Lori

Wilkerson Stewart

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38 NKJV)

On Christmas Eve, 1968, three astronauts became the first humans to view the Earth from space. Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders, the crew of Apollo 8, spent the night before Christmas orbiting the moon and broadcasting all the glorious images they were witnessing for the first time. In one of the most-watched television events in history, the space travelers read the creation story from Genesis, chapter one, ending with the famous line, “Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you, all of you on the good Earth.” America’s top newsman Walter Cronkite later said, “It was an event beyond all other events.” 

Man’s travel from Earth to space was certainly a monumental event in history, but it doesn’t compare to the moment in time when God traveled from heaven to Earth to be born as a baby. On that holy night of Incarnation, the divine Son of God put on flesh and blood, becoming fully human. Words can’t possibly communicate the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made to become Emmanuel, God with us. We’ll never fully comprehend the mystery of His transformation from God to man. Oh, what a Savior! 

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah prophesied where the Messiah would be born: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

Jesus came to Earth to show us what God is like. But why did His story begin in Bethlehem? His GPS location when He came to Earth revealed something about the character of God. Jesus didn’t come riding on the clouds on a white horse surrounded by myriads of angels, nor did He come to be king over the most powerful empire in the world, and to sit on a golden throne in a grand palace. No, He came to a stable in the tiny town of Bethlehem as a powerless, needy baby—what humility! He came to bring justice to the oppressed and to set the captives free. 

Before Christ, men and women religiously obeyed God’s law, more out of fear than out of love. “Jehovah” was a distant God to be worshipped through rituals, not like the God that Adam and Eve once walked and talked with in the cool of the day. But on that holy night in Bethlehem, God sent His indescribable gift, His only Son. Because Jesus came to Earth, we no longer have to wonder what God is really like. He became one of us, faced the same temptations, and lived a sinless life. What an example for us! And such great expectations He has for us! He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

This Christmas, let’s ask God to help us be more like Him—to be humble lovers of mercy and doers of justice. And let’s thank Jesus for His sacrifice of leaving the glories and riches of heaven to come to Earth. His magnificent incarnation will forever be the event that’s far beyond all other events!

~

Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version^®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 

Every Thanksgiving we take individual pictures of every person—friends and family members—sitting at our table. These are not your typical smile-and-pose pics. No, not even close.

Fifteen years ago, the “Stewart’s Viking Thanksgiving” pic tradition began. That Thanksgiving, our friend brought us a gift from her trip to Scotland—a funny plaid hat with horns and fake red hair. It was a souvenir from Scotland, but we all immediately called it a Viking hat. As my husband carved the turkey, my youngest son immediately claimed one of the giant turkey legs for himself. That led to his siblings suggesting we take a picture of their little brother pretending to bite into the turkey leg while wearing the new Viking hat. Never missing a chance to embarrass himself, he loved the idea and put on a little show for the camera. That photo looked so hilarious that we each took similar pictures with the hat on, holding the turkey leg. What fun we had! After the meal, my husband (without permission!) shared each embarrassing photograph on social media. And a new family tradition was born.

Thanksgiving comes and goes so fast, doesn’t it? So much preparation and planning goes into that brief time we all sit around the table. For me, those moments of guaranteed Viking-hat laughter, followed by prayers of gratitude and reflections of God’s goodness, make it all worthwhile. 

Each year, our Thanksgiving table looks a little different. Some of the family can’t make it for one reason or another. Some are no longer with us. God’s Word gives us some perspective on this:

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:14 NLT)

James reminds us that our life is a vapor, similar to morning fog. Here, then gone. We can know what time the sun will rise and set, but no one knows when mist will appear or vanish. Some things are only known by God. So, savor the moments! Keep those family traditions, no matter how much preparation is required to pull them off! Make happy memories and keep records of them. And follow King Solomon’s advice: So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 8:15)

Happy Thanksgiving!

~

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. 

I taught school for 14 years. Before year 13 got underway, I decided it would be my last year. I was ready to make a career change and go to grad school. Year 13 seemed like the longest school year of my life. When June finally came, I happily resigned and prepared to move across the country. It was the summer of 2006, the now-infamous year the housing bubble burst. We couldn’t sell our house; so, I humbly asked for my job back.

Year 14 was incredibly difficult, as my heart was no longer in teaching. I became desperate for the strength and will to teach my classes each day with a good attitude. After putting so much hope into my future plans, I was back to lesson plans, grading papers, and parent-teacher conferences. I was still teaching.

Jeremiah 33 begins with Jeremiah “still confined in the courtyard of the guard” (vs. 1). During this time, the Lord gives him a message, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come” (vs. 3).

Don’t you love that verse? I’ve heard Jeremiah 33:3 quoted repeatedly throughout my life. However, I never noticed that God offered that extraordinary promise while Jeremiah was still in confinement.

What was Jeremiah doing under palace guard? In the 18th year of King Nebuchadnezzar, Jerusalem was under siege by his Babylonian army. At that time, King Zedekiah of Judah put Jeremiah under palace guard because he didn’t like what the prophet was saying. Jeremiah continuously prophesied doom and destruction for King Zedekiah and Jerusalem.

Time passed. Jeremiah refused to change his prophecy, and we find the prophet is still in confinement.

Can you relate? Perhaps you’re following God’s will and even preaching God’s word. Nevertheless, it feels like you’re being punished.

Maybe you feel like you are still in confinement.
Maybe you are still waiting for your “prison” break.
Maybe you are still desperate to hear from God.

Not only was Jeremiah still confined, but his confinement forced him to be still. A few important take-aways can be gleaned from this passage.

First, in that prison-like place, God’s voice became clear to Jeremiah. The same goes for us. We need to utilize that quiet place of so-called confinement as a time to hear from God. Some of the greatest writings we have in Christianity are from people who were sick or in prison—Watchman Nee, John Bunyan, Martin Luther, Catherine Marshall, and the apostle Paul. Being temporarily “benched” gave them the time and the clarity to write words inspired by the Holy Spirit, the One who speaks in that “still, small voice.”

Also, if we surrender during times of confinement, God’s ultimate purpose is to give us a deeper revelation of Jesus. As the Lord’s message continues to Jeremiah, God begins to reveal the coming Messiah.

“In those days ... I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right.” (Jeremiah 33:15)

Talk about a remarkable secret! There is no greater revelation than a revelation of Jesus Christ! Jeremiah’s prophecy that began with doom and gloom shifts to salvation, restoration, and a new Jerusalem!

For me, teaching in year 14 felt like I was still in confinement. There was only one thing that helped. Each morning I would crawl under my desk and beg God for His help. I taped papers under my desk and wrote prayers, scriptures, and inspirational quotations on them. (This became humorous one day during an intruder drill; when the alert sounded, the students quietly hid under a desk as I shut the blinds and locked the doors. One of the seniors crawled under my desk. She whispered loudly, “Mrs. Stewart, what’s all these notes written underneath your desk?”)

Those mornings under my desk proved life-changing. I learned to be still and wait upon the Lord. Jesus revealed himself to me each morning. Sometimes He was “Teacher,” “Mighty-God,” “Strong tower and Refuge,” “Creative-idea God,” “Shield and defender,” Lover of my soul”—whatever I needed that day, Jesus proved more than enough. Not only that, but I now consider year fourteen one of my favorite years as I had the privilege of teaching some of my all-time favorite students.

If you’re still in confinement, choose to be still in God’s presence. You can expect a revelation of Jesus and a new, sweet intimacy with Him that will make your prison time worthwhile!

~

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

Growing up as a preacher’s kid and now married to a pastor, I often say that Palm Sunday is like the final NFL Playoff game and Easter Sunday is like the Superbowl for pastors. How will you tell the greatest story of all time in a fresh way? What can you include in your message that would convince people to surrender their lives to Jesus?

Besides being in ministry, my husband and I are also dog breeders. Several years ago, our Rhodesian Ridgeback named Nala gave birth to 6 pups. By Easter Sunday, the puppies would be almost 8 weeks old and ready for their forever homes. As we talked about ideas for my husband’s Easter sermon, we thought about how the lamb for the Passover had become like a pet to the family. We couldn’t imagine what it would be like to slaughter one’s family pet! So, I suggested that during his Easter message, I could bring in one of the puppies as a sermon illustration. It wasn’t a lamb, but it could help him make the point.

He agreed; so, we chose the pick of the litter, the one we would sell for top dollar. As expected, the congregation was moved by the illustration, and many people were saved that day.

As Christians, we’re all familiar with Palm Sunday, but did you know that in the time of Jesus, the Sunday before Passover was “lamb selection day?” In other words, it was the day that Jewish families would come to the temple in Jerusalem and choose their “perfect lamb” for the Passover. Then, the family would bring the lamb home to live with them, knowing that within a few days, their new pet would be slaughtered for the Passover meal (Exodus 12:3,5,6).

So, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on lamb selection day, it was as if He was presenting Himself to the people and asking them, “Will you choose me?” And Jesus wasn’t just riding through the streets for attention, He had a destination. As the Lamb of God, could it be that Jesus was headed to the temple to present Himself before His Father and to be approved for sacrifice (Leviticus 1:3)?

As Jesus approached the city, His disciples “began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen” (Luke 19:37). However, when the crowds joined in, the atmosphere changed and became more like a political rally. The people shouted, “Hosanna” and waved palm branches. In Death and Resurrection of the Messiah, author and minister Ray Vander Laan writes:

Hosanna meant “Please save us! Give us freedom! We’re sick of these Romans!” They waved palm branches, a symbol that once had been placed on Jewish coins when the nation was free. The branches did not symbolize peace and love, as Christians usually assume; they symbolized Jewish nationalism, an expression of the people’s desire for political freedom.”

And for the second time in Scripture, Jesus wept (Luke 19:41). The Lamb of God was there, the only One worthy to be slain for the sins of all mankind, yet the people only wanted a political deliverer.

What will your response be on Lamb Selection Day? Will you choose Jesus as your perfect Lamb? Will you believe in the power of the Lamb’s blood, which is able to take away your sins and make you truly free?

~

Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:2 NLT)

Have you ever tried to celebrate Christmas while you were going through a painful season of life? Perhaps things were so dark you literally felt like you were under the shadow of death? In Corrie Ten Boom’s book, Corrie’s Christmas Memories, she recalls a Christmas she spent in Ravensbruck, a concentration camp she was sent to for helping hide Jews during World War II. Her sister, Betsie, had died only 11 days earlier. The day after Betsie passed, Corrie discovered she was released. In order to leave, though, Corrie needed a declaration of health from the camp doctor. Unfortunately, the doctor diagnosed her with edema, and he sent her to recover in the hospital barracks. Corrie describes that agonizing Christmas:

Dark it was in my heart, and darkness was around me... I tried to talk to the people around me about Christmas, but they mocked, ridiculed, and sneered at whatever I said.

In the middle of that lonely Christmas night, Corrie recalled hearing a “feeble-minded” girl in a bed near her calling out, “Mommy! Come to Oelie. Oelie feels so alone.” Knowing the girl’s mother could not go to Oelie, Corrie got up from her bed to comfort her. As a dim light shined through the window next to Oelie’s bed, Corrie could see that even though the girl was reduced to skin and bones, she still had a “sweet face, beautiful eyes and wavy hair.” Recovering from an operation, the incision on Oelie’s back was covered in nothing but a makeshift bandage of toilet paper. Corrie recalls what happened next:

That night I told this poor child about Jesus. How He came into the world as a little baby—how He came to save us from our sins.

“The Lord Jesus loves Oelie and has borne her punishment on the cross. Now Oelie may go to heaven, and Jesus is there right now. He is getting a little house ready for Oelie.” Later I asked her what she remembered of what I told her.

“What is the little house like?” I asked.

“It is very beautiful. There are no wicked people as in Ravensbruck—only good people and angels. And Oelie will see Jesus there.”

The child added, “I will ask Jesus to make me brave when I have pain. I will think of the pain that Jesus suffered to show Oelie the way to heaven.” Then Oelie folded her hands; together we gave thanks.

Then I knew why I had to spend this Christmas in Ravensbruck in 1944.

Jesus said, “I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (John 12:46). I love how Jesus met Corrie and Oelie in the hospital barracks of Ravensbruck, bringing love and light to one of the most horrific death camps in Germany.

If you are facing gloom, despair or darkness this Christmas, take heart. Just as Corrie found purpose in her pain, you can also ask Jesus, the “great light” of Christmas, to bring beauty and hope into your circumstances.

~

(excerpts from Corrie’s Christmas Memories, chapter 4, pages 56-57)

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.