What Child is This?

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

As I contemplate Christmas this week, and spurred on by some recent sermons at church, I've been thinking about the incarnation and about the child, born a King to die.

It really is a glorious truth that is hard to fully wrap my mind around - that the King of the Universe would leave His majestic throne to come to earth and live as a man, and then humbly obey His Father even to the point of death on a cross in order to take the sins of the world upon His body.

This, this is Christ the King! Jesus is God - and while He was here on earth, He was fully man as well. He is equal to God - the exact representation of Him, as the writer of Hebrews tells us.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. Hebrews 1:3

No wonder the shepherds guard and angels sing! This is Christ the King!

May favorite verse of this carol is the second one which reminds us of this great truth - Jesus, the Word made flesh, bore the cross for me and you.

Although Jesus is God, the Scriptures tell us that He did not use His position for selfish advantage. Instead, as the passage from Philippians (above) tells us, He emptied Himself. This doesn't mean that He emptied Himself of His deity - quite the contrary! He didn't subtract His deity but He ADDED humanity. And he never stopped giving of Himself even to the point of emptying Himself.

And He did it for you and me, so that through His emptiness - through His poverty - we would become rich!

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. II Corinthians 8:9

He did this through the incarnation - by becoming a man He then gave His life so that we would have life.

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

Nails and spear shall pierce Him through. Jesus was a man - his flesh could be speared - and when it was, blood and water flowed out to prove that He was dead.

But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. John 19:34

He bore the cross for me and you.

And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24

By His wounds, you are healed! Through Jesus' obedience on the cross, God canceled the decree of debt against us.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14

The King of Kings salvation brings!

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. I Thessalonians 5:9-10

This King of Kings, born as a baby, entered the world through a human mother and was laid to rest in a manger. He humbled Himself from the very beginning! But His serving and giving continued through His whole life. That's why Paul admonishes us to "have the same attitude."

As you enjoy Christmas this week, think about the King of Kings, born a baby, who humbled Himself for you and for me. And then meditate on what it means for you to "have the same attitude" and let the Holy Spirit work in you that you may become more and more like Jesus.

What Child is This?
Words by William Dix

What child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.

The Lord is Rich and Merciful

In my opinion, these are two of the most powerful words in the Bible: But God.

They are used most frequently by Paul and it seems as if he wants to remind us that we're not in control here. But God.

In one instance, in the book of Acts, Luke starts by quoting Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Peter reminds the Jews that they nailed Jesus to the cross, but He didn't stay dead forever. But God.

This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:23-24

But God raised Him up again! In Paul's exhortation in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, he delivers the same message Peter did earlier.

When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tombtombtomb. But God raised Him from the dead; and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people. Acts 13:29-31

But God. Not only did God raise Jesus from the dead, but in His predestined plan He arranged for Jesus to appear to many so that they could be witnesses of His Lordship.

There's good news in these two little words: But God.

For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8

But God demonstrates His love for us. While others would hardly die for a righteous man, God sends His son to die while we were YET sinners. He didn't wait for us to get better, to become perfect, to quit sinning. But God!

And again! When we were dead, He made us alive together with Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:3-7

But God, whose very character is RICH in mercy, and because He loves us, even while we were yet sinners, did all of this:
1) made us alive with Christ
2) saved us by grace
3) raised us up with Christ
4) seated us with Christ in the heavenly places

and why? So that in the future He might show us the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us! This list is absolutely overwhelming. But God.

This "But God" phenomenon isn't limited to the most amazing gift that He's given us: Jesus Christ. It works itself out in daily life, in big and small ways. I can think of so many instances in my own life that I thought things were going one way and then, "But God." His ways are higher than my ways, and He intervenes at just the right time. He shows me where my plans are not according to His plan, and He sets me on a straight path.

I am so thankful for these "But God" moments. I am so thankful for a heavenly Father who knows me, loves me, and works things together for my good and His glory.

The Lord is Rich and Merciful
Words by Thomas Lynch

The Lord is rich and merciful,
The Lord is very kind;
O come to Him, come now to Him,
With a believing mind!
His comforts, they shall strengthen thee,
Like flowing waters cool;
And He shall for thy spirit be
A fountain ever full.

The Lord is glorious and strong
Our God is very high;
O trust in Him, trust now in Him,
And have security;
He shall be to thee like the sea,
And thou shalt surely feel
His wind, that bloweth healthily
Thy sicknesses to heal.

The Lord is wonderful and wise,
As all the ages tell;
O learn of Him, learn now of Him,
Then with thee it is well;
And with His light thou shalt be blest,
Therein to work and live;
And He shall be to thee a rest
When evening hours arrive.

The Word of God Shall Stand

Today is Reformation Day - the day we remember Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the church door to spur debate about the practices of the church, namely the selling of indulgences. Luther had several points to make - including the glorious truth of justification - that God accepts us by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Christ alone. One of his other points was a significant one - that the Scriptures are our only final authority.

The Word of God shall ever stand!

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

God has purposed for His Word to endure - even when and if it is stormed by every foe, engaged by all the powers of hell and hosts of sin. No power can overthrow it. His changeless Word will prevail.

God's Word has stood, and it will stand. The Scriptures are our authority for how to grow, how to think, how to love, how to act, how to LIVE. The Scriptures provide all we need to be equipped for every good work that God has planned for us to do.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. II Timothy 3:16-17

The Word of God convicts us of sin - it is living and active, and judges our hearts!

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

God's Word lights our way so that we know how to walk.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

And God's Word provides encouragement. As we read about what happened to saints and sinners who have gone before, we see God's faithfulness over generations and generations.

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

As we see how the saints before us persevered, it gives us hope that we, too, can persevere through this sinful generation until Jesus calls us home.

Since Scripture is our final authority, I encourage you to study it and know it - let it dwell in your heart richly!

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16


The Word of God Shall Stand
Words by Frank Huston

The Word of God shall ever stand,
Though stormed by every foe;
Upheld by His almighty hand,
No powers can overthrow.
Though all the powers of hell engage,
And hosts of sin assail
God’s wondrous might, His changeless Word
Shall evermore prevail.

Refrain
The Word of God shall stand,
Shall stand unchanged forever;
In every clime and land
The world shall own its sway.
The Word of God shall stand,
Its foes can change it never;
Though Heav’n and earth may pass away,
God’s Word shall stand forever.

God’s Word has stood the fiery darts
Of all the sinful world;
And skeptics all through ages past
Their fiercest blows have hurled;
It stands unmoved, a mighty rock,
’Gainst cruel hate and scorn,
To bless the nations of the earth,
And nations yet unborn.

Then sound we forth His glorious Word
To souls of all the earth,
To tell them of the Father’s love,
And Jesus’ matchless worth.
It is the Spirit’s mighty sword
No power on earth can stay;
Though Heav’n and earth may be removed,
God’s Word shall stand for aye.

Blessed are the Souls that Hear and Know

How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O Lord, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted. For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted. Psalm 89:15-17

I was so moved in church this past weekend, hearing a wonderful story about the spread of the gospel to a remote people group in Asia. More than 120 years ago, my church sent a missionary couple to go to this people group - people who were self-described as wicked savages. Their language had not yet been written down, and this missionary couple left their comfortable life in the Midwest (as comfortable as it could be in 1890!) to ensure that these people would hear the gospel. They were obeying Jesus' command:

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

For 37 years, this couple learned the language, wrote it down, preached sermons, discipled the people, translated the Bible and introduced men, women and children to the gospel. Their goal was that the people would turn from their wickedness to the living God.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them." Acts 14:15

The beautiful story of the gospel can transform hearts and lives. This story, about Jesus, who died for our sins, was buried, rose again, and was seen by many people before returning to heaven, has saving and sanctifying power.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. I Corinthians 15:1-8

The missionaries in this story faithfully served their Lord and Savior for nearly 40 years before coming back to the United States and going home to be with the Lord. But their work is still reaping great rewards! Of the 600,000 people in the group in Asia, 500,000 are now believers! They have an active and living church, and are sending missionaries out among other people groups in their region to spread the gospel.

Certainly, these souls are blessed who heard the gospel's joyful sound and their joy is bearing their spirits up through their Redeemer's name. Our Lord gladly gave them salvation and their, and our King, lives forever! Glory be to His name!


Blessed are the Souls that Hear and Know
Words by Isaac Watts

Blessed are the souls that hear and know
That Gospel’s joyful sound;
Peace shall attend the path they go,
And light their steps surround.

Their joy shall bear their spirits up
Through their Redeemer’s name;
His righteousness exalts their hope,
Nor Satan dare condemn.

The Lord, our glory and defense,
Strength and salvation gives;
Israel, thy King for ever reigns,
Thy God for ever lives.

O Wisdom, Precious Wisdom

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Romans 11:33

As a new school year gets underway, I thought it would be edifying to look at the idea of wisdom. As we train up children in how they should go, we want to not only help them become well-read and educated, but also wise according to God's standard. We want them to be able to live in the world as God's children, knowing what it is to be wise and to act with wisdom.

The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10

To start, we must fear the Lord. This doesn't mean being scared of Him, it means approaching Him with awe and reverence. As C. S. Lewis describes it, this kind of fear is filled with awe, in which you "feel wonder and a certain shrinking" or "a sense of inadequacy to cope with such a visitant of or prostration before it." It is a fear that comes forth out of love for the Lord. This verse tells us that we act wisely when we are influenced by the fear of the Lord. When we understand our position in relation to His, we can make good, wise decisions.

How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. Proverbs 3:13

Proverbs tells us that those who find wisdom and gain understanding are blessed. I can think of a couple of reasons why those who find true wisdom would be happy: true wisdom comes from the knowledge and love of God, and those who love Him do His will and are conformed to His truths and laws. I am happiest when I am living a life of obedience. And that obedience brings wisdom.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

The Lord is also the One who gives us wisdom. He is the ultimate Wise One, and from Him we get knowledge and understanding. How do we get this? By listening to His voice! And we hear His voice most readily when we read His word. So, to receive the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that our Lord has, and wants to impart to us, we must become students of His word and actively engage with Him through the reading and study of the Bible.

Why would we want to do this? Why should we seek after wisdom and aim to become wise? Proverbs has answers for us.

For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her. Proverbs 8:11

All desirable things cannot compare! When we are wise, and our lives demonstrate wisdom, the true wisdom that is from knowing God, it is better than wearing jewels and precious stones of the greatest value - we show the value of wisdom which is greater than the value of things of this world. This verse also encourages us in how our time should be spent - seeking the things that are above - the wisdom of God - instead of the things that are of this world, like precious jewels. When we attain Godly wisdom, it is far more valuable than even the most precious of metals.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. Proverbs 16:16

Solomon is bold in his exclamation about the value of wisdom - HOW MUCH BETTER it is than gold! Heavenly wisdom is for sure better than worldly wealth, and as Christians, there is a soul-satisfying element of attaining wisdom, which is not only preferable, but more beneficial, than worldly things.

Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14

Here, the writer is comparing honey, which is good and sweet to taste, to wisdom, which is good for the soul. I love this verse because it gives us a promise if we work hard to attain wisdom. The promise is that we will have a future, and our hope will not be cut off. This is an encouragement as we work to become wise, and as we encourage our children in seeking after wisdom. There will be a future! Our Lord has promised. And we would be wise to trust and obey.

O Wisdom, Precious Wisdom
Words by Deborah Blossom

Oh wisdom, precious wisdom,
We sing in praise of thee;
Thy ways are surely pleasant,
Thy works we wondering see.
There’s pleasure in the seeking,
And those who seek may find,
Within thy halls of learning
A cultivated mind.

To Thee, the God of wisdom,
Let grateful praise abound,
For now within our churches,
Fair learning’s court is found.
And he who longs for knowledge,
That He may work for Thee,
Can find in school and college
An education free.

The power of mind is mighty
If it be used aright,
And Christian education
Can best bestow this might.
So let us gain the scepter
And throne of true success
That waits for those who’re worthy
Its honors to possess.

I'll Work for Thee

I am Your servant. Psalm 143:12

I work in an academic setting, and even though I work year-round, there is a certain new energy and pace of work that comes with the new school year (starting next week!). As I think about my work, I've been meditating on one of my favorite verses, and a verse that can bring you great encouragement - and hope - in your work as well.

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do.

Notice that Paul doesn't say "when you do what you like" or "when you enjoy your work." He says WHATEVER YOU DO.

This likely will require a change in attitude, and I am preaching to myself as much as to anyone else...we must work as for the Lord, because we will receive our reward from Him. It is Him whom we serve.

So, even if you have a boss who is disagreeable, or a task that is undesirable, you can still work heartily. You can do this because you are serving your Father through the work you do.

And He deserves our service - as this hymnwriter says, we are mortals who have been set free from our sin - mortals with shortening days who are permitted to work and praise! What a privilege we have the serve the One who gave Himself up for us! And to praise Him while we're at it! Paul reminds the Colossians that praising, giving thanks, is an important part of our work.

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

Look - there's that familiar phrase: WHATEVER YOU DO. Do all in the name of your Lord, giving thanks!

He also deserves our best effort - our hearty work. He is our dearest friend, on whom our every hope depends!

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5

But as for me, I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more. Psalm 71:14

Because we work for the Lord, we can boast - not a vain boast, but a boast in Him.

Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. Psalm 20:7

We may not boast in chariots or horses, but we may be tempted to boast in computers, presentations - things that help us "win the battle" at work. However, we should choose to boast in the Lord - the one who has gifted us and given us our abilities to do our work and do it well.

But be careful to boast appropriately and give credit where credit is due - you do not want to be like a cloud without rain.

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. Proverbs 25:14

Paul also exhorts us to boast carefully - and not to compare ourselves with others.

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. Galatians 6:3-4

When we boast in the Lord, our boasting is not in vain. And when we work for the Lord, we're giving Him glory for what He has done for us. He came to earth to die for us, to save us from our sins. And He has prepared good work for us to do.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Let's work for Him!



I'll Work for Thee
Words by William Fawcett

Jesus, and may I work for Thee,
A mortal man from sin set free,
A mortal man with shortening days,
Permitted thus to work and praise?

Refrain
I’ll work for Thee, I’ll work for Thee
Yes, dearest Lord, I’ll work for Thee.

To work for Thee, the Morning Star
That saw me lost, and from afar
Shed o’er my soul a light divine,
And comforted this heart of mine.

To work for Thee, my dearest friend,
On whom my every hope depends;
Who washed away my earthly shame,
And gave to me a new, best name.

I’ll work for Thee, Thou blessed One,
Eternal God, eternal Son,
And boast, but never boast in vain,
I’ll work for Him who once was slain.

Glorious Freedom, verse 4

As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Job 19:25

Paralyzing fear. Have you experienced it? As this hymn says, fear is a tormentor. But because of our freedom in Christ, we have been delivered from fear. Jesus reminds us that we don't need to be fearful because He has given us His peace.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27

And here's a reason not to fear - we've been adopted as God's children - we can call Him Father! We are free from our spirit of slavery and adopted into His family!

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15

What is the one thing most feared by most people? It is death. And when we fear death, we are like slaves to that fear - subject to slavery "all our lives" - paralyzed by fear. But there's hope -- Jesus' death made the devil, who had the power of death, powerless! Because of Jesus' death, we are FREE!

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15

We also are free from fear about the future, even when the future may include hurt and suffering. We are urged to be faithful, and not fearful.

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

And look at the reward for our faithfulness - the crown of life! We can be free of fear because we've been set free from our slavery to fear.

We are also set free from our slavery to care, or to worry. Worrying over things from little to big is nothing new for humans, we've been doing it for thousands of years. Jesus tells His followers repeatedly to not worry.

"Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’" Matthew 6:31

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

"But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say." Matthew 10:19

"If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about other matters?" Luke 12:26

"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying." Luke 12:29

Do not keep worrying. Clearly this was a pattern with people, just as it is today. Worry is really rooted in control. We worry because we cannot control everything. It is our sinful nature that seeks to control, but Christ's atonement has set us free from cares and their pain! We don't need to be a slave to worry anymore! He is on the throne, doing what He pleases.

Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. Psalm 135:6

And we can trust the One who gave His life for us. It is no longer we who live, but Christ in us. Christ who has set us free. Hallelujah!

I have been crucified with Christ; and 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 up for me. Galatians 2:20

Glorious Freedom
Words by Haldor Llineas

Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters;
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain.
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.

Refrain
Glorious freedom! Wonderful freedom!
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator—
Now and forever He shall be mine.

Freedom from all the carnal affections;
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions;
Freedom from all that saddened my life!


Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!

Freedom from fear with all of its torments;
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer—
He who has rent my fetters in twain.