Nothing Better

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil-this is the gift of God"- Ecclesiastes 3:12 (NIV).

The product of a person's "toil" is fruit. Each person is recognizable by the fruit they produce (Luke 6:43). God's children are identified by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The gift is that you gain satisfaction from producing such fruit, from your toil of doing good, and then you may eat and drink. "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1). Without price; free; a gift of God.  There is nothing better!

Roll Call

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"- Revelation 21:4 (NIV).

There are so many celebrities who passed away this year; to mention a few: Robin Williams, Lauren Bacall, Joan Rivers, Casey Kasem, James Gardner, and Shirley Temple Black. Their names and contributions will be on the roll call at the end of the year as Americans remember and honor their passing. But there is a roll call of a higher order...the Roll Called Up Yonder (lyricist James M. Black). The last verse is: "Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care; Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there." And "there" is where life and joy and laughing and comfort will replace death and mourning and crying and pain. The old order will pass away. The new order will bring life eternal.

Angel-Strain Whispering

""But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times""- Micah 5:2 (NIV).

Micah prophesied the birth place of the Savior sometime between 750-686 BC. The prophecy fulfilled around 5 BC, hundreds and hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Rev. Phillips Brooks' lyrics to "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem" were inspired upon his 1865 Christmas eve visit to Bethlehem. Shepherds were still watching their sheep in the fields and using caves for a stable. Brooks returned to his little church, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia, but didn't write the lyrics until 1886. He asked Lewis H. Redner to write a musical score for the next Sunday, but Lewis was having mental blocks to the music and Sunday was drawing closer. In Redner's words: "But I was roused from sleep late in the night hearing an angel-strain whispering in my ear, and seizing a piece of music paper I jotted down the treble of the tune as we now have it, and on Sunday morning before going to church I filled in the harmony." The song became a Christmas tradition. Angels played a big part that Bethlehem night and have been given credit for the worship song we use today.

Quietness and Trust

"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it"- Isaiah 30:15 (NIV).

Quietness reveals strength and by doing so you preserve your life (Proverbs 13:3). Even in the face of uncertainty, trust in the Lord and your heart will anchor firm (Psalm 112:7). Refusal to "be still" in quietness and trust is an act of disobedience and a declaration of disbelief. Yet, submission to the will of God to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) increases faith; strengthening the believer. God is your strength and shield (Psalm 3:3); therefore, your heart will rejoice and your soul will safely rest (Psalm 16:9). And in your rest you find salvation. 

Junkyard Analogy

"He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?'- Psalm 147:16-17 (NIV).

Nature demonstrates the awesome power of God. Snow is one of the Lord's most beautiful winter displays; a marvel to behold. What was once a junkyard is transformed into a hill covered by a blanket of dazzling white snow. The snow covered junkyard is an analogy of our sinful lives being covered by God's grace and forgiveness. Scripture says our sins are red like scarlet, but God makes them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Unrepentant sins, however, leaves lives marked like a hail damaged car after a freakish storm. God's icy blast sends hail like pebbles. Who can withstand? No one! If our bodies truly resembled the condition of our soul, would you choose to be a dazzling snow covered landscape or a marked wreck piled high in a scarlet hued junkyard? 

Light of Life

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world"- Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV).

How wonderful it is to feel you do not fit into this world! You walk among a fallen world that feeds off of sinful oppression and affliction. You will never be a piece that fits into this world's puzzle, nor should you attempt to force yourself to fit. Walk away from those who are complaining, sharing dark humor, mocking or supporting sinful behavior. Your silence is accepted as your approval. The words of your mouth should be for good, giving grace to those who hear you (Ephesians 4:29). Be very careful if you find you are the oppressed, the one suffering affliction. Let Christ be your example. Don't open your mouth (Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 27:12). You can't walk in darkness any longer, because you have the Light of Life within you. Jesus is your Light (John 8:12). Let your Light shine before others. They can't help but notice and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16).   

Wordless Declaration

"When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"- John 11:43 (NIV).

Lazarus' body had been in the tomb for four days when Jesus resurrected him. What emotions did Lazarus have when he realized he was back in his body and back in this life? Later, six days before the Passover, Lazarus was at the dinner table along with Jesus (12:2). Did he talk of his heavenly experience, about conversations he had with the saints or with dearly missed relatives while there? Scripture doesn't reveal anything more. Maybe Lazarus was instructed during those four days about what was to come. He certainly wasn't afraid of dying any longer, because the Jewish leaders now sought to kill him, too (v.10), and he certainly wasn't trying to hide. Lazarus had become evidence of Jesus' power and authority, that He was the Messiah. Without saying anything, Lazarus' presence was loud and clear; a wordless declaration.

Heaven Come

""This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts...No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me...and I will remember their sins no more""- Jeremiah 31:33-34 (NIV).

Jeremiah was prophesying about God's redemptive covenant; His plan to restore the relationship between His Holy Presence and His sinful children. The first Advent marked the coming of the Savior of the world. Heaven must have held its breath as God's Son was born. His heavenly kingdom remained thus…”heavenly.” I imagine heaven-filled silence at His death, but shouts of joy when He rose and when He ascended back into heaven. It was finished! A second Advent is yet to come. Does there seem to be a silence from heaven right now? Is heaven holding its breath once again? His kingdom will not remain “heavenly” during this Advent, but will accompany Jesus. His Kingdom will come and His entry will certainly not be in silence. Praise the Lord!