It's An Epiphany!

SCRIPTURE

Epiphany of Our Lord
Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Christ revealed to the nations

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.' "

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

DEVOTION

Hallelujah! Today is EPIPHANY!

Epiphany is the day set aside in the Christian church to celebrate the Magi’s visit to baby Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I love Epiphany! My home church back in St. Louis has always placed a special emphasis on Epiphany, gathering as a congregation, offering prayers of healing for the sick, and offering praise and worship to Jesus Christ!

Here in Minnesota, my local church will gather for a potluck supper (everything baked in the shape of a star) as we enjoy fellowship with one another.

It is a glorious day whenever Jesus is revealed to people who did not previously know him! I wish everyone had the opportunity to catch sight of a star and follow it to Jesus, but alas, we do not all discover him so.

For most of us, our bright star was another Christian person who took the time to lead us to Jesus. Through the boldness of their words and/or the kindness of their actions, we were introduced to the Love of God revealed to us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Today, I want to invite all of us to make up our minds to be “epiphany stars” on today! Let us make it our business to shine brightly for Jesus all day long, look for opportunities to share the love of God with others, and embrace every chance to offer a helping hand or extend radical hospitality to someone in need.

As we let our little lights shine, Jesus, who is the Light of the World, will draw our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and enemies to himself.

Won’t this be a grand day if we all do our part? Let us pray!

Holy One, thank you that the Wise Ones followed the star to Bethlehem in order to worship King Jesus. Please help me to be an Epiphany Star in the lives of those who are stumbling in the darkness of disbelief. I love you and I desperately wish to share your love with others. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I will be empowered and equipped to let my little light shine! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

MARVELOUS KING*

SCRIPTURE

Second Sunday of Christmas
Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.' "

Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.


DEVOTION

Today I am so in love with the Christian church and the liturgical tradition. Whilst the entire world has packed away their Christmas decorations, turned off their carols, and ceased their endless sales, the Christian church continues the celebration of the birth of Jesus!

This week we “see” Christmas through the eyes of the people we call The Wise Men. I love the fact that The Wise Men were so attentive to the things of God. When Spirit moved and there was a change in the Earth, these wise folks took note of it. When God gave them a sign that it was time to worship and bow down, they did so without hesitation, making haste (to the best of their ability), to come greet the new born king.

These folks must have been true worshipers and I believe that we can all learn from their example today!

What I have learned is that a true worshiper always brings a gift to Jesus. In the case of The Wise Men they brought themselves and gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In our case, we can bring ourselves, as well as the gifts of our time, talent, and treasure to the Lord as we make haste to worship and bow down before our Jesus!

Indeed, Jesus is a Marvelous King! No matter whom we are, where we are from, or what we have been through God is still leading willing people to a place of worship! Even in 2010, we are still called to pay homage to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.


Will you worship and bow down today? If so, please pray with me:

Holy One, thank you that God has led me to you so that I may worship you with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength. Indeed you are a Marvelous King! Thank you for loving me so much that you died on the cross for me and rose again on the third day in order to forgive my sin and gift me with eternal life. Today, I confess that I am totally in love with you. Please help me to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!



MUSIC MINISTRY

*Music comes to us today from Mr. Eric Lige. He wrote "Marvelous King" and offered it as music ministry at Saddleback Church in Lake Forrest, California on Sunday, December 27, 2009. I am proud to feature this talented and upcoming young musician and I encourage you to purchase his CD entitled "Surrender" ($15, free shipping) at www.ericlige.com Please don't forget to pray that God will increase his territory in the days ahead!

Radical Obedience

SCRIPTURE

The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
Matthew 2:13-18 (NRSV)

Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son."
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more."

DEVOTION

Today’s scripture reading speaks to the importance of listening to the voice of God.

Some would say that God doesn’t speak clearly in 2009; I would beg to differ. God is always speaking to us; we simply need to put our listening ears on!

God speaks to us through scripture and song. God speaks to us through nature and friendships. God speaks to us in a still small voice or in a “strange feeling” in our heart.

God is always talking with us, but we need to learn to listen!

I am so glad that Joseph had his “listening ears” on. When God told him to get up and take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, he did just that! He didn’t wait around, ask questions, or seek other counsel. He knew that God had given him a command and he obeyed with expediency!

As parents, we know how important it is for our children to obey us when we speak to them. I don’t want to yell “HOT!” at my daughter, only to have her continue to reach out toward the stove asking me, “Why?”

I want her to obey me immediately and without questions trusting that I will never tell her to do anything that is not for her good. Additionally, I want her to obey immediately; I have heard it said that delayed obedience is disobedience.

If Joseph had said, “God I will take Jesus into Egypt in a few weeks after I have time to say goodbye to my family and pack up my belongings, he might have been murdered by Herod.

Instead, Jesus lived to become the savior of the world—feeding the hungry, healing the sick, raising the dead, and ultimately dying and rising again on the third day in order to forgive our sin and gift us with eternal life!

Because Joseph was obedient, God’s good plan unfolded without a hitch. In what ways is God calling you to greater obedience in 2010?

Let us pray:

Holy One, thank you that you are always speaking to me. Please forgive me for the many ways that I have taken your instruction, commandment, and rebuke for granted. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit afresh so that my heart will be attuned to you. I want to go higher in Jesus in the upcoming year and that requires radical obedience to Your Word. I love you and I promise to share our love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html