The Whole World in His Hands

Posted on December 23, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

The group came to visit a first-time mom and see her newborn son. After greetings and congratulations, they walked over to the bassinet next to her bed. Expecting to see just a normal baby, they were overwhelmed with awe as they gazed at the infant. They had seen lots of newborns, but none had ever seen a child like this. He was holding a globe of the world in his tiny hand. Ok, my contemporary version and application of the manger scene we celebrate this week. But this raises a question we should ask ourselves. What image comes to mind when you gaze into the feeding trough? John Piper wrote, “Some stories reach back forever, forward into eternity, down to depths of mystery, and up to heights of glory.”

For too many, Jesus will remain in the manger as a little baby until next Christmas. All the singing, family gatherings, and candlelight services are merely yearly traditions. The baby in the manger has little significance after the holidays and they go back to daily life. However, we can shout a resounding BUT, He’s not in the manger, or even on the cross, or coming out of His tomb. He is forever seated at the right hand of the Father, the Almighty God. Jesus “is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22). He doesn’t remain behind on December 26. Through the Holy Spirit, He is present in believers every day of the year, every hour and every second of the day. He told His disciples, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (Joh 14:16).  Now, through Him . . . His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2Pe 1:3). People will miss this truth for a victorious life if they leave Him in the manger.

We must look beyond a helpless baby and grasp His eternal reality. He existed from eternity past (2Ti 1:9); He was the creator for by him all things were created (Col 1:16); Now He is sustaining all things by his powerful word (Heb 1:3 NIV); And He will reign forever and ever (Rev 11:15). The baby in the manger was the Word becoming flesh so He could dwell among us.

His becoming flesh began when the angel Gabriel announced to Mary, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name Him Jesus (Lk 1:31). She was going to give birth to the Word, the Messiah and the Savior of the world. At that time, she arose and travelled 80 miles to a city in Judah to visit her relative Elizabeth. She by God’s power conceived a son in her old age (v36) was six months pregnant with John the Baptist. Mary couldn’t comprehend all happening in her life, but she understood the tiny fetus in her womb was the promised Messiah. The unborn baby John who God sent to prepare the way for Jesus perceived his presence when Mary greeted Elizabeth. Keep in mind the embryo was only a few days old. John leaped for joy in his mother’s womb. The Holy Spirit filled her, and she gave praise the mother of her Lord had come to her.

Mary sang a song of praise we call The Magnificat, which expresses the spontaneous overflow of her soul. And Mary said: My soul exalts the Lord (Lk 1:47). Her song echoes the prayer of Hanna (1 Sam 2:4-7,9,10). It quotes the first three verses of Psalms 98. Her song let’s us know she knew exactly who her baby was and would be. We can divide the ten verses into four sections—Praise (vv. 46-47); benefits to Mary vv. 48-49; benefits to the world vv. 50-53; benefits to Israel vv. 54-55. Note although some say Mary was sinless, she said my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior (v47). She also needed the Savior in her womb. Mary was the model of humble submission. She acknowledges all generations will count me blessed (v48) and the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name (v49). Yet, she called herself a humble bondslave (v48).

Verse 50 sums His great deeds for the world. His mercy is for all generations in whom is the fear of him. The word for generations can also be translated nations. It reminds Israel to remember all He had done for them and He would fulfill the promises He spoke to Abraham. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3). Paul explains, Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ (Gal 3:16).

Don’t leave Him as a baby in a manger. The incarnate God still has the Whole World in His Hands including you.

Sustaining Word for the Week: He’s got the itty bitty baby in His hands, He’s got a-you and me brother in His hands, He’s got a-you and me sister in His hands, He’s got the whole world in His hands.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Whole World in His Hands

The Road to Happiness

Posted on December 16, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

This collection of Hebrew poetry contains the longest and the shortest chapters in the Bible. Jesus quoted more from this ‘hymn book’ than any other Old Testament writing. Out of the 66 books, it is the longest. It remains the most beloved book in the Scriptures and the most read. These distinctions belong to the Book of Psalms. Readers easily identify with its messages because Psalms captures the range of possible human emotions as fears, anger, longings, doubts, hopes, joys, and sorrows. Grief—My eye has wasted away with grief (6:7). Joy—We will sing for joy over your victory (20:5). Lonely—I am lonely and afflicted (25:16). Glad—I will be glad and exult in you (9:2). Emotions toward God—Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble (10:1)? The Book doesn’t exclude the negative feelings we face. The writers invite us to come to God even with the raw emotions we experience. Psalms are like a mirror for those struggling in life showing that other Godly individuals, e.g. David, have gone before us who have felt the same emotions. A vivid example is the Imprecatory Psalms, in which the writer prays for judgment, calamity, or curses upon their enemies. Pour out Your indignation on them, And may Your burning anger overtake them (69:24). The Psalms addresses the reality of our human experiences.

Psalms is written in Hebrew poetry. But you say, “I’ve never read a single line of rhyme in Psalms.” English poetry manipulates sound and emphasizes rhyme and meter. In contrast, Hebrew poetry repeats, contrasts, and rearranges thoughts rather than sounds. This is known as parallelism. Space doesn’t allow us to explore each type of parallel arrangement. But note the two most common. Synonymous—the same thought of the first line is basically repeated in different words in the second line (2:4). Antithetical—the thought of the first line is emphasized by a contrasting thought in the second line often identified with ‘but’. Also note Hebrew thinking views the world in concrete thought that expresses concepts and ideas in ways that can be seen, touched, smelled, tasted, or heard. Every word or phrase is meant to bring a picture into your mind. In contrast, English views the world through logical and abstract thinking in ways that cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted, or heard.

Psalms chapter one stands out from the remaining 149 chapters serving as an introduction. Some even say it provides an overview of the Bible. It addresses the two paths of life that people can take, the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. We could even summarize world history as the struggle between the righteous and wicked or the battle between light and darkness. An early 20th century writer, G. K. Chesterton, said on his deathbed in 1936, “The issue is now quite clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side.” Every man and woman must make the choice which they will follow.

This Psalms lays out the blessedness the righteous receive and the misery and future the wicked can expect. The writer list three activities which the righteous must avoid. This is set forth by a contrast of what the wicked do. How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers (Ps 1:1 NET). The writer uses a regressive parallelism moving step by step away from God’s way—walk, stand, and sit. In verse two, he contrasts the actions of the righteous. Instead [but] he finds pleasure in obeying the Lord’s commands; he meditates on his commands day and night (v2 NET).

The first phrase, How blessed is the man, declares the state of those who follow in the way of the Lord. Blessed is better translated ‘happy’. To express all the grammar emphasis, we can paraphrase it, “Oh how very, very happy”. But note, happiness in the Bible differs from the English definition, which originates from hap, meaning “good luck.” Today, people see it as a feeling of joy and pleasure brought on by external circumstances. Biblical happiness can’t be derived from external circumstances but only through a relationship with God. This brings about well-being and we will flourish.

The tense of the verbs not walk nor stand, nor sit, indicate decisive actions. It is the person who has chosen not to follow the path of the wicked, but rather to walk in the way of the Lord. This believer will be like a tree planted by streams of water (v3). He/she will always have nourishment. They will never wither, they will bear fruit, and will prosper. The word planted literally means to transplant. A tree cannot transplant itself. This happens only by the work of God’s grace.

Sustaining Word for the Week:  Do you want Biblical happiness not controlled by external circumstances? It begins with a decisive choice by you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Road to Happiness

God’s Definition

Posted on December 9, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

The young teenage girl, engaged to a wonderful man, waiting for her wedding day visited her cousin in another town. But after returning from her trip, it soon became evident she was pregnant. Complicating the situation, her fiancé wasn’t the father. Being a godly man, he decided to quietly break the engagement. Yet, imagine the town gossip. She has ruined her life and stained the reputation of her family. What a disgrace! Not a girl people would ever call blessed.

However, that’s a human perspective based on limited understanding. What people may consider a tarnished life God calls a blessed life. The young girl was Mary, her husband-to-be was Joseph, and the baby’s Father—the Holy Spirit. When God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit with His son, Jesus, he proclaimed she was highly favored . . . blessed among women (Lk 1:28 KJV).  A few days later when she visited her cousin, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (v41, 42)! Mary sang a song of praise to the Lord and prophesied from this time on all generations will count me blessed (v48).

This raises the question, what does it mean to be blessed? Greg Laurie warns our secular culture has hijacked the word. Even a number of ministers have been influenced and teach about blessing with a non-biblical meaning. The Prosperity Gospel in particular, associate blessings with earthly advantages as prosperity, power, and benefits. The New Testament references to blessing have no hint of material wealth or a picture-perfect life. Mary and Joseph were among the poorest of poor. They couldn’t afford to offer the lamb required by the law at Jesus’ dedication. Instead, they scarified “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Lk 2:24) which was the exception made for poor people. At His presentation, Simeon a righteous and devout man, took Jesus in his arms. The Holy Spirit was upon him; He first blessed God and then blessed Mary and Joseph. Poverty never indicates you are not blessed.

Jesus, on two separate occasions taught the Beatitudes which both Matthew and Luke record. Jesus declared, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God (6:20). Luke writes in his account of the beatitudes that Jesus also taught God considers those who hunger now, who weep now, who men hate, who people ostracize and insult as blessed. Outward conditions and circumstances are not a gauge for God’s blessings. Blessed is a spiritual word meaning to receive God’s favor and to experience the fullness of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit altogether apart from outward circumstances. Blessed means you are fully satisfied and secure in Christ.

Paul captures the idea of blessed in his usage of the word content. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Phil 4:11). Content means independence of external circumstances with internal self-sufficiency through Christ, as opposed to the lack or desire of outward things. He told Timothy, Now godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6). Contentment and blessings come from our inward relationship with Jesus. If we focus on external blessings as the world defines, we will miss the internal blessing God provides. His blessings are far greater than anything the world offers.

Corrie ten Boom spent ten months in horrific conditions at the Nazi concentration camp Ravensbruck. Officers assigned Corrie and her sister to Barracks 28, the worst place in the camp. Among of the hardest conditions they endured was the fleas. Yet, every night guards would enter the other barracks and rape the female prisoners but not one entered their quarters. Neither she nor the other women understood why the guards spared them until they learned no one would come near them; they said “the room was crawling with fleas!” She later writes about God’s blessing while imprisoned. She felt blessed and thanked God for the fleas. One of her most noted quotes, “You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.” She learned and experienced the true meaning of God’s blessings in the midst of the worst external circumstances possible.

Even when we fail and fall into disgrace remember in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Ro 8:28 NIV). He can turn our tarnished life into a blessed life.

Sustaining Word for the Week: Receive the blessings God has provided for you. Be content whatever the circumstances.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on God’s Definition

Getting From Here to There

Posted on December 2, 2019 by drgause@agause.com

Over the past eight years I’ve written several lessons about the changes we face in life; probably because we’ve gone through so many. In September, SW centered on the thought “life is a series of new beginnings.” But I’ve realized I’d missed an important aspect—transition. Transition is the passage or journey from one state, or stage, or location, or season to another. Change is external; it happens as a result of outside circumstances e.g. a job or career change, death of a loved one, major illness, or retirement, etc. Transition is an internal mental experience. Change can happen suddenly, but the internal battle of transition takes time. We may be in a different situation, but our mind is trying to catch up with what has already happened. We have lost the safety and security of the past and now everything is unfamiliar, frightening, and uncertainty.

Remember your first day at a new high school or college. You attend your first lecture in one room but must move to another room down the hall for your second class. Transition is the hall between the two rooms. Transitions are universal. All Bible characters encountered them. Moses was the presumed son of Pharaoh’s daughter and lived in the royal court with all the privileges it brought—fine cloths, delectable food, and prestige. A change occurred because of the foolish act of Moses killing an Egyptian who had beaten a Hebrew. Moses fled and settled in the land of Midian becoming a shepherd. No fancy clothes, no familiar foods, and new unknown situations was the change. We don’t know the time lapse between leaving Egypt to arriving in Midian or how long it required for his mental adjustments but that period was the transition. What thoughts and fears went through his mind?

The Apostle Paul was a Pharisee educated under Gamaliel. He was a zealot of Judaism and the Mosaic Law and a persecutor of the Church. He enjoyed social status, dialogue with Hebrew scholars, security, and a promising future. That is until he met Jesus in a blinding vision of the road to Damascus. The Holy Spirit sent Ananias who lay hands on him, his eyes were healed, and Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. He became the Apostle to the Gentiles. His transition; he spent three years in Arabia where a large Hebrew library was located. Most scholars believe he was studying. His entire belief system changed. Imagine the thoughts that would have gone through his mind transitioning from a rigid keeper of the Law to writing, Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law (Gal 5:1 NLT).

Several steps make a transition smoother. First, remember God is in control. I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord (Jer 29:11NIV). Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Jos 1:9 NIV).  Second, you must recognize and accept the fact you are in a transition. Look, I am about to do something new (Is 43:19 NET). The most challenging step is letting go of the old. We believe we can remain safe and comfortable where we are. However, remaining in the same place doing the same things the same way you’ve always done will bring the same results. Letting go brings fear and many people will resist clinging with a death grip to the old. However, new life comes when we embrace the new which will be far greater than your previous situation. During a time of transition God refines and matures us. He reshapes our perspective and thought patterns. Transition get us ready for a new season of purpose and fulfillment.

If we resist transition, we settle for who we have become and never allow ourselves to enjoy who God meant us to be. You will never know what you’re capable of if you are unwilling to trust God and embrace the unknown. Letting go of the old does not mean you have failed. Rather it shows you are prepared for God’s new work. We may fear stepping into the unknown, but faith is stronger than fear and brings glory to God. Change from one season of life to another, from a bad situation to a good one or from letting go of the old to grasping the new doesn’t normally take place overnight. You don’t go to sleep in one season and wake up in a new season. No Star Trek transporters are available.  

Take hold of Paul’s promise to us. God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. (Eph 3:20 MSG). If God is leading you to a change, allow Him to begin your transition to something more than you can dream or imagine.

Sustaining Word for the Week: “She knew this transition was not about becoming someone better but about finally allowing herself to become who she’d always been.” Anonymous

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Getting From Here to There