David Bahn - Reflections

I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit moved the church in Antioch to send Saul and Barnabas. I'm thankful, too, that the Holy Spirit moved my parents to share the Gospel message with me when I was a little child. I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit keeps me in this faith. I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit continues to send people share the Good News of Jesus and moves people to believe. I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit has moved you to read this. I pray that he works in you to believe that Jesus loves you, forgives your sins, and grants you eternal salvation.

Hubris will be replaced – either now or later, and either by godly sorrow which leads to repentance, or by worldly sorrow that leads to death. There is a chasm of difference between repentance (contrition and faith), and the faithless regret of comeuppance. 

Sadly there are many who resist their whole lives, and will fall never to rise again. But those who bow the knee today, who repent and believe, who do not suppose they may recommend themselves to God, will be raised up. The fall of which Simeon speaks is not the fall into sin, but falling in humble honor before our Lord Jesus at whose name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. And one day every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This little baby will bring all that about, with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

It's never too early to set ourselves or our children on the paths of righteousness. Whether it is bringing a child to be baptized, teaching them Christian songs and hymns, bringing them to church and Sunday school, and modeling a life of faith and love. We will never reach perfection this side of eternity. But we have a Savior who is completely and wholly righteous, perfect in the best sense of the word: complete. He is all we need for life and salvation. It's never too early to follow him. Nor is it too late.

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today. So too our walk of faithful love.

When I am privileged to serve Holy Communion I use a blessing that reflects one part of this song. "Depart in peace; the Lord is with you," I say. When God is with us we may be at peace, for our God is rich in grace and mercy. He forgives our sins. He is with us to save us and give us perfect peace. I just recently started saying, "Live in peace; the Lord is with you." Departing or living; waking or dying: we have peace with God for Jesus has saved us. We can live and depart in peace. Thanks be to God!

For centuries the people of Israel remembered the Exodus and celebrated God's salvation. We've had centuries to remember and rejoice in God's salvation. We can look in our mind's eye at the cross and the empty tomb. We can experience a foretaste of the Great Wedding Feast to come at the communion rail. We can feel the weight of sin, guilt and shame lifted when we hear Jesus' word of forgiveness and his promise that whoever comes to him will never be turned away" (John 6:37).

An urgent prayer answered. A weight of guilt and shame lifted. A new hope when all seemed lost. The peace that passes all understanding at the communion rail. The joy of seeing your grandchild baptized. All these are pale reflections of God's salvation. We've seen God's work in our lives. We can live in peace.

Jesus' name is so important  to me that I am inclined to use "Jesus" rather than "Christ" when referring to our Lord. So I pray in Jesus' name. I call on Jesus in my prayers. I speak of Jesus' love. I call myself a Jesus-follower. Jesus is my Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend. 

I hope he is all that and more for you, Dear Reader.

God's people are urged to clothe themselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). We're not high-powered New York attorneys. We are children of the almighty God. Jesus' swaddling cloths and manger ought to inspire us to that same kind of humility, mercy, love, and grace that we find in God in a manger.

How do we want to think about what is high and what is low in human life? The manger anchors us at one end of Jesus' life on earth. The cross holds us on the other. Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the Word Made Flesh. And he is found at his birth in a manger and at his death on a cross. Now he has a name that is above all other names. At his name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord - to the glory of God the Father.

God wanted to be in the places of abandoned hope, lost dreams, distressed fears, abject disappointment, and crushed pride. For that is where we all are. Some people hide that well - at least from other people - but never from God. Some people refuse to believe God would come to them in their brokenness and shame - but he does. Some people yearn to know his grace and mercy - and God yearns for them to believe. Trust. Hope. Receive his gift of faith. 

Where do I want to be? I want to be with God. And receive his tender comfort. And enjoy his compassionate grace. And live in his kingdom of power, grace, and glory. Forever. 

Come, Lord Jesus!

I hope you had the opportunity to ponder the wonders of Christmas yesterday. And...Good news: Christmas lasts for 12 days. The celebration by church calendar timing runs until January 6, Epiphany Sunday, the Christmas of the Gentiles. 

NOTE: I'll be taking a break from Acts for these 12 days, pondering with Mary the meaning of the incarnation. Then, as is so appropriate to the season of Epiphany, I'll pick back up with Acts after that time. 

Merry Christmas, and Peaceful Christmas Ponderings!