2024-12-31 “enough” : Moses’ success review

 The gist of 2024 year end review: the word is “enough”. Whatever you have been doing fruitlessly in the year of 2024, wandering in a circle of stress, distress, confusion, blindness, and deaf ears, making losses and getting into debts and relationship beyond your means to repay or sustain, the word is “enough” on this New Year Eve. It’s not too late to cut loss and close that “venture”. On the other hand, if you have already cut loss just in time, congratulations!

It took the children of Israel 40 years to travel the distance they could have traveled in 11 days from Mount Sinai to the promised land. Their godly visionary leader Moses was circling around the mountain carrying the burden of two million rebellious people (of whom the adult men except two, Joshua and Caleb, were without vision) for forty years. By then he was leading the second generation of the rebellious men who perished in the wilderness. Was Moses defeated? The answer is no. After he succeeded in bringing the people to River Jordan where the Lord would lead them to just cross and take possession, God led him up the mountain to look at the span of the promised land across with divine eyesight and Moses thereafter left this world at 120 years old, with clear eyesight and was as strong as ever body and soul and spirit.

Throughout the conversation between God and Moses, Moses did not even argue his own case. He was happy to enter the rest of God. He knew the reality of God and heaven, a far better place and homeland for him. Moses was contented with a life span of 70s or 80s, but he had to live long for the sake of completing his mission on earth.

Thoughts: Each man to ask: What is my vision for 2025? Am I willing and prepared to continue the course? Am I still walking around the mountain? Surely the Lord wants an answer. The important thing to do is to ask the Lord when we don’t even know how to review our lives.

Prayer: Dear Father God, I admit and repent and renounce all my foolish ways in 2024. Grant me a new start: accurate spiritual discernment, godly wisdom, clear mind (applying the mind of Christ), clear spiritual and physical sight and a renewed body, to see the vision and mission You place in my hand and to have the ability and capacity to execute and complete it. Make me a faithful and good steward of all the resources, knowledge, talents and skills You have granted me. Grant me a heart of just and loving care to others, let me be as Jesus is, especially to those whom You have placed under my charge. Let the fruit of the Spirit manifest in my daily life. Let my pursuit of excellence be centered on serving and ministering to You always. Thank you, Abba Father. I pray in Jesus name.

2024-12-31 Καὶnos

Deuteronomy 1:6-7 The Command to Leave Sinai

The Command to Leave Sinai
6 “When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. 7 It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighboring regions—the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills,[a] the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River.Read full chapter

Footnotes
1:7 Hebrew the Shephelah.
Deuteronomy 2:1-3 Remembering Israel’s Wanderings

2 “Then we turned around and headed back across the wilderness toward the Red Sea,[a] just as the Lord had instructed me, and we wandered around in the region of Mount Seir for a long time.

2 “Then at last the Lord said to me, 3 ‘You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn to the north.Read full chapter

Footnotes
2:1 Hebrew sea of reeds.
Deuteronomy 34:1-4 The Death of Moses

Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the Lordshowed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan; 2 all the land of Naphtali; the land of Ephraim and Manasseh; all the land of Judah, extending to the Mediterranean Sea[a]; 3 the Negev; the Jordan Valley with Jericho—the city of palms—as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have now allowed you to see it with your own eyes, but you will not enter the land.”

5 So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. 6 The Lord buried him[b] in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.

2024 Christmas Eve: Who is Jesus? List of His names and titles

How to know who Jesus is? Read His names!

Here is a list of some of the names and titles of our Lord and Savior: 

Revelation 1:8, Hebrews 12:2, 5:9, Matthew 12:18, John 6:32, 6:48, 1 Peter 5:4, Luke 9:20, Isaiah 9:6, Romans 11:26, Isaiah 40:3, John 10:11, Hebrews 4:14, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 1:2, John 8:58, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:21, Zechariah 9:9, 1 Timothy 6:15, John 1:29, John 14:6, 8:12, 1 Timothy 6:15, Jeremiah 23:6, 1 Timothy 2:5, Daniel 9:25, John 1:41, Revelation 22:16, Job 19:25, John 11:25, Luke 2:11, Matthew 2:15, Malachi 4:2, John 1:9, 15:1, 1:14, 14:6, John 1:1, Revelation 19:13

ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8) 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, [a]the Beginning and the End,” says the [b]Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Footnotes: Revelation 1:8 NU, M omit the Beginning and the End; Revelation 1:8 NU, M Lord God

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2) 2 looking unto Jesus, the [a]author and [b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Footnotes: Hebrews 12:2 originator; Hebrews 12:2 perfecter

AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION: (Hebrews 5:9) 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18) 18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,

My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

I will put My Spirit upon Him,

And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32) 32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. John 6:48 I am the bread of life.

CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4) 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

CHRIST OF GOD: (Luke 9:20) 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

COUNSELLOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6) 6 For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26; Isaiah 59:20,21) 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight [a]in the desert

A highway for our God. Footnotes

a. Or delivered

GOD: (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3) 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

“Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make straight [a]in the desert

A highway for our God. Footnotes

a. So with MT, Tg., Vg.; LXX omits in the desert

GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11) 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

COMPASSIONATE, GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14) 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22) 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2) 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the [a]worlds; Footnotes

a. Or ages, Gr. aiones, aeons

I AM: (John 8:58) 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”

IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4) 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23) 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.[a]

Footnotes

a. Lit. God-With-Us

JESUS: (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31) 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name [a]Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Footnotes

a. Lit. Savior

KING: (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5) 9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your King is coming to you;

He is just and having salvation,

Lowly and riding on a donkey,

A colt, the foal of a donkey.

KING OF KINGS, Lord of lords: (1 Timothy 6:15 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only [a]Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Footnotes

a. Sovereign

LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29) 29 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

THE LIFE: (John 14:6) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12) 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6) 6 In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

[a]THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Footnotes

a. Heb. YHWH Tsidkenu

MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

MESSIAH: (Daniel 9:25) 25 “Know therefore and understand,

That from the going forth of the command

To restore and build Jerusalem

Until Messiah the Prince,

There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

The [a]street shall be built again, and the [b]wall,

Even in troublesome times.

Footnotes

a. Or open square

b. Or moat

(John 1:41) 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [a]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

Footnotes

a. Lit. Anointed One

MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16) 16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

REDEEMER: (Job 19:25) 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

SAVIOR, Christ THE LORD: (Luke 2:11) 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15) 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2) 2 But to you who fear My name

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise

With healing in His wings;

And you shall go out

And grow fat like stall-fed calves.

TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9) 9 That[a] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Footnotes

a. Or That was the true Light which, coming into the world, gives light to every man.

TRUE VINE: (John 15:1) “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

TRUTH: (John 1:14) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

WORD: (John 1:1) n the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

WORD OF GOD: (Revelation 19:13) 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 John 5:11-13

11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has [a]life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, [b]and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Footnotes

[a] 1 John 5:12 Or the life

[b] 1 John 5:13 NU omits the rest of v. 13.

2024-12-24 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 8: a paralytic faith walk

Jesus only spoke to one man whom He addressed as “Son” that He has forgiven his sins. This phenomenal event was recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark and Luke. 

Matthew 9:2 Then behold, they (four friends) brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Mark 2:5
5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Jesus saw the faith of the four friends and the man who agreed to be brought there seeking a miracle. This demonstrates the effect our intercession in faith can have upon others. However, those who are to receive the miracle must have some degree of faith also. Even Jesus could not produce healing in those who would not believe (Mark 6:5-6). The paralytic himself also had shown faith because he was not resistant to being brought there and lowered down from the roof, and he also got up and obeyed Jesus’ command (Matthew 9:7) without having to be helped.

Why did Jesus minister forgiveness of sins to this man instead of ministering to his obvious need for healing? Andrew Wommack’s study Bible notes suggested probable reasons for this would include the following: 

(1) God is more concerned with the spiritual health of people than their physical health (1 Samuel 16:7 and Matthew 5:29-30). 

(2) Jesus, through a word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8), may have perceived that the real heart-cry of this man was to be reconciled to God. 

(3) In some instances (not all – John 9:2-3), sickness is a direct result of sin (John 5:8-9 and 14). Therefore, Jesus would have been dealing with the very root of the paralysis, and just as with the fig tree in Mark 11:13-14 and 20, the physical manifestation would have followed. 

(4) Whether or not this man’s paralysis was a direct result of sin, sin in his life that had not been forgiven would allow Satan to keep him in his bondage (Romans 6:16). Through Jesus forgiving this man’s sins, he was free to receive all the blessings of God, which certainly included healing (Deuteronomy 7:15 and Psalm 103:3).

Living Commentary (Andrew Wommack):

(Quote): “It was obvious that this man needed healing, but Jesus forgave his sins. It’s possible that Jesus discerned this man’s heart and gave him what he really wanted. It’s also possible that by Jesus saying his sins were forgiven, then sickness was covered too. The only reason anyone gets sick is because of the corruption sin brought into the world. Therefore, forgiving his sins was equal to freeing him from sickness. If only people had this revelation today.

This is very unusual for Jesus to refer to this man as “son.” It’s the only time in the Gospels that he referred to anyone by this title. This is denoting affection and kindness. It was usually used only to refer to kindred. Therefore, Jesus is speaking to him as his God and making reference to the fact that this was His son. This speaks of the man’s relationship to God and gives us insight into his spiritual condition.”(Unquote).

Summary: Faith is very crucial for everyone who seeks something from God. The paralytic man knew that. He believed that Jesus could and would forgive and heal him at the same time. So when Jesus gave him the reconciliation with God – what he had longed for in his heart, he instantly believed that he was healed simultaneously, and obeyed Jesus’ command, got up and walked home! He must have been closely following Jesus’ teachings through his four fervent friends’ daily feedback. Jesus’ promise “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” has come to pass in his case!

Application: What is the miracle for this Christmas waiting to be birthed for each of us who, like this man have something in our heart which cries out to God with expectant hope? How may we too, appropriate the same answer from the Lord? Relationship with Him and faith work together to bring out this man’s miracle. Truly a deeper walk with Jesus will bring us to a level like never before encountered! 

p/s: Peter wrote on the matter of friendship and its power. 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

2024-12-18 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Journey with Jesus Day 9: God’s economics and finance

Christmas is about love and charity. Faith and prayers too. Some receive miracles in healing and other provisions. Some receive reconciliation in relationship. Some receive restoration of losses, financial and matters of value. Prayers, requests and wishes answered and granted. All receive gifts in various forms expected and unexpected. Jesus led by serving, and He loved by serving. He washed feet. He fed thousands. He walked to visit and heal the sick and dead.

Here are some Bible verses on what the Lord expects of Christian believers.

God’s initiative to love us:

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 13:1

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

God expects us to love our brethren in Christ just as He loves us: 

John 13:34

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:35

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

John 15:9

Love and Joy Perfected

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

John 15:12

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:17

These things I command you, that you love one another.

1 John 2:10

He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

1 John 3:14

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1 John 3:17

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

1 John 4:8

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

God expects us to love God and then love mankind (including kind acts toward enemies even those who are not grateful to God):

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Matthew 22:39

And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Luke 6:27

Love Your Enemies

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:35

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

In summary: Jesus has shown us His perfect love and kindness toward those who have no way of repaying Him. Crowds followed Him and traveled miles just to hear him speak. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, teaching the people, caring for the widow, and defending children, Jesus lived 33 years of perfect kindness. 

Application: Jesus is our role model. Regardless of sizes and financial limitation, many churches are practicing this charity and kindness especially during festive occasions. Who is my neighbor? How may I serve them this Christmas? How may I show Jesus to them?

2024-12-20 Καὶnos 

p/s: Jesus taught that we should give food to the hungry, shelter to those who have none, and clothes to the poor. When we visit the sick and those who are in prison, it is as if we were doing these things for Him instead. He promises that as we do these things, we will inherit His kingdom. (See Matthew 25:34–46.) Whilst there are various interpretation on this passage, we can note that Jesus is talking about meeting the physical needs of people while on earth. 

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 7: Whom did Jesus come to heal?

Jesus was born for this. The Bible is full of stories of the downs and outs. Crowds thronged Jesus, including the rich, the famous and the powerful, those with ample means to donate and contribute to His ministry, some of whom might have employed tough strong body guards to open their way to access to Jesus. When everybody was rushing against time, Jesus always slowed down, paused, looked around and stopped for the sick, weak, lowly, poor, voiceless, and even an outcast, and showed God’s great mercy and grace (undeserved favor) for such individuals to ensure that they got heard and their needs attended to. He knows the Father’s hearts, and He follows the Father’s will. 

Who were the ones that Jesus stopped for? Here are some general and specific examples, spanning over old and young, men and women, Jews and foreigners, 

Indeed, all sorts of sick, physically or mentally afflicted or oppressed people who came to Him were healed and set free. They were of all ages, races, nationalities, social classes and financial status, cultures/political/religious affiliations. He was concerned with their spirit, soul and body health. The Bible recorded some of such incidents and those He healed, delivered, and paid special attention. Here is an unexhaustive list: 

Matthew 8: a leper; a Roman Centurion’s servant; Peter’s mother-in-law;  two demon-possessed men set free.

Matthew 9: a paralytic; Matthew (Levi, Luke 5) the tax collector (soul and spirit); a 12th year old girl restored to life, a woman who had bleeding issue for 12 years healed instantly; two blind men received their sight -healed; a mute man healed.

Matthew 12: healed a man with a withered hand on Sabbath in a synagogue; also healed a demon-possessed, blind and mute man.

Matthew 14: Showed His compassion for the great multitudes who followed Him on foot from the cities and healed their sick. At evening He fed them, by miraculously multiplying five loaves and two fish to feed about five thousands men, besides women and children. (Provision)

Matthew 14: Many sick people begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment and as many as touched it were perfectly well.

Matthew 15: A gentile (Greek) woman showed her faith and cried out to Him to heal her severely demon-possessed daughter and she was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 17: A deaf and dumb spirit tormented boy with seizure was healed despite the unbelief of even the boy’s father. 

Mark 2: Forgave and healed a paralytic carried by four men who had faith and were undeterred by the crowd. They  uncovered the roof and let down the bed so Jesus could heal him. (Spirit, soul and body)

Mark 10: Let the little children come to Him, took them up in His arms and blessed them.  (Special attention.)

Mark 12: Took note of and praised one poor widow who could had only two small copper coins and gave all to the temple. (Special attention.)

Luke 7: Raised from dead the son of a widow of Nain. (Special attention.)

Luke 7: While being a guest in a Pharisees’ house, Jesus let a repentant sinner woman wash his feet with her tears, wipe with her hair, kiss his feet and anoint them with fragrant oil. (Spirit, soul and body)

Luke 14: Healed a man with dropsy on Sabbath in the home of a ruler of the Pharisees. 

Luke 15: All the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. (Spirit and soul)

Luke 17: Ten lepers cleansed, including a Samaritan. 

Luke 18: Counseled a rich young ruler. (Spirit and soul)

Luke 18: Stopped for a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, near Jericho and healed him.

Luke 19: Brought salvation to a rich chief tax collector, Zacchaeus and his house. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: Shared the Kingdom of God with a Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: A Samaritan (foreign) woman who had five husbands and was living with one not her husband. (Spirit and soul)

John 4: Healed the dying son of a nobleman.

John 8: Jesus pointed out that not one of the accuser was without sin. So the adulteress was forgiven and not condemned, and He asked her to go and sin no more. (Spirit, soul and body)

John 9: Healed a man who was born blind. 

John 11: Raised Lazarus who was dead for four days. 

Summary of those whom Jesus healed and saved: Luke 5:31-32 NLT 31 Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Application: Think about why we need Jesus. Why is remembering His birth so important? What more do we still need to ask since He has given all He has for all mankind? 

2024-12-17 Καὶnos

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 6: a greater present for Christmas!

Would you like to know the end before you begin? Imagine the pain of a parent of a child who knows of the short and painful lifespan of their child before birth or even conception. The Father God knew of what His beloved Son would go through even before the foundation of the earth. Jesus knew. He was there together with the Creator Father God and the Holy Spirit from the very beginning of this earth and mankind. What greatness in love for them to have agreed to let Jesus come to earth for the most excruciating painful assignment in spite of the foreknowledge of the eventual outcome This is what we need to think upon today as we walk with Jesus to the deeper end during this Advent (Sun, Dec 1, 2024 – Tue, Dec 24, 2024). 

What is Advent? the arrival of a notable person or thing. The first season of the Church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

Advent is a season observed in most Christian denominations as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’s birth at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, often referred to as Advent Sunday. The name comes from Latin adventus (‘coming; arrival’), translating the Greek parousia from the New Testament, originally referring to the Second Coming.

The first coming dealt with the salvation and redemption of mankind. What about the Second Coming? 

The Second Coming: Bible verses (Excerpts quoted from NLT Bible unless otherwise specified)

Matthew 24:36–44: “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.

Luke 21:25–28: 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”.  

John 5:28–29: 28 Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, 29 and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 

Revelation 1:7: Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.

And everyone will see him—

    even those who pierced him.

And all the nations of the world

    will mourn for him.

Yes! Amen!.

Hebrews 9:27–28 (NKJV): 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Matthew 24:26–31 (NKJV): “27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” “29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days … 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. “ (Three times in the NT we are told about the “trumpet call of God” which is always associated with the second Advent and the great resurrection of the dead. Matt. 24:31; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16.)

1 Thessalonians 5:1–3 (NKJV): But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

1 Corinthians 15:51–52: 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 

John 14:1–3: ““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

The Good News of the Second Coming of Jesus gives hope and assurance of a secured future. This brings Christmas to another level of depth about the grace and truth that came through Jesus’ first coming. 

Application: Continue to meditate on the goodness and love of God through giving all mankind Jesus, the ultimate present!

2024-12-16

2024 Advent Deeper Christmas Devotion Day 5: Neither ashamed nor afraid

 Often Christians are ashamed. Why? Where? How come? These are the questions for which we find answers from our brethren the apostle Paul today as we dive into deeper waters with Jesus. Jesus assured us not to be afraid. Paul assured us not to be ashamed. He was not ashamed too. 

Romans 1:16-17 New Living Translation

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.[a] 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”[b]

Footnotes

1:16 Greek also the Greek.

1:17 Or “The righteous will live by faith.” Hab 2:4.

1. Why are Christians ashamed to tell the Good News of Jesus even at His birthday celebration right now? They don’t know the power of God in the Gospel:
1. They are afraid of being rejected, ridiculed, not politically correct, judged, and worse, even persecuted. 
2. They do not know in Christian faith we are required to just believe and carry out our belief by faith in the living God.
3. God has assured of a divine power, through the Holy Spirit, to carry out to fulfill His purpose of saving lost souls.
4. This salvation is available for everyone who believes, regardless of race and past beliefs. 
2. What is this all powerful God-initiated Good news about Jesus?

Romans 1:3-5 New Living Translation

3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be[a] the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit.[b] He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege[c] and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Footnotes

1:4a Or and was designated.

1:4b Or by the Spirit of holiness; or in the new realm of the Spirit.

1:5 Or the grace.

In summary, you have to believe this:

1. The Good News is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God
2. He was born into King David’s family line on earth, just as prophesied
3. He died for us and was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit
4. The God News is all about Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Application: Our belief is based entirely on the truth given in the Bible, as we believe by faith and not by sight. With man’s tendency to use our mind this is hard and quite impossible. But with God, nothing is impossible. This Christmas let us expect the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit from God making the impossible to possible!  

Note from my post on 2022-12-20: “Jesus has declared that He and His Father are one. Jesus also says this of us (His believers): “I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” And His Father is our Father. This is the greatest assurance today. As we are united with Christ and God, we have nothing to fear or worry about. His house is our house. His lives in us and His divine life is our real life. He does things with us, speaks to us and teaches us. He gives us all good gifts. He loves us to the extent of giving His Son to us, to redeem us so that we can return to Him and be reconciled with Him as His children. He sent His Son to purchase our life, pay for our healing and divine health too.”

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

2024-12-11 Καὶnos