VISION - CHARACTER QUALITY # 12

Do you have a new vision for a new year?  It is time we get an old vision for a new year.  There is a vision that has not changed.  That vision is God’s vision.  That vision is repeated over and over again in scripture.  It is summed up in the verses: 2 Peter 3:8-15a   But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.  So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation.

                God’s vision is that ALL will come to repentance!  What story(s) from scripture come to mind that illustrate how much God wants people to turn form sin and put their faith in him?  One of the great ones from the Old testament is found in I Kings 18 where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a little fire starting exhibition.  In the end the prophets of Baal cried out, “The Lord – He is God! The Lord – He is God!”  Who or what circumstances did God use to turn you from sin to put your faith in Jesus for salvation?

From the Heart, Pastor Jeff Cooper

PEACE - CHARACTER QUALITY # 11

Why do so many people rarely experience peace?  What brings you peace?  When is the last time you felt truly at peace?  Describe a time you have been an instrument of peace.

Simeon held the 8 day old Jesus in his arms and prayed saying: “you now dismiss your servant in peace.”  Jesus gives a peace that passes understanding that is vastly different than the peace that comes from things in the world.  Ritual can bring us peace.  Family can give us peace.  A roof over our heads can give us peace.  Money can give us peace.  Researchers say that praying, even to various gods brings peace – the act of prayer itself.  Nothing and no one gives the peace that Jesus gives.  If you don’t know his peace, then you have no peace – not lasting deep abiding peace.  The scripture is listed below as well as the prayer of peace.  After reading through it all, please answer any of the questions above or leave further comments about your thoughts on peace!

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."  The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.    Luke 2:21-38

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.

                     ---   Peace Prayer of St. Francis

 From the Heart, Pastor Jeff

LOVE - CHARACTER QUALITY # 10

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.   (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)   And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.   And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)   To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.   And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.      Luke 2:1-7

In the business of the season, do you have room for Jesus?  Have you experienced his overwhelming love in recent weeks?  Does God seem near or far?  What does it mean to truly know the love of God?  How do you know God loves you?  How does anyone else know you love God?  How do you help others make room for Jesus?  See Revelation 3:20

I Love You!

--  Pastor Jeff

JOY - CHARACTER QUALITY # 9

Luke 2:8-20 SAYS, That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord.  They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced and it is for everyone!  The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem!  How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!"   Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God:  "Glory to God in highest heaven,” they sang, “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him."   When this great army of angels had returned again to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."   They ran to the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.  All who heard the shepherds' story expressed astonishment, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and often thought about them.  Then the shepherds went back again to their fields and flocks, praising God for the visit of the angels, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had told them.  LIV

Mathew 2:10 says, “When the wise men saw the star, they were overjoyed.” NIV

         

Can you imagine the joyful anticipation of the angels to bring the good news of great joy to the world?  Or the joyful anticipation of the shepherds as they ran to the stable to find the Christ child?  Or the joyful anticipation of the wise men as they followed the star to find the new born king?  The incarnation of God, the Christmas event was JOY-FILLED.  When, by faith, Jesus is born in us, it is the most joyful thing that can happen in life.  How do you experience or exhibit the joy of Christ?

FAITH - CHARACTER QUALITY # 8

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.     Matthew 1:18-25

Who is this Joseph?  What do you know about him?  Can you find the 14 times he is mentioned in scripture?  Mentioned by name only 14 times for the man who raised the Son of God?!  Joseph is the adoptive father who taught the boy Jesus how to be a man, how to love his family, how to be in relationship with God the Father.  What an amazing responsibility.  With our limited knowledge of Joseph, why would he be seen as a man of faith?  What does his faith look like?  What does his faith mean to you?