Psalm 116:12-17
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord,
I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
O Lord, I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant.
    You have loosed my bonds.
I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.

My Sister Was a Lady.

Joanne, my older sister, was born in 1943, a time when the virtues of being a ‘lady’ were more than just a social expectation—it was a way of life. Joanne embodied these virtues with grace and dignity, qualities that seem to be vanishing in today’s darkened world. Her life is a testament to the timeless values of love, respect, and family.

Psalm 116:15 states, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” This biblical verse resonates deeply as I remember Joanne, whose life was a living tribute to Christian values. She approached every aspect of life with a sense of duty and reverence, much like the ‘lady’ she was raised to be. Her legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ is a beacon for those of us who were fortunate enough to know her.

Reflecting on Joanne’s life she was not just a sister, but a mentor, a friend, and a pillar of strength for our family. Her love knew no bounds, and her ability to make everyone feel valued and cherished was unparalleled. Joanne’s life serves as a moving reminder of the lasting impact one can have by adhering to principles that transcend time.

I remember the virtues she exemplified and the love she shared. This tribute is a celebration of a life well-lived, a life that continues to inspire us to uphold the values that Joanne so effortlessly embodied.

Her Virtues of Grace and Poise

Grace and poise have long been heralded as symbols of a true lady. These qualities are not merely superficial traits; they reflect an inner strength, dignity, and composure that transcend external appearances. My older sister Joanne was a living testament to these enduring virtues, embodying them in every aspect of her life.

Joanne’s demeanor was a blend of gentleness and strength. Her interactions with others were always marked by a sincere warmth and kindness, qualities that drew people to her naturally. Whether she was hosting a family gathering or engaging in a casual conversation, her presence exuded a calm and reassuring grace. A notable example of her poise was during our family’s most challenging times. When other family members passed away, Joanne was the pillar that held us together. Despite her own grief, she managed to comfort and support each one of us, showing remarkable composure and strength.

Her grace was evident in her everyday actions. Joanne had an innate ability to make others feel valued and respected, a trait that is increasingly rare in today’s world. She would often handmake cards and notes of appreciation, a simple yet profound gesture that left a lasting impact on those that received one.

Joanne’s life was a living reflection of Psalm 116, which speaks to dignity and composure. Verses like Psalm 116:7, “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you,” encapsulate the peace and grace that Joanne carried within her. She lived her life with a calm assurance, deeply rooted in her Christian faith, which provided her with the strength to navigate life’s trials with unwavering poise.

In remembering Joanne, I celebrate not just her life but the legacy of grace and poise she left behind. Her example reminds us of the enduring power of these virtues and their profound impact on those around us.

Her Virtues of Compassion and Kindness

Compassion and kindness are hallmarks of a true lady, virtues that Joanne embodied throughout her life. Joanne’s unwavering commitment to love and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her. Her life was a testament to the power of compassion, a trait she displayed in her relationships, community involvement, and daily interactions.

Joanne’s acts of kindness were numerous and varied. Whether she was offering a shoulder to cry on, or simply lending an ear, her compassion knew no bounds. Joanne’s ability to connect with others was a true gift, one that reflected her deep-seated belief in the importance of love and kindness.

These virtues are beautifully displayed in Psalm 116, which speaks of God’s compassion and mercy. Verses like “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful” resonate deeply when reflecting on Joanne’s life. Her actions were a living testament to these biblical principles, embodying the love and mercy that Jesus Christ exemplified.

In remembering Joanne, I honor the legacy she left behind—a legacy of compassion, kindness, and unwavering love. Her life serves as a powerful reminder of the virtues that define what it truly means to be a lady.

Her Virtues of Loyalty and Devotion

Loyalty and devotion stand as cornerstones of a virtuous life, particularly in the context of family and friendships. These qualities are not merely ethical obligations but profound expressions of love and commitment. Joanne epitomized these virtues through her steadfast dedication to her loved ones and the causes she held dear. Her unwavering loyalty was not just a trait but a testament to her character, a legacy that continues to inspire those who knew her.

Joanne’s loyalty to her family was evident in countless ways. Whether it was caring for our aging parents, standing by her children and grandchildren through life’s adversities, her commitment never wavered. She was the rock upon which we all leaned, a source of strength and stability. This level of devotion was not born out of obligation but out of genuine love and care.

Joanne’s virtues are beautifully mirrored in the words of Psalm 116. Verses 5-6, “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me,” emphasize the faithfulness and steadfast love that Joanne embodied. Her life echoed the biblical principles of loyalty and devotion. Through her actions, Joanne taught us that true devotion is not just a duty but an act of love, a legacy that will endure in our hearts forever.

Her Virtues of Modesty and Humility

Modesty and humility are increasingly rare, but my older sister Joanne stood as a timeless example of these qualities. Joanne’s life was a testament to the grace and strength that comes with living modestly and humbly. Her actions and choices reflected an unwavering commitment to these virtues, not out of obligation, but from a deeply rooted belief in their fundamental importance.

Joanne’s humility was evident in her everyday life, from the way she interacted with family and friends to her professional demeanor. She never sought the limelight or accolades but instead focused on the well-being and happiness of those around her. Joanne’s actions spoke louder than any words. She embodied the essence of Psalm 116, which states, “The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.” Joanne’s life mirrored this biblical truth, as she consistently put others before herself, trusting in divine providence to guide her path.

Her modesty was also apparent in her lifestyle choices. Joanne lived a life devoid of excess, always opting for simplicity and contentment. Her approach to life was a living scripture, resonating with the teachings of humility found throughout biblical passages. Like Psalm 116, which emphasizes humility before God, Joanne’s life was an ongoing tribute to the virtues of modesty and humility, leaving a lasting legacy of love and integrity for all who knew her.

Her Virtues of Diligence and Perseverance

Joanne epitomized these qualities through her unwavering work ethic and remarkable resilience. Her life was marked by numerous challenges, yet she faced each one with unwavering determination and an unshakeable faith in God’s support.

Joanne’s daily routine was a testament to her diligence. She approached every task with a meticulous attention to detail and an unyielding commitment. She believed that every effort, no matter how small, contributed to the greater good of her family and community. Joanne’s involvement in her church community highlighted her spiritual perseverance. Her faith was a cornerstone, guiding her through life’s trials and tribulations with grace and steadfastness.

Joanne’s legacy is a powerful reminder of the virtues of diligence and perseverance. Her life serves as an enduring tribute to the strength and love that come from an unwavering trust in God. Through her actions, she left an indelible mark on her family and community, embodying the timeless virtues that define a true lady.

Joanne was a true lady in every sense of the word. Her life was a beautiful mosaic of virtues that will forever enrich the lives of those she touched. Joanne’s legacy is a lasting testament to the power of love, faith, and integrity, and she will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

This is a heartfelt tribute to my sister Joanne, a woman who embodied timeless virtues such as grace, compassion, loyalty, modesty, and perseverance. Through personal stories and reflections, we celebrate her life as a true lady, deeply rooted in Christian faith and values. Joanne’s legacy of love, integrity, and unwavering faith continues to inspire and guide those who knew her.
I love you Joanne, I’ll see you later.

Isaiah 25:1-9

Isaiah 25
1  O LORD, You are my God;
 I will exalt You; I will praise Your name,
 for You have done wonderful things,
 plans formed of old, faithful and sure.

2  For You have made the city a heap,
 the fortified city a ruin;
 the foreigners’ palace is a city no more;
 it will never be rebuilt.

3  Therefore strong peoples will glorify You;
 cities of ruthless nations will fear You.

4  For You have been a stronghold to the poor,
 a stronghold to the needy in his distress,
 a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;
 for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

5  like heat in a dry place.
 You subdue the noise of the foreigners;
 as heat by the shade of a cloud,
 so the song of the ruthless is put down.

6  On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples
 a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
 of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7  And He will swallow up on this mountain
 the covering that is cast over all peoples,
 the veil that is spread over all nations.

8  He will swallow up death forever;
 and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,
 and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
 for the LORD has spoken.

9  It will be said on that day,

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us.

This is the LORD; we have waited for Him;

let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Partying like the Puritans

Christmas was worrisome for the Puritans. They objected to the holiday for several reasons.

1. It has no biblical mandate. Firmly adhering to Scripture in regarding worship, the Puritans thought this celebration was not ordained by Christ and therefore believed it should not be part of our Christian worship.

2. Christmas contradicts the historical record as Christ wasn’t born on December 25th.

3. The holiday has pagan roots. The church in Rome began celebrating Christmas in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, most likely to weaken pagan traditions.

4. It reminded them of the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, which they were trying to escape. 

5. The holiday celebration usually included drinking, excessive feasting, and playing games – all things which the Puritans understood as being opposites to true worship. “Wassailing”, a custom where people of a lower economic class visiting wealthier community members and begged, or demanded, food and drink in return for toasts to their hosts’ health. If a host refused, things would occasionally turn violent and even if it didn’t, the custom would most certainly end in drunkenness.

To celebrate Christmas like Puritans we should prepare for it in the same way, yet with a slightly different outlook. Remembering our Puritan fathers, we must hate sin. But sin is not in celebration, sin is in the human heart. Sin is in the hearts of gluttons, drunkards, those that have no real love for Christ.

Looking at Isaiah 25:1-9

The passage shows death will finally be swallowed up (Isaiah 25:7–8). It will be done for “all peoples.” Not the Jews alone, but individuals from every tribe and tongue. The Lord will wipe the tears from every eye of His elect (v. 8).

Today, Christians know that the defeat of death has been accomplished, even though we await the last day, when death will be fully and finally swallowed. Hundreds of years after Isaiah, our Savior dealt the fatal blow to death itself as He passed from life to death on a cross and then from death to life in His resurrection (Romans 6:9). Death could not swallow up the Christ. He defeated it, bringing the hope of life back to the world. This, of course, could not be accomplished without the birth of Jesus the Christ.

“The LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast” (v 6). A feast is an outflowing of joy in the Christian life. The Lord wants His people to be joyful! Scripture shows that He gave them feasts to help them be joyful. We have great reason to be joyful, even in this dark sin-sick world of death. What God has done for His children is so beautiful and glorious, no wonder there should be feasts remembering it. Christians should rejoice in the Lord everyday, no question. I see no sin in enjoying some days even more than others.

A feast at Christmas bears witness to the world of the history of God’s salvation. Christianity is not simply another religious idea. No, we believe things that happened in this world on days such as Christmas. Our faith is in a real Person, His supernatural birth, His sinless life, His death, and His resurrection from the dead. It is vital that this truth, this historical reality, and this foundation never be lost.

The Reason to Feast

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

What we celebrate at Christmas is that we have the incarnation of God Himself. We see the Trinity; God the Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient even to the point of death,” the horrific death of the cross.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

Let us Feast

Feast – because we are in need of a way out of the desperate state of our sinful human condition and it’s result; eternal death. We only find the way in the One born lying in a manger, who was and is Jesus the Christ, our long-promised Messiah, Redeemer, and King.

Feast – because He came as a servant. He came with no exaltation and no dignity. God the Son humbled Himself and became obedient even to the point of death, taking upon Himself the debt that we owe.

Feast – because Jesus is the Son of God incarnate. He is Immanuel, which translated means “God with us.” This infant, who is our King, brings peace on earth; ultimate and permanent peace.

Dear Christian brothers and sisters, feast this Christmas but sin not.

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

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The Bible Is Not About You.

God is not a supporting actor in a movie about your life. The Bible is not about you. He has graciously allowed us to be in His unfolding story of redemption, but a lot of us have gotten that reversed today.

We like to place ourself into the stories of the Bible as if we are the hero. This is a way of reading the Bible that always makes man the hero and not the acts of God. When we do this, we are reading the Bible entirely wrong because its not you that are able, It’s almighty God that’s able.

The Bible is God’s revelation to lost mankind. The message of the entire Bible is that God will save His people. Any point you go to in Scripture, whether it is the Old Testament or the New Testament, God is revealing the good news of how He is working in our world.

The Bible Is My Him Book, It Is All About Him.

Jesus said in John 5 that the whole Bible is about Him and Luke records for us that Jesus taught them all the things concerning Himself from the law of the prophets and the writings, which were a way of describing the whole Hebrew Bible of the Old Testament. So either Jesus was a egomaniac or He is who He said He is, and the whole Bible is about Jesus.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me that you may have life.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me.

John 5:39–40,46

I don’t know about you, but I am a follower of Jesus and I want to follow Jesus’ understanding of the Old Testament. Therefore, if we read any text in isolation from Him, we will fail to see the very thing that He said it’s about. He said it’s about Him.

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Luke 24:27

The Bible Is About Who God is.

God cannot be properly studied without great humility and great praise. God is the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the entire universe. His attributes are not parts of God but ways of describing the whole essence of God in a manner that we can understand. He is the one and only true God who subsists in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is ever blessed, thrice-holy, eternal in the heavens (Isaiah 6).

Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God in whom are perfectly and inseparably united deity and humanity, without mixture or confusion, with each nature retaining its own attributes. Only those with the hardest of hearts and who lack understanding of Scripture can deny that the Bible reveals Jesus as the Lord God Almighty who is worthy of all our love and worship.

If we don’t understand who God is, then the gospel does not make much sense. The greatest issue for mankind is that God is holy and God is just and we are not.

The Bible Warns Us About Who we Are.

We can look at others and say, “Well, I am not as bad as them. I don’t do what they do, so I’m not so bad”, but that’s a lie. Our problem of sin goes far beyond our actions. It goes to who we are as a person, we have a nature of sin. That is our essence. the human heart is predisposed to love everything else besides God, to love self more than God, to love wrong more than right. The heart is totally opposed to God, conceived in iniquity, born in sin. You and I are naturally rebels to God.

So how do you fix the broken part of the human heart that loves the wrong things? The Bible says that we are dead in trespasses and sin. Ephesians 2:1 immediately comes to mind. To be dead in sin means that we are physically alive but that we are morally unable to respond to God.

What can a dead man do?

The Bible Answers Mankind’s Greatest Question.

How can sinful man be reconciled to a just God whose justice demands that they be punished?

The answer is found in the person of Jesus Christ. The historical person, God the Son, intervening into human history. And this Jesus of Nazareth lived the perfect life that you and I could never live, have never lived. Then He goes to the cross. We owed a debt to God because of our sin and that debt was suffering eternal punishment. But on the cross God Himself, Jesus took our place. Jesus bore our sin and suffered the wrath of God that we deserve. He extinguished it, He put it away. On the third day He rose from the dead. Then he ascended up into heaven. And this Jesus, the Son of God, sat down at the right hand of God. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, that no man comes to the Father except through Him, that there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

And if you repent and trust alone in Jesus as your Savior, God will remit your sins, dismiss your case, and grant you everlasting life as a gift. Not because you’re good, but because He is rich in mercy.

Come to Christ.

A Life of God-centeredness is the Christian Life.

We are constantly bombarded by messages that tell us to prioritize our own interests and desires above all else. In today’s world, it is easy to fall into living a self-centered life. However, as Christians, we are called to live a life of God-centeredness – one that is focused on Him, His will, and His purpose for our lives.

It is important to distinguish between selfishness and self-centeredness. Selfishness is the act of putting oneself before others, while self-centeredness is the focus on oneself to the exclusion of others. While both can be, and usually are, detrimental to our relationships and well-being, only God-centeredness can purge both selfishness and self-centeredness.

The Bible warns us against self-centeredness in Philippians 2:3-4, which says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

It is easy to become consumed by selfishness and self-centeredness. Christians often fail to recognize the true purpose of our existence. However, the Bible and Puritan teachings offer a valuable solution to this problem – a life of God-centeredness.

We are commanded to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls.

The Bible is filled with teachings about the importance of putting God at the center of our lives. In Proverbs 3:5-6, it says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

The Bible has much to say about selfishness and self-centeredness. In Philippians 2:3-4, we are instructed to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Similarly, in Romans 12:10, we are told to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8)

In Matthew 6:24, Jesus instructs us that “no one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Similarly, in 1 John 2:15-16, we are warned against loving the world and the things in it, as they are ultimately temporary and fleeting.

Similarly, in Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse emphasizes the importance of making God the top priority in our lives, and promises that our needs will be taken care of as a result.

When we live a life that is centered around God, we recognize that our existence is not about ourselves. The Bible teaches us that selfishness is a sin and we were created to glorify God and serve others.

Learning from the Puritans.

The Puritans, who were known for their devotion to God and their strict moral code, recognized the danger of selfishness and self-centeredness, and stressed the importance of a God-centered life. They believed that only by surrendering our will to God and seeking to do His will can we overcome our natural inclination to sin and selfishness. As John Flavel, a Puritan minister, wrote, “The more any man studies to live unto God, the less he shall care for the applause of men.”

The Puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards wrote, “The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which also God is magnified and exalted.” 
This is the ultimate goal of a God-centered life.

Puritan theologian Jonathan Edwards also wrote, “Self-centeredness is that disposition or frame of mind, wherein a man makes his own private interests his rule and governing end in all his actions.” Jonathan Edwards, emphasized the importance of God-centeredness when he said, “The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.” Edwards recognized that true satisfaction and fulfillment can only be found in a life that is centered around God.

Puritan leader, Richard Baxter, echoed this sentiment when he said, “The way to heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.” This uphill journey towards a God-centered life requires us to sacrifice our own desires and put the needs of others first.

Living a God-centered life requires sacrifice.

We must be willing to sacrifice our time, money, and efforts for the sake of others and for God’s Kingdom. However, it is important to note that not all sacrifices are created equal. We can sacrifice for a deeply self-centered cause, such as pursuing fame or success at the expense of others, or we can sacrifice for a God-centered cause, such as serving those in need or spreading the gospel.

Living a God-centered life requires a daily commitment to putting God first. This means actively seeking ways to serve and love those around us, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. It means recognizing that our own desires and needs are not the most important thing in the world, and that true fulfillment and joy come from living a life that is centered on God and His purposes. God-centeredness is the antidote to both selfishness and self-centeredness. It requires sacrifice and a daily commitment.

Jesus said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).

A God-centered life is not an easy or comfortable life. It requires us to put aside our own desires and ambitions, and to seek God’s will in all things. It requires us to love our enemies, to forgive those who hurt us, and to serve those who are in need. It requires us to be humble, patient, and obedient to God’s commands.

When we live a God-centered life, we can still sacrifice our time, money, and efforts – but we do so in service to Him and His purposes. This is a deeply meaningful and fulfilling way to live.

A God-centered life is a life of joy, peace, and fulfillment. When we put God first in our lives, we grow in His mercy, love and grace, and we experience His presence and power. We also find that our relationships with others are transformed, as we become more loving, compassionate, and generous.

By putting God first and living in obedience to His Word, we can find true joy, purpose, and fulfillment. May we all strive to live a life that is focused on Him and His glory.

Come to Christ.