Let's Delve in 2012

The other day I was asking Lena to help me think of catchy slogan for 2012. Previous years included "Thinking of Heaven in 2011"; "Let your light shine in 2009"; "Things will be great in 2008"; and "Read the Bible through in 2002". This year has proven to be difficult to come up with a catchy slogan and one that rhymes. We couldn't come up with anything. Lena did come up with one word - "delve". So, here are a few things that I can suggest that we delve into.

We need to 'delve' into God's Word.

"...Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:10-12). The prophets prophesied about things that were coming to us, in our age. Not only did the prophets have great interest in the things of the new covenant, the angels “desire” to look into it also.

The disciples were privileged to see the unfolding plan of God and to live during the age when the kingdom of Heaven was coming to fruition on earth. "But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it" (Matthew 13:16-17). Their hearts (the prophets) desire was to see and hear about the very things we take for granted - the church and the Christian life.

We need to 'delve' into the Christian Family Life.

Cindy Colley listed some things in her blog (cindycolley.blogspot.com) that would make for a great holiday season. I want to forward them to you because this is a picture of what Christian families do (Deut. 6.4-ff shows how families show immerse themselves spiritual things). 1. Prayers for the safety of the travelers in your crew. 2. Excitement in your conversations about the works of your various congregations of His people. 3. Family devotionals with singing and prayer and discussions of scripture before bedtime. 4. Gifts, cards and wishes to and from your family in the Lord. 5. Funny, happy, sad and wonderful stories about great servants in the kingdom that your family has known. 6. Dinner table discussions about passages of scripture and their applications. 7. Gifts of commentaries, lectureship books, children’s Bible story books and recordings of hymns. 8. Delicious dishes prepared from recipes shared by sisters in Christ. 9. Hospitality extended to brothers and sisters in the Lord. 10. Filling up a pew or more at the worship service of the local church. 11. Kids working on projects for Bible class, Bible Bowl, Lads to Leaders or service projects with the youth group. 12. Messages, handwritten or verbal, telling your loved ones the spiritual character traits you admire about them and encouraging them to grow in faith and service. 13. Goodbyes when our part that everyone knows are not final, even if an accident or an illness steals a life before the next earthly reunion.

We need to 'delve' into Church Life.

Ok, after the last paragraph, we may be a bit redundant, but this is what we want for the church at North Jefferson, right? We can't talk about our church work with our families if we are not really involved. So, consider this, the church is to be a sharing and caring people. If  there is a need, share your stuff (Acts 2:44-45; Matthew 5:40-41). If there is a burden, bear it (Gal. 6:1-2). If someone is weak, support them (1 Thess 5:14). If there is ignorance, teach them (1 Tim 6:2; Titus 2:4; Hebrews 5:12). If the doors are open, make the choice to be here. Nothing turns a visitor off like an empty building (Hebrews 10:24-25). [You're looking these scriptures up, right?] The saved are added to the church (Acts 2:47). Jesus is the Savior of the body (Eph 5:23). Salvation is in the church just like salvation was in the ark during the flood. You are the church and the church is God's holy temple (1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:5). So, we should be interested in the life of the church! "Let's delve in 2012!"

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

The Gift that Keeps on Giving' sales pitch usually deals with diamonds or magazine subscriptions. In many ways, the phrase has become as meaningful as “It's the thought that counts”. No one really believes  it – just try it on your spouse sometime if you do.

Actually, there are gifts that are really nice. A gift is something voluntarily transferred from one person to another without compensation.

In the Old Testament, we find that God had, “given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation” and to make an atonement for the children of Israel (Number 8:19). Then in Numbers 18:6 it says, “And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation”. Interesting that the Levites were considered a gift given by God to Aaron, and a gift from Aaron to God!

The scriptures also indicate that the offerings & the titihes that were offered for the Levites were called gifts (Numbers 18:29; Mt 5:23-24). In 2 Chron. 32:23, following the Lord's great salvation of King Hezekiah from Sennacherib (king of Assyria), many people brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem and presents to Hezekiah.

The wise men from the east came to Bethlehem for to worship the young child Jesus “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:22). It was common in Eastern culture to give such gifts to royalty. In this we see a principle of the lesser giving gifts to the greater. An example of this is when Abraham gave tithes (a tenth part) of all the spoil to Melchisedec (Gen 14:18; Heb 7:1-2). God is greater than we are, so we should offer to Him what is due. However, Hebrews 7:7 says, “And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better”.  This seems to be a contradiction, but it is not.  Melchisedec blessed Abraham – and God is blessing us. Think about how Jesus taught on prayer. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt 7:7-11).

God is a great gift giver. Sometimes we don't recognize it as such (like the Levites in Numbers 8:19). We are told that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). One such gift “is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). It is a free gift (Rom 5:15, 16), but not a cheap gift! “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8). Obedient faith is the contribution that we make to God for this free gift. With David we ask, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?” (Psa 116:12). We could start by offering thanks to God “for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor 9:15), the gift that keeps on giving!