Blog Archives - St. Michael's Lutheran Church, School, & Childcare Richville, MI

When You Least Expect It

2/26/2021

"That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12 New Living Translation)

When you least expect it, expect it! I was just about done writing my thoughts about this verse today when the program asked for me to log in again and I lost everything except the Bible passages. I did not expect that.

The Shepherds outside of Bethlehem were on night duty, watching out for their sheep when an angel suddenly appeared to them. They were terrified! Wouldn't you be too if an angel suddenly appeared to you in the middle of the night.

But why did the angel appear to the Shepherds? Shepherds played an important role in the history of the people of Israel. Abraham and David were both shepherds. David wrote "The Lord is my Shepherd." (Psalm 23) Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd. Even though shepherds were no where near the top of the social economic scale in Israel, they are important to God.

The children of Israel were looking and praying for the Promised Savior. The shepherds were caught by surprise when the angel appeared to them. Too many of the people living in Israel didn't recognize Jesus as the Savior when He came.

Christians have waited a long time for Jesus to return. He tells us to be ready, watching and praying for His Second Coming. But it is too easy to go through life without thinking about the Lord's return. There are too many other things we have to do that seem more important right now. But what could be more important than living as a Jesus follower, following Him and doing what He wants us to do?

When you least expect it, expect it. Jesus is coming again. "Lord, come quickly."

Make Room for Jesus

2/25/2021

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them." (Luke 2:6-7 New Living Translation)

We make some assumptions when we read these verses. First we think the Bethlehem Holiday Inn Express was full when we read "no room in the inn." The "Inn" may have been the guest room in the house where Joseph planned to stay. We don't know for sure.

Second we assume that Mary gave birth to Jesus their first night in Bethlehem. We don't know that. Luke wrote "while they were there." Jesus could have been born their first night in Bethlehem or a few days later. The important thing is that Jesus was born in Bethlehem as God promised through His Prophet.

The big question for us is whether or not we make room for Jesus in our lives, in our homes, in our families. Are there times when we get too busy or too preoccupied and push Jesus aside? We need to make room for Jesus every minute of every day of our lives. After all He makes room for us and promises to always be with us.

In Control

2/24/2021

"All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child." (Luke 2:3-5 New Living Translation)

Who is in control? That is a question we frequently ask and try to answer. We would like to be in control in our own lives, but it doesn't always work out that way. More times than we like to admit, we are not in control.

I am not sure Joseph and Mary were excited about a trip to Bethlehem when Mary was pregnant. Caesar Augustus decree required that Joseph return to his ancestral home to be counted for the Roman census. Mary was a descendant of King David, too.

God was in control. The prophet Micah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write that the Promised Savior would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to fulfill God's promise. God was in control and used Caesar's census to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem before Jesus was born.

Even when we don't or can't see it, God is in control. He calls us to follow Him, to listen to Him and to trust Him. And He promises to work all things out for our ultimate good. Our challenge is to Let Go and Let God be in control!

In Real Time

2/23/2021

"At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)" (Luke 2:1-2 New Living Translation)

Luke sets the birth of Jesus in a specific time and place. He begins with the time. Caesar Augustus is the Roman emperor. We know from Roman history when that took place. Quirinius had two appointments as governor of Syria. Both men are reported on in the history of Rome.

Isn't it amazing how God can use the most powerful person in the world to do His will. Caesar Augustus was certainly the most powerful person of his time. He wants to get an accurate count of the population of people in his empire to know how to tax them. God wants to move Mary and her unborn baby Jesus from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, so Jesus will be born there. Caesar's order got the job done.

God was working things out according to His plan. As the Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 4:4-5, "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children."

He is working in our lives right now, even if we can't see it or don't recognize it. We can count on God to always keep His promises.

It Takes Time

2/22/2021

"John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel." (Luke 1:80 NLT)

Things don't just happen overnight. After recording Zechariah's song of praise to God for the gift of a son, Luke tells us that John had to grow up before he could begin his public ministry. John grew physically and spiritually during his years in the wilderness.

John may have spent some time with the Essene community. They were very concerned about preserving God's written word. The Dead Sea Scrolls containing books of the Old Testament were copied by the Essenes. They also practiced ritual washing or baptism as a sign of repentance.

Whether or not John spent time with the Essenes, he did learn the importance of repentance and the value of knowing God's Word during those years in the wilderness.

It takes time to grow and mature in our faith. A maturing faith requires that we repent, turn away from doing things our way and follow the Lord. It also requires that we read God's Word and take it to heart. The Holy Spirit will help us grow in faith and as followers of Jesus. Regardless of how young or old we are, we still need to grow in faith and grow closer to the Lord.

Turning On The Light

2/19/2021

78 "Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79 NLT)

Zechariah's son, John, would turn the light on in a dark world. This light would point to Jesus, the Light of the world, the Prince of Peace. John's birth happened during a dark time in Israel. The Roman Empire occupied the land, demanded high taxes, and limited freedom. Herod the Great ruled for Rome over Israel. Herod was known as a great builder, but he was an evil and violent man. The people lived in fear of what Herod might do. Israel had gone 400 years without a true prophet from the Lord. These were dark time. John the Baptist would turn on the light and point people to Christ.

We are living in a time when many people either don't know Jesus or have decided to turn their backs on Him. Our nation is becoming more and more secular. Too many of our governmental leaders are more concerned about doing what is politically correct than what is right in God's eyes. They are more concerned about holding onto power than about serving people.

Like John the Baptist, we need to turn on the Light for people to see. We need to reach out to those living in the shadows with the Light of God's Word, the Light of God's love. We need to help connect people with Jesus Christ so that He can give them the Peace that only He can give.

Mission Statement

2/18/2021

76 “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77 You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. (Luke 1:76-77 NLT)

The Transition Task Force at St. Michael has been working on a new, unified mission statement for the Church, School, and Early Childcare Center. Their recommendation will be coming out soon.

Zechariah talked about the mission of his son, John.

John would be the first real Prophet of God in over 400 years. A Prophet speaks for God, brings God's Word to His people.
John would prepare people to meet Jesus, the Promised Savior. John would be the advance man for Jesus, the Son of God.
John would connect people with Jesus by calling them to repent, to turn back to God and ask Him to forgive them.

The same things need to happen today.

We need to prepare people to meet Jesus by speaking God's Word to them in a way that they can understand.
We start by asking God to forgive us and turn our lives around so that we walk with Him in faith.
Then we can work together to try to connect people with Jesus.

Saving History

2/17/2021

Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant--
73 the covenant he swore with an oath to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live. (Luke 1:71-75 NLT)

Zechariah's sang about God's actions to save His people. This is sometimes called "Salvation History." Zechariah recalls God's promise to Abraham and how God acted in the past to rescue His people.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season. Lent is a time for Christians to focus on repentance, on asking for God's forgiveness for sins and for His help to lead a God pleasing life. Ashes were a symbol of sorrow for sins and repentance in the Bible.

During the Lenten Season we recall how Jesus saves us from sin, death and the Devil who tempts us wants to condemn us. Because Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose from the dead, we are forgiven. The price for our sins has been paid in full. Condemnation is a thing of the past because of Jesus.

"Lent" is an Old English word for Spring. The Lenten Season ends with Easter, which always comes in Spring. This is a good time to remember the Saving History story of Jesus. He saves us and restores us to God's family. His story is our story.

Promise Keeper

2/16/2021

Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: 68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. 69 He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, 70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. (Luke 1:67-70 New Living Translation)

I'm getting ready to go outside and shovel the sidewalk to the parsonage. Roger is plowing the parking lot. The winter storm warning was right. We got his with a big snow storm overnight. But the forecasts are not always right. How many times have you prepared for a big storm and it didn't come? Weather forecast are educated guesses.

On the other hand, when God makes a promise, He keeps it. The Words of God's prophets always come true, even if it takes some time. Zechariah realized that. The Holy Spirit inspired him to sing his song of praise to God for keeping His promises to be with and restore His people by sending the Promised Savior from the line of King David.

Like Zechariah, we can count on God to keep His promises. God always love us. He always hear and answer our prayers. He forgives us when we turn to Him in repentance and faith. Jesus will come again to gather all of His people into His eternal kingdom. We can trust Jesus. He is Our Promise Keeper!

The News Spead

2/15/2021

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. 66 Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. (Luke 1:65-66 New Living Translation)

Author

My name is Larry. Right now I am serving as the Intentional Interim or Transitional Pastor at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Richville, MI. This blog is part of my daily personal time reading the Bible and talking with God. It is more of my personal thoughts than a deep theological discussion. Thanks for taking the time to join me in reading and thinking about what God has to say to us today.

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