"Only Life Changes"

Once again Peter shows his close relationship with those whom he is writing to. He loves them as children and want what is best for them. They are facing trials, which are very difficult for them and trying for their faith. He is going to teach them some “hard truths” that trials like this are inevitable for believers. Beloved (def. dearly loved.) – Once again Peter shows his close relationship with those whom he is writing to. He loves them as children and want what is best for them. They are facing unfair trials, in fact are very difficult for them and trying time for their faith. He is going to teach them some “hard truths” that trials like this are inevitable for believers. He also wants them to know that he is on their side, and he wants what is best for them and loves them. Do not be surprised, as though some strange things were happening to you. Some believers might expect that the Christian life would be easy and smooth all the time. Jesus even said some would respond to the gospel with joy, but when trials come, having no root, they would wither away. These are the kind of Christians who think trusting in God is a ticket to a rich and smooth life. Peter warns his readers against this attitude. They should not only realize that trials may come, but they expect trials as normal aspect of Christian life. In some times and places trials are more severe. In some times and places, they are less severe. They are always there, and they are always normal. How can it help us as believers to expect that trials will come? Assists us in overcoming and being stronger in Christ. The trials also help us to pray for others who are going through hurts, sufferings and hang-ups. Prayer and action. Embrace this. Peter’s final words of instruction to suffering saints. Peter sets out in these verses the attitudes and actions we should manifest in suffering. He also adds reinforcement in his teaching with numerous reasons these should be embraced and exemplified in our lives. Peter calls attention to Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven”

(Matthew 5:11–12: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.).
Let’s read 1 Peter 4:12-19
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rested upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part, he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, good morning. I love you and thank you for this new day. Lord Jesus, the world surrounds us, pressing, tempting and stressing us in so many ways. Help us set appropriate limits. Give us sound judgement to choose wisely. Let us not suffer as Christians. Keep a hedge of angels around all Your children and bless them as we all walk with You in right standing and deeds. Guard and protect us through every moment of our days. Father God, so many people have illumined my path, to many to count. I honor them in your name, and I thank you for the blessing they have been to me. If there is someone whose life I can brighten, Lord Jesus, show me their need, and allow me to shine on them as they continue their path with you. I thank You and praise You for Your beatitudes and Your word on all encouragement in our Christian Walk with You. I thank you, praise You and give you all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verses}
Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul. Proverbs 22:24-25

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome is a thorough and clear presentation of the gospel, or “good news,” about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul identifies himself as both a servant of Jesus and an apostle, representing Christ’s authority and message to others. This also teaches that mankind has seen the general revelation of God through nature and our consciences, and so all are without excuse (Romans 1:18-20). But the rest of the book explains how special revelation was given to the people of Israel in particular, making them all the more accountable. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. The Roman Empire was a primarily polytheistic civilization, which meant that people recognized and worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. Despite the presence of monotheistic religions within the empire, such as Judaism and early Christianity, Romans honored multiple deities. Much like today in this generation. We have believers and non-believers But everyone believes in Christmas. Getting gifts, singing Christmas Carols. But not everyone knows that Christ- Mas is Jesus’s Birthday. My mom used to say, sometimes you just have to give and have faith even if it is your last. God will always bless you. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. So in Romans : This is the good news was promised long ago by God’s prophets in the old testament. It is good news about His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who came as a human baby, for He was born into King David’s royal family line: And by rising from the dead He proved Himself to be the mighty Son of God, with the holy nature of God Himself. Now, through Christ, all the kindness of God has been poured out upon us undeserving sinners, and now He is sending us out around the world to tell all people everywhere the great things God has done for them, so that they too will believe and obey Him. This good news tells us that God makes us ready for Heaven, good in His eyes, when we put on our faith and trust in Christ to save us.
Lets read Romans Chapter 1:1-17:
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God I thank You and praise You for reaching out to me and to all mankind with your gospel of Jesus Christ, Who died for my sins and rose again the third day to break the power of sin and death in my life. I am believing and am excited about Your Birthday and believing for those who don’t know You will realize the true meaning behind Your Birthday and have the faith to follow You. I thank You and praise You for revealing the mystery of the church through Paul and opening up to us the light of the glorious gospel Christ, to all who believe in Christ Jesus as Savior, and hearts will open their doors to You. I thank You and praise You for the powerful mind you have given to learn to do what is right and can heal the body. Knowing our body can’t heal our mind. We can set our mind on the right that is in Christ Jesus our Lord forever. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
Oh Lord You have freed me from my bonds and I will serve You forever. Psalm 116:16

Titus was Paul’s son. Titus was a Minister plenipotentiary. While the apostle grants Titus authority of Apostolic teacher and sends Titus on missions. Titus faces the developing of character in the churches of Crete (Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea,) Paul is speaking to Titus who has been charged with appointing elders in every city on Crete and is to speak things which are fitting for sound doctrine and to exhort and reprove with all authority. After reading these different versions, it seems like it is pretty clear what God’s Word says. Obviously, the divisive man or factious person can be spotted by their behavior, or there would be no way to follow through with warning them or admonishing them a first and second time, and if they do not respond, have nothing to do with them. This sounds simple, straightforward and uncomplicated. Titus was a *Gentile Christian (Galatians 2:3: Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.) Titus had probably become a Christian when Paul taught the good news about Jesus Christ. So, Paul described Titus as his ‘true son’ (Titus 1:4: To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.). Paul described Titus as a partner and a worker with him (2 Corinthians 8:23: As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ.) Instead of saying: Life is not fair: Why not say: Life is fair! {This is where Christianity really stands apart from the pack. God decided to give you and I that we don’t deserve. That is grace! “God will come again in the person of Christ” Titus 2:13 it reads: We wait for the blessed hope the glorious appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. “God saved us because of His mercy.”
“Titus 3:1-11:”
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinned, being condemned of himself.

“Titus 3:12-15: Final Remarks:”
When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your grace and mercy towards me, a sinner. I thank You and praise You that You have washed away my sins and guided me back to You through the Holy Spirit through Jesus. I thank You and praise You for this wise advice from Paul, to reject a froward factious man after a first and second warning. Father God, I confess that I have sometimes wasted my time, trying to appease certain people, whose obvious aim is to cause division or bitterness within the body of Christ. Keep me humble and identify those that purposely seeking to cause division in the body of Christ and give me the grace and wisdom to remain silent, rather than being pulled into some unfruitful disagreement. Keep me from becoming entrapped in any form of legalism and help me to be aware and avoid many of the blasphemy, unbiblical teachings, and legalistic rituals, that are infiltrating so many congregations today. Give our church elders the wisdom and discernment to address any division within the Body of Christ, speedily, wisely, and biblically, so that others may not be misled. I thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}

I will bless the Lord who counsels me; He gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do. Psalm 16:7

Little, or beloved children, let no man deceive you. In this important matter, by vain words, however serious and plausible they may seem to be. For a being, himself immutably holy, can never dispense with the want of holiness in his intelligent creatures. Focuses mostly on the concept of love. Because of His love, God not only calls us His children, He actually makes us His children. John also explains how sin, including hate, is never the result of a proper relationship with God. 1 John 3:4–10 strongly condemns sin, and leaves no excuse for it. While this warning is often interpreted as a ”litmus test” for salvation, John’s specific audience is actually Christian believers. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. Let’s read Romans 7:21 – So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.In Roman’s 7 explores the relationship between the law of Moses and human sin. Paul insists that the law is how he came to know and understand sin, in general, and his own sin specifically. Our flesh so wants to contribute to our holiness. That is the flesh of self effort or trying to will ourselves into a state of righteousness. That cheapens what Christ did on the cross. And saying that only some of our sins were forgiven (the ones leading up to our asking God to forgive our sins), would make it to where Christ only died for some of our sins. If He died for only some of our sins, then the cross isn’t finished, and He would need to go back on it each day to die for more sins and future sins. Doesn’t make sense! Not at all! Just saying!
So we sin as children of God. We learn to hate sin more as we grow. He has covered ALL of our sins. Our will and self effort cannot save us or keep us saved. Finding my identity in Christ has been freedom from bondage. Saying NO to sin! Is totally awesome! Saying YES to righteousness is our freedom from self! The only thing that angers God is sin. In fact He hates it.
The Lord isn’t angry at Christians. He cannot be. You might ask how that can be?
It’s simple. The cross of Jesus and His shed blood was enough to satisfy His requirements for atoning for sin. Therefore because of Who He is and what He has done, nothing of us, He satisfied His demand. What God demands, only God can provide for. That’s why He is no longer angry with us. He cannot be. Even when we sin. I believe He says there she goes again! Will she ever learn not to sin? Don’t you think that when we do good and are growing in the Lord Jesus, He bless’s us and is very proud of us as we walk with Him.
It reads in Romans 3:25:
For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past.
It reads in
Romans 8:33
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one, for God himself has given us right standing with himself.
I was reading 1 John 3 today (1st verse is my new sword for when I’m feeling attacked by the enemy). This part really confuses me though: 7) Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8) He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9) No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10) This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. Also, verse 15 reads: Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is the NIV, by the way.

So, as I read these verses, I really felt as if it’s stating that we don’t have eternal life if we sin, and if we continue to sin, we are not really Christians. It makes it sounds like works are necessary to have eternal life. But of course, we all continue to sin in some capacity, and because of God’s Grace and what Jesus did on the cross, we still have eternal life. Can I maybe clear up what the third chapter of 1 John focuses mostly on the concept of love? Because of His love, God not only calls us His children, but He also actually makes us His children. John also explains how sin, including hate, is never the result of a proper relationship with God.

{Let’s Pray
Father God, I thank You and praise You for Your word that helps me to grow in Your Goodness. I thank You and praise You that I am a child of God, and that the life of the risen Lord Jesus is dwelling within me. I believe as You assist me to live and work to Your praise, honor and glory. I will cast off the works of darkness and be clothed in the armor of light and right, so that others may see Christ working in and through me. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
The good man can look forward to happiness, while the wicked can expect wrath.
Proverbs 11:23

Luke and Matthew both place Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. These are the only references in the New Testament to Bethlehem as Jesus’ place of birth. There are problems with those claims, and I’ll come back to them in a moment. First, let’s look at Mark, the first gospel written, and John, the last gospel written. Jesus’ birthplace and hometown. Where was Jesus born? In the Bible, Jesus’ birthplace is identified as Bethlehem. This scene from the Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel in Padua by the Italian artist Giotto shows Mary, Joseph and Jesus in the Bethlehem stable. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, but you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. However, we cannot know for sure the month and day Jesus was born, but there is evidence to believe He was born in 3-2 B.C. Joseph and Mary left their hometown of Nazareth, which was located in lower Galilee, and traveled to the city of Bethlehem in the south part of Judah. The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. He stated, “And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . . .” (Micah 5:2) In Luke 2:39-52, we have the only reference in Scripture to the years between Jesus’ birth and the beginning of His ministry when He was about 30. Some of the apocryphal gospels that circulated in the early centuries of the church contain fanciful and miraculous legends from Jesus’ childhood. One of the most fascinating facts about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is how God used the powerful but sometimes brutal Roman Empire, coupled with a Jewish fixation on their ancestors, to fulfill a 700-year-old prophecy! “Awesome quote by © Thomas Dekker: “The best man That e’re wore earth about Him was a Sufferer, A soft, meek, patient, humble, tranquil spirit: The first true gentleman that ever breathed.”
Makes you wonder just what kind of God we worship. He influences great power and wisdom. He willingly humbled Himself for our salvation. Jesus died in time a criminal’s death on the cross. He walked, worshiped and lived on this earth with us. People was blessed by Him, People ridiculed Him, people spit at Him, people worshiped Him because He was God’s common good. Jesus suffered for us and died for us. As Jesus first came as an ordinary baby, around ordinary people. God turns to ordinary people today as you pray and believe. You may not feel important. God says you are His and worth Dying for. Be confident and courageous, because Jesus will come to anyone who receives Him and believes in Him. When ordinary people decide to follow Jesus, He can accomplish amazing things through them.
Let’s read Luke 2:39-52
And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I can understand how You came to earth as a baby in a manger to prove to all of us that righteousness is more effective in forgiving sinners and growing them into Your light to walk right. As Jesus walked perfectly right. God the Son would lay aside His heavenly glory and be willing to come to earth, be born as a little baby, and live a perfect life, so that He could die a sacrificial death for the sin of the world. I thank You and praise You for Jesus’s wonderful example of obedience to You and thank You demonstrated to us how to live a life that’s totally dependent on You. I believe that like the Lord Jesus, I would grow in grace and increase in wisdom and understanding, for Your praise and glory. I thank You and praise You that You give sinners a second chance at walking right and You are a forgiving God. I believe that I would learn to say, without hesitation, “Lord Your will not mine be done in all things. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
I bless the Lord: O Lord my God, how great You are! You are robbed with honor and with majesty and light. Psalm 104:1

I find it interesting in Luke 2:21-38 The narrative begins eight days after the birth of Jesus and the visit from the shepherds. The baby is named and circumcised, a rite that marks Jesus as Jewish, as part of the people that God has called. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant relationship that God established first with Abraham (Genesis 17: Physical circumcision is, without a doubt, the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. It indicates death to the flesh, a testament to man’s inability to accomplish God’s will in his own strength. Hence, God ordered Abraham to physically circumcise his son Isaac, the father of the Jewish people. For other nations, circumcision may be a sign of purification, but for Abraham and his descendants it was to a sign of a unique relationship with God. The meaning of circumcision for Abraham is very simply a sign that this person is a member of the covenant people. It was a sign of the covenant. But since baptism (the sign of the New Covenant) does not require the male reproductive organ, both males and females may joyfully receive the sign of the new covenant. Circumcision also foreshadowed Christ’s death. Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham (It reads in Genesis 17:9-27: And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.” Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him. ). What relevance does it have today? As God Shaddai establishes his covenant with Abraham for the generations to come, he asks for a response.) and then with his descendants, the people of Israel.
“Let’s Read Luke 2:21-38
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the LORD, every male that opened the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting’s and prayers night and day. And she is coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord and spoke of him to all of them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for the beautiful Psalm of praise that fell from the lips of old Simeon, when he saw the baby Jesus and took Him in his arms and praised You for His goodness, grace, and faithfulness. I thank You and praise You for sending Jesus to be the Messiah of Israel and Savior of the whole world. I believe that I may develop a similar faith as Simeon who lived by faith, trusted Your Word, worshiped, believed and waited confidently, for You to fulfil all that You promised. I thank You and praise You that Your Word is altogether true and stands fast for ever in learning righteousness. I thank You and praise You for Your promise to me, that one day I will see Jesus and be made like unto Him, for Your greater honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments are sure.

Psalm 111:7

Let us seek to learn the meaning and the application of the Savior’s birth, as recorded only by Luke, the divinely inspired historian. Luke chapter 2 has three major sections.

Verses 1-20 depict the birth of Jesus, and the worship and witness of the shepherds. According to the Bible, Jesus was born to save mankind from sin (from his disobedience to God, his wrongdoings and wrong thoughts). Jesus was born purposely and with His consent – as God’s unique son – to pay for the sins of mankind by dying in place of mankind, or so that people could be saved from an eternity apart from him. Jesus is Born Jesus is Born (Luke 2) Main Point: Jesus was born to be the Savior of the world. Key Verse: She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew tells us about the visitation of the angel to Joseph, prior to the birth of Jesus, which caused him to marry Mary, rather than to put her away privately, as he had originally intended. He also informs us about the visit of the magi, of Herod’s attempt to kill the baby, and of the flight of the holy family to Egypt until after Herod’s death.

“It reads in Matthew 1:18-25: This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph’s son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate (faultless) their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

“Let’s read Luke 2:1-21:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You that just as in the times of Mary and Joseph Your plans and purposes for mankind could not be thwarted by Satan’s evil manipulation nor blocked by the work of evil men and their corrupt governments. Thank You and praise You that today You remain in ultimate control of all things. Although the some in the nations conspire against Your people Israel, rage against Your church family, and seek to break free from God’s righteousness.Which choosing between right and wrong might seem hard. It is not. Your church family praise You and thank You that You remain in control and that the day is coming when You will break the nations with a rod of iron ; and dash them to pieces like pottery. Until then we believe that You will use us and bind Your light with in all of us and finalize the unity in Christ. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Chapter is describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. Do not speak against one another, brethren He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. Specifically, James’ use of the word “neighbor” (4:12) probably shows that he has in mind the second greatest commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself. Judging your neighbor (in the sense that I have explained) is not to love him. It is rather to set yourself up in a position that belongs to God alone. The entire passage leading up to this verse has been about the difference between earthly, worldly wisdom, and heavenly, godly wisdom. Most recently, James has pointed out that speaking about human plans without acknowledging the influence of God is evil. A Christian is to live a life of complete trust in God. God should be the friend you wake up to in the morning. He is your first neighbor, first love and He loved us first. So God should always be first. If it wasn’t for God, I would not of woke up this morning to do this video. Amen!
{Let’s read James 4:1-17}
From whence come wars and fighting’s among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss ” means not quite right; inappropriate or out of place.”, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judges another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeared for a little time, and then vanished away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I can honestly say that my heart bleeds and cries for others when they are hurting and there is nothing I can do. Pretty much how You feel when we mess up or ignore You like You aren’t even here. Judging You wrongfully. I know how that feels when others judge me for something I didn’t even do and all I did was try to be a light. I am sorry for all the wrongs in my life when I ignored You and went my own way. Help me to stay humble before You and draw me away from worldly stinking thinking. I know worldly thinking grieves the Holy Spirit. I am totally believing to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness and to be careful of needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I believe I may think of others before myself and ask that I may truly die to my own desires and any judgmental thought that enters my mind erase it! Jehovah Rapha thank You for Your continued healing, strength and blessings in others’ lives and my own. Let Your will be done. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.
{Power Verse}
“The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. “Proverbs 11:6

I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it. one day.
And as my fingers pressed it, still,
It moved and yielded to my will.

I came again, when days were passed,
That bit of clay, was hard at last,
The form I gave it, still it bore.
And I could change that form no more.

Then I took a piece of Living clay,
And gently formed it, day by day.
And molded with my power and art,
A young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years were gone,
It was a man I looked upon.
He still that early impress bore,
And I could change it never more.
(Author Unknown)

One of the most powerful analogies in the Bible regarding our transformation and sanctification in the Lord has to be the analogy of the potter and the clay. The Bible says that God is the Potter and we are the clay. It is up to God to mold, transform, and sanctify us as we journey through this earthly life.

“The Sculptor”
One of the most powerful analogies in the Bible regarding our transformation and sanctification in the Lord has to be the analogy of the potter and the clay. The Bible says that God is the Potter and we are the clay. It is up to God to mold, transform, and sanctify us as we journey through this earthly life. Isaiah 64:8 it reads: But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.
Romans 9:20-21 it reads: But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?'” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? Jeremiah 18:2-6 it reads: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I thank You and praise You for sending Jesus in Your image so we could learn to walk right with You. I come to You in humility of heart and ask that You make and mould me into a vessel that is pleasing to You. Let me be a light that no one can contain through Your glory and honor. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’? Isaiah 45:9

{In 1 John 4:16 it reads: And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.} I this verse John wants us to understand how much God loves us and to believe how special we are to God, our faith in how much He loves us. The fact that God is love is repeated from verse 8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” To emphasize how complete God’s love is toward us. The verse ends with the fruit of this kind of love and unity. Abiding in God and His Love . The spirit of truth and protection against the spirit of error. The fact of false prophets and the need to test the spirits. Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. In other words, love for God and others is the way to remain growing in the Lord. And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. John includes both himself and his readers as believers in the beginning of this verse. His words clearly state that both knowing and believing are important. In many modern churches, believing has been emphasized apart from knowing God. This can lead to people who accept Jesus yet do not live for Him. These people may be “born of God,” but they show no signs of “abiding” in Him.
Both “to know and to believe” are essential in the life of a Christian believer. We must believe in who Christ really is, for salvation. We must “know” Him through obedience, worship and uniting with believers, to be accepted in our actions, and to be blessed by Him.

{Let’s Pray}
Father God, I praise You and thank You for Your heart of love and compassion that is open towards me and others. I thank You and praise You for the many ways that You shower Your love into my life. I am believing to be ever mindful of Your never-failing love and ever-abiding: presence in my heart. Use me I pray, to stream Your gracious love through my life and out to the weary and thirsty souls that You place in my path. Let me be Your light this day and every day. I love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.

{Power Verse}
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 peter 4:8