This was God’s Plan

[As the prophet has written:] "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel." — Matthew 2:6

The birth of Jesus at Bethlehem is no accident. The Almighty God had foretold this many years earlier through his prophets. Even Herod's religious lackeys could determine that the Messiah was to be born in the quaint old city of David. The human birth of the promised Messiah would occur in the city of Israel's great King, poet, and shepherd. This was God's plan. It is also a reminder that God keeps his word and fulfils his promises.

Your Secrets

Ecclesiastics 12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
 including every hidden thing,
 whether it is good or evil.

Romans 2:16
This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets  through Jesus Christ,  as my gospel  declares.

Disappointment

Acts 16:7-8
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus  would not allow them to.   So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.

Hair

Judges 20:16
Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed,  each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss.

1 kings 1:52
Solomon replied, “If he shows himself to be worthy, not a hair  of his head will fall to the ground; but if evil is found in him, he will die.”

Your Whole Life

1 Peter 4:5
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

[Message No: 7524]

Same the Same

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9

God is faithful! Scripture declares it. We've experienced it. In fact, we cherish this promise from God, especially when things don't turn out as they "should." So when Satan does trip us with temptation, or when we are weak or rebellious, isn't it comforting that we can be forgiven and made clean again? God wants us to call our sin what he calls it. (To "confess" literally means to "say the same" thing about it as God does!) Incredibly, God does more than forgive us. He also cleanses us. We're made new, fresh, pure, and holy once again! That is more than being faithful and just; that's being downright gracious.

The Lord’s Servant

Romans 6:22
But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
Joel 2:29
And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
 I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Hebrews 1:7
And of the angels He says:
  “Who makes His angels spirits
 And His ministers a flame of fire.”

Two Kingdoms 

. Local Planetary –

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

. Universal Interplanetary –

Revelation 5:11
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands

[Message No: 7523]

Christians Boasting

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. — 1 Chronicles 16:10
What is your glory? Do you glory in your accomplishments, your wealth, your status, your looks, your piety, your humility ...? In the old hymn "Beneath the Cross of Jesus," we confess, "My glory, all the Cross." That's what Christians mean when we "glory in God's holy name." Our full understanding of God's holy name has been greatly expanded by Jesus. He taught us to not only reverence the name of God, but also to call him Father.

Any other cause of joy, any other basis for boasting, is a passing illusion. For those whose hearts seek the LORD, glory is found in reverencing the holy name of the Father who gave up his precious Son so we could be his children. He loves us that much. Incredible!

Divine Love in many Aspects 

. Unmerited – not that we loved God

1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us  and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

. Unlimited – for God so loved the world

John 3:16
For God so loved  the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

10:22
Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?  Are we stronger than he?

10:29
I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom  being judged by another’s conscience?

God’s Word for God’s People

Zechariah 10:7
Those of Ephraim shall be like a mighty man,
 And their heart shall rejoice as if with wine.
 Yes, their children shall see it and be glad;
 Their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.

[Message No: 7522]

Hang in There

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12

This beatitude comes from Jesus' brother. He had experienced it and not just taught it! James knew it was worth "hanging in" and "hanging on" when his faith was under attack. He affirmed that God loves us and that he has made incredible promises about what lies ahead for us. He knew that eventually our period of testing would be transformed into a time of great blessing. James wants us to know that God longs to bless us with life! After all, that's why he sent Jesus. (cf. John 10:10)

Pressing Undo

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

Walk in the Light

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Hope

Psalm 62:5
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.

Comforted in Trials

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

When We Are Fearful

Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

[Message No: 7521]

God is still God

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. — Deuteronomy 1:21

A word of encouragement is indispensable at the start of a new journey, especially when the journey demands your leadership. Joshua is no longer second chair. He is no longer the backup to all-pro Moses. Now it is his turn to lead. The people he leads have only known the leadership of the incomparable Moses. How will he lead?

He will lead trusting the promises of God and without fear or discouragement! How is this possible? Because the real leader of God's people hasn't really changed! God is still God. His word is still true. His promises are still trustworthy. His might is still all-powerful.

God’s Timetable

Based on Daniel 2:

. Ten Nations Empire. Iron-clay toes

2:41
And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay.

. Antichrist’s Empire. Stern faced

2:23-25
To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for you have given me wisdom and might,
and have now made known to me what we asked of you,
for you have made known to us the king's matter.”

  Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”

  Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.”

. Christ’s Empire. Rock.

2:44-45

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,  just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

[Message No: 7520]

Fiery

Numbers 21:6
Then the Lord sent venomous snakes  among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died

Deuteronomy 33:2
He said:
  “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth  from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones  from the south, from his mountain slopes.

Psalm 21:9
When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace.
 The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,  and his fire will consume them.

Isaiah 14:29
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines,  that the rod that struck you is broken;  from the root of that snake will spring up a viper,  its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent.

Daniel 3:6
Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,  with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Hebrews 10:27
but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire  that will consume the enemies of God.

1 Peter 4:12
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you  to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Right Us Again

Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,  because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

[Message No: 7519]

Are we using our gifts?

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. — Mark 10:25

It is so easy to think of ourselves as average people who are not rich. But bottom line, if we have access to a computer to read e-mail, we're richer than most of the world. Let's not let our "stuff" get in the way of our faith and compassion. God wants to help our camels get through the eye of the needle. He will, if we remember that what we have is a gift from him, and that he intends for us to use it to bless others and honor him.

God, Revelation Of …

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have separated
 you from your God;
 your sins have hidden his face from you,
 so that he will not hear.

Deuteronomy 31:18
And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods.

Commands - Repent 

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven  has come near.”
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven  has come near.”

Questions in 1st Corinthians  

10:18
Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices  participate in the altar?

10:19
Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?

Teachings of Christ

Neglect

Luke 12:47 
“That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.

Neighbor

Matthew 19:19 
Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

[Message No: 7518]

Effective in Ministry

1. Accept the gifts and calling that God has given you, do not envy or criticize what others have or try to imitate them.

2. Pray daily to know the will of God for you and your ministry.

3. Be content with where God has called you, and with what He is asking you to do.

4. Continually ask for God’s help and power to do His will.

5. Remind yourself every day that you are in ministry to serve God and others and not to serve yourself or your own gain.

Finally,
Be reminded that God has called you just as you are. He has given you specific gifts for a reason. He desires to use you as the person you are along with the gifts you have – in combination with His Spirit’s anointing and transforming work – to minster to others.

He Suffered

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. — Hebrews 2:18

Jesus was tempted like we are! He suffered like we do! God in his grace made sure that we have someone in heaven who knows what it is like to face suffering and mortality. This knowledge is not only omniscient wisdom. Jesus also guarantees that heaven's knowledge includes human experience. Aren't you thankful that Jesus knew suffering and mortality and that he now lives to redeem, to bless, and to ultimately help us mortals?

In the Lord’s Hands

. The Place of Disposal

Proverbs 20:1
Wine  is a mocker  and beer a brawler;
 whoever is led astray  by them is not wise.

. The Place of Hiding and Usefulness

Isaiah 49:2
He made my mouth  like a sharpened sword,
 in the shadow of his hand  he hid me;
 he made me into a polished arrow
 and concealed me in his quiver.

. The Place of Security

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life,  and they shall never perish;  no one will snatch them out of my hand.    My Father, who has given them to me,  is greater than all;  no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

[Message No: 7517]