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January Journal Archived
Thursday,
4 Jan:
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! I know
it has been a few days since my last entry, but things have been a little hectic
around here. Not to mention all the
football that we have watched, but even the work has been plentiful.
Without going into too much detail and bore you all to tears, I will just
say that even the best laid plans can go awry.
I am sure there is no need to explain that any further.
Suffice it to say, I have been putting out “fires”, as we say in the
military. But enough with the
excuses and on to the matter at hand. It
is officially 2007 and with that brings a myriad of emotions for everyone, I am
sure. This year will bring to a
close a 20 year chapter in my life and a 16 year chapter for my wife. On August 1st, I will still be Chief Clement, but
with “Retired” after it. Most
people will more than likely call me Mr. Clement and that may take a while to
get used to. I will be happy to be
home with my family and I know they will be happy to have me home. The future is uncertain right now, but I know that my God has
big plans for us and I am counting on that.
There will be many more things happening in 2007, so just sit back and
enjoy the ride. Now onto some
scripture and my message for today. Luke
2:8-20 give us insight into the shepherds, which by the way were the #1 answer
in a survey of which characters from the advent story most people identify with.
How unusual was it for the Angels to appear to the shepherds?
They were considered ceremonially unclean because their work kept them
from attending worship services. They
were isolated and forgotten because their work kept them on the move finding new
grass and fresh water for the sheep. They
were treated with contempt and mistrust being suspected of stealing from others
and their testimony was never allowed in court.
They were known to be brash and bold because they lived out in the fields
and away from most people and most of them had foul mouths and were ready to
fight at a moment’s notice. Even
in the midst of these descriptions of the shepherds, God entrusted the greatest
message every sent from heaven to them. But it’s not really that unusual, though.
God has always worked wonders for the forgotten, for those despised and
for the lowly. We can learn so much from the shepherds as we look at their
response to the Angels and to the Son of God.
Remember these words that all start with “A”. 1) They were
ATTENTIVE. Verse 8 tells us they
were keeping watch over their flocks. Although
they may have been the scourge of society, they were so committed to their
career, they never left their work. God
chose to deliver the message to those who were sold out to what they were given
to do. They weren’t slackers and He met them right were they were.
Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as
working for the Lord, not for men.” Our
responsibility is in whatever God has called you to do, be attentive to it and
do it with excellence! Don’t
think God won’t call you; He called the lowly shepherds to action.
2) They were AWED. Verse 9 tells us they saw the glory of the Lord and were
terrified. God meets us were we are
but them He brings us to our knees. Whenever
we come into contact with the Almighty, we fall apart because of our sinfulness.
The shepherds may have been terrified because they didn’t know whether
the angel was one of judgment or not. Maybe
their sins were catching up with them and God was going to “take them out”. Whatever the case, they were in awe and it would have taken
plenty for these tough guys to be terrified.
When was the last time you were in awe?
When was the last time you hit you knees in His presence.
We sing, “Yes, I’ll stand in awe of you Jesus.
Jesus, I am so in love with you.”
Don’t be afraid, but rather, be in awe.
3) They ACCEPTED the message. In
verses 10-15, the angel calmed them down, telling them he had good news of great
joy that will be for all people. The
good news was that everyone could be accepted, be forgiven and have great hope.
The message is for all people, yet it has to be personal, each to his own
way. After seeing and hearing the multitude of angels praising God, they
accepted the message because in verse 15 we read, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and
see…” Have you accepted the
message and allowed God to use you? Do
you know someone that needs to accept the message?
God’s good news is a gift that must be accepted if you want God to work
in you life! 4) The ACTED on the
message. Verse 16 says, “So they
hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger.” The idea behind
“hurried off” is “come on, hurry up, let’s go!”
Shepherds were no known to move quickly, so this in itself was amazing.
They wanted to see the baby with their own eyes.
Check out this irony. Unclean
shepherds go to a smelly stable to see the Holy of Holies lying on a bed of hay.
Their next act is seen in verse 17.
They spread the word concerning what they had been told about the child.
Spread means to make know in such a way that people understand.
We worship the child because they refused to stay quiet. Is God calling you to some action? It’s one thing to have faith and feel good about something,
but there comes a time when we must share what we have seen.
Have you seen Jesus? 5)
They ADORED the child. What
happened next? They went back to
their same boring jobs, but they weren’t the same on the inside.
They didn’t set out on a book tour or launch a ministry or even make
the circuit of the talk shows. They
returned to their mundane jobs, but with joy in their hearts.
So, we see, it is possible to have joy in our jobs, even if their junky.
Look at verse 20: “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for
all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been
told.” They don’t just wonder
about what they saw, they worship Him who they saw!
The shepherds were converted, and therefore showed adoration. Do you
praise and glorify God for what He has done for you?
Remember what you have seen and heard and you can return to the same
place tomorrow, but not as the same person. “O, come let us adore Him, Christ
the Lord!” God used the lowly
shepherds to deliver the good news. He
can use you, too!!! Until next time...Todd
out. |