The Well Church of the Nazarene

At its most basic level, a covenant is a binding agreement with defined boundaries, promises, consequences, blessings, and expectations. It "cuts" out what separates and then reconnects/restores us to our covenant partner. This describes our relationship with God! Covenants were a matter of survival in the Old Testament, and they still are today. 

We were created for one reason--that we would know God. The word "covenant" was a unique, culturally relevant, and understandable term that describes God's relationship with you and me and defines his interaction with us. Without that relationship, there would be a void in our lives, for to know Him is to love him, and to love Him is to give ourselves TO him. The covenant is about oneness with God. It's in our blood! 

As the cry of a newborn baby breaks through the silence, light also breaks through the darkness. The glory of God has returned announcing the child’s birth to shepherds. This unlikely audience rushes to find this gift for all and then responds in the only way that was, and still is, appropriate. This Christmas Eve we will be reminded of the significance of how Jesus came, why he was needed, and compelled to do as the shepherds did and spread the word of all we have been told about this child!

Our fears, battles, struggles, and failures take away the peace that Jesus brings. But WE are the reason for the season--Jesus came for you and me! We are no longer Ichabod (departed glory). Tonight we celebrate the glory of the Lord that shines around us. As children of the King, we do not have to fear, for God is WITH us.

It's possible that our familiarity with the Christmas story hinders our ability to see the absurdity of it--and it's within that absurdity that we find a nugget of Good News! An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds and said, "Fear not! I bring you good news that will cause great joy for ALL people." And who did the angel deliver this message to? Those that would easily qualify as the least likely to have God's favor on them. The insignificant. And yet, the absurdity of the Christmas story--that the lowest of the low were the first to know about the Christ child--reveals the character of God. He steps into our insignificance...and redeems it.

 

Video/Song Clip Credit: Tyler Childers
https://youtu.be/Lt4Vl4pKDsQ?si=YybQaKI8-AJgwL8l

Obsessing about what people think about us is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about us. But obsessing about what God thinks about us is the quickest way to forget what people think about us.

If we're not ready to be criticized for our obedience to God, then we're not ready to be used by Him. There's no telling what God might do through just one simple act of obedience!

God's purpose for us is often different from our plans, and what we might call a confusing or disturbing interruption could be God's divine invitation! Thankfully, we don't have to understand God's plan to trust that he has a purpose. Obedience is our responsibility--the outcome is God's.

Throughout the Word of God, we see the story of redemption that finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God's plans are beyond our comprehension, for He works in ways that the world doesn't expect or understand... yet He understands us on a very deep, very personal level. In the broad scope of God's eternal story, we need to look beyond the Christmas season to find our ultimate hope. He is the Prince of Peace. 

We tend to think of "blessing" in tangible, measurable ways, but God thinks much deeper. Blessings speak to our relationship with God through Jesus, and are intended to pull us into relationship where we realize how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ... that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Therefore, thankFULLness is not a time to relax and "loosen our belts"--we are filled for a reason! And blessed people bless people.  

If we define stewardship by giving, then we significantly misunderstand the heart of God. Fullness is not found in the things of this world, but as Paul communicates in Ephesians, the fullness of God is found when we immerse ourselves in the love of Christ. God doesn't need what's in our wallet. He desires what's in our heart. As a holy offering to God, our attitude reflects how we embrace the role of stewardship, and we bring our tithe and offerings to Him in worship.