the way to avoid guilt andshame before God is to deny His existence or His authority over our lives. Whena person’s conscience is no longer impacted by guilt or shame, they become lewdin their attitude and behavior; but our real shame before God can be a powerfulinfluence to help us see we can never measure up to His standard and draw us toconfess and repent before Him.

Read Psalm 71:1-3. How does the truth of these verses encourage you in what you are learning today?

MAKINGIT MEANINGFUL

The pathto an unashamed life is focused on looking into all of God’s commandments.

The couplewho honors the Lord in their marriage never has to be concerned with the shameof having their adultery exposed. The teenager who steals never has to bear theshame of being caught “red handed”. The single woman who avoids every hint ofsexual immorality never has to worry about the embarrassment of a pre-maritalpregnancy. The believer who lives a double life never has to worry about beingexposed as a hypocrite, a liar, or a fraud.

It would be great if we could go throughlife without sinning, but the question is not if we willsin, but when we will sin. Shame is a healthy response and is dealt with as we quickly confess. Butonce we confess, shame is no longer appropriate.

WORKINGIT INTO MY HEART

Guilt andshame are inevitable, even for the most obedient followers of Jesus Christ. Wewill sin, and if our heart is right, our sin will cause shame, and rather thanrun and hide we will trust in the Lord Jesus and take our sin and shamestraight to Him, as it says:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and justto forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

How often weas sinners turn to passages like Psalm 51 to find comfort in times of sin andshame before the Lord. Praise Jesus that He is our Advocate, and the way back tofellowship and peace with God. Praise God that Jesus carried our shame on theCross of Calvary.

Let me askyou: would it not be better to have our eyes fixed on God’s commandments andour ways kept diligent and steadfast so that we would not be put to shamebefore Him? I think that God thinks so. I know I think so.

One of thestrongest weapons the Christian has, especially against the enemy of our souls,is a clean conscience. Our accuser will use guilt and shame not to take us tothe Lord but away from the Lord, and would render us useless for the kingdom. Whenwe sin we go to God and seek His mercies. But better yet is not to sin!

Take some today to consider "shame" in your life.

Is your sin keeping you in a place of humility before God? Is it working for the good to reveal your need for God? Or is your "shame" keeping you from knowing you are forgiven? Do you need to receive the forgiveness Christ has won for you on the cross?

"KEEP IT REAL"

2012-02-15T06:19:00.000-08:00

Oh,that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!

Psalm 119:5

TAKINGIT IN

I love the Scriptures because theyare real, true to life. God doesn't give us perfect pictures of perfect peopleto live up to. Today's verse speaks to a moment of truth in the psalmist'slife. Spurgeon gives great insight here:

This verse is a sigh of regretbecause the Psalmist feels that he has not kept the precepts diligently, it isa cry of weakness appealing for help to one who can aid, it is a request ofbewilderment from one who has lost his way and would fain be directed in it,and it is a petition of faith from one who loves God and trusts in Him forgrace.

Sound familiar? Are you feelingweak today? Have you experienced any melt downs lately? It has been that kindof a week for me.

We all have those moments offailure where we lost our temper or our selfishness won out, or we simplydidn't have it in us to forgive. These are the moments like the psalmist wherewe cry out "Oh, that my actions wouldconsistently reflect your decrees!" (NLT).

The sigh of the author is really a prayer uttered in amoment of weakness, acknowledging his need for help, recognizing his inabilityto keep God's commandments, but desiring to walk in the ways God has prescribed.And the good news is that God is looking for us to keep it real; to be honestthat we don't have it all together and more importantly to admit our constantneed for His grace and His strength. This very short prayer but honest cry ofthe heart is one God will answer.

MAKING IT MEANINGFUL

When failure comes and it will we need to keep it real. Eventhough the writer of this Psalm is having a moment of weakness, there are threeimportant things He knows that will ultimately bring him victory:

He knows the ways of God and His ways are important to him
He recognizes without God's help, he cannot keep them
He believes that God is interested and fully capable ofanswering His request

Read and write out on an index card Psalm 40:1-3. Keep itwith you for moments of weakness until you can commit it to memory. It will bea great help to you in times of need and recognizing that it is God who will befaithful to help you carry out His commands.

WORKING IT INTO MY HEART

Look up the truths ofEcclesiastes 4:9-12. God placed these truths in His Word knowing that we wouldneed each other. Do you have a sister in Christ that you can be real with - someoneyou can call on the phone or meet with over a cup of coffee to share yourstruggles? How about a "battlebuddy", someone you can pray with when times get tough?

"Keeping it real" will keep us walking in His Ways. We will recognize that without God's help andgrace we just can't live this life. His strength will aid us in getting rightback up again when we fall. With our friends there supporting us on the journey,nothing will be able to deter us!

BEYOND OBEDIENCE!

2012-02-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Psalm 119:4

TAKING IT IN

No matter what our choices are today, ultimately those choices are creating our future.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 continues to speak wisdom into our lives:

...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days...

"PRECEPT" comes from a Hebrew word which has to do with visiting or coming to some situation in a position of authority and giving directions or instructions about what should be done. A precept can be thought of as an "overseer" whose primary responsibility is to take care of or take charge of us in our situation. The directions and orders a precept gives are meant to be instructive; that is, they teach us directions to follow.

Without directions we are bound to get lost. We must listen to and follow these specific directions diligently. We cannot afford to be haphazard because one wrong turn will get us completely lost. Our whole attitude should be to recognize that if God has given us particular instructions and directions as to how and where we should walk, then the wisest thing we can do is follow them carefully.

"TO KEEP" also means to guard, to protect and to hedge about in safety. When we are told to keep God's precepts, it means that we should carefully protect His Word from being stolen from our hearts. The enemy tries to remove God's Word from our lives, so that we are left without its necessary instruction. By meditating on God's Word, we can do our part to keep His Word in our lives.

MAKING IT MEANINGFUL

When God is asking us to diligently keep His precepts, He is not asking us for "an obey the rules or else" response. His desire is that we would understand His deep love for us - Acknowledge that His precepts are true, right and just and serve for our best interest.

To our detriment, we don't often equate love with obedience. Imagine how our perspective might change if our response to God's precepts came out of the understanding that we are deeply, unconditionally, eternally loved and totally accepted by God in Christ.

As we begin to obey and experience the wisdom of God's instructions we experience His love and complete care for us.

Is there any area of your life where you are struggling to obey?

Is it possible that you are doubting God's perfect love?

WORKING IT INTO MY HEART

God is saying that as we believe in His instruction for our lives, that trust will always inspire loving obedience.

In this way we prove and experience for ourselves that God's way is "good, perfect and acceptable" and we are well on the way to being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Move beyond obedience to responding in love to the great love God has for you!

Are you coming to a deeper understanding of God' love for you?

Is this working out practically in your life by growing obedience to His precepts?

Why or why not?

Read 1 John 2:3-6 and think about how the love of God is being perfected in your heart!

A Closer Walk with God

2012-01-30T07:06:00.000-08:00

They also do no iniquity;They walk in His ways.

Psalm 119:3

TAKING IT IN

One of my most memorable times of ministry were the Sundays my husband and I provided a church service for the elderly at a local retirement home. Among those who would attend were the blessed saints, men and women that had walked with God for many years.

What I remember most is the joy on their faces as we sang the old hymn, "In the Garden". It was obvious as their crackling voices rose in volume, that they had walked and were still walking with God. They knew the God of whom they worshipped and there was hardly a Sunday that tears didn't stream down my face as I watched them sing. They had walked with Him this far and He would continue to walk with them the rest of the way, and take them safely home.

When the Bible instructs us to walk in God's ways, the Scriptures mean a "course of life" or "a mode of action to follow". It has been said that the legalist focuses on what paths to keep away from in order to avoid unrighteousness - but those who choose to live in the grace of God choose to simply follow the way that has been marked by Jesus - steps which God created beforehand that we should walk in them, a way of life that brings stability, security and blessedness for His saints.

When we map our lives by choosing to follow in Jesus' footsteps, His path that is laid out for us in His Word, we will not only be spared the harm of our own ways, but we will be happy. We will enjoy the journey! As we learn to apply God's wisdom and the truths from His Word, we will see the reality of Proverbs 3:17-18:

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.

MAKING IT MEANINGFUL

Purpose in your heart to walk in God's ways!
Delight in the joy of His ways for they are right and true!
As you purpose and delight in His ways, continuing in His ways will become your way of life!

Proverbs 3 provides us with deeper insight into the ways of God. Read through it today and journal all that you discover about walking in God's ways

WORKING IT INTO MY HEART

Listen to the words from "In the Garden". The hymn speaks to the simplicity of a closer walk with God. Picture walking in the garden and journal what you see.

LISTEN TO IN THE GARDEN

Take a walk with God today out in the beauty of His creation and "tarry" with Him. Simply enjoy His presence and love for you. Enjoying your relationship with God will keep you walking closely by His side and in His Ways.

SEEK!

2012-01-23T08:44:00.000-08:00

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! Psalm 119:2

TAKING IT IN

If I told you today that you hold a key in your hand that unlocks a treasure chest full of priceless valuables, how quickly would you run to open the box to uncover the treasures inside?

This week we have one word that holds the key to unlocking a revived heart; the word is “SEEK”.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

I remember the time I had come across Hebrews 11:6 in my personal devotions and pondered this thought:

Does God have more for the woman who diligently seeks Him than He has for the woman who doesn’t?

My study of Scripture answered with a resounding YES! There is MORE for the woman who diligently seeks God than for the woman who doesn’t – and what is the woman who doesn’t seek God miss out on--- MORE OF HIM!

And if we thought "more of God" was valuable we would certainly be diligent to seek Him, not half-heartedly but with our “whole” heart.

The word “seek” comes from the Hebrew word “darash” (daw-rash’)
It means to

To resort to

To seek with care

To investigate

To tread or to frequent a place

To follow for pursuit or search

To care for diligently

To ask

To seek the Lord means to seek His presence. “Presence” is a common translation of the Hebrew word “face.” Literally, we are to seek His “face.” To be before His face is to be in His presence.

If we were to be honest there are many times in our lives when we become neglectful of the Lord; our busy lives can leave us literally without a thought of Him and we see Him through dim eyes, considered far less great, beautiful and valuable.

His face – the glory of His personal character and attributes are hidden behind the distractions and pursuits of our flesh and this world that compete for our attention. That is why Scripture is continually telling us to seek Him so that we can enjoy a continual awareness of His greatness and worth.

MAKING IT MEANINGFUL

How can we practically seek God? Scripture gives us the answer.

1 Chronicles 22:19

Colossians 3:1-2

2 Thessalonians 3:5

What are you seeking after or pursuing that has taken you away from seeking God?

In what ways will you be “intentional” in choosing to focus your mind’s attention and heart’s affection on God?

WORKING IT INTO MY HEART

Read Psalm 10:4. What is the greatest obstacle to seeking the Lord?

Have you felt the presence of God lacking in your life? Remember there is MORE for the one who diligently seeks Him! He is there waiting! 1 Chronicles 28:9 and Hebrews 11:6 offer a great promise to those that seek the Lord with their whole heart? How does this promise encourage you today?

REVIVE ME WEEK 2

2012-01-16T07:40:00.000-08:00

TAKING IT IN

Are you longing today for a “blessed” life?

As we begin our journey through Psalm 119 we are told right away that

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!” Psalm 119:1

“Blessed” speaks of a deep seated joy, peace, and contentment which comes from knowing we are right with God.

What we must take away from today’s Scripture is that the “blessed” life is ours because of what Jesus has done for you and for me.

We are emotional creatures, aren’t we? Throw in the “hormonal” battle and those emotions are intensified! But this “blessed” life is not a statement based on the inconsistencies of our emotions, it is a statement based on FACT.

The question that comes to mind immediately is this? If the condition is “perfection” who then can be blessed? Whose way is blameless?

If this “blessedness” were based on our ability to be perfect, then we would all fail miserably. After all the word “undefiled” means “without blemish”, “complete”, “full” and “perfect”. I don’t know about you but when is the last time you went even a day and got it all right!

But because we are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, God looks upon us and sees us “undefiled” and that is a truth we must take hold of and allow it to root deep down in our hearts.

We will sin, but living in the knowledge that we are “perfect” in the sight of God, and accepting what Christ has done for us, will keep us on the way to wholeness. When we fail, this truth will help us to quickly confess and get back up and walk confidently in the way of blessing.

We need to walk in the truth of what Christ has done and continues to do. He saves to the uttermost and we can and should wake up every morning “BLESSED”!

Making it meaningful

Psalm 32 has been called “The Joy of Forgiveness”. Knowing, appreciating, and walking in God’s forgiveness will revive us! It will keep us from condemnation, self-pity and self-loathing.

Pray and then read Psalm 32 and journal every precious truth that the Lord speaks to you.

Ask yourself these three questions:

Have I embraced God’s forgiveness in my life?
Is there any sin I have committed that I believe God is unable to forgive?
As I walk in His forgiveness, am I able to forgive others?

Working it into my heart

Read Ephesians chapter 1:1-14 and remind yourself of why you are “BLESSED”! Write down in your journal all that you have in CHRIST!

When you are finished, pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-22 and make it your own.

Don’t let the enemy tell you that your life is anything less than BLESSED!

A NEW YEAR - A REVIVED HEART

2012-01-10T05:12:00.000-08:00

It was just about a year ago today, that I was reading Psalm 119. As I continued to read benefit after benefit of the Word of God, I was overwhelmed with gratitude to God for giving me such a love for His Word.

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and the theme is the goodness, greatness and glory of God’s Word. God’s Word is referred to in almost every verse!

With my passion and love for women’s ministry, I looked back at my own spiritual journey to see what played a part in stoking the fires of my continuing hunger for His Word.

A huge part of that influence was what I like to call “mentors from afar”. One of those women in particular came to mind and her name is Kay Arthur. In obedience to God’s prompting I got up from where I was reading, took a great step of faith, and sent an e-mail inviting her to come to Vista, California. Much to my surprise, (but certainly not God’s) her answer was YES!

And so today Monday, January 9^th, 2012 we start on our journey of revival. I am praying that God will revive each one of our hearts as we take our time and dig deep into the truths of Psalm 119 to prepare our hearts for the conference coming in September.

I am so excited that you have decided to join me on my journey and whether you are able to attend the conference or not (praying you will all be there) your love and passion for God’s Word will grow! Your desire and hunger for His Word will become “contagious” and spill out over every woman you come in contact with. The Psalmist rightly cries out in verse 25:

“My soul clings to the dust, revive me according to your Word.” God will certainly answer a prayer like that!

Taking It In

And so we begin today looking at the word “revive”.

We are familiar with it, we talk about it, we even pray to be revived, but do we really know what it means?

We know to revive someone medically means you bring them back to life. Make no mistake; the same is true about reviving one spiritually.

The word used for revive in the Old Testament is “chaya” {khaw-yaw'} which means to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, to live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.

Revive occurs in the New Testament as the translation of “anazao” {an-ad-zah'-o} which means “to live again”.

So the first question we ask ourselves today is, “Am I alive”? We need to be honest and humble as we answer that question so that God can fully work in our lives.

Not merely surviving, or getting through life, but AM I ALIVE – is my spirit quickened by the very thought of God, do I jump out of bed in the morning excited to read His Word? Is there an enthusiasm to share what I just read this morning with others throughout my day? Are you walking in this world, or above it? Do you love God’s people more and more each day? Are you developing a burden for the lost?

It may be that none of the answers to those questions are yes – but don’t be discouraged because God’s Word has the power to restore, to bring you back to life, to quicken your spirit, to cause you to live in abundance and to refuse mediocrity. God is more than willing to do that for you and for me. But first we must be willing to let go of anything that might be quenching His Spirit in our lives --- for revival is a work of God’s Word and Spirit bringing us back to life!

Making it Meaningful

Look up the following Scriptures and write each one out. What do you learn about the word “revive” in each instance? These verses are sure to help you develop a true and real understanding of the word. As you finish looking up each one, summarize your thoughts in your journal. (This would be a good time to start a “REVIVE ME” journal to chronicle your time through Psalm 119).

Restoration to life

Genesis 45:27

Judges 15:19

Rebuilding

Nehemiah 4:2

Restoration to well being

Psalm 85:6

To Quicken

Psalm 138:7

Isaiah 57:15

Hosea 6:2

Hosea 14:7

Habakkuk 3:2 people

New Testment

Romans 7:9
Romans 14:9

Working it into Your Heart

As you conclude, turn in your Bible to Ephesians 4:25-32. Pray this passage out loud to God and ask Him to reveal by His Spirit any of these sins that may be hindering you from experiencing the fullness of life which He offers us each and every day!

From here on out until September you will receive your “REVIVE ME” devotion every Monday which gives you all week to study, ponder and digest! Feel free to share your journey with me by e-mailing me at mhill@wmconnection.org. If you would like I would love to post it on my blog at wmconnection.blogspot.com. Feel free also to pass this along to friends and family!

If they would like to be added to my mailing list have them send an email to mhill@wmconnection.org with the words “REVIVE ME” in the subject line.

An Old Fashion Christmas

2011-12-13T07:27:00.000-08:00

(Taken from a Christmas message shared with Rancho Baptist Women's Ministry)

Take a rest from your shopping lists, baking and the busyness of the Christmas season to consider the idea of an old fashion Christmas. Actor and television celebrity Hugh Downs said it well:

“Something about an old-fashioned Christmas is hard to forget."

What is an old fashion Christmas? Let’s start by defining the term old fashion…

The term can mean of a style or method formerly in vogue, it has often been used with the idea of something being “outdated”. Some of the synonyms used to describe it are antique, old-school, quaint or vintage but perhaps the clearest definition is this:

Attached to or favoring methods, ideas, or customs of an earlier time

I am 56 years old and certainly the Christmas’ I remember did not include on-line shopping, E-cards and video games and the Iphone, Ipad and Kindles were not on any of my Christmas wish lists.

I asked many of my friends on “Facebook”

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of an old fashioned Christmas?

Here are some of their answers. Many commented on the

Scents of the Season:

Smell of a pine tree and fresh baked cookies, Grandma’s apple cinnamon pie

Sounds of the Season

Crackling fire in the fireplace --- Christmas carols

Special Treats of the Season

Hot apple cider, hot chocolate, freshly baked bread, eggnog, strings of popcorn

Weather of the Season

Snow with horse drawn sleigh rides and sleds

Movies of the Season --- It’s a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Story

Activities of the Season --- Baking, board games, church services, midnight mass, hanging stocking, wrapping presents, gift exchanges

But in every response was the important mention of family and loved ones ----even a woman who shared the memory of her daddy lifting her up to place the angel on top of the tree.

I am sure that many of their answers strike a chord in your heart or remind you of “traditions’ you enjoy as a family. After all our traditions are the passing on of customs or beliefs from generation to generation –

We enjoy a Christmas tradition in my family that was passed on by my grandmother to my mother, to me, and then to my daughters - the baking of Italian cookies.

I know it was important to my grandma that I carried on this tradition --- I will admit that I am not a very good cook and making this dough from scratch is a lot of work, but it is something that my family has adopted that simply makes Christmas special --- but is it really the cookies themselves or the times we enjoy as a family getting together to make them --- I have fond memories of baking with my grandma my mother, and my daughters.

These traditions are important to us and take all of us back to simpler times…

It was Bob Hope who said

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- give off the greatest glow of happiness. ~Bob Hope

Simplicity speaks of a removal of clutter, and helps us to focus on the things that really matter. The more we have the more complicated our lives become.

One of the most stressful times of year is during the holidays. Why is that when Christmas should be full of joy?

I think I know why…

Think about the three year old little girl who opens up her first doll and baby stroller. She embraces and hugs her doll as if it were the only thing that mattered in the whole world.

If it had been the only present she received at Christmas, she would have been perfectly content, but that was not the only present she opened. Gift after gift continued to be placed in front of her and as she continued to tear through the wrapping paper her joy begins to dissipate and her face gives way to a kind of numbness because where the doll and stroller had been special, now nothing was. What remained was a growing pile of things and very little time to appreciate any of it.

That is because we have been tricked, that somehow more is better, that somehow MORE has greater value when in reality the opposite is true! LESS IS REALLY MORE! The danger lies in placing value on having more than appreciating the gift itself.

And so it is with Christmas…we have added so much to it in terms of the things that are not important that it has become cluttered. The busy pursuit of shopping, decorating, wrapping, baking and cooking leaves us tired and empty and often depressed when the season is over.

Somewhere along the way the MORE of it---- the stress, the unrealistic expectations, the unreasonable demands, causes our joy to dissipate, and just like that little girl we grow numb because what we were deeply longing for never arrived…

Because there is something missing and that is the real reason for the season.

So we seem to be arriving at what an Old Fashion Christmas really is ---

We know it goes beyond the nostalgic Norman Rockwell picture postcard scene that includes the pine scented tree, the warm apple cider, a fire in the fireplace, and “It’s a Wonderful Life” –

There is nothing wrong with those traditions but we find there is a heart to Christmas –

What are traditions without family and friends to enjoy them with? But yet there is still something missing, the reason for the season – a true Old Fashion Christmas

So as our definition demands let us attach ourselves to the real reason for the season --- a time that takes us way back to a story that holds great value for each one of us, that captures the heart of Christmas --- a story so simple that even children can tell it.

We find the story in the Bible in Luke chapter 2:8-14.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

We like the shepherds of old are told today

Do not be afraid…..

I don’t know about you but those words bring comfort to my heart --- for we look out at our world today and certainly have reasons to be afraid ---– our economy – our government – the tensions in world affairs --- the onslaught of more natural disasters and weather catastrophes -- but let’s bring those fears in a little closer to home…

For some of you Christmas comes with a loved one or you being out of work or family financial struggles --- for some of you Christmas comes with loneliness or the recent memory of the loss of someone close to you or family that is far away, for some of you Christmas comes with an illness and for some of you Christmas comes with the dread of unresolved bitterness in family relationships.

Aren’t you glad that you are told do not be afraid? Embrace those words!

Then BEHOLD, look and pay attention to what is said next…

I BRING “YOU” GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY! Good Tidings of Great Joy!

This is what is at the heart of an old fashion Christmas ---

JOY – JOY – JOY ---

Isn’t that truly the Spirit of Christmas ---- Isn’t that what all our Christmas traditions of long ago point to ---- and this good news of great joy is for ALL PEOPLE --- not just some --- but for you too ----

No matter what circumstances you find yourself in this CHRISTMAS you can find joy! Why?

Because today you are brought Good Tidings or Good News --- Maybe you have just been the recipient of bad news…that has brought you sorrow, or disappointment, or rejection, or discouragement

But at Christmas we celebrate Good News that will bring great joy – lasting joy that never fades!

What is the GOOD NEWS? It is clearly announced in Luke 2:11:

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

THERE IS BORN TO YOU THIS DAY A SAVIOR --- WHO IS CHRIST THE LORD….

An Old fashion Christmas is celebrating CHRIST but more importantly celebrating the birth of a Savior!

Many celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas but what we are really celebrating is the birth of a Savior to you and to me because that was our greatest need --- it has been said that

If the world had needed education, God would have sent a teacher.

If the world had needed an army, God would have sent a general.

If the world had needed more money, God would have sent a banker.

But since the world needed a Savior, God sent a baby!

If you have any question as to whether you or I need a Savior we need only look at our recent BLACK FRIDAY

Where a woman shopper at a Los Angeles Wal Mart pepper-sprayed 20 or so people because they threatened her grip on an Xbox - she created so much mayhem that she was able to proceed to the check-out and purchase her item. She injured 20 people to get her hands on an X-BOX and left the store with no remorse.

And in North Carolina, a former police officer released a “puff” of pepper spray, reportedly to calm down a crowd that was getting out of hand at another Wal-Mart – stories of shopping rage were widespread….What drives that kind of behavior ---- the sin of selfishness, the sin greed…. And if we were all to be honest the desire to live for ourselves drives us everyday

So what do we do --- better yet – where do we look --- we look to the manger – a feeding trough where the Savior of the world was born –

As I prepared this message for you I discovered that the term old fashion can be used in a negative way to refer to methods, attitudes, or machines that are no longer useful or suitable in the modern world

That is what the world has done with Christ --- in Christmas He is no longer useful or suitable as our world seeks to replace Him with commercialism, driving the consumer to buy--- buy--- buy and they use the “picture” of an old fashion Christmas to convince us to buy in --- but where does that leave us when Christmas is over…

Still with a need for a Savior – so we look for a sign and we are pointed to the manger-

Luke 2:12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

To rescue us from ourselves Jesus was placed in a humble manger of wood at His birth for us; and He would later be crucified on a humiliating cross of wood at His death.

That's how far God’s love reached for us. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:19 that we love Himbecause He first loved us.

He came to this earth in a humble manger; so that He could take us to heavenly glory. He came growing up in a poor family; so that we could become the children of His heavenly Father.

He walked on earth with no place to lay His head; so that He could prepare a place for us in His Father's house. He died on a cross for us sinners; so that we could live forever with Him.

That is what are hearts are truly yearning for at Christmas --- the love of a Savior!

Max Lucado in “It Began In a Manger” peeks into the nativity scene as Baby Jesus is resting peaceably in the feeding trough wrapped in swaddling clothes. He profoundly contemplates Mary’s thought as she pondered the moment of her son’s birth.

GOD. O infant-God. Heaven’s fairest child. Conceived by the union of divine grace with our disgrace. Sleep well.

Sleep well. Bask in the coolness of this night bright with diamonds.

Sleep well, for the heat of anger simmers nearby. Enjoy the silence of the crib, for the noise of confusion rumbles in your future. Savor the sweet safety of my arms, for a day is soon coming when I cannot protect you.

Rest well, tiny hands. For though you belong to a king, you will touch no satin, own no gold. You will grasp no pen, guide no brush. No, your tiny hands are reserved for works more precious:

to touch a leper’s open wound,
to wipe a widow’s weary tear,
to claw the ground of Gethsemane

Your hands, so tiny, so white—clutched tonight in an infant’s fist. They aren’t destined to hold a scepter nor wave from a palace balcony. They are reserved instead for a Roman spike that will staple them to a Roman cross.

Sleep deeply, tiny eyes. Sleep while you can. For soon the blurriness will clear and you will see the mess we have made of your world.

You will see our nakedness, for we cannot hide.

You will see our selfishness, for we cannot give.

You will see our pain, for we cannot heal.

O eyes that will see hell’s darkest pit and witness her ugly prince . . . sleep, please sleep; sleep while you can.

Lie still, tiny mouth. Lie still, mouth from which eternity will speak.

Tiny tongue that will soon summon the dead, that will define grace, that will silence our foolishness.

Rosebud lips—upon which ride a starborn kiss of forgiveness to those who believe you, and of death to those who deny you—lie still.

And tiny feet cupped in the palm of my hand, rest. For many difficult steps lie ahead for you.

Do you taste the dust of the trails you will travel?
Do you feel the cold seawater upon which you will walk?
Do you wrench at the invasion of the nail you will bear?
Do you fear the steep descent down the spiral staircase into Satan’s domain

Rest, tiny feet. Rest today so that tomorrow you might walk with power. Rest. For millions will follow in your steps.

And little heart . . . holy heart . . . pumping the blood of life through the universe: How many times will we break you?

You’ll be torn by the thorns of our accusations.

You’ll be ravaged by the cancer of our sin.

You’ll be crushed under the weight of your own sorrow.

And you’ll be pierced by the spear of our rejection.

Yet in that piercing, in that ultimate ripping of muscle and membrane, in that final rush of blood and water, you will find rest. Your hands will be freed, your eyes will see justice, your lips will smile, and your feet will carry you home.

And there you’ll rest again this time in the embrace of your Father.

Joy comes from being forgiven --- joy comes from the freedom of guilt, -- joy comes in knowing that Christ has won and overcome death and that for those who believe in Him, who place their faith in Him, their hope in Him, their trust in Him --- to those there is everlasting joy --- and we find as we continue to Luke 2:13-14 that along with joy comes peace!

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

The Jewish word shalom (peace) means much more than a truce in the battles of life.

It means well-being, health, prosperity, security, soundness, and completeness. It has to do more with character than circumstances.

Because Christ has come Peace is now available - Peace with God, Peace within our own hearts and Peace with others.

The New Testament describes at least three spheres, or planes, of peace:

Peace with God – that’s the vertical dimension
Peace of God – this takes place internally
Peace with others – when we have peace with God and we experience the peace of God, we can then extend peace horizontally

The Angels gave the conditions of receiving that Peace.

The Phrase and good will toward men -is literally translated "peace to men of good will," or "peace among men with whom He is pleased."

In the last century Charles Haddon Spurgeon of London preached an amazing text out of this very same chapter--

The scene at Bethlehem is one of utter simplicity:

a mother, a father, and a baby. Thus was “the Word made flesh” to dwell among us. What God does is both simple and clear. And the message to us is also simple and clear.

Those who come in simple faith to the Lord Jesus Christ find great peace. We need once again to preach the plain man’s gospel, free of speculation and centered on Christ.

Spurgeon then urged his hearers to come in faith to the Babe of Bethlehem who would one day die for the sins of the world.

Little children should come for he was once a little child himself.

Young women should come for Mary was a young woman who was God’s instrument for bringing Christ into the world.

Young men should come for Joseph was a young man who had great faith in God.

Old women should come for Anna was an old woman who looked for the coming of the Lord.

Old men should come for aged Simeon waited for the consolation of Israel.

The working men and women should come to Christ because the shepherds represent all those who work with their hands for a living—and they too came to Bethlehem.

Finally, the highly-educated of the world should come for the Wise Men came bearing gifts. They too bowed and worshiped the King.

That which makes it possible to be forgiven, to be cleansed, to be healed, that which makes it possible for us to receive our life back again, fresh and clean and new, is the power of God's Grace in the Cross of Jesus Christ.

An old fashion Christmas declares a message of love, hope and joy to anyone who will listen. Don't just celebrate the holiday . . Celebrate the Holy DAY. Don’t just celebrate the birth of Jesus but celebrate the birth of the Savior.

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior – recognize today your complete and utter need for Him. Let down the walls of your heart that carry the weight of sin and guilt and receive the One who can make you whole and give you eternal life.

Today, bow in simple faith and say, Lord Jesus, I recognize that I am sinful and I acknowledge the wrong that I have done. Today I need a Savior. And I turn to You and acknowledge you to be that Savior. I place my life, my hope, and my confidence in You. Take this broken person and make me new. Lead me and I will follow.

It’s a gift --- all you have to do is receive it! Then unwrap the Word of God and discover the abundant life that Christ has won for you!

A Pilgrim's Progress

2011-11-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at my laptop in my new home in Newport News, Virginia. It is hard to believe that just a week ago I packed up all my belongings and said my goodbyes to family and friends in California. I couldn't help as I read "Pilgrim's Progress" on the plane on my kindle (thank you Teri!) that my life over the last few years has been every bit that of a pilgrim's.

A ministry opportunity that didn't work out in the Midwest almost 2 years ago caused us to return to California ---- we had sold everything and given up our jobs so we were thankful our kids were able to take us in and there we stayed waiting on the Lord for our next move. Just as Christian learned many things as a pilgrim, the last year and a half God taught me how to be content in Him and how to wait patiently on His promises.

And we are now walking in the fulfillment of so many of those promises and it would be easy to forget that I am a "pilgrim".

J.B Phillips said that all the heroes of faith looked forward to their true country in Hebrews 11:13-16:

All these whom we have mentioned maintained their faith but died without actually receiving God’s promises, though they had seen them in the distance, had hailed them as true and were quite convinced of their reality. They freely admitted that they lived on this earth as exiles and foreigners. Men who say that mean, of course, that their eyes are fixed upon their true home-land. If they had meant the particular country they had left behind, they had ample opportunity to return. No, the fact is that they longed for a better country altogether, nothing less than a heavenly one. And because of this faith of theirs, God is not ashamed to be called their God for in sober truth he has prepared for them a city in Heaven.

I was never meant to be "comfortable" in the journey -- and the discontent and restlessness I can sometimes experience is a sure sign that my heart's longing is for my true home-land. I am to hold on lightly to the things of this world and by faith cling to the promises of a better country altogether. It is this hope that causes my heart to rise as I look forward to what God has for me here ---- this is the life of FAITH...the life I always want to LIVE!

How about you? Is your heart restless today? Remember you are a "pilgrim"! This world is not your home so set your heart upon your true home-land and live a life of FAITH!