by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 20, 2011 | regular
This week we’re investigating the truth regarding Christmas. While we navigate through massive malls, peruse exquisite boutiques, my goal is that the real meaning of Christmas IS NOT lost. Additionally, I want to show you how God uses EVERYDAY people to do amazing things. Scripture is replete with examples of these people.
Was God arbitrary when He chose Mary? The Bible says, “God is looking for people to use.” If you’ll just get useable, God will wear you out! You have not really lived until you experience being used by God to bless somebody else. Some of you are saying, “God could never use me.” Please allow me to sum up that thought with two words: You’re wrong!
Not only can God use you, but He wants to use you. He’s waiting. He’s eager to use you in ways you have not even imagined. When God decides to do something major, why does He chose ordinary people? Why Did God Choose Mary?
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27
Was it because of her education? No!
Because she didn’t have any.
Was it because of her wealth? No!
Because she was poor.
Was it because of her maturity? No!
Because she was a teenager.
God took an ordinary woman and used her in an extraordinary way. That’s what makes her special.
God chose Mary because she TRUSTED Him.
Mary had all kinds of fears, but she never let her fears control her. Check out Mary’s initial reaction:
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1:29-30
The angel explained what would happen and Mary’s initial reaction was shock. The Greek word for “confused and disturbed” is “petrified, scared to death.” Wouldn’t you be a little scared if an angel showed up at your door? She had every reason to be frightened but she didn’t let her fears control her.
As I reflect on this passage, I see four types of fears Mary probably experienced. First, there was the fear of criticism. She’s probably thinking, “What’s everybody going to think? I’m a virgin and I’m having a baby.” Next, there’s the fear of the supernatural. She’s thinking, “What will happen to me?”Additionally, there’s the fear inadequacy. I’m led to believe she’s thinking, “How can I handle this?” Finally, there’s the fear of change. She must be thinking, “This will change my life forever?”
So what’s the lesson behind all of this you can apply to your life immediately?
God Uses People Who DECIDE to pay the cost.
There’s always a cost in following God’s plan for your life. Therefore, here’s another resolution to consider for 2011: “God, I want to get closer.” It will not happen automatically, it’s going to cost you something. You’re must be willing to give up some things. There will always be costs, risks, and it will always require faith.
How do I know:
IT COST MARY HER REPUTATION & COMFORT!
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 19, 2011 | regular
The Christmas season is here and in full effect!
Although Christmas has been commercialized & secularized, many haven’t forgot that the reason for the season is Jesus Christ! Although we traditionally celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th, I can assure you it’s highly unlikely Christ was born on December 25th. Intrigued? Please hold your judgments and read on.
DISCLAIMER: The Scholar In Me Is About To Come Out 😀
Throughout history, calendars have been dated according to important historical events. Our calendar is dated in relation to the birth of Jesus. “B.C.” = ‘Before Christ’. “A.D.” = “Anno Domini’ = ‘in the year of our Lord.’ How did they come up with this date? Is this 2010 years after the birth of Jesus?
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar came up with the “Julian Calendar”, with 12 months and 365 days. It was based on the founding of the city of Rome. In 1582 AD, it was revised by Pope Gregory XIII, because it had fallen behind by 10 days. He declared October 5th to be October 15th and arranged for Leap Years. He based the new calendar on the date of the birth of Christ. Our current calendar is called the “Gregorian Calendar”. It’s pretty accurate, but it’s off by 26 seconds each year. (Source: Logos 4 Bible Software)
Our calendar is based on the birth of Jesus. HOWEVER, if you look in your Bible, the birth of Jesus is dated at 4 or 5 B.C. Pope Gregory was in error by 4-5 years. How do we know this? We look to history. Jesus was born when Herod was King. He reigned for 37 years. Josephus (a Jewish historian) says that there was a lunar eclipse shortly before Herod’s death. History tells us that Herod died 7 days before the eclipse. The eclipse is dated in March of 4 B.C. (Source: WORDsearch Bible Software)
Are You Still With Me?
Mary & Joseph’s flight into Egypt occurred BEFORE the death of Herod. The Bible tells us that Herod died while they were in Egypt (Source: Matthew 2:14-15, 19-20). Mary had to wait 40 days after the birth of Jesus before she could present Jesus before the Lord (Luke 2:2; Leviticus 12:2-8). SO, they couldn’t have traveled to Egypt until after 40 days after the birth of Jesus. According to Luke 2:2, Quirinius was Governor of Syria TWICE. The FIRST time was around 4 B.C. This puts the birth of Jesus around 4-5 B.C.
We celebrate Christmas on December 25th. WHY?
In 180 A.D., Clement of Alexandria wrote that the birth of Jesus was thought to be on April 21 … or April 22 … or May 20 … depending on who you asked. Most believed that it was around the Passover time. This is when the shepherds would be out in their fields … not in the winter (December). WHY DECEMBER 25th? In the 4th Century, the Western Church set the date as December 25th. There was a pagan holiday on that date, and so to diminish and obscure the importance of the pagan holiday, they decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus on that date (Source: Logos 4 Bible Software).
In closing, if God would have wanted us to know the exact date…if it was that important…He would have told us.
The IMPORTANT thing is … to celebrate the birth of Jesus … no matter what date you choose.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 16, 2011 | regular
I am a voracious reader. In fact, I love to read and I never pass up an opportunity to visit bookstores. I will literally sit for hours, scan book & magazines, and fill my Moleskine notebook with pertinent information. This week I invite you to join me and take a peek in my notebook and see my thoughts.
As promised, every Friday I’ve decided to share my “Top 5.” I’ve thought a lot about success and what it takes to be successful. Since success is hard to conceptualize and is subjective, I’ve discovered there are similar costs most are willing to pay in order to be successful.
Here’s what’s swirling around in my mind this week:
- You can’t be CHEAP and successful at the same time. College costs money. Books cost money. Conferences & Seminars cost money. Putting yourself in a position to be stretched and grow cost money. One of the qualities that I’ve always noticed in successful people is that they were personally willing to pay a financial price.
- You can’t be LAZY and successful at the same time. You must be willing to put “some skin in the game. This means you get your butt out of bed and make it happen! Also, remember that rest is essential because success is a LONG journey.
- You must be mentally strong. Your success journey will be one of the most emotionally draining things you will EVER do. You will discover that you can go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows with one email or phone call. Your heart and motives will be called into question. Critics will attack. Haters will hate (that’s what they do).
- You must devise a plan to combat spiritual warfare. The enemy IS NOT happy about what you’re trying to accomplish. His strategy is to kill, steal, and destroy. He attempts to kill the dream in the beginning…before the seed takes root. The more successful you become the greater the intensity of spiritual attack on your life.
- You will bear scars. Jesus asked His followers to count up the cost before they decided to follow Him. Why? Those who God uses greatly, He scars them deeply. Behind every successful person are scars they’ve accumulated along the journey. Success will cost you something!
Questions:
Are you ready for the journey?
Have you considered the costs?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 15, 2011 | regular
Ed Stetzer recently compiled a list of 48 questions to ask yourself for honing your personal accountability. Unfortunately, each year we hear of preachers, politicians, and athletes who compromise their integrity and make life-ruining mistakes. Sadly, many of those mistakes could have been avoided with the right accountability systems in place.
For all 48 questions, you will need to check out Ed Stetzer’s original post. Here are my top 15 personal favorites:
- Have I spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
- Did the Bible live in me today?
- Am I enjoying prayer?
- Have I given priority time to my family?
- How do I spend my spare time?
- Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
- Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
- Have I been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
- Have I been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed my mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not my spouse this week?
- Have any of my financial dealings lacked integrity?
- Have I secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that I might excel?
- Have I damaged another person by my words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
- Is there anything that has dampened my zeal for Christ?
- Is Christ real to me?
- Have I been completely honest with myself?
What are some of your accountability questions?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 14, 2011 | quote
Real encouragement is reminding someone how far they’ve come not how far they have to go.
