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

Intentional Worship -- Daniel 6

 Daniel 6:10 

Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

In Daniel's day once the king had written a law and enforced it, the king could not rescind that law. He could, however, make a new law voiding the wrongful law. Until then the bad law remained in effect, especially on the first day it's put into practice. 

Knowing this document, this law, was now in effect Daniel deliberately with full intention of disobeying the unreasonable law prayed three times a day to God. His enemies were always watching him to see if they could catch him doing something illegal. Knowing that Daniel prayed three times a day to his God, they purposefully created and suggested to the king that he enact a law to thwart Daniel's time with God.

Daniel 6:4-8

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, "King Darius, live for ever. 

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

In Daniel 6:9 we read that the king signed this egregious document, this outrageous law. And now we get to the heart, the meat, of our study: Daniel's intent. 

In the privacy of his own home, in the room he had previously chosen to pray in, Daniel knelt three times a day and prayed to God, thanking Him. 
Can we do that? Knowing that laws have been written against us, laws which will throw us in prison, laws that will attempt to thwart our relationship with God, laws that when enforced will take our very lives? Can we thank God then? How can we thank God then, if we aren't thanking Him now? 

Our worship towards God needs to be intentional, on purpose with purpose. God knows our hearts. If our hearts aren't right with God, then He can't hear our worship: it falls on deaf ears. We must get our hearts aligned with His that He may be glorified in our worship. After all, the purpose of our worship is to love and adore on Him. 

"O Come Let Us Adore Him"  is a call to worship God, first sung by angels at Jesus' birth. But it's more than just a 'Christmas Carol', it's a pleading call to "come and adore God and the Son of God." "Adoration" is fervent (intensity of spirit, burning, enthusiastic) and devoted (zealous, passionate) love, reverence and respect. 

It is impossible to intentionally worship God under these definitions if our hearts are not right with God for our worship comes from our heart, from our souls. What is our soul? Our mind (our thoughts and how we think), our attitude (how we portray what we think and believe, our emotions), our will (putting our thoughts into action, speaking or doing said actions). 

When a person believes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation, their soul becomes saved. We are Saved out of the darkness of sin which separates a person from God. We sincerely and intentionally repent of the sins which we have committed against God and His Word; and He forgives us. We pray for His Holy Spirit to live in us and mold us into the people created us to be, discarding the uncleanness that is in our hearts and replacing it with the Word of God, which we read and study daily that it might be written in our hearts by God. 

Psalm 95:6

O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

We who have walked out of the dark and into the His Light rejoice for the mercies of God on us, for His compassion and lovingkindness towards us! How can we not thank Him for all He has done for us? We bow now, we kneel before Him INTENTIONALLY and ON PURPOSE, WITH PURPOSE. 

Isaiah 45:23

By Myself I have sworn; Truth has gone out from My mouth, a Word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Romans 14:11

It is written: "As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God."

Philippians 2:8-11

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Daniel's faith in God, his love for His God, was greater than any law that the king could produce. Nonetheless, Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, where he remained safely, for the Lord God had shut the lions' mouths and kept them from killing Daniel, which was the intent and purpose of the men who rose against him. And then they were thrown into the lions' den and received their intent upon themselves. 

Daniel's faith was counted unto him as righteousness. He is mentioned once more in the Book of Hebrews, in 'The Hall of Faith': Verse 33: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions (Daniel 6:22= "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” )

Again I ask, is your worship intentional? Are you and I purposefully, with a righteous heart, worshiping God? We can only answer these questions truthfully when we allow the work of the Holy Spirit to convict us when we have done wrong in God's sight and bring us to repentance when we kneel before Him with humble hearts, seeking His face and eagerly listening for His voice. 

Intelligent Worship Series -- Intro

 Intelligent Worship brings us into the presence of God. There are 12 parts to this series, plus this introduction. 

What do we see when we enter the presence of God? John, in the Spirit, saw an emerald rainbow around the throne of God. Emeralds come in just about every color known, so while many envision a green bow around the throne, I see so much more. 

 

--John heard a voice like a trumpet speak to him. 

Revelation 4:1

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 

--John saw a throne and someone sitting on it.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

--John saw the radiance and could only describe what he saw in colors he knew.

Revelation 4:3

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 

Ezekiel saw so much when he entered the eternal presence of God that I can only list a couple of them here.

--Ezekiel was always in the presence of God, for the Word came to him. 

Ezekiel 1:3

The Word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

--Ezekiel saw a sapphire throne.

Ezekiel 10:1

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

--Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne.

Isaiah 6:1

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 

Isaiah saw and heard the worshiping seraphim and instantly repented.

Isaiah 6:2-6

--Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord.

Isaiah 6:8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

--Daniel saw the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man together.

Daniel 7:9-14

Many are the wondrous things to see in the presence of God, not the least of which is the Lord God Himself! Intelligent worship brings us into the presence of God, but it won't keep us there. For there is much work to be done before our day arrives to be there permanently with Him. 

Until then we will read and re-read all the gloriousness of being in God's presence. 

Adam had it, then he lost it. That can happen to us, too, if we're not careful. Let us watch and pray, therefore, that our testimony may be perfect when we see God. 

Being Wise

 

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

Contemplate this: are we the wise or the shameful? Will we go into everlasting life or everlasting contempt? How can we know now? 

Are we leading people to righteousness, telling people about the saving grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ? That’s being wise. 

Are we saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who died on the cross? Who bore our sins upon Himself? That’s being wise. 

What is wisdom? Listening to and Obeying the Word of God with joy and a merry heart. Not with anger, nor accusative words, but with Love, with Patience, with Mercy. We are to treat one another with Grace and with Peace that passes understanding in this world. 

We must ask ourselves, “Am I being wise?”. Am I honoring God with my words and my works? Am I telling people about my Jesus, testifying what He has done for me? Am I a fruitful servant? Am I even saved in this manner, by the blood of Jesus Christ? And if I am not, how can I know that I am?

Romans 10:8-10

8. But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:

9. that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

Some live on the false hope, false belief that sin is not real and salvation is not necessary. This is foolishness and definitely not wisdom. Wisdom comes from God. True morality and knowing right from wrong is having the wisdom of God.

Romans 3:22-23

22. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 

23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:10, 18

10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. 

18. “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Romans 6:23

23. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8

8. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13

13. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 8:1

1. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And that’s how you can know you are saved, that’s how you can know now whether or not you are being wise or being shameful. So, again, the question is put forth: are we, are you, am I, being wise? Am I leading my family, my friends, my enemies and the strangers I meet daily to righteousness? Am I telling them, you, about my Jesus? Have I told you lately what Jesus Christ has done for me?

He saved me. He filled me with His precious Holy Spirit. He walks with me daily and all throughout my day. He talks with me, tells me things I need to hear and know. He lives in my heart, cleaning it out and making more room for His glory. My Jesus loves me. My Jesus died for me so I wouldn’t be sent into everlasting contempt. My Jesus feeds me with His daily Bread and quenches my thirst with His Living Water. My Jesus both satisfies me and gives me a hunger to know Him more. 

This I want for you. But only you can make that decision. I can pray for you. But only you can make your choice. Do you want to go to heaven? Or do you want to go to hell? Hell is not a pretty place. It is not a land of endless parties, nor is it a nothingness. Hell is hot. Hell is ugly. Hell is a place where you are never happy, never satisfied.   If you are selfish in this life, your selfish attitude goes with you to Hell. You can’t leave Hell after you die, so praying for this to happen after a person dies without Jesus Christ is foolishness.

Luke 16:19-31 is the parable of the rich man and the beggar.  Here we learn what Hell is.

23. It is a place of torment. 

24. It is hot and fiery.

26. It is separated from Paradise by a great chasm which none can cross, nor can anyone leave Hell. 

We have six senses in this life. Some work like they’re supposed to, some don’t. Whether we are in Heaven or Hell, we will have all six and they will all work.

Sight

Hearing

Touch

Smell

Taste

Knowing

How do we know this? Again, read Luke 16:19-31

Luke 16:23

Torment is felt (touch)

Luke 16:23

The rich man could see Lazarus in the distance.  

Luke 16:24

Though he had never seen him, the rich man recognized (knowing) Abraham right away (sight) and in his selfishness begged for the poor man to tend his needs. He was hot (touch) and thirsty (taste) and in agony (touch).

The sense of smell is implied because the man was burning and whatever is on fire smells like it is on fire. It’s not a good smell when it’s a person. 

A person can speak and hear in Hell, for the rich man spoke with Abraham and heard (hearing) Abraham’s response. 

As nasty as it is to choose to go to Hell, Hell will not last forever. But this is not good for those who choose to go there either. 

Revelation 20:14-15

14. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

15. And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

That’s Hell and Hell’s destination. Why would anyone in their right mind choose to disobey God and go to Hell? We can only have a right mind if Christ is in us and we are in Him. This comes through believing on His name, 

Mark 5:9, 15, 18-20

9. "What is your name?" Jesus asked. "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many."

15. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

18. As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him. 

19. But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” 

20. So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

The man who was put in his right mind went back home and began to tell his family and friends about what his Jesus had done for him. He was being wise and fruitful. 

I am in my right mind. Though the world calls me crazy, God calls me His child. Though people call me odd and radical, Jesus calls me friend. I am being wise. And it is my prayer that I continue to be so. I want you to be so, too. I pray Ephesians 3 over your life. I pray the Romans Road to Salvation into your hearts and minds. I pray the Word of God bless you and make known to you the true Love of God and that you come into the knowledge of saving grace. 

 

Thanks & Praise

 

THANKS AND PRAISE

Daniel 2:23

To You, O  God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, because You have given me wisdom and power...

Thanks - Yadah - throwing (your) hands up

Praise - Shout 

This is energetic, spontaneous worship to God, on Daniel's part, for not only what God has given him but for Who God is to him. 

And we have to ask ourselves: is my enthusiasm for answers to prayer as spontaneous and joyful as Daniel's? or have I become lukewarm and lazy in how I praise God for His many benefits and blessings which He bestows on me?

When we seek God's perfect will for the answer to our prayer, we are seeking an audience with the Creator of the universe. And He not only listens to our prayers, He answers them. If we think He isn't hearing us, then we are not close enough to hear or know the response to our prayers. Sometimes God answers us in ways we are not expecting. For instance, in Exodus 33 Moses asked to see God's glory, but God required him to stand in the cleft of the rock as God passed by; God covered Moses while he passed, but then removed His hand that Moses would see only the back of God after He had passed by. You have to be pretty near to God to get that kind of response.

Private Worship

 

PRIVATE WORSHIP

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

The document referred to here is the one forbidding worshiping anyone other than the king who ruled the land in which Daniel lived. He knew the punishment for disobedience was death. Yet, he immediately went into his own room, dropped to his knees, prayed and worshiped God as if it were any other day. No manmade law was going to discriminate against his love for his God.

Nor should we allow the dictates of this world in which we live to deny us the privilege of meeting God in prayer, of thanking Him and worshiping Him in our own homes. 

He knew they would be coming for him; he didn't care. Like water off of a duck's back, the cares of the world were nothing to him: he was in the presence of his God and they were communing together: friend with Friend.

Have we lost that intimate relationship with God? Did we ever have it to begin with? Which half of the ten virgins waiting for their Bridegroom are we in? Is there Oil in our lamps or have we let the wick burn out and the oil run dry? 

Or is our relationship stronger than ever? Are we in constant communion with God? Have we allowed the Holy Spirit to mold us into pliable, loving servants of God? 

These are questions that must be answered on an individual basis. And privately, in our secret place, on our knees in prayer with God, thanking Him for Who He Is, how He works and His great love for us; worshiping Him from deep within our hearts and not just singing along to the worship music that might be playing while we meet Him.

Someday we will all meet God face to face. For some it will be the first time and the last time. For others it will be meeting an old Friend and coming home at last to rest. 

Blessed At the End of Days

BLESSED AT THE END OF DAYS

Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he who waits (on the LORD), and come to (attains, reaches) the end of the 1,335 days.
This blessing is specific. It is only for the people who have chosen to follow Christ after the Church, the bride of Christ, has been removed from the earth.

But it is even more specific than that, because while some will come to the knowledge of saving grace after the rapture takes place, not all will make it to the end of the 1,335 days.