ADVENT MEDITATIONS - Part 8

DEC. 16 - (Страдание)
Today's meditational thought was about how we look at what Jesus came to earth to accomplish. From our human perspective, Jesus' death often seems like the opposite to what should have happened. That's the amazing thing about the way God works. He is masterful at using what seems to be bad to bring about good for us - and He has told us that we will suffer on this earth. But we can be sure of this: that as His children, He will use our suffering for our good and for His glory, just as He did through Christ's sacrifice for us.

I chose these verses for today - Romans 8:17-18 -- ...and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we also may be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

May we, not only at Christmas, but every day throughout the year, ask God for the grace to endure suffering with gratitude and praise to Him, because we know that He is using it to accomplish His excellent purposes in our lives and to bring about a glory that we could never imagine!

DEC. 17 - (Спасение)
Today's meditation was about salvation. Christ came for this purpose, to provide salvation and reconcile sinful mankind to God through His death on the cross.

I chose these verses for today - Romans 5:8-10 -- But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved through His life.

Such an incredibly great gift, this salvation!! And it was forever and unequivocally accomplished for us on the cross when Christ died. If we believe and accept that, we are saved from wrath. But the story doesn't end there -- because Christ rose, we are also being saved through His life! What an amazing God, that He would choose to show His love to sinful people in this way! That ALONE is the reason we sing songs of joy and hope at Christmas.

ADVENT MEDITATIONS - Part 3

DEC. 5 - FOCUS (Фокус)
Today's meditation focused on how the reason for Jesus' coming to earth impacted the way that He came. God in His sovereignty *could have* orchestrated the events of Jesus' birth differently, but that would have changed the course of everything. There was a specific plan for Jesus to fulfill on earth and a specific way for that to happen. Jesus was focused on fulfilling the Father's will.

 I chose to memorize Matthew 20:27-28 -- "And whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Dying on the cross, giving His life as a ransom for sinful people whom He loved -- this was the reason Jesus came. And He followed the path that God His Father had laid out for Him to accomplish this purpose, no matter how difficult it was. In the same way that Jesus did, I must be focused on the goal that God has for my life -- to be transformed to the image of His Son -- and recognize that every step along the way has been ordained by my loving heavenly Father to accomplish that goal.

DEC. 6 - PEACE (Мир)
Today's meditation was about peace. One of the most oft-quoted verses at Christmastime is the proclamation of the angels: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace among those with whom He is pleased." The last part of this verse is the important part.

I chose these verses for today. Romans 5:1-2 -- "Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

The only way to truly know God's peace is by being reconciled to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to make this peace available to us -- and that's what we celebrate at Christmas.

DEC. 7 - ONE MESSIAH (Одна Миссия)
The theme of today's meditation was how Jesus is a Messiah for everyone. The salvation provided through Jesus' death on the cross is available to everyone - no matter what nationality, what family history, what life challenges - to everyone who believes in Him.

I chose the words of Simeon in Luke 2:30-32 -- "For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You prepared in the presence of all peoples, a 'Light of revelation to the Gentiles,' and the glory of Your people Israel."

We also must recognize that the birth of Christ was the revelation of God's salvation plan for ALL people, and we must continue to proclaim this truth to a world that is in need of the one and only Messiah who can save them from their sins.

HOSANNA - Palm Sunday Meditation

This picture is my creative expression of what we celebrate on Palm Sunday, and the meaning of the word "Hosanna."

Today is Palm Sunday. Here in Ukraine, the Protestant churches will celebrate a month later, but I have decided to take time this week to meditate on the events we celebrate at Easter - which are the foundation of my Christian faith.

The word "Hosanna" originally was a cry for help, for salvation -- "Save us!"
In the context of the New Testament, it is generally used as an expression of praise and exultation - "Salvation has come," which is probably the intended meaning of Matthew 21:9 when the crowd shouts, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"

I chose John 1:29 as the focal point of my Palm Sunday poster, because I believe this is the reason to shout and sing "Hosanna!" Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world, and when we cry "Hosanna," we are acknowledging that He is who He said He is.

I wonder if the people in Jerusalem really understood the significance of what they shouted as they waved their palm branches and rejoiced at Jesus' triumphal entrance. Perhaps some of them did, but not all believed that Jesus was the Messiah, the One sent from God to be the salvation of Israel.

Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was a fulfillment of prophecy and an act of voluntary and complete obedience to His Father's will and it was also a demonstration of His love. It was the annunciation of Jesus' purpose on earth ... to be the Lamb of God, the Savior who takes away the sins of the world.

This Palm Sunday I witnessed a miracle -- following the pastor's sermon on John 3 and Jesus' declaration that a person must be born again to see the kingdom of God, one of the men in the congregation prayed to receive salvation and was spiritually born again, praise God!

HOSANNA in the highest, salvation has come! HOSANNA, to the Son of David, the Messiah, our Savior! BLESSED IS HE who comes IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!

CELEBRATING ADVENT: Joy

REALIZATION

Was it in the moment when Mary first heard the news?

Or when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited King of the Jews?

Imagine their exceeding great joy when they saw at last

The fulfillment of prophecy from long ages past.

And our hearts can all be filled with joy, still today,

In realizing God's greatest gift of salvation and grace.

~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 31-2012 ~

...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. ~ Matthew 2:9b-11a ~

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant...For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation." ~ Luke 1:46-48a, 49-50 ~

I am happy and I have joy in my heart.
For some people, those two words -- happiness and joy -- are synonymous, but there is a difference between them. And many people say that they want to be happy, when the real and deepest desire of their hearts is to find a true joy that lasts.

Friends, the message of the Christmas season brings us that joy that our world is searching for -- but it is not always realized or recognized because of the way in which God revealed it.

People look for happiness and joy in things they can see and touch, but those things will always disappoint. Happiness can be found in circumstances, but is usually temporary -- joy comes from knowing a truth that will not change, no matter what happens in our lives or the world around us.

So what is the joy that we celebrate at Christmas? Certainly, the birth of Jesus Christ. But if we stop there, we miss what Christmas is really all about.

The miraculous thing about true joy is that it continually increases and satisfies our hearts in a way nothing else can. The exceeding great joy that the wise men felt as they saw and worshiped the King of Kings that first Christmas was because they realized WHO HE WAS and WHY HE HAD COME.

And we, too, can experience that joy in ever-increasing measure, because of what happened after that wonderful, holy night just over 2000 years ago. I don't know if the people who were living on the earth at that time fully comprehended the reason for Christ's birth...that may be what Jesus meant when He said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

This world is not all there is -- and though this is where life begins, it does not end here. Jesus Christ is coming again, and for we who have believed although we have never seen Him, there are no words to describe the joy that we will know on that day.

The Savior of the world came - into the dark, smelly shadows of a stable on a night that was perhaps cold and dreary - and His first advent brought a joy and hope that people had never known. But the plan was not complete with His birth, or even His death and resurrection...for behold, He is coming again!! And His second advent will be even greater than the first -- for "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Then will we realize in fullness who He really is...and so until that day, let us continually find our joy in the only One who can satisfy our hearts -- Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord, and King!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith...may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and glory, receiving the end of your faith  - the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7a, 8-9 ~

CELEBRATING ADVENT: Faith

ANNUNCIATION

From ages past God has been heard

through messengers who spoke His Word;

Although His face they could not see, still His truth many would believe.

On the day Mary heard God's voice, in her heart she chose to rejoice -

The angel's news changed her life evermore

as she humbled herself before the Lord.

And still in our lives today, when God speaks we must obey:

Trusting when we can't understand - this faith is a blessing from His hand.

~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 7-2012 ~

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God"...Then Mary said, "Behold, the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ~ Luke 1:35, 38 ~

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"...Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ~ Luke 1:10-11, 17-18 ~

Many people do not believe that God still speaks today like He did in times past. Most of us probably have not seen an angel personally deliver a message to us from God, but He does still speak and the question for us today is...when we hear His voice and understand His message, how will we respond?

I listened to a powerful sermon the other day in which the pastor spoke about the difference in Mary's and Zechariah's responses to the angelic annunciations they received...Zechariah doubted and Mary believed.  But before we criticize Zechariah for his doubt, I think we need to search our own hearts and honestly acknowledge that there have been times when we have not believed the message God made known to us.

Why is this so important? Because, as it says in Hebrews 11:6 -- "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

God has declared in His Word that all those who believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, receive Him and are given the right to become children of God (John 1:12). The real treasure of Christmas is the truth that Jesus Christ came to provide salvation, which comes through faith in Him (Romans 1:16-17).

So, amid the wonder and beauty all around us and in the joy of sharing the love and abundant gifts and blessings God has given us, let us also announce the truth of the gospel in the hope that someone may hear and believe.

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began..." ~ Luke 1:68-70 ~

IN FAITH AND TRUST...

I love many of the old sacred hymns, and the words of one particular hymn came to mind as I was pondering on how God has been changing my heart recently...

Simply trusting every day; Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly, trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him, whate'er befall, trusting Jesus, that is all.

I am convinced that fulfillment and joy come when we trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, but it's not always an easy thing to do, since it requires that I relinquish the right to control my life and choose to follow God even though I may not see or understand where He is leading.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

   “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,
   but you would have none of it." ~ Isaiah 30:15

This is a word from the Lord to the people of Israel, who chose oftentimes to lean on their own strength and understanding rather than trusting in the Lord their God. Oh, that we would run to our Saviour, not only to find our salvation, but also to find our strength in Him, in quietness and complete trust!


I began this posting a few months ago, and as I looked at it today, in view of my recent circumstances, I realized how God has been revealing this to me anew...

Everything from dealing with leaving the job I've had for the last 2 years to moving to financial challenges and unexpected changes in my travel plans - all these things remind me that I cannot rely on my own understanding, but that I have to trust in the Lord with ALL my heart in ALL the circumstances I face.

And we know that we CAN trust the Lord, as expressed in Psalm 145:13b --

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

MEDITATIONS ON THE PSALMS - Psalm 20

The psalmist David is reminding the readers that Yahweh is the One in whom they trust for salvation.

Three times in this chapter, it references "the name of the Lord." This is significant, because we know that there is power in the name of God.

Psalm 124:8 says that "our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Proverbs 18:10 says that "the name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

John 3:18 says that "whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 20:31 says: "But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

In Acts 4:10, after the lame man was healed, Peter declared that "it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

In Philippians 2:10-11 it says that "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

God's name is so precious to us as believers because we know the strength and faithfulness of our God. The psalmist says 3 things about the name of the Lord in this chapter:

"May the name of the God of Jacob defend you" ~ God's name is a defense for us against evil and wickedness and trouble.

"In the name of our God we will set up our banners" ~ We should rejoice in the name of God and proclaim it to those around us.

"Remember the name of the Lord our God" ~ Our trust is in God and we need to remember this - AND remember who He is and what He has done for us, how He has proved Himself - especially when we are tempted to believe otherwise.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! ~ Deuteronomy 32:3