The Blessing of Christmas

The Blessing of Christmas
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Lord, You listen–
I trust.
You care–
I heal.
You empower--
I’m strengthened.
You give–
I receive.
You speak–
I listen.

You are peace–
I rest.
You are redemption–
I’m free.
You are song–
I sing.
You are worthy–
I praise.

You are forgiving–
I am forgiven.
You are glory–
You are mercy–
You are holy,
Holy God.
I am Your child.
You are my King.

You are the blessing of Christmas.

Celebration in the Face of Tragedy

Celebration in the Face of Tragedy
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Christmas, a time for joy and celebration.  Where is our joy?  Where is our celebration?  We are like the ancient Israelites.  We have hung our harps on the willow trees. How can we sing the Lord’s songs and dance with Him in the midst of such heartbreak?
Please know that the Lord’s dance is not always in allegro.  Often it is a long, slow, intimate largo. At this time of deep, national grief, the Lord is calling us to dance with Him in largo, to dance to the rhythm of His heart of love and compassion, to allow Him to hold us close, to lead us tenderly into His peace that passes all understanding.  Then our dance becomes one of joy in His love.  
Our celebration cannot be the revelry of worldly dissipation.  Even in the best of times, dissipation leads to disillusion.  True celebration is in the comfort of His presence, in the healing of His touch, in the hope of His Word.    
As we dance in His arms, may we as a nation and a culture come once more to the understanding that our children are gifts from our God.  May our heart's desire be to nurture them, to comfort them, to guide them, to enjoy them. Parents and teachers have the most important jobs in the world.  We are among those who nurture tomorrow.  
We will overcome this tragedy by holding fast to the Lord and allowing Him to nurture us so that we can nurture others.  The Lord is asking us to dance with Him for the rest of our lives.

Jesus Is the Reason for the Sesaon

Jesus Is the Reason for the Season
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

History and tradition have added many details to the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus.  Sometimes we, unknowingly, put more emphasis on the traditional accounts rather than on the scriptural account. Even many of our Christmas carols do not accurately reflect the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth.  We love the old melody,  “The First Noel”. The original author is unknown.  The song  probably originated as a folk song  in the late 18th or early 19th century.  Let’s look at the traditional lyrics:  
 “The First Noel, the Angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.”
Two mistakes in the first two verses:  
It is unlikely that Jesus was born in the winter time.  December 25 as the date for Jesus’ birth was not established until the 4th century.  Because the shepherds were out in the fields at the time of Jesus’ birth, it is probable that Jesus was born during the warmer months when the sheep could be grazing.  However, when we celebrate is not as important as why and how we celebrate.
The second mistake is much more glaring.  The shepherds did not see the star.  They saw the angels.  It was the wise men who saw the star.  
Some other additions to the Christmas story:  Although we have seen him in many Christmas plays, no innkeeper is mentioned in scripture, no animals are listed as having witnessed the birth, the angelic host refers to an army of angels rather than a choir, neither the names nor the number of the wise men is given; the wise men did not come at the time of Jesus’ birth, but later they visited the Child in a house; a little drummer boy did not play his drum as a gift to the Christ child¸ and Santa Claus is a completely  different tradition.
Perhaps the Holy Spirit spared details so that we can concentrate on the miracle of the Incarnation, God’s coming to earth in the form of a man, to walk among us,  to pay the price for our sins, to allow us to enter into an eternal covenant with Him.  Jesus is the reason for the season.   He is Emmanuel, God with us.  Trim the tree, give the gifts, put out the Creche, prepare the food, send the cards, enjoy the music,  but above all else, adore Him, our Redeemer, Savior and coming King.  

Eternal Refuge; Everlasting Arms

Eternal Refuge; Everlasting Arms
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

No matter what is happening in the world, we must cling to the knowledge that "The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27) 
We learn several truths about our God from this verse.  First of all, He is eternal.  He has always existed and always will exist.  He does not change.  He is the constant for which mankind searches. 
Likewise, God is our home, our shelter, our security.  He surrounds us with His love.  Psalm 91:1-2--"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most high will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust.'"  
Shelter--protection from the hostile elements--is a basic need of man.  If our physical self requires sheltering, how much more so our spiritual self. "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (I Peter 5:8) Satan seeks to destroy us; God allows us to rest securely in His everlasting arms.
A refuge is place of safety and comfort.  Even when life rages around us, He leads us beside the still waters and restores our souls (Psalm 23). 
The Lord is our fortress.  While we remain in Him, we are so heavily protected that the enemy cannot breakthrough.  God is our support and our strength.  His strength never wanes.  His arms never tire.   We are cradled in the Power that spoke the universe into being.  We are safe in the arms of Abba Father, El-Shaddai. Praise the Lord for His Word! 
Father God, thank you for the covenant we have in You through Jesus Christ.   In this angry, fearful world, You shelter and strengthen us.  You  lift us up and set our feet on solid ground.  We praise You, our eternal Refuge, for the comfort and protection of Your everlasting arms.  Amen.

Having Done All, Stand

Having Done All, Stand
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Now, more than ever, we must stand for truth. We must not back away from righteousness.  We must be firm in our defense of the things of God and our constitutional right to worship Him. In His Word, our Father has given us strategy for standing.  I feel such a burden to share three particular scriptures.
1.  Ephesians 6:11-18 (NKJV) 
“11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- “

We do not struggle against flesh and blood. We struggle against spiritual forces of evil.  As we stand, we must stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and the Word of God. No matter what political forces are in play, what the Word says is right is right, and what the Word says is sin is sin.  

2.  Ephesians 4:29-31 (NKJV) 
“29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

We must guard against sinking to the level of our adversaries.  We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) without resorting to harsh words and name-calling. We can be forceful, even aggressive, without being hostile.  

3.1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) 15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” “Meekness” is self-control and “fear” is  reverence for God.
We need to know what we believe and why.  Basically, God has defined some behaviors as sinful because those behaviors keep us from experiencing the best that He has for us.  When we condone those behaviors, we condemn those caught in those behaviors to lives that lack the abundance of love, joy, and peace that God has in store for those who love Him.

When we are faithful to Him, God will bless us in spite of our circumstances, in spite of the decisions that others make, in spite of the enemy who seeks to destroy us.  Remember Joseph and Daniel, who, because of their faithfulness to God, became powerful leaders in Egypt and in Babylon.  Remember that Paul wrote many of his epistles during imprisonment.  

Remember, also, greater is He who is within you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Keep standing in faith.  Keep praising and worshiping. Jesus is King. 

Warring in the Opposite Spirit

Warring in the Opposite Spirit

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
³  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
⁴  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
⁵  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
.

I often caution others, “When you are in an argument or confrontation with others, don’t allow them to drag you down to the level of anger, sarcasm and bitterness.”  Remember that the coolest head usually prevails. 

We fight anger with peace, falsehood with truth, ignorance with knowledge.  God is calling us to fight the war against Christianity with the fruit of the Spirit.  “Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” 

As we are coming into the final days of what has developed into an especially acrimonious political campaign, it is imperative for the Body of Christ to arise, shine and display the glory of God that is within us. (Isaiah 60:1)  Railing against lies stirs up negative emotions.  Praying for truth to be revealed and proclaiming truth in love will set us free. 

Mark 4:22 (NKJV)
^“22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.”  Let’s join together and cry out to God for everything that has been hidden to be revealed, that all secrets will be brought to light.

Let’s walk in the light of Jesus rather than the darkness of hatred, anger and bitterness.

Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV) “Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all sins.”

Proverbs 15:1 (NKJV)
¹ A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Let’s prayer as St. Francis prayed:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Resting in Hope

Resting in Hope by Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Psalm 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.

God fed the Israelites manna for forty years.  When the wilderness years were over, the manna ceased, but the provision of God continued.  Our God is Jehovah Jirah, the God who provides.  When we forget that, we act out of our fear rather than out of our faith.  Our nation’s current financial crisis has caused many believers to forget our Lord’s ability to provide.  We panic rather than pray.  We despair rather than hope. The crisis appears to be overwhelming, but “with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37) We can rest in His hope.

Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)
³¹ Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall

we wear?'
³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all

these things.
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be

added to you.   

The key to resting in hope is seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  

God’s provision is not limited to food and clothing.  He has provided us with salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. When we examine the definition of two Greek words translated as “salvation”, we find that salvation means deliverance, safety, healing, health and prosperity.  If salvation meant only that we will have eternity with our Lord, it would be enough to cause us to live always in hope.  However, our God is a God of abundance.  Not only does salvation insure our eternity, it insures our today. 

We need deliverance and healing from fear, hopelessness, and despair.  We are conscious of the war of terror that is being waged on the international front.  We are not so aware of the war of terror that is being waged in our own hearts.  The news media reports what is happening in the world, but can offer no solution or hope.  Even most believers have resolved to expect the worst. 

How can believers reconcile what we see and hear around us with God’s word that He delights in us and has a future and a hope for us?  We must walk in faith according the promises of God.  Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Do you need faith?  God will supply it.  Do you need hope?  God will supply it.  Is a solution to our nation’s needs available?  Yes, and God has it.

When we forget the promises of God and vote out of fear, we elect more fear.  In the upcoming elections, it is vital that we move from that platform of fear and vote for people with Godly values.  

As consecrated, regenerated believers walking in His righteousness, let’s intercede before the throne of God on behalf of our nation.  Let’s declare His promises and rest in His hope.

Father, we are thankful that when we walk in Your righteousness, we can trust in Your provision.  We receive Your wisdom and Your hope.  We pray for the decision-makers of our nation that they, too, will seek Your wisdom.  I covenant with You to cast my ballot, not out of what the media and others perceive as my need, but out  of what You have eternally established as my path to a life of peace and hope. Amen.