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God With Us: A Study of Immanuel

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Christmas blog God With Us

His Name Shall Be Immanuel

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

Perhaps the most important reminder of Christmas is resting in the promise that God is with us. Always has been and always will be (Psalm 139:1-18). Immanuel or “God with us” is first mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 then fulfilled in Matthew 1:23, always referring to Jesus - not necessarily as a literal name to bear but indicating His role in bringing God’s presence to man.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

A Consistent Presence

Consider the great lengths He has gone to in order to be with us. When He first created man and woman in their innocence, He walked in the Garden with them. When sin separated us from Him, He provided meticulously detailed instructions for building a tabernacle so that in His holiness He might dwell with the Israelites in the Old Testament. But, halfway is not enough for our loving Father. His abundant love for us set in motion the thorough and deeply costly plan of reconciliation that made full communion possible. When God dwelled with us in the flesh for the first time through His son Jesus, He did so in a manger. In His earthly lifetime, he physically sat at tables to eat with us and sailed in boats to weather storms with us. Now, He dwells in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Indeed, God has never left us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

John 14:26

A Remarkable Plan of Redemption

The birth of Jesus alone illustrates the remarkable uniqueness of God choosing not only to dwell with us but to do it in so intimate a way in becoming human Himself. For God to come into the world as a human baby born in a dirty stable was to choose the most humbling, approachable form possible. No other religion comes close to claiming similar. “Gods” of other religions tend to maintain an arm’s length policy, an “otherness” - as if by definition separation is required. Holiness does demand separation from that which is unholy, but our loving Father would not be satisfied to leave us there. He made a way to close the gap of holiness and bring us in to to be with Him in holiness - through His one & only Son. His presence with us is no longer limited by the restraints of a human body or our ability to be righteous enough. It is active and ever-present in our circumstances, thoughts, and heart should we choose to receive it through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). May this reminder of God’s constant presence give you peace, joy and comfort this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas from the LMW family to yours!

Gratitude: The Path To True Joy

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Finding Joy When We Do Not Feel It

15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:15-18

How often do we find ourselves discontented? It is a feeling we all share from time-to-time. Its sneaky occurrence is not limited to any particular time of year, but I believe we are reminded of it most when the the holiday season approaches, as it does now. The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, amidst all the other traditions and meanings, bid us to cultivate gratitude and joy. Perhaps in a good season of life, when all is going as we’d like it to, we more effortlessly feel such things. We know we should feel thankful or joyous. But, in challenging seasons of life, it can sometimes be difficult to find joy. We know from 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 that we need joy to refresh and renew our spirit from the burden of everyday life. So how do we find joy when we do not feel it?

1Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:1-2

Gratitude Is Key

The key is gratitude. Gratitude unlocks our hearts for God to work in them to show us a place where real joy may be experienced and abided in. When we cultivate gratitude in our hearts, it always leads to worshipping God for His goodness and mercy. C.S. Lewis puts it this way: “Praise is the mode of love which always has some element of joy in it.” Ultimately, praise produces joy in our hearts (Psalm 95:1-2). We see this pattern over and over again in the Word, most often in the Psalms. It is a progression of the heart’s posture. A heart capable of thanksgiving is primed for praise. When we praise, we are reminded of how great God is and, in doing so, surrender our circumstances. Only here are we capable of finding real, lasting joy. Paul and David are particularly strong examples of the correlation between gratitude, praise, and joy. Each display within their lives God’s provisions that we have access to as believers to overcome whatever circumstances we face. And not just “make it through,” but to overcome with a joy that is more steady and permanent than the temporal happiness the world falsely promises.

23This is the Lord’s doing;

it is marvelous in our eyes.

24This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:23-24

Gratitude Leads To Joy

Gratitude is the call to action. Praise is the goal. Joy is the inevitable result. Gratitude leads to praise leads to joy (Psalm 118:23-24). Let these simple steps become practical application that we may reflect on to lead our hearts abundantly through life and into the coming holiday season. Praying gratitude and joy over you, from the LMW family!

Stay Close to the Lord and Those Who Serve Him

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“I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back-not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
 Philemon 1:20-25 NIV

We continue the theme from the last lesson: the six people mentioned at the end of Philemon. 

Aristarchus, was a faithful companion, one who was always there when needed. He is always seen with Paul and other believers, joining them in their great trials and sufferings. Here are five things we know about Aristarchus:

  1. He was a member of the Thessalonian church
  2.  He was one of the believers attacked by the violent mob in Ephesus.
  3.  He went with Paul to minister in Asia
  4.  He is seen traveling with Paul to Rome after Paul had been arrested and was being transferred to Rome as a prisoner.
  5.  He is seen as a fellow prisoner with Paul in Rome while Paul was awaiting trial on the charge of treason. Apparently, he too was being charged with the same crime.

The point is that he was a real companion, a companion who stood by the side of his fellow believers through thick and thin. He would never think of deserting his dear friends or the Lord, no matter how difficult the task or terrible the trial. He would face imprisonment and suffer death before he would be a turncoat. He was a good man to have around when facing trials, for he would stand by the side of his friend even if it meant imprisonment and death.

Demas is a sad story. He turned away from Christ back to the world. His life is written in tragedy- a life that serves as a warning to other believers- a life that shows the utter necessity of walking in Christ daily. At first, he is seen as a fellow laborer. Later he is just a name, with no comment at all-perhaps suggesting the detection of some loss of spirit and energy in the work for the Lord. Finally, in second Timothy, he is Demas who “loved this present world” and forsook the Lord’s work.

Luke gave all to follow Christ-all that the world had to offer. He was the physician who was beloved by Paul and the church. Apparently, his medical treatment of believers was diligent, compassionate, warm, and personal. He had an effective ministry for Christ among the believers.

We close this series on Philemon with an encouragement to read it and know God’s Word for yourself. Our next series will be What the Bible Says about Civil Authority.

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Refreshing the Hearts of God’s People
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Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker- also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier- and to the church that meets in your home: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.  I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Philemon 1:1-7 NIV

We pick up our Weekly Scripture Study, with a short Pauline epistle. Nestled between Titus and Hebrews comes a small letter: Philemon. A church met in this man’s home. Paul wrote him to ask that he receive a former slave, Onesimus, back into his fellowship as if it were Paul coming.

Paul usually opened his letters by establishing his apostleship, but in this letter, Paul reminded Philemon that he was in prison for preaching the gospel. Paul then addresses Philemon.

Philemon was so committed to Christ that he was counted “beloved” by Paul himself. Philemon was working so faithfully for Christ that Paul could acknowledge his labor and count him as a fellow-laborer, as working as diligently as Paul himself in the cause of Christ.

Philemon demonstrated his commitment by opening his home. Remember that the early church did not have church sanctuaries to meet in; they met in homes of faithful and committed believers. Philemon loved Christ so much that he was willing to open his home night after night and week after week for believers to worship and study God’s Word together. What would it look like for you to open your home, (or yard) to regularly invite people over?
What would it take to overcome the tiredness and the housecleaning (or leaf raking) required? Philemon’s kind hospitality was such that it refreshed the hearts of God’s people. We have the privilege of doing likewise.

Are there ways you could be practicing hospitality of your time or space?

https://lmw.org/4773-2/

Bethea Retires from Board Chairmanship

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LMW Thanks Bethea for his leadership

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At the Fall Board Meeting, the board and staff had the opportunity to thank Richard Bethea for his dedication to LMW. A long-time board member, Mr. Bethea chaired the board for six years before his retirement this year. Chuck Zeiser presented a commemorative clock and thanked Richard for his leadership and service. Mr. Zeiser fondly recalled the Bethea’s frequent and warm hospitality and especially praised Mildred’s cooking. Mr. Bethea led the board through several pivotal moments including the completion of the KJV and NIV Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible® and the creation of the LMW App which allows hundreds of users to access the Bible, outlines, and commentary wherever they are.

(Pictured left to right: Joanne & Zeiser with Mildred & Richard Bethea)

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Psalm 139:13-18 NIV

Psalm 8, another Davidic Psalm, tells us that God created humans to have a unique place in the created order. Unlike animals or angels, we are made in the image of God. We are made for a special relationship with God, a relationship no other living being enjoys, and we are made to experience that relationship eternally. Beyond the common purpose of glorifying God; humans are made individually, with individual stories and ways of giving glory to God.

Consider how unique every individual is! Even in conception, God's hand directs the forming and development of our individual parts. All of us have things about ourselves that we would like to change. Nearly every person wants to change some physical feature. For example, some would like to be taller, while others wish they were shorter. Some would like smaller ears or a smaller nose. Some wish their eyes were a different color. Others wish they could change their natural abilities; they would like to be better at any number of things. The corruption brought about by the fall that began to rot our world means that we sometimes feel uncomfortable in our own bodies. Our outward flesh is wasting away and groans to be renewed. When you add our post-fall tendency to covet and be envious of what others have, it is easy to be discontent. Or, even if we are not discontent on our own account, we may wonder why some are born with severe genetic disorders or suffer life-threatening illnesses at a tender age, such as cancer.

And yet, as we consider things beyond our control, we need to remember that God carefully crafts us and makes us according to His plan for us. He makes each of us special in some way. This means that the very physical feature you despise actually endears you as an individual to God’s heart. The very ability you desire but cannot develop has not been given to you by God because it is not a part of His plan for your life.

As David says, we are fearfully and wonderfully made—each one of us. We should praise God unceasingly for the fact that He loves us so much, that He has designed us so intricately, intimately, and individually. When we truly grasp how much God loves us, we will love ourselves more. We will learn to delight in the things about ourselves that we formerly despised. In addition, when we truly believe that God has a wonderful plan for our lives, pursuing that plan will be our first priority. We will then seek God's will diligently, submitting ourselves fully to Him so that He might bring it to pass.