I am with You Always

Today's Reading: Matthew 28:10, 16-20

"Do not be afraid... 

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and in earth. 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; 

and lo, 

I am with you always,even to the end of the age."




You can thank God, that even in times of trouble
you don't have to be afraid
because all power in heaven and on the earth has been given Jesus
who is now living in heaven with God, His Father!
You can trust Him,

No matter what happens, He is with you all the time, even till this world ends!!!

Jesus is Coming

Today's Reading: Revelation 22

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The New Heaven and New Earth

Todays Reading: 2 Peter 3:10, 13, Revelation 21

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, 

in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, 

and the elements will melt with fervent heat; 

both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up... 

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens 

and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." 

2 Peter 3:10,13

Read More

The Throne in Heaven

Today's Reading: Revelation 4 and 5, Ephesians 1:9,10, Col 1:19,20

In John's vision of the Risen Lord, Jesus tells him to write letters to the 7 churches in Asia. After that John looked "and behold, a door standing open in heaven." A voice called to him saying

"Come up here, and I will show you things 

which must take place after this. 

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold a throne in heaven,..."

Read more

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Today's Reading: Revelation 1

Yesterday we looked at the Wise Men coming to Jerusalem and asking "Where is He who is born King of the Jews?" We saw the prophecy of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and then with in the week, He was crucified; and did not reign over a Kingdom on this earth. What happened to the Great King prophesied through out the Old Testament? He was resurrected and taken up into heaven. Where is He now? To read more go to
 Journey with Jesus.

This blog will continue until Epiphany on January 6th. As we come to the close of 2012 we will end the year in great victory and joy; beholding the Risen Christ in the book of Revelation. These readings are not designed for young children, but inspiring for parents and maybe teens. So I will link these readings to Journey with Jesus, which will have regular readings through out the year. In January, the final 6 days of Epiphany we will look at the treasure the Magi brought to the Baby Jesus, and we will look for treasure HE offers to us.

Jesus, the Word of God

Todays Reading: Mainly John 1:1-14, 14-18, choose one or more of the following as time allows: 2Peter 1:16-19, Matt. 17:1-7, Col. 2:9,10, 2Peter 1:3,4 or just read these excerpts below:

Hey kids, do you remember when we read a verse in Matthew that was about Jesus that said, "they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'"? Does this mean that Jesus, when He walked on this earth was God? He was fully a human, but He was also fully God. This is why I capitalize the word 'He. Here are some verses that talk about Him before He came to earth to live with us. He is referred to as The Word. It starts very much like Genesis, the first book of the Bible that describes God's creation:

"In the beginning the Word already existed. 

The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

He existed in the beginning with God. 

God created everything through Him, 

and nothing was created except through Him. 

The Word gave life to everything that was created..." 

John 1:1-4 NLT

How do we know this is Jesus that John was talking about? Here are some later verses.

  "So the Word became human and made His home among us. 

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. 

And we seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only son."
John 1:14 NLT

This is what Peter said about Jesus:

"For we were not making up clever stories 
when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
We saw His majestic splendor with our own eyes 
when He received honor and glory from God the Father. 
The voice from the majestic glory of God said to Him
'This is My dearly loved Son, who brings Me great joy."
2Peter 1:16-19 NLT, Matt. 17:1-7

What does this mean for you and me?

"From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another."
John 1:16

Because He is God and became one of us He is able give us one gracious blessing after another!!!

"For in Christ lives all the fullness of Godhead in a human body.
  So you are complete in Him..."
Colossians. 2:9,10 NLT & NKJ

"By His divine power, 
God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 
We have receive all of this by coming to know Him..."
2Peter 1:3 NLT

This is great news!  

Because Jesus is God, and became a human being, He can give us great gifts from God. 

By knowing Jesus, we have the fullness of God, living in us. 

We have everything we need  and we are complete in Him.

Home in Nazareth

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39, 40

Again we see the faithfulness of Joseph to follow God's leading for his family. Each of the places he goes fulfills OT prophecies. Initially, he went to Bethlehem for the census and Jesus was born there just as prophesied by Micah. Then being warned in a dream, he takes them to Egypt until Herod dies. As they leave Egypt to return to Israel another prophecy was fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called My Son". As they returned to Israel Joseph, after hearing that Herod's son was ruling, he took Mary and Jesus to Nazareth fulfilling,

"He shall be called a Nazarene." 

In Nazareth, Jesus grew up. Luke says:

"There the child grew up healthy and strong.
He was filled with wisdom,

and God's favor was on Him."
Luke 2:40 NLT

What do you think Jesus was like as a boy? Was He a bright joyful child, curious and eager to learn? As He grew do you think He was a caring young man, lively and strong, perhaps playing games with the children and carrying them on His shoulders? He was likely an encouragement to those who were struggling, someone who gave wise advise to those who were hurting. People were probably drawn to the favor of God that easily rested upon Him.

Fleeing to Egypt

Saturday's Readings: Matthew 2:13-18

 When the Wise Men left an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to get up and take the young child and His mother to Egypt. He was instructed to stay there until he received a further word from God; because Herod wanted to find the baby and destroy Him. They stayed in Egypt until Herold died. When they returned to Israel it fulfilled yet another scripture  

"Out of Egypt 
I have called My Son."  

Matt. 2:15, Hosea 11:1

Joseph seems somewhat overlooked in comparison to Mary, but his faithful sensitivity and obedience to God's leading kept his family safe. Imagine the weight of responsibility he held to keep the savior of all humanity, the Son of God in infant form, safe from hostile leaders. God chose him to do this and he faithfully answered God's call in his life. He has chosen each of us, for you and I, for a wonderful purpose... to carry the "Light of the World" into dark places, into a hostile world. Where is He leading you? Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear His call?

When the Wise Men did not return to Herod to tell him where the child was, He was extremely angry; and called for the death of all the male children in Bethlehem who were under the age of two.



Even this heartless act fulfilled another scripture:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted, because they were no more."
Matt. 2:18, Jeremiah 31:15

Imagine how these families felt to lose their precious little boys.

Lord, fill us with your Spirit and lead us in fulfilling our purpose in this time.

Epiphany

What is Epiphany? Many of you who read this blog may have celebrated Epiphany all your life. Yet there are many Christians, in fact most that I know; that don't even have a clue of what it is. Here are a few definitions of the word that I found on line:  

"Epiphany is when the wise men arrived at Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. It also refers to times when a person suddenly realizes or understands something. They had an epiphany."

"An epiphany  is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something"...like when someone has "found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture, or has new information or experience... that illuminates a deeper foundational frame of reference". 


When is Epiphany celebrated? January 6th, when the Wise Men arrived to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. 

Have you ever wondered what the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" all about and when those 12 days occur? Is there any significance to the coming of Christ? The twelve days of Christmas are the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany, starting with December 26th, which is today! Today is the first day of Christmas and of the 12 day count down to Epiphany. 

"Epiphany is a Christian holiday that is commonly associated with the visit of the Three Kings to baby Christ. It is also the 12th day of Christmas, as popularized by the song. In essence, Christmas does not end for many Christians until Christ is revealed. In some Christian denominations Epiphany does not end until Lent begins." Read More


Bless you on this first day of Christmas... just when you thought Christmas was over. To glory and meditate on God coming down and dwelling with us will never be over and is worthy of our hearts to ponder. :)

Born King of the Jews

Today's Readings: Matthew 2:1, 2, Zechariah 9:9, Matt 21:1-11, and more

Hey Kids, remember in Matthew 2:1, 2, we read about the Wise Men from the East who came into Jerusalem to ask: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" This was troubling to King Herod because He was concerned this "king" would threaten his power. We read about the baby Jesus, then what was to become of this baby born King of the Jews? The prophet Zechariah of old speaks of the Coming of Israel's King:

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout O daughter of Jerusalem! 

Behold, your King is coming to you; 

He is just and having salvation, 

Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey." 

Zech 9:9

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. A donkey is not a very kingly way to come into a city. It is very humble and not at all like the impressive power of a horse. Jesus was lowly, "a humility that is gentle, mild, meek. Many of the people were looking for a warlike Messiah who would use force. Jesus showed greater power than an army. He used the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control". (From word wealth in the New Spirit Filled Bible)

Oh, the humble wisdom of Jesus! How may we be more like Him? When we know Him, the Holy Spirit, can change us to be more like Him. Toward the end of Jesus' humble life on this earth He did approach Jerusalem on a donkey and fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy. As he came down the Mountain of Olives, the crowds were hoping He came to save them from the Romans. They cried out saying,  

"Hosanna to the Son of David! 

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 

Matt. 21:9

During this joyous celebration, Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him in the coming week and what would happen to Jerusalem in the coming years.

In Luke 19 it says:

"He saw the city and wept over it,saying, '

If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! 

But now they are hidden from your eyes... 

because you did not know the times of your visitation." 

Luke 19:42,44

Jesus knew the people would miss their Messiah. He knew the Jews would miss the coming of their King. During the course of the week, Jesus ended up on the following Friday in Pilate's Court. Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Pilate soon after condemned Jesus to execution on the cross. He ordered that a sign should be put on the cross that read, 

"Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" 

John 18:33, 19:19

Were the Wise Men wrong about this baby being a great King? "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" What Jesus said to Pilate gives us a clue. "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 This king was not to come into an earthly kingdom in His first coming to earth. Perhaps they somehow knew this because one of their gifts was Myrrh, a spice used in burial. Did they offer it to him to honor His sacrifice? This week we will look at Jesus in His Kingdom right now and we'll look at prophecy foretelling His Second Coming, His Second Advent.

How can this bring us comfort today in our time? We must keep our eyes on Jesus, especially during the concerns of the big political changes happening in our world today. We do not want to miss what He is doing in His Kingdom, His visitation as He moves among us, while being distracted by the kingdom of men. The verse at the very center of the Bible is timely for us today.

"It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes."
Psalm 118:8

Praise God your King is coming again!!! This time He will come on a white horse in great power and authority with the armies of heaven on white horses! And He will establish His Kingdom and end evil!

"On His Robe and on His thigh a name is written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"
Rev.19:16

God's Great Love For Us

Today's Reading: John 3:16-21, Ephesians 3:14-21

Last year a precious little grandson was born into our family. I love to hold him, this precious gift from God and look into his bright face with wonder, and consider who will he be, what has God purposed in his life, how will his life affect our family and the world around him.

Birth of Christ by Carl Bloch

I wonder if the first day of Jesus life, Mary held Him and looked into His brilliant face and wondered what He would be like, how God's purpose would play out in His life, how it would affect her and Joseph and what He would mean for the entire world? 

"Mary kept all these things 
and pondered them in her heart."  
Luke 2:19 NKJ

Could she have known that God's plan for humanity that would pierce her own heart? Probably not yet, though Simeon would tell her that in eight days. Could anyone have understood how God's plan would pierce His own heart? How must Abraham have felt when God said:

"Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, 
and... offer him as a burnt offering".   
Genesis 22:2 NKJ

This verse foretells God the Father's plan and the pain it would cause His own heart. On December 1, we looked at David's question to God. To paraphrase: In light of Your majesty, Who are we that You would even think about us, let alone care? Look how God answered that question, by sending His Son, His one and only, beloved Son, knowing full well we'd kill Him. In fact that was the plan, that He would provide once and for all people, a sacrificial lamb to atone for our sins.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son,   
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."  
John 3:16 NIV

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,  according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:17-21 NIV

A Child is Born

Today's Reading: Luke 2:11, Isaiah 9:6,7

"For there is born to you this day...
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Glory to God in the Highest
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men."
Luke 2:11

When the baby Jesus was born to Mary, it fulfilled prophecies thousands of years old. They were promises God made to save people. Ever since they sinned in the garden, God began reaching out to them to give the light of hope. Remember the promises to Abraham and David? Here is one in Isaiah that the verse above perfectly fulfills.

 "For unto us a child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be 
upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, 
Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and 
peace there will be no end.
Upon the throne of David and 
over His kingdom, to order it 
and establish it 
with judgment and justice.
From that time forward, even forever."
Isaiah 9:6,7

In our world since Jesus the Prince of Peace came; people still hate one another and war destroys the hope of peace on earth. Sin has continued just as before. Did anything change since Jesus came? Yes, when we believe in Him, we can be close to God and have peace with Him. We can live each day with His peace in our hearts.

The biggest difference will come when Christ returns to be the Great King and reign on this earth. Then there will be peace forever; as He rules as the Prince of Peace. There will be no more sin, death, sorrow or crying. No more pain, for the old miserable things will have passed away and we will be blessed to live forever in God's Kingdom of PEACE. Praise God for His Son, beautiful Jesus. He is truly

WONDERFUL, OUR COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD

EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE!

MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME AND YOUR WILL BE DONE
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

Glory in the Highest

Today's Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Today just enjoy this beautiful portion of scripture, with family and friends. A section of today's reading was even recited on "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Charlie was feeling down because everything about Christmas seemed empty and commercial. He was looking for the real meaning of Christmas. Perhaps after weeks of shopping, eating and parties you feel the same way and will rejoice in the simple meaning of the profound gift we received from God, our Savior Jesus Christ.

"Now there were shepherds living out in the fields,keeping watch over their flock by night.And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
The the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.' 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace ,goodwill toward men!' So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, 
'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger..."
Luke 2:8-16 NKJ

Order a print of Birth of the King by Michael Dudash

Tomorrow we will see God's Great Love for Us.

Glory in the Highest

Tuesday's Reading: Luke 2:8-20

"Glory to God in the Highest,

and on earth peace, goodwill toward men."

It began as another ordinary night for the shepherds, bedding down for the night in the fields with their sheep.

"... behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them... 

the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid." vs 9

No wonder they were afraid, imagine the ordinary night transforming as an angel from the realm of glory stood before them. The angel said:

" 'Do not be afraid, for behold,

I bring you good tidings of great joy

which will be to all people.

For there is born to YOU this day 

in the city of David

a Savior. who is Christ the Lord...'

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly 

host praising God and saying:

'Glory to God in the Highest,

And on earth peace goodwill toward men!' " 

vs. 10, 11 &14

Imagine the spectacle of glorious light, majestic splendor and radiant hope for all people.

I wonder if David the Shepherd King was seeing from heaven at that moment the glory of the birth of his promised son. (see December 3) The birth of our Savior is the answer to David's question to God,

"What are people that you should think about them, 

mere mortals that you should care for them?".

We ARE in God's thoughts and He does care enough to send His Son to be born from a human in a stable with animals in it. (Very messy place to be born.)

Adoration of the Shepherds by Von Honthors

When the angels departed the shepherds left and found Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in a manger. After seeing them they  

"returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen... " 

"Mary kept all these things 

and pondered them in her heart."

Ponder in your heart the mercy of God
for sending Jesus.

Give Him Glory

Color Sheets

Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem

Today's Reading: Luke 2:1-7

Because Joseph, Mary's fiance was from the family of King David; when Caesar required everyone in his empire to be counted he had to go to Bethlehem which is the city of David. He traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary who was close to having her baby. And while they were there, the time came for the baby  to be born.

"She gave birth to her first child, a son. 

She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger." 

Luke 2:1-7 NLT

 

What is a manger? A manger is a trough to feel farm animals with. They put the hay in the trough, kind of like how you put food in your dog's bowl so the food isn't just on the floor.

But why did Mary put her baby in an animals food trough? When Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem  to be counted; there was no room for them in the Inn. An inn is like a hotel you can stay at if you are out of town. So the baby Jesus, the King of all heaven and earth was born in a farm animal stable. There is a Christmas carol we sing this time of year; about the joy of His coming.

"Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

Let earth receive Her King.
Let every heart prepare Him room."

Is there room for Him in your heart?

Joy, like a bright morning light from heaven; 

pierced through the darkness of sin and entered the world as a baby. 

He is the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords. Even Caesar obeyed Him by ordering the census, the counting of his empire.This  required Joseph, from the family of David to return to  Bethlehem, the city of David. During this time Christ was born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet Micah said so many years before. Jesus is the King that God promised to David, when He said a king  from his own family will reign over his kingdom forever!

Advent is a time for us to slow down and think about the amazing coming of "Emmanuel, God with us" into this world as a baby, an infant King!

Joy to you this Christmas Season, our Lord IS come.
I pray you have a chance
to empty your heart to prepare room for Him
so you can receive your great King.

Immanuel, God with Us by Michelle Struss

 Read more about this painting at His Paint Brush.  
To Order prints Shop

Hey Kids, there is a picture of Mary with the baby Jesus that your Mom or Dad can print for you to color.

Mom and Dad, there is a color sheet you can copy and paste into a word file and print. It is large and some of the side bar over laps it. But don't worry it does not show up when you paste it in word to print. I copied and printed it last night and it came out really nice. The color sheet is linked above or you can find it in the side bar under Pages.

Family Night- Fourth Week

A Fathers Heritage to Share by CM Dudash

Sunday's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2
Tonight is our fourth and final Advent Sunday. The themes are Fulfillment and LOVE. Tonight you get to light four candles. See side bar for more info. Dad's and Mom's take this time with your children to read this right out of Matthew as listed above. Reading to our children and leading them into a life of faith in Christ is the most valuable gift we can give to them, extending into eternity. Let your kids read if they are able and discuss the story as you all follow along.

The main idea in the post below is how God brought together the people He chose to witness the birth of His Son. This story focus' on the decree of Caesar to bring about the census, bringing Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. Jesus was born here fulfilling the prophecy in Micah listed above. And the story shows the coming of the Maji and Herod's response. See more info in the commentary below.

Activity: Color Sheet, see side bar

Talk about: How an orchestra conductor conducts an orchestra, keeping many elements going on at the same time. Relate this to the story of Christs birth and all the separate people following God and coming together. Even Caesar obeyed God in decreeing the census. All of this comes to a great and moving climax, as Christ is Born!
Sing: We Three Kings of Orient Are, 
Thank God for "orchestrating" the arrival of His Son

Order a print of A Fathers Heritage to Share

Wise Men From the East

Sunday's Reading: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2
Tonight is our fourth and final Advent Sunday.

Kids, has your Dad or Mom read you stories from picture books of the beautifully dressed Wise men or Magi riding on camels weighted down with treasure. Do the images seem to leap off the pages as you see in your mind the amazing sight? Ask your Dad or Mom if you can read this story tonight right out of the Bible. It is found in Matthew's gospel listed above. Here are some beautiful pictures for you to enjoy. Click the one below to make it even bigger.

Searching for the King by CM Dudash

We have read about how God sent angels to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph. Read today about how Caesar ordered the census and in so doing brought Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem, so that Jesus, the King and son of David would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, just as the prophet Micah said. We have read about the angel who told the shepherds "The Savior... has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David." In today's reading we read about the star that appeared in the heavens, signaling to the wise men who lived far away that a great king was about to be born. Can you sense a rhythm, orchestrated like a conductor conducting an orchestra as these events taking place simultaneously in each life and everyone coming together to witness of the birth of Jesus the Savior, Immanuel, God with us?
 
God moved in the lives of people who humbly sought Him to bring this about. In today's reading we meet other people who were not so humble. After thousands of years of prophecies of a coming Messiah, news of a new king being born is TROUBLING to Herod and all of Jerusalem. Jesus was God's greatest gift to mankind is seen as a threat to the power of the king. Herod asked the chief priests and scribes where the Christ was to be born. They knew exactly where because of the prophecy that He would be born in Bethlehem. Yet, when all the signs the Jews looked for were fulfilled, many of them missed their Messiah, God's gift to them, because their life on earth was more important to them, than God's eternal Kingdom. This is important for us to think about because we live in a culture that focus' on ourself, getting lots of stuff and feeling important. When the life God has for us is much better and will make us joyful for ever.
 
The Wise Men left and followed the star till it came and stood over where the young child was. They came into the house, saw the child with His mother Mary and fell down and worshiped Him for whom a star was born. When they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold for the KING OF KINGS, frankincense for the Priest of Priests and myrrh for the sacrifice. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod and they left another way.

Oh let us seek Him and worship Him in joyous adoration!

Order Beautiful Michael Dudash print Searching for the King

The Brightness of His Glory

Today's Reading: Luke 2:30-32, Hebrews 1:1-3, 2Cor. 4:6,7, 3:18

Today we will read more about the light and glory of Jesus that Simeon spoke of in the verses we have been looking at the last few days:

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, 

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."
Luke 2:30-32

Yesterday we saw Jesus as the light of the world, a light that shines in the darkness. If we follow Him we will not walk in darkness but we will have the light of life. Today we will see Jesus as light and glory. Look at each of these verses that tell us who He really is and how He changes our own hearts.

"The Son radiates God's own glory and
expresses the very character of God...
When he had cleansed us of our sins,  he sat down at the place of honor 
at the right hand of the Majestic God in heaven."
Hebrews 1:3 NLT

"For God, who said, 

'Let there be light in the darkness',
has made this light shine in our hearts 
so we could know the glory of God 
that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
 
But we have this treasure in jars of clay
to show that this all surpassing power 
is from God and not from us."
2Cor 4:6,7 NLT and NIV
 

"So all of us who have had that veil removed 
can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
And the Lord who is the Spirit, makes us more like Him
as we are changed into His glorious image."
2Cor. 3:18 NLT

Stand in the light of His Everlasting Splendor. 
See Him in Glory and He will change you into His glorious image. 
It is Christ in us that is our hope of glory.  
(Colossians 1:27)

To buy a high res image of Christ at 33 by Heinrich Hofmann, go to Restored Traditions

Light of the World

Today's Reading: Luke 2:30-32, John 1:4-13, 8:12

Simeon was a righteous and devout man, who was eagerly waiting for Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and led him to the temple that day; as Joseph and Mary came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord. Simeon took the child in his arms and said this as he blessed Him:  

"Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.
I  have seen Your salvation 

Which you have prepared for all people, 

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, 

And He is the glory of Your people Israel."  

Luke 2:30-32

Today we will look at Jesus as the light prophesied by Simeon. The Apostle John says of Jesus:

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 

The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it... 

That was the true light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, 
and the world did not know Him. 

He came unto His own and His own did not receive Him. 

But as many as received Him, to those He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name: 
who were born, not of blood, nor the will of man, but of God." 

John 1:4-13

"I am the light of the world. 

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

but have the light of life." 

John 8:12

Have you ever shut out all the lights, so you were in complete darkness and try to walk around? See the family activity called Light of the World. to see the problem with darkness. When you can't see, you stumble, run into things, trip on things and could even get hurt or hurt someone else. This is how we are as people walking around in life, not seeing as God see's. We tend to look at the outward appearance of people, but as we saw in Samuel and the King, God looks at a persons heart. It takes the light of the Spirit of God to see a persons heart. There are so many things we don't see that God sees and understands; so we tend to stumble through life and at times hurt one another. As Simeon's prophecy reveals that Jesus came as light to reveal God to nations. Jesus is the light of the world and when we follow Him we will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. When we believe in Him and receive Him, we have the right to become the children of God and be born into a whole new life in Him.

Praise God for the way He opened salvation for all people,  for you and me, through Jesus Christ His Son. In Him is light and life for all us who believe in Him. As we receive Him into our hearts, we have the right to become the children of God. As we follow Him, we walk on a path of ever increasing light that changes us to be more beautiful and glorious like Him. There will be more on this tomorrow.  (2Corinthians 3:18)

Stand in the light of His Everlasting Love

Simeon See's God's Salvation

Today's Reading: Luke 2:21-38

Simeon's Moment - Ron DiCiani 

"... my eyes have seen Your salvation

Which you have prepared before the face of all peoples,

A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel."

Luke 2:30-32

Enjoy your reading today with all the wonderful things in these verses.

Jesus is presented to the Lord by His parents.Both Simeon and Anna, faithful elderly servants of God were led by the Holy Spirit to come into the temple at that moment. Notice Luke mentions the Holy Spirit three times in the life of Simeon. Praise to God, He has provided the same Holy Spirit to us today, in even greater measure through Christ.

Simeon and Anna had eyes to see the promise of Messiah in that little baby boy and spoke of amazing things to Mary and Joseph. This passage is full of vision! Notice the references to seeing... not see death... my eyes have seen your salvation... and of course light and glory. Jesus often spoke of having eyes to see. The Spirit leads us by giving us pictures in our mind and we follow His vision. Readings for the next two days will direct us to passages declaring Jesus to be light and the brightness of God's glory.

God has prepared salvation for all people, 

revelation for the Gentile and glory for the Jew.

My heart goes out to Mary as Simeon prophecies directly to her "yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also". She never forgot that and must have wondered how those words would be fulfilled.

Bless each of you today as you look for redemption, 

see God's wonderful Salvation in this tiny child,

His light of revelation and His glory. 

Note: If you would like to purchase a print of Simeon's Moment go to Masterpiece Christian Fine Arts Foundation.

Jesus' Ancestors

Reading: Matthew 1:1-17

This is the first reading in the gospel, the good news of Jesus written by one of His followers named Matthew. Matthew traveled with Jesus, heard Him speak and saw His miracles. This book starts with the ancestors of Jesus. It lists his father, grandfather, great grandfather and great greats all the way back to Abraham. This is important because there are promises of God that belong to the children of Abraham and David that are fulfilled in Jesus. Let's read a little, you can read the rest in your own Bible:

"This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob..." 

And it continues the generations of Jesus' ancestory. There are many fathers and sons listed here.Each one of these names represents a real person that lived a long time ago. These were the people God chose to bring His son into the world. They must have been pretty amazing people, right? Many of them had strong faith and loved God. But they were also people, like you and I... capable of mistakes, like lying and in some really big sins, too. Why would God allow His Son to come from such sinful people? Let's see what the book of Hebrews says:

"...it was necessary for him to be made like us,

his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful
and faithful High Priest before God.
Then he could offer a sacrifice that
would take away the sins of the people...
Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing,

He is able to help us when we are being tested."
Hebrews 2:17,18  NLT

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 

Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. 

He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. 

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. 

People are made right with God  

when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. "
Romans 3:23-25

Jesus was made just like us, His brothers and sisters; so He could understand us, help us, and He paid the penalty for our sins, so we can be made right with God and some day go to heaven to live with Him forever. How should we respond to God for sending Jesus?

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
There we will receive his mercy, 
and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
Hebrews 4:16A

Family Night

A Father's Heritage to Share- Dudash

Tonight starts the third week of Advent, Proclamation and JOY. Tonight you get to light three candles. See side bar. If you have family time together, use the readings below and what ever commentary is helpful to your family. The main reading Matthew 1:18-25 is from Josephs perspective, just as Luke is Mary's. The main idea in the post below is the meaning of Jesus Christ (He who saves, Anointed One, Messiah); and Him being called Immanuel, God with Us in verse 23/.


Talk about: How was Jesus' birth a miracle? What do these names of Jesus mean? (Jesus, Christ, Immanuel)Who is this Child? What does His life mean for all people.
Sing: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, What Child is this?
Thank God for sending His Son to save us

Order a print of A Father's Heritage to Share.

An Angel Visits Joseph

Read Matthew 1:18-25

"This is how Jesus Christ, the Messiah was born. 

His mother Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. 

But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, 

she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. " 

Matt. 1:18 NLT

The name Jesus means "He shall Save", The name Christ is not His last name, but is His title as "The Anointed One", The Messiah.

If we go back to the beginning of time we see that, God created the heavens and the earth. He made man and woman in His own image and likeness. Then Adam and Eve both sinned, eating the fruit they were commanded not to eat and were removed from the garden, so they could not continue to eat from the tree of life. During the despair of their fall, God made a promise, that one day the child of a woman would bruise the head of the serpent, the devil. Later God promised Abraham, "And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Long after that, God promised King David "I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body. I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father and He shall be My son" . vs 5,11-14

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

Even though mankind sinned, God had a glorious plan to bring salvation to us, through a Promised Child. So glorious was His plan that He sent the mighty angel Gabriel to announce the coming joy to Mary. Now He comes to Joseph, Mary's fiance, who was a son of King David. As you read this section of Matthew's gospel (18-25), put yourself in Joseph's place as he discovers his beautiful, pure betrothed bride is pregnant and not with his child. As he considered breaking their engagement quietly, an angel appeared to him and said:

"Joseph, son of David,  do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. 

For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, 

for he will save his people from their sins."

 Jesus is the "Anointed One", 

God's promised Messiah, who saves His people from their sins.

Praise God for His wonderful gift of Jesus our Messiah and Savior.

Read: Matt. 1:23, Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1-3, Col. 1:14-18

"What child is this?"

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son,

and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us'.

Matt.. 1:23

Mary was a virgin, that means she didn't live with a husband yet. She got pregnant with Jesus before her and Joseph came together. This is the fulfillment of the  prophecy above, that was originally made 700 years before by the prophet Isaiah. Matthew tells us that Jesus Christ, Savior, Anointed One, is "God with Us". Just think about that. He was God with us!!! Think of some of the words of the Christmas Carole, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, Hail the Incarnate Deity... mild He lay His glory by, born that men no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth."

Read the passages in John and Colossians and consider:

What child is this? 

Emmanuel, God with Us

Immanuel, God with Us by Michelle Struss

Read more about this painting at His Paint Brush.  

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