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This year instead of making a New Year's Resolution for 2022, I am going to ask God to do whatever He wants in 2022. Instead of writing a bucket list for 2022, I am going to look back on 2021 and write a "backwards bucket list". I am going to remember and thank God for all He has allowed me to do and accomplish this past year. And, Lord, if 2021 was Yours -- let 2022 be doubly so.   Christmas is one clause of God's covenant with us. A very special clause that demonstrated just how serious God was about fulfilling His end of the bargain -- no matter the cost.
Some of the contracts I signed last month -- I signed with a lot to lose. Some of the contracts I signed with nothing to lose. When we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we lose a lot. We lose our old master: self. We leave behind our slavery to sin. We shed our hopelessness (Ephesians 2:11). We give up our allegiance to the world. We don't have to serve fear anymore, because death is not our final destination. And we lose the right to say "I want". But, when we follow Christ, we gain everything: * Peace with God forever * Purpose that is eternal * The Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives * The promise of being fruitful * And pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11)! Merry Christmas! I have been signing a lot of contracts recently (way more than I would like). Some of the contracts I had to return unsigned -- because I couldn't keep up my end of the deal. God does not have this problem. He never comes across situations where He says, "Oh, now I can't be with you." There is never a time period where He thinks, "I just need one more week -- then I will be your refuge." And He never "just doesn't feel like it today" Some of the contracts I signed after making adjustments to them. God doesn't have a contract with us. Contracts are made because, inherently, the two parties are untrustworthy. They may flake out and not come through. They may do things that cause friction and disagreement. There is no reason for a contract between us and God, because we wouldn't be able to keep it. And God knows this -- so He gave to us His covenant, based on His perfect, unchanging character. We enter that covenant by believing in Jesus as the Only Way to peace with God. And we stay in that covenant by the grace and forgiveness of our Lord.   Have you ever met those people who pick certain parts of the Bible to believe. . . .and some parts not to?
They make me laugh (and kind of feel like this horny toad). If the Bible is just another book -- ignore it. It's crazy! Have you ever seen a talking donkey? (Shrek does not count :0) Or ravens who bring fast food? How about a prophet using a fish as a taxi? Or a virgin having a baby? But if the Bible is what it says it is -- it was written by God (2 Timothy 3:16). To edit God's Word is not to say, "I know better than God", but rather: "I am God." Good luck with that. "I am the Lord...and My glory I will not give to another..." -- Isaiah 42:8 This three story wall in Chaco Canyon is about 1000 years old -- give or take. It is an amazing feat of engineering given the building material (not to mention the sandy terrain). How is it that we are so easily impressed by the things men do and make and so indifferent to God's works? The universe is just a little bigger than this wall. The brain just a little more intricate. And Christmas is just a bit more incomprehensible.  |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
May 2023
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