"What Will 2018 Bring?"

“What Will 2018 Bring?”

 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.       Proverbs 27:1

Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”       James 4:15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.        Proverbs 3:5

 

Nobody knows what this New Year holds in store for them.   We can only take one day at a time, and actually we don’t fully know what that day will hold, for the TRUE BELIEVER of Jesus Christ, we walk or live by FAITH, and for the UNBELIEVER, they trust their own plans and dreams.  There is NO WAY that we can tell what lies ahead of us.  Only the Almighty God knows, and that is why we shouldn’t boast about tomorrow, because we DON’T KNOW what a day may bring.

 

It is BEST to DEPEND on God, since He is in CONTROL, and He KNOWS what lies ahead for each of us.  So it is only RIGHT that we say; “If it is the LORD”S WILL, we will live and do this or that.” Our lives are like a mist, many have well made plans for the day, week, months, and years, but an accident, health problem, or being in the wrong place at the wrong time, can end ALL of your WELL-MADE PLANS, so if we face the UNKNOWN of each New Year with the frame of mind that, “If it is GOD’S WILL, we will live and do this or that.”  Then we can make plans according to His will and TRUST in Him.  He knows what’s best. 

 

Proverbs 3:5, gives us GREAT GUIDANCE in our plan making for this New Year.  The writer, tells us that we should:  TRUST in the Lord with ALL our HEART and LEAN NOT on our OWN UNDERSTANDING, but in ALL our ways SUBMIT to Him, and He will make our paths straight.  In other words TRUST in GOD for ALL our plans, if we SUBMIT to Him, and let Him be in CONTROL, because He is anyway, then He will HELP us walk in the RIGHT direction and save us a lot of time and effort, and maybe even keep us from heartache and harm.    The BEST WAY to face this New Year is to TRUST and SUBMIT to GOD.  Is that your plans?

 

In order for you to TRUST and SUBMIT to God, you must FIRST TURN AWAY FROM your SINS, and TURN TO Him, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and TRUST and SUBMIT to Him for this New Year and for ALL the years to follow, and rest ASSURED that He will do what is BEST for YOU.  Without BELIEVING on the Lord Jesus Christ, you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell.  So COME to Him NOW, while you still can He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Living By the Spirit in the New Year!"

“Living By the Spirit in the New Year!”

 

He condemned sin in the flesh, 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.  

For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.       

Romans 8:3b-4, 13

 

A lot of times LIFE is what you make it, you face CHALLENGES and DECESIONS, sometimes EVERY day.  And facing a New Year, brings NEW CHALLENGES and NEW DECESIONS.  When we enter the New Year we want it to be BETTER than the old year.  And the way we face the NEW CHALLENGES and the NEW DECESIONS we make will determine the outcome of the NEW YEAR.

 

The MOST IMPORTANT thing that you will face in LIFE is where you will spend ETERNITY.  Many of us have made that VERY IMPORTANT, LIFE-CHANGING DECESION to give our HEART and LIFE to God, and to LIVE according to His Spirit.  We are able to do that because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross for ALL MANKIND.  He came in FLESH and BLOOD, but WITHOUT a SINFUL NATURE.  And He CONDEMNED SIN in the flesh, in order to bring the fulfillment of the RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT of the law, because the Mosaic Law by itself could NOT bring the FREEDOM from sin to mankind. 

 

The goal is that mankind might be able to LIVE a LIFE of HOLINESS.  A TRUE BELIEVER lives by the Spirit and NOT by the flesh.  If you LIVE by the FLESH you will DIE a spiritual death as well as a physical death, and you will spend ALL ETERNITY in Hell, the place of UNENDING heartache, pain, agony, torment, torture and despair, with NO WAY OF ESCAPE, but if you LIVE by the SPIRIT, you will TURN AWAY FROM your SINS, and TURN TO God and LIVE for ALL ETERNITY in Heaven.  Where will you spend ETERNITY?

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, and are LIVING by the FLESH, you are facing an ETERNITY in Hell with ALL its HORRORS. Why not face a New Year with FREEDOM from your sin, and make the MOST IMPORTANT DECESION of your LIFE, and face the CHALLENGES with a BRAND-NEW outlook, and TRUST God for GUIDANCE throughout the rest of your LIFE.  You have the opportunity NOW to TURN AWAY FROM your SINFUL LIFE-STYLE and to TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and begin the New Year, living your life by the SPIRIT and NOT by the FLESH.    Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"EXCELLENT ADVICE for a New Year!"

“EXCELLENT ADVICE for a New Year!”

 

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.  Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil.  For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”       Psalm 37:7-9

 

In just a few days we will be celebrating, and welcoming a New Year.  What will this NEW year hold for us?  Where will it take us, and what will be waiting for us?  NO ONE knows, but the Lord, and He’s not telling us.  So we will face each day with UNCERTAINTY and maybe a little bit of ANXIETY.  Now, the GOOD NEWS is we can be ASSURED that God is in CONTROL!  And we, who are His Children, can face the UNCERTAINTIES of a brand NEW year with TRUST and CONFIDENCE in Him.

 

The Psalmist, gives us EXCELLENT ADVICE for this New Year.   First he tells us to, “BE STILL before the Lord, and WAIT PATIENTLY for Him.”  Meaning that we should face each day with quietness, peacefulness, and assurance of God’s LOVE and GOODNESS, for His Children. And we are to “WAIT PATIENTLY for Him.”  When we WAIT PATIENTLY for the Lord, He will give us GUIDANCE and DIRECTION for our journey.  He will lead us down the right pathway.

 

We are NOT to FRET. FRET means to: WORRY, and WORRYING is a sin.  So we SHOULD NOT WORRY when people succeed in their WICKED and DEPRAVED ways, nor SHOULD we get ANGRY, but turn away from WRATH, which is GREAT ANGER or RAGE, and we SHOULD, TRUST God to take care of the situation.  WRATH will lead to evil and only bring HEARTACHE and DESPAIR. 

 

God has a plan for each person who is His Child, those who have given their HEART and LIFE to Him, and it is to INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, with Him and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, His plans for those who are NOT His Children, they will be DESTROYED, and they will spend ETERNITY in Hell with ALL of its HORRORS.  Where are you headed?  In order to ESCAPE HELL, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and begin this NEW YEAR under God’s control, and be ASSURED that He can and will handle ALL your burdens, if you will BE STILL and WAIT on Him.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He waiting and coming SOON!!!

"Making Plans"

“Making Plans”

 

The Lord knows all human plans; He knows that they are futile.        Psalm 94:11

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.       Proverbs 16:3

 

Well, here we are facing a New Year.   One that is filled with the UNKNOWN, one that is filled with UNCERTAINTIES, and to some, it is a year filled with POSSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES.  And MANY will be MAKING PLANS to make the New Year EXACTLY like they intend it to be.  GOOD or BAD PLANS, they say they are going to carry them out. 

 

However, God KNOWS the HEART and MIND of ALL human beings, and PLANS that are made without the GUIDANCE of GOD end up FUTILE, or MEANINGLESS, USELESS, WORTHLESS, VAIN and INEFFECTIVE.   In other words, they will FAIL, in some way or another. 

 

But if you COMMIT ALL of your PLANS to God, He will help you achieve your GOALS, if they are according to His will for your life and He will ESTABLISH your PLANS.  God KNOWS ALL THINGS, even FUTURE THINGS and the PLANS you make now, may NOT be MEANINGFUL, USEFUL, EFFECTIVE or WORTHY of what is lying ahead of you.  So it is a WISE thing to SEEK GOD’s GUIDANCE.  As a very WISE man once said, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”  (Proverbs 19:21)

 

Psalm 37:5 tells us to; “COMMIT your way to the Lord, TRUST also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”  Which means that if we live a life that is COMMITTED to the Lord, and TRUST in Him, then our PLANS will be in tune with His will and we will be MAKING PLANS that are in His control and that are for our BENEFIT, NOW and in the future.  PLANS that will be MEANINGFUL, USEFUL, EFFECTIVE, and WORTHY of GOD’S intervention.  Thus we can REST ASSURED and have PEACE in our HEART that GOD is in CONTROL, and working for our BEST INTEREST.

 

Are you MAKING PLANS for the New Year?  Plans that you have sought God’s GUIDANCE for?  If you are MAKING PLANS, but you have NO intention of seeking God’s GUIDANCE, because you don’t BELIEVE nor do you have ANY KIND of relationship with Him, and you are just ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ in the making of your plans, then you are headed for BIG PROBLEMS, especially in the future.  Because you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, without a relationship with God, if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are LOST and headed to HELL, but God is giving you the opportunity NOW to TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and to TURN TO HIM, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and start MAKING PLANS for your ETERNITY  in Heaven.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The MOST Unwanted, Rejected Gift of ALL Time"

“The MOST Unwanted, Rejected Gift of ALL Time”

 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.  He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.  Yet to ALL who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become Children of God.      John 1:10-12

 

The GREATEST gift of ALL time was given by God, the Creator of ALL things to include mankind.  And though it was/is the MOST IMPORTANT, NEEDED, UNCHANGEABLE, and LASTING gift ANYONE can receive, it has been the MOST UNWANTED and REJECTED Gift of ALL time.

 

Have you ever been given a gift that you did NOT ask for or want?  A gift that would be BENEFICIAL to you?  One that would LAST, no matter how much abuse it would receive.  It would NEVER wear-out, but could be passed on from one generation to another.  A gift that would make a BIG DIFFERENCE in your life. 

 

But instead you chose a gift that was NOT GOOD for your future, one that would not LAST, but would deteriorate over time?  One that would NOT bring you JOY and FULFILLMENT.   Many have chosen the gifts that are popular with others, but NOT BENEFICIAL to them in the long run. 

 

This is the way it is with God’s MOST WONDERFUL, IMPORTANT, LASTING and NEEDED GIFT, which is offered to ALL MANKIND for the taking.  The gift of SALVATION, which is given through the ACCEPTANCE of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This gift is available to ALL who will RECEIVE Him and BELIEVE in His name.  They will become the Children of God, and will spend ALL of ETERNITY in Heaven.  Those who have REJECTED or will REJECT this MOST PRECIOUS GIFT, will spend ALL of ETERNITY in Hell with ALL of its UNENDING HORRORS. 

 

God’s gift is UNCHANGEABLE, NEEDED and EVERLASTING, yet it is the MOST UNWANTED and REJECTED of ALL time.  IF you have NOT ACCEPTED His gift of SALVATION, won’t you do it NOW, and make this the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.  In order to receive this SPECIAL GIFT, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and CELEBRATE the birth of your SAVIOR and LORD, Jesus Christ, who GAVE His life, so YOU might have ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!    MERRY CHRISTMAS and a BLESSED NEW YEAR to ALL!

"The Most WONDERFUL Gift of All!"

“The Most WONDERFUL Gift of All!”

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.          John 3:16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.             John 1:1

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.        John 1:14

 

Gift-giving has been around for a very long time.  And it has been a sign of our LOVE, and sometimes our GRATITUDE for the one to whom we give that very SPECIAL gift.  Come Christmas morn there will be a lot of GIFT-GIVING going on, all around this WORLD.  This GIFT-GIVING originated from the Wise men bringing gifts to Baby Jesus, on that FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY.  CHRISTMAS is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  Santa Claus began with St. Nicholas, who was raised a devout Christian.  He was known to be very generous, giving to the poor, and for his love for children.  He died on December 6, AD 343.  Many stories have been told about his LOVE and GIVING of GIFTS to the children.  And throughout the years St. Nicholas became Santa Claus. 

 

However, the TRUE MEANING of CHRISTMAS is the CELEBRATION of the BIRTH of God’s Only Begotten Son.  Because God SO LOVED this world, He GAVE the MOST WONDERFUL GIFT that has EVER BEEN GIVEN or EVER WILL BE GIVEN.  The GIFT that KEEPS ON GIVING throughout the ages.  It was wrapped up in FLESH and BLOOD, in the form of a NEWBORN BABY, PURE and SINLESS, and sent to a POOR, YOUNG, PEASANT GIRL, named Mary.  This GIFT, was given to MANKIND for the SALVATION of their souls, and would give to those who BELIEVE in the Son of God, and ACCEPTS Him as their SAVIOR and LORD, ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  This GIFT was VERY UNIQUE, and SPECIAL.  It was the WORD of GOD, wrapped up in FLESH and BLOOD.  The first chapter of the Gospel of John, tells us that; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  “The Word became FLESH and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the ONE and ONLY Son, who came from the FATHER, full of GRACE and TRUTH.”  That WORD was Jesus Christ, who is God in the FLESH.  God GAVE Himself as the PERFECT, MOST WONDERFUL GIFT to a LOST and DYING WORLD.  Have you ACCEPTED this MOST WONDERFUL GIFT of ALL?

 

If NOT, you have the opportunity NOW, to receive the MOST WONDERFUL GIFT of ALL, Jesus Christ, as your SAVIOR and LORD, and to escape ALL the HORRORS of HELL for ALL of ETERNITY.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His MOST WONDERFUL GIFT of SALVATION, and spend your ETERNITY in Heaven.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"The Star"

“The Star”

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?  We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”             Matthew 2:1-2

 

The Magi, or Wisemen, had travelled a LONG distance, and it took them a considerable amount of time.  Some say it took them up to two years to find the Christ child.  Nevertheless, these men were determined to complete their journey, successfully.   And they were led by, what they thought was a STAR.  But the question is:  “Was it REALLY a NORMAL, ORDINARY STAR?”

 

Now these men were thought to be ASTROLOGERS, people who studied the STARS.  And some say they had heard about the birth of the Messiah from the prophets or Jewish scholars.  And when they noticed the STRANGE STAR in the darkness of night they decided to go and see for themselves, and to worship the One to whom the STAR belonged.  

 

Now, at some point in their journey, the STAR they saw in the EAST, changed directions and when they reached Jerusalem, it took a SOUTHERNLY course, which is HIGHLY unusual, because stars travel from the EAST to the WEST, this is their NATURAL COURSE.  So could it be that the STAR was actually the Shekinah Glory of God, the same glory that had led the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years, and the Magi, for lack of a better term, called it a “STAR?”

 

One other thing that seems to be misconstrued, is the presence of the STAR in Bethlehem, at the time the shepherds heard the GOOD NEWS, from the angels.  Neither, the STAR nor the WISEMEN, (Magi) were present at the manger.  The STAR was the GPS for the Magi, maybe because they had to come such a LONG DISTANCE.   The LIGHT in the SKY led them to Jesus the SAVIOR of the WORLD. My husband asks:  “Could it be that the STAR was the Holy Spirit of God, which leads people to Jesus for their SALVATION?” 

 

So my question to you is:  “Has the Holy Spirit come to you, SEEKING to LEAD you to the LIGHT of the world, Jesus Christ?  The ONLY ONE who can take away your sins and give you ETERNAL LIFE in Heaven.  He is our BRIGHT MORNING STAR, and the ONLY WAY for the SALVATION of your soul.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let Jesus, the STAR of Heaven, be your LIGHT in a DARK, DOOMED world.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"What Did Mary Ponder in Her Heart?"

“What Did Mary Ponder in Her Heart?”

 

So the shepherds went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a feeding box.  When they had seen Him, they told what the angels has said about this child.  Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them.   But Mary treasured these things and continued to think about them.       Luke 2: 16-18

 

Every mother, thinks of their baby as a “special” child.  One who will do GREAT things, one who will make the world a better place for ALL people.  One who will bring LOVE, and JOY into their family and to others who are blessed to know them.    I’m sure Mary was like that too.  She was curious about this bundle of flesh and blood that she cradled in her arms.  She remembered what the Angel of the Lord told her about her firstborn son.  And she knew that His birth was very unique, but did she KNOW the battle He would have to fight for the SALVATION of mankind?

 

The Scripture tells us that, when Jesus was born, and after the visit from the shepherds, Mary treasured all the things the shepherds had told them about her child, and she PONDERED or MEDITATED on them.  

 

Let’s fast-forward to the Hill of Golgotha, the place of the skull.  And we see three crosses with three men, one hanging on each cross.  The cross in the middle holds the Son of the Living God, who is beaten and bruised beyond recognition.  He has breathed His last breath and His body is being removed from the cross.  They gently lay His bloodied, beaten, and nail pierced body on the ground.  Mary, goes over to the body of her first-born Son, kneels on the ground, weeps deeply from her broken heart, and as the tears run down her cheeks, she takes a shaking finger and runs it across the bloodied, swollen, thorn-pierced forehead of her child, immediately she thinks of the tiny babe that she had cuddled in her arms, not one mark on His tiny pink skin.  Her fingers traces the outline of His bruised, and swollen lips.  Lips that had kissed her cheek, lips that had prayed to His Heavenly Father, “not my will, but thine be done!” 

 

Her fingers moved down His arms and to His nail-pierced hands.  Again her thoughts go back to those tiny, pink fingers that instantly closed around her fingers. The little hand that clasped hers tight as they walked through the streets of Nazareth.  The hand that brought HEALING and LIFE to poor, sick, dying people.  The hand that had even RAISED some from the dead.  Then she moves to His nail-pierced feet, she weep as she puts her hands on His feet, and thinks about those tiny, little toes, that were pink and oh, so tiny.  Feet that ran as He played, feet that carried Him from place to place.  Feet that had walked on top of the water.  As Mary gazes at her Son, she remembers the message that the Angel of the Lord gave her that day in Nazareth, that she would give birth to the SON OF GOD, and His name will be JESUS, for He will SAVE His people from their SINS.    Have you been SAVED from your sins? 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are NOT SAVED from your sins and you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, the place of UNENDING HORRORS, and with NO WAY OF ESCAPE.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and BE SAVED from your SINS, JESUS PAID the PRICE. Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Magi"

“The Magi”

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?  We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”       Matthew 2:1-2

 

The Magi were possible Oriental astrologers, who studied the stars and who wished to understand the signs of the times.  They were Gentiles, who were specially called of God to go and worship the New Born King.

 

 They travelled a LONG distance from the East to Bethlehem, in search of this new King.  They didn’t have a GPS, to give them GUIDANCE as to where they were going.  They only FOLLOWED a VERY BRIGHT STAR.  Evidently, when they reached King Herod’s palace the STAR disappeared. 

 

However, after receiving instructions as to where they might find the Child, they left the palace, which was in Jerusalem, and headed South, towards Bethlehem, the VERY BRIGHT STAR appeared again, and they were very MUCH relieved to see the STAR shining BRIGHT above, giving them GUIDANCE and DIRECTION to the place they should go.  So they followed the VERY BRIGHT STAR, and they FOUND the New Born King, Jesus, who at this time, may have been two years old or close to it.

 

They spent some time worshiping the Child and presenting Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, all gifts worthy of a King.   Herod had given the Magi instructions to return to him, and to let him know where the New Born King was, so he might go and worship Him too.  But Herod was a very mean, cruel and ruthless man, who really had NO intensions of going to worship the New Born King, but was instead planning to KILL Him.  Herod would put ANYONE, even his OWN children to death, whom, to him, was a threat to taking his throne. However, the Magi was warned by God to NOT go back to Herod and tell him anything.  So they went back home another way.

 

Now the lesson for us, today, is this; when we SEEK Him with ALL our HEART, we will FIND Him.  Just like the Magi, they SOUGHT the New Born King, and they FOUND Him.  Then we should ACKNOWLEDGE Him as our KING and bow down and WORSHIP Him with ALL our HEART, and to GIVE to Him, our WHOLE BEING.  Then when the devil comes around and tries to get us to FOLLOW him instead, we NEED to RUN, FLEE from him, and STAY FAR AWAY.  If you have NOT SOUGHT the King of kings, and have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then you are FOLLOWING the devil and are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE, unless you TURN AWAY FROM your old, sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, than ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and SEEK, FIND, and FOLLOW Him.  Do it NOW, while you still can. He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"What a Strange to Save this World"

“What a Strange Way to Save This World”

 

While Joseph thought about these things, an Angel of the Lord came to him in a dream.  The Angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the Baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”             Matthew 1:20-21

 

Joseph, was a  just and righteous man, betrothed to Mary, which meant that they were a little more than engaged, but they were not married, they did not live together, nor did they participate in any consummation of a marriage.  He could have divorced her, but he loved Mary and did not want to bring public disgrace to her.  So he was contemplating on what he should do when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and confirmed to him the fact that the Baby Mary was carrying was from the Holy Spirit of God, and that her Son should be named JESUS, because He will SAVE His people and eventually the WORLD from their sins. 

 

I wonder if Joseph asked:  “Why Mary, she’s just an ORDINARY girl, who does NOT possess any title nor does she have any clout?”   And, “Why me, I’m just a simple guy, a lowly carpenter by trade, why were we chosen for such a MONUMENTAL time and event as this?”  Who are we, that we should raise the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of the MOST HIGH GOD?”   “Why bring a Child into the world for such a difficult undertaking, when there are so many other rulers in the world?”  “Why go to Bethlehem and to a stable filled with hay, and to lay the Son of the Living God in a feeding trough filled with hay?”  “Why not in a palace or at least a house, and a proper cradle filled with soft, warm cloths?”  “I don’t mean to second guess God’s plans, but what a STRANGE way to SAVE the world.” 

 

But Joseph BELIEVED the message that was delivered to him, by the Angel of the Lord, in that dream.  And he knew that he MUST be OBEDIENT to the WILL of GOD, and so he took Mary into his home as his wife and gave God’s Son the name of JESUS, for He came to SAVE the WORLD from their SINS.  And so MANKIND was given the best GIFT of ALL, throughout ALL the AGES, the gift of ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, the gift of SALVATION.

 

Have you ACCEPTED God‘s gift of SALVATION, His ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, by giving Him your HEART and LIFE? He came as a BABY, He lived a SINLESS LIFE, as a MAN, and died as a SAVIOR. Won’t you ACCEPT this very SPECIAL gift from God, NOW, and ESCAPE an ETERNITY in Hell, by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and like Joseph, be OBEDIENT to God’s plans for YOUR life.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

 

 

"Did Mary Know?"

“Did Mary Know?”

 

…God sent the Angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.    The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.” 

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.   You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you are to call Him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His kingdom will never end.          Luke 1:26-32

 

Mary, a young lady, possibly a teenager, was betrothed or promised to a man named Joseph, who was from the lineage of King David.  It was NOT unusual for teenage girls to marry at such a young age, at that time and in that culture.  A betrothal was MORE than an engagement, it was more like a marriage, with the exception  of the two people living a part and the marriage was NOT consummated, until AFTER the WEDDING took place.  To break off the engagement, was like getting a divorce, it was a very serious action to take.  So it was with Mary and Joseph.  Thus, Mary was a virgin, pure and untouched by a human being. 

 

Did Mary KNOW that she was FAVORED or GRACED by God for such a monumental and earth-shattering event?  I don’t believe she did know.  Verse 29, says that Mary was GREATLY TROUBLED at the angel’s words and WONDERED what they meant.   The angel, Gabriel, could see the fear in Mary, and told her to NOT BE AFRAID; because she had found FAVOR with God.  Even though she was a godly woman, it was not necessarily her character that brought God’s FAVOR, but God’s GRACE.  Mary was HIGHLY FAVORED AMONG women, not ABOVE them.  It was God’s choice.

 

Did Mary KNOW that she was CHOSEN by God to give birth to His Only Begotten Son, by a MIRACULOUS BIRTH?  The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come on her, and the POWER of the Most High would overshadow her, and she would conceive and give birth to a Son, and was to name Him Jesus.  He would be brought into the world WITHOUT a SINFUL nature, unlike mankind, who is born with a SINFUL NATURE. 

 

Did Mary KNOW that this Child she would give birth to, would be GREAT, and would be KING of kings, and LORD of lords, that He would ONE DAY take the throne of David, and rule Israel and the world , that His Kingdom would be forever, without end?  If she KNEW, the angel would NOT have to tell her. Did Mary KNOW the SACRIFICE, her tiny Baby Boy would have to make, GIVING His life for ALL the SINS of ALL mankind, to die a HORRIBLE, SHAMEFUL DEATH, to SHED His OWN BLOOD to SAVE MANKIND from their sins?  I think NOT, not until the angel told her to name Him JESUS, for He will save His people from their SINS, and still I doubt that she knew how He would do it, but just that He would be not only their SAVIOR, but hers too.

 

What was Mary’s response to Gabriel?   Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be FULFILLED.”  Mary was a WILLING SERVANT, are you willing to SERVE GOD even when you don’t KNOW what He will want you to do?”  Do you trust Him?

 

He GAVE His LIFE for you, are you LIVING for Him?   If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to Him, then you have NOT received Him and you are headed for Hell for ALL of ETERNITY, with NO WAY of ESCAPE, and you will suffer ALL the HORRORS of that UNGODLY PLACE, unless you TURN AWAY  FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE, in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a WILLING SERVANT, with an ETERNITY in HEAVEN.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Son, the Light of the World"

“The Son, the Light of the World!”

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.  Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.       John 3:17-18

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”      John 8:12

This is the verdict:  Light has come into the world, but the people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.      John 3:19-21

The TRUE reason for the Christmas season, is to CELEBRATE the birth of Jesus Christ, the SAVIOR of MANKIND.  God’s Holy Word tells us that God sent His ONLY BEGOTTEN Son to this earth to SAVE mankind and to give them ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN.  He came to earth to SEEK and to SAVE lost mankind, and to bring LIGHT to a DARK, LOST and DYING world.  

Jesus Christ, came to earth to SAVE and NOT to CONDEMN the world, and whoever BELIEVES in Him is NOT CONDEMNED, but whoever does NOT BELIEVE stands condemned already, because of their UNBELIEF. 

Jesus claims to be the LIGHT of the world, and so He is.  In chapter one of the gospel of John, John tells us that the LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  Jesus has VICTORY over the DARKNESS of SIN.   In Christ is LIFE, and that LIFE is the LIGHT of ALL mankind.  Jesus said, “I am the LIGHT of the world.  Whoever follows me will NEVER walk in darkness, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE.  Do you have the LIGHT of LIFE?  Or are you walking in the DARKNESS of SIN? 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are walking in DARKNESS and you are ALREADY CONDEMNED to spend an ETERNITY in HELL.  You MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN to GOD with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and walk in the LIGHT, and receive the GIFT of LIFE ETERNAL, in Heaven, made possible through the SON of God.  Do it NOW, while you still can.   He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Messengers and the Messages"

“The Messengers and the Messages”

 

Then the angel told her:  “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  Now listen:  You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.   He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”        Luke 1:30-33

But after he had considered these things, and Angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”       Matthew 1:20-21

Then an Angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.   But the Angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people:  Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.”          Luke 2:9-11

For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the Archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord.          1Thessalonians 4: 16-17

 

I know this is a lot of Scripture, however, God laid this devotion on my heart to share, and I try my best to be OBEDIENT to Him.  So let’s look at the MESSENGERS and the MESSAGES they HAD to deliver.  The FIRST MESSAGE was delivered to a poor, young lady, by an Angel of the Lord, who right away wanted her to NOT BE AFRAID, the Angel wanted Mary to be CALM and LISTEN to what the MESSAGE was, it was so IMPORTANT that she needed to be COOL, CALM and COLLECTED.  Then the Angel gave Mary the MESSAGE from God.  Information that would NOT ONLY CHANGE her life, but the lives of ALL MANKIND.  She was about to take on a COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION, and it would NOT ONLY AFFECT her, but the whole world.  Mary would give birth to HER SAVIOR and LORD, not only HER’S but ALL, who will ACCEPT Him as their SAVIOR and LORD.

 

The SECOND MESSAGE that was delivered by an Angel of the Lord, to the man that Mary was engaged to, Joseph, who, was a godly man and was ready to quietly break off the engagement, when the Angel of the Lord, appeared to him in a dream, and told him to NOT BE AFRAID, for he too, needed to be COOL, CALM, and COLLECTED. He was instructed by the Angel, with a very IMPORTANT MESSAGE, that Mary was going to give birth to a Son, from the Holy Spirit of God and he was to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus, because He will SAVE His people from their sins.”  Joseph was OBEDIENT to the MESSAGE of God, and he became the EARTHLY DAD to Jesus.

 

The THIRD MESSAGE, was delivered to some lowly shepherds on a dark, hillside, close to Bethlehem.  It was delivered by another MESSENGER, an ANGEL of the LORD, who told them to NOT BE AFRAID, they too, needed to be COOL, CALM and COLLECTED, because they too, would have a very IMPORTANT MESSAGE to deliver.  The Angel told them: “I bring you GOOD NEWS that will give you GREAT JOY for ALL people.  Today in the town of David, a SAVIOR has been born to you; He is the MESSIAH, the LORD.”  The shepherds, went, they SAW and they TOLD, the GOOD NEWS. 

 

The FINAL MESSAGE will be delivered to ALL of God’s Children, by the ARCHANGEL of the LORD GOD, who with a loud voice and the blast of the trumpet, will beckon the dead in Christ, who will RISE from their graves, FIRST. Then those who are still ALIVE and left on earth will be caught up together in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air.  This is KNOWN as the RAPTURE.  Are YOU READY?  Have you given your HEART and LIFE to God?  If NOT, THIS MESSAGE is for YOU.  In order for you to ESCAPE HELL and ALL of its HORRORS, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART that  Jesus, died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become His MESSENGER, telling others the GOOD NEWS, “JESUS SAVES!” And be a part of the RAPTURE. Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

 

"The Word"

“The Word”

 

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.      John 1: 14

 

Jesus Christ, is the LIVING INCARNATE WORD of the Almighty God, He is the Son of the Almighty God, the FIRSTBORN over ALL creation.  For in Him ALL things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.  (Vv-1-3)

 

In the beginning was the Word, Jesus, who was with God and was/is God.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the LIGHT of ALL mankind.  The LIGHT shines in the darkness and the darkness has NOT overcome it.  (Vv-4, 5)

 

This LIGHT, the WORD, Jesus Christ, came into this world to save mankind from their sins and an ETERNITY in Hell.  Even though the world was made by Him, the world did NOT recognize Him as their Savior and Lord.  Even His own people did NOT receive Him as their Savior and Lord.  But to EVERYONE, who did RECEIVE Him, to the TRUE BELIEVER, He gave the right to become TRUE CHILDREN of GOD. 

 

He is the TRUE LIGHT of the world, and because of His birth, we too can be born again, into the Family of God, with the HOPE of HEAVEN, our ETERNAL HOME, and the INHERITANCE that awaits those who have TRULY REPENTED of their sins, and have become a TRUE CHILD of the LIVING GOD.  If you have not done this, you can do it NOW, by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURNING TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you before God then  ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let the WORD, the LIGHT, Jesus Christ, light your path in a DARK and DOOMED WORLD.  What an AWESOME CHRISTMAS GIFT!! !   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Prince of Peace"

“The Prince of Peace”

 

Christ Himself is our peace.  He made both Jewish people and those who are not Jews one people.  They were separated as if there were a wall between them, but Christ broke down that wall of hate by giving His own body.  The Jewish law had many commands and rules, but Christ ended that law.   His purpose was to make the two groups of people become one new people in Him and in this way make peace.  It was also Christ’s purpose to end the hatred between the two groups to make them into one body, and to bring them back to God.  Christ did all this with His death on the cross.   Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away from God, and to those who were near to God.  Yes, it is through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit.       Ephesians 2 14-18

 

The prophet Isaiah tells us that one of the names given to God’s Son, Jesus, was the PRINCE of PEACE.  He not only GIVES us PEACE, but He IS our PEACE.  Jesus Christ came to earth as a newborn babe, and it was His MAIN objective to SAVE MANKIND from their SINS, and to bring them into a RIGHT relationship with God. 

 

In order to accomplish this monumental task, He must bring the two divisions of people, Jews and non-Jews together, to be as ONE body.  It was as if they were separated by a wall of hate, but Jesus BROKE down that wall of hate with the SACRIFICING of His own body. 

 

The Jewish law had MANY commands and rules that were hard if not impossible to keep, and could not bring SALVATION to a doomed people.  But Jesus ended that law.  It was His MAIN purpose to end the hatred between the two groups, and to bring them together as ONE body, and to bring them into that RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with the ALMIGHTY GOD.   Jesus did that with His death on the CROSS.  He came and PREACHED PEACE to those who were far away from God and to those who were near to God.  It is through JESUS CHRIST, that we have the right to come to the Father in ONE Spirit. 

 

If you do NOT possess this kind of PEACE, you are DOOMED and headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, forever experiencing ALL the HORRORS that are a part of this HORRIBLE place.  There will be NO WAY of ESCAPE, and there will be NO PEACE.   Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.   Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27)   The PEACE that the world affords is NOT a TRUE, LASTING PEACE.  And many times it comes with a price.  Jesus offers you a TRUE, LASTING PEACE that does NOT come with a price that YOU have to pay, because He has already PAID the PRICE with His own BLOOD.  All you have to do is to ACCEPT IT.  You do that by TURNING AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle and TURNING TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, and ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and let the PRINCE of PEACE bring TRUE, LASTING PEACE into your HEART.  Do it now, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

"The Name"

“The Name”

 

“She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”          Matthew 1:21

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.       Isaiah 9:6

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.        Philippians 2:9, 10

 

Generally speaking, when parents are expecting a BLESSED BUNDLE of LOVE, wrapped up in flesh and blood, they start searching for the PERFECT NAME, one that they HOPE will reflect the character of their little person.   So it was with the birth of God’s Only Begotten Son.  When the angel came to Joseph with the GOOD NEWS that Mary would be the Mother of God’s Son, the angel also told Joseph that they should give Him the name, JESUS, which means “SAVIOR”, for He will SAVE His People from their sins.  And being OBEDIENT to God, both Mary and Joseph gave the name, JESUS, to Mary’s firstborn.

 

Long before the birth of God’s Son, the Prophet Isaiah, prophesied of this SPECIAL BIRTH and the SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES, which He would possess, given to Him by His Heavenly Father.  These are attributes that will describe His character and His reign during the Millennium period.  He will be CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, one who will give WISE and SOUND advice, and the people will TRUST in His judgment.  He will possess ALL the attributes of His Father, He will be God in the Flesh, and God the Son, and therefore He will be CALLED the MIGHTY GOD.  He will be the ORIGINATOR of ETERNAL LIFE, the word FATHER in Hebrew, means ORIGINATOR, and therefore He will be CALLED the EVERLASTING FATHER.  He, is the ONLY ONE who can bring TRUE, EVERLASTING PEACE to mankind, and therefore will be CALLED the PRINCE of PEACE.

 

Therefore God gave Him the NAME that is ABOVE EVERY NAME, and there is coming a time, when EVERY knee will bow, in Heaven and on earth and even under the earth, and EVERY tongue will CONFESS, “Jesus is LORD!”  Have you CONFESSED that Jesus is Lord?  Is He your SAVIOR?  Have you come to Him for the SALVATION of your soul?  If NOT you are headed for an ETERNITY in Hell, with ALL of its HORRORS, with NO way of ESCAPE, unless you TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and CONFESS Him as your SAVIOR and LORD.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!