Preparing for Christmas

Each year, I read through the biblical account of the first Christmas asking God to reveal a fresh application. There is so much to learn from Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, the one who was to prepare the way for Jesus. How are we preparing?

Below are verses from Luke 1 with my comments in parenthesis:

6-7: Zechariah and Elizabeth “…were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.” (Zechariah was missing only one thing in life – a child. That was his prayer.)

11:“And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord … And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. “ (Are you in a situation where you are troubled and fearful? God is at work.)

12- 13: “But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. (What an incredible answer to prayer, as God not only gave him a child, but a child who would prepare the way for the Messiah. He had been praying for many decades for a child. God could not answer his prayer any sooner, because John’s birth had to line up with Jesus coming. Have you been praying for something for a long time? Perhaps the delay is more about how the situation relates to something Jesus has yet to do – a greater plan.)

18: “And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." (Zechariah was reminding God of how old he and his wife were just in case God forgot that detail. How many times have I reminded God of my limitations when He has asked me to do something? Too many for me to count. Thankfully, God enjoys plowing through our human limitations.)

19: “And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you…” (God had been quiet for 400 years between the Old and New Testament and he broke the silence with an angel’s voice. Needless to say, Zechariah had a question.)

20: ”And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, …" (Mary also asked God, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The difference was that Mary asked the “How” while believing God would do it and Zechariah asked the “How” while not believing.)

22: “And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute.” (On the surface this seems like a harsh punishment, but God has a purpose.)

58: Elizabeth bore a son with great rejoicing by “neighbors and relatives.” (Remember this point for the closing comment.)

62-64, “And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God.” (After great silence, the first words on his lips were praises to God).

I once had a circumstance in my life where I had to be mute for two weeks. This allowed me to gain a tiny bit of insight into Zechariah’s circumstances. I had a nodule on my vocal cords and the doctor told me I had two options. I could either have surgery, or I could be silent for two weeks and the nodule would dry up and fall off. The doctor told me most women cannot remain silent for that long. I took that as a personal challenge and was also willing to try anything to avoid surgery. To communicate, I walked around with a dry erase board (my version of Zechariah’s writing tablet).

During those 2 weeks, I had no one to really talk to except God. He was the only one that heard me. I prayed more in that 2 weeks than I had in the previous year. I spent intimate time with my God and was closer to experiencing “continuous prayer” than at any point in my life. I can only imagine what it would have been like to do that for 9 months. Zechariah spent so much time with God while silent, that he busted out of his muteness with praises to his God and great revelation of what God would do through baby Jesus and John. In that silence, God had prepared Zechariah, so that his son, John, could prepare the world for the Messiah.

How are we preparing for Christmas? Do we need to be silent as we pray and read God’s word a fresh insight? Are you in a situation that you did not expect to be in? God is always at work, and he allows situations that cause us to draw close to him. God wants to bring praises to our lips and rejoicing with our neighbors and relatives! “Rejoicing with our relatives”… Now for many, that is a Christmas miracle!

In our Christmas preparation, let’s find the blessing of a real “Silent” Night.

Merry Christmas

Give Thanks

Psalm 28:7 says:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him."

I am truly living out this scripture. Yesterday I got the results of my lastest echo and I am so thankful as the Lord has been my help and I exult His name. For the first time in almost two years, my heart is showing signs of improvement. The output of my heart has improved from operating at about 1/2 capacity to 2/3 capacity. That is a huge jump. That explains why I have been able to drill the tennis ball during the last month. My heart is also showing the first signs of shrinking from its enlarged state. Everyone in the medical field kept asking if my medicines have changed. No, they have not. My body could only tolerate the same small dosage that I have been on for the last year and a half. So there is only one person to give the thanks to - it is God alone!

I am realistic that the battle for my heart is still there and some values need fixing, but this is a huge step in the healing process. My main prayer is that I can learn and grow in the Lord as much on the way up (healing) as I have done on the way down (sickness). God has taught me so much about structuring wise use of my time and total dependence on Him. I would not trade those experiences for anything. Living out the following scripture is what we are all called to do: 1 Thes 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

I am extremely grateful for each one of you that have walked and continue to walk this journey alongside of me. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for your every word of every prayer that you have said on my behalf. I am truly blessed to have such amazing people in my life.

If you peak in my window today, you may see me dancing with a song in my heart. Rejoicing!

Heart Check-up

My cardiologist knows my heart.

He has measured every chamber.

He knows the capabilities of each valve.

Thick files report specifics details of my heart.

There may never be another who knows my heart as well as he does.

But, he will never be the passion of my heart.

Dan, my husband, is my passion.

My heart was given to him 25 years ago.

I am his.

He is mine.

We are one.

No other person holds my heart like he does.

However, Jesus knows my heart better than anyone.

He has complete knowledge of every physical attribute of my heart.

After all, He made it and He gives me every heartbeat.

He is the passion for which I live.

He is my Lord.

I am His.

He is mine.

And I am forever in Him.

His Words delight me and reveal to me His heart.

What is the condition of your heart?

What kind of relationship with Christ does your heart have?

Is it like the cardiologist? All knowledge?

Have you gone from knowledge to a relationship?

I first knew Dan, and then I later gave him my heart.

He is the most important person in the world to me.

I first knew of Jesus, and then he became the passion of my heart.

I learned that knowledge was not a relationship.

Knowledge is only in the mind - not in the heart.

Do you base your relationship with Jesus on your knowledge?

Do you base your relationship with Jesus on the passion for which you live?

“He (Jesus) said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts…” Luke 16:5

Jesus knows your heart and he desires your passion.

For more on how to move from knowledge to relationship go to:

http://www.gotquestions.org/get-right-with-God.html

Secret Church

On Good Friday I had the privilege of attending the Secret Church Simulcast of David Platt, author of Radical. It was a six hour intensive Bible study on the crucifixion, salvation and the glory of God. Starting at 7 pm and going to 1:00 am, I wasn’t sure what I was in for or even how long I would last considering my heart condition. In fact, nearly all my friends drove separately so we could each leave when we were tired. Yet we all left at 1:30 am with more spiritual nourishment than we have received in years. My mind was swirling with thoughts of my Lord and how to get more of His Word into my life.

Truly, some of the most worthwhile time I have ever spent.

David Platt has traveled the world speaking at real Secret Church meetings - where Christians are forced to gather in secret for church at the risk of their lives. He has taught them for 12 hours at a time and still they are hungry for more of the Word of God. Much of the world’s Christians meet like this for church – in homes and at great sacrifice and risk while, I wake up on Sunday morning and wonder who will decide to spend two hours at church that day.

The Secret Church meetings in America were begun as a way to remember the 70% of Christians worldwide who risk persecution as a way of life. They also are a way to gather for intense Bible teaching – something that has been lost in our entertainment driven society.

As I sat in church that Good Friday evening, I couldn’t help but notice most of the seats were empty. If believers from restricted countries were allowed to attend, it would have been standing room only. People would have left any obligation (work, family), sacrificed anything (income, sleep, their life) to hear the Word of God.

With the threat of persecution, one is forced to evaluate the eternal. While we in prosperity, tend to choose what is most convenient and entertaining. Yet, whenever I choose easy and pleasurable over eternal, the fulfillment seems even more temporary. That night at Secret Church will stay with me forever.

One day I will stand before the throne and my persecuted brothers and sisters will be next to me. I am beginning to believe I will be envious of their choices made in life as they cast their crowns before Jesus.

As an American, I have been given so much. I have ten Bibles, commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, a Christian bookstore in town, Christian radio, podcasts and endless tools available at my fingertips. The Bible says, “…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (Luke 12:48)

What is God requiring of me?

To access study guides and video of Secret Church go to www.DiscipleMakingIntl.org

Retreat Reflections

We are all called to share the great things God has done. We especially need to thank Him when we know it was the prayers of many that laid the foundation for all that happened. As Leslie and I return from another retreat, we always say that we can really tell when a retreat has been heavily prayed over. The support of the church prayer team and a group from the East Coast faithfully lifted this weekend to the Lord, and He supplied “above and beyond what we could ask or imagine.” (Eph 3:20)

There were so many “God appointments” that He had lined up for us as we earnestly prayed for every person and conversation that He would bring across our paths. I think you will enjoy the amazement of how our God worked while leaving out the names and details to honor confidentiality.

It started early as we met in the California church parking lot with 4 others to drive the 2½ hours to the retreat center. One of the girls who I had never met or heard of hugged me and said, “I read your blog.” It is amazing how our God works across 3,000 miles. She later shared some life threatening health issues that she had and she wondered how God was going to use her. She said that reading about my heart issues gave her the courage to take one day at a time. I later shared with her that God gives us grace for the moment and not for the imagination. She was one of those girls that you just instantly loved. That was enough to rejoice in how the prayers of many were being answered. But God was just warming up.

Leslie and I gave our first Mentoring workshop just after lunch on Saturday and from that moment on we both had one God-appointment after another. Many of the details are too private to share, but some general comments can be made to display how awesome our God is.

- Met a girl who lived in the same neighborhood that Leslie lives in and where I used to live. We prayed together for something that had been on her heart for five years and it was answered by that evening.

-Bonded with the head of their mentoring program and got to walk on the beach with her. Was able to pass along scripture sheets to use for counseling in their mentoring program. They are adding elements to enhance their program from the workshop.

- Leslie and I shared how very different our personalities are, and how God uses that in ministry to work more like the body of Christ. Several ladies said that they need to reconcile relationships with those that they had personality clashes with. Many were encouraged to see how we were free to be how God designed them. They saw how very different people can work together in the body of Christ and be great friends.

- I will be in follow up contact with ladies that have asked for support in areas were I have had personal painful experiences. God created circumstances that had me “bump” into them during the normal activities of the retreat. God never wastes our pain. “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Cor 1:4

-One lady asked if I would be available for further contact with a counseling fee? I had to laugh out loud at that thought and my children would laugh even louder. Why is it that teenage children do not want our “free counsel”? Sorry for the diversion, and now back to the retreat. This lady has an evangelism gift and she sees how her circumstances are allowing that gift to be used.

- Bible study recommendations for the summer were asked for as women are thirsty for the Word. Many saw the need to be in God’s Word on a consistent basis.

- Many marriage covenants were strengthened by the power of the scriptures.

- At the end of the retreat, there was one person left in the dining hall that I had not run across yet. It was just the two of us. She ended up having a son that lived in Jacksonville where I lived and wanted to know of a good church to send him to. I keep pinching myself, saying, “I am in CA and this is happening!” She had no idea that I was from Jacksonville.

-Most importantly, we had new sisters in Christ and those that turned their lives over to following Jesus with ALL their heart. WOW!

The most amazing things that God did are not written in this blog. Instead there are written in the private parts of the heart that only God sees as they spend intimate time with their Lord.

Many of you prayed for my strength and wisdom. I was never tired and felt stronger than before I had any heart issues. At one point I had five straight hours of non-stop one-on-one conversations, and I clearly know that God supplied me with thoughts of HIS wisdom as it could have only come from Him.

Thank you to all the 132 ladies of First Baptist Church of Elk Grove and especially to the prayer warriors for the absolute joy of experiencing God at work.

Leslie, I love you and it is an honor to walk this journey alongside of you. You will be happy to know I have tears in my eyes as I wrote this last paragraph since you taught my heart how to cry with joy.

To read the CA retreat director's reaction go to michelleernster.blogspot.com. You will be blessed.

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day may remind us of the most romantic day of our lives – our wedding day. Isn’t it interesting Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding? A wedding of all things was used to kick off His ministry. I wonder why? Let’s review the Scripture for clues.

John 2: 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew) the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

There are many clues here. Surely, the scripture tells of Jesus’ compassion and ability to meet our needs – no matter how small. But is there more? Is there a deeper spiritual meaning encompassed in Jesus’ first miracle?

We can trust God to be intentional in everything He reveals to us through His Word. I find it fascinating that in this brief description of the miracle John tells us how the water jars were used: “For the Jewish rites of purification.” Jesus chose water jars linked the requirement to fulfill the law when He could have used the empty wine jars.

Jesus did not come to provide a better method to uphold the law; He came to replace it with grace. Just as He replaced the water with wine. The water could only cleanse the outside of the body. Jesus came to cleanse our hearts through His blood.
Blood was represented by wine at the last supper and is connected to this first miracle. There was a new covenant, a new way to access the Father.

Not only was a wedding covenant taking place on that day in Cana, but a new covenant of grace to replace the old covenant of the law. Let your heart rejoice this Valentine’s Day that it has been touched by the grace of Christ’s first miracle.

No Matter What

Can you believe it is February already? Valentine’s are everywhere. I love seeing hearts and will probably never look at one the same again.

Over the past year, you have heard much about my physical heart and my journey thus far. Many of you have ridden this roller coaster with me (I guess that is why they place them in amusement parks.) Next week I will have a heart recorder surgically implanted to record my heartbeat. Though my physical heartbeat fluctuates my heartbeat for the Lord has remained the same.

I want to share a song with you to convey my heartbeat for HIM. Enjoy!>