Soft Hearts for a New Year

As we head into a new year, we find a good word in the book of Hebrews where it quotes Psalm 95:7-8 and its reference to a time the Israelites quarreled with their Lord.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  As has just been said:

‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.’

Who were they who heard and rebelled?  Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?”

It seems amazing that the very people that God blessed, as God lead them out of Egypt and into freedom, had hard hearts.  Yet we know how easy it is to take our blessings for granted and to want our own way.  May we, who know the blessings and presence of our Risen Lord, hear his voice and offer Him our soft hearts as we follow Him.

“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20

Secret Meaning Behind "The 12 Days of Christmas"

The Twelve Days of Christmas, a baffling Carol about a partridge in a pear tree, swimming swans, leaping lords and French hens, along with other peculiar activities, has an interesting history and deep meaning.

A check of history revealed that from 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. An anonymous Christian during that time, wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

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One Partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

Four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

Five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of The Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

Eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of The Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

Ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

Twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed.

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Sing it with extra joy this Christmas. Oh yes, the 12 days of Christmas would be from December 25th to January 5th, which is St. Nicholas Eve, which would be the first date recorded for the Christmas celebration and still celebrated by many around the world today.
Compiled by Rev. Austin Miles   
http://blogs.christianpost.com/the-connecting-link/secret-meaning-behind-popular-christmas-carol-13743/

Heroism Amidst a Tragedy

On Dec. 14, Adam Lanza shot and killed 21 children and 5 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.  Words are inadequate to describe the horrible loss and grief.  It was a terrible tragedy.

There were two heroes in the midst of the tragedy.  A teacher, Victoria Soto, died after hiding her students in a closet.  Principal Dawn Hochsprung was killed after she’d lunged at the gunman in an attempt to overtake him.  They both sacrificed their lives so that the children they loved and were responsible for, might live.  In doing so, they showed courage in risking their lives for others. 

Another tragedy is playing out in our lives.  God’s creation was made perfect and harmonious, but it has been ruined by humankind’s rebellious sin.  We have rebelled against God’s laws that were intended for our good.  We have cheated, coveted, lied, stolen, defrauded and lived selfishly.  Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”   This is a terrible tragedy in God’s eyes.

God sent His Son Jesus to be born on Christmas, to reveal God’s grace and mercy, and to love sacrificially and give his life as a payment for our sins.  Like the teacher and principle who sacrificed their lives for others, Jesus is a hero because of his love and sacrifice for others.  The question for us on this Christmas, is how will we respond to what Jesus has done for us?  I hope you will join us in bowing our heads before the Christ Child in the manger scene, and thank God for giving up His Son Jesus to be our Hero and save us from our sins.  This will make your Christmas truly merry.

Will You Say Yes to God?

“’I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’”  (Luke 1:38)

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”  (Matthew 1:24)

It must have taken real faith for Mary, probably a teenager, to agree to bear Jesus, knowing that her fiancé could cast her aside, and the world would shun her as an unwed mother.  It must have taken just as much faith for Joseph to accept a bride who was pregnant with a child that wasn’t his, knowing that people would mock him for being with a disgraced woman.

While Mary and Joseph’s position in society was low, their position in God’s plan was great.  They played their roles well, not because of any skill or expertise they had, but simply because they had said yes to God and allowed God to carry them through.

Is it any different for us?  We may see ourselves as ordinary, with no special gifts to offer to God.  In fact, we may see ourselves as of little use to God.  But Mary and Joseph show us that God isn’t looking for someone with outstanding talent, money, power, or ability.  God is looking for a person who simply says yes to Him and follows His will in faith.

The question is, are you such a person?  Whatever God is asking you to accept, will you respond by saying, “No, Lord, this is too hard.  I can’t do it.  Make it easier.”  Or will you say, “Yes, Lord, I’ll persevere through hard times because I trust you to see me through them the way you saw Mary and Joseph through their challenges. 

Answering yes isn’t always easy, but we can be confident that God’s Holy Spirit will strengthen us and protect us.  Will you say yes to God?