A Timely Christmas Psalm of Hope

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Around 70 years ago a group of people were uprooted from their life long homes because of their skin color. The then new South African government moved this group into cold and sterile housing projects.

The pain of that harsh decision left deep wounds and scars, which are still very much prevalent. Yet generations later, on a December Thursday morning Patty and I sat alongside many from this exact same community and witnessed the Christmas story being acted out by graduating preschool students. Gospel joy and hope filled the room.

You see just when it looks like darkness is winning. Christ the King breaks forth and offers the gift of hope to heal, transform hearts and bring you and me to our true home.

The other morning I was reflecting on Psalm 2 and a rush of thoughts flooded my mind as the Christmas story leapt off the page in living color. Maybe the best thing to do is, stop reading this blog and go right to Psalm 2 and let the Holy Spirit speak these timely Words to your heart.

Since the fall of man and the promise of the “seed of the woman,” “The kings of the earth” or as one version says “the power brokers of the world” …“scheme and confer together against the LORD and the Anointed One, (the Messiah/Christ),” vs. 2.

We see this with wicked King Herod at Jesus’ birth as well as today where that same demonic spirit is alive and well as the “nations rage” against Christ and His followers seeking to cast off His Kingdom of grace.

But our Sovereign God scoffs at His enemies since the message of Christmas is all about a King who is born and purposefully installed by the Father to rule over the nations both now and forever vs. 4-6.

In fact to me this is the most significant Christmas gift proclaimed in Psalm 2. Finding your true identity is a heart-stopping gift. It is finding your true home! The enemy seeks to keep you from hearing this message of truth because he knows the transforming glory it brings.

“You Are My Son today I have become your Father!” vs. 7

These were the same words spoken over Jesus at His baptism and at His transfiguration by His Father. And these are the words spoken over every son and daughter who receives the gift of Jesus Christ. Once these words seep into your heart from the Father through receiving the gift of Jesus-the chains of the enemy fall off. You are now birthed into a new Family. You will have found your true Identity.

Our world is raging today because their identity is in trying to fix their broken, empty, sin seared souls with gods of self that will never satisfy. Life turns chaotic when we don’t hear or know the Father’s voice of love through the gift of His Son.

And after 2000 years that Christmas Message is still flooding the earth with hope. As I sat at the southern tip of Africa listening to children sing and tell the glorious Christmas story of the gift of the Father. I wanted to shout! THIS very truth is bringing His children home through Jesus His Son, (see. vs. 8ff). Hope is very much alive.

Psalm 2, this Christmas Psalm proclaim to us how to receive and continue to find unspeakable joy in this gift of the Father’s love:

“Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son…” vs. 12

 A perfect picture of this is when the shepherds were awe struck by the message from heaven about King Jesus. They left the sheep and ran to Him and with the eyes of faith “Kissed the Son,” which means to surrender to His Kingly rule over your life.

When we “Kiss the Son” we receive His finished work for us on the cross. Covered by His perfect blood we are rushed into our heavenly home to hear the Father say:

“Welcome to your new Home My beloved children!”

We have this gift of knowing that no government nor scheme of man can remove us from our eternal home and the ever flowing  fountain of love for the Father above.

Oh what a gift to celebrate this Christmas season and beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This Little Light of Mine …”

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“Higher and Higher”

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“When I came up out of the water it was like a huge rock was lifted off my back, I felt joy and freedom that I can’t explain, the Father loves me!”

Sunday we were blessed to witness several baptisms of people who have come to Christ through Love in Action ministries. The quote above is from a lady who has journeyed through years of abuse, brokenness, and intense shame from her past.

The radiant smile on her face and the shouts of praise from her lips as she walked out of the ocean was a glorious testimony to the redeeming love of her Heavenly Father.

Do any of you remember the worship chorus from the 70’s that goes:

“Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD, and He will lift you up…higher and higher … up into Heaven?”

I asked this same question to my Africa friends thinking perhaps we could sing it on the beach before the baptisms-but the response was blank stares, so much for my sermon illustration.

The words of the song are from James 4:10 and provide a beautiful illustration and incredible promise about the mighty work baptism plays in the life of one who has dedicated his life to Jesus Christ.

To be baptized is a declaration of humility. It is to acknowledge sin has a stranglehold on our lives and we are unable to break its grip. We are dead in and of our selves and unable to find the life and love we desire in this world.

As the Spirit of God awakens us to come to terms with our spiritual death He points us to a crucified Christ who took our place. Jesus  bore our sin and shame so that we could cry out in humility, “Jesus have mercy on me a sinner!”  This declaration of faith attaches us to Christ’s work on the cross and breaks the curse of sin over us as we die with Him.

To be baptized means to be raised to new life with Christ. We have been lifted up out of the grave of sin and as the song says “higher and higher…up into heaven!”

Pastor Raymond, who leads the Love in Action church, is known as the dancing pastor. As we were worshiping on the beach, with many beach goers watching, he breaks out dancing. And He can really dance, filled with the spirit joy.

His dancing is a great demonstration of what our Heavenly Father does when we humble ourselves before Him. Our Father comes to get us and brings us higher and higher into His glorious presence where He rejoices over us with singing and dancing (see Zeph. 3:17).

As our spirits are transported into the heavenly realm we hear the same words Jesus heard at His baptism;

“This is my beloved Son, whom I love, I am so proud of Him!”

Over the last few weeks my wife Patty and I have witness about 40 baptisms, and every time reminded of the gift of humility. I know I am sinner saved by grace. I know salvation is all God’s mighty work. As I learn to die daily to my sin and self it opens up my spirit to be lifted up “higher and higher…up into heaven” to hear Father say, “Tim, you’re my boy, I love you, I’m proud of you.”

This is the only voice in the world that matters. This is the only voice that will heal and satisfy the deepest longing in our souls. May you hear His voice today!

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up,” James 4:10

 

The Blessings of Seasons of Humility

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The changing of an outside light bulb on one of our buildings should have taken a few minutes. However after living several years in Africa, I have learned it is likely to take much longer then you think.

True to form I was still working on this an hour later as rusted bolts caused a simple task to elevate my blood pressure. I was just about finished, when the stool I was standing on gave way and I landed with a thump in the garden.

The fall caused my calf to cramp, and well…there I was in the midst of ground covering and pulling back on my foot to ease the pain. Just then two men washing upper windows on our property walked by with a shocked look on their face. I tried to explain I wasn’t doing yoga but had fallen. They nodded and started speaking in their native language and I’m sure they had a hardy laugh afterwards and a great story to share with their friends.

Throughout my life I have encountered seasons, where I’ve found myself in the course of “Advanced Studies in Humility.” Just when I thought I passed the course and all is well I’m introduced to another level, perhaps to remind me what humility looks like or to show me how much more I need to comprehend.

Living in South Africa over the last 4 years I’ve been enrolled in this class for free of charge. I could give you a long list of why I think this-but you would probably stop reading and it doesn’t really matter. Even though this “Advanced Studies in Humility” has been tough-I wouldn’t trade it because of the fruitful blessings.

When walking through the valley of humiliation you read and meditate on Scripture with a deeper sensitivity and through a different lens. Your heart is raw. Your heart is open. Your heart is searching out truths. You desire to be taught. You desire transformation in the midst of these humble occurrences.

All throughout the Bible the topic of humility is addressed. Author Jerry Bridges states; “The character trait of humility is the second-most taught trait in the New Testament, second only to love.”

Case in point the season of Advent. At the very core of the birth of Christ is humility. God coming to earth with no pomp, no circumstance, born in a cave for sheep to a poor teenage girl viewed with suspicion because of her unforeseen pregnancy. Everything about His birth shouts humility!

Then, Paul challenges Christ’s followers to the mindset of humility:

   “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus; Who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. And being found in the appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross! (Phil. 2:5-8)

This text highlights the need to be emptied of self in order to serve as Christ did. I have found during my seasons in the “School of Humility” the Spirit calls me to die to something. Whether that be my pride, sin, dreams, reputation, control, ministry, relationships, etc. so Christ can be formed in new and deeper ways in my heart. And the more Tim is moved out and Christ takes over the more of Heavens gifts are realized and enjoyed.

During this advent season may you ponder the gift of humility as seen in Christ’s first coming and how seasons of humility help form us more into His image.

Oh and I almost forgot: Had I taken my wife’s advice and used a ladder, I wouldn’t have ended up on my back in the dirt!!!! Still learning (smile).

 

 

 

The Most Important “Yet” of Thanksgiving!

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How are you doing making sense of all that is going on in our world? The wars in Europe and the Middle East, the cultural wars where wrong is right and right is wrong. Here in Africa inflation is soaring and economic collapse where the poor and the marginalized suffer intensely. Chaos seems to be reigning over the globe.

Years ago as a young overwhelmed pastor I spent the day in prayer on a beach in Southern California. There I found myself engrossed in the small book of Habakkuk. Reading and journaling about the 3 chapters of this Minor Prophet-with the powerful waves pounded upon the shore-had a transformative impact on my life and calling for years to come.

 Whenever all seems shaky and uncertain I turn back and settle my soul by the truths taught by the Spirit to a struggling prophet. Habakkuk had some complaints to share with God about how things were going in the world. I won’t get into the little wrestling match he had with God, other then God won. If you haven’t read the book lately I challenge you to read it for yourself, it is so relevant for our day.

At the very end of the chapter, after Habakkuk’s encounter with God, and with chaos seeming to rule the day, he chooses to do this very important thing:

 “…yet, I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (3:18).

In the natural there was no reason to give praise and thanksgiving because of an economic collapse in Israel because of the invasion of a foreign enemy. Yet, his eyes turn in faith to the Great I AM, the faithful “LORD” who is his “Savior.”

I’m convinced that all the craziness in our world is a tool used by God to get our focus and attention back on Him and for good reason as the next verses says:

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength…” (vs. 19)

The whole book of Habakkuk is a gift that shows us that God is “The Sovereign LORD.” He is in absolute control of every detail that goes on in life, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. One day it will and one day “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the water covers the sea,” (2:14).

When we believe that our Abba Father is in complete control of the smallest detail of our lives and the world-we are able to rest in complete confidence that His plan is unfolding perfectly even when we can’t grasp it. At the end of the day He will win, He will be glorified and all in Christ will share in His glory.

Something supernatural happens when we rejoice and give thanks to our LORD and Savior trusting His Sovereign Rule:

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” (vs. 19b).

I’ve watched deer deep within a canyon in the Negev desert in Israel spring up the rocky cliffs to a safe place away from danger. Their agility is amazing. When we praise and rejoice in the LORD in the midst of the chaos around us we spring into the heavenly realms and are awakened to our secure union with Christ. No matter what-the Spirit testifies that we are held eternally in the loving arms of our Father. We cannot lose.

This week I needed to be reminded of the truths in Habakkuk about the most important “Yet” of thanksgiving. No matter what may happen around me “Yet I will rejoice and praise my Sovereign, Saving LORD who loves me forever!”