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Pastor Terry R Baughman
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A Fresh Start
-A Time for New Beginnings
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Babies and New Years have something in common. I remember as a child seeing the comic strip of old father time with his flowing white beard and well worn sickle in hand, shuffling off to make room for the newborn child delivered promptly at the stroke of midnight December 31st. I remember asking about the meaning of this metaphor. I learned that the New Year begins as a fresh faced child full of faith for a bright future.
The unwrapped package of another year is our gift to open one day at a time. The mystery of the New Year is like the excitement a child feels on Christmas morning that can’t wait to see what will be revealed when the wrapping is ripped away. Unlike the child, we are not allowed to open the entire package; just one day at a time is all we are allowed to see. Next year is a mystery, a secure parcel under the tree of life that cannot be shook, felt, squeezed, or weighed until it is time for the opening. On New Year’s Day we are handed the new package ready for opening. It’s a fresh start, a bright package, and a new beginning.
While we have life and hope we live with anticipation of the blessings of our future. With the dawn of the New Year there seems to be a fresh vision and faith for a new day. Mistakes can be left in the past. Disappointments can be set aside. The storms of yesterday can finally be set in history. It may have just been days ago, but it was last year! Somehow, that makes us feel better. We are able to distance ourselves from the unpleasant past and slip into a faith filled future.
The blessing of the New Birth is much the same. Regardless of the calendar day, when one is born again of the water and of the Spirit he is a new creation. There is sweet release from the past and a bright confidence for the future. The old has passed away; all things have become new! There is now a spring in the step and joy in the heart.
Let the New Year be a time for a fresh start and a new beginning!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Babies and New Years have something in common. I remember as a child seeing the comic strip of old father time with his flowing white beard and well worn sickle in hand, shuffling off to make room for the newborn child delivered promptly at the stroke of midnight December 31st. I remember asking about the meaning of this metaphor. I learned that the New Year begins as a fresh faced child full of faith for a bright future.
The unwrapped package of another year is our gift to open one day at a time. The mystery of the New Year is like the excitement a child feels on Christmas morning that can’t wait to see what will be revealed when the wrapping is ripped away. Unlike the child, we are not allowed to open the entire package; just one day at a time is all we are allowed to see. Next year is a mystery, a secure parcel under the tree of life that cannot be shook, felt, squeezed, or weighed until it is time for the opening. On New Year’s Day we are handed the new package ready for opening. It’s a fresh start, a bright package, and a new beginning.
While we have life and hope we live with anticipation of the blessings of our future. With the dawn of the New Year there seems to be a fresh vision and faith for a new day. Mistakes can be left in the past. Disappointments can be set aside. The storms of yesterday can finally be set in history. It may have just been days ago, but it was last year! Somehow, that makes us feel better. We are able to distance ourselves from the unpleasant past and slip into a faith filled future.
The blessing of the New Birth is much the same. Regardless of the calendar day, when one is born again of the water and of the Spirit he is a new creation. There is sweet release from the past and a bright confidence for the future. The old has passed away; all things have become new! There is now a spring in the step and joy in the heart.
Let the New Year be a time for a fresh start and a new beginning!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
After the Advent
The young maiden moves on to mundane activities of motherhood. The angelic visits are over, the wise men have gone back home, the young couple has settled in Egyptian exile. It’s easy to get away from the realities when lulled to sleep with similarities. It’s routine, predictable procedure; it’s life...
Was He still the Son of God? Yes. Was He still destined to be King of Israel? Yes. Was He still “God with man?” Yes. Was His life still one of purpose? Yes.
But it is the ordinary, the everyday, the customary, that makes you begin to think there is nothing special to all we have seen, and heard, and experienced. It’s the week after the big events. It’s the days after the revival. It’s the year after the greatest miracle of your life.
It’s then it’s so easy to forget the things you should always remember.
What He said is always true. What He did, He will do again. What He is planning has not been scrapped. Whatever He started, He will finish! “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). You see, He is not just the author; He is the finisher!
Thirty years is a long time ... for man. For God it is just ticks on His eternal timepiece. For the mother of Jesus, it was faint hopes and distant memories. Will He ever become anything but a carpenter?
It was a long stretch of faith between the annunciation at conception, the visitations at birth, and the incident in the Jerusalem temple at age twelve, and then until the wedding in Cana of Galilee. But she must have known there was purpose in the waiting.
Destiny dogged His days. Thirty years of preparation, and a little more than three years of ministry. God’s purpose is always on time and it doesn’t take long to fulfill. After the advent there was still the divine purpose and plan.
Regardless of what you have experienced and enjoyed in the past, be assured that God’s plan now is just what it was then. Keep believing and lock the truth in your heart and His touch in your spirit. What He spoke to you in the hours of hope, He remembers even now. He has not changed!
Keep the dream alive. We have cause to believe after the advent!
Was He still the Son of God? Yes. Was He still destined to be King of Israel? Yes. Was He still “God with man?” Yes. Was His life still one of purpose? Yes.
But it is the ordinary, the everyday, the customary, that makes you begin to think there is nothing special to all we have seen, and heard, and experienced. It’s the week after the big events. It’s the days after the revival. It’s the year after the greatest miracle of your life.
It’s then it’s so easy to forget the things you should always remember.
What He said is always true. What He did, He will do again. What He is planning has not been scrapped. Whatever He started, He will finish! “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). You see, He is not just the author; He is the finisher!
Thirty years is a long time ... for man. For God it is just ticks on His eternal timepiece. For the mother of Jesus, it was faint hopes and distant memories. Will He ever become anything but a carpenter?
It was a long stretch of faith between the annunciation at conception, the visitations at birth, and the incident in the Jerusalem temple at age twelve, and then until the wedding in Cana of Galilee. But she must have known there was purpose in the waiting.
Destiny dogged His days. Thirty years of preparation, and a little more than three years of ministry. God’s purpose is always on time and it doesn’t take long to fulfill. After the advent there was still the divine purpose and plan.
Regardless of what you have experienced and enjoyed in the past, be assured that God’s plan now is just what it was then. Keep believing and lock the truth in your heart and His touch in your spirit. What He spoke to you in the hours of hope, He remembers even now. He has not changed!
Keep the dream alive. We have cause to believe after the advent!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wise Men Still Seek and Find
“To those who eagerly wait for him He will appear …” (Hebrews 9:28).
Christ came to those who were anticipating His arrival. Many had heard the prophecies, many had felt it was time, but few looked for Him to come. It was really only Joseph, Mary, a prophetess Anna, the priest Simeon, a few shepherds, and some wise men from the distant East.
Those that knew the Scripture, the prophecies, and the tradition of the Elders, did not look, nor long, for His coming. They could tell you where it would happen. They could point you to circumstances of His arrival. They are still speculating on when He will come. For them He has never appeared.
Notably, the wise men who sought Him were Gentiles, aliens of the promises of God, having no real vested interest in the arrival of a Jewish King or Messianic revelation. Still they sought Him. Their study of the heavens revealed the bright star that began a quest that would last for two years as they sought the child born of humble birth with celestial consequences. What mortal delivery could impact the heavenly sphere? “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy!”
While the majority of men fail to see the significance of His coming, wise men seek at great cost and continuance to find Him. The ones who should have been most aware of His coming and most prepared to receive Him were the least prepared and most apathetic concerning His appearance. They were more content to dwell at Jerusalem in the safety and seclusion of their palatial accommodations than to inconvenience themselves with a short journey to Bethlehem to validate the narrative of the royal visitors from abroad. “Bring us word if you find him,” they said.
The spiritual climate is not much different today. Many still speak of His second coming, many quote scripture and debate prophecy. Many are convinced He will come again ... someday.
Through the back door He will come – as a thief in the night to catch away “those who eagerly wait for him.” The phrase of the Scripture at the beginning of this article is not concerning His coming as a servant in Bethlehem, but to His victorious return. He will come again!
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
The Wise still seek Him... and find Him!
Christ came to those who were anticipating His arrival. Many had heard the prophecies, many had felt it was time, but few looked for Him to come. It was really only Joseph, Mary, a prophetess Anna, the priest Simeon, a few shepherds, and some wise men from the distant East.
Those that knew the Scripture, the prophecies, and the tradition of the Elders, did not look, nor long, for His coming. They could tell you where it would happen. They could point you to circumstances of His arrival. They are still speculating on when He will come. For them He has never appeared.
Notably, the wise men who sought Him were Gentiles, aliens of the promises of God, having no real vested interest in the arrival of a Jewish King or Messianic revelation. Still they sought Him. Their study of the heavens revealed the bright star that began a quest that would last for two years as they sought the child born of humble birth with celestial consequences. What mortal delivery could impact the heavenly sphere? “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy!”
While the majority of men fail to see the significance of His coming, wise men seek at great cost and continuance to find Him. The ones who should have been most aware of His coming and most prepared to receive Him were the least prepared and most apathetic concerning His appearance. They were more content to dwell at Jerusalem in the safety and seclusion of their palatial accommodations than to inconvenience themselves with a short journey to Bethlehem to validate the narrative of the royal visitors from abroad. “Bring us word if you find him,” they said.
The spiritual climate is not much different today. Many still speak of His second coming, many quote scripture and debate prophecy. Many are convinced He will come again ... someday.
Through the back door He will come – as a thief in the night to catch away “those who eagerly wait for him.” The phrase of the Scripture at the beginning of this article is not concerning His coming as a servant in Bethlehem, but to His victorious return. He will come again!
“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).
The Wise still seek Him... and find Him!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Looking for Messiah
It was as old as the prophets, printed promises on faded parchment and decaying scrolls, “He will come.” But, it has been so long. Maybe he will come, ... but in our lifetime?
Years of domination, ages of anguish. Who cares? You think He does? Why haven’t we heard from Him or from His prophets? You would think there would be some fresh word from a contemporary seer. Even the oldest can’t remember ever hearing from a true prophet. Malachi’s message was the last word received and that was 400 years old. Even great-grandparents had not heard a fresh word from a prophet.
Such was the sentiment of peasants and sages. Long known were promises of the past with little real evidence of fulfillment. “If we are to have deliverance we will have to deliver ourselves.” And such was the attempt under the Maccabean revolt.
Time marched on with its travelers little realizing they were entering the stage of momentous events, an age pregnant with prophecy. When the fullness of time was come – God orchestrated events and drew key players of all time to converge on a small backward location to declare His coming. John the Baptist, with crude attire and unorthodox presentation, proclaims the hour of the advent. After 400 years of uneventful silence the grand God of Glory sent the greatest prophet of all time to announce the most eminent event of history -- Messiah is coming!
Expectancy fills the air and hope displaces despair. Maybe He will come – at least it was cause to dream again. When you can hope and dream you can endure present circumstances. Maybe Messiah will come. We will hope and pray He does!
And so, we now look for the Second Advent ... maybe He will come this Christmas!
Years of domination, ages of anguish. Who cares? You think He does? Why haven’t we heard from Him or from His prophets? You would think there would be some fresh word from a contemporary seer. Even the oldest can’t remember ever hearing from a true prophet. Malachi’s message was the last word received and that was 400 years old. Even great-grandparents had not heard a fresh word from a prophet.
Such was the sentiment of peasants and sages. Long known were promises of the past with little real evidence of fulfillment. “If we are to have deliverance we will have to deliver ourselves.” And such was the attempt under the Maccabean revolt.
Time marched on with its travelers little realizing they were entering the stage of momentous events, an age pregnant with prophecy. When the fullness of time was come – God orchestrated events and drew key players of all time to converge on a small backward location to declare His coming. John the Baptist, with crude attire and unorthodox presentation, proclaims the hour of the advent. After 400 years of uneventful silence the grand God of Glory sent the greatest prophet of all time to announce the most eminent event of history -- Messiah is coming!
Expectancy fills the air and hope displaces despair. Maybe He will come – at least it was cause to dream again. When you can hope and dream you can endure present circumstances. Maybe Messiah will come. We will hope and pray He does!
And so, we now look for the Second Advent ... maybe He will come this Christmas!
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