Matthew 12:34 tells us that “the mouth speaks out of what fills the heart.” Most of us would just die if our every thought were posted on some jumbo screen for all to see. However, everyone can see our thoughts because they do translate into speech and action. Given that fact, we must be very thoughtful about our thinking especially as we desire to live lives of true joy.

I learned this lesson the hard way. In a former university administrative position, I often gave status reports to a board of directors, men and women I wanted to impress. Once, in response to a board member’s probing question, I answered, “May I be negative?” I meant to say, “May I be honest?” but I had been dwelling on the negative so long that it just inappropriately poured out of my mouth. I was embarrassed that I had put a negative foot forward and a board member could have rightly said, “Excuse me, Sheryl, but your negative thoughts are showing.”

Paul, the author of Philippians, or the “epistle of joy”, knew that thoughts were very important to living a life of true joy and he himself modeled solid mental discipline in this area. His positive thoughts showed up in the words he penned to the saints at Philippi encouraging them to rejoice and be joyful. Paul, himself, was filled with joyful gratitude each time he remembered the saints at Philippi (Phil 1:3) and then he even affirmed how right he was to think confidently about their growth in Christ because he had them in his heart (mind):

“For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me.”

(Philippians 1:7).

Despite his imprisoned circumstances, Paul was able to rejoice in them and view them as “the greater progress of the gospel” and the cause for Christ becoming more well known. (Phil 1:12-13) Paul’s imprisonment didn’t lock up his joyful thoughts towards the Philippians he held so dearly in his heart (mind) or about the cause of Christ for which he lived.

Billy Graham once wrote:
“The happiness which brings enduring worth to life is not the superficial happiness that is dependent on circumstances. It is the happiness and contentment that fills the soul even in the most distressing circumstances and the most bitter environment. It is the kind of happiness that grins when things go wrong and smiles through the tears. The happiness for which our souls ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which will root deeply inside us and give inward relaxation, peace, and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be. That kind of happiness stands in need of no outward stimulus.”

Most of us try to change and renew our circumstances (make more money, lose weight, improve
relationships), when we should be asking God to renew our minds and thinking. When our minds are renewed, circumstances will take care of themselves and we might not mind if our thoughts are showing. (sv)

Over the next several weeks, our goal for this blog is to approach the book of Philippians with the same mindset. As we read this short epistle and study its principles we plan to do so with a view from Paul’s jail cell and see how he remained joyful under extremely difficult situations.

To set the stage for Philippians, we have to first take a look at the book of Acts, which fills in many of the colorful details of Paul’s life. From beatings to shipwrecks to snakebites, Paul endured far more than we can imagine facing. Yet toward the end of his life, in defense of his position before King Agrippa, Paul states, “I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God…” (Acts 26:6)

Standing trial for hope. What if you were on trial for “hope of the promise”? Would you have a case? Could you be convicted? Is there enough evidence of true joy in your life to defend your position?

Take a few moments today to consider what makes you “happy” compared to what brings you great joy. Are you leaning hard into the promises of God and living in such a way that you reflect their joy? Despite your circumstances right now and they may be as dreadful as some that Paul faced, can you say “even in this I rejoice.”

In a letter from Dietrich Bonheoffer’s fiancée to him dated December 10, 1943 while he was imprisoned she wrote these words, “And now Christmas is coming and you won’t be there. We shall sing “Peace on Earth” and pray together but we shall sing “Glory be to God on High” even louder. That is what I pray for you and for all of us, that the Savior may open the gates of heaven… so that we can be joyful in spite of everything.”

Ask God to give you a mindset of pursuing a true state of joy in His presence and His provision in spite of everything you may be experiencing that could be a real joy taker for you. (CT)

“You will make known to me the path of life; and in Your Presence is fullness of joy”.
Psalm 16:11

As much as I benefitted from the shopping deal, I must admit that the alert was more of a happiness alert than a joy alert. However, HAPPINESS ALERT is not as catchy as JOY ALERT and after all, the word “JOY” is just so in season at Christmas! I think it is very common to think that joy and happiness are one and the same, and part of that thinking is Charlie Brown’s fault. Yes, because even though he was a good man, Charlie Brown taught us that happiness is finding a pencil, pizza with sausage, five different crayons, learning to whistle and tying your shoe for the very first time. Indeed in all of those moments most anybody can be happy, but unlike joy, true Biblical joy, those happy moments are conditional and fleeting at best. What if you never find that pencil or have pizza with sausage? Are you not happy then? What if you lost one or two of your five crayons? Is your happiness then gone?

Happiness, even though the pursuit of it is an unalienable right in the U.S. Constitution, is dependent upon the right circumstances and often lasts only as long as the circumstances are favorable. Like the clothing store JOY ALERT, happiness frequently expires within a day.

The apostle Paul, while imprisoned and not in such favorable circumstances, wrote the epistle to the Philippians in which he captures what true joy and rejoicing really is! True joy goes beyond having a sister, catching a firefly and setting it free. It is often surrounded by unfavorable and uncomfortable circumstances. And unlike the clothing store flag waving a joy alert for “today only”, joy has to do with the flag that waves over the castle of our hearts indicating that Jesus, the King, has taken up residence forever within regardless of what is happening without! (sv)

Won’t you join us for our next series of blogs on the topic of Joy Makers and Joy Takers?

“Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.”
(I Chronicles 16:7)

Today we will officially “end” the year 2011 and at the stroke of midnight we will “begin” 2012. Many people will spend some time during these daylight hours being reflective, thinking back over the past months and remembering trials and triumphs, comings and goings, maybe even some beginnings and endings. Others will be looking forward and planning for the New Year – outlining strategies for jobs, exercise routines or gathering the supplies for a new hobby.

As we end our series on the Names of God, the very last name – the one we will “end” with is also a beginning with no end. The prophet Isaiah said, “Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God is with us.” This baby boy called Immanuel was the beginning of the next phase of human history. God became flesh and dwelt among us! He was physically and genuinely in the flesh and He was and is with us.

Many nights after I tuck my daughter in bed (because endings are important and tucking her in is part of our ending routine), she will ask, “Are you staying upstairs?” Most nights I am, but if I need to accomplish a few more tasks, I will give her a time frame of when I will be back up WITH her. This comforts her; she knows I am nearby; she needs to feel my presence.

“God is with us.”

When Jesus came, the landscape of the world changed forever. He ushered in the New Covenant. Our hearts of stone had the chance to become flesh and because He is “with us” He knows every ache, every point of joy, every temptation, and every disappointment we feel and face. He is with us through them all – from beginning to end. You are never alone. You can be comforted at all times by knowing He is with you. Immanuel.

Because Jesus knew endings were important and the time came for Him to physically leave the earth for a while, He comforted His disciples with these words, “I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.”

As I typed these words the sun came up so you could say this day is beginning. God is with me. At the end of this day (if I stay awake til midnight which is doubtful) I will still be able to say, “Immanuel – God is with me.”

I am not alone. You are never alone. Begin and end this last day of 2011 in the light of His presence. Immanuel. God is with us. (CT)

PS – What’s an ending without an addendum?

Because it is the beginning of a New Year, a lot of folks are looking for a devotional book. Listed below are two devotionals we used throughout 2011 and a book by Tim Keller that we found to be an incredibly insightful and rich study of the Gospel of Mark.

The Daily Light – A Scripture daily devotional first published in 1875 by Samuel Baxter. The Daily Light contains a morning and evening reflection found in the Scriptures with each reading relating to a particular theme. It contains no commentary but lets the Word speak for itself.

Everyday Prayers by Scotty Smith
This is a “unique” prayer book. Each day includes a Scripture reference and an inspirational prayer born from moments of great faith and times of crisis.Everyday Prayers is a pathway to growing in grace you will want to explore on your daily walk throughout the year.

King’s Cross by Timothy Keller
A relevatory look at the life of Christ as told in the Gospel of Mark, Keller shows how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical and personal, calling each of us to look anew at our relationship with God. King’s Cross is written for both the skeptic and the faithful, for those struggling to understand who Jesus is and for Christians seeking to know Him more intimately.

It has always fascinated me to read about the series of Christmas truce ceasefires that took place around Christmas 1914, during the First World War. Supposedly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, German and British soldiers tore down their boundaries and mingled and exchanged food and gifts and some even played a game of football or two. In more recent times of war, it is not unusual to hear of, maybe not gift exchange, but at least of ceasefire on Christmas Day. Part of my fascination is that it causes me to wonder what could extend a truce, a moment of peace and humanity during the atrocity of war, into something more lasting.

In Isaiah’s prophesy about the coming Messiah, he says:

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

In a world filled with war, violence, financial chaos, and broken relationships, it may be difficult to see how the infant Jesus could be the all-powerful peaceful God. However, physical safety and political harmony do not necessarily reflect the kind of peace that describes Jesus. The kind of peace that Jesus offers is so much more than the absence of war and so much longer than one single day.

The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom”, is often used in reference to calm and tranquility. But the deeper meaning of peace has to do with being restored with God. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, to bring peace between God and man by becoming the sacrificial lamb for our sins.

In our sinful state, we are enemies with God (Romans 5:10). “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are restored to a relationship of peace with God (Romans 5:1). This is the deep, abiding peace between our hearts and our Creator that cannot be taken away and the ultimate fulfillment of Christ’s work as “Prince of Peace.”

I am writing this while sitting in front of my Christmas tree staring at a peace on earth ornament. B101 radio is playing “Silent Night” while outside the hustle and bustle of last minute shopping is in full force. As I listen to the words of the carol, I am reminded that I still want peace for Christmas…peace on earth yes, but peace in my heart.

What do you want for Christmas? Why not ask the Prince of Peace, the holy infant, wrapped not in shiny paper but in swaddling rags of humanity, to lay His head in the straw of your heart? He is the Mighty God who has the power to offer peace that is not just a Christmas truce ceasefire for today, but an everlasting, heavenly peace. (sv)

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” John 14:27

I was twenty-seven years old when my father died. He had been sick for quite a while and had truly “fought the good fight” trying to get better so he could live. He even relearned the alphabet and his numbers after a stroke robbed his brain of the ability to conduct these elementary tasks. But like the rest of us, he was not and could not be eternal. He was human and he was a good father to me.

My memories are typical for a child of the late sixties. My mother was the housewife back when “housewife” wasn’t considered a demeaning term and my father worked for an insurance company. He wore a suit and tie everyday and came home every evening lugging his worn out briefcase stuffed to overflowing with policies and renewal papers. Every Sunday morning, I would show off my “Sunday best” to him and every Sunday afternoon, he would nap in his chair. My dad was well known around our small town and loved by many. Even now, sixteen years after his passing, when I go back to Mississippi, I can identify myself to people as his daughter and I am instantly rewarded with a smile and a recollection. Sometimes people will tell me a funny story about him.

After my father died, I was faced with numerous changes in my life – those brought on by the death of the family patriarch and those brought on by job changes and other decisions. It was then I came face to face with learning to relate to God as Father. How comforting to turn to God and learn I could cry to Him, “Abba, Father”. It must have been quite a shock to the people within the sound of Isaiah’s voice to hear the Messiah would be the Everlasting Father. This brought the concept of His coming home to their hearts. Father… figuratively the name means benevolence and protection. They could await this coming King envisioning the compassion and guidance a wise father brings to a family.

Though we don’t often think of Jesus as Father, He actually makes the point very clearly in John 14 with these words, “He who seen Me has seen the Father.” That entire chapter is filled with examples of how God and Jesus prepare for us, protect us, and provide us with help when we need it. No matter your experience with your earthly father, you have a heavenly Father Who can keep His promise and Who loves you with an unending Eternal love. (CT)

“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves ME, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” John 14:23

Could it be, I asked, that the word “hero” is in the Bible? My students thought the concept of hero was in Scripture but not necessarily the word, until we turned to Isaiah 9:6 and read what Isaiah wrote nearly 700 years before the birth of Christ:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Since this verse is often printed on greeting cards, frequently read as part of caroling by candlelight events, and a highlight of Handel’s “Messiah”, it may be safe to say this is one of the best known verses in the Bible. Yet, the promised child as Jehovah Gibbor, the mighty God, is often missed. Gibbor, in Hebrew, has three distinct meanings- hero, warrior, and champion.

For sure Jesus was a Hero, Who, although in agony and perhaps terror, sacrificed His life for us. Jesus is also Warrior God Who fought many battles, but one of great significance stands out in the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prepared to die on a cross for our sins. In that garden, Jesus begged His Father, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” If Jesus had said, “I can’t do it,” or “God, these humans are not worth it!” the battle would have been lost, Satan would have won, and we would have been without a Hero Warrior who sacrificed His life to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Jesus was also a champion. Most champions we talk about today have to do with sports or some other kinds of competitions. But the champion that Isaiah saw as the coming Messiah and Mighty God is a champion far more meaningful than any human competitor. Jesus was the champion of a cause –a cause that would redeem mankind. Jesus took our place on Calvary’s cross, the place we deserved because of our sin against God. He died for us and then rose in victory over death so that we could have forgiveness of sin, a meaningful life, and an everlasting future if we choose to accept His miraculous plan.

Yes, students, “hero” is in the Bible in word and concept and in the person of Jesus Christ. In Him we have a Hero God after whom we can model our lives, a Warrior God Who deemed us worthy enough to fight the most difficult spiritual battles of all time, and a Champion God Who died in our place on Calvary’s cross. (sv)

For the last several weeks we have been studying the names of God. As the Advent Season is now upon us and with Christmas approaching, it seems timely to turn our focus to the names of Jesus. Long before Mary was unexpectedly expecting, the prophet Isaiah exclaimed to the people that a Messiah was coming. A full seven hundred years before the birth of that precious baby, His name was given.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Wonderful Counselor… How those words must have fallen on the ears and hearts of the Jews in the days of Isaiah! How do they fall on your heart today?

We live in a time when counseling is available in every imaginable medium. The bookstores are glutted with shelves full of self help topics. We can turn on the tv and find a “Dr. Phil” or google a topic on the internet and receive free advice. But is it wonderful advice?

Before His arrival on earth, Isaiah declared Jesus would be the Wonderful Counselor. Because Jesus was willing to take on every aspect of humanity – the physical and emotional, He truly knows how we feel. In the pages of the Bible you will find Jesus laughing, weeping, grieving, angry, and yes, tempted – all the same emotions and feelings familiar to us. Hebrews 4:16 tells us:

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

This present world is overwhelming sometimes. We need help. It is comforting to turn to someone who has the experience to navigate the unexpected circumstances we find ourselves facing. Take some time this Advent season to read through the Gospels. Ask God to give you fresh eyes and ears to see and hear Jesus as the Wonderful Counselor. Watch Him interact with the people and ask Him to intercede on your behalf. He alone can be your Source of help and strength. (CT)

“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength…” Isaiah 11:2

It has been suggested that ‘Speech is silver, but silence is golden,” had its origin in Victorian times when it was felt that children “should be seen but not heard.” In recent history, others have whimsically modified the saying to “Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.” What better offense against too much talking than duct tape? That tactic should ensure some peace and quiet.

However, when it comes to Thanksgiving Day and thanks giving every day, silence is not so golden. William Arthur Ward, a frequently quoted inspirational author, once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” What use does a wrapped present, not presented have?

Expressing gratitude is key in our relationships with one another, and most essential in our relationship with Jehovah, the self existing One, the One true God. When we ponder our “too many to track” blessings from our LORD, and when we think of His amazing gift of the death and resurrection of His Son for the forgiveness of our sins, we should be overflowing in golden speech of thanksgiving to Him. God’s children are seen by El Roi, the God Who sees, and His children should be heard giving praise and thanks for all He has done and continues to do. Why not wrap up that gift of gratitude and present it to Him today!

1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…
Psalm 107:1-2

With thanksgiving and much love,
Cammy and Sheryl

Not many words are more comforting to me than “I’ll be there”. As a child I remember that at any point in the day, from waking up, to returning home from school, to going to bed at night, my mother was always there. It was a great reassurance and security blanket of sorts to know that my mother’s presence was everywhere that I was.

Interestingly, the last name of God that is mentioned in the Old Testament is found in Ezekiel 48:35 and it is Jehovah Shammah—The LORD is there! While there are many aspects to this name of God, the essence of it is that God is there. Our Creator God, Elohim, is there—all the time and everywhere!

Moses lived his entire life with this bedrock promise in mind! When he had suggested to the LORD that he was unable to go before Pharaoh and plead for the release of the oppressed Israelites, God reassured Moses by saying, “Certainly I will be with you…” Surely, yea indeed, I Am Who I Am will be there with you! (Exodus 3:12-14)

One of the distinctive hallmarks of Israel’s religion was that the LORD was not a distant landlord or a wooden relic but rather, the LORD was with the Israelites, present in all of their days through a burning bush, a pillar of fire, a cloud, a moving tabernacle, and a permanent tabernacle. Jehovah Shammah, the LORD is there!

So, too, for us, the LORD is there! In our finest hours and in our darkest hours He is there and He is because He desires to be with His people even when His people aren’t all that desirable.

1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
5 You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139)

There’s Jehovah Shammah again, and again, and again….always everywhere! How comforting! He is never out of the picture! (sv)