Notes of Faith December 15, 2021

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:43, Mark 10:45

A baby was born in Bethlehem so that He could grow up and give His life away.

Jesus came to us to pour Himself out in love and service.

So it’s no wonder that when He found His disciples striving for a position of honor in God’s Kingdom He told them, “Whoever wants to become great will serve others.”

The way Jesus talked about God’s Kingdom kept surprising the disciples — and it’s still pretty shocking even today. How often do we give our highest respects to people in humble, service-oriented positions?

Jesus turns the world upside down: those who are considered lowest in the ranks are actually on top.

When you choose to serve others, know that Jesus honors your choice. He’d say you’re pursuing true greatness.

John Bunyan wrote, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

Can you see a need to meet? Go make a difference. Can you find a way to lift someone up? Go do it. Be generous with your time and effort. Live like Jesus did, giving yourself to love and service.

I praise You, Jesus, for being the greatest servant of all.

*

Be Actively Available to God

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” — Luke 1:38

An angel appeared to Mary and told her astonishing news: Mary would have a baby who’d be the Son of God. In that moment, Mary had a choice. She could have pushed back, saying, “No, that doesn’t seem likely. I don’t believe you.”

But instead, she said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” She said yes to God.

No matter how many times I think about this, I’m always stunned that God chose to send the Savior in a way that involved the cooperation of a human.

Today He wants us, even with our weaknesses, to be participants in His work too. And in order for that to happen, we have to make ourselves available to Him. Mary did this in a profound way — she gave her body, heart, time, and future to her new role as a mother.

How can you follow Mary’s lead and be more available to God?

Maybe you need to be open to making a change. Maybe it’s simply a matter of pausing and praying more often before reacting, or showing more of God’s patience to your family.

Instead of focusing on what’s stressing you today, think about how you can be used by God in every situation you’re in.

I am Your servant, God. Use me any way You choose.

Excerpted from Calm Your Anxious Mind by Carrie Marrs, copyright Zondervan.

Serving the Lord isn’t hard to figure out; just be available. I’m Yours, Lord. Use me. Mary didn’t have special skills or money, talents or position. She was just willing. Are you willing to be and do whatever He asks? 

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 14, 2021

Look at the Star

They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed— Matthew 2:9-10

Our senses are bombarded 24/7 by sounds and sights, especially during the Christmas season. Marketing companies compete, all trying to get our attention. They spend millions for what they’re selling and promoting, not to mention holiday parties, church programs, and school plays.

I wonder what I would have used to get the world to look at a tiny baby in a manger. How would I have drawn attention to an obscure stable behind some inn in an obscure Judean town?

When God wanted to get the attention of the nations of the world, He used a star. When the Magi came from the east to Jerusalem, they asked,

Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him. — Matthew 2:2

This Christmas, be His star! Ask God to use you to draw the attention of others to the Baby in the manger.

The Only Way

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. — 1 John 4:9

Do you think there is more than one way to God? Have you bought into popular opinion that seems to think you can pick and choose your religion — even make one up to suit yourself ? If this is the way you’re thinking, heed the words in 1 Timothy 2:5:

There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

The politically correct say Jesus was a good man, a well-meaning prophet, even a revolutionary! But the Bible says He is the only Mediator between God and man:

There is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved. — Acts 4:12

Jesus Himself said,

I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. — John 14:6

Don’t allow political correctness to rob you of a relationship with the one true God. This Christmas season give God a gift He wants. Tell someone how to come to Him… through Jesus.

Excerpted from Fixing My Eyes on Jesus by Anne Graham Lotz, copyright Anne Graham Lotz.

There’s no better time to share your faith in Jesus Christ, to be a star for Him than today. The story of His birth is everywhere you go — decorations at the mall, lights in trees and on houses. You can’t miss Him! What better time to talk about Him with someone who hasn’t met Him yet? Who will you introduce to Jesus?

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 13, 2021

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

 I am God’s Son. – John 10:36

I am the resurrection and the life. – John 11:25

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. – John 14:6

I am the true vine. – John 15:1

The present-tense Christ. He never says, “I was.”

We do. We do because “we were.” We were younger, faster, prettier. Prone to be people of the past tense, we reminisce. Not God. Unwavering in strength, He need never say, “I was.” From the center of the storm, the unwavering Jesus shouts, “I am.”

Tall in the Trade Tower wreckage. Bold against the Galilean waves. ICU, battlefield, boardroom, prison cell, or maternity ward – whatever your storm, “I am.”

Excerpted from Grace for the Moment by Max Lucado, copyright Thomas Nelson.

How does knowing the present-tense Christ help you to stay calm in the storm?

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 12, 2021

They will call Him Immanuel — which means, “ God with us.” — Matthew 1:23

Prince of Peace. — Isaiah 9:6

There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky!
There’s a mother’s deep prayer,
And a baby’s low cry! And the star rains its fire
While the beautiful sing,
For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.

A number of years ago a remarkable Christmas card was published by the title “If Christ Had Not Come.” It was based on our Savior’s own words, “If I had not come,” in John 15:22. The card pictured a minister falling asleep in his study on Christmas morning and then dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream, he saw himself walking through his house, but as he looked, he saw no stockings hung on the chimney, no Christmas tree, no wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort and gladden hearts or to save us. He then walked onto the street outside, but there was no church with its spire pointing toward Heaven. And when he came back and sat down in his library, he realized that every book about our Savior had disappeared.

The minister dreamed that the doorbell rang and that a messenger asked him to visit a friend’s poor dying mother. He reached her home, and as his friend sat and wept, he said, “I have something here that will comfort you.” He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended with Malachi. There was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and all he could do was bow his head and weep with his friend and his mother in bitter despair.

Two days later he stood beside her coffin and conducted her funeral service, but there was no message of comfort, no words of a glorious resurrection, and no thought of a mansion awaiting her in Heaven. There was only “dust to dust, and ashes to ashes,” and one long, eternal farewell. Finally he realized that Christ had not come, and burst into tears, weeping bitterly in his sorrowful dream.

Then suddenly he awoke with a start, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing these words in his church nearby:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because He has come. And let us remember the proclamation of the angel:

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. — Luke 2:10-11

He comes to make His blessing flow, Far as the curse does go.

May our hearts go out to the unconverted people of foreign lands who have no blessed Christmas day.

Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. — Nehemiah 8:10

Excerpted from Streams in the Desert  by L. B. Cowman, copyright Zondervan.

He has come! We don’t need to weep over the lack of a new covenant, a new testament, a new promise in the personhood of Jesus Christ! He came for you! Rejoice!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 11, 2021

When Gabriel announced to Mary that she would have a son, the angel invoked a promise that had echoed throughout the Old Testament. Her son would be called the Son of the Most High and would reign on the throne of His father, David. Those familiar with the Law and the Prophets, including Mary herself, would have quickly begun to connect the prophetic dots. 

God had picked David, a young shepherd boy, from among an entire family of brothers and made him the ruler over Israel. God promised to make David’s name great. In addition, God promised that after David died, God would raise up one of his offspring to establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:8-16). 

During his life, as David faced enemies and conspiracy, he sang songs of praise to God for protecting him as God’s anointed (Psalm 2:1-12) and for establishing his line for as long as the heavens endure (Psalm 89:19-29). David intoned a psalm of praise that contained a phrase that Jesus later quoted to confound his critics: “The Lord says to My lord…” (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:44). Another psalm affirmed that God, to His promise to David about the duration of his throne, had sworn an oath that could not be revoked (Psalm 132:11-12). 

The prophet Isaiah continued to prophesy the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. He wrote that to his people a child would be born, a son would be given and the government would be on his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6-7). Isaiah also affirmed that a shoot would come up from the stump of Jesse, David’s father, and from its roots, a Branch (referring to Jesus) would bear fruit (Isaiah 11:1-15). 

In time, God’s plan became clear: He would fulfill this promise through His Son, Jesus. When the angel appeared to Mary, God provided the ultimate update on God’s plan to keep His promise. The Baby in Mary’s womb, conceived by the Holy Spirit though Mary was a virgin, is God’s Son who would reign eternally (Luke 1:31-33). As a capstone to the astounding declarations, the angel reminded Mary that no word from God would every fail (Luke 1:37). 

The intricate history of God’s initial promise realized so fully at Jesus’ first coming increases confidence that the rest of God’s promises will be fulfilled at Jesus’ second coming and after that, into eternity. 

Excerpted from The Jesus Bible, copyright Zondervan.

Over and over and over again the prophesies about Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus’ life. No one could ever have accomplished that except the actual Messiah sent from God Himself! Because of that we can know that He is the One and trust that because what was said about Him was true, what was said about the future is true, too!

John 14:3
I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.  Jesus is coming!  Let us make sure we are prepared for His return!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 10, 2021

 What will it be like to finally see Jesus face-to-face? How will it feel?  

I believe it will be greater than anything we could ever imagine. But I like to imagine anyway. And I imagine it will be better than Christmas morning, better than a birthday, better than an ice-cream sundae — all rolled into one!  

When we see Jesus face-to-face, we will be looking into the eyes of One who loves us more than anyone else ever could. And His love will fill us with complete joy and peace.  

All our sins and mistakes will be completely washed away forever. There will be no more guilt or shame, no more loneliness or being left out. We will never mess up again or stumble again or doubt again. Why? Because  

when Christ comes again, we will be like Him. — 1 John 3:2 ICB 

And I can’t wait!  

GROWING IN GRACE  

First Corinthians 13:12 (ICB) says, 

Now we see as if we are looking into a dark mirror. But then... we shall see clearly. 

Take a mirror into a dark room. A little hard to see your reflection, isn’t it? Now turn on the light. Much clearer!

That’s what heaven will be like — we’ll be able to see Jesus clearly.  

What will happen when you see Jesus? 

You will see unblemished purity and unbending strength. You will feel His unending presence and know His unbridled protection. And — all that He is, you will be, for you will be like Jesus. Wasn’t that the promise of John?  

We know that when Christ comes again, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He really is. — 
1 John 3:2 

Since you’ll be pure as snow, you will never sin again; … you will never stumble again; ... you will never feel lonely again; … you will never doubt again.  

When Christ comes, you will dwell in the light of God. And you will see Him as He really is.  

~When Christ Comes  

Now we see a dim reflection, as if we were looking into a mirror,
but then we shall see clearly. — 1 Corinthians 13:12 

 Excerpted from Grace for the Moment Family Devotional by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado. 

At Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ birth, but we also look forward to His return! On that day, that glorious day when we see Him face-to-Face, all our troubles, all our human frailty will be gone, and we will be in His presence forever! AMEN!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 9, 2021

The True Gift of Christmas

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. — Luke 2:7 NKJV

“Sorry we’re late,” Jessica said as she entered my home in a rush with her two boys.

Two hours late! Didn’t she realize I had no room in my busy schedule for this? Jessica had agreed to wrap presents to earn extra cash.

“My neighbor was fixing my brakes,” Jessica explained as she reached for a roll of silver snowman paper.

My ill humor vanished. Each Sunday, the young family had walked to our church from a nearby women’s shelter, until Jessica had been able to purchase a dilapidated car with a damaged windshield, no brakes, and missing side mirrors. Now her simple explanation for their tardiness shifted something crowded inside me, making room for compassion.

“Would you like cookies and cocoa?” I asked the boys.

The boys nodded and settled in to watch a Christmas video. As she wrapped, Jessica shared the challenges of living in a shelter.

The noise. The lack of privacy. How they locked all their belongings in the car trunk for safekeeping.

After the presents were stacked neatly under our tree, Jessica refused the money I tried to press into her hands, explaining that a peaceful evening in my home was enough of a gift.

As Jessica edged the beat-up car away from the curb with her greatest treasures buckled in the backseat, I thought of another family seeking shelter in an inn and finding no room. The gift of that night, like this one, was hidden in humble circumstances, waiting to be seen.

Jesus, sometimes the gift of Christmas arrives in unexpected ways. This Christmas, help me open the door and invite You in.

~Lynne Hartke

The Savior Is Born

And she will have a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. —Matthew 1:21 NLT

“Even if our grandson is a city boy, he needs a play barn,” my parents explained when I called to thank them for the farm set they had given our two-year-old son, Nate. My parents were in Wisconsin, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins from all over the Midwest, for food, laughter, and milking the cows while celebrating Christmas at the farmstead that had been in our family for a hundred years.

Meanwhile, my husband, Kevin, Nate, and I were spending Christmas in our new home near the Phoenix metropolis — there were plenty of buildings and plastic snowmen but not a farm animal or relative in sight. We made our own joy, adding tamales to our traditional menu and playing carols while we opened gifts, including Nate’s favorite, “Away in a Manger.” With toddler enthusiasm, he always shouted the line where Jesus was “asleep on the hay!”

Nate played with his new barn under the Christmas tree while I picked up wrapping paper and bits of ribbon. When I went to straighten the nativity set by the fireplace, though, I realized baby Jesus was missing. I checked under the furniture and even sorted through the trash can.

“Nate, where is baby Jesus?” I asked.

“Asleep on the hay,” he said, pointing to his red barn. Sure enough, baby Jesus was resting next to the feeding trough, surrounded by the animals.

Even as a city boy, our son knew where Jesus belonged on Christmas Day — in a plastic barn of new beginnings.

Dear Jesus, fill my heart with a child’s wonder this Christmas so that I know where to look for You.

~Lynne Hartke

Excerpted from Daily Guideposts, copyright Guideposts.

“Lord, how can we share You with others this Christmas?” and give help, joy, and friendship where we can. It might be the highlight of Christmas! We all could use a little more childlike wonder!

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 8, 2021

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. — Luke 1:35 

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, he gave her the startling announcement that the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 

When you and I place our faith in Jesus Christ and invite Him to come live within us, the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and the power of God overshadows us, and the life of Jesus is born within us. We do not conceive a physical life but rather the spiritual life of Jesus in the person of the Holy Spirit.  

It is the indwelling powerful person of the Holy Spirit who sets me free from the habits of sin. But the power I possess to live a life pleasing to God is directly related to how much control of my life I give to the Holy Spirit.  

~ Just Give Me Jesus  

Unconditional Surrender  

By this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. — 1 John 3:24 NKJV 

When the Holy Spirit comes into you at your invitation, you receive as much of Him as you will ever have. You do not get a little bit of Him then and a little bit more at later experiences. Since He is a Person, you cannot get Him in pieces. You either have all of the Holy Spirit or you have none of the Holy Spirit. Why is it, then, that He seems to get us in pieces? He comes to us unconditionally, while we surrender to Him conditionally.  

We give Him our Sundays but not our Mondays. 

We give Him our actions but not our attitudes. 

We give Him our relationships but not our reputations.

We give Him our time but not our thoughts. 

We give Him our burdens but not our bodies. 

We give Him our prayers but not our pleasures. 

We give Him our crises but not our children. 

We give Him our health but not our hearts. 

Would you drop the conditions and give Him all of you?  

~ Just Give Me Jesus  

Excerpted from The Joy of My Heart by Anne Graham Lotz, copyright Anne Graham Lotz. 

We have the Holy Spirit living within us! Let’s give ourselves to Him fully! 

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith December 7, 2021

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat. — Psalm 147:12–14 

Several years ago, as I traveled through New York, I came upon a Christmas store. While inside I read this question, “What if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday?” I have never forgotten that because it speaks the truth. 
We are all guilty of taking God for granted. We expect God to bless us, yet we hardly ever thank Him for all He has done for us. 

Let’s think about all that we have.  

When was the last time we really and truly thanked God for all we have?  

Even the poorest person in America is still wealthier than some people in other parts of the world. It’s easy to become so tied up in day-to-day life that we neglect seeing all of the blessings around us. But if we get into the habit of thanking God for everything we have all day long, our lives will change, as will the lives around us.  

Read Psalms 146–150. Each chapter ends the same way, “Praise the Lord!” It’s amazing what praising the Lord will do for our lives. When we are grateful, thankful, and responsive to the blessings of God, life becomes better. It’s hard sometimes to stay positive in such a negative world, but if we keep our eyes focused on Him and continue to praise Him, we will win.  

Lord, thank You for Your love, faithfulness, and blessings. Let me focus on who You are and what You are doing! In Jesus’ name, amen.  

~ Dr . Rob Zinn, Immanuel Baptist Church, Highland, CA  

Excerpted from The Heart of Worship, copyright Thomas Nelson. 

What are you grateful for during this Advent season? Family? A place to live? Church friends? All that brings joy during a tough year? Let’s remember to worship Jesus and thank Him for His generous gifts to us. He is worthy to be praised! 

Pastor Dale

Notes of Faith Decemer 6, 2021

I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate. ~ The Ghost of Jacob Marley, to Scrooge

As the fifth and final stave begins, Scrooge is in his bed, repeating his promise to begin anew. The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is gone. Scrooge is not lying dead in that graveyard. In fact, you could argue, the man has never been more alive, bouncing around his bedroom in glee.

He exclaims, “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school boy. I am as giddy as a drunken man.”

In short, Scrooge realizes he is a redeemed man. Perhaps it came when he prayed, as the narrator tells us, a “last prayer to have his fate reversed.” For whatever reason, he has, indeed, been given a second chance and his thankfulness gushes forth in unbridled joy. “Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!”

It’s significant that he first mentions Marley. Given all that’s happened to Scrooge with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, Marley’s visit to Scrooge might easily be forgotten. But remember what he had said? “I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate.”

Now that chance and hope have proven true. That possibility has turned into a reality. That promise has been fulfilled.

Promises are cheap these days. Politicians make them to get elected and break them once they’re in office. Advertisers make them to get you to buy a product that doesn’t live up to its billing. People vow in front of friends and family to love their chosen one despite whatever comes their way, then leave that person for someone else when the waters get choppy.

But God’s promises come with no such capriciousness.

 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rom. 8:38-39

In other words, no matter how dark the night, you are never without hope
when you trust in the Light of the World.

Say what you will about the Ghost of Marley; it pulled through in the clutch. Made good on the promise. Delivered the goods. The Spirit tells Scrooge, in essence, It’s too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. You don’t have to wear these chains that I do. You can escape my fate.

Excerpted from 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol by Bob Welch, copyright Bob Welch.

It’s not too late! If you don’t know Jesus yet, you can be redeemed, and wake rejoicing knowing you’ve been saved! If a friend or family members needs to read this today, be sure to share it! 

Pastor Dale