For the New Year: A Confession, A Profession, and an Invitation

 

The Confession

It's that time of year again. No doubt there will be many who will be glad to see the end of 2020. I should caution though, that turning the calendar to a new year does not guarantee that the next will be any better. That goes for every year. It's a way to mark time, but most things will carry on as they have been. Don't get your hopes up. Fairy Godmother isn't waiting to say "Bibidebobideboo" and transform us into a different reality. As the saying goes, "time will tell."

Now, here is where I get personal. I chose the title for this post because I do have three things that I want to express. I hope you bear with me if this drones on overly much. I'll try to be succinct.

Firstly. I have, over the last nine months or so, become quite intrigued with the Covid-19 story. Or more precisely, “stories." If you have read my Facebook posts, or engaged me in conversation, you will by now understand my convictions regarding this issue. It is one that has forced most of us into certain camps, depending upon your perspective, which will be influenced by many factors, not the least of which is your news source. It cannot be ignored, as it colours and controls nearly every aspect of our daily lives. Not the virus itself, but the actions of those who hold the reins of power over the entire globe.

I admit, here and now, that these have been the most difficult nine months of my life. I know I am certainly not alone. And I realize that many, many others have had much more serious, and even deadly, situations to endure. The passion that I feel for my convictions springs out of my zeal for truth. For honesty. For freedom and justice. When I post something on Facebook, I am not whining (as some have alluded to) or simply stamping my foot in defiance and wanting my own way. I am sincerely burdened by what is happening in the world. My conviction, if I can stuff it into a nutshell, is this. There are some in power that have planned this pandemic. It is the greatest plot against humanity since the serpent slithered up to Eve and spewed his lies. Or should I say, it is all part and parcel of his plan. We are being assailed by propaganda that is meant to terrify us into compliance to restrictions that have no scientific basis, by those who plan to bring every facet of civilization to its knees, and then force us to accept their criminal remedies. 

Now, I don't intend to go into detail about how I have come to my conclusions. Suffice to say it has been a journey. An ongoing revelation of just how depraved and evil mankind is capable of being. I often say to myself, "if it were only a mere virus that we need to worry about." I won't try and build my case, but I will say, if you are believing mainstream media regarding the virus, and you think that the intentions of those in power are benevolent in nature, please do some more research. Don't write those of us off who disagree with the narrative as conspiracy theorists. The things we believe are not theories. They are facts. Mankind is heading in a terrible direction, and millions are blind to what is ahead. 

So. My “confession" is this. I have let my zeal for truth regarding the virus overtake and weaken my zeal for the truth of God. What He has revealed to us regarding Who He is, who we are, sin, grace, salvation, heaven, hell and Jesus Christ. I have put Jesus Christ into the back seat while I have forged ahead along the highway of Covid-19. I confess publicly what I have confessed to Him privately. I have become caught up in current events, the media, public opinion vs. science, anything and everything to do with Covid-19. To the extent that it has had a detrimental impact on my health. And I am pretty sure that this is not how a Christ loving, Bible believing, God trusting person should be reacting to this crisis. In fact, God tells us in His word to be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6), and that He is sovereignly in control of all events (Ephesians 1:11). 

Another regrettable aspect of my obsession is that I have wasted time. Lots of it. Going from video to video, article to article, oftentimes reading and listening to things I have already read and listened to numerous times. It can become a monster that you have to keep feeding, and, like any obsession, it can rob you of huge chunks of time and opportunities to accomplish things that have use and value. I am not saying that we should not research and learn the truth of what is taking place, now more than ever. But a line is crossed, and interest turns to addiction. At that point, we cease profiting, and start losing. I believe I crossed that line.

Time is so important. I often think of my own mortality, and I pray that God would, as scripture says, teach me to number my days (Psalm 90:12), so that I would have a heart of wisdom. Since I first became a Christian, the urgency of the gospel message has gripped me. We are only given so much time in this life. So much of what we do, create and accomplish has no value except for as it is useful in the here and now. But time is a gift, a resource that we can use wisely. Scripture has taught me that time is most wisely used when God's will is done. And a big part of His will is to have the gospel preached. I'm no preacher, but I do realize the immeasurable value of the truth of the gospel. I have that truth, that knowledge. And I need to be spreading it. That is what my priority should be. Making Jesus Christ known in whatever way God allows and enables me to do. To convince others of His beauty, not to convert them to my beliefs about Covid-19. End of my confession.

The Profession

Now for the profession. I use the word as defined in this way, by Merriam-Webster: “an act of openly declaring or publicly claiming a belief, faith, or opinion.” Again, if you have seen any of my Facebook posts, you may have gathered that I profess to be a Christian. I will state that in more detail here.

I am a Christian, a person who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Meaning that I have acknowledged my need to be saved, realizing that I am a sinner who cannot save themselves. I believe in the God of the Bible. When I was forty years old, I realized that, although I was raised a Catholic and believed in God, I was not truly a Christian. I was still counting on being “good enough” to go to heaven. God in His mercy revealed to me that the only way of salvation, and of having a right relationship with Himself, was through Jesus Christ. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). This was clearly a life changing time for me. My world was turned upside down, or rather, downside up. Things I once loved I hated, and things I used to scorn or ignore became precious.

This new life brought new priorities, and a different world view. I live in light of eternity, realizing that this life is a mere breath. We all have eternity to face. God holds us all to the same standard. Belief in God, or sincerity in any faith is not good enough. God demands holy perfection. Jesus Christ lived that perfect life and suffered and died in our place. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you are perfect. It means you trust in what Jesus has done, and not what good you have done. You can never do enough.

The Invitation

And now the invitation. Please. If you want to discuss either COVID-19 or Christianity, get in touch with me. You can message me on Facebook or email me at maureenb54@gmail.com. I am sincere when I say to whoever is reading this that I love you, and I am more than happy to discuss either of these things with you. I don’t invite debate, but only honest questions from those who are unsure of their stand on these topics. I am neither scientist nor theologian, but I have come to firm conclusions, and am burdened that others would know the truth, and be set free.

A friend posted this on Facebook yesterday:” What should concern us more as Christians….people dying a bit sooner, or people dying without Christ?” It echoes my thoughts of late. I know what concerns me is the latter.  As well, I recently heard a sermon where I was challenged to decide which was more important: my reputation, or my love for Christ. I have been thinking about doing this post for a while now. I want this year to be different. For myself to be more obedient to God. And for others to know truth. Whether about COVID-19, or, most importantly, about Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year to you. May God reveal Himself in a marvelous way in all our lives. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Another Year

Another year You give us,

The old we leave behind.

It had its joys and sorrows;

So many come to mind

 

Each day’s a gift; we’re told this,

Each morning mercies brings.

We take so much for granted,

Our minds on other things.

 

But Lord please make this New Year

A year that changes hearts.

A year that draws us closer.

A year that makes new starts.

 

So often we are guided

By voices insincere.

Their constant repetitions

Seem always in our ear.

 

But if we want true wisdom

You’ve given us the key.

Your Word is what is needed;

It’s truth that sets us free.

 

Not as the world would give us

This truth you offer there.

And peace, till now elusive

Is what you gladly share.

 

When at our rope’s end, fainting

We humbly, stumbling come,

You lift the burden gently;

At last, we find our home.

 

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and

carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

(Matthew 11:28)

Those He Loves

God's Word is my Instructor;

He speaks through it to me,

And gives me faith to hold up,

A shield, that eyes don't see.

And yet it gives protection,

For yea, the devil sends

So many fiery darts that

Would try to bring faith's end.

His Word contains all wisdom,

The very words of Christ!

How oft I do neglect them

And seek those things so trite.

Yet still He prompts me forward

He will not let me rest!

And when He deems it needful

He brings another test.

These are not meant to break me

But sent to make me see

How much I need my Savior

How great His love for me.

It's only looking backward

Long 'ere the trial's through

That I see how He held me

And in some way, I grew.

Most surely in my knowledge

Of Him, my gracious King.

He caused my heart to see Him,

He made my voice to sing.

For so He tender cares for

His children, every one.

Applying every lesson

To make them like His Son.

The trials may be painful,

The discipline severe.

But all is perfect made for

Each one He holds so dear.

So if you're in the midst of

Some trial, test, or pain,

Be sure to look to Jesus

For He endured the same.

And as a perfect Son He

Knew where to set His gaze.

He trusted fully in Him

Who sent His Son to save.

When fully resting on Him

And trusting in His love

In perfect peace He'll keep you;

His peace, that's from above.

"Thou wilt keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Look Beyond

Look beyond the obvious

See past all the fluff

Through the mounds of trinkets

Underneath the stuff.

This is not what life is

All these things we see

This is not how we are

Meant to live, and be.

Do not be controlled by

What the others do

They are chasing wishes

Never to come true.

So much is illusion

Meant to snare our hearts

Keep us in a stupor

Till our souls depart.

Do not think that all is

As appears to be

There are forces working

That we cannot see.

So it has been ever

Since the world began

When the serpent slithered

But God had a plan.

He has sent a Saviour

He has sent His Son

If you will find refuge

He's the only One.

 

Things you've not control of
Nor can understand
He is Ruler over
He has all in hand.

Governments and kingdoms

Health and wealth and power

These will all come crashing

In that certain hour.

So if you will look to

Him Who holds all things

Trust Him for the outcome

Who true salvation brings.

If you need a purpose
Reason for Your life

Burdened by a world that's

Full of sin and strife.

Look not unto people's
Promises or plans

They are just as helpless

They are only man

Look instead to Jesus

Lest your fear increase

Bow the knee before him

Then you will find peace.


Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

 I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

(Psalm 2)

My Garden

I look out the window,
Just a glance, and see
Happy blossoms yellow
Facing not to me.

But they're looking outward
Seeking for the sun.
Waiting for the golden rays
That will warm each one.

Presently contented
To be in the shade.
Maybe they are resting
In the One Who made

All things that are living;
Every single one.
He made them for His glory,
He made them through His Son.

Do those flowers yellow
Hear each chirping bird?
Is there some connection,
Are those voices heard?

So they seem to me to
Join with all around
That which likewise reaches,
Stretching from the ground.

All around in nature
Live those things He made
Working all together
In life's grand parade.

How I long to be like
Some sweet, happy bloom.
Growing in the sunlight,
Sleeping by the moon.

Hap'ly taking what my
God has planned for me.
In times of spring or winter.
Content to simply be.

Bringing Him the glory
He has made me for;
Resting in His presence.
Safe, forevermore.

I just finished listening to a sermon on the atonement of Christ. I was moved to try and express in a poem what impacted me so greatly in hearing such a wonderful exposition of scriptures that describe the intention and co-operation of Father, Son and Spirit in the plan of salvation.

Not a Drop

Not a drop was wasted Lord

When You died that day.

Of the precious blood You spilled

T'was the perfect way

To propitiate the wrath

We so true deserved.

It was not stored up for us

But for You reserved.

None of what You suffered there

Was for nothing done.

Nothing spent upon those who

Would reject the Son.

Never Lord, how could we think

That plan would be defeated?

Any suffering be in vain

Its' purpose not completed?

You in wisdom from the start

Did not on us wait.

Else you would have none to meet

At the heavenly gate.

So instead You had a plan;

Full of grace so needed.

So much mercy, so much love

From Your heart proceeded.

Chosen by the Father

'Ere time had begun,

Each by name You called us Lord;

One by one we'll come.

Help us see Your sacrifice

Made on our behalf.

Not for nameless, faceless ones

You endured the wrath.

But instead you poured your grace

On those whose hearts were dead.

Saving us from death eternal,

Giving life instead

We who gave you not a thought

But instead ignored.

From the darkness to the light

You have now restored.

Jesus all the blood you shed

Will in time have bought

Every single chosen soul;

None was shed for naught.

SIT AND PRAY

Come, Thou bidst me, sit with Me

  For a little while, and see

What communion there can be

Sorry Lord, I've often said

Many things run through 

My head;

Maybe later, in a while

Say You'll save for me 

Your smile

Oh my heart, so desperate cold!

Still You bid me

Yes, be bold!

Come My child, the way is clear.

Only mercy now 

you'll hear

Condemnation put away

Come, I bid you

Sit and pray

IN THE MEANTIME

God of Mercy, God of Grace

Seated at the highest place

Looks upon us from above

Blesses us with  perfect love

May our hearts look up to Thee

Seek Thy face, Thou One in Three

Asking, always, for Thy grace

Waiting till we see Thy face

All our moments in Thy hands

Counted by Thee, grains of sand

One day we will be complete
Then in perfect union meet

Standing on that golden shore
Us with Thee forevermore

This "New" Year

Here we are again. According to the calendar, we are in a new year. I must admit, I haven't "celebrated" this annual event for quite some time. Maybe I'm just getting old, but staying up until midnight is not something I deal well with anymore. I like my sleep, and experience has shown me that nothing "magical" happens at the stroke of midnight on December 31st. In my "old/younger" days, New Year's Eve was mainly an excuse to "party-hearty"; that mode of recreation has certainly lost its charm.

It has got me to thinking, though. About all things "new". How in our society we are constantly reaching for them. From the latest and greatest in electronics, from clothes, to houses, to cars, to spouses. We so quickly abandon, and mark as obsolete, the outdated versions of these things, and so many more. The list is, quite literally, endless. There is this unquenchable thirst for what is new, because we are convinced that what is new must be better. I wonder sometimes if we are just dumb sheep being programmed by advertising and the media. We buy more and more "new" stuff, to the point where getting rid of the "old" stuff has become problematic. From a certain angle, this appears, at the very least, counter-productive and silly.

I know that getting older, and maybe it is just the "generation gap" having its effect on my thinking. But I am saddened, and even alarmed by things that I observe in our world. The English language seems to be devolving daily, due in large part to social media. My grandchildren are not being taught cursive writing in school; my grandson had to learn how to "write" his name when he started high school. Prior to that, he only had to write his first name, since there were no other kids who had that name. Once in high school, however, he had to start using his surname.  (This is only one example of things, or values, that have long held a place in our world that have gone by the wayside. There are too many more to explore and capture here.)

Lately I have this new affection for things old and used. I have started to make quilts. A large part of the appeal for me has been using up scraps of fabric, and I feel determined to use as little "new" fabric as possible. I prefer, instead, to seek out fabric from second-hand stores. The same for clothes, books, and anything else that I have need of.  There is this desire to shun the latest "must have", and I do find satisfaction in re-purposing that which might otherwise end up in a landfill.

Why do we crave newness? It is not an altogether bad thing to do. New life is a miracle, be it in plants, animals or humans. It is a miracle because it is God Who gives it and sustains it. We are programmed to create, and this is good. It is one of the ways that we share, albeit dimly, God's image. The problem arises when we worship the creature, and the created thing, rather than the Creator of all. We seek satisfaction where it will never be found, instead of where we were created to find it, in a relationship with Him.

Many are saying that Christ is coming soon. I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe even in my lifetime. I wonder how much worse things will get in this world before He does come. I look around and see such a dichotomy. Parts of the world are filled with people who have nothing, look forward to nothing but hunger and despair and persecution. And then there are the rest of us, happily being led by the promise of fulfillment in financial security, health and well being, fairy tale relationships, material possessions and social status. Meanwhile, the very fabric of our society is being eroded by the breakdown of the family unit. While science and technology advance, we are losing generations to warped value systems and an ever-increasing  tendency to self-fulfillment, divorced from any acknowledgement of absolute truth, let alone an Absolute God. 

Well, I didn't start out to bring a message of doom and gloom. And the good news is, there is hope. I am so thankful that, even though I may not live out my "resolutions" to perfection each day, God's mercies are new every morning. I don't have to wait until 2015 to start again. Each moment that I walk in His light, His blood cleanses me from all sin. And these promises are for anyone who will repent and believe. The world we live in is fallen and broken, but one day it will be made new, restored to the way it was meant to be. He will make all things right, and every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. It may not take place on December 31st of any given year, but it will mark a true, glorious, everlasting change. One that will not grow old, or need to be made "new and improved." It will be eternal perfection, and I am so looking forward to that. Happy New Year.

 

A Christmas Wish

I’ll spell out in a little rhyme
My wish for you this Christmas time.

This season, special though it be
Is not the only time, you see

To celebrate and praises give
For what God did so we might live.

We love to look with tender eyes
On Baby Jesus, where He lies

And wonder at Him, sweet and mild
This precious, tiny, Saviour Child.

But did you know that even now
He reigns above, and we should bow,

Give worship, honour, and adore;
He’s not a baby anymore!

He grew up like us, so He knew
All that we face; He faced it too!

He knows our greatest need is met
When He forgives our sins, and yet

We still resist, and He must move
To open hearts, and to us prove

That He is all we’ll ever need,
And in us place one tiny seed

Of faith that saves, and holds us fast
Until we see His face at last.

And so my wish, my prayer for you
Is that in grace, He would so do

If you have not Him yet received
Into your heart, then I would plead

That you might please consider then
Long past when Chrismas Season ends

This Jesus Christ, Who owns each day;
He is the Life, the Truth, the Way.

 
_________________________________________________________________

At the Cross

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Galations 6:14)

How many things pull my thoughts and my heart away from God? From the truth of Jesus Christ crucified? It all begins, and ends, in that. If I take the truths of the implications of the Cross, and apply them to every situation and concern, I can only find hope. I can only find mercy. I can only find justice. I can only find victory. If I keep the Cross in view, if I imagine a continual cleansing flow, from His wounds, over me, I can only know joy and peace. If I imagine a shadow cast from His Cross, over all the world, over all history, over all the future, hope grows in me. No matter the reports of man. No matter my own inward confusions. They do not decide outcomes. They do not determine truth. Both of these are made complete in the Cross.

Not for a moment only

To lift my weight of sin

Nor simply to grant freedom 

And peace so deep within

But looking unto Jesus

Each moment I believe

Continually, forever

His blessings I receive

His body does not hang there

The nails, the wood, are gone

But in His body, always

The precious wounds belong

They serve as a reminder

Of all that they procured

And in them I find refuge

By them, my heart is stirred

Hi cross has cast its shadow

From 'ere time had begun

it reaches to the future

Its victory is won

His cross has been my portion

Has healed my broken past

It still will lead me onward

As long as life will last

For 'neath the cross of Jesus

So tiny I become

Each care and worry shrinking

Each knot of fear undone

Its shadow is my blanket

Of peace and promised rest

I curl up, safe, contented

His grace becomes my nest

My heart is sure to wander

Play fast and loose with grace

But gently He will bring me

Back to my hiding place

I cling to His dear promise

I gladly run the race

Keep looking unto Jesus

Until I see His face

Our Great High Priest

"Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and Your law is truth" (Psalm 119:142).

There are so many jewels of truth to consider concerning Jesus Christ. One of these is His role as our Great High Priest. I have been reading some chapters in Hebrews over and over again, because the truths there are so astonishing. One that I have come to understand is that Jesus is forever our Great High Priest. He will continue to intercede on our behalf throughout eternity. When I first realized that, I was stunned. To me, it makes an incredible statement about the great love He has for us, and about our need of His intercession and righteousness.

We know that we have no righteousness of our own, and that our only hope is to have His righteousness applied to us. Everything in this world gets old and wears out. Nothing lasts forever. We are continually replacing things: appliances, clothing, cars, buildings, etc. And try as we might, we simply cannot keep these earthly tents of ours around forever; they will most certainly grow old, or sick, and die one day. Yet God's righteousness will be around forever. And we have the righteousness of Christ. I cannot seem to dwell enough on these things. I want to think and ponder over them till they truly penetrate my heart.

What a merciful God we have!

"The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:23-25).

(Originally posted 27.11.08)

God Must Weep

Yesterday on my way to work I listened to a  story on the radio. An elderly lady received a floral bouquet from a good friend. Included in the arrangement was a willow branch. When the time came to discard the flowers, she discovered that the branch had sprouted leaves and roots, and could not bring herself to throw it away. Instead, she asked her caregiver to take the branch and nurture it along. Her feeling was that she had "given it life" and it "should not be thrown away" and that she now had a "responsibility" for it. The tree eventually was planted in a park, and is now a sort of shrine for people who leave rocks with little notes containing prayers underneath. You can find the entire story here in this newspaper article: http://www.theobserver.ca/2012/12/03/in-memoriam-marions-willow-finds-new-home .

Immediately as I heard how she felt responsibility for this new life, and that it should not be thrown away, I thought of the countless lives of unborn children that are discarded in this world. Abortion is an issue that disturbs me deeply. During the recent U.S. presidential campaign, I was horrified to read about Mr. Obama's stand on abortion, including his support of late term, partial birth "terminations" (a procedure you can see demonstrated here, but I warn you it is very disturbing) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUr0jCbcPNc  It is hard to comprehend how such a heinous crime can be condoned in any country or culture, let alone in a "civilized" one.

In the U.S. there is strict legislation aimed at protecting the American Bald Eagle. Here is a brief excerpt from the "Legal Information Institute" website:
Whoever, within the United States or any place subject to the jurisdiction thereof, without being permitted to do so as provided in this subchapter, shall knowingly, or with wanton disregard for the consequences of his act take, possess, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, at any time or in any manner any bald eagle commonly known as the American eagle or any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof of the foregoing eagles, or whoever violates any permit or regulation issued pursuant to this subchapter, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than one year or both: Provided, That in the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a violation of this section committed after October 23, 1972, such person shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
 
Any golden eagle, alive or dead, or any part, nest, or egg thereof........ Boggles the mind, does it not? That more value is placed on a bird than on a human being created in God's image?

How about this news item from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website, March 9, 2012:


Three Toronto men have been fined a total of $10,500 for charges related to harvesting and possessing an endangered plant species on private land.
Jong Hak Lee, Joe Yeal Yu and Seong Gon Lee all pleaded guilty to possessing wild American Ginseng in contravention of the Endangered Species Act and were fined $2,000 each. All three men also pleaded guilty to entering on posted private land in contravention of the Trespass to Property Act and were fined $500 each. Jong Hak Lee pleaded guilty to the additional charge of taking wild American Ginseng in contravention of the Endangered Species Act and was fined $3,000.

They were find thousands of dollars for  harvesting and possessing an endangered plant species on private land. Again, I ask you, does this make any sense at all?

I love God. I love life. I love creation. I love people. But I hate the "world", the way it functions in rebellion to God. Its mindsets, its priorities, its ongoing slide into destruction and depravity. I hate abortion. I hate that it takes the life from innocent babies that God has given to them.I hate the lie that is fed to women in desperate situations; I hate that they are not instead told of the hope that is in Christ, and given loving support to enable them to bring their babies to term, and either keep them or give them to a family who is desperate to have a child to love. I hate the way babies are ripped from the safety of the womb to be tossed out as garbage. If my heart breaks for them, how much more does God's.

If you are reading this and you agree with me, please pray for women who may find themselves contemplating this desperate act. Pray for our governments that they will turn from this wicked legalization of murder. Pray that God would appoint brave leaders that will stand for the rights of those who cannot protect themselves.

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.

Psalm 139: 13-16

Bread of Life

God never does anything by accident. From the things that we "get" right away, to those that make us scratch our heads in wonder, to those things that escape our notice completely. Take for instance the setting for the birth of Christ. He came into this world in a lowly stable, and His bassinet was a rough feeding trough. As for His death, He left this world writhing in agony on a cruel wooden cross.  In between He was raised in a working class family, and spent His ministry years as an itinerant preacher, with no possessions save those He wore or carried with Him.Yet He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and Savior of the world. God's ways are indeed not ours.

Quite often, though, if we consider His ways, we will find the reason for them, and the message intended for us. I love to ponder these things, and if I am not too distracted, Holy Spirit will lead my thoughts, not on a rabbit trail, but along a path dotted with "oh, now I get it" moments. As He does with all whom He indwells.

This morning I watched a sermon on television. It focused on the birth of Christ, and of course mentioned the circumstances of His birth, including the feeding trough that was His crib. Got me to thinking how even at the very beginning God chose to put Him on display in a way that spoke of His being "food".  Not, obviously, as fodder for those animals that may have been present at His birth, but as spiritual food, healing sustenance, meant for mankind to partake of.

Scripture tells us that there is more than a physical life, and a physical food that we require to "live". We see it first in Deuteronomy Chapter 8, and Jesus repeats it again when He is being tempted by Satan in the wilderness:

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘ MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

In John 6:35 Jesus puts into a few words the truth that He alone can give eternal life. He states it again in John 6:51:

 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh. 

Here His offer is twofold: first He offers that supernatural, eternal  life that God alone can give, that life that overcomes death and hell and the grave and brings us to an eternity spent with Him. Jesus goes on to say that this offer of Himself includes the giving up of His physical being, His very flesh. Nothing is spared here; the gift is infinitely sacrificial.

Jesus continues to offer food in other instances. In John Chapter 6 He feeds the crowd of more than 5000 with five barley loaves and two fish. Another time He does the same with seven loaves and "a few small fish" (Mathew 15:34).

Once more He uses bread, and this time wine also, to represent His body and blood at the last supper:

 And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

And again, after His death and resurrection, he offers bread and fish to His disciples at the beach where they encounter Him:

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.  This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead. (John 21:12-14)

The most dramatic instance of Jesus offering Himself up is His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary. Here He becomes the ultimate and final  sacrifice for sin, far overshadowing and outweighing those countless animal offerings that led up to that one perfect and perfecting redemptive act. Here He fulfills His promise to give His life for the life of the world.

At this time of year, food is an important part of the way we celebrate the season. We bake, buy and bring scrumptious treats. Workplaces abound with goodies, families gather 'round sumptuous feasts, and we wrap up chocolates and homemade potions to be given as gifts. It is a time, more than any other in the year, when we share with others what we have been blessed with. It's easy to do, because most of us are blessed with much. But the greatest blessing we can have is to be in Christ, and He is the greatest gift we can offer to others. We have more than enough physical food, but many are starving for that Living Bread. He was meant to be shared. And He is more than enough to go around.