Day 3 ~~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 3
Year of Our LORD,
12.27.2008

“Lift up your heads…”

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the King+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD of Hosts,
[ of divine, Heavenly Armies]

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:7-10

<(((><

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“Lift up your heads…” we can feel the marvelous victory of this elated phrase, but do we realize all that it entails?
The word head is ROSH in Hebrew. That word and its related form, RAYSH, appear about 596 times in the Old Covenant (Old Testament), according to William White, Jr.* Yes, it does mean a head of a body, animal, or statue, but it has several other usages in the Hebrew Bible.

Interestingly, to “lift up the head” is a figure of speech used often in the Psalms and indicating an intention to begin a war, the most violent kind of self-assertion, according to Mr. White.

With the coming of Emmanuel, GOD-with-us, The LORD declared war on the kingdom of darkness entrapping the human race. Even more, The LORD declared His means of victory: HIS+ Only-Begotten SON.

That… or more accurately stated, HE+… was HIS weapon of warfare. HE+ was all that was needed to deliver mankind from the traps and lies of the adversary… the same adversary who was walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

PEACE, yes, was announced to mankind upon the Birth of JESUS CHRIST, not simply to all men, but rather to all who would respond to His+ invitation to repent and follow HIM+.

But at His+ Birth, WAR was announced to His+ enemies, the enemies of GOD. WAR was announced to the rulers of the darkness of this age and to the keepers of the gates of hell [Hades].

Thus, at the remembrance of His+ Incarnation, we need to remember BOTH of His+ announcements: a promise of WAR and a promise of PEACE. Both promises are a matter of great rejoicing! Both promises are for our benefit. And indeed, we cannot have one without the other.

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Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.
+ + +






*Information about head is from William White Jr., editor of the Hebrew section of W.E. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, pp. 105-106; Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville; 1996.

Day 2 ~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 2
Year of Our LORD,
12.26.2008



WHO
is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a SON+ is given: and the government shall be upon HIS+ shoulder…

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is
this KING+ of Glory?

…and HIS+ name shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor…
Emmanuel, GOD with us…

…The mighty GOD…
The LORD of Hosts…


…The everlasting FATHER…
I and my FATHER are One.
John 10:30

…The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Peace
I leave with you,
My+ peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Who is
this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,
[of Divine, Heavenly Armies]

JEHOVAH SABBAOTH

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:8-10

Glory be to The FATHER, and to The SON+, and to the HOLY SPIRIT. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen!

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Day 1... Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 1
Year of Our LORD,
12.25.2008

Who is this KING+ of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads,
O ye gates;
even lift them up,
ye everlasting doors;
and the KING+ of Glory shall come in.

Who is this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,
HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

Psalm 24:8-10

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JOY… yes, true and ever-lasting JOY is slated for us earthlings… for all of us who hear AND RESPOND to HIS+ Invitation to come to the Water of LIFE+.
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Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.

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On this day picked by most of the Christian world (arbitrarily, not historically with any amount of accuracy), we remember the wondrous INCARNATION of Our LORD. GOD’S Only-Begotten SON+ was made flesh and dwelt among us. We never forget that HE+ was born to die… so that we might have life… and that life, more abundantly.

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Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.

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In this, we rejoice with personal joy, the joy that is unspeakable and full of glory! But, as we read this great Psalm 24, we get a picture of His+ global and Heavenly victory. The LORD of Hosts, as HE+ is often referred to in the Old Testament, does NOT mean the LORD of the twinkling stars in space… although HE+ is ruler over them also.

The LORD GOD of SABBAOTH means in Hebrew the LORD of the divine, Heavenly armies. Who, indeed, will be able to stand when HE+ returns with this mighty host? Recall that just one angel slew 185,000 men when Israel was besieged by Sennacherib of Syria, with no hope for survival (2 Kings 19). [ One night’s work for Him.]

Night is drawing nigh for this earth and the final showdown between The LORD and the powers of darkness is taking shape. We REJOICE to see that HIS+ Day is coming ONCE AGAIN. Even though as long as we are on this earth we must follow our Example+ as meek Lambs of GOD, the LAMB+ will soon return as a Ruling LION ! At that time, HE+ will bring victory over BOTH the earthly kingdom of sin and the spiritual kingdom of darkness. HE+ will rule both with a Rod of Iron.

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Hallelujah! Our GOD reigns!

Bless GOD,
FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!
Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom
forever and ever!
Amen.
+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~ Day 24

Advent Day 24
Year of Our LORD,
12.24.2008

O sing unto the LORD a new song;
for HE hath done marvellous things:
His Right Hand, and His Holy Arm,
hath gotten HIM+ the victory.

And the SPIRIT and the Bride say,
Come.

The LORD hath made known His salvation:
His righteousness hath
HE openly shewed
in the sight of the heathen.

And let him that heareth say,
Come.

HE hath remembered His mercy
and His truth
toward the House of Israel:
all the ends of the earth
have seen the salvation of our God.

And let him that is athirst
come.

Make a joyful noise
unto the LORD,
all the earth:
make a loud noise,
and rejoice,
and sing praise.

Sing unto the LORD
with the harp;
with the harp,
and the voice of a psalm.

With trumpets
and sound of cornet
make a joyful noise before the
LORD, the King.

And whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely.

Let the sea roar,
and the fulness thereof;
the world,
and they that
dwell therein.

Let the floods clap their hands:
let the hills be joyful together
Before the LORD;
for he cometh
to judge the earth:
with righteousness
shall he judge the world,
and the people with equity.

Psalm 98

<(((><

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I JESUS have sent Mine angel
to testify unto you
these things in the Churches.
I am the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the Bright and Morning Star.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.
And let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come.

And whosoever will,
let him take the water of life freely.
Rev. 22: 16-17

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Isra-El. O Come, O Come , Emmanuel. We await Thy Dawning of the New Day, the Eighth Day in the Kingdom of Man.

Hallelujah,
for the LORD GOD OMNIPOTENT REIGNETH!
HALLELUJAH!
+ + +

Advent Day 23
Year of Our LORD,
12.23.2008

Who+,
being in the form of GOD,
thought it not robbery
to be equal with GOD:
(a thing to be held onto)

But made HIMSELF+
of no reputation,
and took upon HIM+
the form of a servant,
and was made
in the likeness of men:
Phil. 2:6-7

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As the whole cast of Heavenly Host from above and the demonic host confined to the atmosphere of the earth watched in either glory or horror… The Prince of GOD …the True and Living Isra-El … became clothed with human flesh. The Bright and Morning Star, The Lily of the Valley, was indeed made in the likeness of men… not a pleasant proposition.

HE+ did this so that he could taste death for every man… for whosoever will come.

What a mighty GOD we serve! Not only that HE+ could do such a feat… but that HE+ would do it for such as we are.


O LORD our GOD, we praise THEE for doing for us what we could not nor would not do for ourselves. Help us to turn from Self so thoroughly that we will cast down our reputations and not look back. Like the Apostle Paul, may we count our reputations and all our achievements in the eyes of men as dung … because that is what they are in the eyes of GOD.

Help, us, O LORD, to become like Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS in Whom+ THOU wast well-pleased.

This we pray in the name of The FATHER,

Who created us,

His Beloved SON+

Who+ saves us,

and The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT

Who sanctifies us.

Amen

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~~ Day 22

Advent Day 22
Year of Our LORD, 12.22.2008



But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah,
though thou be little
among the thousands of Judah,
yet out of thee
shall HE+ come forth unto ME
that is to be Ruler in Israel;
Whose+ goings forth have been
from of old,
from everlasting.

Therefore will HE give them up,
until the time that she
which travaileth hath brought forth:
then the remnant of His brethren shall
return unto the children of Israel.

And HE+ shall stand and feed
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name
of the LORD His+ God;
and they shall abide:
for now shall HE+ be great
unto the ends of the earth.
Micah 5:2-4

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven;
a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet,
and upon her head
a crown of twelve stars:

And she being with child cried,
travailing in birth,
and pained to be delivered.

And there appeared
another wonder in heaven;
and behold a great red dragon,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and seven crowns
upon his heads.


And his tail drew the third part
of the stars of heaven,
and did cast them to the earth:
and the dragon stood before the woman
which was ready to be delivered,
for to devour her child
as soon as it was born.

And she brought forth a man child,
who was to rule all nations
with a rod of iron:
and her child was caught up
unto God,
and to his throne.
Rev. 12:1-5
.

<(((><

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In Bethlehem, all of the spiritual armies were focused upon the birth of a single little male child being born of a young Hebrew virgin. HE+ was the Desire of the Ages. This ONE+ was come to save earthlings from the power of satan… and everybody in the Heavenlies knew it! There were a few upon the face of the earth who knew it also… like Simeon and Anna… like Zachariah and Elizabeth… like Joseph and Mary.

May HIS+ people know it too… so much so that we set aside the foolishness of the winter solstice celebrations and decorations and with Singleness-of-Eye focus intently upon the First Advent of The LORD JESUS CHRIST. For, without the first Advent, there would not be a second Advent a-coming!

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Maranatha!
Come, LORD JESUS, come.

+ + +

Advent Meditations ~~~ Day 21

[picture is from an Advent Calendar, all rights reserved]

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Advent Meditation

Day 21

Year of Our LORD,

12.21.2008

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The LORD is gracious,

and full of compassion;

slow to anger,

and of great mercy.

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The LORD is good to all:

and HIS tender mercies

are over all HIS works.

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All Thy works shall praise THEE, O LORD,

and Thy saints shall bless THEE+ .

Psalm 145: 8-10

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<(((><

GRACIOUS LORD, HEAVENLY FATHER, I thank THEE and bless THEE forever and ever for THOU, O LORD, art my dwelling place for all generations. Who in the skies can be compared unto THEE? THOU are worthy of praise, O MOST HIGH! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

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In the name of The FATHER, Who created me, T

he SON+ Who+ saves me,

and The HOLY SPIRIT, Who sanctifies me.

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~ Day 20

Advent Meditation

Day 20

Year of Our LORD,

12.20.2008

I cried unto THEE+, O LORD:

I said, THOU+ art my refuge and my portion

in the land of the living.

Psalm 142:5

We will know peace when we get to that state where HE+... and HE+ alone ... is our refuge. We ought to bless GOD for our troubles. We never know HIM+ as our refuge without those troubles. Why ? For this reason: our comforts become our illusionary refuge.

We will know peace when we get to that state where HE+ ... and HE+ alone... becomes our Portion, the only portion that we want. When our desires are fixed on HIM+... knowing HIM+, spending time with HIM+, yearning for HIM+... we will know that peace which the world cannot give. Why ? For this reason: the world CANNOT GIVE US HIM+.

Blessed SAVIOR, LORD JESUS CHRIST, help me to thank You for adversaries in this world, for bad situations, and for all the presses of life. I DO THANK You for them because I turn to You more deeply and more seriously at those times. You have become my Portion; may You become my Cup, also.

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Advent Meditation ~ Day 19

Advent Meditation

Day 19

Year of Our LORD,

12.19.2008

Let the Heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before The LORD; for HE+ cometh, for HE+ cometh to judge the earth: HE+ shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His+ Truth.

O LORD MY GOD, help me to be ready for this judgment. Turn my heart to Thy Truth more than to the lies of the world. Let me be so agreed with THEE+ that I will rejoice at Thy Rule and Reign... no matter what it costs me now.

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~~ Day 18

Advent Meditation

Day 18

Year of Our LORD,

12.18.2008

Light is sown for the righteous,

and gladness

for the upright

in heart.

Rejoice in the LORD+,

ye righteous,

and give thanks at the remembrance

of HIS+ Holiness.

Psalm 97:11,12

O Come, dearest Emmanuel, Precious Savior. My heart is longing for the courts of The LORD, wherein righteousness dwells. I give THEE+ thanks for Thy Holiness, yea, even the remembrance of Thy Holiness bringeth joy. Come, O Come, Emmanuel: we need THEE+.

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~~ Day 17

Advent Meditation

Day 17

Year of Our LORD,

12.17.2008

For THOU+, LORD,

art high above all the earth:

THOU+ art exalted far above all gods.

Ye that love The LORD,

hate evil:

HE+ preserveth the souls of His+ saints;

HE+ delivereth them

out of the hand

of the wicked.

Psalm 97:9,10

<(((><

O LORD MY GOD, as I react to the wickedness running rampant around me... wickedness in high places, wickedness in low... help me thoroughly examine mine own heart that I might not sin against THEE+. Help me to exalt THEE+ with obedience. Help me exalt THEE+ with time. And let me exalt THEE+ in thought, speech, and heart. Beloved Savior, accept this my offering unto THEE+.

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~~ Day 16

Advent Meditation

Day 16

Year of Our LORD,

12.16.2008

HE sent not HIS SON+ into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through HIM+.

Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

which was, and is , and is to come.

+ + +

Advent Meditation ~ Day 15

Advent Meditation

Day 14

Year of Our LORD

12.15.2008

Cause me to hear

Thy loving-kindness in the morning;

for in THEE+ do I trust:

Cause me to know the Way

Wherein I should walk;

For I lift up my soul unto THEE+

Psalm 143;8

Dear Heavenly FATHER, I lift up my soul unto THEE+ in praise and thanksgiving this day. Lead me in the Way that I should go... the Way that will please THEE+. I do not ask for comforts for my flesh but those things which will bring me closer to THEE, the FATHER of Lights, the lover of my soul. In the name of the FATHER Who created me, The SON+ Who saves me, and the HOLY SPIRIT Who sanctifies me.

Amen

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION ~ Day 14

Advent Meditation

Day 14

Year of Our LORD

12.14.2008

For The LORD is great,

and greatly to be praised:

HE is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols:

but The LORD made the Heavens.

Psalm 96: 4,5

Does the LORD love His+ people... those who have entered into His+ covenant through repentence, conversion, and water baptism? YES.

How is it, then, that we are to fear the ONE+ Who+ loves us most... the ONE+ Who+ loves us so much that HE sent HIS Only-Begotten SON+ into this woeful world to die for us?

Could it be that The LORD is not a respecter of persons? ... that HE+ is not impressed by our knowledge... our skills.... our abilities ? [since HE+ gave them all to us in the first place.]

What The LORD requires of each one of us is simple:

our ALL.

It is the only gift

we can lay on the altar of HIS+ love

... that will be accepted by HIM+.

O LORD of my Life, I thank you for Your GLORY and Your MAJESTY; I rest in Your HOLINESS. Help me to lose my life in THEE+... completely, utterly, with no looking back. I lay my life on the altar of Your LOVE, O HOLY ONE+. In the name of the Beloved SON+, Our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, I offer these, my imperfect prayers.

Amen

+ + +

ADVENT Meditation... Day 13

Advent Day 13
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.13.2008



If THOU, JEHOVAH ADONAI,
shouldest mark iniquities,
who shall stand?

But there is forgiveness with THEE,
that THOU mayest be feared.

I wait for the LORD,
my soul doth wait,
and in HIS+ Word do I hope.
Psalm 130:3, 4, 5

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Did Our LORD come to mark our iniquities?

No, rather HE+ became incarnate to deliver us from them. HE+ became incarnate to vanquish the enemy... the enemy who WANTS to become incarnate in us!

We guard our souls against every trick, every wile, of satan and his minions so that we do nothing to reflect his ways or his destruction of another man’s soul.

We put no hindrance before another soul … even out of “righteous” vengeance. We forgive others and make our soul wait on The Word of The LORD to deliver us.




O RIGHTEOUS SAVIOR, thank YOU+ for not marking my iniquities. Help me not to mark the iniquities of my friends and relatives, if I say I love them.

Help me not to mark the iniquities of my enemies… if I say I love YOU+.

Show me how to do this so they see YOU+, this time, instead of me.

This I pray in the name of The FATHER, Who created me, The SON+, Who+ saves me, and The HOLY SPIRIT Who sanctifies me.

Amen
+ + +