A Prayer for Power on Our Lives

December 7, 2012

Scripture Reading: Luke 1:46-55

A Prayer for Power on Our Lives

by Ceceilia Jones

Dear Lord,

Thank you

for Your divine power in our lives.

We need you not only during difficult times,

but we need you

ALL

of the time.

Consecrate our hearts, minds, and spirits

as we get through life’s processes

in a more Godly way.

May your power cleanse us

and allow your light to shine

through us

to others.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

Infant Expectations

Infant Expectations

by Sarah Jinright

December 6, 2012

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55

A Christmas Poem: Today's scripture reminds us that God calls people according to His divine wisdom, and not according to whether or not they are considered worthy by themselves or others. This poem references God's work in the lives of Moses, Gideon, David, Bathsheba, and Christ's mother, Mary. Consider how God used each one despite their flaws, failures, gender, and age!

In infancy, we trust to God those blessings given us,

But as fruition finds them grown, have we still heart to trust?

For infancy knows many dreams of height and voice and climb,

But trust we still the Savior, with growth not matched by time?

Full maturation is His boon—a boon in His own way—

His thoughts match not our thoughts, oft times; His ways match not our ways.

He uses for an orator, the one who cannot speak;

He confounds not with the mighty, but instead He calls the weak.

To suit the battle beyond odds, He takes the trembling hand,

Empowers it to act, and thus, He takes the land.

Anointed to be king?—The youngest and the least.

After God's own heart?—The one caught in a tryst.

Mother of the wisest?—A woman fallen low.

Mother of the Highest?—She who said, "Lord, be it so.”

So let us trust in infancy, the plan that's gone awry,

The child who's gone astray, the dream that's passed us by;

And do not think the one who's small, cannot be nobly borne,

Nor think the servant who is mute, may not announce the morn,

For what is done is not about perfection, rank, or trade;

But rather, it has all to do, with God, by whom we're made.

For He who authored infancy sees best around the bend

And knowing all, He rightly joins--the past, and now, and then.

O Little Town of Portsmouth!

O Little Town of Portsmouth

by Sarah Jinright

December 5, 2012

Scripture reading: I Corinthians 1:26-2:12

“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.” This statement is made of Bethlehem in Micah 5:2, nearly 700 years before the birth of Christ, and like the Christmas carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” it creates a soft, nostalgic picture of Bethlehem in the mind.

The stark truth however, is that during the time of Christ's birth, there was nothing warm and cozy about the city at all. Though Bethlehem was the burial place of Jacob's beloved wife Rachel, and the birthplace of King David; at the time of Christ, it was simply a city without fortification located a short distance from Jerusalem with a population of barely 100 people. (jesus.christ.org). Yet despite it's seeming insignificance, it was chosen to be the birthplace of Christ!

Similarly, Portsmouth boasts a past full of historic significance, but today it struggles along. As Bethlehem was located near an area of large importance, so Portsmouth finds itself near the oldest Naval hospital in the U.S., as well as the largest Naval Shipyard. However, observing Main Street, one sees the actual predicament of the city more clearly. Real estate signs fill the windows of empty businesses. Home sales have dropped steadily since 2007. Unemployment is nearly 10%, and more than 15% of the population live in poverty (city-data.com/city/Portsmouth-Virginia.html). The need of the city is great.

The challenge set before Calvary Baptist Church is to see the need of our community, as Christ saw the need of His community. As He offered the light of Himself, we must also offer His light. Though we may fear a lack of acceptance or ability, we must carry on, knowing that Christ understands our fears, and is able to work greatly, despite our weaknesses, backgrounds, and failures. God knows we are incapable of human perfection, but he sees the humble heart, the loving heart, and the servant's heart. Not only does He long to see this heart in us, but He also longs to give us His eyes, so that we can see this heart in others—regardless of their mortal flaws.

Though Christ was without sin, he faced doubt and disbelief on every side, even by those who eventually became closest to Him. In John 1: 46, when Christ was calling his disciples, note Nathanael's response to the place of Christ's upbringing: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Are we guilty of asking if anything good can come out of Portsmouth? As we minister to the people that God has brought through our doors, do we secretly doubt the good that we can do—more importantly—the good that GOD can do in their lives?

Fortunately, God is in the business of using weak and imperfect people. Consider Abraham, who had a child with Hagar because he doubted God's ability to fulfill His promise through Sarai. Consider Rahab, a prostitute, but also the great, great grandmother of King David. Consider King David, who fell into adultery, but was still called a man after God's own heart.

Truly, God does glorify Himself, by using weak things to confound the mighty! O little town of Portsmouth, how much God loves you, and by His grace, how much He will do here in this community!

The Angel of the Lord

The Angel of the Lord

A Chance to Dig

by Lisa Kidd

December 4, 2012

Did you think we were going to do all the research for you? Surprise! Today, I've got some research for you to do, and some questions for you to ponder. True, I'm going to answer some of those questions on the next page, but let me encourage you to take the time to study.

In the Christmas story, we read of many people experiencing a visit from an angel of the Lord. Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and the shepherds all find themselves in the amazing presence of this awesome character. But who is he? In the Old Testament, there are also many mentions made of the angel of the Lord. Is this angel the same figure? In the Bible there are many "clues" to whom the angel of the Lord is. Do you know?

Check out these references and answer these questions. Who did the angel appear to? How does this person react to the angel? How does the angel refer to himself?

Old Testament:

1. Genesis 16:7-14
2. Genesis 22:11-15
3. Exodus 3:2-6
4. Numbers 22:22-38
5. Judges 6:11-24

New Testament:

1. Luke 1:11-20
2. Luke 1:26-38
3. Matthew 28:2-7
4. Acts 12:6-11

Fact Finders:

*The word “incarnation” means “The embodiment of God the Son in human flesh as Jesus Christ” (dictionary.com). After reading these passages, do you think that Jesus made an appearance before His incarnation?

*True or false: The angel of the Lord who is often referred to in the Old Testament was really Jesus making pre-incarnate appearances?

*Is the angel of the Lord in the New Testament a different figure?

All righty then. I suppose we've made you work hard enough. Turn the page for some answers, but I bet you've already found some on your own!

Old Testament References:

1. Hagar, she responds to the angel as the “God who sees her”, the angel claims personal responsibility for her descendents
2. Abraham, he calls the place “the Lord will provide”, the angel says “I swear by myself, declares the Lord . . . I will surely bless you.”
3. Moses, he was afraid to look at God, the angel in the burning bush says, “I am the God of your father.”
4. Balaam, he bowed and fell face down, the angel says, “speak only what I tell you” and later Balaam tells King Balaak “I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.”
5. Gideon, he calls the angel Sovereign Lord and builds an altar to it, the angel speaks in the first person as the Lord

In the Old Testament, the" angel of the Lord" speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and exercises the responsibilities of God. Jesus declared Himself to be existent "before Abraham" (John 8:58), so it's logical that He would be active and manifest in the Old Testament world.

New Testament References.

1. Zechariah, gripped with fear and questions, angel claims to be Gabriel who stands in the presence of God. Gabriel does not claim to be God, or speak in first person as God.
2. Mary, she is troubled and has questions, the angel claims to be Gabriel and the passage says that he was sent by God.
3. The women at the tomb, fearful yet joyful, the angel claimed to know they were looking for Jesus. Then the angel said that “He is not here, for he is risen.” He couldn't be “here” as the angel and “not here” as Jesus.
4. Peter, he thinks he's having a vision, he does not speak with the angel nor does the angel identify himself specifically, but Peter says after the incident, “I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me . . . .”

In these passages, we learn that the appearances of the angel of the Lord change after the incarnation of Christ. So are the appearances always precise ways to the identify God in the Scripture? In the Old and New Testaments, there are differences in reference to identity. Many students of the Word believe that God's appearances as the Angel of the Lord stop after Christ came to earth as a man; hence, the New Testament appearances of the angel are simply messengers sent from heaven.

Whatever the case, whether the angel of the Lord was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ ( Christophany) or an appearance of God the Father (Theophany), it is highly likely that the phrase "the angel of the Lord" identifies either a physical appearance of God or the appearance of one sent by God. What a blessing to know that He would take such extraordinary measures to communicate with mankind!

Father, help all of us to understand who the angel of the Lord is, and for us to give less to the world and more to the One who made it. May we all give thought and give You all the praise and glory. Amen.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

A Christmas Study, Part 2

Monday, December 3, 2012

Scripture Reading: Romans 5

“Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” If you're anything like me, you opt to receive the bad news first, just to get it over with. Well, way back in Genesis 3, Satan got the bad news first. He had successfully convinced Adam and Eve to sin against God, but in verse 15, God promised Satan “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

This verse is the first description of what Christ would do for mankind on the cross. His heels would be bruised with the nails that held him to the cross, but Satan's control over mankind through sin and death would be crushed through Christ's sacrificial act!

Certainly, Adam and Eve needed some good news on that difficult day—a light at the end of the tunnel—as they faced the consequences of their disobedience. God told Adam he would now work exceptionally hard for the very food that he ate, and He told Eve that child-bearing would bring her pain and difficulty. Together, they faced expulsion from their beautiful home in the garden of Eden, and worse, separation from daily fellowship with God.

As if that weren't enough, they knew that the effects of their choice would extend to future generations. In today's reading, the apostle Paul describes this effect. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, . . . in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—” Here also, Paul follows the bad news with some truly good news. Verse 18 reads, “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”

How appropriate. The good news of Christmas, is a free gift! It's not some corny Black Friday gimmick either, but rather, the Christ child in the manger—the fulfillment of the promise God made so long ago.

The fact that God offered mankind this hope IMMEDIATELY after their disobedience shows that He has always been more interested in loving us than judging us. Truly, His holy character requires that he demand holiness in those who approach Him, but in His great love, He would not leave us without a way to put on that holiness and regain His presence. That “presence” would be regained through the “present” of His Son. The light at the end of the tunnel is Jesus Christ, the Light of the world!

The Fresnel Lens

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Anyone who has been to the Portsmouth seawall, has likely visited the famous Hog Island Fresnel Lens. Those who crafted this particular type of light were able to use much lighter materials and thinner surfaces to produce a more penetrating and far-reaching light.

In recent years, I have encountered many people who wonder at the value of the Old Testament, for which I have always had a special love. To me, it's pages are not only as God-breathed and inspired as the New Testament, but they also present an amazing parade of signs, prophecies, and promises. This parade doesn't end with Santa Clause, but with a baby in a manger.

The Old Testament is a Fresnel lens. As a whole, it's subject matter is heavy, but seen in lighter, more individual layers, it works together to shine a tremendous light. The wisdom of the Old Testament was lighting the way, even when the coming of Christ was as distant as the North Star, twinkling over the winter sky's horizon.

The Star is, perhaps, one of the most iconic symbols of Christmas that we know. The Star of Christmas was first prophesied in Numbers 24:17. In this passage, the evil King Balaak had hired the prophet-for-rent, Balaam, to curse the children of Israel. Four times Balaam tried. Each time God's Spirit overtook him and caused him to offer a blessing instead. The third blessing included this utterance—the first mention of the Star: “I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not nigh. There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.”

The word “star” in this verse comes from the Hebrew “Kowkab” and implies blistering penetration. In its figurative form, it means “Prince.” As truly as the star led the wise men to the Christ child—the Prince of Peace—that same Christ child would bring a blistering penetration to the sinful hearts of men and offer them a cure through His death and resurrection.

This Christmas season, I pray these advent studies will bless your heart and deepen your appreciation for the gift of God's Word, as well as the gift of the Christ child. Our devotions will take us on a journey through the Old Testament. We will begin with the promise of a redeemer, and come finally to the manger, where the promise was kept. Amidst the darkness of the first sins, God provided a light of hope—promising Adam and Eve that they would see Him, though not now; that they would behold Him, though He was not yet near.

Prayer for Light

Prayer for Light

by Ceceilia Jones

Jesus,

Light of the World,

May we begin to see the world

in the light of the understanding that

YOU

give us.

*

Lord,

As YOU chose

the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor

to receive the greatest news the world had ever known,

so may we worship you in meekness of heart.

We ask for your blessings

as we study each day.

Amen.