The Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know” asks Mary, the mother of Jesus, a series of questions. “Did you know your baby boy would one day walk on water? Give sight to a blind man? Calm a storm? Raise the dead? Restore hearing and health? Save us from our sins? I would have asked, “Mary, when did you know?”
Of course, when Jesus was first born, she had no idea. All she knew was that God had a plan, and she was honored to play a role. But as Jesus was growing up, she had to have seen him do things that other children couldn’t do. I think that is what prompted her to ask Jesus to do something at the wedding when the hosts were running out of wine. She probably didn’t know what he would do but knew he could do something. (See John 2:1-11)
Do you know the power of Jesus? Have you heard of his power and glory? Do you believe? Jesus cares about you and what you go through daily. He is Lord of the extraordinary as well as the ordinary. What are you facing that you need him to step in and do something about? I’m sure you have no idea what he will do but know he can do something.
I have been amazed more than once by how God has worked things out in my life—an unexpected check, a job in an area I wasn’t even looking into, etc. I knew he could do miracles, and because I knew, I asked! What do you need Jesus to do? Ask because now you know.
(“Mary, Did You Know” songwriters: Mark Lowry, & Buddy Greene.)
The Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear?” asks three questions.
“Do you see what I see?” “Do you hear what I hear?” “Do you know what I know?”
The Holy Spirit is asking people those same questions today.
“Do you see what I see?” He wants those who are taking the time to look around to see the need for people to see Jesus as God’s Son and to accept him as their Lord and Savior. To ask him for forgiveness for their sins and to enter into a life with God.
I have mentioned many times that if we trust God with our needs and concerns, we are free to see the needs of others. Satan wants us not to trust God and not see others’ need for a Savior. He works so hard to keep people’s lives in chaos!
“Do you hear what I hear?” Do you hear people crying out for help? Not only America but every country has enormous needs and big problems. People are trying so hard to fix those issues with their strength and mind. The root problem for most of them is there is a lack of love! Some know the answer is found in God, but they fear turning their lives and countries over to Him for help, guidance, wisdom, and solutions.
“Do you know what I know?” The Holy Spirit wants us to feel the urgency of the hour. The clock is ticking, and time is winding down to the triumphant return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit is also whispering like a wind to those who are quiet, content, grazing in green pastures, “See, Jesus. He is Dancing in the night.” He is asking the shepherds, “Hear, Jesus. He is singing high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea.” Then, the Holy Spirit is asking our leaders, “Are you warm and comfortable with the way things are? Yet Jesus is here waiting to help. Come. Ask, and give Him the praise and glory He is due.”
The Holy Spirit is hoping the leaders of the world will say to the people everywhere, “Listen to what I say! Pray for peace, people, everywhere, listen to what I say! The Child, the Child sleeping in the night, He will bring us goodness and light.”
But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims,
A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God!
But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. Rom. 10:14-17 (MSG)
Are you like a lamb, listening? A shepherd watching? Or perhaps you are one who has the resources to help others.
I have traveled many moonless nights, Cold and weary with a babe inside, And I wonder what I’ve done. Holy father you have come, And chosen me now to carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer. I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone, Must I walk this path alone?
I can’t imagine what Mary went through. God asked her to do a lot. To accept being part of His plan. To be willing to get pregnant without having been with a man and then to try to explain it all to her fiancé. Why should he believe her? Or her parents and friends, for that matter. This had never happened before. She must have felt alone for months, at least until she went to her cousin’s house, who believed her. (Luke 1:39-56)
Mary’s prayer probably went something like this: Breath of heaven, Hold me together, Be forever near me, Breath of heaven. Breath of heaven, Lighten my darkness, Pour over me your holiness, For you are holy. Breath of heaven.
Do you wonder as you watch my face, If a wiser one should have had my place, But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan. Help me be strong.
Has God asked you to do something as part of his plan? Does it sound outrageous or ridiculous? Many years ago, He asked me to accept a youth pastor’s position in a young church that could not afford to pay me a salary. My father was angry and thought I was nuts. I had completed college with my associate’s degree and had started a promising career with the area’s electric company. I obeyed God, and He was with me then and faithful to meet my needs, but I never stopped praying a similar prayer to Mary’s, and I, too, wondered if there was someone more qualified than I.
So, are you hearing a breath of heaven? Are you being called? I challenge you to trust God. Take his hand and start the most incredible adventure of your life. Yes, there will be times you will wonder if you made the right decision, but it is in those moments that God will do something extraordinary in you or through you that will leave no doubt in your mind that you did. You may feel as if there is someone better or smarter but remember this, God asked you. Besides, they may rely too much on their strength instead of on God’s.
I saw the posted image in Facebook the other day. I had to read it twice before my mind drew the correct image of what was being said. Then I laughed, and immediately shared it with a couple of friends. One didn’t get it until I started singing the song. If they had gotten it on their own they wouldn’t have had to hear me sing, “Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum!”
“Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum! That line has become synonymous with the Christmas season as part of the beloved carol “The Little Drummer Boy.” The song is believed to have been written by Katherine K. Davis, and it was first recorded in 1951. The lyrics are in the first person, and the speaker is a little drummer boy at the manger scene who had nothing to give baby Jesus but his drum solo. The song is sweet, reverent, and imaginative, but, no, the little drummer boy is not in the Bible.”
This Christmas song was not one of my favorites, at all. That is, until I heard a version of it by, “White Heart”. I found the song dull and boring before, but not anymore.
A few days have gone by since that Facebook post, but then yesterday, as April and I were out running errands and a particular Christmas song came on the radio, it dawned on me, I haven’t paused yet to reflect the true meaning of Christmas. I haven’t stopped long enough to prepare my heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Back to the little drummer boy; whether just a made up story or not, taking time to give Jesus what you have is a valuable lesson to reflect on. He had nothing to give, but his talent of playing drums. If it was true, I can see him standing there in perfect single formation, playing that drum with all of his heart! Playing an anthem fit for a king, and in this case the King of Kings.
The Christmas song “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” gives the reason, the story, of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the future of his saints.
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of ev’ry nation, joy of every longing heart.
Joy to those who long to see Thee Day-spring from on high, appear. Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse, of Thy birth, we long to hear! O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth; “Go to Him your praises bringing Christ the Lord has come to earth!”
Come to earth to taste our sadness, He whose glories knew no end. By His life He brings us gladness, Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend. Leaving riches without number, born within a cattle stall; this the everlasting wonder, Christ was born the Lord of all.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. by Thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by Thine all-sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Come, Thou whom the prophets promised. Thou of whom the canters sing; Come, Emmanuel, God be with us. Thou our Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus, Thou are all perfection, Thou whose fellowship we crave; Thou the Life and Resurrection, Come redeem us from the grave.
Come, Thou King, receive Thy kingdom; With the angels, split the skies! Come with shouts and trumpets sounding, Bid Thy slumb’ring children rise! Gather in Thine arms so tender Sinners saved through grace alone; Lead us though Thy gates of splendor Unto our eternal home.
Any questions?
Songwriters: Words: Charles Wesley, 1744 (Verses 1 & 4) Mark Hunt, 1978 (Verses 2 & 3) Ann Aschauer 2022 (Verses 5 & 6)
“Where do you want to eat lunch?” asked Charlie. “I don’t care,” said his wife. They wound up at a taco place all the way across town from where they live. While in the middle of their meal, several people jumped up and started looking out the windows. Charlie got up to see what they were looking at. A homeless man and woman were fighting. The man left and the woman started crying and walking toward the restaurant with her bike.
Another couple, Justin and Emily, ran out the door to the woman. Her name was Misty. She was in hysterics. “He stole all of my money,” she said. They started calming her down and invited her inside the restaurant. Justin went to get her some food and a drink. Emily talked to her.
Charlie and his wife wanted to help. Later, Justin went back up to the counter. He was trying to purchase Misty a gift card so she could get more food later. Charlie said he would pay for it, but he learned the machine wasn’t working. So he told Justin he would go down the street to a convenience store to get a gift card. That way, Misty could buy food and drinks later.
When Charlie returned, he gave the card to Misty. She started crying. Charlie hugged her and then said, “God wanted to love on you today. You see, my wife and I could have gone anywhere to eat lunch, but we came here, and we live all the way on the other side of town. God wanted to show you that He knows you and cares about you and what you are going through.”
Justin led them in a prayer for Misty. Charlie hugged Misty again, even though she smelled as if she could use a shower. Emily continued making out a list of items Misty could use to make life a little easier.
On the way home, Charlie asked his wife why she didn’t join in ministering to Misty. She said, “I didn’t know what to say, and you all were handling it.” Charlie paused and then said, “Just being there says a lot. And you could have also hugged Misty. A lot of homeless people miss the feeling, the connection of a human touch. You go to Bible studies, but today was an opportunity to apply it.”
Look around in life. See the needs. Have compassion and do whatever you can to alleviate the need. That’s what the word “compassion” means in the Greek language, and that is what Jesus did.
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Mat. 9:36 (NKJV)
As a child growing up in church, there were often scripture memory challenges. The first scripture most kids learned was “John 11:35.” “Jesus wept.” Let’s face it, it was easy. I struggle today to remember the reference to where a scripture is, but at least I know what is in the Bible and what is not. I think knowing that for myself is more important than the location. Besides, I can type the portion of scripture I recall, and my computer will find the reference for me.
But back to this verse. If you recall, Jesus’ friend Lazarus was sick, and the family sent word to Jesus to come and heal him. Instead, Jesus continued to teach and do miracles while he ministered to others.
When he arrived at Lazarus’ home, they told him he was too late. That Lazarus had already died. There was much sorrow, and the family was stricken with grief. When Jesus saw how great their sorrow was, he wept. He didn’t weep because his good friend Lazarus had died because he knew what he was about to do, but instead, he was overcome with their pain and sorrow. I believe that is why he wept.
Jesus cares for us when we are sad and grief-stricken today, too. He wants us to lean on him to get through those times. At least long enough until the sting of death starts wearing off.
I once wrote about Lazarus from his point of view. My editor asked me with a snarky tone, “How do you know Lazarus wanted to come back to life?” Her question stumped me for almost a week. Then I received the answer from on high (God). I told her, “It didn’t matter if Lazarus wanted to come back to life or not. He just wanted to be obedient to the Lord Jesus!” So when Jesus called out, “Lazarus, come forth,” he obeyed.
Funny thought: If Jesus had only said, “Come forth,” I think all of the dead in that area would have come back to life. I’m not sure, but I could see it happening.
Jesus waited four days before traveling to Lazarus’ home. He wanted everyone to know that he had power over death, too. And he didn’t want anyone to say something like, “Well, Lazarus wasn’t really dead.” The fact of the matter is, he was so dead, he stunk!
Takeaways: Know for yourself what is in the Bible. You do that by reading it. Know that Jesus has power over death. That is how he can promise us eternal life if we accept him into our lives. And know that Jesus hurts when we hurt. He truly cares about us and what is important to us.
If you want to read the whole story for yourself, turn to John 11:1-44.
April and I were discussing one of her friends recently. They were going through something. Sorry, I don’t recall what it was. I suggested April do something for them. She didn’t respond. I enquired. Finally, she admitted that she didn’t want to do that for her friend. After a few minutes, she asked, “Am I a bad friend?” I thought for a moment, trying to find some words of wisdom. Then I responded, “You’re a friend. You’re just not a good friend.”
Maybe you are a good friend to others. Perhaps you give them as much time as you can when they call and are upset. You provide them with a ride to the airport no matter the time of day. When they are sick, you stop by their house to give them a helping hand or to provide a meal. In other words, you are always there for them. They know they can count on you.
A few days later, I was sitting at a traffic light. I looked up and saw the billboard pictured here in this post. It made me think of Jesus. Then I thought of the above conversation with April. One of Jesus’ characteristics is that he says he is a “friend” who never leaves you.
There are friends who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Prov. 18:24 (RSV)
But Jesus is one part of three. They are one yet individual, and together, they take complete care of you.
God.
“Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.” Deu. 31:6 (MSG)
And nothing you can do can separate you from the love of God.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Rom. 8:38 (MSG)
The Holy Spirit is there to comfort you and to give you power when you are ministering to others. He can give you words to say when you have no idea what should come out of your mouth. He also has a list of supernatural gifts that he gives out to whoever he wants.
Being in a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is the best. They are our God, our friend, and our comforter. Jesus isn’t “just” a friend but a good friend. They are always there for me. I love doing life with them. They are with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
According to Isaac Asimov, there are three laws of robotics: 1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
Would you want to be a robot? Life might be easier if you were. You would be programmed, so there would be no decisions to make. You would have no soul and, therefore, not be responsible for your actions. Robots do not have free will. God didn’t make robots because He wanted a group of people to choose to love him back freely.
If humans were robots, according to the First Law, there would be no murders, and everyone would watch out for others and do whatever they could to help or protect them. A robot would never “sin” because of the Second Law. And there would be healthy robots who would never get depressed and commit suicide.
When God made mankind, He, too, established some Laws for us to live by. We know them as the Ten Commandments:
You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall make no idols. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Keep the Sabbath day holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet.
These commandments weren’t established to make your life miserable but, in reality, to make all of our lives good. Living according to the above list is a great way to live. “No. I am not a robot.” I have accepted God and His Son, Jesus. I believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I do my best to live by these commandments. I worship God and praise His Holy name. I do all of this of my own free will, out of love for the one true God who first loved me.
Do you ever daydream? I do. I have ever since I can remember. Especially in elementary school, when I was bored with the lessons I should have been learning. I found it entertaining to “play” or “dream” in my mind.
As I was writing my novel, “Kill the Preacher Man,” I would sometimes share with others what the book was about. Several would comment that it sounded like a movie. I then started daydreaming about winning an Oscar and what I would say in my acceptance speech. That dialog changed after meeting April and telling her about the book.
“I would like to thank the academy for this honor and, of course, God and my lovely wife, April. When I first met April, I told her about my novel and that some had said it should be a movie. I told her, ‘Who knows? Maybe it would be up for an Oscar?’ She replied, ‘Would I be able to attend the ceremony, and do you think Keanu Reeves would be there?’ I replied, ‘Yes. You can go, and Mr. Reeves would probably be there.’ After a brief pause, she said, ‘Okay, Mark. I will marry you!’” (True story!)
The below description is from the back cover of the book:
“Kill The Preacher Man” is a modern-day novel about 30-year-old Jeremiah Crowley, whose gift of faith and healing launches a revival in America. Like Jesus, signs and wonders follow him when he ministers. A Chicago news reporter, Caroline Roberts, is dispatched to investigate why a church meeting is causing a traffic jam. Her coverage of the incident propels her to disprove this modern-day Jesus. When that attempt failed, her disdain for God reached a boiling point, erupting in her putting out a contract on his life. Will she succeed in killing the preacher man, stopping the revival, and stopping God?
Awards and accolades are great. They can serve us with encouragement and as a testament to help others to keep working on achieving their dreams. God will give those who endured tests and temptations and came through it victoriously a “Crown of Life.”
Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. Jam. 1:12 (AMPC)
Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. [Dismiss your dread and your fears!] Behold, the devil is indeed about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested and proved and critically appraised, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be loyally faithful unto death [even if you must die for it], and I will give you the crown of life. Rev. 2:10 (AMPC)
But when it is all said and done, we will lay those crowns at the feet of Jesus. For without his sacrifice on the cross to die for our sins, resisting temptation would not even be possible.
10 The twenty-four elders (the members of the heavenly Sanhedrin) fall prostrate before Him Who is sitting on the throne, and they worship Him Who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne, crying out,
11 Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and dominion, for You created all things; by Your will they were [brought into being] and were created. Rev. 4:10-11 (AMPC)
Jesus alone is worthy, and in praise and thankfulness to Him and in acknowledgment of Him, the saints cast the symbols of their victory at Jesus’ feet. Any awards and accolades received on earth are temporal. They will be consumed by fire in the end, so we should all focus on receiving “The crown of life.”
brady, mark a. 