Christmas: Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Old Testament Lesson

Genesis 28:10-22

The Lord tells Jacob today that He will not leave Him until He is done with Jacob. Sometimes in prayer we pray for God's presence. Believe me, I do it all the time. But, in reality, that is a prayer we don't have to pray, for He is always with us. Now, it never hurts to remind ourselves of that, and quite often these prayers do that for us. But, God is always here.

Today, He didn't tell Jacob I'll leave whenever, He said I will not leave until I am done doing with you what I will do with you. God's presence in our lives is not dependant upon us, it is dependant upon Him. Now, our sin can hide Him from our eyes. Our lack of looking, our lack of hearing, our lack of searching can hide Him from us. But, He is there. Right now, in our lives, no matter where you read this, if in church, in your office, on your cell phone, He is there. Right now, He is here with you. Will you look? Will you listen? Will you seek? He is there. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

New Testament Lesson

Hebrews 11:13-22

We see in this passage these great persons of faith, they lived in a way that did not reflect the reality of their eyes. They longed for a heavenly home, but their eyes could not see it. In may ways, faith is about living in the reality of what God will do. One day, we will be in that eternal life. Do we live in the reality? One day, we will stand before a Holy God. Do we live in that reality? One day we will give an account for our sins. Do we live in that reality?

As people of faith, we must live fully and totally devoted lives for God. We must live without a net, trusting God to catch us. We must live as if there is no tomorrow, for none is promised. We must live in a way that that stands out from this world and this culture. We must live lives of faith, lives that trust in what God is doing in our lives, and trusts in what God will do not only in our lives, but in the life of the world, and the life of the church.

Gospel Lesson

John 10:7-17

We see Jesus tell us that the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. I was once said until we have something to day for, we have nothing to live for. So much of our lives are taken up by things that do not matter. Today, do not focus on the things that are trivial. Focus on what matters. Do not focus on the trivial details that so fluster and frustrate us. Focus on the eternal. Focus on Jesus Christ, through the power of theHoly Spirit, being present with you even now.

Focus on the life giving power of the Spirit. . . .

Focus on the great love of God the Father. . . .

Focus on the life that you can know now through Jesus, and the life that is to come. . . .

Focus on how awesome it is that God gives you, and me, a mission in life for Him. . . .

Focus on His love. . . .