He Tends His Flock Like a Shepard

"He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)

Do yourself a favor today. Read Isaiah 40. Then meditate on the riches of God's love and care for you. On how you are part of the fulfillment of this prophecy - the church of Jesus Christ. There is so much in this wonderful prophecy for which you can be thankful.

In this one verse, we see that God takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers us together in his protective care. He called us out of our wandering around in sin. We are safe now. The world remains a dangerous place, but we are truly in the safest possible condition: saved unto eternal life, guaranteed, in Christ. Christ does gently lead us. The world is the harsh place. Not Jesus. He gently leads. Take some time to enjoy your salvation these next few days.

1. If you worry about things, ask this: where exactly is God not noticing your problem? In what way is he failing to take care of you?

2. On the other hand, how is God carrying you right now? How is he keeping you close and safe from trouble?

3. How is God gently leading you?

Have a blessed Christmas!

His Spirit Enables Us to Understand His Word

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Have you ever gotten into a conversation with someone about spiritual things and found it frustrating? Do you try and explain what God says in the bible, only to have the person say "that may work for you" or "that's just Paul's opinion" or any number of other warm or cold responses to the gospel? God our Redeemer says that, in fact, it's impossible for the natural person to understand the things of God. Only with His help can anyone understand the things God says in His word.

As people redeemed from slavery to sin, we have an amazing gift from God: his Spirit which enables us to understand what he says in his word. I still marvel each day when I read the bible that I have any interest in it. I remember all too well the hostility I had before God broke into my life. I can say for certain that my understanding of God's word is not due to my cleverness. It is all due to the Spirit that God gave me when he called me into a relationship with him.

1. Can you recall a time when you did not care about God's word to you - when it seemed boring or foolish?

2. What do you think of God's word now? Do you turn to it every day? Do you listen intently to good sermons?

3. Have you had conversations with people who don't accept the word of God? Knowing that they cannot understand without God's help, how does that affect the way you should work with them?

-- Charlie

Mocking Unbelief

"Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power." (Psalm 78:21-22)

This Psalm is a long account of God's faithfulness to his people in spite of their unfaithfulness. Prior to these verses, we read of the Israelites' discontentment with what God had provided for them in the wilderness. They eventually started mocking God. God finally turned against them in wrath. Why? Because of their ingratitude? Because of their impatience? Because of their shortsightedness? No.

Because, fundamentally, they did not believe in God. They did not trust his proven, saving power. God will put up with our complaints, our doubts, our fears, our desperate pleas. He will more than put up - he will comfort and act. Just read other Psalms for examples. But mocking unbelief and distrust will draw out his wrath.

1. What do you think about Israel's behavior here? What do you think qualifies as unbelief and distrust?

2. What do you think of God's reaction?

3. How does this affect you?

-- Charlie

We have received the Spirit of God

"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:12)

As ambassadors of God our Lord and King, we have a uniquely new perspective on things. And we must take care to speak from that perspective and not the old perspective. We have received the Spirit of God. That Spirit gives us the unique capacity to understand God's revelation to us from his word, the Scriptures. That Spirit also enables us to understand all of life in a new and unique way. But we were, like all other people, formerly led only by the spirit of this world. We can easily fall back on that.

All day long we are surrounded by conversation and actions that are driven by the spirit of this world. We need to remind ourselves that we have the Spirit who is from God and strive to understand our unique circumstances in light of that Spirit. We need to speak and act according to the Spirit, not as people led by the spirit of the world.

1. Think of a conversation or situation in the past day or two where you simply acted the way those around you expected. How could the Spirit of God have influenced you differently?

2. How does the Spirit of God help you to understand things differently? Think of an example.

3. Think of a likely conversation or situation coming up today. What can you do to act under the influence of the Spirit of God?

-- Charlie

Support Disadvantaged Children in Colombia

Dear friends of Colombia,

Pastor Enrique Leal from Barranquilla has asked me to make a request for the poor children at Los Olivos community in Barranquilla.  He would like to send some money so Pastor Rafael and others in the church in Barranquilla can buy some toys to celebrate Christmas with the kids at Los Olivos.  Would you like to help?  Any amount of money is very welcome. 

Pastor Enrique and I will be in Reception Hall at coffee time this coming Sunday the 20th to receive your donations.  The money will be wired on Monday to make it on time for Christmas.

Thank you for your love to the children at Los Olivos.

Blessings, Clara

Ask, Seek, Knock

"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Luke 11:9)

God is our Father. But we are his children. Jesus spends more time in the verses of this passage persuading us to be children of the Father than to explain about the Father. The Father is not really a mystery. Being a child to him is the evasive part. We are, by nature, self-directed rebels. We will not truly experience God as our Father until we learn to be trusting children who bring each and every need we have before him.

1. How do you still treat God as distant, far-off and unconcerned about your life?

2. What would it take for you to open up an area of your life to God by seeking and asking for his help?

3. What would it be like if you let go of that troubling part of your life and let your Father begin to have his way with you in it? Can you imagine God being your Father in that situation?

-- Charlie

Only One Thing is Needed

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

If God is our Shepherd, what does that mean about us? Is it a sentimental metaphor Jesus uses to make us feel cozy with him? Are we sheep-like? In this little scene with Mary and Martha, Jesus carefully rebukes Martha for her anxious busyness. Mary, on the other hand, is contentedly sitting with Jesus, listening to him and happy to be in his presence. Jesus is her shepherd, and she is adopting a sheep-like dependence on him.

Martha is acting quite naturally for a human. She is concerned about preparations and duties. She wants to ensure that the occasion of hosting a guest in her home goes well. She is not sheep-like. Jesus commends Mary. He gently rebukes Martha. He is a shepherd to one, and a mentor to the other. His vision for Martha: become more like Mary. Become more content and satisfied with me and only me. That's the only thing that matters.

1. Who do you more resemble in this story? Do you resemble both, depending on the circumstances?

2. What does Mary's satisfaction with Jesus say to you? How you can be more like her?

3. Where in your life are you like Martha? If Jesus were to say these words to you, how could you change and become more like Mary?

-- Charlie

The Peace of God

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

When God saves me from sin's slavery, he does so continually and completely. One of the benefits of God's redeeming work is his peace. I live in a sinful world. I remain a sinner. This ensures that strife and inner turmoil will continue to trouble me. I cannot win this battle. God must do it for me. And the most precious gift he can give me in this world is the peace of mind that passes all understanding. If I have peace of mind, rooted in the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, I can live with any circumstance the world brings my way.

1. Think of a circumstance in your life that makes you unsettled or troubled. How can God's peace enter in to that? Have you asked for his peace in that area?

2. God promises to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Think of an area where your heart and mind need God's protection - an area where you feel helpless, where you have been ineffective in your own efforts to avoid troubling thoughts or reactions. Ask for God's protection and peace there.

-- Charlie

Do you presume on the riches of His kindness?

"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4)

How are we best motivated to do good? God is the perfect judge of all people. But he is also continually showing kindness, forbearance and patience towards me. He needs to do that since I continue to sin and fall short. But God, having a greater view of my perfection in mind, is leading me towards repentance. He puts up with my constant falling so that I might have opportunity to realize my shortcomings and turn from sin and do good. I am more powerfully motivated by God's patience and kindness than I am by fear. God, in his wisdom, has chosen love and kindness over fear as the way to motivate me towards repentance.

1. When you reflect on your sin, what is the image of God in your mind?

2. Are you motivated to live the right way by fear or by a love for God?

3. Do you ever neglect to reflect on and confess your sin? According to this passage, what is the risk of that?

-- Charlie

A Child Loved by Him

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1)

As a chosen disciple of Jesus, I am to go about my day imitating God. I am to keep in mind that I am like a child loved by him. How does this affect my outlook on the day? Imitating God means what? Loving others - all others? Being patient with everyone? Putting others' interests first? What does being a beloved child mean? Being less controlling of the details of my day? More trusting of my Father? Less scheming and planning every last detail?

1. As an ambassador of God your King, how can you imitate God today?

2. How would your thinking change today if you remembered that God loves you as his child?

-- Charlie

Our Eternal Future with God

God is eternal, and we have an eternal future with him.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21: 1-4)

I never tire of reading this. I have memorized it. It brings joy to me every time. Why is that? Because it transcends mere logic and goes right to my heart. It puts everything in perspective. It motivates me not because of sin, or what God can do for me now, or remorse or how I can do better. All of that will be finished in eternity. We have only God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, along with all his elect in sinless, painless perfection. It melts my heart when I read the phrase "He will wipe every tear from their eyes." God, as big as he is, will notice the smallest tear and wipe it away one last time. Then, all pain is over.

No matter how exciting or discouraging life is right now, this puts everything into perspective. Meditate on it today and see if you agree.

-- Charlie

Be imitators of God

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children." (Ephesians 5:1)

What does a child imitate? For many years, they imitate their parents. Then they imitate their widening world of friends. We all imitate or gain influence from someone or more people. Paul urges us to imitate God our Father. How? As children who he loves. Why? Because we're imitating someone and, in fact, need to model our behavior after someone.

We are social beings. We will imitate--we have no choice but to imitate. So, Paul says, imitate God your Father. As children who he loves.

1. Think of those who most influence you. How do you imitate them?

2. When you try and think of imitating God, what comes to mind? What characteristics can you envision? Does Jesus give us an example?

3. What is the danger of using other godly people as your example for imitating God? What are the benefits?

-- Charlie

Worldly Grief vs Godly Grief

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Have you ever experienced misgivings about something you did? Like telling a lie, some not-so-wholesome thoughts, being angry at someone, getting into an argument? Maybe you just felt bad after a while when you thought about it. Maybe it made you look bad. Or maybe you were ashamed of yourself. You have a conscience. You have a standard of good behavior. Other people show you when you do things wrong. All of this can lead to grief or remorse.

Paul calls this worldly grief. It doesn't really do much good. In fact, it's pretty bad because it just gets you to try harder not to do the thing that came so naturally when you did it. It gets you to double-up your efforts to behave well.

Paul also talks about godly grief. This is holy spirit-led inner conviction that you have offended God. We may not experience this very often. It depends on God's holy spirit acting in us. We have to be receptive to the spirit's work. But the outcome of this kind of conviction is totally positive. It doesn't have that kind of guilty, self-berating, "I will do better next time" kind of self-improvement reaction we all have. Instead, it leads to a true remorse over the disappointment you have caused God your Father. And because the holy spirit has led you to this conviction, he gives you the direction to true repentance rather than self-improvement.

1. Think of a recent situation where you felt bad about what you did (thoughts, actions toward another). How did you respond when you finally felt bad about it? Was that godly grief or worldly grief?

2. Can you think of a time when the holy spirit convicted you of something that dishonored God? How did you respond?

3. How could your self-directed remorse moments become godly grief and true repentance?

-- Charlie

Though you have not seen him, you love him

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:8)

Peter is encouraging persecuted believers to be comforted by the knowledge of their heavenly Father. Peter, in this case, is shepherding them to their heavenly Shepherd. In this verse, he reminds them that they love their Father even though they don't see him. They more than just love him—they rejoice with inexpressible joy. Why does Peter remind them of this? Because the world has become so ugly and so dominant in their lives. When the world screams every moment that it, not God, is real, believers can really begin to doubt. God, who we don't see, can become a nice idea that worked when all was well. But Peter reminds them that their belief is real and reliable. How does their belief appear? As love and joy. This is the durable stuff that holds up under pressure.

1. Have you ever been tempted to wonder why you even believe when things in your life are going badly?

2. How would nurturing your love for the living God help in those times? Do you cultivate your love for him? Do you remind yourself that you can be filled with joy over your God who also loves you?

3. What steps can you take today to begin nurturing a deeper, more joyful love for your Father in heaven?

-- Charlie