Saturday Night Musings

Change We Can Believe In—Yes, we can! (Barack Obama). Since Barack Obama became President of the United States, he has changed the ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. He has changed to the United Nations endorsement to decriminalize homosexuality. He has changed past restrictions and opened international funding for abortions in developing countries.

There is one alive in our midst that has not changed in 2000 years. His name is Jesus, the same yesterday today and forever. He lived a sinless life for 33 years, suffered on a criminal’s cross, tasted death for every man, and was buried for 3 days in a tomb of stone. After his sufferings…he stood up from the grave and showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days. As he stood on  a hill side and was lifted up, two angels confirmed by saying: this same Jesus which is taken up from you, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

This Same Jesus who was crucified is now glorified. In His incarnate body, He could appear and disappear at will. He could eat, pass through closed doors, and be embraced.  He who bares the scars of the crucifixion will be marked throughout eternity as the Son of God, the Savior for all man kind.

This Same Jesus who is called the Lamb of God that took away the sin of the world, is now the reigning Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. He who was the sacrifice for sin was once and forever, now is worthy of glory and honor as our Lord and our God.  

This Same Jesus who once carried a cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Golgotha’s hill, is now clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, whose eyes are a flame of fire with many crowns on his head. He who heard the cries away with him, will soon come riding on a white hose with the armies of the living God with Him

This Same Jesus who once laid dead in a tomb, is now alive and seated at the right hand of God making intercession for all that will call upon Him.  

This Same Jesus who forgave the woman taken in adultery, the paralytic, and the thief on the cross, is now ready to forgive all that will call upon His name. He who had no sin, will forgive those who will now confess their sin, believe in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, and trust Him as their personal Savior.

This Same Jesus who was taken up from us now lives forever in our hearts by faith.

This Same Jesus who came from a virgin’s womb will soon come again from His Father’s side to gather the children of God. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

It seems to me…This Same Jesus who stands as the resurrected Son of God on this Easter Sunday is the only one who has not changed and is ready to change people.

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This global generation has never seen a time such as this when a savior is in so much demand. The world’s stage is ready for someone to emerge from the rubbles and to rescue us from danger. President elect Barack Obama said this week that times will get worse before they get better and the turn around for our economy may take years to recover. States are facing short falls, insurance companies have huge financial crises, and the cost of healthcare keeps soaring through the rafters. No one has been able to stop the fear that is ever raging from the thugs of terrorism. Will there ever be peace in the middle east? How many more billions will it take to keep the doors of commerce open?  Can we take on any more water like Katrina and the tsunami waves? Leaders are defending a greater stimulus package to stop the bleeding rather than defending the Constitution. The hoofs of Armageddon are getting anxious. We are close to a time when a day’s wage will only buy a loaf of bread!

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2: 10, 11

A Savior for all people! He is of superhuman proportions and of a kingly origin. One who can wipe away every tear, bring peace to every heart, and give hope of great joy to the entire world. His coming deserves the road to be paved with our garments. There will be dancing in the streets, and the good news is like a shot heard around the world. Joy to the world! The Lord is come; let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare him room.

A Savior who is human. He was found as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The Word was made flesh, and unto us a child was born. This Savior took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the fashion of a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Away in a manger, No crib for His bed. The little Lord Jesus Laid down His sweet head. The stars in the sky look down where he lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

A Savior who is real and authentic. He is Christ the Lord—the Messiah and our God.  He is called Immanuel—God with us. And this shall be a sign unto you! When you find him, you will acknowledge him as the Christ, the son, of the living God. When you have found him you will say as Mary said: My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. What child is this who is laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping. This, this is Christ the king. Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. Haste, haste to bring him laud. The babe, the son of Mary.

This Savior is the hallelujah Savior. 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, good will toward men. He is the Son of the Highest, the Lamb of God who is worthy to receive power, and riches, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. Fall on your knees. Oh hear the angels voices. Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born.

It seems to me men ought to come to this Savior while he is calling. His invitation is for whosoever may come. Today he is your Savior, tomorrow he will be your judge. Come now.

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December 7, 2008, America and now our ally Japan goes back 67 years ago when early Sunday Morning on December 7, 1941 our Pearl Harbor US Naval Base was attacked by Japanese war planes. Over 2,000 of our men and women perished in that sea of hell. In August of 1945, America retaliated with an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The A-bomb took out a quarter million who perished in that attack. America became a new player in World War II where more than 500,000 lost their lives. Then came the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and the Iraq War. Millions of lives have been lost, the cost of damages in the zillions! All of this just in my life time. As we speak, there is an on going war on terror. Does this sound like peace on earth?

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 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, good will toward men. Luke 2:9-14

Peace is the gift of God wrapped up in swaddling clothes and was found lying in a manger. It was personified in due time when God’s only Son was born of a virgin. For he (JESUS) is our peace. Peace was made available to all the world, the good news of glad tidings and great joy. By way of his incarnation peace was born, he now can be the Savior to all people. My peace I give unto you. This is Peace on Earth!

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This peace was made peace through the blood of his cross. He said: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. This is the peace that passes all understanding. It will bring an abrupt end of fear to anyone. Because of this peace one can enjoy the peace of God and peace with God. Peace on earth came by the way of the lamb of God slain before the foundations of the world.

Since Cain slew Able there has been blood in waters between brothers. The Savior is now our mediator between men. As Christ has forgiven you, so you forgive others. Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who have trespassed against us. If your brother has sinned against you…go to him and give him the gift of forgiveness. They will cherish this gift for the rest of their lives. Settle the differences here and now with peace on earth before heaven becomes your home.

It seems to me there are many people and nations who want peace on earth. They spell it differently: A piece of this and piece of that! While many have shed blood and lost their lives to bring peace to the world, there is only one whose blood was shed and whose life was given that can bring peace on earth…which is Christ the Lord. Merry Christmas to all!

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Just four days ago, Coach Andy Reid benched five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb for the first time in his career at halftime of a 36-7 loss at Baltimore after throwing five interceptions and loosing two fumbles in his previous seven quarters.

McNabb said. “Adversity always happens in our position.” “It’s how you pull yourself out of it. I knew coming into this game if I just continued to be myself and know what I’m seeing out there and react, good things will happen.” Reid gave McNabb another chance and he responded by throwing four touchdown passes in a Philadelphia Eagles 48-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night. Fox Sports, November 28, 2008

What do you do when you do not know what to do? When opposition mounts against you, obstacles are too high for you to hurdle, and all hope is taken way, what do you do? You keep on trusting in Him! Job was at high risk of rebounding having lost 11,500 head of live stock, most of his hired help were killed, all ten children are dead, and by all standards he is on his death bed. He was down for a ten count and was unable to stand back up.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Knowing that God is too wise to allow Satan to land a fatal blow and that he is so giving his grace will sustain you, you come to the realization that it is God who is permitting you to perish from the face of men. It is here you take comfort in knowing that it pleases the Lord to bruise you. It is here that you can embrace a level of spirituality that few men get to encounter. It is here in the belly of hell, when it appears you are no longer within his sights, keep looking to God and keep trusting in him.

When you face a Catch-22 and if God does not intervene, there is no help whatsoever. Keep on doing what you did when you were received in the Lord’s family. When the moment of truth came to you and you saw your self hanging on by a smoking flax over an eternal lake of fire, you placed your trust in God’s only begotten Son as your Savior. You could not merit deliverance by your good works; your only hope was faith alone in Him.

When you think the Lord is about to slay you, learn to pray as the Lord Jesus Christ prayed under Satan’s attack, Father, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. You will cry as he did when he said: My God, my God why have you forsaken me? And knowing you are in the will of God, you can say as he said: Father in to thy hands I commit my spirit.

It seems to me if we have been drawing from the well that has been blessed of God, then we can also trust him when the well goes dry. Bad things do happen to God’s people, adversity is part of the landscape, continue to be yourself and deal with it. No cry babies!

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Federal Judge Rules Jesus Painting in Louisiana Courthouse Was Unconstitutional. NEW ORLEANS — Displaying a portrait of Jesus in the foyer of a Louisiana courthouse is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled this week, siding with civil libertarians who sued over the display. (Thursday, April 17, 2008 AP) 

Why does this denial not surprise anyone? And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not. He came unto his own and his own received him not. 

What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? Matthew 22:42 

He was inquisitive: Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  

He was provocative. The world either loved him or hated him. Some looked on him as a prophet of Nazareth and the prophet of the Highest or they considered him to be Beelzebub, the prince of devils. During his travels multitudes would follow him and spread their clothes in the streets as he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, saying to him: Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord. Or they would seek ways to entangle him in his talk and to trap him in his words. They looked for ways to kill him and to destroy him; at one time they tried to throw him over a cliff.

He was divisive. Wherever he journeyed, there were murmurings among the people about him. Some said he was a good man while others said he deceived the people.  While there was never a man born of women who ever spoke like this man who told the truth about man, yet there was division because of him. He caused the blind to see, restored the demonic to civility, and united the dead with the living, yet others would rather have a herd of swine than to have him in their company. The publicans welcomed him into the homes while the Pharisees tried to wipe him out. 

He was aggressive. He said once unless you eat of my flesh and drink of my blood, you have no life in you. Thousands who once followed him walked no longer with him.  He turned to his disciples and said to them, will you also go away. Listen to Peter: Lord to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life. Jesus said: Blessed is he who is not offended in me.  

He forgave. Whether it was a sinner man like Zacchaeus, or a demon possessed woman like Mary Magdalene who had seven devils cast out her, or an unsaved pastor like Nicodemous who came in the night, this compassionate Christ forgave them. 

 It seems to me every body should have the opportunity to believe and see this Christ. And when he is observed as the true light that lighteth every man that comes into this world, he will enlighten any that walk in darkness, even the ACLU! 

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   At this time of year, sometimes it’s nice to pull aside from all of that and remember that what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ:; I hope you and your family have a magnificent Christmas season. God bless you and Merry Christmas”. (Mike Huckabee, December, 2007 AP) This TV spot was run during the Christmas Season 2007. In the background there was a portion of a white book shelf behind Mr. Huckabee which resembled a moving cross. When the national liberal press saw this, they went ballistic and became so offended that a political candidate would dare to mention the name of Christ during an election time of the year.

“And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me”, Matthew 11:6. My translation:  How blessed is that person who will never stumble in his faith because of who I am. As you and I embrace this new year, there will be many people who will cross our path who will be indifferent to us. Words will be said to us in a rude manner, and things will happen to upset our day. Mark it down, many will stumble and many will be offended during 2008. With Christ being part of our life—there will be more unpleasant times. 

The Lord Jesus Christ is controversial. He will either be loved the most or will be hated the most. Who He was, what He said and what He did, provoked violence even in the religious camp by those who wore the spiritual garbs. The church crowd was so offended at His gracious words, for His healing on the sabbath day, and His power to forgive sin. They said: Who is this? Is this not Joseph’s son? When confronted with Him, they laughed at Him with scorn; they tried to trap Him in His words and even sought how they might destroy Him. Even his own disciples stumbled and fled from this man as He walked the chartered path to the cross.  

Jesus in God Emmanuel. He came to take up His permanent residence with us. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. He becomes the eternal indwelling occupant in our lives at the moment of conversion by faith in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. He hears every word we say and every word said to us. He observes every time we witness to others about His so great salvation…and every time we fail to witness about Him. We stagger in disbelief as to His promises by failing to remember the feeding of the five thousand. When we catch a boat load of fish by obeying His word, we fall on our faces in the crevasses of the ship and say, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man”. 

Offended with me because of my presence with you! Does His presence make too much of a crowd for you and the company you hang out with? Do you stumble being uncomfortable having Him by your side when in the presence of unbelievers? I hope not. 

Offended with me because of my words to you?  Many stumbled at His words and walked no more with him, when he said unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life in you. Try this verse: “Great peace have they that love thy law and…nothing shall offend them” Psalm 119:165 

Offended with me because of my grace to others? When you feel like others should be stoned and He forgives them—do you rejoice or fume at His compassion? Love Him, learn from Him, and labor with him during 2008 and you will not be offended because of Him.  

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