There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.  People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-27) NIV

     Today is the First Sunday of Advent. A time when Christians anticipate the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and await His Second Coming. Today we celebrate Hope.

     Long ago, the prophets foretold of the birth of a Messiah. A Messiah that would reconcile our relationship with God, that was broken in the Garden of Eden. We were hopeless and lost- separated from God. We needed some form of hope. Our hope arrived one cold, dark night, in a dirty stable, in the town of Bethlehem. Just when we needed it, hope arrived in the form of an infant, named Jesus. But the world had no place for our Savior-no room for Him, no time to be bothered.
     As we anticipate Christmas Day, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we also anxiously await the day of His Coming Again. We live in a dark world- filled with sickness, trials and confusion. We see hopelessness all around us. We as Christians, have accepted Christ, and have faith that a better day is coming. But the world, as a whole, has no place for our Savior-no room for Him, no time to be bothered.
     In this world of uncertainty, there is one thing we can be assured of. Just as Christ came to the stable long ago to bring hope to a lost and dying world, one day He will appear in the Eastern skies to call His children Home. Will you welcome Him on that day with shouts of joy or will you even know Him?

The Year of Jubilee

     Last night, I found myself reading Leviticus 25.  God gives Moses specific instructions to tell the people, before entering the promised land- particularly for the Year of Jubilee.  Jubilee was to be celebrated every 50 years.  No crops were to be planted, debts were to be cancelled, and land was to be restored to its rightful owner.  At first glance, one would think, 'what does that have to do with me in modern times?'.  As I examined the text further, I began to see just what the Jubilee meant for me.

     Starting on the Day of Atonement, the Jubilee was a day to celebrate a second chance.  At the sound of the ram's horn, the slate was wiped clean, so to say.  Debts were cancelled, slaves were set free, and land was restored to the original owner.  A person that was drowning in the consequences of their mistakes, now had a second chance.  The Jubilee was also a great time of faith.  The year before, was a Sabbatical Year, meaning no crops were planted for 2 years straight.  Israel was to trust in God for provision.  In America today, we feel the effects of one poor growing season- imagine going  2 full years without a single crop being planted nor importing any food product!  Although Jubilee was a year that God commanded to be set aside, the Old Testament provides no indication that it was ever celebrated.

     Fast forward to Christ.  He had just recently endured 40 days of temptation, had returned to the synagogue, and proclaimed the Year of Jubilee!  We now know that Christ frequently used figurative speech when speaking.  He wasn't speaking of a literal Year of Jubilee, in the Old Testament sense, but rather an Age of Jubilee, that was soon to come.  I would imagine a room filled with mixed emotions, with some being elated to hear that hope had finally arrived, while others would be indignant that Jesus had proclaimed himself as the Messiah.  They became enraged and drove him out of the city, to a hilltop, with intentions to push Him to His death.  Does that sound familiar?  It wouldn't be long until He would be led to His death on a hill named Calvary.

     Through His death on the cross, Christ gave us the gift of forgiveness. If we confess our sins to Him and repent with a sincere heart, ours sins become "as far as the east is from the west, in the eyes of God". (Psalm 103:12)  The slate is wiped clean and we are given a brand new start.  Do feel as if you need a second chance today?

     Believing upon the name of Jesus Christ, gives us freedom from bondage of sin, guilt for past mistakes, and being trapped in our sinful flesh.  John 8:36 tells us that "Whom the son has set free shall be free indeed".  Do you need freedom from an addiction, guilt, or fear?

     One of the greatest messages of the Good News is restoration.  A relationship with Christ restores what has been taken away from us through a life of sin.  It doesn't  necessarily pertain to physical belongings, but your hope, joy, and overall sense of peace is restored.  Psalms 23 tells us that  "He restores my soul".  Has your joy been taken away?  Do you feel as if you are merely living to survive- rather than living life to your fullest potential?  Do you feel as if you have no purpose in life?

     If you have said yes to any of the above, Christ wants to meet you at the cross.  He paid a great price for the gift He is so willing to freely give to you. He offers forgiveness and freedom from your sin and restoration for your soul.  All you have to do is accept by faith, and hand the reins of control over to Him.  If He is speaking to you right now, I ask that you will answer Him.  Please accept His gift and pray this prayer with me. 

    Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner. 

I repent of my sins. 

Please forgive me and save me by your shed blood; 

come into my heart. 

I want to receive you as my own personal Lord and savior.

Amen

     I pray that God grant you strength and guidance as you begin this wonderful new journey with Him!!

     

     

     

     

The Road to Emmaus

     

     "It's just one thing after another, nothing seems to be going right in my life."  We've all been there.  A job is lost, and hopelessness moves in.  We have family troubles, and our peace is gone.  A loved one passes, and our hearts are filled with pain.  Each of us has endured our own personal storm at one time or another.  We feel alone, scared, worried, or hopeless.  

   Imagine the scene of two people walking a long, lonely road to a town called Emmaus.  They had just experienced what was most likely the worst week of their lives.  They had placed all their hopes and dreams in this man from Nazarath, named Jesus.  He was supposed to have been their Savior.  They were sure He was the one that was to free them from the Romans, to deliver them up out of poverty.  But now He was gone- He had been handed over and nailed to a tree, along with their hopes.  More so, these women are saying crazy things, His body is gone and angels had said He is risen from the dead!  How can that be?  Not even Peter believed.  He had run to see for himself, but found only an empty tomb.  Can you imagine their confused and bewildered state of mind as they discussed the events with each other on the walk home?  

     As they are trudging along, their hearts filled with sorrow, they hear a voice, "What are you two talking about?"  Where did He come from???  How long has He been here???  Cleopas fills this stranger in on all the events that had occurred, and how their hopes in Israel being freed, have been shattered.  The stranger continues with them on their long and troubled journey home, while enlightening them with the Word.  We later read in Luke 24, that their eyes are opened to the true identity of that stranger.  It was Jesus!!  He was alive and well!!   He was with them all the way home! 

     How often in our times of trials, do we fail to see Jesus in the midst of our situation?  When we shift our focus off of Him and onto our problems, we are blinded to His presence.  We even find ourselves praying, "Jesus, where are you?".  I wonder if during those times, He clinches our hand tighter, looks over at us, and says, "What are you talking about?  I'm right here beside you".  If we turn to the Word, we are encouraged.  Our faith is strengthened, and our minds are renewed.  Our blinders are removed, as our focus turns back upon our Savoir.  He was there all the time!!

     He doesn't promise us that we will never walk a road to Emmaus, but He does promise that we won't walk it alone!

    

  

     Jesus Don't Like That 

     The other day, I was doing schoolwork, as my grandchildren were playing in my room.  For the most part, I've developed the ability to tune them out-minus the occasional spats that I have to referee.  On this particular day, my 3 year old granddaughter's voice interrupted my thoughts.  "Zach! Jesus don't like that!'  After intervening in the tug-of war for the tv remote, I went about trying to regain my focus on my work.
     "Jesus don't like that" is Kamryn's new saying.  She reminds each of us daily that Jesus don't like us to make her pick up her toys, feed her puppy, or share with her cousins.  But for the most part, she knows that Jesus doesn't like when we do wrong.  As, I was going back to my work, I thought to myself, if only every household could have Kamryn's reminder that, 'Jesus don't like that!'
     Do we not as Christians, have that gentle reminder, deep in our sub-conscious, monitoring our every thought and action?  I hear it daily.  As I step down on the gas pedal because I'm in a hurry, looking in my rear view mirror, hoping not to see flashing lights-I hear, 'Jesus don't like that'.  I begin to entertain a thought of jealousy, or a prideful thought- 'Jesus don't like that'.  I lose my patience and say a word out of anger- 'Jesus don't like that'.
     Just as we are blessed in our household to have Kamryn's constant reminder of what Jesus likes and don't like, Christians are blessed to have the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit guides us into becoming more Christ-like.  When we hear that voice within, we should ease off the gas pedal, dismiss the thought we are entertaining, or hold our tongues in anger.  In doing so, we exhibit self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit.

     Do you hear that voice saying, 'Jesus don't like that'?