King of kings; Lord of lords

 

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.  Revelation 17:14

 

 In my daily Bible reading I read about the King of kings and Lord of lords.  He is the supreme leader.  He is in control of it all.  There is nothing out of His control.  Well, this King of kings and Lord of lords, I know Him.  He knows my name.  He loves me enough to leave all His comfort and glory so one day I can enjoy that glory with Him.  He experienced birth, suffering, painful death so I could share in His eternal glory.  So I could live in His kingdom.  What a great King!  If you acknowledge Him as your King of kings and Lord of lords, He will do the same for you.  His name is Jesus, and we are celebrating His birthday at Christmas.  Why not join in and call Him King of kings and Lord of lords?  He would love that!

A Unique Birth Announcement

 

There was another unique birth announcement.  This was a special star prepared to show the wisemen from the east.  This star not only announced the birth of Jesus.  It led them to Him.  This was an announcement they could understand.  It was speaking to them in their own language so to speak.

This is so encouraging!  It shows me God speaks to us in terms we can understand.  I have many friends who are disabled intellectually.  My family ministers to them.  I can know God will make Jesus known to them in terms they can grasp.  Even they have a choice to believe.

Jesus came to save sinners.  He wants to save all.  He makes a way for all.  Sadly, not all accept God’s gift of a Savior.  You can choose to believe.  God is calling you.  Do you hear Him?

A Birth Announcement like None Other

 

I have seen many birth announcements over the years.  Some have come in the mail, some on social media, some directly from the parent’s mouth.  Never, ever have I seen a birth announcement to equal the one the shepherds received outside Bethlehem when Jesus was born.  They were watching their sheep, trying to stay warm, and trying to stay alert to threats to the flock.  Suddenly they were startled by an angel surrounded by the glory of the Lord.  They were terrified!  I sure would have been!  The angel was telling them, “Do not be afraid.  I am here with good news.  This joyful news is for all people.  In David’s city a Savior is born.  He is Christ the Lord!”  Enter more angels giving glory to God.  There were not just a couple angels, but a multitude of heavenly hosts.  A multitude means a large number according to the Cambridge dictionary.  Now that is the epitome of a birth announcement.  All for a baby born in a stable.

Of course, this baby was not just a baby born to a poor couple.  He was God in human form come to be our Savior.  Maybe His birth place was not special, but His birth announcement was beyond special.  And this ultimate in birth announcements came to shepherds who were considered the lowest of the low.  It comes to me today from God’s word.  It comes to me a sinner who needed a Savior.  It comes to you, too.  Do you need a Savior?  Well, He came for you.  This announcement is for you.  Rejoice!  Jesus came!

Birth Announcement

 

 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:38

Let’s think about who got birth announcements when Jesus came.  First, we see Mary and Joseph got the word.  It was really big news.  Mary got it my heavenly currier.  Since this was her body, she got a big announcement.  Joseph got his in a dream.  It was impactful for this couple and changed their lives in a very major way.  Both obeyed the summons.  They trusted God in an adventure into the unknown.  There was no map for this adventure.  It meant walking step by step through gossip, travel, homelessness and a run for your life adventure.  Yet they obeyed because they trusted God because He asked them to. 

I have no idea what lies in the path God has laid before me, but God calls me to not worry, but to trust and walk the path one step at a time.  He promised to be with me every step.  He did it for Mary and Joseph.  He is doing it for me.  He will be glad to do it for you.  So be courageous and grab onto God and start walking.

Open Your Gift

 

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16   

 

Recently we said good-bye to a dear neighbor who has been our friend since we came to this neighborhood years ago.  Of late we did not see him, but he has eaten in our home.  We have attended events together; we have prayed for him.  However, he has slipped into eternity, perhaps without knowing Jesus.  Oh, he had been told the gospel story, but he was too busy, or did not see his need.  As far as we know, he failed to open the gift God offered him.  Other gifts looked more enticing.

If you are reading this you still have time to open your Christmas gift from God.  You can enter into eternity with Jesus.  He wants you to come.  That is why He came and we celebrate His birth at Christmas.  Why wait?  If you have opened your gift from God don’t be selfish!  Share it with others.  It is a matter of life and death! 

Just Like Any Other Day

 

Matthew 1:21

"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."

Advent makes us think of the celebration that Jesus was born!  A wonderful birth.  But actually, at the time few saw it as anything remarkable.  The world did not stop and stand in awe.  Many did not know or care that a world changing event had just occurred.  The vast majority just plodded along in the routine of life.  The suffering and joys had not changed.  Israel waited for the coming Messiah, but most saw it as far in the distance.  The world in general went on with life as usual.

So it is with many of us today.  We see it as an event in the distant past.  It is a time for merchants to make money, and people to spend money.  The significance of Christmas is lost in the holiday bustle. 

I want to remember what happened that night in the stable.  I want to rejoice at the unfolding of God’s plan through the ages to arrange for my salvation.  I want to remember.  Won’t you join me in pondering that significance?  If it has no meaning for you, now is the time to find that meaning and internalize it.  Come on!  Think on the significance of Jesus’s birth.  Let it change your life!

White Christmas

 

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (ESV)

 

Images of Christmas are usually ensconced in snow.  People dream of a white Christmas.  However, when I read the Scripture accounts of the birth of Jesus, the snow is not there, or at least not mentioned.  I love to see the snow, and I agree it really makes for a picturesque setting.  Yet very few of my Christmases included that so lovely accessory.  Usually very cold, maybe rain, but no snow. 

 But you know what?  You can have a white Christmas where ever you live.  The Bible says God can make your heart even whiter than snow.  When we trust Jesus, He washes our heart even whiter than snow.  So this Christmas be courageous and have a white Christmas in your heart.  Don’t just dream about a white Christmas.  Have a real white Christmas that has eternal value. Ask Jesus to wash your sins away, and make it whiter than snow and enjoy a truly white Christmas!

Set the Tone of Your Heart

 

Music is such a big part of Christmas at our house.  Christmas music plays all day.  See, we all love music.  This year we were able to attend by livestream the advent concert at Wheaton college.  We have done this in other years but we would watch and work.  This year we took time from a busy day and sat down and attended start to finish.  The theme was “Let the Stable Still Astonish.”  There were no breaks for applause, just a smooth seamless flow of music pointing to Jesus.  We were led in reflection, joy, soul searching, and praise.  It led to being astonished at what God did for us.  Different genres of music and art melded together to lead us to a final declaration of praise in the “Hallelujah Chorus”.  It set us up for worship this advent.  Is your heart set to worship this advent?  As I reflect on what God did for me, I must worship Him.  I challenge you to sit down and listen to an advent concert, or read an advent reading.  Turn off the outside world and reflect on what happened at advent so long ago.  Then go back and worshipping, join the world around you!

Enough For All

 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16 (ESV)

Here we are at Advent.  I have been pondering gifts to give my parents.  Mom and I finally sat down to do online shopping.  She had a gift she was wanting and knew what my dad wanted. So, we sat down to order, but what we wanted was sold out.  Both items.  I wanted to cry.  Back to start! 

God gave us a gift at Christmas.  It was free. A gift.  He did not have to wonder what to give.  He knew exactly what we needed.  He did not have to worry about limited supply. He knew there was enough for whoever would receive that gift.

I received my gift from God.  Did you?  Come and open your heart and receive God’s gift of salvation.  The size is always perfect, and there is enough for everyone.  Not only will you be glad you got it, God and all of heaven will rejoice with you as you take that gift. And you do not have to wait till Christmas to open it!!

Endless Love

 

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[a] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 ESV

In advent we think about Jesus the baby.  We feel like advent is the beginning of our salvation, but it was set in motion in the beginning.  God knew the plan.  He promised the Messiah all through the Old Testament.  In the Bible it says Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.  The beginning and the end.  However, there is no time before God or after.  He is eternal, infinite.  My mind cannot grasp that.  How can I?  I am not God.  Yet Jesus had to squeeze into time and space, so I could soar in eternity.  Jesus endured it all because He loves me.  Since He has no beginning or end, His love for me has no beginning or end.  It always is.  It is the same for you.  So come to this Messiah who offers you this endless love.  Come let Him into your life.  Come soar in eternity.

God is in Control!

 

I have Japanese pastor friend I have known almost my whole life.  When I was a little kid he and his wife worked in a church plant with my parents.  They became family.  Eventually they moved away, and yet we have maintained a close, family like relationship.  About two months ago we got word that his heart had stopped.  His wife did CPR and he was transported to the hospital, where many procedures were done.  The outlook was bad.  He was in a drug induced coma to reduce stress, but all word was the doctors were not hopeful.  His heart had been stopped for one hour and twenty minutes. 

Our family prayed as did many Christians here in Japan.  I remember my mom praying that he would be healed and the doctors would know the Lord had done it.  He had a heart attack and so many scenarios were possible.  Would he have cognitive ability?  Would he always be an invalid?  Yet we prayed.  He came off the ventilator and knew his wife.  He was talking.  God in His mercy healed him.  He is still weak, but his brain was protected.  I saw a picture on Facebook of him preaching on Sunday.  God healed him.  The doctors are saying it is aa miracle.  I imagine he filled them in on who did this miracle.  We rejoice at what God has done!

Uncle Sasaki, I praise God He has spared you, and I am still praying for you every day.

Awakening

 

As you know I am autistic.  I have good thinking ability, but oral communication is dismally a failure.  I am labelled disabled, and many think I cannot think for myself.  Some, when they get to know me, change their minds.  Others never see it.

Sunday morning a young lady shared her vision with our church.  It is to evangelize the intellectually disabled.  This has been the heart cry of my family for years.  God used me to spark their vision.  God worked differently in this young lady’s heart.  She, like my family, had to realize these dear souls are able to believe, even though they express it differently.  They need to be seen through God's eyes!  God is orchestrating an awakening in our area to reach a totally unreached segment of this society.  I cannot wait to see this awakening in this needy group of people.  Maybe in my lifetime.  For sure in God’s perfect timing! Hallelujah!

Having a Bad Day?

 

Sometimes I have a bad day.  It may start out great, but it deteriorates as the day progresses.  Often it is because I have unreasonable expectations that my family cannot meet.  Maybe I have made bad choices and sabotaged my day.  Maybe I am just being sinful and rebellious.  Whatever the cause, it happens.  As I was reading in Job today, I saw him having a whole series of bad days.  Yet he met those days with steadfast faith and blessed God. When I have bad days what do I do?  My go to response is often whining and complaining.  And I have never had it as bad as Job.  I think it is time for me to adjust my response to an attitude of praise, no matter what.  I am thinking this might not be easy and will require some hard work on my part. But I am thinking it will be worthwhile work.  So, I better get to it. 

Reflect Jesus!

 

I recently had the opportunity to participate in an interview with a college student writing a paper on education and the disabled.  It caused me to reflect on how my family handled my issues.  They surely were saddened by my situation, and often discouraged, but they never gave up.  They searched and found answers.  They signed on for an arduous life.  They threw away some personal ambitions to do what many said was impossible.  They taught me to try and keep trying.  I am realizing parents like mine are rare.  I see they are God ordained.  Sometimes I wonder how they did/do it.  Well, they would be the first to say it themselves, they could not do it. They plug into God’s strength and fly.  They are amazing parents because they serve an amazing God.  We continue to strive together to not only reach our potential as creations in God’s image, but to reflect Jesus day by day.  We live in a terribly broken world that needs to see Jesus.  Most are not coming to church or reading the Bible.  They are mired in their brokenness.  It means I must reflect Jesus all the time.  So must you.  Take a step of boldness and resolve to reflect Jesus.  Share His love, and let the broken world around you see hope found only is Jesus.  I dare you to try it!

An Offering of Praise

 

I love music.  It really encourages me.  I especially like worship music.  I cannot sing, but I can dance.  I have found that I can praise God by my body movement when the words are stuck in my brain.  A couple weeks ago I was in our Sunday morning worship service.  I had a bit of a difficult time that morning, but God helped me straighten out my situation.  I was excited about worship, and so I enthusiastically worshipped.  After the service a new, young family talked to my dad and told him how encouraged they were to watch me worship. I was surprised that my feeble attempts at worship could encourage anyone.  It reminded me to give my five loaves and two fish and let Him use it to His glory.  Lord, help me focus on You, and know You will use even me.

Back To Routine

 

The holidays are over, and regular activities are resuming.  As one who thrives on routine, in many ways this is welcome.  I like the predictable.  Knowing what to expect often brings comfort and stability.  But is life predictable?

 Absolutely not!  Each day there are unexpected things that just pop up.  They come and disrupt the clean plan I have for the day.  They interrupt my big plan and picture.  Someone calls my parents just as we are sitting down to do some activity.  I trip and fall while running.  Someone gets sick.  The grocery store does not have the brand of bananas I like.  I lose a sock.  I spill the glass of water.  The list is endless.  But what I am seeing is that My Plan is disrupted, but not God’s plan.  If I learned to really trust Him, I could be comfortable and stable no matter what.  This is a hard lesson to learn.  Not because God makes it hard.  I make it hard, because I am stubborn and want my own way.  Maybe I need to submit to God’s plan day by day.  Might be more peaceful!