It's a New Year - Lighten Up

By Brenda Black

From the beginning, God had a plan for our good; for beauty, perfection and paradise. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...” (Genesis 1:1) His plan filled the universe with light and life. “And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4) The plan has not changed. God still wills light and life into each new day and every new year that the earth stays in orbit. He interjects Himself into all of creation, including humanity. And we are called to reflect that radiance in our actions and proclaim His residence within our hearts. We were chosen for glory! So lighten up!

This marvelous beginning begins with you. It starts the moment you choose the life and light the Lord made ready eons ago. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:3-6)

The Father of all creation determined from the beginning to make a way to make you His own, then He gave you a choice. The first day you commit to Christ, your destiny is illuminated. As a new year approaches, what will you choose? Light or darkness? I suggest you start it enlightened. Be filled with the Light of the World by serving Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God --” (John 1:9-12) You have the right to live righteously if you choose wisely. That's a pretty good New Year's resolution.

Once the Lord is inside of you, let His light shine out of you! Be a beacon of help and hope in a dark and needy world. God separated the light from the darkness not only in the heavenly realms, but right here on earth, where those who walk in light make a brilliant difference. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Finally, live lightly. “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength...” (Psalm 89:15-17a)

He came as light. We are called to be light – every day... every year... until He comes again. “For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Lighten Up in 2012! You just might see a gleaming difference!

copyright 2011-2012 the Word's Out - Brenda Black

His Name Shall Be Prince of Peace

(Final in series)

By Brenda Black

“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

The Wonderful Counselor points the way to a Mighty God that will never fail and into the arms of our Everlasting Father who watches over us forever. But wait! There's more – so much more! The Babe in the manger came to a world at war to reign as the Prince of Peace!

To better grasp peace, we must consider the anguish it replaces. Go back in chapter 9 of Isaiah and see the contrasts. Darkness versus light (vs. 2); gladness versus burden (vs. 3-4); a yoke verses a staff (s. 4).

Christmas time and light go hand in hand. Strings of glowing bulbs line house gutters as well as businesses, trees, bushes, wood or iron lawn ornaments, porch spindles and even poodles with reindeer antlers and blinking noses. We illuminate stars, attempting to imitate the heavens. Twinkling spectacles transform into laser light shows complete with orchestrated, techno tunes. We light candles and line our sidewalks with luminaries to brighten dark winter nights and present a warm welcome to evening carolers. Light makes plain objects magical and long nights tolerable. The Prince of Peace came as the Light of the World to lead us out of spiritual darkness.

“'The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.' From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'” (Matthew 4:16-17)

Gladness and burden are equal companions at Christmas. We are happy to give and long to express our love for family and friends through thoughtful trinkets and treasures. Parties sound delightful, but crowd an already over-extended schedule. The burden to bear the expense and find the time to shop among the masses and attend every celebration can become overwhelming. Keep in mind, burdens don't sneak up on you and knock you flat! Burdens accumulate. At first they seem bearable. Then the longer we carry them, the more we add to them, the more cumbersome they become until we can tolerate it no more. Good things, and bad things, like worries, sorrow, fear, financial hardship, and a hundred more weights from the world pile up in our minds and on our shoulders. If we don't lay them down daily, they will waylay us ultimately! The Prince of Peace came to bear our load and show us a simple path to glory.

“But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful...Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (Psalm 68:4,19)

In the final weeks of the calendar year, it begins. The tidal wave of choking pressure to have the latest, greatest gadget or give the best deal! It's easy to feel swept up by the commercialism of Christmas, hammered by loud, annoying advertisements harping at us to buy, buy, buy or nag, nag, nag until you get, get get! It's really quite disgusting if you think about it. And it is suffocating. This urge to splurge on things unnecessary is like a heavy yoke clamped over your shoulders, forcing you to surrender and follow the herd mentality. The alternative is the calm, quiet nudge of a loving Savior who reaches out with his long, smooth, curved staff and pulls you closer. The same Good Shepherd will also get in the yoke with you and help bear the load. With Him it is safe and meaningful; there in the manger and in the arms of the Messiah. The Prince of Peace came to set us free.

“'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'” (Mt. 11:28-30)

“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

May God bless you this Christmas with His presence in all of its magnificent forms.

2011 copyright by The Word's Out - Brenda Black

His Name Shall Be Everlasting Father

(Third in a series)

By Brenda Black

“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

How can an infant son be the Everlasting Father? The notion is marvelous at its base and mind boggling from that point forward. Just think, He's an infinite infant, blessed forever to reign without end. The third name attached to the Babe of Christmas solidifies the eternal quality of this mysterious deity and gives us a glimpse of this loving and perfect parent that will never leave or forsake us.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” (John 1:1)

Jesus did not begin in Bethlehem. He has always been. While you try to wrap your head around that, don't fret too much. So much of the person of our Lord is beyond our understanding. How can we fathom forever when “[our] days are like the evening shadow; [we] wither away like grass. But you, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.” (Psalm 102:11-12) Yet, God longs to reveal Himself like a loving father wishes to impart lessons for life to his son or daughter. “Call to me and I will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Quite frankly, I don't believe God expects us to get it over the course of a vaporous life that quickly dissipates. This is just training ground for the rest of our days spent in eternity getting to know God completely. “Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

What's exciting about this arrangement is that even in my limited, finite circumstance, the Everlasting Father sees the big picture. He is yesterday, today and forever the same. He knows my past, He's in my present, He's planned a beautiful future. What a great Daddy! He'll be guiding me forever...if I'll just listen and follow!

Jesus is the Babe. Jesus is the Beginning. He also proclaims in John's Revelation “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (1 John 1:l7b-18) Jesus may have manifested Himself fully in the form of a child, fragile and vulnerable to every hardship and evil in this world. But His 33 years here on earth do not negate His royal and powerful standing over all of the universe and everything, everywhere that ever existed or will exist. He has the power over life and death!

“'Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:12-13)

The Wonderful Counselor points the way to a Mighty God that will never fail. We are well advised and adequately protected by such a Savior. As believers in this multifaceted Messiah, it is especially good to know that Our Everlasting Father began before the manger to plan for our future. That should bring you perfect peace...We'll talk about that fourth amazing name next week!

His Name Shall Be Mighty God (Second in a series)

By Brenda Black

“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

Last week, we wondered over the Wonderful Counselor. This week we'll discover the power of a Mighty God, feared before He was ever born by those in the heavenly realms who knew that this infant babe came to rule the world. We must never forget “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” (1 John 3:8b)

The fierce Spartans had a saying: “come back with the shield or on top of it” which meant don’t come back unless you are victorious. The samurai were heavily armed soldiers covered in armor and willing to die for their masters. They wielded a sword sharp enough to slice a man in two. The Roman Legion helped establish an empire that was unrivaled in terms of size and power through discipline and strategy and cruel inhumanity. Some of the mightiest warriors in history banked on advanced weaponry, raw courage, loyalty and wit to win wars and conquer millions. But for all their blood, sweat and tears, the battles fought and won were temporary at best. And the might they expended amounted to a mere drop in the bucket to the Almighty Himself.

Mighty God, El Gibbor – Strong, powerful, mighty, champion, hero! The soldiers of Israel are described as “mighty men of valor” in the book of Joshua and the Lord Himself is called “mighty in battle” in Psalm 24:8. Jesus is a powerful warrior and His army is incited to rise in the ranks and go into battle fearless.

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 103-4)

To think of an innocent babe in the manger and sing songs of a holy and silent night are soothing thoughts and sounds of Christmas. But what did it sound like in the heavenly realms when Jesus came to earth? Were there swords drawn by demons and angels? Did the holy charge of God surround that cave and create an impenetrable barrier unseen by human eyes, but gleaming and fierce to the glowering orbs of an army of demons kept at bay and powerless? They couldn't stop His birth. They couldn't stop His purpose.

Christ was born. Christ lived. Christ battled the devil himself in the desert and won! Christ gave up His life and took it back again, conquering the grave! That's the Mighty God who was born a baby!

He's a Wonderful Counselor, deserving of our worship and our obedience. And Jesus is a Mighty God, able to protect and defend us. He promises His strength and commands our allegiance. The battle we wage is not against flesh and blood, but against the dark forces and a deceitful enemy. This Christmas, I am glad that my Jesus has already won the victory and that I live in freedom in a heavenly kingdom secured by a Mighty King!

All I Want for Christmas

By Brenda Black

I could write of the Christmas hustle and bustle. I could tell you about traditions or share a nifty recipe just in time to rescue you from the 4-dozen cookie exchange coming up this Saturday. We could think together about miracles and charities and benefactors who fulfill Christmas dreams. This space could be devoted to deep pondering over world religions and the ever changing face of American culture where holiday greetings from store clerks incense seasonal shoppers when they don't hear “Merry Christmas.” Or I could just tell you what I really want for Christmas.

Don't worry. I'm not going to itemize a long list of material what-nots to fill my kitchen or bedroom closet. I don't have room for anything more and, in fact, would do well to purge rather than gather another possession. What I truly desire for Christmas can't be bought online or in a department store. You won't find it on special and it isn't sitting in a warehouse in China.

All I want is for people to see Christ as the Savior of the World, not just at Christmas, but always. I want small country churches to be bursting at the seams because “good, moral country folk” realize their good deeds and manners aren't a sure ticket to heaven. They need a Savior and the church needs saints who are faithful and committed and so in love with Jesus that they want to be there and learn and worship! I want to hear about churches in the city that are teaching the Word, not just gathering for a social hour. I want people everywhere to humble themselves and seek His face and stop pretending like good enough is good enough when they, like me, need grace!

This Christmas, I want young families to feel the urgency of teaching the Scriptures to their precious, priceless children more than appeasing them with temporary packages that quickly lose their attention. I want them to know the pleasures of watching their babies grow up in the safe arms of Jesus, especially in a world more and more filled with hate. I long for them to experience the indescribable joy of seeing faith grow through the help and love of fellow believers who nurture and teach and pray for one another as they come together.

On my list are visions of worship where it doesn't matter what position you take or how loud or old fashion the music. Instead, God takes center stage and we can't help but pour out our adoration! I want to see genuine expressions of gratefulness and submission to a Holy God who deserves nothing less. I want to hear praise, not curses, on the tongues of professing Christians who know the difference!

For Christmas, I want to be carried away by a true revival that sweeps across this land and puts the Light of the World back on His rightful throne! I want to live in such a way, that when that great movement begins undulating from soul to soul, I'll be riding the first wave out!

That's all I want for Christmas because Christ is all that Christmas, or any other day of this life, is about! All I want is for my loving Lord, who humbled himself and came to earth, to be honored and worshiped all year long. And for everyone I know to get it – the best Christmas gift of all.

**If you want this gift, I'd be happy to share it. If you've already received it, I'd love to hear what the Lord means to you and how you plan to share Him with others. You can leave a comment here or visit www.thewordsout-brendablack.com and send me a private message.

His Name Shall Be

By Brenda Black

“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

Most of us have one given name at birth. Sure, friends might add a nickname as we grow and take on personality traits. We might become “Zoomer” or “Slam Dunk” to those who know us best. Of course, parents may grant us the “I'll be known by this till my death” pet name such as “Tubs” or “Critter” and use it as a term of endearment until we start dating. Then it becomes leverage to insure their teen observes curfew to the minute. Some will change or lengthen their moniker upon marriage. But, for the most part, we legally and socially claim one name.

Jesus, who endured all things and became all things in order that we might receive redemption, also related to all of mankind by being called a host of names. Though God's angel Gabriel instructed Mary and Joseph to give their Son the name Jesus, He was also called the Christ and the Messiah. Those names and many others defined the roles He fulfilled in history and described His divine qualities. This Christmas season, I think it's fitting to take a closer look at the names Isaiah prophesied of His King: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. When we get to know Him better, we'll want to worship not just the babe in the manger, but the King on the throne.

Wonderful Counselor - The name immediately strikes awe by its very nature. It is the name that best defined the Christ's arrival – miraculous, a marvel. Wonderful indicates something unusual or extraordinary. The Key Word Study Bible explains that, except for one reference in Scripture, every time this word is used it “appears in the context of God's words or deeds.” His name is truly Wonderful. His ways are amazingly Wonderful. His gifts and power and grace and judgment are Wonderful!

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced.” (1 Chronicles 16:8-12)

Now some might think winning a $254 million Powerball lottery is wonderful. I suppose it sounds pretty grand, but has anyone noticed that the owners of the ticket only took about a 100 million home after taxes. Kind of kicks the marvelous out of the equation a bit. And do those who plunked down hundreds of dollars for their chance at the ticket still think it is so amazing when the wealthy walked away more wealthy and those desperate for a miraculous break more poor for their investment. No, winning a lottery is not all that wonderful in the big scheme of things. It's fleeting. It is financially complicated. It can become a snare and often leaves people worse off than those who never raked in the mega bucks, after they squander their unexpected fortune.

The Wonderful Counselor has much to say about where we place our trust. It's not in money. And that brings us to the second part of this glorious and marvelous name – Counselor. The Psalmist David explains it this way in the lyrics to his thirty-second Psalm. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.” (Psalm 32:8-10)

When you think you don't have the answers, the Wonderful Counselor rises from within and leads the way to profound truth. “...I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” How wonderful!

copyright ~The Word's Out - Brenda Black 2011

One Deserves Thanks

By Brenda Black

“We often forget the Source from which the blessings of fruitful years and healthful skies come...No human wisdom hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God...I therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States...to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficient Father who dwelleth in the heavens.” – Abraham Lincoln

Political correctness will tolerate a “God bless you” for there are many adherents to generic gods categorized and defined by the men who claim them. But the God of the universe to whom Abraham Lincoln gives credit is more than a man made entity worshiped when convenient. This God of our nation's history and this God of our very existence is the Father of Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. The Source of our salvation and the giver of all things. He is Christ the Lord and Redeemer. This God that answers to no other is Almighty and omniscient. He is holy and just, righteous and perfect. The “Source from which the blessings...come” is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This God of blessing is Jesus.

“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.'

“And he says in another place, 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'

“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:4-10)

Though perfected in human form through suffering, Jesus already existed in the beginning. You see, God took His only Son, the second slice of His own identity and rendered a flesh-covered offering of Himself for the sake of humanity.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it...He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husbands' will, but born of God.

“The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-14)

As Lincoln said, “No human wisdom hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God.” And as the 16^th President of the United States implored the citizens of this great nation to give thanks, I exhort this generation to do the same. Go back to the Source! Remember the Savior! Give Thanks to the Father!

Thanksgiving is not a generic holiday to celebrate false gods and acknowledge all religions. It is a day set apart to worship and revere the One True God who created all we have, provides all we need and loved us to death on the cross by giving up all of Himself. We worship One who conquered enemies in the spiritual realm and enemies on the earth that we might be blessed.

God alone deserves our thanks.

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