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

The Lord Is King of Glory

 

Psalm 24:8

Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 93:1

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith He has girded Himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. 

Psalm 10:16

The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations perish from His land.

Revelation 19:16

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

    We are to throw open the doors of our hearts and welcome, embrace The King Who has declared His great love for us, when He died on the cross, fought death, hell and the grave: overcoming all three by rising from the dead and walking out of the grave with a new body, the firstfruits of the new kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 15:23.

    Revelation 3:20 tells us that Jesus Christ knocks on the door and waits to be let in, where He can dine with us. Psalm 23:5 reminds us that God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies: when the enemies of God have nothing, the people of God have everything and lack nothing (Psalm 23:1). The King of Glory desires only the best for those people who recognize Him as their King. 

    Who is this King of Glory? Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God. He is The Anointed One. Anointed to suffer, anointed to die, anointed to rule as King by God His Father. He is Chosen out of all of heaven and earth to fulfill God's plan of salvation and redemption. He is The Lion of the tribe of Judah, The Root of Israel. Revelation 5:1-5. And He is to be praised. 

    Who is this King of Glory? He is The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world - John 1:29. He is The Word of God wrapped in flesh - John 1:14. He is King forever. And this King of Glory is MY KING OF GLORY. He called me out of darkness into His marvelous LIGHT - 1 Peter 2:9. And I answered Him by running to the foot of His cross, repenting of my sins, weeping and heartbroken I knelt at His feet and He forgave me, wrapped me in His arms and carried me away with Him.

    Who is this King of Glory? He is the Bridegroom in search of a Bride who is without blemish and without stain - Matthew 25:6,10; 1 Peter 1:19 - a Bride who is pure and undefiled. He is coming soon to gather His Bride, His Church. 

    Now is the time to get ready for The King of Glory's return. Now is the time to prepare our hearts. Now is the time to hear The Word of God, believe The Word of God is True and Faithful and receive The Word of God into our hearts and lives. Now is the time to be baptized by The Holy Spirit of God. Now, before Christ returns to get His Bride and leaves with both her and His best friend: The Holy Spirit Who has been preparing the Bride of Christ to be with Him forever. 

    So I pray: Lord, send a revival and let it begin in me. 

REVIVAL IN BELFAST

The Lord Is ....AUGUST 2023

 

        ADONAI 

(pronounced 'adhonay)

    SOVEREIGNTY

    1 Kings 2:26

And the king said to Abiathar the priest, Go to Anathoth, to thine own fields; for thou art worthy of death; but I will not at this time put thee to death, because thou didst bear the ark of ADONAI JEHOVAH before David my father, and because thou hast been afflicted in all wherein my father was afflicted.

    This is the first and only time the word ADONAI is used in the Bible as descriptive of one of God's Names. Though there are attachments to the Name ADONAI, as we will see further on, this is the only time the single definition of ADONAI is indicated. 

Isaiah 44:6

Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: "I am The First and I am The Last, and there is no God but Me."

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, The Faithful Witness, the firstborn from the dead, and The Ruler of the kings of the earth. 

Deuteronomy 10:17

For The LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.

Revelation 19:16

And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

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.

ADONAI - Joshua Aaron

ADONAI-SHALOM

(pronounced 'adhonay shaw-lome')

THE LORD IS PEACE

Judges 6:24

Then Gideon built an altar there unto The LORD, and called it 'ADONAI-SHALOM'; unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

(JPS Tanakh)

THE LORD IS OUR PEACE

Ephesians 2:14

For He Himself is our Peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility.

HIS PEACE OVERCOMES FEAR

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it fear.

HIS PEACE PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

ADONAI-NISSI

(pronounced 'adhonay nace)

THE LORD MY BANNER

    Exodus 17:15

And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it ADONAI-NISSI.

    Psalm 60:4

You have given a Banner to them that fear You, that it may be displayed because of the Truth. Selah.

    Psalm 20:5

May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a Banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions.

    Isaiah 5:26

He lifts a Banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold--how speedily and swiftly they come!

    Isaiah 11:10,12

On that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a Banner for the peoples. The nations will seek Him, and His place of rest will be glorious.

He will raise a Banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

    John 3:12

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so The Son of Man must be lifted up.

    John 8:28

So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up The Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me.

    John 12:32

"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw everyone to Myself.”

ADONAI-NISSI

THE LORD MY BANNER

 

     The Son of Man was indeed lifted up and even now calls everyone who hears to come to the cross. Come and see Jesus. Come and be washed in the blood of The Lamb, that your sins would be washed away from your hearts when you repent of them. Come and receive The Spirit of God into your life that you may live a holy and righteous life in the presence of God. That you may be ready to meet Jesus in the air when The Father sends Him to bring His bride home.

    Come to the garden and be raised up in newness of life, ready to walk in the strength of The Lord and be filled with the power of His Holy Spirit to speak forth the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ. That all who hear may believe and receive, as well. 

     Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the Water of Life drink freely.

ADONAI-JIREH

(pronounced 'adhonay  yir-eh')

THE LORD MY PROVIDER

Genesis 22:14

And Abraham called the name of that place ADONAI-JIREH; as it is said to this day: 'In the mount where the LORD is seen.'

    He is The God who will see to it that all His people's needs are provided for. 

    We need a relationship with God.

Genesis 1:26,27; 2:7 & 2 Peter 1:3

    We need to be loved so God loves us. 

2 Chronicles 9:8 & John 3:16 & Romans 5:8

    We need saving so God provides a sacrificial Lamb to take away our sins.

Genesis 22:8 & John 1:2

    We need cleansing to make us holy so God provides water

2 Kings 5:1-16 & John 3:5,6 

    and fire.

Matthew 3:11 & Acts 2:1-4

    The LORD Provides

    

The Lord Is - - February 2023

 

ADONAI SAMAK NEPHESH

(pronounced ad-o-noy' saw-mak' neh'-fesh)

THE LORD IS SUSTAINER OF MY SOUL

Psalm 54:4

Surely God is My Helper; The Lord is The Sustainer of My Soul. 

The LORD is My Shepherd - Psalm 23

The LORD is My Provider - Genesis 22:14

The LORD upholds the righteous - Psalm 37:17

The LORD holds our hand - Psalm 37:24

The LORD helps, delivers, rescues and saves we who take refuge in Him - Psalm 37:40

The LORD is on the side of the righteous - Psalm 118:7

The LORD strengthens us - Isaiah 41:10

This verse is a declarative statement, a fact being made known: THE LORD IS THE SUSTAINER. It is of a personal nature, regarding what belongs to me: MY SOUL. He feeds me, He leads me; He wounds me, He heals me. He gives me freedom, He holds me close. 

    I can lean on Him, on His Word. He is the Everlasting God, who strengthens me with His right arm and raises me up to be with Him. He will never let me fall for He holds my hand in His. Though I stumble, I will not fall. In His embrace I am secure.

AD AB

(pronounced ad awb)

EVERLASTING FATHER

Isaiah 9:6

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.

Everlasting: perpetuity

Father: title of respect and honor due the head of the household/family/clan. 

God gives us fathers here on earth to raise us up in God's Word that we may be nurtured in spiritual milk, meat and bread, honey and water. But ultimately our God is Father over all, for He provides for His people, as a shepherd provides for His sheep. God is our Source, our Sustainer, our Provider, our Shepherd, and our Heavenly Father; therefore only God can meet our every need. For in Him we have all; through Him, we are able to share with all. That's a good, good Father. He meets the need before the need arises because He knows what we need even before we ask for it. 

YHVH CHAQAQ

(pronounced yeh-ho-vaw' khaw-kak')

Isaiah 33:22

For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us.

James 4:12

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Deuteronomy 33:22

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints: from His right hand went a fiery law for them.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2710

Lawgiver: to cut in, inscribe, decree

Hebrews 8:10

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

YHVH MELEK

(pronounced yeh-ho-vaw' meh'-lek)

THE LORD IS OUR KING

Isaiah 33:22

For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our King. It is He who will save us. 

Psalm 74:12

For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Psalm 24:7, 8

Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

John 19:19, 20

Pilate also had a notice posted on the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 

Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.

Revelation 19:16

And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 

King of Glory

JEHOVAH-GADOR MILCHAMAH

JEHOVAH-IZZUZ GABOR

THE LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE

THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY

PSALM 24:8

Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, 

the LORD mighty in battle.

The Altar and The Throne

    
 My heart is both throne and altar. 

Jesus Christ sits on the throne as 

my King, my Lord, my Savior. 

His Word is law and His law is love.

 "This is My commandment, 

that you love one another, 

as I have loved you."

(John 15:12)

And how has He loved me?

"I have loved you 

with an everlasting love:

therefore, I have drawn you

with loving devotion."
(Jeremiah 31:3)

Jesus Christ is my high priest.

I bring an offering to Him daily,

a sacrifice of praise

to lay on the altar,

that He might find it acceptable,

that it would be a sweet perfume to Him. 

(Romans 12:1; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 3:13, 15)

Jesus.

He is my Everything.

The air I breathe,

that I might glorify Him with my words.

The steps I take,

that I might glorify Him on my journey.

The flexibility of my fingers,

that I might glorify Him with my writing.

The beating of my heart,

that I might glorify Him with 

everything that is within me.

Everything to me He Is.

Jesus.

Strength.

Wisdom.

Righteousness.

Salvation.

Fortress.

Refuge.

Hiding Place.

Healer.

Shepherd.

Savior.

King of Glory

Friend.

He calls me friend.

Jesus. 

King of Kings

1. King of Glory: Psalm 24:7-10
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates; 
And be lifted up, ye everlasting doors; And The King of glory shall come in. 
Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. 
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And The King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is The King of glory. Selah."

A song/psalm of victory as The King of glory enters His city, the city of Jerusalem/Zion. It is His sanctuary, His rest. We raise our voices to welcome our King of Glory with praise and adoration; not just for His overcoming victories but for Who He Is.

2. King of Nations: Psalm 47:8-9 (Psalm 96:10 & Jeremiah 10:7)
"God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness. 
The princes of the people are gathered together, Even the people of the God of Abraham: For the shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted."

There have been many kings through the ages, set up to rule little kingdoms upon this Earth, but there is only King who rules over all and that King is God. 

3. King of Salvation: Psalm 74:12
"For God is my King of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth."

There is but one hope of salvation and that is God's hope: His Word wrapped in flesh and given the name JESUS. 

4. King of the Jews: Matthew 2:2 and John 19:19
"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."
"And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Recognized as being the King of the Jews before He arrived and upon His birth, sought as such. But the little note placed on the cross upon which He was crucified stated the reason for His being crucified. Such notes were often placed on crucifixes when a criminal was being tortured and killed on them. His crime? My crime. My sin. Your crime. Your sin. 
For the sins of the world from the beginning of time until the last sin. But what was His crime really? Love. Forgiveness. Healing. 
He was accused of being THE KING OF THE JEWS, when there could be no king but Caesar. From a worshipful title of adoration to a mock title of accusation. 

5. King of Israel: John 1:49 & Mark 15:32
"Nathanael answered and said unto Him, 'Rabbi, Thou art The Son of God; Thou art The King of Israel."
"Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe..."

Nathanael recognized Jesus for Who He Is from the beginning of Christ's ministry; not in and of himself, but through the whisper of The Holy Spirit, for it is The Holy Spirit who reveals the Truth of Jesus Christ to the hungry soul. 
Used with reverence by Nathanael, but irreverently by the thieves who hung on the cross with Him (though one of them later repented and was immediately forgiven). 

6. and 7.  King of Peace & King of Righteousness: Hebrews 7:2
"To  whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"

Jesus Christ being our Melchizedek, we recognize Him as our King of Righteousness, for He Is Righteousness, indeed. And as our King of Peace, for His peace is not like the world gives, but peace that passes understanding (John 14:27; John 16:33; Ephesians 2:14; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7).

Abraham gave a tenth of all he had to Melchizedek. Are we giving our King of Peace, our King of Righteousness, even a tenth of all we have?

8. King of Kings: Revelation 19:16 (Daniel 2:47; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14)
"And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

As my study Bible notes, these verses recognize the Supreme Sovereignty of The Lamb of God. And, as Supreme Ruler, His commands and will must be obeyed. Not as a tyrant would demand obedience, but The Word of God as a loving Bridegroom; The Almighty God as a loving Father. We obey and do God's will with loving hearts and a desire to please Him. Our heart is secure in His heart. 

At least mine is. My heart is secure in His heart. Is yours?