The Odd Couples of Christmas

Luke presents the Odd Couples of Christmas and the reality that their blessings from God go global. In Luke 1.5-25 a couple of old people, Zacharias & Elizabeth live in obedience and find that God makes an appointment for them in the midst of their greatest disappointment (the fact that they have no child). At appropriate and appointed times God provides blessings that begin in times of worship and ultimately go global. As followers of Jesus we can persistently worship in spite of disappointments, knowing that God will provide blessings that may ultimately go global. Keep the faith and share it widely!
In Luke 1.26-56 a couple of woman, Mary & Elizabeth, encourage each other's faith and meet together in fellowship and worship. Mary & Elizabeth share with each other their contact with God and His promises to them (the promise that nothing is impossible with God). Controlled by the Holy Spirit they expect their blessing will go global (verses 33,48, 50 and 53). As followers of Jesus we can share our contact with God (thru the Word and His Spirit) and encourage others to expect the impossible from Him. Keep the faith and share it widely!
In Luke 2.1-21 a couple of young people, Joseph & Mary find God's blessing in the midst of difficulty (homeless in their hometown!) and see it begin to go global (as angels share the good news with shepherds who share the good news widely). Joseph & Mary are complete unknowns in the world & unwanted in their hometown, but God's blessing blazes through the difficulty. As we see God make appointments with us in the midst of disappointment we can see God begin to take the Good News global. As followers of Jesus we can maintain our faith in difficulty and see God work in us and others (God uses exalted angels and impoverished shepherds to take His blessing global). Keep the faith and share it widely!
In Luke 2.21-38 a couple of prophets, Simeon & Anna, persist in faith and encourage others that God will take His blessing global. Simeon & Anna are outstanding examples of long term faithfulness that God rewards. As followers of Jesus we can commit to long term faithfulness and expect to see God's blessing. Further, we can share God's Word with others to warn and encourage them. Keep the faith and share it widely!!

Life Issue

I just read Barack Obama's pro partial-birth abortion statement (as he opposed a recent Supreme Court decision). I am not surprised, but am disappointed that none of the top three democratic presidential candidates will take a stand against partial-birth abortion. This procedure has been noted by the American Medical Association to never be necessary to protect the life of the mother. How in the world can these candidates who severely oppose war because of its cost in human lives justify killing a viable unborn child? Obama, I am sure in agreement with the other democrats, concentrated on only half the issue. He would not consider the baby's choice, the baby's rights over his or her body, or the baby's pain. In fact, he referred to the baby as an 'it'. With this commitment among democrats why is there so much surprise when mothers and fathers leave their young children to die in cars, or even abuse young children? I want to hear/see one person who favors partial-birth abortion argue their case in an open and honest way. That is, in a way that deals with more than the mother's half of the issue. How can anyone justify a selfish, violent and heinous procedure such as partial-birth abortion?

Thank God

In reading Psalm 100 I found listed four reasons that we should give God joyous thanks. In verse 3 we can thank God because He is God and we are not self-made people. Interesting.
In verse 5, we can thank God because He is good, He offers an eternal love and He is continuously faithful (loyal). That last reason is really the clincher. It reminds me of Jesus' parable of the unjust judge. This widow continuously pestered an unjust judge to provide her with legal help. Finally, the judge decided that the widow was wearing him out so even with no concern for justice he took care of her case. Jesus concludes that if the unjust judge would provide help, the Almighty Judge (who is just) will certainly take care of us. The question that Jesus leaves His followers with is, "Will the Son of Man find faithfulness on earth." On judgment day God IS going to be found faithful (loyal). We will have to agree with that. On judgment day am I going to be found faithful and loyal to Him? Sometimes I catch my thoughts in prayer being along the line of wondering if God will be faithful. Hopefully, I quickly realize that God's faithfulness is not the question.