What would Jesus ‘wish’ as we celebrate His birthday?
He hopes that we’ll be one with Him and the Father this Christmas.
“May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me (John 17:21-23 HCS).”
My grandfather looked for companionship shortly after the death of Grandma. Members of the family were shocked. The woman was someone he’d known before he married our grandmother. Judging him for his actions; we referred to the lady as ‘that woman.’ He was naturally hurt and angry when word got back to him of our gossip.
With heartfelt respect I share sacred scripture. That Mary is introduced in opening verses.
1 “Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.
4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.
7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.
29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.
31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.
32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!
37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?
38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.
42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.”
Thanksgiving Day is commonly called turkey day. (That’s sad.) Hoards of hungry people will choose their favorite parts of Butterball birds and stuff themselves with all the Thanksgiving Day fixins. Will you gobble down a drumstick or savor a sumptuous breast?
Who gets the wishbone?
Will wishes come true?
“Wish good for those who do bad things to you. Wish them well and do not curse them (Romans 12:14 NCV).”
Wait a minute; wish well to people who hurt me? That’s a lot to ask!
The Golden Rule never goes out of style.“Do to others what you want them to do to you (Matthew 7:12a NCV).”
Let’s get this straight. I want people to treat me well; so, I should treat them well (regardless of what they have done to me).
I look forward to Thanksgiving Day. I’m thankful to God. He is merciful. The LORD hasn’t given me the wrath I deserve. He is love. When saying grace before the Thanksgiving meal; I will remember that He has given me the grace I don’t deserve.
I straighten my tie; readjust my over-ear connection to the microphone and step up to the altar podium. Facing my affluent congregation, dressed in their Sunday best, I smile.
“Good morning. Thank you for choosing Trinity as your place of worship. Visitors, please fill out a guest card. You’ll find them conveniently located in the hymnal rack in front of you. (Pause) I will not repeat all of this week’s announcements. See all pertinent information in your bulletins and scrolling upon the overhead screens. Please make a note of next Sunday morning’s time change to Daylight Saving Time. Set clocks forward Saturday night before turning in.”
I move back to my plush altar seat and pick up my leather bound hymnal. The 30-ish music director is the picture of success in his “JoS. A. BANK’s suit.” He saunters up to the platform to lead the downtown congregation in an opening hymn.
“Please stand and join me in the singing of verses one, two and four of “Amazing Grace,” page 177 in your pew hymnals and currently showing on the screens.”
I turn to the hymn and begin singing the familiar lyrics of John Newton.
Yes, grace is amazing. I wonder how many people really care.
At the closing of verse four’s notes, I view the downward motion of the song leader’s extended right hand. The congregation returns to padded pews. Standing, I invite designated ushers to come forward to take up the morning offering.
The head usher leads in a solemn brief prayer, followed by our organist’s rendition of “Count Your Blessings.” Stately men with hankies neatly tucked in suit coat pockets pass offering plates down pews. In step, they then carry them forward. As sounding brass, offering plates come to rest upon the Lord’s Supper table. I uplift my hands.
“Let us pray. Father, I sense the presence of your Holy Spirit in the faces of your people, and in their voices united in praise. I ask for a special anointing upon me-your messenger, as I break the bread of life. Lord, forgive us where we have failed you and guide us in the remainder of this hour. In the name of your Son Jesus, we pray. Amen.”
Raising my head and opening my eyes, I watch as people re-direct their attention from prayer to worship. I flash a smile.
“We are in for a real treat this morning! The mother and daughters, Griffin Trio, are going to bless us with a medley of Gaither selections. Let’s give them a warm Trinity welcome!” The sound of applause resonates from the cathedral ceiling as the trio opens with “He Touched Me.”
As soon as the vocalists leave the stage to find their seats, I walk forward to the pulpit, open my King James Bible, take a deep breath and shoot up a silent prayer.
“My text for this morning is found in the Gospel of Luke Chapter 10, verses 25-37. Please rise for the reading of God’s word.” The sounds of people standing and the flipping of Bible pages is music to my ears. As we conclude the reading of the morning’s passage, the crowd of three hundred sits back down and I begin my exhortation.
“For those of you who take notes, an outline for today’s sermon is on the back of your bulletin. Power Points are on the screens as well. I have titled today’s message “Neighbor in Need.”
I proceed to share Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan…
Making eye contact with traditional service worshipers, I perceive reactions from alert-involved, to half asleep-tuned out. Those who are involved follow the text in their Bibles, nod in agreement and Amen in affirmation.
Have I put across my three points?
I glance down at my Rolex, noting it’s time for my summation. The instrumentalists make their way to the baby grand and organ.
Will people respond?
“Unless we apply what we have learned, we are hearers only. Will you reach out-to lift up-your hurting neighbors? Do you care?”
People reverently nod in the affirmative.
“On that note, a student at the university was critically injured in a hit-and-run accident shortly before our morning service.”
Hearing of the tragedy, worshipers come to attention. I proceed.
“The comatose young man entered America on a Visa from Iran.”
People squirm in their seats and I lose eye contact.
“How many of you can meet with me at St. Luke’s ICU at 12:30?”
There’s one drawback to Labor Day; we’re reminded about work.
True, the majority of Americans do not work on Monday; yet, we know 9-5 resumes on Tuesday. The routine workday can be laborious; it taxes the workers strength and stamina. Employers rightfully expect dependability.
Labor Day lethargy is no cause for alarm; sometimes even the most dependable machinery requires maintenance and is shut down temporarily.
Enjoy Labor Day.
It’s either break or burnout!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9-10 ESV).”
Mac Standish smiles; takes out his worn Bible and flips folded pages.
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either (Luke 6:27-29 NASB).”
The cynic sneered and said, “I’m no doormat! Yer’ a jerk; nobody’s gonna’ walk all over me!”
Mac Standish scuffed his boot in the dirt. “Gotta’ fergive them that hurts us, just like Jesus said when talkin’ with Peter.”
He quickly found the passage and spoke gently.
“Then Peter came and said to Him, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven (Matthew 18: 21-22 NASB).”
“Mac Standish, yer’ a religious fanatic! Nobody’s gonna make a fool outa’ me and live to tell it!”
“Know it don’t come easy, ain’t no way I could fergive you, fer calling me names.”
(He points to his heart and begins to stammer through controlled sobs.)
“It’s Jesus. Jesus lives in here; He fergives; it’s not me.”
“Jesus doesn’t mean anything to me; don’t need a religious crutch! I’m gonna’ go get a drink.”
“Yer’ crutch is booze, useta’ be mine till the Lord took my taste fer it away.”
“You never give up, do you? I don’t want what yer’ pushin!”
“Jesus loves you. He’s knockin’ at yer’ heart’s door.”
“That’s outlandish, Mac Standish! If he’s knockin’ he’ll have a long wait!”
Mac Standish followed the departing man through tear-filled eyes and whispered a prayer for God to watch over the black sheep. The clock on the street corner caught his eye. It was close to suppertime and the Mrs. would be expecting him.
“Well, it’s about time! Did you forget they’re expecting you down at the jail tonight? You’ll barely have time to eat and shower!”
He said, “Sorry, got talkin’ to a troubled man, gess’ I lost tracka’ time.”
He had a fair crowd at the jail for a mid week Bible study; things would be buzzing’ when he would return Sunday afternoon. The drunks were easy going after sleeping off the Saturday night hurrah’s. After closing the meeting with prayer, he felt uneasy. Maybe he just needed to unwind.
“Mac Standish,” said the officer on duty, don’t you get tired of coming down here week after week and putting up with these wine-noes?”
“Ya’ferget, I was one of em fer forty years. Ya’ got fresh coffee? ”
“Sure, pour yourself a cup.”
Suddenly the quiet room turned into a madhouse. The arresting officer led in a belligerent handcuffed man.
“I tell ya’ it was an accident! We were just pushin’ and shovein’; I didn’t mean to kill the man!”
Mac Standish nearly collapsed; the frantic plea of innocence came from the man he saw that evening. Their eyes met and he read S.O. S. in the first glance.
“I get to make a phone call, right? You kin keep it, wanna’ talk with the Bible thumper. He knows I’m no murderer!”
The cop set down his half-filled cup, approached the accused and then turned his attention back to the man at the coffee pot.
“You know this guy?”
“Yup, saw him this evenin’, be glad to talk to him.”
“Well alright… but someone will be guarding the office door.” He nodded in the direction of a vacant room and said, “Go on in, I’ll be there soon to begin questioning.”
The cuffed man trembled. “Man, you gotta’ help me!”
“Ask Jesus.”
“Whata’ I say? He don’t owe me nothin.”
“Just tell him yer’ in a mess and ya’ need him to help ya.”
The hardened man, broken by circumstances, spoke to the Lord.
“Jesus, oh Jesus… please help me!”
In an instant, he received an answer to his person-to-person call for help.
“You’re a very lucky man! There were witnesses and they back up your story, say it was an accident, the guy just fell and hit his head on the bar rail. You’ll be outa’ here in no time!
Storms come to all. Some people are well grounded; they actually come out stronger after their trials and tribulations. Sadly, others falter and fall.
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
‘But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall (Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV).”
The collapse was great; the foolish man’s house was dilapidated!
The LORD’s house was once in need of repair.
“And Jehoash said to the priests, ‘All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the Lord—each man’s censusmoney, each man’s assessment money—and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the Lord,let the priests take it themselves, each from his constituency; and let them repair the damages of the temple, wherever any dilapidation is found (2 Kings 12:4-5 NKJV).”
Dilapidated houses can be rebuilt.
Broken lives are transformed.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).”
Put yourself in the role of CEO of a big company. An opportunity for expansion arises and you know immediately who to send as mediator. God was ready to expand His Kingdom with the ministry of Saul of Tarsus. First, God enlisted the assistance of a man named Ananias.
“Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.’ But Ananias answered, ‘Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem;and here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name (Acts 9:10-16 NASB).”
Ananias was hesitant; yet, he was obedient. How would YOU react?
“So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened (Acts 9:17-19 NASB).”
Traditional hymns, spiritual songs and praise worship…
Though preferences in style frequently cause divisions in today’s congregations, each exalts the LORD God.
Back in the 1970’s, my husband Norm and I sang in a traditional choir in the Louisiana Delta town of Lake Providence. As members of the First Baptist Church choir, we took part in calls to worship, church anthems, congregational hymns, invitations, benediction selections and cantatas.
One of the calls to worship was based on the last verse of today’s scripture passage.
“What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols? Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all.
‘But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him (Habakkuk 2:18-20 NKJV).”
*The Lord is in His Holy Temple/Public Domain/Adam Geibel [1855-1933]
“The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence, let all the earth keep silence before him, keep silence, keep silence before him.”
Physicians and nurse practitioners prescribe precise dosage of medications. It’s not a cooking recipe with a pinch of this or dash of that. The physician determines the dose needed by the body weight of their patient and potency of the medication.
My Dad had a hard time comprehending that concept; thinking if two aspirin are good, three would have been better.
On some occasions, the doctor doesn’t see the results expected and does increase the dose. Jesus, the Great Physician doles out grace as needed.
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6 NKJV).”
He determines the precise dosage I need and it’s always sufficient. I take the faith of Apostle Paul to heart.
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).”
I can trust the Lord to keep His promises.
The power of Christ rests on me and His grace abounds!
Pam Ford Davis 