Author Archives: revjaf

THAT LITTLE TOWN! Micah 5

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‘O little town of Bethlehem’, which we visit on a Holy Land tour, leads us to imagine the elements of Jesus’ birth.  The census requiring Joseph and Mary to travel a far distance, the overcrowded inn, the remote stable and manger where the Babe is born and cradled.  The hillside shepherds, who come to gaze at the infant after seeing a cosmic display of angelic wonder.  Then, awhile later, the Magi roll into town bearing gifts fit for a regal birth–gold, frankincense and myrrh.  All in that little town of Bethlehem.

Not so tiny any more.  Going through walled gates, being checked out by armed military, having to exit our Jewish guide to take on a Palestinian one, we arrive at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, where deep down within is thought to be the birth place of our Lord Jesus.  Difficult to verbalize how it feels being in that cave-like area where Jesus probably is born, which Joseph and Mary and those shepherds would have recognized.  Stunning.  Astounding.  Humbling.  Jaw-dropping… and much more.

Micah 5: 2-3–‘But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who in in labor has given birth…’  When King Herod grills his religious scholars as to where the Messiah is to be born, they mention that little town of you-know-where (Matt. 2:5-6), quoting Micah again.

As we approach Christmas day, I know that what happens at Jesus’ birth involves no big surprises to God.  After all, Micah prophecies of it centuries before, which tells us that all the inconvenience, all the trouble, all the uncertainty, all those disturbing unknowns experienced by Joseph and Mary are all cared for and protected by God the Father.  Again, no surprises.  No little anything.  No last minute decisions.  No ‘hail Mary’ pass into Bethlehem’s end-zone.

No.  God knows all about our tears and worries.  Our fears and failures.  Nothing escapes Him.  Nothing.  Maybe Bethlehem should remind us of the Father’s care and watchfulness.  Over us.  Even with what seems little, puny, insignificant.  Especially then and there.

So, cast your life on Him.  All of it.  All?  That’s right.  Okay, I’ll try.  Two steps forward, one back.  Three back, two forward.  You know.  But little is much when God is in it.  Isn’t it?

Lord Jesus, I put my life today in your hands.  Amen.

THE LIGHT OF CHRISTMAS John 1

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Light becomes a premium item this time of year here in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Wake up in the dark, and before too many hours pass by, socked in again with dingy inky gloom.

We enjoy an annual event called ‘The Lights of Christmas’ held at a Christian retirement and conference facility north of where we live, where literally millions of lights adorn trees, rooftops, wooden reindeer, whatever and wherever they can be strung!

Carolers sing. Hot chocolate and fresh donuts tempt us. Christmas skits add a cheerful angle to a familiar story. Jesus’ birth celebrates with lights galore! Sometimes we stay overnight, giving us extra hours to stroll those sparkling acres.

John 1: 4-5–‘In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ The light of Christmas! Its source? ‘In him…’– in Jesus, that is. Not only do we find life…’in Him’…but also light for all who believe.

It’s maddening how society heads downhill morally, ethically, whatever, as far away from God’s ways as possible. Their moody, broody and nightmarish path keeps getting steeper and steeper as the speed to hades accelerates without any brakes at all. Dark. Ever more dark.

Yet there’s hope. Where? You know! God’s light, found in Jesus, shines everywhere that He’s wanted and asked for. No secret society membership or coded passwords required. No juiced-up, hyper-inflated entrance fees.

What then? Mere simple faith and trust in Jesus alone, giving us new hearts and minds which soak up His light, warmed and comforted, seeing what we hadn’t noticed before. Much clearer now when we dig deeper into our Bibles, close and ever closer to our Lord.

Raise up the curtains! Open the blinds and shutters! Let the light shine in! Thank the Father for the gift of His Son Jesus. After all, He’s still the only reason for the season.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us life and light. Amen.

THE FAMINE HAS COME Amos 8

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‘I give you my word!’ ‘A handshake will do it!’ ‘A man’s word is as good as…’ Well, you get the point. But today we need guarantees. No longer someone’s word or a handshake. Lawyers draw up papers with a slew and stew of boilerplate verbiage. Be sure to read the fine print, if you happen to have a super-duper magnifying glass. Trust no one, except me and thee and I’m not so sure about thee!

Words…words…words with nothing much to back them up. The Old Testament prophet Amos says this–“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘when I will send a famine on the land–not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord'” (Amos 8:11).

When people clog up their ears, shun anything heard from the Lord, He pulls back the moisture of His promises, ushering in hot sirocco winds of warning, blowing in at almost hurricane force, drying up everything in its path. Terrible times ensue. Acrid whiffs of hell permeate the air. Utter silence ensues.

How we need God’s Word. To hear from Him. Take it from me, I foolishly try living on less. As in a glance or two at my Bible, looking for some short psalm to speedread. A hop-to-it desperate prayer. Living on a spiritual diet fit for famine. And barely realizing it. Yet somehow I know that something’s not right. It’s me.

The results? Life clogs up on dead end streets. Aloneness settles in like an unwelcome fog. Until…I decide to get into my Bible. Commit to reading it every day. Start hearing from my Lord as best I could. Talking with Him more often than not, without begging selfishly to get out of some jam, mostly of my own making. Adding His praises for good measure… for a change.

That simple? Seemingly so. But true. Try it. I did and still do. Take my word for it? Well?

As we anticipate the birth of Jesus, the coming of God’s promised Messiah, let’s remember what the Apostle John wrote. His Christmas story in miniature–‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1); ‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth’ (John 1:14).

God’s Word, as good as gold and far better, takes on human flesh and lives among us. Hear from Him all through your Bible. Take Him at His Word. Tune in. Be attentive. Listen carefully and obediently.

As we get closer to Christmas, remember that Jesus is God’s Word given to us. Some gift, huh? Surely you can count on Him? Yes! Finally, someone whose word we can trust!

Thank you, Jesus, for being trustworthy always. Amen.

HOW IRONIC Luke 2

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How ironic that a big-shot tyrant can move the world for tax purposes while God’s only Son is birthed in some backwater stable in an overcrowded town, noticed by a couple of scraggly, smelly shepherds. How could God the Father allow such a stark contrast?

By the way, Caesar’s full name? Much in today’s news? Notable, quotable sayings? Draws a blank in my mind. Okay, his name is Caesar Augustus, but that’s actually his titles, not his birth name. What about the name of that baby born in Bethlehem? Any guesses? Much in the news? Keeping who in Christmas?

Such irony–Caesar (not the salad!) and Jesus (yes, the One and Only Savior). It’s this great divide we think of during Advent. That heebie-jeebie tension carries over into our daily lives with how we think about and participate in this season. The tinsel effect versus focusing in on the coming Lord of all, Jesus.

Nothing wrong with giving gifts (my home address available upon request!), decorating shops, homes and apartments, sending greetings to friends and family, eating special food. The paradox sticks in our throats when that’s all there is about Christmas. Half-baked wink-and-nod to the Babe, ‘Frosty the Snowman’-type songs including too many Jingle Bells and Santa coming to town, along with itsy-bitsy glances at the story of Jesus’ birth found in your Bible, reluctantly giving teensy-weensy donations to Christian causes which need more like a 7-11 Big Gulp.

We know that we need more Jesus. Less Santa. More joy. Less grumpiness. More pondering. Less purchasing. More charitable open-handedness. Less tight-fistedness. We know that. Don’t we?

Not an easy balancing act. Somewhat like the circus performer, who whirls and spins plates on poles until the plates begin to wobble and fall. All need constant attention before crashing. This takes work. Determination and a keen eye. But no pain, no gain.

Ready for more Jesus? How about even more of His affectionately, confectionately loving of us.

Lord Jesus, I worship and love you. Amen.

GUTSY GAL 2 Kings 5

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Who hasn’t felt too small when big efforts are called for?  Often I’ve second-guessed myself even after success shows up.  All kinds of infernal, internal questioning, betraying subpar confidence.  Then I read (misread?) in Christian books that we’re not to have self-assurance, so shouldn’t I rejoice?  Finally made it to the top at the bottom of the heap!  Whoopdedoo for me!  

For a different twist, read 2 Kings 5– the story of a servant girl, who’s abducted from ancient Israel into Syrian enemy territory.  Kidnapped into slavery to a heavyweight, major league military bigwig named Naaman.  As it turns out, he’s a good guy.  2 Kings 5:1–‘Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor…He was a mighty man of valor…’  Nice accolades.  Agreed?  

But all’s not well.  He contracts a skin disease, making him an outcast and pariah.  He’s helpless until this gutsy gal opens her mouth, boldly offering her two cents–‘…Would that my lord were with the prophet (Jewish Elisha) who is in Samaria (northern Israel)!  He would cure him of his leprosy’ (2 Kings 5:3).

As young and powerless as she seems, she speaks up for the Lord.  Humbly suggests that Naaman can find help with God’s prophet in Israel, in the waters of its Jordan River.  When Naaman humbly works through his arrogant objections, he heads south to the prophet Elisha, where he receives healing and conversion to the One true God.

I keep thinking about the heroism of this young gal.  Her spunk and chutzpah.  She could face the end of it all by opening her mouth.  Servants weren’t tolerated when offering unsolicited, know-it-all ideas.  Praising a foreign religious-type in enemy territory to the commander of the King’s army requires divine oomph.  Maybe she’d best keep her mouth shut.  Not be bold as brass with this Top Brass.  Advice she tosses out the window. 

How about me?  And you?  What holds you back from speaking up for Jesus?  From sharing the Gospel with someone else?  Intimidated?  Have cold feet?  Fears consume?  Of what?  Being criticized?   Or worse, not being liked (now I’ve stepped on my own toes!)?  Made fun of?  Cut off from family and friends?  She’s already been down that road.  In spite of all that, still her compassion rules the day.  Take it or leave it, she knows what to say.  And does.  Consequences be…well, you know. 

Come on, Fischer.  Show some guts.  Stand up… for Jesus!  With God’s help that’s exactly what I’d like to do.  Loud and clear.  No matter what.  Really?  And you?   

 

Lord God, I need your courage to speak up for Jesus.  Please help me.  Amen.

DECEIVED, DOUBTING AND DOWNCAST 2 Kings 4

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Here’s a title to lift your day– ‘Deceived, Doubting and Downcast’!  Should you stop reading this?  Maybe, just maybe, the Lord has something to say to you and me from deep within the Old Testament, from 2 Kings 4.

Here’s a story about the prophet Elisha and a couple from Shunem, a town in the northern part of ancient Israel.  Of the couple, it’s the wife our author focuses in on.  They’re probably a tad wealthy, so she suggests to her husband that they build a room for Elisha, on the upper story of their house, for when he comes their way.  She’ll also provide necessary food.

When Elisha stops by one day, he feels obligated to return the favor.  2 Kings 4:13–‘…See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you?’  Elisha’s sidekick, Gehazi, pipes up that they would love to have a child.  They’re a bit long in the tooth with biological clock about to strike midnight.

2 Kings 4:16–‘…At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.’  Wow!  Really, Elisha?  Are you joshing us?  Putting one over on us?  Snow job in the hot desert?  She’s unsure.  Maybe he’s lying, trying to butter her up, keeping this free Airbnb alive and well.  ‘…O man of God, do not lie to your servant’–2 Kings 4:16.  Liar, liar, pants on fire?  Not so.  For next year she cradles a lovely baby boy, all of their own, as promised.

Time passes and this boy grows up into a young man, who helps his father in the fields.  One day their son experiences searing head pain, causing him to collapse.  Carried back to his mother, he dies.  She seeks out Elisha for emergency help saying–“Did I ask my lord for a son?  Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?'” (2 Kings 4:28).  Not only lied to but deceived.  Torrid finger-wagging right in Elisha’s face.

Elisha rushes to the deceased boy’s side and you know what happens.  A miracle!  Life restored!  Not by Elisha but through you-know-who.  The mother now rises up in gratitude for what the Lord has done.  Note that Elisha doesn’t gloat over his success or throw salt in her wounds by maligning, denouncing and tearing into her for being faithless.  A hint there?  About how considerate I am of other’s frailty?  How Jesus treats me?  How I care for myself?

Even when downcast, especially then, the Lord wants to draw near, not with scorching, strident potshots, but with kindness, understanding, and tender loving care.  I often expect the back of His hand only to find the one that helps.  His forgiving love more than anger.

I need more of Jesus as He truly is.  Not as my peabrain misreads Him.   Don’t you want the same?  Gone on–grab hold…of Jesus!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being here with me today and always.  Amen.

A BRIEF AD!

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Please forgive me for this brief ad. Think it might help with a holiday gift or two. I’ve written 2 daily devotional books that you can order on Amazon. The first is entitled ‘Reflections Out Of Time’ and the second is ‘Reminders for Daily Devotion’. Could be that one or both are just the right gift for someone you want to encourage or even witness to about our Lord Jesus. Might be. Just wanted you to know…blessings and Keep Christ in Christmas! John

KEEP TO THE BOOK 1 Corinthians 4

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Where can you find a solid rock to stand on, an anchor in rough seas, a cave to slip into when howling winds threaten to topple you?  In other words, where can you feel safe and secure?

Not with big bucks, or from baby-kissing, two-bit politicos or owning the latest tech wonder-gadget.  We’ve made them life-and-death, major league necessities, yet none satisfy.  Not completely.  I’ve tried some.  In ministry, there’s always some new angle that promises to beef up our churches or my clergy awesomeness.  The pastor as clown.  No comments, please!  Purpose-Driven stuff.   I’m Okay/ You’re Not So Great!  Pop psychology that poops out.  Business techniques that grow our congregations, competitively topping me out as the numero uno very best pastor in town!  On and on.

But when push comes to shove, there’s one safe place.  It’s in that book you have.  Your Bible.  That’s the place to be safe and sound.  One given by God Himself.  Listen to the Apostle Paul–‘…that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written…’ (1 Cor. 4: 6).  Hear that?  Stay within God’s boundaries found in His Word.  Inside you’re home free.  Outside?  Well, you know.

God’s ancient peoples wander away from what’s written.  Amos 2: 4–‘…because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray…’  Ever since Adam and Eve fall prey to the deception of that slithery, satanic serpent, mankind has gotten sidetracked all over the map.  Gladly, eagerly following hooey and hokum rather than God’s truth.  Swiveling and swerving away from God’s light at first opportunity, only to find that darkness increases exponentially.  Jesus says this– ‘…the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil’ (John 3:19).

Now what?  Grab your Bible.  Keep to the Book.  Crack open its pages.  Dive in.  Make it like 3 meals a day.  Balanced and nutricious.  Vitamins included.  Most of all, enjoy getting to know the Author, finding yourself deeply loved, intrigued by His genius, relishing the Son-shine, standing on solid ground.

Keep to the Book.

Thank you, Father, for your dependable Word.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

HALF-BAKED Hosea 7

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How exciting to have a machine that bakes bread.  Like magic.  All it takes is adding a few ingredients, push a few buttons and out pops homemade bread in a couple of  hours.  The machine’s ringer signals that it’s time to chomp down on some delicious staff of life.  Make sure butter and jam’s ready to go.

I open the lid.  Can’t believe what I’m seeing.  Instead of a nice toasty loaf, I’m looking at a pile of gloppy goo that defies description.  Disgusting.  Disappointing.  Dreadful.  What’s happened?  Bad yeast?  Salt lost its saltiness?  No.

Plain and simply stupid–I didn’t pay attention to the order of ingredients going into the machine.  Didn’t think it mattered.  Why should it?  Legalists.  Party poopers.  Couldn’t be little old me, could it?  Then my wife tells me that I didn’t lock the bread gadget into place causing the blade, or whatever it’s called, to roll around aimlessly!  You can tell how high-tech I am.

Hosea, the Old Testament prophet knows how to grab your attention.  He’s told to take back his wife, who has the unenviable name of Gomer (no last name of Pyle, however!), who’s wandered off in sexual escapades.  There’s even more to it than that.  In chapter 7, Hosea brings God’s urgent message to ancient Israel, which should have turned a few heads, ushering in repentance, falling down at God’s feet, begging Him to set them straight.  But no.  They pay no attention.  Could care less.  Thumb their noses His way.

Hosea 7:8–‘Ephraim mixes himself with the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.’   This largest family group of Northern Israel mixes itself together with those who worship all kinds of gods.  False gods, like a mishmosh goulash, with God’s people giving Him only a passing nod.  Sadly, this spiritual hanky-panky catches on among His own like some current-day nasty pandemic virus. Only thing they can’t resist is adding more and more bogus gods to their worship.  Screwball hobby, collecting phony deities which aren’t kosher.  Mixed in and mixed up.  Soon to be nixed by God Almighty, the One and Only.

Like a cake not turned or a half-baked loaf of bread, burned on one side, soggy mess on the other.  Compromisers.  Mixing and matching the wrong ingredients.  Not following the Lord’s instructions.  Sound familiar?  Like our culture?  Maybe your life to a degree?  Rings in my ears.

Isn’t it time to stand up for Jesus?  For Him alone?  To mean what you say, and say what you mean?  Unashamed?  True we’re all failures and hypocrites.  Wishy-washy sweet-talkers.  This time I’m staring in the mirror.  Do I like this about me?  A people pleaser?  Not really.  Hopeless?  No.  We know who turns failure into forgiveness.  Don’t we?

So get up.  Stand up for Jesus.  No better time than right now.  Maybe no one expects it of you or me.  But shouldn’t I do what He wants?  For a change?  Not such a half-baked idea!

Lord Jesus, we want to be unashamedly yours.  Thank you.  Amen.

THOSE BEASTLY MOTHS Hosea 5

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How could we not love cruising the Danube and Rhine rivers in Eastern and Central Europe?  It’s like going back in time to a simpler way of life.  All on a floating first-class hotel with a five-star restaurant amply meeting all our needs!  We upgrade to a balcony, which is barely usable as we traverse literally dozens of dark-inducing navigation-locks all along those fabled waterways.

One night we couldn’t believe our eyes.  Looking out onto our balcony we see cloud-like white flapping wings of myriad thousands of moths.  Foolishly, I open our sliding-glass door to shoo them away only to welcome in those flying buggers.  Now they take over our stateroom.  So I grab a magazine and start swatting, flailing and whacking away with determined ferocity.  And what a bloody mess I make!  Took the staff quite awhile cleaning and disinfecting our walls and furniture.  I did a good job.  Maybe a little too good?  Should never have given those winged beasties an opening.

A lesson here?  Don’t give a fighting chance to sin.  Try not to open that window or door even a smidgen.  Hosea 5 spills the beans on God’s people who overflow with wickedness.  They’re warned, in no uncertain terms, that consequences will usher in unanticipated troubles.  If the Lord’s people don’t turn around and run to God for His help and healing, He’ll be to them like those little varmints were to us in our stateroom.  Hosea 5: 12–‘But I am like a moth to Ephraim, and like dry rot to the house of Judah.’  Moths and dry rot–what God’s judgement looks like to the unrepentant.  Make a sharp U-turn.  Do a one-eighty.  For sin leads to a double-whammy chain reaction.

Before we sell our 70-year old home, inspectors check high-and-low for structural issues.  At the top of their list is dry rot.  After all, we live in a rainy climate, making rot a real problem, especially for an older property.  Decaying wood leads to moogoo bucks in repair bills.  No wonder they check so thoroughly.  The results?  We pass but not without a whole bunch of stress and worry.

That lesson again?  Let go of sin.  Don’t allow those pesky, unglodly ‘moths’ in.  Treat spiritual foundation and siding with care and protection.  Keep the ‘doors’ and ‘windows’ closed tight as hard-nosed sin sniffs out nonstop for even the tiniest break.

Know your Bible.  Spend quality and quantity time daily in its pages.  Get closer to Jesus.  Never shy away from Him.  Even cuddle up a little closer.  He’s waiting!

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much.  Amen.