Letters From Grandpa #18

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 18

Dearest Grandchild,

Some years ago I wrote a book titled “Special Messages for Special Days”. The idea of the book was to take advantage of what people are already thinking about and try to give their thoughts eternal significance. Jesus did this with the woman at the well (see John 4). She came to the well to draw water. She was obviously thinking about water. Jesus expanded her thinking to consider drinking of Living Water that would cause her to never thirst again. Jesus used the same principle in John 6. He fed the multitudes with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Since He could satisfy their need for bread, they wanted to make Him king. Jesus expanded on their thinking and taught them that He was the True Bread that came down from heaven.

Since you are probably already thinking about Christmas, I will include an article from that book about Christmas that hopefully will expand you thinking to include eternal truth.

The entire book can be accessed via www.boycemouton.com Click on “English Books” and scroll down to “Special Messages for Special Days”.

I am indebted to Given Blakely for reminding me that God cares little for human convenience. This principle is easily illustrated by the Christmas story. Let’s start with John the Baptist. He played a crucial role in preparing the way for Christ. Israel had been waiting for John since the days of Isaiah (Is. 40:3). He was the “Elijah” predicted by Malachi (Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:14). Among those born of women there was not a greater prophet than John (Matt. 11:11). There was, however, nothing convenient about his birth, life, ministry, or death. John’s parents, as you know, were “well stricken in years” (Lk. 1:7). How utterly inconvenient! No church, or adoption agency would dare to place a new born baby with such elderly people. Raising John was made more difficult by the fact that he was never to taste wine or strong drink. Those who live in king’s houses may have a convenient life, but John grew up in the desert and ate locusts and wild honey. His garment was rugged and uncomfortable. This prophet of principle was not like a reed blown by the wind. He dared to rebuke the king and died for doing so by the treachery of a wicked woman. God certainly did not design his life to be convenient in any way, shape, matter, or form.

Neither was there anything convenient about the birth of Jesus. Mary was single when she became pregnant. Joseph was poor. They had to journey 75 miles to Bethlehem when she was “great with child.” There was no room for them in the inn. Jesus was born in a manger. Wicked King Herod tried to kill him. The family then fled to Egypt. Was there anything convenient about the first Christmas?

The wise men came from the East with gifts. Was that convenient? The shepherds left their flocks and came to Bethlehem in search of Christ. They were only told that he was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Was that convenient? Egypt was a long way off where they

spoke a different language and had different customs. Was that convenient?

When Herod died, Joseph and Mary were directed by God to go back to Nazareth. This was the very city where rumors were rampant about Mary. It was also a city filled with unbelief (Mark 6:6). Was that convenient?

God may not care about convenience, but the modern American church is obsessed with it. We want to start at a convenient time. We want convenient parking, and comfortable pews. The “sanctuary” must not be too hot, or too cold. The “service” must not be too boring or too long. The sermon must not be too demanding, or too loud. We must be careful when asking people to stand, or kneel, because such efforts might not be convenient. It is also important to conclude at a convenient time. We know that if we do not cater to the consumer mentality of our clients, the church down the street will. Convenience therefore becomes the star by which we steer. It is the god to whom we give priority, and offer the first fruits of our labors.

Certainly God does not think as we think! I cannot find a single example in Scripture where God placed anyone’s convenience above His sovereign will. It was not convenient for Moses to go to Egypt, or Amos to Israel, or Jonah to Nineveh. God never intended it to be convenient. When the people in ancient times repented, they symbolized their submission to God by exchanging their comfortable clothes for the inconvenience of sackcloth and ashes.

When the fair weather disciples wanted to follow Jesus He warned them of His austere life. The birds had nests, and the foxes had caves, but the Son of Man did not have a place to lay down His head. How utterly inconvenient!

Crosses are not convenient and Jesus demanded that if any one would follow Him, they MUST DENY THEMSELVES AND TAKE UP A CROSS!

What about you? If you are waiting for a convenient season to surrender to Christ you will never become a Christian. Satan will see that it is never convenient to do the will of God. Convenience is man centered. Obedience is God centered. May God be the center of your life, and may all of your activities revolve around Him. Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.!

I Love you,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Grandpa Boyce