The IN-Keeper–Preparing Room

December 22, 2015

The IN-Keeper–Preparing Room

The Inn-keeper in the Bible Story of Jesus’ birth intrigues me. Not much is written about him. He leaves much to our imagination. With the census going on for the entire Roman World, you know his inn must have stayed jam-packed at 100 percent occupancy. He was truthful to Mary and Joseph.

He certainly wasn’t a mean man. In fact, I can sympathize with him. Guests checked out, then more guests with reservations checked in. He was trying his best to be hospitable by offering a stable/cave and manger out back.

Little did he know he was too busy and lacked room in his life for the Savior of the World’s birth. Ouch. Doesn’t that hit close to home?

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” –Luke 2:7 NIV

Anything of value in our lives requires us to make room.

We make room in our time schedules, our budgets, our hearts for a new relationship we value. Even for Christmas we make room, don’t we?

To bring in our new wonderful-smelling Christmas tree, we move over our comfy chairs, reading lamp, plants–whatever it takes. Box after box of Christmas decorations require us to move our year-round décor and replace with our valued Christmas festive decor.

In the Bible Story of Jesus’ birth, the Inn-Keeper had no room for Jesus. Mary and Joseph resorted to a hay-filled stable, along with the smelly animals. Our Savior of the World Jesus was born in a tiny manger. The tiny manger was plenty of room for the King of Kings and was truly the first King-Size Bed.

Even the favorite Christmas carol “Joy to the World” exclaims, “Let every heart prepare Him room.”

The big question is: Do I make enough room in my heart, my schedule for Jesus? He wants our whole heart, my whole heart. So many times I don’t make enough room with my hurried schedule, my shortened quiet time, quick prayers.

Jesus is our only Way “In” to eternal life. He is the Door, the Gate. “Therefore Jesus said again. ‘I tell you the truth, I am the Gate for the sheep.” –John 10:7 NIV

We who believe are all “IN-Keepers.” Jesus loves us so much and wants to reside in our hearts for eternity.

How much room am I making in my schedule, my budget, my heart for Jesus, the Savior of the World, my Savior?

Please forgive me, Lord, for being too busy. For not making room for You. Take my whole heart, Lord. Lord Jesus, move everything else out to make all the room You want and need in my heart. You are the only way IN to eternal life. I desire to be a true “IN-Keeper.” In Jesus’ name, by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“I’m prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” –Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing

Reflect:

–“Make room for us in your hearts.” –2 Corinthians 7:2a NIV

–“ ‘Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.’” –Mark 14:14-15 NIV

Renew:

–How can I make more room in my heart, my schedule, my life for Jesus? Please comment.

Resource:

-“But this I do know. My own true love. All your life long, you wait for your own true love to come–we all do–our destiny, our joy, our heart’s desire. So how am I to say it, gentlemen? When He came, I missed Him. Pray for me, brothers and sisters. Pray for the Inn-Keeper. Pray for me, and for us all, my own true love.” –from the Inn-Keeper’s perspective, taken from Frederick Buechner’s “The Birth.” Magnificent Defeat.

December 15, 2015

What Do You Want for Your Birthday?

December is a month for some significant birthdays in my life. My precious Mom’s birthday was last week on December 6th. Two dear high school friends’ birthdays are this month. The birthday of one of my Godly mentor friends is December 26th.

Oftentimes, a simple question is asked to those we love before their birthday: “What do you want for your birthday?” If you are like me, I just want to ensure my loved one is honored in the most meaningful way. Isn’t that what we want for our birthdays…to know we are loved and cherished?

The most significant person in my life, really in this world, celebrates His birth each December 25^th. Isn’t it wonderful that we all adorn our homes in Christ-mas finery and decorate the inside and outside with bright lights in honor of His birthday? We bake treats, buy gifts and send cards to our most significant loved ones , friends, and coworkers (and even strangers), and go above and beyond to volunteer and do “random acts of kindness” this time a year. Why? Perhaps it truly is all part of His birthday celebration, honoring the Light Of The World.

However you may feel about Him, one fact is irrefutable. History sets its time stamp of demarcation with Jesus’ birth—BC, “Before Christ”, and AD, “Anno Domini,” Latin for “In the Year of Our Lord.” Even the Old Testament prophesied Jesus’ birth (especially in the book of Isaiah) at least 700 years before He was born! Isn’t it fitting that we give Him our best as we celebrate His birthday?

When I was growing up, we baked a birthday cake for Christmas Day and sang “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. I will always remember those sweet memories.

So, on this December 15, 2015 AD, in the year of our Lord, 10 days before we celebrate His birthday, I encourage you to ask Him a simple question: “Lord, What Do You Want For Your Birthday?”

Then listen…

Could His birthday gift be:

–to reconcile with your loved one…

–to rake the yard of and sit with an elderly neighbor…

–to babysit for a worn-out married couple to have a date night…

–to share your testimony and love of Jesus with your co-worker…

You can almost hear His still, small voice, can’t you?

“Your Heart, Dear One. That’s all I want. Your Heart.”

Reflect:

How will this Christmas, Jesus’ birthday celebration, be different from years past?
How can we listen and act more intentionally after asking the question, “Lord, what do You want for your birthday?”

Renew:

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” –Colossians 3:23
“I am sending Him—who is my very heart—back to you.” –Philemon 1:12.
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the Truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart.” –1 Peter 1: 22

Recharge:

After asking, seeking, and listening, what intentional actions in your life have you been prompted to take?
Consider baking a birthday cake on Christmas Day and singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus. Let’s party!
Please leave a comment.

December 23, 2014

And Heaven and Nature Sing!

Christmas music stirs the soul. Since it’s been playing in all the stores, classrooms, our cars , homes, and work since, oh, around November 1^st or earlier, I admit that I am guilty of passing over some of my favorite, heart-stirring, theologically-sound Christmas carols as background noise. Not this Christmas, though. Or at least I want to make a conscious effort to let the words soak in.

Take, for example, “Silent Night, Holy Night.” All my life, we have sung that sweet carol in church and on the radio, even out Christmas caroling with neighbors. It wasn’t until a recent church service that I truly listened. I let the words marinate. Then I wept.

“Silent night, holy night!

Son of God, Love’s Pure Light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace—

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth. Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.”

How beautiful to think of Jesus as “Love’s Pure Light.” He is. He is. He is the Light of the World! (John 8:12)!

Also beautiful to think of His sweet, redeeming grace that is a true Gift to each of us who want to receive it.

Even “What Child is This?” I passed over for years. Then it hit me.

“Good Christian, fear—

For sinners here

The silent Word is pleading…

This, This is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste to bring Him laud—The Babe, the Son of Mary.”

Can’t you almost hear the urgency in the message: “Listen, everybody—This. THIS! is Christ the King, don’t you see? Hurry up and bring Him the praises He deserves.”

My favorite Christmas Carol is “O Holy Night.” When I was nine years old, my parents asked, more or less MADE me start taking piano lessons. I took until tenth grade, when basketball and volleyball took priority. I quit piano. I regret that now.

Anyway…my favorite songs to play were, and still are, Christmas carols. All those years I played “O Holy Night,” and sang.

It wasn’t until recently that a phrase in the carol moved me to tears.

“Long lay the world

In sin and error pining,

‘Til He appeared

And the soul felt its worth.”

That’s it! That’s it! That’s the message. When Jesus came to this earth and into our hearts, our souls, our souls, my soul finally felt its worth…

My simple prayer for you on this Christmas Eve Eve, and I vow to you that I will do the same, is to attend a Christmas Eve church service tomorrow and listen, to hush our hearts. To breathe the words into our souls as we sing. It doesn’t matter how well you sing. We are called to make a “joyful noise.”

If you enjoy a candlelit service (I love candle light), please hold your candle high when you belt out “Joy to the World.” What Truth in that carol, spoken so simply, so passionately.

“He rules the world with Truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love.”

Amen. Merry Christmas, Herald Friend! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Reflect:

What is your favorite Christmas Carol? Why? Please comment.

Renew:

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Ephesians 5:19, 20 (NIV 1984).
“My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.” –Psalm 108:1 (NIV 1984).

Recharge:

Today is the perfect day to know Jesus better, as we celebrate His birthday. He wants you to choose Him. After all, love is not love if not chosen. Simply repeat this prayer aloud:

“Dear Lord Jesus,

I am so sorry I have chosen to live apart from You. I have tried to run my own life for too long. I want You in my life. I accept the payment of love You gave for me by Your birth, Your death on the cross, and Your resurrection.

Please come into my heart and life. Thank you for being my Savior, Redeemer and Best Friend.” Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, Congratulations! “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” –Romans 10:13
Please tell others of your eternal decision, the most important decision of your life! Please find a Christ-centered church home where you worship, fellowship and serve with other Christians. Please demonstrate your new life by your love and concern for others.
For more information, check out Proverbs 31 Ministries “Do You Know Jesus?” portion of our website at http://proverbs31.org/do-you-know-jesus
Please comment and let me know also. I’m so proud of you! You just gave Jesus the best birthday gift ever–your heart! Let’s PARTY!