A Risky Christmas Adventure

Jesus knew a simple addage: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
This is Christmastime in 2009 and it seems we all are trying to be safe. Amidst a face smile of good cheer we are only trying to cheaply mask the fear surrounding our national security, personal finances, and shaky relationships. The last thing we are truly experiencing is peace on earth or good will toward men. But, there is hope.
When it was time to bring God in body into the world (Jesus), a message went out of the Messiah's birth but it didn't go out to he high fleutin' politicians in Washington, DC or the religious leaders in the vatican; instead it went out to the plain old working class folks just like you and I. People who have issues, bad days, and are at time insecure are the ones God saw purpose in and it is them that he brought ground breaking news to.
Today that same knews is coming to you, and you have to face the decision of what you are going to do now that you know where Jesus is. Only a fool would know where Jesus is and not run to him.
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Batteries and Jesus.

For all who read this before December 14th, you will be hearing this again on Sunday's Christmas service but here goes.

Batteries and Jesus? What do they have to do with anything? Batteries are little round cylinders that carry an electric current to anything that requires that works off from electricity... that has nothing to do with Jesus. Continue reading.

Growing up we didn't have a whole lot of money when it came to gifts so we never really expected much which worked well because none of us 5 kids required much. We always had more fun playing with each other than with than toys... don't get me wrong, we liked our toys too though. I remember one Birthday, I think I was eight when I received a toy radio controlled car, you know, the ones that turn by going in reverse (the ones that if you leave them like that will make a cat so dizzy it pukes). I thought this birthday was the greatest until the batteries went dead. Thankfully my older brother, 18 at the time, jumped on his bike and went to the nearby store for some more. When he got back I proved I was now a big boy and put the batteries in myself but the car still didn't work. I couldn't figure it out; were they duds? I put the old ones back in it and they didn't work either. Frustration came over me as I went from being the happiest boy in the world to the saddest because me new toy didn't work. Thankfully, big brother nearby was willing to help and showed me that I had put the batteries in the wrong way. Once they were put in the right way they worked perfectly.

So, what does this have to do with Jesus? Jesus did not buy me batteries, nor did he deliver a great incite that they were in backwards. What does Jesus have to do with all of this?

Just like you get birthday gifts on your birthday, Jesus' birthday is coming up and guess what... you get gifts on his birthday too. John 3.16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus' birth began the tradition of giving presents at Christmas as God sent his son as a gift, but you receive something too. There are two thing in that verse give to the world; since you are reading this-that's you. We are given Jesus - The Savior and provider of restoration of relationship... eternal life with God, and we are given eternal life.

We are like the idea of having a close relationship with God. Most people believe in a god or higher power. There is a part ingrained in us that tells us there is a god. We like this idea. However, what people seem to have an issue with is that it is Jesus and Jesus alone that makes this relationship and restoration possible; we like the gift, but not the required power source. We look all around us trying to find some loophole to restoring the relationship and try many different things: money, kindness, numerous "religions", support groups, goodness, organizations, etc... and then we get mad when someone says that these things are good, but won't restore that relationship. We tell people things like "You're narrow minded" and "If God is really a loving God wouldn't he let all religions go to heaven" and the list could go on.

This is where Jesus and batteries get something in common. Imagine how stupid you would sound if you called up that toy car manufacture and said something like this: "You are so narrow minded! If you really wanted me to play with your toy you would make it so the batteries could be put in anyway I wanted to!" or maybe "I can't believe you actually requires batteries to play with this toy. I have been good my whole life and worked hard to get this toy car, that should count for something!" and even "I'm not going to put batteries in it because I know other people put batteries in their cars and they are jerks!"

If you really did call up a manufacture and give these complaints you would end up and the next "list of stupid" email going around the office because they claims are simply ridiculous but we justify saying the same thing about Jesus and having our relationship with God restored.

You can have the greatest gift set before you but if you don't have the batteries it will never be used. You have to have the right power source to get any good out of it. God has given you eternal life but you can only use it by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

Genuine Thanks Generates Generous Actions.

When I was in high school my sister and I had been out with a friend who lived with her grandma. Her parents lived several hundred miles away so she didn't see them often so around Christmas her local aunts and uncles would bring her gifts. I don't remember what we had done while out that ngiht, but we had all decided to go back to her grandma's and watch a movie. When we got there her aunt and uncle where there and they had stopped over to surprise her and her grandma with Christmas gifts. All is fine with that but it left my sister and I feeling a bit awkward. I didn't drive yet so we were stuck there watching her family Christmas. We did end up watching the movie, but I remember what she said after the family Christmas; "I am so sorry, I didn't know they were coming or I would have wrapped something up to give you guys." She felt bad that in the spirit of giving, she wanted to give.
The natural reaction for humans is to give when given too. If we appreciate something we like to pass it on. Now, I know that someone just popped into your mind that is ungrateful, but in general we are give when given to. The friend had been given to and wanted to give. We all know the feeling when someone gets you a gift but you have nothing to give back... uncomfortable.
David writes a song about this. In Psalm 116 David takes the first 8 verses to sit back to list all the things that God has blessed him with... all the blessings that he does not deserve but appreciates, then verse 12. "What can I render unto the Lord for all his benefits unto me?" David has received and now he is wanting to give. David has received what he cannot buy, earn, or deserve and he doesn't want to take it for granted. But what had David received that was so special that he wanted to give in return?
-V1-2 David needed someone to talk too and God heard... How many people do you know right now that may just need someone to listen. You may not agree with them or even like them, but you can listen with scrutiny or distraction. A listening ear is a gift that costs nothing but is very meaningful. It is praactical yet extravagent.
- V3-5 David had gotten himself into some hard situations; we know his story, theses hard places were often brought on by his own foolishness... but God delivers him. Someone that you know is going through a hard time that they have brought upon themself. They need you to help them get through this time and be delivered from their struggles. God didn't not beat up David or kick him while he was down... he helped him be delivered.
-V6-7 David tells that he was low and God took him high. God didn't not do the least effort in recovering David because it was a mess that he'd gotten himself into... God wen't the extra mile and was "bountiful" with David, not average or ordinary. If David's struggles were a lake; God did not help David get back to shallow water, He took him unto dry ground, sat him down, warmed him up, and gave him something to eat.
When we see what God has done for David and what he has done for us, we too should ask what David asked, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?"
God has blessed you and we must praise God's name for it, and pass on teh blessing. God has used others to be a blessing to you, and he is counting on you to be a blessing to those around you. Examine the people around you today and see whom you may be able to take out of the lake of struggles and set upon dry ground.