Beautiful Savior

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised and we held Him in low esteem." Isaiah 53: 2, 3

    What did Jesus look like?

    Whenever He has been portrayed in a film, the camera has been good to Him but, truth is, we have no idea what Jesus looked like. Billy Graham said God wanted it that way so that people would not be tempted to worship an image. My pastor said we might be quite surprised upon meeting Him, that He would look quite differently than what we expected.

    I got to thinking. What if Jesus were short and bald with buck teeth and close-set eyes? It feels disrespectful to even consider it, but it's possible. Would His appearance have any bearing on my love for Him? 

    As humans, we are so often drawn to the attractive. We want our moms to be pretty or we wish to be in the classroom with the tall, attractive teacher. When our own looks go south, we try harder with creams, lotions, hairstyles. But that's all vanity!

    The gospels tell us that whole towns gathered to see Jesus, even masses of many thousands. So many that they began to trample one another. What was the attraction? He taught with authority and power. He welcomed the little children to come to Him, had compassion and humility. Demons obeyed Him. He walked on water and calmed the raging sea. He healed the sick, called the sinners and stood up to the hypocritical Pharisees. He laid down His life as a ransom for many, submitting to mockery and crucifixion. And if all that weren't enough, He rolled the stone away and walked out of the tomb! He lives!

    Why do I love my Jesus? What makes Him truly beautiful? If I had been the only person on earth, He would have done nothing differently. He'd have done it all for me.

    What's not to love?

Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!

Truly I'd love Thee, Truly I'd serve Thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown. Amen.

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53: 5

The Return

 "However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

    At the school kitchen where I am employed, our manager has been absent since November. Miss Jeanne, one of the best, is a hard worker but has a way of making a mundane job fun. She usually finds some reason to have a snack and we always receive a beautifully wrapped gift on our birthdays. We all miss her but, in her absence, there's a sizable job to be done. When she returns next week, will she find things in working order? Will we be glad to see her? You bet!

    When Jesus ascended into heaven, his disciples seemed a bit dazed as they gazed into the clouds. Two angels appeared saying, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) This band of men had a sizable job to do, too; much larger than operating a school kitchen! When their Manager returns, will He find things in working order? Will people rejoice at His return?

    Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us, promising to come back, though just when is unknown. In the meantime, are we busy doing the Father's will? 

    Within the small book of Micah, there's a directive for us: "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (6:8) Here's another drawn from 1 Thessalonians: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (5: 16-18)  Then there's the Great Commission given from Jesus Himself: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28: 19, 20)

    Our love for Miss Jeanne compelled us to do our very best in her absence. We all had extra jobs to complete and had to work very hard to get along without our boss. Similarly, our love for Jesus compels us to work hard together until He returns. 

    I can hardly wait!

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:20

     

    

Fight for What's Right

 "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

    There is a battle going on for the souls of our children. 

    As in any war, there are soldiers who carry out the plans of those in higher ranks who, in turn, receive their missions from someone above them. Sometimes, the disputes are over land. Other times, differences in ideologies spark the quarrels. America's founding fathers sought independence from tyrannical powers, which gave birth to our Constitution.

    The battle over our children is spiritual. Satan is leading an army in a fight for souls - the younger the better. Still perpetuating his original plan, which goes all the way back to the onset of humanity, Satan's agenda is to coerce people to love themselves above all else and to believe themselves to be gods. This unseats God, which is the crux of the plan.

    Kirk Cameron has authored a book for children entitled, "As You Grow." According to his publisher, Brave Books, his book details "biblical wisdom through the seasons of life to children and the value of growing the fruit of the Spirit, like love, joy, kindness, patience, gentleness and self control." 

    Wishing to promote the values of his book to families, Mr. Cameron sent a request to more than fifty public libraries across America, seeking a time slot in which to read his book to children. Every library he contacted either ignored his request or denied it, though these same establishments had no qualms about hosting Drag Queen Story Hours (DQSH).

    According to the website of DQSH, their agenda is to "create diverse, accessible, and culturally inclusive family programming where kids can express their authentic selves," where kids can "love themselves and celebrate the fabulous diversity in their communities."  

    When Mr. Cameron pushed back against the denied requests, the Indianapolis Public Library relented, permitting a room on the sixth floor to be rented for the reading of "As You Grow." One room, it turns out, would not be enough to contain the hundreds of people (one estimate put the number to 2,500!) who came in support of family, biblical values. 

    When the Philistines gathered their forces against Israel (see 1 Samuel 17), they had a fearsome champion named Goliath, who, for forty days and nights, shouted defiance against them. Scriptures tell us when the Israelites saw the giant, they "were dismayed and terrified...they all fled from him in great fear."

    Yet, this blasphemer did not just defy Israel, he defied the Living God! Young David came against him with five smooth stones and a sling in the Name of the Lord Almighty. "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves" proclaimed David, "for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give all of you into our hands." (vs. 47)

    As Christians, we need to stand firmly in our faith, in the power of the Living God, and do the next right thing. 

"So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

    

Fruit Which Never Rots

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once, they left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4: 18-20

    Have you ever felt less-than-average, sub par, low on the totem pole of society? Maybe you've been at a dinner party when the conversation exceeded your realm of expertise and, with a downcast feeling, you heard Satan accuse you of your lack of worth. Or perhaps it seems your voice is drowned out by others; your opinion carries no weight.

    How does God see us? From where does our value come? Is He impressed by college degrees, brawny strength or a rich vocabulary?

    In my line of work, I prepare daily fruit servings for students at a middle school. I slice watermelons and pineapples, same as I did the day before and, sometimes, I return home discouraged and beaten down. My self-worth plummets and, like the prophet Elijah, I do not want to carry on. Evidently, I have not been listening to the right Person.

    When Jesus called His disciples, He chose an unlikely bunch: some blue-collared fishermen, a passionate zealot, even a despised tax collector. He befriended prostitutes, touched lepers and dead people and dined with society's outcasts. Why? As Jesus explained, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

    Once we confess our sins and invite Jesus into our hearts, we are given the righteous robe of Jesus to wear and become connected to the Vine. Then we are able to do amazing things for the kingdom of God. That is where we receive our value.

    Like Clark Kent who wore the cape of Superman, I lay aside my apron and don the robe Jesus gave me. Then I am able to share my faith freely with others and produce real fruit, fruit that will last for all eternity. 

    In grandiose theological terms, this is called "imputed righteousness." All I know is, I am worth more than many sparrows because Jesus loves me. He was not content to let me die in my sins; He is my Hero who laid down His life for me. I am valuable.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so whatever you ask in my Name, the Father will give you." John 15:16

    

Having It All

 "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things and at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

    Whenever my daughters have asked me for gift ideas, my go-to response has been, "World peace and dryer sheets." Though this is my way of expressing that I have all I need, I really did receive dryer sheets on at least one occasion. God will have to fulfill my other request.

    Did you receive all you wanted for Christmas? Were the gifts you gave received with joy? Sometimes it's hard to recall who gave what to whom and you can forget about trying to remember what you got last year, right?

    Though I understand the idea behind gift giving, that we are emulating God's generous gift to us which was wrapped in swaddling cloths, the materialism of the season has a tendency to rob us of our worship if we aren't careful. 

    Imagine with me you have no tree to trim, no money to spend, not even a friend or relative with whom to celebrate Christmas. No feast upon the table, steaming with delectable scents. You have no chimney by which to hang a stocking. Would Christmas cease to exist? Would your heart be void of joy?

    Put yourself in Mary's shoes. On that very first Christmas, she was far from home, young and inexperienced. In a little stable, she gave birth to the perfect and most priceless Gift that brought peace and salvation to any heart that would receive Him. The glory of the Lord provided the Christmas lights while angels sang the carols on high. Scruffy shepherds were her visiting kin. 

    Did young Mary have all she needed? "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19) 

    Now that Christmas is over, most decorations are stored away and the mailman brings boring tax documents and insurance claims instead of glittering greeting cards. The snow has melted and the festive lights no longer shine, but the true treasure of salvation warms my heart every single day. 

    Only in Christ do we have it all.

"Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34: 9, 10

    

My New Year's Resolution

 "I want to know Christ." Philippians 3:10

    On New Year's Eve, the question was asked of me, "Where do you see yourself at the end of 2023?" It was one of those questions for which the answer came slowly, a few days later.

    Initially, my mind pondered the temporal hallmarks of life. I have all I could ever need or ask - husband, home, daughters, granddaughter. My health is stellar. My job pays well and is in close proximity to my home. I have never been in want or neglect. I am content.

    Spiritually, however, I have not reached my goal, nor will I ever do so, because the work is never done! Like the Apostle Paul, I "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12) 

    My parents wrote the following verse inside the cover of the Bible they gave me: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forevermore. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18) Looking over my shoulder, have I grown in my faith? Have I gotten to know Jesus, the One with whom I will spend eternity? Have I shared the gospel with others? 

    To answer the question that was asked of me, I resolve to see Christ more clearly, to be attuned to His guidance and to ponder His will for my life. Pray without ceasing, love because He first loved me and do all things through Him who gives me strength. "So we make it our goal to please Him." (2 Corinthians 5:9)

    This is my New Year's resolution.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13, 14