This is a Three-Year Lectionary based on the Lutheran Book of Worship 3-year Lectionary (for public worship), "Prayers of the Day..." (Propers), p. 13-41, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978. It is based, with only minor variations, on the Revised Common Lectionary, used by many denominations, including the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches:
and:
http://www.commontexts.org/rcl/usage.html
The daily readings are the Propers (Lections) for the following Sunday, so that the daily devotions can prepare us for worship. Additional lections are from Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church, "Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers," United Lutheran Church of America, General Rubrics VIII. Scripture lessons for Matins and Vespers, p. 299 - 304, Philadelphia, 1918.
The previous 2- year Bible Study based on the Lutheran Book of Worship, Daily Lectionary for personal devotions p.179-192, Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis, 1978, is available at:
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com
Please Note: I will post weekly by Saturday, noon, (God willing), Pacific time (UTC-8:00) for the week of the Church Season which begins on Sunday. Please scroll down for the desired day, or save the week to your desktop/hard drive.
12/21 - 23/2008
I was unable to post this entry on my journalspace blog @
http://shepherdboy.journalspace.com/
because journalspace had both servers fail and remains down at least until after Christmas. My blogspot @
http://shepherdboy-mydailywalk.blogspot.com/
and multiply @
http://shepboy.multiply.com/profile/
mirrors also had problems so I was unable to post last Saturday, December 20, 2008. I also had a medical issue which required hospitalization for three days. I also have an archive website @
http://shepboy.snow.prohosting.com/ which I could have posted to. You might want to note the alternate hyperlinks if unable to access one of the sites, although in this instance nothing worked.
4th Advent - Sunday
Posted December 21, 2008
2 Samuel 7:(1-7) 8-11, 16, Eternal Kingdom;
Psalm 89:1-4, 14-18, God's Covenant with David;
Romans 16:25-27, Benediction;
Luke 1:26-38, Announcement;
Samuel:
After David had become king of all Israel, he built a palace, in Jerusalem, on the hill of Zion, the site of a Jebusite fortress, and it became known as the "City of David." Since he was settled into his house, and had peace from his enemies, David told his prophet, Nathan, that David wanted to build a house for the Lord, a temple, instead of the tabernacle, which was a tent, a portable temple. Nathan told David to do what David desired, because God (God's favor) was with David.
But that night the Lord spoke to Nathan and gave him God's Word to David. God said that he had not lived in a house, but in a tent, since he had led Israel out of Egypt. Why would David want to build God a house to dwell in? God had never asked Israel to build God a house.
God told Nathan to tell David that God had taken David from tending sheep to be a prince over God's people. God had been with David wherever David went, and had given David victory over all his enemies. God declared that he would make David's name great throughout the world. God promised to give his people, Israel, a permanent place where they could dwell securely, where they would no longer be disturbed by violent people. God declared that he would make David a house. And David's house, his kingdom and his throne would endure forever.
Psalm:
I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever; I will proclaim his faithfulness to all generations. His steadfast love will endure forever; his faithfulness is as unchanging as the heavens.
God has said: "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your descendants for ever and build your throne for all generations.
That eternal throne is founded on God's righteousness and justice, and is characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness. "Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance, who exalt in thy name all the day, and and extol thy righteousness" (Psalm 89:15-16). We glory in the strength of the Lord; we are strengthened by God's favor. Our allegiance belongs to our king, the Holy One of Israel.
Romans:
At the end of the letter to the Roman Church, Paul invoked a blessing on them, that the Lord would strengthen them by Paul's preaching of the Gospel and his proclamation of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the revelation of the mystery of God's purpose which was unknown from the beginning of Creation until Christ's advent (coming). "But now [it] is now disclosed and through the prophetic writings (the Bible) is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26). Glory be to the only eternal and wise God through Jesus Christ. Amen!
Luke:
In the sixth month (Elul: August-September) God sent an angel, Gabriel, to Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary, who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David (the great shepherd-king of Israel). The angel greeted Mary saying that she was favored by God, and that the Lord was with her. Mary was worried about the sort of greeting it might be, but the angel told her not to be afraid, because she had God's approval. The angel told Mary that she would conceive and give birth to a son whom she was to call Jesus.
The angel said, "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High (God); and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father (ancestor) David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33).
Mary asked the angel how this could be, since she was unmarried. The angel told her that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit and the power of God. Thus the child she bore would be called holy, the Son of God.
The angel told her that her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who was barren and past the age of childbearing, was six months pregnant with a son, and that nothing would be impossible for God. Mary acknowledged that she was God's servant, and accepted God's Word and will for her. Then the angel left her.
Commentary:
Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth in Galilee, when the angel announced to Mary the impending birth of Jesus, but Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the "City of David" (David's birthplace), because the Roman government required the Jews to return to their city of birth, to register, for tax purposes, and Joseph was a descendant of David.
After David had become king of all the tribes of Israel, he built a house for himself in the former Jebusite fortress on Zion, a high place in Jerusalem, surrounded on three sides by valleys, and that became known as the City of David. Since David had a permanent house, he thought he should build a permanent house (temple) for God also, instead of the portable tent called the tabernacle.
When David told Nathan, the prophet, his plan, Nathan at first told him to do as his heart desired, because God's favor was with David. But that night God spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that God did not need David to build him a house, and did not need to dwell in a house.
God had raised up a humble shepherd boy to be the prince over the tribes of Israel. God had given David success and victory over his enemies. God promised to give his people, Israel, a permanent dwelling where they would be safe and undisturbed by violent people. God promised that he would make David a house (dynasty), and David's house, kingdom and throne would endure forever.
The psalmist recalls the promise of God to David to establish his descendants and his throne for ever. That eternal throne of David is founded on God's righteousness and justice and characterized by steadfast love and faithfulness.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God's covenant, his promise, to David. Jesus is the son of David and heir to the eternal throne of David. Through Jesus, God has established a permanent place for his people where we can dwell securely where we will not fear our enemies or violent people. That permanent place is God's eternal kingdom in heaven. Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ, we are the spiritual descendants of David.
Jesus is the revelation of the mystery of God's purpose which has been unknown to us since the beginning of Creation, until Jesus' coming (advent). God has always intended to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey Jesus. Jesus has been designed into this Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14)
God has designed creation to allow us the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not, and so we can learn by trial and error that God's way is good, reasonable, and our best interest (Romans 12:2). But God is not going to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, and not at all in his heavenly kingdom or it wouldn't be heaven. This Creation and we ourselves are limited by time.
The reason and purpose of life in this world is to seek, find, and know God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27) and this is only possible through Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Jesus is the fullest revelation of God to us in human flesh. Jesus is God (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus' word is the Word of God (John 14:10, 24), with the creative force of God's Word (Genesis 1:3; Mark 4:41). Those who have "seen" and "know" Jesus have "seen" and "known" God (John 14:9). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus (Romans 8:9). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the fullest revelation of God to us individually and personally.
We have all been born physically alive, but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our opportunity to be "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) to true, eternal life. This is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus gives the gift ("baptism;" "anointing") of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). It is the indwelling Holy Spirit within us which gives us spiritual life. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, through which God has been progressively revealing his purpose for Creation. David is the forerunner and illustration of the Christ. David was the shepherd boy whom God exalted to prince (earthly king; only the Lord is the eternal heavenly king) of Israel. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is God's "anointed" eternal heavenly King of God's kingdom of God's people.
God promised to make David's name great and he fulfilled that promise. David's name is mentioned as the ancestor of Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament and throughout the Church year, notably at Christmas and on Palm Sunday.
The Bible scripture and the earthly advent of Jesus have been revealed to all nations, so that all can come to obedient trust in God's Word.
Elizabeth, the kinswoman of Mary had been barren and had passed the time of childbearing. Her barrenness was a source of shame in her society because it was understood as God's disfavor. When she became pregnant she was exalted because it was a sign of God's favor.
Pregnancy of a unmarried, betrothed, girl was a mark of shame in the society, but Mary believed the Word of God told to her by the angel Gabriel and accepted God's will. The name of this obscure young girl became famous throughout the world as the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:48).
There is a lesson for us to learn in the comparison of God's favor on David, and on Mary. David had God's favor because David trusted and obeyed God's Word. David thought he would be doing God a favor by building a fancy house for God. It is tempting to think that since we're member's of God's family we can and should do what seems right to us, because we have God's favor.
What we perceive as God's favor or disfavor is not necessarily so. Barrenness is not necessarily a sign of God's disfavor, nor is fertility necessarily a sign of God's favor. Neither is wealth and success necessarily a sign of God's favor, nor poverty a sign of God's disfavor.
Until Jesus' advent only a few select individuals had personal fellowship with the Lord by his Holy Spirit. David was a prophet, but perhaps didn't have the same relationship with God which we can through Jesus. Nathan served as a spiritual mediator to David. Nathan's first response was for David to do what seemed right to David, since God's favor was with David.
But that wasn't the right answer. That night the Lord spoke to Nathan and revealed his will for David, which Nathan was to convey. We don't need a "Nathan" if we are "born-again" and filled with the Holy Spirit, but we do need to have a "quiet time" with the Lord, perhaps at bedtime, when we can listen to the Lord and hear what he's really saying, along with scripture reading and prayer.
Note, though, that if we are not yet "reborn," seeking God's will through a spiritual adviser is only acceptable as one is "discipled" by a "born-again" disciple, only until they have been "born-again. God wants us to seek him personally, and he wants to reveal his will for us personally, only as we are committed to do it.
In contrast to Elizabeth, God revealed his will to Mary and she accepted God's Word and saw God's blessing for her, even though it was not her heart's desire to be pregnant out-of-wedlock.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesusﾒ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
4th Advent- Monday
Posted December 22, 2008
Psalm 97 The Lord Reigns
Let the earth rejoice, for the Lord reigns! Rejoice all coastlands! The Lord conceals himself as in thick clouds and darkness. His throne is founded upon righteousness and justice. Fire precedes him and burns up his adversaries. His lightening bolts light the whole sky and the earth trembles. "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, the Lord of all the earth" (Psalm 97:5).
The universe proclaims his righteousness, and his glory is revealed to all people. Those who worship and trust worthless idols will be put to shame. All other "gods" bow before the Lord. Zion (the people of God) rejoice in the Lord's judgments. The Lord is high above all earthly rulers, and exalted far above all other "gods."
Those who love the Lord hate evil. The Lord preserves the lives of his saints (those consecrated to God's service) and delivers them from the wicked.
"Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name" (Psalm 97:11-12)!
The Lord is King of Creation, whether we acknowledge and accept him or not. The Lord reigns in the hearts of his people. His kingdom begins now in this world, and his people rejoice in his reign. Those who have trusted and obeyed the Lord know from experience that the Lord is righteous, just, faithful and loving in all his ways.
The Lord's manifestation is described in terms of the Lord's manifestation to Israel at the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Psalm 97:2-5; compare Exodus 19:16-22). The Lord is near at hand, but he conceals himself as in thick cloud and darkness (obscurity). Those who need to "see" in order to believe can't "see" him; but he reveals himself to those who trust and obey his Word (John 14:21, 23).
The Lord has been progressively revealing himself to the world, first in the goodness, orderliness, and intricacy of Creation. Then he called Abraham (Abram) to trust and obey God's Word, and the record of God's dealing with Abraham and his descendants is recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God to the world, in human form, in a non-threatening way. Jesus is the only way to come to know and have fellowship with God, the only way to know divine eternal truth, and the only way to have true spiritual eternal life (John 14:6).
Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus we receive the gift ("baptism;" "anointing") of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the ultimate revelation of God to us individually and personally. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
The gift of the Holy Spirit is the dawn of the light of righteousness (John 3:19-21), spiritual enlightenment (John 1:9), and eternal life (John 1:4-5; John 8:12).
The Lord doesn't force his reign upon anyone. We have the freedom to accept or reject his reign, but if we are not ruled by the Lord we will be ruled by Satan, and will be slaves of sin and spiritual death (Luke 16:13).
There is a day coming, the Day of Jesus' Second Coming (advent), the Day of Judgment. In that day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). In that day his people will rejoice, and his enemies will be destroyed by fire in Hell with all evil.
Jesus is the eternal King and Righteous Judge whom God has "anointed" to judge Creation. Jesus is the standard by which everyone who has ever lived will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord will have been spiritually "reborn" (John 3:3, 5-8) in this lifetime, and will enter eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom. Those who have rejected Jesus as Lord, who have refused or failed to trust and obey Jesus will be condemned to eternal destruction and spiritual eternal death in fire in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesusﾒ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
4th Advent - Tuesday
Posted December 23, 2008
Isaiah 52:7-10
How beautiful are the steps of those who cross mountains to bring good tidings, who publish peace and salvation, who declare to Zion (God's people; the Church) that their God reigns (compare Romans 10:15). Listen! The watchmen cry out with joy; they see eye-to-eye the return of the Lord to Zion. The waste places of Jerusalem sing together because the Lord has redeemed Jerusalem and comforted his people. The Lord has revealed his holy arm to all nations, and the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Jesus is the mighty arm of God whom God has revealed to the whole world. Jesus is God's "anointed" Savior, the Messiah (Christ; both words mean God's "anointed"), whom God has revealed to the world. Jesus is God's only provision for our salvation (Acts 4:12) from sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and eternal death (the penalty for sin; Romans 6:23; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus has redeemed his people, he has paid the price for our sin. He has comforted us. We need no longer fear physical death (Hebrews 2:14-15). He has given our lives meaning and purpose. Life isn't just a "rat-race;" not just a contest to accumulate the most "things" or indulge our senses.
Jesus came physically as a baby, to grow up and die on the cross, as the only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins. His resurrection from death to eternal life demonstrates that there is existence after physical death. Every truly "born-again" Christian testifies that Jesus is eternally alive.
Jesus came to give us true, spiritual, eternal life. Jesus declares that we must be "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) spiritually, now, in this lifetime, in order to see God's eternal kingdom all around us now, and ultimately to enter it in eternity. Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
Jesus has come once in human flesh. He comes to each believer spiritually and reveals himself to them personally and individually by the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:21; Romans 3:20). He has promised to come again, on the Day of Judgment, to judge the living and the dead (1 Peter 4:5), in both the physical and spiritual senses.
In a sense the Church and all "born-again" Christians are the watchmen who behold the coming of the Lord and cry out in joy, to alert the world of his coming. "Born-again" Christians have experienced the Lord's coming personally and individually. Our God reigns within us now.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesusﾒ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
4th Advent – Wednesday - Christmas Eve
Posted December 24, 2008
Hebrews 1:1-9 – Christ, the “living Word”
From God's call to the patriarchs he has spoken in many ways, through his prophets. But at last he has spoken to us by his Son whom he “appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus is the reflection of God's glory, has God's identical nature (Colossians 2:8-9), and his word has the creative power of God's Word (Mark 4:39-41; Compare Genesis 1:3, 9). Jesus, having made the sacrifice on the cross that purifies us of sin (through faith: obedient trust), he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God (in the words of the Second Article of the Apostles Creed). He has become very much more superior to angels as his name is more excellent compared to theirs (Acts 4:12; Matthew 28:18).
God said of Jesus, not angels, that he was God's Son, whom God had begotten (Psalm 2:7). God said of Jesus that God would be his Father, and he would be God's son ( 2 Samuel 7:14). When God brought his first-born Son into the world he commanded the angels to worship him (Deuteronomy 32:43; compare Psalm 97:7). God says in Psalm 104:4 that his angels are spirits (winds), and his servants tongues of fire (filled with the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:3; Luke 3:16). About Jesus, God's Word says that Jesus' throne is forever and that he is God (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Righteousness is the scepter of his kingdom. Jesus has loved righteousness and hated lawlessness (sin, which is disobedience of God's Word). Therefore God has anointed Jesus with the oil of gladness above his peers (“Christ” and “Messiah” each mean God's “anointed” eternal Savior and King of God's eternal kingdom, in Greek and Hebrew, respectively).
Commentary:
The Old Testament of the Bible is the record of God's speaking through his prophets. The Old Testament scriptures are deliberately intended to be a series of parables to convey spiritual truth about life in this Creation. God's purpose has always been to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. This Creation has been deliberately designed by God to be a “seedbed” to raise God's obedient and trusting people. God has designed Creation so that everyone is guilty of sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). God has designed a Savior, Jesus Christ into the structure of Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the “living Word” of God, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified. Salvation from God's eternal condemnation is available to all as a free gift, unmerited favor, to be received by faith (obedient trust in Jesus Christ).
God intentionally created the understanding of a “Promised Land” and of inheritance of that land in the Law of the Old Covenant. The first-born received a double share of the inheritance. Jesus is the first-born, and inherits a double portion of the inheritance, the new eternal Promised Land but he shares the inheritance with his disciples.
At the right time, at the very center of history, Jesus, the promised Savior and eternal King, the only begotten Son of God, came into the world to become the one and only sacrifice acceptable to God for the forgiveness of our sins, our salvation from God's eternal condemnation of us to eternal destruction, to restore us to fellowship with God which was broken by our sin, and to give us eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom (John 14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
December 25 – Christmas Day
Posted December 24, 2003
Isaiah 52:7-10 God Reigns!
Psalm 97 The Lord Reigns!
Hebrews 1:1-9 The "Anointed" Eternal King!
John 1:1-14 Prologue of John
Isaiah:
The paths of those who cross mountains to bring "good news," who publish peace and goodness, who announce to Zion (the people of God; the city of God, the Church) that the Lord reigns, are beautiful.
Listen! Our watchmen shout for joy, seeing with their own eyes the return of the Lord to Zion. Let the desolate places in Jerusalem break out in song, because the Lord "has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem" (Isaiah 52:9b). The Lord has revealed his holy arm in the sight of all people, and the furthest ends of the earth will behold his salvation.
Psalm:
Let all the earth rejoice, and the many coastlands be glad, because the Lord reigns! The Lord conceals himself in clouds and thick darkness. His throne is founded on righteousness and justice. The Lord's wrath is a destroying fire, burning up his enemies. His lightening bolts illuminate the darkness of the world and shake the earth. Like wax, mountains melt before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens declare God's righteousness and his glory is revealed to all nations and peoples. Those who boast in worthless idols and worship images will be put to eternal shame. All other "gods" humble themselves before the Lord. The people of God celebrate and rejoice in his judgments. The Lord is high above all people of earth and is exalted above all "gods."
Those who hate evil are the Lord's beloved. He preserves the lives of his saints (those who are committed to God's service) and delivers them from the power of the wicked.
"Light dawns for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name" (Psalm 97:11-12)!
Hebrews:
In earlier times, God's spoke to the forefathers of Israel by prophets, but now he has spoken to us through his Son, by and through whom the world was created (John 1:1-3; 14) and who is the heir of all things. Jesus is the reflection of God's glory, and the revelation of God's character. He upholds the universe by his word, which has the creative power of God (John 14:10, 24). Mark 4:39-41). Jesus came to offer the sacrifice (of himself of the cross) for our purification from sin. Having accomplished that, he has taken his throne at the right hand of God in heaven. He is far superior to angels, and his name is above all others in heaven and on earth (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-11).
God declared that Jesus is his (only, begotten) Son (Psalm 2:7; Matthew 3:17), and God is his Father. God's angels are spirits (Hebrews 1:6b; 14) who serve the Lord, but Jesus is God's "anointed" eternal king (Hebrews 1:8-9; compare Psalms 45:6), far above all angels.
John:
The Word of God was with God at Creation, and was God in character and nature. Everything in Creation was made through him. In him is true eternal life, and that life is light. The light (of righteousness, spiritual enlightenment and eternal life) shines in the spiritual darkness of sin, spiritual ignorance, and spiritual death, and has not been overcome by spiritual darkness.
John the Baptizer, was sent by God to testify to that light, so that all might believe through his testimony. John didn't claim to be the light, or to possess any light of his own. The true light of spiritual enlightenment was coming into the world. The Creator of the world came into the world physically, but the world didn't recognize him. He came to his own people (the Jews) and to his own home (Nazareth) but they didn't recognize or welcome him (Luke 4:16-30). "But to all who did receive him he gave the power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13).
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only (begotten) Son from the Father" (John 1:14).
God is God whether we acknowledge him or not. The people of God, who trust and obey God's Word, those who love righteousness (doing what is right, good, and true, according to God's Word) rejoice that the Lord reigns. The watchmen are the Church, the "born-again"disciples of Jesus Christ, who have personally experienced the return of the Lord, through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). Jesus is the holy arm of God's almighty power and salvation, which has been revealed to the entire world.
The Lord conceals himself in cloud and thick darkness, as he manifested himself to Israel at Mount Sinai (Mt. Horeb; Psalm 97:2-5; compare Exodus 19:16-22). But when we seek him earnestly, he will allow us to "find" him; he will manifest himself to us personally and individually through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 17:26-27). The Holy Spirit is the pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22) that will guide us through the wilderness of this lifetime and into the eternal Promised Land in heaven.
Jesus is the "light of the world" (John 12:46), the light of righteousness (John 3:19-21; not of our own, but the righteousness of God through faith; i.e. obedient trust), spiritual John 1:9) enlightenment, and eternal life (John 1:4; 8:12).
God has been progressively revealing himself and his purpose for Creation, first through the goodness of Creation itself, then through the history of God's dealing with Israel recorded in the Bible. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God to the world in human flesh.
Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Jesus is the "living Word" of God, the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the only to find and know God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only way to have eternal life (John 14:6). Only Jesus can reveal God to us (Matthew 11:27). If we have known Jesus we have known God (John 14:8-10).
The only way to personally know Jesus is through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). Jesus promises that if we love him and trust and obey his teachings, he will come to us and manifest himself to us personally and individually (John 14:21).
We can be God's adopted sons and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ, but Jesus is the first-born and only begotten Son of God. He is the heir to God's kingdom which he shares with us through faith in him (1Peter 1:3-5).
Jesus is not "Plan B." God was not surprised that, when he gave us freedom to choose whether to trust and obey his Word, we chose rebellion and disobedience. God designed Creation from the very beginning with his Savior, Jesus Christ "built in" to the very structure of Creation. We have all sinned (disobeyed God's Word) and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is (eternal) death (Romans 6:23). God loves us and doesn't want anyone to perish eternally (Romans 5:8; John 3:16-17). Jesus is God's one and only provision for our forgiveness and salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). Salvation is by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), which must be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus is God's free gift of salvation, but we must claim and appropriate that salvation by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus. God gives us the power and opportunity, but we must accept and act! We don't become God's children by our own will, or by genetics, or physiology, or by religious rite.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
December 26 - Friday
Posted December 26, 2008
Psalm 111 Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord!* Let us praise the Lord in the Congregation of the upright.
All the works of the Lord are great. Those who study them will delight in them. God's righteousness endures forever, and his works are characterized by honor and majesty. Gracious and merciful is the Lord, and his works are wonderful and worthy of remembrance.
The Lord constantly remembers his covenant and he provides sustenance for those who fear him. He has revealed his power to his people through his works; to them he has given the heritage of the nations.
The Lord is faithful and just in everything he does, and his Word is completely trustworthy, and will stand forever, to be kept with faithfulness and uprightness. "He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever" (Psalm 111:9). His name is Holy and awesome! "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it! His praise endures for ever" (Psalm 11:110).
All the works of the Lord are great and wonderful, and the delight of those who study them. They are worthy of our remembrance. All Creation testifies to the goodness, wisdom and power of God.
Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's righteousness, mercy, wisdom and power (1 Corinthians 1:17-25). God's Word imparts divine wisdom, as distinct from the wisdom of this world. Until we realize that God has the power of eternal life or death over us, we don't know anything of any lasting importance and benefit. The fear of the Lord is the appropriate awe and respect for his power and authority.
Jesus is the fulfillment, embodiment and example of God's Word, lived in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the redemption, from sin (disobedience of God's Word; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10) and death (eternal death, the penalty for sin; Romans 6:23), which God has given to his people. Jesus is the mediator of the new, eternal Covenant (Testament; Hebrews 12:24) of grace (unmerited favor; a free gift), instituted on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-28), between God and his people, to be received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus ( Ephesians 2:8-9, see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
God has given us the spiritual sustenance we need, to preserve us to eternal life, by the body and blood of Jesus Christ, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit we experience the power, love and faithfulness of the Lord personally and individually. The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
God has given us the gift of forgiveness of sin and salvation from death, in the birth of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, he has given the gift of spiritual "rebirth (John 3:3, 5-8) and eternal life to all who trust and obey Jesus (Hebrews 2:14-15).
God has given us the gift of his Word, in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the "living Word." God's Word is completely trustworthy and eternal. God's Word is good, "doable," and our very best interest (Romans 12:2). Let us spend the time necessary getting to know God's Word, so that we can live according to his Word in faithfulness and uprightness.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
*Hallelujah is the Hebrew word meaning "Praise the Lord!"
December 27 - Saturday
Posted December 27, 2008
Isaiah 45:22-25 Turn to the Lord
Turn to the Lord, all the farthest places on earth, and be saved. There is no other God but the Lord. The Lord has sworn and will not take back what he has declared: "Every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear" (Isaiah 45:23c; compare Philippians 2:9-11).
Righteousness and strength are in the Lord alone. All who were opposed to God will come and be ashamed. The children of Israel shall triumph and be glorified in the Lord.
The Lord is God, whether we acknowledge him or not. This world is his Creation, designed by his Word, with his rules, to serve his purpose. He has designed it to allow the possibility of sin (disobedience of God's Word) so that we have the freedom to choose whether to trust and obey God or not, and the opportunity to learn by trial and error.
God has always intended, from the beginning of Creation, to establish an eternal kingdom of his people who willingly trust and obey God. This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God our Creator (Acts 17:26-27) and to learn to trust and obey God.
God has designed Creation and we ourselves with a time limit. God is not willing to tolerate rebellion and disobedience forever, and not at all in his eternal heavenly kingdom. God gave us freedom to disobey him in this Creation knowing that, given the opportunity, we would all sin, and fall short of God's righteousness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10). The penalty for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).
God designed a Savior, Jesus Christ, into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God's only provision for the forgiveness of our sins, and salvation from eternal destruction (Acts 4:12; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). Salvation is a gift from God, which we can only receive through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus is the only way to come to find and have fellowship with God, the only way to know divine, eternal truth, and the only to receive eternal life (John 14:6). We are all born physically alive but spiritually dead. This lifetime is our only opportunity to spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8), to eternal life, and this is only possible through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty for oneself whether or not one has been "born-again;" if one is not sure, one hasn't been (Acts 19:2)!
This is God's Creation, and we have been given the gift of physical life and have been allowed to live in it. We have been allowed to live the way we please. God didn't owe us even that, but he certainly doesn't owe us eternal life in paradise restored, if we rebel against him and reject his gift of forgiveness and salvation.
God is not obligated to be everything a righteous and loving God implies if we are not willing to trust and obey him (Jeremiah 7:23; Ezekiel 11:20; Leviticus 26:3, 12; see also Jeremiah 11:4c-5a). God is not obligated to answer prayer if we are not willing to trust and obey his Word (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right).
Only God is righteous, and he is all-powerful. Compared to us he is sinless and we are sinners; he is strong and we are weak; he is wise and we are spiritually ignorant.
In order to make it possible for us to be spiritually reborn, we have been designed as eternal beings with "souls" which will exist after physical death. We will continue to exist in eternal life in paradise with the Lord, or in eternal agony and destruction in Hell with all evil.
There is a Day of Judgment, when Jesus will return, as he has promised, to judge the living and the dead in both physical and spiritual senses (John 5:28-29; 1 Peter 4:5). Jesus is the Righteous Judge, and he is also the standard by which everyone who has ever lived physically will be judged. Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and have trusted and obeyed Jesus will have been "reborn" in this lifetime, and will enter God's eternal kingdom in paradise. Those who have rejected Jesus, and have refused to trust and obey God's Word will be condemned to everlasting destruction and eternal death in Hell with all evil (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
God is the Creator and the giver of all things: physical life and all the material necessities of life in this Creation. In eternity we will either continue to live with the Lord, or we will live eternally separated from God's love and providence. Remove God's righteousness and providence from this Creation and what would we have?
Now we have the opportunity to rebel against and disobey God, but in the Day of Judgment, we will have no choice but to obey the Lord. In that day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God, but in that day it will be too late to change our eternal destiny. Those who have opposed God and Jesus Christ will be eternally put to shame, but the children of God of the New Israel (the Church of Jesus Christ) will eternally triumph and be glorified in the Lord.
Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?
No comments:
Post a Comment