Here Is God's "Own Purpose"

"God['s]...own purpose...has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...." (From 2 Timothy 1:8-10)

A great "Christmas Story" here.  The Living Triune God revealed His purpose to the Universe, the Earth, and humanity, "by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ."  And by His, "appearing," in His Blood, death on the Cross, and resurrection, Jesus, "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light," and, to you and me. 

The word, "appearing," is most descriptive in speaking of the Christmas Story because, "the appearing," is what took place on that "cold winter's night that was so deep."  Jesus appeared; He was not born as you and I were born.  Yes, he was "born of a virgin" and as a baby.  But Christ's birth was not His beginning as was ours; it was an, "appearing."  A second week of Advent reading is from Micah 5:2, which refers to the Coming One as, "from days of eternity."  There was never a time when Jesus was not.  One could say, He is the "Appearing One." Rejoice--------------- another, "appearing," is coming.

The Greek word translated in our text for, "appearing," is the word from which we get the English word "Epiphany."  It is used in Church History to speak of the appearing of Jesus to the "wise men."  But in reality, Christ's birth was a universal "Epiphany," an, "appearing," a revelation.  Christmas is the, "appearing," of, "Immanuel, God with us."  Do we really understand, appreciate, and celebrate this Reality during Christmas?  This should be central to worship, preaching and teaching, and just life in general for those who claim to be Followers of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is, "from days of eternity," but Father, He, and the Holy Spirit chose to make a revelation of the Godhead to time bound humanity in a time-space world.  And, my dear Fellow Lover of Jesus, a day is coming when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled, Jesus standing before the Father, saying, "Here I am and the children whom [You have] given Me."

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth."

Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the "worth" found in , "the appearing."  Amen.
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News, Commentary:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Another Second-Week Advent Reading (Mt. 3:1-5)

"'In those days John the Baptist came preaching,..'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!...The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.'"  (From Matthew 3:1-3)

 

As I was praying for our neighborhood recently, I realized anew that the only difference between me and those in our neighborhood who reject Jesus Christ is the Blood of Jesus Christ.  I am just as deserving of judgment, condemnation, and the fires of Hell as they are.  I am no smarter, no more spiritual, no more righteous apart from the Blood of Jesus.  There is no room whatsoever in any person who calls himself a Christian for pride or superiority.  If it were not for the appearing of Jesus, His sinless Life, His taking, "our sins in His Own Body on the Tree," His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension into, "the Holiest of all," to sprinkle His Blood on the Mercy Seat on our behalf ---------------- we are all lost.

 

John's message reveals that, "the way of the LORD," is for any and all who are repentant and go through the waters of baptism.  Anyone who does not come this way, does not come to Jesus Christ.  They come to a religion of convenience, not His way, but theirs.  Such a religion will save no one.  Our text reveals that John the Baptist was, "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."  The word for, "crying," means "to shout in a tumultuous way."  The shout of The Baptist was indeed tumultuous, tumultuous to a world full of idols and gods many, to a religious community, the Covenant People of God who had thought they had the Kingdom all to themselves.  John said, "not so."  The Kingdom is to those repentant ones who are baptized as the sign of the New Covenant, and, "bear fruits worthy of repentance," not just "sinners' prayer" repentance.  "And do not think to say to yourselves"----- that you have some special privilege with the Godhead which others do not.  All those who respond to the, "Good News of the Kingdom," those who are among, "But as many who receive Him," King Jesus, the Christ, all those become citizens of the Kingdom, and become the Blood Bought Children of our Triune God.

 

The announcement in our text was not for His physical birth, but the "birth" of His Life's mission, "to seek and to save that which is lost," to take us all to the Cross, to prepare for us a home in Heaven, and to, "appear the second time"------------- "and so shall we ever be with the Lord."  If you think Christmas is something, just wait! 

   

Father, in Jesus' Name, "Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God.  All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His Blood."  Amen.

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This would be a great time to review the prophetic video at:

www.antipasprayerforce2@blogger.com

   

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

One Scripture From Second Sunday in Advent

"This is the vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house will be the highest of all-- the most important place on earth.  It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.  People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God.  There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.'  For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.  The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes.  They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.  Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD!" (Is. 2:1-5, NLT) 

Our text is from one of the four readings for the Second Sunday in Advent.  It is a passage which refers to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  It was a revelation to me that the original intent of Advent was to honor, celebrate, and remind people of, Jesus Christ, Who, on Christmas Day "became flesh (to) dwell among us," and Who, after His finished work of teaching, healing, delivering, "going about doing good," shedding His Most Precious Blood, beaten and dying on a Roman Cross, put in a guarded tomb so that His Body could not be taken, then became, "the firstborn from among the dead," and ascended on high.  Take that Devil! (sorry)

But the celebration of Jesus the Christ, Son of David, Word of the Father, does not end there.  There is more, much more glorious "events" ahead for us: 
   1. "In the last days the mountain of the LORD's house will be...the most important place on earth.
   2. "People from all over the earth will stream there to worship."
   3. "The LORD's...word will go out from Jerusalem.
   4. "People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the...house of Jacob's God.'"
   5. "The LORD will...settle international disputes."
   6. "Nation will no longer fight against nation... anymore."
   7. And our exhortation for all seasons, "Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, all this is most gloriously overwhelming.  But, thank You.  Woody
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Be sure to keep up with all that the Lord Jesus is dealing with now, and will bring to consummation at His Return: www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

One Scripture From Second Sunday in Advent

"This is the vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house will be the highest of all-- the most important place on earth.  It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.  People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob's God.  There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.'  For the LORD's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.  The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes.  They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.  Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD!" (Is. 2:1-5, NLT) 

Our text is from one of the four readings for the Second Sunday in Advent.  It is a passage which refers to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  It was a revelation to me that the original intent of Advent was to honor, celebrate, and remind people of, Jesus Christ, Who, on Christmas Day "became flesh (to) dwell among us," and Who, after His finished work of teaching, healing, delivering, "going about doing good," shedding His Most Precious Blood, beaten and dying on a Roman Cross, put in a guarded tomb so that His Body could not be taken, then became, "the firstborn from among the dead," and ascended on high.  Take that Devil! (sorry)

But the celebration of Jesus the Christ, Son of David, Word of the Father, does not end there.  There is more, much more glorious "events" ahead for us: 
   1. "In the last days the mountain of the LORD's house will be...the most important place on earth.
   2. "People from all over the earth will stream there to worship."
   3. "The LORD's...word will go out from Jerusalem.
   4. "People from many nations will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the...house of Jacob's God.'"
   5. "The LORD will...settle international disputes."
   6. "Nation will no longer fight against nation... anymore."
   7. And our exhortation for all seasons, "Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD!"

Father, in Jesus' Name, all this is most gloriously overwhelming.  But, thank You.  Woody
*****************
Be sure to keep up with all that the Lord Jesus is dealing with now, and will bring to consummation at His Return: www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

A "Poor Man" Seeks Deliverance

"This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him (liberated, delivered, gave victory) out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6)

The word for, "poor," among other things, means, "afflicted, wretched."  I have no problem with "owning" the psalmist's designation of himself, and I don't say this just because I think it will gain me something with God. 

There has been must teaching in some circles in recent years of the need for repentance, for weeping and wailing.  But if the weeping for sin does not begin from a, "poor man," heart, I doubt its reality.  Joel 2:12 says, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."  In some circles today, much emphasis is placed on, "fasting, with weeping, and with mourning."  Yet without, "Turn to Me with all your heart," everything else is futility, and the hoped for effect of bringing real personal change, or revival will never come. 

To those who want to be rich in their own strength, their own achievements, there is no fulfillment of our text, no salvation, no liberation, no deliverance, no victory.  But to those who realize our poorness, then, "the LORD heard him, and save him out of all his troubles."  Those who begin the day with the attitude of, "This poor man," are those who discover anew just how rich they really are.  "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." 

At His first appearing, Jesus, "became poor"---- go to Bethlehem's manger.  At His Second Coming, He will come as the King of kings with, "power and riches...." 

Father, in Jesus' Name, You have brought this poor man out of His poverty into Your, "riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Thank You.  Amen.
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Great Article on WikiLeaks Crime:  www.apf327.blogspot.com

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

Advent Reflections

 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten (revealed) of the Father, full of grace and truth....And His name if called The Word of God."

(John 1:14; Revelation 19:13)

 

John F. Wade wrote, "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful," in 1743.  There is just no greater expression of worship, even to this present day-- "Jesus, to Thee be all glory given, Word of the Father now in flesh appearing."  The Luke 2 passage is by far the most famous and most used "Christmas Story" in the Church.  But in order to get the full impact of the Christmas Story, one must include our text, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.... His name is called the Word of God."  The baby in that dark, cold stable was He of which another Carol says, "Yet in thy dark street shineth the Everlasting Light."

 

You may struggle from time to time with the "mundaneness" of life, every day concerns, worries, apprehensions.  From time to time you may watch or listen to Christian media, or hear guest speakers in your local church who speak of great exploits, such great commitment and enthusiasm for the work of Christ and His Church, always busy, consumed with, "the work of the ministry"--------------------- and you get discouraged because it seems as though you cannot measure up, have failed or are just of no account in the Kingdom.  Whatever the Holy Spirit says to you at such times, obey.  But do not obey some hype which can appear as great spirituality. 

 

This season, just take some moments from time to time and remember the words of some of the great Carols.  This Glorious Jesus Christ, of Whom they all speak, He Who is, "Word of the Father now in flesh appearing," appeared for all you and me.  And in honor of the Advent admonition to celebrate The Second Coming of Christ, He Who is "Word of the Father now in flesh appearing" will again be He Who is "Word of the Father now in flesh appearing!!  Now don't think yourself too mature for such a seeming "simple" reality.  Once again, consider Oswald Chambers' word, "Beware of always trying to be profound.  God became a baby."

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, I sing with the angels and saints of the ages, "Jesus, to Thee be all glory given."  Amen.

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Read of the private super tanker sent to help Israel:

        www.apf327.blogspot.com

 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

Fwd: Forgotten Aspect of Advent

From Ben, who lives in Shkodra, Albania

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

-----Original Message-----
From: Arben Shala <bmshala@yahoo.com>
To: sforest@aol.com
Sent: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 4:49 pm
Subject: Re: Forgotten Aspect of Advent

Today we saw the sun after many days of heavy water.

The water came down some centimeters. The hoper is raising.

No victims.

More than 9 000 people evacuated from their homes.

Some 14 000 hectares of farming land are still under water that has blocked and completely isolated several villages in the region of Shkodra endangering people's lives. Great loss and damage.
Circa houses have been damaged and 2 500 were completely flooded.
Main entrances into Shkodra are blocked while several parts of the town where the water level is higher than two metres have no electricity.
The authorities fear that new heavy rains could raise the water level and cause the breaking of water-gates at hydro-electric power plants, causing a disaster and endangering lives in the Shkodra region. We are still in Autumn.

But the Lord is calling the ones who have ears.

He want to show His power, who He is

It reminds me a song. It goes:

Show your power, o Lord.

Send us power, o Lord.

Blessed are those whose hope is in the Lord.

---

From: "sforest@aol.com" <sforest@aol.com>
To: bmshala@yahoo.com
Sent: Fri, December 3, 2010 10:31:50 PM
Subject: Re: Forgotten Aspect of Advent

Any update on your situation during the flood?

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"

Hebrews 12:2

-----Original Message-----
From: Arben Shala <bmshala@yahoo.com>
To: Sforest@aol.com
Sent: Fri, Dec 3, 2010 3:30 pm
Subject: Re: Forgotten Aspect of Advent

Until the Trumpet Soundsssssssssssss

---

From: "Sforest@aol.com" <Sforest@aol.com>
To: sherwoodbarnett.apfd@blogger.com
Sent: Fri, December 3, 2010 6:28:47 PM
Subject: Forgotten Aspect of Advent

"When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory." (Colossians 3:4, Amplified Bible)

 

We are in what Christendom refers to as the Advent Season.  It has been traditionally a time of preparation, by fasting and prayer, for the celebration of the appearing of, "Jesus Who is called Christ."  But what few have realized, myself included, is that historically it is supposed to equally include celebration and preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  May God give grace to the Global Church this Advent Season to correct this neglect.

 

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ--- "Good tidings of great joy," was the appearing of Him, "Who is our Life."  Jesus, "became flesh and dwelt among us."  Jesus, "Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree-- by whose strips you were healed."  God, the Father, "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...."  Moreover, "....inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."  

 

Many have heard me say over the years that is has been the Indwelling Christ and His Words, and the hope of the Second Appearing of Christ which has sustained me these past forty years, the season which has been without the presence of our eldest son, Stephen Paul.  When the funeral director asked us what we would like engraved on the marker, my immediate response, without hesitation, even without thought, was from the 1 Thessalonians passage, "Until the Trumpet Sounds."  This Advent Season I will include in every observance, every candle lighting, every Scripture reading, every prayer a celebration of the great Reality of the Universe, "For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are sleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always with the Lord." 

 

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You so much for all of This!  Amen. 

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Blog sites:

    News, Commentary:            www.apf327.blogspot.com

    Jerusalem Reports:            www.apfjw.blogspot.com

    Prophetic Video:                  www.antipasprayerforce2.blogspot.com

    APF Devotional Archive:      www.apfdevotionals.blogspot.com

      
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2