New Year's Update

     "I Am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God."     Isaiah 44: 6
Many times I come to my computer and find that it will not work like I want because there is a message on the computer that updates are being added. 
      As you finished last year and beginning a new one there are some things to be left in the last year and some that need to become a reality in the new one.    The world has been made with certain things that help us to know what we can be about in life.  The Kingdom of God is a sure Kingdom but our lives constantly experience changes that we have to come to adjust to.   Taking a few moments to put life on hold while you prepare in different ways to update your life for a New Year is a necessity with God.  
  
     Sometimes we complain that our computers are updating when we want to do something important.  As I have done in the past, I will hit skip-update in order to something that I think is more important than updating my computer but soon....  I have to update my computer because the manufacturer sends out a message to update my computer regardless to what I am doing.  This update is  so the computer will work together with other updated systems that communicate on the internet.  
       This is very much like what I see in the world today.  We need to understand the world in a new way but we try to hit the skip-update button with God the Holy Ghost.  He is gracious so, He may not rush me to update today or tomorrow.  The only problem is that He, Holy Ghost wants to update me so that I will be ready for the future happenings in my life.  The sooner I allow Him to update my mind, heart and soul, the better; but if I keep denying the opportunity for the update, I will be sitting right in the middle of the future without the update and then I wonder why life is so unfair.   

       A  person who has hit the skip-update button too many times may not be ready for the downsizing of the company he works for or the progression of her children in maturity.  Sometimes we have serious problems in life when troubles hit and we have been hitting skip-update for years.   God wants us to allow the update of the Holy Ghost to make a positive difference in our lives.   The loosing of one job to gain an advance in pay at another corporation.  The failed attempt to keep some friends because God wanted us to release the grip of a toxic relationship.  Maybe you found out about the cancer in your body that was developing when you got a surprise pregnancy and the doctor found it just before it began to develop (this was a true testimony told to me very recently).
  
        The first part of the verse refers to God as "the King of Israel, and His redeemer the LORD of Host."  This may just look like the prophet is referring to the Israel of the Bible but as he refers to the Israel of the Bible he is also referring to what the name Israel means, 'he who struggles with God.'  As people of the church we are those who struggle with God to understand what life is all about.  Those who struggle with God are those who are in covenant with Him.  We seem to struggle against God due to our sin nature but we struggle with God because we are redeemed by Him and desire to follow Him in a life that is set against the ways of God.     If we can get a grip on the fact that God loves us, we may get onto a reality that God will use the good as well as 'the bad' events to springboard us to something better.
  
      I was reminded by a mentor of the verse in Romans 12 that informs us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will."  
  That sounded like a warning to make sure that we receive the updates that God sends.  The updates will help us to give glory to the perfect will and purpose of God in our lives.  

      Some people do not understand how people of faith can be so calm in a situation of chaos or be able to cope with danger with a response of courage.  God can and will supply whatever the believer needs in order to face the challenge especially when that believer has been open to the update from the Lord beforehand.   This thought causes me to ask you 3 questions...

   1- From last year to this year, have you evaluated the things that you need to let go of and the things that you need to take up to honor the presence of God in your life. 

    2- Have you taken some time of reflection in order for God to update you on life itself so that you will be ready for the challenges of the new year?  "I Am The First and The Last"  

    3- Have you made the effort to understand what the Lord would have you focus on through certain means like, Bible study, Prayer, or even reconnecting with prayer partners who can support you in following God's will for your life?
    
     These are very important spiritual disciplines that will assist us in receiving the update from God so that our minds will be renewed and ready to display the glory of God in our lives.  
    Allow for the update and then, watch the loving Creator, Redeemer and Wonderful Father work miracles into the fabric of your story.  
     Allow for the update.    

The Hopes and Fears of all the years Are met in Thee tonight

The words are from the Christmas song

O Little Town of Bethlehem

      Bethlehem Ephrathah – lit- “house of bread, fruitful”

      Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel. Whose coming forth is ‘from of old, from ancient days.”

 *  It seems that God favors the little one’s of the world, the little children, the small yet faithful beginnings, the small yet sincere offerings and even here the little town of the birthplace of David the king.  Remember that when David was chosen, his own dad literally overlooked him as a candidate for the calling of God. 

    We have that same theme going on in our world today.   In making the most important announcement of the world, we think that maybe God would use the most powerful voice, the biggest and most influential town in the most powerful empire in the world. But no….

      God chose the smallest town in a little unknown province to be born king of the Jews. 

The most important person in the history of humanity was being born as a baby.
     Why?  Why not the son of a well known king or even an angel?

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 40. Why was it requisite that the Mediator should be God and man in one person?

A. It was requisite that the Mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person.

  §§This must be a lesson to us, God does not flaunt his power.    

  

*  This should inspire us to remember the call

O Come, All Ye Faithful, be Joyful and triumphant

   The tumult of currents in this world continue to flow against the way of the One who created it and loves those that turn to Him. 

   The whole world is like an incredible machine, a computer, built and designed to reflect the glory of God’s power, holiness, connectedness and love.  Yet, all evil is set against the blueprints to make it operate to perform acts of selfishness, cynicism, separateness,  and hate.  The Faithful really need to come and be joyful because…..

    When the faithful show up, it is a whole different story. 

Showing up for the Purpose of the Lord is the most rewarding task any person can accomplish.  Why the most important?   Because God is the only one who knows the blueprint and calls the cosmos to conform to His will.  Working with God brings satisfaction because, “If God is for us who can be against us.”  This is why we can sacrifice ourselves for the sake of God’s plan and will, Paul said, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” Rom 8:36.

 Because there is nothing “in all of creation that can or will separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   

    

§ The Lesson here is that we who believe must live a life that is pronouncing the glory of God in this world today.  A life of self-significance will not do. 

  Come all Ye faithful, express your joy and the triumph of the Kingdom of God over the leadings of the world.

 

*  That is why Christmas is under fire-  you know that don’t you?   The message of Christmas should not be confused with the frustrations of people who do not know the Lord Jesus.  People who benefit from a grace of which they do not have time to entertain.  They do not know it but they ‘Need A Little Christmas’ in fact ‘We all need A Little Christmas, right now’!!

     If there is anything that people benefit from, it is the magic of Christmas.  Just think, the real Christmas is about God coming to rescue people in the world from the evils and terrible influence of those who do not care for others.

 It is about a little baby…. Who could not like a baby?  Who came to challenge: the status quo of family dysfunction, corrupt politics, unfair treatment and irresponsibility in money transactions and last of all, the evil powers of influence in religion. Because He came we can identify what is good about the world and what is not working right.      

 

  So how do we actually enjoy the benefit of the blessing of a little baby born long ago?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism gives us an answer straight from scripture.

 

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured? 

A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.

What does this mean?

    We Need A Little Christmas, Right Now!! Right Now!!

Not the rush and bustle for fancy stuff

Nor the tinsel and brassy glimmering gold

Not the buy 5 get one free that we seek

Nor the endless extra overtime of those who don’t believe

 

But the humble beginnings of God’s choice plan

But the Celebration of love, life and liberty from man to man

But the welcoming voice of care and concern

But the presence of God, peace on earth goodwill towards man

 

   Yes, we do Need A Little Christmas, right now! 

Right now we need the magic of a season anew,

We need the birth of a baby true.    

We crave a solve for eternity and a taste of all that is right

We need a reprieve from this troubled plight

We Need A Little Christmas, we do.. We Do !!!!

And the whole purpose and reason is Jesus for You

Turn to Him and get to know his perfect way

 

§  And you will have a Silent Night to go to sleep restfully or

should I say

         ‘Sleep In Heavenly Peace’

 

Chaplain Horace Cutter, M.Div., BCPC,  HPCF

 

 

 

Luke 2 reflections 2017

Luke 2:1
      And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the house and lineage of David 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a
manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.   9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.      10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.   13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men 15 And it
came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying
which was told them concerning this child.


Reflection:
In the Scriptures It always seems as though we are waiting on God to do something. I’m
thinking about Abraham who was very close to God, so close, that God spoke to him and
gave him the promise of a new land for his heritage to live on in this world. But God
finally came and made good on his promise bringing out of Abraham a heritage and the
promise of his personal presence. The great grandson of Abraham, Joseph waited on the
deliverance from God after he was sold into slavery and then suffered the demise of a
terrible prison penalty. And God finally came to deliver him. And he became the second
most powerful man in Egypt.

How about the people who were chosen by God to represent his way on earth? The Israelites were in a bad predicament in slavery and they waited on God to do something. For 400 years they called on deliverance… And God came to their rescue. All down through history we can turn to numerous accounts when people who truly believed in the One true God, waited for some time for Him to come to the rescue, bringing deliverance to an impossible situation. You may look at many times in
the historical record to find that God seemed to be running late. Oh, But was He.

As we recollect, we think about the tragic death of Lazarus the close friend of
Jesus, the scripture attest to the news being relayed to Jesus and then when you expect a
command to exit immediately to go to the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, we are hit with
a strange phrase, “Yet he delayed in where he was for 2 more days."  'Two more days, why
two days.'  The account is written in such a way that you look at your neighbor and say,
“Well, what happened? I thought he was Jesus’ best friend that he loved. Two more
days?"     But the account is written to teach us all a lesson about God’s scheduling 'Day-timer'.

 God transcends time; that is to say that God created time, God is above time, God
works with time and in spite of time. God is the one being that cannot be dragged along
with time. God will never at the beck and call of time, running late like I am found to be
on many occasions. God does not have to manipulate time but He commands time and
guess what? Time can do nothing but obey His sovereign will. God is all powerful, all
knowing, all seeing and never lacking in any capacity in His being. God is God and that
is the best that we can do to understand Him. All of our descriptions of God lack clarity
because He is truly king of creation.

 Someone today is waiting on God for some reason. There is a situation, a crisis, the
makings of a critical event and unless God moves soon, you will be looking at disaster
and ruin. Just remember that the Lord is faithful to those who love Him and call out to
Him. God Never Misses An Appointment and does exactly what is needed especially for
those who look to Him in faith. God will Never Fail. It may seem as though He leaves
us hanging but He will make the perfect decision for all involved.
Remember when the course of a world gone wrong, the world was looking for a savior
something special happened.

NLT Galatians 4:3 And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We
were slaves to the spiritual powers of this world. 4 But when the right time came,
God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy
freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very
own children. 6 And because you Gentiles have become his children, God has
sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear
Father. 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are
his child, everything he has belongs to you.

 As a Christian believer I am here to testify, we don’t always get what we want and I
am grateful for that. But being God’s son I have found that God loves me in ways that I
cannot describe and He challenges me to rely on Him at times that cause me to grow
when I am faithful to Him and not to my own desires. God is truly good. Waiting on
God? Please continue to wait because he will come when you call on Him. I have found
that God shows up in ways that you have not figured and His way is the best way. No
matter how smart you are, the lesson is that God’s plan is the best plan and as you follow
it, you come out better than you planned.

KJV Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
 The story reveals that the Sovereign Lord, God is not only all knowing, all powerful,
completely comprehensive in His understanding but he is all loving. And He Loves
You…
   Benediction:
Now may the glory of Christmas in celebration of lights, candles and communion with loved ones across the globe,  give illumination of the glory of The Great God of Heaven, The comfort and support of the Sweet Holy Spirit and the reality of our Majestic Savior Jesus who came just in time to redeem us and welcome us into the holy family of God as children adopted into a radiant life of everlasting joy, peace and love.   Amen
     

Thanksgiving: A Great Refreshing Joy

“Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion.

Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception.

Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude.

Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and

    limps along the spiritual road.” 

John Henry Jowett

             The greatest virtues of life are the concepts that add meaning to life and offer to others the real you.   Giving thanks looks without oneself to acknowledge the grace someone has seen fit to offer you.  God offers us the experience of love and fellowship with others if we are willing to allow life to challenge you with the risk to enjoy companionship. 

     

Thanksgiving, giving thanks, making gratitude a priority, can you see that as a virtue?  Will you go limping along life’s spiritual road maimed and fumbling with no sure way?  God has given us the model of His only Son to help us experience the grandeur of friendship, brotherhood, comfort and fellowship.  Thanksgiving is an experience that is meant for knowing and expressing the best of life.  Giving thanks allows someone to joy in the pleasant things that you enjoy.  God has connected us that way.   Accepting thanks is a way of being humble and strong enough to help another human-being, life resonates between us that way.  And you say, “Your are welcome”, because grace demands a response.

           

            Living a life without thanksgiving leaves too much time to think about what is wrong and not enough time for the consideration of what is already right, good and pleasant.  The life of a person of passion will be filled up like an inflated balloon offering joy to the little child who receives it but the life lacking thanks will be flat and miss out on the joy of a refreshing attitude.  We like the company of someone who will offer words that lift us up, not miss the pleasant things in life and will never ever ignore the opportunity to say, “Thank You very much.”  Be that person and allow others to be refreshed in your acquaintance.  

Looking up to say thanks offers a refreshing gift to God one that will return an excellent attitude and rebound in a certain refreshing of yourself.  That is why Thanksgiving is offered in Scripture to those who believe.

I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.  ( ^NLT Psalm 116:17)

Offering a praise to the Lord cannot be done without reflecting on the blessings that God’s grace has brought.  When we muse on the good that we have experienced, we take in spiritual oxygen and enrich our soul, try it today.  The believer in God above must think positively upon the world in which we live and find where in this life can I look to be thankful.  

        Are you living with real love and a passion for life? 

        Do you have a hope that is lined with fine perception?

        Does your faith have strength and fortitude?

Try making it a point to say, “Thank you very much” to someone and wait for the happy response you will receive.  Try it several times because ‘Thanks’ is becoming a rare expression to our broader society.  You will probably surprise the person you are addressing.  Try a life of thanks and God’s gracious response will fill you up so that return of being welcomed and free will refresh you, creating  another experience to look to and know that refreshing the soul really begins with you.

Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.  

         Chaplain Horace E. Cutter

When Darkness comes around

 

Many people are upset with the wickedness that happened in Las Vegas this week.  Some people who just wanted to be entertained among friends and others that like country music came for fun and enjoyment.  But the darkness came out that night. 

 

   Times like these are perfect for us to look at the words of scripture to help us understand the ups and downs of life.  As many of you know, life is not a bed of roses and we are critical of the person that tries to convince otherwise.  We know that from time to time, there will be someone who actually allows the darkness to use them to make history.  The man who planned and made this evil act happen was probably a nice guy at some time just like you and me.  But along the way of life just one detour down a selfish path can bring us to believe that darkness is our destiny. 

    Who do we turn to when darkness comes around?  Who will comfort us right in the middle of trouble?   Well, we do know one man that was not directed, influence nor was he emboldened by the likes of darkness. 

     Jesus Christ the Light of the World    

“In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:4  (NIV)

 

      The life of Jesus is so full of times when he confronted darkness that we can only say that he was the very opposite.  Not cowering to it, he overcame darkness because He is the light.  The darkness of this world is so very dark and God wants us to know this deep down in our souls.  The Bible begins with God proclaiming light into the world and making all of the world very good. Yet upon the disobedience of the first man, darkness came around. 

       Do you know that the darkness is so influential that you or I can be duped into thinking that we are doing God a favor when we follow the rules of darkness.  Remember Cain the son of Adam and Eve, thinking he was justified in killing his brother because his own sacrifice was selfishly offered.  The influence of religion is a powerful thing and still affects the turning of the world today. 

   

     We have many other events that reveal how dark the darkness can be but we must turn to the light and follow the one who is for us.  

     Slavery all over the world through the centuries

    Incarceration of Jews in Europe

     Genocide in Rwanda

    Apartheid in South Africa

    The bombing of Pearl Harbor

    The terror attack on the twin towers of NY and Washington, D.C.

and now...

    The massacre of Las Vegas

When the darkness comes around it is so prevalent that we are mystified about the existence of evil itself.  Contemplating how this could happen in such a nice world. But the many occasions that history offers us is evident that the way of the world is not of the nature of a soft, warm Teddy Bear.
     Scripture offers to us some consolation regarding the darkness of this world because when we are enjoying the lovely and exciting pleasantries of the light,  it is very hard to convince us that the darkness is still here with us.

      Of olden times on the coast of Cornwall there were wreckers. These men tied a lantern on the head of an ass, and drove the animal along the heights that fringe the shore. Ships at sea saw this light, and thinking them to be guides where there was open water, ran towards them, fell on rocks, and were dashed to pieces. Then the wreckers came down to the shore, and took from the wrecked ship all that could be saved.

      There are a host of these false signals about in the religious world, leading men to destruction. What, then, are we to do? Look to the lighthouse of the Church, built by the hands of Jesus Christ. In it He has set the clear, steady light of revealed truth.  

   Do not follow the darkness or your life may shipwreck along the shore so that the devil would salvage your efforts for his purpose.  And that purpose is to devastate many lives and to place the blame upon our God. 

 There is a wonderful hymn that I sung in church this past Sunday.  In it was a phrase that I continued to think on during the rest of the day.   

‘Be thou my Vision’

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art,

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.”

       God is our best thought, Why?  Because He loves us, revealed himself to us, offers us comfort and love in this life and gave up His one and only Son so that we might have life. 

          ^KJV John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Light is so lively that we enjoy the benefits of it daily.  Dark is so deadly that it makes resounding images in the minds of men and women.  Walk in the light so that your deeds can be attributed to the one who loves you. 

          May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.  Amen..

 

Devotional Series: Practicing the Open Life

Open your heart

 “And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.  The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”  Isaiah 58:10-11

            When the heart is open to the world around it, God promises to open his loving heart to those who trust him, opening their hearts to others.

  Hymn: There’s a wilderness in God’s mercy

            For the love of God is broader

            Than the measure of our mind;

            And the heart of the Eternal

            Is most wonderfully kind.

            If our love were but more simple,

                 We should take him at his word;

            And our lives would be thanksgiving

             For the goodness of the Lord.

“Then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”    The Lord promises to offer blessings that only He can give.  God will turn the lights on in your life.   There is so much more to this world that what we see and those who believe in God must trust that through their lives, others will experience the presence of and awesome and loving God.
    May the Lord, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, bless you to know His presence peace and support today.  May your mind, spirit and body be renewed by the unction of grace from the Holy Spirit of God.