“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4).

I’m certain that for many of us, the end of the year is a time to reflect upon the past and look ahead to the coming year. Now I have absolutely no idea what lies ahead in 2012. But there is no uncertainty about what lies ahead for us in eternity. Peter outlines what we have to look forward to. 

First, he tells us that we have an inheritance awaiting us. When we think of inheriting something, the first thing that comes to mind is that a relative has left something to us. The Bible tells us that’s not a bad analogy because Paul calls us “sons of God” in Galatians 3:26. As such, our heavenly Father has left us an inheritance. The word “inheritance” means something received as a birthright, something not earned. Isn’t that exactly what God’s gift of eternal life is; a gift not earned by us, but earned for us by Christ? 

Then he goes on to tell us that our inheritance is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. These are powerful words. Taken together, they mean that our inheritance can never decay because it’s uncontaminated and will never pass away or diminish in any manner. And further, our inheritance is kept for us by God himself. It’s reserved, guarded from loss, and held fast by God’s never-fading care and concern. Now, that’s something to look forward to, don’t you think?

Let me tell you how these thoughts should bless our hearts as we meditate on our inheritance. There are no doubt stretching times ahead. I don’t know what the next year might bring our way. However, I do know that God is sovereign, and whatever comes will have passed through His hand of goodness and grace. And if what lies ahead causes us tears and sorrow, it’s important to recall our inheritance kept safely in heaven for us. This means that as we think of our inheritance, the things of this world will assume their proper place in God’s providence and plan.

How much time do you spend thinking about your heavenly inheritance? No matter what your answer, you would benefit from more time considering all that God has planned for you; don’t you agree? I’ve determined to meditate and think deeply about heaven during 2012. Ask me how it’s going. My hope is that you will do the same. 

The hymn writer wrote, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” That’s what heaven is, the unveiled glory and grace of Jesus Christ, and it’s waiting there for you.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2)

There have been people who, the minute they were born, were destined for greatness. For example, in 1500 A.D. a baby was born that everyone expected great things from. His name was Charles. His father was Duke Philip, his mother was Joanna, the daughter of Queen Ferdinand of Spain, and he belonged to the famous Hapsburg family who ruled the German Empire. So when Charles was only a day old, he was a very powerful and famous person. On the day he was born, he became the future ruler of part of France, most of Germany, some of Italy, and all of Spain. This Charles became Charles V, one of the most powerful rulers in Europe. But this did not surprise anyone, because ever since his birth everyone expected him to become great.

There was another baby who was destined for greatness the moment he was born. When Jesus was born of Mary, not only did the world know that he was going to be great, but the world also knew many of the details of his life. That is because God caused these details to be recorded in the Old Testament.

There are incredible differences between Jesus and Charles. Charles was born into wealth; Jesus was born into poverty. Charles’ parents were powerful; Mary and Joseph were simple. Charles was born in a palace; Jesus was born in a stable. Charles’ birth was announced to the rulers of the world; Jesus’ birth was announced to shepherds. Charles was wrapped in fine silk; Jesus was wrapped in plain cloth. Charles was greeted by important people; Jesus was greeted by animals in a manger. Charles was born into safety; Jesus had to flee to Egypt. 

Charles ruled by might; Jesus ruled by example. Charles was born in a famous city; Jesus was born in a small village. Charles lived in opulence and splendor; Jesus lived in poverty without a permanent home. Charles was surrounded by servants; Jesus came to serve. Charles died rich and famous; Jesus died as a criminal. Charles was born to rule; Jesus was born to die. Charles died for himself; Jesus died for you and for me.

But beyond all of these comparisons, there is one that must be stressed above all others. Charles is dead; Jesus is ALIVE! This is the perfect time of year to recall the full meaning and significance of Jesus’ birth. Let me encourage you to ask yourself a crucially important question. This Jesus is more than a baby; he is a king. And because he is a king, he demands our allegiance. Have you come under the kingdom of Jesus Christ? If not, it is a simple thing to do. 

First, acknowledge that you are a sinner and in need of a savior. Second, ask Jesus Christ to become your Savior and King, and place your faith in him who died in your place. Third, thank him for what he has done in dying for you. And finally, live for him and joyfully submit yourself to his rule and dominion. If you do, this will become the best Christmas of your life!

“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5)

It’s very strange, especially the week before Christmas, to consider the content of the verse cited above. After all, Christmas should bring us joyful thoughts. It’s supposed to be the most joyous time of the year! Why think of a verse that reminds us of our inborn wickedness, our bent toward evil? Those were the thoughts I dealt with as I meditated on the above verse this past week. 

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that Christmas joy is magnified to an even greater degree if we understand why it was necessary. And further, our joy is intensified as we realize that God did not have to do what he did to rescue us from the wickedness and evil of our hearts. That’s a staggering thought. 

You see, if we take God at his word, then he knows better than we do that every part of our hearts, our intentions and our thoughts are evil; not some of the time, but all of the time. In that light, why would a perfectly holy God devise a plan in eternity past to set in motion a series of events for the purpose of rescuing those whose hearts are continually wretched, wicked, worthless and vile? 

Well, I believe the answer to that question is found, at least in part, in Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He prayed, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You.” 

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus’ birth was part of the eternal and predetermined plan of God. The purpose of his birth was so that he might become a man and live a holy and sinless life, thereby making him the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind. But, according to Jesus’ prayer, what was the purpose of his sinless life and death? Well, the purpose his birth, death and resurrection was for the glory of the Father; “…glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify You.” So the birth of Christ was for the purpose of bringing a sinless sacrifice to the cross in order to glorify the Father. Thus, the cross was all about God’s glory and not primarily man’s salvation. Yet having said that, we must not forget that whenever God works for his glory it is always for the good of man. 

I don’t know about you, but my joy at Christmas is way over the top when I consider the wickedness and evil of my heart and the birth of the One who acted for the Father’s glory in making a way for the salvation of lost sinners. As Christmas Eve approaches, would you take a minute to consider that the birth of Christ is part of God’s redemptive plan for you? If that does not bring you joy, I am not sure what will!

“Because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord …I also have heard you” (II Kings 22:19).

One of the many lessons I have learned about the Lord is that if he does anything well, it’s that he forgives us when we mess up. That’s just another way of saying that the Lord longs to show us grace, to forgive us when we sin against him. Anyone who desires to walk closely with Christ comes to realize that, among other things, God is truly a forgiving God. I count on that every day.

Yet as much as God longs to pour out forgiving grace upon us, his grace does not come without the necessary heart attitude on our part. That’s where the passage cited above speaks to each of us. I see two key words in the verse, words that set the tone for us to be on the receiving end of God’s forgiveness. Take a look.

The first word is “penitent.” In the original language, the word means “soft, weak or tender.” In other words, one thing the Lord looks for as we seek his forgiveness is the degree to which our hearts are not hard, defensive, closed or otherwise rebellious against him. Can you see that such attitudes preclude God’s forgiveness? He wants us to be soft towards him as we come to him to be forgiven.  

But note as well the word “humbled.” It means “to be subdued or brought low.” That’s simply suggests that a proud or haughty spirit does not find itself on the receiving end of forgiving grace. Put all of that together now. The verse tells us that God hears us when we have soft and subdued hearts as we seek his forgiving grace.

Let’s now make that practical for us. My guess is that many of us have something for which God’s forgiving grace is needed. And further, you may not have evidenced the attitudes of heart that God listens for as it relates to being on the receiving end of his forgiveness. As a result, you may find yourself sensing a degree of distance from God. What can you do to restore the close fellowship with God that he desires?

The answer is contained in the verse cited above. First, check your heart. In other words, make certain that your heart is soft and responsive to the Lord and what you know to be right. Don’t be defensive or rebellious. Let that go! Second, go to the Lord with genuine humility and lowliness of spirit. Such a posture on our part guarantees a listening ear on his part. 

I don’t know about you, but my spirit is always unsettled when there is something that I know I should take to the Lord, yet delay in doing so. If that describes you, act now. Check your heart and make the necessary adjustments so that the Lord might say to you, “I also have heard you.”