Birthplace of A King

 

MICAH 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

    If I had no other verse than Micah's on which to base my faith in God, I would still be a believer. For in this verse we see Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son. Knowing my Bible as I do, I am keenly aware that this is Whom Micah is speaking of. 

    The prophecy is spoken over the town of Bethlehem, which translates to House of Bread. A few hundred years later Jesus would refer to Himself as The Bread of Life, The Mana from heaven which God had sent down for people to partake of. We do this when we believe on The Name of The Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation.

    But in this comparatively small town The Ruler of Israel would be born. He was sent from heaven by God to accomplish God's purpose until His return to God. The Bible tells us that "God's Word does not return void to Him" (Isaiah 55:11). Christ is The Word (John 1:1;14). And He is not void, empty. He is Truth. He is Life. He is Love. 

    As Ruler in Israel, He is also Governor (Isaiah 9:6), and reigns with Justice. His kingdom is wherever He is and He is in the heart of every believer for we have partaken of His salvation and in His salvation is His suffering, His anguish at the task which God had set before Him and now sets before us. In His salvation is God's mercy and compassion for the lost and the dying. This, too, is in the heart of the believer when Christ lives there. 

    His 'goings forth from of old, from everlasting' is just one of the most peaceful verses I know. For Jesus Christ is The Beginning (Revelation 1:4,8; John 1:1-3; Proverbs 8:23; John 8:58; John 17:5; Revelation 22:13). Age to age, beyond the realm of time is Christ The Messiah. And He's coming soon to reward His faithful, His righteous people and to punish the unfaithful, the unrighteous, the unbeliever (Revelation 22:12-17). 

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO     (I keep singing this one. It is in my thoughts when I close my eyes and with me in my dreams. I awaken and it is still there. My spirit worships even when I am in the unconscious dream realm).

JESUS MESSIAH - Chris Tomlin 

America, Seek God

If My people which are called by My Name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14


It is not enough to ask God to bless America. Just having "God Bless America" printed on our money is not an indication that America is going to receive God's blessing. Preaching on street corners, praying on courthouse steps and carrying signs at protest rallies is no guarantee of receiving God's blessing. Hanging a sign in your window, leaving the family Bible open on the coffee table, and waving the American flag in parades is not going to bring God's blessing to our nation.

God's people are the ones who are called by His Name: Christians. Where is the Christian who is humble? Where is the Christian who prays from the heart? Where is the Christian who seeks God's face? Where is that Christian who has turned from his or her wicked ways? Should you stand up and be counted? Not hardly.

As Isaiah said, "Here am I, Lord; send me." Can you say that today? If you know in your heart that you can't, then you need to get back down on your knees and beg God's forgiveness for your pride. For it is pride that prevents us from being humble. It is pride that keeps us standing up when we should be kneeling. It is pride that turns our face inward to focus on ourselves instead of upward seeking God. It is pride that will be our downfall.

It is pride that prevents God's people from performing our duties and fulfilling our purpose:
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.


So, whether you voted him in or not, our responsibility to God is to pray for our President, our Senators, our  Representatives, our Governors, our Mayors. Even if you don't agree with the current policies. Even if you don't like the person in any way, shape or form. Our duty is to pray for him or her; to beg on their behalf to God; to intercede for them before God; to thank God not only for who is in authority over us but to be thankful for that person or persons.

Your prayers or my prayers or the combination of you and I coming together to pray for our leaders, whether they are Christians or not, will result in first, a quiet and peaceful life. Second, their possible salvation through Christ. Third, that they will come unto the knowledge of the truth.

What is truth? Jesus Christ. He is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. Nobody enters into God's presence unless they go through Jesus first. And that is God's will for everyone. So let's get busy praying for our leaders. Now.