Two Kinds of Opposition to Jesus

 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)

Jesus is troubling to people who do not want to worship him, and he arouses opposition against those who do. This is probably not a main point in the mind of Matthew, but it is an inescapable implication as the story goes on.

In this story, there are two kinds of people who do not want to worship Jesus.

The first kind is the people who simply do nothing about Jesus. He is a nonentity in their lives. This group is represented at the beginning of Jesus’s life by the chief priests and scribes. Matthew 2:4 says, “Assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, [Herod] inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.” So they told him, and that was that: back to business as usual. The sheer silence and inactivity of the leaders is overwhelming in view of the magnitude of what was happening.

And notice, Matthew 2:3 says, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” In other words, the rumor was going around that someone thought the Messiah was born. The inactivity on the part of the chief priests is staggering: why not go with the magi? They are not interested. They are not passionate about finding the Son of God and worshiping him.

The second kind of people who do not want to worship Jesus is the kind who are deeply threatened by him. That’s Herod in this story. He is really afraid. So much so that he schemes and lies and then commits mass murder just to get rid of Jesus.

So today, these two kinds of opposition will come against Christ and his worshipers: indifference and hostility. I surely hope that you are not in one of those groups.

And if you are a Christian, let this Christmas be the time when you ponder what it means — what it costs — to worship and follow this Messiah.

GIVING—THE SURE WAY TO PROSPERITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY DECEMBER 08, 2022.

SUBJECT : GIVING—THE SURE WAY TO PROSPERITY!

Memory verse: "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" (Acts 20 vs 35.) 

READ: Proverbs 11 vs 24. -25:

11:24: There is one who scatters, yet increases more, and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty.

11:25: The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

INTIMATION:

The two verses in the passage we read today present a paradox—statement that contradicts itself. We become richer by being generous. The world says to hold on to as much as possible, but here the Scripture says that God blesses those who give freely and generously of their possessions, time, and energy. 

When we give, God supplies us with more so that we can give more. In addition, giving helps us gain a right perspective on our possessions. We realize that they were never really ours to begin with, but were entrusted to us by God to be used to serve His purposes, and help others in need. 

Possessions are difficult to come by when you think of yourself as the provider. Possessions reminds you of how hard to work just to get by, and giving it away would only seem to put you further away from the goal of having all your needs met, and the societal approval that you have arrived. All of that would be true if God wasn't your source. In God's economy, you move closer toward your goals by giving than you do by clinging to everything you have. 

Now, let us look at the apostle Paul’s counsel to the believers in Corinth, in his second letter to them; “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as He purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have abundance for every good work.” (Second Corinthians 9 vs 6 - 8.)

Many people hesitate to give generously to God and others because they worry about having enough left over to meet their needs. The apostle Paul assured the believers in the Corinthian church that God was able to meet their needs. The person who gives only a little will receives a little in return. But a generous and cheerful giver, God makes all grace abound toward him or her that such person will have abundant resources, making the person sufficient at all times to carry on the good works of generosity. 

And remember that your giving must with the right motives before God. Your giving must not be out of necessity; for instance, giving to get rich. Such motive is not right before God. Also you should not give grudgingly; giving because they said we should give. Kingdom principles for prosperity doesn’t work that way. Your giving must be from a willing and cheerful heart with faith in God. 

The apostle Paul’s prayer for those with the right heart of giving, is also quite revealing, “Now, may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruit of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.” (Second Corinthians 9 vs 10 - 11.) 

The apostle Paul has the revelation of the ‘giving’ nature of God, especially as it relates to a generous heart. He knows that God will never allow such God-natured persons to lack anything, but He will ensure uninterrupted supply and multiplication of his or her seed, consequently, enriching the person in everything in order to continue and increase his or her liberal giving in bearing fruit of righteousness. God sees the heart and knows the intent of the heart. 

Therefore, give so that the word of God will manifest in your life; in your generosity with a cheerful and willing heart, you will be made rich and sufficient in all things, so that you will continue in your ‘good works.’ Remember, you can never out-give God! If you are in doubt ask King Solomon.

Prayer: Abba Father, Your thoughts for us is of good, and have given us all that pertains to life and godliness. Endue me with giving spirit that I may utilize the resources You bestowed in my care adequately to serve You and others, thereby making me abundantly sufficient in all things, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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!