An Expected Light

An Expected Light

A Christmas Study, Part 3

December 10, 2012

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11

Have you ever seen a child write a letter to Santa Claus? When my son was four, he was quite determined to do so. Having scarcely learned his letters, he sat hunched over a piece of red construction paper with a crayon clenched in his fist. He painstakingly formed the words that expressed his desires to Santa, and with all the faith a child could muster, he sealed the envelope and stood on his tiptoes to shove the envelope into our mailbox.

It never occurred to him to doubt that year—to ask exactly how the letter would get to the North Pole. He didn't ask for delivery confirmation or question Santa's ability to deliver. Oh, that we as God's children, could have faith like that today! We, who have received the fulfillment of heaven's greatest promise into our hearts, are frequently full of doubting. Why has God not answered my prayer quickly? Why do so many suffer? Why does no one seem to understand my struggle?

Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” This chapter of Hebrews also includes the account of Abraham, who first received the promise of Christ's coming through his bloodline. Genesis 12:1-3 tells this story.

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth [Jews and Gentiles!] will be blessed through you.”

Can you imagine? This account happens more than 400 years after the flood, but before God appears as the “I am” to Israel, before the signs of Egypt, or the Red Sea crossing, or the Ten Commandments. Abraham is living with his family among the paganism of Ur, when he hears a voice telling him to leave it all, wander into the dessert, and sire a bloodline with his wife who is barren. If there was a Chaldean loony bin, it's a wonder Abram's family didn't try to put him in it.

But Abraham had faith and acted in obedience, even though he had to wait twenty years to receive the promised birth of Isaac. So, was Abraham exceptionally spiritual to have walked this road? Actually, he struggled along just like the rest of us. Abraham went down into Egypt because he feared hunger, lied about Sarai being his wife because he feared Pharaoh, and sired a child with Hagar because he thought God might need some help making the promise happen. God had to repeat and reinforce his promise to Abraham several times during the years of waiting.

God did not give up on Abraham. Why? Let's go back to Hebrews 11:6. “... he who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Faith is not a state of being, but rather an active belief that GOD IS, that he is GOOD, and that he is ABLE. This Christmas season, be recommitted in your faith—expect His light! Whatever is going on in your life, know that God is, that He is good, and that He is able

Reason for the Season

Reason for the Season

by Donald W. Jinright

December 9, 2012

Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 4

What is this holiday for?

Not for shopping and giving of gifts,

But for sharing and caring for hearts,

That would be lost and in the cold.

Why do we celebrate this season?

Jesus should be the reason.

Have we forgotten what happened long ago

In the little town of Bethlehem?

Why do we take Christ out of Christmas?

Just so we can get all the gifts on our list?

The greatest gift was sent to earth,

And THAT is why we celebrate His birth!

He alone can bring peace on earth,

He alone is our life's worth,

He gave all that He had to give,

So that we might live!

The Bird Feeder

The Bird Feeder

The Story of a Child's Christmas

by Sarah Jinright

December 8, 2012

Scripture Reading: II Cor 9:6-15

Three children stood to their knees in snow as they watched their mother pull a rickety blue hatchback out of an icy driveway.  They were so bundled in winter clothing that all one could see of them was their eyes, and for a while, they did not move. Behind them, a winter-worn, white farmhouse with green shutters shivered in the December wind, and at intervals some of the drifts from last night’s heavy snowfall shimmied from the roof, the wall, and the windows.  It fell with a clamor on the evergreen shrubs that grew around the house, and the noise eventually shook the children's attention from their mother’s car, now disappearing around low curve in the road. 
The youngest boy squealed as his brother pummeled him with a sudden snowball, and a short battle ensued.   Their sister stopped them when there were two mittens missing, and possibly a hat.  She sat them on the porch for redressing. 
“I’m cold,” said the instigator of the snowball fight. 
“No wonder,” said his sister.  She smacked his mitten against the porch step to loosen the packed snow and then slid it back onto his hand.  “You shouldn’t have taken your mittens off to make snowballs.”
“I’m cold too,” said the youngest boy, who was not quite five—and frequently only a half step behind his brother.
“Goosy,” said his sister, “How can you be cold?  Momma bundled you up so—you can hardly walk!  Besides, it was you who begged to stay home from the grocery store and play outside in this mess.”  She pulled his stocking cap on, tied it under his chin, and smiled. “Now play.”
Strange always—how the very short influence the very tall with such precision—as had been the case that morning when the curly headed blonde in footy pajamas pleaded, “Please Momma!  Play in the snow!  Please!”  Nothing could have been so calculating.
At first, the older children had been opposed—not because the snow yielded any less temptation to them—but because they had yet to buy their mother a gift, and Christmas was less than a week away.  However, upon shaking their piggy banks, they were convinced of the futility of a shopping trip.
“I heard Momma say she wants a bird feeder,” said the girl.  She looked mournfully at the sparse coins on the floor.
“Couldn’t buy bird seed for that,” said her brother.
So they had joined the little blonde conspirator in his pleas to stay home and play in the snow, and since their father worked in an office right next to the house, permission was granted, provided they stayed back from the road and didn’t try to sled down the porch steps.
“Do you think—when Momma gets home—we can slide down the porch steps?” said the little one who had been so eager to stay.
“Are you bored already?” said his sister, “Build a snow man.”
“Make a snow angel,” said his brother.  He threw himself into the snow. “Ouch!”  He sat up and grabbed his elbow.  “There’s something in the snow!  Help me dig!”
All three children quickly set to work excavating the unseen object from the snow bank.
“It’s blue!” said the shortest.  “Maybe it’s some sky.”
“Goosy,” said the tallest, “Sky doesn’t fall.”
“Aw shucks,” said one who had found it to begin with, “It’s nothing but an old plastic crate.”
“Look!  Look!” squealed the youngest.  Already forgetful of the blue crate, he stumbled toward a new distraction on short, swaddled legs. 
“What is it?” said his sister.
“A bird.  Eating lunch,” said the small boy.  “We should tell Momma not to feel bad about the bird feeder. See? The bird’s eating right out of the snow.”
“So what if we moved the snow?” Said a voice from behind them.  Their brother stood holding the blue crate.
The girl’s eye’s lit up.  “Move the snow to where momma can see it—and the birds!”
Later on, nobody could really remember who’s idea it had been, but all three children were consumed with filling the blue crate with snow and hauling it to the picnic table that stood in front of Momma’s kitchen window.  There they emptied crate after crate of cubed snow until a block pyramid rose four feet off the table.  With that accomplished, they took sticks and carved windows and ledges into their creation.
“Now get bird food!” said the middle brother, who had lost both his mittens again.
They sprinkled bird food in all the crevices and then scurried inside to watch from chairs that they pulled up in front of the window.  Before long, a chickadee—a cardinal—a blue bird—all discovered the snowy bird feeder, had a seed to eat, and flew off to spread the good word.
Behind the kitchen window, three pink cheeked children still in their snow pants, watched thrilled and amazed.
“Merry Christmas, Momma!” whispered the youngest boy.
And it was a Merry Christmas.  Their mother cherished the gift all winter long, for the birds came to her feeder until it melted in mid-May.  It was a gift without price, but one she did not fail to point out to everyone who stood at her kitchen window.
In the years to come, the world would change much for these children.  They would grow up and discover that, in a world much motivated by materialism, everything has a price tag.  However, the bird feeder left them with a truth about Christmas they will never forget. 
Christmas is about a gift without price.  Jesus Christ was born penniless, lived selfless, taught fearless, died flawless, rose victorious, to offer us His salvation—PRICELESS.  He is God’s priceless gift to the world, and all who seek him find salvation, nourishment, and refuge.  His Gift will stand—unmelting and unchanging—through this life’s long winter sojourning.  In a season full of expensive but empty attractions, point out Jesus Christ’s simple and priceless gift to everyone you meet.

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.