Scripture Nugget 12.25.2016

“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb, robed in white and with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be our God forever and ever! Amen.’ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Revelation 7:9-8:1

Merry Christmas! Take half and hour, consider the overwhelming gift God has given you, has given me, has given us – a gift for all for all ages. The gift of salvation through the sacrifice of the Son. Sacrifice that begins with God becoming human, forced into the womb of woman. The passion begins at conception and continues through birth as a human, life as a human, persecution, and death as a human on through resurrection as God! Jesus lived the entirety of life on earth without sin, thereby becoming the ultimate sacrifice, The Savior of all. Merry Christmas, open the gift, given by a grace filled, mercy providing God. Receive, live into and live out life abundant as offered by God.

Scripture Nugget 12.24.2016

“Be earnest, therefore and repent. Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. … Day and night without ceasing they sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come.’ … You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 3:19b-20, 4:8b, 11

It’s Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, the day we remember and celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. I remember the night before our oldest son was born – Cindy had been in labor since the day before, talk about standing at the door knocking! God, stands at the door of creation knocking, God stands at the door of our hearts knocking, God wants in to the intimate spaces of that which God created. God stands at the door knocking, announcing let me in – I want to commune with you! Pay attention – listen and hear, respond, open the door, let God in. God is a gentlemen; God will not bust in the door. He politely but insistently knocks and announces His intention. How do we respond? Yesterday we learned to fall on our faces, today we learn the words to worship with: “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God Almighty, who was and is to come.’ … You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Like the shepherds, come and worship and then go and tell; like the wise men come and worship by giving an offering, like Mary ponder all this in your heart. Christ, like a child about to be delivered, insistently and emphatically knocks at the door of your heart – let Him in then worship and serve Him. O Come all ye faithful!

Scripture Nugget 12.23.2016

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet a though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; as I have the keys of Death and of Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18

“Seeing God on the spot, resurrected, and declaring that things will change – this takes our breath away. According to Scripture, God does this a lot – to discouraged prophets facing idolatrous congregations, to shepherds in the fields, to disciples in storms, to followers being severely persecuted – ‘Do not be afraid’ is one of God’s favorite things to say.” (Wesleyan Life Application Topic, Do Not Be Afraid, Wesley Study Bible pg 1538)
It’s 2 days before Christmas Day, the day we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. Being on the far side of Easter, remembering the birth we also remember the life, death and most importantly the resurrection of our Savior. It is a lot to take in. Dying to self, falling to the ground in God’s presence is an appropriate response on our part. Worshipping God for all that God has done, is doing and will do is appropriate at all times. Is part of the reason we go to the ground from fear, or is it total respect and awe? Unless we are totally repentant my guess is there is some fear of punishment for sin in our reaction. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid”, “I live so you may live also, I have the keys of Death and Hades, and you because of your faith are locked out of those places and locked in to life with me. How do we respond? Worship of God, high and lifted-up is the only proper response. Die to yourself, fall on the ground, worship the living God!

Scripture Nugget 12.22.2016

“Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” Jude 24-25

There is only One who saves, who transforms, who is able to overcome our humanness so that we realize completely the image of Creator God. Last Sunday, a young boy in one of the congregations I serve said something close to this, “it doesn’t make any sense to be sitting on the side of the road broken down, needing a jump start, to refuse the offer of someone who pulls over to help because you think you’ve got enough electricity in your own truck to get it to start.” In the words of a favorite seminary professor, “we need a savior, because we cannot save ourselves.” At the end of this week we celebrate the birth of One who saves. Let our focus not end there but every day live for and look ahead to the promise of His return. O God that I would live for your glory, receive your majesty, be empowered by you and live under your authority. Don’t just keep me from falling, but transform me until I am completely Christ like, wholly and holy sanctified.

Scripture Nugget 12.21.2016

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way; God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. …. We love because he first loved us. … By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” 1 John 4:7-10, 19, 5:2

I am a very “Lenten” person. The season of Lent resonates with me as I believe every moment of every day is an opportunity to assess where I stand with God. Where, in the journey of “going on to perfection” - sanctification am I? Advent, this season where we remember and celebrate the birth of Messiah and anticipate Christ’s return is a terrific time to assess my relationship with God. (Good time for those of you who read these daily postings to do so as well) Where am I on God’s love scale? Do I give more than I expect? A childish, worldly example: If I still prepared a list for Santa would it be full of things I want for myself or for others? Things I want others to give me or is it a list of that which I desire to give others? What would God say about my list? How would others, if called to testify about my list, say based on my actions? Friends, let us love one another as freely as God loves each of us. Give love away as freely as it is given to us; be guilty of loving as God loves. I confess I have a long way to go, please forgive me. Let us be known as children of God. Hope, peace, joy and love mark this season. Let us all hope for, find peace in and establish joy from God’s love.

Scripture Nugget 12.20.2016

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.” 1 John 2:12-17

Here we are in mid-week of the fourth week of the Advent Season, just days before Christmas. How is it with your soul? Upon who or what are you focused? What is it you desire and in what direction are your desires leading you? Using the guiding principles of Advent; in who or what do you hope? In who or what do you search for peace? Who or what brings you joy? Whose love are you seeking and whose love are you sharing? Do you find that your desires of the flesh, the desires of your eyes and your pride in riches are guiding you toward something other than God? Return to a place of faith, secure that your sins are forgiven on account of Jesus, that you know him, have faith in him, abide with him and therefore have conquered Satan’s desires on your life. The will of God is to love God first, love others and love your self – those who do the will of God live forever. Thanks be to God for the gift of salvation and the promise salvation is available to all.

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Scripture Nugget 12.19.2016

“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” 2 Peter 3:8-13

During the season of Advent, the fact that we live between two glorious events is highlighted in our preparation to remember and celebrate the birth of Christ and as we anticipate Christ’s return. Of course, as we remember the significance of the birth we also then remember his life, death and resurrection. Jesus’ birth without the subsequent resurrection after death would be only another birth of an earthly child. But this is the birth of God’s son, Immanuel, God with us! The promise of God fulfilled - thanks be to God! So remembrance turns our attention forward in time to the next great promise – the return of Christ! When will that be, the Father only knows, our responsibility is to live now as if in a moment. To live as Christ lived, to love as Christ loves, to invite others as Christ invites, to welcome others as Christ welcomes. We are to do all possible to keep any from perishing and assist all to come to repentance so all may share in the promised new heaven and new earth where righteousness is at home. It starts and ends with Christ but never ends as holiness and righteousness prevail. Where are you this season? Stuck in the memory or confidently living in faith for the promise?

Scripture Nugget 12.18.2016

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called – that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9

Hope, peace, joy, love – our guiding principles through the Advent season. Guiding principles for the entirety of our lives. As we loving God first, love others and love our self as God commands and intends, we will achieve unity of spirit, sympathy, tender hearts and humble minds. If each of us lives to bless others, even when persecuted, when under attack, when everything and everyone seems disagreeable how glorious would life be!? If we all lived lives to bless others and not have our own way, then there would no disagreement. Am I, are you, living the life of holy love God calls us to? Who and what do you hope in? In who or what do you attempt to find inner peace? In who or what do you seek joy? In who or what do you seek love and approval? Do you love as Christ loves? The conception and subsequent birth of Christ is the beginning of the Passion; God the Son, larger than the entirety of creation, squeezed into the womb of woman is just the beginning of the sacrifice. Have love for one another as Christ has for all.

Scripture Nugget 12.16.16

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.” James 3:17-18

“In James, salvation is when you talk and walk like Jesus.” (Wesley Study Bible notes, pg 1500) Take a moment, a thoughtful, intentional moment, ask yourself, based on the two verses of scripture quoted above and the James’ definition of salvation, “How is it with your soul?” Advent is a season of expectant reflection anticipating the return of Christ, in light of knowing Christ has come and the Kingdom of God is here. When we walk with Jesus we have the opportunity to live into the entirety of God’s promised hope, peace, joy and love. If I, you, all would take on that opportunity fully how large would be the harvest of righteousness? It starts with me and you, let’s get it started!

Scripture Nugget 12.15.16

“By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king’s anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.” Hebrews 11:23-28

Read this, then reflect slowly: “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward.” Moses possessed and lived out Over-the-Horizon Faith living into God’s Over-the-Horizon Promises. Moses looked ahead to the reward he couldn’t possibly see during his earthly life yet had seen in his spiritual life. What faith! Moses lived a long time before Christ, before Christ’s resurrection, before the first Easter, yet he lived faithfully journeying toward the promise. This faith denotes “trust in God and God’s promises. It includes faithfully walking in line with, and toward, those promises as people who move intently toward their inheritance already holding the title deed in their hands.” (Wesley Study Bible, pg 1494) In this Advent season are we faithfully walking into the fullness of the hope, peace, joy and love God offers? Do we, those fortunate enough to live on the far side of the Easter Resurrection choose to share ill-treatment with the people of God over the fleeting pleasures of sin? O God that I would journey with You with the same faith Moses did.