Walking Out of Presumption and Into Assurance: A Word for the New Year

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

James 4:14-16 (NLT)
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.”

While the above scripture refers to presumption in an arrogant sense, it is also applicable to the negative presumptions that permeate the news and the gossip of today. The root of both types of presumptions is fear. We must replace our fear with faith. Faith comes by hearing and repeating the word of God. 

One of those negative presumptions swirling around us today is that Christianity is dying out.  While Christianity is under attack in the United States and in the world, Christianity has not been and will not be defeated.  Jesus said that He would establish His Church and the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. (Matt. 16:18.) We must stop speaking death over what Jesus has established forever.

Scripture has warned us that in this world and under the world system, things will not go well and will become even worse.  We listen to the negative reports and forget that we are citizens of the Kingdom which is ruled over by the King of Kings who has promised to meet our every need.

When the world situation brings doubt, fear and unbelief into our lives, an important scripture to remember is John 16:33 (NKJV): “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." In spite of what is happening in the world, we can have peace in our relationship with the Lord and confidence in His benevolence.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The economy in the United States looks bleak.  However, we still have the strongest economy in the world.  We need to be good stewards of what the Lord has given us while making wise provision for the future.  We need, also, to remember the promise Paul wrote of in Philippians 4:19 (NKJV):  “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” 

As I have been meditating on the future, the Lord brought to my mind the old hymn, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” by Ira Stanphill.

“I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from the sunshine
For it's skies may turn to gray
I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today He'll walk beside me
For He knows what lies ahead
“Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Every burden's getting lighter
Every cloud is silver lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.”
Refrain:
“Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.”

A Word for the New Year:

The Lord would say to us at the beginning of this new year, “Don’t borrow from the sunshine of today by longing for the past and fearing the future.  The past is gone and cannot be retrieved.  You have no need to fear in the future.  In Me, your future is filled with hope and goodness

Each day, you must look beyond your current situation and experience the transcending power and glory of walking with Me.  Look beyond the frustration of the things you cannot understand and into the assurance that I hold tomorrow, and, if you will allow Me, I will hold your hand.

 The path that I have chosen for you goes above and beyond anything that you can think of or imagine and into the realm of perfect peace purchased for you on the Cross.  Remember Proverbs 4:18 (NKJV): “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” 

Allow the One who holds tomorrow to be the One who holds your hand.

 A Christian Celebration of Hanukkah

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Happy Christian Hanukkah!  “Blessed are You, O King of the Universe, who has commanded us to be a light unto the world.”

 Although the events leading up to Hanukkah are not described in the Protestant canon, we can find the story in the Apocrypha in 1 and 2 Maccabees. In 164 B.C. Israel was ruled by the Greek empire.  The Greeks forbade the Jews from worshiping Jehovah and practicing the Mosaic Law.  The conquerors desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by sacrificing a pig on the altar and placing a statue of Zeus in the Holy of Holies. 

 Matthais Maccabeus, a priest, gathered true worshipers, including his five sons, into a small, but stalwart, army of only 12,000.  Matthais’ son Judas, became their leader. Miraculously, they defeated the Greeks and cleansed the Temple.  

 After rededicating the Temple, they wanted to light the Menorah (Lampstand) that stood in the Holy Place.  They found enough of the specially prepared olive oil to the light the Menorah for only one day.  Even so, in faith, they lighted the Menorah, and, again, miraculously, the oil burned 8 days until new oil could be prepared.

 Therefore, Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for “dedication”, is celebrated for 8 days.  Jewish people place lighted candles in the windows in celebration of this holiday.  Because of the candle lighting, Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights.

Biblically speaking, eight is the number of new beginnings.

 What is the significance of Hanukkah for Christians?  First of all, Scripture tells us that Jesus recognized Hanukkah. John 10:22-23 (NKJV) "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch". 

It was during this same time that Jesus declared His role as messiah. John 10:27-30:  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one.'' 

 Secondly, the events in our world today are, in many ways, parallel, to what was happening in the time of the Maccabees.  In that time the Greeks did not seek to physically destroy the Jews.  They wanted to take away from them their faith and their customs.  They wanted to convert them to the worldly philosophies that denied the existence of a personal God and extolled the virtues of man. We see the same thing happening in the world today where many believe that man is a law unto himself and that the ways of God are antiquated and have no place in the modern world.  We identify with the struggle of the Macabees in our efforts to secure the right to celebrate Christmas and to maintain our Christian identity. 

 Hanukkah is a time to remember and to rededicate ourselves to those values that are worth fighting for and that bring love, joy and peace into our lives.  Hanukkah is a time to remember that it is the truth that sets us free.  Hanukkah is a time to declare the light of Jesus Christ.

 Below are 8 verses, one for each day, to meditate on during this Hanukkah season:

1.  Genesis 1:1-4 (NKJV) 

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 

2.   Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) 

A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 

3.  Psalm 36:9 (NKJV) 

For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 

4.  Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 

5.  Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV) 

The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. 

6. Isaiah 60:1-3 (NKJV) 

Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 

The Gentiles (the unbelievers) shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 

7.  John 8:12 (NKJV) 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

8.  Matthew 5:16 (NKJV)  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

 During Hanukkah, I pray that we will rededicate our lives to the Lord and seek to walk in His light. Hanukkah Tova! (Happy Hanukkah.)

 Sharing a Christmas Prayer

Rev. Lonnie C, Crowe

One of my favorite authors is Robert Lewis Stevenson.  One of my favorite prayers is his Christmas prayer.  It is my joy to share it with you.

Loving God, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

 Abiding in Emmanuel

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
His name is called Emmanuel
God with us, revealed in us
His name is called Emmanuel  

Bob McGee's lovely praise song often resonates in my spirit, particularly at Christmas time. The words “God with us, revealed in us” especially capture my heart and remind me of Paul’s words in Acts 17:28: “. . . for in Him we live and move and have our being.”  

When Paul’s declaration becomes embedded in our spirits, the concept of Emmanuel, God with us shifts from being a passive knowledge of truth to an active experience of deliverance, warfare, victory, and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. While we delight in and invite the manifest presence of God into our worship, we often fail to remember that His presence indwells us and empowers us every single day.  

Perfectly Positioned

Considering the truth that we live, move and have our being in Him, let’s reflect on some of the comforting words in Psalm 91.

When we are in God’s will, the revelation that our whole being exists in Him awakens us to the understanding that we are perfectly positioned in “the secret place of the Most High.” Emmanuel means that He has placed us “under His wings.” We do not need to run to His protection; we are already there.  

Because of our position in Him, we can rest; we can cease from struggling. We can say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence” (Psalm 91:2-3, NKJV).

The power and authority of Emmanuel is released when we make the decision to abide in Him. To abide is more than just “to live”; it is “to accept” or “to act in accordance with.”  When we abide in the Lord, we accept Him and act in accordance with Him. We live our lives in harmony with Him because we know that the path He has chosen for us is the best path. Cherish the admonition that, “Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (Psalm 91:9-10, NKJV).

The hope of Emmanuel is revealed in God’s promises to us:

Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. - Psalm 91:14-16 (NKJV)

Hope Available Now

I love the old hymn frequently heard this time of year:

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

The Latin text was first documented in Germany in 1710; however, the tune most familiar in the English-speaking world originated in 15th-century France. Most versions end with the yearning, hopeful cry: “Rejoice. Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”

Sadly, when we do not know the power, authority and protection afforded us in Emmanuel, we cry out for that time in eternity when the trials of this life will be over. That is a form of godliness that denies the power of Him in whom we live and move and have our being (see 2 Timothy 3:5).

Many modern psalmists who know His presence and His power have changed the last chorus into a proclamation:  “Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to thee, O, Israel.”

As I rest in Emmanuel, fear and doubt flee. As I rest in Emmanuel, faith and truth become steadfast. Emmanuel is manifested when we, like Paul, declare:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. - Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

Emmanuel—God is with us. Oh, that He may be revealed in us.

Reflection

1. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself striving and struggling rather than resting in the reality of who God is in your life? Take some time to specifically name those things, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive the rest He has for you.
2. Consider dropping a note of encouragement to someone today, reminding them of the reality of Emmanuel in their lives. No matter how long we have known God, we can always use the reminder that He truly is with us!

 21^st Century Christmas Carol

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The Church is arising and

 Beginning, once again, to shine.

We’ve had our fill of passivity.

We are moving in the courage

And the authority of Christ

To greet our neighbors with

“Merry Christmas and God bless you.”

The Christmas tree, again, is

The Tree of Life reflecting His glory,

And filling our homes and our hearts.

We may like Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman,

But we worship, not only the Babe in the Manager,

But the Jesus of the Revelation,

The Omnipotent Warrior,

The King of Kings,

The Lord of Lord,

The Judge,

The Bridegroom.

We see in our hearts the army of heaven surrounding Him in glory

Just as that same army welcomed His birth.

We hear the song of heaven,

The war cry of the victorious

Reverberating through the cosmos

Like the sound of many waters:

“Peace on earth to those who desire goodness.”

You alone are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.

Holy, holy, holy.  You are the Lord God, the Alpha and the Omega.”

Above the tumult of the world,

Resounds the carol of the ages:

“Joy to the world,

The Lord has come,

Is come

And will come once more.”

The Empowering Epic of the Birth of Jesus—Part 1

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

            The incarnation of the Son of God is more than a story to be remembered each year in December.  It is an epic that began before the foundation of the world, progressed  through the Garden of Eden and will culminate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Tradition has so romanticized, so fantasized, so embellished the story that we have overlooked chapter one, made chapter two unrecognizable, and ignored chapter three.  

            The Encarta Dictionary defines epic as “a long series of events characterized by adventures or struggle; impressive by virtue of greatness of size, scope or heroism”.  The Christmas story is chapter two of God’s epic plan for the redemption of His creation.  Nothing is more empowering in our lives than the fact that the Son of God Who spoke all creation into existence became Emmanuel, God with us.

            I love all the lights, music, and joy of the Christmas season.  Yet, I don’t want to neglect the deeper significance.  Let’s move past the mythology and into the truth; past the tradition and into the revelation; past the pretty devices of man and into the power of the incarnation.   Because much of church tradition has denied the historical Jewish roots of Christianity, our interpretation of Scripture has often come from a European mindset rather than a Hebrew mindset.  In bringing back a more Hebrew perspective, we uncover truths that for many have been hidden in the ages.  Let’s lay aside the little drummer boy, the animals that spoke at midnight, and Amahl and the night visitors.

            We hear many, even some Christians, denying the virgin birth of Jesus and declaring that He was the biological son of Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth. Do you know that if Joseph were the biological father of Jesus, that Jesus could not be the Messiah?  A careful reading of the geneology in the first chapter of Matthew shows that one of Joseph’s ancestors was Jeconiah (vs. 8).  Jeconiah was also called Coniah.  Because Jeconiah was an evil king, the prophet Jeremiah pronounced a curse on him saying that none of his descendents would sit on the throne of David.  (Jeremiah 22:24-28.)

            Because the Messiah of Israel will sit on the throne of His ancestor David, no descendent of Jeconiah could be the Messiah.  Joseph believed the angel who said that Mary had been impregnated by the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18-25.)  Joseph believed and, therefore, we can believe.

            Even though we know He was not born on that day, we celebrate the birthday of our Lord on December 25^th.  I have no problem with the day of the celebration because we do not know the actual date of His birth.  However, we should understand that He was most likely born during the season of either the Passover or Feast of Tabernacles when most Jews traveled to Jerusalem to bring their offerings and worship at the Temple.  One of those days would be a likely time to register for a census.

            When we understand that God has times and seasons and that He doesn’t operate on a Roman calendar, we might be more hesitant in setting timetables for past  events and for the future fulfillment of prophecy. 

            Christmas is a time for adoring the Christ Child in the manger.  It is also a time to adore the soon and coming King.

Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV)
¹¹  Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
¹²  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
¹³  He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
¹⁴  And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
¹⁵  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
¹⁶  And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“Joy to the world.  The Lord has come!!” Let’s celebrate in spirit and in truth.

 Considering Mary (Miriam) 

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 1:26-27:  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 

 (Her Hebrew name was Miriam which means “wished for child.”  Mary is the mother of the wished for child.) 

Isa 7:14 So, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel. 

Mat 1:18-24:  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  But Joseph, her husband to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly. And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit.  And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying,   "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.  And Joseph, being roused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, 

Luk 1:28-35:  And the angel came in to her and said, Hail, one receiving grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what kind of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, Do not fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold! You shall conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David. And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be, since I do not know a man? And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God.  

Luk 1:38  And Mary said, Behold the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her. (Are we willing, as Mary was, to follow God’s leading in our lives.) 

Pro 3:5-6:Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. 

(Mary Visited Her Relative Elizabeth who was pregnant  with John the Baptist.) 

Luk 1:39-42:  And Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah.  And she entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,  and cried out with a loud voice and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  

(The child in the womb responded to the presence of God in Mary.  Elizabeth received the presence of the Holy Spirit who was present in Mary.  Elizabeth’s response was a to praise God.) 

Luk 1:43-45:  And from where is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo, as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believes, for there shall be a perfecting of those things which were told her from the Lord.  

(Mary's Song of Praise: The Magnificat) 

Luk 1:46-55:  And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He looked on the humiliation of His slave woman. For, behold, from now on all generations shall count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.  He has worked power with His arm, He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.  He has put down rulers from their seats and exalted the lowly, He has filled the hungry with good things, and He has sent away the rich empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.  

(This should be the testimony of every believer.) 

Luk 1:56  And Mary stayed with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 

(The Birth of Jesus) 

Luk 2:4-7  And Joseph also went up from Galilee to be taxed (out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David). And he took Mary his betrothed wife, being with child. And while they were there, the days for her deliverance were fulfilled. And she brought forth her son, the First-born, and wrapped Him, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them. 

(Mary encouraged the first miracle.) 

Joh 2:1-5 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. And the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus and His disciples were both invited to the marriage. And when they lacked wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, They have no wine. Jesus said to her, Woman, what do I have to do with you? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants, Whatever He says to you, do it. 

(And Jesus turned the water into the best wine.) 

(Mary stood at the foot of the cross.) 

Joh 19:25-27: And His mother stood by the cross of Jesus, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Then when Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her into his own home. 

(Ancient texts suggest that John the beloved disciple and Jesus were cousins.) 

(Mary was at the Ascension and in the upper room on Pentecost.) 

(After the Ascension,) 

Act 1:12-15:  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount Of Olive Grove, which is a sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem. And when they had come in, they went up into an upper room, where Peter and James, and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James; these all were continuing with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples...(the number of names together was about a hundred and twenty.) 

Act 2:1 And in the fulfilling of the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly a sound came out of the heaven as borne along by the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And tongues as of fire appeared to them, being distributed; and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit. 

(The Bible doesn’t offer information about the later years of Mary’s life.  One tradition says that she stayed in Jerusalem with John.  Another tradition says that she and John moved to Ephesus. There is a shrine in Ephesus called The House of Mary, which is visited by millions of pilgrims each year.  

(The Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and parts of the Anglican Communion believe in the bodily assumption of Mary into heaven.) 

(Mary is not to be worshipped, but she is to be highly respected and admired.)