Psalm 8: Have you ever pondered what is above the heavens? If you are like me, my mind can barely conceive of the Milky Way system. To think that God is above the heavens is mind blowing. There is no way to truly understand His vastness.

Here is how Psalm 8 puts it.
1 O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

As we look out at the huge moon that has risen this evening we can see just a glimpse of God’s vastness. The moon is a reflection of the sun and even it is dwarfed by the greatness of our God.

I am blown away and I feel as the Psalmist spoke, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” An yet He does care. He cares so much for us that He knows the very number of hairs on our head. He hears every thought we ever think, and He formed us in our mother’s womb. Awing isn’t it?

Our only response should be praise and worship of the One who created all things! To Him be glory and honor here on the earth as well as above the very heavens!

Revelation 21: One of the things I hate about the end of Christmas is putting it all back into a box. One day we will never have to “put it all back in the box.” One day God Himself will make all things new.

Revelation 21:1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Glory to God! I can’t wait!

The other thing I hate about this time of year is the darkness. Where I live it gets dark between 4:30 and 5 each evening. I suffer from light deprivation. That is why this part of Revelation brings me unbelievable joy.

22 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Glory Hallelujah! Praise to the Lamb of God!!!

Revelation 20: I think one of the saddest verses in the Bible is recorded in Revelation 20. It tells of the day that Satan will be thrown in the pit for eternity and that will be a good thing because it will be the end of death and suffering, it will be sad too. Here is how Revelation 20 puts it.

14Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

My heart can’t imagine the sadness of so many who did not receive Jesus as Savior being thrown into that lake of fire as well. That is why from now until the day that Jesus returns or I am called Home my purpose in life is to take as many people as possible to heaven with me.

Won’t you join me? If you have never called on the name of the Lord for salvation don’t delay. You never know when it could be too late. If you have questions about your salvation, don’t be afraid to ask. We long for you to know for sure where you will spend eternity.

If you are a believer in Jesus and have trusted Him as Savior, don’t delay in sharing the hope that is in you. He is the only way to heaven and thus to escape the lake of fire. You and I are charged to Go and make disciples teaching them to obey all that Jesus has taught us. He is with us will help us share if we ask. Our purpose of 2018 doesn’t change. Share the gospel and make Him known. Someone’s eternity depends on it.

John 20:10-18: As we gather today to celebrate Jesus’ birth I can’t help but think about this passage in John 20. It is because of John 20 that Luke 2 has such significance. Luke 2 tells of a Savior that was born. He had no royal birth story. The first to his bedside other than His parents were lowly shepherds. And yet the Savior had made His arrival into a cold dark world.

Parallel that with John 20 where Jesus once again makes an entrance not as a child, but as a risen Savior. Again there was no pomp or circumstance. It was a quiet place hewn out of a rock that kept again the cloth that had wrapped Him much like the swaddling cloth had as a baby. The cloth was folded. No need for a burial cloth for the living. His words to Mary were gentle and reassuring.

Mary’s response was to go back and tell.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Mary’s response is what I hope ours will be today as we go and worship Him. We have seen the Lord as we sing songs of worship and as we hear His word proclaimed. The shepherds went and told just Mary had. The Savior is born! The Savior is risen! We have seen His glory and we declare He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Savior and soon returning King!

Most of us have a favorite Christmas memory. We have celebrated in many different ways and in different places. There are few places more dismal to be at Christmas than in prison. The story you about to read is written by an inmate in prison who determined that they would not allow their surroundings to get in the way of celebrating the Savior and how that celebration changed the entire spirit from darkness to light.

As an inmate in prison, I dreaded the thought of Christmas. Even the commercials on television sent into an emotional tailspin. I just wanted to go to sleep on Thanksgiving and wake up on January 2nd. The week before Thanksgiving the lieutenant over our building posted the announcement for the annual Christmas decoration contest. In the zone I am in a group of women sat down over a cup of coffee to toss around ideas for decorating our gymnasium sized cinder block room filled with 116 metal bunk beds, a bathroom and eight metal tables in a dayroom. We had no decorations, no tree, no lights, no money or way to get materials. We did find some bulletin board paper. Our case manager said she would try to get us a few things. It sounded like a real “holly jolly” experience. What we did have was a creative vision, a determined spirit, and each other.

We decorated the two large back walls as the interior and exterior of a log cabin. We used rolls of brown paper towel colored with black and brown markers and crayons to make logs. The exterior of our cabin was complete with brass lanterns on either side. A wreath adorned the front door, and a window displayed a Norman Rockwell scene of the cozy family room.The mailbox draped with a holly swag was filled with letters writing to be delivered to Santa. We even had Santa going down the chimney. The view of the other back wall was the interior of the log cabin complete with a flickering fire, and the stockings hung on the mantle with care. A hand painted sheet rug lay in front of the fireplace. A functioning rocking chair made from two cardboard boxes sat ready for grandpa to pick up his glasses and book on the side table to read the Christmas story. The window behind the rocking chair showed a Thomas Kincaid see of the snowy serene outside where you could envision relatives driving across the bridge over the icy makeready for skaters or maybe a sled.

The focal point was the seven foot tree made from toilet paper rolls stuffed like a homecoming float with green paper squares. At the front of the zone each woman contributed pictures for the family “Tree of Angels” complete with Jesus atop of the tree with outstretched hands of love. We had elves climbing up a ladder to hang glitter light bulbs over the windows. We decorated the guards tower like a gingerbread house complete with lollipops, a variety of candies and a red and white valiance.

Additional decorations included a ten foot tall Mr. And Mrs. Frosty, a 12 foot tall stained glass tree in the foyer and our own version of the “Twas the Night before Christmas “ specific to our facility displayed dow the hallway. Elves representing each of the officers and personnel also decorated the halls.

Every passing day brought another scene and more excitement. Our case manager was so excited she even brought white lights for our toilet paper tree, front door and colored lights for the gingerbread house. As creative and colorful as the different scenes were, the highlight was the nativity that drew you in as you walked into the zone. We had silhouettes of the Holy Family with baby Jesus in a manger made of a box filled with shredded paper towel hay. There were two four foot angels shimmering over the stable heralding the joyous news on either side of an eight foot multi prism star. The wise men baring glitter and gemstone embellished gifts were coming from the east. Women would bring scraps of material or personal treasures to decorate the wise men and gift boxes. Every bed was decorated with jingle bells on one side and candy canes on the other half of the zone.
On the day of the judging we greeted the judges and other guests with homemade cookies. Of course we had left Santa cookies and cocoa by the fireplace. As they were leaving we directed them through the bathroom. Perplexed looking, they obliged us and found every sink adorned with monogrammed hand towels made from sheets and homemade holiday soaps. As they left we caroled “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

The decorations went up reminding us that Love came down! As the lights were plugged in, hope began to flow out and transform the cold dingy concrete room into a warm inviting reminder of home, the holiday, and happier days. As the pictures of each individuals family were taped to the wall to form the Tree of Angels, women gathered to view I and point out their loved ones that ere part of the ornamentation. Hearts were united in celebration. The lieutenant said normally the holidays bring heightened emotions and altercations with the stress of not being with family. However, she said, there had been fewer fights that ever before. She attributed it to the spirit that filled the building. People came from all over the compound and downtown to see the transformation. It was like Whoville and Bethlehem…despite the adverse circumstances. It was a five loaves and two fishes transformation.

We had nothing but God helped us turn it into immeasurably more. We decided to have a Christmas party on Christmas Eve complete with the Christmas story, carols, and dirty Santa. On Christmas Eve the ladies gathered in their homemade Christmas PJs, dresses and other creative outfits. Everyone brought gifts they had made or ordered from the canteen wrapped in ways that would astound you. We all sat in front of the tree and fireplace as a family as one to celebrate Jesus’ birth. As the overhead lights were turned off that light leaving only the Christmas lights on, the room was aglow. The room was filled with a spirit of peace and hope.

Please remember to pray for those serving time. Pray for their families this Christmas. Most of all pray that hearts and lives would be changed and that the Kingdom would built.

Job 38:1-21: In today’s culture there are videos where people speak with authority on a subject and they “drop the Mic.” In Job 38 God drops the microphone on Job and his friends.

Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,”

Indeed! God goes on through that chapter to remind Job that stars, the sun, the waters are all His creation and obey His commands.

Sometimes our lives get overwhelming and we feel like not even God can “fix” our mess. Don’t fool yourself! God has created all things and everything is under His authority. Your problem or your situation is nothing to Him. He can handle your problems and even greater, YOU CAN TRUST HIM!

If you are questioning your own life right now or maybe you are questioning God’s love for you. May I challenge you to stop what you are doing. Go outside and sit. Listen, look around, and allow yourself and your mind to take in all that God created around you. If He can create birds that sing, wind that can take your breath away, light that is consistent and pure, cause all things to grow, don’t you think He can handle your problems today? The better thing to ask Him while you are taking it all in is “What do you want me to learn from this.” Now you are on the right path!

Job 36:1-15: Have you ever heard someone say, “God has given me a word.” Many times they are saying it to you personally as though it is a word for you specifically. Sometimes it is to a group or congregation. When that happens your mind should trigger an alert button. Not everyone who says they have a word from God has actually heard from Him. At times they have another agenda.

In Job his friend had the same claim.
Job 36:2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.”

We are almost to the end of the book of Job and we are about to hear what God thinks about his friend’s words. God was not speaking through them and though at times they might have gotten somethings right, they got a lot of things wrong.

One of the things this friend gets wrong is that bad things only happen to those who are sinning or doing evil. Not true! Bad things come to all of us. Sometimes it is to try us and strengthen our walk with the Lord. Sometimes it is to be a witness to others and for their salvation. (check out Mary, Martha and Lazarus). Sometimes it is the enemy tempting us to see if we are willing to turn away from God and His path. And yes sometimes it is because we have been sinful and we are reaping the consequences.

This friend was wrong because Job was a righteous man. the Bible tells us that. Here is a word of warning and encouragement. If someone says they have a word from God, test it. First pray and ask God to reveal to you anything that is not from Him. Test it by the scriptures. Test it through trusted godly people if you have questions.

Remember you are God’s child and if He has a word for you He can tell you in prayer and it can be confirmed to you in other ways. God is not trying to hide His will. He wants you to come to Him with an open heart seeking His will.

Micah 5: Micah is not a book I have spent a lot of time studying. It is a warning to Israel who has been rebellious that discipline was coming and that the cost of their sin would be great. Much destruction would follow in an effort to call them back into obedience and being right with God.

The answer for them was the same as the answer for us. Apart from the forgiveness that Jesus brings we can’t be right with God. That is why in Micah 5 it tells of one who would be born in Bethlehem and be Ruler. Then it goes on to say,

Micah 5:4 “And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.”

Our world is still looking for peace. It will never be found in earthly treaties or in things man can control. It will only come when we realize our need for our holy God through the forgiveness given through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus we truly do have Peace on Earth.

Glory to God for the Shepherd born in Bethlehem who is Lord of all and brings peace to all men on whom His favor rests.

Jonah 1–4: Do you ever feel like God is telling you to do something and in your reluctance you are hesitant. Maybe you have even just not done it or even done the opposite. If this describes you, you have a twin in the Bible. Jonah also knew God was leading him to go to Nineveh and because of his reluctance to obey he ended up as sushi for a fish. Not only did Jonah not obey, but he headed the exact opposite direction.

We can laugh about his story today, but in his lifetime it was anything but funny as he swam around in seaweed in the middle of a big fish’s belly. The crew of the ship was greatly distressed when they were forced to throw him overboard, but when the storm grew still after he was gone, they knew they had done what needed to be done.

In the belly of the fish Jonah had a change of heart direction. He knew his disobedience had caused his calamity and it was time for a heart change. His feet had led him a wrong direction, but his real problem was his heart that was still filled with anger toward the people God wanted to save. Jonah changed his heart attitude and the fish got a belly ache and threw him up. YUCK!

Jonah was not happy about his new direction, but he was obedient. That may be where God finds us at times. Our right walking begins with a determination that no matter how I feel about it I will walk where God sends. There are some great results to Jonah’s preaching. Many repented and turned back to God. For most people that would have made them happy. Jonah was not most people and his hatred for those who turned still soured his spirit.

Hatred will do that for us. It sours us. It makes us feel sorry for ourselves, and in the end it reminds us that God is still in charge, worms and all.

Maybe the take away today is to remind us to check our hearts and let hatred go. Maybe it is to check our steps and make sure we are headed in the right direction. Whatever the message is for you today, I just pray in the end you don’t smell like fish guts. 🙂

Amos 3, 4: I had a conversation with a mom I dearly love last night about her wayward child. With tears in both of our eyes she talked of turning her child over to the Lord to do whatever He needed to do to bring this wayward one back to the Father. I told her I too had been praying that God would break the son’s strongholds. We both agreed that God will not allow a child of His to walk in the darkness when he is a Child of Light.

That is exactly what Amos was speaking of in chapter 4. Over and over God speaks of what He did to try to discipline His children and it follows with this refrain,

“yet you did not return to me”

It took total conquer of Israel and destruction of Jerusalem for the Children to acknowledge their need for God and to turn from their own ways of doing things to His way once again. Why, why do we push God until the harshest punishment is what it takes to help us return. Divorce, poor health, car crashes, financial ruin, all can be used by God to help us acknowledge how far we have run from Him.

Oh that we would be sensitive of heart and when we realize we have strayed that we would return. Marriages, homes, lives, business could all be saved if only we would return. Even now the Father beckons us to turn from sin. That is why He sent the Savior that He would pay for our sin and help us again to be right with God. May we all cherish this Christmas gift given so long ago but is still just as poignant today.