FROM THE WORD OF GOD

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

—Nehemiah 9:6

The Heavens declare

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a hankering to look up into the sky at night.

Gazing at the wonders the universe displays. 

 

One doesn’t have to look far into the starry sky, to be in complete amazement at the wonder God has created.

The magnitude of the galaxies… the mass of the Milky Way… the billions of stars… it’s hard not to be reminded of His creative greatness.

When we are looking into the heavens, it’s like God gave each of us a front row seat into the grand arena of His wondrous power.

God planted the brightest star in the East to announce the arrival of His Son.

He’s still performing miracles today in His universe.

Next time you’re out at night, and you are marveling at the moon, the stars, the galaxies, the Milky Way.

Remember the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.

Coleman Schell

                  AFTER DEATH WHAT?

When asked about life after death many scientists say we just don't know. Scientist deal in formulas and test tubes. But there is a spiritual world scientist know nothing about. The Christians hope of immortality is based on Christ alone, we know Christ is alive, and because He arose from the dead, gives us hope for a glorious life beyond the grave. Philippians 1:21

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.

—2 Peter 3:10-11

 Joshua

When Moses died, Joshua  took Moses’ position as leader of the Israelites. Before he went into the promise land.

God  tells Joshua and Caleb that they and the younger generation under 20 years of age would be the ones who would be able to go into the Promised Land because they had “wholeheartedly followed God.”

They had full faith and belief in God that He could defeat all of their enemies once they went into the Promised Land to conquer and possess it.

And Joshua and Caleb go into the Promised Land with their strong faith and belief in God, and proceed to literally wipe their enemies off the face of the earth and conquer and possess the land that God had promised their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Bible says that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and teach us all things. As it did for these two warriors.

                       Children of light

Born again-Christians see life not as some confused or meaningless thing, they see it as something God has planned and purposefully given each of us. In the Bible we are called "Children of light and Children of the day." In the midst of a world living in spiritual darkness, we should let our lights shine brightly .  1 Thessalonians 5: 4-5

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

—Romans 12:17-18

Hope

Probably the greatest spiritual and medical need that anyone has is the need for hope.

It is a medicine that can cure nearly anything. 
When our hope dies despair can sit in and overwhelm us, hope is vital to each one.

 There is no difference between men and women.
Many times hope is deferred when we are in the midst of trials and tribulations. 

 For example when you’re biting your tongue to keep the peace in your house; helping others when you really need help, more than they do.

 When you are doing your best to serve God and others could care less.

When sickness comes and it doesn’t respond to treatment.

 Times like these can challenge our hope and can cause it to grow dim.

 When hope is strong and executed in our heart, extraordinary things happen.

 Healing for your body takes place, broken hearts get mended, and obstructions in your spiritual life go away.

May hope abound in your life today, “if it’ doesn’t” check in with God who gives it liberally, and abundantly to all who ask.

Coleman Schell

                KEEP ON BEING FILLED

When we are filled with the spirit of God, we are not to let ourselves be filled, and then emptied of the spirit...…like a leaky bucket...…. rather the spirit should flow with in us constantly as we yield ourselves to Christ. Ephesians 5:18

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

[Jesus said,] "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

—John 11:25

Abraham’s World

God created man in His image in order that man might represent Him here on earth. By Abraham’s time, humanity had turned completely away from God, been destroyed by a flood (except for eight people), and were once again turning away from God, God began implementing this part of His plan of salvation by calling Abram, as he was known then, to leave his hometown of Ur and travel to a new land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 7:2-4).

 God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many people. However, Abraham was 99 years old and his childless wife was 90.

 They were apparently past the normal age for having children; therefore, it would clearly be a miracle of God were they to have any.

 Nevertheless, Abraham trusted God and believed God, and God accomplished  what He had promised to Abraham.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

 in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.

                                REST

Few people know how to rest these days. Even on vacation, they cram as much as they can in. and many need a vacation just to rest from the vacation! Perhaps we have been looking for rest in the wrong places. Jesus said "come unto me and I will give you rest. When we need rest from the world We need to rest in Him first.,    Matthew 11: 28

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38-39

A BUSY 40 YEARS FOR MOSES

Speaks  direct to God through a burning bush.

Used by God to change the entire course of Jewish history by delivering the Israelites from the Egyptians.

Watch God throw 10 powerful judgments against Egypt.

Watch God part the Red Sea.

Personally receive 10 commandments from God the Father.

Talk a second time with God the Father up on Mt. Sinai.

Be able to see the manifest presence of God – with God showing him His back side up on Mt. Sinai.

Watch God’s manifest presence come down on the tabernacle they had built and lead them on a daily basis.

And then be directly responsible for the teaching of God and all of His ways to the younger generation of Israelites who eventually would be the ones to enter into the Promised Land.

Just as God’s power and anointing was more than enough to accomplish all this for Moses. His supernatural power flowing through you will be more than enough to successfully accomplish whatever He maybe be asking you to do for Him today.

                      THE HOLY SPIRIT

When anyone ask you about who and what God really is, God says He is a spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth. Don't take anyone else's word for it. Invite Jesus Christ to come into your life, then you will know by the wonderful, warm tug on your heart string, that He alone is that Spirit.   Romans 8:16

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

—John 1:14

CHRISTMAS

This is Christmas—the real meaning of it.

God loving, searching, giving Himself—to us.

Man’s needing, receiving, giving himself—to God.

Redemption’s glorious exchange of gifts!

Without which we cannot live;

Without which we cannot give to those we love anything of lasting value.

This is the meaning of Christmas—the wonder and the glory of it.

Ruth Bell Graham

                     RECEIVING GIFTS

If you are a parent you've probably had the experience of having your children complain after Christmas, they didn't get the gift they wanted. God our Heavenly Father has given gifts to each of us, How many times have we complained we didn't get the one we wanted. We should be grateful for what God has given us, and use His gifts for His Glory. Romans 12:6

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

—2 Corinthians 4:17

Count your blessings, count them one by and see what God has done

JESUS

He so loved us that, for our sake,

He was made man in time, although through him all times were made.

He was made man, who made man.

He was created of a mother whom he created.

He was carried by hands that he formed.

He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.

Augustine

                A SUFFERING SERVANT

Jesus' life began in the midst of persecution, no sooner did He enter the world than Herod decreed His death, and began laboring to accomplish it. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus had to flee to Egypt. right away until it was safe to return. His whole life was a path of Humiliations. And He endured it all for you and I.    Isaiah 53:5

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

He so loved us that, for our sake,

He was made man in time, although through him all times were made.

He was made man, who made man.

He was created of a mother whom he created.

He was carried by hands that he formed.

He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.

Augustine

 CHRISTMAS CHILDHOOD MEMORIES FOR ME

Christmas mornings were full of anticipation, excitement and thrills for our family  as we woke up to see what Santa had put in our stockings and to see what he had put under the tree.

Such times brought with it many pleasant memories; and excitement that, I still cherish in my  mind and heart today.

Some of the things I really enjoyed doing were;

Writing letters to Santa Clause with my wish list.

Decorating the Christmas tree and smelling the refreshing pine smell that came from it.

Listening to Christmas carols on the radio.

Hanging up our  stockings on Christmas Eve.

Watching the Snow silently blanket the house top on Christmas Eve.

Setting around the fireplace. While mother read to us our favorite Christmas stories.

Opening up presents on Christmas morning.

Sampling some of the tasty  hard candy  Santa  left.

Memories like these are precious, how they ever linger, how they ever flood our souls ,and how they become such a memorable and enjoyable part of our lives.

Darlene and I  hope all of you  have a Merry Christmas, and we hope you will make memories of your own Christmas that are just as precious  to you as ours have been to us.

Aren't  we all so blessed  that Jesus was born,  so that we could celebrate His birth?  And enjoy this magical time of year!          Coleman and Darlene

 WILL REAL PEACE EVER COME TO THE WORLD?

Centuries have come and gone, and still the world longs for and looks for the peace the angles sang about on that first Christmas Morning. Peace will only come when we yield ourselves to Christ our Lord. Then and only then  will we have peace---peace with God, peace in our hearts, and peace with each other. Luke 2:14

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” – Luke 2:15

Recognizing Jesus

One of my favorite Christmas stories is about the old shoe cobbler who dreamed one Christmas Eve that Jesus would come to visit him the next day. The dream was so real that he was convinced it would come true.

So the next morning he got up and went out and cut green boughs and decorated his little cobbler shop and got all ready for Jesus to come and visit. He was so sure that Jesus was going to come that he just sat down and waited for Him.

The hours passed and Jesus didn’t come. But an old man came. He came inside for a moment to get warm out of the winter cold. As the cobbler talked with him he noticed the holes in the old man’s shoes, so he reached up on the shelf and got him a new pair of shoes. He made sure they fit and that his socks were dry and sent him on his way.

Still he waited. But Jesus didn’t come. An old woman came. A woman who hadn’t had a decent meal in two days. They sat and visited for a while, and then he prepared some food for her to eat. He gave her a nourishing meal and sent her on her way.

Then he sat down again to wait for Jesus. But Jesus still didn’t come.

Then he heard a little boy crying out in front of his shop. He went out and talked with the boy, and discovered that the boy had been separated from his parents and didn’t know how to get home. So he put on his coat, took the boy by the hand and led him home.

When he came back to his little shoe shop it was almost dark and the streets were emptied of people. And then in a moment of despair he lifted his voice to heaven and said, “Oh Lord Jesus, why didn’t you come?”

And then in a moment of silence he seemed to hear a voice saying, “Oh shoe cobbler, lift up your heart. I kept my word. Three times I knocked at your friendly door. Three times my shadow fell across your floor. I was the man with the bruised feet. I was the woman you gave to eat. I was the boy on the homeless street.”

Jesus had come. The cobbler just didn’t realize it.

– by Melvin Newland

                   OH WHAT A SAVIOR

Jesus came into the world to save all people; rich or poor, black or white, educated or illiterate, Jesus is the Savior for everyone. Every person stands in need of His forgiveness and new life. No matter what you have done or who you are in the eyes of others, you need  Christ, He loves you and stands ready to welcome you!  Psalms 103:2-3

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

"And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne." – Revelation 12:5

 A Marvelous Testimony

“The One who existed from the beginning is the One we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. This One who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen Him. And now we testify and announce to you that He is the One who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then He was shown to us. We are telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”

 1 John 1:1-3

     A PROMISE MADE A PROMISE KEPT

"I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."  These words are Christ's promise to His disciples, a promise that is marvelously inclusive. That means we can count on Christ's presence not only everyday but every moment of everyday. No situation is excluded; no challenge omitted.   Matthew 28: 20

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12

The passion of Jesus Christ

The passion of Jesus Christ stands alone as the most important event creation has ever known. The Bible tells us that long before the world began, God had planned that the crucifixion of Jesus would be the method and payment for sin –

1 Peter 1:19-20 – “He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose Him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, He was sent to the earth for all to see. And He did this for you.”

OUR FATHER'S HOUSE WILL BE A HAPPY HOUSE

Not one of us who enters the Father's house will feel lonely or strange...… for we...… who have put our trust in Christ are part of His family...…In our Father's house we'll be sharing Heaven's joys forever with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. What a  happy home that will be, you don't want to miss it.  Hebrews 10: 34

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Psalms 72:11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

ONLY ONE

It’s estimated that in the whole span of human history there have been approximately 108,000,000,000,000 people born. Out of all those births, only one was born to save the world from sin and death through God’s gift of love.    John 3:16  For God so loved  the world,  that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

                     A CURE FOR ALL

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could find a medicine that would cure human nature...….,conflicts, discontent, unhappiness, sin, confusion, and disillusionment etc. would all be gone...…. That cure was provided two thousand years ago by Jesus Christ's death and resurrection for us. Is He working in your life changing your human nature, and making you a new creature more like Him? 2 Cor. 5: 17

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

"The Lord says, 'The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land.'" – Jeremiah 23:5

JESUS

Wonderful—He would be wonderful in what He would accomplish for the fallen human race.

Counselor—He would be our Guide through life, and our Advocate before the heavenly Father.

The Mighty God—He would be the God before whom every knee shall one day bow.

The Everlasting Father—He would be the God of eternity.

The Prince of Peace—He would be the One who would ultimately bring a true tranquility among the nations.

Kenneth W. Osbeck

               GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

In the midst of the Lord's prayer are these words; "Give us this day our daily bread. "This prayer reminds us also of Jesus'; "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger. Thank God for His gifts, especially Christ, the greatest gift of all. James 1: 1

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

—Luke 1:26-28

Disobedient, deceived and enslaved

Titus 3:3-7

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

                LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Jesus said "You are the light of the world, let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven. Pray now for those you know who need Christ, and ask God to help you be a witness to them, by the life you live and the words you speak.    Matthew 5: 14 

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

—Luke 2:28-32

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry,  “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be  a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

   GETTING OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

Jesus told us the top priority of life, was making sure we did this one thing, "Seek first the Kingdom of God." He said if we did that, then all the others things we have need of would be added to us. How do we do this? By submitting ourselves with out reserve to Jesus Christ every day. Matthew 6: 33

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

CENSUS TAKING TIME IN ROME

  

Luke 2:1-4

The Birth of Jesus

1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 

2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 

3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

.

                HIS REDEMPTIVE BLOOD

The blood of Christ may seem to be a grim, repulsive subject to those who do not realize its true significance; but to those who have been rescued from sin's chains. Christ's nail-pierced hands are beautiful beyond measure. for they tell us of His love to save us regardless of the cost.   Ephesians 1:7

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

Luke 1:35

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."

CHRISTMAS TIME

Celebrating Christmas is something children look forward to each year, but long but before old Santa Clause can glide down the chimney, there is much work to be done.

Sparking lights need to be hung, holiday parties need to be planned, and Christmas cards need to be written.

After all, Christmas time is a wonderful time to reconnect with friends and family by sending them a thoughtful Christmas card greeting.

Some people use Christmas card messages as a way to provide annual updates on their family, while others simply include a nice photo of the family.

"What's the ole saying "a picture can express a thousand words.

Others express their faith at Christmas time by sending Christmas cards with scriptures on them?

Bible verses are a way of sending beautiful, uplifting, and heartfelt messages, something the world needs more of today especially at Christmas time.

Hope your Christmas preparations are well on their way by now. Have fun and enjoy the time with your family! God Bless.

Coleman

                    HEART PROBLEMS

Christ came into a world that had problems much like the ones we grapple with today, life was short, disease rampant, Nations were at odds with each other. On the surface our world has changed somewhat. But deep on the inside, our problems are the same, problems of the heart, of which only Christ can fix. Has He fixed your heart? Changed it, Made it ever pure and true. Ezekiel 11: 19

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ... With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

—Acts 2:21, 40-41

The Messiah Will Suffer With Sinners

Isaiah 53:12a – “I will give Him the honors of One who is mighty and great, because He exposed Himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners.”

The Fulfillment

Matthew 27:38 – “Two criminals were crucified with Him, their crosses on either side of His.”

                          Good News

To a burdened, benighted world, crushed under the weight of its own wickedness, God says I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions. This is glorious  good news and it applies to all people. Have you received God's gift of forgiveness?   Isaiah 43: 23

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

—Luke 2:20

The Messiah To Die By Crucifixion, With Pierced Hands And Feet

Psalm 22:14-16 – “My life is poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within Me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of My mouth. You have laid Me in the dust and left Me for dead. My enemies surround Me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on Me. They have pierced My hands and feet.”

The Fulfillment

Matthew 27:31 – “When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified.”

                      CONTENTMENT

In our world today there are many wealthy and successful people, yet we find a large number of them  have an empty place in their hearts and are not content, many others are poor and have little wealth yet they are content. The secret to contentment , it seems is being thankful to God for what you have, whether it be little or much. Philippians  4:12

FROM THE WORD OF GOD

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” -Matthew 6:26

  REJECTION OF JESUS

PROPHECY

The Messiah Will Be Rejected By His Own People

Isaiah 53:1, 3 – “Who has believed our message? To whom will the Lord reveal His saving power? He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way when He went by. He was despised, and we did not care.”

The Fulfillment

John 1:10-11 – “But although the world was made through Him, the world didn’t recognize Him when He came. Even in His own land and among His own people, He was not accepted.”

               STRENGTH FOR THE WEAK

Some times we get tired of the burdens of life, and want to give up, but God's word keeps us pressing on, encouraging us to not let go, because someday we will be with Him for ever in Heaven, which outweighs any burdens and lack of strength that we may face while here on earth. Isaiah 40: 29