From the Cradle to the Cross

During the Christmas season, in front of the home of a friend, is a very simple decoration - usually the only one displayed - a cross in blue lights. This cross was made by the grandfather many years ago.  And in years past, down another a street we used to live on, you would see a lighted cross in someone's front yard. Does it seem strange to think of seeing crosses at Christmas time? I like the idea though because it truly points to the real reason that Jesus came.

Even when the angel announced the future birth of Jesus to Joseph, he said that Mary would have a son. They were to name Him Jesus "for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21. Jesus came with a mission....to save sinners. "For even the Son of man came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45.

So you see, the cradle in that manger stall and the cross of Calvary go hand in hand. Why celebrate one without the other! The wonder of the virgin birth of Immanuel gave way to the cruelty of the substitutionary death on Good Friday and eventually to the triumphant resurrection of Christ on Easter. Christmas opens the story of redemption as told in the old carol, “Silent Night” which says “With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth” and the cross contains a new chapter. The book will soon be completed when Christ returns again to take us home to eternally be with Him.

This song beautifully ties together the cradle and the cross. I cannot sing it without tears.

A Communion Hymn for Christmas

Gathered round Your table on this holy eve,

Viewing Bethlehem's stable we rejoice and grieve:

Joy to see You lying in Your manger bed.

Weep to see You dying in our sinful stead.

Prince of Glory, gracing Heaven ere time began.

Now for us embracing death as Son of Man:

By Your birth so lowly, by Your love so true,

By Your cross most holy, Lord, we worship You!

Bethlehem's Incarnation, Calvary's bitter cross,

Wrought for us salvation by Your pain and loss;

Now we fall before You in this holy place,

Prostrate we adore You, for Your gift of grace.

With profoundest wonder we Your body take

Laid in manger yonder, broken for our sake:

Hushed in adoration we approach the cup

Bethlehem's pure oblation freely offered up.

Christmas Babe so tender, Lamb who bore our blame,

How shall sinners render praises due Your name?

Do Your own good pleasure in the lives we bring

In Your ransomed treasure reign forever King!
(words by Margaret Clarkson)

I believe that Mary gradually began to understand throughout Jesus' life the price for sin that He came to pay. The Bible tells us that she pondered these things in her heart. Knowing that Jesus would not always be "hers", she must have savored each moment and each day with this unusual child.

As you celebrate this joyous season with your family, my prayer is that you will take a few moments each day to lovingly gaze into the face of your sleeping baby, to snuggle your toddler, and to give your older child a big squeeze....to savor each day we are given with these dear children. Let's not forget the wonder of their birth just as Mary must have wondered. And in her life, her own son became her Savior. "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:4.  Is He your Savior and Lord? What better time to acknowledge His cross as you celebrate His cradle!

By Sandy Hall ~  All rights reserved. Please ask permission before copying this article. Thank you. Mom5j@yahoo.com

Read more...

A Pastoral Christmas Prayer

*Today's post is by Harvest elder Bob Bashawaty*

Dear Gracious Heavenly Father,

We come before you to worship you and to praise your holy name. We come to declare your glory and proclaim your love and mercy and grace. We come to honor you and to exalt the name of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. From eternity past, you determined to redeem a lost and wretched humanity. From eternity past, Jesus chose to pay the price of that redemption. Throughout history the prophets spoke of your promise to send a Deliverer, a Savior, a King. Isaiah wrote these familiar and precious words, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and bring forth a son, and will call him Immanuel." Which being interpreted is, "God with us." So during this season and throughout the year we celebrate the miracle of the birth of your Son Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who left His throne of glory to take on the form of a man, to walk among us sinless proclaiming the gospel of salvation through faith in Him. Then, O Father, in an act of unspeakable love, Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, bearing the full weight of your wrath so that we might have eternal life. Then, in the glory of your power He rose from the grave defeating sin a death and ever lives as our high priest and intercessor.  Oh what a blessed reality, dear Father, to know that we are loved with an everlasting love, that you will never leave us or forsake us, that your grace is available and sufficient to strengthen us and comfort us and empower us.

Knowing this, Lord, we are deeply grieved when we fail to honor you with our obedience. We love you so much but so often we are drawn away by our own lusts, tempted by the world and the flesh to sin against you and who we are in Christ. It is in you that we live and move and have our being. Every breath we take is a gift from you. We are totally dependent upon your grace for life, and yet too often we choose our way over your way. Father, as a church, as individuals, we confess this sin of rebellion against you. We are so grateful that we can come into your presence anytime with a broken and contrite heart, acknowledge our sin to you and receive forgiveness and cleansing. We thank you that the guilt and the penalty for sin are paid for by Jesus; that there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ. We thank you that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can repent of our sin and live a life that glorifies you and testifies Jesus Christ.

Father, I pray now for our church. As a body of believers I pray that our fellowship is pleasing in your sight. I pray that our commitment to teaching and preaching without compromise the word of God would define us in this community. I pray that we would be diligent to guard against the influences of the world trying to weaken our stand for the truth. Give our leadership wisdom and discernment to expose and defeat the attacks of the Devil as he attempts to destroy. Help us to maintain our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ, welcoming all who name the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

And Father, I pray for each member and attender at Harvest that first and foremost they understand the gospel and know Jesus Christ as Savior. I pray that their relationship with You would grow more and more intimate as they exercise the disciplines of bible study and prayer. I pray that growing in their Christian walk would be an all-consuming passion, knowing that they are servants of the most high God, equipped by Him to be useful for the Kingdom of Heaven. I pray, Father, for each person here to be a minister for Christ; serving one another in love and humility.

I know, dear Lord, that there are those who are hurting and struggling. It may be health issues, or relationship issues, or personal habits that are stealing the joy of their salvation. For these folks I pray for an abundance of your grace and an overwhelming sense of your presence. I pray that they would find their comfort and peace in you, and I pray that those around them would be sensitive to their circumstances and be willing to minister to their needs.

And finally, Father, I pray that each of us would live in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ. Your promise is that the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. We live in a world that is cursed, that denies God and delights in iniquity. We live in a world that is temporary and is headed towards judgment. Our one hope, our blessed hope, is the return of Jesus Christ to set up his kingdom; to put an end to sin, death and Satan, to rule in righteousness and ultimately create a new heaven and a new earth free of any stain or impurity. Each generation has hoped that your return would be soon, and we as well echo the words of the Apostle John: “Even so come, Lord Jesus.” 

In your precious name we pray. Amen.

Read more...

Labors of Love

*Today's post is by guest writer Sandy Hall*

That time of year has arrived again when you spend twenty minutes bundling everyone up to go outside: the extra sweater, snow pants and coat, hat, mittens and scarf, two pairs of socks, and the boots! To top it off, when our children were young they liked to play hockey in our driveway (even in the snow), so add to the above list the helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and skates instead of boots. Now if you multiply all those articles of clothing by the number of children you have, then divide it by the outside temperature and subtract the wind speed you will find out where you register on the frustration scale!  That tells you how many minutes they will stay out (which usually ends up exactly one-third the amount of time it took you to get them ready to go out!!!  Ahhh, for a few minutes of summer’s heat wave!

Seriously though, have you ever thought of all the little labors of love you do for your family throughout a single day? All day long (and even into the night) we as women meet the needs of others. Jesus said if we give even a cup of cold water in His name, we will receive a reward (Mark 9:41). In the same light, our labors of love can be viewed from a higher perspective. All that we do: washing dishes or dirty faces, changing diapers, baking bread, reading a story, teaching Bible verses, ironing a shirt, driving kids to soccer practice, preparing a favorite meal, listening, soothing a “boo-boo”, sewing on a button, and yes, even getting children dressed to go play in the snow….all of these are lofty, worthwhile actions when done as a service to our God. They don’t have to be considered menial or mundane; they are daily, continual, valuable gifts of love we give to our families and are ultimately sacrificial gifts to God!

Oh, Lord, make all that I do and say to be done “…in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2

How They Love One Another

Not merely in the words you say,

Not only in your deeds confessed,

But in the most unconscious way

Is Christ expressed.

Is it a beautific smile?

A holy light upon your brow?

Oh no! I felt His presence

When you laughed just now.

To me, ‘twas not the truth you taught

To you so clear, to me still dim.

But when you came you brought

A sense of Him.

And from your eyes He beckons me

And from your heart His love is shed.

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

By Mary Wang, With God in Red China

By Sandy Hall
All rights reserved. Please ask permission before copying this article. Thank you. mom5j@yahoo.com

Read more...

Bigger and Better

*Today's post is by guest writer Sandy Hall*

Many years ago when Bud and I were young newlyweds, we were working with the teens at our church. We planned a YAC (Youth after Church) for a Sunday night and had about 30 kids in our home for fun and food. Bud divided the teens up into teams of 4 or 5, gave each team a penny, and sent them out into our neighborhood to trade that penny for something bigger and better. They could trade up as many times as they could convince people to trade, and they had to be back to our house by a certain time. Off they went! Some very interesting items came back to our home that night! Lots of laughs. I remember a bird cage even. But the one thing that was most exciting to this wife and soon-to-be-mother was a dryer. It didn’t run….but that didn’t stop us. Bud discovered it needed a $7 part, fixed it, and we were good to go. I think we used that dryer for our family of 7 for about 20 years!!

When I was a little girl, I made a trade that changed the course of my life. I traded my sin for the righteousness of God. I traded my plans for my life for God’s plans for my life. I traded my selfishness for God’s love.  And I’m so glad! It was a great trade. Something far bigger and better! This song gives my testimony:

"Trading My Sorrows" by Darrell Evans

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord
I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

And we say yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord
Yes Lord yes Lord yes yes Lord Amen
I'm pressed but not crushed persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I'm blessed beyond the curse for his promise will endure
And his joy's gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning

The  Scriptures give many examples of men and women through the ages who traded for bigger and better:

- Abraham traded the security and comfort of his home in Ur for obedience to follow God to the unknown, believing in the promises of God. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; or he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

- Sarah traded barrenness for the strength to bear a child.  “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11

- Did Moses ever dream he would lead the nation of his people, the Jews, out of bondage in Egypt? Hebrews 11 tells us he traded the passing pleasures of sin for suffering affliction with the people of God; he traded the treasures of Egypt for the reproach of Christ.

“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:16

And my mind goes to the quote by Jim Elliot, a missionary martyr in Ecuador in the 50’s,  “He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

So many godly examples of those who were willing to trade for something bigger and better.

Why then do we hang on tight to the “penny”? What are you hanging on to? Can you not see that God has something bigger and better in mind for you? Trade in that penny for God’s best!

By Sandy Hall
All rights reserved. Please ask permission before copying this article. Thank you. mom5j@yahoo.com 

Read more...

The Breath of Life

*Today's post is by guest writer Sandy Hall*

September 29, 2004, 7:02 p.m. - Sarah was born, much to the relief of the dear mother, father, family, doctor/midwife, and friends. As Sarah entered the world, we held our breath, waiting for her to breathe. Come on, little one.......what seemed like a minute or two passed, but was only a few seconds......there it is! A lusty wail was heard as her lungs filled with air, a totally new experience for her. Her eyes opened and her parents looked into them for the first time. Sarah was handed to me as I sat on the bed next to the momma.  Just minutes later, Sarah's sister came forth and the same anticipation occurred. We waited.......come on, baby, breathe!.......Ah, yes, then Mercy cried out. She was okay. We all exhaled. Mercy's eyes were open, gazing about at all the new sights. What a special moment to see the faces of these two new daughters for the first time. Mom and Dad and their five other children welcomed with tears of joy and relief these two new little ones. What a privilege to be there as these babies breathed their first breath of life.

October 21, 2004, 5:30 p.m. - Bill lay quietly on his bed at the nursing home in Riverview. His eyes were closed; there was no response from him. His wife and I talked quietly to him and to one another. Every once in a while we stopped to listen to his breathing.......shallow.......with pauses......in between. Several times we leaned over waiting for him to breathe again.......15 seconds passed. Come on, Bill, breathe. There it was........another long, slow exhale. Minutes later, there was a 20 second interval between breaths. We talked quietly on about how wonderful of a man he was, how she loved to serve him and make his life happy.......a long pause again.......20 seconds passed.......then 30......I leaned over to listen for his next breath. I took his hand and tried to find a pulse. No more breaths came, no pulse. He was at rest. Bill entered heaven with joy and rejoicing. The pain and suffering of recent months was all gone; He was seeing his Savior face-to-face. For his wife, a time of sorrow and relief. Losing a husband two times in 5 short years was not easy. What a privilege to be there with her and with Bill as he took his last breath.

Such were the experiences I had just three weeks apart that fall. As I drove home after Bill had died, the words of the verse in Genesis 2:7 came to my mind, "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breathe of life; and man became a living being." I had watched Sarah and Mercy breathe their first air; I had watched Bill breathe his last. Yes, the babies were very much alive in the womb with their needed oxygen coming through the placentas from their mother's blood, but seeing them take in air for themselves for the first time was amazing. Who tells them to do that? Think of all the physiological changes that must take place for this to happen. And for Bill, who told him to breathe his last? Why at that moment? "For it is appointed unto man, once to die....." God! He is the answer to the first and the last breath we take. He is the source of all life. He gives it; and He takes it away. And as many have said through the centuries along with Job, "...the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b

Obviously, if you are reading this article, you are breathing. You probably don't even remember your first breath of life at your birth, and most of you were not conscious of your breathing throughout today.....unless you felt out of breath chasing two toddlers all day! When will your last breath be? At this point in time, only God knows. Are you ready? Will you be ready when your last breath comes? Do you know what will happen to you then? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27 that "...it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." If you have acknowledged your sin to God and asked Him to be your personal Savior, since He has already paid the penalty for your sins on the cross, you can be absolutely assured that you will be with Him. If you are not sure what will happen to you when you breathe your last, please read the following verses from the Bible:

Romans 10:9, 10, 13 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.....for 'whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"

From our first breath to our last....."Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow" (Psalm 144:4). Because of that, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6).

By Sandy Hall
All rights reserved. Please ask permission before copying this article. Thank you. mom5j@yahoo.com 

Read more...