Walking HIS Trail

The CHRISTMAS Story as told in the BOOK OF LUKE 2:2-20

SO…..What is the Gospel?

The Bible clearly teaches the deepest and most significant need of mankind is to be reconciled to a Holy God. God reveals Himself in Scripture as a God of perfect holiness and justice, a God who punishes all sin and every transgression of His holy law without fail. God could not be good and perfect and just, as He is, and also allow sin to go unpunished. He created mankind in a condition of innocence and righteousness, but the first man, Adam, chose to disobey God’s command and, as a result, brought guilt and judgment on himself and all his posterity.

Romans 5:12 says:
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

All men, on account of Adam’s first sin, are born sinners. That means that we are separated from God, spiritually dead and inclined, by nature, to disobey God’s laws. Our condition is described in passages like the following:

Romans 3:9-19
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; “Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And the path of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;

Ephesians 2:1-3
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

God’s righteousness. We not only do what God has commanded us not to do, we fail to do what God commands us to do, and we are devoid of the supreme love for God that is at the very heart of God’s law. For this reason, we cannot do any works that are acceptable in the sight of God. Even at our best, our own good works are stained with our sinfulness, because we are not able to act out of a pure heart of supreme love for God. According to the prophet Isaiah, “all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment…” (Isaiah 64:6).

Dear reader, this means that no matter whether you think you are a pretty good person, no matter what “good deeds” you’ve done, no matter what good qualities you have or how hard you may have tried to do good, in God’s sight, you are a guilty sinner. No amount of good works can take away the guilt of sin. No human efforts can change your heart, which, according to God’s Word is impure and desperately wicked. Nothing you could do can give new spiritual life, when you are dead in trespasses and sins. Moreover, God has promised a day of judgment, in which He will, “reward every man according to his deeds.” The Bible has much to say about the judgment of men. Jesus, in fact, during His earthly ministry, warned often about the coming day of judgment on sin. That judgment, according to the Scriptures, will be a judgment that leads to eternal punishment in a place of fiery torment. Consider, for instance the following passage from the book of Revelation:

Revelation 20:11-15
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

This is only one of the many places where God’s Word warns us of the final judgment and the punishment that awaits unrepentant sinners.

The gospel, however, is the good news that God has done for us sinners what we could not do for ourselves. God sent His own Son into the world to provide salvation for lost sinners. Jesus Christ was not just a great man who lived in history. He was and is eternal God – God the Son – come into the world in human flesh. Because Jesus was perfect God while also being fully man, He lived a life of perfect righteousness. He is the only man who never sinned and who withstood all the temptations of the devil. He had no sin of His own. However, He came into this world to die a sinner’s death. He was arrested and, though innocent of any crime or any sin, He was crucified by the Roman authorities. All this, however, was according to the plan of God from eternity past, because, when Jesus died on that cross, He bore the punishment and wrath of God against sin. He became a substitute for sinners and took the punishment for our sins upon Himself.

Isaiah 53:5-6
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—

1 Peter 2:24
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

After 3 days, Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating His victory over death and hell and proving that God the Father had accepted His sacrifice as atonement for the sins of others.

This means that forgiveness of sins and eternal life is given as a gift of God, by faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is given to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ instead of trying to earn their place with God by their own efforts. Believing on Christ means more than just believing the historical facts about Jesus. It’s more than giving an intellectual assent to the truth. It means that you, first of all, come to recognize your own need – that you know and believe that you are a lost and guilty sinner in the sight of a holy God and that you cannot make up for your sin or “fix yourself” by your own efforts. It means, then, that you come to Christ, turning away from your sin, and you take or receive Christ for yourself, as your only Saviour and the the rightful Lord of your life and your soul. It means that you put away any pretense to righteousness or merit or anything that you may think worthy in yourself; you confess yourself spiritually bankrupt and empty, and you lean wholly on Christ and what Christ has done in your stead.

To the best Mom in the whole wide world … I love YOU!!!

Today is the day. Six years ago on December 21, 2006. It was a Thursday. And my mother died that day.  Her physical body may have died. But the HOPE that she was given years before her death … that HOPE that is only found in our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST, that HOPE had taken her spirit to be with HIM into eternity. An eternity with our LORD, with our KING, with our SAVIOR, with HIS LOVE that can NEVER EVER be described by human words. She found her REST, she found her PEACE, she found HIM there waiting with open arms … extended and then wrapped tightly around her. Forever holding onto her like she could have never known here on this planet Earth.

On the Sunday after her death was Christmas Eve. My mother’s funeral service was in the early afternoon and so, there, at Canby Lutheran Church, I spoke these words that our Lord had given to me that morning:

THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

Proverbs 31: 10 – 31 tells us of a virtuous wife. In verse 10, the Bible states that who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. I believe that when we look at the life of my mother, Winifred Grace Beck, we can see a virtuous wife.

In verse 11, it states that the heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack of gain. My father trusted my mother with his household.

In verses 13-15, they read… These verses show that this woman is a hard worker and skillful. This virtuous woman does things she enjoys, finding her joy and fulfillment in varied tasks. This woman gives of herself to care for her family and friends.
Mama was a hard worker and skillful in many areas of her life. She showed me that being a housewife truly plays an important role in the lives of your husband and family. While many women around her were seeking fulfillment in full-time jobs away from their families, she was showing me that to be at home for your family is thee most important fulfillment that a wife and mother can know. She enjoyed keeping her home clean for her husband and family. She enjoyed cooking meals and baking wonderful pies, cakes, and cookies for her family. She enjoyed gardening and harvesting the fruits of her hard work and putting them away for her to use through the winter months. She enjoyed her flower beds and working in them so that they would produce beautiful flowers. She sewed and mended clothing with her own two hands so that we would always have nice clothes to wear. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting sweaters and afghans for her children and grandchildren. And the Christmas before her stroke – over 7 ½ years ago, my mother made an afghan for each one of her grandchildren. Let’s see – that is 11 afghans – each one receiving a gift of love from their Grammy Beck. She also crocheted doilies and tablecloths for a special touch in her home. She enjoyed preparing the Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s meals for our family. Colossians 3:23 tells us: ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men’. And because my mama worked hard and joyfully, she passed on that heritage to her family.

Looking in verses 16-19, they read…These verses show a virtuous woman who buys and sells and builds her own resources. My Mama was a Stanley Home Products dealer for 42 years. She was her own best customer. She used these products in her home to keep our home clean and tidy. She also demonstrated these products in the homes of her friends and family. She enjoyed telling others about these wonderful products. Over the 42 years of service to this job, she was acclaimed as one of the top sales persons many, many, many times. She knew that the Stanley Home Products were profitable for her to use as well as sell to others. Once again, as Colossians 3:23 speaks to us: ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men’. And because she worked hard and joyfully, she passed on that heritage to her family.

Looking in verses 20-22, they read… Since this virtuous woman has provided for her family she is then able to extend the precious gifts that our Lord has given her to others around her. Our Lord gave Mother wonderful musical gifts. Mother enjoyed using these gifts by playing the piano and organ for years and years at both Lightstreet Lutheran Church and Canby Lutheran Church during Sunday School and at times during Church. She enjoyed singing praises to our King Jesus as she was a member of the choir in both congregations. She also enjoyed sharing her special musical gifts with others when Mom and Dad were camping at the Camping Club chapel services or at the campground’s chapel services. Mama also used her gifts of organization to help me begin a Muscular Dystrophy carnival held in Lightstreet. We held a yearly carnival for at least 6 years and my mother continued this ministry even after I left to go to college. Mama also helped every year at the Lightstreet Lutheran church fairstand. She was faithfully there to help setup, waitress, and clean up every day that the stand was open. She would help with meals that the church provided for people that have passed on before her. Mama also helped me to organize a clothing give-away right here in this church. She enjoyed always being there to lend me a helping hand. She had a heart for others and she used the gifts that our Lord gave her to bring Him honor and glory. Again, as Colossians 3:23 speaks to our hearts: ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men’. And because she worked hard and joyfully, she passed that heritage on to her family.

Looking in verse 25, it reads… Mama’s strength came from the Lord. Mama’s honor came from the Lord and she dressed herself in this strength and honor. She made sure that each and every week that she attended church to worship and adore our Lord. She was obedient to the Lord because He states in Exodus 20: 8-9 that we are to ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.’ She ensured that her children also attended church so that we too could fellowship with other believers and worship and praise our Lord. She made sure that we went to Sunday School where we were taught the truths of God’s Holy Word. She took us to Vacation Bible School to be taught as well. Even, during the summer months when we were camping nearly every weekend, she made sure that we attended church. It was important that she herself and her children would know that Jesus is our Savior. She also wanted us to gird ourselves with His strength and honor. She enjoyed worshipping our Lord and wanted that same enjoyment for us, her children. As stated in Proverbs 22:6, ‘ Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.’ And again, as Colossians 3:23 speaks to our hearts: ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men’. And because she worshipped her Lord joyfully, she passed that heritage on to her family.

In verse 27 we read… Mama watched over all of us. She not only took care of her home by working hard, she also took care of her home by showing us how to have fun with each other. She showed us that work is not all there is in this life, that we needed to spend time together as a family and enjoying one another’s company. Nearly every weekend, we would get together in the evening with family or friends. We talked, played games, and enjoyed being together. Mama laughed and took in the sweet aroma of family. Once again, as Colossians 3:23 speaks in our hearts: ‘And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men’. And because she found joy in her family, she passed that heritage on to her loved ones.

In verses 28 –31 we read… I know that I rise up and I call my Mama blessed for all that she has given me. A heritage of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and a heritage of family that can be passed down through generations to come until the return of our Lord and blessed Savior, Jesus Christ.

And, I know that my Mama is with our Lord, Jesus, because she believed that Jesus was the Son of God and she asked Him to be her Savior from her sins. As in John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’
I know that my Mama would want to make sure that each and every one of her family and friends were invited to join her in heaven with Jesus and His saints. So, if you have never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and asked Him to be your eternal Savior, I would ask that you do that today. Seek Him and make your reservation in Heaven by asking Him to be your Savior and to forgive you of all your sins. My mother wants to see all of you here one day in heaven with her and to join with her in the reunion of the Saints.

I love you Mama! And, I’ll see you later! With all my love, your daughter, Lori Ann

The Sunday before Thanksgiving Scott and I made the decision to put our Aussie, Little Bear, down. She had been having seizures for the past 4 years which were occurring every 9 – 14 days. On that fateful day, she continued to seizure for many, many hours without the increase in her meds taking hold. It was time, our Little Bear had struggled for years and years with meds and with seizures.
I miss my Little Bear. She was my friend….She was my constant shadow…Click, click, click would her little feet go as she followed me around the kitchen and then around the dining room table. Up the stairs… She was right behind me. Outside for a walk…she was by my side… Hiking the fall’s trails…never but a foot away from me. And now, my Little Bear is gone. I miss her presence in our home…in my life. There is a hopelessness that pervades my soul, for she can not be revived … ever. She is gone and never to return … ever.

While thinking about this hopeless feeling, I became aware of a thought regarding those people who lose loved ones. That this hopeless feeling may be similar to those people who have lost loved ones… for either a person who has lost a loved one OR for the person who has died… if either one of these persons does not truly know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, then there will be no hope of seeing that loved one again…ever. What a terrible, terrible loss… this hopeless feeling is so … terribly hopeless.

Having lost my Little Bear, I can understand hopelessness. But this hopelessness does not need to be so… for I have a HOPE… a glorious HOPE. That HOPE is found in my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ. He has died for my sins and has covered my sins with His blood. My sins have been pardoned and I now have the HOPE of eternal life in heaven with my Lord and Savior. I am a new creation for the Holy Spirit has quickened me and He has awakened me so that I choose Jesus as the King of my life. My eyes have been opened! My ears have been awakened to His Words! Alleluia Lord Jesus! You are KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS!!! To whom shall I go? YOU have the WORDS of eternal life!!! Alleluia!!! You are my HOPE!!!

Truly, friend, all is not lost… all is not hopeless …. FOR…HE can be your HOPE … and HE can be your family’s HOPE … and HE can be your friend(s)’s HOPE… BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRISTand THOU SHALT BE SAVED!!!

“LOVE the LORD, your GOD, with all of your HEART, SOUL, MIND, and STRENGTH” Mark 12:30