Advent Gems #6

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In Jacob, who became Israel, we know the nation from which the Messiah will come. Israel passed that blessing on to his son Judah. Therefore, we know the tribe from which He will come.

Genesis 49: 8-10 ``Judah, your brothers shall praise you. You shall destroy your enemies. Your father's sons shall bow before you. Judah is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. He has settled down as a lion--who will dare to rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes, whom all people shall obey.”

Judah means praise. The tribe of Judah always led the Israelites into battle. Our spiritual warfare must always be grounded in praise for our Lord. Psalm 22:3: “God inhabits the praises of His people.”

Shiloh means tranquil or peaceful. Notice the meaning of the names. Isaac means laughter. Laughter is the grandfather of praise (Judah). Shiloh, peace, is a fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 2:9-11: 9. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 Advent Gems #5

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We see the lineage of our Messiah established in God’s covenant with Abraham. Genesis 17: 6-7: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you”

The covenant continues through Abraham’s son, Isaac. Genesis 17:19: Then God said: "Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

Isaac passed that blessing on to his son Jacob. Genesis 27: 28-29. “Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!''

After wrestling the Jacob, Lord Himself gave Jacob the name of Israel. Genesis 32:28: “28. And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.''

The Living Bible explains, “``Your name is Israel--one who has power with God. Because you have been strong with God, you shall prevail with men.''

In Jesus Christ, we can have power with God and prevail in spite of this troubled world.

 Advent Gem #4

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Mankind fell. He was here. Redemption began. Genesis 3:14-15: “So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.''

Genesis 3: 21. “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”

As He was in the beginning, so He has always been and so He will always be.

 

Advent Gems #3

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

He was here in the beginning. Genesis 1:1-5: “1. 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. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

John 1:1-5: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

John 1:9-12: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

As He was in the beginning, so He has always been and so He will always be.

 

Advent Gem #2

In Him Is Life

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

John 1:1-4;10-14

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men….He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The essence of Christmas is the eternal, divine and glorious life given to the believers when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

What did Jesus give up in order to come to earth? 

Philippians 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

The most humbling aspect of Jesus’ appearance on earth as a full human being is that He gave up his glory and came into a world system that vilified Him 2000 years ago and continues to vilify Him today.

In the Garden, He prayed, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was (John 17:5).”

Jesus left heaven and the Word become flesh.

He created all that has been created.  Yet, He submitted himself to the authority of His parents, the government of Rome, the religious leaders and even unto death. He gave up the glory of heaven to pay the price for our redemption.  He gave up everything for our salvation

God loves us so much that He gave His Son.  That truth is what makes Christmas truly merry.

 

Advent Gem #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 genealogy 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 descendants 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):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.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. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
¹Now 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.
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.

 Thanksgiving Prayer

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As we prepare the food for our Thanksgiving tables, as we share the gift of hospitality, as our hearts overflow with gratitude, let’s look into His word and allow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to lead our thanksgiving.  The following prayer is a compilation taken from the psalmists, the prophets and the apostles.

Father, we freely offer to You a sacrifice of thanksgiving.  We joy in all Your wondrous works.  We praise Your name in singing and magnify You with thanksgiving.  With hearts overflowing, we come into Your presence. We are thankful to You and bless Your holy name. Oh, Lord, our God, we praise You.  We shout hallelujah in response to the promise that You are with us wherever we go. Father, we open our hearts knowing that Your Holy Spirit surrounds us and that You are love.

We will be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, we will let our requests be made known to You.  We say: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

 Receiving Can Also Be a Blessing 0r Call the Guy

Receiving Can Also Be a Blessing 0r Call the Guy

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe and Nancy Crowe

As Christians we rightly hold on to the truth of Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive. However, that scripture does not suggest that receiving is a curse. Receiving can also bring blessing.

An old adage asks, “Would you deny me the blessing of giving?” Out of our pride, we often refuse not only help from other people, but also from God Himself.

Being too proud to ask for help is wrong and dangerous, and often leads to destruction to ourselves, our property and even to other people.

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" warns that arrogance can keep us from asking God or accepting wisdom and help from others. The Bible teaches that humility, which includes recognizing our need for help, is a virtue that receives God's blessing

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up". Partnership and mutual assistance are valued in the Kingdom. Sometimes we even feel guilty in receiving help when we need it.

• Romans 12:5: "So in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others". We are a community that can both give and receive as needed.

• Galatians 6:2: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ". We need the mutual support and the sharing of burdens to fulfill the law of Christ which is to love one another.

• 1 Corinthians 10:24:

"No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person". We often hear that it takes a village to raise a child.” In my case, it takes a village to care for this grandma. I have a responsibility to that village to make their care giving is as easy for them as I can. I appreciate the lady who does some housecleaning for me. My responsibility to her is to keep things as tidy as I can so that her workload is easier. My family does not want the worry of me being on the road alone for long distances anymore. I travelled a four state region in ministry for years. Now, I don’t worry my clan by travelling alone. They don’t want me to fall off a ladder, so I don’t climb ladders. I am finally reaching the point where I no longer feel guilty in asking for help. It is a process.

Following is a delightful testimony shared by my niece.

Call the Guy

By Nancy Crowe

My dad needed a new toilet. So call the plumber, right? Of course not. My dad is an engineer. Likely he doesn’t know what DIY stands for because there is no other way. It’s just DI to him. Nor does he understand the phrase “Call the guy.” He IS the guy. And by the trickle down effect, I, too, his second daughter, am the guy. With his help. He’s my guy. Well, was my guy. I didn’t know how to call any other guy. Mechanical, electrical, home improvement, water leaks, appliance installation, landscaping. The plethora of home repairs all land on my to-do list. Well, landed. Until, after years of frustratingly slow (and often failed) DIYs, I finally figured out how to call the guy. Furnace broken? Call the guy (but don’t tell dad). Car making a funny noise? Call the guy (don’t tell dad). Water leaking? Call the guy (do not tell dad). Tree need pruned? Call the guy (hide the evidence and don’t tell dad!!).

Need a new toilet? Call the guy? Of course not. Find one online. Ok. That’s sensible. And Home Depot is having its annual Thanksgiving toilet sale (odd, but true) with free delivery. Free delivery! Dad said yes to the toilet, but no to the delivery, “You can just pick it up.” But Dad. It’s free. “We’re not doing that, you can pick it up.” But Dad. They’ll bring it into the house. “We’re not doing that!” But Dad. I don’t think it will fit in my car. “It’ll fit.” But Dad. I can’t lift it. “It’ll be in two boxes. You can lift it.” But Dad. It’s FREE. “We’re NOT doing that!”

Heading to the customer service counter at Home Depot came a guy rolling a cart with a big box. A really big box. ONE really big box. When we got to my car he looked at me and called another guy. “I’m going to need some help out here” he said to his guy. The two guys struggled to put the box in my Honda “I hope you have help on the other end” said Guy One and away they went And away I went.

From the curb to Dad’s front door is about 60 feet. Curb, sidewalk, two stairs, sidewalk, six stairs. Then three rooms and a hallway before we would hit the bathroom. I was pretty sure we couldn't do this. Dad’s 89 and I’m…well, a girl. But gravity helped us get started. We got the box onto the street and paused to talk about how heavy it was. And to rest. We “walked” it up the curb and pushed it to the base of the first two stairs. And then we stopped again to rest and talk about how heavy it was. And then somehow we got it up those stairs. And again we stopped to rest. We were six feet from the car and spent. We slid/carried it up the sidewalk to those six steps to the porch. We tipped it and pushed and actually got it resting on the first and second step. And the sidewalk. There was no way this was going any farther. I hopelessly looked around for help as mom said “This would have been a good time for someone to stop and help.” I admitted defeat and forced Dad to do the same. We decided to open the box and take pieces out one at a time. Just as we reached inside, a Suburban drove by and parked at our neighbor’s house. And backed up! Wait, Dad. Maybe this was help. He ignored me and kept working on the contents of the box. Mom and I, however, were locked in on the Suburban. And out stepped Paul Bunyan. Not kidding. Easily the largest man I had ever seen.

“You guys need some help?” Luckily Dad is notorious for his slow responses. Mom and I, not so much. In unison we answered a grateful yes to this giant of a man walking toward us. And then another guy got out of the Suburban. Not quite as large, but if I had seen him first I would have thought he was the biggest man I had ever seen. I explained to Paul Bunyan what we were doing and suggested that the two of them could probably lift it. Before Small Paul reached us, Paul folded the flaps over and casually picked it up himself and carried it up the steps.

“Thanks, we can take it from here.” (Dad, not me.) But Mom already had the door propped open. Paul kept walking. In the living room now. Where do you want it? “Right here is fine.” (Again Dad, not me.) Paul looks around (still holding the box), “Where’s the bathroom?” He started carrying the toilet through the house. He saw a bathroom in the hallway and looked at me to ask if that’s the spot. I shook my head and told him it was through the hall and into the bedroom while we both ignored Dad’s persistent, “Right here is fine.”

Dad and I followed Paul into the bedroom and left Mom to make friends with Small Paul. I watched in near disbelief as Paul carried the box around the bed and started unpacking its contents. While he chatted he was peeling off the plastic and casually organizing the pieces onto the floor. Dad was trying to chat but his uneasiness was palpable. I know he was trying to find a way to thank them and get them to leave. So I tried to keep the conversation going. Keep Dad boxed out of it. Finally, with the box completely unpacked, Dad broke in and said, “Well thanks. We can take it from here.”

And Paul Bunyan said, “Oh, ok. If you want to install it yourselves. But…this is what I do.”

This is what I DO?! Paul Bunyan is a plumber. An actual plumber! He IS the guy!!

And Dad acquiesced. Mom continued to make a new friend, Dad watched Paul, and I sneaked outside to call my sister to tell her of the Thanksgiving plumbing miracle. Minutes into the call, Small Paul walked out the front door casually carrying the old toilet. “We’ll take care of this for you.” WHAT?! The miracle continued!

By the time I get back inside, the toilet was installed and they were all just chatting. Small Paul was visiting from the east to hunt with his brother, but Paul lives just up the street. Turns out Paul’s wife is best friends with one of my colleagues. Mom invited them to Bible study on Wednesdays and Paul invited her to theirs on Thursdays. They wouldn’t take any money, but we managed to get their address so we could send them a gift card. And Paul gave us his number for the next time we need help. “I’m just up the street, please call.”

I gave Dad a win by pointing out that if I had had my way and had it delivered, we’d probably still be installing the thing. Good job, Dad. And then I casually suggested that he take Paul up on his offer to help anytime with anything.

Dad thought for a long time as is his method and finally said, “Yeah, I might call the guy.”

Hebrews 4:16:

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need".

Whether we are giving or receiving, sometimes we need to ask God for the plumbing angels and praise both Him and them for coming to us.

No comments yet

Be the first to comment.

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

 

Euodia and Syntyche: Strife in the Body

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Philippians 4:2-3:  “I beg Euodia and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I also beg you, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored in the gospel with me and with Clement, and others of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

While we do not know what Euodia and Syntyche disagreed about, we do know that Paul felt it needed to be addressed.  Being of one mind in the Lord does not mean that we will agree on all the details of life.  It also does not mean that we must browbeat others in the submission.  Being of one mind in the Lord means that we will humble ourselves and be willing to consider other opinions and options.  Paul covered the subject well earlier in Philippians.

Philippians 2:1-7: “ If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

Isaiah shows us how to be of one mind. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.” 

Helen Howarth Lemmel wrote:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace”

Notice how Paul intervenes in the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche. 

Paul addresses the ladies by name and shows respect for them.  He calls them co-laborers in the ministry and notes that both their names are written in the book of life.  He then asks a “true yoke- fellow” to help resolve the situation.  The church is a body.  When one part hurts, the whole body hurts.  We need community.  We need peacemakers.

Mathew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God. 

 Prayer in the Midst of Discouragement and Despair

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Oh, Lord God, we know that you are our refuge and our strength.  Your desire is that we should not walk in fear.  Therefore, You have placed within us Your love, Your peace and Your joy so that, in spite of what is happening around us, we rejoice in Your Holy Spirit Who is our Comforter  (John 14:26).

If we allow terrorism to terrorize us, we allow terrorism to win.  Therefore, we stand against the spirit of terrorism, that Hittite spirit, with the sword of the word of God in our right hand. We stand in the promises of Your peace and protection.

Because Jesus is the Name above all Names, we are unafraid to name our enemy.  In naming our enemy, we come to understand our enemy.  In that understanding and in the wisdom from above, we find strategy to defeat that enemy.

You have told us, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”   (Matthew 5:44 NKJV).The greatest good that can come to those who are now raging against us is for them to come into covenant with You through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, we pray for those who deny that Jesus is the Son of God, who deny that He paid the ultimate sacrifice for sin, who deny that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords to come to know Him, to embrace Him as Lord and to come into His peace.  The enemy of our souls has them in the bondage of fear.  We pray for them to be released into the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Lord, we, too, step out of the bondage of fear and into the security of Your love.  We remember the words that Paul wrote to the church, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39 NKJV).”

Amen.

 

Priscilla: co-worker with Paul

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Act 18:1-3:  And after these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. And finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome) Paul came to them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed and worked with them; for they were tentmakers by occupation. 

Paul, Priscilla and Aquila were tentmakers. Priscilla and Aquila had been among the Jews expelled from Rome by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the year 49.. They ended up in Corinth. Paul lived with Priscilla and Aquila for approximately 18 months. Then the couple started out to accompany Paul when he to Syria. However, they but stopped at Ephesus , now part of modern Turkey.

1Corinthias 16:19  The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

 Paul passed on the greetings of Priscilla and Aquila to their friends in Corinth, indicating that the couple were with him. Paul founded the church in Corinth. Priscilla and Aquila must have been involved in the founding of that church. This happened before 54 AD, when Claudius died and the expulsion of the Jews from Rome was lifted.

Rom 16:3-4:  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 

 The book of Romans is thought to have been written in 56 or 57.   Paul sends his greetings to Priscilla and Aquila who risked their lives to save his.

Priscilla was a woman of Jewish heritage and one of the earliest known Christian converts who lived in Rome. She is often thought to have been the first example of a female preacher or teacher in early church history. With her husband, she was missionary, a friend and minister of the word, and a friend of and a co-worker with Paul.

This couple were among the earliest known Christian missionaries in the first century. In Acts 18:24–28, Luke reports the couple explaining Jesus' baptism to Apollos, an important Jewish-Christian evangelist in Ephesus. Paul indicates Apollos is an apostle,^{[15]: pp.230–231} an "eloquent speaker" who had a "thorough knowledge of the Scriptures". He had been "instructed in the way of the Lord" which he taught with great "enthusiasm". He began to preach boldly in the synagogue. However, he knew only the baptism of John the Baptist—not the baptism taught by Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him "more accurately".^[16]

Tradition claims that Aquila and Priscilla were martyred together.