Author: astherainandsnow

“And I will put [them] into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The Father… will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you… Because I live, you also will live… Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Zechariah 13:9; John 14:1,6,16-17,19,27

The celebration is over. All cheerily wrapped promises have been opened, the joy of anticipation resolved in met (and unmet) expectations; tinsel that held luster now dimly whines to be taken down. The brightness and wonder of the Christ child’s birth has somehow faded to stark reality again, and a dampness can set in. But Jesus lives on, and the sun still shines!

Jesus came to bring light to the world, not just at Christmas but in Himself, Immanuel, and the glad wonder of Who He is remains to be savored, explored, known as a living breathing part of our every day. Tho fog may cover our outlook for the impending future,  though challenges we faced before the holiday are still a very present trouble or conundrum, though physical or emotional ache still lingers as a part of our very fabric, the Savior is alive and well. He is the way for us to rise every morning and greet the gift of a new day. He is the truth by which we think and process our world and understand the spiritual meaning behind physical roadblocks, political dissension, relational confusion, and emotional chaos. He is the life, the energy and breath and hope of eternity right now, our ‘joie de vivre’ no matter what is going on. (Psalm 46:1; John 1:4-5,9)

Our Lord has made us to thrive, wherever He places us, whatever our limitations, opportunities, or obstacles. He gives us life that we may know full joy– deep, abiding joy that is unshaken by circumstances or troubles. He chose us to bear everlasting fruit, regardless of who attacks us, condemns our every effort, or cheers us on. He gives His word, as our guide and confidence when tested. He abides in us by His Spirit, Who counsels, convicts, reminds, comforts, and gives peace. (Psalm 119:105; John 15:11,16,18,20; 16:1,4,7,13,33)

In other words, every day in the Lord is a holiday, a ‘holy day,’ when lived unto and along with Him. Will we let loose of our flesh fog that creeps and clings? Will we persist in looking for the clear edges of His sun through the fog of disappointment or pain or fear and unknowns?

Lord, strengthen my faith in Your abiding presence, even when I do not feel or see You. Show Yourself glorious through the fog of this world.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness… Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you…’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 12:46; 13:3-5,14-15,34-35

To look out through a screen across the street on a frigid morning, and see the blaze of a welcoming fire through a front door, does something to the heart. It brings a warm smile. How captivating, how attractive is a flickering glow of flame to the cold and wandering. Come out from behind your protective screens, it beckons. Come in from your cold, it says. Come sit by my warmth and be comforted and know you are loved, the light invites. What a lovely picture of how our lives should be, burning bright with welcoming hospitality and the love of the Savior.

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly… Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Romans 12:10-11,13; 1 Peter 4:8-10

If this is our call, how do we keep the fire stoked, guard against slothfulness and complacency, overcome selfishness, remain earnest and fervent? How do we deal with our desire to manage perfectly, control our surroundings, and keep on our schedule? Are there demands I make that prohibit my welcoming others in, lines the cannot be crossed, tasks I must perform, rules that must be followed? What in the way I order my life is a turnoff to others participating in it? Are there belongings and structures I hold so closely I am closed to those with whom God would disrupt my life?

To serve and show hospitality with genuine love requires a yielding of a lot of what I may hold dear, and actually treasure more than I prefer others. Walls and boundaries that I’ve constructed must be yielded to the Lord Who welcomed me in all my mess, and bids me do the same.

Redeemer, make a difference in me so You can make a difference through me. Stoke Your Spirit’s fire in my heart and life to warmly and irresistibly welcome others who need to see and know You.

My progress through the expedited line at airport security was slow. After being called back twice for beeps of unknown reason, the alarm sounded again for my bag. The culprit? My Bible. The worn gold on the edges of the worn pages had triggered the alarm for metal. Ah, the Word is indeed powerful and active! (Hebrews 4:12)

The pair discussing Jesus’s crucifixion were deep in concern and opinion and suppositions until Jesus opened the Scriptures to them. Even then, though intrigued and attracted, they were too in-the-moment to recognize Him. It was not until at their meal when He blessed and broke the bread, which they had likely seen or heard of before, that they recognized who He was. Sometimes it takes an alarm, or an alarming act, to arrest our attention and point us to the Word. (Mark 6:41; 8:6; 14:22)

Does it always sound an alarm in our hearts? Does it trigger passion? Desire to grow? Does is jolt us in conviction? Devotion? Warning? A hunger for more? When faced with confusion, exasperation, or temptation, do we consult the signals of Scripture?

Is the Living Word so alive in me that others take notice and recognize Him?

Father, may Your golden words ever call to me and awaken me from worldly stupor to hear and see my Savior. Sound Your alarms in the areas of my life that need Your holy touch, keep Your word working in me, and keep my heart burning with whole-hearted devotion for You. (Isaiah 50:4-5; Zechariah 4:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13)

“Rejoice greatly! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he,[and] humble.” An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 1:20-21; John 8:32,36; 14:6

“The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:14-15

Anyone who has witnessed a baby’s arrival into the world recognizes the robust will and utter miracle of a tiny life being pushed into its new world, and the amazing helplessness that is then reality for this one utterly dependent on its mother in the womb. The starkness of Jesus’s birth to His young mother is a beautiful backdrop of the power He embodied to unleash grace to all mankind and set sinners free unto eternal life. This babe in a feeding trough? The agent of salvation in a manger? A king in a crude shelter in swaddling cloths? Yes!

And this is no dichotomy. Jesus, while ‘above and beyond’ all creatures, “for whom and by whom all things exist,” willfully became one of us as our brother to be able to bear the penalty of our sin. “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:10-17)

“Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.  

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!'”  ~Charles Wesley (1739) with George Whitefield (1714-1770)

This Savior has come into our earthly mangers to save us, to give us daily power over words that bite, attitudes that muddy the atmosphere, criticisms and superior airs that demean. He came to lift us from shame and regret that impede our progress, despair that weighs down the heart, disappointment in unfulfilled dreams, and tight fists of self-interest that cripple our fruitfulness. He came as truth to set us free from uncertain belief, distorted thinking, insecurity, confusion.

Lord on high, may the lowliness of Your manger stoke humble gratitude and ever lift my sights to glorify You as King of kings.

“O LORD, our LORD,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” 2 Peter 1:3-10 

Reading this passage I am stoked by a chug-a-chug, chug-a-chug train sound, steady rhythm of moving, moving, moving ahead. There are many components to our growing in godliness, and we are urged to make every effort to keep on, put the right pieces together, continue on track, and reject what is false and ruinous while adding good upon good.

The Christian life is a relentless pursuit of godliness as we appropriate all God has given us in our salvation. We navigate through false teaching, destructive heresies, temptations to sensuality and greed, and every time we say no and plug ahead in virtue, we build spiritual strength and progress further. We are tested, as Noah was, by lonely faith, by having to stand alone on the side of truth against the crowd, and the Lord bolsters our character and understanding. We may be blasphemed along with our Savior when we deny revelry, but learn to stand firm and steady. We are trained by practice to discern false boasts, and what true freedom won in Christ means. We persist in diligently applying what we know to be true from God’s promises in scripture and from His marvelous working in our personal experience. Every bit of energy invested partaking of the divine nature builds holiness and godliness. (2 Peter 2:1-3,5,10,12-14,18-19; 3:2,11)

So where will my efforts be spent today? Will I get distracted by pieces of sparkle and temporary pleasure, weighed down by doubt and self-interest, or will I decide, first thing, to make every effort to heed God’s call to glory and excellence? How will I act, where will I add, what will I supplement, to assure I am moving ahead in His divine power on His track of sanctification?

Lord, while You tarry, keep me diligent in appropriating Your character and growing in Your grace and knowledge. Stir me up, and keep me stirring up my comrades in faith, to steadfastly partake of and add to everything divine You have given. Ever increase Your qualities in us that bear and multiply eternal fruit, so You are glorified now and for eternity! (2 Peter 3:1,14,18)

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'” “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Luke 10:38-42; 1 John 2:15-17

I was jolted a few days ago as I drove by a yard, struck by the splash of holiday decor. While every imaginable color and shape and expression played with my eyes as I scoped out the “Where’s Jesus?” scene, I finally located the manger. Ah, He is there!

I could not help but think of all the distractions toying with our celebration of the birth of the Christ child, and how I want to be like Mary. All sparkle and frivolity and gift elves and yummies aside, where is my real treasure this Christmas?

With the lure of savoring holiday delicacies, will we take time to taste and be satisfied with our Lord? (Psalm 34:8; 81:16)

Beyond the banter of sales slogans and jingle bells, have we quieted our hearts to contemplate the meaning of Silent Night? Is all calm and bright in our soul? If not, is there someone with whom we need to reckon to be able to sleep in heavenly peace?

In the midst of listing and shopping and wrapping, and even the joy of giving, are we deeply thankful for the greatest gift we have in Jesus, our salvation? (2 Corinthians 9:15; James 1:17)

As we take time to adorn our homes and tables and bodies with gleam and festivity, do we take time to consider the hidden person of the heart? Would we put on the Lord Jesus Christ and dress in His attributes? (Romans 13:14; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 3:4)

If my life were a yard, could those driving by or stopping to look and chat see Jesus?

Lord Jesus, may I always choose the good portion of being with You, and share that good portion with an anxious, frenzied world. In my every encounter, may Your heavenly peace and the pure light of Your holy, tender, and mild love radiate redeeming grace through my actions and demeanor.

“So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word… And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, ‘O Baal, answer us!’ But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made… And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.” “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” “The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind... He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”1 Kings 18:20-21,26,29; Matthew 6:24; James 1:6,8

I heard someone talk recently about an “energy reader,” a fortune teller who spoke of situations in a woman’s life she apparently could not have known, save for this client’s “energy” revealing them. Intrigued, this person became a believer– nearly. Drawn, but skeptical, she limped between two feelings, and therefore two opinions, unconvinced, but not wanting to let go of the possibility. Elijah exposes the Baal worshipers for a similar devotion.

Divided interest, and allegiance, breeds weak living. No solid foundation, no doctrine, no hold, only slippery clinging to (at least) two sides, with no firm grip on either. We might fear missing out on the possibility of one side’s promises, while being nervous to lose the other’s loyalty and acceptance. Dancing around in the middle limbo, we find only fickle partners and miss God’s music altogether. No certain voice answers.

Our only security is in the Rock, Jesus. He is God, and we can follow Him. There is no Rock like our God, and He can be implicitly trusted. There may be other look-alikes or sound-alikes, but none is true. We can test every teaching against His word, every promise against His character. We can bring every requirement for acceptance to His cross, every need to His throne of grace. When we limp along without aim or assurance, we will languish in fruitfulness and purpose. But when align with our Lord, even if we are the only one in a given situation, we will hold fast, our foundation firm and unshakable. (1 Samuel 2:2; Matthew 7:24-27; Hebrews 4:14-16)

Where do I flirt with falsehood and waffle between two masters? Where am I limping ineffectively, and would I ask God to show me why? Are there areas in my life where I resist God’s truth because it conflicts with my comfort or pleasures? “No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground!” (Isaac Watts 1719)

Joy to the world! You, Lord, have come, and You are true! May all I believe, promote, and do, be wholehearted, grounded in truth and for Your glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:23)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:1-5,9-13

The Light of the world laid aside His heavenly glory to enter our earthly world as flesh. His light is unable to be overcome, and in itself, overcomes the darkness of every believing heart. Are we mesmerized and gratefully blinded?

Lighting a candle at the dinner table brings a sense of focus, calm, serenity, closeness. Light dispels fear. Insects are drawn at night to light. We stumble in darkness and grope for light in an unfamiliar room, in a quandary, for understanding in confusion, for enough knowledge to make decisions and plans. Light is life-giving indeed, and comes to us in Jesus and His living word for the taking. Yet even as we take and receive, it is God in His grace Who, by His will, pursues and catches and overtakes us. It is a majestic mystery.

The effects of light have everything to do with its source and characteristics. Life-giving. Exposing truth. Showing the way. Availing comfort. Permeating warmth. Raising in growth. Unquenchable. Unavoidable. Irresistible. What prevents our sidling up to the heavenly Light?

When I am born into a new day, do I seek the Light of the world? When I face a crossroads, do I ask for specific light from His word? Where am I loving darknesses of pleasure, gossip, philosophy, intrigue, or entertainment, more than I love light? Are there secrets I treasure, resentments I nurture, falsehoods I foster, that I fear being illuminated? His warm light can overcome every ounce of rebellion, soften every hard edge, burn away all grit and dross. (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:20-23; John 3:19-21; 8:12)

“Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!'”  ~Charles Wesley (1739) with George Whitefield (1714-1770)

Prince of Peace, rule my heart and mind! Sun of Righteousness, blaze bright in me! May all of me shine Your life and light, for the sake of Your glory and fame.

“And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! Then I said, ‘Where are you going?’ And he said to me, ‘To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.’ And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him and said to him, ‘Run, say to that young man, “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it.  And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.”‘

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.  And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. And the Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” Zechariah 2:1-5,10-13

It takes looking up to see how God measures things and to comprehend His perspective. We use numbers and rulers and clocks and calendars, almighty infinite God uses souls and fire and glory and forever. He thinks and acts on a whole different plane than we, and invites us to look up to understand, marvel, and rejoice.

We can get fixed on standards we want others to meet in order to be part of our world, and erect and measure walls whose boundaries we do not want crossed. Behavior, political persuasion, and personal style become our measuring lines, and can trip us up from welcoming those God chooses. But God steps in and says, ‘I define the boundaries. My presence is what counts, and My glory burns through all of your manmade resistances and prejudices to blaze brilliantly among My people.’ (1 Samuel 16:7)

We make plans and ask for things and want want want according to our timetable and methods. We long for dreams to be fulfilled, for resolution, reconciliation, salvation, healing, and God says, ‘My time is best and never late, and my ways are perfect. Trust Me to carry out My plans.’ “With the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs 16:9; 2 Peter 3:8)

We dwell on our past, or that of others, and say no mercy can reach deep enough to remove the sin and regret, and God says, “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:11-12)

We see physical structures, and fixate on the here and now; the Lord Jesus sees His living Body, and invites us to faith eternal. (John 2:19-22)

Lord on high, silence my earthly thinking and mold me to Your spiritual dimensions. Help me measure my days by Your presence in my midst, and rejoice.