Growing in Grace

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea. . . 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.". . . After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. . . On coming to the house, they. . .bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:1-2, 9, 11-12 The word "wise man" referred to a scholar who studied the stars. We don't really know if there were three kings or more. But we do know that they in fact saw the special sign in the sky and followed it to Bethlehem. My children and I attended a presentation at the Tessman Planetarium in Santa Ana a few years ago. The Christian astronomer discussed all the possible explanations of the ...

Here’s our news for 2013. . . The best news is that Dennis’ regular blood work and “anniversary” CT-scan show he continues to be cancer free. We are not without regular reminders that he has walked the cancer road, but we are grateful for his continued health, ability to work, and the time we have to enjoy him. This year we celebrated Dennis’ 50th birthday weekend with a Beatles themed party at Carolyn’s parents’ house, a Quakes baseball game and dinner at Red Robin. Dennis continues to teach at ACA in Redlands and was pleased to be given the same classes as last year - Economics, US History, Government and AP Government. Carolyn is in her 4th year of homeschooling the kids, It remains a challenge and a joy. She was a first time team mom for Ellie’s basketball team. Once again she coordinated the crafts for summer VBS and has started helping out with special children’s ministry events at church. Carolyn is also very happy to be back in a women’s Bible study after having been away f...

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. -Luke 2:19 The lowly shepherds were visited by angels. The angels told them that the Messiah had been born and that He could be found in Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. These shepherds likely traveled some distance from their fields and then searched out the Savior of the world. What must Mary have thought when this group of shepherds appeared in the stable? When she saw them begin to worship the baby, she must have been further amazed? I'm sure she must have wondered how they knew? Did they tell her that they had been visited by angels? We then read that the shepherds began to spread the word about the birth of the King. What a task to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary was a faithful, humble servant; yet I'm sure she spent her life in awe as she watched all that took place surrounding her first born Son. As a mother, I hope to also treasure each moment with my own chi...

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." -Luke 2:13-14   The NIV study Bible notes that "peace is not assured to all, but only to those pleasing to God - the objects of His good pleasure. The Roman world was experiencing the Pax Romana, marked by external tranquility." But as Wiersbe writes, "the absence of war doesn't guarantee the presence of peace." While we may experience peace on land and sea, what we really long for is peace "from passion, grief, and envy. . . (a) peace of heart". (WW)   "The angels proclaimed a deeper, more lasting peace. . . a peace of mind and soul made possible by the Savior. Peace with God is received by faith in Christ, and it is on believers that 'His favor rests.' The Davidic Messiah was called 'Prince of Peace'." (NIV study Bible) ...

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  -Luke 2:11-12   Charles Stanley writes, "When the shepherds found the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, they found 'a Savior who is Christ the Lord.' He came as a sin offering for mankind. He came as the Savior, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies as the Messiah; but He came as Lord of heaven and earth also. . . Jesus Christ is the ruling, reigning, sovereign Lord over all."  Will you let Him rule and reign over all of your life this Christmas?

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." -Luke 2:8-10     Why were the angels chosen as the first to hear the good news of the birth of the Savior? After all, they were considered unclean because of their work, outcasts of society. Warren Wiersbe writes that it was a revelation of God's grace to mankind. Jesus did not come to "call the rich and mighty; He calls the poor and the lowly."   Jesus was not only called the Good Shepherd; He was also the Lamb of God who came to be the final sacrifice for the sins of man. "It was fitting that the good news about God's Shepherd and Lamb be given first to humble shepherds". (WW) "'Fear not!' is one of...

. . . and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son, she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. -Luke 2:7     This is my very favorite Christmas song. It tells the entire birth story of our Lord. He came from a place of honor- the Son of the Most High, fully God - to a humble stable as a tiny human infant. His birth may have taken place in simple surroundings, but there was nothing simple about His coming.  Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth for the sole purpose of dying. Dying for the sins of the world, for you, for me. He brought hope, peace, love, and freedom for all those who would call on His name. Christ is the Lord. He deserves our praise. May you too experience this amazing gift this Christmas season.   

. . .Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken. . . So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth. . . to Bethlehem. . . He went. . .with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. -Luke 2:1, 4-6     "Augustus Caesar was ruling, but God was in charge, for He used Caesar's edict to move Mary and Joseph eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to fulfill His Word." (Warren Wiersbe) Mary and Joseph had accepted God's plan for their lives and they were now a part of God's prophecy concerning the Messiah.  It is interesting to note that Bethlehem means "house of bread", the ideal birthplace for the Bread of Life (John 6:35). (Warren Wiersbe) This part of the Christmas story reminds me that God is indeed in control of all things. When the world seems to be spiraling out of control; we are reminded here that God has a plan. It is also ...

. . . Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph. . .An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. . . She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus because He will save His people from their sins. -Matthew 1:18, 20-21     Joseph was a man of incredible character. He could have - and planned to - quietly divorce Mary. Instead, he didn't worry about his reputation and obeyed the angel's command. By taking Mary for his wife, he accepted God's plan instead of his own.  In doing this, he also agreed to be the earthly father to the Son of God. He chose to make a home for Jesus. He was among the first to call Jesus by name. He was privileged to hold the baby Jesus and care for Him as He grew into manhood.  Joseph's faith and obedience make him a wonderful role model. I love his story.

Mary responded, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. . . .For the Mighty One is holy, and He has done great things for me." Luke 1:46-47, 49     When I think about Mary, I find that I admire her greatly. She was a young woman - girl really - who was visited by an angel and told that she would conceive a child who would be the "Son of the Most High God". Luke 1:29 tells us that Mary was "troubled" at the angel's greeting and "wondered" what it could mean. As Warren Wiersbe says, "Mary's response reveal(ed) her humility and honesty before God. She certainly never expected to see an angel and receive special favors from heaven. There was nothing unique about her that such things should happen." If she had been unique, then her response might have been one of pride and expectation. God chose a humble servant. This is the first thing that stands out to me about Mary. Then Mary seemed...