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Posted on December 8, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 8: Read: Luke 8

Jesus and his disciples decided to cross the Sea of Galilee one afternoon. The lake is situated in such a way that the winds come down upon it in sudden, unexpected ways creating dangerous storms. And that is what happened this day, except Jesus was taking a nap. Fearing for their lives, the disciples wake Jesus. After all, it would be cruel to let a sleeping man die in a storm. Jesus rebuked the wind and waves and the sea became calm. Turning to the disciples he asked them, “Where is your faith?”

Where is your faith? Have you misplaced it, lost it among the debris of every day living? Some days I fly about as if there is no God in heaven and I desperately strive to do all of life on my own, as if I have misplaced my faith. If only I could find it.

Where is your faith? Do you even know what you trust in? Some days, I trust myself and what I can do more than I trust God. I don’t consult him, I don’t confide in him, I don’t confess his name. If only my faith didn’t waver.

I love the song by Bethel Music, “It is Well.” There is a phrase in the song that says, “The waves and wind still know his name!” I turn here time and time again to renew my faith in the God who never fails.

It’s worth taking 6 minutes to listen here!

May your Sunday be filled with faith-filled moments and a renewal of your trust in the One who still commands the wind and waves!

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Posted on December 7, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 7: Read: Luke 7

Compassion. Jesus’ compassion is remarkable and stand out in this chapter. I want to draw your attention to two verses.

The chapter begins with a Roman officer asking Jesus to come and heal his slave. The respected Jewish leaders appealed to Jesus’ sense of justice saying the man “deserved” to have his servant healed.

But Jesus doesn’t heal based on what we deserve. He heals the slave because the Roman officer had faith.

Fast forward to the end of the chapter and you find Jesus eating dinner in the home of a Pharisee. An immoral woman comes and begins to wash his feet, wiping them with her hair and anointing him with expensive perfume. The host is appalled that Jesus would let her touch him. After all, she doesn’t “deserve” his attention.

Jesus turns it upside down, telling the host a story to emphasize that forgiveness isn’t based on what one deserves. He forgives the woman because of her faith.

Perhaps you are in a place where you don’t feel like you ‘deserve’ attention from Jesus. If you evaluate yourself according to the criteria of the world, you are probably right. But then, none of us deserve the kindness and compassion of the God of the universe. But Jesus doesn’t respond according to the criteria of the world. He has his own criteria and there is only one thing on his list – is there faith or not?

And that’s it folks!

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Posted on December 6, 2019 by beverlyeash

Advent Day 6: Read: Luke 6

This is a powerhouse chapter! But I am limiting myself to one observation, so this is it!

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

Luke 6:37-38

When I read this today, I heard: you get what you give.

If I am liberal in judgment about others and stingy with forgiveness, that is what I will get in return. But if I withhold judgment, thinking the best instead; and I am generous with forgiveness, even without being asked – I will receive the same in return. But not in the same measure that I gave. I will receive in abundance, pressed down, shaken together, running over.

Yes siree! I will take that!

How about you? Do you experience judgment and grudges or acceptance and forgiveness? Maybe it needs to start in our own hearts toward others before we receive it ourselves.

Just a thought!

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Posted on December 5, 2019 by beverlyeash

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted…

Isaiah 61:1

Advent – Day 5: Read: Luke 5

Today I became reaquainted with the term “compassion fatigue.” It is what happens when you spend a large portion of time focusing on the needs of others and, as a result, become desensitized to the needs around you. I admit, that is my paraphrase.

It seems Jesus would have experienced compassion fatigue. There were so many people clamoring to get close, even going to the extremes of cutting through a roof.

But he doesn’t. I am stirred by his response to the leper in chapter 5. The text tells us that the man had “an advanced case of leprosy.” As leprosy advances, the afflicted person loses fingers and toes, and becomes disfigured in the face and body.

As Jesus approached the leper, the text says he bowed his head to the ground and asked Jesus to heal him. Did he bow in reverence or to hide his disfigured face? How often was he humiliated for being in a public place? How long had it been since he had been touched by anyone?

But Jesus TOUCHED HIM! He did the thing no one else would do, and he reached out and touched the man. He didn’t need to touch him to heal him. He only needed to speak the words which he did. Perhaps it is his words that healed the man’s body, but his touch healed the man’s spirit.

Do you feel untouchable? Ostracized? Alienated? Brokenhearted? Cry out to Jesus. His touch will heal your broken heart. He longs to gather you into his arms and comfort you with his love.

Oh yes, one last thought. I believe the reason Jesus didn’t experience compassion fatigue is because he exercised good self-care. Scripture tells us he often withdrew to solitary places for prayer. He knew the value of solitude and lonely places. If you are weary of the needs surrounding you, perhaps you need to step away and practice good self-care.

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Posted on December 4, 2019 by beverlyeash

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.

Isaiah 61:1-2

Advent – Day 4: Read: Luke 4

Wow! This is a powerful chapter. Where does one begin? Since I am limiting myself to one observation, I am going to summarize this chapter with the word power!

In 4:1 it says, Jesus came from the Jordan River full of the Holy Spirit where he was led into the desert. In the desert, the enemy tempts him to shortcut his mission on earth – just like he did Adam and Eve – but Jesus overcomes because he was full of the power of the Holy Spirit.

In 4:14, Jesus goes to Galilee from the desert filled with the Holy Spirit. Here he encounters opposition from his hometown friends, but that doesn’t stop him from declaring his mission loud and proud. And he can do that because he spent time with the Holy Spirit and is filled with power!

In 4:42, Jesus goes off alone to a solitary place. So solitary, in fact, that the people have a hard time finding him. Whenever Jesus is off by himself in a solitary place it is to pray, to be filled with power from the Holy Spirit.

Jesus began his public ministry filled with power, he proclaimed truth with power and he knew he had to stay close to his Father to remain powerful.

Well, I’m not doing a great job. Too often I think I can catch a bit of the Holy Spirit on the way, missing out on the fullness of what he wants for me if only I stop in that solitary place.

How about you? What stands out to you in this chapter? Do you find it difficult to stop in quietness to be refreshed by the Spirit of God so you can go out filled with power?

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Posted on December 3, 2019 by beverlyeash

But in that day, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious;

Isaiah 4:2a

Advent – Day 3: Read: Luke 3

As I read this chapter, it seems to me it can be summarized in one word: preparation.

John the Baptist is preparing the way for the Messiah preaching repentance from sins and baptizing with water.

The crowds are preparing their hearts through repentance and baptism, but also by asking, “What should we do?” John’s instructions are so practical: share with the poor, be honest in business, be content with your pay.

Jesus prepares for ministry by submitting to water baptism and receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Is preparing my heart for Jesus much more practical than I thought? Perhaps the thing I lack is generosity, integrity and contentment in abundance. Generosity with my time, talents and resources; integrity in the use of these resources and contentment in spite of my limitations.

How are you preparing so you don’t miss the coming of the Lord this Advent season? How would you answer the question: “What must I do?”

Note on the picture: this is my brother in-law being baptized in the Jordan River a few weeks ago. The rainbow just appeared in the picture – a beautiful sign of the presence of God.

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Posted on December 2, 2019 by beverlyeash

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord.

Isaiah 11:1-3a

Advent – Day 2: Read: Luke 2

In my reading of Luke 2, I was impressed with the messengers God chose to announce his arrival on earth. His first choice: the shepherds in the field. This is an unlikely choice if you wanted to enter the world with notoriety and fame. Shepherds were second class citizens, low on the totem pole of influence. But they were the first recorded visitors to look into the face of Jesus as an infant. They believed and told everyone what they had seen and heard.

Then there was Simeon, a “righteous and devout {man} …eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come…” Led by the Holy Spirit to the temple that day, he immediately recognized Jesus as the Messiah and praised God, confirming to Mary and Joseph that this, indeed, was the Messiah – in case there was doubt.

And there was Anna, a prophet, who spent her days and nights at the temple. She worshipped God continually. When she saw Jesus, she praised God and “talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

From first glances, it seems these three had nothing in common. And yet I notice they were all waiting expectantly for the promised Messiah. And their expectation prepared them to receive the news that the Messiah had come, even in the unexpected way of infancy.

As I pondered this, I wondered how expectantly I wait for Jesus. Not only for his second coming, but for his appearing in my daily life. Do I see him when he visits me? Or am I busy with life’s pressing issues? Would I have been among the first to know that the Messiah had come?

I ask myself, and you, what needs to go so we might live with more expectation? What keeps us from seeing him TODAY?

Advent activity: how is Jesus appearing in your daily life? What needs to change so you can live with expectation?

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Posted on December 1, 2019 by beverlyeash

Today I read an Advent challenge; something that will prepare my heart for Christmas and the celebration of this magical season.

Beginning today, read one chapter of the gospel of Luke every day. There are twenty-four chapters, so you will finish the day before Christmas with a fresh and deeper understanding of the reason why the birth of Christ is celebrated.

I am joining the challenge. Today I read chapter 1.

I took away from the reading a deep awe for the people involved. Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph all participated in profound ways. They rejoiced and celebrated what God was doing in sending Jesus as a baby. They were honored to be a part of his grand design.

I am reminded of a verse I read in Ecclesiastes several weeks ago.

Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.

Ecclesiastes 6:10

While some may find this verse disturbing, I find it comforting. Not that my future has already been decided, but that no one can take away my intended destiny. God created me with a purpose and it will be accomplished.

God, through the angel Gabriel, spoke the future of John the Baptist and Jesus before they were even conceived. No one could change it.

You have not been forgotten either. God is as attentive to you as every other part of his creation. Stand firm in your destiny; it will be accomplished.

May your day of worship be blessed with God inspired truth and angel ministrations.

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Posted on November 30, 2019 by beverlyeash

And just like that we are at the end of November, headed right into the next holiday. Perhaps Christmas spilled over into your Thanksgiving celebration in a Thankmas gathering.

As Christmas television specials abound, offering a heart-warming rendition of the magic of Christmas, I keep reminding myself of the real magic of Christmas.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

There wasn’t snow gently falling on evergreen trees covered in white twinkly lights or the scent of fresh baked gingerbread filling the air. But the stable in Bethlehem really is the TRUE magic of Christmas.

May your preparation for the celebration of Jesus be filled with wonder, peace and magic!

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Posted on November 29, 2019 by beverlyeash

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Luke 12:15

Black Friday!

Are you a die-hard Black Friday shopper? Do you wait until Cyber Monday? Do you like to shop at all?

No matter where you find yourself today, remember that having more “things” will not make you happier. I love shopping as much as the next person, but there is no faster way to bring on discontent than by walking through the mall. I realize how yesterday my clothes are, that my decorating style isn’t a style and I need to update my electronics.

Paul writing to Timothy put it this way: “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7

This is me preaching to the choir because no one needs to hear this more than me. Thanks for listening in to this personal reminder.

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