12-16-2018 - The Power of One Voice

Luke 2 (NIV)

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Ron Dicianni

You may not be able to pronounce his last name (dee-cee-ah-nee), but you have no doubt seen the captivating artwork of Ron Dicianni. Before following a calling to paint visual representations of gospel truths, he had an 18-year career in commercial illustration. He was the official illustrator for the 1980 Olympics, did work for McDonald’s, Eli Lilly, and produced artwork for the Smithsonian Institution. These days his paintings are in every Christian bookstore and his work can be seen on (and in) over 50 books from Christian authors like Max Lucado, Jerry Jenkins, and Frank Peretti. In March of 2010, Ron completed his largest work, which was commissioned by the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas. It is a 12x40 foot oil on canvas mural depicting Christ’s Resurrection. Of his artwork, Ron says, “It’s how I preach and communicate the gospel to others.” But his life was almost extinguished in an abortion clinic. In 1951, his mother was about to receive an initial injection to start the process. She was not a committed Christian at the time, but she sensed a strong voice telling her, “Don’t do it – I have a plan for this baby.” She literally pushed away the needle and ran out of the office. Until she died at the age of 88, she regularly told Ron, “God has plans for you.” It was hard to understand though, because he flunked almost every class in high school. He wasn’t goofing off; he just couldn’t do anything else but draw. After managing to graduate, he enrolled in the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Of that experience he said, “For and inner-city Chicago kid, going to art school was about as likely as becoming a Navy SEAL.” After that first year, his father died and it looked like his dream was over. Just a week later, the school director offered him a scholarship without any knowledge of his father’s death or financial situation. He later told an instructor, “Someday, I am going to use this in the Kingdom for the glory of God.” He has, and is, because an abortion was prevented. Significant Living, November/December 2010, p.14

The Power of the UNSEEN God’s Voice should not be underestimated

Isaiah 55 (NIV)

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”

6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

God’s Plan: Christians are to Be a People with a VOICE

: During musical tryouts, a young man with a horrible voice auditioned for the lead part. He simply didn't have the ability to sing and that became more obvious with each passing measure. His entire rendition was off pitch and painful to hear. The panel of judges sat in stunned silence, but when he finished, one judge jumped to his feet and gave the young man a rousing ovation. Once the stagehands had escorted the young man out, the judges looked at their colleague with sheer surprise and exclaimed, "How could you applaud for such a pathetic voice?" The judge replied, "I wasn't affirming his voice because everyone knows it was awful. No, I was praising the young man's nerve for doing that in public." If you look hard enough, you can always find something to affirm. Mule Eggs and Topknots, King Duncan, 1987, p.55

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 5:42

42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

God’s Purpose: Our Declaration Leads to Restoration

One generation knows Henry Winkler as the actor who played Fonzie in Happy Days and another generation recognizes him as Eddie Lawson from Royal Pains. Through all these years of acting, Winkler has been married to the same woman. He and his wife Stacey shared their wedding vows in 1978 so interviewer Walter Scott naturally asked about the secret to their marital success. Winkler replied, "The ear is the center of all relationships. Listening is the beginning and the end." Those who remember him as The Fonz would flash his trademark thumbs-up and voice his signature reply, "Aaayyy." Listening is a foundational trait of enduring relationships. Parade, 7/20/14, p.2

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:16-17 KJV

“But as many as received him, to them gave he [authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13 KJV

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” – John 6:47 KJV

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6 KJV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 KJV