JESUS - HE'S IN THE FUTURE

Always "Then"...and..."Now"...and "Then".

Look at "THEN". There were centuries of prophetic utterances regarding the coming of THE MESSIAH.

To ADAM - - He was revealed (Gen. 3:1-5)

To ABRAHAM - - He will come through a particular nation (Gen. 12:3)

To JACOB - - the secret =which tribe - Judah (Gen. 49:10)

To DAVID - - through his family - (2 Sam. 7:12-14) and

To MICAH - - the place (Micah 5:2)

Had He not come, the years of expectation would have never been fulfilled. The fact that Jesus came from the town of Bethlehem is another proof that the Bible IS the Word of God.

Now, for the NOW. Jesus is!!! He has come - He did his appointed task - and now in His absence He has sent the Holy Spirit.

For us going through a "hard time", a "trying time" a "devastating time" we have the Holy Spirit to aid us and, praise the Lord, we have Jesus himself sitting at the right hand of the Father as an advocate for you and me.

Let's make it more personal......for YOU, my friend. Yep - right where you are IN the situation you are in. This does comfort me!

I mentioned earlier that Jesus - He is always "then" (before the creation of the world) and "now" in his creation (you), but let's not forget He is in the future again.

He has promised to come back and receive you unto himself. Yes, Jesus is coming again.

So on this traditional day of celebrating His Birthday we look forward to the time when he will also come again. The Biblical words are: "This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)

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My prayer for you, my friend.

I ask, Lord, that on this day our gratitude for your coming and what you did be elevated in our soul (mind, will and emotions). While every day is a new "coming" with fresh blessings we do particularly now bless your holy name. May this reader as they touch the keys, be touched by you with your keen sense of them.

Amen!

by Dr. Neal Carlson

http://www.wordsforcourgeousliving.com

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Christmas Travelers

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. Isaiah 25:9

Christmas recalls the story of travelers propelled by the unhurried rhythm of their animals:

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Why did these wisemen undertake such a journey?
A tall astronomer, advisor to the Persian king, springs from his midnight vigil in the palace courtyard. "Casper, come! Look along the rod I've sighted toward the constellation of the Jews." Casper peers into the blackness. "Do you see it? That brilliant star is new tonight! It must signify the birth of a mighty king."

A soft whistle escapes him as he spots it. "There it is!" He's talking rapidly now. "I've read ancient Hebrew scriptures which tell of this ruler's star." Rising, he announces, "We must see him. We must go!"

Traversing the caravan routes of Persia, Babylon, and Syria for 1,200 miles, they ford broad rivers, pass ancient cities, cross barren deserts. Three months they trek westward, day after day, "following yonder star."

In Jerusalem they inquire, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him." Worship? So the Babe is more than a king!

Now they follow the shining star till it rests over a simple Bethlehem home. At early dawn neighbors gather to watch the richly- robed travelers dismount. Joseph meets them at the door.

"We've come to see the child, the King." The wise men fall before the Babe, faces to the floor, royal counselors doing homage, worshipping the Christ child.

Outside, their servants unload weighty chests from the camels and set gifts before the King. Heavy fragrances of frankincense and myrrh mingle to fill the room as one by one the boxes are opened.

A touch of the boy-child's tiny fingers, a final longing look, and the men rise to go. Camel bells soon fade in the brisk morning air.

We, too, travel at Christmas, visiting family and friends. Yet, like the wisemen, the most important journey we make these hectic holidays is to draw nigh Jesus Himself with the gift of our hearts.

Numbers 24:17; Matthew 2:2 (KJV)

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson



Christ, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

"Whosoever believeth on Him has eternal LIFE"

Be blessed in the Lord,

Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

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CELEBRATE THE KING!

In times of desperation I looked for help. I was blind and without hope. I stumbled and stood up, just to fall down again. I needed a strong hand to lead me. But where could I find strength to keep myself standing?

Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline Thine ear unto me, and save me. Psalm 71:2

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2

For they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour, and a great One, and He shall deliver them. Isaiah 19:20b

In anguish I called upon a God, I didn’t know. I put before Him my sorrow and pain, when I was still young. I didn’t know how to approach Him or how to address my need. Nevertheless, God miraculously took me by the hand and showed me that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and died on Calvary’s hill to cleanse me, set me free and make me His child.

He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Isaiah 61:1b

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1,2

What a glorious experience to walk in freedom and to be blessed by the Almighty God and Father. Was it not for Christ’s birth, His sacrificial death and resurrection, I would’ve never known this freedom as a child of God, let alone being a servant of the Most High.

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

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, good will toward men. Luke 2:13,14

The angels can still be heard praising God in song and worship. Many times I did sing along while I heard their choir harmonizing perfectly before the throne of God.

It won't be long for I'll join them in worship and adoration, praising the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit for all eternity.

AMEN AND AMEN!!

Have a wonderful celebration of His birth and our soon returning Lord and King.

In the service of the Master,
Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman
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Below are links to Christmas pages I wrote in previous years.

All my web pages have background music.

God's Gift of Love

His Love to You

To Celebrate Christmas or Not

Unto Us a Child is Born

Sing Praises unto the Lord!

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