Happy New Year....I Hope or I Proclaim...Which is it?

Words of Christ...Matthew 6: 34 
"So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today".

As I think back over the years of all the New Year Resolutions I've made, and not kept, one resolution that I don't remember ever making was to have another year just like the past year.  I suppose that this is evidence that at the time I did not  think that I had a very satisfying year.  Looking back, I assess the years differently than I did at the moment.  I have years that I would love to re-live.  I had times that are now treasures, yet at the time I was always looking ahead and not embracing those moments as I should have.

What does Jesus mean when he says, "Today's trouble is enough for today."?  I think that we are so quick to put this day behind us...looking ahead to tomorrow, that we don't embrace the problems of today which Jesus can use to do good works.  We want the troubles to go away instead of wanting them to be a connection to God.  We also fail to enjoy the blessings of today.  I believe that Jesus is telling us to look at each day as a gift from God, filled with His blessings.  Even the troubles are given to us so that we may rely on God, allowing Him to be our God. 

As His children, instead of making a New Year Resolution let's make a New Year Proclamation.  God will give us day after day of blessing.  He will be with us at times of trouble and He will provide all that we need.  He will reveal Himself to us as He leads us in ministry and service.  The Bible, His words, will sustain us and transform us.  We will not worry about tomorrow, because we are worshipping Him today!

WORSHIP...The Christmas Story...Luke 2: 1 - 38

The birth of Christ as told in Luke, is one of true worship of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  From the angels appearing to the shepherds saying "Glory to God in the highest...", the shepherds bowing to Jesus in the manger, and then the stories of Simeon and Anna to whom the Holy Spirit revealed the truth of Jesus. They were led to worship the baby Jesus in the temple and to testify to the glory of God and the salvation that had been born.

Imagine the wonder and the overcoming awe that the shepherds experienced with the heavenly host praising God...getting a glimpse of heaven on earth.  Imagine the gladness that Simeon felt when the Holy Spirit fulfilled a promise to him that he would live to see the Messiah and then he was led by the Holy Spirit to the baby Jesus in the temple.  And imagine the gift of joy that Anna received when her life of prayer and fasting in worship to God was rewarded by becoming one of the first witnesses to Him and for Him.

In Matthew we read of the three wise men who set out on a journey to worship a King.  Their sole purpose was to worship Him and present Him gifts in recognition of His glory. 

Today, I am afraid that we fail to worship Him as purely as the angels, the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, or the wise men.  We want to serve Him, but we also want from Him.  We fall short of elevating Him to the glory and wonder that these first witnesses did.  The good news is though, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, His glory is revealed to us.  With the counsel of the Holy Spirit, His truth and His love draw us closer to Him; and with the help of His Spirit, we can join the heavenly host in worshipping Him.

Have a WONDER...filled and WORSHIP...filled  Christmas.

CRUMC...Sunday Sermon Sneak Preview Class

We had no class this week because Wednesday evening we had a meal for the homeless people staying at the Mission in Citrus, a full bus from what I heard.  The church had a great turn out and the youth of our church were wonderful hosts of the dinner.  We have several members who quietly and anonymously support the mission throughout the year, but this was truly a blessed night.

I heard a message yesterday and a pastor mentioned that Christmas is about God putting a face on His grace.  Of course that is the face of Jesus, but it is also the face of all who serve God by being the hands and love of Christ's living Spirit.  Jesus' face shone brightly Wednesday evening at Crystal River United Methodist Church as members of His body joyfully and lovingly fed those who are homeless and hungry.  There were smiles on every face and there was truly a sense of welcome and comfort around the tables.  I guess Jesus was just letting us know that we all belong and are part of His family.

Sunday, Dec.12, 2010...Sermon Scripture: Isaiah 35

As a class, we seemed to struggle with this scripture.  It is a prophesy which points to the total healing that God will deliver to the Jews, and we concluded that the delivery is Jesus.  I think the struggle we had was out of conviction that we have failed to receive the fullness that Jesus offers, which should make us a joyful group of people in this otherwise lost world. 

The beginning verses give us a beautiful picture of God's creation rejoicing and blossoming.  It also talks about the healing God will bring to the lame, the blind, and the deaf plus a birth of hope and promise from God.  We agreed that the chapter is one of promise and assurance that God will deliver us.  We should be full of joy.

Verse 8:  "A highway shall be there, and it will be called the Holy Way (Way of Holiness...NIV); the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people."  We know that Jesus said that He is the Way, so this Holy Way is truly the gift of Jesus, who leads us down the path where we receive all the promises He has outlined.  I believe that this scripture points to the gift of the Holy Spirit who is our guide and counsellor on our daily walk.  He leads us, brings us back, and shows us all the glory that is God. 

Isaiah showed us what God did for the world when He gave us Jesus.  The world was ransomed by His blood and we are redeemed.  We are identified with Christ and God's fullness lives within us via the Holy Spirit.  We are one with God just as Christ is one with Him.  If we would all pray and seek that oneness we will be the joy that God talks about.  We will travel that Way of Holiness, set apart from the world and a light unto it...all according to God's plan and promise.

Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010...Matthew 3: 1-12

The NIV Bible titles this passage "John The Baptist Prepares The Way".  As we recognize the Advent Season, the expectant waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus, we found these verses to be a true call for action, not so much waiting.  I believe that John realized that the waiting period was over, and the preparation/ action time had arrived with Jesus.

Our Wednesday class talked about the preparation John the Baptist brought to light; Repentance.  John's message was of repentance as being the first step toward receiving all that the Kingdom has to offer.  Repentance requires recognition and confession of our sins.  It is also an acknowledgement of our need for a Savior, forgiveness and redemption.  And it is an awareness that sins have consequences.  John knew that repentance was absolutely necessary in order for Jesus to find a place for His Kingdom to be established...in our hearts.

We also talked about John the Baptist Seizing the Moment.  John recognized the importance of his mission, the purpose, and the urgency.  Why does the Bible tell us what John was wearing, what he ate, and that he lived in the wilderness?  In verse 5 we are told that people went out to him from Jerusalem.   I think that God wants to make sure that we realize that people will seek us out, not because we fit in, but because they will recognize that we have a message they need to hear.  John knew that those who came were seeking only what God could give them.  John was quick to point out that he was just a messenger ( v.11..."But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry.").  He was not the One who could save them.  He knew who he was serving and he pointed to Jesus as the king they were searching for. 

During this Advent Season, we need to pray that we are prepared to sieze the moment, knowing that God will send people to us who need to hear of the redemption available to all who repent of their sins and acknowledge their need for the grace available through Jesus.

Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010...Luke 21: 5-19

We had a lively discussion Wednesday evening which focused on the "end times" that the scripture alluded to.  We never really settled on whether Jesus was talking specifically about the last days or the time between His death and second coming, but we agreed that the message remains the same either way...WE ARE TO BE READY!  Jesus warns us about false teachings, about the persecution and rejection we will experience because of our faith in Him. 

We settled on the real message He has for us, as His followers, was found in verses 13 and 14..."This will give you an opportunity to testify.  So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict."  This is when "Joe Blow", the man on the street, challenged us to explain why we put our faith in the Bible and it's teaching, when there are so many versions, translations, and even differences within the same accounts in the Bible.  As different people attempted to point out the "evidence" as we see it in the Bible...historical fact, approval by theologians, etc...."Joe" was able to refute just about every argument.  It was when we directed our evidence as our faith in Jesus and our relationship with Him, that the relevance and trust in the Bible became something that Joe could not dispute.  Unless we read and search the scriptures in Christ, the truth, the love, and the promises in the Bible will not be found.

God gave us the Bible, so that our relationship with Him, through Christ, will be a source of strength and encouragement enabling us to testify to those who persecute us.  As we meet the "Joe Blows" of the world who ask us to explain why we believe, we need to pause, pray for Christ to give us the words and wisdom, and rejoice that we have been given the opportunity to testify to His love and grace which gives us, and all who come to believe, an eternal home with Him.

Sunday Oct. 31, 2010....Sermon Text: Luke 19: 11-27

This is a parable of the ten talents.  As we began to read this, we thought we were going to read the same parable as it is in Mathew 25.  But we found that this account in Luke draws a clearer picture of Christ as the ruler who returns to receive an accounting from those whom he entrusted with his kingdom.  The servants who returned the large increases were praised as trustworthy and rewarded graciously by their king.  The servant who merely return what was given to him, was not blessed by the king and had to return the coin so he had nothing.  The excuse of that servant was a topic of discussion...he was afraid and considered the ruler a harsh man, reaping what he did not sow and taking what he did not deposit.  It was brought up that we have the same problem as that servant when we claim ownership of the things God has given us, not recognizing that these blessings are a deposit that God makes in us so that we will invest them in His work.  We fear losing what he gives us instead of trusting that He has empowered us to do what we should do.  If we truly acknowledge that He is our king, then we need to faithfully and confidently trust Him.  Which servants do you think looked forward to the king returning and which one lived in fear and anxiousness?  Living with trust and faithfully serving Christ, gives us enjoyment today with a promise of riches tomorrow.

This parable also clearly points out that Jesus knows those who want Him to be ruler over their lives and those who reject Him, and the consequence of that rejection.

Sunday Oct. 24, 2010...Sermon Text: Luke 18: 9-17

This week's study covered two separate incidents, but tied together the message of humbleness and a dependence on God's goodness and mercy.  In verse 9, Jesus targets his comments to a specific group of people..."some who trusted in themselves and regarded others with contempt (looked down on everybody else..NIV).   He told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector who both went to the temple.  The Pharisee stood praying thanking God that he wasn't like others, thieves, adulterers, etc. and pointed out to God how good he was because he fasted twice a week and gave a tithe to the temple.  The tax collector, in contrast, stood off at a distance and did not even look up to heaven and said, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  Jesus said that the tax collector went home justified before God rather than the Pharisee.  Jesus said "...for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."  Just as Jesus targeted the self righteous around Him, this message is targeted to us who suffer with this same self righteous attitude.

The next verses talk about Jesus welcoming the children.  The disciples sternly ordered the parents to not bring the children, but Jesus welcomed them.  In our discussion we saw ourselves in the disciples.  We get busy doing Jesus' "important" work, yet we don't recognized what delights Him.  The picture of child when a parent walks into a room; the pure joy, love, excitement, and happiness is impossible not to bring delight to the parent.  That is how Jesus must react when we respond to Him like those children, making Him the center of our devotion, trust, dependence, and love.  He said, "...for it is for such as these that the kingdom of God belongs."    We felt as He was talking about himself when He talked of the kingdom of God, and we were drawn to the word "belongs".  He offers himself for us to possess, to have as our own.  He is not on loan or just for us to enjoy or experience temporarily.

In verse 17, Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."  We discussed that we cannot go back and get rid of all the baggage we accumulate as we grow up, so to go back to our childhood innocence is impossible for us to do.  But Christ offers us Himself, so if we humble ourselves as the tax collector did, recognizing our need for mercy and acknowledging that we are sinners, He will see us as His children...trusting, dependent, and delighting in Him.  In our humbleness, we are justified and He freely welcomes us and we receive Him.

Sunday Oct. 17, 2010...Sermon Text: Luke 18: 1-8

In verse 1 Jesus told in a parable their need to pray always.  In our discussion it was pointed out that prayer is an avenue God has given us to be in relationship with Him...it is by His design.

The parable is about a widow who persistently went to an unrighteous judge for justice, a man who did not fear God or have respect for people.  In our discussion we recognized that we live in a world where we must go to people for fair treatment, who are not fair and good.  However in her persistence, the judge finally gave in and gave her justice. 

Jesus pointed out the difference between putting our faith in men versus God, who is just and fair to his chosen ones.  He said that God will quickly grant justice to them.  Now we must recognize that justice for God must be according to His sense of order and righteousness.  He will quickly put His plan of order for our lives to work when we pray, so we need to be thankful every time we pray, even if we don't see the order that He is bringing to us.  His idea of justice may be different than ours.

This is evidenced in the Psalms 22, where David cries out day and night to God for justice.  "Why have you forsaken me?" he cries, just as Christ did 1,000 years later from the cross.  But in his persistence he acknowledges that God is his only hope...his God in whom he puts his faith.  As Jesus died in the cross He did the same thing as He said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."

In verse 8 Jesus closes by saying, "And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"  When we pray, are we praying to God in whom we put all our faith and trust?  If we are praying in doubt, is that a prayer that God will respond to?  Prayer is an act of faith in which we acknowledge and praise God for who He is:  "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.  In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them." (Pslam 22: 4)

Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010...Sermon Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19

Jesus Heals Ten Lepers...Class Observations
1.  The fact that only one leper (a Samaritan), after being healed, turned around to praise God, falling at the feet of Jesus and Jesus pointing out that only a foreigner gave thanks led to a discussion on how we fail to give God credit for His blessings.  We who proclaim Christ as our Savior, probably act more like the nine lepers who received their healing but failed to recognize and give thanks to the source of those blessings.

2.  Jesus said,  "Go show yourselves to the priests".  The practice and traditions of the Jews was to have the priests examine and pronounce the person clean or unclean (Leviticus 13).  Jesus made this pronouncement of the one who returned giving praise and thanks saying, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."  Do you think that the priests had a problem with this?

3.  The leper turned back when he saw that he was healed.  Is he the only one who believed that he was healed?  I believe that to be the case, and that is why Jesus said that his faith had made him well.  The other nine may have continued on to the priests, because of their unbelief and lack of faith.  How big of a problem is this in our own lives?  Do we pray for Jesus' help and completely fail to recognize His blessing because we don't believe or have faith that He will actually touch us?  Do we pray then turn to others, putting our faith in them, to solve our problems?

CRUMC...Sunday Sermon Sneak Preview Class

Wednesday evenings have turned into a blessing for several members of CRUMC who meet to study the upcoming Sunday Sermon Scripture.  Our goal is to question. discover, and stumble our way into the relevance of the scripture, thereby giving Pastor Gill some insight into the message for our congregation.  I believe that we also give him a lot of reasons to pray. 

I leave each week feeling encouraged and strengthen by God's word.  I can't say that I always leave with the satisfaction that all my questions have been answered, but I do know that God will keep revealing Himself and the answers until my eyes and heart are opened.

God Bless