Advent Day 25 – Shepherds
If you are doing an Advent Log, Light candles 1-25
Shepherds
Shepherds
Simple working folk.
Mostly unlearned.
Oddly enough, King David was a shepherd boy before he was anointed to become King.
The Messiah was to come from David’s lineage.
Jesus is the good shepherd, such as Psalm 23 describes.
So, who else would deserve the first proclamation, other than his brethren, in his ancestral home?
These shepherds heard the news and ran…to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
But first – they were scared out of their wits!!! A nice, quiet night out with the sheep. The usual stars in they sky (or they would have noticed), and everyone was settled in to watch for the night and suddenly! or in KJV speak:
Lk 2:8-9
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.
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.
~
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Those they told just wondered. It doesn’t say that they went to see.
Now, granted, the shepherds heard it from angels – the townspeople just heard it from, well, shepherds.
These people were the lowest of the low – the “rednecks” of the community, illiterate, dirty, animal dwellers. They were not tradesmen, they were just, well, shepherds.
My take away? Would I drop everything and run? Do I despise the messenger?
The first part – would I drop everything and run to see – if I was met with by an angel?
The immediate thought would be yes, and yet, I know that I would probably hem and haw around.
The second part – would I despise the messenger?
This has more to do with those to whom the shepherds proclaimed the news of Christ’s birth.
In the Bible, God used a donkey to tell Ballaam not to go curse Israel. Ballaam just beat his donkey. Then an angel appeared, from whom the donkey had been protecting Ballaam. So, Ballaam decided to return home, and follow the Lord, right? Well, no. He just found a way around God’s commands.
Just seeing an angel doesn’t mean that someone will obey. In fact, the Bible talks about the fact that angels are often where you least expect it – you are unaware. Hebrews 13:2
It’s not usually going to be the perfect angel that proclaims the message of God.
More likely, they may look like a donkey.
The key is, am I waiting to hear that voice that the Lord is in this place?
Is my heart open to hearing the message, and my ears keen to hear His voice, no matter the mouthpiece?
I pray that I will –
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
Advent Day 24 – Magi or Wise Men
If you are doing the Advent Log, light days 1-24
The Magi or Wise Men
Whatever the star was – it was important enough to the Magi, wise men, potentially astronomers, to know that something important had happened. Just as Dr. Morris did in his post, Edersheim speaks a little bit about the magi and why they might know of the coming King.
Because they share these two research posts, and this song! The Magi and the Star go hand in hand.
They probably weren’t kings.
There is no indication that there were only 3, there were only 3 types of gifts.
But still, the song, We Three Kings tells the story of Christ, and gives an indication as to what the three gifts would be for in his life.
https://youtu.be/k8mjRxkMBkE
And, my take on this is, Am I wise enough to still seek HIM? And would I give him such expensive gifts? Or only leftovers?
That said, what ARE the gifts that I would give?
In Exodus 31, God lists the people in whom HE placed gifts in order to create the special things for HIS tabernacle.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we are told that there are many different gifts, like there are different parts to the body, but we need all of them. Romans 12:6-8 tells us to use our gifts – give them up to the Lord.
The point is that WE are given gifts…they are part of WHO we are, HOW we were created and wired.
Just like salvation, it is not of ourselves…
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The gifts of the Magi have been preached about as provisions for the family as they had to flee, and up to the herbs for his burial.
Gifts provide something – and we can be like the Wise Men and give of the gifts we have been given, to glorify God.
What is the gift that God has asked of us?
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
We are to give him our heart, mind, soul and strength.
It’s the first commandment, according to Jesus!
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
Part 2 deals with The Star, Angels, Shepherds and Magi. That actually takes us to Advent day 26.
25 days in December until Christmas, but Advent usually starts before December. I explained that in part 1, linked above.
Why the star before the Angels?
well, since the Magi were coming from the East, or was it the west…
(if the star is in the east, do you walk east or west to Bethlehem?)
(westward leading still proceeding…as well as the appropriate verse: Matt 2:2 & 9),
(See how I figured that out?)
and it took them(Magi) some time to get there – it may have been seen by the magi BEFORE the birth. Maybe it was lit for them at just the moment of his birth – and since their journey was not ended at the stable, right after the birth(spoiler!) – they may have started then. Either way, the Star proclaiming Christ’s birth was at least at the same time, if not before the Angels and the shepherds. It’s my Advent study. If you don’t like it…you can change it up for yourself!
Star
The Star.
I did some research on this, since just this year ‘they’ were saying that we could see a repeat of Christ’s star! With my naked eye I could see that it was three different stars…so, I don’t buy that explanation. It was neat to actually be able to experience one of the possibilities.
There are some very interesting scientific research going on, to prove or disprove this star. Sort of like that sun standing still miracle, but that’s another story.
Ray Pritchard, on www.jesus.org, describes four possibilities in this post.
Dr. Henry Morris, from Institute in Creation Research has an indepth discussion about the Star of Jesus within his article about the Star and the Magi.
Whatever the star was – it was important enough to the Magi, wise men, potentially astronomers, to know that something important had happened. Just as Dr. Morris did in his post, Edersheim speaks a little bit about the magi and why they might know of the coming King.
Because they share these two research posts, and this song! The Magi and the Star go hand in hand.
They probably weren’t kings.
There is no indication that there were only 3, there were only 3 types of gifts.
But still, the song, We Three Kings tells the story of Christ, and gives an indication as to what the three gifts would be for in his life.
And, my take on this is, Am I wise enough to still seek HIM? And would I give him such expensive gifts? Or only leftovers?
Shepherds
Simple working folk.
Mostly unlearned.
Oddly enough, King David was a shepherd boy before he was anointed to become King.
The Messiah was to come from David’s lineage.
Jesus is the good shepherd, such as Psalm 23 describes.
So, who else would deserve the first proclamation, other than his brethren, in his ancestral home?
These shepherds heard the news and ran…to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
But first – they were scared out of their wits!!! A nice, quiet night out with the sheep. The usual stars in they sky (or they would have noticed), and everyone was settled in to watch for the night and suddenly! or in KJV speak:
Lk 2:8-9
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.
https://youtu.be/X4kAQs7KAHM
silent Night
Luke 2:15 & 25
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.
~
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Those they told just wondered. It doesn’t say that they went to see.
Now, granted, the shepherds heard it from angels – the townspeople just heard it from, well, shepherds.
My take away? Would I drop everything and run? Do I despise the messenger?
Angels
Hark the Angels Sing
Angels
messengers from God.
warriors from God.
protectors from God.
In this case, I believe they were just so full of Joy that their star quarterback was now in the game!
They were there when God created the earth.
They were left in heaven when satan and the other angels fell.
They were there when Adam and Eve brought death into the world through sin.
They knew that God the Father had a plan, but they didn’t know what it was.
All they knew was what they were told when they were sent as messengers.
And today was the day – The Son of God was going into the world to make everything right! Lucifer had not won. The great plan, that had been foretold in multiple prophecies was being unfolded right before their eyes. This was the beginning of Peace on Earth, good will towards men!
Crocheted Angels
Luke 2:10-12
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
This was the message they had been waiting to give! And once it was given:
Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The next blog will be thoughts for Christmas Eve – and Christmas Day.
For now – I am thinking about the ones that were part of the declaration of Christ’s birth. And I wonder, do I declare Christ’s birth, death and Resurrection with my life, as a light Jesus told us to be? He came as the light in the darkness, and I am to be the light of the world – my life should shine the light of Jesus wherever I go. He came and died so that I might live, and declare the glory of God.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
Part 2 deals with The Star, Angels, Shepherds and Magi. That actually takes us to Advent day 26.
25 days in December until Christmas, but Advent usually starts before December. I explained that in part 1, linked above.
When I first started to celebrate Christmas, the first ornaments I made were stars.
Christmas 1987
We wrote the story of Christmas, divided up, on the three stars.
Those were a part of our Advent for many years!
The stars in the upper left corner
Star
Why the star before the Angels?
Well, since the Magi were coming from the East, or was it the west…
(if the star is in the east, do you walk east or west to Bethlehem?)
(westward leading still proceeding…as well as the appropriate verse: Matt 2:2 & 9),
(See how I figured that out?)
and it took them(Magi) some time to get there – it may have been seen by the magi BEFORE the birth. Maybe it was lit for them at just the moment of his birth – and since their journey was not ended at the stable, right after the birth(spoiler!) – they may have started then. Either way, the Star proclaiming Christ’s birth was at least at the same time, if not before the Angels and the shepherds. It’s my Advent study. If you don’t like it…you can change it up for yourself! LOL!
Star
The Star.
Do you every stand outside and just look at the stars?
I have lived in Big cities like Dallas and Columbus, and I have lived in little cities like Mulberry, Indiana, So. Charleston, Ohio and Gladewater, Tx. The one thing I have learned is that in order to see stars, you have to be in a place where there is no light pollution.
The stars are most visible in the darkest of nights.
Light Pollution isn’t the Sun during the day, or the full moon at night. It is the false lights of the city that blind your eye to all but the brightest lights. The things of the world can dim your sight of the true light!
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,
15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so.
16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.
17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth,
18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.
Before He created stars, moon and sun, He had to create light! Genesis 1:1-3
1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
When God created – He started with nothing.
First He had to create the material with which to create!
It started out chaotic!
and dark.
And with His hand and His words (Let there be…), He brought order to disorder, light to darkness, and eventually life – in the form of creatures and man.
It’s not too unlike a pregnancy! The Discover Channel does a beautiful job of showing how 2 cells meet – and out of the chaos of intercourse and finding each other, the cells connect and bring order – in the darkness of the womb. Then, birth – from darkness into light.
God created the world so that He could give birth to His son – and enter in a beautiful relationship between God and Man, whom he also created!
But I’m supposed to be focusing upon Stars!
The Star of Bethlehem, to be specific.
This star is the symbol of the Light of God coming into the Darkness of the World!
Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
With my naked eye I could see that it was three different stars…so, I don’t buy that explanation. On the other hand, this article was quite interesting. It was neat to actually be able to experience one of the possibilities.
One thing I found out was that there is some very interesting scientific research going on, to prove or disprove this star. Sort of like that sun standing still miracle, but that’s another story.
Ray Pritchard, on www.jesus.org, describes four possibilities in this post.
Dr. Henry Morris, from Institute in Creation Research has an indepth discussion about the Star of Jesus within his article about the Star and the Magi.
Whatever the star was – it was important enough to the Magi, wise men, potentially astronomers, to know that something important had happened. Just as Dr. Morris did in his post, Edersheim speaks a little bit about the magi and why they might know of the coming King.
That’s coming!
The important piece to me, in this part of the story, is that God created the stars(creation) then used His creation to guide His people to His Son. How do I look upon nature?
Job talks about the morning stars singing.
Jesus talks about the rocks crying out.
Isaiah talks about the mountains and the hills will burst into song, and the trees will clap their hand.
Nature declares the glory of GOD!
Psalm 19:1-6
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Nature is the evidence to God’s Glory!
Romans 1:19-20
19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.
People have looked to the stars for guidance for thousands of years.
I look to the One Who created them.
Why not declare the coming of His son by the beauty of the star?
Light from heaven! Come to earth!
Now we celebrate, Jesus’ birth!
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
If you are using the Advent Log – light days 1-22.
If you are using an Advent Wreath – light all four candles.
Of course, before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had to get to Bethlehem.
Bethlehem
Yes, Bethlehem IS a character in this Christmas story, because it was foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Bethlehem wasn’t a large city…but it was the city of David’s birth.
There was a census decreed, in order that the taxes could be applied. Everyone had to go to the city of their ancestors birth to be counted. Luke 2:1-7
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
This is where we learn that Mary had to go, ‘great with child’ and that ‘there was no room for them at the inn.’
6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,
7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The key for Christmas here is the question, is there room for Jesus in MY heart…or does he get left out in the stable?
It is also that God comes to us in OUR HOME – which is our HEARTS. Again, is there room in our heart for Jesus?oh,
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
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.
Zacharias recieved a message from the Angel. In speaking about John’s birth, He prophesied Jesus’ purpose, to which his son John would proclaim in Luke 1:67-79 and following.
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has come to his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a horn[c] of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us—
72 to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
John poetically describes Christ in John 1:1-18 – describing the difference again between Jesus, and the prophet John.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 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.
15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”)
16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Jesus – Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the World.
THIS IS the GIFT of Christmas! and it’s not a THIS!
HE IS the GIFT of Christmas!
Hi!
My hope in the midst of despair and my joy in the face of depression is because of my relationship with Jesus Christ. If you do not have one, or are not sure you will join him in heaven, please check out these links.
Got Questions provides a detailed explanation of The Roman’s Road.
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Copyrights and Legal-eze
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here are ones that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
In 2016, Advent is 28 days long.
In 2017, advent is 22 days long.
What?26 days of Advent?,
Isn’t Advent 24 days before Christmas, on the 25th?
The length of Advent changes every year – based on the date of Thanksgiving. Advent is the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, or the fourth Sunday preceding Christmas. In 2017, for example, Thanksgiving does not fall on the last Thursday, but the fourth Thursday of November, and the fifth Thursday is Nov 30. That year, the 1st Sunday of Advent is Dec 3rd – making that Advent only 22 days long.
By all accounts, a young girl, Mary was chosen to marry a man, named Joseph.
But even before her was Elizabeth and Zacharias.
They had been waiting for a child.
Zacharias received a very special message during his service to the Lord in Luke 1:5 and following. This child was going to announce the coming of the Messiah!
An Angel messenger.
Luke 1:26-27
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Sixth month of what? Elizabeth’s pregnancy!
What did the Angel say? Luke 1:28
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.
Thou that art highly favoured – favor and grace
The Lord is with thee: – with – as in WITH? an unheard of position.
blessed art thou among women. – above Rachel and Leah by whom Jews had been blessing their daughters for centuries!
She is one that Loves her God!
She’s told she will have a child…with no male intervention. This means that she will be seen as a harlot. This is punishable by death. Maybe this is why it’s angel GABRIEL! that came to speak to her! But, her response is a beautiful statement of complete yeildedness to God’s plan, no matter what. Luke 1:38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
The Angel sends her on her way to Elizabeth’s – the babe in Elizabeth’s womb jumps for joy, and Mary sings what has gone down in history as her Magnificat.
She raises the Son of God – her story continues to the day he dies. She was a person, just like me, that said yes to God.
The key to me in this is am I willing to be embarassed at least, persecuted to death at the most for something that God has told me I should do. Now, Mary did get some evidence pretty soon that she was going to have a baby – but she also knew that she hadn’t been with a man. I, on the other hand, just have the strange visions, notions, or thoughts that God might want me to do things…and I often beg out because I am embarrassed. Mary’s reputation was on the line, and it was even brought up to Jesus years later. And she said yes!
Joseph.
A Carpenter.
Asked for Mary’s hand in marriage.
we know he is a Godly, compassionate man, for when his bride to be is found with child(and has some cockamammy story about being impregnated by God), he decided to divorce her quietly – so she won’t be stoned. Or would she? Anyway – he’d made his decision, and he got visited by an angel! Matthew 1:18-25
Joseph was told that he was the stepfather to the Son of God. And he was to name him Jesus, God with us. or was it Immanuel?
The folks over at Christian Apologetics and Research have a great explanation of the two names of Jesus and why. I won’t go into it!
Joseph provides the flesh and blood father that protects Jesus when they have to flee to Egypt. He provides training for Jesus and provides for the family as a carpenter. Apparently, he, also, was chosen for his role in Christ’s life, and by taking Mary into his home as his wife, and not ‘knowing’ her as was his biblical right, Joseph said yes to God!
The angel thing again. But seriously, if I met an angel that told me that such and thus was going to happen, especially if I had been in bed, I would second guess myself. Of course, Mary was with child. Joseph could believe or not believe. but he said yes. I believe.
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.
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.
Zacharias prophesied Jesus’ purpose, to which his son John would proclaim in Luke 1:67 and following.
John poetically describes Christ in John 1:1-18 – describing the difference again between Jesus, and the prophet John.
Jesus – Son of God, Son of Man, Savior of the World.
https://youtu.be/MC9cbEHjvPs
Of course, before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had to get to Bethlehem.
Yes, Bethlehem IS a character in this Christmas story, because it was foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Bethlehem wasn’t a large city…but it was the city of David’s birth.
During the taxing, everyone had to go to the city of their ancestors birth to be counted. Luke 2:1-7
This is where we learn that she had to go, ‘great with child’ and that ‘there was no room for them at the inn.’
They key for Christmas here is the question, is there room for Jesus in MY heart…or does he get left out in the stable?
This gets us almost to Christmas Day.(in 2015)
if you added these four to the previous 18, you are at day 22 – the shortest of the Advent seasons. I will be providing another set – Star, Angels, Shepherds and Magi to make it to the 26th day of Advent next.
Love nativity
My prayer this Advent season was to become more aware of Christ in My life, and to make sure that he dwells in my heart – not on the outskirts of my life. I pray that this is your prayer as well.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
My Point of View about Hugh Hefner is based on his exploitation of women, not speaking ill of the dead.
My point of view of him has not changed from while he was alive to now that he has met his eternal reward, whatever that is.
I have been especially forced to think about this, because of Matt Walsh’s fb write up…
Hugh Hefner died last night. I’m sorry he’s dead. I’m sorry for his family. But mostly I’m sorry for the incredible damage he did to society as one of the pioneers of the sexual revolution and a driving force behind our cultural decay.
It’s unfortunate that we must point out the fact that Hefner was a pornographer and a pimp. That his life’s work was to amass a collection of desperate women who were willing to be used and exploited. But we must tell this truth in order to combat the untruths that people are now saying about him.
We live in a country where men like Hefner are immediately canonized upon death. I’ve seen Hefner described as a “hero” and a “role model.” These are lies, and we must call them lies. The fact that Hefner is dead does not change the fact that he was a peddler of filth. If a man wishes to be remembered as virtuous and decent, he must live virtuously and decently. We don’t become virtuous and decent when we die, as if death itself washes away every bad thing we’ve done. Quite the opposite, actually. Death is when we reckon with the bad things.
I’ve been assured that Hefner is “in a better place” now. I realize this is just a thing we say about all dead people, no matter who they are and what they did. And indeed it’s possible that Hefner repented before death and has now entered the Better Place. But to confidently state as fact that a pornographer is in Heaven is arrogant and dangerous. Pray that God has mercy on him, but do not run around declaring that a man who spent his life having orgies and taking pictures of naked women must necessarily be reaping eternal rewards.
Let’s try to be serious for a change. Let’s treat the death of a man like Hefner with somber honesty. It is always sad when someone dies. It is even sadder when a corrupt and decadent man dies. We may have hope that a man of great faith and goodness is in Heaven. We may have the same hope for the corrupt man, but it is a slimmer hope. So, we simply trust in the mercy and justice of God, knowing that He will deliver us all to the destinations we have chosen. And, if we must learn anything from Hefner’s life, it’s that a life of selfish pleasure seems so pointless once it’s over. That is the great lesson he taught us.
May God have mercy on him and all sinners. Amen.
It is not my place to say what his eternal reward is, because I do not know what the last moments of his life pertained and contained.
Jude 1:22-23 1 Corinthians 3:15
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
I do know what the Bible says, and I do know what the God of Heaven says are the rules for entering into his house. The two biggies are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to love the Lord with all your heart mind soul spirit and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Acts 16:30-31
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
This well known salvation scripture has some additional pieces that folks would rather ignore:
John 3:16-18
16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And love your neighbor?
Mark 12:30-31
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
This is the summary of the ten commandments.
Everyone would agree that the ten commandments are the set of rules originally given to mankind from God. They are listed in Exodus 20.
Exodus 20:14 says:
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
Mathew 5:27-28 (the words of Jesus – they are red in the red letter editions!)
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Jesus didn’t take lusting after a woman lightly!
Exploiting women and objectifying women is not loving your neighbor as yourself. It was raising men to a level of control over women and degrading women down to a level of objects to be used and toyed with for men’s own pleasure. There are many verses about how men should treat women. Sex toys is not in any of them.
While I am not so naive as to believe that women were raised up, cherished, respected and honored prior to Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Empire, there was a general concept that mothers and sisters were to be protected – daughters looked after. And, some husbands took advantage of that…but the scripture clearly states that a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church.
I do believe that the Bible teaches that women are to be treated as special as God the Father and God the Son treat God the Holy Spirit(The triune God) and defend God the Holy Spirit in a very extreme manner. The unpardonable sin – blasphemy of the Holy Spirit –
Mark 3:29
but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”—
Even in prisons, inmates will fight at the derogatory comment against their mother. If even the wicked know it’s right, what about those that are considered above a criminal?
God the Father, God the son, hold God the holy spirit in a very high regard. That is what a father, husband, child, should do to their mother, wife, sister, daughter. Not belittle, not degrade, not objectify, but cherish as a unique and different but equal partner in this path of life. This is the Godly way!
By God’s grace, I don’t have to show my private parts in order for men to have some interest in me. The true honor of a human being is that their value is based on their soul, their character, and their very life. Not their physical attributes that fade, but the qualities in which they bring to The Human Condition, in order to raise others up with guidance, Comfort, love, joy, peace, patience, healing, and Reconciliation.
Here’s just a few ideas for how to cherish a woman:
In my faith walk, that reconciliation of most importance is reconciliation between The Sinner and their God through Jesus Christ his son. Eternity is real. If someone wants to spend eternity in heaven, the “better place”, they need to mind the household rules of the owner of that place. Those who come into my house and disobey my house rules are asked to leave. Those who come to my house and state that they do not intend to follow my household rules, are not invited in. Someone choosing to break into my house to steal kill or destroy, is placed under government laws that we all agree are real and need to be enforced. These are but a foreshadowing of what happens on the day we die. We do stand at the gate and we do answer for our life and we do answer for whether or not we’ve made the choice that we want to spend eternity in heaven with God the Father through God the son by the power of God the Holy Spirit, In The Name of Jesus Christ.
Hindus are not saying that he who Hefner made it to their highest plane, Svargam.
Buddhists are not saying that you have never made it to their highest plane, Nirvana.
Why is it assumed that the Christian Heaven has to take in anyone and everyone no matter how disrespectful and arrogant they are against the Lord God Of Heaven and Earth?
It doesn’t make logical sense.
So if you lived a life with no belief in a God, don’t say you went to a better place, because a “better place” is just the end result of some form of faith.
The Atheist has no heaven.
Of course the atheist has no hell.
The thing is once you die as an atheist you no longer have a choice.
So this comment that he is in a better place from the life of totally anti-god and anti-religion, would mean that the better place is rotting in a casket or being incinerated whichever way they choose to deal with his Earthly remains.
You don’t go to a better place by causing the world to be a worse place.
The amazing part of Grace, though, is that at any moment anyone no matter what they have done can repent of their sins declare Jesus Christ as their lord and savior, and they can enter in to the kingdom of God, that better or best place, even though as if by fire.
But if people are not going to embrace the actual meaning of a “better place”, then stop playing the game, and just accept the man died.
His legacy is what it is no matter whose point of view feels they agree with that. And there is no basis other than some form of faith for there to be anything after life. So just accept the man died. And his legacy is what it is.
In light of this conversation:
Did Mother Teresa go to heaven?
I don’t know – but her life certainly was lived publicly as if she believed in the Christ of the Bible!
Did Judas, the betrayer of Christ go to heaven?
I don’t know – he killed himself, and for some, that is an unforgivable sin.
Killing oneself after realizing that you had condemned your Lord and Savior could have been an act of repentance.
Did Benjamin Franklin go to heaven or hell?
I don’t know…he was a Quaker, but, not necessarily a believer in Christ.
Here is an excellent write up on whether Buddhists go to heaven.…as in, a Christian Heaven! The answer is NO!
If someone wants to enter into paradise and enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom of God – Yahweh, or Jehovah – one must follow his house rules.
My point is that if one wants to enter into the King’s palace, one must be a servant of the King.
If one wants to enter Nirvana, one must practice Buddhism.
If one wants to experience the various levels of Hindu fulfillment, one must practice Hinduism.
I would also say that if someone wanted to go to the heaven of the Muslims, one would need to practice Islam!
Why, then, is it so difficult to comprehend that a man that spent his life defending ungodliness probably did not go to God’s house at his death?
Hugh Hefner died.
Hugh Hefner left a legacy of death.
Hugh Hefner’s eternal reward is between him and God – whichever God he chose to follow.
If it was the god of flesh – that god is fully in charge of his body now.
Hebrews 9:27-28
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Not because of fear – but because of His great love for us!
1 John 4:17
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
There is a principle – live so that when you die, no one will have to wonder what your believed or stood for. The Apostles Creed
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
At this time in my life – I have a husband dealing with prostate cancer, and a dog that is dealing with oral melanoma, friends that have dealt with breast cancer surgeries, and I’m praying for some friends’ family members dealing with very serious cancer diagnoses.
Cancer seems to bring timeliness up…it makes people appreciate the time they have left.
What happens when someone is diagnosed with cancer?
Often, they start taking account of their lives, and making sure their ‘house’ is in order – that their relationships are in order – that they have more life in the days they have left – rather than more days added to their life.
When you are aware of Jesus coming – whether in your life time, as in your days or short, or as in the Biblical end of the world – you tend to put your house in order.
Hezekiah was addressed by Isaiah when it was his time…Isaiah 38:1
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
I’m not going to talk about how he asked for more time, and that more time gave him the son that became the most wicked king over Israel – but, my point is, get your house in order!
In our church sermons, our pastor has been teaching from the book of Mark. This past Sunday, it was about the Gadarene demoniac in Mark 5. On Monday, we have a small group that meets to discuss the sermon from Sunday(not chew up the pastor and spit him out…but rather to dig deeper into the message).
This is a BAPTIST church, and the pastor is talking about demon possession, or demonizing.
The pastor is teaching about the ways of the enemy!
The pastor is warning us about being alert and attentive to the enemy’s tactics.
And it was within this study that I was struck with something VERY powerful for me.
The devil wants us to hold on to wounds and irritations and miscommunications so that we are divided!
The story about the demon possessed man is in Mark 5:1-20
Short version.
Man is crazy, filled with legion(a legion is 6000) of demons.
Jesus makes a trip across a lake to meet him.
He runs to Jesus – Jesus commands the demons out – pigs run into the lake and are drowned.
Man is in his right mind for the first time in who knows when.
Pig owner and townspeople get mad and tell Jesus to leave.
WHY were they so upset?
devils tactics…they were more concerned with the financial loss than with the obvious miracle in this man’s life!
This isn’t to judge the townspeople – this was an instant thing…they were NOT Jews…they were gentiles and how on earth did they have any basis to process this happening other than what they could see? 2000 pigs lost in one day! That’s the meat for the whole community…the livelihood of at least ONE man…if not several.
The point is that it’s the devil’s plan to steal, kill and destroy the testimony of Jesus! John 10:10
What is the single most damaging thing between family members?
unresolved hurts.
Think about YOUR family…is there anyone you haven’t talked to in a long time?
why not?
did something happen?
is someone’s feelings hurt?
was someone wronged?
Hezekiah felt that he’d been wronged by not having a son….oops! Isaiah 58
Jacob’s sons felt that they’d been wronged by their father favoring their brother Joseph. oops! Genesis 37
Esau felt that he’d been cheated by his brother Jacob! oops….Genesis 27
Ishmael wasn’t too happy about Issac being the favored son! oops! Genesis 21(and this is where the middle east conflict started!)
Cain did not like that Abel’s sacrifice as accepted, and his was not! first murder!Genesis 4
Jesus tells us to be careful! It’s even MORE dangerous than the old testament teachings!
Matthew 5:21-26
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
It’s not even an implication here. He speaks it pretty clearly!
if we know that someone has something against us – BEFORE we offer OUR offering to the Lord…FIRST be reconciled with the one that is offended!
And, what if we’re sinned against? Matthew 18:15-17
We’re still supposed to work on a peaceful conflict resolution!
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
WHY IS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO CLEAR UP THESE ISSUES WITH ANOTHER PERSON????
8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
WHY? Because we are to be aware of the tactics of the enemy…and one of his tactics is division.
In our dig deeper study, we were given 1 cor 2:10-11 as applying here.
10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
This verse was causing me trouble…I did not know how it applied to the concept of the Gadarene Demoniac in Mark 5. Where was the need for forgiving…and what does that have to do with THIS???
11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
How do you battle an enemy? first you have to recognize him….
then you have to acknowledge his methods!
We have Armor:
Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
There is so much there, in that passage, about spiritual warfare….we do not wrestle with FLESH AND BLOOD!
One of the first steps of Peaceful Conflict Resolution is to NOT attack the other person…flesh and blood…but to discuss the PROBLEM.
In the case of the enemy – he influences us at our weakest points, and drives wedges between us and God.
How? Genesis 3
1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?
2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
These are the same three issues with which the enemy tried to test Jesus, to make him fall! Matthew 4
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
It is OUR issue that causes us troubles…OUR lusts and passions and such. THESE are what we are able to control!
When little Johnny gets mad at little Chrissy because she has a piece of bread and he doesn’t…is it really that he has an issue with Chrissy, or is it that he wants the bread…and doesn’t want her to have it?
When Tommy gets better grades than Billy, is it Tommy that Billy is angry at? Or embarassment that he didn’t do as well?
When Joe sees another car on the road that is going the speed limit and he wants to be going 10 mph faster, and can’t get around them, is it really that they are angry at the other driver, or is it that they are angry that they cannot do what they want?
When someone spills a drink in a bar, does the other person(spillee) really have an issue with the spiller, or is their ego affected?
When someone has an affair, does the other person in the situation have an issue with the PERSON with whom the affair was committed, or that they were injured, in their trust, their confidence, their emotional property?
When one group of people is offended by an ugly past and demands that all evidence of that past (statues) be removed, and those that declare that the evidence is part of the past, and that they have learned from it – who are the people angry with? Those living today or the hurts from the past that have not been resolved?
When someone stands up for what is right for their own lifestyle – do others get mad at them for being homosexual, atheist, muslim, Christian, or brightly colored hair? Or do they get mad that they are not confident enough to stand up for their own beliefs and allow others to stand up as well.
I’m not talking about someone hitting, stealing, damaging or whatever.
I’m not talking about legal ramifications.
There are laws against so many actions…and the only choice is to punish the person having done the action.
The gadarene demoniac was often chained…bound…and he lived among the tombs. Mark 5:
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
He was removed from society.
They had done some pretty serious things to him to try to control him.
He was scary.
He was unwelcome.
The thing here isn’t that what he did was ok…the thing is that often we react to what the other person does…and attack the other person…rather than try to figure out how to find a solution.
Where is the person in all of this?
What is going on in the offenders life at this time?
We do not wrestle against flesh and blood….
there are so many unseen things going in, and to figure out how to deal with it, one must take the TIME to understand the other person.
Again – I do not agree with giving criminal behavior a pass for poor childhood, even mental illness.
But, OUR response, as taught by Jesus MUST be other than attacking the other person!
OUR response, as taught by Jesus MUST be about reconciliation – which may include restitution and maybe some separation for a time.
NEVER REVENGE!
Not even retribution!
Our response needs to be forgiveness!
James 1:19-20
19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters.
Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener],
slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and],
slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];
20 for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].
There is an interesting list of proverbs as the cross references for James 1:19 on Bible Hub.
Can you truly forgive if you are still angry? I don’t think so…but, that’s really between you and God!
The issue is that if you hold onto the anger – the hurt – the wounds, and do not forgive, you poison yourself!
Hebrews 12:14-16
14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].
32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ,
11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
It really had nothing to do with the Gadarene Demoniac, as much as the concept had to do with understanding the wiles of the enemy…
And taking up our Armor, and utilizing our weapons! 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Where do we do our warfare?
On our knees.
In the presence of God Our Father, through Jesus Christ His son, by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us!
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
It is OUR prayers that need to be heard….
It is OUR right relationship with God that needs to be considered…
And, in order to battle in the spiritual realm…we need first to consider ourselves.
I mentioned the first step of teaching peaceful conflict resolution.
I taught it to 1st and 2nd graders, and supported the group that taught peer mediators in schools.
focus on the problem, not the person. don’t attack the person.
listen – to each other
reflect what the other said – show understanding.
find common ground and a resolution that is mutually agreeable.
Pastor Rick Warren talks about 7 steps to resolve a conflict and restore a broken relationship, based on Blessed are the PeaceMakers.
It doesn’t matter how many steps it takes…we have to take the steps!
First, one has to be able to let go…forgive.
Then, be reconciled.
And THEN – we can give our offerings, our gifts, our talents to the Lord.
And then, we are called the children of God.
The enemy wants to divide and conquer.
God wants the body to be united and victorious.
Unforgiveness is a huge cause for bitterness – and bitterness poisons everything!
How long do we want to hold onto bitterness, and not see the Power of God in our lives?
Am I so hung up on MY rights that I am willing to not only give up on the other person’s ability to be reconciled to me, and GOD, but to give up MY ability to dwell in God’s presence?
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—
the Most High, who is my refuge—
10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you,
no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will bear you up,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the adder;
the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him;
I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
WHAT PART OF THIS DO I WANT TO RISK LOSING IN MY LIFE????
IS HOLDING ONTO BITTERNESS WORTH IT?
Proverbs 14:30
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Jealousy is often mentioned in the same thought with wrath, and such.
In the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of Joy…
PEACE is the opposite of Anger…
The fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace…LONGSUFFERING!
I declare that I want to be like Jesus.
Jesus forgave…and tells me to forgive.
When Jesus said Father forgive them – he was in such an excruciating situation, and yet, HE thought to say HE forgave those that put HIM on that cross…both then, before and after. JESUS FORGAVE DURING THE ACT AGAINST HIM!
That is even more immediate than immediately after someone hurts me!
but, yes, I’m human, I may need time to process…but how much time?
How long do I want to wallow in my own self pity, and hold on to my own poison, waiting for the offender to hurt?
Rather than wallow in my pain, and blame, my desire is to offer God’s love, mercy, grace and MY forgiveness because HE first loved ME!
Join me?
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
THANKFULNESS FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Paul was in jail.
Paul was suffering.
Paul was currently, a missionary to Rome and those in the jail.
Paul needed the assistance of those outside the jail in order to survive.
Later, he talks about the support, and the lack of it, in this little book.
When he was moving around, he was a tent maker. 1 Thess 2: 7-10 (I got this reference, and some interesting commentary on Paul’s self support from Dave Black Online. A very interesting commentary on this concept.)
What does all of this have to do with thankfulness for brothers and sisters?
Not only were they part of the fruit of his ministry, and often Paul speaks very lovingly about his spiritual children, they had been part of his support team.
Is there anyone that has impacted MY life for the gospel?
the young girl, Tina, that took me to her church when I was in grade school, which led me to asking Christ into my life.
All of the women that worked VBS at the methodist church that my grandmother attended.
Even the sunday school teachers at the Episcopal church I attended were part of my foundation.
The hymn writers that spoke of theological beauty
A priest that knew Jesus, and led me to follow the path of His voice
An ex nun(convent closed) that taught me about devotion time
An evangelist, Jerry, that preached a youth revival at a Methodist church in Pensecola Florida
Keith Green’s ministry – and music
The leadership at the One Way House in Springfield, Ohio. And here is where I can start writing a lot of names!
My husband – who first started out as my Bible Study partner.
My small groups through the years
my Bible study authors through the years
Ministers that preached the gospel, and laid even deeper levels of foundations
a group of women that participated in a specific home school program – that continue to pray for each other.
men and women through my life that have touched my heart, and continue to be prayer partners in my times of needs – and I likewise to them.
Some folks I got to know in a nerdy athletic group that understand depression, and struggles, and honor my faith.
My school mates that remember me from way back when
some of my family, that love me.
My current small group in our home.
a group of facebook people that will raise their voices in prayer when I am struggling
I am thankful for so many of those that have gone before me in the Christian walk – and now are enjoying their eternal reward.
But what about NOW?
I have those that encourage me to write and paint for the Lord.
I am not the missionary I had thought I would be.
So, how does thanking someone for supporting me in my ministry apply to me?
everyone has a ministry!
everyone needs encouragement against the lies of the enemy
everyone can be a light on a hill, a beam in the darkness, a shelter in the storm
I have been blessed by many people in this regard!
As for missionary? I support several missions consistently, and others as the Lord leads.
It is beautiful to get a card in the mail saying thankyou. And, I know they are praying for me, even as I am praying for them.
1 Cor 12:12 & 27
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
While I have not been SENT out to other parts of the world – yet – there are those that are pleased to allow me to partner with them in the gospel!
While I am here at home, I have the obligation to preach the gospel, and make disciples right here.
And those that come along side me, to pray with me, to encourage me, to possibly by my paintings, or my writings – they will be partnering with me in the gospel.
For those, I am grateful – and I make mention to my Father of them in prayer!
One of my favorite Bible verses:
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Spring background with brokeh effect background
Paul says I
AM
SURE
OF
THIS!
Several versions translate it CONFIDENT!
Here’s a few additional verses to confirm this promise:
Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. 1 Corinthians 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
And another favorite:
Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 1
3 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
God begins the work in us, and as long as we have a heart towards Him, He will complete that work – to the day that we face Jesus Christ! Isn’t that amazing? I’ve written about how salvation is a gift…not of ourselves – a gift from God. It is a gift from the moment we are drawn to Him, until the moment we see Him face to face!
Recently, I returned to my hometown for my highschool reunion. It heavily impacted me in gratitude, and conviction and in purpose for the future. I made a confession for cleansing about my past, and I was reminded of my first love. And, I have to be confident that HE that began this work in me WILL complete it, if I am yielded to HIS word, hand and Spirit.
PAUL’S PRAYER FOR HIS PARTNERS
Philippians 1:9-11
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
I want to break this down.
LOVE
it is the AGAPE love –
affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love
Love abound – more and more
Holman Christian Bible – love will keep on growing.
NLT – love will overflow more and more
Amplified: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,
I like overflowing…that fits with light and salt to the world.
Of course, our teaching on what love is comes from 1 Corinthians 13 1 John 4 teaches how we should grow in Love…because God is love!
And, to love is a commandment – THE commandment given by Jesus!
Mark 12:30-31
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
with or in all Knowledge and Discernment – what does this mean?
Strongs defines these words as: Knowledge: the knowledge of things ethical and divine Discernment _ perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect;
cognition, discernment – of moral discernment in ethical matters
King James translates discernment as judgement.
This hearkens in my mind back to the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbds 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
To grow in the GodLike Love, overflowing, but not ‘willy-nilly’ – but with knowledge, understanding, and discernment.
Our loving actions are to be governed by our wisdom – gained by spending time getting to know the One we LOVE and are loved by.
God’s love is unending – but it does have a time limit…we can choose to say no, and die without God.
God’s love is unconditional – but we are to live to show our love in return. “If you love me, keep my commands”
We are not to love without boundaries – boundaries based in the wisdom of God.
Phil 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
this is WHY we are to love with discernment…. approve what is excellent! 1 Thes 5:21
but test everything; hold fast what is good. Romans 2:18 1 John 4:1
And to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ!
Amos 5:14-15
14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said!
15 Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate!
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
I’m not saying that our salvation rests on our works…or our ‘goodness’
Obviously, the Old Testament verses need to be taken in light of the New Testament grace and righteousness in Christ.
But, we are called to change!
Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
And Paul states that we are to be presented blameless – by Christ
1 Cor 1:4-8
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, the rest of this passage says that very thing: Phil 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
What are the fruit of righteousness?
Isaiah 32:17
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Of course, Galatians 5 tells us the Fruit of the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 5 gives us a ‘simple’ instruction for walking in love. I’m just going to share the first two verses:
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
In case we forget/forgot – God has provided a definition of love for us in His word: 1 Cor 13
For comfort, in case all of this talk about choosing and choices is convicting:
1 Cor 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil 2:13
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Heb 13:20-21
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep,
21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
The Bottom Line!
Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
And I end this with my favorite verse in this section:
Philippians 1:6
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Combined with another favorite:
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And here is my prayer for those that read this:
Phil 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Here’s a few extras!
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/161988917825079202/
http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-my-heart-philippians-16.html
Thanks for joining me in this journey, In His hands and under His wings, ~Christi Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest
Some artwork is from me – ChristArtist. It is copyrighted – by me. Please do not share it without my permission.
The same goes for my written work.
Some artwork is from ChristArt – not me! I have purchased a membership, and the art is copyrighted by them.
I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or choose to LIKE me on facebook, or other social media! I’d love to stay in touch with you – we are working on email subscriptions…sign up! Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.
There are many organizations that support children and families. Here is one that we are blessed to be a part of. Please consider sponsoring a child – the life you change could be your own.
The son of a friend will be interning with CRU – previously known as Campus Crusades for Christ. If you’d like to support someone I can vouch for in this area, please consider going to Matthew Plant’s donation page.
“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
