Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - Generations & Genealogies

 

Matthew 1:17

So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1074
Generations: race, family;  if repeated twice or with another time word, practically indicates infinity of time. 

From the Greek word 'genea' (pronounced ghen-eh-ah')  

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1078

Genealogy: origin, birth, descent, lineage

From the Greek word 'genesis' (pronounced ghen'-es-is). 

GENERATIONS (BRANCHES)

     Length of time within a generational period varies as it is measured by the age a man first becomes a father. Some historians give the age of a generation as low as 25 years, some say 40 years. Therefore the length of time in measuring out generations cannot be exact. We do know that at the very least more than 1000 years had passed from Abraham to Christ's birth. 

GENEALOGIES (ROOTS)

    Genealogies, on the other hand, were from father to sons and daughters, at times with only the first born son of the father listed in the  recitation of  generations within the genealogy. The genealogy is the bloodline, the family tree in which each generation within the genealogy can trace its roots and branches. Which is why only the firstborn is listed in the genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1:1-16. 

SON OF DAVID

Psalm 132:11

The LORD has sworn in truth unto David; He will not turn from it; Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.

Matthew 21:9

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

SON OF ABRAHAM

Genesis 22:17, 18

17. " That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18.  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

SON OF GOD, SON OF MAN

Son of God, Son of David

Luke 1:32 "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David."

 

Jesus is Son of Man for He is born of a woman (Galatians 4:4, 5), born under the law of Moses that He would be able to bring about the reconciliation of mankind with God (Romans 1:3, 4). 

Jesus is Son of God because God declares it to be so. At no other time in history has the voice of heaven said, "This is My Son." Matthew 3:17 "And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Jesus referred to Himself as Son of Man on a few occasions:

• Luke 7:34
• Luke 9:58
• Mark 8:31
• Mark 9:12
• Mark 2:10, 28
• Mark 10:33
• Mark 13:26
• John 1:51

    Daniel saw the Son of Man in a vision (Daniel 7:13). Stephen saw the Son of Man as he was dying (Acts 7:56). Though I have yet to meet Him face to face, His Spirit called to my spirit and I answered with the voice of faith, "Lord, I believe!" On my belief in Jesus Christ as Lord, I was grafted into the Vine (John 15:4, 5): I became the planting of the Lord, a tree of righteousness ( Isaiah 61:3; 1 Corinthians 3:9). I became an inheritor of grace, a daughter of faith, a seed of Abraham, of righteousness; I became a daughter of God, a friend of Jesus, a sister in the Lord. 

    I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God. That Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God; that He is the Son of Abraham, the Son of David. I believe and it is counted to me for righteousness. In His righteousness I am clothed and covered. 

    He's returning soon and I'm going to be ready. My garments are being washed whiter than snow. My soul is preparing herself as a bride prepares for her groom. 

    Are you ready for the return of the King? Humble yourselves. Look into your hearts and see if you can see Jesus. There is a hunger and a thirst. An ache, a longing for something, for Someone to fill that void, to empty, scatter, the darkness that threatens to overtake you. Ask Jesus to come into your hearts, to fill you with Himself, with the Light and the Love of God. Make room in your hearts, the inn of your soul, for the Son of God. Because He's here now, knocking on the door of your hearts, and asking, Open the door and I will come in and dine with you, and you with Me. (Revelation 3:2o)

A STRANGE WAY TO SAVE THE WORLD by 4Him

HE IS CALLED JESUS by Todd Agnew

MESSIAH by Francesca Battistelli

I SPEAK JESUS by Charity Gayle

NO HEIGHT, NO DEPTH by The Worship Initiative ft. Davy Flowers

LESS LIKE ME by Zach Williams

I SURRENDER by Hillsong Worship

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - The Song of Heaven

 

Psalm 118:14

The LORD is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2176

Song: praise

From the Hebrew word 'zimrah' (pronounce zim-rawth'). 

Not much definition given here except to cross reference this word zimrah with zimrah (zim-raw'), which is melody, song of praise to Yah (God). This word zimrah has its roots in 'zamar' (zaw-mar'): to make music in praise of God; to make music accompanied by the voice; to celebrate in song and music. 

I sing, I will sing while playing an instrument.

THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS SALVATION

Isaiah 12:2 "Behold, God is my Salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my Strength and my Song; He also has become my Salvation."

Revelation 5:12 "Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS PRAISE

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my Praise.

Revelation 5:13

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!”

THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS SUNG BY UNTOLD NUMBERS

Psalm 69:34 "Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them."

Revelation 5:11 "Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands."

THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS JOY 

Isaiah 44:23 "Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel."

John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

Romans 15:13 "Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS WORSHIPED WITH SONGS OF PRAISE

Psalm 28:7 "The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him."

Psalm 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD."

Psalm 104:1-3  "Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with honour and majesty. You wrap  Yourself in light as with a garment; You stretch out the heavens like a tent, You lay out the rafters of Your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds Your chariot; You ride upon the wings of the wind."

John 4:23, 24 "But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Revelation 4:8 "And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

THE LORD IS MY SONG is one of His many names. More than an adjective of His character, we declare on an individual basis Who God is to us, to me. THE LORD IS MY SONG. MY SONG. I have reason to rejoice, for THE LORD IS MY SALVATION: He has saved me with HIMSELF. THE LORD IS MY REDEEMER, He has redeemed me from the bondage of sin. THE LORD IS MY PRAISE, for He is my ALL IN ALL. THE LORD IS MY ROCK, on Him I build my hopes; in Him I lay a foundation of faith, upon which my hope is built. 

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH, in Him I can do anything He calls me, asks me, to do. THE LORD IS MY LIGHT, for I see not without His Light shining in me and through me. THE LORD IS MY LIFE: without Him I am nothing. 

THE SONG OF HEAVEN is a personal God. He desires our hearts, for He calls us to Him. Sometimes when we are very young (1 Samuel 3:1, 4; 2 Chronicles 34:1; Jeremiah 1:4-10), God calls us to serve Him. He desires our love, our worship, ourselves. THE SONG OF HEAVEN IS MY HALLELUJAH, my SONG of PRAISE to my GOD. For God not only IS my Salvation, He provided me a SAVIOR!

When do I praise THE SONG OF HEAVEN? At all times (Psalm 34:1), in all seasons  (Ecclesiastes 3:1). When I am happy, when I am sad I praise Him. When I rejoice, when I grieve I praise Him. When I am surrounded by my enemies, when I am in the midst of His congregation I praise Him. When I am weak, when I overcome obstacles I praise Him. When I fail, when I succeed I praise Him. In the night, in the day I praise Him. When I am in pain, when I am healed I praise Him. For the Scriptures, the Word, tells us to "Give thanks at all times" 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

WHAT IS THE SONG OF HEAVEN to you? Or what songs of praise do you bring to THE SONG OF HEAVEN? These are the songs I listened to while I studied this morning, causing at times tears to leak out of the corner of my eyes. 

PURSUING GOD  (playlist)

I RAISE A HALLELUJAH by Bethel Music

GRATITUDE by Brandon Lake

YOU ARE MY ALL IN ALL by Walkers To Heaven

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - The Righteousness of God In Christ

 

2 Corinthians 5:21

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 1343

Righteousness: divine judicial approval, justice

From the Greek word 'dikaiosuné' (pronounced dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay), refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination).

BECOMING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

And just how do we obtain this divine judicial approval from God? 

While it may not seem like part of the Christmas message, it is in fact the definition of Christmas. This is the reason Jesus Christ was born: to save mankind from the punishment of their sins and to bring them into the fulness of God: to become the righteousness of God through Himself. 

John 17:31

Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

This can only be accomplished through the power of God and the faith He births within us when we believe that Jesus Christ Is Lord. Lord of All. Lord of Creation: nature, the stars and the heavens,  people. Lord of one's own self. The Lord My Righteousness: 1 Corinthians 1:30 "It is because of Him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." 

BECOMING ONE IN CHRIST

John 17:20-21 is when Jesus prayed for us, for the believers who would believe after His disciples spread the gospel throughout the world. 

20. I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,

21. that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

THE WAY IN

Jeremiah 32:39 

I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them. 

In Isaiah 35:8 there is a road, "The Way of Holiness". This, too, is Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus tells us, "I am the Way". 

    There is no other way to atone for our own sins. God says our righteousness in and of our ownselves is "filthy rags" and will not be accepted by Him when we stand before Him in judgment (Isaiah 64:6). Self-righteousness is not God-righteousness. Pride is not righteousness. Greed is not righteousness. Self-awareness is not righteousness. Self-involvement is not righteousness. Self-promotion in anything is a filthy rag and will be burned to ash in the fires of God's altar. 

    While kindness and generosity help people be nice to each other on the surface of life, these things will not gain a person entry into the eternal presence of God. They will not atone for the sins of one's own heart. These things are merely dry, dusty bones: a skeletal framework of what could be but is not without a heart for God to direct it.

    Now is the time to give your heart to God. Today is the day to receive God's love and mercy and righteousness into your hearts and lives. We all live in Now Time. Tomorrow is Hope Time, time that is not promised. Today is not even promised. Some will not make it through today for one reason and another. Every breath we breathe, we breathe because God gives it to us. 

     Now Time is the time to become one in Christ as He is one in God His Father. Now Time is the time to answer God's call on your life to embrace His Word, His Love, His Grace. Now Time is right now, right this minute, this second, this (inhale) breath (exhale). Did you feel that? That was mercy, God giving us another breath. 

Don't wait too long to take hold of the faith God wants to birth within you. 

I pray those walls break down which you have built up within yourselves. I pray that your heart would be moldable by God in the potter's house. That you would receive Him into your hearts and glorify Him with your lives. 

In Jesus' Name, 

Amen.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS by Wayne Watson 

DAYS OF ELIJAH by Robin Mark

COME ALIVE (DRY BONES) by Lauren Daigle

IN CHRIST ALONE by Michael English

 

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - For This Purpose

 

1 John 3:8

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5319

Manifest(ed): make visible, make clear, make known, to illumine, bring to light

From the Greek word 'phaneroó' (pronounced fan-er-o'-o).

EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY

With regards to Christ, it is His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His ascension. 

The first people to see Him were Joseph and Mary, His earthly parents. The last people to see Him, before He ascended to heaven, were the eleven apostles (Judas having died and Matthias not yet selected). He arrives humbly and quietly. All the hoopla and fanfare occurred within minutes of His birth. He came to this earth in an unusual manner and He left in an equally unusual manner. But He was seen by people both times. 

Matthew and Luke give His birth announcements. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us accounts of His life and ministry. The four gospels according to books also render eyewitness accounts of His death and His resurrection. The Book of Acts gives eyewitness testimony of His ascension. 

THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTS ARRIVAL

"To destroy the works of the devil". 

    What are these works and who is this devil? Everything that is not of God and His Christ is of the devil, which is why he is referred to as antichrist: against Christ. Though there have been many such antichrists through the centuries, the final antichrist will be fully revealed when the abomination of desolation makes himself known by setting himself up in the temple (Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Matthew 24:15). 

    In Genesis 3:1, the serpent questioned God's Word. In Genesis 3:4, 5 the serpent lied about the veracity of God's Word. 

    Ezekiel 28:11-19, though spoken of to a mere man has a double meaning. It also refers to the devil's origins. Isaiah 14:11-17 (cf) Luke 10:18 wherein Satan falls from heaven. Revelation 20:2 refers to the devil as: dragon (huge fabulous [both in size and covering] serpent), ancient serpent (original/from the beginning snake), devil (accuser/slanderer) and Satan (adversary). 

ACCOMPLISHING HIS PURPOSE

    During Christ's three year ministry preaching the gospel of God we are given many examples and parables of how to overcome the enemy of our souls. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus overcame his attempts at manipulations with THE WORD OF GOD, "It is written" was His response all three times (Matthew 4:1-10; Luke 4:1-12). 

    When Satan riled up people to throw stones at Jesus, He hid Himself and escaped. But when Satan incited a mob to demand that Jesus be crucified, the purpose of Christ's arrival was set in its final motion. It is through the cross that God's purpose for His only begotten Son's earthly stay was fulfilled. 

    Being God's Lamb, He is sacrificed to atone for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), from the beginning to the end, from the first people to the last people: one time for all time. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world". The whole world, not just parts of it, not just certain segments of time in it, but all the world.  Hebrews 2:14 "to destroy him who holds the power of death, the devil". 

    Being God's only begotten Son, He is raised from the dead because death could not hold Him. Acts 2:24, Acts 10:40. Death has no power over Life, for Jesus is Life (John 1:4, John 14:6).  

    A person would have to read, and study out, all four gospel books, plus Acts and Hebrews to gain just a taste of, a glimpse of, what Jesus Christ had to do in order to accomplish God's purpose of destroying the devil and all his works. 

    It is our faith in Christ and our faith in God that accomplishes God's purpose in us through the blood which He shed on the cross and His being raised from the dead which overcomes the devil's destruction in us and in our lives (Romans 3:25). Simple Truth for chaotic times. 

BELIEVE ON HIS NAME

The Promise of Salvation and being given The Holy Spirit  is given to not only the head of the house but to everyone living under that person's roof. Acts 16:15, 31; Acts 18:8.

The Promise of Salvation and being given The Holy Spirit  is given to everyone who hears the gospel message being preached and receives it. Acts 2:38, 39.

The Promise of Salvation is given on an individual basis. Mark 16:16; John 3:18, 36; Romans 10:9, 10, 13. 

    Believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and you, too, will be saved. Saved from the punishment of sin, for Christ took our sins upon Himself when He was on the cross. Isaiah 53:4, 5; 1 Peter 2:23, 24.

1 John 4:15

If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives) in him, and he (lives) in God.

    It's why I can sing, This World Is Not My Home. For my home is in God and His home is in heaven. Have you made the Lord your home? Has He taken up residence in you? The Love of God was made manifest in the Person of Jesus Christ and this Love lives in me. It is why I urgently beg you to reconsider and to believe that Jesus Christ Is Lord. 

    His return is imminent. He's coming to take His people home with Him. 

    

HOW DEEP THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR US by Fernando Ortega

HIGH PRIEST by Rivers & Robots

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE by Daniel Thornton (classic hymn)

 

 

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 - - The Word In The Manger

   

John 1:1, 14

1. In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.

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.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3056

The Word:  divine utterance

From the Greek word 'logos' (pronounced log'-os), Christ expressing the thoughts of The Father through The Holy Spirit.

    In the manger is more than just a helpless baby. In the manger is Life: life eternal, life abundant. In the manger is Healing for the nations. In the manger is Light. 

    In the manger is the Wisdom of the Ages. In the manger is Salvation. In the manger is Grace. In the manger is Peace, The Prince of Peace. In the manger is Bread of Life. In the manger is Living Water.

     In the manger is so much more than anyone realized at the time. In the manger is a Lamb. In the manger is The WORD of God. 

    The voice of God creates. When we go back to Genesis 1, we read that "God said" and "it was so". The voice of God created life in the beginning of the earth and it created Life Eternal in Mary's womb. And laid Life Eternal in the manger. 

LIFE

>Eternal

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 John 1:2

And this is the Life that was revealed; we have seen it and testified to it, and we proclaim to you the Eternal Life that was with the Father and was revealed to us.

>Abundant

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

>Bread

John 6:48

I am the Bread of Life. 

HEALING FOR THE NATIONS

Revelation 22:2

In the middle of its street and of the river, on this side and on that side, was a tree of life, producing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit according to each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

LIGHT

John 9:5

"While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world."

WISDOM

Jude 1:25

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Proverbs 8:14 (wisdom speaking)

Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

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.

SALVATION

John 3:17

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

1 John 4:14

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 

GRACE

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.

Hebrews 2:8

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

PEACE

>Peace of God, Peace of Christ

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.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

>Peace Which Passes Understanding

Philippians 4:7

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

LIVING WATER

>The Fountain

Jeremiah 2:13

"For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, The Fountain of Living Water, and they have dug their own cisterns--broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

John 4:14

"But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life."

>The River

John 7:38

Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’ ”

Revelation 22:1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of The Lamb.

THE LAMB
Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

So say I now to you: Look to The Word, The Word of God. Hear  what The Word has to say. Seek The Word and you will find Him. Study The Word to know Him, to gain understanding of His Ways. Believe The Word and receive Life Eternal into the core of your very being, your souls. Love The Word and The Word will save you. 

THE WAY IN A MANGER by Paul Brandt

WHAT  A BEAUTIFUL NAME by Hillsong Worship

HE IS by Eric Ludy 

  

Signs & Wonders of Christ's Arrival - - A Dwelling For His Name

 

 

Deuteronomy 16:11

11. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite within your gates, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7931

Dwelling: to settle down, abide; continue, cause to dwell, make to dwell, have habitation, inhabit, lay, place

From the Hebrew word 'shakan or shaken' (pronounced shaw-kan'). 

    It was no accident "there was no room in the inn". The Master Creator created the perfect set of circumstances so that His Son would be born at the intended time in the least honorable place. 

    Of course the inn was full: every body in the house of, the lineage of David, had to return to the city of his birth with his family and be counted to pay taxes. (Luke 2:1-7). That wasn't the place God chose for His name to dwell. 

    Nowadays, the parents usually get to pick where and when their child will be born: a hospital, a home birth. Though there are times when the baby arrives early: a taxicab, an elevator, backyard bbq. And sometimes there are complications. But that wasn't so when the Son of God was born. 

    God chose Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God chose a stable (Luke 2:7). God chose a manger (Luke 2:7). God chose when (Matthew 2:1-7, 16) His Son would be born. A place for everything and everything in its place. But Bethlehem was not His dwelling place. 

    We learned that as a child, He grew up in Egypt and Nazareth. In His ministry He stated that He had "no place to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20). In other words, He had no place to dwell, to reside. There was no God-ordained place for Him to rest and live. During His ministry Jesus lived a nomadic life, depending on His Father to meet His needs. 

    God chose something a little less substantial than a house for His Name to dwell in: He chose us. Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone should hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

    Luke 12:36

Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once.

    John 14:23

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

    God chose our hearts to be the dwelling place for His Name. The place where the Lord lives is in our soul: our thoughts, our emotions, our attitudes. An ethereal place of residence: it cannot be seen, or touched, or known by any other than God. For only God knows the heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 94:11; 1 Corinthians 3:20). 

    God wants to be a part of our everyday lives. He created us. He knows how each of us thinks. He knows our plans, our dreams, our desires. Yet still He chooses to call us by name, knocking on the doors of our hearts to let Him come in and live in us. 

    Though our hearts are filthy and unkempt places when He first arrives (when we first believe on His name for our salvation), The Lord Jesus will clean house after He moves in with His Holy Spirit and make Himself at home. But we must make that decision to let Him into our hearts. He's a gentleman, not a bully. Jesus only lives in the people who ask Him into their hearts and lives. 

    God knows our names and He calls us to come out of the system of this world, out of the darkness and evil which dwell here, into His love and light. "Come out from among them" the Word tells us (2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 7:1). 

    And let God and Jesus and The Holy Spirit take up residence in your hearts (John 14:23). Indeed, until you believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, there is no room for God to dwell in our hearts. 

    What are you waiting for? God loves you. God wants you to be in His family. God calls you by name, pleading with you to answer His call to salvation through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. God stands at the doors of your hearts, knocking patiently, waiting for you to open the doors of your hearts and let Him in, to give Him a dwelling for His Name. 

    Here is the day, now is the time. For there is coming a day when time will be up and making a decision for Christ will be out of your hands. 

KING OF GLORY by Third Day

    

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS by Casting Crowns

LOVE HAS A NAME by Jesus Culture

ABIDE WITH ME by Keith and Kristyn Getty

HE LIVES by David Phelps

    

    

  

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 Servant King

 

Isaiah 52:13

Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently, He shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 5650

Servant: slave, servant

From the Hebrew word 'ebed' (pronounced eh'-bed). 

While this word has many  usages, in this particular verse it is referring the Messiah as martyr. 

THE MARTYRED SERVANT

Isaiah 52:14, 15

14. Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—

15. so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard. 

Psalm 22; Isaiah 50:6; Isaiah 53:2-5; Matthew 27:26-43; John 19:1-3, 16-24. 

Mark 15:32

Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” And even those who were crucified with Him berated Him.

THE CHOSEN SERVANT

Isaiah 42:1

"Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations."

Matthew 12:17

"Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations."

THE RIGHTEOUS SERVANT

Isaiah 53:11

"After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My Righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities."

Matthew 20:28

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.

THE SUBMISSIVE SERVANT

Luke 22:42

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

John 5:30

"I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me."

Philippians 2:8

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross

THE WISE SERVANT

Isaiah 11:2

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

John 1:32

Then John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him."

THE SERVANT'S SERVANT

Matthew 20:28

"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:13-15

13. "You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am.

14. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

15. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."

THE EXALTED SERVANT

Philippians 2:9

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names.

Isaiah 53:12; Daniel 7:14; Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:33.

THE EXTOLLED SERVANT

*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 7623

Extol: to praise highly, to lift up, to elevate, to magnify

It is the Hebrew word 'shabach' (pronounced shaw-bakh').

Psalm 145:1

A Praise of David. I will extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever.

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.

Romans 15:11

And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples.”

Have you met The Servant King?  The Servant King came to serve God in the way in which God chose Him to serve. Jesus humbled Himself to serve God with honor and integrity, in love. Are we following the example He has set before us to do the same, to live our lives in the same way? Humbled, surrendered, submitted to the will of God? 

Have we chosen to set aside what we want and how we want it done in order that God may be glorified in our submission and surrender? For my part I can truthfully say, "No." However, having repented of yesterday's transgressions, I can move on and submit and surrender another day to God, hoping for a better turnout than the last. It is all I can do: greet God when I awaken, spend time with Him during the day, speak with Him in the night and/or wee hours of the morning. 

The psalmist wrote, "Early will I seek You" (Psalm 63:1). Which could mean early in my day, early in my life, early in my pursuit of following after God in all my ways. And, again, in all our ways we are to acknowledge Him; and He will lead us (Proverbs 3:6; 16:3). But only if we are willing to follow. So, come let us adore Him, let us serve Him.

THE SERVANT KING by Graham Kendrick

HIGH AND EXALTED by Bob Fitts

HE LIVES Divine Hymns

BEHOLD by Phil Wickham

ADORATION by Newsboys