The Feet of Jesus

 

The feet of Jesus are beautiful. 

    Isaiah 52:7 

    How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 

    Romans 10:14-15

    How then can they call on The One in Whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in The One of Whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? 

    And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

    The feet of Jesus walked everywhere.

    From the time His ministry began ( Matthew 4:18), Jesus walked everywhere He went. Cities, towns and coastlines in Galilee. Beth-bara (where He was baptized in the Jordan). Jerusalem. Everywhere He taught, preached, healed and did miracles Jesus walked to get there. All this walking did not help to keep His feet clean, so they needed washing:

The feet of Jesus are washed, kissed and anointed.

    Luke 7:37-38

   And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. 

    John 12:2-3

    So they hosted a dinner for Jesus there. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 

The feet of Jesus were pierced.

    Psalm 22:16

    For dogs surround Me; a band of evil men encircles Me; they have pierced My hands and feet.

    The feet of Jesus are embraced.

    Matthew 28:9 

    And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 

    The feet of Jesus are baptized.

    Matthew 3:18; Mark 1:9; Luke 1:21; John 1:29-33.

    The feet of Jesus are sat at.

    Luke 10:39

    And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 

    Matthew 5:1; Matthew 13:2; Mark 4:1; John 8:2 are references where crowds followed Jesus to hear Him, requiring Him to sit down and teach them. 

    The feet of Jesus shine brightly, like polished bronze (burnished/brilliant).

    Revelation 1:15

    His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

 

    

    

The Two Fears: Part Two: Fear God

 

MATTHEW 10:28

"Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

    Luke 12:4, 5

"I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you Whom you should fear: Fear The One Who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

Hebrews 10:31

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of The Living God."

    Ecclesiastes 8:12, 13

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. 

    Though God originally created hell for the fallen angel Lucifer and the angels who joined him in rebellion against God, people who have rebelled against God and died in their sins, will also be sent there. Matthew 25:41 "Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." 

    From the beginning of the written Word we learn that it is better to fear (reverence) God and be obedient to His Word, and learn to walk in His Way in our lifetime on this side of eternity. For after we die, there will be no more opportunities to do so. Hebrews 10:26,  27 "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." 

    Hebrews 9:27 tells us that we all have an appointment with death. Yet, not all who die will see Jesus and live with Him evermore. 

    You may think this study to be hateful, but you are mistaken. This is a study in the love of God. For God made a Way to avoid eternal punishment and damnation and that Way is JESUS CHRIST. John 3:16 "For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  

    It takes a small amount of faith to believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. It takes another measure of faith to believe that God's Holy Way is True and Faithful. As our faith in Christ grows, and we walk our our faith daily, with Christ living in us, we become stronger in our faith: and Christ, through the power of God's Holy Spirit, becomes stronger in us. He is God's Love extended to the world through the power of the cross and the empty tomb. 

    God is Love and in His great Love for us, He sent His Word, wrapping It in lowly flesh and placing It, through the power of His Spirit, in a young virgin's womb. As Christians, it is our privilege to carry the gospel of salvation, the power of God's Redeeming Love, to every corner of the world until the whole world hears just how much God loves each and every person. 

    It is up to the hearer to listen, repent and receive God's grace and forgiveness, thereby turning away God's wrath from their souls and being brought into God's kingdom: through the blood of Christ, God's perfect Lamb, Which takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). 

    Now is the time to give your hearts to The Lord Jesus Christ. Now is the time to repent of your sins and receive God's forgiveness and Christ into your hearts. Now, today, is the day to begin to walk in God's Way and follow God's Spirit. A good place to start your walk is in The Book of John, then meander over to The Book of Romans. After which, perhaps, your fingers may find their way into the Epistles which Paul wrote to the various churches scattered throughout Asia, Rome and the middle East. 

    And never stop bringing God into your daily lives, for He wants to be with you always. If you let Him, He will show you Himself and what His Word means. 

The Son of The Highest

 

HUIOS HUPSISTOS

(hwee'-os hoop'-sis-tos)

THE SON OF THE HIGHEST

LUKE 1:32

He shall be great, and shall be called The Son of The Highest: and The Lord God shall give to Him the throne of his father David. 

THE SON

Isaiah 9:6, 7

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of The LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Matthew 1:23 (referencing Isaiah 7:14)

“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).

Luke 1:31

And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His Name JESUS.

John 1:14

And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of The only begotten of The Father,) full of grace and truth.

THE MOST HIGH/HIGHEST

Psalm 87:5

 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and The Highest Himself shall establish her.

Daniel 7:21, 22

As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, Until The Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of The Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 

Psalm 47:2

For The LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. 

Psalm 78:35

And they remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. 

HE IS CALLED JESUS - Todd Agnew

I Am Christian's Back

 

LUKE 18:33

"And having flogged Him, they will kill Him; and on the third day He will rise again."

    I am Christian's back. I have been created to house the spine, the backbone. In me is the source of life: blood is created within these bones. The blood is life. Without blood there is no life. And the sweetest blood flowed from the back of The only begotten Son of God, Who shed His blood on Calvary to atone for the sins of the world. This blood ran down His back from the whiplash marks across it. This blood streamed from His head where the thorns pierced it. This blood stained the rugged cross to which He was nailed. This blood dripped onto the ground and into the hearts of every believer who came to the cross and saw Jesus. Including mine. I am Christian and this blood covers me.

    On my back are the wounds and scars of the suffering I have endured. The sound of the whip hitting flesh is torture itself. I will not give in. Jesus' Name escapes my lips and I in Him I have strength to endure. As the apostle stated, "My life is not my own" -- Acts 20:24. I belong to Christ and Christ is not only with me, but in me. We take the whip together. We suffer together. In Christ I am His own. 

    As Christ's blood flowed from His body on the cross at Calvary, so, too, do I give my life in service to the gospel of salvation. I surrender all I am and have because I love Him so. God has given me breath and with my breath I will praise His glorious Name. God has given me life and it is only fitting and reasonable that I give my life back to Him -- Romans 12:1-8. And let Him use this life I have been given for His purpose according to His will and His Word. 

    My back is attached to my neck which holds my head up. Though my shoulders are bent from the burdens I have carried through the years, my head remains up. For Christ Jesus is the head of His body -- Ephesians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 11:3. Whose head sits on your shoulders? Your own, of course. Why would you expect it to be different with the body of Christ? 

    I am Christian's back. In me is the Strength of God's Word. Which I do, indeed, need for I have been called to suffer for The Name of Christ. May I fulfill the purpose for which God has created me with honor and faithfulness. 

WITHHOLDING NOTHING - William McDowell 

CALLING ME - Brian Tucker

     

Eternal Destinations

 When we leave this world for what lies ahead, each of us will take our memories and our senses.

In the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus tells us of the consequences of not believing God (the first man's destination) and of believing God (the second man's destination).
Verse 23: The unbeliever knew pain. He had sight and could recognize other people.
Verse 24: The unbeliever could speak. He knew thirst but he was still selfish.
Verse 25: The unbeliever could hear.
Verse 26: The unbeliever had the memories of his family. And the unbeliever knew he didn't want any of his family in the horrible place he was in. But his desires were limited to those of his own family. He couldn't cross from hell into Paradise after he was dead.

Back up to Verse 23, the unbelieving soul saw the beggar he had despised near Abraham, (whom he recognized though Abraham had died long before either man was born) in Paradise. The believer knew rest, peace, comfort. And while he had all his faculties, the unbelieving soul's wants were not directed at him, though some were about him.

Paradise is where the righteous went before Christ Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. But we know that now, when we die, we will see Jesus immediately. Acts 7:55-56. We will have all of our faculties intact. And we will see Jesus. That's the believer's destination.

BEST OF ROBIN MARK COMPILATION (listened to this while I studied)

A Crucified Life - - Answers The Call to Leave It All For The Sake of The Kingdom

 

    Luke 18:29,30

"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times more in this age - and in the age to come, eternal life."

    These words were said to the rich young ruler, who had observed the law and obeyed the commandments since he was young (verses 18-28). But Jesus knew this man's heart, as He knows all hearts, and that the man would not be so easily persuaded to give away his treasury. Are we not just as guilty when we refuse to part with whatever we hold most dear to our hearts? 

     

    God is the God of Restoration. 

    Matthew 6:33

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you."

    Matthew 19:29

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My Name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." 

    Mark 10:29,30

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life."

    There's your real prosperity gospel. Our souls prosper when we surrender everything we have, leave (the opinions of) everyone we love and give all that we are to His mighty hand. For in His hand is Life and Life Eternal. God wants to be first in our lives. So does everyone else. But only we can make a decision who we will listen to and follow. 

    We must consider the consequences of our intended direction, taking time out of our busyness to contemplate the results of our actions. This would be the wise action to take. Seldom do we make wise decisions, especially when we are young children or young adults. But God desires us to seek Him out first, whether early in life or early in the day. To put what He wants (His will) ahead of what we want (our own will) for our lives. 

    LIFE: Job 12:10 & Acts 17:28; Psalm 31:15

DEATH: Ecclesiastes 9:1-6

    LIFE ETERNAL: John 1:1-3; John 20:27

DEATH ETERNAL: Revelation 20:14,15

    PROSPERITY: 1 Chronicles 29:12

LACK: Philippians 4:11,12

    Why does the Bible say 'many are called but few are chosen'? (Matthew 22:14). Because all of us are called to do our part in the kingdom, but not everyone wants to be in this kingdom. Nor does everyone want to do what it takes to serve in this kingdom. 

    We are all called to salvation. Yet, the path to salvation is narrow. It is the width of a cross. The path to salvation is small. It is the size of a mustard seed. The path to salvation is both old and fresh. The call to be saved through Jesus Christ still rings out, yet the plan of salvation was set in motion when Adam and Eve sinned. 

    We are all called to serve in this kingdom. In whatsoever capacity God sees fit to use us, that is where we will serve. But wherever we serve God, it will be for the advancement of God's kingdom. 

    We are all called to love each other like Christ loves us: willingly, wholeheartedly and sacrificially. 

CALLED TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND

For The Sake of The Call - Steven Curtis Chapman

My Portion - Isla Vista Worship

Seek First - Jason Upton

Love You Just Like That - Jason Upton

Magnificent Obsession - Steven Curtis Chapman

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - Lauren Daigle

    

The Lord Is....June 2023

 

HUPERBALLO CHARIS

(pronounced hoop-er-bal'-lo khar'-ece)

SURPASSING GRACE

2 Corinthians 9:14

And as they pray on your behalf, they will have deep affection for you because of the Surpassing Grace of God in you.

1 Timothy 1:15

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

ANEKDIEGETOS DOREA

(pronounced an-ek-dee-ay'-gay-tos do-reh-ah')

INDESCRIBABLE GIFT

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!

Romans 5:15

But the free Gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the Gift of Grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the Gift [that comes] by the Grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. 

ED

(pronounced ayd)

WITNESS

SAHED

(pronounced saw-hade')

ADVOCATE

Job 16:19

“Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, And my Advocate [who vouches and testifies for me] is on high."

KURIOS THERISMOS

(pronounced koo'-ree-os ther-is-mos')

THE LORD OF THE HARVEST

Luke 10:2

And He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask The Lord of The Harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest."

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

John 15:1,2

“I am The True Vine, and My Father is The Keeper of the Vineyard. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful." 

Heart & Soul - - Treasures In Heaven

 

Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2344

Treasure: a store-house for precious things

From the Greek word 'thésauros' (pronounced thay-sow-ros') Literally, "a receptacle for valuables", including (treasured) thoughts stored up in the heart and mind.

NEW CONTAINERS

    When I rise to meet Him in glory, I will be given a new body and I need to live here not only in anticipation of that new body, but to live as if I am already clothed with it. 

    That new body has a new heart, therein is the unbreakable container in which I have stored my Treasures. It doesn't rust. Matthew 6:19-20. 

GRACE

    The Grace of God which saved this poor sinner is my primary Treasure. It is intertwined with my soul and will go with me when I trade this world for my eternal dwelling place. 

    Again, I remind you that after Jesus prayed for His disciples, He prayed for the people who would believe in Him without ever having seen Him. That's me. And if you believe, that's you. (John 17). 

    Having been redeemed, bought back from the bondages of sin and death, through the blood of the Lamb of God, I have laid this treasure of Grace up for myself, that when I am raised to new life in Christ, Grace adorns my soul like threads of love interwoven with threads of righteousness. 

    To apply the Word of God to oneself is to claim it as our own, as He has claimed us for His own. "For by Grace am I saved through faith, Nothing I have done could ever give me this Grace: it is the gift of God to me." paraphrased Ephesians 2:8-9.

GENEROUS SPIRIT TOWARDS GOD

    Luke 11:41 "But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you." 

    What is within me? Everything that Jesus Christ is resides within the Christian who faithfully follows Him wherever He goes, He leads. The Lord is my wealth and I am compelled to share Him with everyone I meet. I can't help it: I just want to talk about all the good things that the Lord has done for me. We call this testifying. And what is my testimony? Christ in me is my greatest Treasure. 

    Paul had written to the church in Rome begging them on account of God's mercies, to "surrender their bodies living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is their reasonable service". This is written to the believer, as well. For we all members of one body, as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Regardless of the year or day in which a believer comes to salvation in Christ, we are all part of the body of Christ. As such, we should be fully committed and willingly giver ourselves to His service.

THE SERVANT'S HEART

    The servant's heart is a willing participant in the glories of Christ. We endeavor, we strive, we persevere; we move ahead, we go forward, we rise on eagle's wings to soar above our enemies. We endure hardships/afflictions, beatings, sufferings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights and hunger (2 Corinthians 6:5). 

    We are able to do so through His Grace (2 Corinthians 6:6, 7) and power. To the church in Philippi (and us) Paul writes this "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Because I am in Christ and Christ is in me, I, too, can do all things in His strength, for His Name is Strength: Exodus 15:2; Psalm 28:7; Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2; Jeremiah 16:19; Habakkuk 3:19). 

    I am committed to His purpose. I am surrendered His Will. I am submitted to His Way. I let go of I and become we. 

YOU

    Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

    1 Corinthians 9:19, 20

What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a servant to everyone, to win as many as possible.

    2 Corinthians 4:15

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is extending to more and more people may overflow in thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

    You who believe because I had a part in seeing you come to Christ are my crown of joy: 1 Thessalonians 2:19 "After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?"

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

    

Heart & Soul - - All That Is Within Me

 

Mark 12:20

And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3650

All: the whole, complete, entire

From the Greek word 'holos' (pronounced hol'-os): wholly, where all the parts are present and working as a whole – i.e. as the total, which is greater than the mere sum of the parts.

EVERYTHING THAT IS WITHIN ME

Deuteronomy 6:4, 5

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

    Abraham had God's promise that through the son he would have with Sarah, the son not yet conceived, would come many nations. The promise came before the test. Abraham had faith that God would restore life to his son. For he knew that God keeps His promises. (Genesis 17:1-18:15; 21:1-8; 22:1-15). Abraham fulfilled the first commandment.

    Hosea, under God's command, married a prostitute and had children with her. He was God's prophet and his actions may have seemed crazy to his contemporaries, yet God had placed a great love within Hosea's heart for her: a heart that forgave her whoredoms (fornications and adulteries) and loved her back into a right relationship. This great romance is not only a historical fact, but an allegorical relationship of God wooing His people back to Himself. Hosea fulfilled the first commandment.

    Jesus' mother, Mary, fulfilled the first commandment in a simple reply to the angel who spoke the prophecy to her: Luke 1:38 "“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her." Fully surrendered to God, Mary submitted to the Word spoken over her. 

    The widow, who gave God everything she had, fulfilled the first commandment. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). She placed all of her finances in the Lord's treasury: she gave all that she had. Though wealthier people had given some of their riches, she out of her necessity gave it all to God. 

    These people are but a few Biblical examples of giving everything within them to the Lord God. Because their hearts were filled with a desire to please God, they were able to serve Him in such a way as to glorify Him. Are we? We have current contemporary examples who show us how to love God first and foremost, by their outspoken faith: Brock Purdy. Tim Tebow. Joyce Meyers. Elisabeth Elliot.

    Worshiping God is more than singing, more than playing a musical instrument. God wants our everything, our all. And He wants it when He asks for it. To worship God is to obey God when He speaks. And He's still speaking today. 

    We hear Him speaking when we pray while we study out His Word for ourselves. Before the many comes the individual. Adam walked and talked with God before anyone else existed. He was intelligent and able to speak clearly. He could think for himself and make decisions on his own. He was no caveman as junk science would have us believe, but a man with whom God could converse, as friend to friend.

    We hear God speaking when we spend quality time with Him and Him only. In whatever space or room we have set aside for just being alone with Him, our prayer room or prayer closet: a smallish space that leaves no room for anything else. We make a decision to do so and stick by it, regardless of outside discord, which threatens our alone time with Him. 

    Have you asked yourself, "Why am I here? What is my purpose?" God knows. In fact, God is the only One Who knows exactly why He created you. But in order for us to fulfill our purpose in Him we need to seek Him out and ask Him what is our specific reason for existing? Besides the basics.

CREATED TO

>We are created to commune-listen to, hear from, speak with-with the God Who created us. 

>We are created to worship God and Him only. Deuteronomy 6:5.

>We are created to love God, to love Him above all other loves. Exodus 20:1-5.
>We are created to be God's hands and feet, carrying the gospel of salvation wherever He sends us. Mark 16:15. John 15:16.

>We are created to be productive. As He set Adam and Eve up in the Garden of Eden to take care of all that was in it, so we, too, are expected to work in God's kingdom. Everyone has a job to do. Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-24. John 4:34-38. Acts 1:8. 

>We are created to love all other people in the same way in which God loves us: unconditionally (no strings attached, no quid pro quo, without measure or merit). Mark 12:31. John 13:34; 15:17.

>We are created to conquer, to overcome, to rise above every obstacle in our path. Psalm 18:32-35. Isaiah 40:31. Ephesians 6:10-20.

>We are created to endure, to outlast our enemy. Hebrews 12:1.

>We are created to persevere, to continue on, to move forward regardless of what tries to grab our attention and focus. Proverbs 4:27. 

    These are some of our most basic reasons for our existence. If we have not attained some of them, there's still time. Only three things can prevent us from accomplishing God's purpose for our lives:

1. Death. After we die, there are no more opportunities to love God and fulfill our purpose in Him.

2. Christ's Second Return. When the Father sends His Son back to this earth to collect His bride, all of the people who make up this bride (the church) will leave. After that you'll have seven years to make up your minds whether or not you will choose God to be your God. 

3. Unwillingness. Ignorance is not your friend, nor is it available to you after you have been reading these studies with me. You cannot say, 'I did not know'. Apathy is not your friend, either. To hear the Word of the Lord and not receive is to have an 'I don't care' attitude towards God's Word. It is to be unwilling to surrender your all to His all. 

    Can I say I have done my part up to this point in sharing the gospel, in testifying of God's amazing grace to me, to us? Yes. Can I do more? Always. The Holy Spirit takes me where God wants me to go. And right now, that's here. All that is within me desires all that He is. 

DESIRING GOD'S PRESENCE 

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - Peace On Earth, Good Will To Men

 

Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, good will toward men. 

#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2107

Good Will: good pleasure, favor of God

From the Greek word 'eudokia' (pronounced yoo-dok-ee'-ah). God's good favor, good pleasure, good will, "requires something is done through His work of inbirthing faith." 

GOOD WILL OF GOD

    (cf) 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12

11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12. that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

On whom is this good will of God endowed? All people everywhere:

-To all nations (Malachi 1:11; John 3:16). 

-To all nationalities (Romans 10:12)

-To the people whose God is The Lord (Psalm 144:15)

-To those who walk in the Light of His presence (Psalm 4:6, 89:15)

-To those living in darkness and shadow (Matthew 4:6)

-To you (Romans 10:11, 13)

-To me (Psalm 23:1, 27:1)

PEACE ON EARTH

    Was Christ sent to bring Peace on Earth? No. His very coming was to BE Peace on Earth. Peace between God and the people whom God chose to be His people. Not bloodline descendants of Abraham, but seedline inheritors of Abraham, sons and daughters of righteousness. 

    People who see God as an enemy are not God's people. People who deny God's existence are not God's people. People who enjoy chaos, death and destruction are not God's people. People who choose to remain in darkness and shut out the Light of God's Love and Peace are not God's people. And while there is still time for many of them, their time is running out to turn to God. 

    Jesus Himself said He did not come to bring peace at this time, but that His existence would bring enmity: hate, anger, death and separation of families, of friends, of worship places. (Matthew 10:34-36; Luke 12:51;  Micah 7:1-6). 

    Jesus IS PEACE, but His reason for coming to earth divides, and He divides with a Sword: the gospel of salvation through Him, through His atoning work on the cross Christ Is Peace for everyone who believes on His Name. 

    Jesus has Peace for us (John 14:27) that is permanent. The world cries out for "Peace, Peace!" but there is no peace to be found, for that peace is fleeting. Peace which the world hungers for is only found in Jesus Christ. Peace of mind is having the mind of Christ in us (1 Corinthians 2:16). 

    Peace between nations and cultures is not possible. Tolerance is not peace. Cooperation in providing fundamental necessities of life is not peace. Nations are not united if all nations do not base their standard of living on The Word of God. Without God's Peace there is no peace. 

    God's PEACE on Earth is His only begotten Son, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6, 7). 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1515

Peace: one, quietness, rest

From the Greek word 'eiréné' (pronounced i-ray'-nay), to join together as a whole, wholeness through God's peace.

    Do you have this Peace? I do. Has it separated me from my family? Yes. Do I have Peace of mind? Yes. Can you suffer from anxiety and still have Peace? Yes, because I have 'the peace that passes understanding' (Philippians 4:7) but still get anxious in crowds and noise. Do I still have the Peace of God in me? Absolutely; because I have Christ living in me and He Is My Peace (THE LORD MY PEACE [Romans 8:31-39; Ephesians 2:14]) Know God, Know Peace. No God, No Peace. 

    Can you fear and have Peace of mind? Only if our fear is 'the fear of the Lord' (Proverbs 9:10). All other fears must leave. Fear that separates us from God's Peace needs to vacate the premises. 

    With this knowledge in mind we all the more sing Glory to God in the Highest! As the angels sang of this wondrous Peace and Favor of God to usward, let us also raise our voices in praise to God. 

ANGELS  WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH by Third Day

    

NOEL by Chris Tomlin/Lauren Daigle

PEACE ON EARTH by Austin French

EMMANUEL by Hannah Kerr

HERE TO STAY by Hannah Kerr/Cochren & Co.

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - Swaddled & Clothed

 

Luke 2:7

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4683

Swaddling Cloths: strips of cloth for wrapping newborns

From the Greek word 'sparganoó' (pronounced spar-gan-o'-o). 

Looking it up in my Illustrated Dictionary, it tells us that this is (1) the most loving thing a mother would do for her infant child. (2) 'it is a reminder to us of Christ's humility in becoming a human being for our sakes'. 

    Having left heaven and all His glory behind, He now finds Himself clothed in strips of cloth. His first bed is a borrowed manger in a dimly lit stable behind a busy inn that had no room for Him. 

    The first time He is visited by others, He is wrapped in these cloths and lying in a feeding trough. In a barn. In what could have been the smelliest place, the aroma of heaven now fills the stable. For the Messiah has arrived. 

    But not with pomp and circumstance, not with bells and whistles; not as a conquering king, nor a triumphant entrance. No, this Christ has arrived as a mere babe and is found by many, though not received by many. After all, there was no room in the inn, was there? 

NO ROOM by Todd Agnew

    However, now the opportunity to receive Christ has come to you and to your household. His purpose in coming to earth was fulfilled 33 years after His birth. While not many received Him in His lifetime, untold numbers of people have sought Him, found Him and received Him into their hearts. And you know what? There's always room for more. Jesus never turns any seeker of Truth away.

    John 1:11, 12

11. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

12. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.

    Galatians 4:4-6

4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5. to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.

6. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

    No longer wrapped in swaddling cloths, no longer an infant unable to care for Himself, Jesus now is wrapped in light and life (John 1:4). For He is Light and Life to all who find Him. He is Truth. And He now lives in the hearts of those who have received Him upon believing in His name: that He Is Jesus Christ, Messiah, the only begotten Son of the Most High God. 

    In infancy He was wrapped in swaddling cloths for His protection and growth. In the grave He was again wrapped up in cloth but for an honorable burial (John 19:40, 41). 

    Now, in heaven and in our hearts, He is clothed once more with glory, with honor, with praises (Revelations 5:12, 13). We who believe are His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19) not made with hands (Mark 14:58). We who believe are honored and awed that Jesus would make His home in us. 

    No longer does darkness reign in our hearts and lives: for the Christ now sits on the throne of our hearts, directing us in what is right and will fulfill God's purpose and plan (Proverbs 3:6). 

    John 12:46

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Have you seen the Light? Do you find yourselves being drawn to the Light? For this Light scatters the darkness and all its inhabitants away into the shadows. This Light illuminates and reveals what is hid and can be found. This Light shines in the hearts of every believer, revealing and making possible the uprooting of all evil in the heart. 

    Psalm 139:24, 25

24. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 

25. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

    Can you hear the Father's cry? He's calling you to come into the Light and let the Light come into you.  

SOFTLY AND TENDERLY by Alan Jackson

GOD WITH US by All Sons & Daughters

 KEEP THE LIGHT ON by Christy Nockels

NO ROOM

--An Original Song by Me-- 

No room, no room, no room for Jesus

No way, no how, not here at this time, not now.

Can you imagine telling God 

you have no time for Him?

There isn’t any place today for Him to enter in.

To enter in with joy delight,

Communion sweet to share

No room for Jesus, No room anywhere.

No room, no room, no room for Jesus

No way, no how, not here at this time, not now.

The temples are empty, no life exists here.

No joyful days, no redeemed souls, 

The faces of the people are shut, blank and cold.

I see forlorn temples, I hear lonely sounds

Heartbeats, no heartbeats, no love of God abounds.

No room, no room, no room for Jesus

No way, no how, not here at this time, not now.

No merry hearts, no shining lights

The doors to the temple are shut, slammed in tight

Listening, not hearing; Hearing, not caring.

Heartbeats, no heartbeats, no love of God lives here.

No room, no room, no room for Jesus

No way, no how, not here at this time, not now.

Now, when the feastday of the Bride

Arrives and you are there,

Will you hear Jesus say to you,

“You have no place set here.

There is no room for you today,

You’ll have to go, you cannot stay:

I do not know your name you see, 

It isn’t written here.”

No room, no room, no room for you.

No way, no how, not here at this time,

Not now.

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - The Son Reigns Forever

 

Luke 1:32, 33

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 the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 936

Reign: to exercise dominion over, to be king and exercise kingly power; to hold rule over 

From the Greek word 'basileuó' (pronounced bas-il-yoo'-o). Reference No. 932: Authority, Sovereignty, kingship and kingdom.

HE WILL BE GREAT

He will have authority over everything created, both nature and people.

Ephesians 1:15-23, spec. 21-23

Nothing is hidden from Him.

Hebrews 4:12-16

THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH

John 1:1

John 3:16

John 10:30

SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID

2 Samuel 7:12, 13

Isaiah 9:7

Jeremiah 23:5

HIS KINGDOM WILL NEVER END

Psalm 45:6

Psalm 145:13

Daniel 2:44

2 Peter 1:11

Revelation 11:15

HIS KINGDOM IS HEAVENLY

Isaiah 6:1-5

2 Timothy 4:18

HIS KINGDOM IS THE BELIEVER'S INHERITANCE

Matthew 25:34

BUT NOT THE SINNER'S INHERITANCE

1 Corinthians 6:9

HIS KINGDOM IS NEAR

Matthew 3:2

Matthew 10:7

HIS AUTHORITY

Revelation 1:8

Revelation 11:17

Isaiah 41:4

Deuteronomy 32:39

HIS SOVEREIGNTY

1 Timothy 6:15

There is no god greater. There is no higher power than God's. There is one King and He is the KING OF KINGS (Revelation 19:16) and THE LORD OF LORDS. 

THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU by Don Moen 

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS 

ISAIAH 6 by Todd Agnew

THERE IS A KING/O COME LET US ADORE HIM/HALLELUJAH HERE BELOW by Elevation Worship

Have you met my King Jesus? He wants to be your King, too. He desires our hearts to align with His. God chose His Son to be King over not only all of Israel, but all of Abraham's seed, as well. 

Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:3

Therefore, Abraham's seed, children, are the people who believe God, who take Him at His WORD. And what is this WORD? JESUS CHRIST. KING OF KINGS. LORD OF LORDS. FAITHFUL AND TRUE. SON OF THE MOST HIGH. SON OF GOD. SON OF MAN. SON OF THE LIVING GOD. WONDERFUL. COUNSELOR. PRINCE OF PEACE. ALMIGHTY GOD. EVERLASTING FATHER. FIRSTFRUITS. THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. 

John 11:25, 26

"Jesus said to her, "I am THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; the one believing in Me, even if he should die, he will live. And everyone living and believing in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

And I, like Martha, reply, "Yes, Lord, “I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Do you believe? Will you let Jesus reign in your hearts today?