Κύριος Notes:Dialogue with the Devil (Part One)

Adoration/Praise

Good Morning Lord Jesus

The early morning finds me thinking of you

Be close in this day.

Lead my thoughts, my feelings and my actions in this day.

Make of me and this day what would be pleasing to you.

Scripture Reflection:Matthew 4

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

Lord Jesus--It seems like there is something that is written right into the fabric of the space and time of this world that when ever there is great insight and grace, there is challenge and temptation that is just around the corner. You had just seen John and been baptized by him with the validation of the Father's word.

2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

As you fasted and prayed you knew that the tempter was on his way. You knew why you were there...in fact the fasting and the prayer was not so a point of weakness as one of strength. That is just the way the tempter works. The very points of strength he would deceive us into believing are weaknesses. you were hungry and weakened from the forty days of fasting and it was the direction and will of God for you to be there. Hunger was a part of the will of God for your life at that point. It was the preparation needed to have a dialogue with the Devil.

3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

So Lord Jesus did you mean it literally that we live not by the food that we take in our belly's but by the word that we take into our hearts.

Acts 17:28 For in him we live and move and have our being.

Makes a lot more sense when I look at it from the perspective of grace lived out in the everyday of temptation, testing and the centrality of role of the word of God in my experience. So even eating takes place within your scope and will for life...or in this case the cession of eating.

Lord Jesus help me to see the need of following in a way that brings into sharp contrast you grace lived out in the everyday.

Κύριος Notes:Faith Walking

Adoration/Praise

Jesus Generation

Let the earth rejoice

See the risen King

On the clouds of praise

He's exalted forever

We will rise to him

Son of Righteousness

And the earth will shake

With the glory of heaven

See the heavens open wide

And His glory, like a flood

Fills the earth with salvation

See the nations take His hand

And in righteousness they stand

This is Jesus' Generation

Glory, glory, glory

Emmanuel

God is with us

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 3:13-16
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

Lord Jesus--John was in awe of your coming to him to be baptized. It seems inappropriate to him that he should be he one who baptized Messiah. The job given to him he was not worthy of in his mind. In so many ways that is the way it is in all efforts made in your kingdom. The person doing what you have lined out is imperfect, fundamentally flawed of heart and mind.

The truly amazing thing is you use ordinary flawed imperfect people in your work. People not perfect but saved by grace, the unmerited favor of your love poured out right while I am in the middle of my imperfection.

15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

Fulfilling all righteousness was what your whole life was about Lord Jesus. It is your example that I am attempting to follow in the big things and in the little. You lived your life to full up to overflowing what the Father expected of you. I do a poor job at best of following your steps.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

A voice from heaven validated what you already knew in your heart to be true. Lord Jesus you know how it is in this walk of faith, so much of the time it is a walk where "we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror." So as I walk today help me to live out the kind of life that reflects your example even when it is as in a poor refection. I am convinced that at my best my attempts at following your example leaves much to be desired.

Lord Jesus bring life to my attempts at discipleship and at walking the Jesus walk.

Κύριος Notes:Jewels and Junk

Adoration/Praise

All Hail King Jesus
All Hail Emmanuel
King of kings,
Lord of lords
Bright morning star
And throughout eternity I'm going to praise him
And forevermore, I shall reign with him

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 3:7-12
7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Vipers is not an endearing term. The religious leaders of a nation that was theocratic at its core were coming to John. He wanted to make sure that they were coming for the right reason, or they did not need to stay. John was not in love with the crowd, he was on fire for the work of God. He wanted above all to see change in a nation that was more concerned with improving the status-quo than the movement of God. John saw the need for a shift in basic structure, a shift in the paradigm was needed. Radical change was needed. He was looking for the person who would bring about that change.

9And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. '

The paradigm shift that needed to take place was not based on hereditary relationships. It was instead based on heart change that produced changed behavior. Good fruit was the goal. Fruit that was just at the peek of perfection, ripe but not rotten. Production of that fruit of the heart is what the work of God really needs to be about. Fruit that grows and matures and is replaced by new fruit...as the season go. Inplying ongoing growth and production.

Jesus people...people after the heart of God are people who are not interested in maintaining the status-quo but are concerned about the ragged edge of change and following after the direction of God with a reckless abandon. They want to see the fruit of God in their lives more than anything else.

11"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

So what was John aiming at here Lord Jesus? It is a kind of warning isn't it? John saw your coming as a coming that brought judgement with it. John's baptism was just about water and repentance. It was a place to start but it was not the end of the journey. He was saying, " If you think that this is radical just wait and see what the One who follows me will be doing." There will be changes the only fire, differentiation, and judgement can accomplish. The picture is of a threshing floor and harvest. Part of the wheat is usable and nurturing, but part is just chaff a part of the growth of the grain that to be used it has to be separated from.

Lord I have thought before that these were different groups of people that were being judged. That there was going to be a separation of sheep and goats, John was talking about here. That will happen, but that is not what John's point here.

Instead John here is pointing to something a bit more internal, dynamic and ultimately more change inducing. The wheat and chaff were a part of the same plant...it seems to me that the winnowing process is more about the ongoing change of letting go and allowing God to work within my heart. This process is ongoing and continues to bring refinement and change as I chase after you Lord Jesus.

Is that the picture of your work in my life Lord? Thresher on the move? Sometimes...Lord Jesus sometimes I lose track of what is the wheat and what is the chaff. Then all I can do is to depend on you to make the choice and bring about the change that is needed. The essence of trust is to allow you to sort through all of the essentials of my life and let you decide what stays and what goes. You are the Only One skilled enough to know the difference between the jewels and the junk that inhabits my life.

Κύριος Notes:Voices in the Desert

Adoration/Praise

EMMANUEL

EMMANUEL,

OUR GOD IS WITH US,

PRINCE OF PEACE, MIGHTY ONE

THE EVER-LIVING GOD!

SEE THE PRAISES OF OUR SAVIOR

RISE TO OPEN SKIES

WITH THE DAWNING OF REDEMPTION

YOUR GLORY WILL ARISE
Raymond Badham

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 3:1-6

1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

The preparation for Your ministry in my life Lord Jesus still requires that I make straight the path for you in my heart. There is repentance that is required to this day...repentance for things done and undone.

4John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

John came dressed like a prophet and eating like a prophet with a prophets message of the need for internal change. He came at the right time, the nation was ready for the message of the need for change, the need for response and the reality of hope.

Lord Jesus the people's hearts were prepared by the work of the Holy Spirit in ways at the time that may not have been recognizable as being the work of God. It could have been the Roman taxes, it could have been the ineffective leadership of puppet kings, it could have been the clearly corrupt leadership of the temple. That preparation could have just been the internal need for reality in their interactions and encounters with the Spirit of God.

John's voice in the desert crying out for repentance and changed lives was at first alone. But as the Holy Spirit used a lone voice, there was a turn that took place in the nation and in the hearts of the people. You can still use a voice that is raised speaking your words.

John's message is true right now Lord Jesus. Lord Jesus prepare my heart for your work today.

Κύριος Notes:Returning to the Land of Promise

Adoration/Praise

There is a River

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of our God.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of our God.

So I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad!

I will rejoice, I will rejoice and be glad!

There is a fountain full of grace and it flows from Emmanuel's veins.

It came and it healed me, it came and refreshed me,

it came and washed my sin away!

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 2:19-23
19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead."

It was in God's timing when this small family would return to their home. It was the protection of God that provided for the means and the method of escape, and then for the return. God made it clear to this couple when the time was right.

There was implicit trust that God would speak and that whatever he said was what would happen. Lord Jesus thank you for the reality of the fact that you speak and that your leadership continues in my life to this day. The circumstances of my life are not a mystery to you and are not outside of your grace's and love's reach.

21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee,

The dreams continued to come to this man Joseph who was so much involved in Your life as a child, a teen and a young man.

23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: "He will be called a Nazarene."

It amazes me that location which appears to be an accident of history, was instead a detail that was planned. Lord Jesus have the freedom in my life to move in such a way that the details of my life, like where I live fit into the plan for my life. Lead guide and direct.

Κύριος Notes:A Family on the Run

Adoration/Praise

Emmanuel

Emmanuel Emmanuel,

Emmanuel Emmanuel,

Emmanuel Wonderful, Counselor

Lord of Life, Lord of all

He is the Prince of Peace

Mighty God, Holy One

Emmanuel, Emmanuel

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 2:13-18

13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

The Angels were busy watching over Mary and Joesph as they did their best to protect and provide for you Lord Jesus. The communication process was personal, it was verbal and it was ongoing. I wonder if Joseph ever worried about going to sleep, afraid of what the night might bring.

14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."

Much like the people of the Exodus, this small family left for Egypt. I am thinking of the miles walked and the hours in the sun that it must have taken to get a safe place. Only in a couple of years to turn back and end up where Joesph and Mary had started out in the first place.

16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

The connection between prophecy and history is so tangible in this passage, Lord Jesus. It was out of the context of the historical situation of King Herod trying to back track from the time he had seen the Wise men that there was this need to leave for Egypt. The pain that this despot inflicted on his own people and the blood that was on his hands brings new meaning to the safety and freedom that I live in right now.

17Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18"A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more."

Just in time Joseph and Mary move out and You are kept safe. Lord Jesus as I read these lines I am impressed with the reality of your watch care over my life and times. Keep me safe and guided in this day.

Κύριος Notes:The Magi Meet A Murder

Adoration/Praise

Emmanuel

See the praises of our Saviour

Rise to open skies

With the dawning of redemption

Your glory will aries

For You alone are worthy

Here in Zion you are praised Our Lord and King forever

Emmanuel

Our God is with us

Prince of Peace Mighty One

The Ever-living God

You will reign

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 2:1-12
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

So much is left between the lines Lord in this passage. There were miles to be traveled, discomfort and worry experienced, as well as the assurance that God was watching over the events that formed Mary and Joseph's life.

Then enter the Wise men...They too traveled miles to arrive at Herod's doorstep. They may have traveled the farthest, with the least amount of data. When I think of the data that they had I wonder at it's accuracy and how much stock that they had put in it. They left home and family, risked death and wealth on this enterprise to find the King of the Jews. Maybe they should have been called the Brave men?

3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Herod was a person who if you were close to him you wanted him to be happy. People had a habit of dieing around him when he was not happy. Unease settled over Jerusalem as Herod pondered the request of the Wisemen.

4When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

Herod knew immediately who they were looking for. He must have had some training in the law and the prophets. Note to self...knowledge without obedience just makes for smart despots and not Godly men.

5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6" 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Side note Lord...small places sometimes have large impacts...the places that seem to be off the beaten track are sometimes the places where great movements of Your Spirit begin. Size and location are not as important in your economy as obedience and openness to your leading.

7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

Pious words spoken by a King that had evil in his heart. And yet in the middle of this picture, Herod was part of the direction that lead the Wise men to You Lord Jesus. Herod the Great killer of innocents directed the Magi on their mission.

So what does that imply about the way that You lead Your people Lord Jesus? Evil men sometimes can be used by God in ways that they do not intend? That you are watching over our steps and directing our paths in ways and at moments we least expect?

9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

I don't understand how a star could ever go ahead of these Wise men, but I also don't understand how an evil man bent on murder ends up being used by You to direct people looking for You. I continue to be amazed at the way that you make a way when the way seems unclear and even blocked for those who are seeking to follow your direction. If you did it in the first century for a small group of Wise men and a couple expecting their first child, then you can do it for your people in Saratoga.

11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

They came to worship and give gifts to the small child king, their gifts were tokens of thier honor and faith. Was it partly to support the trip to Egypt that the wise men came? The interconnectedness of grace is something that reoccurrs to me time and time again. God leads and supplies one person and that impacts another which in turn creates opportunity for a third group all of which are being lead and guided, directed and financed by your grace.

12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

What is seen clearly again and again in the Christmas account is the simple fact that you direct your people, your protect your people and you supply the needs of your people.

Lord Jesus in this day help me to look for the ways in which you are leading me.