Seeing that we are in the last days of 2011 I could not resist bringing up a topic which was probably the most resounding I had heard all year. I have heard it from friends, family and even radio personalities. I saying is "I cannot wait for the rapture."
I sit back and lament about this, those who have said it and even the reason for why it has been said. The truth is it is one thing I am very cautious to say because I must check my motives for what I say. If it does not fall in check with godly intent it will not fall from my lips. Trust me this does not mean I am super spiritual nor does it mean I do not say some foolish or insensitive things without thinking. It only goes to show that if I know the conscience intent of something I must weigh out the motive of what and why I am saying it.
Prime example, here are just a sample of some of the reasons for what I have heard just this year for Christ's return or the rapture/last days. The other day I had the radio on and the man speaking stated "I wish the rapture would happen already as I am tired of this nonsense with the election already." The quotes have gone from everything from wanting the rapture and the last days because of the loss of a family member, bad economy, loss of a job, tired of the circumstances of life and so much more.
Honestly if any of these things were my motivation for the rapture I am sorry to say but it is wrong. Truth be known, 2011 has been by far one of the worst years of my life as I look at it today. The reality is will I be able to say that ten years from now after God has opened my eyes just a little more on the situation and where He has brought me?
I love how Psalm 118:24 puts it; "This us the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
If we focus our attention on the discomfort of the state we are currently in our desire for Christ's true return has been deflected from bring God glory to that of our own selfish gain. This should not be!
So as the year comes to a close let me remind you the reason for Christ's coming. This is what is reassuring when we are reeling in pain of our journey.
" A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 (Message)
Seeing that the reason for Christ's coming is founded on that of having a more, better and eternal life should be the energy needed to enter tomorrow or even next year with the excitement of what God had in store for you. The truth is Christ's return has the exact same purpose for you in order to see God glorified through YOUR life. You are the beneficiary of a larger picture.
See it as a puzzle. Without the sum of the pieces the picture cannot be finished. If those pieces are not ready to be in place all is lost and the purpose is irrelevant.
So in turn, yes I long for Christ's return, for the last days and for the rapture, but I long greater for God's purpose to be fulfilled in my life and hear Him say "Well done!"
If you have lost hope or are worn out because of the beat down and battering ram of this past year let me leave you with a verse. The Psalmist continued in 118 with the following.
25 Save now, I pray, O LORD;
O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.
27 God is the LORD,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
29 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
As we enter a new year let me say that this is my prayer for you. I pray that God will send you prosperity from His house, that you will realize His blessing and in turn praise Him seeing that His mercy for you lasts forever. Do not give up hope. God has been with you every step of the way this past year and is committed to be there every step of the way next year until He returns.
Be blessed this coming year!
CAL
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Finding Baby Jesus
Just yesterday as I was driving to work I was reminded of a memory that brought tears to my eyes and that endless sigh to my soul. As I listened to the radio, the DJ said something about baby Jesus. I don't know what it was, but I found myself reaching back to Christmas past.
I had not thought much about it in years due to the separation and divorce that ravaged my family, but here I was crying over a good memory of the past and honestly it hurt. When the kids were very little, and it still brings tears to my eyes, my wife and I would talk to the children about baby Jesus coming for Christmas. As Ann and I talked about it we decided to make things more real and interactive for the kids. In doing so we decided to find a baby doll, wrap him in a cloth diaper and put him in a little basket with hay in it Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed.
For a week before Christmas the kids would talk non-stop about being so excited about finding baby Jesus under the tree. When people would ask our kids what they wanted for Christmas all they would say was "I'm excited because baby Jesus is coming." They would talk to each other about holding him, kissing him and not being able to wait to see him.
As Christmas Eve came Ann and I would scurry to make sure baby Jesus was put in the basket leading us to the 2:00 AM search and destroy missions to make sure he was there. The most rewarding thing was seeing the reaction of the kids. Here is Christmas Day and our children were so enamored with baby Jesus that their gifts were almost meaningless and even argued who would be first to hold the baby. For the next couple hours and even in to the next several days the kids guarded and took care of baby Jesus until we had to put him away for the next year.
As Christmas is just around the corner the question remains are you looking for Jesus with full anticipation or are you sitting on the sidelines? If you are looking for Jesus are you seeking Him putting all other things aside looking forward to spending hours with Him?
Jeremiah 33:3 reads, "Call on me and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not yet know." Some interpretations say "things that will blow your mind!"
God is looking for a people who has a heart, hunger and desire for Him. He is looking for someone who cannot wait to see what He alone has for their life.
Reflecting on those fond memories with my family are things I cannot forget. I cannot forget the passion and conversations and even opportunities of talking about Jesus with my kids and seeing the excitement they had for God's gift, Jesus even above the gifts they were given.
John 3:16-
"For God so loved the world (YOU) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
This Christmas accept God's greatest gift for you; Jesus. Wait with excitement and anticipation on Him as a child. Reflect on God's goodness and if it is hard to see that, call on Him and He will show you things that will blow your mind!
Merry Christmas!
CAL
I had not thought much about it in years due to the separation and divorce that ravaged my family, but here I was crying over a good memory of the past and honestly it hurt. When the kids were very little, and it still brings tears to my eyes, my wife and I would talk to the children about baby Jesus coming for Christmas. As Ann and I talked about it we decided to make things more real and interactive for the kids. In doing so we decided to find a baby doll, wrap him in a cloth diaper and put him in a little basket with hay in it Christmas Eve after the kids went to bed.
For a week before Christmas the kids would talk non-stop about being so excited about finding baby Jesus under the tree. When people would ask our kids what they wanted for Christmas all they would say was "I'm excited because baby Jesus is coming." They would talk to each other about holding him, kissing him and not being able to wait to see him.
As Christmas Eve came Ann and I would scurry to make sure baby Jesus was put in the basket leading us to the 2:00 AM search and destroy missions to make sure he was there. The most rewarding thing was seeing the reaction of the kids. Here is Christmas Day and our children were so enamored with baby Jesus that their gifts were almost meaningless and even argued who would be first to hold the baby. For the next couple hours and even in to the next several days the kids guarded and took care of baby Jesus until we had to put him away for the next year.
As Christmas is just around the corner the question remains are you looking for Jesus with full anticipation or are you sitting on the sidelines? If you are looking for Jesus are you seeking Him putting all other things aside looking forward to spending hours with Him?
Jeremiah 33:3 reads, "Call on me and I will show you great and mighty things that you do not yet know." Some interpretations say "things that will blow your mind!"
God is looking for a people who has a heart, hunger and desire for Him. He is looking for someone who cannot wait to see what He alone has for their life.
Reflecting on those fond memories with my family are things I cannot forget. I cannot forget the passion and conversations and even opportunities of talking about Jesus with my kids and seeing the excitement they had for God's gift, Jesus even above the gifts they were given.
John 3:16-
"For God so loved the world (YOU) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
This Christmas accept God's greatest gift for you; Jesus. Wait with excitement and anticipation on Him as a child. Reflect on God's goodness and if it is hard to see that, call on Him and He will show you things that will blow your mind!
Merry Christmas!
CAL
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