December 2019: 

12/1/19                                               Trust God                                          1

 

Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.  Psalm 16:1 RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  Hebrews 1:14   “14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?.”

COMMENTS:  Faith and fear have always been at odds with each other.  It is important to have a solid reliable source for our faith.  Fear can be a good thing if we place our faith in an unreliable source.  Trust is cars and bridges and boats are pretty reliable but not foolproof.  But fear unchecked can be crippling.  Agoraphobia is fear of public places.  Those who suffer from this fear are gripped with thoughts of risk of accidents or violent attacks.  News gives plenty of examples to support those fears even though odds or possibility of such dangers isn’t very great.

Exposing ourselves to unnecessary risks is one thing but isolating ourselves for fear of what might or could happen can be just as devastating.   Balance is likely where the solution lies but putting our trust and confidence in Christ and following direction and council of the Holy Spirit is assures a safe landing and eternal life designed and built for us, but also the best journey along life.  The reason is we are following God’s plan, a plan designed and prepared by the “All Knowing”, “All Wise” “All Powerful” God who loves and desired the best for each of us.  But in order to receive His Best, we must accept and follow His council and turning from evil council of satan and those influenced by him.

The affliction is not unfounded; life is filled with dangers and misadventures of all sorts. So, what should we do? We could do what David, the psalmist did: He asked God to keep him safe— “Preserve me, O God,” (Psalm 16:1). He was confident of the boundaries God had established for his life and that he had a “good inheritance” in store (Psalm 16:6). It was the same idea as the “hedge” God established around the life of Job, protecting him from ultimate harm (Job 1:10). And it makes us think of the angels (“ministering spirits”) sent forth by God to protect the inheritance of His people (Hebrews 1:14).

Are you in the practice of asking God daily to keep you safe? Make it a habit. Commit your ways to Him and He will establish your thoughts (Proverbs 16:3).

“Let us learn to trust [God] for who He is.”  Elisabeth Elliot

12/2/19                            Ready to Die                                                           2

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11 RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: REVELATION 21:1-4    “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

COMMENTS: I am reminded of a true story of a woman who asked her pastor to place a fork in her right hand during her viewing and funeral.  She knew her time was short so meaning of this request was important to her.  Her pastor asked the reason.  She said at every “pot-luck” church dinner she attended; an announcement was made near the end of the main meal.  An instruction to “keep your fork”.  THE BEST IS YET TO COME!   Announcer was referring to desert but she wanted everyone who passed her casket to understand the greater meaning of the fork she wanted them to know.   The fork would be her legacy and message that “THE BEST IS YET TO COME! She was looking forward to heaven but even more being greeted by her Savior welcoming her home.

Note the joy and confidence and anticipation she demonstrated in her last hours. That is the testimony I witnessed with my sister and parents and my Dad’s youngest sister on their last hours before passing.  Before being greeted by their Savior and entering Heaven.    They were not only greeted by their Savior but also by their friends and ancestors.  Most noteworthy is a comment my mother made to me a few hours before her passing.  She was enduring much pain during those hours, so was sedated.   I tried to comfort her by saying I am glad she brought out and displayed pictures of her and my father during their younger years together, so I would recognize them in heaven.  She smiled and said “Don’t worry, we will recognize you”. “I will recognize you!” 

I will never forget her comment because she said it with such confidence and joy.  She had that confidence because she believed in and trusted in scripture and the promises God gave her (and us) in His living Word, the Bible.  Trust based on past examples testified in her ancestors and long list of examples recorded in history. Trust based on many examples of God’s provision and faithfulness from her own life.  Yes, she trusted in and was closer to her Savior during those last hours than when she was young and strong physically.  That is her legacy and testimony to me and my family and all who will receive and reflect on her example. 

We will all face death. So, we should prepare for it now—like the psalmist, David, did. In Psalm 16, we find his confidence in God even when faced with death. And he uses a beautiful interchange of images: In life, David could not be shaken because God sat at his right hand as his counselor (verse 8). But in death, he would not be moved because he would be at God’s right hand (verse 11). He knew God would not abandon him to the grave (verse 10). Instead, he would enjoy eternal pleasures and joy in His presence (verse 11).

 “No man ever repented of being a Christian on his death bed.”  Hannah More

COM

12/3/19                                         An Attitude of Gratitude                                                  3

Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.   Mark 12:43-44

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING DEUTERONOMY 16:13-17 – “¹³ “You shall observe the Feast of Tabernacles seven days, when you have gathered from your threshing floor and from your winepress. ¹⁴ And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your gates. ¹⁵ Seven days you shall keep a sacred feast to the Lord your God in the place which the Lord chooses, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you surely rejoice.¹⁶ “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. ¹⁷ Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.”

COMMENTS: I am writing this on Thanksgiving morning (November 28,2019).  Thanksgiving is observed in USA every year on the 4^th Thursday of November.   Pilgrims migrated from England seeking escape from religious persecution and seeking freedom to worship. They were devout Christians who devoted themselves to living lives as close to Christ-like as possible.  They suffered disease on trip from Holland (a stop-over on escape from England) that took a large number of them.  They landed at Plymouth Rock but were unprepared for the winter.  Exposure and disease continued to ravage their numbers, By spring 102 that left England had shrunk to 52.   With the help of native Indians, they were able to plant a good crop and the next fall celebrated a good harvest.  They observed a Thanksgiving time of celebration (3 days) of feasting and playing games and worshipping and praising God.  Their celebration included their Indian neighbors too.  That celebration has become an annual holiday and celebration and tradition in USA and in a few other countries at various times and dates.

Today I will be celebrating with our daughter’s family, Arlene’s cousin, and a life long friend of our children and his son (Jamie and Davey McFadden) who migrated back from Ukraine a few months ago.

Gratitude is a vital part of worship and fellowship with God.  It is vital to experience joy and peace and to enjoy life each day too.  Gratitude helps us commune with God and notice and appreciate all He does each day for each of us.  Gratitude is also a healthy response to encourage others who also help and bless us.  Gratitude helps us notice and realize we are not alone nor need to face life’s challenges and dangers and problems alone either.   Gratitude helps us read and receive God’s Word with new insights and encouragement and council too.

Our society is becoming less grateful and kind while developing a mindset of “entitlement”.  A mindset of being entitled to a good – comfortable life with everything we need and want provided without regard to sacrifice of others to provide it.

An entitlement attitude closes us to a healthy relationship with God and with a lot of good people God wants us to connect with.  We miss out on so much with such an attitude and also miss out on enjoyment of being a blessing and sharing with others.

But an attitude of gratitude does exactly the opposite.  Gratitude opens us to a real – meaningful – enjoyable – helpful relationship with God and His Word.  Gratitude opens us to loving relationship with others and to opportunities to receive and give help and encouragement to others and each other.

Luke 6:38 “³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Being generous and kind to others brings even greater blessing back.  It is common for God to provide more back to us than what we give but not necessarily immediately nor in kind.  But the value of what we receive back is always far more precious than what we gave and timing of receipt back is always perfect.  I can testify to that and encourage you to reflect today to confirm that to be true for you too.

The amount of our gifts is not what God values but the motive and condition of our soul when we give.  During bible times and during Jesus’ time on earth, people were putting offerings in the temple treasury containers. The wealthy were putting in large gifts out of their wealth—that is, gifts that required no sacrifice.  However, when a poor widow came up and deposited two tiny coins (her whole livelihood); Jesus commended the poor widow for her generosity and sacrifice, while declining to commend the wealthy in the same way. The wealthy gave more money, but the widow gave more heart.  He expects much from those He gave much.  What is the much you have received from God.  For the widow that much was faith.  For the wealthy man it was material possessions.   The wealthy man would have received a gift back far more precious than money if he had given and done – followed the path gratitude would lead Him instead of the dead-end path “entitlement” was leading Him on.

Research has shown that, in America, people in the bottom twenty percent of income brackets give a higher percentage of their income to charity than those who are in the highest twenty percent of income brackets. The wealthier may give larger amounts of money, but the lower earners give a higher percentage. Jesus noticed the difference between amount and percentage one day at the temple—and pointed out which was more commendable.

Let your gifts to God and others reflect an attitude of gratitude for all He has given you.

The essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.
R. C. Sproul

12/4/19                                         Always Thankful                                                   4

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING EPHESIANS 1:3-6 – “³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.”

COMMENTS: A common English saying is “the devil is in the details”.  The origin and intent of that phrase related to progress to a goal does not lie with validity of goal or plan to reach the goal but in working and implementing each daily detail.  Plans have failed and goals unreached because of lack of working through all the details and logical steps, which were achievable if done in a logical and consistent order, but not achievable nor goal achievable without being diligent in doing them.  The phrase indicated failure lies in not implementing all the necessary details but a better phrase and more positive focus would be to restate phrase as “God’s answers (or miracles) lies in the details”.   In other words, God more commonly does offer and provide help each day as we seek and follow His daily council and direction.

Thankfulness is a physical response reflecting our attitude of Gratitude discussed yesterday.  Gratitude is an attitude that impacts positively our actions.  Thankfulness is one of those significant expressions or actions as a response of that attitude.  Thankfulness positively impacts actions of others towards us and to others and even themselves.   Thankfulness also positively impacts our ability to think logically and energizes us to implement logical and well-planned thinking.  Thankfulness as an expression to God also impacts our openness to seek and accept and obey His guidance and instruction and commands.  Result is good things and joy in fellowship with Him and with each other too.

Being thankful for blessings we receive is important, but it is also important to be grateful and express our thanksgiving during difficult times, not for those times but for the help and hope and guidance God and others provide during those times.

For example, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes the word “in” instead of the word “for”: “In everything give thanks.” What would the difference be? If we were told to give thanks “for” everything, it could include thanking God for tragedies and disasters in which death and destruction reigned. But “in” everything—even in the midst of tragedies and disasters—we can thank God that He is in the midst of the storm with us. We can thank Him that He will use all things—good and bad, hard and easy—for good to those who love God and are “called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

What are you “in” today? Regardless of where you are and what you are experiencing, give thanks “in everything” as a way to acknowledge God’s presence.

God’s giving deserves our thanksgiving.
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12/5/19                      Unexpected Blessings – Unexpected Joy                                5

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.   James 1:2

RECOMMENDED READING:  JAMES 1:1-8    “² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

COMMENTS: Where do you and I place our faith in?  Faith is believing we have in a person or organization or set of rules that will guide us to a desired destination or result.  We have faith in our automobile or pilot and airplane or bus and driver to transport us to our desired destination safely and on scheduled time.  We have faith in a rope to hold us or a chair we sit on to support us consistently. We have faith that others will do what they said and promised.   We buy items having faith they were grown or built properly and will function as designed without fail.

We have faith in parents and co-workers and employers to provide for us when we do what they require.   We also know there are consequences when we fail to keep our promised and commitments to them.   We know there are consequences when we fail to honor and be worthy of faith others have in us, so faith is an important part of our daily lives.

Faith in God and in Christ as our Lord and Savior is even more important.   Brian Dawkins, a famous professional football hall of fame winner, suffered from mental illness that included deep bouts of depression.  He knew he needed help to overcome this illness so sought medical help.  He also sought Christ for help too.  Brian Dawkins has since shared that “Christ is my number 1 pillar. My faith is belief in Christ as my Lord… Everything else may move, but that’s something that will never disappoint me.”  James 1:2 is Brian’s favorite verse.  He said, “When I began to view things from that perspective, even when I fall, that’s an opportunity for me to get stronger.”

Trouble comes to everyone sometime and likely many times, but Christ offers to be and stay near and ready to fight those failures and obstacles and troubles for us and with us, providing more than sufficient help to overcome successfully any and all if we simply surrender and obey Him.  When we disobey, we resist and fight Him at satan’s encouragement whether we realize it or not, but when we let Christ fight for us and with us against satan, we definitely both realize it and agree to do so.  Christ does not deceive or trick us into obedience.  He offers facts to encourage and persuade us to follow His path to live and shows us the dead ending of satan’s path.

When trouble comes into our life, the most unexpected attitude that follows along is joy. The apostle Paul spoke of being sorrowful, but always rejoicing (2 Corinthians 6:10). Joy is the attitude we choose to maintain as we encounter the troubles of life. It’s knowing that Easter follows Good Friday. It’s grounded in the resurrection of the Crucified One.

Make the decision today to look for joy—it is found most often through counting your blessings for all God has done!

“Faith is your jewel, your joy, your glory! / And the thieves who haunt the pilgrim way are all in league to tear it from you. Hold fast, therefore, to this, your choice treasure!”                            Charles Spurgeon

12/6/19                                          JESUS – WHO IS HE?                                                   6

^“21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”        Luke 3:21

RECOMMENDED READING: LUKE 3:21-38 “⁷²¹ When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”²³ Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph,the son of Heli, ²⁴ the son of Matthat,the son of Levi, the son of Melki,the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,²⁵ the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,the son of Naggai, ²⁶ the son of Maath,the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,the son of Josek, the son of Joda,²⁷ the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,the son of Neri, ²⁸ the son of Melki,the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,²⁹ the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,the son of Levi, ³⁰ the son of Simeon,the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,³¹ the son of Melea, the son of Menna,the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,the son of David, ³² the son of Jesse,the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,the son of Salmon,^[d] the son of Nahshon,³³ the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,^[e]the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,the son of Judah, ³⁴ the son of Jacob,the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,³⁵ the son of Serug, the son of Reu,the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,the son of Shelah, ³⁶ the son of Cainan,the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,³⁷ the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,the son of Kenan, ³⁸ the son of Enosh,the son of Seth, the son of Adam,the son of God.”

COMMENTS:  It is human and normal to desire to feel like we are special, important, valuable, with purpose – making a positive difference.  Every human wants to feel fulfilled.   God has designed that need into our soul.   Satan knows that and want us to distort  that need to seek satisfaction in his dead end options.   Tyrants like Nero and Stalin and Hitler followed satan’s options and indulged in murdering all opposition to their aspiration for world control.  Hitler believed Germans were the “super race” and all others, especially Jews were inferior and worthy of extinction.   They thought they were following a “divine” calling but look at their end.  Each are now, like satan, doomed to eternal judgment  promised by God in scripture.   Revelation 20:11-15 “¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. ¹² I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave^[a] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. ¹⁴ Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Well, every generation has seen such dictators rise to power and spread their devastation of war and death and suffering by using cunning and eloquent speech and lavish promises to persuade multitude to follow them and do their evil bidding.  

So, look around and notice such dictators’ tyrants in our current generation.  Look at the evil they are luring their followers to do.  Doesn’t it look like the same story being implemented again just by other players.   Some tyrants preaching humanism and atheism while others preaching a religion of works and punishment.  A religion of spreading death and misery.

 

So, when you listen to news, what do you hear?  I dare say 90+% is evil conduct of a few drowning out the acts of kindness of many more. Most, by human standards, consider themselves decent or good law-abiding citizens.  I don’t want to imply that I think most people are good.   God reveals none are by His standard.  Romans 3:5-11 “5But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. 6Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world? 7However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? 8Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result?” Their condemnation is deserved! 9What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin. 10As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. 11There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”

 

IF THAT WAS ALL THERE WAS TO THE HUMAN STORY, THEN EVERYONE WOULD ONLY HAVE GOD’S JUDGMENT TO LOOK FOR TO – TO FACE!   BUT GOD HAS VERY GOOD NEWS FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO WILL LISTEN AND BELIEVE!  THE GOOD NEWS DID NOT BEGIN AT CHRISTMAS BUT EVERYTHING CHANGED.  A NEW REVELATION FROM GOD UNFOLDED AT JESUS’ BIRTH.  A REVELATION SHOWING US GOD THROUGH JESUS’ LIFE.

GOD THEN REVEALED A PLAN HE HAD IN PLACE EVEN BEFORE CREATION.  A PLAN FULFILLED AT CALVARY TO REDEEM US FROM JUDGMENT!

 

We have now entered the Advent time when we observed and remember the wonderful stories of Jesus’ birth recorded in scripture. The story recorded in Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-3, and John 1.  I invite you to read and meditate on these scriptures several times during Advent and in period leading up to Lent when focus will shift to Easter.  

 

God’s standard and definition of good is perfect – sinless – righteous.  That is a definition and standard no one but God could and does demonstrate.  A standard Jesus’s life fully demonstrated, enabling Him to become the sacrifice the Father required in order to satisfy the required payment for our sins.  

 

The story of our redemption begins at Christmas, so let’s begin reflecting on that story.   Imagine God the Father – God the Son – God the Holy Spirit together contemplating creation and working together to create the universe and all in it including man and then managing that creation.    Together revealing Himself to that creation and seeking a relationship while permitting free will to either embrace His love or reject His love.  Satan was the first to reject His love but has over the centuries deceived millions, both angels and humans, to follow his lead.  God has no choice but to judge those who continue to reject Him but Christ paid the price so we need not follow that path to death and judgment.  Christmas opens the door to a better path.  A path to life.  A path to God’s love.  A path to a destination that includes eternal life – a new eternal life free of disease and sin like God originally intended – a new eternal life at an eternal destination with loved ones, with the saints of old – but most of all with Him. 

 

God chose a common poor beginning and lineage so no matter how modest or poor or common our lineage is, we can relate and feel understood and loved by Him too.   He chose poor common men to become His disciples but included many key women to carry on His work and His message from then until now and beyond.

 

God chose the descendants of Abraham to be His evangelists to the world.  Abraham and Sarah sinned by doubting God’s promise and planned a scheme for an heir by Hagar that created Ishmael.   Well, that sin continues through the violent history of Isaac’s descendants and Ishmael’s descendants. 

 

Instead of focusing on terroristic groups, I have chosen to base this message on God’s standard of Goodness and His agenda and goals and ultimate defeat of satan certain and coming. 

 

The Jews, Isaac’s descendants, indeed worshipped the true God but abandoned and failed Him, only repenting and returning to Him for forgiveness and redemption when enduring the consequences of their sins.  That was not the cycle God intended but the cycle determined by their own sinfulness.  Their purpose was to tell the world of God’s faithfulness and show them how to likewise enjoy God’s forgiveness and redemption and blessing.   Well, even their cycle of sin and repentance still shouted to the world God’s standard and faithfulness to His people over and over again.

 

So how about Ishmael’s descendants?  God provided for Hagar and Ishmael after Abraham sent them away so Ishmael also became the father of a vast multitude of descendants.  But Ishmael’s descendants envisioned God much differently than the God revealed in the Bible.   Ultimately the god Islam teaches and its followers’ worship is a god of judgment, a god demanding death the infidel unbelievers.  A god they believe to be true and even that Jesus was his prophet.  

 

Well, most Jews deny Jesus to be God and Islam denies Jesus to be their god.   Could it be satan is has been influencing both to deny believed the truth about Jesus? 

 

So, what approach will reach both groups, and for that matter any and all who have either rejected nor ever considered who Jesus is and offers?  

 

The answer I believe lies not in pointing out failings or omissions of each, but instead to pointing both to look to Jesus and open each to let Jesus reveal Himself directly.   Guess what, already thousands of Jews have already accepted Christ and so have thousands of Moslems.  Many were confronted directly by Jesus much like Saul’s encounter on the Damascus Road in placed lacking Christian influence.  

 

If we follow Christ’s direction, we too must first seek and put our hand in His.  We must put and keep our faith and trust and spiritual eyes on Him so we live and follow His Will and example.  Then to let our lives and conduct and reason for our confident hope and joy convince others we encounter to do the same.  The answer is not us but the one God, Triune God, Who included God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

 

This Christmas is a joyous time when the secular world decorates and celebrates and exchanges gifts and enjoys festive meals with family and friends.  The world is bent on omitting Jesus from such celebrations but it really is His Birthday celebration and He more than deserves all the Honor and focus.   Besides, the mercy and redemption and eternal life He offers as a free gift to us is so precious as His Christmas gift to us.  But the gift He passionately wants from us, all He really wants for Christmas is a personal and sustain relationship with each of us trusting Him.  He is so very trustworthy.  

 

So, let’s make this Christmas all about Him instead of ourselves and let’s make His message and gift what we share with others, especially those who are suffering from loss or tragedy or sickness or grief or loss of purpose or hope.  He is ready and eager to respond.  AMEN?  AMEN!

 

I would like you to take a few minutes and dream with me.  What would the world be like if everyone in every country and every community large and small and every culture and in all positions lived and acted like Christ and followed His Will?   What would it be like?  No more murders and lies and stealing. No more anger hateful words and actions.   No more broken families and suffering children.   Take some time to get to know Jesus through scripture and also looking at genuine faithful Christians and notice how  they live. Judge their lives against the example Christ lived and then judge what it would be like if that was normal and common and “ordinary”.

 

Do you still feel ordinary and boring and unnoticed?  You think Jesus is “boring” or His message obsolete or outdated or ineffective?  Then see where the evidence leads you.  You too will be persuaded by Him if you are open to learn and discover who Jesus is and what He is like.  To know Him is to love Him.  To know Him is to….   I’ll leave it to you to take it from here and see how many ways we can respond to knowing Him.  He knows you by name and even better than you know yourself.  You just need to get acquainted  with Him and He is            waiting and eager to introduce Himself  to you.

 

Truth is no matter how good we think we are by comparing ourselves to others, our example (life) and conduct and thoughts fall far short of God’s example and definition and expectations.   God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are One and identical in thought and character and in mission / resolve. When we get  to know Christ, we also are getting acquainted with the Father and Holy Spirit.  When we get acquainted with the Holy Spirit and open ourselves to receive His council and influence, we are also getting closer to the Father and to Christ .

 

WE CAN NOT EARN OR WORK OUR WAY TO SALVATION AND REDEMPTION.  BOTH ARE GIFTS CHRIST BOUGHT.   INSTEAD, WE WORK AND DRAW CLOSER TO HIM IN ORDER TO PLEASE HIM AND BECOME MORE LIKE HIM AND TO HELP DRAW OTHERS TO KNOW AND ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM TOO.   AMEN?  AMEN!
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that we matter to You. Keep us in Your Son Jesus. Amen.

12/7/19                                              MIND READERS                              7

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  Matthew 22:37

RECOMMENDED READING:  MATTHEW 22:34-36  “³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. ³⁵ Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?””

COMMENTS: Advent is a time when we have opportunity to remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth.  A time with special opportunity to read about and ponder the miraculous birth that was God’s plan for our redemption and sufficient for the redemption of all humans from all generations.  When we take time to do that, we will discover the mind and heart of God.  God already knows our thoughts as well as actions.  We cannot grasp or absorb all God’s mind and thoughts, but with His help we can discover what His Will and our capability allows.

It is reported in the news that Facebook engineers are working on a project to read the human mind and translate that information into words.  The goal of this project is to control and use our digital devices by power of thought instead of by our hands or voice.   Intent is to enable more efficiency and speed in communication and accessing information globally.  I cannot comprehend the technology necessary to do that or even imagine achieving that goal and providing that capability to the public economically.  But then again, consider how unbelievable current technology would be viewed 75 or even 50 years ago.   I can remember subscribing to a science magazine as a teen that discussed what future technology would look like 50 years in the future.  Some became a reality but many are either yet to be achieved or came to pass much differently than envisioned then.   Now we can look back and understand how and why differences developed.  

There are also the moral and ethical concerns that must resolve the dangers and abuses empowered by this technology.  For this type of technology, self-examination may be necessary first so we understand, as God already knows, the consequences of sharing intimate – private publicly.  Think about the risks and dangers and abuses likely. Families where members share thoughts while angry without thought of impact of their words likely do damage to fragile relationships that may not be fixable. 

If your thoughts became public, would they include scripture and be pure or would they be filled with sin and evil – hurtful words and results?  Would those thoughts be “Let not your heart be troubled…? God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…. We know that all things work together for good…. For God so loved the world…. Trust in the Lord with all your heart” (John 14:1; Psalm 46:1; Romans 8:28; John 3:16; Proverbs 3:5)?

When we become Christians, the truth of God should be utmost in our thoughts as we love Him with all our mind. One way of measuring that is how often Scripture is cycling through our thoughts, leading us to praise and adoration.  What we expose our minds to become what dominates our thoughts and impacts our words and actions.   We can hide or withhold our thoughts for a variety of reasons but those thoughts are eventually revealed because we can’t keep those barriers up forever.   We can’t sustain such restraint.  So then, change from the inside out filling our minds with scripture and with praise and worship goes a long way towards becoming more Christ-like and sustaining that change.

Reading our thoughts may never become a reality but God already can and does know our thoughts and offers help in cleaning up our thoughts and changing what our minds dwell on and think about.   So, what would like to see change in your private thoughts?     What do you think God would like to change?  How much do you trust Him?  Enough to honestly ask Him that question?  Enough to act on His response and let Him come in and clean up our thoughts as well as our lives.  What do we have to lose?  What do we have to gain?  Well, I’m sure what we have to lose is not worth having or keeping while what we have to gain is priceless and will be precious to us too.  Such changes will positively impact our life and lives of our loved ones and effectiveness of our influence on others too.  AMEN?   AMEN!

12/8/19                                   Sound Thinking                                          8                   

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Recommended Reading: ROMANS 8:1-5 “  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

COMMENTS: Is a miracle any less a miracle if experienced daily than once?  Are our bodies any less amazing when given to every human who has lived or living now or will live?  Is God’s love and Grace any less wonderful when offered to all and received by millions than if had only been offered and given to one?  Is a beautiful sunrise and sunset any less beautiful if displayed every day than if it were only displayed once?  Would life be any less precious if experienced for 80 years than if experienced only for one year?   Well, I think you are starting to get the idea.  Wonderful things and relationships we enjoy become more precious to us when we know they are short lived than if we know they will last a long time.   It is human nature to appreciate what doesn’t last more than what does even though we don’t want desirable experiences to last.  The difference does not lie on the item or relationship but in our own minds.  We then to get used to and take for granted and even neglect things and experiences and even people who are in our lives consistently without fail.  We tend to appreciate and even notice them less and less as time marches on.  Even time itself is less appreciated until it draws to a close or crisis.

If we knew today would be our last on earth, would we spend it the same as if we knew we had many more?   I dare say now.  We would plan more carefully and eliminate any wasted activity and thoughts and pursuits.

Well, knowing that, what should we change and do to discipline our brains – our minds to change our thinking in order to appreciate more and more wisely use the experiences and gifts and nurture more faithfully the relationships we hold more valuable and precious.

Our most precious treasures are:  life, family, and friends.  But even above them is our relationship with God. Our relationship with Him that begins the day we realize and accept His sacrifice on the cross personally as payment for our sins.  A relationship which grows as we spend time with Him in His Word, with other believers worshipping and fellowshipping together, in prayer with Him, with the Holy Spirit learning to hear and understand and follow His council and lead.

Cleaning our lives of clutter and unneeded and unwanted possessions and activity that consumes our resources and time is a good start.  Then focusing on those possessions and activities and relationships which are most beneficial and important long term and certainly for eternity.  But truth is our minds can only be brought into control by focus and filling it with good thoughts and exposure to good input in order to drown out and eliminate bad thoughts that damages and consumes valuable time and resources.   That is why spending more time in His Word and in prayer and in fellowship with other believers is important and to give us less important things that waste time and other resources and fills our minds, leaving little room for our relationship with God.

So, the answer to becoming more Christ-like is to fill our minds with good things in order to drown out and push out bad or less valuable things.   Will power and mental focus are not enough to drive out bad thoughts and habits.  Good thoughts and habits are needed to drive out bad ones.

It’s helpful to have several good translations of the Bible to compare with each other. Doing so adds insight, for the same Hebrew and Greek words can have varying shades of definition. For example, in the New King James Version, 2 Timothy 1:7 says God has given us a spirit “of power and of love and of a sound mind.” But the New International Version says, “power, love and self-discipline.”

Both ideas are true. The original Greek word conveys the idea of having a mind that is wise and capable of sound thinking because it is disciplined and sober.

The same theme is conveyed in Romans 8:5: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the caretaker of the believer’s mind. He longs to develop within us the mind of Christ. Is your mind sound and self-disciplined? Is it under the Spirit’s management?

“An old hymn says, “May the mind of Christ, my Savior live in me from day to day.”¹ May that be our prayer!”    Kate B. Wilkinson

12/9/19                          3 Reasons We Know Heaven is Real                            9

Scripture:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” – Hebrews 6:19

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

 “…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4

COMMENTS: We have the recorded history of many generations of faithful men and women and evil children who followed God’s call and instruction and enjoyed blessing and close fellowship with God.  We also have recorded history of the suffering and even punishment of those who refused and did not follow God’s direction and instruction.   This information helps us understand them, understand how they communed with God and God with them as they navigated through life and obstacles and choices.   We see how God confirmed good choices and gave warning signs to avoid foolish choices and divert back from wrong choices.   We have evidence of fulfillment of promises God gave and preparation God provided to those He chose to be involved in fulfillment of those promises.

There are promises and prophecies yet to be fulfilled but so far God’s fulfilment history is 100%.   We also have the added blessing of personal history and history of our family and family ancestors to add to our confidence that God’s faithfulness and wise direction will continue.  All this to convince us that God can and should be trusted and followed.   To add to our confidence and sure success, God has promised to walk with us and does so by His Holy Spirit abiding and guiding us all the time.  Since the Holy Spirit is God, He can so abide with each of us at the same time and still give His full focus on each of us without distraction.  Our choices do impact our path of obedience and how He interacts with others too because of the interactive impact of our actions on others and theirs on us.

He is also preparing a home and place for us.  He is preparing heaven for us as well as preparing us for heaven.   ALL ARE INVITED AND HAVE THE CHOICE OF HEAVEN AS THEIR SURE DESTINATION AND HIS ABIDING COUNCIL ON THAT JOURNEY.  BUT NOT ALL WITH REACH THAT DESTINATION NOR FOLLOW THE PATH GOD WOULD HAVE THEM FOLLOW.

Why not?   BECAUSE NOT ALL WILL CHOOSE TO ACCEPT HIS INVITATION AND FOLLOW HIS BEST PATH.   WE ALL ARE PERMITTED TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICE.  WE CAN CHOOSE PATH BUT WE CAN’T CHOOSE THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT CHOICE.  ONLY GOD HOLD THAT AND WILL TRY TO ENCOURAGE US IN THAT CHOICE SO WE HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THAT DESTINATION – THE DESTINATION HE HAS PROVIDED FOR US.

Well, it seems like a “no brainer”, but satan doesn’t take defeat without a fight.  Satan wants to convince as many as he can to follow him to the judgment God has warned and promised will happen to satan and all who follow his resolve to fight God’s Will and Plan.

So, lets look at 3 of the reasons we have to give us confidence God is preparing a body and place for us to spend eternity.

1. In the midst of life’s storms and hardships and dangers and temptations, we have the confidence and assurance of eternal life.  Paul said it this way in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  He also in Hebrews 6:19 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”   I think it interesting he used the word anchor.  This word compares the anchor for a ship.   The storms and waves and wind all are capable of sinking the ship but the anchor holds the ship in place until the storm pass.   But the anchor remains on the ship ready to use until the ship docks in its destination port.   God passionately has our best interest at heart, so the destination and help available to us is His assurance to us we will get to our eternal home and will be all and more than we hope for.  All we have to do is keep our hand in His and follow the path He has set.  Not a path or destination we deserve, but one His forgiveness paid for so we have access to and assurance of heaven.  Heaven is a gift no one can take or rob from us.  Those who miss out do so by choosing to do so.  They do so by rejecting Christ’s sacrifice, so facing judgment will be their own fault, not anyone else.
2. Heaven is a real place so the reliability and skill of its builder gives us fresh purpose and meaning.  Why?  BECAUSE WE KNOW AND CAN SEE THE SKILL OF GOD’S PAST CREATIONS AND DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN.   BECAUSE HE ALSO PROMISES NEVER TO LEAVE OR FORSAKE US.  All God’s promises and evidence of heaven gives us Good News to share so others my choose to join us in the journey to heaven.  God always has a free hand to give new followers too.  There is always room for one more. Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”  Knowing this also helps us to number and use wisely the precious time on earth God blesses us with and become more aware of importance of spending that time doing things more important from an eternal perspective.
3. Heaven is a place of pure joy and freedom without the pain and suffering and death satan continues to pollute the earth and earth dwellers with.  So, God also assure us that by receiving Christ’s payment for our sins, we His redeemed people.   “…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21:3-4

12/10/19                                  To Know Him                                               10                                                     

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.   Philippians 3:10

RECOMMENDED READING:   1 JOHN 5:20 “20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in is Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.”

COMMENTS: We live in a country who has become stronger in part due to the variety of immigrants from other countries and cultures.  But the common Christian faith and moral code and world view so influenced the conduct and laws and constitution implemented by our founding fathers so as to create a standard of equality unprecedented in past.

You may say, well how about slavery in US and evil done by those professing Christianity?  What about how native Indians were treated in US?  Well, did those people reflect Christ’s character or satan’s? You see, if want to see who people follow, first look at who they act more like.  The Puritans, who influenced the writing of the Constitution and much of the laws enacted in US are based on the 10 commandments.  The early settlers came to US to escape religious tyranny and not only treated the native Indians fairly but with respect and gained their respect in response, saving them from certain death of exposure and starvation.

When look at the lives of faithful Christians, we see the truer story.  For example, a woman in our church reflects on an example from her early childhood.  A black man came into town and her parents helped the man find work and a place to stay. Her parents asked then, after the man had left if saw anything different about him.  She remembers them all commented on a missing finger.  None said his skin color or cloths.  They simply saw a kind grown man needing help who happened to be missing one finger.

Prejustice is not inherited but is taught by parents and teachers and friends and maybe even by some Sunday school teachers.  But so is Christ-like behavior and moral character too.

Well, the truth is everyone is God created and subject to God’s Will, enjoying by God’s grace life.

It takes time and desire to learn new things. And the same goes for knowing God. The apostle Paul wrote that his chief goal in life was to “know [Christ]”—His power and His presence in fellowship. Paul spent his pre-conversion years learning the Old Testament and his post-conversion years getting to know the One to whom the Old Testament pointed. And how long did Paul imagine it would take? For the rest of his life (Philippians 3:13-14). He forgot everything else and made knowing Christ his rest-of-life goal.

When we are reborn into God’s Kingdom, differences like race or economic position or job or size – height or popularity will become less noticeable and less impactful on how others are treated.  We will only notice their need and respond to it.  We will begin to see others the way God sees them and us too.   Stop and think how much better the world would be if everyone acted and treated each other the way Jesus did.  Some are closer to doing so than others.  How much better and safer and enjoyable the world would be if more would do so.    Well, it can start with you and me and maybe our example would start impacting more to follow.  That is how revival started many times in the past and could do so again.  AMEN?  AMEN! 

 

12/11/19  LIFE IS A GIFT BUT LIVING IS A LEARNED SKILL AND CHOICE    11

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Proverbs 9:10                                      

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE:  JAMES 1:5-8 “⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

COMMENTS: You and I have heard it said “It isn’t the quantity of life that matters but the quality of life”.  Abraham Lincoln is credited for this quote but originally stated it as “It’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.”  I’m sure the concept even predated Abraham Lincoln and was known and understood long before him because it conveys a biblical concept understood and followed by faithful Christians and Jews in all generations past as well as present.

The word “skill” in this devotion’s title is note worthy too.  The Hebrew word “hokmah” is translated both wisdom and skill in English.   Skill as learned and mastered by craftsmen and athletes and doctors and other professionals.  To consider wisdom a learned skill that is chosen and developed by practice and study gives us realization that wisdom is reachable by anyone and everyone.  

Skill in a profession requires competent and certified / accredited teachers and schools, which often require finances and physical abilities beyond the reach of many who dream of such goals.  But, likewise, there are countless examples of individuals who reached lofty goals of becoming doctors or wealthy business owners through sound thinking and taking advantages of opportunities along a logical journey towards the goal.   Granted, some have natural abilities and interests that energy and fuel some to reach such goals while others never are able to reach their dreams and goals.

The good news is God is the best teacher of wisdom and the author of perfect wisdom.   Even better news is God is willing and able to train and guide us to acquire and use and master His skills of wisdom without cost other than time and following His instruction.

In the Old Testament, wisdom as a skill in context included discernment in business and providing effectively for family needs, but effectively doing so including following God’s instruction. Therefore, a wise person is one who is skilled in living life according to God’s principles. A wise person is one who navigates his or her way through life in a manner that pleases God and helps others. And such skill (wisdom) is found only in God Himself.

Do you have challenging situations in your life for which wisdom is needed? Ask God—He has promised to provide (James 1:5). True wisdom is the skill of living successfully from God’s point of view.   Wisdom from experience of those older than us is important and worthy of consideration, but wisdom of God saturating scripture is priceless and free to any willing to open their minds and soul and reserve time to invest in receiving.  Cost is not in money but in time.

Most choices we make are not life changing and usually are made with little thought or reflection, but the more we open ourselves to God’s input and the more we learn and memorize and store God’s Wisdom in our minds and soul, the more accessible that wisdom will be available to us when we really need it to make life changing decisions, both those we are aware of and choices we think uneventful but will become lifechanging after they are made.

12/12/19                                           IT BEGINS WITH THE MIND                      12

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  PHILIPPIANS 2:5-8 ^“5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

COMMENTS:  Being Christ-like is a mission impossible because we are not capable of living perfect sinless lives.   But we certainly can improve and successfully progress towards perfection.    In fact, that is what Christ commanded us and the disciples exampled for us their lives and many others did both in scripture and in the centuries since.  Take a few moments to reflect on examples you know personally.

I believe, if we are honest, there are some who come close to being Christ-like.  But then again, even they exhibit in private to their own families laps of frustration and anger and impatience and … that is not Christ-like behavior.   Not even they can sustain constant focus on Christ.   Even they become tired and discouraged and try at times to rely on their own abilities and strength instead of on Christ.  Even they at times move ahead of leading of the Holy Spirit because they didn’t like the direction or got impatient waiting for a response.

Philippians 3:12 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” This is one of many verses Paul wrote confirming real life perfect living is a goal, not a destination possible in this satan influenced world.

So, what did Christ mean when He commanded us to be perfect as God is perfect?  Matthew 5:43-48 “ 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Charles Colton, a 19^th century Englishman, said “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” But then again, imitation always comes short of perfectly copying the original.  Of course, imitation behavior and actions without having the same motivation and influences is only superficial.  What changed Saul into Paul,  Simon into Peter, and millions of other Christians all into devout Christ followers bold in witnessing and facing severe persecution including torture and death with courage, is the indwelling Holy Spirit introduced at Pentecost and continues to transform sinners who invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in their soul and follow His guidance and instruction.

Demonstration of that transformation is revealed in more Christ-like conduct, including more wise decisions and boldness in witness and in worship and praise of Christ.  Likewise, humility in mind and heart, and change in conduct and thinking reflecting things that are “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy” Philippians 4:8.

Becoming more a servant while leading in character and example.  It begins with our mind and decisions we make.  It continues with the influence we allow to guide and persuade us.  To renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

Can we will or work our way to perfection?  Will determination get us there?  Do we only fail when we loose will or determination?  Success or even progress can not be sustained by determination.  Satan’s powers of persuasion and distraction are too powerful and skillful.  He has had thousands of years to perfect them and we are totally unprepared to do battle with him, no matter how strong minded or determined we are.

So, here is the Good News:

1. Christ died on the cross to buy our redemption and forgiveness.
2. Christ rose again to build a new life and future for us but also to abide with us
3. Christ rose to be our Savior and Lord and King but also our companion and best friend forever too.
4. Christ rose to go prepare a place for us – a home in heaven He is still working preparing today.
5. Christ left His Holy Spirit with us to abide and guide and council and strengthen and encourage and defend us – to be in constant relationship with us and be our constant companion all through life, including life challenges and life’s dangers and life’s journey and options.
6. Christ rose to be our go-between and defender and lawyer to the Father.
7. Christ continues to be God with the Father and with the Holy Spirit. God is a Triune God.  God is One God but revealed to us as the Father and as the Son (Jesus) and as the Holy Spirit. 
8. God is not fully understandable or known, but He does understand and fully know us and is passionate in being in relationship with us and doing what is best for us. Why?  Because He loves and cares for each and every human, including you and me more than anyone else does or can.   Even more than we love ourselves.
9. God is faithful. God keeps His promises.  God does not grow tired or old or distracted.

So how do we grow towards becoming Christ-like and less like satan?  Well, by filling our mind daily with the Word of God and spending focused time each day and more than one time each day in prayer and worship alone with God.  Also, associate and interact often with other like-minded Christians.  Also, seek out an older Christian who is also like minded has made progress in becoming more Christ-like.

12/13/19        “SILENT NIGHT”-A CAROL TO INSPIRE YOUR CHRISTMAS         13                                           Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.  Luke 2:8-9

Scripture Reading: LUKE 2:8-20 “⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them .”

COMMENTS: Advent is a wonderful time of the year.  Christmas decorations adorn houses and businesses and churches.  Nativity scenes adorn outside and inside churches and many homes.  In a world where Christmas has regressed to a secular time of giving and exchanging gifts with little or no regard for who’s birth is being celebrated.   But Advent is a wonderful time to take time to reflect and worship and praise Christ for who He is and has done and continues to do.  A time when we let the Christmas songs and decorations of the season to remind us of past Christmas’s and family gatherings to prepare us for this year’s Christmas gatherings and worship.

As I reflect on past Christmas family gatherings and Church worship times and Cantatas and plays involving all ages, I visualize and re-experience the joy and even stress of those times. I also am drawn back to worship and praise to Him, Who is so very worthy of our worship and praise and time.

Well, for me it is difficult to pick only one favorite Christmas Carol, but Silent Night is among my favorites.  To sing or reflect its words have special meaning and experience when sung and read during Christmas season and especially during times of gathering at church or with family.   To sing them in the summer or other times of year don’t seem to be as effective unless I take time to prepare and let the words look past all associated with Christmas celebrations and focus on the One being celebrated.   Christ is just as important and involved and worthy of worship and praise in July as He is in December no matter how we feel or want to do so.

So, I invite you to take time this month, especially, to sing and read the words of the favorite Christmas hymns and carols you hold precious and use them to express meaningful worship each day during regular devotion time.  We might just discover they have value in helping us sustain meaningful worship each day during the rest of our busy year too.  AMEN?  AMEN!

 Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright, Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.

Think of the difference between that First Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve today. Then, there were no horns honking, no sirens wailing, no neon lights glaring, no videos streaming, no music blaring … it was a silent, holy night. It might have been noisier in Jerusalem, just eight miles from Bethlehem, but in Bethlehem, all was calm—and all became bright as the radiance of God’s incarnation was made known to a young couple. The quietness and peace of that birth reflects the peace that God offers to those who trust in Him: We pray and His peace guards our heart and mind in Christ (Philippians 4:6-7).

Don’t let the “loudness” of the Christmas season overwhelm your quiet times with God. Live and sleep during this season in “heavenly peace.”

12/14/19                                     THE COURTEOUS MIND                                                    14

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.  1 Peter 3:8

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE 1 PETER 3:8-12 – ” ⁸ Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ⁹ not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For“He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

COMMENTS: It helps me to understand the Trinity to remind myself that God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are like minded and like character with God the Christ.  So, the character and personality Jesus demonstrated and is recorded in scripture also demonstrates the Father’s and the Holy Spirit’s character and personality.   This also helps me realize why the Holy Spirit is so accessible to us.  The Holy Spirit helps us become more Christ-like and teaches – helps us give honor and praise to Christ, to worship Him.  But also, to realize and rediscover the fact that Christ not only paid dearly and sacrificed greatly to purchase our forgiveness and redemption, but continues to be our advocate and intermediary to the Father.   Through Christ, we are permitted to boldly go to the Father’s throne and are even welcome there.  We don’t need to introduce ourselves because the Father and Christ are equally intimately familiar with each of us.    It also helps me to see the Holy Spirit as Christ still on earth abiding with and in me so I can talk to, seek His help and council, ask for His help and strength, and simply have regular conversation with Him like I would a close friend and co-worker and neighbor and like a family member or spouse living  with all the time.  The Holy Spirit filled the emptiness

 Everything was going wrong for Randa Ragland of Pinson, Alabama. Her husband lost his job; she was battling health issues; and the couple’s 3-year-old son, who is autistic and nonverbal, was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. That’s when Randa opened the mailbox and found an anonymous note from a neighbor criticizing her lawn for falling into disrepair. Randa posted the note on social media to encourage others to be patient with their neighbors because we never know what kind of hardships others are bearing. The post spread from person to person, and the next day a lawn service showed up to take care of her grass. Volunteers came to work inside and outside the house. And others brought groceries. Somehow a nasty note brought a community together.

 

If a nasty note can create so much unity, what about the power of inspired Scripture! The world is divided and angry, but when we saturate our minds with Scripture and develop the mind of Christ, it creates unity in our churches and homes and with others. It makes us tenderhearted.

 

The Holy Spirit came after Christ ascended to heaven.  Christ had promised He would be with them always but also promised a Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would abide in and with them providing what He did while with them but much more.  Christ was limited by His human body what He could do and go, but did miracles not by Himself but by the Father’s indwelling in Him.  After His ascension, He regained all His divine abilities and the Holy Spirit assumed the responsibility of personal helpmate for the disciples then and ever since even today and tomorrow. 

Every family sooner or later faces tragedy.   Sooner or later everyone in a family to date has died since Christ hasn’t returned yet.  Sickness and death and financial loss and job loss will directly or indirectly.  New Testament is full of examples of faithful Christians enduring horrible persecution and suffering with confidence and hope.  The confidence and hope of knowing Christ are preparing an eternal home for them with Him and with their loved ones for eternity.  That assurance and the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence was more than sufficient to carry them through.  It was also sufficient for Christians since and still is now and will be until He returns.

The world is divided and angry, but when we saturate our minds with Scripture and include the Holy Spirit in our day, we begin to develop a Christ-like mind, which begins to create unity in our churches and homes and with others. It makes us tenderhearted.

The Holy Spirit imparts a courteous mind.

12/15/19                              TRUE SUCCESS                                             15      

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  1 Timothy 6:6

Recommended Reading:  I TIMOTHY 6:3-10  “These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

COMMENTS: Success historically did not come without failure and many failures mostly.   For example, Jim Dyson is now worth $5 billion as owner of his successful vacuum cleaner company.  Yet price was 5,127 failed prototypes before building a reliable marketable vacuum cleaner.

How many people have given up their dreams because they quit trying just before success was in reach?   The answer is speculation but evidence of those who became so discouraged they almost quit and then tried once more, bringing success is not uncommon.  

Well, it likely isn’t God’s Will that everyone become a Billionaire, but everyone has dreams which may or may not match God’s dreams for each.  Consider what the lives of wealthy people are commonly like. Appetite for more money consumes them and drives them to deprive their family of needed time and affection.  Lack of contentment with present accomplishments and strong drive to earn more and do more.  

Balance is what God includes in His plans for us.   Plans that not only includes finding and following the purpose He has designed us for, but including time nurturing important relationships with others – with parents and siblings – with friends and neighbors – with spouse and children – with church family and even strangers – but most of all with Christ and following the Holy Spirit’s lead.

Well, what about the “overnight successes” we read and hear about?   Truth is we most likely are missing the chapter of failures missing in the story but still endured.  Likewise, the chapter of loosing vision is a common chapter that commonly happens.

So, what about how this plays out with those who are faithful to discover and follow God’s plan?  Scripture is full of a few like Daniel and Joseph and Samuel who discovered God’s plan early as a child or youth and remained faithful their whole life but many more like David who started and finished well but had time(s) of lapses in faithfulness.  Also, included are many examples like Saul and Solomon who started well but ended poorly lost.  One final category is those like Paul who started out   lost and found and faithfully remained true to Jesus and His plan.  I believe the most common is this path.  Most are not likely as dramatic as Paul’s but none the less life changing for individual and the positive ripple affect on others they have and continue to influence.

God has a wonderful but often painful way of preparing us for success.  Preparation which must include times of failure in order to teach us humility and obedience but also a mindset of gratitude and diligence in expressing thankfulness.  This is vital to balance in life and in obedience but also in relationships made and nourished on the journey.  THE JOURNEY SHOULD BE AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION OR GOAL!  Enjoying the journey makes life so much more joyful and fulfilling and relationships more important.

What we need is godliness with contentment. That doesn’t come overnight either. It’s something that develops within us as we walk with God over time, seeking His face, doing His will, learning His Word, serving His people, and singing His praises.

Overnight. Success. Fame. Fortune. Those words mean too much to too many. Instead remember 66. That’s the number of books in the Bible. It’s also the location of a great secret about true success: 1 Timothy 6:6: “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

12/16/19                                          Thanking God for What Didn’t Happen                        16   

Recommended Reading:  PSALM 91:1-2  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

COMMENTS:  Have you ever had a “close call” and had to paused to reflect on what could have happened?  Recently I installed hand rails on all our home stairs, including the stairs going into our basement and to our second-floor bedrooms but also the stairs going from my garage workshop to the garage under the shop.   Parkinson’s Disease has been causing me more dizziness and balance issues, not enough to hinder mobility to point of needing a cane but enough to cause me to be more cautious.   The other day I was going down the stairs into our basement and loosed enough balance I caught myself by grabbing the new rail with both hands.  I know I would have fallen several steps onto the cement basement floor if hadn’t installed the rails.     I reflected on the blessing of having those rails.   I reflected on discovering the opportunity to purchase enough rails for all my stairs at ¼ the price they normally cost, which gave me the motivation to purchase and install them.  I also reflected on timing of installing them just 2 weeks before this recent “close call”.  I now hold on to them every time I use the stairs.

I can recall numerous other examples when I felt a nudge to slow down while driving just before a deer ran in front of the car, or when something delaying leaving to go to an appointment or errand and discovered later there was a car accident about where I would have been if hadn’t been delayed.

There have been lots of times it seems circumstances were hindering or slowing plans of doing a task or going somewhere, and still wonder what dangers or circumstances I might have encountered without that delay but were avoided by the delay.   God has promised to covers us with His protective arms and the protection and comfort and guidance and strength of His Holy Spirit to abide in and with us 23x7x365.  I can recall countless times feeling or realizing that influence of His presence.   I can recall a few times I then let urgency of days obligations to cause me to ignore that nudge and later regretted that choice.  I can also recall those times I heeded that nudge and later discovered the circumstances and was glad I heeded that nudge.

How about you?  What has been your experience?   Can you recall similar “close calls” and Holy Spirit nudging?  I invite and encourage you to take a few minutes going down memory lane and recall some of those experiences from your memory.  I encourage you to share some of them with family and friends and see if they can add to those experiences from their perspective and many also recall some you may have forgotten.

Doing so now and again does help strengthen our faith and trust in Him.  Doing so also reinforces our faith and resolve to be more faithful and obedient to Him going forward.  AMEN?  AMEN!

12/17/19                                         Diligence                                           17  

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.  Proverbs 4:23

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING:  ROMANS 12:6-13  “ ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

COMMENTS:  Diligence is a rarely used word in modern times but is essential to success and reaching goals.  Diligence requires a resolve of mind to put goal above difficulty and pain and discouragement encountered on the journey to reaching that goal.  Everything worthwhile comes at a cost.  A cost in time and resources, including time and money.  A cost in emotional and physical energy and exertion.   k

Moses had a favorite adverb in the book of Deuteronomy. See if you can detect it: “Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, let you forget the things your eyes have seen…. You shall teach them diligently to your children…. You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God…. Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth… (4:9, 6:7, 6:17, 28:1).

The apostle Paul was fond of the same word. He warned us to never lag in diligence (Romans 12:11), to abound in all diligence (2 Corinthians 8:7), and to be diligent to present ourselves approved to God (2 Timothy 2:15).

Diligent is defined as making a constant, earnest, and sustained effort to accomplish or reach goal or destination.  Runners need diligence to finish races.  They reach a place of exhaustion and then have to dig deep to find a reserve of energy to finish or excel.  It is said when exhausted, only 40% of available energy has been used.  60% still remained untapped.  But this 60% is not easily found or used because it lies deep in our mind and body and requires mind focus over physical pain to discover and use.  But when discovered and tapped, new power and energy is discovered that energizes and refreshes.

This description and example apply well to our spiritual journey to the goal of being Christ-like. A goal that can achieve significant progress towards but never fully reached this side of heaven.

Christ perfectly exampled diligence in doing the Father’s Will and in being perfectly sinless and obedient to the Father’s Will.  He showed us perfect relationship and fellowship with the Father.   An example of diligence necessary for us to remember and be encouraged and guided by.   The Holy Spirit, and Scripture, and Fellowship directly with Him in prayer and meditation, and fellowship with other believers are all important resources to help us gain and be diligent – tapping into that 60% reserve satan wants us to forget about.

Be encouraged by the resources God has gathered and provided.  WE ARE NOT ALONE NO MATTER HOW ALONE OR DISCOURAGED WE MAY FEEL AT TIMES!  BE DILIGENT, WE ARE ALMOST THERE!  SOON WE WILL BE HOME!

AMEN?  AMEN!

  12/18/19                                       GOD’S PERFECT TIMING (GPT)                                      18      

But Martha was distracted.   Luke 10:40

 RECOMMENDED READING:  LUKE 10:38-42   “³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

COMMENTS:  Have you ever wondered what it was like to see and hear firsthand the stories and witness the miracles Jesus said and did?  Have you wondered what it was like to be one of those who witnessed the crucifixion or resurrection of Christ?  Well, the truth is we can come close because we have the Holy Spirit to show and teach us.   We have the eye witness accounts that describe very well what it was like.  And since those eye witnesses had human characteristic along with the same strengths and weaknesses that we do, we can conclude it we had been there, we would likely have responded the same way too.  

For Martha to be so distracted making preparations to welcome and provide a meal for Jesus that she missed out on the opportunity to fellowship with Him, reminds us of our own tendencies and weaknesses.      This would be the last opportunity to do so before His crucifixion and Jesus was there to have that fellowship with her, not to just eat a good meal.  Jesus was able to have that fellowship with her sister (Mary) but also desired to have that fellowship with Martha.  Well, Martha wanted that fellowship too and even expressed frustration that Mary selfishly failed to help Martha with meal first so both could have time together with Jesus.  

So, reflect on times you get distracted from the focus of work or even time with family or church.  Distracted from devotions and prayer.  Distraction from opportunities to visit an encourage others.  Satan can distract us by convincing us we can postpone opportunities or obligations and enjoy a brief distraction   without any harm.  But danger and harm could, and often is, those opportunities are missed.  Better to stay focused and postpone distraction until a better time.  The exception is when God brings distraction

Studies reveal that smart phones are responsible for 56% of the distractions hindering productivity.  Every time it chimes or makes a noise, we tend to respond immediately no matter what we are doing.  I have resisted that temptation especially while driving our car or other tasks for that matter.  In every situation, the risk far outweighed the importance or any urgency related to caller or reason for call.   For that reason, I have learned to ignore call when driving or doing another focused task until I am able to take call without risk.                                                                          

Similar focus on Christ and His Work is equally import and even more worthy of 100% focus without distraction.  It is also God’s command to us:                                                                 1 Corinthians 7:35: “…serve the Lord without distraction.”

Life is filled with distractions, and many of them have to do with our technology. But distractions should never be followed without weighing the cost and seeking His input first. Like Martha, we have work to do, chores to perform, and responsibilities to bear. But like her sister Mary, we also need time to sit at the feet of Jesus, fellowshipping with Him in Bible study and prayer.

The question isn’t whether we’re going to be Martha or Mary. Mary needed time with Jesus, and she undoubtedly learned how to do it. On the other hand, Martha undoubtedly served others with diligence. The key is finding the right balance between listening and laboring, always giving priority to our walk with God.

12/19/19                                    Hidden  with Christ                                             19       For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:3

Recommended Reading: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

COMMENTS:   Advent is a wonderful time of decorating, special church and family gatherings, special programs and an overall wonderful atmosphere of joy and generosity towards each other and, for some, towards Christ.  Celebrating Christ’s birthday was not done among first century Christians but by 3^rd century, church was celebrating Dec. 25 as the day of Christ’s birth.    December 25 was not chosen because of knowledge of Christ’s birth date, since birth dates were customarily not recognized or celebrated in that time.  Not define dates or time was clearly identified in Scripture nor by Mary who survived many years living with and ministering with the Disciples and early believers.  Focus was on Christ’s life example and teachings and death and resurrection. 

Details of Christ’s birth story are given with much detail but not date or month.  But clear divine direction was given that first Christmas.  The wise men came from a great distance guiding by a star foretold A businessman was often asked what he did for a living. “I sell underground condominiums,” was his serious reply. After enjoying his questioners’ puzzlement for a few moments, he would say, “Actually, I develop cemeteries—the land, the burial plots, and so on.” This amusing answer was a good ice-breaker in conversations, but it raises an interesting question: Can we live a life totally protected from all earthly circumstances? Is there a more practical way than living underground?

 

The apostle Paul suggested something along those lines: We are “dead,” but instead of being buried in the earth our life “is hidden with Christ in God.” That being true, it means that nothing can touch us apart from the will and purpose of God. We are protected and provided for today and every day until we go to be with Christ in eternity. It’s the same image we find in Psalm 91:2: “[The Lord] is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

 

We live in a day when the future is more uncertain than ever. But if you are in Christ, you are protected and provided for in Him. Numbers 24:17, Isaiah 7, and Micah 5:2 are some of the many old testament verses giving clues and prophecies concerning Christ’s coming and signs.  Matthew 2:1-11 gives us the story of the wise men and the bright star that guided them to Christ’s location. They cam a great distance and bright 3 gifts of great significance that funded Joseph and Mary and Jesus escape to Egypt.   The gifts of Gold – gift for a King, Frankincense – gift of worship worthy of God, and Myrrh – used to embalm bodies of kings and wealthy people of that day.  These gifts were their way of honoring and recognizing the birth of The King, The God, and His death and sacrifice for mankind for which He came to accomplish.  I will include a devotion tomorrow titled “351 Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ” which I wrote last year.

When asked what his occupation was, a man replied “I sell underground condominiums”.  After a few chuckles from he and his questioner, he replied “I develop cemetery plots”.  Well, that may be the permanent location of our current bodies when we die, but it certainly is not where our permanent living quarters will be.  Jesus is building it in anticipation of greeting us one day soon.  He told his disciples that He was leaving to prepare a place for them.  John 14:1-6 is Jesus’ words of assurance and promise: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^[a]; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know^[b] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The apostle Paul added: We are “dead,” but instead of being buried in the earth our life “is hidden with Christ in God.” That being true, it means that nothing can touch us apart from the will and purpose of God. We are protected and provided for today and every day until we go to be with Christ in eternity. It’s the same image we find in Psalm 91:2: “[The Lord] is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

We live in a day when the future is more uncertain than ever. But if you are in Christ, you are protected and provided for in Him.  Our future is bright and sure if we put our faith in Him.  No better gift to give our Savior this Christmas than our lives and wills.  No better way to spend Christmas than to take time to thank Him and worship Him.  Time with family and friends including Him brings Him and us great joy and fulfillment if we take time to include Him.  Let’s not forget to include praise and prayer in our gatherings this Christmas.  AMEN?  AMEN!  

               

12/20/19     351 Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Jesus Christ 20

Prophecy	Description	Fulfillment
1. Gen 3:15	Seed of a woman (virgin birth)	Gal 4:4-5; Matt 1:18
2. Gen 3:15	He will bruise Satan’s head	Heb 2:14; 1 John 3:8
3. Gen 5:24	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Mark 16:19
4. Gen 9:26-27	The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem	Luke 3:36
5. Gen 12:3	Seed of Abraham will bless all nations	Gal 3:8; Acts 3:25-26
6. Gen 12:7	The Promise made to Abraham’s Seed	Gal 3:16
7. Gen 14:18	A priest after the order of Melchizedek	Heb 6:20
8. Gen 14:18	King of Peace and Righteousness	Heb 7:2
9. Gen 14:18	The Last Supper foreshadowed	Matt 26:26-29
10. Gen 17:19	Seed of Isaac (Gen 21:12)	Rom 9:7
11. Gen 22:8	The Lamb of God promised	John 1:29
12. Gen 22:18	As Isaac’s seed, will bless all nations	Gal 3:16
13. Gen 26:2-5	The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer	Heb 11:18
14. Gen 28:12	The Bridge to heaven	John 1:51
15. Gen 28:14	The Seed of Jacob	Luke 3:34
16. Gen 49:10	The time of His coming	Luke 2:1-7; Gal 4:4
17. Gen 49:10	The Seed of Judah	Luke 3:33
18. Gen 49:10	Called Shiloh or One Sent	John 17:3
19. Gen 49:10	Messiah to come before Judah lost identity	John 11:47-52
20. Gen 49:10	Unto Him shall the obedience of the people be	John 10:16
21. Ex 3:13-15	The Great “I AM”	John 4:26; 8:58
22. Ex 12:5	A Lamb without blemish	Heb 9:14; 1 Pet 1:19
23. Ex 12:13	The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath	Rom 5:8
24. Ex 12:21-27	Christ is our Passover	1 Cor 5:7
25. Ex 12:46	Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken	John 19:31-36
26. Ex 15:2	His exaltation predicted as Yeshua	Acts 7:55-56
27. Ex 15:11	His Character-Holiness	Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
28. Ex 17:6	The Spiritual Rock of Israel	1 Cor 10:4
29. Ex 33:19	His Character-Merciful	Luke 1:72
30. Lev 1:2-9	His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto God	Eph 5:2
31. Lev 14:11	The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood	Luke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7
32. Lev 16:15-17	Prefigures Christ’s once-for-all death	Heb 9:7-14
33. Lev 16:27	Suffering outside the Camp	Matt 27:33; Heb. 13:11-12
34. Lev 17:11	The Blood-the life of the flesh	Matt 26:28; Mark 10:45
35. Lev 17:11	It is the blood that makes atonement	Rom. 3:23-24; 1 John 1:7
36. Lev 23:36-37	The Drink-offering: “If any man thirst”	John 7:37
37. Num 9:12	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
38. Num 21:9	The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up	John 3:14-18; 12:32
39. Num 24:17	Time: “I shall see him, but not now.”	John 1:14; Gal 4:4
40. Deut 18:15	“This is of a truth that prophet”	John 6:14
41. Deut 18:15-16	“Had you believed Moses, you would believe me.”	John 5:45-47
42. Deut 18:18	Sent by the Father to speak His word	John 8:28-29
43. Deut 18:19	Whoever will not hear must bear his sin	Acts 3:22-23
44. Deut 21:23	Cursed is he that hangs on a tree	Gal 3:10-13
45. Joshua 5:14-15	The Captain of our salvation	Heb 2:10
46. Ruth 4:4-10	Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us	Eph 1:3-7
47. 1 Sam 2:35	A Faithful Priest	Heb. 2:17; 3:1-3, 6; 7:24-25
48. 1 Sam 2:10	Shall be an anointed King to the Lord	Matt 28:18; John 12:15
49. 2 Sam 7:12	David’s Seed	Matt 1:1
50. 2 Sam 7:13	His Kingdom is everlasting	2 Pet 1:11
51. 2 Sam 7:14a	The Son of God	Luke 1:32; Rom 1:3-4
52. 2 Sam 7:16	David’s house established forever	Luke 3:31; Rev 22:16
53. 2 Ki 2:11	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Luke 24:51
54. 1 Chr 17:11	David’s Seed	Matt 1:1; 9:27
55. 1 Chr 17:12-13	To reign on David’s throne forever	Luke 1:32-33
56. 1 Chr 17:13	“I will be His Father, He…my Son.”	Heb 1:5
57. Job 9:32-33	Mediator between man and God	1 Tim 2:5
58. Job 19:23-27	The Resurrection predicted	John 5:24-29
59. Psa 2:1-3	The enmity of kings foreordained	Acts 4:25-28
60. Psa 2:2	To own the title, Anointed (Christ)	John 1:41; Acts 2:36
61. Psa 2:6	His Character-Holiness	John 8:46; Rev 3:7
62. Psa 2:6	To own the title King	Matt 2:2
63. Psa 2:7	Declared the Beloved Son	Matt 3:17; Rom 1:4
64. Psa 2:7-8	The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated	Acts 13:29-33
65. Psa 2:8-9	Rule the nations with a rod of iron	Rev 2:27; 12:5; 19:15
66. Psa 2:12	Life comes through faith in Him	John 20:31
67. Psa 8:2	The mouths of babes perfect His praise	Matt 21:16
68. Psa 8:5-6	His humiliation and exaltation	Heb 2:5-9
69. Psa 9:7-10	Judge the world in righteousness	Acts 17:31
70. Psa 16:10	Was not to see corruption	Acts 2:31; 13:35
71. Psa 16:9-11	Was to arise from the dead	John 20:9
72. Psa 17:15	The resurrection predicted	Luke 24:6
73. Psa 18:2-3	The horn of salvation	Luke 1:69-71
74. Psa 22:1	Forsaken because of sins of others	2 Cor 5:21
75. Psa 22:1	“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”	Matt 27:46
76. Psa 22:2	Darkness upon Calvary for three hours	Matt 27:45
77. Psa 22:7	They shoot out the lip and shake the head	Matt 27:39-44
78. Psa 22:8	“He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him”	Matt 27:43
79. Psa 22:9-10	Born the Savior	Luke 2:7
80. Psa 22:12-13	They seek His death	John 19:6
81. Psa 22:14	His blood poured out when they pierced His side	John 19:34
82. Psa 22:14-15	Suffered agony on Calvary	Mark 15:34-37
83. Psa 22:15	He thirsted	John 19:28
84. Psa 22:16	They pierced His hands and His feet	John 19:34-37; 20:27
85. Psa 22:17-18	Stripped Him before the stares of men	Luke 23:34-35
86. Psa 22:18	They parted His garments	John 19:23-24
87. Psa 22:20-21	He committed Himself to God	Luke 23:46
88. Psa 22:20-21	Satanic power bruising the Redeemer’s heel	Heb 2:14
89. Psa 22:22	His Resurrection declared	John 20:17
90. Psa 22:27-28	He shall be the governor of the nations	Col 1:16
91. Psa 22:31	“It is finished”	John 19:30; Heb 10:10-12, 14, 18
92. Psa 23:1	“I am the Good Shepherd”	John 10:11; 1 Pet 2:25
93. Psa 24:3	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Phil 2:9
94. Psa 30:3	His resurrection predicted	Acts 2:32
95. Psa 31:5	“Into Your hands I commit my spirit”	Luke 23:46
96. Psa 31:11	His acquaintances fled from Him	Mark 14:50
97. Psa 31:13	They took counsel to put Him to death	Matt 27:1; John 11:53
98. Psa 31:14-15	“He trusted in God, let Him deliver him”	Matt 27:43
99. Psa 34:20	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
100. Psa 35:11	False witnesses rose up against Him	Matt 26:59
101. Psa 35:19	He was hated without a cause	John 15:25
102. Psa 38:11	His friends stood afar off	Luke 23:49
103. Psa 38:12	Enemies try to entangle Him by craft	Mark 14:1; Matt 22:15
104. Psa 38:12-13	Silent before His accusers	Matt 27:12-14
105. Psa 38:20	He went about doing good	Acts 10:38
106. Psa 40:2-5	The joy of His resurrection predicted	John 20:20
107. Psa 40:6-8	His delight-the will of the Father	John 4:34; Heb 10:5-10
108. Psa 40:9	He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel	Matt 4:17
109. Psa 40:14	Confronted by adversaries in the Garden	John 18:4-6
110. Psa 41:9	Betrayed by a familiar friend	John 13:18
111. Psa 45:2	Words of Grace come from His lips	John 1:17; Luke 4:22
112. Psa 45:6	To own the title, God or Elohim	Heb 1:8
113. Psa 45:7	A special anointing by the Holy Spirit	Matt 3:16; Heb. 1:9
114. Psa 45:7-8	Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)	Luke 2:11
115. Psa 45:17	His name remembered forever	Eph 1:20-21; Heb. 1:8
116. Psa 55:12-14	Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy	John 13:18
117. Psa 55:15	Unrepentant death of the Betrayer	Matt 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
118. Psa 68:18	To give gifts to men	Eph 4:7-16
119. Psa 68:18	Ascended into Heaven	Luke 24:51
120. Psa 69:4	Hated without a cause	John 15:25
121. Psa 69:8	A stranger to own brethren	John 1:11; 7:5
122. Psa 69:9	Zealous for the Lord’s House	John 2:17
123. Psa 69:14-20	Messiah’s anguish of soul before crucifixion	Matt 26:36-45
124. Psa 69:20	“My soul is exceeding sorrowful”	Matt 26:38
125. Psa 69:21	Given vinegar in thirst	Matt 27:34
126. Psa 69:26	The Savior given and smitten by God	John 17:4; 18:11
127. Psa 72:10-11	Great persons were to visit Him	Matt 2:1-11
128. Psa 72:16	The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground	John 12:24-25
129. Psa 72:17	Belief on His name will produce offspring	John 1:12-13
130. Psa 72:17	All nations shall be blessed by Him	Gal 3:8
131. Psa 72:17	All nations shall call Him blessed	John 12:13; Rev 5:8-12
132. Psa 78:1-2	He would teach in parables	Matt 13:34-35
133. Psa 78:2b	To speak the Wisdom of God with authority	Matt 7:29
134. Psa 80:17	The Man of God’s right hand	Mark 14:61-62
135. Psa 88	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	Matt 27:26-50
136. Psa 88:8	They stood afar off and watched	Luke 23:49
137. Psa 89:27	Firstborn	Col 1:15-18
138. Psa 89:27	Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings	Luke 1:32-33
139. Psa 89:35-37	David’s Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever	Luke 1:32-33
140. Psa 89:36-37	His character-Faithfulness	Rev 1:5; 19:11
141. Psa 90:2	He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)	John 1:1
142. Psa 91:11-12	Identified as Messianic, used to tempt Christ	Luke 4:10-11
143. Psa 97:9	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Eph 1:20
144. Psa 100:5	His character-Goodness	Matt 19:16-17
145. Psa 102:1-11	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	John 19:16-30
146. Psa 102:25-27	Messiah is the Preexistent Son	Heb 1:10-12
147. Psa 109:25	Ridiculed	Matt 27:39
148. Psa 110:1	Son of David	Matt 22:42-43
149. Psa 110:1	To ascend to the right-hand of the Father	Mark 16:19
150. Psa 110:1	David’s son called Lord	Matt 22:44-45
151. Psa 110:4	A priest after Melchizedek’s order	Heb 6:20
152. Psa 112:4	His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al	Matt 9:36
153. Psa 118:17-18	Messiah’s Resurrection assured	Luke 24:5-7; 1 Cor 15:20
154. Psa 118:22-23	The rejected stone is Head of the corner	Matt 21:42-43
155. Psa 118:26a	The Blessed One presented to Israel	Matt 21:9
156. Psa 118:26b	To come while Temple standing	Matt 21:12-15
157. Psa 132:11	The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)	Luke 1:32; Act 2:30
158. Psa 129:3	He was scourged	Matt 27:26
159. Psa 138:1-6	The supremacy of David’s Seed amazes kings	Matt 2:2-6
160. Psa 147:3-6	The earthly ministry of Christ described	Luke 4:18
161. Prov 1:23	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7
162. Prov 8:23	Foreordained from everlasting	Rev 13:8; 1 Pet 1:19-20
163. Song 5:16	The altogether lovely One	John 1:17
164. Isa 2:3	He shall teach all nations	John 4:25
165. Isa 2:4	He shall judge among the nations	John 5:22
166. Isa 6:1	When Isaiah saw His glory	John 12:40-41
167. Isa 6:8	The One Sent by God	John 12:38-45
168. Isa 6:9-10	Parables fall on deaf ears	Matt 13:13-15
169. Isa 6:9-12	Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words	Acts 28:23-29
170. Isa 7:14	To be born of a virgin	Luke 1:35
171. Isa 7:14	To be Emmanuel-God with us	Matt 1:18-23; 1 Tim 3:16
172. Isa 8:8	Called Emmanuel	Matt 28:20
173. Isa 8:14	A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense	1 Pet 2:8
174. Isa 9:1-2	His ministry to begin in Galilee	Matt 4:12-17
175. Isa 9:6	A child born-Humanity	Luke 1:31
176. Isa 9:6	A Son given-Deity	Luke 1:32; John 1:14; 1 Tim 3:16
177. Isa 9:6	Declared to be the Son of God with power	Rom 1:3-4
178. Isa 9:6	The Wonderful One, Peleh	Luke 4:22
179. Isa 9:6	The Counselor, Yaatz	Matt 13:54
180. Isa 9:6	The Mighty God, El Gibor	1 Cor 1:24; Titus 2:3
181. Isa 9:6	The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth	John 8:58; 10:30
182. Isa 9:6	The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom	John 16:33
183. Isa 9:7	To establish an everlasting kingdom	Luke 1:32-33
184. Isa 9:7	His Character-Just	John 5:30
185. Isa 9:7	No end to his Government, Throne, and Peace	Luke 1:32-33
186. Isa 11:1	Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer	Matt 2:23
187. Isa 11:1	A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse	Luke 3:23-32
188. Isa 11:2	Anointed One by the Spirit	Matt 3:16-17; Acts 10:38
189. Isa 11:2	His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et al	Col 2:3
190. Isa 11:3	He would know their thoughts	Luke 6:8; John 2:25
191. Isa 11:4	Judge in righteousness	Acts 17:31
192. Isa 11:4	Judges with the sword of His mouth	Rev 2:16; 19:11, 15
193. Isa 11:5	Character: Righteous & Faithful	Rev 19:11
194. Isa 11:10	The Gentiles seek Him	John 12:18-21
195. Isa 12:2	Called Jesus-Yeshua	Matt 1:21
196. Isa 22:22	The One given all authority to govern	Rev 3:7
197. Isa 25:8	The Resurrection predicted	1 Cor 15:54
198. Isa 26:19	His power of Resurrection predicted	Matt 27:50-54
199. Isa 28:16	The Messiah is the precious corner stone	Acts 4:11-12
200. Isa 28:16	The Sure Foundation	1 Cor 3:11; Matt 16:18
201. Isa 29:13	He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word	Matt 15:7-9
202. Isa 29:14	The wise are confounded by the Word	1 Cor 1:18-31
203. Isa 32:2	A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place	Matt 23:37
204. Isa 35:4	He will come and save you	Matt 1:21
205. Isa 35:5-6	To have a ministry of miracles	Matt 11:2-6
206. Isa 40:3-4	Preceded by forerunner	John 1:23
207. Isa 40:9	“Behold your God”	John 1:36; 19:14
208. Isa 40:10	He will come to reward	Rev 22:12
209. Isa 40:11	A shepherd-compassionate life-giver	John 10:10-18
210. Isa 42:1-4	The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer	Matt 12:18-21
211. Isa 42:2	Meek and lowly	Matt 11:28-30
212. Isa 42:3	He brings hope for the hopeless	John 4
213. Isa 42:4	The nations shall wait on His teachings	John 12:20-26
214. Isa 42:6	The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles	Luke 2:32
215. Isa 42:1-6	His is a worldwide compassion	Matt 28:19-20
216. Isa 42:7	Blind eyes opened	John 9:25-38
217. Isa 43:11	He is the only Savior	Acts 4:12
218. Isa 44:3	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7-13
219. Isa 45:21-25	He is Lord and Savior	Phil 3:20; Titus 2:13
220. Isa 45:23	He will be the Judge	John 5:22; Rom 14:11
221. Isa 46:9-10	Declares things not yet done	John 13:19
222. Isa 48:12	The First and the Last	John 1:30; Rev 1:8, 17
223. Isa 48:16-17	He came as a Teacher	John 3:2
224. Isa 49:1	Called from the womb-His humanity	Matt 1:18
225. Isa 49:5	A Servant from the womb	Luke 1:31; Phil 2:7
226. Isa 49:6	He will restore Israel	Acts 3:19-21; 15:16-17
227. Isa 49:6	He is Salvation for Israel	Luke 2:29-32
228. Isa 49:6	He is the Light of the Gentiles	John 8:12; Acts 13:47
229. Isa 49:6	He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth	Acts 15:7-18
230. Isa 49:7	He is despised of the Nation	John 1:11; 8:48-49; 19:14-15
231. Isa 50:3	Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation	Luke 23:44-45
232. Isa 50:4	He is a learned counselor for the weary	Matt 7:29; 11:28-29
233. Isa 50:5	The Servant bound willingly to obedience	Matt 26:39
234. Isa 50:6a	“I gave my back to those who struck Me”	Matt 27:26
235. Isa 50:6b	He was smitten on the cheeks	Matt 26:67
236. Isa 50:6c	He was spat upon	Matt 27:30
237. Isa 52:7	Published good tidings upon mountains	Matt 5:12; 15:29; 28:16
238. Isa 52:13	The Servant exalted	Acts 1:8-11; Eph 1:19-22; Phil 2:5-9
239. Isa 52:14	The Servant shockingly abused	Luke 18:31-34; Matt 26:67-68
240. Isa 52:15	Nations startled by message of the Servant	Luke 18:31-34; Matt 26:67-68
241. Isa 52:15	His blood shed sprinkles nations	Heb 9:13-14; Rev 1:5
242. Isa 53:1	His people would not believe Him	John 12:37-38
243. Isa 53:2	Appearance of an ordinary man	Phil 2:6-8
244. Isa 53:3a	Despised	Luke 4:28-29
245. Isa 53:3b	Rejected	Matt 27:21-23
246. Isa 53:3c	Great sorrow and grief	Matt 26:37-38; Luke 19:41; Heb 4:15
247. Isa 53:3d	Men hide from being associated with Him	Mark 14:50-52
248. Isa 53:4a	He would have a healing ministry	Matt 8:16-17
249. Isa 53:4b	Thought to be cursed by God	Matt 26:66; 27:41-43
250. Isa 53:5a	Bears penalty for mankind’s iniquities	2 Cor 5:21; Heb 2:9
251. Isa 53:5b	His sacrifice provides peace between man and God	Col 1:20
252. Isa 53:5c	His sacrifice would heal man of sin	1 Pet 2:24
253. Isa 53:6a	He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind	1 John 2:2; 4:10
254. Isa 53:6b	God’s will that He bear sin for all mankind	Gal 1:4
255. Isa 53:7a	Oppressed and afflicted	Matt 27:27-31
256. Isa 53:7b	Silent before his accusers	Matt 27:12-14
257. Isa 53:7c	Sacrificial lamb	John 1:29; 1 Pet 1:18-19
258. Isa 53:8a	Confined and persecuted	Matt 26:47-27:31
259. Isa 53:8b	He would be judged	John 18:13-22
260. Isa 53:8c	Killed	Matt 27:35
261. Isa 53:8d	Dies for the sins of the world	1 John 2:2
262. Isa 53:9a	Buried in a rich man’s grave	Matt 27:57
263. Isa 53:9b	Innocent and had done no violence	Luke 23:41; John 18:38
264. Isa 53:9c	No deceit in his mouth	1 Pet 2:22
265. Isa 53:10a	God’s will that He die for mankind	John 18:11
266. Isa 53:10b	An offering for sin	Matt 20:28; Gal 3:13
267. Isa 53:10c	Resurrected and live forever	Rom 6:9
268. Isa 53:10d	He would prosper	John 17:1-5
269. Isa 53:11a	God fully satisfied with His suffering	John 12:27
270. Isa 53:11b	God’s servant would justify man	Rom 5:8-9, 18-19
271. Isa 53:11c	The sin-bearer for all mankind	Heb 9:28
272. Isa 53:12a	Exalted by God because of his sacrifice	Matt 28:18
273. Isa 53:12b	He would give up his life to save mankind	Luke 23:46
274. Isa 53:12c	Numbered with the transgressors	Mark 15:27-28
275. Isa 53:12d	Sin-bearer for all mankind	1 Pet 2:24
276. Isa 53:12e	Intercede to God in behalf of mankind	Luke 23:34; Rom 8:34
277. Isa 55:3	Resurrected by God	Acts 13:34
278. Isa 55:4a	A witness	John 18:37
279. Isa 55:4b	He is a leader and commander	Heb 2:10
280. Isa 55:5	God would glorify Him	Acts 3:13
281. Isa 59:16a	Intercessor between man and God	Matt 10:32
282. Isa 59:16b	He would come to provide salvation	John 6:40
283. Isa 59:20	He would come to Zion as their Redeemer	Luke 2:38
284. Isa 60:1-3	He would show light to the Gentiles	Acts 26:23
285. Isa 61:1a	The Spirit of God upon him	Matt 3:16-17
286. Isa 61:1b	The Messiah would preach the good news	Luke 4:16-21
287. Isa 61:1c	Provide freedom from the bondage of sin	John 8:31-36
288. Isa 61:1-2a	Proclaim a period of grace	Gal 4:4-5
289. Jer 23:5-6	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
290. Jer 23:5-6	The Messiah would be both God and Man	John 13:13; 1 Tim 3:16
291. Jer 31:22	Born of a virgin	Matt 1:18-20
292. Jer 31:31	The Messiah would be the new covenant	Matt 26:28
293. Jer 33:14-15	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
294. Ezek 34:23-24	Descendant of David	Matt 1:1
295. Ezek 37:24-25	Descendant of David	Luke 1:31-33
296. Dan 2:44-45	The Stone that shall break the kingdoms	Matt 21:44
297. Dan 7:13-14a	He would ascend into heaven	Acts 1:9-11
298. Dan 7:13-14b	Highly exalted	Eph 1:20-22
299. Dan 7:13-14c	His dominion would be everlasting	Luke 1:31-33
300. Dan 9:24a	To make an end to sins	Gal 1:3-5
301. Dan 9:24a	To make reconciliation for iniquity	Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:18-21
302. Dan 9:24b	He would be holy	Luke 1:35
303. Dan 9:25	His announcement	John 12:12-13
304. Dan 9:26a	Cut off	Matt 16:21; 21:38-39
305. Dan 9:26b	Die for the sins of the world	Heb 2:9
306. Dan 9:26c	Killed before the destruction of the temple	Matt 27:50-51
307. Dan 10:5-6	Messiah in a glorified state	Rev 1:13-16
308. Hos 11:1	He would be called out of Egypt	Matt 2:15
309. Hos 13:14	He would defeat death	1 Cor 15:55-57
310. Joel 2:32	Offer salvation to all mankind	Rom 10:9-13
311. Jonah 1:17	Death and resurrection of Christ	Matt 12:40; 16:4
312. Mic 5:2a	Born in Bethlehem	Matt 2:1-6
313. Mic 5:2b	Ruler in Israel	Luke 1:33
314. Mic 5:2c	From everlasting	John 8:58
315. Hag 2:6-9	He would visit the second Temple	Luke 2:27-32
316. Hag 2:23	Descendant of Zerubbabel	Luke 2:27-32
317. Zech 3:8	God’s servant	John 17:4
318. Zech 6:12-13	Priest and King	Heb 8:1
319. Zech 9:9a	Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem	Matt 21:8-10
320. Zech 9:9b	Beheld as King	John 12:12-13
321. Zech 9:9c	The Messiah would be just	John 5:30
322. Zech 9:9d	The Messiah would bring salvation	Luke 19:10
323. Zech 9:9e	The Messiah would be humble	Matt 11:29
324. Zech 9:9f	Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey	Matt 21:6-9
325. Zech 10:4	The cornerstone	Eph 2:20
326. Zech 11:4-6a	At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders	Matt 23:1-4
327. Zech 11:4-6b	Rejection causes God to remove His protection	Luke 19:41-44
328. Zech 11:4-6c	Rejected in favor of another king	John 19:13-15
329. Zech 11:7	Ministry to “poor,” the believing remnant	Matt 9:35-36
330. Zech 11:8a	Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them	Matt 23:33
331. Zech 11:8b	Despised	Matt 27:20
332. Zech 11:9	Stops ministering to those who rejected Him	Matt 13:10-11
333. Zech 11:10-11a	Rejection causes God to remove protection	Luke 19:41-44
334. Zech 11:10-11b	The Messiah would be God	John 14:7
335. Zech 11:12-13a	Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver	Matt 26:14-15
336. Zech 11:12-13b	Rejected	Matt 26:14-15
337. Zech 11:12-13c	Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the Lord	Matt 27:3-5
338. Zech 11:12-13d	The Messiah would be God	John 12:45
339. Zech 12:10a	The Messiah’s body would be pierced	John 19:34-37
340. Zech 12:10b	The Messiah would be both God and man	John 10:30
341. Zech 12:10c	The Messiah would be rejected	John 1:11
342. Zech 13:7a	God’s will He die for mankind	John 18:11
343. Zech 13:7b	A violent death	Mark 14:27
344. Zech 13:7c	Both God and man	John 14:9
345. Zech 13:7d	Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him	Matt 26:31-56
346. Zech 14:4	He would return to the Mt. of Olives	Acts 1:11-12
347. Mal 3:1a	Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah	Mark 1:1-8
348. Mal 3:1b	Sudden appearance at the temple	Mark 11:15-16
349. Mal 3:1c	Messenger of the new covenant	Luke 4:43
350. Mal 4:5	Forerunner in spirit of Elijah	Matt 3:1-3; 11:10-14; 17:11-13
351. Mal 4:6	Forerunner would turn many to righteousness	Luke 1:16-17

12/21/19                          IMMANUEL – GOD WITH US!         September 12, 2013                   21                        

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs 18:10-14  “¹⁰ The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.¹¹ The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit¹² Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.¹³ He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

NAMES OF JESUS:” ⁶ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.⁷ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”  Isaiah 9:6-7

^“14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Isaiah 7:14

COMMENTS:  The names given to Christ not only give Him equal status with God the Father but also Immanuel tells us “God is with us”.  Isaiah 7:14 gives Him that name.   The wonder and miracle of that has been impacting me this Christmas and don’t want to take His precious gift of His presence for granted.  I think blue is an interesting color to give to Christ.  As see the depth of Christ we begin to see the blue in water or air, but how little we appreciate how precious water and air are to our existence because they are so plentiful and everywhere.  This Christmas let’s take time to appreciate just how close Christ “God with us” is to us and accessible to us but also how much we depend on Him, like air and water.  By doing this, you and I can begin to sense that presence and see Him all around us in His creation.  Just because we don’t notice Him doesn’t mean He isn’t there, right?  As the above scriptures leads us, let’s not wait til our death bed to appreciate His presence and be revived by that truth.  Life can and is so much more enjoyable and fulfilling and productive if let Him be in our lives and live thru us.  I’m striving the embrace that more, and pray you will join me in that endeavor.  There is a contemporary Christian song that asked the question will we stand or bow or fall to our knees when we see Christ?  I can’t imagine not falling to my knees in worship when I see Christ.  I will have new knees that will be much better than the artificial knees I now have, but I’m getting into practice on my knees now – doing my best work on my knees.  How about you?  Let’s do some knee work…

 

12/22/19    “God Chooses and Prepares His Earthly Mother”   22

Luke 1:26-55  ^“26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸ And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

⁴⁶ And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

⁴⁸ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

⁴⁹ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

⁵¹ He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 

⁵³ He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

⁵⁴ He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

 

COMMENTS:                                                                                      Throughout scripture there are very few recognized by God with a special commendation: 

1. One was David who God honored as “A man after His Own Heart” : I Samuel 13:13-14 “¹³ And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.¹⁴ But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.”

The following words describe the heart of David as seen in his own writings:

Humble – Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9

Reverent – I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3

Respectful – Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. Psalm 31:9

Trusting – The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Loving – I love you, O Lord, my strength. Psalm 18:1

Devoted – You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Psalm 4:7

Recognition – I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. Psalm 9:1

Faithful – Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Obedient – Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34

Repentant – For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. Psalm 25:11

But David sinned greatly and nearly lost all but redeemed himself by seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness.

2. Another was Daniel, who God honored as “highly esteemed” : Daniel 9:23 “At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.” Daniel remained true to God from his childhood through his old age, faithful in worship and service all his life.  Few have been as faithful as Daniel and gives us a wonderful example to pattern our lives after.
3. But our best example (except for Christ Himself) and most highly honored is Mary, Christ’s earthly mother. God honored her as “ highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women” Luke 1:28.  Few have been privileged to be visited by an angel or at least an angel of rank of Gabriel or Michael. 

I believe we, as Protestant Christians fail to recognize and honor Mary like Catholic Christians.  Their crosses show Christ still on the Cross and they even pray to Mary as an intermediary.  I do not agree we should honor her to that degree, but I believe we tend to diminish her example by not recognizing her and her faithful life.  The significance and depth of her prayer of praise recorded in Luke 1:46-55, after receiving the news Gabriel gave her, reflects a Christian maturity and understanding and depth of relationship second to none in scripture and far beyond her young years.  Consider she could have been as young as 12 or as old as 15 when she received this message from Gabriel.  Such proves she already had a deep and personal relationship with God.  Her pray not only helps us learn how to pray and praise our Lord but also shows us 17 of God’s Attributes.

As we prepare for the Christmas Advent Season, let’s reflect on the preparation and planning God did to pave the way for His coming as our human example as well as our Savior.  There are countless prophecies foretelling of His coming. I discovered a list of 351 old testament prophecies with scripture reference as well as new testament fulfillment, so attached at end of this message.  I can’t say if that list is complete but is impressive and confirms the significance and attention God gave both to paving the way for Christ’s coming but also the significance He placed on that coming and desire for us to prepare for His coming.

He also put a great deal of thought and planning into selecting his earthly family and especially His earthly mother.  What was to be the significance of his mother?  Why did He choose Mary, a poor humble young girl with no experience or preparation for such an amazing job and responsibility as well as privilege.  Yet imagine the grief and pain she was to endure when she saw her beloved son but also her Savior dying on a horrible cross?  What prepared her for such a job but also such a burden?  And why did God take Joseph home, sparing he the pain of seeing Christ die while leaving Mary to endure that burden alone?  Well, these are just a few of the many questions that will just have to wait til we get to heaven and learn the rest of the story and background but also the ripple affect on subsequent generations.  I am completely convinced when we do learn the rest of the story, we will be in awe of God’s plan and fulfillment and benefits.  But until then we can only imagine and trust His perfect will and plan.

So let’s begin to look closely at Mary’s response to Gabriel’s visit and news as she prays and reveals these attributes of God.  I think you too will be amazed to discover her depth of understanding and love for the God she knew so well and who knew her even better.  She was privileged and blessed to be chosen an Christ’s earthly mother, but she had earned that privilege without knowing it by being true to the God who she loved dearly  and who loved her dearly too.  We would do well to follow her example.

To be an unmarried girl or woman bearing a child in her day would have brought a likely outcome of death or at least outcast from her family and community.  Joseph struggled with how to respond to the news until he too was visited in a dream where God directed him as he should respond.  How their parents responded to the news is not given but I’m sure they struggled too.  Yet they knew Mary and Joseph and likely could not imagine how they could have sinned in such a way because of their character and past conduct.  Yet the story they gave of the angelic visit and revelation from the angel was too overwhelming and unbelievable to grasp either.  Was the Messiah going to be born and was their daughter going to be the Messiah’s mother?  How would you take such news? Yet time would prove it out and Mary would be protected by those who would judge her otherwise.   The Angel Gabriel’s message came to pass and Mary and Joseph raised Jesus and established the home for Him intended.

Mary had some time to think and reflect on what had happened and what was going to happen as she prepared and journeyed to visit her elderly cousin Elisabeth. Mary could have allowed worry and fear to grip her soul and likely was tempted to do so on journey until she saw Elisabeth and they exchanged stories and ministered to each other.  It was then she chose to worship and praise God as her response.  Worship is the opposite of worry as praise is the opposite of complaining.  So, let’s begin to look closely at Mary’s prayer recorded in Luke 1:46-55 and 17 of God’s attributes she expressed in her prayer of worship and praise:

1. GOD IS LORD

Mary begins in vs 46: “My soul doth magnify the Lord”.  She recognizes God is her Lord but in charge and she is glad for that and completely trusted Him to do as He foretold but also to protect and provide for her too. For Elisabeth to also have a similar miracle only confirmed God was close and involved with both.  To bring such an encouragement to Mary and Mary to Elisabeth showed the level of understanding and love He had for them both and enabled them to encouraged and support each other during the next 3 months.

2. God is Savior

Mary then says vs 47: “⁴⁷ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  Her soul worships and magnifies her Lord and her Savior.  God was very personal to her and she did not rely on the priest to be her intermediary and only way of communicating to God.  She also fellowshipped with God a lot more often then once a week in worship at the temple.  God was revealing to her that the baby growing in her would become not only the Savior of the World and people of all generations but also her Savior too.  How much of that revelation she was aware of as she prayed this prayer is not known.  Likely the full extent of that revelation would come to her much later.  Again, this is another question we will have to wait til heaven to receive the true answer.

3. GOD IS OMNISCIENT

Mary then responded in vs 48: “ For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”   God is all knowing (omniscient) and is aware of Mary’s weak and modest and vulnerable condition and position. She didn’t have to explain how she felt nor concerns flooding her mind, but simply submit and worship and enjoy His care and presence. He already knew she was young and poor and at risk of judgment and persecution but she was confident He would take care of her. 

4. GOD IS RESPECTFUL

Mary continues in vs 48: “for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.”  Even though Mary felt very humble and insignificant, she was realizing God was lifting her to a noble state the responsibility she was being groomed for would be noticed by all going forward. She wasn’t bragging but she was submitting to God’s will.  She was amazed God would honor and show respect for her and further humbled her and caused her to be in awe of Him.

5. GOD IS MIGHTY

May continues in vs 49:  “For he that is mighty hath done to me great things”  She is really saying God has her best interests in mind and is both capable and willing to take care of her and has promised to do so.  She is also saying she has nothing to worry about.

6. GOD IS PERSONAL

She not only states that God is mighty but that He has done great things to her, which means He not only knows her and her needs but is personal and active in addressing her needs and providing for her.  He’s personal.  She really didn’t have anything to worry about so could focus on worshipping Him in her prayers instead of telling Him about her concerns and needs.

I think the truth of her confident worship in the midst of real dangers and uncertainty is a significant lesson for you and me to learn and follow too.  We can and should have and exercise such faith and confidence too and He wants us too.  This too demonstrates the level of maturity she had in her walk with God, but I imagine the whole experience of the visit from Gabriel and days after resulted in a dramatic change in her beyond her level of maturity before.

7. GOD IS HOLY

Verse 49 concluded with “and holy is his name.  God’s name is Holy and all that He does is good and wonderful.

How often do we encounter difficulties or even tragedy and the first thing we believe is He is punishing us or judging us or even abandoning us when He is simply preparing us for greater work and blessings.

Worship is the answer to fear and anxiety and even coveting.  Mary chose to worship no matter how she felt. She let her mind respond and make her heart submit to what she knew in her mind and soul to be true.  The joy she experience was genuine but was a result of her will submitting to God’s will and plan. A valuable lesson for us to learn and relearn because, let’s face it, practicing this lesson does not come natural or easily but is vital to learn and practice.

8. GOD IS MERCIFUL

Mary continues in vs 50 “⁵⁰ And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.” She knew from history and personal past experience that God was also merciful and quick to forgive those who seek His mercy.  She knew scripture and history well enough to also know for certain He both has and will continue to demonstrate consistent mercy to the faithful and she could rely on that. Even she knew she was a sinner deserving God’s judgment but also knew His mercy was showering her because she has received His forgiveness and feared Him.

9. GOD IS WORTHY

Mary demonstrated confidence that God was worthy of her trust and worship and love.  Who else was so worthy of the level of trust and faith and worship she expressed?  Who else could she trust so?  Who else could bring her such joy and fulfillment?   Who else could so transform a young girl into mighty prayer warrior and instill such courage in her?  Who else could transform a young inexperienced poor girl into a worthy mother of God? Who else is so worthy to be feared and revered so?  NO ONE BUT GOD ALMIGHTY!!

10. GOD IS POWERFUL

Mary goes on in vs 51:  “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts”.   She is saying none is can match His strength or power.  She also is saying many have tried but all have failed and all will fail who challenge His Will.  The proud will always fail. 

11. GOD IS SOVEREIGN

Mary continues in vs 52:  “ He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.”

Mary’s confidence was not in herself but in the God she served and trusted and knew.  She knew God was sovereign and solely in charge of all. She also knew God was able to fulfill all the prophecies and promised foretold.  All the 351 prophecies of His coming, she might not have known or realized, but she knew enough to be completely convinced she was in a very good place (in His hands) and living in a wonderful time.  She didn’t have it all figured out nor did she understand all that God was revealing to her, but she understood and realized enough to get really excited and overwhelmed with Joy at the realization she was going to be a part of God’s work coming to pass.

12. GOD IS GRACIOUS

Vs 52: “and exalted them of low degree.”  Mary expresses praise for God’s graciousness to not only notice but responding to give dignity and provision and help to those who have been persecuted and destroy by the proud and rich.  Disgrace means someone without grace. God gives grace to those who have been disgraced by the proud and rich.  This is encouraging to the hopeless and defenseless and helpless.  It gives hope to you and me too.  Mary didn’t know what would happen but she did know God and that made all the difference for her.  It can make all the difference to us too.

13. GOD IS JUST

Vs 52:  “⁵² He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.”   God is just.  He will not allow evil to prevail and will restore, as He did to Job, all that is lost or taken unjustly from His faithful children.  Why does He allow some to suffer for a time?  We can’t know but examples like Job’s give us some idea of some of the reasons but He has promised to use all we experience for our good. Romans 8:28-33 “28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” It may not be for  us to know and understand, just as it wasn’t for Job until time of testing and growth was over, but he did learn when God was ready to reveal that to him.  What Job had to do in meantime was hang on and keep his eyes on the God he trusted and not allow himself to sin and turn from the God he trusted.  So must we.

14. GOD IS GENEROUS

Vs. 53 “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”  Mary knew God was generous and had resources sufficient to meet all needs.  Notice she didn’t say all wants or desires but needs.  God knows what we have need of and what wants that which will harm us if they are satisfied or given to us. She also states that the wealthy of their own means will not receive anything from Him.  The things of this world will not last but what God gives us will have both eternal value and will last for an eternity.  That causes us to look beyond our current circumstances and our current needs to what He has in mind for us and time frame for receiving such from Him.  Did Mary still have needs and concerns.  By worshiping her Lord, she was forcing her will and mind into complying with His will and timing.  That battle I believe was a daily one for her, as it is for you and me.  But it is one, like with her, can only be won by keeping our eyes and heart on Him and frequently worshiping and praising Him and reminding ourselves what He does and is like.  By acknowledging His attributes, we increase our faith and confidence He will take care of us and we have no need to worry.   

15. GOD IS HUMBLE

Mary’s prayer and way  she both related to God and prayed shows as level of humility in God to bring Himself down to her level and to love and care for her at that level.  He demonstrated this countless times in scripture both in old testament and new testament.  By the way he relates to the proud and compassion He has with the poor and lowly reveals just how much compassion He has on the humble and how much He relates to them.  Christ’s life demonstrates this quality even more.   The fact that the one sin that separated satan from God and forced God to eject him from heaven was the sin of pride.  God has no room for the proud. 

16. GOD IS FAITHFUL

Vs 55:  ““⁵⁵ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”  She says he’s faithful. He is. “He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” What she’s saying is this: he’s totally faithful. If he says he’s one way, he’s going to be that way. If he says he does certain things, he does those things. He is a faithful God.

17. GOD IS ETERNAL

Mary also reveals in vs 50 that God is eternal and faithful from one generation to another. ^“50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.”

Attachment #1

 

12/23/19       Christmas Message – Jesus Came as an Infant              23

 

Luke 2:1-52 CHRIST’S BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.²¹ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.²² And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;²³ (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)²⁴ And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.²⁵ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him²⁶ And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.²⁷ And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,²⁸ Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,²⁹ Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:³⁰ For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,³¹ Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;³² A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.³³ And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.³⁴ And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;³⁵ (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.³⁶ And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.³⁹ And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.⁴⁰ And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.⁴¹ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.⁴² And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.⁴³ And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.⁴⁴ But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.⁴⁵ And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.⁴⁶ And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.⁴⁷ And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.⁴⁸ And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.⁴⁹ And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?⁵⁰ And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.⁵¹ And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

COMMENTS: I believe God was pleased when the pilgrims decided to yearly observe a day of Thanksgiving, and when the USA decided to observe the last Thursday in November as a national “Holy Day”.  Well the wisdom of giving thanks before observing Christ’s birth has merit in preparing us for such a Holy time. Even though Christmas has become more a secular holiday than a “Holy Day”, but Christians the world over are called to both give thanks and to honor Christ’s birth. So, as we still enjoy the leftovers of Thanksgiving Day and anticipate the Advent season, let’s begin to prepare for Christ’s birth with hearts reflecting on all God’s mercies and blessings with grateful hearts.

Vs. 9-14:  THE HEAVENLY CHOIR PREACHED A MESSAGE

God’s miracle began with Gabriel’s announcement to Mary but certainly did not end there.  When Christ was born, the announcement was made by a multitude of angels not to the nation’s leaders or even religious leaders. Not to the influential or wealthy but to the least significant and least thought of and poorest in Israel.  Shepherds near Bethlehem were responsible for caring for the best of the sheep that would be sacrificed in Jerusalem for the sins of the people.  Yet these shepherds were not revered but treated as second class citizens.  But it was these shepherds who God honored to receive the news that would transform the world.  The news that the Messiah foretold for centuries was now born.  The content of that message was equally as significant.  A message of Wonderful News, Joyful News, Very Good News not just for Israel but for everyone in every country and every nationality and every class. The news that they need not fear because the Savior and Redeemer of all people has been born.  Then they told the shepherds where to find Him. Every Old Testament prophecy God gave the prophets of old (all 351 of them) began to be fulfilled one by one.

Vs. 15-20: THE HUMBLE SHEPHERDS PREACHED A MESSAGE                                                            As soon as the angels were finished and left, the shepherds couldn’t wait to follow the angel’s instruction and find the Messiah they announced. Even though He was only a newborn, God’s promise and pledge for a Redeemer and Savior was now in reach even if it wouldn’t be fulfilled for a few more years. What would He look like and be like? Their job was first to go see but then to go tell.  But how could they keep such a message and sight to themselves? We are not told who they told this news to or how far they went to tell it.  They still had the responsibility of keeping the sheep but they did have a message for all people.  I can imagine they told it to and  kept in touch with Mary and Joseph until they left Bethlehem but if they told no one else than to Mary and Joseph, the fact the story is told to us from scripture reveals they were faithful in telling their story.  They didn’t need to travel the world themselves to be God’s witnesses.  They only needed to tell story to those they encountered, who would tell the story to whom they encountered.  They didn’t know Herod would try to kill the Holy Child but God the Father know and took care of this issue and many more to come.

The obstacles and Roman decrees that caused Mary and Joseph hardship and inconvenience served to fulfill more of the prophecies foretold.  They also served to guide this precious family to where God ordained them to be even though they likely didn’t realize they were doing so.  They may have known many or even most of the prophecies, but they had no need to try to fulfill any of them.  God guided them step by step to do so.  They likely would have chosen easier and more logical ways of fulfilling those prophecies if left to their own wiles.  But they likely would have encountered problems and obstacles without a way of resolving them if they had tried.    Yet fulfilled those prophecies were safely left in God’s loving Hands.  The challenge of the taxation decree or the lack of housing were taken care of by God even if result wasn’t likely either Mary’s or Joseph’s first choice.

So how could God be packaged in a defenseless new born baby and that new born be in God’s protective Hands too.  If I could answer that, than my God would be too small.  So my response is “I don’t have a clue other than to say God is beyond our comprehension”.  He is everywhere all the time and in every time and at the same time.  Good luck in comprehending that!!

Why did God choose such a way and such a time and with such a couple to come and fulfill His prophecies?  That is such a mystery but simply is true “ONLY GOD COULD THINK UP AND ACCOMPLISH SUCH A PLAN AND SUCH A WAY”.

 

But the truth was the Messiah and Savior, the Christ had to be:

A human being born as a human, grow and live as a human, and encounter all the temptations every human face, but remain innocent and sinless if He was to become the sacrifice for the world’s sin.  Anyone less would be insufficient and inadequate to meet God’s requirement as our sin sacrifice.

Vs. 25-40:   GOD FULFILLS A PROMISE TO TWO FAITHFUL BUT ELDERLY PROPHETS

Simeon was an elderly faithful prophet, who was at the temple in Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph bought the 8-day old Jesus to be circumcised by the priest.  God had promised Simeon that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.  When he saw the infant, he not only knew he was the Messiah but also knew God had fulfilled His promise to him.  But an elderly prophetess, Anna also recognized the infant as the promised Messiah that day too.  God once again confirmed to Mary and Joseph that Jesus was more than just a new born baby.  They not only realized they had the responsibility of raising the Messiah, but they would have God’s protection over them too.   Yet what went through Mary’s mind as she fed and, yes changed the diaper of, the Messiah?   Well, we might want to ask her when we get to heaven, but probably that won’t be the question that will come to mind when we get to heaven.  There will be greater things we will want to ask her when we get to heaven.

Vs. 40-50:  THE BOY JESUS AMAZES THE PRIESTS AND HIS PARENTS WITH HIS WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

The years between the encounter at the temple in Jerusalem as a newborn and the encounter at the temple at age 12 are not recorded in scripture.  The details of those years are known to God and Mary and Joseph and many others who knew that family during those years and will be a joy to discover when we have opportunity to talk to them in heaven.  You see, we won’t be bored in heaven.  There will be so much to discover and learn and enjoy from our ancient relatives and ancient God followers.  There will also be those wanting to hear our stories as we discover the impact our stories had and are having on others.  Many of those years were spent in Egypt to avoid Herod’s decree to kill all children to age 2.  You see, God told Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt and then, when Herod had died, when to return. 

 

Mary and Joseph had so much to absorb and ponder from the time they both received the Angel’s news until Jesus’ birth.  They had 9 months to consider what their lives and what Jesus would be like.  How could they raise the Messiah and how could they prepare.  Then when obstacles faced them, they had to decide what to do.  But truth is, God’s preparation come day by day by being in fellowship with Him.  The wisdom and insight Mary showed my indeed come quickly and in spurts as God gave her insights.  But God also would give Joseph insights and visions and direction too.  Just as He does for us, God gave them just enough direction for each day.  They were not able to absorb or grasp God’s plans for them.  We can’t absorb God’s plans for us either, but are able to absorb what He calls us to each day.

But wait, you and I aren’t called or chosen to raise the Messiah.  How can we compare ourselves to Mary or Joseph?  Our lives are average and routine.  Well, what we do know about Jesus growing up years leads us to think His years were pretty average and normal for His day until He started His ministry.  There indeed may have been times like at the temple that amazed others, including Mary and Joseph.  But I can’t help but believe Jesus was a whole lot easier to raise than you and I were or our children and grandchildren are.  Right?   That may make us envy them some but life for them may have been harder than we think.  The dangers and risks satan put in their path all those years we can only image the “grey hair” resulting from those experiences. 

But such reflections serve to encourage us and help us realize everyone is significant to God and He is asking us all to walk in faith one day at a time with Him too.  He is also telling us that we each matter to Him and are precious to Him. 

The countless examples of faithful servants we are given in scripture are intended to help and show every one of us how to follow Him and live the life we were intended to life with joy and fulfillment.   Each example is also intended to show us we are not suppose to know the journey, just the final destination.  All the twists and turns and detours life puts in our path are a surprise to us but not to God.  He has it all planned out and has even taken that journey ahead of us so is completely prepared and ready to guide us through those twists and turns and detours safely if we hold on to Him. 

God chose Mary as His earthly mother and Joseph as His adopted father because He knew their heart and character even before they were born and knew they would be faithful.  They were humble but worthy.  They were of common beginning but chosen by God Himself. 

Those of us who had loving – faithful Christian parents can say we couldn’t have had better parents even if we could have chosen them.  Truth is Christ chose His and is pleased with them.  We can’t choose our parents but we can choose the kind of parent we will be or the kind or grandparent we will be.  We can choose to follow the Christ who came and paid the ultimate price so we can be forgiven and have opportunity to take our life journey with our hand in His. 

So how thankful are you today for the miracle God did and continues to do for you?  Consider what He gave you for Christmas and continues to give you each Christmas (and all year long)  before you consider what you are going to give Him for His birthday.  There is only one gift worthy of Him.  It is our love and our own lives.

AMEN!

12/24/19                                 JESUS EMPTIED HIMSELF                                       24

Philippians 2:1-15:  2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,² Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.⁹ Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:¹⁰ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;¹¹ And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling¹³ For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.¹⁴ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:¹⁵ That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

Philippians 2: 7 “⁷ but ^[a]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.”

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. — Philippians 2:5–8

That phrase there, “made himself nothing,” is actually means “He emptied Himself.” Then the question becomes, emptied Himself of what?

• He emptied Himself of glory. In John 17:5, Jesus prayed, “Glorify me…with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” He gave up the adoration of the saints and angels when He came into this world.

• He emptied Himself of independent authority. In John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can do nothing on My own.” He brought Himself into a different relationship with the Father, where ALL of His activities and actions had to be cleared in that unusual way. Though equal with the Father, now uniquely submissive to Him.
• He released the voluntary exercise of His divine attributes. Compare John 1:43–51 with Matthew 24:36 to see how Jesus sometimes was omniscient and sometimes not.
• He gave up eternal riches. I just want you to try to imagine for a moment the treatment that the Son of God, the King of the universe, gets in heaven. Yet 2 Corinthians 8:9 says, “…though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
• He gave up His intimate relationship with the Father. Who can describe the fellowship that exists between the first and second Person of the Trinity? And to hear Jesus on the cross in Matthew 27:46 shouting, “My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He made Himself nothing—for you and me.

Limitations Christ imposed on Himself when here as a human:

• He could not see into the future without insights from the Father
• His connection to the Father was through prayer instead of being one with the Father
• He could not be everywhere or in all times at the same time.
• His divine power was limited to what the Father provided to Him.
• He experienced the full power of temptation along with human weaknesses and pain all humans experience.
• He felt His mortality
• He felt the guilt and loneliness of sin – not His own sin but our sins.
• He emptied Himself of all resources and privilege and divine ability.

Why?

• So He would be an acceptable sacrifice for us
• So He would be a perfect example for us to follow in our battles with satan.
• So we could relate to Him.
• So His teachings and instruction would have full impact on us.

12/25/19                                    ANOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFT                        25   

Being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.  Matthew 2:12

Recommended Reading: Ezra 7:6-28 “⁶ This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the Lord his God upon him.

⁷ And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

⁸ And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

⁹ For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

¹⁰ For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

¹¹ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of his statutes to Israel.

¹² Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.

¹³ I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

¹⁴ Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;

¹⁵ And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

¹⁶ And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

¹⁷ That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

¹⁸ And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

¹⁹ The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

²⁰ And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king’s treasure house.

²¹ And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

²² Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

²³ Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

²⁴ Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

²⁵ And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.

²⁶ And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

²⁷ Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem:

²⁸ And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.”

COMMENTS:   Matthew 2 gives us the story of the Wise Men’s journey to and visit with the infant Jesus and his parents.  We are not told how many wise men came.  Since they brought 3 gifts, we assume there were 3 men, but there could have been many more, especially if servants came with them.   Likewise, we presume they arrived in Bethlehem the same night Jesus was born but likely was a few months later when Jesus and his family were staying in a house instead of in the stable where Jesus was born.  It is noteworthy to discover the influence Jews had on the Babylon and Persian culture.  When Babylon conquered Israel.  Faithful Jews, especially Daniel and his 3 friends, who remained faithful to God in their conduct and in worship, taught the Babylonians and then the Meds-Persians who conquered the Babylonians about the One True God and about the prophecies of Messiah.  The wise-men were Persian nobility so had access to that history and Jewish influence and apparently believed the prophecies of the Messiah and embraced Israel’s Messiah as their own too.

When Ezra and his people  returned to Israel and  were freed from captivity in  Babylon, they were given gifts to fund their journey, to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, and provide sacrifices during worship in that temple. Ezra took 4 months to make that journey (Ezra 7:9)

The wise-men came with gifts of gold-frankincense-myrrh.  Gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for the sacrifice.  They chose those gifts because they knew and understood the Messiah’s mission at least that much.   By coming personally and not just sending these gifts, they also gave their time but also received His time.

King Herod was not alerted of the Messiah’s birth until the wise-men unwittingly went to King Herod first seeking the Messiah.  But the angel warned them not to report back to Herod and return home another way.  Then the angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt.  God’s timing was perfect.  That timing provided sufficient time for these men to visit the Messiah.  No wonder Mary pondered these events in her heart.

The Christmas stories are recorded because Mary told them.  By the time the Gospels were written, all those who witnessed that first Christmas and the events leading up to and following Christ’s birth were all gone except for Mary.  Mary was present for all those events and present to share those events and so much more to the Gospel writers.  The writers did not come into the story until Christ called them to be His disciples at the beginning of Christ’s ministry. 

For Mary to witness the Messiah’s birth, the angelic visits, His growth and maturing  and ministry, but then His suffering and death and then His  resurrection and ascension, gives her a vital place in writing New Testament scripture as well as be in it.

Mary was the only one who witnessed Jesus’ mission and life from conception to ascension and so many unwritten details in between.  Consider what it will be like to sit at her feet and listen to all those stories some day.  All those events and experiences that Simeon said (Luke  2:34-35) would pierce her heart, as they did during His suffering and death.  All those things that   also enabled her to live t he next 15 years to share “the rest of the story” after Jesus’ resurrection and growth of the early church and writing of the scriptures.  Consider how those stories also impacted Paul as he wrote all the letters that also became part of our New Testament. 

God’s wonderful plan was not only fulfilled through His Son but also through so many others including Mary.

Think about all these simply poor modest normal common people who God chose to do His extraordinary Will.  Chose because of their simple faith and extraordinary willingness to listen and obey. 

What extraordinary ways does God want to use us?  Ways we likely will think ordinary at the time but later discover extraordinary ways God will use them.  What things will us one day “ponder in our hearts” as we discover God’s wonderful plan being fulfilled in the lives of others and in our lives.  Stop and reflect and discover ways already being revealed to us.  Ways already ready for us to “ponder in our hearts”. 

12/26/19                 THE FIRST NOEL – A CAROL TO INSPIRE YOUR CHRISTMAS            26                                        Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”
Matthew 2:1-2

Recommended Reading: MATTHEW 2:1-12  “ Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”³ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ⁴ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.⁵ So they said to him“In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:⁶ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”⁷ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. ⁸ And he sent them to Bethlehem and said,“Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”⁹ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. ¹⁰ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. ¹¹ And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.¹² Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”

COMMENTS: “And by the light of that same star, the wise men came from country far; to seek for a king was their intent, and to follow the star wherever it went.”  The Magi of the first Christmas get only 12 verses in Scripture (Matthew 2:1-12), but there is much we can learn from them. They were Persian so likely grew up believing in their pagan culture and gods but possible influence by writings of long before of Daniel, so read the old testament prophet writings and tied those prophecies to what they were observing in the way of a new bright star in the east.  God used their knowledge and interest in astrology and astronomy to lead them to the Christ child. So, following the star to Bethlehem became a passion for them, which also required great commitment and sacrifice of time and money for them to do.   Trip likely took several months in a caravan of camels across deserts, mountains, and plains—a sign of their commitment. As this Christmas Carol says, they were intent on following the star “wherever it went.” They overcame untold obstacles to display their recognition that something world-changing was happening in Bethlehem.

The star announced the birth of Christ, Israel’s Messiah, to the Magi.  The birth of their Messiah too.   The angels announced to the local Shepherds the birth of Christ, their Messiah too.  King Herod, the Inn Keeper, could have come to see their Messiah too.  But they didn’t bother to come and see.  We are not told who else besides the shepherds and Magi came to see their Messiah.  The Magi were told to leave another way so they likely left without telling others, following God’s instruction.  That was because Herod had decided the Christ Child was a threat and sought to kill Him. 

The Shepherds may have received similar instruction but we are not told.  But they did visit the Christ Child before the Magi arrived and before Herod had made his resolve, so the shepherds likely did share their experiences and drew others to go see as well.  In fact, Luke 2:15-18 tell use they did just that and many came and were amazed.   Verse 19 then said Mary, Jesus’ mother, stored all these visits and stories in her heart and marveled too.  It is because of her, we have these stories recorded in scripture because she shared them with Matthew and Luke and other disciples later.

John 14:6 is Jesus’ own words declaring that He is the only way to the Father – the only way of forgiveness and redemption and to an eternal personal relationship with God.  But required is our willingness to believe in Him and follow Him, but first to go to Him.  What star do we have to guide us to Jesus?  The star served that purpose for the Magi.  The angels served that purpose for the shepherds.   Then the shepherds served that purpose to others.  Jesus went to the disciples and to the crowds but crowds gathered wherever He went during His brief years of ministry.

How does God make Himself know today?  What does He use today to lead people to Himself? 

1. The changed lives of other believers are their shining star of life change He does for those willing to change.
2. Scripture giving God’s Words of Life and experiences of those long ago impacted by fellowship with God.
3. The influence and work of the Holy Spirit not seen but known by subtle but persistent ways of persuasion and encouragement and even conviction as needed.
4. By giving an unbiased insight into satan’s mischief and goals and legacy.
5. By His Holy Spirit showing us our own sins along with harm they have done and potential will do.
6. Crowds came to see and be healed by Jesus during His 3 years of ministry. You and I and everyone willing can come to Jesus for healing of soul but also of body any time and place.   We do so in prayer with an open – believing – seeking soul and mind.   We do so by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus, who then goes to the Father as our Advocate and Justifier. 

Jesus paid the price and penalty the Father required for our sins.  The Holy Spirit points us to Jesus and prepares us to commune and communicate with Jesus and also opens our ears and souls so we can hear and understand His communication through prayer – through scripture – through other believers.   They we too become those believers pointing the way to more to meet and know Jesus too.  AMEN?  AMEN!

12/27/19                                       Christmas Peace                                                   27             

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3
RECOMMENDING SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 26:1-4   “In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:“We have a strong city;God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.² Open the gates,That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.³ You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You,Because he trusts in You.⁴ Trust in the Lord forever,For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.”

COMMENTS:  Christmas has always been such a wonderful day and Advent season such a wonderful time of preparation for Christmas.  Seeing the decorations and lights and singing – hearing Christmas Carols and Hymns and all the old Christmas films and Christmas Cantatas and gatherings and worship at church with family and church family and friends.  The joyful spirit and warm greeting in streets become more evident and common.   Then comes the letdown of January when decorations are removed and winter sets in more severely and joy of Christmas quickly fades. 

Not everyone experiences Christmas with joy.  Those who lost a spouse or child see Christmas differently without that loved one.  Yet everyone sooner or later will experience loss of a beloved family member.  I can’t imagine not having my wife and children near on Christmas especially but have been times when family gathering has been delayed due to work schedule(s) or in-law gathering conflicts. 

What I have noticed from family and close friends who have lost loved ones is a tendency to want to be alone while desperately needed the close support and presence of family and remaining loved ones.    Having family near reduces pain and loneliness of loss.  But that loneliness returns quickly during times of being alone.

After Christmas comes gift bills as well as above depression from Christmas decorations and Christmas Carols and celebrations being over and memories archived into history.  But the busyness of Advent season with all the celebrations and shopping and responsibilities can be overwhelming and cause us to spoil the joy of the season.

So, what are we to do?  How about saying no to some activity and does during Advent and spend some more focused time simply listening and worshipping and praise Christ, who’s birthday we are celebrating.  When hear a Christmas Hymn or see a Nativity scene or Christmas lights, pause and enjoy and think about how blessed we are being able to know and be in personal fellowship with our Creator and Savior.  To have a Lord and Savior so powerful but also so loving and passionate about each of us.  Pause and enjoy this Christmas and enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit and letting Him be our guide to the Christ and to the Father too.  IF WE DO THAT DURING CHRISTMAS, THEN THAT JOY AND CLOSENESS TO OUR CREATOR AND SAVIOR WILL CONTINUED AND BE SUSTAINED DURING THE LONELINESS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY!  AMEN? AMEN!    

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast” These words and promise they convey from God to Israel but also to us and all faithful Christians past – present – future without breaks or exception is unfailing because God is unfailing. 
The words of that verse are good for every hour of every day, and they don’t weaken or wane during Christmas or during the lonely months of January and February. There are no exemption dates. Today, tomorrow, next week, for the rest of this year, and forever the Lord will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him, who dwell in His Word, and who trust in Him.

The Bible says, “Fix your thoughts on Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).

 “I was reminded by my toddler never to go to bed in anger.^”  Mary Katherine Backstrom
12/28/19                                         The Call of Christian Faith                              28    

“Come to Me.”  Matthew 11:28

Recommended Reading: MATTHEW 25:34-36 “³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

COMMENTS:  Christmas is a wonderful when Christ is calling us a bit louder to “Come to Me”.  He is calling us to come to Him and spend more time with Him and to listen and obey His instruction and commands.  He is also calling us to sit at His feet and abide with Him and focus on His Word.   To listen to His Word, fellowship in prayer and worship.  To share His love with others and encourage them to spend time with Him too.

The call of the Christian faith is the gentle word, “Come.” The Jewish law spoke harshly: “Go, pay attention to your steps as to the path in which you will walk. Break the commandments, and you will perish; keep them, and you will live.” The law was a dispensation of terror that drove men before it as with a scourge; the Gospel draws with cords of love.

But Jesus came as a Good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and leading them forward with the sweet word, “Come.” The law repels, but the Gospel attracts. The law shows the distance that exists between God and man; but the Gospel bridges that awful chasm and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are welcomed into heaven, the language of Christ to you will be, “Come to me.” As a mother extends her hand to her tiny child and woos it to walk by saying, “Come,” even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way and clear your path, and you will hear His life-giving voice calling you to follow Him all through your life; in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He will usher you into the heavenly world will be, “Come, you who are blessed of my Father.”¹

This is not only Christ’s call to you, but if you are a believer, this is your call to Christ – “Come! Come!” You will be longing for His return; you will be saying, “Come quickly; even so come, Lord Jesus.” You will desire nearer and closer fellowship with Him. As His voice to you is “Come,” your response to Him will be, “Come, Lord, and stay with me. Come and occupy the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Your service.”

12/29/19                     “HE KNOWS AND CONTROLS THE FUTURE”                       29

He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. (Luke 1:52-53).

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE:  Mary’s Song  ⁴⁶ And Mary said:“My soul glorifies the Lord
⁴⁷     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,⁴⁸ for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed,⁴⁹     for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.⁵¹ He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things  but has sent the rich away empty.⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,  remembering to be merciful⁵⁵ to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

COMMENTS:  Mary was an extraordinary youth, in her early teens when the angel visited her to announce to her that she would be the mother of the Messiah.   What an honor but responsibility.  She was highly favored by God even at her young age, and her response recorded in Luke 1 shows us why God favored and chose her for this.  Her response was to trust God completely and submit to His Will and Plan (Luke 1:38).  She was confident in her future even though she did not know nor understand what her future would be like.  She knew God knew and had was in control of the future as much as the present.
As Mary continues to praise God, she does something that happens in a few other places in the Bible. She starts using the past tense for events that haven’t even happened yet.  Stop and think about the significance of that statement.   She was so confident of the future that she treated it as though it had happened already.  She had no inside knowledge from God to see that future.  If she had, she would have enduring grief of the cross all her days but then again, she would have known about His resurrection and ascension. 

 Well, she might have had some expectations as time went on, but she knew her expectations and plans must take a back seat to allow God’s expectations and plans to prevail in her life as well as in the world.  She knew God’s plans were best for everyone past – present – future, including for her.   Take some time to think about her response to the angel’s announcement.  If she would have refused to be Jesus’ mother, God would have chosen another, but no need to because she was willing and ready.  God already knew that but still gave her that choice.  Free will is important.   Free will to choose path but only God is permitted to choose the consequences.  Consequences of blessing and life for good choices and consequences of misery and disappointment and death for poor choices.  Mary had no regrets then nor in the centuries since.  She never will because SHE OBEYED GOD.  Neither will we.   No, you and I may never get such a significant calling or responsibility from God, but what we do for Him will have eternal impact and blessing others and us.

We are approaching an end to 2019 and another decade. 2020 is just a couple of days away.
Look around you. Do you see the humble exalted, and the mighty brought down from their thrones? Me neither. How about the hungry being filled with good things, and the rich sent away empty? Well … I can think of a few occasions, but by and large, this hasn’t happened yet either. A quick glance at the news tells us just the opposite.

Christ came to bring hope and confidence of a bright future and a clear path to that future.  For now, satan still have the power to deceive and trick every one of us but not enough to force us to follow his path to death.  But many still follow his lies and tricks. Satan would have us think the world’s problems or our own problems are someone else’s fault, not ours.

If we follow or yield to satan’s deceptive temptation out of weakness or willful choice, we ally ourselves to him instead of to God, thereby becoming God’s enemy.   We open ourselves to receive consequences for that alliance and evil we are involved in and ultimately God’s judgment.  Scripture gives amply warning and past examples to prove that end. 

But good news is there is an infinitely better path and choice available to each of us.  The path and choice of forgiveness and redemption Christ bought with His precious blood.  The path to eternal life – to a bright future as God intended.  A path back on track without satan’s evil temptations and sinister work.  One day, Jesus promised to be soon, Christ will return to stop and bind satan and free those who choose God’s path of redemption from sin and evil and to life and peace and fulfillment and JOY.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:4-6: “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” We who trust in Jesus have that new life already. And our resurrection and eternal joy with Jesus are so certain, we can talk about them in the past tense.

THE PRAYER: Lord, thank You so much for what You have done and what You will certainly do for us, because You love us. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Are you optimistic or do you have serious concerns about the future?  About your future and the future of your family?  Why?

* What promises from God’s Word give you the most comfort?

* Tell a story about a time you trusted in God even when you were afraid.  Did you see evidence of His presence and help?

12/30/19            The Wonderful Counselor available to us 24x7x365                       30           For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6                                                                                                                               “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” Proverbs 2:6-8

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE: The Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26) he “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 1), and his plans for us are plans of  “welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29)

COMMENTS:  Above are a few sample verses to help us understand and know both who God is and what He can do and does.   His powers and abilities are boundless as are His knowledge and understanding. Isaiah foretold of a coming king with God’s abilities to reach out to and meet all our needs.  But noteworthy is His first quality is wonderful counselor.  Such indicates to us He will provide wise council that, if followed, will lead to life and peace, extraordinary wisdom and discernment.  Jesus fulfilled all Isaiah’s prophecies and much more but likely not in the way Isaiah envisioned when received and shared them.  Instead He fulfilled them as God intended, which if far better.   If we could ask Isaiah how He envisioned Christ to live and do and then ask him if He was glad Christ fulfilled God’s plan instead of his, I’m confident He would passionately state with confidence God’s plan.

The Creator and Savior of the world, and the fulfillment of the teachings of the Old and New Testament, is our “Wonderful Counselor!” His counsel is found in the Word that He gave us, is there when we turn to him in prayer, when we seek godly counsel from brothers and sisters in Christ who are seeking him diligently, and he walks beside us every minute of every day.  

Because the promised King came and became our “wonderful counselor,” we have at our disposal all that we need to grow a healthy, spirit-filled, Christ-centered marriage. We only need to lift our eyes, and our hearts to him in humble submission and rely on our wonderful counselor to give us what we need to walk out a marriage that mirrors the relationship that he has with us, his bride.  

During this Christmas season, let us remind ourselves of who it is we are celebrating, why it is that he came, and what has been provided for us because the “Wonderful Counselor” was born.

 

 

12/31/19                               A PEACEFUL MIND                                    31

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true…, noble…, just…, pure…, lovely…, of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING PHILIPPIANS 4:4-8 “⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things=.”

COMMENTS: It is human nature to want things we don’t own or have access too. But all too often we work and safe or go into life sucking debt to buy what we want without regard for cost later on. Buyer’s regret then is a common consequence.  The realization finally comes into view that wanting is more appealing than having and having doesn’t satisfy for long or even at all.

The other realization is that once money is spent, it can’t be unspent even if goods are re-sold.  In other words, getting a full refund may be possible if item is defective or if returned soon enough; but generally, money spent is money lost and unavailable when greater needs come into view.

I am not saying the resources God gives us and entrusts with us shouldn’t be used or enjoyed but am saying “be mindful and careful and most of all obedient”.  God provides for us and blessing us for more than just our enjoyment.  He gives us blessings so we can be a blessing to others (2 Corinthians 9:8-12). Being content with what we have while never being content with our conduct. 

The human tendency to want to have more and do better and be better was intended by God not to be towards acquiring power or things or??? (you fill in the blank).  No, God intended such hunger and want to be channeled towards Him and our love relationship with Him.  To be more like Him as we grow in years and knowledge and wisdom and character.  But in things this world offers and holds dear, we should be content and not strive for more than true need would warrant.

True happiness and deep joy come from fellowship with Christ, not in acquiring things and popularity.         

In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul revealed his plan for having a peaceful mind. He told us to rejoice in the Lord (verse 4), to remember the Lord is at hand (verse 5), and to pray with petition and thanksgiving (verse 6). He also told us to meditate on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. That can only mean one thing—meditating on the Word.  Soaking in the living Word nourishes our spirit and brings discerning and wisdom and discipline.  It shows us how we should live and change and make wise choices that bring life and peace.  But when we neglect the Word or refuse to follow its instruction, we are much more vulnerable to make foolish choices and yield to satan’s lure that will end up in suffering and death.

Today we close the year 2019.  Tomorrow opens our present to be in a new decade, 2020.  What will 2020 hold and will God grace us with another full year of life or will He return or take us home sooner?  Only He knows.

Jesus is the reason for Christmas because it is His birthday we celebrate and His life and sacrifice we remember and honor and follow.   I invite you to join me in reflecting and feeding on His word and spending more time with Him in worship and praise and seeking Him.  I also invite you to join me in being more open and willing to obey His lead and nudges to become more of a blessing to others, including being more generous with our tithe and gifts to His church and work.  Is your church struggling with finances or in obedience of tithing and giving our time as He directs? Let’s put focus attention to reaching out to Him with hands wide open for Him to either take from or give to us, trusting Him for tomorrow’s provision as well as todays.

Anxiety is difficult to manage, but foundational to every treatment is the memorization and meditation of Scripture. When the Word of God is coursing through our mind day and night, it keeps our thoughts filtered and pure and clean. Find a verse today and focus your thoughts on it all day and all night.  AMEN?  AMEN!

Well, this conclude another month of devotions together and another year.   It is amazing to me that this journey has spanned 7 years.  January 1, 2012, I began using the paper daily devotional journal our daughter, Debbie, gave us the week before for Christmas with hope I would return it to her the following Christmas as a legacy to share with her family.  The wisdom of her choice and intent became more evident to me as I used and filled it and began keeping an electronic daily devotional journal the following January (January 1, 2013) and began sharing it first with family and then added church family and then friends and expanded from there.  Jamie McFadden, a childhood family friend, encouraged and helped me share it on Facebook and publish it on WordPress beginning in February 2016.  God confirmed to me His Will that I do so and has blessed this.  Today I share my monthly devotional journal installments to over 150 by email and daily portions with almost 5000 Facebook friends and by publishing them daily on WordPress are accessible to everyone with access to internet.  WordPress has tracked activity: 2016 (2424 views by 573 visitors), 2017 (1183 views by 363 visitors), 2018 (1678 views by 697 visitors), and 2019 (1300 views by 518 visitors).  Some of those visitors are pastors and evangelists in other countries using them to share and use in ministry in their communities and church congregations.

I hope and pray keeping this journal and sharing it has blessed you too.   I do know writing it has drawn me closer to Christ and helped me grow in my faith too.    I don’t know how many more years God will enable me to continue doing this.  I do know Parkinson’s Disease, which I was diagnosed with also 7 years ago, has become more noticeable but has not impaired my ability to write and think.  It has humbled me and motivated me to welcome help from others, a blessing God is using to bless both me and others.   I believe it was no accident or co-incidence that Parkinson’s and keeping a devotional journal came at the same time.  God has a wonderful way of using difficulties as a channel to deeper fellowship with Him and preparation for greater blessing as well as ministry and obedience.  I wouldn’t  wish Parkinson’s on anyone but had to admit it is one of the least illnesses to be dreaded because it progresses slowly and can be slowed and is least life threatening until years later has progressed to final stages, which commonly is 20+ years later, giving patient and family ample  time to prepare for and live more appropriately until that time comes.

Well, everyone must face eternity either by death or by Christ’s return.  How we use remaining time to prepare and help others to prepare is what really matters and makes eternal impact.  Leading just one to Christ may not make a huge difference in isolation in the world, but it certainly will make a huge eternal difference to that one.  However, God has a wonderful way of compounding and multiplying eternal – positive changes from one individual to many more.  I pray 2020 will bring such from me and from you.  AMEN?  AMEN!

 

GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:

HELP IN TIME OF NEED:

• The way of salvation:                                   John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
• Comfort in time of loneliness:                    Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
• Comfort in time of sorrow                            2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
• Relief in time of suffering                             2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
• Guidance in time of decision                       James  1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
• Protection in time of danger                       Psalm 91, Psalm 121
• Courage in time of fear                                  Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
• Peace in time of turmoil                                Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
• Rest in time of weariness                             Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
• Strength in time of temptation                  James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
• Warning in time of indifference                 Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
• Forgiveness in time of conviction               Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):

• The creation                 Genesis 1-2
• The fall of man                                                 Gen 3
• The flood of Noah                 Gen 6-9
• The call of Abraham                 Gen 12:1-9
• Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
• Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
• The Babylonian Captivity of Israel                 2 Chr. 36
• Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
• Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
• The Birth of Christ                                                 Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
• The Triumphal Entry                                 Lk19:28-44
• The last supper                 Mk14:2-26
• The Garden of Gathsemane                 26:36-46
• The Betreyal of Jesus                                 26-47-56
• The arrest and trial of Jesus                 Jn 18:12-19:16
• The death of Christ                                                 Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
• The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
• The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
• The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
• The conversion of Paul                                 Acts 9:1-31
• The heroes of Faith                                 Hebrews 11

 

SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)

• The 10 commandments                                 Exodus 20:1-17
• The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
• The golden rule Mtt7:12
• The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
• The righteousness of Faith                 Romans 3:19-28
• The Royal Law                                 James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
• Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
• Christian love                                              1 Cor. 13

 

DYNAMIC DOCTRINES

• God’s greatness and man’s weakness                                                     Isaiah 40
• The two fold Revelation of God                                                                  Psalm 19
• Man’s universal guilt                                                                                       Rom 1:18-2:16
• Atonement                                                                                                        Leviticus 16, Romans 5
• The new birth                                                                                                    John 3
• Justification by Faith                                                                                       Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
• Christ, the Good Shepherd                                                                          Ps 23, John 10:1-18
• Christ’s intercession for His Own                                                               Jn 17, Heb 7:25
• The High Priestly Work of Christ                                                                 Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
• Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation                                                         Philippians 2:5-11
• Resurrection of the Christian Dead                                                           1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
• The second coming of Christ                                                                        Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
• The Last Judgment                                                                                          Rev. 20:10-15
• The New Heaven and New Earth                                                               Rev. 21-22

 

PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:

• Christian Home relationships                      Eph. 5:22-6:4
• A model wife and mother                             Prov. 31:10-31
• Marriage and divorce                                     Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
• The sin of adultery                                           Prov. 6:23-33
• The prodigal son                                               Luke 15:11-32
• Employer-employee relationships            Col 3:22-4:1
• Business and prof. principles                       Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
• Seperation of worldliness                             2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
• Decisions of doubtful things                        Rom.14
• Christian fruitfulness                                      Jn15
• Heavenly wisdom                                            James 3:14-18
• Christian responsibilities                               Rom. 12-13
• Christian stewardship                                    2 Cor. 8-9
• Christian witnessing                                        Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
• Prevailing prayer                                              Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
• Heavenly priorities                                          Mtt 6:25-33
• Brevity of man’s days                                     Ps 90
• The causes of war                                            James 4:1-4
• The value of the soul                                      Mk. 8:36-37

 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:

• ITSELF:                                                                  2 Tim. 3:15-16   , Psalm 19:7
• GOD:                                                                     Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
• MAN:                                                                   Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
• HEAVEN:                                                              Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
• SIN:                                                                        Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
• HELL:                                                                     2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
• CHRIST –HIS ADVENT                                      Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
• CHRIST – HIS PERSON                                     John 10:30, 14:6
• CHRIST –HIS WORK                                          Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
• CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION                         Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
• FAITH                                                                    Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
• LIFE                                                                        John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17

If you wish, you can access my blog at “https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com“. There you will find 508 blog posts I have made plus a link to my devotional journal material archives from 2013 to present.

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My hope and prayer are, my blog and devotional materials will become a source of encouragement and tools in ministry for you.