May you ring in the New Year with "The joy of the Lord, which is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:10
Monday, December 31, 2012
Our Unchanging Jesus
December 31
As we embark upon another New Year, we ring out the old and ring in the new with the joy of knowing that the Christ we serve is in command of this entity we call time. We have seen the Mayan prophecy which many felt foretold a cataclysmic end to the world as we know it come and go without the total destruction of our planet that many feared.
We have heard the saber-rattling of bellicose nations, but to date, their machinations of war and conquest and subjugation have been kept largely at bay. We have noted the statistical increase of natural disasters such as earthquakes and devastating storms, but although the havoc they wreak is substantial, the earth still stands.
If there is one undeniable truth we may collectively reach at this juncture in time and place it is that the Savior of the world is still in the business of revealing Himself to lost man for the purpose of bringing as many as will receive Him into the arc of salvation that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior affords to all men (See I Timothy 4:10). As you, dear reader, begin the year of 2013, may you go forward in the strength of the Lord and in the power of your absolute faith in Him.
May you be among those who have complete confidence that, “What HE has promised, HE is able to perform (Romans 4:21). May you be among those who “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5), knowing the reality of the unseen promises of the Lord Jesus Christ far exceeds the seeming veracity of anything you can see with your eyes or hear with your ears or perceive in the natural realm.
May you go forward into the Happiest of New Years with the unshakable blessing of faith in our unchanging Jesus.
As we embark upon another New Year, we ring out the old and ring in the new with the joy of knowing that the Christ we serve is in command of this entity we call time. We have seen the Mayan prophecy which many felt foretold a cataclysmic end to the world as we know it come and go without the total destruction of our planet that many feared.
We have heard the saber-rattling of bellicose nations, but to date, their machinations of war and conquest and subjugation have been kept largely at bay. We have noted the statistical increase of natural disasters such as earthquakes and devastating storms, but although the havoc they wreak is substantial, the earth still stands.
If there is one undeniable truth we may collectively reach at this juncture in time and place it is that the Savior of the world is still in the business of revealing Himself to lost man for the purpose of bringing as many as will receive Him into the arc of salvation that acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior affords to all men (See I Timothy 4:10). As you, dear reader, begin the year of 2013, may you go forward in the strength of the Lord and in the power of your absolute faith in Him.
May you be among those who have complete confidence that, “What HE has promised, HE is able to perform (Romans 4:21). May you be among those who “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5), knowing the reality of the unseen promises of the Lord Jesus Christ far exceeds the seeming veracity of anything you can see with your eyes or hear with your ears or perceive in the natural realm.
May you go forward into the Happiest of New Years with the unshakable blessing of faith in our unchanging Jesus.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Unsung Hero
December 30
Joseph is the unsung ‘hero’ of Christmas. This man, probably several years her senior, was betrothed to Mary the virgin who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The marriage between the two may have been arranged from her birth. We know such agreements were often reached between the parents of the bride and groom.
We are not told how long their engagement was to be but the custom of the day was that a betrothal would last approximately a year before the marriage was to take place. The driving factor that established the length of time between the official engagement and the wedding was usually the groom’s ability to pay the ‘bride price.’
When Mary was found to be with child “before they came together,” Joseph, a kind and godly man, decided to “put her away” quietly. According to the tradition of the day, Mary could have been executed for adultery, but Joseph was unwilling to “make her a public spectacle.” (See Matthew 1:18-19.)
At this juncture, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary unto you as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. The Son she shall bring forth, Jesus, shall save His people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah and he knew the voice of God, so he believed and assumed the role of father-protector over Mary’s holy Child.
Joseph is the unsung ‘hero’ of Christmas. This man, probably several years her senior, was betrothed to Mary the virgin who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The marriage between the two may have been arranged from her birth. We know such agreements were often reached between the parents of the bride and groom.
We are not told how long their engagement was to be but the custom of the day was that a betrothal would last approximately a year before the marriage was to take place. The driving factor that established the length of time between the official engagement and the wedding was usually the groom’s ability to pay the ‘bride price.’
When Mary was found to be with child “before they came together,” Joseph, a kind and godly man, decided to “put her away” quietly. According to the tradition of the day, Mary could have been executed for adultery, but Joseph was unwilling to “make her a public spectacle.” (See Matthew 1:18-19.)
At this juncture, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said to him, “Joseph, do not fear to take Mary unto you as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. The Son she shall bring forth, Jesus, shall save His people from their sins,” (Matthew 1:20-21).
Joseph knew the prophecies concerning the Messiah and he knew the voice of God, so he believed and assumed the role of father-protector over Mary’s holy Child.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Blessed Act of Believing
December 29
Mary the young virgin girl and her elderly cousin shared an exchange that evidenced the power of the Lord upon each of them. Elizabeth, still in a state of awed rejoicing at the news of her pregnancy understood that the child she was to bear would be the harbinger of the Savior to come after him.
Mary then said something that quickened within her heart upon reflection of the visitation of the angel with the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Their words resonate within each of us as we allow the reality of the Christ to be born in our spirits as they allowed Him to be birthed in theirs.
In Luke 1:45-49 Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary affirmed, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…and holy is His name.”
It is significant that these woman of faith pronounced words of blessing upon the act of believing first then magnifying their eternal God and Savior. We, too, have the privilege to hear the news of Christ and to embrace it to our hearts. When we have allowed Him to reign in our hearts and lives, we, too, glory in His holy presence.
Mary the young virgin girl and her elderly cousin shared an exchange that evidenced the power of the Lord upon each of them. Elizabeth, still in a state of awed rejoicing at the news of her pregnancy understood that the child she was to bear would be the harbinger of the Savior to come after him.
Mary then said something that quickened within her heart upon reflection of the visitation of the angel with the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. Their words resonate within each of us as we allow the reality of the Christ to be born in our spirits as they allowed Him to be birthed in theirs.
In Luke 1:45-49 Elizabeth said, “Blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary affirmed, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior…and holy is His name.”
It is significant that these woman of faith pronounced words of blessing upon the act of believing first then magnifying their eternal God and Savior. We, too, have the privilege to hear the news of Christ and to embrace it to our hearts. When we have allowed Him to reign in our hearts and lives, we, too, glory in His holy presence.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Who is Mary?
December 28
One of the significant points of doctrinal difference between the Catholic and the Protestant branches of Christianity is the perception of the personhood of Mary. Catholics consider her to be “Queen of Heaven.” They believe her to be co-equal with Jesus. He is perhaps able to be described as a loving son who consults His mother in matters of import.
Protestants perceive Mary to be a good and honorable woman of profound faith whose devotion to the law and whose love of her God stood out among other women and set her apart for her level of commitment to God’s truth.
Another significant difference is the Catholic belief that Mary remained a virgin her entire life while Protestants believe her marriage to Joseph was consummated after the birth of Jesus (see Matthew 1:25) and that Mary and Joseph had other children—brothers and sisters of the Lord.
One thing that is irrefutable is the fact that the Catholic Church has been instrumental in fulfilling the prophecy spoken of Mary by the angel in Luke 1:28, which says, “Hail, thou who art highly favored; the Lord is with you and blessed are you among women,” as well as the prophecy of Mary herself, “…all generations shall call me blessed, ”Luke 1:48.
The Catholic Church has been faithful to hold Mary in utmost regard and to perpetuate her blessedness through the generations.
One of the significant points of doctrinal difference between the Catholic and the Protestant branches of Christianity is the perception of the personhood of Mary. Catholics consider her to be “Queen of Heaven.” They believe her to be co-equal with Jesus. He is perhaps able to be described as a loving son who consults His mother in matters of import.
Protestants perceive Mary to be a good and honorable woman of profound faith whose devotion to the law and whose love of her God stood out among other women and set her apart for her level of commitment to God’s truth.
Another significant difference is the Catholic belief that Mary remained a virgin her entire life while Protestants believe her marriage to Joseph was consummated after the birth of Jesus (see Matthew 1:25) and that Mary and Joseph had other children—brothers and sisters of the Lord.
One thing that is irrefutable is the fact that the Catholic Church has been instrumental in fulfilling the prophecy spoken of Mary by the angel in Luke 1:28, which says, “Hail, thou who art highly favored; the Lord is with you and blessed are you among women,” as well as the prophecy of Mary herself, “…all generations shall call me blessed, ”Luke 1:48.
The Catholic Church has been faithful to hold Mary in utmost regard and to perpetuate her blessedness through the generations.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
This Heavenly Visitor
December 27
Just who is this heavenly Visitor who burst through the constraints of the realm of the unseen into the visible, tangible world in which man lives and moves and has his being? Who is this One whose anthems were sung by angels to the glory of God (Luke 2:10-14)? Who is this One who so polarized men (see Luke 2:28-32 vs. Matthew 2:13)?
From the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, 7 which says, “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…His government shall be established on the throne of David,” we see that He shall be no mere mortal. This holy, royal child shall be the “Mighty God.”
From Isaiah 53, we discover that many will not believe that the One who comes is the fulfillment of the promise. He will suffer in the behalf of all men and He shall be put to a shameful death—but in so doing, He will secure the salvation of every man who would henceforth believe in the atoning power of His propitiatory death. In Zechariah 12:10 we learn that one day, even the Jews will recognize Him as their Messiah.
In John 1:1-14, we are told, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…He came to His own, and…as many as received Him were given the power to become the sons of God…the Word was flesh and dwelt among us.” This Living Word was Jesus, the One who cannot fail and cannot lie, the One who will yet stand when all else is shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29).
Jesus alone, the Living Word, cannot be shaken. Our unshakable security is in Him.
Just who is this heavenly Visitor who burst through the constraints of the realm of the unseen into the visible, tangible world in which man lives and moves and has his being? Who is this One whose anthems were sung by angels to the glory of God (Luke 2:10-14)? Who is this One who so polarized men (see Luke 2:28-32 vs. Matthew 2:13)?
From the prophecy of Isaiah 9:6, 7 which says, “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…His government shall be established on the throne of David,” we see that He shall be no mere mortal. This holy, royal child shall be the “Mighty God.”
From Isaiah 53, we discover that many will not believe that the One who comes is the fulfillment of the promise. He will suffer in the behalf of all men and He shall be put to a shameful death—but in so doing, He will secure the salvation of every man who would henceforth believe in the atoning power of His propitiatory death. In Zechariah 12:10 we learn that one day, even the Jews will recognize Him as their Messiah.
In John 1:1-14, we are told, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…He came to His own, and…as many as received Him were given the power to become the sons of God…the Word was flesh and dwelt among us.” This Living Word was Jesus, the One who cannot fail and cannot lie, the One who will yet stand when all else is shaken (Hebrews 12:26-29).
Jesus alone, the Living Word, cannot be shaken. Our unshakable security is in Him.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Questions/Comments
If you have questions or comments, please e-mail me at:
sandralee_7@yahoo.com
Thank you for your interest in this blog. Please be blessed by it and please know that the God you love and serve loves you. His Holy Spirit is always within you and His guardian angel is always hovering over you to guard and protect you.
In Jesus' love,
Sandra Lee
sandralee_7@yahoo.com
Thank you for your interest in this blog. Please be blessed by it and please know that the God you love and serve loves you. His Holy Spirit is always within you and His guardian angel is always hovering over you to guard and protect you.
In Jesus' love,
Sandra Lee
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