Take What God Has Given You

“Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess” (Numbers 33:53). This was God’s word to the Israelites when they came to the edge of the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. They were about to take possession of the territory that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob long ago – land was already inhabited by powerful people who would not surrender without a fight. The Israelites would have to go in and take what God had given to them.
The Holy Spirit nudged my heart, “What has God given to you that you need to take possession of?” Let’s see what the Scripture says.
This past year has been full of turmoil and anxiety for me. But Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27). That means I don’t have to search for His peace, He had already given it to me.
I confess that I have said, “I don’t think I can do what You expect of me. It’s too hard.” But His Word says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3). God has prepared us for life in His Son.
I have always tended to be melancholy – I don’t naturally “bubble over,” but Jesus has given me Joy – His Joy. He said, “My Joy may be in you . . . that your Joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11). And He told the Father that we have been given “the full measure of [His] Joy” (Jn 17:13).
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you” (Jn 15:9). From Genesis to Revelation the Bible speaks of God’s unfailing, abiding, lavish love which He freely gives to you and me.
“I have given them your word” (Jn 17:14). Jesus came to earth as the Word of God made flesh (Jn 1:14) so that we could know God’s heart.
“I have given them the glory that You gave me” (Jn 17:22). Read it again. This is incredible! Jesus has given you and me His very own glory. He has exalted us in Him before the Father.
And this is the greatest gift of all – “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son” (1 Jn 5:11). Words fail me. It is too wonderful for my finite mind.
All of these are ours in Christ. Not just will be. Are. But we must lay hold of what has already been decreed for us as God’s children. Beloved, it’s time to take what belongs to you by God’s grace and favor.

Advent 2023: Christmas is . . .

Despite what my family and friends claim, I love Christmas. I just don’t like what Christmas has become. Beautiful Christmas hymns give way to the ka-ching of the cash register. With all the nicely wrapped boxes, there’s no space left for the manger and the baby under our festively decorated trees. “Merry Christmas” is for sale on blankets, dishes, doormats, toilet seat covers, and ugly sweaters. Every celebrity offers their version of “songs of the season,” delivered in over-produced T.V specials. And do not get me started on cheesy “Christmas” movies. The entertainment industry has done a good job of redefining Christmas for us. Ask most people what Christmas means and the answers are usually:
“Christmas is about caring.”
“Christmas is about sharing.”
“Christmas is about family.”
Christmas, according to the secular world, is about very different things than the biblical story.
Or is it? Maybe that’s good common ground for telling the true Christmas story.
Christmas is about a God who cared enough about His lost creation to offer a rescue plan that would cost His One and Only Son His very life (John 3:16).
Christmas is about Jesus Christ who was obedient to the Father’s will to share His glory with once-sinful men (John 17:22).
Christmas is about the Father in heaven lavishing His love on us and adopting us into His family “that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).
For all the ways that we identify Christmas, it always comes back to the Baby in a manger. But we must also look ahead to see to rest of this Baby’s life. We must see the Man on the Cross, otherwise, the story is incomplete – and that is where the culture misses the heart and soul of Christmas. This Baby came to die, otherwise we are without hope. The wise teacher had to go to the grave, else His great words have no power for us. His greatest miracle was more than healing broken bodies and casting out demons, it was rising three days after His last breath.
Beloved, when you tell the Christmas story about a God who cared and shared and calls us His own – be sure to tell the whole story about how He accomplished it all. Tell them that Christmas means more than trees and presents and bad Christmas movies. Christmas means life, forgiveness, and eternity. Above all, Christmas means love.

Advent 2023: When You’re Having a Blue Christmas

“And He will be called Wonderful Counselor . . .” (Isaiah 9:6)

It is well known that Christmas, the most joyful season of the year, is also the most prone to bring on bouts of depression. I get it. Boy, do I get it. When your family Christmas doesn’t measure up to the Norman Rockwell standard or the Hallmark ideal . . . When the truck repairs take all your Christmas money . . . When your company skips the Christmas bonus and gives you the boot instead . . . When crazy relatives show their worst side . . . When your heart gets broken . . . When you are just tired of the cultural “Happy Holidays!” . . . Well, I think you get the picture. Depression seems worse this time of year because you know you’re supposed to be full of joy, joy, joy but the reality is you’re having a “blue Christmas.”
My friend, you need a counselor – but not just any counselor – you need a Wonderful Counselor. You need a Counselor who knows you inside and out, who knows your past, your present, and your future. You need a Counselor who has perfect insight into your mind and heart and knows what will bring you peace and Joy. You need a Counselor who has invested His whole being – His very life – in you. You need a Counselor who loves you to death – literally. You need Jesus.
He is the Wonderful Counselor because He has perfect wisdom. His Word is full of righteousness with not even a hint of error. His counsel is perfect – He will never steer you in the wrong way. His ways and words are true as He leads you through the darkness and into his marvelous light. His counsel is without cost – in fact – He paid the full price for you with His own life.
And most importantly, He loves you. He lowered Himself and became a frail, helpless baby in the humblest circumstance to bring you into the family of God. He traded His throne for a cross and His crown for thorns so that you might sit with Him in glory.
Beloved, if your heart is not ringing with Joy this Christmas, may I suggest you get into counseling with Jesus? His office never closes and He is never too busy to meet with you. Your Wonderful Counselor is only a whispered prayer away.

Advent 2023: Wise Men, Shepherds, and Atheists

The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell, when asked what he would say if he ever encountered God, said he would tell God “Not enough evidence.” I would tell Mr. Russell that all depends on where you looking and the state of your heart.

We so often hear the complaint that Christianity is just “blind faith,” and many simply refuse to believe without “proof.” But that is not what the Bible indicates. God invites us to step into faith with our eyes wide open. He said “If . . . you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him, if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29). God does not require mindless devotion to an unseen, unproven entity. He has gone to great lengths to make Himself known. Even through His flesh-and-blood Son.

On the night of Jesus’ birth, God announced the way to this blessed Child. A chorus of heavenly hosts who appeared to the shepherds in the fields – and they told them exactly where to find this Baby – “in the town of David” (Luke 2:11) and how they would recognize Him – “wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (v. 12). They responded to God’s revelation – “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see . . .” (v. 15). They determined to follow the evidence that God has given them.

Matthew records another visible and powerful proof of Jesus’ birth as the Magi declared, “We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). “The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was” (v. 9). God not only gave directions; He led the way with a star in the sky. They were overjoyed – they sought the King, and their search was rewarded.

There is another path that God has clearly provided for man to find his Creator. That path leads up a hill in Jerusalem, to Calvary, and to the Cross. God made this way clear and unmistakable when He covered that path with the blood of His one and only Son, Jesus. He has declared that this is the way to find Him – the only way. To all who will accept Him, God has promised not only to reveal Himself but to claim the seeking soul as His own. He welcomes those who seek Him with a heart to believe. Beloved, are you seeking that you may believe?

Advent 2023: What Do You Know About Baby Jesus?

The day my granddaughter was born we made the four-hour drive to see her. Our son sent us pictures and all her vital statistics as we traveled – how much she weighed, how long she was, and the fact that she was completely bald. That’s the important stuff new grandparents need to know.

But what do we know about Jesus? The Bible doesn’t give us any of those vital statistics. We don’t even know the date of his birth. This is stuff we (women especially) want to know. Let’s see if the Scripture gives us any hints.

Even though we celebrate December 25^th as the date of Jesus’ birth, the Bible is silent on the actual date. The early church did not observe the birth of Jesus choosing instead to emphasize His death and resurrection. In fact, the church eschewed the Roman tradition of celebrating birthdays as an act of paganism. By the late second century, the church began considering the birth of Jesus as worthy of notice, but it wasn’t until the mid-fourth century that Roman calendars marked December 25^th with natus Christus in Betleem Judeae: “Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea.” Yet the Bible does tell us the date from heaven’s perspective: “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman . . .” (Gal 4:4). Jesus was born “in the fullness of time” – the very day that God predetermined according to His plan for the ages. And here’s a head’s up for you: it’s the same day that the Lord will return.

The Bible also tells us how much Jesus weighed. Not with pounds and ounces. The writer of Hebrews said, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being . . .” (Heb 1:3). God’s glory would be expressed in Hebrew by the word kabod.  They would immediately get an image of a set of scales used to determine the value of an item based on its weight. The glory – or kabod – of God described the weight of His majesty and splendor. Yet somehow He was light enough for His mother to hold Him in her arms.

While there is much about Jesus we’re not told, what we do know is cause for worship. He was the babe in the manger and the very representation of God. He is heaven come to earth, the Son of God, and our Savior forever. Beloved, that is enough, for you to bow your knee.

Take a Breath and Listen

When Jesus took three disciples with Him to the top of a high mountain, they witnessed the glory of the Son of God. “There [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light” (Matt 17:2). He was joined by Moses, who represented the Law, and Elijah, who represented the prophets. It was an awesome sight. Peter was so overcome with excitement that he started babbling – “Lord, it is good for us to be here, If you like, I will put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (v. 4). I have no doubt that James and John were nodding their heads in eager agreement. They had two of the ancient heroes of Israel and the very Son of God before them and Pete couldn’t hold his tongues long enough to pay attention. God had to shake them up – and shut them up.

“While he [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him, I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’” (v. 5). I can almost hear the implied, “Peter, hush. Be still and be quiet and listen to my Son.” I wonder how many times God has said the same thing to me.

When I am angry or afraid or overwhelmed or all atwitter over something I prattle on and on. I tell my friends or my husband all about it. I’ll tell the stranger in the post office line. I have even been known to mutter to myself. And yes, I tell God. Boy, do I tell God. “But wait,” you say, “aren’t we supposed to tell Him about our needs and concerns and cares.” Indeed we are, but if prayer is a conversation with God – and it is – at some point, we need to be still, be quiet, and listen to Him.

And when we do, we may hear God say “Do not fear; I will help you” as He takes us by the hand (Is 41:13). Or He might say, “This is the way, walk in it” (Is 30:21) while He points us to Jesus. Or He may take you in His arms so you can hear Him “rejoice over you with singing” (Zep 3:17).

What a privilege it is to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” and find mercy and grace in our time of need  (Heb 4:16). Take it to the Lord in prayer, Beloved, but don’t forget to take a breath and listen.

Mercy

A verse jumped out at me and I am certain the Lord wants us to get a firm grasp on it. I believe it could make all the difference in how we evangelize the world in our generation. It resonated with me so deeply because I have been reading through one of the most important books in Christian literature: “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He points an accusing finger at the theology of “cheap grace” vs. the reality of “costly grace.” Peter wrote, “You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . .  but with the precious blood of Christ”(1 Pet 1:18 ). The grace that saves us cost Jesus His very life.

 Modern Christianity portrays salvation as if we are doing God a favor by accepting Jesus as our Savior. But that is not the Bible’s perspective at all. Here’s the verse that caught my attention this morning: “What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the objects of His wrath—prepared for destruction?” (Rom 9:22). In our quest to add numbers to the church role, we have dismissed the case Paul made here for our need for grace and mercy. We are sinners. Every single human being save Jesus was, is, and will be a sinner. Not merely because we sin, but because we are born with a sinful nature passed down from the first man and woman. That sinful nature condemns us before a holy God. We rightfully bear the burden of death.

Paul painted a picture of God, who had every right to pour out His wrath on man, check His wrath, putting it in restraints so that He could first reveal His patience and mercy. But why? “What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy . . .” (v. 23). He did it for His glory – that men who experience His mercy might give him the praise, honor, and exaltation He deserves.

We’re not doing God a favor by accepting His salvation. He is doing us the favor by extending the invitation. Love’s greatest expression is mercy. I realize this isn’t the warm, fuzzy devotional you are used to, Beloved. But it is the truth. God loves you and He showed it at the cross. He paid the highest price to redeem you. Will you give Him the glory He deserves?

Worthy of Worship – and Love

Every time I read Isaiah 6, when God commissioned Isaiah as His messenger and servant, I am struck by the scene in heaven. Isaiah saw the Lord, “seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple.” The seraphs flew above him – remarkable creatures – and called to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”  As they spoke of the glory of the Lord the temple shook and filled with smoke. Isaiah was undone by the presence, holiness, and glory of the Lord God of heaven (vs. 1-5).

I am always grieved by the nonchalant way we regard God – if we regard Him at all. His name has become an exclamation of surprise, disgust, and disrespect. His character – holy – is tied to things that are most unholy. He is judged by His creation and deemed weak, archaic, or worse a joke. Even in the churches that claim the name of His Son, there is a casualness in our approach to worship and His Word is critiqued by men with finite minds and sinful natures. What has happened to our awe?

If all God ever did was exist, He would still be worthy of worship.

If all God did was call forth the heavens and the earth, He would still be worthy of praise.

If all He did was create mountains and trees and stars, He would always be worthy of honor.

If all God did was fashion man out of the dust of the earth, He would still be worthy of adoration.

God is forever worthy of our worship and praise and honor and adoration.

But there is more. God sent His Son to die on the cross to redeem us from our sins.

He raised Him from the dead to give us eternal life and an eternal home in heaven – with Him.

He is worthy of our love. And that is why you and I exist. To love God and enjoy Him forever. It is the most important thing we can ever do. This is what life is all about. And in loving and enjoying Him we cannot help but worship Him and praise Him and honor Him and adore Him. It is a beautiful, eternal circle. Don’t miss it, Beloved. Don’t miss Him. Love God and let Him fill your life with His glory.

Do You Believe?

What does it mean to believe? And in what should we believe? Is it enough to believe that there is a God? A lot of people agree to the presence of some supreme being in the universe, and many will call him God. And many believe that a man named Jesus taught the ways of God and exemplified His heart of love, compassion, and grace. But what makes one’s belief right or wrong? John explained the difference: “Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son” (1 John 5:10).

The heart of the Christian faith is to believe what God has said about Jesus Christ. God declared, “This is my Son” (Matt 3:17: 17:5), and that gave divine weight to everything Jesus said and did. John said that when men reject Jesus and His words, they are saying that God is not truthful nor trustworthy. When I say I am a Christian, I am not making a statement about my assent to the truths of Christianity; I am making a statement about God’s trustworthiness through His Son.

When I was younger in my faith, I thought my salvation depended on how hard I believed. It finally dawned on me that it wasn’t my dogged determination to hang on that saved me. It was God’s faithfulness to do what He promised to do. God said that Jesus is His Son, that His death was sufficient to cover all my sins, and that His resurrection ensures my eternal destiny. I believe what God said. It is the foundation of my faith.

Beloved, if you believe what God has said about Jesus, you are blessed in every way; for this life and life eternal. You are blessed because you stand on the confidence of God’s testimony, not on the traditions of men. You are blessed because “you will see the glory of God” (John 11:40). Your faith will be made sight and your hope in Christ will be confirmed. In heaven’s chronicles, your name will be recorded among the great saints of human history, and you will be commended with those who pleased God by their faith. What a blessing it is to believe!

Acts: I’ve Been With Jesus

What makes a Christian stand out in the world? Sometimes it’s what we say or do – or what we don’t say or do. Jesus said the world will know that we are Christians by our love (Jn 13:34-35). Martyrs – past and present – show it through their uncompromising faith in the face of persecution. Peter and John showed it by their courage. Please take a moment and read Acts 4:13-22.

When the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin for healing a crippled man in the name of Jesus (Acts 3), they did not back down, but stood their ground and spoke His name all the bolder (4:1-12). The ruling council could not sweep them or their message under the rug. Luke wrote: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus” (v. 13). I think about this verse every time I stay up late pounding out another paper for a seminary class.

They could not deny what had happened. The proof of the power of Jesus’ name stood before them on healthy, strong legs. Still, they were compelled to “stop this thing from spreading any further among the people” (v. 17), so they “commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (18).

But Peter and John were not intimidated – nor silenced. They replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (v. 20). When you have experienced the miraculous you have to talk about it. When your life has been changed radically from the inside out, you cannot keep silent. The result of such godly courage and boldness is always praise to God (v. 21).

The truth is lots of book-learnin’ doesn’t make you a powerful witness for Christ. But being with Jesus does. The people who spend time in the Word and prayer and just sitting at His feet speak from a wealth of experience that can’t be taught. Academic degrees won’t change the world, but a heart filled with Jesus will. Beloved, you don’t have to “wax elephants” to make an impact for Christ. Just tell people what – and Who – you know. Tell them, “I’ve been with Jesus, and He changed everything.” Then let His praises ring.