Angelus' Quote: Is Growing Old Making Me Any Closer to Christ?

 

I'm finishing H.A. Ironside's commentary on the pastoral epistles. In it, he told a story of how as a boy he used to be amazed when he heard an old preacher say in public prayer, "O Lord, keep my eyes on the Lord Jesus. Don't let me become a wicked old man." He used to wonder why the old man prayed like that until he grows older himself, seeing first-hand how many people become wicked old men because they got their eyes off Christ.

"Oh, how many have fought a good fight for years and then in some way, even in old age when we think one should be free from temptations, they have been broken down, perhaps because of self-confidence!" writes H.A. Ironside. "They have gotten their eyes off the Lord. Some who made a good record for many years have had a dishonourable old age." As you age, are you getting closer to Christ? Are you only getting older or are you getting godlier? Are you fixing your eyes upon Him? ⚡💪🔥 #ServeToLead #GettingOldAndGrace #FinishingWell

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Immanuel and Always Be with Us

Matthew, the writer, wanted to make sure his Jewish readers (who were his primary original audience) saw the connection between events in Jesus’ life and the prophesies about the Messiah in their Scriptures, our Old Testament. He writes, “All of this [Jesus’ birth] occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’’” (Matthew 1:22-23, NLT). The passage Matthew referred to came from the prophet Isaiah. While it likely had a short-term fulfilment, early Jewish scholars saw in passages like Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6 whispers from God about the promised Messiah.

Until the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the middle of the twentieth century, the accuracy of messianic prophecies were often chalked up to Christians editing the ancient texts and “writing in” references to Jesus. (Yes, Christian scholars were and are accused of editing the ancient texts even today. Why? Because the accuracy of Jesus fulfilling the ancient prophesies about the first coming of Messiah are staggeringly, miraculously accurate that it seems impossible for it to really happen. Unbelievable, it is. But it happened. Believe that the Hebrew Scriptures, the Bible to be the work of God or remain sceptic). A complete scroll of the Book of Isaiah dating to before the time of Jesus was part of the Qumran treasure trove, giving us documented evidence that prophecies about Jesus were on record long before he was born.

In Isaiah’s immediate context, the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 was (and can be) referred to a contemporary fulfilment. But the ultimate fulfilment of the prophecy would occur when a virgin (Mary) would actually conceive and bear a son (Jesus) who would be “God with us” – Immanuel. Interestingly, the final verse in Matthew’s Gospel records Jesus saying, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:10) – Jesus was not only born Immanuel, but he remains forever God with us among all peoples, to the end of the age.

Think about this: Because God foreknows, he can foretell. Because God is ultimately in control, what he foretells will come to be. These prophesies invite and test our trust in God. The accuracy of fulfilment that can be traced in Jesus’ life leaves us without excuse when it comes to trusting God’s plan for the world and his plan for our own lives. Question – In what ways are you trusting God today?

God with us.

God with us always.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

It Will be Happy Christmas if You have God with You

“Look! The virgin will conceived a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23NLT).

Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson tells of a memorable experience he had while bringing Christmas presents to the children of prison inmates. Colson and his wife met a small boy who told them his name was Immanuel. When Colson opened his Bible to Matthew 1:23 and showed Immanuel that his name meant “God is with us”, the boy jumped up excitedly and said to his mother, “Mommy, God is with us! God is with us!”

I can imagine the scene very well. I could hear the boy shouted excitedly. My cousin’s son named Immanuel. He was born few days after Christmas. He is now a chubby and cute little boy (I already prepared him a present this year). He always shouts, “Uncle! Uncle!” Sometime I replied, sometime I ignored him. Irritate. But normally I replied, “Immanuel! Immanuel! Immanuel!” He smiled. I smiled. What a joyful reminder for both of us (or maybe it just me, for now) – that God is with us this Christmas.

‘Immanuel’ reminds me that God is not totally transcendent. He is not so far removed from the human race. If He, in the person of Jesus Christ, could actually live among us at one time as a real human person, it is not surprising that He can identify with us. He knows us in a human level though He is divine, of our pain and pleasure, sad and happy, grief and joy. He shows (not just say) that He really loves us and care for us. ‘Immanuel’ gives me confidence that God is for us not against us. And the fact that He came to die for our sin means we’re precious to Him and that by redeemed His people, us, back to Himself mean God desires to display His glory for us to enjoy forever – here on earth and fully in heaven. Friends, God is with us!

C.H. Spurgeon (1834 – 1892), one of my heroes of faith, exhorts us excitedly in his sermon The Birth of Christ:

“Now, a happy Christmas to you all, and it will be happy Christmas if you have God with you! I will say nothing, today, against festivities on this great birthday of Christ… Feast, Christians, feast! You have a right to feast. Go to the house of feasting tomorrow! Celebrate your Savior’s birth. Do not be ashamed to be glad – you have a right to be happy… Go your way, rejoice tomorrow, but in your feasting, think of the man in Bethlehem. Let Him have a place in your hearts, give Him the glory, think of a virgin who conceived Him. But think, most of all, of the man born, the child given! I finish by again saying, ‘A happy Christmas to you all!’”

[Quote from The Essential Works of Charles Spurgeon, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.]

Finally, I want to say the same words and prayer to you too: A Happy Christmas to you all!

Remember Matthew 1:23, “God is with us”.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Prayer on Your Birthday

“Is my growing old making me any closer to Christ?
Am I only getting older or am I getting more godly?” (Henri Nouwen)

Birthday boys and gals pray with me ya. This month is ours:

Lord, you know that I am growing older. Keep me from the idea that I must express myself on every subject. Release me from the craving to meddle in everyone’s affairs, oh, not too busybody and forbid me from being gossiper.

Keep my tongue from the recital of endless details of the past which most of the time do not interest others. Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my own aches and pains first as if I am the only one who went through it alone. Instead, help me to listen to others first.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong. Teach me to be humble. Make me thoughtful but not interfering, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom and experience it does seem a pity not to use it all, but you know Lord, that I want a few friends left at the end. So help me to pray more, say less.

And beyond all this, let me continue to flourish spiritually and bring forth fruit to Thy glory even as my age increases. Amen!

Remember: Age is a matter of mind. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.