That’s not a verse from the Bible, but God used it to speak to me this week.  Those words caused me to think about my attitude toward God as a giver and the gifts He has given me.

Honestly, most of the time it is easiest for me to have an ungrateful heart toward God.  I can always think of something I want right now that I don’t have.  Then I think of good things that God has given me that I don’t want because I want something better.

Thinking this way does (at least) two things.  I start to believe God is keeping something good from me, and I start to believe that God doesn’t really know what is good for me because He gave me the “wrong” gifts.

“A lie believed as true will affect our lives as if it were true.”

When I believe those two lies as if they are true then I can’t see God for who He really is.  It affects my relationship with God.

I decide in my heart that since God hasn’t given me the things I want or since He has given me things I don’t want then He must not love me like He says He does.  Or He isn’t really good like He says He is.  Or like Eve I believe that He is keeping something good from me.  I believe I have somehow earned these good things from God and He owes me.

These are all lies that I am believing are true.  But the best news ever is that I don’t deserve any of it, and He gives it to me anyway!  In fact, I deserve death, but He has given me life!

When my thinking starts to turn to lies I need to hear and believe the truth of God.  God does not change.  His love for me never fails, and he is always good.  He has always been and always will be a Father who knows how to give good gifts to his children.  And because of Jesus I can know that I am his child.

What lies do you believe about God?  Don’t let yourself be decieved with lies.  Find the truth that can set you free from those lies.  Live in the Word of God.

(An Adaptation of Acts 20:20-32)

You yourselves know how I have lived among you all from the first day that I began ministering here until now, serving the Lord, I pray, with humility and even with tears at times, and with trials that came to me and us all through the varied issues of life and ministry; and you know how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching at nearly every opportunity I was given, testifying to all of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 And now, I am going to plant a new church in Wentzville, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in His Word that in that city many afflictions and joys await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  And I ask you to hold me accountable, encourage me, and pray for me in this.  

And now, behold, I know not which of you among whom I have been proclaiming the Word will see my face again. Therefore I testify to you this day that believe I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

Dad and Paul, please give diligent, careful attention to yourselves and to all this flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for this church of God, which He obtained with His own blood. You know that after my departure fierce wolves will continue to try to come in among you, not sparing this flock; and from among this very body will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for at least six years now I, only by the grace of God, did not cease to admonish everyone with all sincerity and passion, seeking to be radically Biblical in all things.

And now I commend you all to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are saved and being saved: I go from here with both sad and sweet tears, in blissful peace, in sincere love, and in solid hope! Yet, I will always be fighting this fight with you, even if it is on a slightly different battle field not too far from here.   I will always be thankful of the years of growth and grace while in TCSC.  I will always be praying this prayer for you.  And one day, I will be with you all (I pray) forever enjoying OUR Savior together with you!  I love you all.  To God alone be all the glory both here and now and wherever we go from here forever!  Amen.

In Sincere Love and Serious Truth,

Jason Myers

It is the familiar story of Jesus visiting at the house of Martha and her sister Mary.  While Jesus is teaching, Mary sits at his feet and listens as her sister, Martha, is busy serving.  Martha is bothered by her sister’s actions and tells Jesus to correct Mary.  Instead, Martha receives gentle correction and Mary receives praise.

I used to give up on this short story so quickly.  I never quite understood why Martha was corrected for serving.  When I read these few verses today one word caught my attention, and God used it to bring me some clarity on what he told Martha that day.

Verse 40 says, “But Martha was distracted with much serving.”  Martha is serving Jesus and people, but her service was distracting her from the most important thing, listening to Jesus’ teaching.

Martha appeals to Jesus for her sister’s help, but instead receives a gentle rebuke.  “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

I can imagine Jesus speaking softly to Martha and lovingly correcting her thinking.  Like a father to a daughter Jesus disciplines Martha in order to produce the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in her life.

As I read this I wonder how often I let service distract me from “the good portion, which will not be taken away.”  And when I am distracted, can I hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Anna, Anna, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary”?  And when Jesus corrects or disciplines me do I understand it as love?  Do you?

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  Heb. 12:6

O Come, O Come Emmanuel paints a good picture of Israel longing for a promised Redeemer.  Each verse speaks of God’s people needing a savior:

“ransom captive Israel”
“free thine own from Satan’s tyranny”
“from depths of hell thy people save”

And in between each verse the chorus exclaims with hope the promise of God to send that savior:

“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”

Israel longed for a savior and God promised one.  In Isaiah 7, God tells the king of Judah “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Immanuel means God is with us.  God’s promised savior was to be with his people.

In Matthew and Luke we can read about the birth of that promised savior, of Immanuel, God with us.

The verses of this song remind me of my need and longing for a savior.  I’m reminded of my need to be ransomed from the captivity of sin and to be saved from the depths of hell.  Then the chorus comes, and I can celebrate knowing that Jesus did come and he has saved me.  And on December 25 I can celebrate the birth of Jesus, the promised savior.  And I can celebrate the faithfulness of God, who promised a savior and fulfilled that promise in Jesus.

Pay attention to the lyrics of the Christmas songs you hear this season and you will hear of the great love God has for you.

Here are the lyrics:

It’s the greatest story ever told.
A God pursues foes whose hearts turned cold.
The greatest story ever told.
Restoring all that the enemy stole.
The greatest story ever told.
The glory of Christ is the goal, behold.
The greatest story ever told.
It’s the greatest.

Alright check it: let’s go back in time, brethren. Divine lessons always keep your mind guessing. The glory of the Triune God is what I’m stressing. The origin of humankind was fine. Blessings were plenteous. God is amazingly generous. Crazy benefits in a state of innocence. God told the man what he could taste was limited. Not long after came our nemesis in Genesis. He scammed well, man fell, damned to hell. The whole human race—he represented it. Fooled by the serpent, man through his work, woman through birth—even the earth ruled by the curses. But instead of a wake immediately. God said her Seed would be the One to crush the head of the snake. Yo, wait what is this? Whoa, a gracious gift! In Jehovah’s faithfulness He clothed their nakedness. This was so they would know their Savior’s kiss and bliss. But first, many growing pains exist suffering in the worst form, ugly deeds. Eve’s firstborn seed made his brother bleed. Indeed things got progressively worse. Every section of the earth is been affected by the curse. And though God’s judgments against sin were gory, praise the Lord! It’s not the end of the story.

Next scene: man’s sin was extreme. God gets steamed, man gets creamed. The Lord is so Holy that He drowned them in the water. Fire in the valley of slaughter – Sodom and Gomorrah. But at the same time, He’s so gracious and patient that from one man He created a whole nation. Eventually enslaved by the mentally depraved, they cried out to the only One with the strength that He could save. He brought them out with signs and wonders – satisfied their hunger. Then He appeared on Mount Sinai in thunder. Where He laid down the law for God-ruled government. Commonly referred to as the Mosaic covenant. Sin was imputed. So for man to know he’s unrighteous, God instituted animal sacrifices. This was to show our constant need for atonement. And when it came to sin, the Lord would never condone it. And when His people disobeyed and went astray, He raised up prophets and kings to lead them in the way. But they would get foul with their idolatry—wet and wild prophecy—send them into exile. To take their punishment like a grown man. Then with His own hand He placed them back in their homeland. And while in their forefather’s land they dwelt, they awaited the arrival of Emmanuel.

After 400 silent years filled with sighs and tears. In Bethlehem the Messiah appears. God in the flesh—Second Person of the Trinity. At thirty begins His earthly ministry. Baffling cats with accurate, exact facts and back-to-back miraculous acts. A stumbling block to the self righteous. But the humbled—His flock, said “There’s no one else like this.” He came from heaven to awake the numb. Demonstrated His power over nature, son. A foretaste of the Kingdom and the age to come. But the reason He came was to pay the sum for the depths of our wickedness, our wretched sinfulness. Bless His magnificence! He is perfect and innocent. Yet He was wrecked and His death. He predicted it. Next He was stretched, paid a debt that was infinite. He said that He finished it. Resurrected so the elect would be the recipients of its benefits. Through faith and penitence we get to be intimate. His grace is heaven sent, it never diminishes. Now the Holy Spirit indwelling is the evidence for heaven’s future residents who truly represent Jesus, the Author, Producer, Director, and Star of a story that will never, ever end!

(I saw this on JT’s blog, and just had to post it here.)

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