The Nativity

Just thought I would write a quick Christmas blog-as I am sitting here watching the Nativity and am reminded that Jesus is the reason for the season! I am a sucker for Christmas carols but only recently took time to find out what the lyrics were for some of them. One of my favourites has got to be Tidings (God rest ye merry gentleman). This season in particular are we reminded of the prophecy spoken in Isaiah 9. Joy is spoken of entering the world as the birth of a child will bring peace- that child will be Emmanuel (God with us). 

In the midst of this season, be it a joyful or possibly a mournful season we must remember that God is with us. For many families this is a hard season- but hold onto the promise that God is with us- He has sent Jesus to give us life and life more abundantly.

Mary and Joseph also greatly encourage us to be people of faith! In a culture where you were stoned if you were adulterous and ostracised if you did anything wrong, Mary and Joseph sacrificed a lot. They had to let go of their reputation. Would we be so willing? Despite the obstacles of 2012 and the shaking that has taken place in our lives a lot of us, if not all of us, are carrying something God given just like Mary. Something that separates us from the people we are around that may even cause us to be rejected. But we are to bring God's Kingdom here to earth - the earth awaits for what we have to bring - that which is of joy peace and righteousness in the Holy Spirit, and as we carry these things in 2013 we need to walk by faith. Just as Mary responded  to the angel "Let it be to me according to your word". We need to walk with the same faith. God has planted many things in our lives that are able to come to fruition in 2013. Are we willing to accept God's Word and not focus on the what if's. Mary could have wondered "What if I end up stoned?" "What if I am rejected?" "What if Joseph leaves me?" But Mary accepted the word. And we see Romans 8:28 - things working out for their good. Mary could have easily been ostracised and left to raise a baby on her own after escaping stoning. But God had it that He would divinely position Mary in a relationship where she would be protected and enabled to nurture her gift in a safe environment as Joseph stood by her.

I pray that Christmas will be a time of inexpressible joy for we are reminded of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! In the hard and good times of this season you will remember that God is with us and as you hold onto the confession of your faith you will see God do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or think. I also pray that just as God positioned Mary in a safe environment to her nurture her gift- I pray that God will do the same for you in 2013. Surround you with relationships that help bring out who God created you to be! 

Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night! 

Despicable Me

Phineas was a man who upheld the Word of God. God had spoken and said that the Israelites were to live set apart, however they began to mix and mingle with other nations and serve their idols. Someone in the camp profaned the Name of the Lord by bringing their sin into the camp. Phineas was moved to do something... he picked up a spear and ran across the camp. The tent stood before him and knew his decision had been made. He opened the tent and thrust his spear through the Israelite man and and the Midianite woman who lay before him.

Yes this story is in the Bible!

I'm not saying we should go around with spears in our hands, but what are we actively upholding?

I have heard this scripture in terms of putting death to things such as fornication and other ungodly deeds. But I was thinking about it in terms of, in general, how will we live a life of no compromise?! How much will we actively uphold the Word of God?! Do we know God and His Word enough to uphold His Ways? 

In terms of how we live, I was thinking how much do we uphold in our lifestyle? In a world that grows cold, where hatred is rife and wars destroy - we must uphold love! We must not be thermometers but thermostats that set the temperature of love. We must KNOW love!

I was watching a movie 'In Time' and the gist of it was that there were different time zones that people lived in depending on wealth because time was the new currency. In the poor time zones people were always rushing because they were struggling for time-if they ran out of time they died. In the rich time zones people could relax because they had plenty of time..plenty of time to waste. Someone from the poor time zone manages to escape to one of the richer time zones and the police are looking for him. They know who to look for because he has from a poor time zone, and because he has habitually been concerned about time it is engrained in him to rush even when he is in a rich time zone. 

We are like that- the Bible says that we have been translated into God's Kingdom of light- we are used to the world's way of rushing, living in poor time zones of love. Having not enough to go around. But we enter into God's Kingdom having to have our mind's renewed of that old, poor mentality. A lot of us are in God's Kingdom rushing around being sparing with love because we do not realise what we have. We don't uphold God's commandment of love because we rush in fear instead of walk in love. We are to walk as He walked, be as He is in the world. Jesus said that others will know we are His disciples because of how we love one another. The police knew the man was from the poor time zone because of how he carried himself. What does your lifestyle testify to the Kingdom you belong to? 

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

⁶ Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;^[a]
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement^[b] flame.

⁷ Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.
If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.

Love this scripture!! A amn who gives everything for love will be utterly despised. Christ gave everything for love. People give everything love and others will look on and despise perceivable foolish acts. In certain situations love is seen as ridiculous- it is not how you would respond to certain situations, but we are to walk in love. The question is are we ready to uphold love at the risk of being despised? When  others don't  agree with our actions, when we receive negative responses will we still uphold love?! Just like Phineas will you uphold or compromise?