December 20, 2005: To everybody out there in cyberspace:
Merry Christmas!

May you be washed whiter than snow,
may the Star guide you to the end of your Desire,
may the light in the night be seen by your eyes,
may the ever green love of God canopy above you.

May your Christmas future be more bountiful than your Christmas present, 
while never forgetting The Christmas in the past;
may you know the kiss of God under the mistletoe of grace,
the sweet cider of salvation,
the cedar-like fragrance of His Spirit,
and the assistance of angelic hosts.

Be warmed by the firelight of His Word;
Open the gifts He has given you so that you may use them to bless others;
May His kisses from heaven surprise you in your stocking,
and may you be written on the list of the righteous that does not change,
even if checked twice.

May Peace on earth calm your soul from every wintry' blast,
may His goodwill rest upon you forevermore.

Merry Christmas.   ~Pastor Brian

December 17, 2005: Do We Still Need Him?

There is an alarming trend that is taking place in many Bible-believing churches across our nation...a minimizing of Jesus!

"No way," you might say, "surely you err!" But it has been reported on at least two occasions in the last two months that churches are saying "Jesus is important for salvation; but once you're saved, there's more important things to study." And then they preach and teach countless lessons on ethics, problem solving, dealing with emotions, being successful in business, and having a great marriage, without any further mention of Jesus.

When I heard these things reported, at first there was shock on my part. But then, when I read their reasoning, I could see where they were coming from. After all, we know that Jesus' primary job was our redemption. Once we are a believer, and thus redeemed, isn't He kind of like that first grade teacher who was so important in teaching us our phonics, but one who is now of no more real importance to us in the present?

A fresh look at scripture dispels the notion that Jesus is an important relic of our past, but unnecessary in our present.

1) He is working right now by continually making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). The picture this verse paints is of a high priest who continually intervenes on our behalf, thus being able to deliver us all the way to the utmost end. How powerful must this constant prayer be that is made on our behalf! A good example is Peter, who, before he was about to fall into sin by denying the Lord, was told by Him, "But I have prayed for you, that your faith does not fail." Have you thanked Jesus for praying that same prayer for you in the trial you're currently in?

2) He is present with us. Now, wait a minute! I know that bodily Jesus is in heaven. And that the Holy Spirit is with us. But the Holy Spirit is not the same as Jesus. And Jesus promised his disciples, before the Holy Spirit came, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." I believe it can be revolutionary when we recognize that the person of Jesus Christ is actually personally with us. The Holy Spirit is an amazing comforter, but as humans, it is easier for us to relate to He who is Human like us.

3) He is present when we gather together for worship. Not physically, of course, but in reality nonetheless. Jesus Himself does not watch our services from a distance, nor does He merely attend in proxy by the Holy Spirit. As the Omnipresent God, He Himself is truly in our midst.

4) He is present when we celebrate the Lord's Supper. No, the elements don't transubstantiate into his actual body and blood-they remain literal bread and literal wine. But the act of Communion is more than mere symbolism. He who is personally here with us, Jesus Christ, is personally close to us when we come to the Lord's table.

So, Jesus is not just someone who was there at salvation, but who is no longer active in our lives. Are you acknowledging His present involvement and nearness and communing with Him?

~Pastor Brian

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