Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Lamentations 3:19-24 NLT

2022 – What will the year bring? We celebrate – yet we have no idea if the year will be worth celebrating. Will it be a year of loss, disappointment, or challenges? Will it be a year of excitement, adventure and new successes? We can’t see ahead but, thankfully, God can. As followers of Christ, we have a God that we place our confidence in who will walk with us through the unknowns until they are known.

Amid life’s tragedies and chaotic turmoil, the presence of God may not be as obvious, yet we know His presence is more than we could ever imagine. You may not think of these verses out of Lamentations as being “happy new year” verses, but they can remind us of the hope and assurance that God’s love is new every morning as well as every year.

Jeremiah captured his pain and lament in the book of Lamentations. Though he was persecuted, thrown into a cistern, dragged away as a captive, and jailed, as he cried out to God amid his situation, he came back to the hope that is found only in God.

Scripture is filled with hope to face the unknown and uncertainty of a new year. Scripture gives us the stories of those who rested in the shelter of God. As we begin this new year, these stories and countless others can help us to rest in the shelter of God, regardless of the event.

Noah was ridiculed and mocked as he and his sons built an ark in the middle of the desert. Yet as the rains began, Noah experienced the salvation of God when he is told to “Go into the ark, you and your whole family…” (Gen 7:1)

Joseph lived in slavery, falsely accused, imprisoned, yet he experienced the restoration of God and was able to say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:20)

Moses was hidden, rescued, forced into exile, faced down the most powerful ruler in the land, and endured the wilderness for forty years. Moses knew the dark times of life but he experienced the intimacy of God, “… whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10)

David, belittled by his brothers, his life threatened, lived in caves and was forced to flee his kingdom, but he experienced oneness with God. “…. a man after my own heart;” (Acts 13:22)

Paul was imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, hungry, cold, accused falsely, yet he experienced worship of God and was able to say “…so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21)

Is the new year worth celebrating? Without a doubt, it is because we can celebrate based upon the assurance of God’s promise. Therefore, we can say with confidence:

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

Lord, I commit this New Year to you. I ask you to bring encouragement to those who experience tragedy, comfort to those who experience loss, peace to those who will be troubled, hope to all, assurance that you care for them, and gratefulness daily for what you provide. Amen.

Happy New Year and remember,

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” Isaiah 9:2-7

The battle had raged for months, the rains were relentless, the despair of war was increasing, yet on a dreary night the sounds of Silent Night echoed across the war-ravaged land and two armies declared an unofficial and impromptu cease-fire on the Western Front near Frelinghien, France during World War 1. It was a moment of hope as calm rested upon the battlefield. A short interlude from fighting occurred on December 24 and 25 and became known as the 1914 Christmas Truce. It was a small, localized event with a small group of soldiers, but for a brief moment they experienced peace. Christmas came to those war-torn trenches.

Fleming Rutledge writes,  “Advent always begins in the dark.” It was in the dark that the angels came to the shepherds. It was in the dark that the star guided the Magi to the Savior. It was in the dark that Joseph and Mary escaped to Egypt. It was in the dark of night that Nicodemus came seeking the truth. It would be in the dark that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Could it be that in the darkness of 2021, Advent has been more powerful and hopeful this year? Has our focus been more on Jesus than on the glitter and usual activities of Christmas? I hope so! Jeff Peabody wrote that we can learn to reframe our questions from “Lord, when will this darkness be over?” to “What is pointing me toward Christ?” As we do, we may find there is significantly more light in the room than we realized.

The calendar day that marks Christmas may have passed but not the Incarnation. We watched the flickering flames of the Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace candles that illuminated our Advent wreath grow brighter when the Christ candle was lit for Christmas.  The world no longer has to live in darkness as God orchestrated the radiant light of Jesus’ birth. Jesus would tell the world that, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

The shepherds returned to the sheep that dark night but they had seen the Light.

The Magi returned to their homeland but they had seen the Light.

Mary and Joseph packed their belongings to return home but now they carried the Light.

Aging, faithful Simeon had waited expectantly but now he held the Light in his arms.

Precious Anna had worshipped and waited for decades but now she led in worship of the Light.

O Little Town of Bethlehem you were so preoccupied that you missed the Light.

King Herod, you were so blinded by evil and lust for power that you missed the Light.

America were you so consumed with materialism, violence, and division that you will miss the hope of the Light?

 

What did you do with the Light this Christmas?

 

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies;

With angelic hosts proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!

Hark! The herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn King.

 

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Celebrating the Fourth week of Advent – The Angel Candle – Peace

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14

Peace and goodwill – the seemingly ever elusive state that the world seeks, but never quite achieves. Lots of options are offered everyday but only one source of peace will endure forever. Peace is not found in activities, methods or materials, but in a person. Peace marks the fourth week of Advent.

Merriam-Webster defines peace in very good technical terms as “a state of tranquility or quiet. Freedom from civil disturbance. A pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity offered the possibility of a negotiated peace.” Yet why is peace so elusive?

The Institute for Economics and Peace released their annual Global Peace Index for 2021 report showing that the level of global peacefulness deteriorated again this year. It is the 9th deterioration in peacefulness in the last 13 years. Their determination is based on 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators measured across three domains of societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict and degree of militarization. Globally, Iceland remains the most peaceful country, with Afghanistan coming in last and The United States ranking 122nd out of 163 nations.

For American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, peace seemed such a distant memory as he sat in the medical tent holding the wounded body of his oldest son, Charles, following a battle during the American Civil War. The pain of his son stirred the pain within himself as he still grieved the death of his beloved wife. It was in this moment of despair that Longfellow heard the church bells tolling in the background for Christmas day. How can there be peace? Longfellow began to capture his thoughts in the poem “Christmas Bells.”

 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men….

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

 

Peace will always be elusive if we look for it in world power, politics and earthly wealth. Jesus gives the only valid answer to the question; “Yet why is peace so elusive?” “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

External surroundings no longer define inner peace because of the birth of Jesus. Over the decades since Longfellow captured the words to his poem, hundreds of wars have raged, civil unrest has erupted within nations, a myriad of economic disasters and personal tragedies have occurred. Yet the truth of that night in Bethlehem still echoes power and hope for us today. Jesus – The Prince of Peace!

God allowed the ringing bells to awaken Longfellow from his hopelessness. His poem has inspired many song writers since that Christmas morning to adapt the poem to music, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. Yes, the struggles you face are real, the challenges seem overwhelming. Yet may you hear again the bells on Christmas morning that Jesus came to offer life and peace for you this day!

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

God is great,

Pastor Lynn

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Celebrating the third week of Advent: The Shepherd Candle – Joy

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD.” Luke 2:8-11

One of the most beloved and famous of our Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” didn’t start out as a song, especially not a Christmas carol. Isaac Watts published a book of poems based upon the Psalms. “Joy to the World” was an adaptation of Psalm 98 as Watts interpreted the psalm as a celebration of Jesus.

               Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King…

               Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ….

               No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground….

               He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove…

Joy to the World became a reality for a group of shepherds working in the cold, dark night of Bethlehem’s fields. These men probably wouldn’t rank high on the social and influencer scenes of their day, yet these lowly shepherds experienced what the sheep owner may never have experienced: joy.

These nameless shepherds may not have had warm beds to crawl into that night, they didn’t have a cozy house to eat dinner in that night, nor did they have job security if raiders stole their sheep. However, they had something far greater; they had a life-changing encounter with the Christ-child. Their status in life didn’t change, but their hearts and lives were forever and dramatically changed. They experienced the joy that superseded any expectation of happiness.

As the previous week’s Hope and Faith Advent candles burn, this week the Joy Advent candle is lit. This candle reflects the anticipated joy of the coming Messiah. According to the most recent United Nations “World Happiness Report,” The United States ranks number 19 among the world’s nations in terms of happiness. The report is based upon external things that supposedly make a person happy.

This week’s Advent candle doesn’t celebrate happiness but something far more profound: joy. Though people often interchange the terms, in reality, they are a world apart.  “Things” may seem to make you happy but will never bring you joy. However, on the flip side, the lack of “things” never impacts one’s joy.  Barbara Johnson shares the story about a man on her bus who understood the reality of joy.

“The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.

As usual, the bus was late—and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.

Then I heard a deep voice from upfront boom, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark; This church, That park, This cemetery, That firehouse. Soon all the passengers were gazing out the windows. The man’s enthusiasm was so contagious I found myself smiling for the first time that day. We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our “guide”: a plump figure with a black beard, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.”

I doubt if the shepherds ever experienced what the world considers wealth. What I do know is that they experienced the greatest treasure of all time—Jesus.  The shepherds left the stable that night transformed.  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:17-18,20)

Happiness may or may not be found in brightly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree. It could be the size is all wrong or the color is not what you wanted or maybe what you really wanted is still on a ship in the middle of the harbor. Whatever the gift, it will be temporary.

Joy will be found this Christmas and every Christmas after when you receive the gift of Jesus. A gift that never grows old, wears out, or becomes outdated. It is a gift that is new every day, a gift that is eternal.

Joy to the world! Jesus, the true joy of Christmas.

God is great,

Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Second Sunday of Advent – The Bethlehem Candle – Faith or Preparation

“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!” Isaiah 40:3-5 NLT

“A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the LORD.” Matthew 3:3

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.” –

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

These words of Bonhoeffer resonate well as we move into week two of this season of Advent. 2021 has been a chaotic year in so many ways, filled with every conceivable emotion. Most of us have at one point or another been “troubled in soul.” Out of the anxiety of the year we are able to light the second candle symbolizing faith or preparation.

 

Throughout the generations the nation of Israel had been holding onto the promise of God that He would bring comfort to the people. The same is true for us today as we celebrate the coming of Jesus with the anticipation of His return. “Advent reminds us that Christian hope is shaped by what has happened and what’s going to happen again.” Jay Y. Kim

 

I didn’t grow up in a church tradition that emphasized the practice of Advent. Only in recent years have I come to appreciate the beauty and celebratory nature of Advent. You will never control the excitement of children on Christmas morning. In much the same way, Advent prepares our hearts for that same uncontrollable excitement.

 

During this Advent season of waiting and looking, you quickly realize that faith has a preparatory element to it. The lighting of the second candle is often called the Bethlehem or faith candle. “Bethlehem is a story about a humble couple on an unwanted journey, at an inconvenient time, to visit a tiny insignificant town.” – BJ Lawson

Joseph and Mary made preparation to leave for Bethlehem to register for the government mandated census. However, preparation for this birth had been made centuries before when Micah wrote, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (5:2)

Isaiah had told of the preparation God was making to come to a people that were exiled in a broken and parched wilderness. God’s redemption would “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” God would come as a shepherd feeding, leading and caring for the weary flock.

Joseph and Mary loaded the donkey and set off for Bethlehem fueled by faith that was based upon a promise. Over the rugged terrain they made the journey based upon the promise of God.  They only had a small glimpse of what this journey would mean to them, to the nation and ultimately to every generation to follow.

One of faith’s dictionary definitions is “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.” Advent reminds us that our faith is based upon the faithfulness of God to keep His promises. Over the ages God had promised a Savior and He kept that promise.

The story is shared of a Southeast Asia village experiencing Advent in a tangible way in the International Mission Board’s week of prayer guide. “When a woman called “Momma” heard Bible stories, she told her family, “There might be something to this Living God.” Momma has seen miraculous answers to prayer that have led her and others to the Lord. One miracle involved the family’s valuable pig. One day Momma’s daughter came with the disastrous news that their pig had died. In this area, a pig can be sold for the equivalent of two or three months of income.

Momma marched down to the pigpen where this crowd had gathered from the village. She just crawled into the pigpen and got down on her knees and said, ‘God, if You’re real, then show these people that You’re real.’ And while she was praying, the dead pig stood up.”

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in the dark street shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight.

Advent answers the question for us, “God, if You’re real, then show these people that You’re real.”

God is great,

Pastor Lynn