ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012



Wise men seek HIM+...



ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 2



²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

David, in Hebrew, means "beloved."  Mary, however, is really "Mariam" --- which has its Hebrew root in bitterness and grief.   Some say "strength." Joseph's name means "add."  Strange, yes?

The birth-mother of Our LORD carried the identity of Bitter Grief while she carried the HOLY CHILD JESUS in her womb.

Even though Mariam was of the house and lineage of David, the beloved, The LORD appointed to this Hebrew virgin a name which would encompass strong bitterness and grief, as the Prophet Simeon told her in the Temple after the CHRIST CHILD was born.

The LORD graciously "added" a protection to this Hebrew virgin, appointing Joseph as a GOWRA (from the Aramaic text which means "a male guardian"), to protect Mariam and the Holy Child JESUS Whom+ she carried under her heart, in her womb.

Marrying "Bitterness and Grief" was Joseph's Appointed Cup...  as he became The LORD'S Appointed guardian over his little, divine family.

MEDITATION:

O GOD, Who+ encircles those suffering in bitter grief in Thy+ tender, Nail-Scarred Hands... take the bitterness and grief of my soul's regrets unto THEE+.

And when my cup is Bitter again, send forth unto me a spirit of gentle submission... like the submissive spirit of gentle Mariam... even in the midst of the Cup of Grief THOU+ hast chosen for me.

I thank THEE, O HOLY FATHER, for sending Thy Gentle SON+ Who+ obediently drank the Cup of Bitterness for the good of Mankind ... for the good of me.

+  +  +

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

ADVENT MEDITATIONS 2012

What is in a WORD?

The LOGOS+ of GOD.

The LOGOS+ of GOD, we shall see, is sent by The GOD Who is all-encompassing. The LOGOS+  is an all-encircling GOD Who+ encircles all of mankind... man's time, place, and situation.

HE+ is the LOGOS+, the all-encircling GOD, Who+ knows the end from the beginning.  Let us take time to meet HIM+ during this Advent Season. 

[ NOTE:  We use blue during Advent, which is the liturgical color connected with the Birth of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST... not red and green. ]

~ ~ ~ The All-Encompassing GOD ~ ~ ~

12.2.2012 to 12.24.2012

Luke 1:26-55

Meditation 1

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from GOD unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

Precision!  Exactness!  Accuracy! 

Precisely at the time appointed, GOD sent out a special Angelic warrior, Gabriel [ Hebrew for "valiant, strong man, strong warrier of GOD ]. 

This divine, Angelic Warrior was the Same Strong Angel who visited Daniel in Babylon, to make him know prophetic things of the end time ( Daniel, chapters 8 and 9).

Gabriel was sent to Galilee... a most interesting name. The Hebrew root is G-L-L, which means to roll, especially to roll large stones. ( Ernest Klein, pg. 101) .

Galilee itself means " a Circle of Goyim" or of "nations." 

At the Appointed Time, in the Appointed Place, set within precise details, Prophetic events occur very precisely... exactly as ordained by the Hand of The LORD. 

Nothing occurs as happenstance or in a slip-shod manner when The LORD deals with mankind:  all events are planned precisely to bring about the fulfillment of GOD'S plan for planet earth and mankind. 

HE encircles all of mankind out of every kindred, tongue, people, and nation ... in time, in place, and in situation ... as HE brings forth HIS Appointed MESSIAH+ to break into the society of man. 

HE begins by rolling the stone away , the ROOT of the meaning of  Galilee.  That is why the beginning of the MESSIAH'S entrance into humanity occured in Galilee of the Nations... 

MEDITATION:

O LORD, Who+ plans the end from the beginning, I know Thy+ plans are best. Into Thy+ Hands I now place my heart. All control over my future, my security, I yield now into Thy+ Hands... because I want to be part of Thy+ Kingdom. 

Make me as Thy+ Servants, the Angels who are intent to do Thy+ will ... turning neither to the left hand nor to the right... until Thy+ Will be done. 

I thank THEE+, O HOLY ONE+ of Israel, for establishing Thy+ Great Plan, which no man nor Angel can thwart. 

What a Mighty GOD we serve!

+  +  + 

  

A Thanksgiving LIFE

Sing praise to The LORD,

you saints of HIS+,

and GIVE THANKS

at the remembrance

of HIS+ Holy Name.

Psalm 30:4

She cleans her house and cooks the meals, like most normal housewives and mothers do.  She shops for food and visits relatives, like most normal women do.  She sees to the doctor appointments for both husband and son, and sometimes, for her parents,  like most normal women do.

Maybe not like most women, she has a large, lovely, modernly-equipped brick house, fully carpeted and spacious, not furnished from the local Thrift Stores. 

In addition, this house is quite unique because she drew the floor plans herself for the family's needs and convenience,  herself being quite gifted with artistic skills.

Maybe not like most women, she has no money worries. Her husband has a managerial job so they bought their lot and the land next to it when they built their house.

Does she have a lot to be thankful for ? "Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for, " she will tell you, serenely, with a smile in her voice.

However, there is nobody who would exchange places with her.

Why ?

Almost 19 years ago, her infant son was born to the delight of his parents. He was normal for 3 months... until the vaccination program commenced. 

Seizures started... which have never stopped... damaging his brain cells irretrievably.  Doctors and hospitals, diets and activities, medicines and research programs have been her daily dose in "life" ... for 19 years.  

Seizures in the daytime, seizures at night. Emergency trips to the hospital, 60 miles away, frequently. This includes the times when the hospital dismissed her son... only to have to return back to the hospital as soon as they arrived at home!

One hopeful medicine after another, she has administered to her dearest son, after multitudinous testing by the medical profession. She hopefully watches his progress... when there is some.... momentarily... and comforts him when there is none. She is there when he is in pain.

Yes, he ... like we all are...
is in the process of dying. 

Yet , he is ALIVE !

He is ALIVE because she has brought herself to The LORD, believing on HIM+ that HE+ is totally merciful and totally good to her  and... is bringing about the best thing for their lives ! 

"My son will have a new body, either here or in Heaven, " she says, serenely, " some day.

"I tell him, 'Son, there is coming a day when you will not  hurt again and get shots and when you won't have to go to hospitals and see doctors. JESUS has that planned for you. Won't that be good ?' "

She believes that herself and therefore, she is not saddened overly-much, although she is carrying the burden of her son's happiness and health right now.

"I am so blessed to be chosen of GOD to do this. I know HE+ has called me to this work, even for this one child, my own, to prepare him for Heaven and to see JESUS, "  she says. " So, that is what I am doing with my time."

This mother KNOWS what she is supposed to be doing with her limited time with son:  she is preparing him for a future , a certain future. 

She is not preparing him for college or a career or to find the right marriage partner. She is preparing her beloved son for Heaven, leading him to love the LORD JESUS with all of his heart... because she loves HIM+ first.

And, this son does. He gives away his treasured toy trucks to others. He draws pictures for others. He loves to go to church and help "dust" the pews when his mother goes to clean. He talks to others about JESUS. He lays Scriptures to heart.

And when that time comes, when her son is received up into the Heavenlies and Mother goes to meet him there, there will be a sound and whole son, with out-stretched arms to greet his wonderful, faith-filled mother, saying , " Mother ! You loved me the best way that any mother could; you  led me to JESUS!  You were right: I am happy and I do not hurt anymore. I love you, Mother. Thank you for bringing me to CHRIST. "

    

"Yes," she says serenely, with a smile full of faith and hope, " I have a lot to be thankful for. " 

This dear sister has trained herself to trust The LORD JESUS CHRIST, in every situation of life.

She never doubts. She never doubts His+ Word or His+ promises.  She never doubts His+ care of her son, her husband, or herself.  She never doubts His+ plans or His+ will. And she never, ever doubts His+ love.

HE+ is WHOM+ HE+ says HE+ is.

Always.

 HE+ will do what HE+ says HE+ will do. 

Always.

His+ plan for their lives is rooted in love for His+ beloved followers. 

Thus, with no fear,

she simply follows

HIM+ WHO+ loves her best...

with a thankful heart

every day.

  

PRESIDENTIAL Selection...

Question:   Who are you going to vote for, Christian ?

A:   The BEST Man.

Q:  Who is that ?

A:  HE+'S  not  running.

[ i.e.........   HE+ will be in control AT THE APPOINTED TIME,  with no "election" needed in ANY country ... after the last, great persecution of the Christian Church on planet earth. ]  

The Burden of Damascus...

The Burden of Damascus.

Behold, Damascus is taken away

from being a city,

and it shall be a ruinous heap.

~ words of the Prophet Isaiah

chapter 17, verse 1

 Christians, behold The WORD+ of The LORD.

Syriac Christians are living through a nightmare as this prophecy comes to pass.

Thousands of Syrians... some Christians, some not... have fled to surrounding countries for haven.  They have fled with whatever they could carry or pile into a vehicle of some sort.

No jobs, no careers, no money, no house, no medicines for Grandmother, Grandfather, nor the ill and infirm young or old.  

No schooling for the children, and likely as not, no food  for the family.

No water... no drinking beyond a sip, no bathing, and certainly no laundry being done even for the meager items of clothing taken with them.  

This, then,  is the happy circumstance that "fleeing from war" brings: total misery for all and death for the very  young, the very old, and many of the infirm.  

Christians, as The Day of The LORD looms near, know this: only ONE+ place of safety exists for anyone on the face of this earth.

That "place" is the ONE+ Who+ in humility walked this earth to speak to our hearts.

HE+ is the ONE+ Who+ told us to lay down our swords.

HE+ is the ONE+ Who+ told us to lay up our treasures in Heaven, not on earth... to seek first the Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness and then all these things will be added unto us.

Let us not hide our hearts from the end-time prophecies coming to pass before our very eyes.

IT        MATTERS.

It matters what we do with our time.

It matters what we think about.

It matters what our hearts are focused upon. 

The nightmare of destruction can come upon any of us, in any form, at any time. 

Are those Syrian Christians and Arabic Christians WORSE CHRISTIANS than we are, that GOD has allowed them to go through this destruction of their normal lives and families ? 

NO. 

If put all on a balance, they in fact may be BETTER CHRISTIANS than we are, since many of them have had to face opposition and hatred like we only read about in Voice of the Martyrs or Asia Harvest. 

Do we think prophetic Scriptures are put into the Bible for us to  simply study ? 

NO. 

The wise will read the books of Isaiah, chapters 50 and 51 of Jeremiah, the books of Daniel and Joel, watching what is happening around the secular nation of Israel. 

We will see the nations of the world gathered around Israel with the intent of either murder or control in their eyes, in their rhetoric. 

When the Beast Nation reveals itself ,  and its intent to consume Israel ... both Spiritual Israel and natural Israel ...  watch the Hand of GOD be revealed. 

Then will come to pass those wonderful verses in 2 Thessalonians, chapters 1 and 2 . 

In Preparation

for that Great Day of The LORD

 Here is how Christians prepare:

They receive the love of the TRUTH+.

They receive the LOVE of the Truth so that they are saved from the STRONG DELUSION that GOD HIMSELF sends upon those who prefer the deceivableness of unrighteousness, upon those who prefer a lie. 

  

We Repent, Remove, Resist all lies... all lies about WHO GOD is , about who we are ...  individually ...  lining ourselves up with the Word+ of GOD, and going AGAINST HIM+ in nothing !  

A Word to the Wise is Sufficient....

A TRUE Christian's "Labor" Day...

Labor NOT

for the food

which perisheth

.. but for that food which endureth

unto Everlasting Life+,

which the SON+ of Man

shall give unto you:

for HIM+

GOD The FATHER has sealed.

John 6:27

+ + +

Yes, that is what true Christians labor for, whether they work directly in a ministry or indirectly minister to the ones The LORD sends their way. True Christians constantly work to establish the Kingdom of GOD+: in themselves, in others, in their home, or in their public workplaces. Temporal work is simply doing the necessity of the day; it is NOT the reason for living. Temporal work is NOT what gives a Christian his identity. Thus, we labor for that "food" which endureth unto Everlasting Life... food which does not spoil.

~ ~ ~

Why can the SON+ of Man give us Everlasting Life?

? ? ?

Our LORD HIMSELF+ told us why:

Because ( for the reason being that )

HIM+ has GOD THE FATHER

sealed.

* * *

The Greek word for sealed means to MARK WITH THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE SOVEREIGN POWER ( king, emperor, top authority). Usually with his signet ... a stamp or ring ... which was impressed in hot wax upon whatever item was being sealed by the authorities. Certain death would be brought upon ANYONE who broke through the seal unlawfully.

.

This can be seen in Daniel 6:17 when King Darius of the Medes, a great, conquering, military might, placed the Prophet Daniel into the lion's den:

And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords,

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.

.

The powerful military government of Rome also sealed a famous stone with the official signet of Rome, Matthew 27:65, 66.

Pilate said unto them (the Jews),

Ye have a watch: go your way,

make it as sure as ye can.

So they went ,

and made the sepulchre sure,

sealing the stone,

and setting a watch.

.

Of course, we recall that SOMEONE+ DID BREAK THROUGH this "official" sealing of the tomb, bless GOD!

.

Because NO-ONE, not even the greatest military might upon earth, could hinder The LORD JESUS CHRIST from breaking through that Roman seal upon HIS+ tomb ...

NO-ONE is able to hinder HIM+.

NO-ONE,

NO MATTER THE MILITARY POWER AT HAND,

CAN HINDER

CHRIST JESUS our LORD+

from giving us who follow HIM+ to the death

Everlasting Life+...

Because it is HE+,

our LORD JESUS,

WHO+ has the

Unbreakable Seal

now,

directly from The FATHER.

+ + +

No man cometh unto The FATHER,

except through ME+ .

And, MY+ FATHER,

WHO is greater than all,

gave them to ME+,

and NO ONE

... seen or unseen...

can pluck them

out of MY+ FATHER'S Hand.

I

and

MY+ FATHER

are

ONE

.

+ + +

HE+ Touched me....

Almighty GOD,

the Fountain of all wisdom, 

THOU knowest our necessities

before we ask

and our ignorance in asking: 

Have compassion on our weakness;

and mercifully give us

those things

which for our unworthiness

we dare not

and for our blindness we cannot ask; 

through the worthiness of Thy SON+

JESUS CHRIST our LORD,

WHO+ lives and reigns with THEE

and The HOLY SPIRIT,

one GOD,

now and forever,

world without end.  

Amen

Proper 11 Collect, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, page 49

Missionaries At HOME: Going Forth in Spirit and in Power...




CHRIST in us... the hope of Glory



During this ecclesiastical season of evangelism and outreach, we who stay at home with our duties and responsibilities to maintain,  may still be endued with Power from on High to reach others for CHRIST JESUS our LORD.

The LORD is certainly not limited nor restricted in sending forth His+ Power to convert the UNsaved ... regardless of where they may live,  in America or in a Third World country.

Here is a true story of how one brother we personally know evangelizes...

"Brother" runs his own construction-type business in  his own  shop at his home. Depending on the builders' orders, his business prospers, but oftentimes the incoming funds run pretty low between orders.

Not long ago Brother did business with another man. Unfortunately, the other man's plans and building business suffered a major set-back and he had to declare bankruptcy... owing several other businessmen thousands of dollars. Brother was one of those counting on a payment for goods and services to this man.

The "failed" businessman knew Brother was a Christian. Even so, the businessman was not willing to be contacted by any of his creditors during this time. 

Brother tried to telephone this man; he had a difficult time reaching him. Finally, when he saw him, Brother said,

" I understand you've had some hard times. Do NOT worry about your debt of XXXX dollars to me; it is cancelled. I don't want you to worry about it any more. 

"And furthermore, when you see me on the street, I want you to come over to me, greet me, talk with me, and tell me how you are doing. I don't want you to HIDE from me. I know how it is. " 

After sharing a few other comforting words, with him, Brother and he parted... as friends.

CHRIST

in us;

the hope of Glory.

CHRIST

being formed

in us;

the hope of Glory.

CHRIST

being formed in others

the hope of Glory.

Yes, this Brother knows how to "evangelize" effectively !  This Brother knew how to use unrighteous mammon to bring others to CHRIST JESUS. 

He knew how to use

the mammon of unrighteousness

to break down the hinderances in one man's hurting heart... a man who felt like a failure in life...  in order to show him JESUS CHRIST, and Brother  himself

"crucified with CHRIST."  

Therefore,  CHRIST was formed that day in Brother, as he chose to take the loss and join in the sufferings of his business acquaintance...

in order to show him
CHRIST JESUS.

Furthermore, an open door for CHRIST JESUS was made in that "failed" man's heart in such a way that he will never be able to forget what one Follower of CHRIST JESUS did for him in his dark hour of need. 

Yes, this is indeed the season for Evangelism... at home or abroad.  

Glory be to The FATHER,

WHO created us;

and to HIS Only-Begotten SON+

JESUS CHRIST Our LORD,

WHO+ saves us;

and to The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

WHO sanctifies us.

Amen

Going Forth in Spirit and in Power...

He loves me...  He loves me not ... He loves me...

A Monastic Breviary, Anglican
Prayer Book
PROPER 8
pg. 293

ALMIGHTY GOD, THOU hast built Thy Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF+ being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE+ :

Grant us so to be joined together

in unity of spirit

by their teaching,

that we may be made a Holy temple

acceptable to THEE;

...through JESUS CHRIST Our LORD, WHO+ lives and reigns with THEE and The HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

 The Secret for Unity of Spirit

If we walk in the Light,

as HE+ is in the Light,

we have fellowship

with one another,

and

the Blood of JESUS CHRIST

 HIS SON+

cleanseth us

from all sin.

I John 1:7 

If we walk in the Light, confessing our sins unto HIM+ Who+ knew no sin, HE+ will help us ... assist us...  to amend our ways. WE CANNOT AMEND OUR WAYS WITHOUT HIS+ HELP.

HE+ will bring conviction when we accuse someone in our hearts or speak in less-than-loving ways to someone. HE+ will bring His+ wonderful conviction to us, saying: " WHERE did that remark COME FROM ?" 

Our part is to respond. In humility and in truth, we can discover exactly WHERE such things originate.

REMEMBER THIS:

if it is not in our hearts,

it won't come out of our lips.

Now practically speaking, what do we do if there is trouble in the camp, trouble in the home, trouble in the church ? 

We take heed to WALK IN THE LIGHT..... OURSELVES. We do not "push" others to confess their sins. We do not "confess" nor "confront" others with their bad attitudes if they do not ASK US TO TELL THEM ABOUT THEIR FAULTS. 

We are not the correctors of the adults in our homes and in our churches IF we are not the pastors or elders. 

The HOLY SPIRIT

IS THE CORRECTOR.

All we have to do is walk in the Light ourselves.

In humility, and in Truth, we walk "as well pleasing unto The LORD."  We give ourselves unto prayer.

If there is trouble between you and some other adult, PRAY. Get your own heart right before The LORD. ASK The LORD to "make" things right between you and the other one. 

Then thank HIM+ and listen. Thank HIM+ and walk with HIM+. Thank HIM+ and pray blessings upon the troublesome one. 

HE+ will work it out. HE+ will bring conviction. HE+ will change the situation .... or HE+ will not.... but you will be in HIS+ Peace if you walk with HIM+, in the Light. 

You will have fellowship: first, with HIM+, then with others. You will not have "fellowship" with others until your fellowship is established with CHRIST JESUS.

Unity... Concord... Peace...

all of which begins when we are UNIFIED with CHRIST... 

It begins when we are in accord with His+ Word, having straightened up our hearts before HIM+...

It begins when HE+ can find nothing in us which makes HIM+ ashamed to call us His+ Brethren. 

O GOD, THOU hast taught us to keep all Thy commandments by loving THEE and our neighbor: 

Grant us the grace of Thy HOLY SPIRIT that we may be devoted to THEE with our whole heart and united to one another with pure affection; 

through JESUS CHRIST our LORD Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and the HOLY SPIRIT, one GOD, for ever and ever. Amen.