Advent Part 9- Wrapped

December 23, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 2: 1-7 NLT

At that time the Roman Emperor Augustus, agreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem of Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

This is the ninth and final blog of our Advent series and today we’re going to ask the question, what is the best gift I can give to God?

Wrapped, it means to bind something as a covering (1). Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes as a baby for protection. Later, He would be wrapped in other things for our redemption.

Wrapped in flesh

Jesus, Who always was and always will be, and is a Spirit because God is a Spirit, allowed Himself to be wrapped in flesh and be born as a human being.

Philippians 2:6-7 NLT, “Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges, He took the position of a slave and was born as a human being."

Wrapped in the anointing

When Jesus was baptized by John, He was filled and wrapped with the power of the Holy Spirit.. This power was so strong that many only had to touch His clothes to be healed.

Matthew 14:35-36 NLT, “When the people recognized Jesus the news of His arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. They begged Him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of His robe, and all who touched Him were healed."

Wrapped in servanthood

Role modeling was not just a teaching tool for Jesus, it was a lifestyle. He was humility personified and expected His disciples to follow His example.

John 13:3-5 NLT, “Jesus knew that the Father had given Him authority over everything and that He had come from God and would return to God. So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him.”

Wrapped in fulfillment of prophecy

David, the psalmist and prophet, was given a vision of the crucifixion. David penned in Psalm 22 with remarkable clarity a painful account of what happened through the eyes of Jesus Himself. In this vision, he saw men throwing dice to win an expensive piece of clothing that once wrapped around Jesus.

John 19:23-24 NLT, When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided His clothes among the four of them. They also took His robe, but is was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided My garments among themselves, and threw dice for My clothing.’ So that is what they did.”

Wrapped in resurrection power

Jesus met with some of His own friends and followers after His resurrection and was not recognized by them. With this new body He would instantly appear, eat food, and be touched. The great thing is that death could never touch Him again. This is the form we will inherit when the day of our bodily resurrection takes place.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 NIV, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

Wrapped heart to heart

If we are children of God we are to be wrapped and bound heart to heart with Jesus. We should be so close to Him, when people see us, they are really seeing Jesus through us.

Galatians 3:27 NLT, And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on (wrapping) new clothes.

Christmas is a beautiful and holy day meant to commemorate the birth of our Lord. This season, when you gaze at the traditional manger scene, make a mental note of how Jesus wrapped Himself in flesh so He could be born into our world. Remember how the Son of God was wrapped in swaddling clothes so He would be bound to you. During Advent, we are reminded Jesus will return once more. Until that day comes, wrap your life in His on a daily basis. It is the best present you could give Him.

Let’s pray:

Father, thank You for Jesus. He is the ultimate gift and because of Your great love for me, I give you myself. According to Your Word, I put on Christ by wrapping and binding my life and heart to His. I dedicate myself to You and You may do with my life as You will. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Reference:

!) http://www.dictionary.com/browse/wrap?s=t

Advent Part 8- Signs

December 18, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Matthew 2:1-12 NLT

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared.Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

This is the eighth of nine videos of our Advent series and today we’re going to ask the question, does God communicate to us through signs, symbols and dreams?

Star: A sign of prophecy fulfilled

In ancient prophecy, it was predicted that a particular star would appear in the sky as a sign that the King of the Jews was to be born.

Numbers 24:17 NIV

“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

After centuries of waiting and watching, the star suddenly appeared. Prepared for the event, this generation of wise men knew what to do and what to bring. They assumed that the King of the Jews would be born in the royal household and showed up at the doorstep of Herod the Great.

Prophecy

Understanding the significance of the star, Herod was upset by the wise men’s visitation. Herod summoned the teacher’s of the law to find out where the King of the Jews would be born. Correctly interpreting the scriptures, they informed Herod the babe was to be born in Bethlehem according to Micah 5:2.

Star gives direction

As soon as the wise men left the palace, the star reappeared and led them directly above the house where the baby and its mother were lodging.

Gold

The wise men presented the child with gold. Gold was symbolic of kingship. The wise men recognized the sacred position this baby held as King of the Jews. Gold also represents virtue. The Messiah was holy in character and purpose and worthy of all honor and praise (1).

Frankincense

Also presented to the child was the gift of frankincense. Frankincense symbolized deity. The wise men recognized and worshiped the child as God. Frankincense also represents prayer. This child will intercede to God for mankind (1).

Myrrh

Lastly, the wise men presented a box of myrrh. Myrrh was a symbol of death and mortality. This king was born to die. Myrrh also represents suffering. Although He was the King of the Jews, Jesus came to the earth as a suffering servant (1).

Dream

God spoke gave each of these men a message about Herod in a dream. Imagine, all of the men dreaming and given the same message! Obviously, it was a definite warning for the men to return to their country by another route.

Wise Men

I believe that the wise men themselves were a symbol. In my opinion, they symbolized true believers of the present day church who are watching and waiting for the signs of Jesus’ Second Coming according to the Scriptures. True believers will be ready with gifts of the gold of virtue and holiness, the frankincense of intercessory prayer, and the willingness to suffer for Christ sake. When Jesus returns, they will be caught up with Christ.

Herod and the Teachers of the Law

I believe that Herod and the Teachers of the Law represented the religiously corrupt. They knew the Scriptures inside out. And yet, they did not look for the signs and were not ready for His first coming. In fact, once they found out the baby was born, they did everything in their power to kill Him.

The signs were evident for all. But only true believers searched for them so they could worship the Messiah. The religiously corrupt did not welcome the signs, but could not succeed in their miserable attempts to prevent His coming. Today’s believers continue to look for the signs of the Messiah’s Second Coming, not as a newborn baby king, but as the King of Kings!

Daniel 4:3

How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations.

Let’s pray:

Father,

I am a true believer. Just as the true believers looked for the signs of the newborn king, I look for the signs of the King of Kings Who will reign forever. When that time comes, I will be ready with the gold of virtue and holiness, the frankincense of intercessory prayer, and the willingness to suffer for Christ's sake. Come Lord Jesus! Amen!

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Magi

Advent Part 7- Can I Get A Witness?

December 16, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 2:8-18 NLT

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished…

This is the seventh of nine blogs of our Advent series and today we will focus on the people who could testify that Jesus was born. The question we will ask is, does God make Himself accountable to others?

The impossible happened!

In the stillness of the night, Joseph helped Mary bring Jesus into the world. I feel it safe to assume that the angels, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit were present. A virgin gave birth to a baby boy! God didn’t keep it a secret, either! Whenever our God does something, He always makes sure there are plenty of witnesses. What does the Bible record?

Looking for eyewitnesses

If we had a birds eye view above the stable, we would see flocks of sheep guarded by shepherds under the moonlight. God chose the humble shepherds as witnesses to this miraculous event. Unlike the religious leaders of the Law, they would tell the truth and spread the news.

Be on the lookout!

All of a sudden, a brilliant light flashed before the men’s eyes and an impressive heavenly creature hovered over the field. As they trembled at the sight, the angel told them not to be afraid. He had good news to give to them. Not far from where they were standing, a child has just been born. He was the Messiah. He was born today in Bethlehem. They would find him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger where animals are fed.

Heavenly support

As backup, an entire host of angels appeared out of nowhere who verified the messenger angel’s words. Even the messenger angel had witnesses who could testify of this account.

Validation

Astonished that angels would appear to them with such an amazing message, the shepherds hurriedly located the parents and the baby. Verse 20 tells us that the shepherds returned to their flocks, praising God for all they had heard and seen. All the facts were validated and it happened exactly as the angel had told them.

Newsflash

Family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors were all told about the miraculous encounter. Everyone recognized how God’s favor rested on Mary and Joseph. All of Bethlehem was astonished when they heard that the baby she gave birth to was the Messiah! God was among them and for them!

How does this relate to us? God’s character never changes. He holds Himself accountable to do what He promised. The facts of the matter will be established and there will always be honest witnesses to verify the facts.

Let’s pray:

Father,

Your word is truth because You are truth. Thank You for establishing the testimony of Jesus’ birth by many witnesses, in heaven and on earth. Thank You for Your example of accountability. In everything I say and do, I take responsibility. I am accountable to You and to my fellow man. In Jesus name, Amen.

Advent Part 6- Sounds of Life

December 13, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 1:40-44 NLT

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy.”

This is the sixth blog of our Advent series and we will focus on Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Today we will ask the question, how powerful are the words we speak?

The power of God’s spoken words set into motion a profound and extraordinary set of circumstances:

Two women had an angel announce their upcoming pregnancies
Both women would bear a son
Both conceptions were miraculous, one from a dead womb and one without the seed of man
Both mothers were filled with the Holy Spirit
Both babies were filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb

The Greeting

When Elizabeth heard the sound of Mary’s voice, baby John responded to her greeting by leaping in his mother’s womb. The word for “sound” is translated, “to come into existence: (1). According to cultural tradition, Mary would have greeted Elizabeth with these words, “Blessed is the one who comes” referring to the anticipated birth of John (2). Elizabeth’s proper response to Mary should have been “Blessed is the one present”(2). Instead, Elizabeth acknowledged the presence of two people. Luke 1:43 records “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”

The conversation between Zechariah and Gabriel

Compare this conversation to another conversation that happened a little over 6 months prior between Zechariah and the angel Gabriel. Gabriel appeared to Zechariah inside the Temple and relayed God’s message. Elizabeth will bear him a son. Incredulous, Zechariah asked, “How could this happen since I am an old man?”

Because of God’s great mercy, Gabriel only rebuked and not disqualified Zechariah from this great honor (Hebrews 3). In order to override Zechariah’s unbelief and ensure no words contrary to God’s will were spoken, Gabriel temporarily muted him.

Luke 1:20 NLT

“But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

The reason for Mary’s visit

Since Zechariah was temporarily mute, the Holy Spirit impressed Mary to assist Elizabeth in her hour of need. I always thought that Mary “vacationed” away from her hometown to conceal her pregnancy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mary’s purpose was to confirm God’s word over John. Her salutation concurred with Gabriel’s announcement at the Temple cementing God’s will for this child. Any obstacle or hindrance that would try to stand in the way of baby John’s birth would have been eradicated. This child was to be born and prepare the way for the Messiah.

The result

Unlike her husband, Elizabeth believed and accepted the Word of the Lord about her baby and Mary’s baby. Elizabeth affirmed Mary’s words.

Luke 1:45 NLT, “You are blessed because you believed the Lord would do what He said.”

How important are the words we speak and believe

As children of God, we must believe and speak the words of God with absolute faith and confidence. If we refuse to cooperate with God, He will commission someone else to ensure that His will be fulfilled at the proper time. Let’s be like Mary and Elizabeth and agree with God’s words and speak sounds of life over every situation. Let’s allow the sound of our voice to bring God’s will into existence.

Jeremiah 1:9&12 NIRV

Then the Lord reached out his hand. He touched my mouth and spoke to me. He said, “I have put my words in your mouth.” ...The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly. I am watching to see that my words come true.”

Let pray:

Father,

Your words are so powerful they create the impossible. I choose to believe Your holy word with all my heart. I allow my voice to be used as Your instrument and to speak sounds of life over every situation. To You be all the glory. In Jesus name, Amen.

References:

1) https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1096&t=KJV

2) https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/hebrew-greetings-and-congratulations

Advent Part 5- Joseph

December 12, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

This is the fifth of nine blogs of our Advent series and today we will focus on Joseph, the husband of Mary and the stepfather of Jesus.The question we will ask today is, what should we do when the unexpected happens?

The Ancient Hebrew Marriage Ritual

In Biblical times, there were 3 stages to a marriage (1). The father would consult his daughter about a suitor who was interested in marriage. If the daughter accepted the proposal, stage one of marriage would be initiated. The father and the groom would sign a legal contract (ketubah) (1). Once the contract is signed, the couple is considered legally married. Stage two would be the consummation of the marriage, on a day set by the father and the groom. This could happen several years after the ketubah was signed (1). Stage three was the celebration (1).

Joseph was legally bound to Mary in the first stage of marriage, before the consummation had taken place. The only way to break covenant was through an official divorce.

Joseph’s reaction

The Bible doesn’t say how Joseph found out that Mary became pregnant. Obviously, he couldn’t wrap his mind around the situation. He was not the father of the baby and Mary claimed to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit. He did not want to be involved in the situation. The only way to break covenant was through an official divorce.

What kind of man was Joseph?
The King James (Matt 1:19) described Joseph as “righteous” meaning he observed God’s divine laws (2). Also, the KJV (Matt 1:19) reads that “he did not want to make an example of her” (3). According to the Law of Moses, women were to be stoned for infidelity. Joseph wanted to protect Mary from the Law and decided to divorce her without public humiliation. He didn’t lash out in anger or act out of revenge. Joseph was heartbroken for himself, for Mary, for their lost future, for her family, and for her baby.

God’s destiny for Joseph

Finally, when Joseph’s mind was quieted down and he fell asleep, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

Matthew 1:20-23

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.””

Joseph embraced God’s destiny for his life

Matthew 1: 24-25

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Joseph always followed God’s instructions. He registered Mary and himself in the town of Bethlehem and delivered the baby (Luke 2:1-7). He had the baby circumcised according to the Law of Moses (Luke 2:22-25). He protected Mary and the baby from Herod by hiding in Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23). He brought his family back to Nazareth and raised Jesus (Luke 2:39-40). He searched for Jesus when he went missing at the age of 12 (Luke 2: 41-51).

How successful was Joseph?

When Jesus was twelve years old, His parents lost track of Him (Luke 2). He ended up in the Temple with the priests discussing the Word of God. Relieved to find Him, Jesus made it clear to His parents that He had to go about His Father’s business. Jesus’ transition from a loving relationship with His earthly father, to having a loving relationship with His Heavenly Father was an easy one because Joseph modeled an excellent example.

Also, do you remember the story of the prostitute who was thrown at Jesus’ feet by the Pharisees (John 8)? Do you remember Jesus’ reaction? Sounds a lot like Joseph’s, doesn’t it!

Joseph’s reaction to the unexpected is a great model for us to follow

All Joseph wanted to do was to marry a nice Jewish girl, attend synagogue, live in a great neighborhood, raise a kosher family, afford a yearly vacation, and live comfortably in his twilight years. But, he had a much greater calling.

Mary needed a godly husband and Jesus needed a godly earthly father. Jesus understood the love of His Heavenly Father because of the example Joseph modeled. Joseph acted in love, submitted to God, followed His will, and holds a very prominent place in history.

Let’s pray:

Father,

Joseph was following Your will and then something unexpected happened. But, he did not lash out or seek revenge. Joseph submitted to You and followed Your will. As I follow Your will and then something unexpected should occur, help me to first not lash out or seek revenge. Give me the grace to submit to You, follow Your will for my life, and to do it well. I trust You and thank You for it, in Jesus name, Amen.

References:

http://bible.ca/marriage/ancient-jewish-three-stage-weddings-and-marriage-customs-ceremony-in-the-bible.htm

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1342&t=KJV

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1165&t=KJV

Advent Part 4- How Can This Happen?

December 11, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 1:34, 35 NLT

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you, so the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.”

This is the fourth of nine videos of our Advent series and today we will focus on how Mary positioned her life to be in God’s will. The question we will ask is, how can I make sure that I am in God’s will?

Untouched by idols

Mary replied that she was a virgin, a woman who has never been with a man. A virgin is also symbolism for being chaste, untouched by idols. In other words, Mary made God her priority and lived a life in thought, word, and deed that was dedicated to Him alone.

Just like Mary, we are to make God our priority in thought, word, and deed. When we are open to God’s will for our lives, He empowers us so we can fulfill that purpose.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you

As a virgin, Mary didn’t understand how she could get pregnant at this very moment. Gabriel explains to Mary that Holy Spirit will “come upon” her. “Come upon” is defined as to descend, to superimpose and became one with her spirit (1).

This same phrase, “come upon” is used in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you”. Jesus explained to the disciples not to be witnesses for Him until the Holy Spirit came upon, descended, and superimposed Himself upon them.

The power of the Most High will overshadow you

Then the power of the Holy Spirit “overshadowed” Mary. “Overshadow” means enveloping her with the glory of God, like a cloud, miraculously impregnating her (2).

This is the same word used in verse Acts 5:15 (parenthesis added). “As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall (overshadow) across some of them as he went by.” When the shadow that surrounded Peter would cast over the sick, they would be miraculously healed.

The baby is holy

Then Mary will give birth to a baby that will be holy. Holy means sacred, consecrated, and pure (3).

Baby is also symbolic of ministry, any position in which someone is in charge of nurturing and developing others. Ministry is not limited to the pulpit, but includes any outreach to others (i.e. non profits, volunteering, donations, etc…). It also includes careers that are dedicated to helping others such as law enforcement, the medical field, teachers, etc…

This is how to be in God’s will

God expects us to live a chaste life, free of idols. He must always be our first priority in thought, word, and deed. As we are open to His will for our lives, God sends the Holy Spirit to come upon us making us one in spirit and in purpose with Him. When the Holy Spirit descends on us, we will be enveloped in God’s glory and others will be helped and healed. This results in ministry that is birthed from the heart of God that is holy, sacred, consecrated, and pure.

Let’s pray:

Father,

I choose to live chaste by making You my first priority in thought, word and deed. Just like Mary, I give permission for Your Holy Spirit to come upon me so I am one is spirit and in purpose with You. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, Who overshadows me so I may help others who are hurting to be healed. I want to birth Your holy ministry for my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

References:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1904&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1982&t=KJV
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G40&t=KJV

Advent Part 3- Mary

December 06, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 1: 26-30 NLT

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God!”

This is the third blog of our Advent series and today we will focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The question we will ask today is, do you think your life is random?

Once more, Gabriel was dispatched to give a message, this time he visited a young woman named Mary. Let’s take a look at how God purposefully directed Mary’s life to fulfill her specific purpose.

Prophecy #1: According to Matthew 2:23, the Messiah was a Nazarene.

Luke 2:39 confirms this fact. “When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.”

Mary’s hometown was Nazareth and she was a Nazarene. According to archeological findings, Nazareth was a small agricultural village at the time of Roman occupation (1). The people would have been considered backwoods farmers, certainly not the cultured citizens in the thriving metropolis of Jerusalem. In fact, the best description of this town in the Bible is found in John 1:46, “Nazareth?” exclaimed Nathaniel. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” In other words, as far as the people from the advanced Roman cities were concerned, it was Hicksville, Judea.

Prophecy #2: According to Isaiah 7:14, Jesus was to be born of a virgin.

Isaiah 7:14, NLT, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call Him Immanuel (which means God is with us).”

This fact is confirmed in the New Testament in Matthew 1:18, “This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Mary was of the appropriate age to marry and a virgin. Her reputation and the testimony of her virtue would have been observed and witnessed by her parents, extended family, and local community. Most importantly, God also watched over Mary’s life and qualified her as pure.

Prophecy #3: According to Isaiah 9:7 NLT, the Messiah would be a descendant of King David from the lineage of Judah.

“His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity.”

Mary was a blood descendant of King David. Her lineage is recorded in the Book of Luke, chapter 3:23-28.

Mary’s life was not random and neither is ours!

Little Mary, living in Hicksville, meeting the traditional expectations, going about her usual business. Doesn’t sound like ‘the perfect set-up’. Nonetheless, her life was not random. God had Mary born in the right district, in the right town, under the right circumstances, and into the right family, all for a specific purpose.

Let’s pray:

Father,

I thank You that my life is not random. No matter what town I was born in, or the circumstances concerning my conception, or what kind of family I was born into, it was all for a specific purpose. I trust You and I desire that Your specific purpose for my life would be fulfilled. In Jesus name, Amen.

References:

http://www.bibleplaces.com/nazareth/

Advent Part 2- Zechariah

December 04, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Luke 1:8-13

One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth will give you a son, and you are to name him John.”

This is the second of nine blogs of our Advent series and today we will focus on Zechariah, who was the father of John the Baptist.

The question we will ask today is, why doesn’t God answer our prayers the way we expect?

15 months before the birth of Jesus

This is the incident that triggered a series of world changing supernatural events. The day begins at the Second Temple of Herod in Jerusalem. We’re introduced to Zechariah, whose name means “remembered by Jehovah” (1). The scriptures describe him as a righteous man (Luke 1:6), an elderly man (Luke 1:7), and a priest (Luke 1:5). He is married to Elizabeth, whose name means “promise of God” (2). They both were descendants from the tribe of Aaron, the lineage of the priesthood.

God Directs Our Steps

Burning of the incense was the most cherished of all priestly duties and a “once in a lifetime” honor. So, the priests would entrust God to choose who would perform this sacred duty by the casting of lots (3). This day, the lot fell on Zechariah.

Prayers, Past and Present, are not Forgotten

Specially formulated aromatic incense was offered on the Golden Altar of Incense. The smoldering incense reminded God of all the prayers of His people (Psalm 141:2; Rev 8:3). The prayers of the saints from the distant past culminated with the prayers of Zechariah and the saints presently outside the Temple, and God dispatched an angel to give Zechariah a message.

Prayer Triggers Angelic Activity

As Zechariah burned incense, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him on the right side of the altar. The right side was where the prominent associates of God were postured (Luke 1:19- I stand in the presence of God) (5). As a priest, Zechariah would have known and understood this position (4).

Prayers Make the Impossible, Possible

Decades before, Zechariah prayed a specific request. He wanted a son. Although he was too old for such a possibility, Gabriel gave him the astounding news that his prayer was heard and about to be answered.

Messages from God Prepare Us for What’s Ahead

Gabriel prepares Zechariah for what is about to occur in his life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Like Abraham and Sarah before them, both Zechariah and Elizabeth were past childbearing years. This angelic message prepared them for their future roles and responsibilities. Passion will reignite once again between husband and wife. Resurrection power will rejuvenate their bodies making them capable to conceive and bear this son. Wounds caused by the shame of barreness would be removed and healed. And most importantly of all, Gabriel revealed God’s will for Zechariah and Elizabeth so they would stand in faith and experience the manifestation of this promise.

God Answers the Prayers that He Placed in Our Hearts

Although Zechariah may not have realized it at the time, it was God Who imparted such an intense desire in him to pray for a son. When God ignites the yearning He places in our hearts, we are to pray this desire back to Him. This is how God answers prayers and moves His plans for our lives, forward. God knows all things and He wrote out each of our particular destinies before the world began ( 1 Cor. 13:12; Ps 139).

God’s Extraordinary Answer to Zechariah’s Prayer

Zechariah and Elizabeth named their son John, which means “Jehovah is a gracious giver” (5). A younger Zechariah and Elizabeth desired a son to carry their legacy. But God had a bigger purpose. He chose them to miraculously parent a son that would prepare the people of Israel for the coming of the Messiah, His Son, Jesus.

Let’s Pray:

Father,

Just like Zechariah I have prayed desires that You have placed in my heart. And just like Zechariah, I have yet to see the answers. But, Your plan and purposes for Zechariah was bigger than he could ever imagine. And Your plan and purposes for me is bigger than I could ever imagine. I thank You Father for remembering me. I thank You for keeping Your promises. You are a gracious giver. In Jesus name, Amen.

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Advent Part 1- King Herod

December 02, 2019 by Cee Maria in Advent

Matthew 2:1

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod.

Dear Readers,

Advent is here! It is an honor to walk through Advent with you as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of our Lord. We hope this series is a blessing to you.

Let’s set the stage

It is approximately 4000 years after Adam and Eve, and approximately 3000 years after Noah and The Great Flood. Much history as passed in this Mesopotamian Basin. Moses had delivered the Israelites from Egypt, judges had ruled the land, and kings reigned on the thrones of Israel and Judah. Through it all, God’s voice still resonated there and His mighty power continued to be displayed on behalf of His people.

However, for the last 400 years, the voice of God was silent and seemingly heavenly activity ceased to exist. Unknown to those who lived at the time, they were about to step into a new era marked by the birth of the Son of God.

The question we will ask today is, can evil people and dangerous circumstances interfere with
God’s plans?

Introducing King Herod the Great

Judea (present day Israel) was ruled by King Herod the Great, a vassal king who answered directly to the Roman Emperor Augustus (1). Herod was subject to Roman rule and supported the interests of Roman benefactors who supplied him with wealth and influence (1). Roman rules and regulations affected Judean lives in matters of government, religion, and lifestyle (2). Heavy taxes were imposed upon the people due to the construction of magnificent buildings and fortresses throughout the Kingdom (1).

Herod was an extremely religious person and his crowning glory was the restoration and expansion of the Second Temple in Jerusalem (Solomon’s Temple rebuilt and enlarged) (1). The priests performed their religious duties to the Hebrew God at the Temple, but the majority of them were corrupt and served at the pleasure of King Herod. Their duties included the supervision of religious rules, rituals, and tenets. They also acted as rulers and judges. Many of the priests preserved their positions by remaining in favor with Herod and advancing the agenda of Rome (3).

Herod was a ruthless man and maintained his position by killing all who were opposed to his rule. Not even family members were safe. His first wife and child were banished and his second wife and their two sons were executed (1&4). In the 2nd chapter of Matthew, there is a record of Herod encountering wise men from the East searching to worship the newborn King of the Jews. Suspicious and filled with jealousy, Herod attempted to find the child that threatened his kingship. Unable to do so, Herod ordered the slaughter of all the male children under the age of two in the district of Bethlehem.

How could God consider this era, under these conditions, with such unscrupulous leaders to be the perfect timing for Jesus to be born?

God determined that the Roman Empire would be in power and Herod the Great would be king at the time of Jesus’ birth. Jesus was divinely protected when Herod tried to destroy Him. God’s plans are never manipulated or influenced by other factors. His timing stands alone.

Let’s Pray:

Father,

Nothing stands in Your way. People and circumstances, no matter how adverse, will not get in the way of Your destiny for me. Just as You sent Jesus on the earth in Your perfect timing, all of Your plans for my life will happen in Your perfect timing. My trust is in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

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