Advent Alphabet - "F" - "Faithful"

Advent Alphabet – “F” – “Faithful” December 5, 2015 “Know and understand that the Lord your God, he is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations” (Duet.7:9). “To this end was I born, and for this cause I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears and listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) In yesterday’s meditation we saw that one of the attributes of God is that He is forever faithful. When God’s first creation, Adam, “fell” because of his disobedience (Genesis 3), the plan of redemption was already in the heart of God. As a faithful Son and because of His love for His creation (mankind), He saw His role as Redeemer was to begin in a stable, with a poor couple, and a very young mother delivering her baby, who was the faithful One Who came to “save His people from their sins.” Therefore, He must come to earth for people to see Him experience life as a human and remain faithful to His character. His entire life was for the purpose to bear witness to the Truth, and He was a faithful witness. “So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess, for He Who promised is reliable and faithful to His word” (Heb.10:23). When going through testing times, there is a wonderful promise to believers, which is in II Thess.3:3 which says, “The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil one.” God is faithful because that is part of His “divine DNA.” He is faithful because He is faithful. In whatever circumstance believers may find themselves, God will be faithful to work on our behalf. That is why He was born, “to bear witness to the Truth” (John 18:37). “If we are faithless, He remains faithful to His Word and His righteous character, for he cannot deny Himself” (II Timothy 2:13). He promises that “If we freely admit we have sinned and confess our sins, he is faithful and true to His nature to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action)” (I John 1:9). Throughout God’s Word, He showed Himself to be a faithful witness to the Truth of the gospel. Even in the last book of the Bible, John’s Revelation, when time was no more, he saw the One Who was riding a white horse. He was called, “Faithful and True, and He wages war in righteousness” (Rev.19:11). (Italics from Amplified Bible)

Advent Alphabet - "D" - "Dreams"

December 3, 2015 But as Joseph was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins (that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God) (Matt.1:20,21 Amp). People in the Old and New Testament times who dreamed dreams from God were considered a legitimate way of foretelling good or bad happenings in the future. I will site a few, but read the whole context of the scripture sited below, and you will be convinced that when God speaks through dreams, whether directly, or through angels or men, the things spoken in the dream will come about. Warning - Satan also gives fearful dreams, sometimes with false directions or false prophecy (which does not come true). But the dreams God gives comes with peace. The accounts in Matthew of God speaking to Joseph in dreams (see below), always came true and was with the assurance it was from God. God did not come to Mary in a dream but by the angel, Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was assured that all the angel said was true, “Let it be done to me according to what you have said.” If God has given you a “dream,” work toward its fulfillment, wait and hope. “In His time He will make all things beautiful (including your dream). He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds, a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy, yet men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end!” (Eccl.3:11 Amp.) (Jer.29:11)!! Just as God gave dreams to Joseph regarding Jesus (and they all came true), if He has given you a dream, in its time it will come true. Scriptural References of Dreams Genesis 20:1-6 – God warned King Abemelech that Sarah was married. Genesis 31:10-13 – Jacob leaves Laban with Leah & Rachel. Genesis 37:5-11 – Joseph’s dreams of brothers and father. Genesis 41:11-57 – Baker, butler and Pharoah – Joseph interprets. (Joseph was “The Great Dreamer & Interpreter.” Joel 2:28 & Acts 2:17 – prophecy of “old men dreaming dreams, and young men seeing visions. Jude 8 - Dreams not from God Matthew 1:20 – Joseph’s reassurance from God to take Mary as his wife. Matthew 2:7-12 – God warned the wise men. Matthew 2:13-15 – God warned Joseph. Matthew 2:16-21 – Directions to Joseph to save the Child’s life. Matthew 2:22-23 – Directions to Joseph to go to the region of Galilee to the town of Nazareth. Matthew 27:19-25 – Pilate’s wife warned not to have anything to do with Jesus’ crucifixion. Blog Address: https://lightfrommywindow.blogspot.com

Advent Alphabet - "C" - "Called"

December 2, 2015 “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) “For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11; Micah 5:2) One of the joys of having a child of your own is to name it. A lot of people use family names; some use famous people’s names; and some use special friend’s names, etc. Some names are taken from “name books. But God gave the names that Jesus was called to the prophets of old to record for all generations to know and trust in. There are many books listing all the hundreds of names attributed to Jesus. Except for “Jesus” all of them are descriptive names characterizing the personhood of Jesus. “Jesus” was a common name in that day which meant, “the Christ.” which was the Greek name for “Messiah.” The name “Jesus” was from the Hebrew name “Jehovah-saved.” The meaning of Jehovah is, “the self-Existent or eternal.” Jesus was called “Jesus Christ” because He came to save His people from their sins (Matt.1:21). The baby called Jesus came from heaven to be to all who would call on Him: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. I wish I had time and space to elaborate on each of these beautiful names, but they all were embodied in that one baby of Nazareth whom they called Jesus. If you haven’t, won’t you trust Him as your Wonderful Counselor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father, your Prince of Peace, your Messiah, your Savior and your Lord?

Advent Alphabet - "B" - "But"

December 1, 2015 But God proves His own love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “But” is a strange word to use for Advent. But if it weren’t for the intervention of God into this world to provide a way of healing and salvation in the hearts of men and women, we would all be lost and doomed for a life of meaninglessness and even misery here on this earth and an eternity in torment without Him. So, I am forever thankful that but for God’s intervention into our lives on a dark night over two thousand years ago, all by means of a small baby in Bethlehem, Jesus, we would still be people without hope. Webster’s definition of but is, “except that.” Jesus is the “exception” in our lives that but for the fact that if Jesus had not left the glories of heaven and come as a baby, and for love for us He lived and died; except for that fact we would be lost eternally. “But God shows and clearly proves His own love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ, the Messiah, died for us” (Romans 5:8). By our rebellion and life style we earn all that sin pays – “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”(Romans 6:23). This gift is available just for believing and asking. But God – so rich is He in his mercy! Because of His great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, even when we were dead by our own shortcomings, He made us alive together in union with Christ and gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same life with which He made Christ alive, for it is by God’s unmerited favor, which we did not deserve, that we are saved and made partakers of Christ’s salvation. And He gave us joint seating with Him in the heavenly sphere (by virtue of us being in Christ Jesus). He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable riches of His free grace in his kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. For it is by His unmerited favor that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through your faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves of your own doing, it came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God; not because of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:4-9). I am sooooo glad for the “but God(s)” in His Word. I am glad for God’s plan which was to intervene in our “lostness” with a small baby in a manger so long ago! (Scripture texts are from the Amplified Bible).

Advent Alphabet - "E" - "Everlasting"

Before the mountains were brought forth or ever You had formed and given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting You are God (Ps.90:2 Amp.). Everlasting is a long time!! We cannot imagine that there is not ever an end to something, but God is unfathomably everlasting! It is even part of His name – “Everlasting Father.” (Isaiah 9:6). Webster defines this attribute simply as, “lasting forever.” When Jesus came to earth and took on the guise of a human baby who was finite, but His Spirit remained everlasting. If we trust him as Savior He has promised us this same everlasting life, because His Everlasting Spirit lives within us. All of Jesus’ attributes are everlasting, He cannot change (Mal.3:6). As He was, so He is, and so He will be forever! He has everlasting arms (Duet.33:27). His loving kindness, mercy, faithfulness and truth are everlasting (Ps.100:5). His righteousness (rightness) is an everlasting righteousness (Ps.119:142). He is forever almighty and all sufficient (Gen.28:3). He is forever just (Isa.45:21; Acts 3:14). He is forever the God of forgiveness (Ps.99:8; 86:5). He is forever our shepherd, guide, provider, protector, friend, deliverer (Ps.23); and He is forever the God who is there (Jer.42:11). His covenants and promises are everlasting: The rainbow (Gen.9:8-17); Abraham & descendants, (Gen.16:7-8); His Word, the Truth, and testimonies are everlasting (Ps.100:5;119:144); His kingdom is everlasting (Daniel 7:27); His strength is everlasting (Isaiah 26:4); He has promised everlasting life to all who believe and trust in Him (John.3:16); everlasting consolation (II Thess.2:16); and His gospel is everlasting (Rev.14:6). Jesus came over two thousand years ago to give us everlasting life. So who wouldn’t want that?

"A" - "Amnesty "

Our entire nation is aware of the illegal-alien travesty. There are many varying opinions causing many questions, and some think they have the perfect answer – amnesty. These illegal aliens have broken the law and deserve punishment (whatever the law decides is right and fair). The word amnesty means, “pardon.” Should these criminals be pardoned? When Jesus came into the world it was as a tiny innocent baby. His purpose in coming to earth was to ultimately “pardon” all who would come believing and trusting in His shed blood, which He would gladly give – “whosoever will” (John 3:16). This act of unfathomable love was a free gift to humanity, no strings attached, simply by receiving it. Not having to work to be good enough; not having to keep score of all the good works we might do; but simply to just receive this so great pardon – for which it has already been paid. Amnesty is a wonderful word to that one who is destined to die without a pardon. Could Jesus as this tiny baby could have known His destiny as “The Savior of the world?” Could He have known that He was “the gift” of amnesty to all mankind (if only they would believe)? I am sure in that baby’s mind was only the need for food from His mother, clothing and shelter, which His earthy father provided, a crude stable with a manger, which probably still had straw in it where the cattle had been eating. Without hesitation this Mighty God chose to come from the grandeur of heaven to enter into a defenseless baby to give Himself as an “Amnesty gift.” He saw that we were rebellious sinners that needed the pardon that only He could give. When we accept this gracious gift we become children of God and bona fide citizens of heaven. We can go boldly right to the throne of God presenting our petitions for pardon, guidance, protection or any need we may have, all because we have accepted this amnesty so freely offered, and Jesus Christ Himself will be our Advocate to plead for our pardon. Thank You, Jesus, for coming to offer us “AMNESTY,” and we can be genuine citizens eternally, because we have been born-again into the family of God!

Old Truths From An Old Sage

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:36) No matter how old we are or how long we have been in “the race,” we are still in the race until we take our last breath, rejoicing on the way and being thankful for every bump, hole and brier that would slow us down and trip us. But, remember, that only as we keep our eyes on Jesus, Who is the “author and finisher” of our faith, can we stay on course and steadfastly run focused on Jesus (Who is the prize, the One toward Whom we are running and reaching out to lay hold). He is the “wind beneath our wings.” He is our Reason for existing, our Reason for running this race. The longer we know Him, the sweeter He grows! If we don’t have this love for Jesus; this longing to become more like Him; this desire to reach out to lay hold on Him, the One Who laid hold of us, and laid up for us this eternal life for which we were summoned, for which we confessed the good confession of faith (I Timothy 6:12), we have slowed our pace and turned from the race to other things. If education, job, career, relationships, or anything other than Jesus that is in first place, that is an idolatrous god. We must choose to endure. Endurance is stamina. It’s the ability and determination to keep going the distance. David Jeremiah says, “Christianity isn’t a spectator faith. It’s a marathon on the straight and narrow road, through ups and downs, over hills and valleys, until we reach Home.” Therefore….since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1) If our longings are to be like the world around us, however “cool,” or immoral, or “hip,” we have deserted our “first love,” Jesus (read Rev.2:2-5). We are to “be in the world but not of the world.” We are to dedicate all our member and faculties as a living sacrifice (devoted & consecrated) to God, which is pleasing to Him. We are not to be conformed (from outside in) to this world (fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs), but be transformed (from inside out) and changed by the entire renewing of our mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude), so that we may prove for ourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2 Amp.). If we want to get back “on track, we must ask ourselves some hard questions: (1) Does the way I dress glorify Jesus? Is it modest, or does it look like the way the “world” dresses – like a “street walker?” Would you be pleased to go out with a young man/woman who dresses like you do? (2) Do the places I go please Jesus? Would we be pleased to ask Him to go with us? Do the people and the atmosphere at this place draw us closer in your devotion to God? I John 2:15 tells us to “not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.” (3) Are we daily submitting our bodies to God (Romans 12:1), & our mind, will and emotions – our all. This means do we go where He wants us to go; do we say what He wants us to say; do we do those things He wants us to do, when He wants us to do them, and how He wants them done. (4) Are we daily inviting the Holy Spirit to cleanse us from all sin, and fill us with Himself (Eph.5:1). His Holy Spirit can empower us to live above the world. Run the straight race through God’s good grace, Lift up your eyes and seek His face. Life with its ways before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize. (John S. B. Monsell)