THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

December 16, 2020

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

A couple weeks ago, at church, we sang 'Joy to the World'. I have sung that song numerous times throughout my life. In fact, I've had the first verse memorized since I was a little girl.

Jon and I attend a church for the deaf, so our worship is a little different. We play songs, by various artists, through our sound system (very loudly!) and the congregation either signs or sings to the songs. We have someone on stage leading the worship songs.

That particular Sunday as the song 'Joy to the World' was playing, suddenly something that I've known for many years became extraordinarily clear. It was one of those moments where it went from just knowing it, to really getting it and having a deep understanding of what it means.

The words to the first verse start out: "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room...."

As those lines were being sung, all of a sudden I got this deep revelation of what this really means. "Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room." What I heard as this verse was repeated later in the song was, "Let every heart receive the King!" Those lines kept resonating over and over in my heart and mind, and what that truly means became exceptionally clear.

First of all, I want to establish the truth that Jesus is truly King. There are scriptures that declare that. Jesus is not just "a" king, but He is "THE" King!

In Revelations chapter 19, beginning with verse 11, it speaks of the final battle. This passage of scripture is describing Jesus. Then verse 16 says, "On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'King of kings, and Lord of lords.'" Jesus doesn't suddenly become King at that moment, but the name written on His robe and thigh at that time is declaring who He is and who He has always been. Jesus is King and He is Lord!

In Daniel chapter 7, Daniel is given a vision of the "Son of Man" (Jesus). Verse 14 says, "Dominion, glory and sovereignty were given to Him that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom will never be destroyed."

A kingdom is a realm that is ruled over by a king or queen. So when verse speak of His kingdom, it is establishing that Jesus is King.

When Jesus was standing before Pilate, before His crucifixion, Jesus tells him, "My kingdom is not of this world."

In Luke chapter 1, we read of the angel appearing to Mary to tell her that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son, and call His name Jesus. The proceeding verses say, "He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David. And He will reign over Israel forever; His kingdom will never end." Another version of these scriptures say, "The Lord God will enthrone Him as King...."

Jesus is not only the Son of God, but He is also King! I want you to really understand this. So when we sing the song 'Joy to the World' and sing, "Let earth receive her King," we are really saying, "Let the people on earth receive Jesus as their King."

But it's more than just the world acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah or as King. It is each individual receiving Jesus, the King, as their Lord and Savior. When we repent of our sins and receive salvation, Jesus moves in and takes up residence within each one of us. It is often referred to as "accepting Jesus into your heart." I think sometimes that gives us the picture or idea that Jesus is condensing Himself down to fill this one little space within us. But the truth is, Jesus lives within us -- in all of His power and majesty and glory. He doesn't bring Himself down to our level to take up just enough room within us to speak to our conscience and try to keep us on the right path and make us good people. But He dwells within us, filling every single part of our lives!

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is IN you -- unless, of course, you failed the test?"

Galatians 2:20 is talking about the old life of one who has received salvation, that that old sinful "man" is no longer living, but we are made new. It says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives IN me."

Colossians 1:27 says, "For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret (or mystery); Christ lives IN you."

There are other verses, but I wanted to use enough to make my point that when we are in the faith, Christ Jesus lives in us!

So let's look at the lines of 'Joy to the World' again: "Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room." What I heard in my spirit that Sunday morning is really what this means, "Let every heart receive the King." We are to prepare room within us, to receive King Jesus. We are each to receive THE KING and be a place for Him to live.

We are not to be like a hotel where Jesus stops by for a few hours from time to time. We are not to be a host/hostess, where Jesus is invited in to visit on special occasions. He's not like a relative that stops by to chat and say hi when He has time. Jesus doesn't come and go as He pleases. But when we receive Him as our Lord and Savior, we become a "home" where He resides and lives, and He never leaves!

Often we treat our dwelling place where Jesus, the King, lives much like we do our own homes where we reside. Dirty dishes in the sink.... that's okay, they wait until later. Lawn needs mowed, limbs picked up, leaves raked, weeds pulled in the garden/flower bed..... it can wait; I'm too tired and will deal with it later. Something needs repaired or replaced.... we can take care of it when we have more time and/or money. Projects left unfinished.... they'll still be there when we get around to it some day. Messy room that needs cleaned or dirty clothes picked up... I'll just shut the door so nobody can see -- out of sight, out of mind.

You wouldn't visit a king's palace or place of royalty and see any type of neglect. You wouldn't walk to the front door and see weeds in the garden or an unkept lawn. You wouldn't take a tour and see dirty underwear laying in the middle of the bedroom floor (or beside the clothes hamper), or shoes that had been kicked off and sitting in the middle of the living room floor. There wouldn't be dirty dishes stacked up in the sink, with unwashed pots and pans sitting on the stovetop. You wouldn't see chipping paint on the walls or rotted boards on the front porch. There wouldn't be a leaky sink with dripping water. No! The king's residence is kept pristine and spotless.

Ephesians 5:25-27 is speaking about how husbands should love their wives and give of himself, as Christ did for the church. "For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word. He did this to present her to Himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault."

We can't keep ourselves holy and clean, without spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. We can't be good enough or work hard enough to do it in our own strength. But Jesus gave up His life, in order to make us clean and holy. We are washed by the cleansing of God's word.

Because a king lives in a particular home doesn't mean that it automatically is maintenance free. Weeds still grow in the garden and grass grows, just like everywhere else. Dead limbs fall from trees and shrubs need to be pruned. Toilets get leaks and flusher chains break. There's dirty laundry that has to be washed, a kitchen to clean, and toilets to scrub. Boards get old and rot, needing replaced. Paint fades on the walls and carpet gets worn. Storms happen and disaster strikes. Messes happen and things get spilt and dishes get broken. The king living there doesn't make the home maintenance and problem free. But it does mean that things get dealt with and taken care of as soon as they occur.

Jesus living within us doesn't mean that we will never have problems or maintenance issues arise or weeds crop up that need to be pulled and gotten rid of. It doesn't mean that we will never have to clean again, or keep our hearts and minds free of the dirt and filth of this world, in which we live. It doesn't mean that we'll have a carefree, trouble-free, perfect life of ease. As long as we are in in this world, troubles will come. Scripture even speaks of that. Messes will happen. When they do, we have to make a choice whether or not we take care of things right away, or if we allow the place where Jesus, the King, lives within us decay and rot and fall apart. We can choose, as "landlords" to try and kick Him out, evicting Him from our lives, thinking it's too much work keeping ourselves fit for the King.

It may be easy to think, "But a king doesn't have to do any work to do any upkeep on his home! He has servants and workers to do everything for him. That would be easy to keep my home clean and everything fixed if I had someone to do everything for me!" But the king is involved! He is the one who has the position of authority that allows those people to have a job. If there wasn't a king, they wouldn't have their positions. He entrusts the care of his home to them, so that he can take care of bigger issues with more important responsibilities.

Jesus doesn't just sit back doing nothing, making us do all the work to take care of His dwelling place within us. We are given instructions in the Word of God. Jesus is in us every moment, speaking to our hearts and guiding our steps. He whispers and nudges us in the right direction, when we start going the wrong direction. We are entrusted with the care of His home, within us, so that He can take care of bigger issues; and He has greater responsibilities than we can ever even imagine. He is our protector and provider. He is in a position of authority.

It is somewhat mind-boggling that Jesus chooses to dwell within mankind; yet He is sitting on the right hand of His Father in heaven. He is royalty, the King of all kings, yet He desires to live within each individual. He is given authority to speak and Satan has to flee, yet He whispers words of love and encouragement to all flesh.

This Christmas season as you hear or sing 'Joy to the World', let the words resonate within you with new meaning. I want each of you to truly understand and really get it, that Jesus, the King, lives within your heart.

Let's be good caretakers of our house, where Jesus lives. Don't let things get run down or overrun with filth. Don't hoard things that you need to let go of; such as bitterness, un-forgiveness, negativity, anger, criticism, bad habits, etc. Don't allow those things to invade your internal home, refusing to let them go.

Let every heart receive the King! May we all really get it this season that Jesus lives IN us. We are in Christ, and He is in us. (1 John 4:13). We are nothing apart from Him.

Let's do regular internal house-cleaning and make our heart, our life, our soul and our spirit a dwelling place fit for THE KING!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

I have a hard time working all day, 5 days each week, then trying to work on my home. I'm tired after working all that time. So, when I retire, then I'll start working on keeping my home in good repair. I'll start keeping it clean then. I'll tend the lawn better then. I'll keep up the garden then.

So many people take that same attitude about inviting Jesus into their lives. They may wait till life is better. Or till they don't have so many friends or family who would give them a hard time about it. Or till they are desperate for a savior. Or they are about to die.

But just like living in a well maintained and clean home is a better life, so is one with Jesus.

ON THE MENEWE:

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Blend confectioner (powdered) sugar, butter, and Eagle Brand milk together to make a cream.

Place a small amount of the cream in hand; form around cherry and roll into a ball. Place a toothpick in the center.

Freeze cherries and cream until toothpick is frozen into cherry.

In double-boiler melt chocolate and wax. Dip cherries in chocolate and let harden.

**Note: Use powdered sugar to keep cream from sticking to hands.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

One of my most favorite Christmas memories were extended family get-togethers that we had when I was young. On Christmas eve night, my mama's siblings and their families would all get together for what they called the "Parton supper". All the women would cook and bring covered dishes and we'd have the best potluck meal you can imagine. Mama and all my aunts were wonderful cooks! The adults would visit and the kids would play. It was a wonderful time. There were 10 kids in my mom's family and she was the third to the youngest, then I was the youngest girl cousin, only have 3 boys cousins younger than myself. So by the time I was about 7-8 years old, all of my older cousins were getting married and starting families of their own; which made it increasingly harder for everyone to get together, so the Parton Christmas eve suppers were stopped around that time. Being one of the youngest has its benefits, but also limits some of the family memories they have, when there is a big family with so many being much older. I'm thankful for the memories that I have, and grateful that I do have some memories of this special time with Mama's family.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Each of is an innkeeper who decides if there is room for Jesus. - Neal Maxwell

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org