The Reasons For The Season

I’m an incurable fan of Bugs Bunny cartoons.  I have a collection that I view often in order to relive childhood memories. Yet now in my old age I’m surprised to discover how “adult” these episodes were.  The jokes were portrayed in a humorous way so as a kid I laughed and enjoyed the shenanigans.  And now since as an adult I get the real meaning of the humor, it’s like I’m rediscovering them all over again.  Thank you Netflix and DVD special collections.

 I’m finding many of the Bible’s stories fit this same phenomena.  I grew up learning about the Creation story, Noah’s ark, (not Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac – too violent for children; not supposed to play with knives), David and Goliath (ok to play with a knife there; he knew what he was doing I guess), Daniel in the lion’s den (they must have been Detroit Lions since they don’t harm anyone either), and especially the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth (taught anytime except for Nov. or Dec. – can’t confuse the children about a “pagan” holiday). 

Now, however, I’m amazed to discover these stories all over again; not as simple, good-ending children’s stories, but as profound spiritual journeys requiring enormous amounts of faith from those involved.  Nothing at all simple.  Not always good-ending.  Nothing childish about them.

This time of year we’re reminded of a special baby being born to simple peasant folk, humble, isolated celebrations by shepherds, and only a handful of spiritually minded people even taking notice.  But what a huge cache of useful information on the meaning of faith, and God’s grace, and Satan running scared, and people’s careless disregard for God’s working providence just to name a few.  And too often I’m in danger of overlooking these reasons for the season.

Sadly celebrating Christmas has gotten to the point where I practically kill myself decorating houses and trees, careening all over town (many times in horrible weather) to buy presents I normally could do without, and eating myself sick thinking that I’m celebrating Christmas.  Even the Grinch found that this is NOT the reason for the season.  Unwrapping gifts that have to match the value of those you’ve given others is NOT the reason for the season.  How did I get so off track?

Here’s what I need to think about: God was willing to degrade Himself to my level and enter the world as one of us in order to undo the damage of our sin (and why didn’t He just arrive as an adult?  It would have been so much easier than to trust Himself to inexperienced human parents – so much could have gone wrong).  I also need to realize what it took for Mary to be willing to accept the impossible and to be impregnated just on the word of a stranger.  Joseph knew that wasn’t his kid, yet he listened to a dream and honored his commitment to Mary – what an awesome faith!  Then they agreed to raise Jesus in a small town where the townsfolk must have assumed they couldn’t wait for the wedding (“Oh, right, an angel told you in  a dream; right!”).  So this is why he was told not to be afraid; what a terrifying ordeal he was going to have to endure by faith!!!  I wonder, could I have done the same?  Would I have been skeptical or willing to believe the impossible?  This, and many more points in the story, is the reasons for the season!

So, this time of year, thank God for coming here as one of us; yes Jesus is a reason for the season.  But also be grateful that (1) Mary was willing to prove God’s ability to do the impossible, (2) that Joseph was willing to get over a broken heart and take a pregnant fiancé and raise someone else’s son, (3) that God, in His infinite goodness and grace, loved you enough to come down to your level in order to solve your sin problem, (4) you fill in the blank(s).

In your gift-giving, remember your Creator God who loves to continually give generously all throughout the year.  In your family reunions, thank God for the love that He provides through those He has brought into your life.  In your holiday meals, be conscious of the loving Father who provides everything you need for life and godliness.  And be especially mindful of the wonderful life God is preparing for those who, by faith, continue to live in Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Doug

The Power Satan Fears Most

     Man's basic desire down through history has been to try and make his "toys" and weapons bigger and better than before.  This is shown in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons.  The alien movies all show man's attempt to come up with a superior weapon that can defeat a technologically advanced enemy.  Desert Storm gave Americans a feeling of invincibility because of our bigger and better war machines.

     But in our spiritual war with Satan, our most powerful weapon against him is rarely used.  It's sad to see so many people defeated by money problems, job stress, fear of death, or physical and emotional health problems.  Satan has deceived so many into turning a blind eye to a superior power source that is right within reach.

     What is this weapon that Satan dreads?  The Spirit of God; living right inside every Christian (Romans 8: 9-11).  So, if God's spirit dwells inside us and Satan can't stand against it, why are so many of us defeated by the enemy? 

     The biggest reason may be that God's people haven't given enough time, study and practice to develop a proper understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.  And since our knowledge and perception of him is weak, so is our ability to stand against the devil. 

     Romans 8 has been called the great Spirit chapter of the Bible.  In these verses, the Apostle Paul provides an invaluable resource for encouraging each one of us to take advantage of the power that Satan fears the most – God’s Holy Spirit.  And He's right at our fingertips!  When we let the Spirit lead us, He will take care of everything for us (see verses 26, 27).  The final result, says Paul, is complete and total victory (verses 31-39).

     Now I can understand why Satan is working so hard to keep us from learning about this powerful weapon.  If we all took advantage of it, he would be out of business. 

     So is your God big enough to give you the victory?  He is if His Spirit lives in you and you trust Him to lead you.  Isn’t it time to learn more about the weapon Satan doesn't want you to know about?

Doug

Keeping Score

       One of the most frustrating things that I do in life is to compare myself, my talents and even everything I own to that of others.  What I usually find is that me and mine rarely measure up to theirs.  You know the grass is always greener on the other side.

     Can you see what I get caught up in here?  I have a problem with “keeping score” on life.  I’m constantly comparing what I have and do with others of my choosing.  With some, I end up the winner.  With others, I come out the looser.  This scorekeeping on life usually ends up with the dual failures of arrogance (for the winners) and discouragement (for the losers).  Both are contrary to what God desires for our lives.

     The biggest problem with keeping score in life is that there are forces and blessings out there that we can’t see.  God has things in place in our favor that we can’t comprehend.  And when we are caught up in keeping score in life, these countless blessings and talents and abilities usually end up not being counted or considered.  The score we get, then, is totally distorted (check out 2 Kings 6:16-17).

     One of the “scorekeepers” mentioned in the Bible is the prophet Elijah.  He told the prophets of Baal and Asherah that they numbered in the hundreds and he was “the only one” (1 Kings 18:22).  But Elijah’s score was wrong on two counts! 

1.      He had just heard from Obadiah that there were 100 prophets being hidden in caves and provided for.  He wasn't the only one! 

2.      And when Jezebel took out a contract on his life, the score seemed so stacked against him that he ran away and asked God to end it all.  Only after his encounter with the true nature of God did he find out that there were 7000 faithful people that were still on His side (1 Kings 19:18).  He wasn’t the only one!

     Why didn’t Elijah notice these 7,101 others?  Why did he think that he was the “only one”?  Because he was so busy keeping score that he fell victim to Satan’s weapons.  He was so absorbed with his own personal issues that he was blinded to the conditions of others.  Scorekeepers are always in danger of distorting the truth and being discouraged. 

     Do you know some “scorekeepers” in your life?  Are you one?  Has Satan had a field day causing you to be distracted and tempting you to distort the real score?  Just keep in mind two things when you are tempted to keep score in life. 

1. God is a scorekeeper too.  The good thing about that is that He knows the correct score and He always comes out on top so stay on His team and don’t quit. 
2. And remember a quotation attributed to Andrew Jackson:  “One man with God is the majority.”  Consider that truth whenever the odds seem to be against you.

Doug