Sound Mind Set

Ephesians 2:14-15 (The Message)  The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody. From biblical times, it has been a constant, and even today, we feel the pressure of segregation and separation. Not just racial segregation - social-economic segregation, political, denominational. We are a divided world.  But because of Jesus, he brings peace to division. listen again  The Messiah has made things up between us so that we’re now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.  Are you suspicious of anyone - their motives, agenda - their lifestyle?  This passage so clearly talks about how, because of what Jesus sacrificially did, he got rid of the religious code of law that created division and became more of a hindrance than it was helpful… and he started over.   Because of what he did he ended animosity and suspicion, bringing peace… We no longer need to hold fast, dare I say worship, the idols of preference, position, prestige, or power.  If there someone in your life, like there is in mine, that you view with animosity or suspicion, can you except that that person is on the same footing, the same level as you, in need of the Messiah who leveled the playing failed, see’s us all, loves us all the same?  PRAY:  Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. … I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.    So many scriptures talk about the peace that God gives us. This passage commands us to create peace actively. This was written from prison, from someone locked up unjustly. He is telling in light of the peace we have been shown to give that peace to others. listen again    In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do.  I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.    Paul calls our attention to a few particular things that we are called to do; Number one, we are not to sit around and do nothing or continue down a path that goes nowhere. We are called to be active and intentional about sharing what we have been given.   Number two, we are to do this with humility and discipline, to make these two characteristics a way of life. Constantly humble and pouring ourselves out for each other in acts of love.   And Number three, we are called to notice differences between ourselves and others and do everything in our power to make peace.     Is there someone that comes to mind right now that you need to proactively humble yourself and make peace with as an act of love?    PRAY:  Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

 John 14:25-27  I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.     In this passage, the baby Jesus we celebrated on Christmas has now lived about 30 years, and he’s coming to the crossroads of what He came to do. He is sharing with his closest friends who, unbeknownst to them, are about to encounter complete chaos and, from the way it seems, the whole plan falling apart. Their Messiah, their friend, is murdered in front of them.     Peace is not a place, Peace is a person, Peace is a Presence. This same Presence is with us now, just as he was with his friends, his disciples, thousands of years ago.   Here Jesus is clearly telling us that: Number one, the Holy Spirit, who is one with Jesus and the Father, is with us to remind us of everything that he said.   Number two, He says don’t be troubled or afraid even when things seem like they’re all falling apart. Jesus has left us with a gift, peace of mind and heart.     What thoughts are troubling your mind right now that you can ask for peace of mind?   What heartache are you feeling right now that you can ask God to bring peace to your heart?    Jesus says the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give, so don’t be troubled or afraid…     Breathe    PRAY:  Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Colossians 1:19-20   “For God in all his fullness   was pleased to live in Christ,   and through him God reconciled   everything to himself.   He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth   by means to Christ’s blood on the cross.“    What an amazing thought, the God of the universe, in all his fullness and completeness, was pleased to live as a human. And he did it all to reconcile everything; the word reconcile comes from the Latin root words (re) - back and (conciliar) - bring together. Bring back together. As intended. Made right.    The almighty, powerful creator - God, the same one that hung the moon and the stars and created everything, lowered himself, became a human, again, here’s the amazing thing - was happy to do it because he wanted to make everything right. To bring everything back together as originally intended. Whole and complete.    And as a result, He brings you and I peace, shalom, which also means completeness and wholeness. All is right; every debt paid, every mistake and failure is forgotten. We can experience peace, being inseparably connected to the God of the universe, with all the power, and love, and grace, and mercy that goes with that, because of what happened. Jesus was born, Jesus lived, Jesus died, Jesus rose again to make peace with everything in heaven and on earth.    The most profound eternal problem you will ever face, separation from your Father God and his Love, Power, and grace, has already been reconciled for you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change that.    PRAY:  Lord Jesus, we celebrate that holy moment when Your coming as man renewed our hearts. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. Peace that only You can bring. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Luke 2:8-14Living Bible That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket,[b] lying in a manger!” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven—praising God: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” they sang,[c] “and peace on earth for all those pleasing him.” Imagine for a moment that you’re a shepherd back in the B.C. days. It’s just another cold, lonely, pitch-dark night, sitting by the fire, watching the sheep. Then, suddenly, a blinding light pierces through the blackness, and you’re face to face with an angel. He sees the terror in your eyes, knows you think that he has come to kill you because of your sin and low position, so then he declares, “Don’t be scared. I have good news of great joy for all people.”  Disbelief overwhelms reality as you think, “Why me? And why here? … Aren’t there some important people somewhere to do this? After all, we’re just shepherds.” Shepherds, as a stereotype, had a reputation for being low-lives, men of bad reputation. They didn’t observe the ceremonial law and were not religious men. They were so known for stealing and dishonesty that their testimony would not be considered reliable enough to testify in court. Think about that… God chose first to announce He was here to these men of bad reputation. He made His birth announcement to the least of these, setting a pattern for His Son’s ministry. On that night, that holy night, everything changed and the broken, rejected, lowest of society were the ones that God chose to tell first.  The words of the beautiful song, Oh Holy Night, capture the essence of that encounter. As we finish our time together - let me read you the words for this beautiful song.  O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,  It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth;  Long lay the world in sin and error pining,  'Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.  A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,  For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;  Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!  O night divine! O night when Christ was born. Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

ISAIAH 35 Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.    The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers    and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,    as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory,    the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,    and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts,    “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.    He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind    and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer,    and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,    and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool,    and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish    where desert jackals once lived. And a great road will go through that once deserted land.    It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-minded people will never travel on it.    It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;    fools will never walk there. Lions will not lurk along its course,    nor any other ferocious beasts. There will be no other dangers.    Only the redeemed will walk on it. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.    They will enter Jerusalem[a] singing,    crowned with everlasting joy.—- Sorrow and mourning will disappear,    and they will be filled with joy and gladness. PRAY: Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Matthew 1:18-25 The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they enjoyed their wedding night, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced. While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic revelation to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son;  They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”). Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. Scripture states that Joseph decides he should quietly divorce her, which was legally required of a betrothal or engagement in that day. He didn’t want to expose her to any public disgrace or judgment. Yet, even amidst such great heartbreak, doubt, and question, Joseph put Mary first and protected her at all costs. He loved her, even in what he thought was his darkest moment. Joseph has a dream where an angel confirms Mary’s story and tells him to name the boy “Jesus.” So, Joseph immediately marries Mary. But, here’s an interesting facet to the story.  Verse 24 - 25 Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus. Joseph does not have sex with his wife before her giving birth. Now, there is nothing in this passage where the angel tells Joseph to abstain; in fact, the angel says “don’t hesitate to get married." Meaning he has all the legal rights of a husband. But Joseph made a choice out of respect to God’s plan to stay out of God’s way, to stay in His will. The integrity and love that often an unsung hero of the story is so inspiring. Joseph not only obeyed, but he went a step further and honored the purity of the story out of reverence for there being a bigger plan.  Think about that, Joseph was married, anyone around him could’ve said it is possible that this child is Joseph’s, but Joseph’s discipline and self-control elevated God's will about his desires. He honored and highlighted the miraculous story that we celebrate, God with us. So there could be no doubt. This was God’s son. Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Luke 1:46-56 And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news;     I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.  God took one good look at me, and look what happened—     I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!  What God has done for me will never be forgotten,     the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.  His mercy flows in wave after wave     on those who are in awe before him.  He bared his arm and showed his strength,     scattered the bluffing braggarts.  He knocked tyrants off their high horses,     pulled victims out of the mud.  The starving poor sat down to a banquet;     the callous rich were left out in the cold.  He embraced his chosen child, Israel;     he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.  It’s exactly what he promised,     beginning with Abraham and right up to now. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months and then went back to her own home. Mary’s response to the Angel’s news started with being amazed that God would choose her, saying, “she is the most fortunate woman on earth" . Then she goes on to say these beautiful words of worship about the character of God: God’s very name is Holy His mercy flows He shows strength, scattering the braggarts Pulling victims out of the mud Who did God choose to bring the Savior of the world through? A lowly young girl, out of obscurity… Much like us. Can you take these words spoken by Mary thousands of years ago and accept them as what God, through this miraculous act, is saying to you? He embraces me as his chosen child. He remembers me and piles on mercies, piles them high. Doing exactly what he promised.  What was foretold thousands of years before Jesus was born is exactly what God continues to do today. PRAY: Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

Luke 1:26-38 MESSAGE In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth to a virgin engaged to be married to a man descended from David. His name was Joseph, and the virgin’s name, Mary. Upon entering, Gabriel greeted her: Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you. She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is, six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her. Can you put yourself in Mary’s place? Everything to that point was normal—everything in its place, just an ordinary day… then a beautiful disruption. An angel appears out of nowhere. It must have been terrifying. But the angel says don’t fear. Something remarkable is going to happen. Listen again to some of the things the angel says will happen. “God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever— no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God. Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” Because of what happened over 2000 years ago, an impossible pregnancy story, is a perfect template for what God continues to do for all of us. He intersects, disrupts our normal, and says don’t fear something remarkable is going to happen. Can you hear God saying to you… don’t fear. God has a surprise for you, nothing, you see, is impossible with God. Father, we thank you for this time of joyful waiting. May the hope and joy of this season fill our hearts and make us living signs of your love for a world that hungers for your peace. Immanuel, God with us. Amen

1 John 4  We’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.  God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.  We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.  We love because we are loved. The kind of Love that this passage is about is exemplified by Jesus sacrificially becoming one of us. Since Jesus was born, a fearful life, a fear of death, a fear of judgment is banished — because well-formed Love vanishes fear.   The Love we have on our own for one another is fragile and transactional. The kind of Love that this passage is talking about goes beyond any kind of love we can have on our own. But it’s a Love that is available. Not only for us but through us to others. A kind of intimacy, acceptance, and without limitation because of the one who first loved us and sacrificially came for us. This kind of Love is a power that wipes out fear. We can know this Love and give this Love because we were shown this Love first. As the scripture says — First we were loved, now we love.  Let's pray: God of Love, Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us. Love incarnate. Help us walk in that Love during the weeks of Advent, as we wait and prepare for his coming again. Thank You for Your unfailing, sacrificial and redeeming Love for me. Immanuel, God with us.