“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”

Luke 2:8-9 (NIV)

On the night that Jesus was born, the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds to make the announcement, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

But why the shepherds? Have you ever given this much thought? Many individuals simply think it was because Jesus was born into a humble family, placed in a humble manger, all within a humble barn, in a humble town. Certainly shepherds were one of the lowliest and most humble “professions” known at that time. Even Joseph, when ruling in Egypt, indicated “all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians” (Gen 46:34) and Jesse, when talking to Samuel concerning which of his sons was to be anointed king, indicated his youngest son, David, was but tending the sheep (1 Sam 16:11).

But maybe there is more to the story! Let’s consider a different perspective on shepherds by looking back on the establishment of the Passover in Exodus 12. In this chapter of Scripture, the Lord has given Moses instructions in preparation for the 10^th plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt, that plague being “every firstborn son in Egypt will die” (Exodus 11:5). The Lord has told Moses, “Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of the month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…….The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect……This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord – a lasting ordinance” (Gen 12:3,5,14).

Now consider this. There are approximately 1,500 years between the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and the establishment of the Passover to the time when Jesus Christ was born. So for 1,500 years, shepherds played a key role in God’s plan to provide enough lambs, year-old males, without defect, so that all Israelite families could remember the Passover and worship God according to His will, purpose and eternal plan. In fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, these shepherds had to be active and intentional in their care of the sheep and lambs. As lambs were born, these shepherds had to maintain careful and consistent watch over the flocks from all predators. Many predators would come but these shepherds were committed to protect and serve the flock. Their eyes were keen to crevices and cliffs as they led the flock. And these shepherds made sure they found green pasture to feed those under their care. And perhaps the crowning event each year in the life of a shepherd was knowing his work provided the year-old male lamb, healthy and without defect so that his family and Israelite community members could worship the Lord God properly in accordance with His will. What an important responsibility! There was nothing passive about the work of a shepherd.

So on the night that Jesus was born and the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, could it be that God, who had used this lowly, unsophisticated, humble profession of shepherding to provide Passover lambs for 1,500 years, wanted shepherds to be the first to behold the real, true, and eternal “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). This was the Lamb, the Messiah, perfect, holy, righteous, and without defect or blemish, that had now arrived! And in that moment, the eyes of the shepherds were opened and their lives were changed forever. Scripture tells us, “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20). Perhaps these very shepherds became some of the very first evangelists, proclaiming the good news and saving life of Jesus Christ. No more need to slaughter lambs from the flock year after year to secure God’s favor and forgiveness of sin! The once-for-all Lamb of God has arrived!

The lowly shepherds were visited by an angel of the Lord and were the first to see and worship the Lamb of God, even before the Magi came, those wise men from the east! You see, Scripture is so true where it shares the very words of Jesus who said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first” (Matthew 19:30). Dearly beloved, like the shepherds of old, I hope and pray that you have come “to see” in the eyes of your heart the Lamb of God. It is His shed blood that provides your pardon and mercy; it is His shed blood that cleanses you of all sin; it is His shed blood that saves you and brings you eternal life.

In Luke 2:19, we are told that as Mary witnessed the visit of the shepherds and their response of worship and praise, she “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Oh that we would do likewise, accepting by faith the gift of salvation and eternal life so graciously given.

“All the days ordained for me

were written in your book before

one of them came to be.”

Psalm 139:16

Many people as they start a New Year take time to make new year’s resolutions. It is amusing that many such resolutions are couched with the phrase “I’ll try…..!!!”. That phrase is a recipe for failure. As soon as the pain or discomfort of the resolution sets in, many individuals simply give up. It is surprising how seldom you hear any resolution put in the terms of “I commit to do……”.  

When you come to that point in life where reality sets in and you realize that your days are, in fact, numbered, then the needed “commitment” for a resolution becomes exceedingly important. As I look forward to start the new year of 2010 and as I have more keenly realized the truth of Psalm 139: 16, an appropriate resolution for my life is found in a song written by P.P. Bliss in the early 1900’s. It is titled “My Prayer”.

“More holiness give me, More striving within;

More patience in suff’ring, More sorrow for sin;

More faith in my Savior, More sense of His care;

More joy in His service, More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, More trust in the Lord;

More pride in His glory, More hope in His word;

More tears for His sorrows, More pain at His grief;

More meekness in trial, More praise for relief.

More purity give me, More strength to o’ercome;

More freedom from earthstain, More longing for home;

More fit for the kingdom, More used would I be;

More blessed and holy, More, Savior, like Thee.”

May this song be a blessing to you and also your resolution throughout this new year of 2010.

     I am not a theologian. But I do find it important to read and study the Holy Scriptures to understand God’s perspective on life, life that He created. One thing I have learned is this: It is not “tolerance” to accept, promote or simply ignore immorality, and it is not “intolerance” to speak out against immorality. Speaking the truth in love represents a passion and concern for the eternal destiny of man. In examining the life of Jesus Christ, he always demonstrated tolerance and love for man, for the individual person. His whole earthly purpose was to walk the Calvary Road in order that individuals may be redeemed through faith in the loving work He accomplished on the Cross. But He also clearly spoke out on the exceeding immorality of immoral behavior throughout His life and ministry. His holiness and righteousness brought light to every circumstance and revealed man’s behavior for what it was and is.

In expressing these thoughts, I fully expect to hear the voices of opposition from the popular cultural scene. There will be one who accuses me of pushing my religious beliefs upon him or her. Not so!!! There may even be one who with shrillness uses the tired and overused accusation of homophobe. But make no mistake; they and all individuals are free to make the choices they desire. However, it is instructive to listen carefully to the objections raised. These voices of opposition demand tolerance for their behavior, no matter how immoral, and when failing to receive it, demonstrate intolerance for these other individuals. This is exactly opposite of the example given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every individual has freedom to choose his or her religious beliefs and behavior patterns. What is inescapable, however, is the ultimate and final accountability for those choices. It is that accountability which brings me back to the thought expressed above: speaking the truth in love represents a passion and concern for the eternal destiny of man. The Holy Scriptures confront each and every individual and reveals to us the truth of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. With love in His heart and light on His face, Christ is all love for each individual as expressed on Calvary’s Road and the Cross. It is our immoral behavior that makes Him weep.

To be sure she did not have a treatise on systematic theology by Lewis Sperry Chafer, nor did she have the helpful and insightful books written by Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Max Lucado, Charles Colson, John Piper, Joseph Stowell, John MacArthur, Os Guinness, Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, Tim LaHaye, or C.S. Lewis!! What she simply had to guide and direct her was the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Agnes, at the tender age of 13, had searched the Scriptures carefully and thoughtfully to discover just who Jesus Christ is.

And in searching the Scriptures, Agnes had to come to some very clear conclusions even at the age of 13: (1) she must have recognized her deeply sinful nature and the need she had to be redeemed from that nature; (2) she must have recognized the Scriptural principle given to Adam that sin results in death, not just physical death but spiritual death and separation from God; (3) she must have recognized that the very character of God includes the matter of justice and, therefore, the wrath of God is fully due to those who live in disobedience and sin to His will; (4) she must have recognized that on her own she was doomed and that she had no power or authority within herself to become acceptable to God; (5) she must have recognized that God alone must provide a Savior to her if the wrath of God toward her was to be set aside; (6) she must have recognized that the very character of God includes a generous portion of grace as seen in the giving of His only begotten Son; (7) she must have recognized the perfect, innocence and pure Lamb of God found in Jesus Christ; (8) she must have recognized that the grace of God found in Jesus Christ satisfied the justice requirement of God found in His character; (9) she must have recognized that she must place her faith in that Lamb of God to grasp the redemption for which her heart longed; (10) she must have recognized the peace of God and the forgiveness of God given through the Holy Spirit as she placed her faith in Jesus Christ; (11) she must have recognized her completed and eternal stance before God as a saved saint solely on the basis of all that God had done; and (12) she must have recognized the joyful commitment she desired to make in her heart to be faithful to this redeemer savior no matter what may befall her.

She learned all that……….from the Holy Scriptures. Just how much time do you and I spend searching the Scriptures to discover all the treasures of God that are revealed to us? How often do we set this precious revelation of God aside to read other most worthy Christian books? Agnes has convicted me that I do this all to often. Agnes knew that the Scriptures were fully and completely God breathed. No other book can make this claim. No other book comes close to “the” revelation of God and His precious Son Jesus Christ. Yet we set this precious holy book of godly insights and treasures aside much too often to pursue our own interests. I am not sure I can even come close to the life giving commitment of Agnes apart from spending more time in the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures.

Dearly beloved, I hope you will consider carefully, with me, the place of the Bible, the Word of God, in your life and walk with the Lord. Be committed to it…….don’t be complacent with the Word of God. As I have recommitted myself to a slow and careful reading, studying and consideration of the Word of God, I am finding anew all sorts of treasures and truth that are mine through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. I wish the same for you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; May His face shine upon you; and give you peace………

By way of historical background, through a military overthrow, Diocletian became emperor of Rome in 284 and went about restoring the empire’s former glory and unity. Christianity was well established in 284 and, as a result, hindered the revival of the pagan religious practices. Caesar Galerius, Diocletian’s lieutenant, convinced him that he had to eliminate all Christians so in 303 he began the last and fiercest persecution of Christianity by the Roman emperors.

Agnes was a thirteen year old believer who had determined to remain a virgin as the bride of Christ, a vow not uncommon in the Christian community at that time. According to fourth century records, young men from prominent Roman families became angered by her refusal to wed and denounced Agnes to the head of the church of Rome as a Christian. The judge initially tried to humor and entice her to recant, but Agnes refused, repeating she would have no other spouse than Jesus Christ. The judge then threatened her by displaying instruments of torture like iron hooks, racks, and fire, but Agnes expressed no fear.

Frustrated, the judge threatened to send her to a brothel to which Agnes reportedly stated, “….you will never be able to profane my body, because it is consecrated to Christ”. So angry, the judge immediately sent her to a public brothel with the instructions that anyone was free to use and abuse her. Tradition states that many young men tried to take advantage of the offer but when seeing her, they were all afraid to approach her. One young man did attempt to take her and when he reached out was blinded by a flash and fell to the ground. Agnes stopped her singing of hymns and knelt next to this young man and prayed that his sight would be restored, which the Lord did.

When the judge heard that all men respected her, he grew more angry and sentenced her to death by beheading. According to Bishop Ambrose, who wrote in 377, Agnes was overjoyed on hearing the sentence and remained so even after seeing the executioner. Bishop Ambrose wrote she “went to the place of execution more cheerfully than others go to their wedding.” He further wrote, “At such a tender age a young girl has scarcely enough courage to bear the angry looks of her father and a tiny puncture from a needle makes her cry as if it were a wound. And still this little girl had enough courage to face the sword. She was fearless in the bloody hands of the executioner. She prayed; she bowed her head. Behold in one victim the twofold martyrdom of chastity and faith.”

That is what “committed” looks like. (more…)

Matthew 6:9

Have you ever taken the time to read carefully this first line of “The Lord’s Prayer”? Reflect on the verb tense……”who is…”! This is the present tense!! For the Christian, how glorious and marvelous is this? My Father is involved presently in my life and cares presently about all that is touching me, whether spiritually, emotionally, mentally or physically.

But what individual, in reality, can refer to God as “our Father” or “my Father”? We can only call God “our Father” when we have allowed Him to change our innermost nature through faith in Christ. Adam’s nature, sinful in totality, is replaced by God’s nature, completely holy and righteous, again through faith in Christ. Then, and only then, does God truly become “our Father”. That step of faith in Christ results in God welcoming us into His house because, as the owner of the house, He has adopted us into His family!

But how does this truth play out in my every day life? How does “our Father who is in heaven….” impact my life moment by moment? I have much to say on this issue or topic and will be sharing more “thoughts of a business man” through the coming days in articles titled “Committed or Complacent?”

In the meantime, grasp and meditate on the truth of our Father who is…………!!

1: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

You know, from God’s point of view, it does matter with whom you “hang out”. Your friends and those who matter to you are an indication of how you look at life. They are an indication of your eternal values and your personal “world view”. If you are truly desirous of God’s manifold blessing, you cannot stay “on the fence”, i.e. claiming to love the Lord yet participating with the worst this world has to offer. God’s blessing requires a commitment as expressed in 1 Corinthians 6:16 – 7:1, “What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God”.

As a matter of desire, practice or habit, to walk in the counsel of the wicked; to stand in the way of sinners; to sit in the seat of mockers is to contaminate your life. The blessing of God requires a separation from the world even as you live in the world.

2: But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.

If others watched you live out your life, what would they say was your “delight”? (more…)

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, 

or curse the rich in your bedroom,

because a bird of the air may carry your words, 

and a bird on the wing may report what you say.”

Ecclesiastes 10:20

In raising our four daughters, I often reminded the girls of this Bible verse. As the girls reached junior high and high school age, Corene and I many times emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity as character traits by which to live. We also stressed the importance of obedience to our parental decisions, even when those decisions seemed unfair from their standpoint. We encouraged the girls to realize that the matter of trust was something every individual earned; if the girls wanted us, as parents, to trust them, then the girls needed to demonstrate they were trustworthy. We did not trust them just because they were our daughters; we trusted them because they earned it! Telling the truth at all times resulted in an outcome where serious, undesirable consequences were avoided by the girls.

What is the point to this little story? It was pointed out to the girls that we, as parents, did not just expect truth, honesty, and obedience to our face and in our presence when various decisions were made about dating, acceptable movies, various activities, and parties. It was important to maintain these character traits at all times, even in the most private spot a teenage has, their own bedroom. It was important to maintain these character traits when they were out with their friends  without Mom and Dad close at hand to check out what they were doing.

We told the girls that we would not be checking out their activities on the weekends as they were out with their friends! Why? Because , based upon the Bible, “a little birdie” would land on my shoulder, whisper in my ear and make the matter known! As their father, I did not need to sneak around trying to find out what my daughters were actually doing after the Friday and Saturday night high school games. I did not need to find out whether they were obeying the decisions and directions that Corene and I had given. But we reminded the girls often that if you lose the trust we have in you, it is very, very difficult to earn that trust back……..very difficult. So responsibility and accountability for the development of these character traits, including self-discipline and self-control, was firmly placed upon their shoulders. Tell the truth; obey and accept decisions; good consequences. Tell lies; disobey decisions; bad consequences. The choice belonged to the girls.

It actually took a couple of instances before the girls realized the truth of Ecclesiastes 10:20! A couple different occasions occurred in which a daughter did not obey a decision and then lied about it. This daughter had failed to realize that the Bible means what it says and that “a birdie” had, in fact, landed on my shoulder and shared with me exactly the activity my daughter had been involved in; an activity in disobedience to a decision that had been made. When the consequences of this bad choice were dealt with, it goes without saying the impact this had on our other three daughters! They came to understand the truth of the Word of God and the fact that He can make matters known through any little birdie He chooses to use!

The best thing about this story is that now my daughters are teaching the truth of Ecclesiastes 10:20 to their children! What a great legacy!! To God be the glory!!

“Suddenly, just as the executioner’s assistants were about to carry out their orders, [Quasimodo] climbed the balustrade of the gallery and clutched the rope with his hands, knees and feet. The crowd saw him slide down the façade like a raindrop on a windowpane, run over to the executioner’s assistants with the swiftness of a cat, fell them both with his enormous fists, take the gypsy girl in one arm as easily as a child picking up a doll and rush into the church, holding her above his head and shouting in a formidable voice, “Sanctuary!”

Within the walls of Notre Dame the prisoner was inviolable. The cathedral was a recognized place of refuge.”

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Victor Hugo – 1831

Victor Hugo way back in 1831 understood what a church sanctuary was as he wrote his famous, classical novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. In fact, back in 1831 all of society recognized with reverence what a sanctuary within a church represented. Even in my earliest memories of attending church, the place of worship within the church was always referred to as “the sanctuary”. When entering the sanctuary, I remember there was a quietness and reverence seen and felt. It was inviolable from the rest of the world and all the troubles of the world. There were people sitting in silent prayer, preparing their own hearts and minds for worshiping Almighty God as well as praying for the pastor and participants in the worship service. There was an attitude of worship, of reverence, for there was a realization of being in the presence of God; holy, majestic, and righteous God. It was a solemn place of meeting; man with God and God, through the Holy Spirit, with man.

So what is a sanctuary within a church and why is it important to know? A “sanctuary” is a sacred place regarded as holy. It is a place consecrated or set apart to God. It is a place worthy of or regarded with reverence. It is a place of refuge, free from harm. Matthew 18:20 captures this clearly (Jesus speaking), “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Don’t miss the fact that Christ is there! Why has the church sanctuary down through the ages been looked upon with such great reverence? A survey of Scripture, God’s Holy Word, is helpful.

In Exodus 15: 17-18, after Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea, Moses declares, “You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance – the place, O Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. The Lord will reign for ever and ever.” Moses and the Israelites recognized the sovereignty and power of God as Pharaoh’s army was defeated. And they recognized the Lord’s desire for a dwelling place among the people, that being the sanctuary.

The Lord’s desire for a sanctuary and dwelling place is further seen in Exodus 25: 8 where the Lord says, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” It is important to see that the Lord had a desire for a special meeting place, a holy place, a place of refuge, and a place of reverence.

It is also important to see that the passage cited in Exodus 15 preceded the giving of the Law while the passage in Exodus 25 was given after the Ten Commandments and was expressed as a part of the Laws and regulations that were to be followed. What is the point? The matter of the sanctuary, the desire of God for a meeting place with His people and the attitude of reverence for the sanctuary is not a matter of following the Law or a matter of legalism. The Lord wants our fellowship and desires for us to meet with him.

Three passages from the Psalms are also helpful. In Psalm 63: 1-2, David writes, “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.” I appreciate the way that David, who became a king yet was often referred to as just a shepherd boy, so eloquently and simply captures in a few words what we all feel and experience in life. (more…)

I truly believe that God’s Word has answers for even the things we consider trivial. I believe His Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is the very Word of God. On that basis, the following paragraphs provide some thoughts on Galatians 6:14.

To begin, lets review Romans 3:23, a very familiar passage. That verse says, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. I have been considering the word “short” in this passage. In the flesh, man considers “short” to mean that, in spite of all he has done in this life, whether for good or for evil, he is never really very far from God. After all, God is love! Right? I find that statement or position by some to be the epitome of fleshly pride and arrogance. As I carefully considered what Paul was saying in Romans 3:23, it would appear that the “short” to which he refers is the great distance that lies between heaven and hell. This is biblically supported by the account of the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. In this passage, both Lazarus and a rich man die, with Lazarus joyfully residing in heaven and the rich man condemned to hell. In his torment, the rich man begs that Lazarus be allowed to dip his finger in water and cool the tongue of the rich man. But the answer given is clear (more…)