Scripture for Today: II Peter 1:19 “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”

This star of Bethlehem is called a Moravian star. It began as a simple craft project by a geometry teacher in Germany back in the 1830’s. He was teaching a polyhedron design to his students and illustrated it with this paper and glue star. It was eventually adopted by the Moravian Church to represent the star of Bethlehem. The first documented Christmas tree at Williamsburg, Virginia used this star to decorate its branches in 1842.

Today’s verse speaks of a star that far outshines any other. It is the “morning star” and appears when the day is dawning. It signals to all that the dark night is finished. This is a star that arises, not in the heavens but in hearts. God’s prophetic Word is the shining lamp that points us to the coming dawn and to this life-giving Star. Jesus himself is identified as this morning star. (Rev. 22:16) How appropriate it was then, that Christ’s birth was heralded by a guiding star.

Until the dawn arrives, I continue to live in a dark world. But this Star gives me hope in an increasingly somber world where evil seems to have the upper hand. However, the darkness cannot overwhelm this “Light of the world.” (John 8:12) His light and presence warms my heart and assures me of the coming dawn. And one day, there will be no need for stars (or sun and moon) as His presence will be all the Light I need! (Rev. 21:23)

Thank you Lord, that soon there will be no more night.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 1:18 “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'”

The holly and the ivy with their bright red berries say Christmas to me. But decorating with it can be a challenge with their prickly unforgiving leaves! The carol, “The Holly and the Ivy.” has been around at least since the 15th century and is full of references to Christ through its images. The white flower represents His purity, the red berry pictures His blood, and the prickly leaves bring to mind the crown of thorns Jesus wore.

Today’s verse tells us that something is settled. We can be as white as snow and as wool, even though our sins are a bright scarlet red. The matter being settled was the meaningless offerings (verse 13) and the hypocritical prayers being offered. (verse 15) The people’s attempts at pleasing God had no effect as they continued doing what they knew was wrong. What was important to the Lord, then as it is now, is a washed and clean heart. (verse 16)

How amazed I am that the Lord has settled the matter of sin for those who in faith trust His incredible sacrifice! I can understand these Israelites wanting to avoid the hard step of uncomfortable confession. It is much easier for me as well to let traditions and religious routine take its place. But there is only one way to approach God for forgiveness and that is through His Son (John 14:6) And when I do, the matter is settled forever! What an indescribable gift God has given through the birth of His Son!

Thank you Lord, for making me as white as snow!

Scripture for Today: Psalm 44:23 “Wake Yourself up, why do You sleep, Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.”

I love hearing the bells here in San Juan Capistrano everyday. They toll longer on December 8, marking the day of the 1812 earthquake. Unfortunately, that quake brought down the great stone church. The remaining ruins remind folks of the forty Native Americans who died that day during mass. The Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, declares,”Then pealed the bells more loud and deep; ‘God is not dead nor doth He sleep.’ The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth goodwill to men.”

Today’s verse is a honest heartfelt cry by the psalmist. He feels God is asleep and is unaware of the affliction and oppression the people are experiencing. (verse 24) With God’s silence the psalmist feels ignored and rejected. The reality is that God never sleeps or slumbers. (Psalm 121:4) But this psalm is full of accusations and bitterness. At the close, he acknowledges that any help from God would not be because of their faithfulness, but because of His mercy. God shows favor by not giving to us what we deserve!

God will right all wrongs because He is just and because He has promised. But at no time do I deserve His justice. If I feel like He is late acting on my behalf, I am being as demanding as the psalmist. But He has revealed that His justice is perfect and perfectly timed. I can trust not only His justice but His mercy and grace. Without it I would stand condemned. But because of Christ’s birth, merciful love and sacrifice I am not rejected. We see baby Jesus sleeping in the manger at Christmas, but the reality is that our God is awake and in control!

Thank you Lord, for Your perfect justice.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 28:7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him.”

Can a cactus really jump? The chollo cactus is known as the “jumping chollo.” Its barbed spines detach so easily that they seem to jump, hitching a ride on any passing human or animal! When they are finally shaken off, the cactus spine roots where it falls to the ground. What a great way to spread yourself! These cacti are some of the largest and most beautiful but be careful not to be jumped on when stopping to admire them!

Today’s verse describes a heart that trusts in God’s strength, protection and help. This is a heart that finds reasons for joy, so much so that the heart leaps with that joy! Because of our incredible salvation, we can be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. (I Peter 1:8-9) And like the jumping chollo, this joy can spread! Even in an inhospitable desert soil where water is scarce, the joy of the believer can spread to others! This joy comes as we praise Him for His faithful care.

When I am not feeling this joy it is probably because I am focusing on the dry desert soil around me. I am not happy with my circumstances. The disappointments I am living with are clouding my vision of the eternal. I am not jumping up and down with joy. But that can and does change when I turn my heart towards Him in gratitude for His blessings. Praising Him changes everything! And when that deep-seated sense of well-being returns, I am in a good place to spread it!

Lord, keep me grateful.

Scripture for Today: John 21:7b “…As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped in the water.”

I used to think that when fish jumped out of the water they were jumping for joy!  I have learned otherwise and yet still prefer to think it could be true.  Fish may jump to feed on flying insects, to propel themselves upstream for spawning, to escape predators or to rid themselves of sea-lice.  We jump at the chance.  We jump down one’s throat or jump ship.  We may jump on the bandwagon or in our family, we jump in the shower!  But the best jumping is when we jump for joy!

Today’s verse has someone jumping into the water, and it certainly seems as if there were joy involved!  Not surprisingly, the disciples did not immediately recognize the resurrected Jesus after a fruitless night of fishing.  But when the Lord  miraculously filled their net, they knew who it was.  Peter could not wait to get to Jesus.  Rather than row the boat with the disciples that last one hundred yards to shore, he jumped in!

Would that I would jump at the chance to meet with the Lord with that much enthusiasm!  Can I say with David that He fills me with joy in His presence? (Psalm 16:11)  To be honest, not always.  But when I recognize His miraculous hand in my life, I do jump up and run to Him with a grateful heart.  It may not be a net full of fish, but His miracles are everywhere in my life; the miracle of His love and grace, His forgiveness and protection, and too many more to list!

Lord, may I jump at the chance to meet You today!

(Look familiar? This is a repost from 2018)