Advent Devotional, December 13

Psalm 32

 

“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

(Psalm 32:1)

 

When carrying a burden of wrong, there is nothing more freeing than the gift of forgiveness…to know that the one you have hurt reaches out to extend grace.  I appreciate the words of South African bishop, Desmond Tutu, who writes, “Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.” Who among us has not wished for that new beginning in the aftermath of something we have done to hurt another?

 

Christmas brings to the world an opportunity to make a new beginning.  I’m not talking about the seasonal changes in behavior that are packed away with the ornaments and lights once the holidays are over.  No, I am talking about genuine, life-altering transformation that comes because God has cared enough for a sinful human creation to give the gift of mercy and forgiveness through Jesus, the Christ. The Psalmist was writing before the incarnation of Christ, but he had caught a glimpse of God’s forgiveness and was changed by it.

 

In this season of lights, pretty packages, and short-term good will, receive anew the forgiveness of God through the gift of Bethlehem, then, perhaps share that gift with someone around you whose burden could be made lighter by your gift of forgiveness.  That may be the best gift you give this Christmas.

 

Prayer:  Gracious God, I confess before you and ask that your forgiveness cover my sin.  Give me courage to share this grace and mercy with another. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Selfless Giving

A blessed Friday to all.  We received a beautiful basket of flowers at home yesterday, sent anonymously by someone whose simple desire was to express gratitude.  The thoughtful gesture was much appreciated, and though the sender remains unknown to us, the blessing received has indeed been a treasure. 

 

Much of life's greatest work is done quietly, without fanfare or acknowledgement. Such generosity serves to remind us, particularly as followers of Christ, that we are to be servants to the world about us.  Jesus condemned the kind of religious expression that always seeks recognition, calling instead for selfless giving that seeks nothing in return.  That is a lesson most appropriate for this season of the year. 

 

Tomorrow, you have an opportunity to share a simple gift with our church and community.  The Hope Class is sponsoring the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup at 8:30 at the church.  They will be cleaning our section of Old Keene Mill Road of litter and debris.  There will also be leaf cleanup around the church, beginning at 9 a.m. Bring a leaf blower, rake, or other tools to help move the million or so leaves that have fallen.  The annual Springfield Gardens Christmas Party will be held at First Baptist Church of Springfield and volunteers are still needed to assist.  If you would like to participate, please join DIck Marvin and others at FBC around 10:30.  Our own Rob Robertson will appear as Santa Claus...Ho! Ho! Ho!

 

Sunday will feature the youth dessert auction as well as the presentation of "Once Upon a Night" by the sanctuary choir and orchestra.  You will miss a blessing if you aren't present!!!

 

Thanks for the many wonderful ways you continue to generously give and serve through Westwood Baptist Church.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 12

Luke 22:24-27

“…rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.” (Luke 22:26b)

Jesus spoke of children in terms that made his listeners a bit uncomfortable.  In Matthew’s gospel he called a child to himself in the midst of a crowd and told his followers that unless they became like a child, they could not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Children often have little rights, little standing in community and were certainly not seen as models of faith in the first century, and yet, Jesus embraced them as examples of kingdom living.

His followers evidently needed to learn and relearn this lesson again and again.  In today’s text, just hours before Jesus would be crucified, his closest followers were arguing over which one of them was the greatest.  He called them to humility in telling them that they must become like the youngest…a servant to one another and the world about them.

Christmas is said to be a time when we focus on the youngest among us.  There is a joy and wonder in this season that is perhaps best captured through the eyes of child.  Jesus still calls us to the faith of a child, the wonder of trust and hope and belief. 

The greatest ever to walk among us came as a lowly child.  Perhaps we all need to view the Christ of Christmas and all that is a part of this Advent season through the eyes of a child.  Greatness, you see, isn’t about power and influence, but rather, about humility and service.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to experience this season with fresh eyes and open hearts…to become like the youngest among us. Amen.

Jim Abernathy   

Advent Devotional, December 11

Psalm 37:23-34

 

“Our steps are made firm by the Lord, when he delights in our way;
though we stumble we shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand.”

                                                                                                                                (Psalm 37:23-24)

 

As one who has recently stumbled and fallen headlong, I have an appreciation for the Psalmist’s words of encouragement in our text today.  It would be great to assume that if one is in right relationship with the Creator God, no physical harm would come, but I don’t believe that is the intent of these words.  The Psalmist acknowledges that stumbling is part of our human experience.  More significant here, however, is not the physical act of stumbling, but the spiritual step of faith that recognizes God’s presence in the midst of life’s challenges…physical, emotional, and spiritual.  The assurance that the Lord holds us by the hand is our hope against falling headlong into the abyss of isolation and helplessness when we stumble.

 

In the first weeks after I fell and fractured my foot, leaving the house required negotiating the very steps that were associated with my fall.  Not being able to put weight on the broken foot made this challenge seem overwhelming.  The firm hand of Cindy and other friends who came alongside to help bear part of my burden enabled me to accomplish what I could never have achieved on my own.   

The story of Christmas reminds us that in our stumbling, God has come alongside us to hold us by the hand, and therefore, our steps are made firm.  As one who has stumbled, I am grateful for such strength.

 

Prayer:  (The prayer today is the first verse of the great spiritual, “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me)

I want Jesus to walk with me. I want Jesus to walk with me.  All along my pilgrim journey, Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 10

Psalm 119:41-48

 

“Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation according to your promise.”

                                                                                                                       (Psalm 119:41)

 

Promises are at the heart of the story of Christmas.  The Old Testament again and again tells of the faithfulness of God to keep promises.  The prophets speak of One who will come to be Savior of the world, who will be called “…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  That promise has been fulfilled through the incarnation of Christ.  Bethlehem’s baby is reminder to the world that God is ever-faithful.

 

As you think about the challenges and opportunities you face today, let the Psalmist’s words of faith and expectation remind you of the faithfulness of God.

 

Prayer: Faithful God, let your steadfast love come to me, your salvation according to your promise. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 9

I Thessalonians 5:12-18

 

“See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always

seek to do good to one another and to all.”

                                                                (I Thessalonians 5:16

 

The Christmas season can bring out the best in people, unless, of course, your name is Ebenezer Scrooge.  Charles Dickens familiar character from his classic story, “A Christmas Carol,” despises everything and everyone associated with Christmas.  When confronted by do-gooders seeking to raise money for the less fortunate and the unreasonable demands of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, for Christmas day off so he can spend it with family, Scrooge responds, “Christmas is a poor excuse every 25th of December to pick a man's pockets.”    Of course we know the story of transformation that comes to Mr. Scrooge as he is visited by the spirits of Christmas past, present, and future.  He awakens on Christmas morning a changed man and proclaims, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”

 

We love these stories of transformation, particularly at Christmas.  The apostle Paul reminds us, however, that meaningful change which comes by faith in the living Christ, is not seasonal change.  “…always seek to do good to one another and to all,” he writes.  The true meaning of Christmas is not found in treating others more kindly for a week or a month, but in embracing the Christ child as Savior, one is transformed eternally.  Thus, Christmas doesn’t temporarily make us something we aren’t the rest of the year.

 

Because of what God has done through the gift of Christmas, Jesus, the Christ, let us agree with Mr. Scrooge and say, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year!”

 

Prayer: Gracious God, continue the work of transformation within our hearts that in every season, every day, we will keep and share the joy of Christmas. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy

Advent Devotional, December 8

I Thessalonians 5:1-11

 

“Therefore, encourage one another and build

up each other, as indeed you are doing.”

                                (I Thessalonians 5:11)

 

Paul is writing to first-century Christians who believe that Christ will return at any moment. They are to live in readiness. Part of that readiness was a growing relationship with their brothers and sisters in Christ.  The hardships they faced demanded a dependency on one another.  To remain faithful to the end, they needed each other.

 

In pondering Christ’s return, twenty-first century Christians are to live in readiness as well.  Like our first century brothers and sisters, encouragement is key to growing relationships.  In building one another up, we grow in our understanding of community and the shared calling we have to bring Christ to the world about us. We are children of the light and as such, are called to exemplary, anticipatory living, ready in our words, thoughts, and actions to welcome Christ among us.

 

Take a moment today to ponder how you can encourage and build up a brother or sister in Christ. That is an Advent gift that will make a difference.

 

Prayer: May we be found faithful, Lord, encouraging and building one another up as we wait anxiously for your return. Amen.

 

Jim Abernathy