John and Kathy Deisher

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Your Good News is Not My Good News

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Read Matthew 2:1-6

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Meditate

I love good news. I love wedding and baby announcements, birthday wishes, job promotions.

Many times, though, someone’s good news is someone else’s not-so-good news. Your new job (good news) means someone else did not get the job (bad news), for instance. Good news, bad news.

So, while we focus on the good news in the story of Christmas, there were some people who did not see it that way.

Herod, for instance.

It is easy to understand. After all, you are the king. Then some guys show up and ask about finding the new king. It is kind of like walking in to work one morning, and your boss walks up to you and says, “Meet Susan. She is going to replace you. Train her well. Thanks.”

Awkward.

The coming of the Christ-child is good news for many, but not all. His coming means that there is a new king, and not everyone wants to find out they are no longer king of their life.

The good news of Jesus as king means my days of being king of my life are numbered. And, I have two choices: accept him as king, or try to kill him. I can deny my need for a new king, try to discredit him, attempt to remove him from the throne or ignore him.

But he is still the new king. And he makes the rules.

That is why we sometimes struggle with accepting Jesus as our king. We don’t want to give up the throne. We want him as Savior, but the good news of a new king is not good news. It means the total surrender of my life to a new ruler.

But the old king is dead. Long live the King!

Pray

“Father, thank you for the new king. Help me to willingly step down from the throne of my life and worship the new king. Amen.”

Contemplate

Take some quiet time today to reflect on your life. Are there areas where you are still trying to be king, or have you surrendered everything to Christ? Some areas to examine are your calling, your finances, and your time. Is Christ King of your singleness? Is he king of your marriage?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Waiting (Part 2)

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Read Luke 2:36-38

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Meditate

There are two kinds of waiting.

The first kind of waiting is passive. You are waiting for a friend, so you grab your phone and watch an episode of “Friends” for the 47th time. Or, you have some downtime between classes so you open Instagram and scroll through story after story. During your wait, your time is really without a purpose.

Then there is active waiting. This is the type of waiting practiced by Anna. As the years of life passed, she waited for the redemption of Jerusalem. She had lived her entire life under Roman occupation. But she knew the promise—there was a Messiah who was coming, and she was waiting for that promise.

So, she spent her days in the temple of God, worshipping, fasting, praying. Her waiting was active waiting.

Kingdom waiting.

What’s the difference? Passive waiting just waits for time to pass. Active waiting, kingdom waiting, prepares me for what will happen when the waiting has passed.

There is a difference.

Because time will pass, and how prepared we are for what takes place next will be determined by how we spend the time in-between the promise and its fulfillment.

Practice kingdom waiting so that when the promise is fulfilled you are in a place to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who are the others who are waiting.

Pray

“Father, teach me to actively wait, to prepare myself for the fulfillment of your promises. Forgive me for my idle use of time. Cause a passion to burn within me for you. Amen.”

Contemplate

Practice active waiting today. When you have to wait on something or someone, use the time actively to pray or read Scripture.

Take an audit of how you spend your waiting time. How much social media do you consume during a day? Does your social media use move you closer to God and his purposes for your life or is it just filling space? Pray about taking a social media fast for the rest of 2019.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Waiting (Part 1)

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Read Luke 2:25-35

Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
    according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
    that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Meditate

When I think of the word “promise” there is almost always another word that comes to mind: patience.

Maybe it is because of my childhood? My parents would say they were going to take me somewhere special, and I would say, “You promise?”. They would, but it was always a few days later before we would go. 

So I would have to learn patience. 

And that’s fine. 

Except I want to learn patience right now.

Simeon had been given a promise—he would see the Christ child before he died. How long had he had looked at every child he saw? Did he wonder with each one of them, “Is this the one?”. Were there times he doubted the promise because time and children passed without the fulfillment?

What I do know is this—he had a promise. So, when he went to the temple, he came with an awareness of the working of the Holy Spirit in his life. He was going to the Lord’s Christ.

The promise gave him a purpose.

Let me say that again—the promise of God gave him a purpose in his life.

What is the last part of the blessing he passed on to baby Jesus: “…that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed”? This moment revealed Simeon’s heart. Day after day he had stayed true to his purpose until his faithfulness brought about the fulfillment of the promise.

Do you have a promise from God? Do you want one (the Bible is full of them)?

While you are patiently waiting on the fulfillment of the promise, practice daily walking in the purpose God has given you for your life.

Pray

“Father, thank you for your promises. Forgive my lack of patience, but help me to stay faithful to the purposes you have set before me. Reveal my heart as I fulfill your purpose in my life.”

Contemplate

  • Do you have a “promise list”? This is a list of things God has promised to you. It may be things God has promised through Scripture or promises revealed through his Spirit. Begin to write those promises down. Review them often. When a promise has been fulfilled, write the date beside it. A list like this is a very visible reminder of God’s faithfulness.
  • Along with a promise list, you need to know God’s purpose for your life. Take a few minutes to read “Discovering God’s Purpose for Your Life.” It is a little lengthy, and it will certainly cause you to stop and ask some hard questions, but use it as a springboard for preparing for 2020.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Doing the Right Thing

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Read Luke 2:21-34 

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Meditate

Not many people know this, but I have a theory named after me—the “Deisher Theory of the Right Thing.” It’s okay if you haven’t heard of it. After all, it’s just a theory.

An incident yesterday will help demonstrate my theory. I was driving on a two-lane road with a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. It was a designated “No Passing” zone with double yellow lines and posted signs.

A long line of cars was coming from the opposite direction. As I looked, a car pulled out of the line and began to try to pass all the cars. Of course, that meant they were in my lane. I flashed my lights, slowed down, and moved over to the shoulder. The passing car quickly tucked into the line just before getting to where I was. If I would have continued my normal speed and stayed in my lane, we would have collided.

Now, why would someone do that? They could have been rushing to the hospital or simply became tired of being in the back of a long line of cars. It was clearly not a place they should pass and there was an on-coming car, but they did it anyway.

Why?

They expected me to do the right thing. They expected me to slow down and move over and get out of their way to avoid an accident. So, they felt confident in doing the wrong thing (passing in a no-passing zone) because I would do the right thing. Their need or desire or intent was more important than their doing the right thing, so they counted on me doing it.

People run lights that are red because they expect other traffic to do the right thing and stop. People cruise through stop signs because they expect people to yield. They expect people to do the right thing, so they can do the wrong thing.

Mary and Joseph could have been excused for not doing the right thing and following the Law of Moses. After all, this was the Son of God. The rules don’t really apply to him, do they? And yet they did the right thing. Jesus was circumcised, he was presented back to the God who had sent him and a sacrifice was offered for the one who would be our sacrifice.

Do you consider yourself the exception? Do you tithe and give offerings? Do you gather together with other believers? Do you read and meditate on Scripture? Do you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others? Do you have a behavior you condemn in others but neglect to discipline in yourself?

Or is it up to others to do the right thing?

Start doing the right thing. Today.

Pray

“Father, I want to do the right thing. I am not looking to be the exception to the rule, but the one for whom following the rules brings freedom. I will make mistakes, but I pray your Holy Spirit will be my guide to walk in the fullness of my calling in Christ. Amen.”

Contemplate

What is one thing you know as a Christian you should be doing but have avoided? It may be supporting a missionary or tithing. It may be sharing the Gospel with a friend. It may be following a particular call of God on your life. Whatever it is, do the right thing. Commit today to start doing it. Don’t delay.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Pondering

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Read Luke 2:15-20

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Meditate

I like the word “ponder.” It means that you think very deeply about something before you make a decision. It has a very old-fashioned feel to it.

Mary had a “pondering” moment. If everything leading up to the birth of Jesus had not been enough, now a bunch of shepherds shows up. They have a story to tell, of angelic tidings and heavenly choirs.

If this were happening to most of us, we would be taking selfies with them, posting the pictures to Instagram and SnapChat and updating our Facebook stories. We would want to share the moment and get our 15 minutes of fame.

But Mary gathers all these moments into her heart and thinks deeply about them. There will be a time for decisions, but today is not the day.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard someone say, “This is what God has told me to do” as they grandly announce some big plan. Then a couple of weeks later, you hear them share a different plan God has told them. Then, sometime later, the next grand plan.

What if we took the time to “ponder” these words, these moments with God? What if we thought deeply about what God is saying before making our decision. There is some wisdom to pondering.

Hide the words of God in your heart. Think deeply about them. The time for action will come.

Pray

“Father, teach me to hide your words in my heart so I may think deeply about them. Teach me the patience to ponder and reflect so that my decisions will be made in your time.”

Contemplate

  • Take some quiet time today to ponder on God’s goodness to you. What promises has God given you? Give God thanks for his goodness.
  • Start a journal. Write down daily what God is doing in your life. Use it as a “pondering” tool to hide things God is saying into your heart.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The First Christmas Card

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Read Luke 2:8-14

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

Meditate

I love Christmas cards. I remember the days when I would go to the mailbox and have three or four cards daily. We would read them (and often the family newsletter they contained) and then set them up on the top of the old piano. In the midst of my daily routine, the cards were a reminder to stop and celebrate friends, family, and the Christmas season.

Now, I may get three or four all holiday season. I miss the sharing of seasons greetings and family news. I miss the colors and messages and notes from friends far away. I miss the break in a day that makes an ordinary day feel special. I miss the announcement that this is the season of the birth of Christ, the Good News.

The shepherds were going about their business, doing what shepherds do. It was just another day. In the midst of their watching and talking and daily routine, an angel steps in with family news—the Christ has been born. This moment, to me, is the first Christmas card.

It is an interruption in their day, a refocusing from the tasks at hand to the promise of God. It has all the ingredients of a great Hallmark card anointed with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

And there is more to the card! The shepherds can find him, not in the home of a king or ruler, but in a place that shepherds would find familiar—a manger. The angel’s announcement is truly good news, an unexpected Christmas greeting.

Getting one Christmas card is great. But suddenly the sky is filled with a multitude of angels, an avalanche of Christmas greetings, declaring the blessings of God to a people who need good news:

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

As we go through our day, let us remember and marvel at the wonder of this first Christmas greeting. Remember to give God glory, and receive the peace he has for you.

Pray

“Father, today I give you all glory as I celebrate the good news of Christ. As your child, I receive your peace and walk in your divine pleasure. Amen.

Contemplate

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Timing is Everything

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Read Luke 2:1-7

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration whenQuirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Meditate

Have you ever seen a “flash mob”? What seems to be a normal crowd suddenly breaks out in a song or dance. What are the chances that a large group of talented people just happened to be in the same place at the same time ready to perform the same piece of music?

Zero.

The “flash mob” was well-planned. Even though most people had no idea until the performance took place, there were others in the know. It was all about timing.

 700 years before our passage from Luke, a prophet wrote:

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

    one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

    from ancient days.”

Micah 5:2

The Messiah was expected to be from Bethlehem. Not a problem.

Except Mary, pregnant with the Messiah, and Joseph were in Nazareth. Problem.

There was not a compelling reason to be in Bethlehem for the birth of the child. Then Ceasar Augustus decides that he needs to count all the people in his world. What a coincidence. Everyone had to go back to the city of their family origin. 

So, Joseph and Mary leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem. While there, Jesus is born. Wow, that is lucky.

Coincidence? Luck?

Not really, because timing is everything. And God is the keeper of time. What appeared to be random was actually well planned.

There is a time for everything, the Preacher of Ecclesiastes tells us, and the God of time has a plan in place for you.

Be patient in the process. Timing is everything.

Pray

“Father, if you can move a nation of people around to fulfill a prophetic promise, then you can work the things in my life. I will learn to wait for your time knowing there are no coincidences. You are the God of the right time. Amen”

Contemplate

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Undignified

By

Read Matthew 1:18-24

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

     “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
      and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Meditate

I cannot even begin to imagine the conversations between Joseph and Mary over her pregnancy.

     “So, you saw an angel?”

     “Yes.”

     “And now you are pregnant?”

     “Yes.”

     “And you’re a virgin still?”

     “Yes.”

     “Because God is the father?”

     “Exactly. Weird, huh?”

     “Uh…..”

It could not have been easy for Joseph. After all, we are not talking about two people living in a metropolis. This was a small town. Everyone knew Mary and her family. Everyone knew Joseph and his family. I am sure the word “scandal” was tossed around a few dinner tables.

Joseph wanted to do the right thing. He would quietly arrange for everything to go away and move on. He did not seek justice. After all, dignity and decorum were the watchwords.

Then an angel shows up. Every time an angel shows up, stuff gets messy. Angels don’t bring words that say, “It’s okay, just be like everyone else. Don’t worry. No pressure. Dignity, always dignity” Angels say, “Don’t be afraid. God has a plan for you. And it is about to change your world. Think ‘undignified.’”

Just like that, Joseph committed to the process. The undignified, messy, “do not fear” process. 

And he became the earthly father to the Son of God.

Pray

“Father, teach me to be willing to be undignified. I want to walk without fear in the plans and purposes you have for my life. Teach me to be faithful to the promises you have birthed in me.

Contemplate

  • When we think of someone who was undignified in the Bible, we think of King David dancing before the Ark of God (2 Samuel 6:14-22). Read the story and reflect on what it takes to more in love with God than in the opinions of others.
  • Listen to “Undignified” by the David Crowder Band and dance a little. Yes, it might be embarrassing. But it will help to reveal areas where God may need to work.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.