Twenty-one Days before Christmas!

“18 THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
Luke 1:18-19 (New American Standard Version)

The Gospel according to Luke takes a serious and sensitive look at Jesus’ life through the eyes of attentive and faithful follower of Christ. A Gentile physician (Colossians 4:14) and historian by trade Luke provides a detailed account of the Person, nature and ministry of Christ on earth.

Luke begins his narrative by dealing with Christ’s humanity and His resistance to the onslaught of satanic temptations in obedience to the Word of God. The first eleven verses of Luke chapter 4 records the conflict between Jesus and Satan. Luke observes that Jesus ended the battle by making the solemn declaration, “It has been said, you shall not tempt the Lord your God” (v12). This incident marks the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry.

Christ’s Mission Statement
According to Hebrew customs, it was common practice for a distinguished guest to be invited to read from the biblical scroll one of the passages designated for a given Sabbath (vv. 16-17) and then to expound on it. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus read a text that includes on e of Isaiah’s messianic prophecies (Isaiah 61:1-2). Upon completing the reading, Jesus stuns his audience by declaring it to be in Him at that very moment. This was Jesus’ famous mission statement for His earthly ministry.

Christ’s Purpose Statement
One of the hallmarks of Christ’s ministry was not only the miracles that took place but “…His teaching, for His word was with authority” (vv. 31, 32). Throughout His ministry, all that He did and taught was with total authority. His authority was based on truth. He is the embodiment of truth (John 8:32). No wonder that during His earthly ministry He impressed people with the profound validity of His teaching. Jesus knew his purpose, for He declared “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”

Friend, may I ask you two simple questions; what is the purpose in life? And what is your mission statement? I pray that you can seek the Lord concerning these probing questions. And I hope that you receive the answer in twenty-one days. God bless you this Christmas!

Twenty-two Days before Christmas!

“15 Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
Luke 3:15-16 (New Living Translation)

Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to witness John the Baptist preach? As we continue our count down till Christmas, we read about a man named John who went into the country around the Jordan River preaching and telling people to prepare for the coming of the Lord. The passage in Luke 3 reveals that repentance is the center piece of the Gospel message. When John told people to prepare for the coming of the Lord, he didn't mean that they should go home and sweep the floor, pick up their toys, and make their beds. He meant that they should prepare their hearts through godly sorrow (repentance). How? By repenting of their sins and turning toward God. When they did this, John would baptize them in the Jordan River. That is how he got the name, "John the Baptist."

“I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
It was perhaps a normal day in the life of people in the region around the Jordan River. I can sense that life was business as usual for many on that day; for many it was another to come and collect water for many basic necessities, it was a place where women gathered. But for John it was a day that was divinely orchestrated, he was about to fulfill the purpose for which he was born.

John the Baptist understood his role and the revelation of Christ as Savior of the world. In many respect, his prophetic ministry fulfilled the scripture in Isaiah 40 which states, “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God”. In Luke 3:21-22, it is said that “21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Jesus is the reason for the season, and it is my prayer that you would make room for Him in your heart. It is my desire that “you would bear fruit worthy of repentance” (v8) and that you would follow the Lord in water baptism, which is an outward expression of your commitment to Christ. I know that He is ready to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. May the Lord bless you during this Christmas season.

Twenty-three Days before Christmas!

Today is day two of our count down till Christmas day. It is not my purpose here to retell the simple story of the birth of Jesus, which is narrated so beautifully in Luke’s Gospel. But there are certain events or facts closely associated with the birth of Jesus that provide indications of the objectives to be gained by His advent. He comes first to reveal God the Father. Zacharias calls Him the One to be born "..the Dayspring from on high," who will give light to those who sit in darkness" (Luke 1:78-79). Welsh poet George Herbert, described the event of his advent well when he wrote:

“The God of power, as he did ride
In his majestick robes of glorie
Resolv’d to light; and so one day
He did descend, undressing all the way”

The second chapter of Luke not only focuses on Jesus as the Savior of the world, but it also focuses on the events of His early life. “You shall call his name Jesus,” said the angel, “for he will save people from their sins.” The arrival of Jesus marked one of the great turning points of time. It marked the moment when God interfered directly, decisively, and dramatically in human affairs to deal with the age-old problem of human sin.

In the previous chapter, Luke's record of the annunciation to Mary (1:26-38), her visit to Elizabeth (1:39-45), the birth and childhood of John (1:57-80), the birth of Jesus, the coming of the shepherds and the announcement of the angels (2:8-20), the circumcision of Jesus (2:21), the presentation of Jesus in the temple (2:22-24), the praise of Simeon and Anna in the temple (2:25-38), a short narrative about Jesus’ childhood (2:40, 51-52), his growth and advancement in wisdom and favor (2:51-52).

How can we learn from our reading today? The passage in Luke 2 reveals the maturing years of Jesus as a young boy. The passage also teaches us that Jesus humbled himself to await God’s timing by allowing Himself to reach full maturity both physically and in wisdom. Luke shows us Christ’s connection with the human race. He underlines the fact that Jesus was truly human. It is a humbling to know that God came to be with man. He became Emmanuel, God with us!

Twenty-four Days Before Christmas!

The first day of December is almost over, which means that we are only 23 days before Christmas. I am thrilled that we are not only ending another year but we are approaching one of the most celebrated Holy Day of the year. Christmas is celebrated in all culture, language, and country in the world.

As I was meditating about the meaning of Christmas this morning, I thought what would make this Christmas more special? On my way to work I heard the host of a popular Christian radio program encouraged listeners to read the Book of Luke, which incidentally has 24 chapters, and there are 24 days before Christmas. I found the idea of reading the Gospel according Luke to be an excellent one, and decided that I would write a blog for each day to connect with the 24 chapters in the Gospel of Luke.

If you are going to read the Christmas story, then get it right the first time. The original Christmas story is in the Bible, the book of Luke. As I read the first chapter in Luke, verse 13 struck my heart. In this particular verse, Luke records the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Zecharias and Elizabeth his wife and the verse reads likes this:

“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." (Luke 1:13, KJV)

How many of us are praying for a specific need to be met? Maybe you are believing God for a new job, a healing or the salvation of a loved one, I am adding my faith to your faith and trust that God in His divine providence would “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.” And like Zechariah, I want you to know that your prayer is heard in the chambers of heaven! May the Lord honor your prayers by granting you answers to your petitions this Christmas.
I pray that you would join me in reading the book of Luke, as we march to Christmas 2009. I trust that the next 23 days will not only encourage you in your walk with the Lord, but will also inspire you to pursue Christ “as the deer pants after the water brooks” (Psalms 42:1).

My Thoughts on Thanksgiving

Have you ever asked yourself about the meaning of Thanksgiving in America? As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, remember to retain the original gratefulness to God that has always been the spirit of the oldest of all American holidays. (Below are representative examples of the scores of Thanksgiving proclamations penned by various Founding Fathers.):
[Congress] recommended [a day of] . . . thanksgiving and praise [so] that “the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and join . . . their supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, to forgive [our sins] and . . . to enlarge [His] kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Continental Congress, 1777 – written by SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION SAMUEL ADAMS AND RICHARD HENRY LEE

[I] appoint . . . a day of public Thanksgiving to Almighty God . . . to [ask] Him that He would . . . pour out His Holy Spirit on all ministers of the Gospel; that He would . . . spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; . . . and that He would establish these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue. GOVERNOR THOMAS JEFFERSON, 1779

[I] appoint . . . a day of public thanksgiving and praise . . . to render to God the tribute of praise for His unmerited goodness towards us . . . [by giving to] us . . . the Holy Scriptures which are able to enlighten and make us wise to eternal salvation. And [to] present our supplications...that He would forgive our manifold sins and . . . cause the benign religion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to be known, understood, and practiced among all the inhabitants of the earth. GOVERNOR JOHN HANCOCK, 1790

The late Dr. D. James Kennedy said it well when he said that we should remind ourselves of and remember to give thanks for “all the good and pleasant gifts from above that we enjoy, one thing becomes evident: If God has done so much for us, there is no need to be anxious about anything. Not only does thanksgiving dissolve anxiety, it transforms the commonplace into the sacred. When we give thanks, we remind ourselves of the presence of God.”
Your gratitude often determines your altitude, and that my friend is an attitude! An anonymous once wrote that “Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessing.” I say Amen to that! So on Thanksgiving Day remember that “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Chris Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18) From my family to yours have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Educating to Produce a Christian Worldview

Christianity and Culture outlines key elements in educating to produce a Christian worldview and includes an evaluation on the nature and integration of Word centered(Bible-based)learning across the curriculum. What is a worldview? In its simplest form, a worldview is an all-inclusive perception or view of the world; hence, a collection of beliefs about life. A thorough analysis of the relationship between worldview, knowledge and practice helps us to understand or reflect on our thoughts about God, man, humanity, philosophy, spirituality, religion and everything that pertains to life and godliness.

How can the people of God (Christians) honor God with their minds? In order to achieve the God-centered goal of teaching to produce the Christian worldview, the Christian church must adhere to the call to “study to show yourself [ourselves] approved unto God.” The words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-3 and Colossians 2:8 are relevant for today: “…And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God…” (Romans 12:2) and “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8) often echo in my mind.

As I studied the above scriptures and examined various texts related to the history of education, Christianity and culture; and it was then that I realized the connection between conflicting worldviews in our time. According to Church history, Rome conquered the world militarily, but it is said that the Greeks conquered Rome intellectually. This is precisely what has been occurring in America and the western world for the past century. America has conquered the world militarily for the cause of freedom, but has lost the greatest battle of all, that of the minds and souls of what was once considered a Christian nation. In many ways, the moral decline and ethical scandals that we have recently witnessed are all a result of our acceptance of secular humanism and secularism as a nation. Consequently, the infiltration of various liberal philosophies is evident in our schools, our courts of law, our scientific endeavors in medicine, our culture as a whole and even within the fabric of our churches and houses of worship.

It is my hope that this book would serve as a catalyst for change and an antidote to the current trends in our society beginning in our educational institutions. Human philosophies and secular worldviews are often spread through the vehicle of teaching and learning. No society has ever experienced change (transformation) without the active contribution of Christians within the moral fabric of the culture. Jesus commanded us to, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19 – 20); and He said to “…Do business till I come” (Luke 19:13). The reader will find that this book conveys a commanding sense of purpose, passion, and appreciation for the teaching profession.

The Rationale for my book on Christianity and Culture

The idea for Christianity and Culture: a Christian Perspective on Worldview Development first came to me from my involvement in the educational enterprise starting with my participation as a lifelong learner, academic/ career advisor, youth mentor, minister and Christian educator. Over the course of my educational journey, I came to the realization that higher education in America, has had, and continues to have, a great impact on the worldviews in our culture. As I began to do the research for the manuscript, I could not help but notice how the minds of most Christians are filled with the philosophies and worldviews of the secular world, even though they were inside the Church! My research questions were driven by a desire to contribute to the body of knowledge concerning spiritual formation and worldviews in academia, namely how education can shape the minds and hearts of college students concerning their views of God, man, nature and the world.

If you or someone you know has been inundated by humanistic, liberal and secular indoctrination, the redemptive solutions in this text will impart the tools necessary to produce a Christian worldview. It seems that if developing a Christian worldview is dependent on an ever-deepening knowledge of God and His Word, then our educational experience plays a major role in the spiritual formation of our deepest convictions. The findings of this study supported the notion that worldviews are correlated to our philosophy of life as formed by the furnishing of the mind (for better or for worse). In that case, the implications support an educational ministry context that helps people grow spiritually, not just intellectually. Consequently, the Christian student will be blessed, knowing that his heart is planted by the rivers of water, like the man who walks “not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalms 1:1-3); but is continually rooted and grounded in the Word of God (Col. 2:7-8).
For further information on purchasing a copy of Christianity and Culture: A Christian Perspective on Worldview Development, visit my website www.christianityandculturetoday.com