Category: Emmanuel - Jethro TOOLS

The Gift

12/15/2024

Isaiah 9:3-7
Gift giving is on our minds at this time of year. At times we all struggle to determine what to give that certain someone. If you ask others for advice on what to give, you may hear a wide range of answers including something to eat, something to wear, something to do, or even time with you. Helpful as that list of suggestions may be, we are still left scratching our heads, puzzled by what to give. Perhaps we need to simplify the process. Rather than thinking about what to give the other person, it might be better to think like the other person. Once we begin to think of a great gift from the receivers perspective we will see what they need and value most, then give accordingly. That is exactly what God has done for us. In Isaiah 9 we see that God clearly understands us as people and gives us exactly what we need. Isaiah, under God’s direction, records God’s promise that a child will be born and a son will be given (6). God is making a grand announcement proclaiming what He will do for us. This simple verse describes the human side of a child being born and also the divine side of God giving His son. What is this? This is God, through Isaiah, building in the people the belief that God will come and live with man as God with us, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). The rest of Isaiah 9:6 goes on to describe how this gift from God is exactly what lost and sinful humanity needs. At Christmas our gift giving is a very small imitation of the gift of Jesus himself, that has been given to us. God knew exactly what we needed and gave His Son to forgive us, restore us and give us new life (John 3:16). In Jesus, God has given the perfect gift of salvation that we have deeply desired.

For More See ISAIAH or CHRISTMAS

Confidence in Crisis

12/1/2024

Isaiah 7:1-17
The musical honk of geese grabbed my ear and turned my attention to the ice covered lake. On this wind blown cold winter day the lake had just begun to freeze over. Yet there was a distant silver silhouette of steam that marked open water in the otherwise frozen lake. I strained to see if the geese were there. They were not. Then again and again I heard them until finally they appeared over the trees. There were hundreds of them, all in their signature “V” formation, heading to a warmer climate. Just because I did not see them did not mean they were not there. In the same way, just because I do not see God at work does not mean that He is not there and able to do the impossible. In Isaiah 7 we see that the king has just faced the opposition of two neighboring kingdoms (1). In the process of the failed attack, the prophet Isaiah appeared and challenged king Ahaz and his belief in God (1-9). Ahaz had the opportunity to calmly experience God’s peace in the problem (4), yet he did not have the faith to stand firm in the trial (7-9). In the following verses this plays out in his refusal to believe that God can work (12-13). Regardless, God promised an impossible sign that would challenge this stubborn king and encourage us today. The promise is the birth of a baby who would be called Emmanuel, meaning God with us (14). Like Ahaz, our belief in God for the impossible is required. The only way to find peace in a conflicted world is to trust in God and His salvation. Fear can control us, but God offers His assurance if we believe in Jesus as Savior. Remember that God’s perspective is completely different from what we can see. Just like geese, when He shows up to save us, it is a beautiful sight.

For More See ISAIAH or CHRISTMAS

Wisemen: Worship the God of Grace

12/26/2021

Matthew 2:1-18
Giggles and wiggles… that is the best way to describe grandchildren. The birth of children is a special time for any family, but even more exciting for grandparents. Placed side by side or seeing a picture you will notice that the main similarity between grandparents and the new baby is wrinkles! Grandchildren bring new life and hope for the family to be lived out through this little one. There is a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren often because the stress and pressures of living life are removed. There is an understanding of grace, in that they have done nothing to gain this bond, and yet they get to enjoy the peace and wonder of the relationship. In Matthew 2 we see the Magi come and visit the new born King. These men were not from the nation of Israel yet God, in His grace, displayed a star for them to follow. This sign that they knew and understood led them to the new born King. They did not belong, yet they were invited by God and led by the star to Jesus. Their only desire was to see the King and worship this baby as King. As they worshiped the new born King others ignored Him or worse yet plotted to destroy Him. This Christmas we have a choice in how we worship Jesus, our King and Savior. I hope that we approach Him with wonder, and with joy sit enthralled in His presence, truly honoring Him as the King sent by God to save us. I hope that we clearly understand that the God of the universe sent His one and only Son to not only dwell with us but also to be our Savior. May we like the wisemen seek Him and worship by thanking Him for His gift of grace to us.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Simeon & Anna: Praise for God's Grace

12/19/2021

Luke 2:21-38
Waiting is not an easy thing to do. Lately I have been irritated with other drivers. For example, at a traffic light that just turned green, someone three cars back starts honking their horn because everyone else is not moving fast enough to suit them. Perhaps you have experienced what I am talking about. We do not like to wait in line in traffic, or really anytime at all. We are in an instant society that relies on high speed internet, fast cell phones, microwaves and drive through coffee shops. We don’t like to wait. Very simply, we do not live patiently while waiting. In Luke 2:21-38 we see that Simeon lived a righteous life while he waited to see the Savior as God had promised him. He faithfully followed God’s direction by going to the temple where he saw Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. He then spoke with perception and wisdom about this baby as the Savior for all people. As if on cue, Anna steps in and begins to praise God for the redeemer that God has sent. Both of these people were elderly and had spent many years waiting for this moment. God worked through the patient devotion of Simeon and Anna to spread and affirm His message of the Savior. God’s desire is to develop our devoted faith in Him and our persistent and consistent practice of righteousness. This kind of righteousness is not instant or intermittent devotion that lacks the refinement of persistent faith in God. Simeon and Anna were known as righteous people who lived by faith while they patiently waited for the Savior to arrive. God desires that we persistently follow Him in faith, patiently wait for His return and tell others of our Savior. That is what Simeon and Anna did.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Shepherds: Amazed by Grace

12/12/2021

Luke 2:8-20
In the good old days I spent time listening to my grandfather tell stories about what life was like when he was young. There were stories of farming, fishing and fixing old cars. My favorite is the one about clearing snow. Grandpa lived in a small town that did not have a snow plow. Every time it snowed all the young men in town would gather at the end of the main street. The person in the center would take a shovel of snow and throw it one way. Then others would follow on each side and throw a shovel full of snow toward the edge. As a whole group they gradually formed a “V” and cleaned the road from the center out. Then the next morning all the old cars could travel without getting stuck. For us the good old days are filled with stories for younger generations and memories of better days gone by. However, therein lies a problem. The past is often deceptive because we only remember certain things and grumble about the happenings today. In Luke 2:8-12 the angel presents the message to the shepherds that is good news of great joy… your Savior has been born. This is a message of hope and joy that God has come. Yet often, even today, we look with gloom at the events in our community and the problems in our world while we tell others that they need to change. The message to the shepherds is that Christ has come to save. This is a message of joy that the problems of this life will find their only solution in Jesus. This is a message of hope that we can live a new life of victory through the salvation offered only through Jesus. May our message this Christmas not be about what is wrong, but about the hope and joy that we have in Jesus.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Mary: Servant Because of Grace

12/5/2021

Luke 1:26-38
Often at Christmas time you might be involved in a gift exchange. These times of exchanging gifts may be known by various names, but the concept is a simple way to get everyone in a group involved giving and receiving a gift. Most of the time there is a price limit that is placed on the gifts that are purchased. This limitation gives some structure and balance to the giving and receiving. By following this simple rule everyone is able to participate on an equal level. However, I have been involved in several gift exchanges where you could not spend any money on the gift to be given. That means that you must make something or give something that you already have. Some of those gifts were creative and useful, but I do remember one gift that was a rock. Everyone laughed, but it was completely useless as a gift. In Luke 1:26-38 Mary responds positively by giving herself to be used by God to deliver Jesus the Savior into this world who would in turn be her deliverer from sin. The emphasis of this passage is on God’s enabling work of grace through a servant wholly devoted to Him to bring His message of salvation through His Son, Jesus, to the whole world. The emphasis on our lives today should be no different. In a way, like Mary, God transforms us by His grace and enables us to bring the message of Jesus to the whole world. Our role is to be a servant wholly devoted to God’s position of Master in our lives as He carries out His purpose through our lives. His power in our lives makes the seemingly impossible possible out of our lives. God just wants us to give ourselves fully to Him so He can display His grace through us.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Joseph: Serve to Display Grace

11/28/2021

Matthew 1:18-25
Years ago a movie was produced about three singing chipmunks named Simon, Theodore, and Alvin. One of the songs begins as a peaceful Christmas song… “Christmas time is here again.” In the middle of the song, the constant troublemaker, Alvin, changes the words and sings, “me I want a hula hoop.” The funny thing is that I remember listening to that song on a vinyl record when I was just a wee lad. We can laugh at the self-centeredness of Alvin, but that attitude is prevalent at Christmas and in some of the Christmas characters in the Bible. However, that is not an accurate description of Joseph. In Matthew chapter 1 we see that Joseph was known as a righteous man who sought to live a righteous life that was upright and pleasing to God. He is one of the least known people in the Bible, yet he acts in a way that is unselfish toward Mary by going against his culture and community in order to carry out what God has revealed to him. A righteous and upright life is an important character quality yet it often lacks proper emphasis in the news today. It is easy to do many things and be an important person but it is the quality and character of our life that will be noted and remembered. As we enter the Christmas season we are reminded again of Joseph and the importance of a righteous life. He was noted as an ordinary man who God used, a righteous man that God could use, and a righteous man who lived by faith for God to use. Joseph believed God and his beliefs directed the way he lived and served to display God’s grace. May our lives be ones that are noted for righteousness, usefulness, and faith in God alone.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Zechariah: Saved by Grace

11/21/2021

Luke 1:5-25
I remember my first time in a severe thunderstorm. I was jolted awake as powerful claps of thunder jarred the building and sent flashes of lightning piercing the dark night sky. I literally thought that there was a war going on right outside my window. With my heart pounding in my chest I crept to the window and very cautiously lifted the edge of the curtain. My fear instantly subsided as I enjoyed an electric light show in the middle of the night. How do we respond when something is new or unexpected? In Luke chapter 1 we are introduced to Zechariah, an old priest (1-5), who had an obvious problem. He was old and his wife, Elizabeth, was unable to have children. God sent an angel to deliver a message of hope to Zechariah (8-17) but he responds in fear and unbelief (18-20). Because of his response God made him unable to speak until his son was born. The story of Zechariah is the beginning of the Christmas story, but it is also a story of thanks. Through Zechariah we see the inability of humanity to solve their problems contrasted with the ability of God to solve humanity's problems. God displayed grace to Zechariah by providing a son and solving his problem. The response of Zechariah is praise of God for His salvation. Through his life and the lessons he learned Zechariah pictures the message of the gospel. First is our human inability to deal with sin. Second is God’s ability to provide salvation by His grace through Jesus, His son. God has saved us by grace just like Zechariah illustrated with his life. The outcome is our praise. May our thanksgiving be filled with gratefulness for what we have in God’s unexpected grace.

For more see CHRISTMAS

Darkness and Hope

11/29/2020

Isaiah 8:1-9:2
Growing up, my mother would store canned garden produce and other food items down the stairs, around the corner and under the stairs. Often she would randomly select one of us to go gather a couple of items and bring them up for the meal she was preparing. Often the one that was selected did not want to make the trip. Mom would get serious and then, they finally made the trip to the basement. The problem was that during the delay the others who were not selected often crept quietly downstairs and waited to ambush the unsuspecting sibling. Not only could they not see they also did not know what awaited them in the dark. The people of Israel had spent much time wandering away from God in their own spiritual darkness. Isaiah 8 highlights that God alone has a message that can be trusted and He wants His people to follow Him. The problem is that the people did not trust God yet Isaiah and his family live as an example of trust in God (Isaiah 8:18). Like Isaiah we live in a world darkened by sin. People will still search for solutions for the darkness in their life but neglect the real hope and light that God offers (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). Today, God offers light through salvation in Jesus in contrast to the darkness and gloom of a life without Him. Regardless of the darkness and gloom that seem to surround you trust in God who promises to be Emmanuel, God with us.

For more see Isaiah