Romans 4:1-12 ~ believe

Romans 4:1-12

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes [& trusts] in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

God tells us that He is Love. And to please Him we need faith. Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham didn’t pick and choose what was his truth, Abraham believed God to tell him. Abraham didn’t indulge in false guilt and didn’t wallow in self-righteousness. Abraham continued to believe God. Abraham continued to need forgiveness because he was human.

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Mark 1:4-11 ~ You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased

Picture used twice, world news indicates a need for courage and faith.

Mark 1:4-11

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

John 1:19

And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

When someone is asking you about what you are most passionate in your life, you wouldn’t reply with a everyday, bored reply. This passage from the first chapter of John is one of my most favorite passages. Imagine John in his fuzzy wilderness clothing, standing beside the Jordan River,baptizing the thousands waiting to be baptized. Here come the higher ups from THE TEMPLE. This is John’s chance: “Who are you?” they want to know… Well, John, could have replied, “I am sure you know my father, Zechariah.. Yes, serves in the Temple, wonderful man, raised me to be so godly. Yes, the miracle of the angel Gabriel’s visit, my mother Elizabeth conceiving. What… yes, the miracle announcement concerning my birth. Oh, yes, Dad did regain his speech completely. Yes, my mother, fabulous woman! Such a good mother. Such a kosher woman, always cleaning and using kosher pots, pans and products. Yes, very fortunate my mother got my name right and Dad agreed. Well, now, the people just flock to me… Yes, it is quite remarkable, almost like television evangelists!”

But given the opportunity, John cries from his heart, ““I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord”. John sees that things need to be straightened and is willing to tell the priests and the people.

And Jesus, the Son of God, did not demand and cling to his rights as the Son of God, but went through the baptism of repentance to have the Holy Spirit bless Him. Jesus was baptized in John’s baptism in the work-a-day Jordan River, not in the front of the congregation and a party afterwards. Not ritual, but relationship. Love from the Father, giving these men their meaning in life.

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Psalm 146 ~ Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God

Psalm 146

1 Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, my soul.
2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD their God.

6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
he remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the foreigner
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Matthew 28:20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

In my life, I have had times of fear. Recently our pastor gave a sermon on seasons based on Ecclesiastes 3 .We will all experience seasons of gratitude and turmoil. And as christians, we remember life is not set to the season of happiness permanently. I remember when my wonderful Daddy gave in to alcoholism and disappeared, suddenly for an entire year, with my mother’s decades long friend. I remember their divorce and losing our prosperous, wonderful family home and plunging into the poverty line. Our safe world was suddenly an abyss of possibilities and dangers.

College was suddenly a luxury. I remember weeping like a torrent several years later, after final exams, because I would have my college degree. The gratitude was so profound, sweeping over me, I remember the moment as if it were yesterday.

Our first child, our son, was born prematurely, we were told he might not live. I remember the joy of Christmas morning, hearing he would live. And the next year, Apnea and Pneumonia would cause alarms to ring and panicked fear of losing our son.

Last year was so hard to lose our daughter to chromosome defects. But we rise up, as my grandmother said, and go on believing Jesus Christ will be with us in all the seasons. We look with confidence to the future. Knowing God has good things in the future in His plan for us.

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John 8:39-59 ~ Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

John 8:39-59 (Today's New International Version)

39 "Abraham is our father," they answered.

"If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would [a] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father."

"We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."

42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

49 "I am not possessed by a demon," said Jesus, "but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. 51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death."

52 At this they exclaimed, "Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?"

54 Jesus replied, "If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

57 "You are not yet fifty years old," they said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

58 "Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.


{Footnotes: John 8:39 Some early manuscripts "If you are Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then }

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”. (Heb. 13:8)

Proverbs 2

1 My child, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
2 Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
3 Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
4 Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
8 He guards the paths of the just
and protects those who are faithful to him.
9 Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
11 Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.


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John 1:19-28 ~ I am

John 1:19-28 Listen

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Isaiah 40:3 A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

“Waiting for God’s Presence”

Vicar McCall

Waiting. I am horrible about waiting. Especially when it comes to presents. I can remember Christmas’ past. We always had to make sure we had enough time to open presents before church. My parents tried to make us wait until after church. Can you imagine my agony. To know everything was sitting there at home under the tree. Waiting. Aware of the presence of my presents and I couldn’t get to them.

The same sort of thing is going on today in our Scripture. Back in Israel’s history. All the waiting for God to bring about salvation. Restore Israel and have His actual physical presence dwell among His people. Because God’s physical presence come to dwell among his people would mean ultimate salvation for them. Hebrews talks about how in the days of old God spoke to those waiting for Him. Assured them of His coming presence. His Savior. He told them about Jesus and His coming through the prophets.

But if I thought what I had to go through on Christmas morning was bad, what about God’s people? Slavery. Destruction. Thousands of years. Waiting for the gift of salvation. Waiting for God’s presence to come and dwell among His people. It was a present they knew they had coming. They can hear about it. They know it’s there. They get hints and clues. Like the great Exodus from Egypt, only greater. Better. Like the restoration of the temple. Only greater. Better. But there was still a lot of waiting for God to rescue His people. Rescue them ultimately. Finally. Once and for all. End all the waiting they had endured for so long.

Can you imagine that first Christmas morning? After all that time, the world’s waiting ended. God came to His people. Our waiting too was over on that first Christmas morning. We received the present of Jesus Christ. God’s presence come to earth. Salvation in the flesh. When God announced this salvation he spoke it through His son, Jesus Christ. He spoke and revealed Jesus, ending the wait for His people. Jesus, the exact imprint of God. His radiance and glory. All the things Hebrew’s tells us. Here He is. Here God is. The Word, made flesh. God’s salvation in the presence of this little bitty baby. God’s presence is our present.

Like the shepherds, you could hear the news from angels. Leave everything and run to Him. See the wonder of God before your very eyes. Just be in His presence. Like the wise men you could see him. Travel to his home and be able to physically worship and adore him. Give him gifts that you had been waiting to present to him for so long. Being able to actually take in and behold the greatest present of all. Salvation is here. God is here. No more waiting.

BUT THERE IS MORE! God’s presence is still with us. But there is still more. We still look forward to being in His actual physical presence once again. Our unchanging God, Jesus Christ. The same Jesus Christ born in a manger will come again for us. He will come and change all things. Make them all new through His unchanging love. Bring us into his presence one last time, once and for all. That final present. His presence, His salvation, dwelling and living in His mercy and glory forever and ever.

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Genesis 14 ~ blessed be God Most High

Photo taken in 1897

Hebron's holy tree is dead, but its successors live. The tree, which died in 1996, was 300 years old. Mamre is half an hour's journey west of Hebron, and is surrounded by a wall over which it projects. Josephus, 2,000 years ago, probably refers to it ("Ant." i. 10, § 4), or a predecessor on the same spot, when he mentions that Abraham dwelt by an "ogygian" (prehistoric) tree. According to tradition, it was opposite this oak that Abraham's tent dwelt during the visit from Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High.

Genesis 14


1 At this time Amraphel king of Shinar, [a] Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim 2 went to war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these latter kings joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (the Salt Sea [b] ). 4 For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim 6 and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. 7 Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. 11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13 One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother [c] of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.


17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem [d] brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator [e] of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be [f] God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself."

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share."

Footnotes:

Genesis 14:1 That is, Babylonia; also in verse 9
Genesis 14:3 That is, the Dead Sea
Genesis 14:13 Or a relative ; or an ally
Genesis 14:18 That is, Jerusalem
Genesis 14:19 Or Possessor ; also in verse 22
Genesis 14:20 Or And praise be to

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Isaiah 60 ~ you shall be radiant at what you see!

United with the angels, we praise the Holy One... The earth shall send forth light in honor of God's Son.

Isaiah Chapter 60 (New American Bible)

1
1 Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
2
See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory.
3
Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.
4
Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
5
Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
6
Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
7
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered for you, the rams of Nebaioth shall be your sacrifices; They will be acceptable offerings on my altar, and I will enhance the splendor of my house.
8
2 What are these that fly along like clouds, like doves to their cotes?
9
All the vessels of the sea are assembled, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, To bring your children from afar with their silver and gold, In the name of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.
10
Foreigners shall rebuild your walls, and their kings shall be your attendants; Though I struck you in my wrath, yet in my good will I have shown you mercy.
11
Your gates shall stand open constantly; day and night they shall not be closed But shall admit to you the wealth of nations, and their kings, in the vanguard.
12
For the people or kingdom shall perish that does not serve you; those nations shall be utterly destroyed.
13
3 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you: the cypress, the plane and the pine, To bring beauty to my sanctuary, and glory to the place where I set my feet.
14
The children of your oppressors shall come, bowing low before you; All those who despised you shall fall prostrate at your feet. They shall call you "City of the LORD," "Zion of the Holy One of Israel."
15
Once you were forsaken, hated and unvisited, Now I will make you the pride of the ages, a joy to generation after generation.
16
You shall suck the milk of nations, and be nursed at royal breasts; You shall know that I, the LORD, am your savior, your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17
In place of bronze I will bring gold, instead of iron, silver; In place of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron; I will appoint peace your governor, and justice your ruler.
18
No longer shall violence be heard of in your land, or plunder and ruin within your boundaries. You shall call your walls "Salvation" and your gates "Praise."
19
No longer shall the sun be your light by day, Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night; The LORD shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory.
20
No longer shall your sun go down, or your moon withdraw, For the LORD will be your light forever, and the days of your mourning shall be at an end.
21
Your people shall all be just, they shall always possess the land, They, the bud of my planting, my handiwork to show my glory.
22
The smallest shall become a thousand, the youngest, a mighty nation; I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish these things when their time comes.

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany, the wise men visited Jesus & presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. You can read the story in Matthew's Gospel here.

This Isaiah passage relates to the Epiphany because its final verse mentions gold and frankincense. The inclusion of 'myrrh' is a significant addition, and perhaps picks up the image of the 'Suffering Servant' Isaiah writes about most poignantly in chapters 52 and 53.

The word 'epiphany' means a moment of sudden and great revelation. Today's passage is full of contrasts suggesting a dramatic change. Verses 1-3 move between the image of darkness, which covers the whole earth, and a glorious light, which will attract all to it. In verse 4's idea develops into an image of movement: people from far-away lands will gather together and families who have been dispersed will be reunited.

But the focus - the worship of God - is always the same, whether it is through the gifts of gold and frankincense, or the proclamation of "the praise of the Lord".

To Ponder
Some people describe their decision to follow Jesus as a dramatic change, whereas for others it is a gradual growing in commitment. Think about your life story, whatever it may be. What epiphanies or moments of revelation have you had, which meant that life could never be the same again?

How have these moments of revelation changed you?

Isaiah spoke these words to offer hope to the Israelites in dark times. How can your moments of revelation support you, or others, when things become difficult?

Bible notes author: Ken Kingston

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1 John 3:11-21 ~ God is greater

1 John 3:11-21 ~ God is greater

I Believe in Love - BarlowGirl
The chorus of this song was written on the wall of a concentration camp and was found after it was over... to think someone going through so much as the holocaust could have so much faith...
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1 John 3:11-21 (Today's New International Version)

11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a fellow believer is a murderer, and you know that no murderers have eternal life in them.

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17 If any one of you has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God.

Written by Rev. Ken Kingston, Methodist Church U.K. :

"John has themes that he returns to again and again as he writes. In the first part of the letter he talks about God as being light, without any darkness at all. He then goes on to speak about God as love – "this is the message you have heard from the beginning" – we should love another (verse 11), as Jesus loves us.

In this passage there is a reference back to Jesus' teaching of the 'Sermon on the Mount' in Matthew's Gospel (chapters 5-7). Jesus not only says that those who commit murder will be open to judgement, but anyone who is angry or insults their brother or sister will be similarly liable (Matthew 5:21-22). Not to love then, is to be in God's judgement as sin.

Love, as John rightly suggests, should consume our whole being, and be evident from every pore of our body. What we do, what we say and what we think will reveal us to be people of love and people of God."

~ My additional comment would be, this is the love John saw modeled by Jesus. This would be John's eyewitness account of what drew the disciples of Jesus and the crowds Jesus had such compassion upon. We, of course, pale in comparison.

Come, Lord Jesus, dwell in me.



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John 1 ~ Make straight the way for the Lord

John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only [Son], who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This is he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' ") 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only [Son], who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

19 Now this was John's testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Messiah."

21 They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?"
He said, "I am not."
"Are you the Prophet?"
He answered, "No."

22 Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, "I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.' "

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

26 "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

39 "Come," he replied, "and you will see."
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter ).

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me."

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

46 "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit."

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."

50 Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." 51 He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."

Psalm 103 ~ who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases

Psalm 103

1 Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for mortals, their days are like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children—

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, my soul.

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Psalm 97 ~ Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart

Light shines Through by James Coleman

Psalm 97

1 The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.

2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.

4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD,
before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.

7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!

8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, LORD.

9 For you, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.

10 Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.

Revelation 1:12-15 ~ white as snow

The angelic image seen on Presbyterian Hospital of Charlotte, NC's security camera and tape in the doorway of Chelsea Barton's room. A lot of the family and hospital staff saw the image and identified as an angel. The angel appeared before her family prayfully removed her from a ventilator and placed her in the Lord's hands. Chelsea Barton had a recovery the hospital spokesperson said could only be explained as a miracle.

There were a lot of comments on the photo image, positive and negative from Scripture for Today on December 27th . Please look closely at the hand on the door and the shape of the wings.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472288,00.html -

Revelation 1:12-15 (Today's New International Version)

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, [a] dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters

a. like Daniel 7:13.

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Isaiah 62:10-12 ~ build up, build up

Good Christian Men Rejoice was a song originated in a pub. It is meant to be sung with a great loud, happy spirit.

Several versions of Good Christian Men Rejoice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kQOikRAT0&feature=related - choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW_u_Ii3TrU - video instructional

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FddZ-SXw0Rw - acoustic

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say:
News! News!

Jesus Christ is born today:
Ox and ass before him bow
And He is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss;
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened the heav'nly door
And man is blessed evermore.
Christ was born for this!
Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave;
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save!
Christ was born to save!


Psalms Chapter 34 (New American Bible)
1
I will bless the LORD at all times; praise shall be always in my mouth.
2
My soul will glory in the LORD that the poor may hear and be glad.
3
Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4
I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears.
5
Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame.
6
In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress.
7
The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.
8
Learn to savor how good the LORD is; happy are those who take refuge in him.
9
Fear the LORD, you holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him.
10
The powerful grow poor and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12
Who among you loves life, takes delight in prosperous days?
13
Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies.
14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
15
The LORD has eyes for the just and ears for their cry.
16
The LORD'S face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth.
17
When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress.
18
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.
19
Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from them all.
20
God watches over all their bones; not a one shall be broken.
21
Evil will slay the wicked; those who hate the just are condemned.
22
The LORD redeems loyal servants; no one is condemned whose refuge is God.


Isaiah 62:10-12

10
Pass through, pass through the gates, prepare the way for the people; Build up, build up the highway, clear it of stones, raise up a standard over the nations.
11
See, the LORD proclaims to the ends of the earth: Say to daughter Zion, your savior comes! Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.
12
They shall be called the holy people, the redeemed of the LORD, And you shall be be called "Frequented," a city that is not forsaken.

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Isaiah 6:1-4 ~ Holy, holy, holy is Jehovah of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,472288,00.html -

Chelsea Banton was dying in Charlotte, North Carolina’s Presbyterian hospital. Her mother, Colleen, had gathered the family together to pray and to remove Chelsea from the ventilator, Chelsea was being given into the Lord’s hands. Colleen was going to take a last photo of her daughter. When the nurse asked, “What is that?” Colleen said," It's an angel." Colleen took a photo of the angel. The hospital security camera also captured the image above.

Colleen Banton knew her daughter had fought for her life for 2 months, & thought the angel came to take Chelsea to heaven. Instead, after the angel left, the ventilator was removed and Chelsea recovered and returned home to celebrate her 15th birthday on Christmas.

Her mother believes it was a miracle – attended by a very real angel bathed in light at the door to the pediatric intensive care unit.

“What was so ironic… is it was a rainy day,” Colleen said. “It had been overcast all day. And the sun only came out at that point.”

To those who doubt her story and photograph, Colleen Banton says: “If they doubt it, that's fine. … But I know what I saw, and the picture's untouched. I didn't make it up. That's just something that I believe.

“I believe that more people have changed since this happened. I know I have. I look at things differently than I used to – because I know God is in control.”

The hospital staff put their Chaplin in charge of discovering the validity of the angel seen, not only on Colleen’s camera, but also on the hospital security camera and tape. Their Chaplin is also a medical doctor. The Chaplin determined the image was not caused by a reflection or from a window, it had never been seen before. The image, the Chaplin said, appeared right before Chelsea recovered and no natural means of recovery was possible for Chelsea.

http://www.foxnews.com/video-search/m/21712322/caught_on_camera.htm?widget=true


Isaiah 6:1-4 (American Standard Version)

1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

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Zechariah 2:10-13 ~ the Lord Almighty has sent me to you

Zechariah 2:10-13

10 "Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. 11 "Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you. 12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

John 1:1-4
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 3:31-36
31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 The person who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.



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Luke 2: 8-18 ~ Let us go to see, so they went in haste

Matthew 19: 14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." - Listen


Luke 2:8-18

8
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
9
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
10
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
11
For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
12
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
13
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
15
When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
16
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
17
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
18
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.

Psalm 67 ~ may God bless us still

The Nativity painted by Federico Barocci, 1553

Saint Bridget, a Swedish noblewoman, died in 1373, was well known for her visions, recognized to this day as given from the Lord. While on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Birgitta experienced visions of the Virgin and Christ. Her vision of the Birth of Christ enormously influenced Nativity depictions. She saw the Virgin birth, Mary with her long hair flowing, knelt to adore Him, glowing with supernatural light.

Psalm 67

1
May God be gracious to us and bless us; may God's face shine upon us. Selah
2
So shall your rule be known upon the earth, your saving power among all the nations.
3
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!
4
May the nations be glad and shout for joy; for you govern the peoples justly, you guide the nations upon the earth. Selah
5
May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you!
6
The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.
7
May God bless us still; that the ends of the earth may revere our God.

Numbers 6:22

22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying,
‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “May the LORD bless you and keep you;
25 May the LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’

The Meek Were Kneeling
by Max Lucado

“Blessed are the meek,” Jesus explained. Blessed are the available.

That’s why the announcement went first to the shepherds. They didn’t ask God if he was sure he knew what he was doing. Had the angel gone to the theologians, they would have first consulted their commentaries. Had he gone to the elite, they would have looked around to see if anyone was watching. Had he gone to the successful, they would have first looked at their calendars.

So he went to the shepherds. Men who didn’t have a reputation to protect or an ax to grind or a ladder to climb. Men who didn’t know enough to tell God that angels don’t sing to sheep and that messiahs aren’t found wrapped in rags and sleeping in a feed trough.

A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by silver lamps.

You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can also enter the quiet cave where a star embedded in the floor recognizes the birth of the King. There is one stipulation, however. You have to stoop. The door is so low you can’t go in standing up.

The same is true of the Christ. You can see the world standing tall, but to witness the Savior, you have to get on your knees.

So …

while the theologians were sleeping

and the elite were dreaming

and the successful were snoring,

the meek were kneeling.

Written by Bob Deffinbaugh -
One of the key words we must deal with is the word “blessed” because it occurs over and over and over again. You will find that in a number of translations, the word is rendered “happy,” and there is a sense in which that is probably true. But, I think you have to say that the word “happy,” just because of the meaning we give to it today, is probably not the best word. But in the Sermon on the Mount, in fact, you would have to say that those who mourn are not really happy. It’s hard to be both, so I reject as a preference making the emphasis on happiness, although there certainly is that. You could say that there is a sense in which there is always joy and delight—that’s always there, and I would certainly be willing to see that in this text. Probably the primary sense of the word “blessed” here is the sense of approval. It is saying that God has expressed His approval on these people. To be blessed is to be approved by God, and I think that probably fits.

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Psalm 29 ~ splendor

The Annunciation, by Henry Tanner, 1898

Luke 1

Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.


Psalm 29

1
Give to the LORD, you heavenly beings, give to the LORD glory and might;
2
Give to the LORD the glory due God's name. Bow down before the LORD'S holy splendor!
3
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over the mighty waters.
4
The voice of the LORD is power; the voice of the LORD is splendor.
5
The voice of the LORD cracks the cedars; the LORD splinters the cedars of Lebanon,
6
Makes Lebanon leap like a calf, and Sirion like a young bull.
7
The voice of the LORD strikes with fiery flame;
8
the voice of the LORD rocks the desert; the LORD rocks the desert of Kadesh.
9
The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. All in his palace say, "Glory!"
10
The LORD sits enthroned above the flood! The LORD reigns as king forever!
11
May the LORD give might to his people; may the LORD bless his people with peace!


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Matthew 3 ~ Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance

Matthew 3

1
In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
2
(and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
3
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert, 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'"
4
John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
5
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him
6
and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
7
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees 7 coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.
9
And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.
10
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
12
His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14
John tried to prevent him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?"
15
Jesus said to him in reply, "Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him.
16
After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
17
And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

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Psalm 49 ~ in times

Saint Joseph with infant Jesus. Painted by Guido Reni in 1635.

Away in a Manger - Listen


1 Timothy 3:16

He appeared in a body,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.


When Jesus was born, angels and a great company of heavenly hosts proclaimed and rejoiced over Him. Father God used all manners and ways to proclaim His Son. Even as an infant, Jesus had danger in His life. Joseph was chosen and special in Father God’s heart. A descendant of David, Joseph would have been high on the list of available bachelors in little Nazareth. But Joseph determined to show mercy to his pregnant betrothed. Joseph had wisdom to listen to his dreams. Joseph helped Jesus to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.


Psalm 49

1 Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor together!
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever
and never see the pit.

10 For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever, [1]
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they called lands by their own names.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain;
he is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
yet after them people approve of their boasts. [2] Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah

16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich,
when the glory of his house increases.
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory will not go down after him.
18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed
—and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—
19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers,
who will never again see light.
20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.


Footnotes
[1] 49:11 Septuagint, Syriac, Targum; Hebrew Their inward thought was that their homes were forever
[2] 49:13 Or and of those after them who approve of their boasts


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Isaiah 9:1-7 ~ His dominion is vast and forever peaceful

Isaiah 9:1-7 (New American Bible)


The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.

For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

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Isaiah 8:16-9:1 ~ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

Spent much time listening to people telling you about the inadequacies of the church & of the Lord? Sometimes the fear of tragedy & tragedy separates people from God, sometimes it is superstition or new age and sometimes it is being busy.

Isaiah named his two sons & the Lord told him to name one son Mercy and the other “In making speed to the spoil he hasteneth the prey”. The Lord says Israel was offered God as her husband and Israel is letting fear rule her; afraid of tragedy, following spiritual voodoo and offering this to all the people as direction.

This passage acknowledges Israel is fallen and imperfect, but offers the Light of God. God will give His light to the Gentiles. Jesus’ ministry occurs in the land told about at the end of Isaiah 8.


Isaiah 8:16-9:1

16
6 The record is to be folded and the sealed instruction kept among my disciples.
17
For I will trust in the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob; yes, I will wait for him.
18
Look at me and the children whom the Lord has given me: we are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts who dwells on Mount Zion.
19
And when they say to you, "Inquire of mediums and fortune-tellers (who chirp and mutter!); should not a people inquire of their gods, apply to the dead on behalf of the living?"--
20
then this document will furnish its instruction. That kind of thing they will surely say.
21
First he degraded the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; 10 but in the end he has glorified the seaward road, the land West of the Jordan, the District of the Gentiles. Anguish has taken wing, dispelled is darkness; for there is no gloom where but now there was distress.

Chapter 9
1
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.

Footnotes

[6] This people: Judah. Waters of Shiloah: the stream that flows into the pool of Shiloah in Jerusalem, its slow current symbolizing the silent, divine protection which Judah has rejected. God will therefore summon the mighty Assyrian army, symbolized by the River with it’s swift current (Euphrates), to devastate Judah, which, however, will not be entirely destroyed, because it is the land of Immanuel.

10)Zebulun . . . Naphtali: Judea, which was first to be attacked by the Assyrians; God, however, redeems it, as he redeems all his people. Seaward road: from Damascus, across southern Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea. District of the Gentiles: northern Galilee, inhabited by pagans; cf Joshua 20:7; Isaiah 9:1; Matthew 4:15-16 refers to this, since Jesus began his public mission in Galilee.

Great encouragement given to the people of God in the midst of those distractions; they are assured, 1. That the enemies shall not gain their point against them (v. 9, 10). 2. That if they kept up the fear of God, and kept down the fear of man, they should find God their refuge (v. 11-14), and while others stumbled, and fell into despair, they should be enabled to wait on God, and should see themselves reserved for better times (v. 15-18).

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John 3:22-30 ~ given to him from heaven

This church in England has an advent festival where 50 groups within the church each decorate a Christmas tree. The people attending purchase a ticket; it's a huge charitable project, bringing people from all over, into the church.

John 3:22-30

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”


John the Baptist knew the great truth: Jesus is the light of the world. Father God gives us so many wonderful, good things from heaven. We celebrate all the gifts He so willingly blesses us with at Christmas. We are thrilled in the innocent jumping and leaping - the anticipation - in children at Christmas. Adults look for Christmas lights and Christmas carols in the car.

Suffering can be a great surprise. But Jesus told us we would suffer and He promised He had overcome the world. Recently I was reminded, even Pope John Paul II suffered, physically, near the end of his life.

John knew the repentance he called for was extremely unpopular, and even with so many good gifts in life, John was willing and determined to press on. We do the same as John the Baptist 2,000 years later. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit giving the greatest help, the abundant joy and wonderful gifts we receive in life, we celebrate again and again the light coming into the world. And look forward to many more Christmases.

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Psalm 30 ~ I will exalt you, Lord

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 LORD my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.

3 You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.

4 Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 LORD, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain [Mount Zion] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me;
LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

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Isaiah 7:10-25 ~ And it shall come to pass

Isaiah 7:10-25 (American Standard Version)

10 And Jehovah spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of Jehovah thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt Jehovah. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to weary men, that ye will weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, when he knoweth to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land whose two kings thou abhorrest shall be forsaken.

17 Jehovah will bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah- even the king of Assyria.

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. 19 And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the clefts of the rocks, and upon all thorn-hedges, and upon all pastures.

20 In that day will the Lord shave with a razor that is hired in the parts beyond the River, even with the king of Assyria, the head and the hair of the feet; and it shall also consume the beard.

21 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep; 22 and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.

23 And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, shall be for briers and thorns. 24 With arrows and with bow shall one come thither, because all the land shall be briers and thorns. 25 And all the hills that were digged with the mattock, thou shalt not come thither for fear of briers and thorns; but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of sheep.


Man and God see things vastly differently. King Ahaz, Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, is shaking with fear for his people & his present worries from Syria and Ephraim – Israel. The King refuses to ask for a sign when asked, remembering and quoting scripture not to test God. And Isaiah begins to tell him that Syria and Israel are not his worry, God has not forgotten his promise to King David. God will deliver his people.

The Savior, Jesus Christ, will be born. Ahaz is worried for today, but the Lord is seeing today sweep into centuries. The triumphant plan of God unfolds, in His time, and for His good purpose.

The new worry of Assyria, not yet even a concern, will be vanquished. God will bring fruitfulness from the desert and fruitful, plentiful areas will be thorns and briars. The Lord is talking about passage of time. The reward of the Lord comes with choosing the good over the evil.

God is pleased with Ahaz and blesses him in verse 17. Ahaz is blessed with a son to be born, Hezekiah. Hezekiah will choose the good over the evil and please God by listening to Him, seeking His paths and leading His people.

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