Christmas "Last Words"

S - Luke 1:30a, 37-38 (TLJ): "The angel said to Mary … Don't be afraid ... God can do anything! Mary said, ' I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me!" Then the angel went away."

O - We live in a day and age where everyone always wants the last word; politicians, teachers, scientists, news commentators and religious leaders most often leading the way.  The Christmas exchange between the angel Gabriel and the young Nazareth virgin Mary (an unlikely pairing) holds the ultimate last words for heaven and for earth; for beings celestial and terrestrial. God's kingdom encompasses both heaven and earth and the last words of heaven to Mary and her last words to Gabriel reveal the only right conclusion both can come to.  Heaven says to all: God can do anything!  The point is not merely academic … it is personal and practical. Earth says to all: I am the servant of the Lord God. Let this thing you have said happen to me.  The beauty of these last words includes relief from our points of origin.  The focus is not where you're from or even what you're made of (heaven or earth) but rather what will be your last words to any day, any situation and any other person? What if we lived and shared these last words every day while it is called today?  Just think what could happen in heaven, on earth and in us!

A - As a human being reaction is a part of my make-up and design.  I can't always control my initial response to anyone or anything.  Fear, shock, anxiety can all emerge immediately and predominately in the midst of life on earth. In fact, fear is how Mary started her encounter with heaven.  She confirms the truth that it's not the first thoughts or words but the last which will really carry the day. My assignment is less about my first reaction and way more about my conclusion to any day, any situation and other person.  I want to embrace and live out loud these last words: God can do anything! Whatever he's up to I’m in!  Let it be to me just as he as planned and purposed!

P - Lord,

You know exactly where I'm from and what I'm made of and you call me to these last words for every day, every situation and every other person.  I do believe this to be true because of Jesus, your written voice and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  So, Lord, please let me follow you in this regard as well.  Let me think, speak and live these last words unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

All in,

Steve

Game Changer According to the Expert

S - “‘Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not break your oath, but fulfil to the Lord the oaths you have made.” But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply “Yes,” or “No”; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:33-37 NIVUK

O - Culture, secular and religious, is big on oaths. Jesus and the Kingdom that can never end aren’t.  In fact, while the world affirms and engages oaths as a good and essential component of human interface with God and with others Jesus identifies a very different dynamic.  Lurking underneath the swearing of oaths is a most malevolent reality seeking to devastate the one making the oath.  According to Jesus (the expert and consummate game changer), all of life's interactions with humans and with God can be, must be, confined to direct and simple engagement … simply let your "yes" be yes and your "no" no.  Anything and everything beyond this has only one source and bodes a most tragic outcome.

A - Heaven doesn't want our help, it wants our cooperation.  We cooperate by living and speaking a simple yes or no. Helping with the additional declarations culture likes is inspired by the source seeking our demise.  Heaven is inspiring the opposite and is seeking our best and eternal wellbeing here and hereafter.  I will cooperate … I say yes to living a simple yes being yes and no being no … and the kingdom of heaven which is near stands ready to empower such living.

P - Lord who made today,

Thank you for simple and empowered living on earth today while it is called today.  I accept your counsel and coaching and am looking forward this day; to the free and empowered beauty of life as you intend it to be. You are the game changer for each life and all are wanted and welcome.  You are amazing to this very day.  I love you back.

Living and praying in Jesus' name,

Steve