Laced With Grace

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  Romans 1:25 (NLT)

Wherever we go, or whatever we watch, whether TV, movies, the Internet or standing in line at the checkout in the grocery store, we see what the “world” views as “super stars” – people to emulate.   It seems that every day there is some “star”, athlete, or even politician admitting or caught in uncompromising situation.  These are the individuals that the world is trying to get our children as well as ourselves to emulate- even worship.

Even in the Christian realm we must be careful not to put the Christian artist, authors, or even pastors in position of worship over God.  The created is flawed in this sinful world; but the Creator is not flawed, He is Truth.  People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own self-centered personal beliefs.  We need to be careful- even watchful that we do not trade the truth about God for a lie.  Today, more than ever, we need to know what the foundation is for our beliefs.   The influences of TV, music, movies and even the media often presents sinful life-styles and objectionable values  that we often find ourselves bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally contrary to the Bible.  We need to be careful of what influences us to form our opinions.  The Bible is the only standard of truth so we must evaluate all other opinions in light of its teachings.

This world desires us to worship the things that God has created instead of the Creator Himself!  Even though some of the created may seem good, we must be careful of crossing the line from admiration to adoration.  The created can disappoint us, ever fail us, but the Creator will never fail- He is forever faithful and just.   He is our standard of Truth.   Our God, is always worthy of our praise and adoration.  Let us always give honor and glory to One who is worthy of all praise!  Amen!

“I will extol Thee, my God, O King; And I will bless Thy name forever and ever. Everyday I will bless Thee, and I will praise Thy name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Thy majesty, and on Thy wonderful works, I will meditate.”  Psalm 145:1-5

When do you take down your Christmas tree and decorations?  For many, it all comes down this week. We pack them all up and put Christmas back in the box until next year. The warm fuzzies fade, and the reality of the present glares at us come January 2nd when everything goes back to the “normal” routine — back to work and school, appointments and paying the bills.

I don’t like packing Christmas away for another year. But I also don’t like keeping Jesus as a baby or in a box.

Yes, there is something simple about the birth of Jesus. We think of the story of a sweet baby laying peacefully in a manger and it somehow feels safe and warm. Visualizing Him as helpless and small makes Him seem easy to control.  I don’t need to deal with how big He really is, His greatness, majesty and power.

Jesus doesn’t want to remain a baby in our lives, nor does He want to can He be put into a box. In the beginning of Luke 2, we see Him as the baby in a manger, but by the end of the chapter we see He grew in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52).  He was born full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and we can trust and follow Him in every circumstance of life. He came to be our Savior and He desires for all of us to see His majesty and awesome power, to fall to our knees and worship Him as our Savior and Lord. To put Jesus into a box would negate His grace that’s given to us freely, grace upon grace (John 1:16).  To relegate Jesus to a box of our own choosing, (i.e. legalism or humanism) is like thinking we have life under our own control.

The past few years I’ve started keeping one Christmas decoration or ornament out of the box, and place it somewhere where I least expect it. It serves as a visual reminder to not put Jesus in a box, but to see Him for Who He truly is, our Savior and Lord. This year, I’m keeping out one of my Moravian star ornaments to remind me of His splendor and majesty and His mighty works. It will also remind me to “shine like stars in the universe” before this sin sick world. (Philippians 2:15)

As you’re undecorating this week, pause and reflect upon His majesty, power and mighty works. Reflect upon His grace upon grace in your life. Don’t put Jesus in a box.

Prayer:

Lord, I love the presents and the lights. I’m not looking forward to taking it all down, but I’m most grateful for You sending Your Son as the Light of the World.  The simple, uncluttered way I decorated this year gently reminds me I don’t have to be all decked out in beautiful array to come before You; You are more concerned with what’s inside.

I don’t ever want to put You in a box. I pause right now and recognize you as my grown-up Savior and Lord, out of the feed box and on the throne of my heart.  Please help me to always keep You there.  May I continually mediate upon Your glorious splendor and wonderful works.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

As I wandered through the woods this morning, I got caught up in a woodland chorus.

An amphitheater made of oak, maple, birch, poplar, ash and evergreen pine and painted in glowing hues of gold, red, orange, brown, russet and green by the Master Craftsman. The participants perched upon their bough.

Each bird species has it’s own unique part that no other in the woodland chorus can sing. Simply it chirps its repetitive song. It does not try to sing another bird’s song, it only sings the songs God created it to sing.

It lives a life of contentment.  Content to be an ordinary bird singing it’s God-given song.

A variety of birds, each singing its part in the woodland chorus from their tree top perches.  Worship in surround sound.

What’s your song?  What has He created You to sing to the world?

Have you ever found yourself discontent with your voice in the symphony of life?  Do you find yourself wishing you could “sing” better or perhaps a different song?

Listen to the Lord’s response to your discontent.

 I love to hear you sing your praises and your sounds of joy. I am your song, and when you sing, all of creation hums in harmony. Your voice is the instrument I use to stir human souls, but it is your heart that reaches My ear. 

 There is music in great sounds of joy and jubilation! There is music in the crashing waters, in the sound of wind in the trees. But there is no music as delightful to My ear as the sound of My children; because it is your heart that I most want to hear. It makes My heart glad to hear you because your sounds are pure and true.

 My Holy Spirit springs from your spirit in the form of music, and the sounds you make are holy. They refresh and renew your soul; they bless My heart. 

 Sing to me a new song. Even in diversity, sing to Me. Even in Trials and what you think is your darkest hour, sing to Me. Sing to Me, for I am your Beloved; sing to Me a tender, loving song. I am your song.

“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praise to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy. Psalm 33:1-3

Lord, forgive me! Oft times I attempt to sing songs that are not meant for me to sing.  Thank You for giving me a song to sing in eternity’s symphony.