In step

[RiverOL]

Secret of Success
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do."1

Many years ago God gave his people, the ancient Israelites, a specific goal and with it an unbeatable formula for success. The goal was to claim and possess the Promised Land which, in time, became the country we know today as Israel.

If we want to be successful—that is, in the eyes of God, we also need to discover our God-given life purpose and, with God's help, be totally committed to fulfilling it, and in the process be sure to live in harmony with God's instructions for wholesome living.

It seems to me that far too many people drift through life mostly allowing "life as it happens" to direct and determine their future, rather than specifically choosing the direction and future of their life. To avoid the former, it is imperative to have a clearly defined life purpose with specific goals to fulfill that purpose.

Psychologists have been telling us for years that if we are to be successful, we need to have well defined goals. Furthermore, Victor Frankl, the Viennese psychiatrist, says that "not having a goal is more to be feared than not reaching a goal."

If you want to be truly successful, make sure that you have a clearly defined life purpose and goal that is both realistic and worthwhile. Be sure to get the training you need to be able to fulfill your goal, and determine a plan for fulfilling it. The beginning point is to discover your life purpose-goal, put it into writing—with a specific plan to fulfill it—and commit this to memory and review it constantly. Doing this will program it into your subconscious mind that will help your mind to automatically work on your plans even when you are asleep.

As another has wisely said, "Success is the ability for formulate a worthwhile goal and then employ all of your powers for the achievement of that goal."

Furthermore, and above all, make sure that your life purpose and goal includes planning for your life beyond this life because, as God's Word reminds us: "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to discover my God-given life purpose and goal, and establish a workable plan to fulfill this goal. Help me to get the training needed to be able to achieve this goal, and the determination—with Your help to fulfill it—and do all for Your glory. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

Joseph's Journey
Morning Encounter:
Introduction
This Christmas week, many people will be making all kinds of trips and expeditions to visit family and friends. Going out and about for gatherings of all kinds is an important part of Christmas. Journeys were also part of the original Christmas story. Travel with us this week as we explore the various journeys that took place, culminating with the birth of the Saviour.

Read:
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:
Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
And they will call him, Emmanuel.
(Matthew 1.18–23)

Reflect:
Joseph’s journey begins with the unwelcome news that his bride-to-be is pregnant. You can only imagine the shame, anger and sense of betrayal he must have felt. But then he has a dream. In the midst of confusion, fear and anxiety about what lies ahead he chooses surrender, faith and hope.

Respond:
Take time to read these words a few times and reflect on your own journey of faith.

Midday Meditation:
‘It need not discourage us if we are full of doubts. Healthy questions keep faith dynamic. In fact, unless we start with doubts we cannot have a deep-rooted faith. One who believes lightly and unthinkingly has not much of a belief. One who has a faith which is not to be shaken has won it through blood and tears – has worked his or her way from doubt to truth as one who reaches a clearing through a thicket of brambles and thorns.’
(Helen Keller)

Evening Reflection:
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
(From the hymn: ‘Be Thou My Vision’)

 

[RiverOL]

Flying High
"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."1

In the devotional book, Today in the Word, the writer tells the fable about a frog and a duck who shared a pond. They developed a close friendship as they talked and played together. But when the hot summer sun began to evaporate the water in the pond, the duck decided to fly to a larger body of water. Not wanting to be left alone, the frog suggested that his friend and another duck hold a stick in their bills so he could hang onto it with his mouth. In that way they could all fly to another pond.

As the three were flying high overhead a farmer looked up, saw the frog clinging to the stick by his mouth, and exclaimed, "What a brilliant idea! I wonder who thought of that?" Without hesitation the frog said, "I did!" And he was done!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me not to be carried away with pride, but to be truly grateful to and for all the people who have contributed to my life and helped get me to where I am today. For without Your help and their help I would not be where I now. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Proverbs 16:18 (NIV).

 

[RiverOL]

Gabriel's Journey
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John."
(Luke 1.11–13)

Reflect:
The angel Gabriel appears to Zechariah whilst he is on duty in the temple, informing him that his prayers had been heard. A while later, Gabriel also appears to Mary to tell her that she also will give birth to a son (Luke 1.31). Gabriel’s first appearance was to Daniel almost 500yrs before to speak to him of the Messiah’s birth. Interestingly, each time Gabriel appears – whether to Daniel, Zechariah or Mary, his appearance is overwhelming and he reassures them not to fear.

Respond:
Does the possibility of encountering an angel today thrill you with excitement or overwhelm you with fear?

Midday Meditation:
'Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs.'
(Francis de Sales)

Evening Reflection:
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honour and glory and blessing!”
(Revelation 5.11–13)

 

[RiverOL]

Asking For Help Stinks!

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble—James 4:6

So, carrying burdens is something for which we are built . . . and something which we are supposed to do, as men. God designed us, built us, intends us—to lend our strength to others, to those who need it. “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The problem is, most of us read Scripture one way only: that we are to carry burdens for others. Few read it the other way: that we must allow others to carry our burdens too. We don’t really like that reading. That reading causes our pride to rise up. Like it or not, though, any one of us can carry only so much. Sure, we can “gut it out” with burdens that are too heavy . . . for a while, at least. Before long, however, they begin to grind us down. Anger, anxiety, burnout, depression and despondency, isolation and loneliness, or rebellion and sin emerge . . . simply because we’re neither designed, nor built, nor intended to carry our burdens alone. “One's pride will bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23).

Is there something you’re carrying that’s feeling too heavy? The burden of being a provider? Fears about finances . . . about work? The burden of children living up to expectations, in school, in athletics? A hidden sin? A hidden addiction? Another burden, perhaps? If so, look around for that person with whom God intends you to share it . . . your friend, your wife. Go to them today. Die to pride. Let them in. Explain the situation and let them respond. Fulfilling the law of Christ also means that we must, sometimes, surrender our pride, surrender the images we have of ourselves, get over ourselves, and ask for help. We are meant to live free and fast and light . . . and together.

 

[RiverOL]

Mary's Journey to Elizabeth
Morning Encounter:
Read:
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her.
The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.
(Luke 1:39-45)

Reflect:
Perhaps Mary needed to find someone who would understand her situation, and fortunately there was such a person. So with haste she journeys to her relatives. Their miraculous babies provide a connection between Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth, despite her age is pregnant with a baby much longed for. Mary is young, still a virgin and with a pregnancy she didn’t plan! Elizabeth’s pregnancy is a blessing and delight, signalling her re-entry into society. Mary’s pregnancy carries all kinds of misunderstandings and potential for exclusion from society.

Respond:
Our journey of faith in God is never straightforward. There is at times great mystery. How do you relate to this today?

Midday Meditation:
'Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.'
(Philip Yancey)

Evening Reflection:
When we were children,
we thought and reasoned
as children do.

But when we grew up,
we quit our childish ways.
Now all we can see of God
is like a cloudy picture
in a mirror.

Later we will see him
face to face.

We don’t know everything,
but then we will,
just as God completely
understands us.

For now there are faith,
hope, and love.

But of these three,
the greatest is love
(From 1 Corinthians 13)

 

[RiverOL]

The Power of Prayer

"And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever."1

King David believed in prayer as did every man and woman of God in the Bible. Jesus himself practiced prayer and reminded us of its importance. Paul also emphasized the importance of prayer as does every true follower of Jesus.

God wants us to pray without ceasing. Why? Because he wants us to stay connected to him and, in so doing, have ongoing fellowship with him. He encourages us to seek the wisdom and direction he has promised to those who commit their way to, and put their trust in him.

To get prayer answered we need to pray with right motives, a thankful heart, in faith believing God answers prayer, and with persistence.

We also need to pray with the knowledge of God's promises—what he will and won't do. He always wants what is best for us so it is very important to pray in harmony with his will as found in his Word, the Bible.

One of the many promises of God that I particularly appreciate is also from David: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who revere him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, may the manner of my life, the desires of my heart, and my prayers always be in harmony with your will so you will do as you have promised and grant the desires of my heart. Gratefully in Jesus' name."

1. 2 Samuel 7:25, (NIV).
2. Psalm 145:18-20.

 

[RiverOL]

John's Journey
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You, my son, will be called
a prophet of God
in heaven above.

You will go ahead of the Lord
to get everything ready
for him.

You will tell his people
that they can be saved
when their sins
are forgiven.

God’s love and kindness
will shine upon us
like the sun that rises
in the sky.

On us who live
in the dark shadow
of death
this light will shine
to guide us
into a life of peace.
As John grew up, God’s Spirit gave him great power. John lived in the desert until the time he was sent to the people of Israel.
(Luke 1.76-80)

Reflect:
The old Priest Zechariah, after a time of imposed silence, is now able to speak and he utters a Holy Spirit inspired prophecy about the coming Messiah and his new son John. Zechariah tells us that John’s journey will be one of a prophet. This is big news as the Jewish people had not had a prophet for centuries. He would also prepare the way for Jesus. John’s life began with a series of unusual events; perhaps it was no surprise that he became this wild prophetic man who lived off honey and locusts in the desert! Certainly John’s journey was unique.

Respond:
In what ways has your journey of faith been predictable or unpredictable?

Midday Meditation:
‘The way of Jesus cannot be imposed or mapped — it requires an active participation in following Jesus as he leads us through sometimes strange and unfamiliar territory, in circumstances that become clear only in the hesitations and questionings, in the pauses and reflections where we engage in prayerful conversation with one another and with him.’
(Eugene H. Peterson The Jesus Way)

Evening Reflection:
As a prisoner of the Lord, I beg you to live in a way that is worthy of the people God has chosen to be his own. Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other. Try your best to let God’s Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace.
(From Ephesians 4)

 

[RiverOL]

The Power of Stickability

"Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world."1

According to a television documentary, the cheetah survives by outrunning its prey. It can sprint up to seventy miles per hour, but only in short bursts. While it has a very lithe body that is built for speed, it has a tiny heart which gives it no staying power. Unless it catches its prey in its first burst of energy, it has to give up the chase.

When it comes to serving God and doing his work there are many "cheetahs." They start well with great enthusiasm and great vigor but finish poorly. As soon as the way gets rough and life tough, they tire and abandon the cause and drop out of the race. What is needed is not more speed but more staying power.

We all need bigger hearts for the greater abilities of stick-ability and dependability.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me not to be a 'cheetah,' but rather to have staying power to be what You want me to be and do what You want me to do. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 2 Timothy 4:10.

 

[RiverOL]

Journey to Bethlehem
Morning Encounter:
Read:
About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David’s hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David’s family.
Mary was engaged to Joseph and travelled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.

(Luke 2.1-7)

Reflect:
Luke tells us of the long journey that Joseph and a heavily pregnant young Mary make to Bethlehem. It was a journey of several days, covering some 80 miles. That long and difficult journey would have given plenty of time for them to recall the extraordinary events of the past few months – the visit of the angel, the prophecies, the miraculous pregnancy, and the journey to see Elizabeth. Carrying all these memories and the unborn Son of God on their way to Bethlehem they must have felt great hope and wonder, yet perhaps also uncertainty and fear of what might lay ahead.

Respond:
Reflect on the mixture of emotions that Mary must have experienced. How does this connect to your own faith journey? Where have there been times of awe, excitement and anticipation? What about times of confusion and uncertainty?

Midday Meditation:
Christ of the cosmos, living Word,
come to heal and save…
Incognito, in our streets,
beneath the concrete,

between the cracks,
behind the curtains, within the dreams,
in ageing memories, in childhood wonder,
in secret ponds, in broken hearts,

in Bethlehem stable, still small voice,
Word of God, amongst us.

(Advent Reading from Iona Community)

Evening Reflection:
Praise the Lord,
the God of Israel!
He has come
to save his people.

Our God has given us
a mighty Saviour
from the family
of David his servant.

Long ago the Lord promised
by the words
of his holy prophets
to save us from our enemies
and from everyone
who hates us.

God said he would be kind
to our people
and keep
his sacred promise.

He told our ancestor Abraham
that he would rescue us
from our enemies.

Then we could serve him
without fear,
by being holy and good
as long as we live.

(From Luke 1)

 

[RiverOL]

Burdens . . . Bad?

Count it all joy, my brothers—James 1:2-4

This age regards the burdens of struggle/hardship/pain as simply bad, to be avoided at all cost—the loss of a job, loss of a career, loss of financial stability, loss of an image, loss of a marriage. So we medicate, distract, deny—anything to make them go away. And, when we just can’t, we direct our frustration toward God: “Where are you?” “How could you allow this?” But . . . what if . . . these burdens are actually good things? Constructive things? What if they have a purpose? What if they’re not random things, but parts of a program to make us more mature, more focused, more rugged, more fruitful? Jesus taught that God prunes “every branch that does bear fruit,” so that “it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). And, indeed, most men will concede that—while they’ve certainly not enjoyed the struggle/hardship/pain of the past—they do like the people they’ve become as a result. They prefer their post-burden selves to the men they were before. Maybe we’ve got this upside down. Maybe we need to think differently about struggle/hardship/pain? Maybe the words of James aren’t so crazy? “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Are you going through something tough, right now? If not, enjoy this time. If you are, recognize the pain. Talk about it with trusted friends. But don’t try to escape it. Let it do its work. And, trust that it will not last forever. Trust that, after a little while, it’ll go away and you’ll emerge a better version of you.

 

[RiverOL]

The Shepherds' Journey
Morning Encounter:
Read:
That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Saviour was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.”

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said:
“Praise God in heaven!
Peace on earth to everyone
who pleases God.”

After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay.
When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. Everyone listened and was surprised. But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant.

As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.
Eight days later Jesus' parents did for him what the Law of Moses commands. And they named him Jesus, just as the angel had told Mary when he promised she would have a baby.
(Luke 2.8–21)

Reflect:
Shepherds in general suffered from a bad reputation in the ancient Near Middle East. Their vocation meant they were unable to keep ceremonial laws, they were considered unreliable and not allowed to give testimony in the law-courts. But it is to these ‘salt of the earth’ types that the angel comes with good news, joyful news – a Saviour – the expected Messiah has been born! Extraordinary news coming to very ordinary people! Christ the Lord, born not in a palace, but quietly, humbly in the back streets of Bethlehem.

Respond:
Reflect on how you first heard the news about Christ. Who were the messengers God sent to you to proclaim this wonderful news?

Midday Meditation:
‘So let us light a candle for the Christ child, for the infant Jesus, the Word made flesh. Let our hearts glow with that light that was in him, so that we become candles through which his light shines still… Your heart and mine can become the little town, the stable, the manger…even now. Let a new day, a new you, a new me, begin. Let there be light.’
(Brian McLaren We Make The Road By Walking)

Evening Reflection:
A child has been born for us.
We have been given a son
who will be our ruler.

His names will be
Wonderful Advisor
and Mighty God,
Eternal Father
and Prince of Peace.

His power will never end;
peace will last forever.

He will rule David’s kingdom
and make it grow strong.

He will always rule
with honesty and justice.

The Lord All-Powerful
will make certain
that all of this is done.

(Isaiah 9.6–7)

 

[RiverOL]

A 'Yes' Face

'Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, 'Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!'"1 That is, Nathanael was an open-faced, honest, genuine man.

Charles Swindoll wrote how "During Thomas Jefferson's presidency he and a group of travelers were crossing a river that had overflowed its banks. Each man crossed on horseback fighting for his life. A lone traveler watched the group traverse the treacherous river and then asked President Jefferson to take him across.

"The president agreed without hesitation, the man climbed on, and the two made it safely to the other side of the river where somebody asked him: "Why did you select the President to ask this favor?

"The man was shocked, admitting he had no idea it was the President of the United States who had carried him safely across. 'All I know,' he said, 'is that on some of your faces was written the answer, 'No,' and on some of them was the answer, 'Yes.' His was a 'Yes' face."2

Years ago when I was involved in counselor training, a fellow student wept with me when I was sharing the buried grief I had over the death of my little sister when I was only five years of age. I vividly recall how, when she wept with me, I looked into her face and as clear as crystal I saw the face of Jesus. Sue certainly had a 'Yes' face. And we could undoubtedly say that Nathanael had a 'Yes' face.

When people see me coming or when they meet me, what is their reaction? I trust and pray by the grace of God that I too, will always have a 'Yes' face.

Suggested Prayer: Dear God, I pray that by Your grace, like Nathaniel that I will be a man in whom there is no guile, that I will always be open-faced, honest, and authentic. Please help me to have a 'Yes' face always in all ways for your glory. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

The Wise Men's Journey
Morning Encounter:
Read:
When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?”

They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote,
’Bethlehem in the land
of Judea,
you are very important
among the towns of Judea.
From your town
will come a leader,
who will be like a shepherd
for my people Israel.’”

Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too.”
The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star.

When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.
(Matthew 2.1–12)

Reflect:
Tradition suggests the journey of the Wise Men takes place a couple of years after Jesus was born. They are holy men from a foreign religion journeying to visit a new king born in Jerusalem. Naturally they turn up at King Herod’s palace – where else might you expect to find a king? According to Matthew’s gospel they too are guided by a star and they come bearing expensive gifts for a king.

Respond:
May each gift you give and receive this Christmas time remind you of the gift of Jesus to each one of us.
Midday Meditation:
‘Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world.
The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son.
The only requirement is to believe in Him.
The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.’
(Corrie Ten Boom)

Evening Reflection:
Hark the herald angels sing,
Glory to the new-born king.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!

 

[RiverOL]

Being Available

"And he [Abraham's servant] said, 'Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.'"1

According to Joe Sandven in Church Worship, "At the time the Titanic hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic, a ship by the name of the Californian was only ten miles away. Unfortunately, the Californian had tuned out and had turned off its ship's radio.

"The Carpathia was a greater distance away, but its radio was on. This ship heard the distress signal of the Titanic and came to the rescue as quickly as possible, but many lives were lost by the time she arrived. Once she arrived she was able to save hundreds of lives. But it was the Californian that could have been instrumental in saving many, many more lives had she only been listening."

When it comes to serving God, personal experience has taught me that if I am always "tuned in and on the ready" and available, God always opens doors of opportunity for service.

The key is to keep our "spiritual listening" turned on at all times and be available for God to use us. As another has said, "The greatest ability is availability."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to live in tune with You and in obedience to Your Word and always be available to do Your bidding. Give me a loving heart, a listening ear, and a willing attitude so that I will always be obedient to Your leading. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Genesis 24:27 (KJV).

 

[RiverOL]

Jesus' Journey
Morning Encounter:
Read:
In the beginning was the one
who is called the Word.
The Word was with God
and was truly God.
From the very beginning
the Word was with God.

And with this Word,
God created all things.
Nothing was made
without the Word.

Everything that was created
received its life from him,
and his life gave light
to everyone.

The light keeps shining
in the dark,
and darkness has never
put it out.

God sent a man named John,
who came to tell
about the light
and to lead all people
to have faith.

John wasn’t that light.
He came only to tell
about the light.
(John 1.1-8)

Reflect:
Unlike Matthew and Luke who introduce us to Jesus through genealogies and birth narratives, the author of John’s gospel speaks of the ‘Word becoming flesh.’ The opening statements echo the ‘In the beginning’ of Genesis. He is the same God who created the universe. References to life, light and darkness continue to draw on key themes from Genesis. This Word that was God also took on humanity and lived amongst us. More literally Jesus ‘pitched his tent’ among us. Previously God’s presence had been confined to tabernacles and the Temple – now God takes up residence through the Spirit in his people.

Respond:
Light some candles and read these amazing words from John 1 a few times.

Midday Meditation:
‘The incarnation is a kind of vast joke whereby the Creator of the ends of the earth comes among us in diapers... Until we too have taken the idea of the God-man seriously enough to be scandalized by it, we have not taken it as seriously as it demands to be taken.’
(Frederick Buechner)

Evening Reflection:
Light of the world,
You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore you,
hope of a life spent with you.

And here I am to worship,
Here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that you're my God,
You're altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me.

King of all days,
Oh so highly exalted –
Glorious in heaven above.
Humbly you came to the earth you created.
All for love's sake became poor.

 

[RiverOL]

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God—Romans 3:23

Confession—real, raw confession—is a critical component of a healthy spiritual life. It’s also an essential element of robust Christian brotherhood. We may not want to admit it, but we men need to be known, truly known . . . and be accepted by our brothers still. We’ve all believed, though, that to be accepted we can project images that are only partially accurate. It seems so right, at first. But make no mistake—it’s not. It’s a lie from our enemy. As long as we conceal parts of our lives, we cannot know the true depth of friendships. As long as we hide, brotherhood is never tested. As long as we hide, we harbour doubts: would they stand by me, if they knew the real me? This leads to shame, and we forsake the compassion of true Christian community. “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Moreover, if friends see us only partially, they cannot fight for us—because we obscure what’s going wrong. But we’ve all “sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And when we fall short, we need others to see . . . to step in, to help, and to pray. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another . . . pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power” (James 5:16).

You must figure out what to confess and to whom. What is easy: whatever you haven’t already. There shouldn’t be anything in your life that someone doesn’t know. Who requires you to ask God and to search your own heart. He’s put men into your life specifically for this type of transparency. Reach out to them today and have a conversation.

 

[RiverOL]

Choose Joy
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.
(Philippians 4.4-9)

Reflect:
Joy is not a feeling in the way happiness is. Paul here gives some very practical instructions about how, through discipline, we can live joyfully. Firstly, we must live prayerfully, and take our anxieties to God. Secondly, we must develop a habit of gratitude and thankfulness.Thirdly, we must allow the gift of God’s peace to lead our feelings, and not let our feelings dictate our thoughts and beliefs. Fourthly, we must take control of our minds and set them to thinking in edifying and God-honouring directions. Joy is not out of our reach. Joy is something we choose.

Respond:
Today Lord, I choose joy. Today I choose to hold firm to what I know to be true – that you are good, that you are loving, that you are with me. Give me your peace and fill me with your Spirit. Amen.

Midday Meditation:
'Nothing happens automatically in the spiritual life. Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. It is a choice based on the knowledge that we belong to God and have found in God our refuge, and our safety and that nothing, not even death, can take God away from us.'
(Henri Nouwen)

Evening Reflection:
'If we answer the call to discipleship, where will it lead us? What decisions and partings will it demand? To answer this question we shall have to go to Him, for only He knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ who bids us follow Him, knows the journey’s end. But we do know that it will be a road of boundless mercy. Discipleship means joy.'
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship)

 

[RiverOL]

Little Foxes

"Catch the foxes for us, The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards, While our vineyards are in blossom."1

Today in the Word shared how "researchers who had made repeated dives to the wreckage of the Titanic challenged the accepted theory that an iceberg tore a 300-foot gash in the side of the ship. The ship's bow is mired in m&d, but the team 'looked' at the hull using sound waves. They concluded that the damage is 'astonishingly small,' just six small gashes along the starboard hull. Unfortunately, the openings were made at the worst possible place, along six watertight holds."

Little things can do great damage: a little lie here, a little cheating there, a little stealing, a little gossip, and/or a little unresolved conflict—like a little gash in a mighty ship—can open a floodgate of damage somewhere down the track.

Any holes in your life? Any in mine? Let's not neglect them. Let's get smart and, with God's help, take care of them today—before they sink us.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see the 'little' things in my life that, if I fail to resolve them now, they may 'burn out of control' farther down the line. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Song of Solomon 2:15 (NASB).

 

[RiverOL]

The Source of Joy
Morning Encounter:
Introduction:
Happy Christmas! Today is a day of celebration as we reflect on the wonder of Jesus coming to earth. We are past the shortest day of the year here in the UK, but the dark winter will be with us for some time longer. The good news is that for a Christian, joy is not weather dependent. It is not dependent on anything other than the reality of Jesus and his Spirit within us. Stay with us this week, as we explore the joyful Christian life.
Read:
The true light that shines on everyone
was coming into the world.

The Word was in the world,
but no one knew him,
though God had made the world
with his Word.

He came into his own world,
but his own nation
did not welcome him.

Yet some people accepted him
and put their faith in him.

So he gave them the right
to be the children of God.

They were not God’s children
by nature or because
of any human desires.

God himself was the one
who made them his children

The Word became
a human being
and lived here with us.

We saw his true glory,
the glory of the only Son
of the Father.

From him all the kindness
and all the truth of God
have come down to us.
(John 1.9–15)

Reflect:
The darkness of our world is very real and very pervasive. Evil people do evil things; there is corruption, injustice, pain, and depravity everywhere you look. What possible reason do we have to be joyful in the face of such horror? In the same way that the sun is the source of our planet’s daylight, Jesus is the source of our joy. He is 'the true light that shines on everyone.' His glory and his love pierce the inky blackness of our world; his birth, his death and his resurrection give us unshakeable grounds for joy.

Respond:
If you can, light a candle (if you can’t, just put your imagination to work). Reflect on the imagery of light and darkness used by John to capture what the incarnation means. What is the connection between light and joy?

Midday Meditation:
'In our natural state we pray to God to get things. We may believe in God, but our deepest hopes and happiness reside in things as in how successful we are or in our social relationships...For most of us, he has not become our happiness…When we discover that we have been mired all our lives in forms of self-salvation…we turn to Christ…Being delighted in him and delighting him become inherently fulfilling and beautiful.'
Tim Keller, Prayer

Evening Reflection:
'The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world… The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ.'
(From Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 1)