SING, SING…A RELEASE FROM PRISON!…Ephesians 5: 18-20

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Go ahead…sing to the Lord!  Really good medicine, which will release you from prisons of depression, anxiety and worry.  Just for a moment, turn off this world.  Turn off CNN and Fox News.  And sing to the Lord!

Ephesians 5: 19–‘…sing and make music in your heart to the Lord’.  I remember a time, many years ago,  when I was feeling very lonely, single, missing my boys on an everyday basis, far from family who never travelled, distanced from some friends who may have thought that divorce was an infectious disease that they could catch, in a job that required no time off for the first 5 years.  I was not wanting to serve another church for fear of what could happen once again.  People can be tough to deal with and I no longer felt tough enough to take it.   I was not spending time in God’s Word,  so some of my ‘prison’ was of my own making.  The isolation was very telling.  The loneliness gnawed at me.  I could feel it deep within my stomach.

One night I found my old hymnal from the Tabernacle in Ocean City, New Jersey.  Beginning to leaf through its pages, I started singing– ‘Victory in Jesus’, ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’, ‘Trust and Obey’,  ‘On Calvary’, on and on, song after song, hymn to Jesus after hymn to our Lord.   It was wonderful!   Hoped that I had hard-of-hearing neighbors.  They probably wished they had a mute person living  in my apartment!  I sang and sang …to the Lord.  Those wonderful hymns and Gospel songs that I used to sing  as a new Christian.  The ones we sang at the Moody Bible Institute.

It was almost instantaneous.  I started to feel better. I’m not exaggerating. My mood lifted  like ‘Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary’.  Not so alone.  Not so alienated.  Not so imprisoned.

How about you?  Need a little help?  The Apostle Paul’s advice is still good.  Sing…make music in your heart…from deep within…all to the Lord.  Not singing for its own sake…but to our Lord!  Whatever your feelings this Christmas season, lift high the name of Jesus, the name above all names.  With your singing, notice that your own feelings will soar as well!  Happy singing!  Merry Christmas…to all!

Prayer:  We sing your praises, our Lord.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen!

ON THAT MUSICAL NOTE!… Ezekiel 26: 7-14

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Ezekiel is one of the most amazing books in the entire Bible.  Have you read it?   I highly recommend it,  but it is different.  For me, that’s part of the excitement!

Let’s look at chapter 26.  Judgement is being declared on the land of Tyre, an island city that was one of the main commerce centers of the ancient world. A wealthy nation with no time for God, only for business and money.  Sound familiar?

A military siege is coming, Ezekiel warns.  War looms on the horizon led by the forces of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.  Look at verse 13.  Part of future judgement will be the removal of songs from the land.    No more music sung or played on instruments.  No more choirs praising the Lord.  No more somber tunes to ease grief and loss.  The Hebrew word for ‘music’ is ‘sheer’, which denotes emotions from the heart through vocal cords and instruments.  But for Tyre, no more singing,  no more music.

What a terrible judgement.  Like a vision of hell.  Where not a note of praise will ever be heard again.  No happy melody that lifts and inspires, soothes and comforts.  A chord that resonates with feelings deep within.  None.

Whistling, humming, singing, playing…all from our hearts to the Lord Himself.  God loves to hear us in song and music!  It would be hell to not sing for Him.  But that is what will be the future for those who want nothing to do with the Lord in their life.  Not His wish, but He does honor theirs.  How bleak and hopeless that would be.

Quite the opposite for those who love the Lord and know His Son Jesus Christ.  Heavenly songs and music like we can’t even imagine!   There’s a wonderful song in a Christmas Cantata, the song entitled “What Can I Give?”   What we can give the Lord at Christmas?   A good question. What can we give Him?   The song answers with the words, “I can sing hallelujah…”

We can sing to the Lord.  That’s what we can give Him.  Our praise and thanks in beautiful song and music this Christmas and for that matter…every day of the year!  What can we give Him?  ‘I can sing…’!

Prayer:  Lord, we love to sing your praises and play music that comes from our hearts to yours.  We give you a song this Christmas and New Year that says we love you and worship you now and forever.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

COULD IT BE? ALL THINGS FOR THE GOOD?…Luke 2: 1-20

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Reading through the Christmas story in Luke,  I was thinking about the inn that had no room for Joseph and Mary.  There have been so many stories written about the innkeeper, his wife, the crowds in Bethlehem due to the royal census, the donkeys and manger in that cave where they found shelter.

Joseph and Mary were relegated to a cave where their son was born into this world.  My wife and I have been to Bethlehem, and to the place where tradition says Jesus was born.  Down tiny steps to what would have been the ground-level in Jesus’ day.  Through a very narrow opening, looking all around, we realized that we were in a rough-hewn cave, very large, dark and dank.  A cave, nevertheless.

Here our Savior was born.  Here?  Yes, here.  Why here?  Could it be because of what God has told us in Romans 8:28?  You remember the verse– ‘All things work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose.’   Note that the verse does not say that all things ARE good; but that somehow, in ways that I have no earthly idea about, but in God’s heavenly hands, He works everything together for His good purposes.

Please do not quote this verse to someone in the midst of terrible tragedy and loss.  It will  hurt like a knife into their heart.  Stay with them and be comforting.  Let them rest on your shoulders…for they will in time learn to lean upon His.

All things working together…for good.   Back to the Christmas story with the shepherds out in their fields watching their flock by night.  To them the angels first appear with the good news of the baby’s birth in the manger over in Bethlehem.  To shepherds– grimy and grungy, shabby and smelly.  To them came the heavenly announcement!

Verse 16 says that ‘they hurried off and found (the baby Jesus)…lying in a manger…just as it had been told them(v. 20).  How in the world did the shepherds ever find that one little baby?  How?  I can only imagine that there were very few newborns lying in manger-cave in Bethlehem.  They found Him because God used the inconvenience of ‘no room in the inn’ so that the shepherds could find Him without difficulty.   Sounds like ‘all things work together for good…’

How about in your life and mine?  No rose garden, I know.  But I’m sure trusting in the Lord, through thick-and-thin.  He’ll make those troubles and unanswered questions good compost for the best garden anyone has ever seen.  Out of this world!   Heavenly, really…

Prayer:  Our Lord, help us to hold your hand when times get tough and answers become rare.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

ACCOUNTING 101… Philippians 3: 1-11

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There’s no accounting for why I had such grave difficulties with Accounting 101 at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  It was the pits for me!  Did not compute at all, not in the least.  Don’t remember my grade, probably because I’ve blocked it out of my mind!

I had really wanted to be a stockbroker.  My father had even taken me to New York City to meet with a friend’s son, who was a top broker with a major investment firm.  We had lunch in the opulent corporate dining room.  Talking with this broker, he mentioned that what I needed more than anything else was something that startled me.  It made me most uncomfortable.

I was a new believer in Jesus Christ and had started reading the Bible, not that this came up in our conversation that day at all.  It didn’t.  But my internal conversation was alive and well.  He told me that I had to love money.  ‘Just love it’, he advised.  That set off my internal thoughts to a fever pitch.  After all, I had read of that warning about loving money in 1 Timothy 6:10.  All kinds of roots and brambles from its love.  Nothing inherently evil,  but when idolized and worshipped the evil is let loose with horrific consequences.

That broker’s advice broke the spell of that career for me, which was finally pronounced dead-and-buried through Accounting 101 but a year or two later!   I was reading today about the Apostle Paul’s accounting-method in Philippians 3.  He lists all his accounts-receivables, all those debits to his account.  All the plus columns of his life…circumcised on the 8th day, of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a strict Pharisee, a zealous persecutor of the church of Jesus Christ.  All these should add up to a sterling disciple of God.  All the debits and receivables needed for righteousness and purity.

But no, Paul’s accounting takes the debits and makes them credits, the accounts- receivables become accounts-payable.  The tables are turned upside down.  He says that all those pluses are really zeroes… compared to knowing Jesus.  Everything else is plain ‘rubbish’ (verse 8).  That word  ‘rubbish’ in the original Greek means ‘dung’, to put it  politely!

All that really matters in life is not money, but to love and know the Savior.   Not things about Him, but to know Him.  To care about what He cares about.  To talk with Him and then hear from Him in His Word, the Bible.  To serve Him and eagerly await the time when we’ll be with Him forever.  As the Apostle Paul said, ‘that I may know Him…'(v. 10).

Now, that adds up!  He balances all the books.  He turns all that rubbish… into eternal rewards!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all your blessings to us.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

DARE TO BE A TIMOTHY!…Philippians 2: 19-24

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Now, I know that it’s ‘Dare to be a Daniel’!  I’ve sung the song many times.  But today I dare you to be a Timothy!  I double-dare myself as well.  Have you read what the Apostle Paul said about Timothy?  Paul’s hoping to send this younger associate to the Philippian church so he can bring back encouraging, joyful news about their growing faith in the Lord.  Look what Paul says about this young man:  ‘for I have no one like him…’  No one. Without parallel.  The head of his class.  Such an accolade!

Then the Apostle says that there is no one like Timothy ‘who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare’.  Timothy has a deep concern for God’s people.  His feelings are ‘genuine’.   The real deal.  Nothing phony-baloney about Timothy.  True blue, through and through.  Oh, to be a Timothy!

Timothy loves these Philippian Christians.  Paul then contrasts other church leaders with him, and tells us that ‘they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ’.  Selfishness ran rampant even in the church.  Instead of being concerned about what the Lord wants, it’s all about them.

We all know people, even believers, who seem like they are the only people in the whole wide world.  They are the only ones with problems, with heartaches, with plans and joys.  It’s me, I, and myself!  A false trinity of narcissism that is all too common in our day and age.  But not Timothy.

Oh, to be like Timothy!  Thinking about others.  Wanting the best for them, and the best for Jesus.  The best all around.  A stand-alone person…the genuine article…wanting your best which is God’s will for you.  Oh, to be a Timothy!     I dare you… as I dare myself!

Prayer:  Lord, our prayers are for your best for others as it is for us as well.  In Jesus’ name.   Amen.

STOP THE CHANGE ALREADY!… Matthew 2

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Everything is changing all the time.  Are you as tired of it as I am?  Recently I changed my e-mail address and living to regret it almost every waking moment of my day.  I’m tech-challenged at best on good days.  If it wasn’t for my wife, I’d still be using a long string connecting two tin cans and happy as a lark!  But I’m doing it.  Plowing forward, I hope.  Hitting speed bumps in lots of wrong places, I fear.  Checking, double-checking.  Very trying indeed!

In reading Matthew 2, it really impressed me how special Joseph was.   We know little about Joseph of the Christmas story.  What we do know is amazing.  His godly character shines as bright as the sun on the clearest of cloudless days.  What sets him apart from the likes of me is his willingness to change, to uproot his life, to switch course completely when he knows God is leading in a different direction.  For example, Caesar says it’s tax time, so Joseph and Mary take the exhausting journey to Bethlehem from their hometown of Nazareth.

There wise men arrive to worship the newborn babe and to bring precious gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:11 says that the Magi find the holy family in a house, no longer a cave.  Joseph and  Mary moved into a more permanent dwelling.  And Joseph was working and providing for his family.  Life was looking better for them, change was not so much in the air.  Until…

Herod gets wind of this new King, a threat to his rule. A threat he will not tolerate.    Once again, change has knocked at Joseph’s door in the form of an angel in a dream.  Seemingly, without even a question, packs up the family along with all their earthly possessions (especially the Magi gifts that will see them through the transitions ahead).  They don’t move to a nearby town, they leave the country and head for Egypt.

Change…change…change!   Was it hard for Joseph?   Think of all they’ve already been through.  But God called.  An angelic dream has been given.  Joseph was tuned in to the Lord.  Dreams came.  Joseph heard, heeded, and headed out of town.

Change is not easy for any of us!  More than ever, we need to stay close to our Lord.  Hear Him in His Word, daily.  Talk with Him, often.  Like a healthy vine that stays well-watered and fed,  stay very near the good earth of Jesus.

Hebrews 13:8–‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’.  That says it all!  Amen?  Amen!

Prayer:  Lord, give me strength to make all the changes I need in my life.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

IN SUCH GOOD COMPANY… Ezekiel 14: 12-20

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Being a Christian today often results in argument, shaming and ostracism.  No longer fashionable to align ourselves with biblical teachings.  Accusations of bigotry, closed-mindedness are hurled like rotten apples at a moving target.   Even in our families or among our friends, we can feel the coldness of rejection.  I’m sure you know what I mean.

Times have changed.  People are different than they used to be.  It’s not because I’m getting older that I feel this way.  Times have changed and people are different.  Being a Christian is no longer like wearing a flower in your lapel,  for opposition will be in our faces.  I guarantee it.

However, we must remember what Solomon said thousands of years ago, that ‘there is nothing new under the sun'(Ecclesiastes 1:9). Times have always been tough for God’s people.   Our reading today is from the Prophet Ezekiel, from about 2600 years ago.  The people of God have been rebellious and ungrateful, forsaking Him for other gods.  Promise-breakers and unfaithful.  Only judgement awaits them.  A judgement of their own making.  God’s fed up with them and says in chapter 14:14 that even if Noah, Daniel and Job were among those in Ezekiel’s time, that even with these heroes of the faith present,  God would not forgive and forget except that the lives of those faithful three would most certainly be spared.

Noah, Daniel and Job– godly men who stood alone against mockers, pagan idolaters, greedy politicians, friends and family who were more hurtful than helpful.  They stood with God and what He had told them.   So must we.

No matter what, we’ve crossed over the line and now there’s no turning back.  We’re followers of the Master.  Even if it means standing alone.  But, wait a minute.  Alone?  Are you sure?  For we’re in good company!  Noah, Daniel and Job.  With the heavenly host and guardian angels around us.  With Jesus who promised to be with us no matter what, where or when (Matthew 28:20).  Jesus.  The Holy Spirit fills us with the presence of God Himself, making those of us who believe in Jesus the very Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).  Then there’s also the ‘cloud of witnesses’ who are in heaven.  Saints who have gone before us to the throne of God…cheering us on (Hebrews 12:1).

Jesus (Hebrews 7:25) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 8: 26-27) are praying and interceding with the Father for each of God’s children.  That’s you and me!  Alone?  I better rethink that.  Not sure how there’s room to even stand up in the presence of all that help–pretty good company, huh?  Don’t be afraid to stand tall for our Lord!  We’re never alone!

Prayer:  Our Lord, for all the strength you give us, thank you.  We stand with You, now and forever.  Amen.

NO APPLAUSE NEEDED!… Isaiah 42: 18-25

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As this year draws to a close, once again I will be completing my reading of the entire Bible. Yes, from Genesis to Revelation.   Who said ‘whoop-dee-doo for you’?  I heard someone in the back row of the ‘peanut gallery’!  After all, I am a pastor and those types should be reading their Bibles… and not bragging about it.  Right?  Trust me, I am not tooting-my-own-horn.  Not in the least.

This will be my 25th reading of the Bible from cover-to-cover,  and none for sermon preparation.  This is my time with the Lord.  Sitting at His feet and hearing from Him.  I’m so glad I started this discipline in my devotional life.  I must admit something to you.  I’ve been a Christian for over 50 years, and read God’s Word for only half of those.  Just a tad less than half.  Suddenly you can see why I’m not bragging.  In addition, I’ve been an ordained pastor for over 40 years now.  The numbers belie the fact that for many years the Bible was not a passion of my soul, not a high priority over-and-above my  church work schedule and responsibilities.

I was so busy.  I had too much on my plate…for the Lord?!  Really?  To be honest,  my spiritual life was as dry as cold toast.  I don’t know if others could tell.  But I knew.

What could I do?  I’ve wasted so much time already. Way too much. How about you?  Maybe you’re thinking about spending more time in the Bible, especially with a new year coming with resolutions to be made and kept.  Start now.  Don’t wait for the new year.  You might even start by reading a chapter a day in the Gospel of John.  In three weeks you’ll have read all twenty one chapters and ready to move on to more Bible reading, every day, whether you feel like it or not, time permitting or not.

Maybe you’re wondering why I had you read from Isaiah 42.  I’ll tell you.  Focus in on verse 23.  My translation(ESV) says ‘…will attend and listen for the time to come.’  The original Hebrew reads ‘from now on’.  As I thought about this verse I could hear our Lord say gently to me, ‘don’t worry about what you didn’t do.  Start now…begin afresh…from now on.’  Today is a new day.   The right one to spend with the Lord who gave His Son as a Christmas gift to all, with the gift of forgiveness, renewal and eternal life.  Get close to Him.  You’ll never regret it.  ‘From now on…’!

Prayer:  Dear Lord, and you are dear and precious to me.  I love you and can’t wait to spend time with you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

THAT UNUSUAL HIGH SCHOOL AWARD!……Read Isaiah 40: 1-8

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I was most perplexed.  Was it a compliment or not?  A good award to receive in my junior year at High School?  I wondered.  Mr. Gordon, our English teacher, was handing out awards, of his own making, to all his students.  Most likely to get into an Ivy League school, most entertaining, most popular, etc.– I think that’s what the awards were called then but it was a few years ago now, like over half a century!

I couldn’t wait to hear what award I was to receive from one of my favorite teachers.  But it sounded like most of the good ones were already taken.  Wonder what was left?  Then it was my turn.  My name was called.  I rushed to the front of the class to receive my coveted award from Mr. Gordon!  Here it was–The Constancy Award!  The what?  Did I hear right?  Not sure what that meant?  Did I need to eat some prunes?  Constancy…

At the time,  I was more embarrassed than appreciative of that award.  Years later, I’m glad I’m more of a dependable type than not.  Less susceptible to sales pitches and fads.    Someone you can count on.  One who doesn’t give up easily; has stability, endurance and perseverance.  Not such a bad award after all.  Not at all.  It’s kind of grown on me!

In Isaiah 40:6–‘All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.’  My English Standard Version has a footnote next to the word ‘beauty’ and it’s my word ‘constancy’.  But here the Bible is referring to the fleeting quality of life. As constant as it may seem, yet how quickly it fades away. Even its beauty will not last.

Verse 7 echoes that same thought comparing our lives to the seasonal growth and death found in God’s creation.  But don’t stop with that verse.  There’s good news in the next one.  ‘…but the Word of God will stand forever’!   ‘Will stand’… a promise made by God.  It will stand sure-footed and tall, upright and confident.  The Bible, God’s Word, will stand not just ’til the end of the year or the end of our lives. No, but forever!  That’s a promise.  That will stand when all else has fallen.  The Bible–God’s Constancy Award-winner for all time and eternity!  Good news?  I’d say so!  And I received the award!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for being dependable.  For giving us your Word.  In Jesus’ name.    Amen.

PTL!… Psalm 150

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How many times have I used the initials PTL! in a letter or e-mail?  Lots and lots.  Praise the Lord!   No, not ‘pass the loot’ as some wiseguy is now thinking!  However, Christmas is coming, so I may rethink that for a moment!

Psalm 150 is the last of the psalms, and it ends on a great note of praise to God.  As I meditate upon it,  I keep wondering how a journalist would look at this song of praise, Psalm 150.  You know, the ‘who, where, when, how and what’ questions that they use to cover a story.

As I was taking notes, I saw those journalistic questions come right out at me and make themselves quite evident.  Who?  Verse 6 calls on everyone and everything with breath to praise the Lord.  No one left out.  Everyone included.  Don’t worry about your net worth or income, education status or anything else that tends to divide people.  All that becomes invisible and unnecessary  when we praise the Lord.

Where?  Verse 1 says ‘in His sanctuary’ and ‘in His mighty heavens’.  Where?  In worship…in the heavens.  Really, wherever we find ourselves is the very best place in all the world to pause, ponder and praise our Lord.  Anywhere.  Everywhere.

Why?  Verse 2 tells us of ‘His mighty deeds…His excellent greatness’.  Why?  His power, His creation, His salvation in Jesus Christ alone, His choosing us before the foundation of the world.  His character.  His holiness and purity,  goodness and mercy.  That’s why!  Praise the Lord!

How?  Verses 3-5 tell us that our praise of God happens with human voice, all kinds of musical instruments,  and then dance with an excitement and energy and devotion that keeps building and building.  So, today– PTL!  Praise the Lord your God wherever you are; for all He is, has been and will be, for all He’s done; with whatever creative expressions of praise we can muster.  Praise the Lord!

Prayer:  We praise you, O Lord, with our entire being for all you are to us.  Thank you for Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Comforter.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.