Bethlehem’s Supernatural Star

 

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Over and over the Bible baffles our curiosity about just how certain things happened. How did this “star” get the magi from the east to Jerusalem?

It does not say that it led them or went before them on the way to Jerusalem. It only says they saw a star in the east (Matthew 2:2) and came to Jerusalem. And how did that star go before them in the little five-mile walk from Jerusalem to Bethlehem as Matthew 2:9 says it did? And how did a star “rest over the place where the child was”?

The answer is: We do not know. There are numerous efforts to explain it in terms of conjunctions of planets or comets or supernovas or miraculous lights. We just don’t know. And I want to exhort you not to become preoccupied — not to become fixated — on theories that are only tentative in the end and have very little spiritual significance.

I risk a generalization to warn you: People who are exercised and preoccupied with such things, as how the star worked and how the Red Sea split and how the manna fell and how Jonah survived the fish and how the moon turns to blood, are generally people who have what I call a mentality for the marginal.

You do not see in them a deep cherishing of the great central things of the gospel: the holiness of God, the ugliness of sin, the helplessness of man, the death of Christ, justification by faith alone, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the glory of Christ’s return, and the final judgment. They always seem to be taking you down a sidetrack with some new article or book that they’re all excited about dealing with something marginal. There is little rejoicing over the great, central realities.

But what is plain concerning this matter of the star is that it is doing something that it cannot do on its own: It is guiding magi to the Son of God to worship him.

There is only one Person in biblical thinking that can be behind that intentionality in the stars: God himself.

So, the lesson is plain: God is guiding foreigners to Christ to worship him. And he is doing it by exerting global — probably even universal — influence and power to get it done.

Luke shows God influencing the entire Roman Empire so that the census comes at the exact time to get an insignificant virgin to Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy with her delivery. Matthew shows God influencing the stars in the sky to get a little handful of foreigners to Bethlehem so that they can worship the Son.

This is God’s design. He did it then. He is still doing it now. His aim is that the nations — all the nations (Matthew 24:14) — worship his Son.

This is God’s will for everybody in your office at work, and in your classroom, and in your neighborhood, and in your home. As John 4:23 says, “The Father is seeking such people to worship him.”

At the beginning of Matthew we still have a “come-see” pattern. But at the end the pattern is “go-tell.” The magi came and saw. We are to go and tell.

But what is not different is the purpose and power of God in the ingathering of the nations to worship his Son. The magnifying of Christ in the white-hot worship of all nations is the reason the world exists.

Messiah for the Magi

 

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1–2)

Unlike Luke, Matthew does not tell us about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus in the stable. His focus is immediately on foreigners — Gentiles, non-Jews — coming from the east to worship Jesus.

So, Matthew portrays Jesus at the beginning and ending of his Gospel as a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews.

Here the first worshipers are court magicians, or astrologers, or wise men not from Israel but from the East — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles. Unclean, according to the Old Testament ceremonial laws.

And at the end of Matthew, the last words of Jesus are, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18–19).

This not only opened the door for us Gentiles to rejoice in the Messiah; it added proof that he was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world. For example, Isaiah 60:3, “Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

So, Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel.

YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 07, 2022.

SUBJECT : YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Memory verse: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (Second Corinthians 9 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 12 vs 2; Ephesians 4 vs 28:

Genesis 12:2: I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

INTIMATION:

God's kind of prosperity comes when you shift your focus from getting and maintaining stuff, to living to give. Most people think, "as soon as they meet their needs, they will toss a tip God's way, or other people’s way." As long as their needs get met first, then God and others can have the leftovers; that isn't seeking first the kingdom of God. The Lord says we should work so we will have money to bless other people—being blessed to be a blessing.

Many might be thinking, 'We're living in the world of constant struggles.' Out in the real world, you have to work to pay bills—life is all about working to get ahead. But God's plan for our financial freedom doesn't rely on the natural results of hard work. The Word of God teaches that when you put the kingdom of God first, then all your needs, including financial, will be taken care of. (Matthew 6 vs 33.) 

The Jesus teaches us, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6 vs 38.) Give away your resources, you will have resources given back to you, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing—good health, long life, prosperity, etc. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.

God's kind of prosperity results from faith—faith in God and His a Word. It's a mind-set and a heart condition, not a get-rich-quick scheme. You ensure that you are obedient to God’s Word, especially those kingdom principles of prosperity. When you work so that you can get money to give—being blessed to be a blessing, God takes care of you. However, prosperity is a by-product of seeking God; it shouldn't be the goal.

Yes, God wants you to have nice things, but your heart attitude should be that prosperity isn't about you—it's really about how much is flowing through you. God gave us two hands: one hand to receive, and one hand to give. If God can get the money through you to other people, then He will get it to you, and as the money flows through, there will be plenty left over for you. You are not supposed to live in poverty; it's just that your first priority should be helping, rather than trying to grab everything you can for yourself.

It's the same attitude we are taught in Scripture in our memory verse. The context of that Scripture is possessions. The apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthians about being good stewards, knowing that we are just stewards and managers of the resources God put in our hands. 

His teaching is that the reason God makes all financial blessings abound toward you is so that you'll have the resources to do good things for others, because true prosperity isn't defined by how nice your house is, or by what kind of car you drive. God evaluates prosperity by how much of a blessing you are to others. This is all easy to say, but it's a lot harder to live. People may hesitate to give generously, even to God, because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs.

Every unit of money, in any currency, you get has the potential to influence a person's life for the better. Of course, you have needs too, and God knows that. The natural inclination is to think, ‘If I start taking care of everybody else, then who is going to take care of me?’ The answer is God! God will take care of you, and He'll do a better job than you ever have. He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We can trust that God will always meet our needs, not all our wants.

The highest form of giving is to help share the Gospel. When you start helping the “Good News” to be shared, demonstrating the love of God in word and deed, there is a divine flow that takes place. God starts supernaturally supplying your needs. This is why Scripture tells us to give God the first fruits, not the leftover fruit. The first thing you should do when you get  money is give back to God. When you do that, God takes care of you incidentally than you have ever done through striving and grasping at your resources.

We have to change the way we think about money and prosperity. In the second passage we read today, the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to think differently about the goal of work. He didn't tell them to labor so they could pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. Nor did he tell them to labor so they could feed and clothe their children. He said, "work so you'll have money to give to those in need." He was echoing Jesus' teaching that the most important use of money is not satisfying your needs, but by satisfying other people's temporal needs, and touch people's lives as a demonstration of your love for God.

A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift shouldn’t be embarrassed. God is concerned how a person gives from his or her resources.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of giving sacrificially, for You have blessed me that I may be a blessing to others. I know when I cast my cares upon You, You care for me. Give me the grace to allow Your resources You put in my care to flow freely from me to others and for the works of Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad ARE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Memory verse: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (Second Corinthians 9 vs 8.)

READ: Genesis 12 vs 2; Ephesians 4 vs 28:

Genesis 12:2: I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

INTIMATION:

God's kind of prosperity comes when you shift your focus from getting and maintaining stuff, to living to give. Most people think, "as soon as they meet their needs, they will toss a tip God's way, or other people’s way." As long as their needs get met first, then God and others can have the leftovers; that isn't seeking first the kingdom of God. The Lord says we should work so we will have money to bless other people—being blessed to be a blessing.

Many might be thinking, 'We're living in the world of constant struggles.' Out in the real world, you have to work to pay bills—life is all about working to get ahead. But God's plan for our financial freedom doesn't rely on the natural results of hard work. The Word of God teaches that when you put the kingdom of God first, then all your needs, including financial, will be taken care of. (Matthew 6 vs 33.) 

The Jesus teaches us, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6 vs 38.) Give away your resources, you will have resources given back to you, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing—good health, long life, prosperity, etc. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.

God's kind of prosperity results from faith—faith in God and His a Word. It's a mind-set and a heart condition, not a get-rich-quick scheme. You ensure that you are obedient to God’s Word, especially those kingdom principles of prosperity. When you work so that you can get money to give—being blessed to be a blessing, God takes care of you. However, prosperity is a by-product of seeking God; it shouldn't be the goal.

Yes, God wants you to have nice things, but your heart attitude should be that prosperity isn't about you—it's really about how much is flowing through you. God gave us two hands: one hand to receive, and one hand to give. If God can get the money through you to other people, then He will get it to you, and as the money flows through, there will be plenty left over for you. You are not supposed to live in poverty; it's just that your first priority should be helping, rather than trying to grab everything you can for yourself.

It's the same attitude we are taught in Scripture in our memory verse. The context of that Scripture is possessions. The apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthians about being good stewards, knowing that we are just stewards and managers of the resources God put in our hands. 

His teaching is that the reason God makes all financial blessings abound toward you is so that you'll have the resources to do good things for others, because true prosperity isn't defined by how nice your house is, or by what kind of car you drive. God evaluates prosperity by how much of a blessing you are to others. This is all easy to say, but it's a lot harder to live. People may hesitate to give generously, even to God, because they worry about having enough money left over to meet their own needs.

Every unit of money, in any currency, you get has the potential to influence a person's life for the better. Of course, you have needs too, and God knows that. The natural inclination is to think, ‘If I start taking care of everybody else, then who is going to take care of me?’ The answer is God! God will take care of you, and He'll do a better job than you ever have. He will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We can trust that God will always meet our needs, not all our wants.

The highest form of giving is to help share the Gospel. When you start helping the “Good News” to be shared, demonstrating the love of God in word and deed, there is a divine flow that takes place. God starts supernaturally supplying your needs. This is why Scripture tells us to give God the first fruits, not the leftover fruit. The first thing you should do when you get  money is give back to God. When you do that, God takes care of you incidentally than you have ever done through striving and grasping at your resources.

We have to change the way we think about money and prosperity. In the second passage we read today, the apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians to think differently about the goal of work. He didn't tell them to labor so they could pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads. Nor did he tell them to labor so they could feed and clothe their children. He said, "work so you'll have money to give to those in need." He was echoing Jesus' teaching that the most important use of money is not satisfying your needs, but by satisfying other people's temporal needs, and touch people's lives as a demonstration of your love for God.

A giving attitude is more important than the amount given. The person who can give only a small gift shouldn’t be embarrassed. God is concerned how a person gives from his or her resources.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of giving sacrificially, for You have blessed me that I may be a blessing to others. I know when I cast my cares upon You, You care for me. Give me the grace to allow Your resources You put in my care to flow freely from me to others and for the works of Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Peace to Those with Whom He Is Pleased

 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12–14)

Peace for whom? There is a somber note sounded in the angels’ praise. Peace among those on whom his favor rests. Peace among those with whom he is pleased. But without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). So, Christmas does not bring peace to all.

“This is the judgment,” Jesus said, “the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). Or as the aged Simeon said when he saw the child Jesus, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed . . . so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34–35). Oh, how many there are who look out on a bleak and chilly Christmas day and see no more than that — a sign to be opposed.

“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11–12). It was only to his disciples that Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

The people who enjoy the peace of God that surpasses all understanding are those who in everything by prayer and supplication let their requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6–7).

The key that unlocks the treasure chest of God’s peace is faith in the promises of God. So, Paul prays, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13). And when we do trust the promises of God and have joy and peace and love, then God is glorified.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Everyone — from every people, tongue, tribe, and nation — who would believe.

IT IS NATURALLY BENEFICIAL TO TITHE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 06, 2022.

SUBJECT : IT IS NATURALLY BENEFICIAL TO TITHE!

Memory verse: "Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6 vs 38.)

READ: Matthew 6 vs 19 - 21:

6:19: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

6:20: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

6:21: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

INTIMATION:

Tithing is naturally beneficial to us. It's just like a farmer who sows seed to reap a crop. God gives you seed, and you have a choice about what to do with that seed. You can eat all of the seeds that God gives you, or you can plant some of it and reap a crop that will ensure you have something to eat next year. Planting seeds ensures a future crop, and tithing moves your money into your future, in addition to the eternal benefit. Money is like a seed, and when you consume every kobo that comes your way, you aren't investing in your future.

Tithing is laying up treasures in heaven, but is not limited to it. Laying up treasures in heaven is fully accomplished by all acts of obedience to God. Giving for investment in kingdom works is investing in heaven, but we should seek to please God not only in giving but also in fulfilling God’s purposes in all we do. 

God loves you if you eat all your seed, but don't be surprised when the money runs out and consequently, you starts crying to God for not meeting your needs. It's not His fault if you ate all of your seeds. You need to be disciplined enough to take a portion of what God has given you and sow into your future. The tithe is a starting point; ultimately, you should desire to give even more than 10 percent. 

Remember, God is still going to love you whether you give nine percent, or eleven percent, or nothing at all. Tithing has nothing to do with how God relates to you, but there is still a huge benefit in tithing. We don't tithe to please God; we do it out of a sense of appreciation for all that God has done for us, and it's the smart thing to do because it is for our benefit of bringing God into our finances.

But just because the punishment for not tithing has been taken away, doesn't mean we should stop giving. It's similar to how parents teach children to do the right thing by using punishment, or the threat of it, to keep their kids in line. I grew up knowing that my parents would threaten to spank me if I ever crossed the road without looking both sides of the street. Actually, they did that to me a number of times! They did it because they loved me, and they didn't want me getting hit by a car. My parents aren't around to spank me anymore, but I still look both sides before crossing the street because it's the smart thing to do.

I give tithes and offerings because it's a way of showing my love, trust, faith in God, and using the money God gave me to help build His kingdom. I believe in tithing just like I still look both sides of the road before crossing; I just give with a different motivation than they did under the Old Covenant.

Prayer: Abba Father, You have loved me unconditionally. You have remained faithful even in my unfaithfulness. May Your Name be praised forever. It’s my utmost heart desire to love and cherish You all the days of my life. Endue me with the spirit of love and obedience to You in my giving and in all things, in Jesus’ Name ai have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

No Detour from Calvary

 

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6–7)

You would think that if God so rules the world as to use an empire-wide census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, he surely could have seen to it that a room was available in the inn.

Yes, he could have. He absolutely could have! And Jesus could have been born into a wealthy family. He could have turned stone into bread in the wilderness. He could have called 10,000 angels to his aid in Gethsemane. He could have come down from the cross and saved himself. The question is not what God could do, but what he willed to do.

God’s will was that though Christ was rich, yet for your sake he became poor. The “No Vacancy” signs over all the motels in Bethlehem were for your sake. “For your sake he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

God rules all things — even hotel capacities and available Airbnbs — for the sake of his children. The Calvary road begins with a “No Vacancy” sign in Bethlehem and ends with the spitting and scoffing of the cross in Jerusalem.

And we must not forget that he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Luke 9:23).

We join him on the Calvary road and hear him say, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

To the one who calls out enthusiastically, “I will follow you wherever you go!” Jesus responds, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:57–58).

Yes, God could have seen to it that Jesus have a room at his birth. But that would have been a detour off the Calvary road.

THE DECEPTIVE TRUST AND POWER IN RICHES!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY DECEMBER 05, 2022.

SUBJECT : THE DECEPTIVE TRUST AND POWER IN RICHES!

Memory verse: “And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10 vs 24.)

READ: Proverbs 18 vs 10 - 11:

18:10: The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

18:11: The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his own esteem.

INTIMATION:

People recognize that money give them power. It enables them to put food on the table and pay their bills. The power in money has been given various names: 'purchasing power,' ‘bargaining power,’ ‘economic power,’ negotiating power,’ and so on. So, people see giving their money away as loosing power. They think they are loosing in life by giving. 

In imagining that their wealth is their strongest defense, rich people are sadly mistaken. Money cannot provide safety—there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. Eventually, in many circumstances your wealth can lose its power. But God never loses His power. He is always dependable and ever faithful.

But God knows our frame (Psalm 103 vs 14); He knows how dependent we are upon wealth. He knows how fearful we can be about money, and that's the reason He made so many promises to prosper us when we trust in Him. 

Jesus laid emphasis on the teaching of money because of its importance to our daily lives, and our relationship with God. Churches don't preach on money today the way Jesus did, apparently because of fear of the perception of the congregants. When something is said from the pulpit about money, the motivation is to get us to give to fund ministries or projects. But this is very important for our Christian race.

Let us revisit the story of the rich young man. After the man walked away unwilling to part with his money, the Lord said, "How hard shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again, and said to them, children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10 vs 23 - 24.)

You could say it this way, "How hard it is for rich people to be born again." That's quite a statement, because people often see riches as blessings from God indicating God’s approval. That was why the disciples were astonished. But Jesus clarified His statement to mean, "How hard is it for them that trust in riches." He wasn't saying that riches itself makes it difficult to be saved. He was saying that having lots of riches can trick people into putting faith in their riches because of the associated powers in it. Instead of putting their trust in God who gives them the power to get the wealth. Riches aren’t the problem, how you trust in the associated powers is the issue.

Where do you look for security and safety—uncertain wealth or God who is always faithful. Are you putting your trust in riches or in the Lord where you find true riches? It's a question everyone should ask ourselves. All of us want to say, "Oh yes, I'm trusting in the Lord," but you have to do more than just say it. As the apostle James said in his epistle, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2 vs 26). So, yes, you can see where a person's heart is by where their money goes. Someone who is really trusting in the Lord will prove it by tithing and giving out of their resources. 

See, the danger with riches is that you can get to where you trust in what riches can do, that’s, relying on its inherent powers to work for you more than you trust in God. Then, when you come upon a problem that money can't solve, you will feel like the earth is crumbling beneath you. God will still be there to help you, but you will not have learned to trust in His ability to deliver you. This is the major reason why giving is important: because learning to trust God starts with your money.

The psalmist in Psalm 18 vs 2 says, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Unlike riches, God’s protection of His people is limitless and can take many forms. God is the supreme controller of all circumstances. In Him all finalities rest. The Scripture, in Lamentations 3 vs 37 notes, “Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?” Only with God’s approval will your riches provide a safe haven for you. Therefore, put your trust in Him that controls all circumstances.

Prayer: Abba Father, by You all things consist. You are my shield and buckler. May I never put my trust in any other thing but You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. 

PRAISE THE LORD!