John and Kathy Deisher

One Call, One Harvest, 50 Teams

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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

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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.

Behind the Scenes

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Read Luke 1:80

And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

Meditate

Each year, we attend our fall student conference at a campground. It is pretty isolated with great views of sunrises and sunsets, places to walk and be alone, a lake to sit beside and reflect. It is not unusual to see students taking advantage of the solitude to journal and pray.

The campground is in an area with poor cell phone service. It is also not unusual to see students walking around, cell phones held high, trying to find a place to get a signal.

That is the problem with the wilderness. It is a great place for solitude, but it is not so great a place for a lot of the other things which fill our daily lives. This solitude is what makes it so important.

John grew up in the wilderness. It was the place that nurtured him, shaped him, formed him. He spent time with his thoughts and his God-promises. He wrestled with and settled the nature of his calling. He knew what it meant to be both alone and present, so when the day of the fulfilling of his calling came, he was ready.

It has been said that there are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why. The “why” is found in our wilderness times. No amenities to distract us, no memes to entertain us, no frivolities to fill idle time.

Simply solitude and time with God.

Grow. Become strong in the spirit. Spend time in the wilderness.

Pray

“Father, there are dangerous prayers, and this is one of them: take me into the wilderness. Teach me to be with you. Remove those things that distract us from being prepared to fulfill the plans and purposes you have for us. Amen.”

Contemplate

  • Set aside time during the Christmas season to be alone. It may mean getting up a little earlier or driving out to a park. No music, no book. Just spend some quiet time with God.
  • Watch “Start with Why,” A Ted Talk by Simon Sinek. What is your “Why”? What gets you out of the bed and inspires you for the day? During your alone time, come up with a way to express why you are here in one sentence.

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

Take the Leap

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Read Luke 1:39-45

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Meditate

I am a pretty typical grandparent. When we go to visit my grandchildren, I love the moment when they first spot me and come running. When they get to me, they don’t stop, shake my hand and say, “Nice to see you.”

No, they run yelling “Gramps!” and jump into my arms with joy.

This is what Elizabeth experienced. This was no normal kick of a baby while in the womb when Mary, the mother of Jesus, entered her home. This was a joyful celebration of the promise—that God the Father loved his creation so much he would send his only son so that anyone who believed in him might not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

It is easy during the holiday season to lose that joy. It could be the lines and crowds at the store. It could be the anticipation of seeing that difficult family member. It could be remembering the loss of a loved one. It could simply by the wear of daily life.

But if you will listen, you will hear the greeting of the Holy Spirit. And, if you will enter the moment, the God-promises within you will begin to leap for joy.

Pray

“Father, let me hear your voice today and let the promises you have placed in me that are waiting to be birthed jump for joy in your greeting. Help me remember why I celebrate Christmas and the reason for the season. Amen.

Contemplate

  • Greet people with joy today. Be truly glad to see them because they are a gift from God to you.
  • Spend some time today reflecting on the God-promises you are carrying. Listen to the voice of God to bring joy to those promises.

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

All In

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Read Luke 1:26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”[ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Meditate

I grew up in a part of Texas that seemed to love their “folk wisdom.” This was things like:

  • “You are the bee’s knees” – you are doing something right.
  • “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch” – don’t count on something that may not happen.
  • “A stitch in time saves nine” – a little work now saves a lot of work later.

But there was one saying that has stuck with me. It was often said about someone who couldn’t seem to commit to something.

“You can’t be a little bit pregnant.”

Either you are, or you are not. It’s binary. Either you are committed to this or you are not. When we walk with Christ, it can become easy to pass on some of the harder things. Prayer, scripture reading, spending time with God can all be bypassed in the “doing” of life. Giving, serving, loving, can all be given selectively to those we feel deserve to receive them.

We can dabble in following Christ. We can want to be a little bit pregnant.

Mary was “all in”.  When she said, “Let it be to me according to your word”, there was no going back. All of the judgment that would come for a girl pregnant before marriage, all of the whispers, all of the social stigma paled in the face of the promise she was asked to carry.

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.” I am “all in”.

This holiday season, be all in. In the midst of the hustle, start your day by praying “I am your servant, God. Do what you want to do in my life.”

Pray

“Father, today I commit to being all in. I want to be all in to your plans and purposes for my life. I want to be used by you to birth a promise of your love. Interrupt my day so I can do what you want in my life. Amen.”

Contemplate

  • Do you have a junk drawer? As a symbol of being “all in”, clean out and organize your junk drawer today. This is a physical sign for what you want God to do in your life.
  • Commit this holiday season to do something you may know you need to do but have been putting off. If you have never read the Bible through, now is the time to start. Want a more consistent prayer time? Schedule it and commit to it. Needing to have a hard conversation with someone? Call them and go get coffee.  

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