All Together

When I was leaving for home assignment, our staff at Komyo Christian Church was finishing up reading a book together and discussing it in our meetings.  Then, they were going to start reading another book which many churches and leaders in the NAB were reading.  I read bits and pieces of it throughout my time in the US, but did not finish it.  Yesterday I was re-reading and then reading more of the book.  It is called "Everyday Church: Gospel Communities on Mission."

As I traveled around the NAB during home assignment sharing about what is going on in Japan, in general, and at Komyo Christian Church, specifically, many people commented on how we are living out the premise of this book.  First, I was impressed by the number of people, not just church leaders, who had been reading and reflecting on this book.  Second, I was excited to hear that our hearts for the community were coming through in what we are doing in ministry.

The authors of the book are pastors.  The theme of the book is go be the church, not go to church.  Yes, they admit, gathering with believers is important, however, people who do not yet know Jesus will not just show up at church.

The buzz word 'missional' comes up many times in this book.  The authors remind us that missional is not some new program, something we tack onto what we are already doing.  It is who we are.  We, Christ-followers, are on mission with God, to be the light in the world, to live out the gospel in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, grocery stores, and every where we spend our time.

There is no five step process, no how to for becoming missional.  It is who we are called to be.  They suggest three core elements to every day mission: love God, love people, love life.  Simple, right?!

Two sentences I loved from this section:
You will never attract people to Jesus if you are not excited about Jesus.
Our job is to have fun to the glory of God!

Amen!

So many unformed thoughts are rolling around my head about this topic.  Probably, if you heard me speak during the past year, you have heard some of them!  This is who we are called to be, people who love Jesus and live in the world-having fun to the glory of God!

Go have some fun!

It Can Be Done

Not alone, even in this country!

I started reading a new devotional this year on the recommendation of a friend.  It is called "Designed for Devotion."  Although not every page of the Bible is read, it does go through the whole Bible, Genesis to Revelation.  I am looking forward to it and enjoying it already.

Yesterday I was reading Genesis 6 about Noah.  Like many people I know, the story of Noah is very familiar.  However, as I read yesterday, I was struck again by how Noah was described.  In verse 9 of chapter 6 it says:
"This is the account of Noah and his family.  Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God." (NLT)

The only person!  Not just in his town or his state or his country, but on the earth at the time!  Oh, my pity parties suddenly sound very hollow!

The next part is what cut to my heart yesterday, "he walked in close fellowship with God."  Okay, I have to admit, I did not like reading that one bit.  Times when I drift, when I am not so close to God, when I don't take my relationship with the Almighty seriously enough, in those times, I like to blame lack of accountability.  I like to think that if there was someone who was keeping me accountable, then I would not wander or drift.

And, then, wham!  I see that Noah was alone in his faith-on the earth!-and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Excuse #389 shot down!

Oh, Lord, thank you for reminding me that it can be done.  There is nothing wrong with accountability, in fact, it is a good thing.  However, I cannot blame other people for my own wandering heart.  It is possible to walk closely with You, even if there is no one else around who does.  Change my heart, oh God!

The Wonder of Christmas

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 ESV)

I was fascinated by what I read tonight in my devotional, so I am going to quote various parts of it here.

"The eastern church, centered in Constantinople, at first celebrated Christ's birth in a feast called Epiphany.  They chose January 6th, reasoning that since the first Adam was born on the sixth day of creation, the last Adam should be celebrated on the sixth day of the year."

I did not know that.  Kind of an interesting line of reasoning.

He then talks about how Rome chose December 25th.  Then he concludes with these remarks...

"Some Christians complain about the impure origin of the Christmas celebration.  A pope chose its date; it's decorated trees and wreaths and supernatural character named Santa Claus all have pagan beginnings."

And here is the important part...

"But none of this matters-our faith is what matters.  It makes us sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).  So, by faith, let's sanctify our hearts with this truth:  when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman. (Galatians 4:4)"

The wonder of Christmas- faith!

The Wonder of Christmas

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1, 2, 4, 5 NIV)

I love the lights of Christmas.  I love driving around looking at the lights people have put up outside or even have put in windows to let us peek into their homes.  I have boxes of lights and love to string them up throughout my apartment.  Every year I contemplate buying more lights.

What is it that draws me to the light?  Maybe it has something to do with the Word who was with God in the beginning.

Oh, the joy of verse five!  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!

The wonder of Christmas: when it is dark and I think I have lost my way, the LIGHT shines!  The darkness has not overcome the light, nor will it.

Praise God for the Light!

The Wonder of Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

Prince of Peace.  How we long for peace, in the world, in our schools, in the political world, in our neighborhoods, in our own homes.  

When Jesus came into the world, he was called the Prince of Peace.  Yet, when we look at the world into which He was born, the world from which He ascended, there was not a lot of peace.  When we look at our world today, there is not much peace.

But what about in His Kingdom?  Is there peace in my heart?  Is there peace among believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit?  

The wonder of Christmas, there can be peace in my heart even in this world full of strife and quarrels because of the Prince of Peace.

Lord Jesus, as I celebrate Christmas, may I allow your peace as the Prince of Peace to rule in my heart.

The Wonder of Christmas

for my eyes have seen your salvation (Luke 2:30 ESV)

Simeon and Anna are two people from the Christmas story who do not get as much attention as others.  They had been waiting for the salvation of Israel, for Messiah.  Not just waiting, waiting expectantly and seeking God.  God granted them the desire of their hearts, to see the Christ.

When they saw Jesus, they praised God, giving Him thanks, and then told others what they had seen, Who it was that was right in front of them.

Simeon said, "for my eyes have seen your salvation."  

Our eyes, also, can see His salvation, if they are open, are waiting expectantly, are seeking God.

The wonder of Christmas, we can see the salvation of God!

The Wonder of Christmas

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV)

This is the wonder of Christmas: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This leaves me speechless: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This humbles me: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This causes me to rejoice: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

This is the joy of Christmas: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Let the reality of that sentence settle into your soul:  the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

What is your response to this wonder of Christmas?