Sarah arrived in Jerusalem today!

I know I speak for the whole church family in saying that we’ll sorely miss her but her mother and I are very excited and very proud of her.

She will be living in Jerusalem and working alongside “Chosen People Ministries” in a short term “mission” returning in fifty-six-days (yes, I’m counting:))!

Dr. Mitch Glasser, President of “Chosen People Ministries” played a major role in organizing this opportunity for Sarah to:

1. Help the homeless.
2. Work in a soup kitchen in Tel Aviv.
3. Sing in a coffee house in Tel Aviv (the purpose of which is to plant the seed of the Gospel thru music).
4. Help to serve in the house that “Chosen People Ministries” owns in Jerusalem.
5. Spend time studying and learning the Bible in the land of the Bible.

Sarah wrote, “since I was a child I had a sense of Jewish and Hebraic culture and love for the Jewish people and the land of Israel … I visited the Holy Land when I was ten and ever since it’s been a dream to return.”

Please keep Sarah in your prayers:)

THANK YOU SO MUCH …

Greg

Paul wrote, “Therefore my beloved brethren be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Perspective …

The Lord’s Spirit is always at work in and thru His people and more often beyond comprehension.

This means that at times your efforts will produce measurable results and at times they will not, at least before men, and often not until the next generation.

The prophet Jeremiah, for example, did not see one convert in his lifetime. Yet without Jeremiah’s writings, would there have ever been a Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah!? His faithfulness was not measurable in his generation but has been immeasurable throughout history.

Ultimately, whether your efforts are measurable in this lifetime or not, faithfulness is always seen by God, weighed by God and rewarded by God — and glorifies God!

So be encouraged and remember Paul’s admonition: “…my beloved brethren be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

At this time of year my thoughts go back to Jerusalem, not so much Bethlehem. When December rolls around I find myself particularly thinking about John 10:22. It says it was winter and Jesus was in Jerusalem atop the Temple Mt. commemorating the “Feast of Dedication” (Hanukkah) and He is there because He is “the Light of the world”.

Feast of Dedication? Hanukkah? Festival of Lights?

I’ll explain.

It was the year 175 B.C. and the defilement continued for ten years. A Syrian leader named “Antiochus Ephines” conquered Jerusalem murdering hundreds of thousand of Jews. Antiochus was a man shoulder to shoulder with the “Hitler’s” of history. Yet Antiochus was particularly delusionary — for he made himself to be God, calling himself “Theos-Ephiphenes!” In this way he is a type of “Anti-Christ” who is on the horizon. 2 Thess. chapter two indentifies this man who will stand in the Temple in Jerusalem and claim to be God. Antiochus not only defiled the Temple by claiming to be God but he butchered a pig and smeared its blood all around the altar and temple, even forcing the high priests to drink the blood. Meanwhile, a Jewish family by the name of Macabee’s spearheaded a revolt against Antiochus. One of Macabee’s son named Judas, played a particular role in the other-throw.

Once Antiochus was removed, the focus became the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem!

It was 164 B.C. the 25 of Kislev(some believe Dec. 25) but there was not enough oil to burn the seven branched Menorah in the Temple for an entire rededication week but to everyone’s surprise, the oil lasted eight days!

In type the miracle speaks of the new creation that is brought into existence by the Light of the World, the Messiah Jesus.

In addition, in the Jewish observance of this festival there is a ninth candle that rests in an exalted place above the other eight candles. This candle is used to ignite each of the eight other candles that produce enough light to cover all eight days. The exalted candle is called the “Shamash” candle. Shamash means “Servant”.

Jesus is THE SERVANT!  Isaiah 49:6 speaks to this …

“Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant. To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, That You should be My salvation(the word in the Hebrew is Jeshua or Jesus) to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:6

Jesus is the one who ignites the world with divine life by His saving grace! Jesus came to make all things new.

In a time when life feels so crammed with obligation and the stress that more often accompanies this season with its emphasis upon materialism, I like to ask myself, “Is the SERVANT(Jeshua/ Jesus ) in the exalted place in my life?”

May it be so. And may it be so in your life as well. May your life be lit up with glory of God in Christ. He is more than enough!

This Sunday we continue our series entitled, “VISION” — with studies in the book of Isaiah.

Hebrew scholars agree that the prophet Isaiah penned the most eloquent Hebrew writings in the Old Testament. And under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Isaiah provided a lens that enables us to see the glory of God! Is there anything more important?

Let’s pray together that the Holy Spirit rocks our world with the greatness of Who the Lord is and that we will all be “Gripped By His Greatness!”

Will you join me in a heart-felt prayer …

“Lord, I want to know You. I want to know You for who You really are. I’m not satisfied to follow a code of conduct, or a diluted version of you. I want to know and follow the real You. So here I am. I give you my attention. Teach me; guide me in Your truth. Grip my heart with Your greatness so I am never the same. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law”. (Ps. 119:18). Amen!”

Below are thoughts about what it means to live godly discipline. It’s written in the first person so you can make it a devotion/meditation. Enjoy!

“I live with accountability to the will of God and the chief priorities identified in the Word of God. Like Paul who wrote, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (The Greek word for “disqualified” was used to describe metals not worth coinage – throwaways.) I recognize that in order to live godly discipline, “Time” must be managed correctly in my life. There are two GRK words translated “Time:” “Chronos” and “Kairous”. “Chronos” is time that is measured by the clock. It carries the idea of an obligation, or something that needs to be completed in a particular time frame. “Kairos” is time that is measured by events or special moments, and carries the idea of opportunity. I will be unable to manage “Chronos” responsibly without identifying “Kairos”  — the most important “opportunities” and “priorities” in life. For example, a basketball game is 60 minutes (i.e. Chronos). In order to win the game, however, specific opportunities will need to be seized (i.e. Kairios). Today the speed of the “game of life” has increased immeasurably. Unless I am disciplined with the chief priorities that are to define my life — a Christian witness will get left in the dust and time will be wasted and the clock will run out. Priorities? Life-Partner. Parent. Preacher. Prayer. Provider. Purity. Progress. Perseverance.”

Below are thoughts about what it means to be a, “Laborer”. It’s written in the first person so you can make it a devotion/meditation. Enjoy!

“God gave me life. What I do with my life is a demonstration of worship and love for Him. It could be said that at birth God gave me a bag inside of which are gifts, opportunities and potential. What I do with such gifts is a demonstration of worship. In order to maximize what has been given to me, a whole hearted effort will be necessary. Giving my best effort is the basis of excellence.  Success on the other hand is more often measured by culture and weighed by name recognition, materialism and influence. Excellence, however, is the scoreboard that God see’s and rewards whether successful or not.  Wherever I am, I need to be “fully there” glorifying my Heavenly Father by giving my best effort. I am not saved by works, but I have been saved for works. I have been saved to be a “Laborer” in this generation. I have been saved to help my generation and fellow man physically, emotionally and spiritually to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.”

Below are thoughts about what it means to be a son(daughter) of our heavenly Father. It’s written in the first person so you can make it a devotion/meditation. Enjoy!

“I love my Heavenly Father for who He is. My love for Him is not based upon what I “get” from Him. And based upon this relationship with the Heavenly Father, my very identity and the core of who I am is defined. I no longer live the illusion that a God-alternative will deliver the deepest hunger in my life for significance, wholeness, security and meaning. I realize now that created things were never intended to be “ultimate things”. I have been rescued by the Father who sent His Son to redeem my life in relationship with Him. My Father has rescued me from the disillusionment of working for “Rachel” but waking up with “Leah”. Now, my life is no longer defined by my work and productivity but who I am in my Father’s eyes in Christ. I am a Son, and a worshipper, first. I work, second.”

As many of you know we’ve started a new outreach at the church purposed to get out in the public and plant seeds of the Gospel and invite people to church and just be available to the people in our community. We’re calling them “Going Public Concerts!” Some of the songs that Sarah, Pete and Lily are singing at these concerts can be viewed below. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV3tpliNNl8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNAEfT62UZk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOT4B1w7yNA&feature=related

Stephanie and I have had an ongoing conversation for nearly ten years now. After September 11, 2001 we wondered if the adversity of terrorism would have a purifying impact upon Christians rebooting their priorities and values and to help bring a renewal to the reality that the “Gospel is the power of God to salvation!” We wondered if the church, the hands and feet of Jesus in this generation, would emerge stronger than ever, knowing Christ and making Him known in this generation. A major reason for thinking in this way is that adversity, trial and persecution have proved pro-growth catalysts for Christian’s in history. Paul experienced this saying, “God’s strength is perfected in weakness”. Our conversation really picked up as economic challenges worsened over the last few years.

What I am beginning to wonder is, if such challenges are revealing “Older Brothers”– who saw Christianity as a means to an end. I’m beginning to wonder that a purifying has in fact taken place, but “the crowd is gathering on the outside!?”

Here’s what I mean …

Luke 15:11-32 records the story commonly known as the “Prodigal Son” but the story is not just about one son, it’s about two sons and a father. While the focus is more often on the lil brother who wasted his resources on materialism and sensualness, never finding what he was looking for. In truth, both sons were lost, the core of which was an absence of relationship with their Dad a type of the Heavenly Father. They saw their Dad as merely a means to an end. When the younger brother returned home from his long journey his father ran out to meet him calling for a feast, while “Older Brother” refused to enter the party, remaining on the outside, despite his father’s persistent plea’s.

The “Older brother” was bitter! His expectations were not being met. The “Older Brother” believed that a moral performance(or religious) would result in more favorable realities aligning for him. After all, in his mind, he deserved them! When the lil brother repented and returned home and his father gave him what he did not deserve, to the “Older brother” it was just not fair.

A friend of mine told me of a business partner who was attending church and naming the name of Christ but when the business went sour he remarked, “Why would God do this?” and walked away from his faith. But did he really walk away from genuine Christianity? Christianity is not a means to an end. Jesus didn’t say, “I am the way the truth and the life and no man comes to “Money” or “Materialism” or “Convenience” or “the American Dream” but by me!” No, He said, “…no one comes to the FATHER but by me!”

Has this decade revealed “big brothers?” Has it revealed that many merely saw Christianity or the evangelical church as a “means to an end” (i.e. namely material and circumstantial) and because their expectations have not been met, their on the outside looking in? Has it revealed that they never really had a relationship with the Father?

The “feast” is a metaphor for relationship with the Father through the Son. That’s what Christianity is. Christianity is stepping into the feast of God’s love and grace in Christ. C.S. Lewis put it this way: “Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”

The Heavenly Father is pleading for an intimate and beautiful relationship with you! 🙂

Have you ever taken that eye examination where you look through various lenses to find the one that gives you the best vision? Having good vision to read a book or to be able to drive at night or see the face of your loved one is important to all of us.

But when it comes to good vision, there is not a more important vision than a clear view of who God is!

You will discover in life that the majority of your problems can be traced back to an inaccurate or inadequate view of God. On the other side, you will discover that the majority of your victories will be traced back to an accurate view of who God is. But here’s what happens, vision blurs at times. We get bumped with a trial and our vision is not what it needs to be and we need to re-focus. I believe at the heart of Hebrews 11:6 is a call to refocus over and over again. It reads, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God and they that come to Him must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him!” In other words, refocussing and seeking God over and over again is rewarded by God.

VISION! I’m praying that this is a season in our church that godly vision is clearer than ever.

Below are nine realities about our heavenly Father that equip you to “diligently seek Him” and by doing so enjoy the blessing of the Lord rewarding your life.

#1 The Father is tender, intimate, and is affectionate toward you (Romans 8:14-15). The Father has adopted you as His child, He is now, “Abba, Father …”

#2 The Father’s love is PERFECT, primarily interested in your HIGHEST GOOD that you are holy! (Heb 12:6; Rom 8:29; Eph 4:13)

#3 The Father is always ready to help (Lk 11:13)

#4 The Father is perfectly holy (Jn 10:9)

#5 There is nothing that compares to the glory of the Father, OUR FATHER! (Mt 6:9)

#6 The Father has your future prepared exceeding all expectations! (John 14:1-6)

#7 There is not a bigger heart toward all men than your heavenly Father’s (demonstrated in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ!)(Acts 2)

#8 The Father is blessed when you demonstrate compassion in helping the needy, and when you win the war on worldliness (James 1:27)

# 9 The Father never shames, only saves, restores and affirms your identity as His child in Christ (Luke 15:22-24)

When you take into account that God has made us in a way that our thinking has a physiological impact — that repeated thinking actually puts grooves in the brain — how important it is that we’re worshipping God in Truth over and over again.