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| A God of Contrasts & Non-Conformity (Philippians 2:4-11) |
Dear Members of the Our Savior Lutheran Church Email Prayer Chain,A God of Contrasts & Non-ConformityLet each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. --Philippians 2:4-11As I continue to meditate on the celebration of the birth of our King I tend to think of the incredible contrasts we see between God and the world. This isn't anything new. It was around back when God selected Abraham to produce His people of promise. A despised people, according to Ezekiel 16:5, to the line of the King of Creation. While the world sought to conquer through the might of a vast army God chose to display His might through the weakness of people to overcome vast armies. (Judges 7:1-8) His chosen people constantly rejected His rule and would eventually demand to be ruled by a king as were the people who surrounded them. (1 Samuel 8:6-8) Is it any wonder that when the time came to accomplish the prophecy of the King of kings that God would once again spurn the world's ideal by bringing forth from the womb of a virgin the Son of God? The Son of God made flesh brought forth not in a lavish palace ornately decorated, but rather in the manger of an inn which didn't have any room for His parents. His birth was indeed announced with fanfare but not to the nobility of the land. Instead it was made known to lowly shepherds who stunk of the animals they cared for. Instead of being raised as a prince He was brought up as the son of a carpenter. When it came time for him to begin selecting close followers God again broke the mold of the world's conformity by choosing ordinary and unschooled men. (Acts 4:13) He taught that to be first you must be last, to lead you must serve, and to live you must die. In death, He suffered and bled as a common criminal yet He was without sin. Instead of a royal tomb He was laid in a borrowed one… borrowed because even in dying He shattered the normal by raising Himself from the dead three days later. Even in celebrating His birth we rejoice because of His death because it was His death that redeemed a fallen people and brought the promise of eternal life to all who will believe in Him. How about you? Have you truly celebrated His birth by recognizing that His death paid the price for your sin? REFLECTIONTake some time this week to reflect on what areas in your life you have allowed to be conformed to the world's standards and expectations. Then seek how you can be a living sacrifice for Jesus this holiday season.PRAYER REQUESTS -- Week of December 21, 2008FOR THOSE WHO LOOK TO THE LORD FOR HEALINGMorris Rowan [Brother in law of Diane Rowan] recovering, critical but stable condition from burns sustained when his home burned downDebbie Wolter Recovering from fractured ankle after a fall Ricky Hayes Hospitalized recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident Leona Walker [Friend of the Belza’s] diagnosed with return of lung cancer that has spread to her brain. Sheila Hildebrandt Recovering from surgery FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER LOSSThe family of Steven Tauscher, 52 year old son of Jerry and Marge, was called home unexpectedly this past week in upper New York State.For the brother-in-laws of Diane Rowan, Morris and Bud Rowan, lost their family home in a fire. FOR THOSE WHO CELEBRATE RECEIVING BAPTISMAL GRACE Nicholas and Lilly Hardin, will be baptized today at 1 PM. They are the children of Dewayne and Leanne Hardin. |