Familiar Christmas Passage In "Context"

"But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish....The people who walk in darkness will see a great light....For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.  Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.  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....But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One Who will be ruler over Israel, Whose origins are from of old, from days of eternity.  Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel and He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; and this One shall be peace."

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A "Christmas" Psalm

"The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.  Who is like the Lord our God, the One Who sits enthroned on high, Who humbles Himself to behold...heaven and...earth?"  (Psalm 113)

As I read my Psalms today, I thought that Psalm 113 is a good "Christmas Story."

I can imagine that what the shepherds could have heard that night from, "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying," was more than what we have recorded in Luke 2, perhaps further worship in the words very similar to our text.  What we have recorded in Luke 2 could very well have been just part of what, "....the heavenly host [was] praising God and saying...."  Okay, agreed--- speculation, but glorious speculation.

I noticed afresh today that the announcement to the shepherds was followed by a "praise gathering."  Notice in the Luke 2 passage that the response to the angelic announcement was a heavenly "worship team" following up on the Great News that the long awaited "Coming One," Jesus, the Christ, is here.  For me, as I am sure for you, when the Blessed Trinity declares His mighty works and purposes to us, what more is there left to do but worship?

Father, in Jesus' Name, all that you have done and do brings me to "lost in wonder, love and praise."  Amen.

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"The Prophetic Word...More Sure"

"He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God." (Revelation 19:13, NIV)

My daily readings never cease to amaze me as to their "timeliness."  The, "robe dipped in blood," was the destiny of the Babe in the manger. 

Simeon had this revelation because He believed the Ancient Writings.  He told Mary, "Behold this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  Quite a "heady" declaration for a child just a few days old.  The "Christmas Story," the Advent Season, the celebration of Christmas must always have our text and the prophetic Word in mind.  I close today with the glorious contextual declaration of The Godhead, a declaration which is really an "interpretation" of Christmas. 

"I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse.  And he who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns....And the armies in heaven... followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword....And He Himself will rule [the nations] with a rod of iron.....And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
        KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You for You and all You do, even though I cannot grasp the magnitude of it all.  Amen.

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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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

A Prayer For Leaders-- For Us All

"My eyes will be on the faithful (honorable) of the land, that they may dwell with me; He who walks blamelessly is the one who will minister to and serve me."  (Psalm 101:6, Amplified Bible)

I pray our text and the whole of Psalm 101 for President Trump.  This should be the prayer of and for every leader, indeed, of all of us.  If the, "faithful," and, "blameless[]," literally, "perfect," walk with us, we will have a great "up" on those who do not walk with such.

Verse 3 says, "I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.  I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path]; it will not grasp hold of me."   There, we have just prayed a hedge about ourselves.  Do you see how "to the point" are the Bible prayers?  I have confessed before that there are so many times when Romans 8 is played out in my life, "We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself knows...."  Yes, this passage goes on to say that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us, but that does not mean we, therefore, don't intercede.  I think the Romans 8 passage is also insight into praying the prayers of the Holy Spirit.  "All Scripture is God-Breathed [given by Divine inspiration] and is profitable...."----------- for praying.

I think our text and, again, the entirety of Psalm 101, is a good prayer for the leaders of our nations and the Church, and, ourselves.  Maybe it is one which we should pray every day.

Father, in Jesus' Name, "....the one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate" (v. 5b).  Amen.

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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"What You Say In Our Words"

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." (Psalm 100:5)

I was praying this morning about so many things, and at one point I went to say, " Your Word says," but instead what came out was, "Our Words say."  It stopped me cold.  "Wait!"-- I thought.  "That was arrogant."  When I settled down a little, something "deeper" came to me.  It was as though Jesus spoke to my heart, "You are right.  My Words are your Words.  I should be glad if you always remember that."  I'm still working on this.

In our text, various renderings for the word, "everlasting," are, "continual, always, permanent."  The word, "all," needs nothing further.  One should never doubt the Faithfulness of, "The Word of God."  Revelation 19 says that Jesus is, "....called Faithful and True...."  A little further, Revelation affirms, "Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true.'"  May that be "branded" into our hearts and minds.

No wonder I said earlier today, "Our words say."  In the Words of the Blessed Trinity I have, "good, everlasting, continual, always, permanent, and...endures to all generations", sustenance, power, life.  I shudder to think if Jesus' Words were not "our Words."

Father, in Jesus' Name, "our" Words are good.  Amen.  
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A Further Look At What Is Going On in Germany:   jhs58.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.'"

Hebrews 12:2