"Do Not Be Afraid"

 As we approach Christmas Day and the New Year, there exists an underlying environment of tension, uneasiness, and a feeling of anxiety among many people. Christmas has been heralded as a time of joy and certainly there is much to celebrate, yet there are some real life challenges that many people are facing. Prices on goods are higher and some people are barely making ends meet. Others have lost jobs and are struggling to find employment. Still others have experienced a life changing situation that has resulted in great sadness and distress, like the loss of a loved one or an unexpected diagnosis. While this year has brought many changes to our country and our world that have negatively impacted many people, there remains the desire and the hope that as the calendar flips to 2026 that things can only get better. However, many express fear that not much will change in the New Year and there's the real possibility that things will only get worse. In the gospel of Luke, we read about a group of people who didn't have much to look forward to in any given year. They were considered the lowest of the low in society. This was a class of people with whom one did not want to keep company. They hung around with animals and didn't smell very nice. Luke talks about these people in chapter 2 of his gospel, "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." (Luke 2:8-10 NIV)

FROM SHEPHERDS TO EVANGELISTS

 Can you imagine what these shepherds were thinking and feeling? They knew they were considered outcasts in society and perhaps the appearance of the angel indicated some kind of judgment against them. Why else would an angel appear to them, a group of nobodies? Their reaction, rightly so was one of terror. However, the angel quickly calms their fears and tells them he has come not to judge them but to encourage them, to lift their spirits, and give them a reason to rejoice beyond their wildest imaginations. Notice the angel specifies that this is a message for them and they are included among all people. There is no exclusivity or separation by class, ethnicity, or profession. The angel of the Lord in essence is communicating to these shepherds that they are of such worth to God, that they have been chosen to be among the first to receive the good news. Luke goes on to tell us that the shepherds didn't hesitate to go and seek out the special baby the angels declared had been born in Bethlehem. They didn't wait and discuss what others will think or will they be rejected by Mary and Joseph when they arrived because they were considered unworthy to be in the presence of Christ. When they arrived and saw the child, they knew that they were no longer mere shepherds but heralds of the good news. In essence they were the first "evangelists." In fact, Luke tells us in verse 2:19 that rather than reject the news from the shepherds, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (NIV) Imagine that! Mary treasuring the words of shepherds! These men who scraped out an existence tending to sheep, these men who couldn't look forward to having a large circle of friends with whom to spend time, these men who lived an isolated existence with little to hope for in the future, were given a hope far beyond wishful thinking. 

HOPE IS ALIVE!

That hope that the angel announced to the shepherds was for all people is the same hope today for all people. Yes, there are plenty of struggles and heartache to go around but we need to hear the angel's declaration again, "Do not be afraid!" Believers in Christ can embrace the reality that no matter what happens in any given year, the good news that Christ came to earth to live among us, die for us, and be raised to life again is a hope that nothing on earth will ever take away. So, I encourage you at Christmas and in the New Year, fear not! Take a cue from the shepherds and spread the good news that our King has come and will one day return for those expectantly waiting for Him. Moreover, like Mary, take the time in the New Year to treasure up all these things and ponder them in your heart.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Pastor Sheree

"Shame on you!"

 I remember growing up hearing the expression, "shame on you!" when I had engaged in some behavior that did not meet parental expectations. Maybe you can relate? When I think about those words, covering someone in shame, figuratively speaking can inflict emotional wounds that an individual can struggle with for years. In today's culture there is no shortage of shame. Social media has made shame an everyday occurrence with total disregard for the negative consequences. I was recently meditating on a verse from the book of Romans. Paul in chapter 9 is lamenting over the unbelief of Israel and as a result God opens up the gospel to the Gentiles. In verse 9:33b Paul states, "..the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame." (NIV) 

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS

Jesus understood shame well. The act of crucifixion was meant to impart shame and totally degrade the crucified person. To add insult to injury, some people mocked Him, spit at Him, and challenged Him to prove His deity by coming down off the cross. (Matthew 27:40-43) The irony is that Jesus could have covered His accusers with shame by coming down from the cross but He endured the shame to save us from our sins and for the glory yet to come after His resurrection. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way, "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2b NIV) One of the thieves who hung on a cross next to Jesus had a different take on the situation. In Luke 23:40-41 the thief acknowledged that he deserved to be punished for his crimes but Jesus had done nothing deserving of death. Then looking to Jesus he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (v.42 NIV) "Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise." (v.43 NIV) 

FREE FROM CONDEMNATION

The thief who made the request of Jesus demonstrated the reality of Romans 9:33b. He believed in Jesus and in essence scorned the shame for a glory that Jesus promised him. What a gift! I wonder what that thief felt hearing those words from Jesus. The good news is that we like that thief are all guilty of engaging in sinful behaviors that evoke a wagging finger and a verbal condemnation, "shame on you!" However, because Jesus came and lived among us, was crucified, died, was buried, and resurrected, we no longer have to live condemned or be covered with shame. Paul states in Romans 8, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2 NIV) What shameful things have you done in the past that you are still carrying today? Jesus wants you to scorn that shame and commit your life to following Him so that like the thief on the cross you can experience hope, receive eternal life, and one day enter into the kingdom of God. 

Glory to His name! 

Pastor Sheree

What's On Your Christmas List?

Prior to starting my work day, I like to get up early and exercise. I have equipment in my basement and a CD player where I listen to music while exercising. Since it is the Christmas season, I have been listening to some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists. One of my favorite artists is Amy Grant. She recorded a song many years ago that is still played during the Christmas season. It's entitled, "My Grown Up Christmas List." In the song she contrasts how the things she longed for on her Christmas list as a child changed dramatically as an adult. The refrain states, "No more lives torn apart, That wars would never start, And time would heal all hearts. And everyone would have a friend, And right would always win, And love would never end, This is my grown up Christmas list." Doesn't this refrain echo the feelings of so many of us in this world filled with chaos, hatred, wars, and destruction? In fact the sentiments in the refrain of this song can be repeated year after year. Is there any hope that these song lyrics will ever come true? The answer is a resounding YES! 

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

This reality came true in the birth of the One we celebrate this Christmas season. God sent His Son into the world as the gift of hope for a world in darkness. Jesus' birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection brought purpose to life in the midst of a fallen world and eternal life for all who are committed to follow after Him. In Revelation 21:1-5, God provides an answer to the refrain of the song. "Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." While this vision that John experiences speaks of what is yet to come when Christ finally returns the second time as reigning and conquering King, the Old Testament foreshadows the coming of Christ the first time in Messianic passages such as Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; and Isaiah 11:1-6. Many of the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah were prophesying to the people at a time of great turmoil when it appeared there was no hope. I have no doubt the people at that time could empathize with the refrain of Amy Grant's song. In the New Testament we read about the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in Christ. 

TRUE HOPE

 So what's on your grown up Christmas list? Does your heart's desire echo the refrain of the song? Do you grow weary in hoping that things will get better with each Christmas and New Year? Do you live a life filled with purpose and hope? It is possible and the words Amy Grant sings in her refrain are made real in Jesus Christ. That is the reason we celebrate Christmas. For our hope does not lie in what this world has to offer but in the One who is the hope of the world! "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV) 

Have a blessed Christmas!

Pastor Sheree

Another Man In The Fire

In today's world it seems like hope has become an unrealistic ideal. Nowadays when someone is questioned in the midst of a difficult situation and asked if a resolution can be found, the answer is often "I hope so." The response appears to lack optimism or belief that there will be an end to a particular challenge. For example, the ongoing covid pandemic has left many people physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted and feeling like the pandemic will never end. There are many voices calling us to follow this person or that program to find the answers to our problems. Even the recent journeys into space by Jeff Besos and Richard Branson appear to suggest that space flight is "the final frontier" as the old Star Trek television series declared. The thinking is that if technology is able to get to the point of rocketing people to other planets, there is hope for the human race.

INTO THE FLAMES

 In the book of Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish men who were set to watch over the affairs of the province of Babylon. The King at the time whose name was Nebuchadnezzar, set up an image made of gold on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He then decreed that everyone should bow down and worship the image. The penalty for non-compliance was death in the form of being thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego soon found themselves in a difficult situation as they refused to follow the King's decree and remain faithful to the one true God. The King summoned the three men giving them one last chance to comply. However, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm declaring to the King, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from your Majesty's hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 NIV) Notice the firmness of their response in the midst of a situation in which their backs were against the wall. There was not a sense of "I hope we get out of this dilemma" or an attempt to try and negotiate with the King. The fact of the matter was even though Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego may perish, there was only one King they served and to whom they would bow down. King Nebuchadnezzar's fury at their response was matched only by the heat of the furnace which he ordered to be heated seven times hotter than usual. The flames were so intense that the soldiers who were ordered to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the furnace were killed by the intense heat and flames. However, to the King's amazement a fourth person whom the King described as "looking like a son of the gods" was walking around in the fire. (v.25) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were ordered to come out of the furnace and they exited unharmed. King Nebuchadnezzar then issued a new decree that any people or nation who spoke anything negatively against the one true God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble for he declared, "no other god can save in this way." (v.29) The King then promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. 

HOPE IS ALIVE

The challenge for us is how do we react when faced with impossible odds? When a season of life seems like it will never end, where do we turn? When we are figuratively speaking "facing the fire", where is our source of hope? There is "another man in the "fires of life." His name is Jesus. He stands with us when others are against us. He supports and upholds us when the bottom drops out from under us. And even when we are staring death in the face as did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, there is another who walks with us through the "valley of the shadow" and delivers His followers safely to their eternal home. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10 NIV) Rejoice! Hope is real and alive in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior for no other god can save in this way!

Peace and Blessings,
Pastor Sheree

A "Captive" Audience

 The corona virus pandemic has certainly held the world hostage in 2020. Some may even say the virus has held us captive for a year. The after effects of being held in captivity can be devastating. The emotional and psychological damage can leave some people struggling to put their lives back together. Those who are resilient can move on with their lives while sadly others can feel there's no longer any reason to live and choose to end their lives. The Israelites knew what it felt like to live in captivity. For over 400 years, they were enslaved by the Egyptians until God sent them a deliverer in Moses. (Exodus 3) However, throughout the Old Testament, the Israelite people continued to experience various seasons of captivity related to their ongoing disobedience to God. At one point in time they were sent into exile under the Babylonians as a result of their failure to follow and worship the one true God.(Jeremiah 52) In Jesus day, the Israelites once again found themselves under oppression and captivity, this time from the Roman government. However, they had received deliverance by the hand of God many times in the past from their oppressors. Moreover, the Israelites had also been promised that one greater than Moses would one day overthrow their enemies once and for all. "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9 NIV)

"Holy Captivity"

 Ironically, the Christmas story is a story of captivity. The Son of God left eternity and became captive in time. He gave up the glories of heaven and became captive in a human body. He lived among His people and became captive to their suffering. He was nailed to a cross and became a captive of the sins of the world to save us. The world today remains captive to sin and its negative influence on our lives. However, the Christmas story continues to remind us that we don't have to remain prisoners to sin. "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship...So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir." (Galatians 4:4,7 NIV) So in essence we have become a "captive" audience. However, our captivity is not that which restricts us and holds us hostage but rather we have become captive to the awe and wonder of the greatest gift we could receive, a baby born into our world to save us from our sins. I encourage you this Christmas not to be a hopeless prisoner to a pandemic but a captive to hope. For hope has a name--Jesus.

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Sheree 

New Life

"He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5 NIV)

  It is no secret that we are in the midst of a serious crisis with the corona virus pandemic. Every day we receive the latest reports through television or other social media of the increasing number of cases as well as those who have died from complications associated with the virus. It feels like we are smothered with darkness and surrounded by death on every side. At my home, we have a bird box attached to our deck. As spring approaches and the weather begins to warm, it is always interesting to see who will be the new occupants of the house. This year it is a pair of house sparrows. As I sat in my den, watching their activity, it occurred to me that these birds live in the same world as I do. Yet, they are not preoccupied with the chaos going on around them but rather they are focused on preparing to bring new life into the world. Yes, while death and darkness right now appear to be our daily companions, we can easily miss out on the reality that new life still takes place. Nature does not deviate from the rhythmic dance that comes with the seasonal changes. God doesn't suddenly change the script on how nature operates when a crisis takes place. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages us not to worry and uses the birds as an example, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:25-26 NIV) 

GOD IS WITH US!

I do not want to imply in any way, shape, or form that we throw fear and anxiety out the window when it comes to this pandemic. We are human and under the circumstances it is quite normal to experience these feelings. To try and cover up our concerns and attempt to quench all fear and anxiety through adopting a "super spiritual" attitude is presenting a false self and denying our humanity. Jesus in Matthew chapter 6 is trying to encourage us not shame us. He is pointing to God's sovereignty over all situations and circumstances. God is with us! 

GOD IS MAKING ALL THINGS NEW

Moreover, in the book of Revelation, John points to new life beyond this world! Many people often get bogged down in the temporary and dismiss the eternal. Yes, we will make it through this corona virus crisis but after all is said and done, if we do not consider things eternal, we have missed a huge message. In the verse from Revelation 21:5, we are told God is making everything new. In the Greek, the present tense is considered a tense of ongoing action. In other words not only is God making everything new (happening right now), He will continue that process, until we reach the final consummation of all things, a new heaven and a new earth. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a beautiful bride dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4 NIV) 

JESUS IS OUR HOPE

New life and the passing away of the old order of things started with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On April 12th, we will celebrate Easter. Although we cannot be together physically, it does not change the reality of Christ's victory over sin and death. No pandemic will ever rob us of the gift of salvation we have received because He is risen! So, let us learn a lesson from our resident sparrow couple that are focused on bringing forth new life in the midst of chaos. Our God is making all things new! He's bringing life out of the darkness and it's because of Jesus!
Have a Blessed Easter!
Pastor Sheree