Son of God - This Week

With Advent and Epiphany coming to a close, you will find our future posts on:

Journey with Jesus

This week:

Adam, son of God

Jesus, Son of God

Jesus, Son of Abraham

Jesus, Son of David

Jesus, Son of God

Searching for the King

Reading:  Matthew 2:1-11 NLT & NKJ

Here we are, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Epiphany... the revelation and worship of the King of all kings. 

Searching for the King- Michael Dudash... see below to order prints

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn King of the Jew's? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him... Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared... the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. They entered the house, saw the child with His mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped Him (for whom a star was born). NLT And when they had opened their treasures, they presented to Him gold, frankincense and myrrh."NKJ 
Matthew 2:1-11 NLT & NKJ    

The gold was fit for a king, the KING of all kings who have ever lived! He is the KING for whom the star was born. They presented Him with frankincense for a priest, Jesus our Savior, is the Priest of all Priests; the great High Priest, who is now seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. (Hebrews 8:1) The myrrh, which was used for burials was perhaps offered for the sacrifice. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod and they left another way to return to their own country. 

Do you ever wonder who these wise men were? They were the astronomers of their day and were sensitive to the Spirit of God. I wonder if we will get to meet them, and learn more about these kings, these mysterious Magi, the wise men from the east.

.

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

Order prints of Searching for the King

After today, we will take a break with Advent for Kid's. If you want to continue with twice weekly readings, go to Journey with Jesus. Our next reading will post Sunday, January 9th, beginning in Matthew 3 with the ministry of John the Baptist and the early ministry of Jesus. 

We may do special postings on Passion Week. Stay tuned in.

We Hold This Treasure

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7, 

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellence of the power 
may be of God and not of us." 

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, 

but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars 

containing this great treasure. 

This makes it clear that our great power 
is from God, not from ourselves." 

2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJ & NLT

What treasure is this talking about? 

"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." 

4:6 NLT

This great treasure is the light that God put in our hearts allowing us "see" the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We are like fragile clay jars that contain great treasure and great power from God! Wow amazing. Now I will tell you the Great Mystery of the ages that is found in Colossians:

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." 

Colossians 1:27 NKJ

This Great Mystery of the ages is Christ in you, the hope of glory. If Christ lives in us, it is like a guarantee that we will share in His glory some day. That's me and you, all who have Christ in their heart, we will share in His glory. The indwelling Christ is the greatest treasure in the entire Universe and to think that through His grace, we can have the privilege of Him dwelling in us, these little jars of clay, full of cracks and flaws. Even the great treasures of the world, the treasure of the Magi; can not compare to Immanuel, God with us, God within us! So much wealth has been given to us, how could we ever repay? The gift of the Magi, as impressive as it was, was just a token compared to the greatest gift ever given... God Himself as the sacrifice, to redeem and buy us back from the power of the evil one and to dwell, not in the Holy of Holies of a sacred temple, but in the hearts of those chosen by Him!

The Greatest treasure is You, Lord Jesus, 
dwelling IN me, a fragile clay jar!

Thank You, Lord

Who Purchased this Treasure?

Reading: Matt. 13:44, Acts 20:28, John 3:16, John 15:13,

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure
that a man discovered hidden in a field.
In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned
to get enough money to buy the field".
Matthew 13:44 NLT

The treasure of the Kingdom is so amazing, that if we could just somehow comprehend the breadth of the wealth of the Kingdom; that we would sell every thing we have to possess the Kingdom. But there is another way to look at this. Consider that Jesus was the purchaser who gave His all to secure the Kingdom for us and to reconcile us to God. The book of Acts says  

"Feed and shepherd God's flock-His own church,  

purchased with His own blood." 

Acts 20:28 NLT  

In His own words:  

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
" There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
John 3:16, 15:13 NLT

Not only is the Kingdom worth all we have or could give; 

but Jesus gave His all to share the Kingdom with us. 

Thank You, Lord.

The Treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven

Reading: Matt. 13:44, Matt 6:19-34,
In the last post we looked at the treasure as the word of God and His treasure for us being that sense we have of "fearing" Him, being in awe of Him. As both David and Solomon said "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". It really is the fear of the Lord where we start in the beatitudes. In light of the glory of God, Who am I? This is what it means to be poor in spirit. It is when we consider the abundant riches of God that we recognize our own poverty and need for Him. Later in Matthew, Jesus told the following parable:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,
which a man found and hid;
and for the joy over it
he goes and sells all that He has and buys that field."
Matt. 13:44 NKJ

When we put this parable on treasure with the treasure verses in the Sermon on the Mount, I believe we see what Jesus was pointing to:

Carl Bloch

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth... 

(which is not lasting), 

but lay up treasure in heaven... (eternal treasure) 

Wherever your treasure is, 

there the desires of your heart will also be... 

no one can serve two masters... 

you can not serve both God and money. 

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life... 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously, 

and He will give you everything you need." 

Matt. 6:19-34 NKJ and NLT

Jesus' teachings are so simple in the truth they speak of and so far reaching into our lives as we seek to live them. In our American culture steeped in the material realm, it is difficult to navigate as a Christian with a love for God and a desire to live for Him. What does that mean for my life? My lifestyle? Where is my treasure? Is it centered in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of light or in the kingdom of this age, the kingdom of darkness? Ouch! The way we live our lives and our lifestyle seems so "normal". Where is my hearts desire? Is it centered directly into the Kingdom? Or is it something really good, but not best. As Olswald Chambers says in "My Utmost for His Highest" May 25:

"As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.

When ever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices that are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best." UT 5/25

I don't know how this plays out in your life. But I know that periodically we need to come before Him to see if we are really seeking His Kingdom first and truly living a life of faith before Him. This is such a time for me.

I hope this blesses you today. There is more treasure coming. I am in awe of the kindness of God toward us.

Searching for Treasure

Reading: Matt. 2:1-12, 6:19-24, Col. 3:1-16

As we celebrate Epiphany, let's look at the story of the Magi as they brought treasure to the baby Jesus. Here are some verses to set the stage:

Searching for the King- Michael Dudash  Click image on side bar to order

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem...wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'... And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2: 1-12 NKJ

These men brought rare, costly treasure to honor this King of the Jews that they worshiped. While this earth has beautiful, rare treasures; is there treasure that can not be seen in this realm and belongs to the Kingdom of God? When the Christ child grew up, here is what He said:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth... but... treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:21 NKJ

"Wherever your treasure is there the desires of your heart will also be." NLT

The words of Jesus are amazing, the simplest sentence can keep us intrigued for a lifetime as we grow in understanding of Him. What is this treasure in heaven that He speaks of? The Apostle Paul said to the church in Colosse:

"Since... you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, 

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Col 3:1-4 NIV

Our focus, the desires of our heart are to be on interests of heaven. Where else can we find reference to heavenly treasure? David writes in Psalms:

"My heart stands in awe of Your word.
I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great treasure."
Psalm 119:147,161 & 2, NKJ

Isaiah says:

"The fear of the Lord is His treasure."
Isa. 33:6 NKJ

Ah, here is the beginning of the treasure hunt. The search begins with fear of the Lord, awe of who He is. If we have this view of God it is treasure to behold... behold Him. We can "see" His handiwork in the created world and be amazed by Him. It is in the word of God that we find the greatest treasure of who He is and His grand design for us.

Be Blessed today and we will dig up more in the days to follow.

Beginning's

Today's Reading: John 1:1-5, Genesis 1,

Happy New Year!!! It is so nice to have a time of reflection over our life for the past year and then look forward to a brand new year... like a new journal, with blank pages just waiting to be written on. It is a time to start fresh, to consider what can be different, what can change, new hopes and new dreams. It is a time of new beginnings and I thought it fitting to just put up verses from the word of God about beginnings. Enjoy His glorious creation and our beginnings.

"In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made that was made.
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."
John 1:1,2

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was without form, and void;
and darkness was on the face of deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Then God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good;
and God divided the light from the darkness...
Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image,
according to Our likeness;
let them have dominion... over all the earth...
So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created them."
Genesis 1:1-28

Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning with God! Glory to the Majestic Creator of the Heavens and the Earth!

Earth is unique among planets in it's position with in the solar system and even the galaxy. It is the only planet known that can sustain life. It is as though God created an entire universe to place us, the humans He created after His own likeness.

So great is His love for us!

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

Read More

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.