(4) The Zeal of the Lord

Isaiah 9:7  on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 
I think I can safely say that my zeal would in no way match God's. My zeal has limits.
Albert Barnes' commentary says that "the establishment of this kingdom was an object of intense and ardent desire on the part of Yahweh. It is also implied that nothing else than the zeal of Yahweh could do it." He goes on to say:
1. "That if Yahweh feels so intense a desire for this, then the subjects of the Messiah's reign should also feel this."  (That's us, guys.)
2. "If Yahweh feels this zeal, and if he will certainly accomplish this, then Christians should be encouraged in their efforts to spread the gospel. His purpose to do this is their only encouragement - and a sufficiant encouragement - to excite their zeal in this great and glorious work." 
So, let's be zealous about sharing Christ. God sent His only Son, Jesus to save us from our sin.  Isn't there someone you know that doesn't know this?  Ask them...then tell them. Get some zeal out of your back pocket and wear it well. While you're at it, remember the door is open for communicating what the birth of Christ really means. Be the first to say, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

This is last year's picture, but we only look one year older now...basically the same.

(4) Of Peace There Will Be No End

Isaiah 9:7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 
Our minds we cannot comprehend endlessness. Forever for us is only until we die and the only time that matters is now, while we are alive. Never ending peace and everlasting joy is promised to those that love Him and live for Him. Eternity with no stagnancy or status quo - no ordinary, no boredom because boredom is a product of ungratefulness and only sinless perfection will exist before the Father. There will be no limit to His glory, Jesus' exaltation, and every minute will be better than the last. Only God can do this.
But what about now?  For the Christian, eternity begins at salvation.  We can enjoy the benefits of belonging to the Lord, live in His grace, experience His perfect peace, unconditional love, and boundless joy. Of peace there will be no end. That is my favorite. (I have many favorites.)
Peace - the kind that allows me to walk through a storm without fear - the kind that keeps my heart where it belongs and not in my throat during stressful moments - the kind that binds me with the Father in confidence, knowing that He goes before me and walks behind me and alongside me - this peace is measureless and given with favor to help me live in it daily.
The Lord Jesus is King Eternal.  He is on His throne until He  gloriously rises to bring His children home. In the meantime, investigate and discover the value of knowing and living in His peace.
Of it there will be no end.  Hallelujah!

Glory to God in the Highest and on earth...peace.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

A Cowardly Silence

I am currently (still) in a study of Hosea and I wish I would retain all that I am learning, but while it is fresh in my mind, I wanted to share some thoughts.
Hosea 8:1-2  Set the trumpet to your lips! One like a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. To me they cry, My God, we - Israel - know you. 
Using Albert Barnes' commentary - The prophets were God's watchmen giving notice of His coming judgments.  God would have their voices burst in on Israel's sleep of sin. THEY (the prophets) ARE FORBIDDEN TO KEEP A COWARDLY SILENCE when God's people were violating His law.
The people draw nigh to Me and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. It was all hypocrisy and a cry of mere fear and not of love at all.

How often do we do that?  Our words may sound good, even godly good, but sometimes they are not from our hearts.  When we congregate, how often do we say what we know we should say, though it may not come from where we are inside? It is just habit.
Oh, Lord, if we claim the name of Christ as Savior, let us be sure to mean what we say with full assurance that it is You alone leading us and not in any way any kind of self-promotion or show. We are glory seekers at times and that tends to motivate our words as well our actions. May our walk match our talk and may You alone receive all the glory for whatever we do and say.
Israel was disobedient and in sin as God dictated the words of the prophets. The world is still in rebellion today - because we are lovers of self and pleasure seekers that are not looking for or recognizing our need of a Savior. But God gave us One anyway.  He gave us exactly what we need - all we need - to be reconciled to Himself. There is no room for a cowardly silence in the life of a believer. People are waiting for some Good News. Press on and share with someone the truth about that Baby in the manger and the Good News of God's redeeming, complete, healing, and unconditional love for us. Jesus came to save sinners and the world is full of them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

(3) Unto Us A Child Is Born

Isaiah 9:6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

God's answer to everything that has ever caused us fear, caused us to look for help, caused us to seek relief from our foes is found in this unimagineable and unpredictable form: A Baby.  This Baby would defeat the darkest evils and slay the mightiest warriors.  This Baby would conquer the enemies and sins that so easily bring us to our knees in defeat. 

Here is the Answer God had prepared for the Israelites all along...a Baby.  Would they see Him for Who He is? Would they ever recognize that meekness wins over might or would they continue to look for a king to lead them in battle?  Would they believe their Messiah had finally come?  Would I have believed it?

In a world filled with doubters that cast dispersions at any sign of real Truth, it is easy to be blinded by the negative words of others - scoffing at a the thought that God would send His Son to redeem us...except, what if?  What if there is an Answer from God to all of our dreams and hopes for something better?  What if His Answer is so opposite from what we expect? The Israelites looked for a warrior redeemer to lead them in victory over their adversaries and God responded with a Baby?

Let us be grateful He did.  His name is Jesus - Wonderul Counselor for those that need someone to listen, Mighty God for those that seek a haven of rest, Everlasting Father for those who are lonely, and Prince of Peace for those who have none.
Our worst fears and battles are often the unseen kind.  This Baby came to eliminate all kinds of distress and heartache.  God, in His great mercy and love toward us, sent us a Savior that meets all of our needs...in the form of a Baby, and not a moment before or after the perfect time.  

There is no other name by which man might be saved, no other name that tells us God is with us. Jesus.

Acts 4:11-12  "This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 
It was/is no mistake.  This was/is the Answer you and I are looking for. This Baby in a manger, born so long ago, is still alive today, redeeming and conquering every fear and every foe.  That is God's gift to us, so...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

and there is yet more to come.

Paul - Not the Apostle

I am teaching first graders this year in Sunday School.  In the history of our church, I have never taught only one grade..until now.  Don't you just love first graders?  Well, I do.  It's as if light bulbs glow over their heads revealing that maybe the light is also glowing in their hearts as God's truths are taught.
Paul is one of my students and is unpredictable at best.  He is currently missing his two front teeth, so all of his "s's" sound like "sh's", but it does not in any way keep him from sharing his thoughts.
One Sunday we were talking about the wide road to Hell and the narrow road to Heaven. Another boy commented, "Everyone is going to Heaven if they are good."
To which Paul replied with this head cocked, "Not necessarily." Only it sounded like, "Neshesharily." (Yes, he is a theologian, unreserved in telling the painful truth.)
After Thanksgiving, I asked the children what their favorite food was and Paul yelled out "pizza!"
I gave him a look and he then said, "I was jusht trying to be funny."
He is extremely well versed in scripture and it is obvious he is taught the Word at home.
He once described his plan to surprise his parents while camping.  He was going to hook up a speaker next to their cots and speak into it at night while they were asleep and scare them. But, as most good plans go undone, he had no speakers.  Alas...
Paul is number seven of nine children.  He is making his mark amidst a sea of voices with his humor.
Last Sunday in class, we put nativity stickers on a paper manger.  Paul put the donkey next to the camel. He said they were hanging out together.
Me: "So, what is the donkey saying?  Heehaw?"
Paul: "No. He is ashking the camel, 'How many camelsh does it take to shcrew in a lightbulb?'"
At that point, my laughter exploded.  This is a fun year.
And so....MERRY CHRISTMAS!! to camels and donkeys alike.

Zzzzip Line, Decorating, Card Tricks, and Opera

My grandkids came for a visit this week, so we investigated a hidden park we had heard about.  Notice I am not telling you where it is, because some things are best kept secret.  My niece Tamrynn joined us with her two little ones.  The pictures and videos say it best.

And then we stopped by my mom's for a little tree decorating!

Back to my house for some card tricks and a couple of versions of We Wish You A Merry Christmas - sanity and insanity - with our very own conductor, Ivy.

 We Wish You A Merry Christmas, too!

(2) Every Garment Rolled in Blood

Isaiah 9:3-5  You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 
I have read four commentaries on this passage, and none of them agree with each other. Frustrating. When I asked Tommy about it, he said, "That tells you it is a hard passage to understand."  Sometimes truth is not helpful at all.  On the plus side, I guess I can't go wrong picking one of four and laying any blame for error on him. (See, that's how I operate.)
After reading John MacArthur, Derek Thomas, Albert Barnes, and Ray Ortlund Jr, I have chosen the latter because I like what he said best.  (Cuz again, that's how us girls operate.)  I choose not to expound on the other three and their logic (partly because I would say it wrong and get sued, and partly because that is not what this post is about.) I digress.
God is the "you" in the above verses.  'True liberation comes from beyond ourselves. Our Liberator will not only defeat all the forces of evil, but also put a final end to conflict itself. Every mechanism for tyrannical rule will go into the bonfire of God's grace.  The victory is not our accomplishment.  All we do is celebrate.' (paraphrased)
God gave Abraham many descendants.
God gave the Israelites victory in battle, when they obeyed Him.
Gideon broke the might of the Midianites as an unlikely hero with only 300 men.
God will forever conquer sin with His grace - for all time.
But now, back in Isaiah, he will prophesy of a Peacemaker.
There is a Liberator to come.  Who will He be?  How will He make His glorious appearance in a needy world?  Wait and see....