We have the opportunity to tell the world about the best news in the world!  Praise God! 

It was quite the plan that made love such a hallmark of Scripture. When you search love in an English Bible it's represented 774 times. It all initiates from God's goodness and love for His creation.  In the book of Deuteronomy we see God saying to Moses and the people of Israel that there are only 2 commands. The first, understand that there is only one God. Second, you could love that God with all your heart soul and mind.  These two verses in Deut. 6:4-5 became the standard of what was believed about God throughout the Old Testament and then in the New. Jesus took it to another level when he was questioned about the "greatest commandment". Jesus quoted from Deut 6:4-5 and then added "and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:39).  God's mission to the world was that the ones that He had redeemed would show the love to each other that He had expressed.  From God, to us, to others.  Praise God! 

There are a lot of ways to pray.  Simply stated, any prayer is the right one because you open the door to God and give Him an oppourtunity to speak to you.  Jesus's disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray.  He did.  It's recorded in. Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.
In the Old Testament, when prayers were recorded there was often a phrase, that showed the attitude of the praying person.  
"Teach Me" in the Bible is listed in the context of the prayers of God's people.  
Ex. 33:13; Job 6:24; 34:32; Psa. 25:4–5; 51:6; 86:11; 119:12, 26, 33, 64, 66, 68, 108, 124, 135, 171; 143:10

May we have that same attitude, where we are available for God to enlighten our understanding and tell us something we didn't know.grow us in know.  We don't know what we don't know.  We need to be taught.  This week, maybe we make it a part of our prayers "Lord, Teach Me!" 
Praise God! 

The decision to worship is never the wrong one. It's a re-orientation from the things of earth to the only thing that has eternal consequence.  When you search "Bless the Lord" in an English Bible, you get 20 hits.  Here are the verses so you can explore them at your leisure:

Deut. 8:10; Psa. 16:7; 26:12; 34:1; 68:26; 103:1–2, 20–104:1; 104:35; 115:18; 134:1–2; 135:19–20

The old song says "Turn Your Eyes on Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory, and grace".
Bless the Lord! or as some are know to say:  Praise God! 

Christ's coming to earth is the pivot point of human history.  There are solid reasons that, across cultures, languages, and ages, the birth of Christ gets such attention each year. Churches will continue to declare this message.  Individual believers will live and tell about it each day.  Christ's coming was redemptive.  His Coming was motivated by love.  Our desire to give, sacrifice and serve is based on that love that first came!  John said it. clearly.  1John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
This is the message of the mission.

Paul declares that God's love compels us.  

2Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: that one died for all, and therefore all died.
15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.

There's a reason to look up!  Don't despair of all that you have to do in the days to come, His love compels us on the mission!  Praise God! 

There is an old song we sang when I was a kid in church.  "He is Able to Deliver Thee". While we didn't speak in KJV terms, some of the songs we sang did.  It worked out well since the Bibles we carried were KJV and that's what the preacher preached from.  One refrain from that song goes like this.  "Tis the Grandest theme through the ages rung tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue, tis the grandest theme that the world er sung, Our God is able to deliver thee!"  What a set of phrases and I believe it to be true.  Romans 5:1-2 clearly states the good news available to everyone.  It is the best of both world.  First is the deliverance that the song mentions. and second the resulting peace from that deliverance.  

Rom. 5:1   Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Whatever the stress, anxiety or trouble you face, take confidence in this: "He is Able to Deliver YOU!" and with that deliverance comes PEACE WITH GOD! Praise God! 
hymnary.org

The hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" embraces the gospel, the good news about Jesus.  He came 2000 years ago, and today we celebrate that high event.  There is everything to celebrate today so lift your voice!  Your problems that seem eternal are only temporary by His measure.  Your grief though intense, will pass with morning of His love and mercy.  Jesus has come!  This is why I like this hymn so much.  On this day consider it's final verse:

Come, Desire of nations, come!
  Fix in us Thy humble home:
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring seed,
  Bruise in us the serpent’s head;
Adam’s likeness now efface,
  Stamp Thine image in its place:
Final Adam from above,
  Reinstate us in Thy love.

Going all the way back to the fall of man in Genesis 3, the redemptive mission of God is clear.  By the power of His Holy Spirit inside of us we can live victoriously over sin.
Do you have a challenge that drags you down on this great day?  His power is enough working through you to conquer the enemy of habits and sin.  Run to Him and discover the Love of God in the person of Jesus!  Maybe you feel like you've done too much and God can't or won't forgive you .  The Scripture is clear in John 1:12 that as many as received Him, to THEM gave He the power to become the sons of God!  May the grace, deliverance, mercy, and help of God be yours on this very special day! Praise God! 

That title will get your attention, especially at Christmas!  Bethlehem was the "city of David" and Matthew certainly makes the point that Jesus was in the line of David (Matthew 1). Cecil Alexander was a prolific hymn writer that lived in Ireland in the 19th century.  Her and her husband, the Anglican bishop of Ireland, spent their lives ministering to people from every strata of society.  It's her hymn title.  "Once in Royal David's City".  Here is the link to the text of the hymn.  It's the last 2 verses that I want to highlight on this high day before Christmas.  

Verse 4 says: 

4 And our eyes at last shall see him,
thro' his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in heav'n above:
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.

WOW..He came the first time, He is coming the SECOND TIME!

Verse 5 says:

5 Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high;
when like stars his children crowned
all in white shall wait around.

Glory!  The historical advent of His first coming is the insurance of our eternal hope in His second.  Praise God! 
hymnary.org

This entity is powerful.  "The Angel of the Lord" is a messenger and a warrior.  He is identified in Scripture 65 Times

(Gen. 16:7, 9, 11; 22:11, 15; Ex. 3:2; Num. 22:22–27, 31–32, 34–35; Judg. 2:1, 4; 5:23; 6:11–12, 21–22; 13:3, 13, 15–17, 20–21; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Kings 19:7; 2 Kings 1:3, 15; 19:35; 1 Chr. 21:12, 15–16, 18, 30; Psa. 34:7; 35:5–6; Is. 37:36; Zech. 1:11–12; 3:1, 5–6; 12:8; Matt. 1:20, 24; 2:13, 19; 28:2; Luke 1:11; 2:9; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 12:7, 23)

In the New Testament, specifically around the birth of Jesus, the grand event of heaven coming to earth is accented by the marvelous presence of the Angel of the Lord.  Here are the references.  Rejoice with the angels as you reflect on God's glorious entrance to earth!  

Matt. 1:20       But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph 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.

Matt. 1:24       When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Matt. 2:13       When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Matt. 2:19       After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt

Luke 1:11       Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
Praise God!

Christ's coming to earth has a theological label. Incarnation.  This song reflects on the glory of this boundless event. Here's the hymn:
1 There's a song in the air! 
There's a star in the sky! 
There's a mother's deep prayer 
and a baby's low cry! 
And the star rains its fire 
while the beautiful sing, 
for the manger of Bethlehem 
cradles a King! 
2 There's a tumult of joy 
o'er the wonderful birth, 
for the virgin's sweet boy 
is the Lord of the earth. 
Ay! the star rains its fire 
while the beautiful sing, 
for the manger of Bethlehem 
cradles a King! 
3 In the light of that star 
lie the ages impearled; 
and that song from afar 
has swept over the world. 
Every hearth is aflame, 
and the beautiful sing 
in the homes of the nations 
that Jesus is King! 
4 We rejoice in the light, 
and we echo the song 
that comes down through the night 
from the heavenly throng. 
Ay! we shout to the lovely 
evangel they bring, 
and we greet in his cradle 
our Savior and King! 
Here's Madelen"s Request singing it! 

Thanks to hymnary.org It's my hope that on this day your Merry get brighter  and your load gets lighter as you reflect on this powerful truth.  Praise God! 

Although Charles Dickens did not claim Christianity that I'm aware, he did write quite the story of redemption in "A Christmas Carol". I'll assume you know the story and not attempt to address it here.  I do want to make mention of one quote I read once.  The setting is with the spirit of Christmas present, he has taken Scrooge to see his nephew's party.  Dickens then says they started playing a game called "forfeits". 

But they didn’t devote the whole evening to music. After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself. 

That's what got my attention, "it's mighty Founder was a child himself".  Praise God!  How very true.  The prophet Isaiah had predicted it 700 years prior to His birth.

For to us a child is born, 
to us a son is given; 
wand the government shall be xupon his shoulder, 
and his name shall be called2 
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
7  Of the increase of his government and of peace 
there will be no end, 
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, 
to establish it and to uphold it 
with justice and with righteousness 
from this time forth and forevermore. 
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. 

It was the "zeal of the Lord" that made it happen.  This Jesus understands the human condition.  He was a child himself, that became the sacrifice for all of our sin. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Now, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, He makes it possible for us to have relationship with Him....sin free  (Romans 10:9-10).

May the wonder of the Good News be rich upon your heart this Christmas.
Praise God!

Music and Theology are marvelously intertwined throughout Christian history and tradition. There is one Christmas hymn that took it over the top in both musical grandeur and masterful theology.  Hark the Herald Angels Sing is musically majestic.  Orchestras and choirs can use the mighty musical dynamics to make it rise and fall.  The theology within the verses is without compare.  Felix Mendelssohn is the musician, Charles Wesley the writer.  Consider it now and enjoy!  Thanks to hymnary.org, you can enjoy the lyrics and thanks to YouTube.com you can enjoy the music. Here is one from St. Paul's Cathedral in London and another from the Celtic Women in Ireland

1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King:
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Refrain:
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]
3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. [Refrain]

PRAISE GOD! 

There is a well known verse found in a minor prophet.  The minor prophet is only "minor" because his book is short.  This prophecy is small but highly significant.  The prophet is Micah.  The pre-exilic book is focused on the sins of the northern kingdom of Israel prior to their inevitable exile in 722.  Like all the prophets, however there is a temporal real time message and a focused prophetic message about the coming Messiah.  The backwoods, no good reputation city of Bethlehem that had stood in the backdrop of splendorous Jerusalem, was about to be brought to the forefront of Western thinking for millennia into the future.  Here is the verse
   
​    Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    you are small among the clans of Judah;
    one will come from you
    to be ruler over Israel for me.
    His origin is from antiquity,
    from ancient times.

And He was born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 700 years previous. Praise God!

The Fire Bible Study Bible notes has a wonderful chart entitled "Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in Christ".  Here is a sample from that resource in Accordance:  

OT TEXT    NT TEXT    SUBJECT
Ge 3:15    Lk 22:53                Satan against Jesus
Ge 3:15    Heb 2:14; 1Jn 3:8    Jesus’ victory over Satan
Ge 13:15    Gal 3:15–16, 19    Messiah as the seed of Abraham
Ge 14:18–20    Heb 7    Jesus’ priesthood according to the likeness of Melchizedek
Ge 49:10    Lk 1:32–33    Coming ruler from Judah
Ex 12:1–14, 46    Jn 19:31–36; 1Co 5:7; 1Pe 1:19    The Messiah as the Passover Lamb
Ex 16:4    Jn 6:31–33    Messiah to give true bread from heaven
Ex 24:8    Heb 9:11–28    The Messiah’s blood to be shed as sacrifice

Christ is the fulfillment of the Law.  Celebrate today the fullness of the Law in the Person of Christ!  Praise God! 

At least it's the word that was used when Jesus referred to His own work. During His ministry on earth, Jesus told His disciples many things.  On more than one occasion He told them to fear not.  Many times He told people to "Be of Good Cheer" or translated in other ways, "Look up!" The greek word, Tharseo, was the word He used, but different versions of of Scripture sometimes translated it, "Take Courage".  Here are the instances in the New Testament:
THARSEO      v. Eight occurrences; KJV translates as "be of good cheer" five times, and "be of good comfort" three times. 1 to be of good courage, be of good cheer
Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.",
 Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
 Matthew 14:27 But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
 Mark 6:50 because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
 Mark 10:49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you."
 John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
 Acts 23:11[2] The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."[3]
The interesting thing is that in each of these instances, the word is an imperative, a command!  Here is what Jesus has to say to you, even, one would suggest, to command and demand. Cheer Up!  Take Courage!  Take heart, As John 16:33 clearly communicates the truth:  You will have trouble in this world but THARSEO!  Cheer Up! I have overcome the world.  God is in control, indeed. Praise God!
[1]James Strong

The Church @ Colossae was placed in a culture of confusion.  People were quick to run to the latest mystical teacher or performer to try to discover the newest experience or religious expression. They had mixed the pagan practices of their culture with Jewish law and Christian practice. As a result they had no joy, they were slipping into immorality and dysfunction and they were dependent on the false teachers that created and unrealistic and depressing worldview.

They were confused.

America resembles the Church at Colossae

Today, we are in a culture that has devalued the Bible as irrelevant and discounted Christ as anything more than a necessary religious option in case of difficulty or problems.  Our rich heritage of Christianity in America is eroding before our very eyes. 

While churches are closing and suffering low attendance, the restaurants, malls and entertainment venues of sports and recreation have replaced Jesus with idols of pleasure and personal satisfaction.

We do not have to settle for a Baal worshipping, narcissitic culture.  It does NOT have to be inevitable. 

 Paul wrote to the Colossians to encourage and build them up about what they already had in Christ.  

What He referenced 2000 years ago now applies to us. 

In Christ You have a Testimony, a Treasure and a Triumph.  

Colossians 1:3–2:15 (ESV)

The Testimony  1:3-14

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

The Treasure  Colossians 1:15-2:5

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. 

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. 1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Jesus used this same word for treasure θησαυρός

when He said:

“19   “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

Paul continues....

4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. 

The Triumph  Colossians 2:6-15

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shamePra, by triumphing over them in Him.

You have a testimony, you have a treasure and you can triumph.

Praise God!

The Old Testament prophecies about Christ abound.  Two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so does the music.  Many of the hymns written prior to the advent of the Contemporary Christian music industry were written to teach the great doctrines of the Bible.  The Christmas carols we are blessed to sing are loaded with biblical truth.  This hymn isn't sung much in Charismatic/Pentecostal circles that I frequent, if ever.  The words are so powerful.  I thought I'd share them with you.  The prophecy is in Micah 5:2.  The great hymn writer Cecil Alexander wrote this grand text.  I've bolded the text that bless me.  Here it is:

1 Once in royal David's city
stood a lowly cattle shed,
where a mother laid her baby
in a manger for his bed:
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ, her little child.
2 He came down to earth from heaven
who is God and Lord of all,
and his shelter was a stable,
and his cradle was a stall:
with the poor, and mean, and lowly,
lived on earth our Savior holy.
3 And thro' all his wondrous childhood
he would honor and obey,
love and watch the lowly maiden
in whose gentle arms he lay:
Christian children all must be
mild, obedient, good as he.
4 And our eyes at last shall see him,
thro' his own redeeming love;
for that child so dear and gentle
is our Lord in heav'n above:
and he leads his children on
to the place where he is gone.
5 Not in that poor lowly stable,
with the oxen standing by,
we shall see him, but in heaven,
set at God's right hand on high;
when like stars his children crowned
all in white shall wait around.

Source: Trinity Psalter Hymnal #322

That fourth verse!  Praise God!

 There are 2 very important concepts in learning to value and appreciate the Old Testament. 

The first is Geography.  You have to have a basic understanding of the land of the Bible.

There are 3 parts to the fertile Crescent represented by this map.  1. Egypt   2.Palestine/Israel   3. Mesopotamia


The Second is Chronology.  You have to understand when things happened behind the text of the Old Testament. 

Today I discovered a nice tool in Accordance Bible Software where you could select a timeline area, and it would create a list with dates and Scripture references.  I'm posting it here so the Scriptures will be hyperlinked. (Thank you Reftagger)


ISRAEL from United Monarchy to Exile[1]

                        David -1012/1011 to -972/971 (2Sam. 2-1Kings 2)
                        Solomon -971 to -931 (1Kings 3-11)

Kings of Judah
                        
Rehoboam -931/930 to -913 (1Kings 14:21-31)
                        Abijah, Abijam -913 to -911/910 (1Kings 15:1-8)
                        Asa -911/910 to -870/869 (1Kings 15:9-24)
                        Jehoshaphat -872/871 to -848 (1Kings 22:2-50)
                        Jehoram -853 to -841 (2Kings 8:16-24)
                        Ahaziah (Judah) -841 (2Kings 8:25-29)
                        Joash -835 to -796 (2Kings 12)
                        Amaziah -796 to -767 (2Kings 14:1-22)
                        Uzziah, Azariah -792/791 to -740/739 (2Kings 15:1-7; 2Chr. 26)
                        Jotham -750 to -732/731 (2Kings 15:32-38)
                        Ahaz -735 to -716/715 (2Kings 16)
                        Hezekiah -729 to -687/686 (2Kings 18-20)
                        Manasseh -697/696 to -643/642 (2Kings 21:1-18)
                        Amon -643/642 to -641/640 (2Kings 21:19-26)
                        Josiah -641/640 to -609 (2Kings 22:1-23:30)
                        Jehoahaz (Judah) -609 (2Kings 23:31-35)
                        Jehoiakim -609 to -598 (2Kings 23:36-24:6)
                        Jehoiachin -598 to -597 (2Kings 24:8-17)
                        Zedekiah -597 to -586 (2Kings 24:18-25:7)

Kings of Israel

Jeroboam -931/930 to -910/909 (1Kings 11:26-14:20; 2Chr. 10:2-16; 13:1-20)
                        Nadab -910/909 to -909/908 (1Kings 15:25-32)
                        Baasha -909/908 to -886/885 (1Kings 15:33-16:7)
                        Elah -886/885 to -885/884 (1Kings 16:8-14)
                        Omri -885/884 to -874/873 (1Kings 16:15-28)
                        Ahab -874/873 to -853 (1Kings 16:20-22:40)
                        Ahaziah (Israel) -853 to -852 (1Kings 22:51-53; 2Kings 1)
                        Joram -852 to -841 (2Kings 3:1-3)
                        Jehu -841 to -814/813 (2Kings 9-10)
                        Jehoahaz (Israel) -814–813 to -798 (2Kings 13:1-9)
                        Jehoash, Joash (Israel) -798 to -782/781 (2Kings 13:10-13)
                        Jeroboam II -793/792 to -753 (2Kings 14:23-29)
                        Zechariah (Israel) -753 to -752 (2Kings 15:8-12)
                        Menahem -752 to -742/741 (2Kings 15:17-22)
                        Pekah -752 to -732/731 (2Kings 15:27-31)
                        Pekahiah -742/741 to -740/739 (2Kings 15:23-26)
                        Hoshea -732/731 to -723/722 (2Kings 17:1-6)[

1] Dan Langston, Ph.D. SAGU, 9/14/13, developed for Old Testament Literature students from Accordance Bible Software timeline tool. 
Geography, Chronology, and a Love for the Bible bring the Old Testament to life! Praise God! 

​Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world!  There are some very important Scriptures that make that point.  I thought it would be nice to share them with you, so here they are! 

  His Virgin Birth
Matthew 1:23 
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 
Luke 1:31 
And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 
Luke 1:35 
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 

His Sinless Life
Hebrews 7:26 
For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 
1 Peter 2:22 
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 

His Miracles
Acts 2:22 
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 
Acts 10:38 
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 

His Substitutionary Work on the Cross
1 Corinthians 15:3 
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 
2 Corinthians 5:21 
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

His Bodily Resurrection from the Dead
Matthew 28:6 
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 
Luke 24:39 
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 
1 Corinthians 15:4 
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 

His Exaltation to the Right Hand of God
Acts 1:9 
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 
Acts 1:11 
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 
Acts 2:33 
Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 
Philippians 2:9–11 
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Hebrews 1:3 
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 

Praise God!

C.S. Lewis was right about the devil.  He said in Screwtape Letters that there are generally too approaches to the demonic.  One is to be overly obsessed with them.  The other is to act as if they don't exist.  Neither approach is reasonable.
The Bible is not objective about the work of Satan.  It is purely one-sided.  :-)  He is the enemy of God.

There are many places in the Bible where the Devil is mentioned. 

1 Chr. 21:1; Job 1:6–9, 12; 2:1–4, 6–7; Zech. 3:1–2; Matt. 4:10; 12:26; 16:23; Mark 1:13; 3:23, 26; 4:15; 8:33; Luke 10:18; 11:18; 13:16; 22:3, 31; John 13:27; Acts 5:3; 26:18; Rom. 16:20; 1 Cor. 5:5; 7:5; 2 Cor. 2:11; 11:14; 12:7; 1 Th. 2:18; 2 Th. 2:9; 1 Tim. 1:20; 5:15; Rev. 2:9, 13, 24; 3:9; 12:9; 20:2, 7

The reason for the post is to talk about his end.

There will be a day when the Devil will go away.  Death will be swallowed up in victory 
(1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

his end is inevitable.  his destruction is certain.  
9 And  the great dragon was thrown down,  that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan,  the deceiver of the whole world— he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now  the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers  has been thrown down,  who accuses them day and night before our God.  11 And  they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for  they loved not their lives  even unto death. 

Praise God!

Circumstances can be disappointing. God never disappoints us. Friends may fail us. Jesus never fails. Family members may hurt us, but there is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. I am so thankful that God has given us His holy word. 1 Peter 1:18-21 captures the essence of all that God has done and IS doing for us. If we were to try to raise families, live above the negativity of this world, succeed in our career,  or reach out to others in need all on our own it would be a miserable failure. We cannot do it on our own. For thousands of years the Jewish nation put their trust in the promises of God to bring salvation. One only need to read Jeremiah, Isaiah, Hosea, Nehemiah, or Deuteronomy to see that God's promises for His people are all at the same time ancient and glorious. WE GET TO BE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION! 2 Peter 1:19 declares that we have the word of the prophets made MORE CERTAIN. Notice how Peter says "and we would do well to pay attention to it"…He then gives the example…"as to a light shining in a dark place, until the Morning Star arises in your hearts" Wow! God is present when we read the Scripture! God is present when we study the Bible! God is present in every circumstance and situation we face. Look down at your Bible…Look up to the grace of God. He is present to help, mighty to save, and able to fix every situation you find yourself in. As you study your Bible today, consider this quote:

The Bible is the only book whose Author is always present when one reads it.-unknown

Praise God! 

Here is an interesting phrase that is found in the New Testament.  I remember learning once the reach of ignorance. That is, "you don't know what you don't know".  Today I was reading a blog on www.accordancebible.com where a command within their software helps you locate similar phrases throughout the Bible.  Its the INFER command.  So I followed the instructions in this new software that I'm learning, and (enjoying by the way).  I put in one of my favorite Bible passages as the base text.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  This is the "Blessed Hope" passage in the Assemblies of God doctrines.  What that report produced was amazing.  Here is the passage:

1Th. 4:13   But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep,  that you may not grieve as others do  who have no hope.  14 For  since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him  those who have fallen asleep.  15 For this we declare to you  by a word from the Lord,  that  we who are alive, who are left until  the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  16 For  the Lord himself will descend  from heaven  with a cry of command, with the voice of  an archangel, and  with the sound of the trumpet of God. And  the dead in Christ will rise first.  17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be  caught up together with them  in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so  we will always be with the Lord.  18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 


Here are the results in the rest of the Bible compared with the phrases in that passage:



Psa. 47:5    God  has gone up with a shout,
the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 
Jer. 23:20   The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he has executed and  accomplished
the intents of his heart.
  In the latter days you will understand it clearly. 
Jer. 30:24   The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he has executed and accomplished
the intentions of his mind.
  In the latter days you will understand this. 
Jer. 44:16 “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD,  we will not listen to you. 
Acts 13:18 And for about  forty years  he put up with  them in the wilderness. 
Rom. 11:25    Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers:  a partial hardening has come upon Israel,  until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 
1Cor. 10:1   For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,  that our fathers were all under  the cloud, and all  passed through the sea, 
1Cor. 12:1   Now  concerning  spiritual gifts,  brothers,  I do not want you to be uninformed. 
1Cor. 15:18 Then those also who  have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 
1Cor. 15:20   But in fact  Christ has been raised from the dead,  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 
2Cor. 1:8   For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,  of  the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 
James 5:7   Be patient, therefore, brothers,  until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives  the early and the late rains.  

Here are the powerful inferences you can gain from this kind of search.

1.  References to Similar Concepts.

In this case, the phrase "I do not want you to be" shows up in Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 10:1, 1 Corinthians 12:1, 

You can infer based on these three passages that there was an intentionality in the apostle that was passionate about making sure either the Romans, the Corinthians, or the Thessalonians, were aware of the details of his message.  They needed to know! They needed to be informed.  It inspires critical thinking. As a professor friend of mine is known for saying before he enters the classroom: "I'm going to stomp out ignorance".  We should be so encouraged in our discipleship efforts in the local church. They need to know the details of the Gospel.  They need to understand the power of the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

I'm particularly thrilled to be reminded of this phrase in 1 Corinthians 12:1

1Cor. 12:1   Now  concerning  spiritual gifts,  brothers,  I do not want you to be uninformed. 

Glory to God! We need to know about the gifts of the Spirit!  We should not be uninformed about it!  Make disciples!  

2.  Reinforcement of Doctrinal Truths

One time I was teaching on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. I mentioned that in the Assemblies of God, we believe that 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 is a more specific description of what is taking place in the rapture description of 1 Thessalonians 4:12-18.  What is so amazing about the Accordance INFER command, is the result that it produced.

1Cor. 15:18 Then those also who  have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 
1Cor. 15:20   But in fact  Christ has been raised from the dead,  the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 

When you look at the context of 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, you discover Paul's extensive treatment of the Christian doctrine of the Resurrection.  He then will continue through that passage until in culminates in his victorious statements in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

The point is that the discussion of those who have fallen asleep in Christ is not a random reference.  On the contrary, its a well-developed theology of death that excludes the notion of soul sleep  and affirms the eschatological reality of resurrection!  More than that, the final resurrection of the redeemed in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 which is our Blessed Hope!

Which leads us to our final hit in the INFER command:

James 5:7   Be patient, therefore, brothers,  until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives  the early and the late rains.  

Glory to His Name.  Jesus is coming back.  We should be patient in the midst of our trials, temptations, struggles, and victories that there will come the ultimate day when the harvest of souls will come in.

May the Lord bless you as you think about, pray, and study the word of God, in context, so that you will be workman that does not need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the word of truth.

Praise God! 

There are many different stages on the journey of faith. This blog is for those who are not yet believers but want to have more information.  It's my prayer that in your questions about God, you will discover Him and His love for you.  It may seem like there's too much to learn or its too complicated.  Let me try to be simple.

1. There is only one God.  You and I are fortunate, that one God is all powerful, knows everything, and loves people immensely.
2.  There is this problem called sin. It started in the human race with Adam and Eve, who lived in paradise, but disobeyed God and introduced sin into the human race.  We inherited the sin problem.
3. Sin separates us from God.  If you feel guilty about some things you've done in the past, it's probably related to sin.  It's evil and life controlling.  Human behavior is tarnished by sin in everyone.
4. Because God is completely good, He can't allow sin in His presence, thus it separates us completely.
5. Since sin separates us from God, we have to find out what to do about it.  
6. There are NO righteous activities, such as prayer, giving, Bible reading, or self-sacrifice that can fix the sin problem.  We were born sinners.  This is urgent because if we die in our sin, we will go to hell because we rejected the love of God.
7. There is good news. God is ahead of us. He has provided a way to break the power of sin.  
8. God has a Son, whose name is Jesus.  He has always existed, like His Father, and He came to earth as a human to die on our behalf so He could break the power of sin. 
9. Jesus died.  His death was the final and all-time sacrifice for the sins of mankind. His death paid the price so that the power of sin could be broken. He also came back to life three days later, proving that He really was the son of God.  He has gone into heaven and is alive today, offering anyone who believes in Him forgiveness from sin and life forever and forever.
10.  Belief in Jesus Christ, to stand in our place before God, in His righteousness, is the only way our sins can be forgiven.
11. The way you express that belief is by praying to Jesus Christ, asking for forgiveness, stating your belief in His resurrection (coming back to life) and confessing that you want Him in your life.
12. After you become a Christian, your values will change and you will start to care about the things God cares about.

When you die, you will go to heaven, paradise forever and forever.

You will always have questions.  The biggest question is, who are you going to trust your life to while you seek the answers to questions?  Bring your questions to Christ. 
Praise God!

  In 1947, some shepherd boys stumbled upon some scrolls in a cave by the Dead Sea.  The result of that discovery was objective proof that the wonder of oral tradition and the transmission of the Old Testament was clearly telling the revelation of God to man.  Decades after that discovery, the Nation of Israel has partnered with Google  ANYONE can study the Dead Sea Scrolls.  Check the links below. When you look at it, make sure you navigate from right to left, it's Hebrew!

  Dead Sea Scrolls Online
 
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem; the Shrine of the Book, 

 Watch a video about it.  
 
The Great Isaiah Scroll
 
View where Dead Sea Scrolls are stored.  
 
History and  significance of the Scroll.

​What an amazing time we live in! 

When Peter was writing to the Church at the close of the first century, after Christianity had spread over the known world and as the New Testament was being written, he linked up the power of Scripture in the Old Testament with what God was doing then.  Even as Nero was persecuting Christians, Peter declared this truth about the Old Testament prophecies and the New Testament revelation:

2 Peter 1:16–19 (NASB95) 
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 
17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 
18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 
19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

Now because of this gift from the Nation of Israel.  You can study the "word of the prophets" by simply clicking on a section and watching an pop-up translation in English.

May the Lord bless you as you encounter His word. Praise God!