by George | Dec 27, 2020 | Community News
Putting It Off
“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”
Acts 24:25-27
I have a dentist appointment coming up. I put it off as long as I could. They mentioned a possible root canal…
We all tend to put things off. There are some things we dread doing. Also , sometimes we put off making important decisions.
Paul was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. In this passage, he is making his defense before Felix.
The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix as “cruel, licentious, and base.”
Paul is making his defense and talking about “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.”
Felix was starting to squirm. The conviction in Felix’s soul was so overwhelming, he ordered Paul to stop talking and said that he would hear him again at a more “convenient” time. He put off an important decision…
Felix also had an ulterior motive in leaving Paul Imprisoned. He was hoping for a bribe from him. So, he called on Paul and heard him from time to time.
But, the Bible doesn’t record that Felix ever heeded Paul’s words and possibly never became a follower of Jesus.
Got questions.org says:
“Upon his loss of the governorship, Felix was summoned to Rome where certain of his former Jewish subjects accused him of cruelty and corruption. Felix was found guilty but was spared the death penalty.”
It is thought he died of tuberculosis some time later.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that life is uncertain and every day is precious.
So, let’s work on some of the things we are putting off, including life changing decisions! God stands ready to help and guide us if we ask.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5
by George | Dec 25, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Christ Really Came!
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
It’s Christmas time again. Somehow those words don’t excite us this year. 2020 has been a rough year.
The late Tom Petty seemed to echo our sentiments in “Christmas All Over Again.”
“Well it’s Christmas time again
Decorations pearl hung by the fire
Everybody’s singing
All the bells are ringing out
And it’s Christmas all over again, yeah again.”
The next refrain seems relevant for the 2020 social distancing thing:
“Long distance relatives
Haven’t seen them in a long, long time
Yeah, I kind of missed them
I just don’t want to kiss them, no
And it’s Christmas all over again, yeah again.”
In spite of our feelings, and the inevitable stress and hurriedness of the holiday season… One central truth remains:
Christ, the Son of God, really did come to this Earth!
Read today’s verse again, this time with feeling.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14
If we could hear John say these words, we would hear an exuberance in his voice! John not only states that Jesus came, he also stated that He dwelt among us. He lived here, and became like us, only without sin.
John said “…we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John saw Christ’s glory!
What about us? We’ve read this verse so many times that the significance of it has diminished for us.
Let’s try to keep out the distractions of the season for a moment. Read over the verse slowly and carefully as though we have never read these words before… Read it several times… Meditate on it…
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
Christ really came!
Merry CHRISTmas!!!
by George | Dec 24, 2020 | Community News
The Best Gift
“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
On a busy December afternoon, I discovered that a nail was making my tire go flat. So, I went to get it fixed at a local tire store.
While I was there, one of the young men recognized me and came over to greet me. I didn’t recognize him, but when he told me his name, I remembered. He was a child that used to attend the first church I pastored several years ago.
The young man told me he never forgot an object lesson I used one Christmas.
I smiled, amazed that he remembered my simple lesson after all these years. God had hidden His word in the young man’s heart….
Like I said, it was a simple object lesson.
I showed the kids 2 gifts. One was wrapped with fancy wrapping paper, ribbon and bow. The other, a plain brown paper sack.
I held them up for the kids and adults to see.
“Which one is the best gift?” I asked. (Some of the bright kids pointed to the brown paper sack!)
I opened the fancy gift, and there was nothing inside! Then, I opened the brown paper sack and showed them the contents, a miniature manger scene.
I explained the Christmas story to them. Reminding them that Jesus was born in something like a barn, not in a palace.
The Son of God left His home in heaven, came to this Earth as a little baby, born of a virgin. He was born to parents who were not wealthy. In other words, He became poor for us.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
II Corinthians 8:9
I explained to the kids and adults that Jesus became like us, identifying with our humanity. He grew up, lived a sinless life, and offered Himself for our sins.
I told them that the fancy box looked good, but it was empty, explaining that things of this Earth were like that. It’s empty without Christ. He came to give us life abundant.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
This Christmas, let’s rejoice and thank God for the best gift of all, His Son Jesus Christ.
