Today's Word -- WAIT

 Prepositions are important. What are prepositions? From  WaldenU we get a proper definition: A preposition is a word or group of words used before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show direction, time, place, location, spatial relationships, or to introduce an object.

When we study out the word WAIT, the preposition after it shows us what it means in that particular verse.

Psalm 27:14 

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. 

To wait on the Lord is to WAIT FOR the Lord to lead us in the right direction, to speak what He wants us to hear. As a good private, we wait for our General to command us where to go and how to get there. We know He is leading an army because the next phrase in this sentence tells us to 'be of good courage' and He (the Lord) will strengthen our hearts [so that we will not fear but be emboldened and follow Him]).

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint

To WAIT UPON the Lord in this verse means to 'twist [together, like a rope], to endure, to stretch'; to look eagerly for, to patiently watch for together. The implication here being that we, as a group, as the church, are to anticipate with joy the coming of the Lord, knowing that (Nehemiah 8:10) "The joy of the Lord is our Strength". Are we doing so? Is eager anticipation to meet Jesus Christ on His return filling our minds, our hearts? Or do you have fear and trepidation? 

    If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, having believed that He Is Lord, that He died for you on the cross; conquered death, hell and the grave; walked out of the tomb with a glorified body, then joy and anticipation surely fill your soul, your heart and your mind. For you have endeavored to have a personal relationship with your Savior. 

    But if fear and terror fill your mind at the thought of meeting Christ and God one on one, with the knowledge that you will be judged for your unbelief and your wicked ways, then you need to repent now and call upon The Name of The Lord to forgive you. 

    That way of life you think is okay to live is surely your choice, as it was mine so long ago. But if it is not a godly lifestyle, aligning itself with The Word of God, then there needs to be a change. Not just a change of how you are living, but a change of heart that changes your motivation for living. 

    Are you content? Do you know real peace? Do you crave a happy life? Yes, being a Christian is hard. Yes, living a holy, godly lifestyle may be difficult at first. People will stop loving you, stop associating with you, stop talking to you, stop hanging out with you. It is not to attain a holier-than-thou attitude, but to be completely aware that without the grace of God through Jesus Christ we are utterly and totally lost in our sins. But it's so worth it to be friends with Christ Jesus. 

I AM A FRIEND OF GOD -  Israel Houghton 

IN THE WAITING - Vicki Yohe

 

This is Christmas, Too

 

Matthew 2:1-2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when He saw that He was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

    As Christians, we celebrate the birth of Christ with joy and festivities. We give each other presents. We read aloud to our families the Christmas story from the Bible. But do we continue to read aloud when it comes to the other factors in the birth of The King? 

    The wise men were two years into their search. They did not show up to the stable to see the baby King in the manger. They found Him in a house (Matthew 2:11). They knew The Word so well that they were looking for the star before the star appeared. We know this because they were wise men from the east. 

    When we go back to the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:17, 20), we read of the rudiments of education of which the wise men of that time were required. It is God who gives wisdom and knowledge. Should any of us desire such, it is to God we must go to obtain it. As King Solomon did when God approached him (1 Kings 3:5, 9). 

    Thus we know the wise men not only knew The Scriptures, they had more than a basic education. They were learned men: learning was their way of life. Having read The Scriptures, they believed The Scriptures and were searching the night skies looking for the star that would rise which would show them where the new King would be born. Once it appeared, they began their trek across continents to reach Him. But it took them Two Years to get there. 

    No one who comes to Jesus is ever late getting there. Every heart that truly seeks to see His face will find Him. "Ask and you will receive; Seek and you will find; Knock and the doors will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7. 

    But in their search for Christ, they met people along the way who sought to kill the new King (Matthew 2:3-8). By this Mary and Joseph were residing in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). This is where the wise men found Jesus. To a house in Bethlehem, to The One who was Born King of the Jews, they brought their gifts. Gifts which would pay tribute to Him as King (gold), honor Him as King (gold) and anoint Him as King (myrrh). These gifts would be used immediately.

    For when the wise men did not return to Herod, the nasty king ordered all the young children two years old and under to be killed. Hundreds of babies and toddlers met their deaths at the hands of an unwise man. Parents had their infants yanked from their arms and slaughtered in front of them. The blood of innocents filled the city streets in Bethlehem and in every nearby coastal town (Matthew 2:16-18). 

    This, too, is Christmas. Sadness. Mourning. Weeping: an unending, heartbreaking tearyness which flowed from the broken hearts of the people whose children were dead. Another prophecy fulfilled, albeit a sad one. (Jeremiah 31:15). Not everyone was able to rejoice at the birth of The One who had been born King of the Jews. 

    As stated, the gifts the wise men gave to Jesus were used immediately. Because the order was about to go  out while they were still residing in Bethlehem, the young family needed to leave in a hurry. They left in the night, under cover of darkness and fled the country (Matthew 2:12-14), taking the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh which we understand helped them on their journey. For they left immediately after the wise men's visit to their home. 

    So, now I ask you, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? Where is that is born King of Kings? For even now some still search for Him. To know The Scriptures is to know The Word; to know The Word is to know Jesus. The wise men from the east knew the prophecies of The Scriptures at that time. They came searching for He who had been BORN King of the Jews. This is a King who at His birth was already a King. All other kings were made kings or they may have been born into the position by reason of lineage. But Jesus was the born King. Lineage had nothing to do with it. He was King from the beginning, from before time/all through time/after time. 

    As He stated in John 8:58, Jesus told the people that He is I AM (Exodus 3:14). And they wanted to kill Him then, but He faded into the crowd. John 1:1-3 tells us Who this King is. He is King before He is born. He is Ruler. He is Sceptre. He is Governor. He is Jesus and waits for you to seek Him out and meet with Him. 

    Revelation 3:20 " Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." We don't need to wait for Him to come and find us where we are: He knows where we are. He waits for us to answer His knock on our hearts. He waits for us to open the door of our hearts and invite Him in, that The Word may dwell in our hearts. 

    Those who seek Him to destroy His Kingship will fail in their endeavors. Those who seek Him to honor Him as King will find Him. They, we, merely have to open the doors of our hearts and invite Him into our lives. Are you ready to meet Jesus? He's knocking on your heart right now. 

THE GOSPEL - Ryan Stevenson