Month: December 2014

Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly hosts with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! Luke 2:13-14 HCSB

Each year at First Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas we would erect a large Christmas tree that climbed 40 feet toward the ceiling in the sanctuary. Next came the fresh greenery and then beautiful lights were added. It was a week long production just to erect the tree. The smell of the greenery filled the sanctuary. The choir would prepare Christmas music, and each night for a week they would fill the different levels of the tree and share the Christmas story through music and drama. People from all over the city and surrounding cities would come see the “Living Christmas Tree”. One of the more popular songs the choir would sing was Gloria in Excel-sis Deo (Angels We Have Heard on High).

Try to imagine the shepherds enjoying a quiet evening on the rocky slopes surrounding Bethlehem. The sheep had probably been put in the sheep pen and the shepherds were possibly conversing and preparing for a good night’s rest when suddenly an angel appeared and delivered an amazing message Then a multitude of angels filled the sky singing praises to God. The angels’ voices and the bright lights surely caused the shepherds to be frightened. The angel’s song is usually referred to as “Gloria” based upon the first word in the Latin translation. It is the basis for many Christmas carols such as “Gloria in Excel-sis Deo” or “Angels We Have heard on High” and liturgical chants.

Challenge: Do not be surprised what God can do in any situation. Give glory to God in the Highest for sending His Son to die on the cross and providing a way for you to have eternal life. Join in the singing and praise God through songs like the angels did many years ago. Listen to Chris Tomlin sing “In Excel-sis Deo” on Youtube at https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A0LEViUMA5FU6kQAjI8PxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTBs

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:9-11 HCSB

When our first grandchild was born, we were proud and wanted everyone to know. We called people, texted, sent messages, and even put pictures on Facebook announcing her birth. We did the same with our second grandchild, and next year we will celebrate and proclaim to others the birth of three more grandchildren.

Wow – what a birth announcement the shepherds received! Angels proclaimed the good news that the Messiah had been born. The Jewish people had been looking forward to the birth of the Messiah, the One who would be their Savior and deliver them. This would have been exciting news for the shepherds. Mistakenly, the Jewish people were looking for an earthly Savior, but Jesus came to save all people from their sin and give them eternal life.

Interestingly, the shepherds were probably watching sheep that would eventually be used as a sacrifice in the temple for the sins of the people. They were the first to hear that the perfect Lamb of God had been born. Instead of the birth being announced to the rulers and the wealthy, the greatest birth announcement of all time came to common shepherds.

Challenge: Thank God for the perfect Lamb of God – His Son, Jesus Christ – who has paid the perfect sacrifice for your sins and made it possible for you to enjoy forgiveness and eternal life.

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Luke 2:8 HCSB

As a former youth pastor it is humbling to think that I was responsible for helping shepherd and take care of a group of teenagers. While serving at First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas I had the opportunity to work with a large group for seven years and watch them grow up through the youth ministry. Today I still keep in touch with many of them. It is inspiring to see how they have grown in their relationships with God and are now serving Him in some capacity. Some are even serving as ministers and missionaries.

The shepherds were responsible for protecting their flock of sheep from attackers, healing their wounds, helping them find food, keeping them from danger, and caring for them when they were sick. The shepherds spent all day and night with the sheep, who learned to recognize his voice and trust him. Scriptures refer to Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). The term shepherd is often associated with the office of pastor. Sunday School teachers are sometimes referred to as shepherds who care for those in his or her class.

Challenge: Who has God called you to shepherd? Are there people in your life who are dependent on you and need your care and guidance, perhaps your children, other family members, or a neighbor or a work associate? What are you doing to help them develop trust in you and ultimately God? Ask God to give you guidance and direction as you shepherd those for whom you care.

Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:15-16 HCSB

Our pastor called for the people to pray and fast for three days before we made a decision as a church to relocate. There had been a lot of discussion and there seemed to be people in favor of relocating while others were opposed, even though we needed more space to continue to grow. After three days of praying and fasting a large crowd gathered on Wednesday night to vote on the proposed relocation. We were unsure of what the outcome of the vote would be. During the discussion time, one older lady stood up and said that this church had always been her church and her children had been baptized and married in the church, but if relocating was going to help us reach more people for Jesus Christ, then we needed to relocate. The church voted unanimously to relocate. We were surprised but we knew God was in control.

Esther asked the people to fast and pray to seek God’s direction and wisdom before she approached the king. She understood the power of prayer and seeking God when making difficult decisions. Fasting is a time to help focus and pray for a specific need. God honored the fasting and prayers of the people. Esther realized she must do what was right, even if it meant she would die.

Challenge: Spend time fasting (if physically able to fast) and praying when you face a difficult situation or decision. It will help you focus on discovering God’s will and direction.

“If you keep silent at this time, liberation and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s house will be destroyed. Who knows perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 HCSB

When I accepted a position with Lifeway Christian Resources as an editor of youth Bible study materials, it required that we move to the Nashville area. First we looked in the Franklin area but could not find a suitable home. We then explored homes in the Hendersonville area and even had contracts on two different homes that fell through due to some unexpected structural circumstances. Time for school to begin was quickly approaching and we needed to find a home so our children could get established in a new school. Reluctantly, we looked in the Murfreesboro area where we finally found a home. At the time, little did I know that four years later I would become the Minister of Education and Administration for Belle Aire Baptist Church in Murfreesboro. God knew that I would be there and made sure we relocated to that area four years earlier so my children would not need to move again.

God always knows what is best for His children. He places people in the right place at the right time to accomplish His will. Mordecai encouraged Esther to go before the king with her request. He recognized God’s hand in Esther being selected as the queen. God had placed her in her royal position for such a time as this so she could be a part of God’s plan to save the Jewish people.

Challenge: When you wonder why God has you in a certain place or situation, do not worry or complain, but rather thank Him for His love and protection, knowing you are exactly where He can best use you. God has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11). Listen to the song “Trust His Heart” as sung by Cynthia Clawson and Wayne Watson on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnOAJIYl2XM

Mordecai told the messenger to reply to Esther, “Don’t think that you will escape the fate of all the Jews because you are in the king’s palace.” Esther 4:13 HCSB

Jonah ran from God and what God had commanded him to do. When the storms came Jonah was thrown overboard and was swallowed by a large whale, but God took care of him and saved him from drowning. Jonah later repented of his sins and God used him in a great way to accomplish His will.

Although Esther was queen and enjoyed the protection of being in the king’s palace, she still needed God’s protection. Her position and wealth were not enough to protect her. Deliverance only comes from God. Mordecai warned her that eventually her secret of being a Jew would come to light and she would suffer the same fate as all of her own people.

Challenge: No one is exempt from facing problems in life. We cannot depend on our own strength and position to prevent suffering. We all need God’s protection, wisdom, and direction.

Esther spoke to Hathach and commanded him to tell Mordecai, “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned – the death penalty. Only if the king extends the gold scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days.” Esther 4:10-11 HCSB

In the past to help youth understand various church-related leadership roles, churches would honor the youth during an annual Youth Sunday and encourage them to assume all positions of leadership. When I was 14 years old, I served as the youth pastor on Youth Sunday. Another teen served as the Minister of Music, and others served as Sunday School teachers. When I stood up to preach that morning, I was afraid I would not do a job of excellence and embarrass myself and my parents. Despite my fear, by God’s grace I was able to stand and deliver the message God had given to me.

Esther was afraid (4:4). Her response to Mordecai’s request would have been, “Do you realize what you’re asking me to do?” Nobody knew that Esther was a Jew and she could have easily kept her secret. She was in a safe environment with many luxuries. Why would she have wanted to put her life on the line for her people? Mordecai encouraged her to be strong and have faith that God would protect her. God has provided protection and boldness to others who faced difficult situations (Joshua, David, and Paul just to name a few).

Challenge: If you yield to fear, you are communicating that God is not strong enough to take care of you. Our actions often speak louder than our words and impact others and the body of Christ. When facing difficult situations, trust God. He will not abandon you.

So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the city square in front of the King’s Gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened as well as the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay the royal treasury for the slaughter of the Jews. Esther 4:6-7 HCSB

It has been very fulfilling for me to reconnect through Face book with former students in my youth ministry groups. I have been inspired to see how God has worked in their lives and how they now have families and are making a difference in God’s kingdom. I am amazed how God has used me to impact the lives of others.

Hathach was a servant of the Persian emperor. Obviously, he was assigned to care for Queen Esther and was a key player in the salvation of the Jews. Queen Esther is the main character, but God used Hathach to deliver the message from Mordecai to Queen Esther. He was not afraid to be seen with Mordecai for he met openly with him in the city’s public square. Nor was he ashamed to be identified with the Jews.

Challenge: God can use you to make a difference in our world. Do not be afraid to take a stand and do what is right. Be bold as you openly take a stand for God and His people. God will bless you for being faithful in doing what is pleasing in his sight.

In the first month, the month of Nisan, the King Ahasuerus’s twelfth year, Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman for each day in each month, and it fell on the twelfth month, the month Adar. Then Haman informed King Ahasuerus, “There is one ethnic group, scattered throughout the peoples in every province of your kingdom, yet living in isolation. Their laws are different from everyone else’s and they do not obey the king’s laws. It is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. If the king approves, let an order be drawn up authorizing their destruction, and I will pay 375 tons of silver to the accountants for deposit in the royal treasury. Esther 3:7-9 HCSB

People play the lottery every day and select numbers they feel are “lucky” and will help them win. Others seek the advice of a palm reader or fortune teller to make decisions and plan their future. Still others read their horoscopes each day hoping to find direction from the stars.

Haman “cast lots” to determine the best time to plan his destruction of the Jews. The casting of lots was a common practice to make decisions. The soldiers at the foot of the cross of Jesus cast lots to determine who would receive His robe. Interestingly, Haman’s plan played right into God’s plan. The casting of the lots selected a time that was almost a year later. This gave Esther plenty of time to make her plea before the king. Also, the Persian word for lots was “purim”, which became the name of the holiday celebrated by the Jews when they were delivered, not killed, on the day appointed by Haman.

Challenge: Know that God is sovereign and has everything under control. We may not always completely understand God’s ways, but we must trust Him, knowing that He knows what is best and can bring good even out of the negative circumstances that Satan throws into our lives. When faced with a decision, seek God’s will instead of relying on “lots” and other worldly methods. God wants to help His children in every area of life.

And when he learned of Mordecai’s ethnic identity, Haman decided not to do away with Mordecai alone. He planned to destroy all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout Ahasuerus’s kingdom. Esther 3:6

It is hard to believe that in today’s culture there are people who are prejudiced toward those with a different skin color or cultural background. Some even think they are better than others. The riots and looting in Ferguson, Missouri in recent days are a result of racial tensions. Even today there are people who would like to eliminate the Jewish race from our planet. Having feelings of prejudice toward others is fueled by a selfish attitude and a sense of superiority.

Haman’s ancestors were enemies of the Jews. He was prejudiced toward the Jews and wanted to see not only Mordicai die, but he wanted all of the Jews dead. He hated a group of people because of their beliefs and cultural differences. Prejudice always grows out of a sense of personal pride – considering oneself better than others.

Challenge: Do you have feelings of prejudice toward others who may have a different color of skin? Do you treat differently those who have a different cultural background? God created everyone and loves everyone equally. Jesus died for all the people of the world – every tribe and nation. Pray that God will help you to have a proper attitude toward others and not consider yourself better than others in any way.