Growin' Up Gregory

One thing I have really enjoyed about this blog is the ability to look back for things I posted before.  Right now mainly my goals from 2016.  Looking back at previous goals and resolutions gives you a chance to re-evaluate yourself and the success (or failures) you experienced in the previous year.  But before we spend too much time on the past, we need to look at the future to determine where we're headed.  How do you set goals for next year and further in your life?  Let me offer an idea that may help simplify this process by breaking your plans down into four subcategories.  Most of us want to grow, develop, or get better at something in the coming year, but we wonder where to start.  Let's follow Jesus' model in Luke 2:52 - "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." First, he increased in wisdom, intellectually.  This is actually the last verse in the passage where twelve year old Jesus ...

Fourth Name - Christ "Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he (Herod) inquired of them where the Christ was to be born" - Matthew 2:4.  Jesus is called Christ here, the Messiah, The Anointed One.  In Isaiah 9:6, the prophet tells us that Jesus will be a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  Let's look deeper at him being the Everlasting Father in the aspect of him being the giver of life. As we look at a few verses, when we see Jesus Christ, think life. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have" - What? - "eternal life." John 11:25 - "I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live." John 14:6 - "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." John 14:19 - "Because I live, you also will live." How did Jesus show us that he ha...

Third Name - King "Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" - Matthew 2:1b-2a.  So far we have seen Jesus introduced as savior, Immanuel, and now as king, even called a ruler in verse 6.  It is somewhat amusing that the wise men's question about a newborn king reaches the current king, Herod.  Herod is known for his paranoia as king.  His uncertainty is in his position is understandable since he is not truly a bloodline king, nor a Jew, and was merely placed in the position politically by the Romans.  Herod has a history of getting rid of people he perceives as a threat.  He drowned a high priest, and murdered his wife, mother-in-law, and three sons.  Then after hearing about the birth of this baby king, he plotted to murder all male children under two years old.  So here you have Herod, who's not a real king, not a of the royal bloodline, and not even a Jew, being asked, "Wh...

Second Name - Immanuel "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us) - Matthew 1:23.  This verse simplifies the definition of Immanuel but not the full meaning.  The full meaning and impact of Immanuel is an amazing Christmas truth at this time of year. The truth of Immanuel is that God became a man.  This child of Christmas is Immanuel and he's why we celebrate Christmas.  As humans, we are flesh and blood by nature.  But Immanuel was not, he became flesh and blood in order to die our death and pay the price for our sins.  Hebrews 2:14 reads, "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook in the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death."  God became man through his son, Jesus. But he didn't stop there.  He continued to become fully human in every way, becoming a priest to intercede for ...

How often do we allow ourselves today to miss the awesomeness of the true power of Christmas?  Think about it, what is the Christmas season like for most of us?  For my family, it's a few chaotic days of shopping, a couple parties, lots of eating, buying gifts, and just general busyness.  And don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy getting to see family and friends a lot more than usual.  But what is Christmas really supposed to be about it, where does the power that is the aura of the Christmas spirit come from?  We all love seeing lights, decorated trees, Santa Claus, and exchanging thoughtful gifts.  But what peace, power, or hope do they really offer us?  None.  The only true hope that comes from Christmas is the birth of a baby, Jesus Christ.  What is about Christ that gives us this peace, power, and hope that we as Christians get excited about this time of year?  There are four names, four titles, given to him in this passage ...

The Object of Worship We've looked at Mary's attitude of worship, but what is the object of her worship?  Mary's soul magnifies the Lord , and her spirit rejoices in God my savior .  All worship goes to God our father.  Luke 4:8 reads, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve."  In order to worship him, he has to be your savior.  If God's not our savior, if he isn't all knowing, all powerful, all present, and if he hadn't saved us through Jesus Christ, why would we be worshipping him?  No one writes hymns about hell, judgment, and condemnation.  If God was not our savior, we wouldn't be worshipping, we would be hiding in fear. The Cause of Worship Why are you worshipping?  As one speaker puts it, what's your why?  We worship God because of what he does for us personally.  Mary says in verses 48 and 49 that "all generations will call me blessed", and that "he has done great things for me....

Mary's Worship continued... Humble Worship (4/4) True worship can come only from a humble heart, one that has no thought for itself.  Humility is being so focused on God that what happens to you is of little significance.  God gives grace to the humble so anyone who comes to worship him must come in humility.  In verse 48, Mary says that the Lord has "looked on the humble estate of his servant."  Mary finds it unfathomable that God would choose such a common girl as herself to be the mother of Jesus.  Mary didn't have thoughts of, "Well you know God made a pretty good choice in me," or "Certainly there are a lot of other women in the world but none as godly as me."  No, her initial thoughts were toward heaven.  Mary didn't even respond to Elizabeth's praises in the verses just prior to these.  She was overwhelmed by how God could possibly use someone as common as herself.  When Mary uses the term 'humble estate' she'...