Friday, December 14, 2018

Evergreen Devotions December 14

This third week of Advent we have focused on the angel's 

testimony; “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth 

peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14.

The best word picture for this peace on earth is from the prophet 

Isaiah 11th chapter, where we have also, learned about the 

stump of Jesse.

One of the challenges of Isaiah's prophecy is God in his 

sovereignty gives a view of time that mortals can not fully grasp.  

The context starts in Chapter ten, with the judgment of Assyria 

around 740 B.C.  The next Mountain of time is the arrival of the 

Messiah Jesus.  Then God gives a glimpse of the endgame in 

verses six through 11.  Ends the chapter by returning to the 

present at the time of Isaiah.

Here is God's Word Picture of Peace on Earth; 

The wolf will live with the lamb,
    the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together;
    and a little child will lead them.
 The cow will feed with the bear,
    their young will lie down together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
    and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
 They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
    as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9 

 A golden age is yet to come, a time of peace when children can 

play safely with formerly dangerous animals. Not all of this was 

fulfilled at Christ’s first coming. For example, nature has not 

returned to its intended balance and harmony (see Romans 

8:9-22). Such perfect tranquility will be possible only when 

Christ returns to reign over the earth. 

As followers of the Messiah, our role is to occupy till Jesus 

returns.  Our purpose is to begin the work of God's redemption.

Instead of a focus on material possessions, we are to ensure God 

has full possession of our life.   So we give generously, to ensure 

all of God's children have enough.  So we joyously, testify to God's 

blessing so others may see the light.   Today, ask yourself, who 

needs the goods God has blessed me to use?  Who needs my 

joyous testimony?



Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Evergreen Devotions, December 12, 2018

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by

prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to

God. Philippians 4:6  One of the enemies of peace to those in

God's favor, is anxiety.

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (or Roman

peace). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in the absence of

conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in

control.

Christmas can create a lot of anxiety because of how out of

control we allow life, to become.  Buying gifts we do not have

money for.  Pleasing manipulative people by attending another

event, when we have not spent time in prayer.  Can you continue

the list?  I can.

In the book "Worry-Pursuing A Better Path to Peace by David

Powlison Pg 27-20." writes Here [is the] game plan when you

start to worry and obsess: 1. Name the pressures. You always

worry about something. What things tend to hook you?...

Anxieties feel endless and infinite - but they're finite and specific.

2. Identify how you express anxiety. How does anxiety show up

in your life? 3. Ask yourself, Why am I anxious? Worry always

has its inner logic... What do I want, need, crave, expect, demand,

and lust after? Or what do I fear either losing or never getting?

Identify the specific lust of the flesh. Anxious people "eagerly

seek" the gifts more than the Giver. They bank treasure in the

wrong place. What is preoccupying me, so that I pursue it with all

my heart? 4. Which promise of Jesus [from the Bible] speaks to

you most? Grab one promise and work with it. 5. Go to your

Father. Talk to Him. Your Father cares about the things you

worry about. Your Father knows what you need. Cast your cares

upon Him, because He cares for you. 6. Give. Do and say

something constructive. Care for someone else. Give to meet

human need. In the darkest hole, when life is toughest, there's

always some way to give yourself away.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Evergreen Devotions, December 11, 2018


On this third week of advent we Focusing on; Suddenly a great 

company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising 

God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on 

earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  Luke 2:13, 14 

The Hebrew word for "peace" is Shalom.  Shalom is so so rich and 

complex the English language falls short in conveying all the 

Hebrew language intends.  Here is an example; Rabbi Robert I. 

Kahn of Houston, Texas, capsulizes the distinctives of “Roman” 

peace and “Hebrew” shalom:

“One can dictate a peace; shalom is a mutual agreement.

“Peace is a temporary pact; shalom is a permanent agreement.

“One can make a peace treaty; shalom is the condition of peace.

“Peace can be negative, the absence of commotion. Shalom is positive, the presence of serenity.

“Peace can be partial; shalom is whole.

“Peace can be piecemeal; shalom is complete.”  (https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v01-n10/what-is-shalom-the-true-meaning/)

The criteria for shalom, true peace, then, rests with God. This 

definition of peace must begin with the assumption that there is a 

Creator and that He has established a standard for us. 

So we must come to accept and obey the way in which God 

has chosen to reveal Himself to man – through the Bible.  This is 

the path to finding the path that leads favor and peace with 

God.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the 

government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince 

of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6,7 

Often, when asked what we want for Christmas, adults will 

respond; "Peace on Earth."If we want peace, are we willing to 


trust and obey the One who brings true; Shalom?

Monday, December 10, 2018

Evergreen Devotions December 10

Yesterday, at the church potluck, I visited a young couple about

the agonizing decision as a Christian where to send your child to

school.  A point I made was involved parents have more positive

affect, than all the negative ones in the school.  Karen Carnahan

affirmed this and sent me a great read, I wish to share with you.

"The death of George HW Bush has caused me to reflect on what

really matters to my children and others at the end of life.  As I

was watching the eulogy given by his son George W Bush, I made

a mental note of what actually mattered to George W at the end

of his father’s life and what things had made him a better, well-

adjusted adult.

His father played games with them, had fun with them, had

family dinners with them, and showed them integrity and love

for others.  But the thing that seemed to leave the biggest

impression on George W was that he loved their mother fiercely.

Perhaps it was because George HW lost a child, that his family

values were so on point.

In the eulogy George W didn’t mention once that his parents

made sure he had organic food his whole life, or had Pinterest

worthy birthday parties, or the perfect monogrammed matching

outfits with his siblings. He didn’t mention that his parents made

sure their week was planned with playdates and millions of

extracurricular activities.  He reflected over and over again

about how much his dad loved and was dedicated to his mother.

I worry that we get so caught up in the minor things that we

forget the major thing which is teaching our kids what

unconditional love and loyalty looks like.

As a counselor, I see so many marriages falling apart and so

much strife and discontentment in life occurring because so

much time and attention is spent on the minor things.  The

results of this are broken marriages, discontentment, lack of self-

esteem, anger, addiction, depression, anxiety, and in some cases

suicide.  All of the resources given to the minor things in turn

cause the major things to fall apart.

Feeling secure in a family will have more of a long term effect on

the well-being of a person than any of the minor stuff so much of

our time and effort is spent on.  We say our value is family, but

our actions show something completely different."  (https://refuge.church/2018/12/07/the-major-thing/?fbclid=IwAR0Sj1rpxx21n-4Z7L7hXdSdFu6XAFjbnj1UV8cqnXHJdDKvdoGjjKX8AOw)

There is a place for everyone in God's family.  I have a sneaking

suspicion you know someone this Christmas season who feels

like a nobody!  Who feels beyond redemption.  You know what

they need a hug, a family, and a friend.  Will you be that friend?

They probably would not vocalize it but on their Christmas list

they want to be loved and to love.  They want to be noticed. They

want someone to listen.  They need someone to love them.  To

invite them to our xmas eve service.  Meet that need because of

what God has done for you!

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Evergreen Devotions, December 9, 2018

Shin Dong-Hyuk is the product of Rape.  His mom gave birth to him in a North Korean Prison.  

She was raped by a guard there.  

For the first 23 years of his life, all he knew was confinement in this prison camp.  He states all I 

knew was guards or prisoners.  When he saw anyone outside the prison, I assumed they were  

either prisoners or guards. I thought everyone ate cabbage soup once a day and was forced 

into hard labor.  I thought that was normal for everyone.  Then everything changed  when 

another prisoner was brought in named Park.  Not only had Park been in other prison camps, 

but he also had been in other Asian countries.  At night before they went to bed, he would tell 

Shin about life in other countries.  He would describe house, cars, and buildings.  What traffic 

and the food was like.  Park, was describing peace and freedom.  Shin could not get his head 

wrapped around these concepts, because his whole life was confined to this camp.  

Eventually, he began to believe this guy was telling the truth.  And made the fateful decision, I 

want to experience these things.  So Park and Shin set a plan into motion to escape.  During 

the escape Park grabbed ahold of a high voltage fence and lost his life.  As God would have it 

Park's body fell on the wires creating a bridge for Shin to crawl over to safety.   

And now after 23 years he is free and at peace.  He lives in South Korea and has been adopted 

by a church and has a relationship with Jesus.

I hope you understand the Christmas story.  Jesus came as a baby so he could die like a man.  

He laid down his life for us so we could experience something bigger and better and beyond 

this little-confined place we call life here on earth.  

The second week of Advent focuses on the anticipation of the peace and freedom Jesus 

brings.  Do you remember how the angels praised God in Bethlehem? Glory to God in highest 

heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:14  As those who 

have begun to experience the peace and freedom of God, are to be a bridge for others to crawl 

over.  Who in your world, needs Jesus, this Christmas?

Shin Dong-Hyuk in his own words. https://youtu.be/q4JkbFLa9cE


Shin's story is taken from a Southland Christian Church sermon series entitled Evergreen by Jon Weece.