Author Archives: revjaf

PEOPLE TODAY Psalm 78

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We moan and groan about people today.  Not ourselves, of course!  Others!  You know who they are.  Crass and getting worse.  Take a gander at television.  Maybe you shouldn’t.  Movies?  Have you seen new ones?  For us, maybe a decade ago, and what a colossal waste of time and money.

I’m now reading about a bunch of totally greedy botchagaloops.  Believe in numerous gods.  Never satisfied.  Always grabbing for more.  Money-grubbers.  Noticeably unhappy with nary a smile on their faces.  Scowls dominate.  Ungrateful like they deserve everything.  ‘I’m owed’.  And angry.  And entitled.  You know them.  No, not you, of course!  Or me, certainly!

By the way, what am I reading?  Just perusing Psalm 78.  What?  Yes!  Asaph pens this psalm.  He’s one of the leading choir directors of ancient Israel.  He knows the history of God’s people.  Warts and all.  Read the first thirty-one verses and you’ll note how little anyone has changed over the millennia.  No evolution in our spiritual lives.  Same old, same old.  More like devolution.

Mustn’t end of such a down note.  Read on.  Especially verses 32-39, and you’ll discover where our hope lies.  You know!  With the Lord.  With Him alone.  He’s the key as Jesus opens the doors to life in its fullness (John 10:9-10), which will be complete when we close our eyes to this world, opening them to Him in glory.

No matter what comes your way this year, whatever happens, remember this– ‘…God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer’ (Psalm 78: 35).  Time to stop whining and start becoming a wide-eyed believer in all the goodness God has for us in His Son Jesus.  Both now and then, here and there.  As in always!

Got that?

 

Thank you, Jesus, for making life worth living.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

DOING WHAT JESUS DOES John 10: 22-42

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Happy New Year!  2019?  My, how time flies.  Whizzes by at lightning speed.  But I wonder about the future.  With all its uncertainties.  No doubt this new year will entail some doozies.  Either personally or in our families, with our finances and jobs, and certainly in politics.  Looking forward gives me the shakes!

In the winter, Jesus attends Hanukkah celebrations in Jerusalem’s Temple (John 10).  Cold days and nights.  But the hierarchy glows hot as you-know-what.  About Jesus.  And His miracles.  And His big mouth proclaiming blasphemy, or so they say.  His life dangles in mortal danger.  It hangs in the balance.

So what does Jesus do?  John 10:40–‘…(Jesus) went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days.  Here he stayed…’  Facing the future, Jesus goes back to where His earthly ministry begins (John 1).  A hint for you and me?

When fears and worries rear their ugly faces, head back to the Lord for His reassurance.  That’s where Jesus goes, putting His mind and soul at ease.  To where He hears John the Baptist announce that He’s the Messiah.  He’s God’s Lamb who will take away the world’s sins (John 1:29).  Also where the Holy Spirit anoints Jesus, mimicking a gently descending dove (1:32).  And where He hears most comforting words from His Father, who loves Him so much, that Jesus is ‘the Son of God’ (1:34).

When frightened and panicky, trust what the Lord has already promised.  When shaken to the core, hold on tightly to Him.  When wobbly with uncertainties, lean firmly on God.  Dig deeper into His Word.  Stay close by.  Heels dug in and unmoved.  For if so, terrifying winds will give up long before you do.

What’s ahead for you and me in 2019?  I know as much as you do.  Nothing, really!  But going forward I’ll try to gaze back for God’s strength just like Jesus does.  I’ll try.

Good enough for Him.  Good enough…  Well, you get the point.

 

We’ll stand with you, Jesus, all year long.  But only with your help.  Amen.

TO THE WORD! Isaiah 8: 11-22

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From ‘Les Miserables’ by Victor Hugo comes the cry–‘to the barricades!’  To battle.  Stand up for what you believe in.  Don’t roll over and play dead.  Be bold.  Speak your peace, even if it stirs up quite the contrary.

We live in contentious times.  Everyone taking sides, and being rather nasty about it.  I remember the ’60’s race riots, when I’m a student at Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute, as acrid smoke of burning buildings billows in the air.  Or Vietnam War controversies.  A president resigning.  Political candidates and religious leaders shot and killed.  My being the 2nd birth date chosen in the lottery for the Vietnam draft.  The only lottery I’ve ever won!

Such is life.  You have your own story.  Could go on and on, but let’s cancel the pity party!  As the new year approaches, let’s not go to the barricades, but to the Bible.  One of the best decisions I’ve ever made (and I’ve made a few in my lifetime!) is to decide without flinching, without making lots of excuses, without allowing unnecessary interruptions, without heading to the barricades, but running headlong to the Bible!  As in reading it all year long.  All of it.  Its entirety.

Isaiah 8: 19-20–‘…should not the people inquire of their God?  Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?  To the law and to the testimony!  If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of days’.  Here’s the point.   Why waste time with ‘dead’ things.  With colossal wastes of time, which fritter away what can never be reclaimed.  You know what your ‘dead’ things are.  I know mine.

Why not make your commitment today to spend quantity and quality time with your Lord Jesus in God’s living Word.  From January 1st until December 31st.  I’ve never known anyone, anywhere, ever who regrets time with the Master.

To the Bible!  All year long.  Cover to cover.  Genesis to Revelation.  Ready?  Set?  Go!  To the Word!  Happy New Year!

 

Lord, we look forward to time with you in your Word all year long.  For Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

MARY’S CHRISTMAS Luke 1: 39-56

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Christmas Day is right around the corner.  Are you ready?  I usually get shopping done as early as possible.  Our poor daughters-in-law bugged for grandchildren’s gift ideas, as I start inquiring around the 4th of July!  Truly!

The virgin Mary starts her preparations early.  After discovering that a miracle pregnancy occurs, she hightales it out of Nazareth, spending many months with godly relatives, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  Elizabeth also is expecting a ‘blessed event’.   She carries John the Baptist.

So, Mary settles in for the long haul.  Did her relatives wonder if she’d ever go home?  Probably not.  People in that culture make hospitality their priority.  My asking the question says something about me, however!

Mary’s Christmas begins with one of the most beautiful songs in all the Bible.  Theologians called it the ‘Magnificat’, from Latin language, for Mary’s soul ‘magnifies’ the Lord.  Her song tells us much about Mary herself.  At a time when females have little access to literacy or education, Mary is versed in her Bible.

The ‘Magnificat’ (Luke 1: 39-56)  is soaked in the Old Testament, especially the Psalms.  She knows her Bible.  Her parents have made this possible.  Certainly not required in her society.  She would have been well respected in home, family and village without any formal education.

But Mary aspires for more.  She wants to know her God and her Bible.  Mary’s Christmas will be girded in Scripture.  Bound secure by her Lord’s promises.  Think how her life will be topsy-turvy for as long as she lives because of this child.  Not an easy life.  Not at all.  But Mary trusts her Lord.  Her ‘…spirit rejoices in God my savior…’ (Luke 1:47).  Mary’s Christmas will be merry because God is centered in the marrow of her being.

As the day arrives this week, open your Bible to Luke 1:39-56, and read of Mary’s Christmas.  Bathe in His Word.  Saturate in Scripture.  No skimming allowed.  Forget the speed-reading.

By the way, why not recall how much the Lord has given you…and me…this day of Jesus’ magnificence.  Mull it over.  It’s not easy in this confused, cluttered, muddied and muddled holiday.  Try, as best you can, to pivot toward God’s great gift…Jesus!  He’s worth the effort.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you for Jesus, our Lord and Savior.  In His name.  Amen.

TIME TO ORDER ‘REMINDERS FOR DAILY DEVOTION’ E-BOOK

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New Year’s day is only two weeks away.  I hope you’ve had a chance to order my recently published daily devotional entitled ‘Reminders’.  A new message for everyday of the year.  Would make a nice gift for someone you love.  Someone you’d like to see grow closer to Jesus in their daily walk.  Someone in need of a word of encouragement during difficult times.

You can order your copy today on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and Kobo.  All but Kobo allow you to purchase a copy as a gift.  Just note the ‘Buy for Others’ tab and make a lasting gift that travels with them wherever they go.  Digital copies are very versatile indeed!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy New Year.  Wow~2019!

AN OLD TESTAMENT CHRISTMAS! Esther 9

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An Old Testament Christmas?  From the Book of Esther?  Don’t judge me as if I’m nutty as a holiday fruitcake!  Maybe there’s something to ponder from this first Testament.  Think so?  After all, none of us is totally comfortable with the Christmas celebration as it’s become.  Are we?

Too much commercialism.  Too much stuff.  Too many hurt feelings from the past.  Some gifts that seem more like a slam than a present.  What to give someone who needs nothing more.  Crowds and bills pile up.  Wouldn’t you rather go to sleep today and wake up January 2nd?  Excuse me, I’m about to nod off!

Nevertheless, it’s time to celebrate!  Jesus is born!  Messiah comes!  Promises made and kept…by God!  All our sins handled by the Master–all forgiven.  All believers given new life.  All because of Jesus, born to Mary.  All the love in the universe, wrapped up in swaddling clothes, lying in Bethlehem’s manger.

Celebrate!  As God’s people do in the Book of Esther.  Here’s a story of a saved people.  Their common enemy destroyed.  A people pulled from the brink of annihilation.  What then?  Read Esther 9.

Of course, celebrate!  Esther 9 says that every year on two days they will remember when their sorrow turns to joy, their mourning to exaltation.  And what more?  Gifts are given–‘…a day of joy and feasting, a day of giving presents to each other’ (v.19), and ‘…as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor’ (v.22).  There it is–an Old Testament Christmas!

This year I’m not harboring any regrets over Christmas.  None.  Forget it.  Wasted energy.  We’re giving to each other along with gifts to help others have a better life, especially to know Jesus, the reason for it all.

What’s to feel guilty about when we’re ‘painting the town red’ for Jesus?  For the babe of Bethlehem!  Our Messiah!

Join me?  Why not?  Celebrate!

Thank you, Lord, for the joys of knowing Jesus.  Amen.

 

 

 

 

HEAVEN’S BREAD Psalm 105

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Christmas carols can be heard in stores ever since the ‘dog days’ of summer or so it seems!  When I owned a 1972 VW Super Beetle, which had a cassette tape player, I’d listen each December (not a month earlier!) to recordings of Christmas carol organ improvisations by John Detroy, the organist at my first church, who also played the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’ at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.  Such a talented and gentle man.

One Detroy gem was a take on ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’.  My wife and I have been to Bethlehem in Israel.  Not so ‘little’ anymore.  Bible scholars posit that ‘Bethlehem’ means ‘house of bread’.  A name which celebrates one of the basics of life.

Now take a gander at Psalm 105, focusing on verses 37-41.  The psalmist recollects Israel’s exodus from Egypt, and how God cares for His own, even in terrible places during turbulent times.  God’s people, freed from slavery, now roam desert sands.  They’re given promises though little else.

They’re tired, hot, hungry and thirsty– ‘They asked, and he (God) brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.  He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert’ (Ps. 105:40-41).  Meat…bread…water.  The basics.

This Christmas I’m challenged to thank God for all those basics in my life.  The blessings He gives that rarely show up on my appreciation radar screen.  Those mostly taken for granted.  Now, we pause to thank the Lord.

For our dear Australian friends, Jack and Maggie, who always encourage me, saying how much these weekly devotions mean to them.  For our newspaper delivery guy John, who often puts ours right next to our front door, especially on frosty mornings.  For neighbor’s smiles and waves.  For grandkids, who love coming to our home, even tolerating Silly Papa!  And a wife who has so many wonderful qualities, including choosing to share life with the likes of me.

Now think of your own.  Shouldn’t be too difficult.  Take your time and enjoy remembering the Lord’s many basics, whatever and whoever.  Being grateful feels pretty good, huh?  Tastes like bread from heaven!

 

Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings this season and always.  For Jesus most of all.  Amen.

 

FULL Galatians 4: 1-7

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Galatians 4 contains the Apostle Paul’s Christmas story, where he speaks of time in its fullness when Jesus is born of Mary, born under Moses’ Law, to buy us out of sin’s slavery through His death on the Cross.  Time was full, filled with meaning.  Bringing redemption to believing mankind.

Tomorrow begins the Advent season.  The last church Sue and I served had a fullness to that time.  Today, I’d like to celebrate what that meant to us and who made it special.  Precious church members, friends all, who fashioned this month full of love and joy, light and worship.  You may not know any of these people, but hopefully you have your own who form life full and good.

It all begins with Ruth and Tinker dragging out the large artificial Christmas tree (we always ask to help; and sometimes, though not often, they’d accept!), assembling it in the chancel area.  Multiple ornaments, inscribed with the names of past church family, are hung on the tree.  Good to remember those saints we loved, now with our Lord Jesus.  Like Etta Good, John Barnes, Cathy Brown, Cecil Herrington to name but a few.

Byron and Gloria would come a few days later, hanging two large wreathes on the back walls of the sanctuary.  Then they’d string and twist strands of multi-colored lights on the choir railing in addition to the pulpit.

Christmas banners, created by my wife Sue, are hung on side walls, telling the story of Jesus, the holy couple and the Magi.  A large stand can be found near the organ for lighting candles each Advent Sunday, and then all of them on Christmas Eve.  Every week a different church family would light the appropriate candles and read a portion of the Christmas story from the Bible.

Roberta rehearses the choir for our annual Christmas cantata.  We log in at about 18 singers of varied skill and enthusiasm.  Not bad considering our church attendance is usually around 50.  We joke that there won’t be enough out there to hear us!  Maybe that’s not a so bad after all!

Lights…candles…singing…Scripture…God’s precious people.  All achieve a full season.  And then comes the finale on Christmas Eve.  Some years my wife places luminaries on the walkway up to the church’s front door.  Paper bags filled with stabilizing sand and a lit candle lighting the way.

We celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World.  Often Christmas Eve overflows with family and friends.  Special music groups from other churches, which have no Christmas Eve service, come and bless us all.  No monetary offering this night.  Just joy in the Lord.  To thank Him for the gift of His Son Jesus.

These are some of my reflections out of my time.  What are yours?  Thank the Lord for all who make your life as full as it is.  By the way, I’m grateful for you!

 

Thank you for Jesus in all His fullness.  Amen.

OBED-EDOM 1 Chronicles 13, 15, 25, 26

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Who in the world is Obed-Edom?  An obscure Old Testament character?  Someone referenced in a pub quiz or crossword puzzle?

No.  Actually, he deserves top billing.  Check out those chapters in 1 Chronicles to discover where and why he’s mentioned.  Agree with me?  Maybe not!

First of all, the Hebrew word ‘obed’ means ‘servant’.  Since ancient names mean something, here we have someone who loves to serve others.  A rare bird in any day-and-age.

Obed-Edom first shows up when King David gets ticked-off at God for allowing the deaths of those who improperly move the Ark of the Covenant (1 Chron. 13).  David’s concerned about what might happen if this dangerous Ark transfers to his Jerusalem home turf.  So, he orders it carried off to Obed-Edom’s home.  He’ll take care of what David fears.  And if death lurks in Obed’s backyard, so be it.  Too bad, so sad!

What happens?  Lo-and-behold, God blesses Obed-Edom beyond anyone’s fondest dreams.  David’s next move?  Right!  After noticing all that good stuff coming Obed-Edom’s way, David wants the Ark in his own backyard.  He yearns for you-know-what to overflow from God…to himself.

I wonder about Obed-Edom’s reaction?  Does he feel used?  I would have.  After all, the Ark remains in his care when dangerous uncertainty lurks.  But when ‘everything comes up roses’, off goes God’s blessed cornucopia to the high-and-mighty.  Phooey!  But that’s me!

God’s take on Obed-Edom?  1 Chronicles 26:5–‘For God had blessed Obed-Edom.’  God remembers the one who serves.  For Obed-Edom exemplifies a life for others.  One who doesn’t mind taking a back seat when called for.  He’s humble enough to let others gain the acclaim.   Unlike many, so eager to get all success’ credit, while shunning blame when the bottom falls out, Obed-Edom stays true to his name, who he’s called to be…a servant.

Sure could use a few more like Obed-Edom.  In politics.  In business.  In church.  In our homes.  And in our own hearts and minds.  As in me…and you!

Servants…for the Lord Jesus.  And for others.  Obed-Edom.  Not so obscure after all!

 

Lord Jesus, may we be faithful servants… for others and for you.  Amen.

 

HE KNOWS Daniel 2: 17-21

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Now that one political season has ended (sort of!), another is just around the corner.  Never fails–losers touted as winners.  Winners berated as losers.  Back-and-forth the nasty pendulum swings ad nauseum.  Are you as tired of it all as I am?

But really we have little to gripe about.  I know I’m spoiled.  Have so much when others have so little.  Fat and sassy while some barely able to feed their children let alone themselves.  Most of us have no idea what it’s like to go without.  We’re clueless.  Is that a good thing?  Probably not.

Reading Daniel 2 we see what’s happening to God’s people in his day.  Tough times blast with gale force winds.  Their nation decimated.  Their holy Temple razed.  Their best and brightest young people whisked off to brainwashing camps, exiles for the foreseeable future.  Death stares them down.  And we complain.  We have no idea how horrible life becomes for God’s people.  I don’t.

So what do they have to be thankful for anyway?  Daniel knows.  Where?  Of course, with God.  Daniel 2: 19-23 sings lofty praise and thanksgiving to his Sovereign Lord.  He knows.  Read those verses for yourself and you will too.

This Thanksgiving let’s focus on the Lord Himself.  Yes, we’re grateful for all His blessings.  Family, country, friends, food, jobs, homes and so much more.   We’re grateful.

But in giving thanks, I usually get stuck down here in this world.  For what I can see, touch and taste.  How about looking up to the source?  To the Father of All.  To Jesus His only Son, our Savior.  To all the comforts of the Holy Spirit.  All the character traits of our triune God.  Like faithful love, kindness, gentleness, patience…  Add your own.

That’s where my heart will be this Thanksgiving.  On Him and who He is.  Daniel knew where to look in the most trying of times.  So should we.

Happy Thanksgiving!  You know why.

Thank you, Lord, for everything.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.