God and You Blog

In starting this New Year I keep coming back to the question: “What is the most important thing for me to work on?” If I can only accomplish one thing this year what should it be? The answer is important because it is very easy to work at many things and not only achieve none of them but in the process realize none of them were really that important!

Since we are Christians who are facing a New Year the question should be: “What is the most important thing God wants me to do this year?” Fortunately, God has given you and me the answer. One time Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” {Matthew 22:36 – 38} Jesus was quoting a sentence from Deuteronomy 6:5; God’s answer was there all along. As Christians reflected on Jesus’ answer they have grasped the wisdom of this answer: If you keep this commandment you will be keeping all the others. To move it to our situation this week, if you and I live this out we will be doing everything else God wants us to do. This is truly the most important thing for me and you to work on this year!

Finding this answer is one thing, doing it is quite another. The problem with this or any resolution is in following through and achieving it. Fortunately, with this answer as impossible as it may seem, we have powerful help from the indwelling Holy Spirit. This command is above our ability, but it is not above his. We can always rely on God to do this in and through us. There are things we can do to enable us to continually improve in keeping this most important command.

First: there are decisions to be made: .Each of us must make the decision to desire to love God with all your being As God puts it: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” {Deuteronomy 6:5} (emphasis added) This means to love God with nothing held back, not even life itself (see Philippians 1:20-21 and Romans 12:1-2). Along with this is the decision to leave your ways of doing things, sins, etc. “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” {Isaiah 55:7}

Second: there are some attitudes and actions that we need to nurture. The
realization that we are to involve God in everything we do is important. “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” {Colossians 3:17} Also we need to cultivate the attitude of always going to God first and depending on him. “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” {1 Chronicles 16:11} Then there are actions like saturating our lives with God’s Word: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.” {Deuteronomy 6:6} In doing this we will be passing God’s Word on to our children by word and deed. Also we will be thinking about God all the time. God will help to be creative in coming up with ways to do this. “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” {Deuteronomy 6:7-9}

So this year every one of us should work on strengthening our love for God. My hope and prayer is that next December you and I can look back on this year and see that yes Love for God has deepened; yes we have kept this great commandment! Then like Caleb you will be able to say: “… I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.” {Joshua 14:8b}

Written by Rev. Daniel Baker

Christmas is a time of the year when we expect to receive good news. Many people insert a letter reviewing family news into their cards. Other people talk more on the phone than normal. Even better are special holiday visits to friends and family!

If you think about it God started this kind of thing that first Christmas. For instance Mary made that special visit to her cousin Elizabeth. It was so special that Luke devotes a good portion of Luke chapter 1. Also instead of sending a letter about family news God sends the choir of Angels to announce Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. Instead of a card God put a special star in the sky for the Magi to see and follow to worship Jesus.

God did all this and did it so superbly because he loves us so much. It was love that prompted the delivery of this “Good News” and of the truth behind it!

God had his angel make this announcement, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” {Luke 2:10-11} Later Jesus talks about the motivation behind this Good News of a Savior, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” {John 3:16-17} God’s love for you and me is behind the Good News of Christmas.

These verses about God’s love for you and me are so familiar they almost seem trite. That familiarity also encourages us to lose sight of how deep and costly God’s love is. God loves us so much that on that first Christmas God the Son Jesus Christ did all this out of love, “Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” {Philippians 2:6-8} That is costly Love, costly Good News, and a costly Christmas present.

This Christmas you will be sending cards and letters, making visits, and giving gifts. They will all cost you; the cost is in money, time, and energy. You will pay the cost for all you do because of your love and also reflect on the cost / love others send your way. This Advent season take some time to reflect on the cost and love behind God’s Good News and present to each one of us.

Have a joyous Christmas in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When people eagerly anticipate something happening they do all kinds of crazy and excessive things. Like before the release of new tech “tools” like the I phone and big name video games people will camp in the street in front of the stores sometimes days in advance. Maybe you have done something like this too.

It happens with movies too, back in mid November 2003, I heard a woman tell how her son was going nuts counting down the days until the release of the movie “Return of the King.” Since then I have read and heard many similar accounts of impatient anticipation for this film. Now, J.R.R.Tolkien was one of the great Christian authors of the twentieth century. And I am a Tolkien fan too, but this struck me as excessive.

Yet, as I look at the Gospel accounts of the first Christmas, I find a good bit of “excessive” behavior.

For example, look at Simeon in the Temple. He spent his life waiting for the Messiah. One day Simeongoes to the Temple sensing the Messiah is there. He goes through the crushing crowd to a young couple with a baby boy. Grabs the baby and says, “Sovereign Lord, as you have If you really think about it and it is easy to imagine how promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” {Luke 2:29-32}  If you really think about it and it is easy to imagine how this scene was “excessive” too.

What about those shepherds? They storm into Bethlehem in the night then wake the town with a story about angels and a baby. Again, try to imagine the scene they caused. “When they had seen him, they spread That also the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what he shepherds said to them. … The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” {Luke2:17–20}  That also is excessive behavior.

Then you have the Magi. They see a strange star, go on a long and arduous trip, into a land where as gentiles they are not welcome to Herod and ask, Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.“{Matthew 2:2}, That sounds pretty excessive too. But it gets more incredible. The Magi follow the star to Bethlehem, to a particular house, then go in bow down before a young child and give him gold, incense, and myrrh!

If someone acted like these people today, you would probably call them weird or at best some kind of fanatic. This brings me back to the incredible, fanatic way people are acting about the “Return of the King” movie. One newspaper writer wrote that he had “been waiting thirty years for this movie.”

People around the world planned months ahead so that at midnight December 17th they could see a movie as soon as possible. The Magi watched the sky for a star then went and worshipped the real King at his first advent. Simeon worked his whole life to be ready for the Spirit’s prompting to see the advent of the Messiah. The Shepherds made sure the whole town knew about the Savior-King’s arrival.

If people can act with this kind of devoted zeal for a movie release, and if God’s people could act in such zealous and “excessive” ways over the birth of Jesus Christ: how should you and I act this Advent season? Remember too, as Christians we are waiting for the return of the KING of kings!

Observe the third week of Advent with righteous and obedient zeal remembering the first Advent and anticipating the second, so that if the King should return you are ready!

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker

More Christmas devotional readings and resources are at the God and You website

A careful look at our prayers can reveal the reasons so many Christians live with unnecessary fear and anxieties. Knowing those reasons enables us to better live the joyful lives God wants us to live. Christmas is a good time to do this, because the full, joyful life is one of God’s gifts to us.

For example, one common prayer made by Christians is a prayer asking God to be with them or another Christian. This is true in spite of the many promises that God is with his people! I wonder why Christians pray this so often instead of simply believing his promise that he is with us! The answer is important because belief – faith in God is crucial to our relationship with God. If any of us are to have any of the joy and peace, he promises us, we need to overcome this problem of not believing his promise.

I think one reason we doubt God’s promise that he is with his people is fear. A situation develops fear sets in; we think about the fearful circumstances and doubt God’s promise. Two things back up this conclusion. The first is experience, both my own and others. Fearful outlooks and the pleading for God to be with us go together. The second is that God links them together. Take for example Isaiah 41:10a “So do not fear, for I am with you;” and Psalm 23: 4b “I will fear no evil, for you are with me;”

Another reason is a sense of insecurity on our part. We often respond with doubt and fear because we do not have a sense of security in our own abilities. Unfortunately, we transfer that into our relationship with God. The result is a feeling of insecurity in our relationship with God, and a lack of belief in his promises. We do not say this but our actions show this feeling is deep rooted. This ends up in doubting, or to be honest not believing God’s statements that he is with his people and their security in his love.

Both of those reasons have a common factor, many Christians are ruled by feelings and emotions not their faith! That is why we live fearful, insecure, anxiety ridden lives. Rather than basing our lives on the firm rock of God and his Word, we base our lives on ever shifting feelings.

Probably one reason I am sensitive to this in others is that I struggled with it. Growing up fear and insecurity were commonplace in my life. Along with it was the whole doubt about God’s love and presence. Fortunately, I heard some strong teaching on this issue and saw my father live out his faith not his feelings. The teaching and example helped me realize I can base my life on the fact that God keeps his promises. I learned that whether I felt it or not, God is with me all the time. It is a fact of the Christian life! With that I discovered a completely new way of living. A way based on the facts of living by faith not feelings.

Advent is a pointed reminder of the fact of God’s presence with his people. The Angel said to Joseph, “they will call him Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.” {Matthew 1:23b} Over the next months, Joseph and Mary had many distressing situations. Their marriage started under a cloud because Mary was pregnant. Late in her pregnancy, they took the hard trek to Bethlehem. In Bethlehem, the only place to stay was cattle shed. Mary gave birth alone, no family support at all. Later they fled for their lives to exile in Egypt. Yet in the Gospel accounts, I find no hint of complaining, moaning, or fear. One reason must be they knew the truth of Immanuel, God was with them!

Observe Advent living out your faith not your fears. Live out the truth of “Immanuel—which means ‘God with us.”

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker

More Christmas devotional readings and resources are at the God and You website

I have many childhood Christmas memories but one never varied from year to year. That common memory was the agony of waiting. From Thanksgiving on, the days seemed to drag, it seemed like Christmas would never come! My childlike anticipation was so great that nothing really helped to ease time along. Probably many, if not most people, can identify with this cute childish Christmas memory.

As an adult I no longer experience Decembers that seem to last forever. In fact I no longer anticipate Christmas like that. Supposedly this is a good thing; it is a sign of “growing up,” of becoming a mature adult. And yet I wonder, Jesus said that we need to become like children to enter the Kingdom of God. Could this be one reason why Advent does not seem so important to many Christian adults?

Advent, celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas day, is a time of preparing for, anticipating, and waiting for the coming of the Messiah. It should be an important part of our calendar, as it is getting ready for one of the two most important “holy times” in the Christian calendar. Advent is important, however, it also seems like it is mainly for children. A look at Christian books and Advent material reinforces this notion. You know those cute Advent calendars with their little flaps you lift for each day, revealing a new person, animal, or angel. Or take the picture books with the adorable donkey!

The Bible gives us a different picture and as adults we need to pay attention to it. The Biblical account while full of wonder and mystery, tells of heartache, struggle, and seemingly unending waiting. Actually Simeon and Anna’s lifelong wait for the Messiah speaks powerfully to me.

Here are two mature adults, Anna is eighty-four, The Bible does not tell us how old Simeon is, but the assumption is that he is older too. Anyway, they are both godly, devout people who are passionately waiting for the Messiah. I imagine Simeon had the harder time waiting because “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” {Luke 2:26} That is like when I thought I knew what I was getting for Christmas, I wanted it so bad and could not have it yet; it was a long, long wait for Christmas morning. I can imagine every morning Simeon wondering, “Is this the Day?” He prepared his whole life by living a “righteous and devout” life. He anticipated it eagerly and waited every day. Finally, The Holy Spirit led him to the Temple to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.

Simeon demonstrates to me the way I should treat Advent, with righteous preparation and anticipation. He also shows me something else, Jesus or Yeshua to use his Hebrew name, is the Savior! Simeon said, “For my eyes have seen your salvation,” {Luke 2:30} That reminds me that during Advent I am not waiting for a baby in a manger but the Lord and Savior of my life!

This Advent rather than trying to pretend to be that child of years ago, it would be better to model ourselves on Simeon and Anna: mature, righteous, and devout individuals who are waiting for their Savior with joyful anticipation.

So observe the first week of Advent preparing for Christmas and thanking God that Jesus, the one who “will save his people from their sins.” {Matthew 1:21b} has come for you.

Written by Rev. Daniel B. Baker December 2003

You can find more Advent readings at God and You: a life full of God’s love, hope and peace

My first reaction after dismay was to remember a bumper sticker I saw at a church during the Clinton presidency.  It read like this, “I did not vote for him but I do pray for him.”

There is a definite call in the Bible to pray for governmental leaders.  Paul wrote to Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” {1 Timothy 2:1-2} 

Christians of all stripes find that very hard to do.  No matter who the President is I hear Christians bashing the President rather than really praying for him.  The President-elect needs our prayers.

Just a quick review of some issues that should be of great concern to Christians: (not in any order of priority)

The Economy: The worldwide economy is in a fragile state right now.  The problems in the USA include some serious ones that grew out of political meddling in the banking and mortgage industries.  More wisdom than any political figures have shown so far is needed to get us through this time.  Reaction in the USA and around the world to the proposed tax changes is only one demonstration of this need.  For example the Japanese Stock Market declined after the election results partially based on this issue.

War: One war currently going on is the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Simply giving up and coming home is not an answer.  That will do nothing to bring about the tranquil, quiet, dignified, and godly life Paul wrote about.  That this war can be fought in a wiser and more effective manner is a given.  A related conflict is the age old one in Israel, here again past peace attempts have fallen short and future ones look pretty dismal as well.

Another War is being fought that is the war against the unborn.  Every day more lives are lost in the most gruesome manner in this country than in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It is beyond argument that these are innocent lives.  The Democratic party and the President / Vice President-elect are strongly for the continued slaughter of these innocents.  They show that in their voting records, speeches, and election ads.  With the election results this war just went in to high gear and the babies, the women, and our society in general are the victims.

A personal note: I cannot understand how Christians and especially Christian pacifists can turn such a blind eye to this war.  They go to great lengths protesting other matters but in their silence and voting strongly support this one.  Why do you hate the unborn and deem their lives of no consequence?  Why are their lives worth so much less than those of combatants in the various war zones, than those of confessed and convicted murders?  I must confess your thinking and application of Christian mercy / respect for life escapes me.  Do you realize the share in the guilt everyone who supported this agenda through their vote has?

The Environment:  Whatever your view on “Global Warming” we have to do a better job of being good steward of this planet.  Here again incredible wisdom is needed.  Each proposal put forward has a host of side effects beyond the supposed prime effect.  Our track record in this area is not very good, no matter what position you look at. 

This list could go on for a long time.  I hope that this at least gets you thinking beyond the superficial level I have seen so prevalent these last several months.  This is not a time for naive thinking.

If the other side had won the election these and other issues would still need much prayer.  Quite frankly they are beyond human wisdom and we need to recognize that fact.

Whoever you voted for please be sure to pray for these leaders.  Just maybe, they will act wisely and truly set the stage for us to live “a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”