How Do We Have Peace of Earth?

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a time that brings out the best in some people and the worst in others. I personally think its kind of sad that Christmas is the only time when some people are on their best behavior. It is tragic when believers act like this. Let me share the impact the coming of the Christ child has...

Luke records the response of the angels to the birth announcement of Jesus:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. (Luke 2:14 ESV)

We need to be very careful at this point not to misinterpret what the angels said. Does this mean that every December 25, and the weeks surrounding, that there is a mystical, special, super-inspirational, supernatural peace that floats down on the world in an invisible mist so that everyone feels good about everyone else. Is there a little less killing, a little more love and understanding, and does everyone treat each other better? I don't think so! A look at the world around us tells a different story. So what is meant by these words? Glad you asked...

This emphasizes the work of Christ on the earth. He came for the purpose of seeking and saving the lost. His mission was to set man's relationship with God right--to make men to be at peace with the Father through redemption. This is a life-changing, radical rescue. When redemption is brought into play then sin must be recognized and that flies in the face of popular opinion. What the Christmas message is saying is that man is at odds with God and is a sinner who is dead in his sin and is in need of rescuing!

There is no peace in a sin-stained, Satan-dominated world. But, if you are one of those who has come to Christ and taken Him as your Savior, then His peace rests on you.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 ESV)

Grace, Peace & Merry Christmas,

Scott

Consumerism vs Compassion

Commercialism erodes our affections; it forces us to think too much about the here-and-now when we should have our focus on the riches in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). What if we had to live the entire year under the frenzied pressure of the "more monster"? I don't think any of us could handle a weekly "Black Friday" (unless of course you are in retail or are one of my daughters).

I think we spend too many of our resources on what is under the tree instead of preparing our hearts for the Advent. Culture is moving toward a "holiday" celebration where present are king instead of investing in preparation of the presence of the King.

One of the major downfalls of this is that we perpetuate our own selfishness. We are teaching the next generation that it is ok to be greedy and fall head-0ver-heels in love with the things this world has to offer. We are training the next generation of "Black Friday" shoppers to be even more consumed with wanting and expecting more stuff.

John Stott wrote, "Materialism tethers our hearts to this earth." This right on target because it's grounded in biblical truth. Remember what Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21; Luke 12:34)?

I am not advocating emptiness under the tree. I still believe giving gifts in moderation can be an expression of God's grace and our love to one another. What I am encouraging is a little less under the tree and a little more time at home...a little less spending on the over stuffed and a little more spending on the hungry...less consumerism and more compassion. God's present was His presence, why should we do any different?

God's intention in giving His gift was to change the world and I still believe Christmas can change the world, but it must start with me...with you...with us!

Something I've been thinking about this year that will actually be put into use next Christmas (yes, I actually do plan that far ahead) is "The Advent Conspiracy." I've found the following website helpful in the beginning stage of my thought process: www.adventconspiracy.org.

Grace & Peace,

Scott

What Are Your Plans?

We are certainly ramping up for the time of year where "busyness" rules the day. Events and plans pull us in so many directions. We will have practices to make, dinners to prepare, functions to attend, and countless shopping trips to make. This is a forewarning that life is just going to get busy, but please don't forget about the priorities God has set for our lives! Three come to this tormented mind...

God. In the mad rush to "get things done" there is not greater target in our lives than the preeminence of God. We are taught throughout Scripture that God must come first before everything and everyone else. "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33), "do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), and "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17) are just three verses out of many that point us to the highest priority in our lives--the supremacy of God's glory.

Family. Satan would love to throw a monkey wrench into the works of our families. But remember, God created the family in order to show the world a portrait of His church (read Ephesians 5:22-6:4). A shattered and dysfunctional family is a glory to the greed and passions of the world in which we live, but a family that functions as God designed it from the beginning (and throughout Scripture) is one that will attract others to the abundant grace of a relationship in Christ.

Church. God's church is who we are, not where we go. I believe that the overabundant attention given to buildings and budgets in our day is one leading factor that the church marketing strategy is so prevalent in Christianity. We must never forget the value of the church for which our Savior gave His life. We are the new creation of the living God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are the Father's sons and daughters whom He finds precious.

Let's not let the urgent needs of a busy lifestyle strip away the priorities God thinks are important. Keeping things in order is not achieved by accident, we must plan and then carefully guard those plans. So, what are your plans?

Grace & Peace,

Scott