Friday, while carrying some items down the steps to our basement (in my stocking feet) my foot slipped on the very first step and I fell all the way to the bottom of the landing … injuring (but not seriously) my right ankle, knee and hip.

Sunday morning in my office while sorting through a stack of articles I came across one that gave some advice on how to avoid household injuries.   To prevent falls down the steps in your home the article said to wear shoes instead of just socks.  Especially wear shoes with some tread on the soles.  I remember glancing at this article a few weeks back – but ignored the warning.  Walking with a limp today reminds me that I should have paid attention.

Whats it going to take for GOD to get our spiritual attention ?  A life threatening disease, illness or injury ?  Financial ruin ?  Job loss ?  A broken marriage ?  The death of a family member or loved one ?  What would truly get our attention ?

GOD gave us a light to show us HIS way.  Are we paying attention ?

John 3: 19-20-21 states …

“… Light has come into the world, but men love darkness instead of light … everyone who does evil hates the light … But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light …”

The light of the world is JESUS … are you paying attention … have you stepped into the light ?

According to research the first Christmas tree came on the scene in the European country of Latvia in 1510.  That’s about 500 years ago.

From my perspective I believe the first Christmas tree arrived about 2,000 years ago.

You see the Bible often refers to the cross of Christ as a “tree”.  And it seems GOD hung the first ornament on that “tree” … and that ornament was JESUS Himself … a willing sacrifice.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds we are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

Although the story of JESUS as a man starts with a wooden manger … it doesn’t end with a wooden cross … and it doesn’t end with an empty grave either.  It ends when HE returns to claim His followers, defeats the devil and establish His everlasting Kingdom.

Maybe we should not take our tree down this year.  Instead leave it up … take off all the ornaments … find a small wooden cross … and hang it on our tree as a reminder of the greatest gift of all time.  The gift of JESUS.  (Romans 6:23)
Have a ”Content” New Year … IN Christ alone

Although few exist, you can still find public businesses who actually wish you a Merry Christmas and play Christmas carols.  I found such a place yesterday in Geneva, Illinois  … so I listened carefully to the lyrics while I waited in line.

Here is a snap shot of what I heard – - -

“Glooooooooooooooooooria in excelsis deo” …. means “glory to GOD in the highest“.

“Oh Come Oh Come Immanuel” …  “Immanuel” means “GOD with us“.

“Worship Christ the new-born King” … “Christ” means “anointed one“.

“Christ the Savior is born” … “Savior” means “one who saves or delivers“.

“Merry Christmas” is a nice greeting … but do folks really know how to have one … do I ?

In order to bring glory to GOD in the highest we must grasp the truth that GOD became one of us when HE sent His Son …  the anointed one … to save and deliver us from our sins.

What a gift we have in JESUS.

“… but the gift of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 6:23

While watching a Thanksgiving football game I heard a commentator mention over and over again the unique “spirit” in a particular running back. He ran hard, could read his blockers, was able to cut on a dime, and kept his high-stepping knees driving forward with power when about to be tackled.

The commentator stated … “All running backs need this kind of special spirit.”

To be an effective representative of GOD you and I need a special spirit as well. And we cannot manufacture this spirit on our own … it must come from GOD alone and is offered through HIS SON alone.

Speaking through the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel, God says …
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you … I will put my Spirit in you … you will be my people and I will be your GOD … I will save you from all your uncleanness.” Ezekiel 36:26-29

And Jesus stated in Acts 1:8 of the New Testament …
“ … you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you … ”

As a Christ proclaimer … do the people around you (and me) see GOD’s spirit ?

Saturday I officiated a funeral for a 74 year old man. During the order of service I introduced his son to give a brief eulogy. I stood off to the side partially listening but mostly thinking about the opening point of my message.

Suddenly and without warning the son giving the eulogy turns to me and says:
“Pastor would you lead us in The Lord’s Prayer?”
My mind was a blank … I had no idea … no clue. Not only could I not remember the Lord’s prayer, I could not remember the passage of scripture where it was found.
Feeling like an idiot … with all eyes on me and no where to hide … I simply admitted that I was a pastor with no clue. To my surprise the congregation responded with a forgiving chuckle … as if they had been to that blank and empty place before … so they started without me.

Later that day I re-examined The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew chapter 6. Verse 10 is a request for God’s kingdom to come. However … if you are not truly on God’s path …
then you better be praying that HIS kingdom does NOT come.

The return of Jesus Christ is mentioned more than 300 times in the Bible … and if you have yet to believe and receive the life changing Jesus who went to the cross for your sins and mine … then you are living an empty life of foolishness.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

Growing up I knew exactly what my parents expected from me. Although these expectations were made clear … often times they needed to be reinforced on my back-side.

As a high school, college and seminary student life was a little easier when precise curriculum guidelines were in place. Although these expectations were made clear … at times I failed to meet them.

As an average to below average high school and college athlete I experienced coaches who defined my strengths and weaknesses … and I usually appreciated their advice.

With all this said … How about GOD … What is GOD’s number one expectation ? At the end of my life and yours what counts is did we yield to GOD’s expectation ? GOD’s own Son … JESUS … made this expectation VERY clear. He said …
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again. … You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
John 3: 3 & 7

You and I cannot enter into the LORD’s Heavenly Kingdom on our own merits. It takes a new birth … a second birth.
We all celebrate our physical birth date … but when was your spiritual birth date ?
When did you make an intentional decision to believe and receive JESUS ?

You may neglect or ignore other expectations … and get along seemingly just fine … but don’t miss GOD’s expectation.

The Nobel Peace Prize appears to be centered around an outstanding person (or persons) making a significant contribution to world or international peace. A nobel gesture for sure, but one that Jesus himself probably would not receive if He were still in His earthly body today.

Scripture makes it clear that the Prince of Peace (Jesus) did not come to earth as a man to accomplish world peace among the nations. Instead Jesus instructed us that we would always face wars and rumors of wars until He returns to establish His Kingdom.
(Matthew 24:6-7)

The peace Christ came to give us … is the peace we can experience within the depths of our hearts. A peace beyond all understanding. A peace that insures salvation. A peace that conquers pain and suffering and even death. A peace that is free to us … yet paid for when Christ willingly suffered on the cross.
As life flies by … don’t miss this … claim this “peace prize” for yourself.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts …” Colossians 3:15

I’ve heard those words before … usually after I’ve been caught with a half full bag of M&M’s or with an empty hot fudge sundae container in the back floor of my Jeep.

I’ve yet to learn the consistent habit of eating healthy and when my discipline and self control both go out the window … I feel lousy.

As parents we need spiritual disciplines … and we must teach our children these same disciplines as well.

This week I met with a young man who claimed Jesus as his Savior … yet admitted he was off God’s path. In his own words he confessed that he was feeding on the things of this world and ignoring God. He supplied himself with a steady diet of bad entertainment,
corrupt thinking and God dishonoring “friends”. (Oh my, I know that road).

Dads … teach your kids to “eat” the “S” Diet …
Stay in God’s Word.
Seek God’s House.
Surround yourself with people who love Jesus.

“How can a young man keep his way pure ? By living according to Your Word.
I seek You with all of my heart.” Psalm 119: 9-10

I have sat through and listened to a zillion sermons and Bible studies.
(not really, but it makes me sound extra spiritual)

Not always … but at times … I am amazed how a very familiar theme can suddenly take on a more significant meaning.
And not always … but at times … this “more significant meaning” can actually have an effect on the way I live.
Imagine that – life application of Biblical principles. What a concept.

In reality, hearing a message from scripture is actually hearing words from God.
But the problem with me … and I am convinced most others … is that we sometimes hear but that’s where it usually ends.

Occasionally I can hear this inner voice at the end of a sermon saying to me …
“OK preacher, just give me the message and let me go home. Don’t ask me to respond or actually pray that this spiritual truth will change the way I live.”
Have you ever heard that voice ?

Reading the Bible with a purpose genuinely means asking GOD to change the way you live. Following Christ is not about saying a prayer, being dunked in a tank, going to church or even reading the Bible. (all good things) Following JESUS is a life change.
If there is no evidence of change in your life … who are you following ?

“God … will afflict them … men who never change their ways.”
Psalm 55:19

This is not about our President or “town hall meetings”. This is about priorities.
Our nation is caught up in a debate that centers around health care and insurance plans and thus the media has sucked us into a feeding frenzy. TV has become a nightmare of Jerry Springer shows … all over another political or social issue that has absolutely NO eternal value. Is this stuff important ? Yes. Is this stuff everlasting ? No.

There is only one health care plan that deserves to be at the top of our priority list. And this plan was not designed by the Democrats or the Republicans … it was designed by GOD and paid in full by HIS Son JESUS. He paid with HIS blood. The question is … are you and I proclaiming THIS plan to our neighbors, friends and family ? Or do you (and I) argue over simple-minded issues that crowd out GOD ?

The ultimate goal of this brief life should be heaven … a place where health care is eternally guaranteed. No more physical or mental pain … no more bodies that wear out and grow old. A paradise for all who have believed and received Jesus as LORD.

“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them … There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain …” Revelation 21: 3-4
“Nothing impure will ever enter it … but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27