Join The Joy!

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

     Who would have guessed? Who could have even thought this could happen on a night just like every other night? But, it wasn’t like every other night. What took place that night would change everything, and I mean everything would change.

     It’s not that the coming of the Messiah had not been discussed. It had been a major topic of discussion for many years. But, for it to happen this way? Probably not. In fact, full revelation of what took place would be many years in coming. In fact, that little one who was born in a stable, and laid in the manger would die on a cross someday with people still unclear about what the Angels sang about. I have rehearsed the story over in my mind many times over the years. I would say my parents, and my spiritual parents (my church), did a pretty good job in keeping the story fresh and alive for me. They read it to me. I read it, and I saw it acted out in the Christmas plays.

     I am quite sure the shepherds didn’t catch the meaning of most of what was being communicated. Put yourself in their place. Angels appeared. For most of us, “case closed!” Would we have heard what they said, I mean really hear?

     I do not have sufficient space to explore all that was said that evening. I’m going to focus in on one small term. Did I say small? The word in particular is JOY. “...I bring you good tidings of great joy...”

I dare say, on that evening, the only beings that could appreciate the real message were dwellers of the heavenly. I have wondered in time past, if the Heavenly Father told the Angels the whole story of what was happening, and what would happen after the birth of Christ. Did the Father speak of the life and death of Jesus to those that dwelt with Him? If our Heavenly Father did tell them, then they knew about the joy.

     We should understand that it was not just the birth of the Child that the Angels sang about. I have some appreciation for what it means when a little one takes that first breath into it’s lungs, and exhales for the first time. It’s joyful. It’s amazing. To hold a little one, so helpless, so dependent, has to be experienced to understand the emotion. The young mother, and faithful father most certainly experienced that emotion, the joy of the arrival of their son.

     Joy was the emotion of the Wise Men that went to King Herod seeking another King. I have to say here that their joy was something different. Perhaps it was the joy of anticipation. Or, it could have been the joy of intrigue of something mystical. It must have been a joyful experience for those Wise Men who had followed the star to find Him. I have dreamed also of what that sight really must have been. It was a star, but something made it different to them, and for them. Did it hover low over the spot where Jesus was? Was there a beam of light that showed them the way? Those answers will have to come another time.

     They, most likely, enjoyed giving their gifts to the Child. We all know, or should know, how joyful it makes you feel to give a gift to someone without any motive other than just to give it. I am sure that when they laid their gifts down, they felt that joy, with little understanding of the significance of those gifts.

     These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a King or deity in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. The Book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s glorious restoration, tells of nations and Kings who will come and “bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praises of the Lord” (Isaiah 60:6). Although Matthew’s gospel does not include the names or number of the Magi, many believe that the number of the gifts is what led to the tradition of the Three Wise Men.

     In addition to the honor and status implied by the value of the gifts of the Magi, scholars think that these three were chosen for their special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense a symbol of his priestly role, and myrrh a prefiguring of his death and embalming—an interpretation made popular in the well-known Christmas carol “We Three Kings.” 

    There are many references to joy in the New Testament. I would suggest that you do a search sometime in a concordance, or on your computer Bible. As you run through those references, you too, should be able to identify with what was going on at the time in the lives of those experiencing the emotion of joy.

     Let’s travel back to our original thought and scripture. I do not want to “read into” this verse something that is not there. But, there is a truth to be seen in this verse, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” (Luke 2:10)

     I believe that there were only a few who knew what the joy of the moment really was. I would suggest that the Heavenly Father was thinking far beyond that manger scene, as He looked down that night and saw it all, from beginning to the end. He most certainly witnessed the birth of His son. He watched Jesus grow from childhood into a man. He confirmed the identify of the Lord that day as John baptized Him. He also watched as the curtain of life would seem to close on Jesus.

     His Son would pay the ultimate price so you and I, could know the true joy of having the peace of God reign in our hearts. I believe the writer of Hebrews revealed the truth about the JOY spoken of by the angels in their message to the shepherds. “... Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame...“.(Hebrews12:2)

     I believe this is exactly what the angels were singing about. The Gospel all comes down to this point of focus. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

     Can we join in the Joy? As we celebrate Christmas this year, could we take the time to JOIN THE JOY! Share the heart of the Father! Share Jesus with your loved ones. JESUS REALLY IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

Sometimes I Forget

I look forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons for several reasons.

1) Because the holiday themes serve to remind me that life is not all about me, which is a terrible shock to my ego. I sort of like me, at least most of the time.

 2) Because I tend to get a little absent minded. Life is so full of challenges, and push, and shove, hurrying to get something, anything done. And, I tend to get caught up in what I am doing, how hard I am working, and the price I am paying, that I forget. I forget the little things, and sometimes the big things in life, like family and friends.

3) I love the holiday season because it causes me to remember my loved ones who are in that much better place. I have come to realize that life is not ALL about ME and MY losses. Who among us would call a grandparent, parent, sibling, or even a spouse from a place of perfect peace and health, back to a peace-starved, dying world??? I miss my mom and dad (and many more), but my loss is heaven's gain, and I have not been robbed of anything. I have been given a better reason for making sure I end up where they are.

 I refused to rob my present family of the joy of the seasons because of MY selfishness. I jokingly remind my near ones that "you are going to miss me." I DO NOT, however, want my memory to cause pain and remorse if I do leave before the rapture. I would much rather them to enjoy the fireplace, snack on the peanut brittle, pumpkin pie, and eat a healthy portion of dressing that my Adana has mastered. And say, "this stuff sure made dad happy," and smile awhile for me.

4) The holidays remind me to be thankful. I WILL GIVE THANKS. The holidays remind me that "God so loved the world..." so I can have the promise of power over death, and that I will someday spend eternity with my loved ones. So, I will show my dear ones how to be thankful. I will call the names of my mom & dad, and others that come to mind. I will remember, and be thankful for family and friends. I will celebrate the birth of my best friend and Savior. Sure enough, Christmas as been commercialized, but every twinkling light is saying, "Joy to the world!"

Oh, by the way, I just want to thank you for celebrating my birthday. December 25, 19XX.

 I love the holidays.

Dry Eyes Bring Dark Days

We read in Luke 11:35;

“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” KJV

“Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.” NASB

I think this is a better translation:

Luke 11:35 "So then [in a similar manner] watch out that the light that is within you is not shaded or obscured."

To grasp the full meaning of this verse, we must also consider the whole context, so here is the immediate context of the subject.

“No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it away in a cellar nor under a basket, but on the lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is also full or darkness. Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays.” (Luke 11:33-35) NASB

This statement also appears in the context of Matthew chapter six.

“The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matt 6:22,23

The statement made by Jesus in verse 35 of Luke 11 and verse 23 of Matt 6 does not at first seem to have much to do with the surrounding context, but I think the key is in Matt 6:21.

“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

So Jesus first tells us in Luke 11:33-35 that if a man’s eyes are clear (healthy) his body is full of light. If you have good eye sight, light enters your body. On the other hand, if your eyes are bad (diseased), your whole body if full of darkness. In other words, no light enters into a blind mans body. This is, of course, reveals a deeper, spiritual truth.

I believe the primary spiritual meaning of light in the scriptures refers to God’s Word and the illuminating power of God’s Word, is what we refer to as revelation. This light is contained in the believers heart.

The light that Jesus refers to in our passage is the revelation of God burning in our hearts where the Spirit of God resides. So now Jesus is saying that after the light of the New Covenant, who is Jesus, enters our hearts, we must be careful not to put a shade of the Old Covenant over the revelation of the New Covenant. If we shade this revelation with the law and religion of our understanding, the eyes of our hearts will be blind, and will be full of darkness, and we will live in that place of little joy, peace and power. 

So many Christians are living in that place today. They have a form of godliness but do not know the power and the fullness of the gospel. They live a religious life of performance under the law while professing themselves to be wise, all because they are shading the true light of God’s Word from entering their understanding. And, if that light is to be seen by others who need Christ, then it must first be seen by the eyes of our own understanding. This is what Jesus is saying in this passage. 

If we cannot see our way out, or through, then we must be suffering from a dimmed light source. We can only wash the windows of our soul by weeping before The Lord, so that we may see clear enough to say as Paul said, " ..follow me, as I follow Christ." Let me, oh Lord be able to make this profession. 

WP

Heartland America Internet Campus Phone & Ipad Connection.....

iphone and Android phone users can now install an App on their phone and watch live, and recorded programming on their phones. (You may also install it on your iPad or other Android devices) It is a FREE APP! The steps are as follows: 1) Open Apps on your phone or iPad 2) Search for "Sermon.net" 3) Download the App 4) Search for Heartland America Church of God of Prophecy All of our current playlists (channels) will be visible. I would suggest that you browse through the Playlists just to see how it all works. When a LIVE Webcast is announced on a particular Playlist (Channel), you will be able to watch it on your phone or iPad in real time. Great things are happening in the Heartland America Region! Get "tuned in" to the action! Let's get connected! http://hacogop.sermon.tv/main/main/7729689

Sunday Sermon SnapShot (3-30-14)

Want to see Satan smile? Live in the past (the way it was), so that you have no since of the present (the way it is), so you will not be prepared for the future (the way it will be). Want to see The Lord smile? Hold on to just enough of the past (how it was) to make you appreciate the opportunities you have now (the way it is), so you will be able to enjoy the harvest of your life (the way it will be).

Sunday Sermon Snapshot (3/23/14)

When God called for light, He did not banish darkness. Darkness was meant for rest, not rivalry. It is when we cannot see with our natural eyes that we discover the brilliance and clarity of God's grace which is always enough. "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." (Psalm 62:5 NIV)

Heartland America Regional Overseer Live Webcasts

An announcement is imminent that will give deals and information on a series of webcasts that will be produced live from the Heartland America Regional  Office. These webcasts will be available for public viewing for anyone wishing to "tune in." We have been preparing ourselves for some time now in order to be able make these sort of ministry events a regular happening. It is very exciting to me to be able to touch our Heartland family from border to border and beyond using this media.

Sometimes we feel like we are very much alone. It is true that we do not have as many corporate ministry events as we did at one time. Time, distance, and other circumstances have affected the frequency of our time together as a District, State, and Regional Church Family. My visits to local churches are not as frequent as I would desire. Believe me friends, you are NOT alone!  These webcasts will at least help me feel like I can reach out and "touch" more of our great people on a more regular basis.

Please be watching for the upcoming announcements. Links to view the live webcast will be posted on our Facebook group page, our regional website, and an email will be sent to our pastors with this information, and a link for connecting to the webcast.

I hope to see YOU there!