Are You Looking for Jesus?

Immediate Search

Angels told shepherds good news of great joy that the Savior, the Christ the Lord, had been born, and told them the signs. The shepherds left “straight” away, in a hurry, and found the baby. They believed the angels and set out right away. (Luke 2:8-17)

Determined, Resolute Search

The wise men (the magi) travelled a great distance to worship Jesus Christ (we don’t know their starting point, but it is 900 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem). (Matthew 2:1-11)

They asked for information and learned that Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. They went there, found the Child, worshipped Him, and gave Him gifts suitable for royalty.

Those gifts were prepared in advance because they expected to find Him and worship Him.

Others Didn’t Care to Look

When the magi arrived, the chief priests and scribes were asked where the Messiah was to be born. The priests and scribes knew the Scriptures where the prophet said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judea. (Matthew 2:4-6)

They also knew the scriptures where Daniel prophesized when the Messiah would come. (Daniel 9:25)

There is NO indication that any of the priests or scribes went looking for Jesus….

Others Waited Expectantly

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to Jerusalem, to the temple, to present Him to the Lord, (Luke 2:22) there were two people waiting to see Jesus.

Simeon, a man righteous and devout, was looking for the consolation of Isreal. He had been waiting. (Luke 2:25-32)

Anna, a prophetess, came up to Mary and Joseph and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-39)

Paul Pressed on to Know Jesus

Paul pressed on, knowing the surpassing value of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Everything besides knowing Christ was rubbish. (Philippians 3:7-14)

And us? Are we looking for Jesus?

Take stock. Are we determined to know Christ? Do we show that in how we study God’s word? In how we pray? In how we meditate on Him?

Let’s determine to resolutely press on to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Word—Eternal God—Jesus Christ–became a man and dwelt among us. God became a person. The Word became flesh. The infinite God entered the finite world. The Eternal God entered time. The invisible God became visible. God came among us. God in human form.

We celebrate this astonishing, amazing, overwhelming, dazing event at Christmas. Let’s slow down and savor what God did and who Christ is.

Savior

The name Jesus means “Yahweh/God will save.” Jesus was born a Savior; He is the one who will save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21)

He—Jesus Christ, the Word—came to seek and save those who were lost. (Luke 19:10)

Perfect Representation

Jesus is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature. (Hebrews 1:3)

I and the Father are One. (John 10:30)

He who has seen Me, has seen the Father. (John 14:9)

Witness

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. (Revelation 1:5)

In these last days, God spoke to us in His Son. (Hebrews 1:2)

Jesus spoke the mind of God. (John 14:10)

God With Us

Immanuel, Jesus Christ, means “God with us.”  (Matthew 1:23)

God lives among us. God lives in believers.

God is with us — all the time, in everything.

There are enormous blessings for Christians in the present day. See God is With Us.

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WOW!

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This Christmas, focus on praising God for His incredible gift of Jesus Christ. Praise Jesus Christ for coming, for all He did and is doing. Praise the Holy Spirit for His presence and His guidance.

Worship Him.

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Search on YouTube for Paul Harvey ~ A Christmas Story: The Man And The Birds

This year, when you reread the nativity story in Matthew or Luke, think about the extraordinary husband of Mary: Joseph, the righteous man.

Mary and Joseph were from the small village of Nazareth (population 200-400) and were betrothed. Before they married, before they were intimate, Mary was found to be pregnant.

Disaster! Joseph knew that he and Mary had not been intimate. But someone must have been. Legally, he could have had her stoned. But… The righteous Joseph was merciful.

Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. (Matthew 1:19)

Then the Lord told Joseph the truth.

But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you [singular, i.e. Joseph] shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20–21)

Joseph awoke and obeyed.

And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:24–25)

How hard was it for Joseph to take pregnant Mary as his wife? In a small town who knew Mary became pregnant when she wasn’t married? How hard was it to obey God for a number of months, keeping Mary as a virgin?

Off to Bethlehem

Joseph and pregnant Mary traveled to Bethlehem (70-80 miles), where she gave birth to Jesus. (Luke 2:4–7)

Joseph obeyed the Lord in naming the baby, Jesus.

And when eight days had passed, before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)

Then Joseph obeyed by bringing Mary and Jesus to Jerusalem (about 6 miles).

And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22)

Off to Egypt

After Jesus’ birth, wise men came seeking Him. After the wise men left, Joseph had another dream and obeyed the Lord immediately.

Now when they [the wise men] had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. (Matthew 2:13–15)

Immediately, while it was still night, Joseph wakened Mary and Jesus, got them ready to travel and left Bethlehem for Egypt. No debate. No delay. Obedience.

Off to Israel

While Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were in Egypt, Joseph had another dream, and again obeyed.

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. (Matthew 2:19–21)

And off to Nazareth

When they arrived in Israel, Joseph had another dream.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”  (Matthew 2:22–23)

Was it hard to go back to their home town where everyone knew about Mary’s pregnancy before marriage? There were rumors Jesus was illegitimate (See John 8:41)

And to Jerusalem

Mary and Joseph, devoted Jews, went to Jerusalem every year for Passover (about 60 miles). When Jesus was twelve, Jesus stayed behind, and after three days, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple. They went home and Jesus continued in subjection to Mary and Joseph. (Luke 2:41-51)

This is the last we hear of Joseph. He must have died. Everything we read about him shows him to be a true believer in God, devote, following the law, and obeying God immediately (even when it must have been hard). He was remarkable.

Praise God for the righteous Joseph.

Stores are now full of Christmas decorations, gifts, and shoppers. People are getting ready. But… as we work on our traditions to celebrate Christmas, we must prepare our hearts.

During the the next two+ weeks, let’s reflect on the enormity of Jesus’ birth, and plan to celebrate all He means to us, to the world, to eternity.

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Sing!

YouTube has many choirs and artists singing this. Find a few.

Worship!

Hope for Overcomers

Who is an Overcomer?

If you are a Christian, having received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, YOU are an overcomer!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4–5)

Jesus Christ the Overcomer, made it possible for Christians to overcome

Take courage; I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. (Revelation 5:5)

Promises to Overcomers

To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.  (Revelation 2:11)

To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.  (Revelation 2:26)

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12)

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)

Overcomers will stand on the sea of glass, have harps of God, and sing the sone of Moses and the song of the Lamb. (Revelation 15:2-4)

He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. (Revelation 21:7)

Overcomers Will Receive

Overcomers will receive all the blessings of the new creation. We will be given a white stone, giving us entry into heaven permanently, never to go out. We will be eating from the tree of life and the hidden manna. We will be clothed in white, walking with our Lord and Savior. We will sit with Christ on His throne.

Barely imaginable, but true!

FOMO

If you aren’t a Christian, you’ll miss out. Take stock. Repent. Believe in Jesus Christ, the only one who can save you from God’s wrath. (See Becoming a Child of God)

Thanksgiving Day is set apart in the US, Canada, and several other countries, some with a spiritual underpinning, some as thanks for a harvest or to recognize their culture.

Thanksgiving Day, for Christians,* is marked with gratitude for God’s many blessings.

This year, I am focusing on blessings noted in the New Testament, personalizing the blessing, and praising God specifically for those blessings.

Here are blessings Christians are told about in the first chapter of Ephesians:

God blessed [your name]* with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.  (Ephesians 1:3)

God chose [your name] in Christ before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)

By God choosing [your name], you will be holy and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)

[Your name] was predestined to be adopted by God. (Ephesians 1:5)

[Your name] has been redeemed through Christ’s blood. (Ephesians 1:7)

[Your name] has been forgiven of trespasses. (Ephesians 1:7)

God’s grace has been lavished on [your name]. (Ephesians 1:8)

God made the mystery of His will known to [your name]. (Ephesians 1:9)

[Your name] has obtained an inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11)

God’s purpose is that [your name] would be to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:12)

[Your name] was sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, given as a pledge of [your name’s] inheritance. (Ephesians 1:13-14)

These enormous blessings are true, but hard to fathom. Paul prayed that we would “get it.”

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might. (Ephesians 1:18–19)

Suggestions

Read the blessings aloud, saying “I” have…

Read the blessings aloud to your Christian loved ones, using their names.

Memorize.

Remember.

Give God thanks for His many blessings

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*These blessings are ONLY for Christians, who have received Christ as Lord and Savior. (See Becoming a Child of God)

What Is A Christian To Do Now?

1. Stay Faithful
2. Pray
3. Praise God. Rejoice.
4. Mourn Sin.
5. Talk to One Another.

And Look Up.

Look Up – Christ will come again

The disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3; Luke 21:7).  He answered and told the disciples to be on the alert and to be ready (Matthew 24:42, 44). And to look up:

When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)

We don’t see those specific signs –yet—but we do see other warnings.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

Be alert! Be ready! Look up!

Look Up – Jesus Christ is our Living Hope

Christians have been born again to a living hope.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)

Christ, our living hope, enables us to:

Exult in hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2)

Exult in our tribulations (Romans 5:3)

Watch expectantly (Micah 7:7)

Know our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

Look up to our living hope, Jesus Christ, who is the anchor of our souls.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19–20)

Hard Times

Hard times, but

We know how we are to live,

We know Jesus Christis is with us now, and

We know Jesus Christ will be with us to the end of the age.

Rewards Are Coming!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7–8)

Rejoice!

In these dark times, what is a Christian to do?

One:    Stay faithful.

Two:    Pray.

  Pray for officials and leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

            Pray for each other

            Pray as prompted for people, the world

Three: Praise God. Rejoice.

            God is sovereign AND all His ways are holy

            He makes Himself known through bad times and good times

            In wrath, He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)

            Determine to praise no matter what (Habakkuk 3:16-19)

            Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS (Philippians 4:4)

Remember God wins

Four:    Mourn sin.

God saved those who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst. (Ezekiel 9:4)

Five.     Talk to one another

            Encourage one other

These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. (Zechariah 8:16)

Six.       Look up (coming next week)

God—Father, Son, Holy Spirit—always, ALWAYS, loves His children.*

God has infinite, eternal love for His children, those who have repented and believe in Jesus Christ; His children who have received Christ as Lord and Savior.

For us, every single thing, every event, has the loving purpose of our sovereign God.

Is it a hard day? God is working it for good.

Is it a lovely day? God is working it for good.

God has promised His children (which cannot be broken) that He will glorify us. We are promised that Christ will present us holy and blameless to the Father.

Everything is woven into fulfilling that promise. EVERYTHING.

We have every reason to rejoice. We have every reason to worship Him.

Almighty sovereign holy God is not done with the world.

Almighty sovereign holy God is not done with us.

Hallelujah!