Simple Thoughts

“Come” a verb meaning to “move toward.” What priorities have you set in your life that you are “moving towards?” Have you arrived at your destination? Or are you indecisive, struggling, not sure of what you should be moving towards? We have all found ourselves searching, seeking, wondering: what is truth and how can I know it?

Jesus is that truth you are seeking. John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the peace you are searching for. Matthew 11:28 says, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We can know the truth by reading and studying God’s word. John 6:45 says, “As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”

As we celebrate Easter this weekend, the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we remember His victory over death! Matthew 28:6 “ He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 

We also look forward to Him coming again. In the book of Revelation, we are reassured in these verses. Revelation 22:7 “ “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.” Revelation 22:20 “He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”

“Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”

Deadline approaching. Company coming. Vacancy needs filling. Some of us work well under pressure, nearing the deadline or date on a calendar to get us moving, motivated.

Recalling the events of Palm Sunday, as I sat in church yesterday, the people had been waiting for their long awaited Messiah. Here He is! “Hosanna to the Son of David.” (Matthew 21:9) Hosanna means “I beg you to save” or “please deliver us.” (Gotquestions.org) The people laid down coats, waved palm branches, waited expectantly and urgently pleading for Jesus to save them… from Roman oppression and set up His earthly reign as King. The people were crying out for salvation. Since it did not come in their expected way, they rejected Jesus. They missed their Savior. Jesus came to save them spiritually. From their sins.

And He continues this message today. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) We all need to urgently repent of our sin and respond in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today. This is one decision you do not want to procrastinate on. Do not delay. Do not let the moment pass you by. “Call upon Jesus while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

For those of us who belong to Jesus, let us be urgent in our conversations, in our prayers. God wants anyone and everyone to come to Him in faith, that none would perish in their sins, eternally separated form God. “ The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

As I was writing this morning, my pen was running out of ink. I wanted to keep on but I had to pause and look for a new writing utensil.

How many times do we find ourselves teaching, studying, ministering, only to find ourselves running low. We are so busy serving others that we have neglected our own one on one time with our Savior. Let’s be intentional in our reading of God’s word. Spending time alone with God, thanking and praising Him for Who He is, what He has done and is doing. Allow His words to touch our hearts, that we may confess our sins before Him, seeking forgiveness. In these precious moments, God will hear you, renew you and give you strength for each new day. “Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

I found myself “doom scrolling” through social media, intrigued by reels titled, “I died at __ age but I once was…” The reel then slowly shows the celebrity at an old age, counting back, showing physical as well as career highlights. As humans, it is natural, as we age, to look back on our life. The highs and lows. The mountaintops, as well as the valleys.

As Christians, though, our gaze is ever forward. At a point in time, you confessed your sins and professed faith in your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. From that moment on, you became a new creation. With a new heart. A new desire. A new attitude. The Holy Spirit now resides in you, opening your eyes daily to new truths you discover about God in your daily bible studies. As time moves forward, you too, move forward. Ever learning, ever trusting Jesus more and more each day. We can say, “I once was ___, but praise God, I am now His!” As the song resounds in our hearts, “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”

Ephesians 2:4-7 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

I recently watched an exchange with a US senator and a medical doctor. The simple question, that everyone can answer since they were children was, “Can men get pregnant?” (http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/health/2026/january/abortion-doctor-wont-answer-congress-on-whether-men-can-get-pregnant) The unbelievable part was this medical doctor could not, would not, answer the question. How have we gotten here? Simple biology we all learned in school is now unanswerable by scientists. Sadly, the truth is, the farther we move away from God, we exchange the truth for a lie. We listen to “so called experts” and turn from biblical truths.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Each of the six creation days begin the same way, “Then God said…” and ends with “And God saw that it was good.” In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” Verse 27 continues, “…male and female He created them.” Why? Verse 28 answers the why: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth.” God did not stop after He created man. Genesis 2:18 tells us more of the creation story. “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So God did what only God can do. He created a helper, a woman. God’s design in all creation was perfect. Man and woman come together, become one flesh, and are able to reproduce.

Again, basic biology but man has so muddied the waters that we have people being blinded from the truths. Let’s get back to basics, go back to the beginning. Re-read the creation story. Decide for yourself who and what you will believe. Let the word of God pierce your soul and convict your heart.

I have to clean my house. I have a roof over my head with stuff. I get to clean my house. I have to go to work. I am able to participate in the workforce to help others, to serve. I get to go to work. I have to exercise to be healthy. My body works and I am able. I get to go for a walk. I have to drive to the store. I have a car, money in my wallet. I get to go buy groceries. I have to do yard work. I have a home with a yard to enjoy the outdoors. I get to do yard work. I have to go to church. I live in a free country. I get to go to church to hear the word of God proclaimed without fear of my life.
Let’s turn our have to’s into get to’s. When your attitude changes, your outlook changes. You see God in your day. You become aware of your blessings and thank God for them. You get to thank God.

Mary…. After being visited by shepherds who probably told she and Joseph about the visiting angels and then a whole host of angels praising God in the night sky, sits in the space where Jesus lay, lovingly looking at her precious newborn baby. She ponders these things in her heart. She knows her baby is the Son of God, having been visited by an angel herself. She too, has praised God, being a humble servant, obedient to God’s will, to be used by God for her good and His glory. Her life has changed. A quiet small town girl suddenly in the spotlight. She sits quietly as strangers come to worship their Messiah. Sits in the background, knowing it is Jesus they have come to see. Being an instrument in God’s sovereign plan of redemption.
In all of this Mary was the Lord’s servant, in service to God. How are you serving your Lord? Raising children. Caring for aging parents. Teaching others. Distributing food, clothing, meals to the needy. Sitting with someone who needs a listening ear. Mary knew the scriptures. She, along with the rest of the Jews, were awaiting the Messiah’s arrival. Do you know Jesus? Have you confessed Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Do you read your Bible to learn of Him, to learn from Him? “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:47-50) We, like Mary, praise God, thanking Him for sending us His Son, Jesus. “ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet”(Matthew 1:22). Jesus’ birth foretold. Prophesized. Promised. A Savior. The Messiah. The Deliverer. Immanuel. God with us. A Person. Joseph and Mary, being faithful and obedient to God, are servants of the Most High God, in the birth of His Son, Jesus.

Immanuel. God with us. As human, He can empathize with us in our daily struggles. He knows, understands your pains, grief, struggles. Immanuel. God with us. When we admit we are sinners, in need of a Savior, faithfully trusting Jesus’ finish work at the cross and His resurrection. We now have the Holy Spirit living in us. Immanuel. God with us. Believers. Indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Living uprightly. Under the power of the Holy Spirit. Testifying of our Savior. Striving to be more like Him. Immanuel. God with us. We can pray to the Father. Feel His presence. Read His word. Seek His will.

Be comforted by these words: Immanuel. God with us.

O Come, O Come Immanuel*

1 O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.

2 O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go. Refrain

6 O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light. Refrain

7 O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain

*hymnary.org

“The angels sing, Peace on earth, good will to men, from heaven’s all gracious King.” Good news. The Messiah’s birth! Our Savior is here. Yet, as the song continues, we see men trodding on, the weight of life causing back breaking toil. One day looks just like another. The angels sing over earth’s Babel sounds- manmade idols to worship, false gospels that are preached. Man is weary. We are looking for peace, yet unable to find the peace that passes all understanding. “Look now! Hear the angels sing.” The prophets foretold of the coming Savior, Jesus. He came the first time as a lowly babe in a manger.

Have you received Him as Savior and Lord? Is He welcomed into your home as the centerpiece of your Christmas celebration? For as the song concludes, just as scripture says, He is coming back. The whole world will bow at His return. When “peace shall over all the earth, its ancient splendors fling.”

The angels sang at His first coming. “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 among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:13-14). The angels will sing at His second coming. “…the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:11b-12)

Let us come to Him. Rest in His presence. Hear the angels sing. Prepare your hearts to receive your King this Christmas. And may He be Lord of your life as the days move forward into the New Year.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear *

1 It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.

2 Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains,
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel sounds
the blessed angels sing.

3 And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!

4 For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophet seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and the whole world send back the song
which now the angels sing.

*hymnary.org

400 years of silence. No prophets speaking. Heaven is quiet. There is hope, however, as the pages of scripture speak of One who is coming. Their Messiah. On a quiet night, in a small town, a holy birth takes place. God’s gift to all men. As we hustle and bustle through the Christmas season, do we look for quiet moments? To still our hearts. To look heavenward, giving thanks to God for His precious Son, Jesus. We praise Him. We humble ourselves before Him. In the quiet stillness, our hearts repent of sin and receive Jesus as Savior. Shepherd us. Abide with us. Let Your light shine in our hearts as we proclaim Your name, Jesus.

1 O little town of Bethlehem,*
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.

2 For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him still,
the dear Christ enters in.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!

*hymnary.org