“While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.” Luke 2:6
God’s plan is ALWAYS perfect. No slip ups. No miss steps. No, “I wish I’d done that differently.” Nope! God’s plan for redemption was and continues to be perfect. For us, we look at those last few days before, as the scripture above states, “... the days were completed for her to give birth,” and this is not how we would plan it.
Mary is 9 months along in her pregnancy with the Son of God, the coming Messiah. Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth, a town in Galilee, but Joseph is from the family of David and because of the census, had to travel to Bethlehem, the City of David to register. You know Joseph must have put this off as long as he could. He had to be hoping Mary would deliver and then they could go. But time was drawing near, almost there, when he would be in violation of the law. I’m sure he did not want Rome’s wrath on him and his family.
Joseph begins this journey of 75 miles, probably 3 days of travel to fulfill the decree of the Emperor. Little did he know he was going to fulfill the prophecy of God. All working together of God’s purpose. You may say, but Joseph, a good Jew, would have known the prophecy of the Messiah and he knew this was HE. Yes, but Joseph was human and certainly would have had Mary and the baby on his mind. I’m not sure he would have said to Mary, “OK, Babe, We are going to wait until just before you are ready to deliver and then head to Bethlehem so we can fulfill the prophecy about the coming Messiah.” I just don’t think it happened that way. BUT, I do believe God was in control of it.
They arrived in Bethlehem and Mary is in labor, almost there. Joseph is trying to find a room and ends up in a stable (probably a cave which houses animals). They are almost there. Everything is in place. Mary is ready. The baby is ready. They are almost there!!!
We are almost there folks. Christmas 2015! It’s almost here. Today is Wednesday, 2 days before Christmas day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus the Christ. You have been readying yourself, your family with the purchase of gifts, preparation of food, the invitation of family, friends, neighbors to join you. You are almost there! The hectic, busyness of the season is about to be over. You will breathe a sigh, some collapse, others turn on the TV to watch the game. Just a few more days folks and it will all be over.
Oh, wait, it will not be over or at least not for the believer! It’s the beginning. We are almost there for the beginning. The beginning of again acknowledging the Birth of a Savior, the Birth of the King. The beginning to again embrace the one who came in the world that my sins could be nailed to His cross once and for all. We are almost there so we can say again, thank you Father for sending Your Son into a lost world for “me.” Yes, these should be everyday thoughts, but face it folks, they are not, at least for most believers.
Could we possibly change that this year? Could we possibly, this year, begin to offer thanks to the One who came that we might have life in His name? It’s the mind set we need to have. We are almost there folks. I would just ask for you to think on this things. Have a blessed Christmas!
Pastor Marty
Worship, Grow, Serve
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Vacancy or No Vacancy?
There are less than 10 days left until Christmas, so please make sure you don’t miss it this year!
I am convinced that most people “miss” Christmas every year. At Christmas, people are busy shopping, attending parties and school plays, decorating, and doing all the other things that compete for attention.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in the waiting room during Caroline’s surgery talking with my mother. She caught me off guard when she said that she dreads Christmas Day. What she was really saying was that she dreads the stress of Christmas Day when the whole family gets together.
As I began to write this article, I thought back to the Christmas traditions of my childhood. We had Christmas Eve dinner with my dad’s parents, followed by gift opening. It seemed as if Santa’s sleigh mysteriously missed the rest of our entire neighborhood and dropped everything off at our house. Christmas morning was a mad rush to say goodbye to my dad’s parents and hurry down the street to spend the rest of the day with my mom’s family. Thinking back over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I felt a sense of emptiness when Christmas Day came to an end.
The problem is that I was making the same kind of mistake that the innkeeper did that night in Bethlehem. Luke 2:7 sets the scene: “And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Christmas was at the innkeeper’s doorstep; however, in the hustle and bustle of the census, the innkeeper was so preoccupied in the pursuit of his career that he missed Christmas. In fact, he apparently did not take time to call anyone to help the young mother about to give birth. There was no indication that the innkeeper was hostile or unsympathetic but rather he was just too busy.
Similar to the innkeeper, my life was too consumed with the clutter of activity around Christmas that I missed the Son of God. I was showing Jesus to the stable compartment in my life and not making room for Him in the inn of my heart.
Today the world is filled with people like the innkeeper. People are so consumed with the pursuit of their careers, material possessions, pleasures, and comforts that they are giving no time to the Christ of Christmas. Don’t be like the innkeeper who missed Christmas! Let the Christ of Christmas find vacancy in your heart and invite Him in as Savior and Lord.
“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” Neal A. Maxwell
I pray that you are overwhelmed with great joy this Christmas. God provided us with the greatest gift of all that night in Bethlehem. Rejoice!
Blessings my friends,
Ryan Hutchins
RE HOPE Church - Raleigh
I am convinced that most people “miss” Christmas every year. At Christmas, people are busy shopping, attending parties and school plays, decorating, and doing all the other things that compete for attention.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in the waiting room during Caroline’s surgery talking with my mother. She caught me off guard when she said that she dreads Christmas Day. What she was really saying was that she dreads the stress of Christmas Day when the whole family gets together.
As I began to write this article, I thought back to the Christmas traditions of my childhood. We had Christmas Eve dinner with my dad’s parents, followed by gift opening. It seemed as if Santa’s sleigh mysteriously missed the rest of our entire neighborhood and dropped everything off at our house. Christmas morning was a mad rush to say goodbye to my dad’s parents and hurry down the street to spend the rest of the day with my mom’s family. Thinking back over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I felt a sense of emptiness when Christmas Day came to an end.
The problem is that I was making the same kind of mistake that the innkeeper did that night in Bethlehem. Luke 2:7 sets the scene: “And [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Christmas was at the innkeeper’s doorstep; however, in the hustle and bustle of the census, the innkeeper was so preoccupied in the pursuit of his career that he missed Christmas. In fact, he apparently did not take time to call anyone to help the young mother about to give birth. There was no indication that the innkeeper was hostile or unsympathetic but rather he was just too busy.
Similar to the innkeeper, my life was too consumed with the clutter of activity around Christmas that I missed the Son of God. I was showing Jesus to the stable compartment in my life and not making room for Him in the inn of my heart.
Today the world is filled with people like the innkeeper. People are so consumed with the pursuit of their careers, material possessions, pleasures, and comforts that they are giving no time to the Christ of Christmas. Don’t be like the innkeeper who missed Christmas! Let the Christ of Christmas find vacancy in your heart and invite Him in as Savior and Lord.
“Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus!” Neal A. Maxwell
I pray that you are overwhelmed with great joy this Christmas. God provided us with the greatest gift of all that night in Bethlehem. Rejoice!
Blessings my friends,
Ryan Hutchins
RE HOPE Church - Raleigh
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Have You Protected Yourself?
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13
I know those of you over 50 years old probably have experienced this. When I was growing up in the 60’s I can remember standing up in the front seat of the car between my parents as we would be driving somewhere. I would claim between the front seats and back seats. I’ve even, as a young kid, laid in the back window behind the back seat and go to sleep. A seatbelt was not a mandatory requirement in those days. There were no airbags on any of our cars. And, the cars were made of steel and metal, not mostly plastic and some aluminum. Those of you under 50 may have not experienced this riding behavior, but I know you have heard us old folks talk about “in our day.”
Having said that, have you ever had a flashback to the past? That happened to me last Wednesday afternoon. I was leaving the church heading over to Sam’s Club to pick up some things. And last Wednesday afternoon it was raining and the roads were wet. As I pulled out onto Green Road heading towards the stoplight at Millbrook, I pulled into the left lane knowing I would need to turn left into the road to Sam’s. An old white van pulled out onto Green Road beside me out of the Urgent Care parking lot heading in the same direction. The light was “Red” so we both stopped and were sitting still beside each other. As we were sitting there stopped I heard something behind me and looked in my rearview mirror. There was a white car (new model) which I often call these bumble bee cars (you’ve heard them, they sound like a swarm of bees when they take off) was flying in the right lane and had all of sudden realized we were stopped in front of him. He had put on the breaks, but on the wet road was just sliding. He hit the back of this white van beside me with such a force and collision that I thought, someone has to be injured. The man in the van beside me got out, he was fine. He ran back to check on the driver in the car that hit him and he too was OK. But his car was totaled. His bumper was laying in the road. The front end of his car was crushed all the back to the tires. The engine was smoking. Also, though this was a new car, even with the impact, the airbag did not deploy.
On the other hand, the gentlemen looked at the back of his van and folks, this old van, after this violent collision, did not look as if anything had happened. This van had a steel bumper on it which took all the force from the bumble bee car. No damage!!!
I was certainly glad everyone was OK and my guess is that the gentlemen in the car in the rear was either on the phone or texting and never saw us stop. Awareness of your surroundings at all times is so important and having the right protection is also important.
I thought about this crash that had just happened beside as I shopped at Sam’s Club. I pictured the damaged cars in my mind and thought about several things. When I was growing up without the protection of a seatbelt or airbags, there were times I certainly was in a position of danger because of where I was in the car. But on the other hand, I was better protected from how the car was made. Protection is important was my thought. And protection that works. This man’s new car’s airbag was worthless to him. It never deployed.
The Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Ephesus and in the closing of his letter he reminds them to take up the full armor of God. Why? So you will be protected, be able to resist evil and stand firm. We are to gird ourselves with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, protect our feet with the preparation of the gospel, taking up the shield of faith, and put on the helmet of salvation along with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Eph. 6:13-17)
In our cars today we no longer allow kids to wander, babies to sit in their mother’s lap, or anyone to remain unsecured. The car makers have added protective devices to help save lives and that is a good thing (provided they work properly). God has done the same thing in relationship to our spiritual lives. He has given us all the tools, everything necessary to protection us from the evil one, the pit falls, collisions with this fallen world. What God has provided is like the steel bumper of the old white van, it can take the most violent hit and stand unhurt, while what has hit will bounce off and be destroyed.
Here is the key though folks, God tells us we are to PUT ON the full armor He has provided. If we fail to do that, if we fail to listen and take heed, then when the evil one strikes, our protection is not there. God provides for us, but we have a part to play. Here is my challenge to you. I want you to read Ephesians Chapter 6 and then ask yourself, “Am I fully protected from this evil one? Or is there something I need to do to fully protect me in my walk with Christ?”
Blessings my friends,
Pastor Marty.
I know those of you over 50 years old probably have experienced this. When I was growing up in the 60’s I can remember standing up in the front seat of the car between my parents as we would be driving somewhere. I would claim between the front seats and back seats. I’ve even, as a young kid, laid in the back window behind the back seat and go to sleep. A seatbelt was not a mandatory requirement in those days. There were no airbags on any of our cars. And, the cars were made of steel and metal, not mostly plastic and some aluminum. Those of you under 50 may have not experienced this riding behavior, but I know you have heard us old folks talk about “in our day.”
Having said that, have you ever had a flashback to the past? That happened to me last Wednesday afternoon. I was leaving the church heading over to Sam’s Club to pick up some things. And last Wednesday afternoon it was raining and the roads were wet. As I pulled out onto Green Road heading towards the stoplight at Millbrook, I pulled into the left lane knowing I would need to turn left into the road to Sam’s. An old white van pulled out onto Green Road beside me out of the Urgent Care parking lot heading in the same direction. The light was “Red” so we both stopped and were sitting still beside each other. As we were sitting there stopped I heard something behind me and looked in my rearview mirror. There was a white car (new model) which I often call these bumble bee cars (you’ve heard them, they sound like a swarm of bees when they take off) was flying in the right lane and had all of sudden realized we were stopped in front of him. He had put on the breaks, but on the wet road was just sliding. He hit the back of this white van beside me with such a force and collision that I thought, someone has to be injured. The man in the van beside me got out, he was fine. He ran back to check on the driver in the car that hit him and he too was OK. But his car was totaled. His bumper was laying in the road. The front end of his car was crushed all the back to the tires. The engine was smoking. Also, though this was a new car, even with the impact, the airbag did not deploy.
On the other hand, the gentlemen looked at the back of his van and folks, this old van, after this violent collision, did not look as if anything had happened. This van had a steel bumper on it which took all the force from the bumble bee car. No damage!!!
I was certainly glad everyone was OK and my guess is that the gentlemen in the car in the rear was either on the phone or texting and never saw us stop. Awareness of your surroundings at all times is so important and having the right protection is also important.
I thought about this crash that had just happened beside as I shopped at Sam’s Club. I pictured the damaged cars in my mind and thought about several things. When I was growing up without the protection of a seatbelt or airbags, there were times I certainly was in a position of danger because of where I was in the car. But on the other hand, I was better protected from how the car was made. Protection is important was my thought. And protection that works. This man’s new car’s airbag was worthless to him. It never deployed.
The Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Ephesus and in the closing of his letter he reminds them to take up the full armor of God. Why? So you will be protected, be able to resist evil and stand firm. We are to gird ourselves with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, protect our feet with the preparation of the gospel, taking up the shield of faith, and put on the helmet of salvation along with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Eph. 6:13-17)
In our cars today we no longer allow kids to wander, babies to sit in their mother’s lap, or anyone to remain unsecured. The car makers have added protective devices to help save lives and that is a good thing (provided they work properly). God has done the same thing in relationship to our spiritual lives. He has given us all the tools, everything necessary to protection us from the evil one, the pit falls, collisions with this fallen world. What God has provided is like the steel bumper of the old white van, it can take the most violent hit and stand unhurt, while what has hit will bounce off and be destroyed.
Here is the key though folks, God tells us we are to PUT ON the full armor He has provided. If we fail to do that, if we fail to listen and take heed, then when the evil one strikes, our protection is not there. God provides for us, but we have a part to play. Here is my challenge to you. I want you to read Ephesians Chapter 6 and then ask yourself, “Am I fully protected from this evil one? Or is there something I need to do to fully protect me in my walk with Christ?”
Blessings my friends,
Pastor Marty.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Lessons From Children
As I watch my little girl grow and play with Emma, Benjamin, Mary, Nathan, Dhuart, Christian, Charlotte, Caroline, Josiah, and Ezekiel – ‘the Entourage’ - I can’t help but pause and picture how Jesus would interact with each of them. There’s always a picture in my mind – many of you may have one similar to it in your minds. It’s a picture of Jesus surrounded by little children. He is smiling. The children are speaking to Him, sometimes even showing Him their most valuable possessions. I see heartfelt laughter and pure motives to just play – no hidden agenda, no inhibitions to seek an ideology – just to play until utter exhaustion. There is no indication of awkwardness between Himself and the children; there is no harshness of discipline. There is only innocence, peace, joy, and a fond loving relationship. You don’t get the sense that the children have a desire to be anywhere else, but to be right with Jesus.
How does Jesus do it? How does He hold such love for them? How does he never turn away one child? How does He have time for each one of them? How does He take the time for each one individually? I don’t get the sense that anything they say is insignificant to Jesus. He hears all they say. How does He deal so patiently with them? And we can’t forget this - how would He discipline them in such a way that His only goal is love, repentance, and growth? These questions run through my head. They motivate me to be a better parent, but they are also a constant reminder of how I fail him daily because they serve to let me know where I am and where He is as our Father who loves us more than our earthly parents ever could.
There are a number of verses that give us a clear idea of how Jesus views little children:
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” (Mark 10: 13-16 NLT)
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:10 NLT)
In each of the verses above, Jesus clearly tells us that heaven is made up of ones like these. Why? The answer starts with the character of Jesus. He is love, patience, and tenderness exemplified. These are only a few adjectives that will be used to describe Jesus in this article. One could use a thousand more to describe Him; there are not enough words or paper to contain all that He is.
Little children desire a parent who loves them unconditionally. The next couple of verses articulate it perfectly and no further explanation is needed:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety- nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14 NLT).
THAT IS POWERFUL. A child needs to know that his/her parent would be willing to do whatever it takes for the child to be safe and secure. Patience and tenderness go hand in hand. They have to. Children will get into trouble, and Jesus is aware of that fact. Jesus patiently endures these “mishaps”. Jesus is the master teacher; He seeks to teach and train the children on the proper way to live. He makes it no mystery. His aim is for us to have a right relationship with Him. Again, my words cease to have meaning compared to His.
“I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.” (Isaiah 54:13 NLT)
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deut 6:5-7 NLT)
“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 3: 14-15 NLT)
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:7-11 NLT)
Do you see the goal of His patience, His training, and His discipline? The greatest Father of all desires nothing but for His children to grow in His likeness. He wants to spend all of eternity with His children. Do you remember that image of Him in a garden surrounded by His children. He desires nothing more than to bring that image to life. The work has already been done. It is up to us – His children - to make the decision to follow our Father in obedience.
In His Name,
Sherif Mikhael, Elder, HOPE Church - Raleigh
How does Jesus do it? How does He hold such love for them? How does he never turn away one child? How does He have time for each one of them? How does He take the time for each one individually? I don’t get the sense that anything they say is insignificant to Jesus. He hears all they say. How does He deal so patiently with them? And we can’t forget this - how would He discipline them in such a way that His only goal is love, repentance, and growth? These questions run through my head. They motivate me to be a better parent, but they are also a constant reminder of how I fail him daily because they serve to let me know where I am and where He is as our Father who loves us more than our earthly parents ever could.
There are a number of verses that give us a clear idea of how Jesus views little children:
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” (Mark 10: 13-16 NLT)
“Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 18:10 NLT)
In each of the verses above, Jesus clearly tells us that heaven is made up of ones like these. Why? The answer starts with the character of Jesus. He is love, patience, and tenderness exemplified. These are only a few adjectives that will be used to describe Jesus in this article. One could use a thousand more to describe Him; there are not enough words or paper to contain all that He is.
Little children desire a parent who loves them unconditionally. The next couple of verses articulate it perfectly and no further explanation is needed:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety- nine that didn’t wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:12-14 NLT).
THAT IS POWERFUL. A child needs to know that his/her parent would be willing to do whatever it takes for the child to be safe and secure. Patience and tenderness go hand in hand. They have to. Children will get into trouble, and Jesus is aware of that fact. Jesus patiently endures these “mishaps”. Jesus is the master teacher; He seeks to teach and train the children on the proper way to live. He makes it no mystery. His aim is for us to have a right relationship with Him. Again, my words cease to have meaning compared to His.
“I will teach all your children, and they will enjoy great peace.” (Isaiah 54:13 NLT)
“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deut 6:5-7 NLT)
“But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 3: 14-15 NLT)
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:7-11 NLT)
Do you see the goal of His patience, His training, and His discipline? The greatest Father of all desires nothing but for His children to grow in His likeness. He wants to spend all of eternity with His children. Do you remember that image of Him in a garden surrounded by His children. He desires nothing more than to bring that image to life. The work has already been done. It is up to us – His children - to make the decision to follow our Father in obedience.
In His Name,
Sherif Mikhael, Elder, HOPE Church - Raleigh
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