Do We Shake The Dust Off?

December 27

If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave…as a testimony against them.

Luke9:5

The rift had been widening for two years when the outright ‘shunning’ took place. What seemed so unacceptable and painful about the act was that they proclaimed their still-present love for one-another to other family members, and wished things had never come to this.

But third-party declarations and unspoken truth have no power to heal, and each chose not to speak their true feelings directly, clutching their offenses like security blankets, their stubborn pride asserting itself in the form of righteous indignation, even in the face of forfeiting family relationships.

So on a cold December day, sisters were turned away from each other's homes, told their differences could not be reconciled and they were no longer welcome.

†

With great wounding comes great pain…and the possibility of thoughtless acts meant to inflict wounds in retaliation. Sadly, the idiom: ‘Hurting people hurt other people’ is true. Yet, it need not be. We have a choice to extend grace, leaving the lines of communication open, remaining hopeful that God will have His way in everyone’s hearts, bringing restoration.

In the worst of circumstances, there is the temptation to view Jesus’ instruction of, ‘shake the dust from your feet’ to His Disciples as the vehicle we are to employ in separating ourselves from the pain. But, good-willed people are as prone to mistakenly translate, and therefore execute this form of judgment as are non-believers. And in the process they execute the hope of reconciliation, and estrange themselves from God’s ability to speak life into the void.

Though we read three times in the Gospels of Jesus’ instruction, and are given a literal example in Acts 13:51, family need never apply to this directive.

We can, when confronted with such wounding, dig deep enough to let Jesus hold our heart as we suffer for the sake of others, seeking the reward of future peace and restoration.

Prayer

“Lord, I hurt in ways words cannot convey. But I trust that You know how to lead me and my family back into a loving relationship. I ask for the strength to extend grace while asking you to remove from me a heart of wounded judgment. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Chosen For Worship

December 26

When the angels had left them…the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go…see this thing that has happened…So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby...

Luke 2:15, 16

Tommy was used to being the last one chosen, so when Greg called his name first he wasn’t certain he’d heard correctly; neither were the rest of the kids. “Are you nuts?!” Marty cried. “Yah, what’s wrong with you?!” Stevie chimed in. Dickey added, “I think he bumped his head, guys!”

But Greg just looked at Tommy and winked, “I think Tommy is gonna be my most valuable player!”

Tommy, in awe of Greg’s confidence in him, displayed a huge smile. “Thanks, Greg! I won’t let you down!” he promised.

“I know you won’t Buddy!” Greg responded.

Tommy’s eyes lit up even brighter. He’d never had anyone count on him before. Why, he wasn’t even nervous! But he was excited! This was a sensation he’d never experienced before…it felt good…and he liked it!

†

It made no sense to the Jews that God would send the shepherds to bear witness to the birth of their Savior. The Jewish Talmud says, “Give no help to either a heathen or shepherd.” Shepherds were forbidden to attend temple services or keep Jewish rituals. So, to the Jews, shepherds were the lowest of the low…the very scum of society.

Yet, God gave them the privilege of worshiping His newborn Son!

As dirty on the outside as the stable the King of Creation lay in, the shepherd's character was just as offensive…they were distasteful in every way. Still God loved them, giving them the honor of being the very first to set eyes on His Son, and sing the praises of Heaven to all who would listen.

There are many who, like Tommy and those shepherds, have been rejected and scorned. Yet, God wants us to know that He sent Jesus to each of us! We have been chosen by God to join Him in eternity, and to begin to experience a relationship with Him now. There is an innate sense within that attests to the truth that we are created for worship. The choice is ours.

Prayer

“Thank You, Father, for the invitation to worship Your Son, Jesus! Bring me into the closest of relationships so I can bring Him the glory and honor He deserves. Amen.”

 The Antidote

December 25

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:17

There once was a King who loved his subjects, and those who loved him lived within the walls of his kingdom. Those who did not return the King’s sentiment chose to live outside the kingdom walls, yet even those the King treated with respect and kindness.

One day the King’s only son came to him and said, “Father, there is an epidemic that is killing untold numbers of people outside the kingdom walls.”

“And you believe we should help them,” he said rhetorically.

“Yes, Father. I do,” he said nodding.

“Do we have an antidote?” the King asked.

“We do,” the son replied.

Knowing his son well, the King knew there was something his son wasn’t telling him, “I sense there is a catch?”

“Yes, Father,” said his son. “The antidote must be delivered to doctors outside the kingdom gate. They say that whoever delivers it must not reenter the kingdom for fear of infecting those inside.” The king waited, knowing his son wasn’t finished. “I cannot ask anyone else to make that sacrifice. I will take it myself.”

A mixture of pain and pride swept over the King, “And you are willing to sacrifice yourself for those who hate us?”

The father knew his son’s great love could never allow the answer to be no, “It is the right thing to do.”

“Then go, my son,” the King proclaimed. “And may the antidote bring healing to all who are sick!”

†

Those who live outside God’s Kingdom have a terminal disease and they, like the people in today’s story, have no cure.

Those who live inside the Kingdom know what they need, because God, in His great mercy and love, has provided the Antidote.

When you’re lost you don’t know it. But if someone lovingly presents God’s plan to those who will listen, telling them about the power of Jesus to set lost souls free, they might be saved.

And the King speaks, “I’m looking for volunteers to take them the Antidote.”

Prayer

“Thank You, Father, for sending Jesus as the Antidote for our sin. Lead me to the ones who are lost that will listen. In Jesus’ Name, amen!”

 Miraculous Transformation

December 24

Behold, I make all things new!

Revelation 21:5 KJV

Christmas Eve was the day the tree went up; and that not until dinner was done, and we boys were in our pajamas, ready for bed when the trimming was complete.

Dad loved the anticipation of waiting to put the tree up on Christmas Eve…and the excitement in his three son’s eyes as we not-so-silently waited while he fitted the stand into the base of the tree.

There was order and purpose in the trimming, and we knew better than to buck Dad’s ideology where tree-trimming was concerned. “Boys,” he’d say, “trimming begins with lights.” So the standard teardrop lights were wrapped around the tree first. Then the bubble-lights were hung with special care, making sure the tips of the tubes stood up straight. 

Next were the ornamental-glass bulbs. First the round ones; then the long, tapered ones, followed by the few hand-blown bulbs we had accumulated, placed at strategic locations. The wooden ornaments were next; and finally, the red and green paper chains. As the trimming progressed, the tree came to life. With the ornaments and chains hung, Dad would utter our final instructions, “The tree isn’t finished until the tinsel is hung, boys.”

Little boys haven’t the patience to hang individual strands of tinsel. We just grabbed handfuls of ‘icicles’, heaving them as hard and high as we could. Then Dad would proclaim, “Looks great! You’re done…time for bed!”

As memorable as the Christmas Eve tradition was, the miracle was revealed on Christmas morning; for our haphazard efforts had been transformed into something awe-inspiring! The tinsel had mysteriously been re-distributed, and there were presents under the tree! Oh, the miracle of Christmas!

†

As the years have passed I’ve grown to appreciate the tremendous restraint my father showed by allowing us to hang the tinsel as little boys, waiting to create the miracle of Christmas morning cloaked in mystery. The love of a good father is a powerful thing.

God is such a Father. Yet, He will not straighten out our messes uninvited. He waits, not just on Christmas Eve, but always, offering the Greatest Gift imaginable…His Son! A Gift that takes away our tangled mess of sin, transforming us into an awe-inspiring miracle! All Heaven eagerly awaits our response.

Prayer

“Lord, I give You the tangled messes of my life. Create something new and miraculous! Amen.”

 Virgin Birth? Yeah, Right!

December 23

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

Luke 1:34 KJV

The year is 1 B.C. A young woman has just been told she is now pregnant! “How can this be?” she asks her Heavenly messenger.

She is about to experience and endure an almost unbelievable event. She will be accused by friends and neighbors alike of having pre-marital sex with Joseph, to whom she was only engaged. There is no use trying to explain. I mean…who would believe?

“Yah, right! The Holy Spirit came upon you, and now you’re going to give birth to the Son of God! Uh huh…right…” But she knows the truth…It does not matter that they do not believe, LORD. It is enough that You know. She submits to God’s plan, pondering…Why was I chosen to bear Your Son? How will this all turn out? Many will believe, but just as many will not accept the truth. I mean…it is impossible by all human accounts. May You find Your servant faithful, LORD.

Months later, Jesus is born. Lowly shepherds are afforded the privilege of being the first to see this ‘Child of God’. The Virgin welcomes them, remembering clearly the glorious occasion when she was made pregnant by God’s Holy Spirit. Will they believe me? she wonders. And she tells them her story.

With great joy these sheepherders listen, and then run off, anxious to tell the Virgin’s story to all who will listen…“God has a Son!”

†

With two-thousand years of hindsight, many have come to believe this Virgin’s story. As a matter of fact, the Barna Group found that three out of every four American adults, including non-believers, accept the virgin birth as truth; 33% worldwide.

As you read today’s story what is in your heart? Do you find yourself with a shadow of doubt? If so, I pray God would show you the truth of Who He is today. Because if we cannot come to terms with God’s ability to cause a virgin to conceive, we will have a problem believing Jesus is the only way to Heaven.

Prayer

“LORD, search me and see if there is any doubt in my heart that You were born a virgin birth. And if You find any, show me how to resolve it. Amen.”

 Spiritual Puberty

December 22

When they saw the courage of Peter and John…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13

Thirteen year old Jeremy was glad today was Saturday. He didn’t hate school, not really. As a matter of fact, he had a lot of good friends among the Middle School populace, but he needed a break. The ribbing he’d endured over the last three weeks was getting old. His given name had been replaced with names like, ‘Cackle’, ‘Squeaky’, ‘Pitchy’ and ‘Pube’. Although kids can be cruel, this was just a case of good friends giving him a hard time as the onset of puberty was becoming apparent.

Jeremy’s father had explained that as his hormone levels increased, noticeable physical changes would begin to take place. Among them was the voice-change he was now experiencing. Jeremy understood that his voice would go from the high-pitched adolescent tone he was used to, to one of a deeper, more resonant quality.

Dad had also explained that the change would take months, possibly even a year or two to complete…a process Jeremy wasn’t looking forward to.

“Look on the bright side,” his dad had said with a chuckle, “All the girls will notice!”

†

Just as dramatic and noticeable as the voice-change of puberty, people notice changes in our actions and attitudes when we hit our spiritual stride.

However, unlike the physical transformation from adolescence to adulthood, spiritual puberty is not a guaranteed event. The acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice does not insure spiritual maturation; spiritual maturity must be sought and acquired.

Like Peter and John, we must walk with Jesus, sharing His life, before there is a noticeable difference in the way we act and respond to life’s challenges and uncertainty. A casual relationship didn’t bring the Apostles to the spiritual maturity with which they changed the world, and it won’t work with us either.

Admirably, most Christians want to make a difference for Christ and His Kingdom. However, this level of commitment requires an intimacy few are prepared to commit to. But that’s exactly what Jesus wants, for us to strain through the adolescence, and strive for spiritual maturity.

He never said it would be easy…only rewarding.

Prayer

“Birth in me a deep desire to know You, Lord Jesus. Help me commit to the life-changing relationship You intended us to have. Amen.”

 Holy Fire

December 21

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Luke 3:16

Jason and Sherry had gotten iPhones specifically so they could ‘Face-Time’ during his deployment. The fairly-new app allowed them to see each other while they talked. “Hi Honey,” Jason greeted his wife’s call. “It’s really hot here!” he teased, knowing it was probably cold back home in the Midwest.

Sherry’s response was tactful and direct, “I’ll trade you places anytime you want, dear. The thermometer broke last night when the temperature hit -27°!”

Jason’s reaction was one of concern, “Are you serious?! Did it really get that cold last night?”

Her grin told him he’d been had… “Nah…but it felt like it when Ricky and I brought wood in for the stove.”

An involuntary shiver coursed through Jason’s body and he smiled. It could get pretty cold at home when the Canadian winter air descended from the north. As a matter of fact he had spoken with his eldest son just prior to leaving for Afghanistan about not letting the fire go out because it was harder to get the temperature back up when the house grew cold. “Is Ricky following orders?”

“You’d be proud of the job he’s done, Jay. It’s been toasty in here, and the fire has never come close to going out. Ricky took what you told him seriously,” Sherry answered.

†

In his book,“Viral”, Leonard Sweet writes, ‘…in ancient cultures, the most important thing a household did was to never let the fire go cold. In rural Korean cultures the same ancestral fire burned for centuries, and when they moved they took the fire of their forefathers with them. When your fire went out, it was thought, you lost your connection with heaven. Would that Christians were as careful about tending spiritual fire as these ancients were about natural fire.’

It’s our responsibility to keep the spiritual fire burning, yet for some reason many don’t place an emphasis on it, and fail to keep and communicate the importance of our Holy Fire to their children.

Prayer

“Lord, I want Your Holy Fire inside me to be fanned into a flame that never goes out and is seen and felt by others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”