Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
Rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks put the circumstances of our lives, both good and bad into God’s hands and help us see them through His eyes. Last night our beloved daughter-in-law Melinda slipped from this world into the presence of Jesus. And while we are overwhelmed with grief and shock, these words are promises to which we cling. Melinda has finished her race. Her battle with cancer is finished. And while that pernicious disease claimed her physical life, it could not touch her soul. That remained fully and exclusively in the hands of Jesus with whom she now lives. Nancy and I didn’t know how to process the news that came in three words. “She is gone.” Yet as sadness rolls over my heart I sense the message echo back from Heaven, ” She has arrived!”
Soon afterward he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. Luke 7:11-12 ESV
You might say that the name of the town called, “Nain” could be translated as, “Nowheresville!” Unlike Jerusalem, Bethany or even the poor village of Nazareth where Jesus grew up, nothing ever happened in this place, and three of the four Gospels don’t even mention Nain. Yet, on one grief afternoon, Jesus left His active ministry in Capernaum and led His disciples there. Along the way, they met a funeral procession leaving the village. Here a man, was being carried out to the graveyard, by his friends. He likely was not yet married and only in his twenties, because there is no mention of either wife or children. Since his mother was a widow, and he being her only son, she would have depended entirely upon him for support. We also are given no reason to believe that either of them knew Jesus, but as Jesus drew close, their story changes.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Luke 7:13-15 ESV
Though she lived in Nowheresville, Jesus knew where she was. Though her heart was filled with the bitter sense that poverty and loneliness lay in store for her, Jesus had other plans. And when she wasn’t even praying because she had lost all hope, Jesus came to answer far more than she had ever imagined asking. Are you living in Nowheresville today, wondering if God even knows where you are? Have unexpected situations left you desperate, angry and confused? God has better plans for you. He hasn’t forgotten. Jesus cannot forget, because your name is engraved on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) In this brief message which I shared yesterday at Life Care Center, we take a closer look at why Jesus chose to visit what others would have called a God forsaken place. He came in answer to prayers never even prayed and gave answers far beyond what anyone could have hoped for, and He wants to do the same for you and I today. (Ephesians 3:20)
And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. Luke 15:23 ESV
I can really identify with this father’s enthusiasm for celebrating. In the same way some folks wondered about his excitement on the return of the prodigal, my wife and some of the neighbors are questioning my exuberance for Christmas decorating in early November. Yes, my I am the guy whose candy-cane lane is already in place, before the leftover Halloween candy is even eaten. But my reasoning is that if the stores can put out their holiday wares right after Labor Day, why do I have to wait any longer? Am I the only one out there? So, in that spirit, though it might seem a tad early, I am featuring my large print Christmas devotional today. And before you scold me for the impropriety of the timing on this offer, remember that this book is a thirty-day plan and that it will take some time before your copy arrives. This large-print holiday devotional is designed for those of us whose vision has become a little less than eagle-eyed.
Just as the story of the wisemen does not begin with their background – it starts with a star, this series of short devotionals begins with that star, which can still lead us to Jesus. Each day includes a Bible verse and a short simple story that shows how the birth of Jesus still shines a light on the path for our daily lives today. The Christmas Star is available in both a Kindle eBook form as well as softcover.
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