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And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Matthew 26:40-45

 

Only two more days and the Christmas Season begins. Sadly for many the hustle and bustle of the modern day Christmas has them worn out before Christmas even begins.

It pains me to hear some say, “I will be glad when it is over!”

OVER – when it hasn’t yet begun.

If that is where you find yourself this last Saturday before Christmas then I would like to share with you this poem I discovered in a little book called “Streams In The Desert.” The message is especially appropriate for these busy days.

“I’m too tired to trust and too tired to pray,

Said one, as the over-taxed strength gave way.

The one conscious thought by my mind possessed,

Is, oh, could I just drop it all and rest.

 

“Will God forgive me, do you suppose,

If I go right to sleep as a baby goes,

Without asking if I may,

Without ever trying to trust and pray?

 

“Will God forgive you? Why think, dear heart,

When language was an unknown art,

Did a mother deny you needed rest,

Or refuse to pillow your head on her breast?

 

“Did she let you want when you could not ask?

Did she set her child an unequal task?

Or did she cradle you in her arms,

And then guard your slumber against alarms?

 

“Ah, how quick was her mother love to see,

The unconscious yearnings of infancy.

When you’ve grown too tired to trust and pray,

When over-wrought nature has quite given way:

 

“Then just drop it all, and give up to rest,

As you used to do on a mother’s breast,

He knows all about it – the dear Lord knows,

So just go to sleep as a baby goes;

 

“Without even asking if you may,

God knows when His child is too tired to pray.

He judges not solely by uttered prayer,

He knows when the yearnings of love are there.

 

“He knows you do pray, He knows you do trust,

And He knows, too, the limits of poor weak dust.

Oh, the wonderful sympathy of Christ,

For His chosen ones in that midnight tryst,

 

“When He bade them sleep and take their rest,

While on Him the guilt of the whole world pressed –

You’ve given your life up to Him to keep,

Then don’t be afraid to go right to sleep.”

 

We are in the season of Advent. I hope that you have celebrated this season by lighting the candles, reading scripture, and spending time in prayer, preparing your hearts for the twelve days of Christmas.

But if you are on of those who have gotten caught up in the false celebration of Christmas, if you are weary and worn and ready for it to be over, take heart the Lord knows and understands. Just as he understood when the disciples fell asleep in the garden while he was in such agony. As he said to them – he says to you –

Sleep on now, and take your rest.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

At 4:23 p.m. winter officially came to our area. This is known as the winter solstice. After tonight we shall gain a few minutes of daylight each day for the next six months, until we experience the summer solstice.

I hope you have the opportunity to go outside tonight. Our front porch was the perfect observation post. It is a crisp, cold night – a winter’s night. The moon is so bright that it throws shadows from the Maple trees in our front yard and I can see everything in the barnyard without a flashlight.

I am glad that God has placed me where I can enjoy the four seasons. Each one is special in it’s own way. Winter for me is a time of hibernation. Having animals means there are outdoor chores but much of my time in the winter is spent indoors. I clean out closets and cupboards. I re-organize areas that have gotten out of control (like my craft room). I crochet. This year I might finally master knitting. I play music – the piano, dobro, and psaltry – none of them very well – but for my own enjoyment.I put jigsaw puzzles together on the dining room table. I read. I write letters. I plan next year’s garden. It sounds like I’m busy, and I am in a way. It is a different kind of busy than the rest of the year. I get to do many of the things I don’t have time for in spring, summer, and fall. Winter gives me time to slow down, to reflect, to breathe.

And I do love a good snowstorm!

When the ground is blanketed in a deep snow the landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland. And there is a quietness that brings a sense of peace. I love sitting by a wood fire on a snowy day – our furnace keeps us warm but it isn’t the same as those flickering flames and the crackling logs. Thank You, Lord, for winter!

Never is life so insecure as when we take hold of it;

Never is it safer than when we lay it in God’s hands.

 

I don’t know who wrote those words but I do know that they touched a chord in me. I found them in The Interpreter’s Bible, while reading the commentary on Luke 21:9-11. Chapter 21 is titled in my Bible “National Trials and the Advent.” Jesus is telling the disciples of the trials they will face as His disciples. It is quite a list: wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence, persecution, etc.

There are two verses in the midst of the bad news, verse 27 and 28:

And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

Shalom – Shalvah

Peace – Security

That is what I have found in my relationship with God and that is what gives me joy.

It doesn’t mean everything is good all the time but it does mean that my ship of life holds steady even in the midst of a raging storm.

I have joy for He is my joy.

Let go and let God.

 

 

Rejoice in the LORD alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The LORD is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

 

Rejoice!

And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

Deuteronomy 12:7

 

Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

I Chronicles 16:10

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.

I Chronicles 16:31

But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.

Psalm 5:11

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

Psalm 68:3

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.

Revelation 19:7

 

God tends to repeat the things that are important. These are only a few of the verses in the Bible that speak of rejoicing. So this is a lesson we should take to heart.

We can find joy in all things because God is with us.

One of my favorite verses is found in Psalm 118 – the twenty-fourth verse:

This is the day which the LORD hath made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it. 

 

I often begin my day with this verse.

Sometimes, when circumstances challenge me, I change the wording:

This is the day which the LORD has made:

I will find JOY in it.

 

Because no matter the circumstances,

God made this day.

It is good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

² Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

³ Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

⁴ And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

⁵ Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

⁶ Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Isaiah 12:2-6

 

I am thinking of Mary and Joseph making the journey to Bethlehem. How uncomfortable she must have been. Ask any woman who travels at the end on her pregnancy how she would like to ride for miles over hilly country on the back of a donkey!

But that is just what Mary was experiencing.

As a young woman about to deliver her first child I am sure she would have preferred to be in familiar surroundings with her own mother there to help her at this time in her life. But it was not to be.

Joseph was the only one available. How helpless he must have felt!  Men in that time did not attend the birth. They left that to the women.

Mary and Joseph – in unusual circumstances – trusting God to work things out.

Common sense would say that God did not do a very good job planning this big event. This couple having to travel at the end of a pregnancy and no room available, only a stable. No family or friends for support. What was God thinking!

Even when things don’t make sense to us we can trust that God knows what He is doing.

Joseph and Mary knew this was God’s plan. He brought the shepherds to celebrate the birth with them. I imagine them sitting there in the straw listening to the shepherds tell of the heavenly chorus announcing the birth, eyes wide at the wonder of it all.

The shepherds visit reminded Joseph and Mary that God had not forgotten them. He was there with them in that stable.

And God is with us, always.

Sing, O Daughter of Zion;

shout aloud, O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

O Daughter of Jerusalem!

    The LORD has taken away your punishment,

he has turned back your enemy.

The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;

never again will you fear any harm.

    On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

“Do not fear, O Zion;

do not let your hands hang limp.

    The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.”

    “The sorrows for the appointed feasts

I will remove from you;

they are a burden and a reproach to you.

    At that time I will deal

with all who oppressed you;

I will rescue the lame

and gather those who have been scattered.

I will give them praise and honor

in every land where they were put to shame.

    At that time I will gather you;

at that time I will bring you home.

I will give you honor and praise

among all the peoples of the earth

when I restore your fortunes

before your very eyes,”

says the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:14-20

 

The Book of Zephaniah is a short book, written by the great-great grandson of Hezekiah.

Only 53 verses, just 3 chapters, with the first 2 ½ chapters proclaiming God’s judgment on the people for their unfaithful ways. Zephaniah speaks of punishment and destruction. In the 8^th verse of Chapter 3 the message is one of warning:

Therefore wait ye upon Me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for My determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all My fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of My jealousy.

God is not pleased with His people because they have turned away from Him but there is hope. Beginning with verse 9 of Chapter 3 God speaks of restoration for His people and verse 14 begins the celebration!

Sing!

Shout!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart!

  The LORD your God is with you,

       he is mighty to save.

     He will take great delight in you,

       he will quiet you with his love,

       he will rejoice over you with singing.

 

On this third Sunday of Advent we light the candle for Christ our JOY! It may be that you are having a difficult time finding joy in this season but the joy of the Lord is not dependent upon happy feelings but being secure in His love. You can have that JOY! The LORD your God is with you, He delights in you, He loves you, and He rejoices over you with singing.

Do you feel unworthy?

You are unworthy but then so are we all.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Do you think that God cannot love you?

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

 Romans 5:8

 

The LORD your God is with you,

He delights in you,

He loves you,

and He rejoices over you with singing.

You can have the JOY of the LORD!

If I may borrow from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans:

May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing,

that you may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads:

they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35:10

 

On this third Sunday of Advent we celebrate Christ our JOY.

I invite you to find a recording of the song It Is Joy Unspeakable And Full Of Glory. 

You simply cannot sing this song and not be uplifted.

I have found His grace is all complete,

He supplieth every need;

While I sit and learn at Jesus, feet,

I am free, yes, free indeed.

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Full of glory, fullof glory;

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the pleasure I once craved,

It is joy and peace within;

What a wondrous blessing, I am saved

From the awful gulf of sin.

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Full of glory, fullof glory;

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the hope so bright and clear,

Living in the realm of grace;

Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,

I can see His smiling face.

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Full of glory, fullof glory;

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell,

How its waves of glory roll;

It is like a great o’erflowing well,

Springing up within my soul.

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Full of glory, fullof glory;

            It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,

            Oh, the half has never yet been told.

 

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Romans 15:13

 

We come to the end of this second week of Advent listening to the voice of John the Baptist calling us to repentance.

Repent – not a popular word – for in order for me to repent I must first recognize that I am a sinner. Oswald Chambers explains it much better than I could:

Conviction of sin is one of the rarest things that ever strikes a man. It is the threshold of an understanding of God. Jesus Christ said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict of sin, and when the Holy Spirit rouses a man’s conscience and brings him into the presence of God, it is not his relationship with men that bothers him, but his relationship with God – “against Thee, Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.” The marvels of conviction of sin, forgiveness, and holiness are so interwoven that it is only the forgiven man who is the holy man, he proves he is forgiven by being the opposite to what he was, by God’s grace. Repentance always brings a man to this point: I have sinned. The surest sign that God is at work is when a man says that and means it. Anything less than this is remorse for having made blunders, the reflex action of disgust at himself.

The entrance into the Kingdom is through the panging pains of repentance crashing into a man’s respectable goodness; then the Holy Ghost, Who produces these agonies, begins the new formation of the Son of God in the life. The new life will manifest itself in conscience repentance and unconscious holiness, never the other way about. The bedrock of Christianity is repentance. Strictly speaking, a man cannot repent when he chooses; repentance is a gift of God. The old Puritans used to pray for “the gift of tears.” If ever you cease to know the virtue of repentance, you are in darkness. Examine yourself and see if you have forgotten how to be sorry. 

Advent is a time of self-examination.

How is it with your soul?

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 3:14-15

 

John the Baptist was taught from his birth that he had a purpose in life. His parents were given the responsibility to teach him the holy scriptures and to tell him of the blessings of God.

And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest:

for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways;

to give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins,

through the tender mercy of our God; 

whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,

and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Luke 1:76-80

When the time was right,

John did baptize in the wilderness,

and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Mark 1:4

He spoke out against sin and was imprisoned and eventually beheaded.

He paid the ultimate price for his faithfulness to God.

Growing up in the postmodern world that surrounds us, our children deeply yearn for stability, morality, security, fidelity, faith, hope, and love. These deep needs can only be met through the One who meets our deepest need for Truth. 

Marva J. Dawn “Is It A Lost Cause?”

Our young people are exposed to a twenty-four hour news cycle and most of them get their information from the internet which is not reliable. They need to know the truth of God. They need to know that sin exists. They need to know that there is a better way. They need to know:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Our young people need to hear the stories of faith. Stories of how God redeems a life.

What has God done in your life? 

Share that good news!

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 12 8

Photo by Bastian Riccardi on Pexels.com

 

Bethel is the symbol of communion with God; Hai is the symbol of the world. Abraham pitched his tent between the two. The measure of the worth of our public activity for God is the private profound communion we have with Him. Rush is wrong every time, there is always plenty of time to worship God. Quiet days with God may be a snare. We have to pitch our tents where we shall always have quiet times with God, however noisy our times with the world may be.

Oswald Chambers My Utmost For His Highest

 

Christians have allowed the world to determine how we celebrate the Savior’s birth. So much so that it isn’t about God’s gift to humanity any longer, now it is about a man in a red suit bringing presents. But only if you have been good. Praise God that He doesn’t follow Santa’s guidelines.

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

 

They have altered the timetable also. We now begin Christmas before Thanksgiving and ignore the season of Advent completely. Christmas is over on December twenty-sixth and we focus on the new year’s celebration.

Advent is a season. Christmas is a season. Don’t rush through them. Take the time to ponder the meaning of both. Take the time to worship God who created you; the God who redeemed you; the God who loves you.

John the Baptist cried out to his people:

Prepare ye the way of the LORD!

 

We have to pitch our tents where we shall always have quiet times with God,

however noisy our times with the world may be.

Where have you pitched your tent?