Angels we have heard: He shall come with heaven’s Angels

 

               

   The most angel activity recorded in history is around the birth of Christ.  Eight angel messages: to old and young, to Jew and Gentile.  In addition to other recorded events, we read that the Holy Spirit caused the baby John to leap in Elizabeth’s womb, in response to Mary’s greeting (Lk 1:41-44).  Then the Holy Spirit directed Simeon and Anna to the temple to see the newborn Messiah (Luke 2:26-35, 36-38).  Finally, we have the miraculous star guiding wise men from afar (Matt 2:1-2).

In past revivals and current visitations, there have been reports of angel activity, along with dreams, visions, and miraculous signs.  In Muslim and native villages, appearances of Jesus and angels open peoples’ hearts to believe and obey.  The Bible says we are in the last days (Acts 2:17), even the last hour (I John 2:18).  People are excited about angels and revelations, but not necessarily about obedience.

you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles.  3First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions 4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming?” RSV 2 Peter 3:2-4

The issue for us is not whether we see angels or special signs, but that we prepare ourselves for his return, through the obedience of faith.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  45”Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  NIV Matt 24:44-46

Read these angels’ appearances and be encouraged that Christ is coming again, with all the angels of heaven (Matt 13 and 2 Thess 2:17)

Lk 1:11-21 Gabriel to Zacharias, that he and Elizabeth would have a son who would be the forerunner of Messiah.

Lk 1:26-38 Gabriel to Mary, Elizabeth’s cousin, announcing she would be the mother of Jesus.

Mt 1:20-24 an angel of the Lord to Joseph, saying to fear not to marry Mary, “for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Lk 2:9-15 an angel of the Lord to the shepherds, announcing Jesus’ birth

Mt 2:12 God warns the three wise men not to return to Herod.

Mt 2:13 an angel of the Lord warns Joseph to flee from Herod to Egypt.

Mt 2:19 an angel of the Lord tells Joseph in a dream, “return to Israel.”

Mt 2:22 God tells Joseph again in a dream, turn aside to Galilee instead of Judea

God still speaks today.  Angels watch and help wise men hear, worship and obey (Heb 1:7 and Psalm 104:4).

Old Testament Prophecies of Messiah and their Fulfillment in the New Testament

This fulfilled the prophet’s prediction… Matt 2:15

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem…  Gal 4:4 NIV

             Each day this week I encourage you to read aloud from prophecies below, along with their fulfillment.  No other religion has the miracle of God’s Word.  Only the One, True, God of Gods, revealed His purposes through prophesy, then perfectly fulfilled them.  Faith comes by hearing the word.  Your faith will grow this Advent, as you believe, obey and fulfill the purposes of Messiah in your life.  In this way, we prepare for His second coming.  Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done.  Come, Lord Jesus.

Who:  Emmanuel, God with us—Is 7:14 & Lk 2:21

           Branch of Jesse: Gen 49:11; Is 11:1-2; Jer 23:15; Jn 15:1-2

          (Branch also means Nazarene, fulfilled in Matt 2:23)

           of the tribe of David: Ps 89:35; Lk 1:69, 2:11; Rev 22:16

           Lion of Judah, root of David: Gen 49:10 & Rev 5:5

Why:  He would come: Savior—Matt 1:21; Heb 2:9-17; 
and Lord, bringing the kingdom of God Dan 7:13-14;

Ps 110; Mt 4:17; Mt 28:18; Rev 5:10

He would reign as Priest who saves: Zech 6:11-13;

Heb 9:28; as Prophet bringing the Word of God:

Deut 18:15; Matt 24; and King of Kings, Prince of Peace: 2 Sam 7:12; Is 9:6-7; Mt 2:2; Heb 7:15-17

What He would do: To fulfill the covenant: Gen 3:15, 12:3, 17:7;

Jer 31:31-34; Heb 8:12-13, 9:14-15

“It is written of me in the Book”: Ps 40:6-7; Heb 10:7

Where from:  Bethlehem: Micah 5:2-4; Luke 2:4

Egypt: Hosea 11:1; Mt 2:15

Nazareth: Is 11:1; Mt 2:23

How born:  Is 7:14-16; Lk 1:26-35; Jn 1:14

When: John: Is 40:3-5; Lk 3:1-6; Simeon: Lk 2:25-30

With what signs: In sky: Zech 9:9; Num 24:17; Mt 2:2

In manger: Is 7:14; Lk 2:12; in terror: Jer 31:15; Mt 3:18

The Forerunner

He will turn the hearts of fathers to children, and the

disobedient, the incredulous, and unpersuadable to the knowledge and holy love of the will of God, to make ready a people for the Lord [perfectly] prepared [in spirit, adjusted and disposed and placed in the right moral state].

(Mal 4:5-6, Is 40:3 and Luke 1:17 AMP)

This week read how John came preparing the way of the Lord.  Pray the fulfillment of this amazing promise above—the turning of hearts of fathers and children and unbelieving, in preparation for His second coming.  WOW!  What a prayer to pray!

Who do you need to speak that promise over?  Does your heart need turned toward your children or toward your parents?  Are you praying for a prodigal?  Look how John fulfilled the prophecies about him, and let your faith and hope be encouraged this week!

Who:  Elijah must come first.  Mal 4:5-6 & Lk 1:17, 76-79

About his birth:  filled with the Spirit in the womb.  Lk 1:15 & 41

What will he be like:

- A hairy man with leather belt:  2 Kings 1:8 & Matt 3:4

- Eating locusts:  Lev 11:22 & Mt 3:4

- Where from:  the wilderness.  Is 40:3 & Lk 1:80 & 3:2

What message:  Repent for the kingdom of God is coming.

Lk 3:7-14; 7:27

Messiah will purify with fire:  Mal 3:1-2, 4:1-2; & Lk 3:16-17

So that:  the glory of the Lord be revealed.  Is 40:5 & Jn 1:14

The end of the old and the coming of the kingdom:  “No prophet greater than John but the least in the kingdom is greater than him”  Luke 7:28

Week Seven 11.23.14 Give Thanks in the Spirit

Week Seven 11.23.14  

Give Thanks in the Spirit

Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers and one says “thank you

Luke 17:12 As Jesus entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Questions:

1.      For what am I thankful today to be like the Samaritan who returned to Jesus right away to give him thanks and was praising God with a loud voice as soon as he realized he was being healed? 

2.      On the other hand, have I been like the other nine who continued on their way to the temple (as Jesus instructed them to show the priest according to their tradition and command in Leviticus). Perhaps they were more focused on doing their religious thing for their own sakes instead of praising God and going straight to the author of their faith and blessing. The Samaritan humbled himself and Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you (made you whole) so go on your way.

3.      When I sing or pray or attend small or large group is my heart in my mouth or my mouth in my heart? Do I come before God by giving thanks, thereby activating my spirit to change my heart into a thankful and good heart for God to dwell in? Or do I go through the motions without filling my mouth and heart with praise?

4.      Can I join Mary and the Psalmist and together with the members of the body of Christ give thanks in the spirit?

5.      Perhaps I want to be thankful and give thanks and be full of the spirit and speak in tongues but I just don’t know how?

1 Thess 5:16-23 16 Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); 17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. 19 Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;…23 be sanctified in spirit soul and body

46 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.

Acts 10:46 46 For they heard them talking in [unknown] tongues (languages) and extolling and magnifying God.

 (the disciples were giving thanks in the spirit just as Jesus said the Father seeks those who worship him in spirit and in truth-John 4:22-23)

Ps 34:2My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,  and let us exalt his name together!

Scripture and Questions for groups 11.9.14

Scripture and Questions 

for groups 11.9.14

Discerning and walking in the spirit Gal 5:15-25

We ask for the grace to find our Father’s heart and examine our thinking, feeling and acting in the mirror of God’s Word together (love, joy, peace, faithfulness…)

1. We worship in spirit. Jesus cleanses our temple-spirit, soul and body-and brings healing as we cultivate a grateful and prayerful spirit. (Matt 21)
2. We fellowship in the Spirit. We come together in love asking grace to bring various gifts to build others up (Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Cor 12:4-6)
3. We practice stewardship in the spirit. God places us in His garden of Delight (Eden). For whom are we praying and what are we doing?
4. We learn and grow by discipleship in the Spirit-being filled with Holy Spirit, following Jesus bearing fruit in the spirit (transformed in love).
5. We live our daily lives in co-mission with the spirit-loving God and loving our neighbor with observable actions. We are intentional, strategic and accountable.

What spirits walk with me?

Paul wrote to not be ignorant of Satan’s devices and in Gal 5 that we bear fruit of the spirit by keeping in step with the spirit. David prayed, “Let the thoughts of our hearts and words of our mouth be acceptable in your sight or Lord.” And again, “Search me O God and see if there be any wicked way in me.” (Ps 19 and 139)

Questions:

1. Have I been aware of when my thoughts or feelings came from a bad source or moved in a bad direction? What did I do or will I do?

A bad spirit moves me away from fellowship, worship, discipleship, stewardship or mission in the power and love of God’s Spirit. I may feel depressed, resentful or strongly tempted to sin.

2. Did I, or can I now, resist that bully or deceiving spirit? Yes or no? Will I ask God to help me respond to the good spirits? (The Holy Spirit in me, in leaders in the church, in my brothers and sisters, in the godly men and women from the past and God’s holy angels.)

Reflections from our visit to Camenish’s in Ometepe

Reflections from our visit to

Camenish’s in Ometepe

The people: Because of the language and culture differences it’s hard to communicate with the local people but it is not hard to connect. They are gracious and grateful you care enough to come or to send help. To them, moving your family to live among them is the very image of Jesus in Phil 2 who set aside his place in heaven to become serve, die and bring life.

The Environment: Besides the beauty and peace you deal with inconveniences that slow life down to a crawl or create more stress, You more appreciative of simple things we take for granted: the internet barely works if at all so you don’t spend time googling this and facebooking that. There’s no air conditioning but you are thankful if the electricity is on so you can run a fan. There’s no hot water but showers are temporary relief from the humidity anyway so you get used to feeling “sticky.” You don’t have to haul water from a well and you may not have water that day for showers or to flush the toilet but you are fortunate if you have a toilet in your house. You are blessed if you have a house with four walls and something besides a dirt floor. You can’t drink the water and you are careful about what you eat, and you do watch out for scorpions when the rainy season starts, or you might even have a snake come up through your shower drain. A doctor is far away and a hospital is very far away. but there is no persecution, and you have freedom to share Jesus with spiritually hungry and largely untaught people.

Hearing from US and traveling: The people around you are glad to have rice and beans to eat so that makes meat a treat. On the other hand you have to drive 40 minutes just to go to a store half the size of a 7-11, and travel a 1/2 day, one way, including an hour long ferry just to go to a store like Sam’s. You are glad to get fresh fruits if in season along the roadside nearby. You have to drive 40 minutes to get mail but don’t get any mail–not even junk. We have no idea what it feels like to not hear from people and to be so isolated from friends and family.

You don’t have to worry about fashion or hurry to grab fast food (there is none). You don’t bury yourself in tv programs or even busy yourself in the evening news because when the sun goes down at 6:30 you’re glad to read a bit or play a game and go to bed. You are wise to go to bed early because the rooster crows at 3:30, the geckos and frogs sing cheerfully at night, and the sun is fully up at 5:30.

Faith, Word and Fellowship with Jesus: So you value things that truly matter like family and friends and faith, and sharing because you are surrounded by people who need these things. You are especially thankful to know Jesus Christ and his eternal kingdom, because all this materialism is going to pass away anyway. You are so glad to sometimes actually sing worship songs in English, to hear the Word preached in English, to fellowship with someone who understands you tell what God is doing in your life, and how important the Scripture is to you – in fact Jesus, the Word and prayer become a real source of life to you instead just a daily “discipline” of devotion. So instead of being lazy, distracted and taking the Bible for granted, you are thirsty and hungry and you are asking Holy Spirit to some fill you.

Worship: The people in Ometepe don’t have all the distractions we have so coming to church often is central in their lives. They pack out these hot dimly lit buildings. They walk or ride a bike and often are late but they come. And they sing loud and out of tune and very simple songs but this trip I was continually asking God to show me where He was in what was going on. So He opened my eyes a bit to see how He sees them, and hear what He hears – Sometimes I felt God was laughing and enjoying their simple songs like adults enjoy little children. Sometimes I felt his deep love for them. Sometimes I felt deep intercession for the division between churches here in America or the way most Protestants there are so hostile toward the Catholics. I also sometimes wept for loved ones who aren’t seeking God – yet. So let us be grateful to God and not take prayer and Word and fellowship for granted. God help us remember our brothers and sisters and pray for them.

Pray for missionaries and our persecuted brothers.