Of all the people who are involved in the first Christmas Story, no one stands out more as a person of willing obedience more than a young Jewish girl named Mary.  Matthew records very little about this young girl who was probably a mere teen ager.  But Luke's Gospel sheds far more light on here life and her willingness to say yes.  Luke's account aboutMary begins this way.  "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel of went to her and said, "Greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."   Mary merits our respect because although she was young she had found favor with God.  Her humble godly life pleased God to such an extent that He chose her for an incredible task. 

     I am not sure how you would respond when an angel speaks to you but in Mary's case the account says that at first she was troubled and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel (Gabriel) said to her. "Do not be afraid, you have found favor with God.  There it is again that same phrase; you have found favor with God. God sees you and me from the perspective of our hearts towards Him.  The favor that Mary found was not doubt on the account that she had a heart that loved God and was willing to serve the Lord in whatever way was described. Although she was young, she was great with God.  The Word of God tells us that man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.  He sees our willingness that can overcome our weakness.  He says the heart that will make room for Him and the life that will make room for His ways even when they come at a high price. 

     Mary asks the obvious question of Gabriel "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"  How can this be she is asking herself, in what way can the natural course of life be altered. How can I become a mother when I have not been with any man? This where the gift of our willingness becomes such a powerful gift that we give to God. Notice the reply that is given to her question. "For nothing is impossible with God!"   There is the truth that even when we are weak and feeble and not able to accomplish anything in our own life we can see the miraculous as God takes each part of our willingness and adds His supernatural power over it." 

     Mary grabs hold of that deep truth and says, "May it be to be as you have said." And then Luke records the angel left her.  Mary did not have to say yes; even though she was highly favored with God she could have said no to Gabriel and no to God's plan for her life. But she said yes!  Her yes would not be an easy one.  She would suffer scorn from friends and family who would not understand her choice, she would suffer pain throughout her life as the Son that she would bring to the world would be mocked and persecuted, condemned and crucified. I wonder how many times she looked back on her decision to be willingly obedient and said God you were leading and I would say yes again.  God chose Mary not because of her great abilities on the outside although they must have been considerable, He chose her because she was willing to give a gift to God.  We all like receiving gifts, but often times the best experiences are found when we give ourselves and say yes to Jesus.  In our Christmas Gift Countdown have you offered your willingness and your obedience as a gift to the New Born King?

[...]

Part of the  Joy of the story of Jesus coming to earth, is that God came because He loves us.  Even when we don't deserve it or have acted in a way that would make Him want to love us He still does.  Galatians says that He came born of a virgin to redeem those under the law.  Possibly there is no greater description of God's grace found anywhere in the Bible than in the genealogy of Jesus.  We spoke about this in the first installment of if you can use anything Lord you can use me, and in this entry we look at the grace of God of three women mentioned in Matthew's record.  It is often said that all families have skeletons in their closet, people that they are not proud of or who did regretful things, and yet they are still part of our family history. But the line of Jesus should be pure and sinless, right?  From God's point of view He sees things through the eyes of grace.  Look further at the line of Jesus in Matthew. First of all it is completely against the custom of the day to list women in the genealogy of a Jewish man.  Yet the Holy Spirit inspires Matthew with the directive of including not just any four women who were especially holy, but in some cases were anything but.  Take a look with me.  Matthew 1:3 lists Tamar who was the mother of twins named Perez and Zerah.  If you read the account of the birth of these twins in Genesis chapter 38 you can see how Tamar had to pretend to be something she was not in order to have her father in law become the father of these twins.  It is a startling account in itself and even greater when you consider the fact that she ends up in line of Jesus. Moving on to verse 5, Rahab is said to be the mother of Boaz.  Well rahab was a harlot who had lead a life that we not one that you and I would boast about and yet God gave graced and used her to be the grandmother of King David.   In Verse 6 the lineage goes on speaking about graced women when it mentions Uriah's wife who name was Bathsheba.  Of course the account of Bathsheba is a sad one of disobedience sin and death.  Yet Matthew spells it out for the believers that God can and does use people who have gone through pain and tragedy in their lives, even when it comes because of their own failure. God is creative and can recreate anything or anyone who will surrender their lives to Him.  If God would step out of the norm and mention woman in the line of Jesus and at that who in many cases were not women that you and I would choose, than He will do whatever is necessary to convey His love and grace.  Merry Christmas Jesus, Thanks for the gift of your grace and your willingness to see beyond our faults and use us in your master plan

[...]

For the next couple of weeks we want to look at the Christmas story with great joy and wonder. Every person who was involved in Incarnation of Jesus into our world was changed forever by it.  In our last entry we encouraged everyone to take time and read on a daily basis part of the Christmas story so that it can become life to you and not just history. 

In the genealogies that continue to verse 17 we see some amazing grace being displayed.  It was customary to only list men in the genealogies of a Hebrew family and for that matter only good men who would give credence to their descendant's rightful place.  Yet this genealogy takes great pains to not only speak of great men but also of men who failed and yet God said that He wants them in the line of Jesus.  Look at it in verse 2 Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are mentioned and another man named Judah.  These were chosen to be part of the line of the King. Yet each one of them has records of parts of their lives that are not that promising and definitely not that great.  Just in these four men we have a group of people who lied who in Jacob's case deceived, who divided families and who were involved with heinous sin.  That is only in the first couple of verses. The list contains people like you and I who have messed up and sinned and yet God looks down forgives them and says I want you to be part of the answer for the Messiah's coming to the World.  The list goes on and on with the account of people who had issues and yet the Lord allows them to be in the line of the King.  From murderers to deceivers, this list of ancestors gives us encouragement and hope. Our past does not have to disqualify us in fact it can be a reminder of God's grace.

It's is very possible the besides speaking of Jesus as the rightful heir to the throne of David, The Holy Spirit wants you and I to have hope that our lives can count for eternity.  That although our past has sin and disappointments towards God.  He has promised to cover us with His grace and say if I can use these people, I can use you as well.  The Christmas story really comes down to two things. First, God's love for the people of the World and His desire to save them from their sins, and Second our willingness to embrace His love and forgiveness.  The first few verses of the Christmas Story says to us If the Lord can use flawed men and women for His glory He can use me as well. What a great Christmas gift, the Gift of Grace and the Gift of New Hope for each one of us.

[...]

I wanted to ask you to join with me in praying for the families of the victims who were killed in Nebraska last week and in Colorado this week.  You and I can hold them up in prayer during this time of grief and loss. God will give comfort that no one else can.

 Also please pray for those families who are going through the holiday season grieving a loss of a loved one.  Theincarnation of Jesus speaks the truth that he is the one who can speak healing and wholeness  to those who are oppressed by grief and pain. Please pray and as God prompts your heart please reach out and encourage. Let's also pray that the Lord would have mercy on our nation once again and bring our country to a dependance on Him.  Thanks for sharing the Power of Christmas through prayer

[...]

We are fast approaching the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  His incarnation into the world, what an overwhelming thought, God with us.  In human flesh in the creator of the universe who spoke the worlds into being now comes into our world as a baby innocent and helpless, yet coming to deliver.  I have wondered at times why God would come in the form of a baby.  Whynot come as a fully grown adult so that He could forgo all of the problems of growing up as a human. Then I am reminded of the verse that says He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin.  In order for Immanuel to lead us to a new way of life, He chose to experience our life with all the limitations we feel and the pressures that we face.  When we think about the coming of Jesus it should be so awesome in our minds and in our hearts that we are humbled that He would come.

The Apostle Paul tells us that the Lord came as a baby born of a virgin to redeem those under the bondage of the law. In other words people who would try to earn their salvation by trying to fulfill all the requirements of the law would be frustrated with merely attempting to be good.  Rather than asking God to change us from the inside out not from the outside in. That is what makes the incarnation so incredible, the living God who speaks worlds into existence speaks life into our lives if we will listen.  What does it mean to you?   What do you know about the incarnation?

I am going to ask you to join me on a journey of knowing. Between now and Christmas would you join me in knowing the Savior more. Here is how we will do it, would you join me in reading each day part of the Christmas story from Matthew, Mark and Luke?  John's Gospel also speaks to the incarnation from a different perspective of Christ the living word.  So let's do it, we are praying and asking God to allow us to Know Him.  So let start today, how bout it.  We want to know all that His incarnation has brought for us, and the best part of His coming as a baby in Bethlehem is the fact that we get to know Him.

[...]

So we bundled up and put on all the clothes that we could to try to stay warm for this great outdoor activity.  The Air Force Band Played and a group of high school students formed a madrigal choir singing songs of the season.  In addition there were also singers who tried there best to get the frozen throng who had gathered in the feeling of Christmas with singing songs ranging from Jingle Bell Rock to O Holy Night.

For me besides the fun of being there at the event two moments stood out. As the temperature slipped and the daylight turned to dusk, God was speaking. The first was when a 15 year old girl who has a wonderful voice sang "O Holy Night".  Just having her sing the words "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn brought great joy to my heart.  There is something awesome about hearing this song of praise and adoration to God sung in sight of the White House and knowing that although many of the people gathered may not have been believers or seekers, there is a powerful and special presence of truth on that Song.  It was also a great reminder to me of the fact that although there are groups within the United States who want to kick God out of everything in our society, they can not stop the truth of Jesus and the impact that He has made on our nation and our lives.

The second moment occurred as President Bush stepped to the podium and addressed the crowd.  Whatever you may think about him or the decisions and policies he has made, one thing is certain, he has an unwavering commitment to Jesus and is not afraid to tell others about it, even though it may not be popular.  The President talked of the birth in Bethlehem of the Savior of the World, God's gift of love for all people of all backgrounds and all ages.  He made such a strong statement of God's truth for a hurting world that Jesus is the Light of the World. I for one was moved and thankful.  Thankful to God for a President who is willing to make his faith in Christ public and moved that God in His grace can use a moment like that to affect others who were gathered by Television or in the audience with the truth that the Light of the World brings.  Jesus told us to let our lights shine before men, that they would glorify God.  On this day in December I am asking you to join me in allowing the Light of Jesus to shine during this Christmas celebration and beyond.  Look for opportunities to turn on the Light!

[...]

Well we are here at home on Wednesday night and hoping that all of you made it safely home with the traffic and slippery roads.  I was out earlier today and was thinking about all those folks who call Cornerstone home who would have a much longer commute today because of the first snow of the year. Even though I have lived in Maryland now for fourteen years each winter is a constantreminder of a different perspective of winter.  When we lived in the midwest it was not unusual for us to get 80-100 inches of snow each year.  The interesting part of that is that school was hardly ever cancelled and people who grew up under those wintery conditions just adjusted and kept going. But here in Maryland it is a totally different story.  A small amount of snow can cause a huge problem for traffic and a significant snow can shut down the entire area.  It comes down to perspective.  I met a person today who had never seen snow in their life even though they had grown up in the United States, you should have seen the look on her face as she watched the beautiful flakes fall.   Winter it seems is all about what you make it and the perspective that you have going in.  I for one do not miss all the snow of the midwest, but when you see a white dusting or a small blanket of the white stuff it has a way of getting you into the mood for Christmas. Many people who have not grown up in the United States but have grown up in different countries around the world look at the snow with wonder and awe at the beauty and the cleaness of the snow.

I am reminded of the verse of scripture that compares God's saving ability to a washing that makes one whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 "Now wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow."  Even though I don't miss the heavy physical snow of the midwest, I am reminded of God's ability to free us and to wash us clean every time that it snows.  So when it comes to God's blessing and forgiveness, His cleansing and wholeness, over all of our lives and the lives of those we come in contact with, my prayer is "Oh God let it Snow."

[...]

It's the fourth day of December and already the Christmas parties and activities are heating up. I attended my first Christmas party last evening and now look forward to four more to go.  Don't get me wrong the parties are great and just to relax and connect with people around the celebration of the Birth of our Lord is a wonderful thing, yet you and I must be careful. Careful that we embrace Christmas for all it's worth and not allow the activities to steal our joy or our resolve to Worship the King.

But how are we to do that?  How can we cross off all the things that we have to do and still take time to enjoy this season in which we celebrate the Greatest Birth of All?  I believe the key to enjoying Christmas is simple, Keep your eyes and your hearts on what really matters, and enjoy Jesus! The Christmas story is filled with people like us who had a busy life with many things pulling on their time and resources and yet still had time to do what was the most important, which was to keep the Birth of JESUS the Messiah at the center of it all. Possibly no one depicted in the Christmas story accomplishes this better than the Wiseman.  The Bible tells us that they come from the East from a far off country; many scholars believe that they came from Persia which is the area around modern day Iraq and Iran. These men had their own lives, they had things to do in a country of their own, yet they leave the comfort and the stability of what they have known to go to small nation called Israel all because they had seen a star in the Heavens that pointed their way to what they knew was a placed of worship.  Look at what they say to King Herod when questioned about the reason for this long trip through dangerous ground.  They say we have seen "His star in the East and have come to worship Him."  Then after finding Jesus they do just that, they offer gifts and worship the new born King.  Here is what we can learn simply from these Wiseman, who teach us about embracing Christmas. They are saying let our lives and our journey through all the different events and activities never lose sight of our primary drive which is to worship Jesus. Nothing stopped the Wiseman from worshipping and nothing should stop you and me as well. Not just on the 25^th of December but today on the 4^th and tomorrow on the 5^th.  We want to Enjoy Christmas but that will  only way that will take place if we enjoy Jesus.  The Westminster catechism says this, "The whole duty of man is to worship God and enjoy Him forever."  That is it!  Our duty is not just to get the gifts right and attend the parties it is to worship the Lord and enjoy Him forever.  Let's start today by taking a moment today to do just that.  Stop what you are doing and Worship Jesus.  Tell Him that you will not let Christmas go by without you first enjoying Him and worshipping the One who is the reason and the hope for our life. This is the Messiah, This is the King, This is our Jesus!

O Come Let us Adore Him!

[...]

Our lives are a combination often times of pressures of time of resources and tension for us as believers, who want so much to live for God, and yet the stuff that we face around us makes it difficult.   The secret to lasting peace is not merely knowing about Jesus, but is to focus on Him and allow are thought lives to be at peace so no matter what we face in a given day, God's peace sustains us.  Isaiah 26:3 is a wonderful verse on this secret.  "YOU will keep in perfect peace HIM whose mind is fixed on thee."  There is the secret to allow the Lord to overwhelm not merely bring peace to your schedule but your thoughts as well.  Jesus said that real peace is found in Him alone as we allow His peace to take over every nook and cranny of our lives.  John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.   Peace is not something we can quickly take medicine for if we need it. Jesus is saying let every part of your life, your worries, your fears, your thoughts be consumed with Jesus so that His peace the only lasting peace will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ. 

I for one want that secret to live in my life. You and I both know how hard it can be sometime with all the things we are facing and the things that we don't know about that will happen.  I am asking the Lord to allow all of us here at Cornerstone to walk in His peace and to be fixed and focus on Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  May Peace...be with you! Peace that is found only in fixing our hearts on Jesus

[...]

You and I live in a very exciting area of our nation. Situated between the Nations capital and the State Capital we are privy to exciting happenings all around us.  This week at the Naval Academy in Annapolis representatives from more than Fifty nations will come together to address the hope for peace in the middles east. 

Solomon saidthere is nothing new under the sun, and that is especially true when it comes to peace talks.  In fact Maryland has host now three such gatherings over the years.  One, at Camp David, another on the Eastern shore at Wye River and now this gathering in Annapolis.  Each conference has been heralded as break troughs', with hope for lasting peace  and each one has failed to bring about resolution of age old issues that continue to arise in the conflict between the nation of Israel and the Palestinians.   The conflict began more than 3,000 years ago when Abraham fathered a child named Ishmael with the slave girl Hagar.  God had planned that Isaac would be the son of promise and through Isaac the son that Abraham's wife Sarah would birth all the world would be blessed.  Instead because of the conflict of Isaac and Ishmael there has been strife ever since.  So much so that the entire world seems to be focused on a very small piece of earth called Israel. This focus is not without good reason.  God has established that the Nation of Israel is part of His divine plan.  Israel's very existence shows the Lord's ability to protect and defend His people against all odds.  In the natural with all the hatred through the centuries directed at Jewish people and the nation of Israel, they should not exist.  But God has other plans and God who has always shown Himself faithful will do it again.

God loves the People of Israel in fact the word of God says that we should pray for the peace of Jerusalem always and that those who pray for peace will be blessed.  But God also loves the Palestinians and Arab people who are so loved by God that Jesus, God Himself would give His own life for Arabs and Palestinians the world over.  Who does He love more is not the question God loves all people the same, Our Lord's death on the cross was for all not just for some.  So today when the peace talks are happening in Annapolis, I am going to ask you to pray that God would move on the lives of those who are gathered.  Each one no matter what their background or Ideology is loved by the Lord, the Lord longs to draw each of them close to Him.

There is hope for the world, there is peace that is available, but it will not come though discussions with national leaders.  Lasting peace will only come to individuals and to the nations when they allow the Prince of Peace, King Jesus to give lasting eternal peace.  One of the wonderful prophesies about the birth of Jesus is found in Isaiah chapter 9..."

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,  ^ Mighty

God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

^7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.   This is God's Promise to those who come and discover for themselves the Prince of Peace.

 Please pray with me for the Peace of Jerusalem and pray that God will give peace to all those leaders gathered here in Maryland who ask Jesus to give them lasting peace.

[...]