My wedding was the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 1995. While I chose the music to be sung by two of my friends, Leanne suggested that since our wedding day is exactly a month away from Christmas that we exit the congregation to Joy to the World. Rather than greet everyone in the back, once Joy to the World concluded, Leanne and I walked to the front to dismiss each row, catching up with everyone in attendance.
And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts], John 17:13.
Today’s featured song reminds me of a modern-day version of Acapella. Pentatonix provides their own spin on Joy to the World using a popish / acapella style. As Christmas approaches, may you block out all the commercialism as you’re bombarded by advertisements on what to buy your loved one. Joy can’t be bought. Rather, joy is found in living the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10. May you find joy this Christmas.
I was first introduced to mediums by Oda Mae Brown, Whoppi Goldberg’s character in the 1990 film Ghost. While Oda Mae Brown knows in her heart that she’s not real, the death of Patrick Swayze’s character opens Oda’s world to the spiritual realm. A few years later Crossing Over became a popular show on television providing a similar service. As an elder at Red Lion, I asked our senior pastor what he thought about the ability to speak with the dead. Based upon the account of the Witch at Endor, he believed that some people actually have this ability with many playing the role of con artists.
And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And [the Lord] said, What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground, Genesis 4:9-10.
When I recently read the passage above, I was reminded of the 1999 film the Sixth Sense. The little boy Cole played by Haley Joel Osment possessed a sixth sense to see dead people. When Cole’s mom hired a psychologist played by Bruce Willis, Cole starts to open up about his unique ability. To avoid a spoiler alert, Willis who plays Dr. Malcom Crowe shows Cole that these dead people are trying to speak to him actually need his help. This portion of the Sixth Sense is one of the best illustrations of what Moses details in the passage above. Somehow Hollywood depicted God’s words of the dead crying out from their graves.
When Saul inquired of the Lord, He refused to answer him, either by dreams or by Urim [a symbol worn by the priest when seeking the will of God for Israel] or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, Find me a woman who is a medium [between the living and the dead], that I may go and inquire of her. His servants said, Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at Endor. 8 So Saul disguised himself, put on other raiment, and he and two men with him went and came to the woman at night. He said to her, Perceive for me by the familiar spirit and bring up for me the dead person whom I shall name to you. 9 The woman said, See here, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and wizards out of the land. Why then do you lay a trap for my life to cause my death? – 1 Samuel 28:6-9.
Samuel’s account of the Witch at Endor uses a similar style to Oda Mae Brown. When you place these mediums side by side for comparison, each appear to be unsure if what they are about to do will work. However, when Patrick Swayze’s and Samuel’s spirit are each called upon, both are astonished by their clear connection with the dead. If the Bible clearly suggests that the spirit of the dead can be communicated with, being able to hear and listen to the cries of the dead isn’t so far-fetched. I’ll let the words of the Bible help shape your own conclusion.
Joy is one of those words Christians often talk about, but rarely demonstrate. As I was searching for a song about joy, I stumbled upon a Motion Worship who is rocking. What appears to be some sort of youth conference, everyone in the crowds looks to be active participants in worship. As you attend church in December, may you be overcome with joy like the attached You Tube singing the Joy Song.
Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer, Romans 12:12.
One of my favorite verses in the Bible on joy comes from the apostle Paul. While writing the Church at Rome, Paul blends joy with hope. Paul uses imagery of someone trying to hold onto something you really want like an athlete seeking to catch the game winning touchdown. If you are steadfast and patient in the midst of any hardship, you can hold on to joy and hope. In your weakness, may Jesus be strong, Philippians 4:13.
Forged by Fire is a 1997 novel by Sharon M. Draper. While critics gave positive reviews of Draper’s realistic fiction book, the Reality Television Show which shares the same name has stolen most of the headlines. Beginning in 2015, Forged in Fire is approaching its 9th season. Before his sudden death last January, my wife’s uncle John forged his own rifles as I enjoyed listening to his stories on specific guns that he made, forged by an inner desire.
Zillah bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all [cutting] instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah, Genesis 4:22.
While studying the first book of the Bible, I discovered the individual who invented the forging process. According to Moses, Tubal-cain began to experiment with bronze and iron. As Tubal-cain began to perfect the forging process through trial and error, Moses refers to him as the forger of all cutting instruments. While the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century has received a majority of the credit for modern technology, there is nothing like a hand-crafted tool forged by fire.
That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [[c]with those of the elders at your ordination]. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, 2 Timothy 1:6-7.
The New Testament of the Bible speaks of an internal forging process, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Jesus’ earthly brother writes about how hardships, trials and tribulations shape who we become, James 1:2-4. As circumstances, events, and situations mold and fashion human beings like a potter that shapes clay, everyone reaches a point in time where you realize why you were born, your purpose on earth and God’s plan for your life, Romans 12:1-2. Take whatever gift, talent or skill that you possess, flame it into flame via the Holy Spirit, forged by an inner desire to complete the good works prepared in advance by God, Philippians 1:6.
Christmas is sometimes referred to the season of miracles. The Make a Wish Foundation often makes this happen for children battling a crippling disease between Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a former high school Bible teacher, there is no greater miracle than a Christian reaching a point in their lives where you are actually living out and fulfilling God’s will for your life. Josie Buchanan sings about this process in her song Whatever Your Plan Is.
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you], Romans 12:1-2.
King Solomon reflects upon this in Proverbs 19:21. Everyone has aspirations, dreams, and goals in life that you want to achieve. Sometimes this may coincide with a calling from God, but it is the Lord’s purpose that ultimately prevails. If you ever find yourself restless this Christian season, unfulfilled by your current career path, follow the advice of the apostle Paul in the passage above so the Whatever God’s Plan is for you will be revealed sometime in the near future.
The apostle Paul makes a bold statement about not being ashamed in the beginning of his letter to the Church at Rome, Romans 1:16. Paul writes with a sense of pride, clinging to the Good News about Jesus Christ like a badge of honor. As a former persecutor of the first century church as a zealous Pharisee in Acts 7, Paul was ashamed of any Jew who believed that Jesus of Nazareth, a mere carpenter, was the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence, Genesis 2:25.
Six thousand years earlier, shame was an emotion yet to be discovered. According to Moses, when Adam and Eve looked at each other’s naked bodies for the first time, feeling ashamed never entered their minds. Perhaps, this is what newlywed virgins experience on their honeymoon as they lay with each other naked for the very first time. Unfortunately, this paradise didn’t last long as a bite from the Tree of Knowledge radically altered their emotions from not ashamed to experiencing shame.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles, Genesis 3:6-7.
Everyone born after the Garden of Eden is created with a heart, soul, mind, and a conscience. This gut feeling serves a spiritual thermostat for human beings. According to Moses, Adam and Eve went from innocent eyes in Genesis 2 to a guilty conscience in Genesis 3 which conceived shame for the very first time on earth. Anyone who is hard on themselves experiences shame daily. While you can’t put the Genie back in the bottom, you can start with confession to make the presence of shame flee, James 5:16.
One of my favorite Christmas memories of Delaware was at the height of Red Lion Christian Academy. At this time there were 975 students K-12 and I served as a High School Bible teacher and elder of Red Lion Evangelical Free Church. We had snow before Christmas that year, but I was anticipating a large gathering of friends for New Year’s Eve. I shoveled a path to my firepit and covered the wood for an amazing campfire on a cold winter night.
But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. 16 [And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear ([e]unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives], 1 Peter 3:15-16.
While families across that United States stress out about buying Christmas presents and decking out their house for all the neighbors to see, family is what makes Christmas special. Watching the joy on the faces of my children as they open their stockings and presents. Although it’s impossible to please everyone in your family, may the sound of Saddleback’s Worship Teams Christmas Campfire Medley get you in the mood to celebrate Christ this Christmas.
Crafty refers to individuals who are clever at achieving one’s aims by indirect or deceitful methods. Synonyms for crafty include cunning, devious, guileful, sly and tricky. These words are synonymous with modern day politicians who seek to win at all costs. According to Moses, the craftiest of all the animals God created was the serpent. Apparently, animals could speak in the earliest days as the Tower Babel suggests that earth’s inhabitants initially spoke the same language, Genesis 11:1-3.
Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden? – Genesis 3:1
Meanwhile, other scholars suggest that this serpent was able to speak due to Lucifer entering its body. Instead of demons possessing a human being, this serpent became possessed by the Devil. Whatever the reason, the serpent convinced Eve that God was holding her back. Rather than embrace the one boundary God set in place for Adam and Eve to avoid in the Garden of Eden, the serpent twisted this around to make Adam and Eve to want to become like God knowing good and evil.
And one of the throng replied to Him, Teacher, I brought my son to You, for he has a dumb spirit. 18 And wherever it lays hold of him [so as to make him its own], it dashes him down and convulses him, and he foams [at the mouth] and grinds his teeth, and he [[i]falls into a motionless stupor and] is wasting away. And I asked Your disciples to drive it out, and they were not able [to do it]. 19 And He answered them, O unbelieving generation [without any faith]! How long [j]shall I [have to do] with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to Me. 20 So they brought [the boy] to Him, and when the spirit saw Him, at once it completely convulsed the boy, and he fell to the ground and kept rolling about, foaming [at the mouth], Mark 9:17-20.
One of the missionary helpers of the apostle Paul wanted to know more on this topic. The passage above highlight how demonic forces can influence how human beings act and behave. While society often labels certain people as bad apples or crazy, some modern-day individuals are actually under the control of demonic powers. Although Moses writes about the craftiest animal of all, the apostle Paul points to the angelic powers, Ephesians 2:2, and supernatural forces that continue this legacy of deception, Ephesians 6:10-12.
As a child, I was a natural musician. While a member of the Elementary Band at Harlan Elementary, I was one of the top saxophone players in the school. During one of our Christmas concerts, I remember playing O Come Let Us Adore Him. Back then, if you weren’t any good, you were told to act like you were playing during concerts. I had earned the trust of our band director to play every song, especially one of my favorites: O Come Let Us Adore Him.
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing ([f]saying) that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us, Luke 2:15.
Jenn Johnson provides a classic example of a worship montage. Jenn begins with the Revelation Song before blending into O Come Let Us Adore Him. When three Magi, experts in the stars followed this new star hanging over a barn where Mary gave birth to Jesus, you don’t think of an adoring place. Yet, it’s the miracle of Jesus’ conception by the power of the Holy Spirit that is the inspiration behind the lyrics of O Come Let Us Adore Him. I hope you enjoy today’s song.
Jesus introduced the concept of spiritual life lessons during a conversation with a Pharisee described in John 3:1-21. As part of Jesus’ inner circle, John was either nearby praying or eavesdropping when this took place. Nicodemus wanted to know more about Jesus’ controversial teaching but was afraid of what his Jewish peers might think so he met with Jesus under the cover of darkness. Jesus spoke about the need to be spiritually reborn which Nick greets with sarcasm. As Jesus continues, Nick is left speechless.
And Cain said to his brother, [b]Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 9 And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And [the Lord] said, What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand, Genesis 4:8-11.
After Adam and Eve experienced conviction and shame following a bite from the Tree of Knowledge, more emotions are introduced by Moses in Genesis 4. Cain followed in his father’s footsteps as a farmer, enduring the same curse placed upon the earth’s ground as fertile soil surrounding Eden transitioned into an arid desert. Meanwhile, Abel decided to become a shepherd who could move his flock when a land ceased to grow grass. As Cain struggled daily, Abel began to prosper.
But I say to you that everyone who continues to be [ad]angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be [ae]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be [af]liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You [ag]cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be [ah]liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire. 23 So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you, 24 Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way traveling with him, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison, Matthew 5:22-25.
When God asked each man to provide what the Bible refers to a first fruits offering, Abel freely departed with his firstborn sheep. This gift pleased the Lord greatly. When Cain scrounged up what he could from his fields, God was not impressed with his offering. According to Genesis 4:6-7, Cain had become bitter, envious, jealous and deeply depressed. Seeing Cain’s downcast disposition, God approached Cain, intervening this time before he could make a brash decision like his parents in the garden.
But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. 15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices, James 3:14-16.
In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, one of the first topics mentioned after the Beatitudes is properly dealing with a jealous heart. If you allow envy or jealousy to fester, Ephesians 4:26-28, this allows the Devil to get a foothold inside of you. Subsequently, Jesus equates hatred with murder as the more jealousy takes control of your emotions, your sinful nature starts to plant thoughts within your mind on how to get rid of this threat. Cain listened to and acted upon his thoughts. May Cain’s story help you stop envy and jealousy before it takes root and poisons your soul.
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