Trusting the Lord

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her
husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

I’d like to take the time to look at things from Joseph’s prospective. Imagine if you would, being engaged to someone, preparing to marry that person. Then all of a sudden, you find out they are going to have a baby. You haven’t been with the person physically so you know it’s not your baby. Of course your first thoughts have to be that they have been unfaithful to you. If they are unfaithful to you as you are preparing to be married, can you really trust them? Do you want to be a parent to their child?

A million questions, thoughts and doubts had to have been going through Joseph’s mind. No doubt he was overwhelmed by everything. When all of a sudden an angel of the Lord appears to him and tries to tell him that this baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. Really? Come on, let’s be real!

By this point, I’m sure Joseph was ready to go out of his mind. However, he did just as he was commanded and took Mary as his wife. Jesus would be raised with Joseph as his earthly father.

Now that is trusting the Lord! My prayer is that I can trust the Lord in times where I feel so overwhelmed and feel like nothing makes sense.  

Thurs Devo: Spectacular Scene, Part II

Soon after posting the devotional last Thursday, I read the verse and prayer on my desk flip calendar. Guess where it was from and what it was about? It was a verse from Revelation chapter 4 and it was about not having the words to adequately describe God’s spectacular creation! It tied right in with last week’s devotional! Amazing!!!

Here was the prayer: “Dearest Creator of all things, we praise Your name. We praise Your creativity in making such a wondrous world. Just thinking of how all things on earth work together is amazing. We don’t have the words to adequately tell you how truly spectacular we think Your creation is to us. You are worthy of all praise. Amen.”

Not only is God’s creation spectacular and amazing, but His timing blows me away every time!!!

As we read the other half of Revelation chapter 4 today, what stands out to you?

Revelation 4:6b-11 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’
who was, and is, and is to come.”
⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”


Alice

Taken For Granted

See what great love the Father has for us that He would call us His children. And that is what we are. For this reason the people of the world do not know who we are because they did not know Him.  1 John 3:1

My wife and I will celebrate our first date together next week.  It will have been over 32 years since that day.  We worked together, and were at a company Christmas party.  Afterward, we would decide to officially date each other one month later.  I never really appreciated that moment then.  I do today.  She has hung in there with me through a lot of ups and downs, and she has been the epitome of the 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Love is patient, love is kind . . . love never fails).  I was not always a good husband to her, and there were times where I simply took her love for granted.  But even as we fight over what’s best for our daughter or she nags me for umpteenth time about something I did not do, I am incredibly humbled that she chose me as her husband.  I strive to never take her love for me for granted. This brought me to where my appreciation is for God’s love for me, and do I take it for granted.  Am I serving Him out of love?  Do I do things without even focusing on or appreciating it?

The greatest of all things God provides us with is His love. There are times we might focus on how God has given us grace and done miraculous things leaving us wondering how it was even possible.  He has carried many of us through rough times so often that we could not remember them all if we tried.  Yet, today I wrote with this feeling of unending warmth from the love God has for us.  We get caught up with so much going on around us, and we often go to God for help, thanksgiving, and affirmation.  However, one thing we should really focus on is just how overwhelming His is.  If you take a moment to pause and feel His presence, it’s as if His arms are wrapped around you holding you like a father holds his infant child.  God’s love is not something we place figuratively in our hip pocket.  As His children, His love should be at the forefront of everything we do.  It is the air that we breathe.  Without it, we cannot survive.

There is nothing we cannot overcome if we approach things with the love of God in our hearts.  1 Corinthians 13:13 (NLT) goes on to say, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”  Why would we ever let anything else take its place?  While there are many things that go seemingly devoid of it, we must dedicate ourselves to always remember the love God has for us, and then love Him and others fueled by it.  What situation requires you to invest more love into it?  How can you remind yourself how much God loves you?  My prayer is that we put God’s love at the forefront in our lives and never ever take it for granted.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Joy - Part 2

Hello,

Last week we took a look in the Old Testament to see the fullness of joy coming in the presence of God.

As we look forward to Christmas time – what an extension of that definition! When Mary visits Elizabeth, John responded while still in the womb.

Luke 1:39-45 “ Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.’” (NASB)

Then, when Jesus was born this joy was part of the announcement to the shepherds as they were told of His birth – Luke 2:9-11 “And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (NASB)

There is fullness of joy in the presence of God – and Christmas represents the time where He took that opportunity and connection to a whole new level. When you think this year of Christmas Joy – remember the fullness of joy in His presence.

Will Hill

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Subject: Tues Devo: Joy - part 1

Psalm 16:10-11 “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NASB).

Hello,

As we enter December and Christmas time, I think of everything going on in the world that can get you bothered, upset, angry or even depressed. We cannot escape reality – these things are happening. But how can we find joy in the middle of this – without trying to isolate ourselves from reality? The Psalmist here gives us a huge insight – it is God’s presence. Now, not only does His presence bring joy, but the fullness of joy. To me when I hear “fullness” I think completeness – or something that cannot be filled any further. What more could you ask for when it comes to joy, but joy which could not be any more filling???

Struggling with joy – get into His presence.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Bring It

5 “‘Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax,  Ezekiel 35

There are spiritual battles going on in our modern day.  It's a vastly different environment than what the Israelites experienced, but we still encounter other people that still harbor hostility and outwardly show violence towards Christians - and to even larger groups of people based on their country being considered Christian.  My mom has a phrase she frequently says, "I've read the Bible, and I know the end of the story."

We do know the end of the story, but often, people will glance over the middle.  It says that we will be persecuted for our beliefs.  We will be mocked, physically harmed, and some even killed for their beliefs.  2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. John 16

Whatever may happen to me and those around me, I am ready for it.  I will stand for my faith in Christ.  The words spoken to and about me will roll off me like water on a duck's back.  If I am physically harmed, I will emerge stronger in my faith if not physically stronger.  And if I am killed, I know where I will go.

I do not fear, for the body is temporary.  My soul will last forever.

Patience

Isaiah 7:13-14

 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Have you ever had your patience tested?  Maybe by your child, maybe by a co-worker, the possibilities are endless.  I used to feel I was a pretty patient person, until my son.  Now he’s testing that all the time.  How do you think God feels about being tested?  Even back in Isaiah, we see the people were testing God, to which he responded with a sign.  A sign that the Immanuel would be coming as a baby. 

Think about how you feel when being tested.  Can you even imagine how God must feel?  If only we get into the word and study it, he has foretold us of what is to come.  We get all upset about the state of the world these days, yet God gave us these signs to watch for.  Just as he told us of the birth of Jesus, he has also told us of the coming of the end of the world.  The good news though, for us that believe, is that it’s really just the beginning for us.  The beginning of life with the Lord for eternity. 

My friends, I encourage you today to trust the Lord, rather than testing him.  

Thursday Devotional - Spectacular Scene

What’s the most spectacular scene you’ve ever seen?

In 2005, I got to go with some Bible study friends to ski in Lake Tahoe. We arrived just after 20 feet of snow had accumulated! Not only was it the best skiing I’ve ever experienced, but the views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular! The sun glistened on the snow for miles on end in all directions!!! I had never seen anything like it and knew it was a once in a lifetime experience! Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but worship God the Creator! I know my words can’t begin to describe it and even pictures don’t do it justice.

I wonder if that’s how John felt as he tried to describe the scene in Heaven that he saw!

Revelation 4:1-6       After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” ² At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. ³ And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. ⁴ Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.

Wow, I can’t begin to image how spectacular Heaven will be and how glorious God is!

Is there anyone else’s presence you and I would rather be in?

How does God’s brilliance and power compel you and me to worship Him?

Let’s remember John’s description as we think about and worship the Almighty God this Christmas season!

Alice

Plain and Simple

When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded. John 7:45-46

I have grown to know that there are some things in life that are plain and simply true, and I do not need to test it.  For example, I have learned to trust my read on people.  I talk with them, and then observe them in certain situations.  Fairly soon, I have a beat on the type of person they are. There is no explanation that I have for this, and people ask me how I knew.  I don’t understand it, but have learned to accept that God gifted me in such a way.   As such, I have gained some really close friends because it feels like I knew them before we truly got to know each other further.

We know the validity of the word of God because it is proven beyond our natural understanding.  Today’s verses speak of Temple guards who do not arrest Jesus because of what they heard from Him.  Now in reviewing this, one might jump to the conclusion of, “Well what would you expect?  They had heard from Jesus!”  That is the simplistic way of viewing it.  We need to go deeper.  What did Jesus say?  (Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!) How did He say it?  (He shouted to the crowd)  This is nothing new from Jesus, and they knew their task was to arrest Him.  Yet, the Temple guards, with the simple task of ‘enforcing the law of God,’ would not perform their duty to arrest Jesus for violating their laws.  We know Jesus’ authority over all laws, but that’s a topic for another time.  Why?  The Holy Spirit had awaken within telling them what they heard was not from an ordinary man.  They had heard from the Son of God, and knew what He said was true!  If you think back to when you first heard from God, maybe you were a little messed up.  Perhaps your core belief structure shook, and/or your emotional grounding was thrown off.  God gave us His word for guidance, but He instilled the Holy Spirit within us to connect with and follow Him.  Put together, we know His word is true beyond a shadow of any doubt.

It has been proven time and time again that God’s word always has the answer for us.  We may have had a rough time adjusting to its truths, but we can walk with confidence and without fear for God has said, “The Lord is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you.  He will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone.  Do not be afraid or troubled.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)  That is a truth that you cannot just accept in your head.  You must fully embrace it in your heart, and then, the Spirit of God will flow from you for as Jesus said, “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!  For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:38)  What is God’s word challenging you to change today?  Where can His word be a source of strength and encouragement in your life?  My prayer is that with our heads and hearts we embrace God’s word as true; plain and simple.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Joy, part 1

Psalm 16:10-11 “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (NASB).

Hello,

As we enter December and Christmas time, I think of everything going on in the world that can get you bothered, upset, angry or even depressed. We cannot escape reality – these things are happening. But how can we find joy in the middle of this – without trying to isolate ourselves from reality? The Psalmist here gives us a huge insight – it is God’s presence. Now, not only does His presence bring joy, but the fullness of joy. To me when I hear “fullness” I think completeness – or something that cannot be filled any further. What more could you ask for when it comes to joy, but joy which could not be any more filling???

Struggling with joy – get into His presence.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Be a Good Shepherd

7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: 10 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. Ezekiel 34

There’s a lot of positive talk in the Bible about being a good shepherd and that Christ is the good shepherd, but what about the bad shepherds? Surely there are some bad in the lot of all shepherds. Well, God says that those shepherds will be held accountable for their actions (or lack of actions) towards the flock.

I’ve mentioned before that I mentor a group of young women, and every year, I have to remind a few of them that when the become leaders within the group, they need to hold themselves to a higher standard of accountability than the rest of the group. It’s often forgotten about, not just with them, but with many leaders.

There’s a tendency when people reach a higher level of responsibility to slack off, and to skirt the rules. God makes it clear that this is not his intention for his own people. His intention is for the shepherds to care for their flocks, not to sit on their laurels.

Everyone is a leader in one form or another. You may not think of yourself as a leader, but someone else looks to you. I’m going through a study guide about disciple-making, and it’s the first book that details the spiritual ages people go through. I’ve heard the term spiritual infant used many times, but this book also discusses spiritual children, adolescents and adults. Even if you fall into the children or adolescent stage, there are still spiritual infants and even the spiritually dead who may see you in a leadership role. Make sure that you are taking care of the flock, no matter what your role is.