I hope and pray all of you had a wonderful Christmas...

 ...celebrating Jesus and enjoying family. Today I want us to look at the day after the birth of Christ for Joseph and Mary. Luke 2:7 (NKJV) “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” As I meditated on this beautiful story and was trying to look ahead to what was happening on our church calendar, I noticed this Sunday was the day after Christmas. How profound! All of you who have ever had children will be able to relate to the things that I will share. Joseph and Mary, I am sure had wonderful mixed emotions about this Christ child.

1. Imagine Joseph and Mary gazing into the face of Jesus. I have said for years that it is hard to understand the heart of God and His love for us until you have your own children. I started thinking about Jesus’ mom and dad gazing into His face and holding on to Jesus, and of course, my mind went to what we should be doing. What did David say was his one thing he wanted to do? Psalm 27:4-8 (NIV) “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Joseph and Mary and David had a common desire that should be in every one of our hearts. To spend time with Jesus and to gaze upon His beauty. 

2. Imagine Joseph and Mary thinking about Jesus’ future. It is virtually impossible when you have a child to not think about what that child’s future will be. I remember Jeremy and Joshua’s births being so traumatic and thinking God had a great plan. I think about Stephanie being born literally as Tricia was laughing and just imaging what joy she was going to bring into the lives of many. Our minds and hearts were racing with thoughts. With everything spoken to Joseph and Mary, what would be the future of Jesus? A sword will pierce my own soul. I am sure she had such mixed emotions…extreme joy and apprehensive sadness.

3. Joseph and Mary probably started remembering the ancient prophecies of the Messiah. (The Word) Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV) “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)  “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  We need to gaze on the beauty of the Lord, we need to think about our future with Jesus, and we need to remember all the prophecies about Jesus. He is coming again. 

In Luke 2:36-40 (NIV) “There was also a prophetess,...

 Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” As I began to look at the new year I was very aware that it is Christmas time and keenly aware that we will be challenging you to fast with us Jan.1. 21 days.I felt that God wanted me to tie Christmas and fasting together.

We feel at the beginning of 2022…if we can give our first fruits to the Lord…the first of our prayer, the first of our time, the first of our passion, the first of all we are and hope to be, blessings will come! Also, I felt He spoke to me and said that our previous fasting, prayers, and persevering have accumulated before Him and He was about to reveal His great love and presence to us…Himself! 

1. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna had a dedication to God’s House...She never left the temple. 

Luke 2:37 (NIV) “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Church was not optional for her because she had a passion for God’s house. With everything being shaken that can be shaken...get to God’s house...His refuge for us! What could be more important than spending time with God?

2. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna made a choice to worship God night and day. Luke 2:37 (NIV) “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Just an observation: those who make the choice to worship God night and day, thru the bad and good, thru blessed times and rough times, those individuals have peace with God and experience Him more often!

3. To be ready for Jesus to come Anna fasted and prayed. Luke 2:37 (NIV) “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.” Your pastor and church leadership are admonishing you to join with us in fasting and praying beginning January 1. Could it be that 2022 will be your year! Our year! We are asking for 100% participation...we are asking for you to especially join with us starting Sunday January 2 for our Annual week of Prayer. We believe that as we are unified in this fasting and praying that God will reveal Jesus to us in a greater way. Isn’t that the purpose…Jesus to be revealed! 

Merry Christmas! We pray you are moved...

 ...more toward Jesus as we present “Thrill of Hope” Luke 2:8-11 (NIV) “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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Can you imagine these poor shepherds…verse 9 says they were terrified? Well yes! But their terror would soon turn into a thrill of hope. 

1. Come and see. Luke 2:15 (NIV)
¹⁵  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Before you completely brush Jesus off do like the shepherds…Come and see! I understand you may not be totally convinced (I have been there) but don’t stay where you are without at least checking out this beautiful story. As you come and see you may discover the thrill of hope.

2. Good News of Great Joy. Luke 2:10 (NIV) ^“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Think about that statement…Good News of Great Joy! When was the last time you turned on the news and heard good news or great joy?

--There is a wonderful message to the world and these angels were declaring the glory of the Lord and this good news but here is the best news…good news for all the people.

3. A Savior is Born. Luke 2:11 (NIV) “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” I love how the Word of God is so specific. This is not just a savior…this is the Savior…the One and only Savior…Christ the Lord! This is how detailed God is: Acts 4:12 (NKJV) “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." The shepherds found or discovered the Thrill of Hope and you can to. It is wrapped up in Jesus…the Savior of the World. Today is your opportunity. John 1:12 (NKJV) “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

Today we are talking about the joy of Christmas...

...and in particularly the quest of the Magi.  Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Nobody knows who the Magi were, though everyone’s heard of them. They embody the quest for truth, meaning, and purpose in life. 

1. Quest for Truth. One day Herod’s court is disturbed by the arrival of these foreign dignitaries who come asking to meet the king of the Jews. They meet Herod and tell him sorry but this is not the right address to deliver their packages. These truth seekers had followed the clues that drove them west. They see the palace was not the destination but a detour that could be a distraction, so they didn’t stay there. They kept following until they found Jesus. But what do you do when you’re a truth seeker—and you find it? Or rather you find Jesus, Who is “The Way, The Truth and the Life”? What you do when you find him is the test of whether you’re really a seeker or a perpetual wanderer—still lost.

2. Quest for Meaning. Maybe you made a decision once as part of your spiritual journey in life. But that may not mean you’re a disciple. Here is it is. Verse 11 says when they found Jesus, “The Magi bowed down and worshipped Him.” That was what they wanted to do from the start, they set out to follow the star but the quest was not the point, they already told Herod they knew that the end of their journey was the beginning of true worship. They came to worship Jesus.

3. Quest for Purpose. The Magi let what they saw going on in their times and their world take them on a journey, but they did not define themselves as lifelong seekers. When they met Jesus, the search was over! They started as seekers, but when they found him, they became worshippers. They brought themselves, the very best that they had, and literally “offered it” to him. Their gifts represented not so much who they were—because this was no longer about them—but who He is. The purpose of their quest was Jesus! What is your quest today? Matthew 2:11 (NIV) “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

We have been on this series for several weeks...

 ... and today we continue, “Give Us This Day”. Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) “Give us this day our daily bread.” Luke 14:16-23 (NKJV) “Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” It has been on my heart for years for Life Church to grow to one thousand plus and I still do. Sometimes dreams or visions come quickly and sometime you have to wait. But when the time is right: Habakkuk 2:3 (NKJV) ^“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” The vision, if it is God’s vision, will show up at the appointed time and it will be fulfilled. Though it takes some time, keep waiting for it because it will surely come. A thankful heart will trust the One Who said He would build His church.

1. To see Life Church, the Village Campus, and La Vida Church grow of Life Church grow, we must go. We must be convinced that there is an invitation from the Master, from Jesus, that is worthy enough for us to go into the highways and hedges. Plenty of streets and hedges to go into. No where do I get the idea from Jesus that His word to “Go!” is optional or just a pretty good suggestion. Mark 16:14-20 (NKJV) “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Because we call Jesus Lord, because He has the authority in heaven and on earth, we are commanded to go. We see they obeyed…they went out and preached everywhere. Lord, help us do the same.

2. To see Life Church, the Village Campus of La Vida Church grow, we must find Jesus worthy. I don’t know about you, but I believe Jesus is worthy of us being obedient to go into our Jerusalem seeking and wanting to see saved those who are lost. Jesus is worthy of our effort, heaven is worthy of our effort, salvation is worthy of our effort, the banquet is worthy of our effort. We must go because the banquet is ready and there is room at His table.

3. To see Life Church, the Village Campus, and La Vida Church grow, we must compel them to come in. Luke 14:23 (NKJV) “Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Compel - to force or drive, especially to a course of action: to secure or bring about by force. to force to submit; subdue. To urge toward an action. What this is saying to me is this; Jesus is not playing when He tells us to compel them to come in. The Great Commission was never intended to be the great suggestion. 

With Thanksgiving this week, I thought this article...

... would be appropriate. There are many “catch phrases” that circulate through Christendom...sometimes they have great meaning and other times not so much.  One such phrase is, “It is not about me” but reality tells us that most of what we do is about us and it is for us.  Max Lucado in his book with the same title as the phrase It Is Not About Me is attempting to help us see that whatever we do should be done for the glory of God.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV) “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Whatever we do we should be doing for God’s glory and because we are thankful but all too many times “me” gets in the way.

Lucado says, “Our society is not wired for this kind of thinking. It’s a “me-centric” world out there, which destroys much of what should be good. Marriages are ruined because one or both partners are focused on their own happiness. Successful men and women are ruined by their own success, believing they don’t need anyone else’s input. And for some, life’s troubles are magnified because they believe life is all about them.”  The Gospel of Jesus Christ seems to be completely backward to our self-centered lifestyle here in the United States of America. We are taught and are even conditioned to believe that we have the right or entitlement to have what we want when we want it. We simply are not thankful for what we have.

I have said for years that God is not so much interested in our happiness as He is our holiness. He wants us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, follow Him and, of course, be thankful. This seems so difficult when we are so comfortable taking care of number one. Lucado says, “Our comfort is not God’s priority. If it is, something has gone awry. If we are the marquee event, how do we explain flat-earth challenges like death, disease, slumping economies, or rumbling earthquakes? If God exists to please us, then shouldn’t we always be pleased?” The truth is that God does not exist to make a big deal out of us but we should exist to make a big deal out of Him.  It is not about you and for a certainty it is not about me, it is all about Him.  Psalm 34:3 (NKJV) “Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” Let us give thanks!

As we draw near to Thanksgiving it is easier to concentrate...

... on all the things we are thankful for. In light of this series “Give Us This Day” we see in the Lord’s prayer what prayer, worship, and thanksgiving looks like. Matthew 6:9-13 (NKJV) “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” We see worship as a part of prayer…Our Father, Hallowed be Your Name. Worship is definitely one of the main ways that we are thankful for all He has done. If we are thankful for His wonderful salvation and His daily provision, it will be easy to give Him thanks on a daily basis. Before we can truly pray “Lord, Give me this day” we must understand this aspect of prayer along with thanksgiving. Matthew 8:2-3 (NKJV) ^“And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. What Jesus sees in this leper.

1. Jesus sees a man not deterred by the crowd. The multitude was all around Jesus and that can be intimidating for someone who has leprosy or any of today’s societal ills. People can be reluctant to come to Jesus or church because they fear what people will think. What we should think is thank God they are coming to Jesus. They should always be welcomed at Life Church. 

2. Jesus sees a man who is willing to worship before he is healed. Batterson – “Gratitude is thanking God after He does the miracle. Faith is thanking God before He does the miracle.” True people of worship and thanksgiving do not have to see the signs and wonders to worship. They see Jesus as the object of their worship instead of what He can do for them. They know He is their source and that there is really no other help they can run to for their answer.

3. Jesus sees a man who understands the power and the authority He has. The leper came to Jesus worshiping and saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." The leper knew what many of us have forgotten…Jesus is still the answer for today. As you pray “Give Us This Day” make sure you understand Who Jesus is and what He has the authority to do. Give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever!