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

.

.

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
.

<(((><

.

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!

.

Maranatha!
Come, LORD JESUS, come.

+ + +

Advent Meditations ~~~ Day 21

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

.

Advent Meditation

Day 21

Year of Our LORD,

12.21.2008

.

.

The LORD is gracious,

and full of compassion;

slow to anger,

and of great mercy.

.

.

The LORD is good to all:

and HIS tender mercies

are over all HIS works.

.

.

All Thy works shall praise THEE, O LORD,

and Thy saints shall bless THEE+ .

Psalm 145: 8-10

.

<(((><

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!

.

.

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.

+ + +

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

.

.


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
+ + +

Advent Meditation... Day 12

Advent Day 12
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.12.2008

Lord ADONAI, my heart is not haughty,
nor mine eyes lofty:
neither do I exercise myself
in great matters,
or in things too high for me.

Surely I have behaved
and quieted myself,
as a child that is weaned
of his mother:
my soul is even as a weaned child.
Psalm 131:1, 2

When do we get in trouble? It is when we over-step our boundaries and erroneously enter into a battle… to revenge a “wrong” done by others to us or to evince our own “righteousness,” perhaps.

.

.
It is good to leave the battle… the revenge… to The LORD. Yes, we stand in our person for HIM+. Yes, we do HIS+ Way. And yes, we can expect discomfort to come for it. Our reaction shouldn’t be one of surprise but of a certainty that we are going to enter into a season of exercise. Our exercise is to behave and quiet ourselves, nestling in closer to the ONE+ Who+ came to restore what the locusts have eaten. HE+ will take care of it… if we leave the righting of the wrong in HIS+ hands.

.

.

O LORD GOD, under Whose+ wings I have put my trust, help me guard my heart against all vengeful thoughts. Help me simply draw closer to THEE+, the Keeper of my soul, and learn to bless those who have hurt me that I might become like Thy Beloved SON+. I thank THEE, Holy FATHER, for sending HIM+ to be my Example as well as my Protector. 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

+ + +

Advent Meditation... Day 11

Advent Day 11
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.11.2008

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:
I hate the work of
them that turn aside;
it shall not cleave to me.
Psalm 101:3
.

.

How are we measuring up … to the LORD’S standard of holiness? Most of us (hopefully) would not go to see rank movies or read trashy novels and magazines that are fleshy. Hopefully, Christians would also not be feeding their souls on music that had unholy themes, also. What about those things we listen to… gossip, TV’s [sic] “values”, the internet’s conglomeration of fleshy news and even more fleshy ads ?

The Psalmist said that he would set nothing wicked before his eyes. He shook off the works not worthy of The LORD when he had to pass near them. May we go and do likewise.

O LORD GOD of My Salvation… help me guard the windows of my soul. Help me turn my face and my hearing away from those things which cause YOU+ pain. Incline my heart to Thy testimonies and not to anything unworthy of YOU+. I do love THEE+, O ROCK+ of my soul. May my interests reflect my love for THEE+. 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

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... Day 9

Advent Meditation Day 9

Year of Our LORD

12.9.2008

The Journey Towards Bethlehem

HE+ that planted the ear,

shall HE+ not hear?

HE+ that formed the eye,

shall HE+ not see?

Psalm 94:9

<(((><

O LORD, I come before THEE knowing mine ear has not been single of hearing; I love the praise of men. I come before THEE knowing mine eye has not been single; I have cast it on things far unworthy of THEE.

><(((>

Help me, O LORD, to turn away from the stubbornness of mine own heart and the secret sins of my soul. Bless me in this journey towards Bethlehem, towards THEE, O LORD.

><(((>

Bring Thy Holy conviction that I may not stumble and sin against THEE... and may not ignore the convicton of Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT when I do sin. Turn me , again, LORD, restore me, and I shall be saved.

In the Name of the FATHER,

the SON+,

and the HOLY SPIRIT.

Amen.

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... DAY 8

Advent Meditation

Day 8

The Journey Towards Bethlehem

Year of Our LORD,

12.8.2008

+

+

+

So teach us

to number our days,

that we may apply our hearts

unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

Only one life...

"twill SOON BE PAST...

Only what's done for CHRIST

will last.

(from an unknown Christian sage).

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... DAY 7

The Journey Towards Bethlehem...

The First SUNDAY in ADVENT

Year of Our LORD,

12.7.2008

How beautiful upon the mountains

are the feet

of him that bringeth good tidings,

that publisheth peace;

that bringeth good tidings of good,

that publisheth salvation;

that saith unto Zion,

Thy GOD reigneth!

Isaiah 52:7

+ + +

.

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER... I come to you in the name of Thine Only-Begotten SON+, our LORD JESUS CHRIST, to worship THEE. Thank you for bringing salvation to mankind, to the big and little peoples of the earth, to me.

.

<(((><

.

I Thank THEE, O Holy ONE+, for being my peace. I thank THEE for subduing the enemies of my soul and bring the Light of Life to my darkened heart. Thank you for hearing my cries.

.

<(((><

.

How I love Thy Holiness and how I rest myself in THEE... the Only Place of Perfect Rest! I bless Thy Holy Name and lift THEE up and magnify THEE forever and forever. In the name of the Life-Giving Trinity: The FATHER, The SON+, and The HOLY SPIRIT, I pray. Amen.

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... DAY 6

Advent Day 6
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.6.2008


But My people would not hearken to My voice;
and Israel would none of ME.

So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust:
and they walked in their own counsels.

Oh that My people had hearkened unto ME,
and Israel had walked in My ways!

I should soon have
subdued their enemies,
and turned My hand
against their adversaries.

Psalm 81:11-14

<(((><

+

+

+

+ + +

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER,

to Whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from Whom no secrets are hid:

cleanse the thoughts of my heart

through the in-breathing of Thy HOLY SPIRIT,

that I may perfectly love THEE

and worthily magnify Thy Holy Name,

through CHRIST our LORD.

Amen.
(adapted from the BCP, Communion Service).

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... DAY 5

Advent Day 5
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.5.2008

And they tempted GOD in their heart
by asking meat for their lust.
Psalm 78:18

And HE+ gave them their request;
but sent leanness into their soul.
Psalm 106:15

How do we pray? How often do we pray for the things we desire but not need… for food for the lust-of-the-eye, lust-of-the-flesh and / or the pride of life? How many times do we beseech The LORD to provide for our carnal appetites, our temporal comforts… far beyond necessity?

Doesn’t an old faded towel work as well as a new, brightly-colored one to do the job intended? Is the towel’s primary function to adorn or to dry our wet bodies? Must we really have the top-of-the-line items for the house, the vehicle, the shop, the bookshelf, the music room… and even the ministry? Do we truly need to cover our bodies with whatever are the “in-clothes” and have our feet shod with the same?

If we have an eye towards these things, the spirit of covetousness is at work. The advertising world is good at making us covet. We may indeed clamor for these things and see nothing wrong with it, but do we want the spiritual price-tag… LEANNESS UNTO OUR SOULS ??

Let Us Pray:

Most Loving Heavenly FATHER, I thank Thee for providing for me from the beginning of my life unto this very day. Help me to turn away from craving dead meat. Lift mine eyes towards Heaven that I might request Eternal gifts through Thy Life-Giving SON+… Who+ came into the world to give Light unto people who walked in the darkness of temporal desires. Help me to set my affection on things above, where Your Beloved SON+ is seated at Your Right Hand. In the name of Thy Life-Giving SON+ JESUS CHRIST I pray.

AMEN + + +

ADVENT MEDITATION ... DAY 4

Advent Day 4
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.4.2008





And might not be as their fathers,
a stubborn and rebellious generation;
a generation that set not their heart aright,
and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
Psalm 78:8



How many times we flounder! How many times do we drop our Spiritual discipline? How often do we let everything and everybody take priority over our established quiet time with The LORD? We think holiness comes by good intentions, by biblical knowledge, or by osmosis, perhaps.

Or maybe… we haven’t even begun to embrace the discipline of commitment to a quiet time with Our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST… that very ONE+ Who+ loved us and washed us from our sins in His+ own Blood. Our prayers and Bible reading are by happenstance… whenever I happen to feel like it.

Yes, Our LORD desires us to come to HIM+ whenever we feel like it… and whenever we DON’T particularly feel like it, also.

HE+ does want to see good intentions established in us… so much so that we will repent when we drop them aside.

Biblical knowledge is important so that we know how to walk in HIS+ ways… and then DO them.

Furthermore, holiness does come by osmosis of sorts… our closeness to HIM+. Our oneness with our SAVIOR, our homologia, being of the same word, the same mind, the same thought… in total agreement with The LORD JESUS CHRIST ---about everything--- is the only path of holiness available.



Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I Corinthians15:58


LET US PRAY:
O Gracious Holy FATHER, I come to Thee ashamed of mine own lack of steadfastness. I admit am more steadfast on my job before the eyes of man than I am in the secret prayer chamber with Thee. I see I am more steadfast with my family and friends than concerned about what You will think of me. I have taken advantage of Thy Grace. I am sorry LORD+.

LORD, change me. I bring my slovenly discipline, which dishonors Thee, for correction. Your Word tells me that my Spiritual Labor is truly NOT in vain. Help me to bring Glory unto Thee, through the power of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, in the Name of Thine Incarnate SON+ JESUS CHRIST, Whom+ I call LORD and MASTER.

Amen. + + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... Day 3

Advent Day 3
The Journey Towards Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.3.2008

But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust
in the Lord GOD,
that I may declare all thy works.
Psalm 73:28
+
+
+


Drawing near to the heart of GOD… the place of perfect rest… is the goal. Sometimes, though, in the middle of tension peace seems nigh unto impossible. That is why Christians have stress the same as worldlings do. However, our “stress-tests” are designed specifically to bring us into His+ Presence instead of to the doctor’s.

The wise Apostle James tells us something startling: we have steps …concrete steps… to take in order to GET close to His+ heart! It is something anybody can do, at any place, at any time, and at any point in history.

Furthermore, if we DO these things, GOD will respond! [A good example is the conversion scene of Sally Beth Roe in Frank Peretti’s Piercing the Darkness!!]

Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands,
ye sinners;
and purify your hearts,
ye double minded.
James 4:8

Oddly enough, the Apostle James is not speaking here to the pagans, heathen, nor to the worldlings. The Apostle is addressing Christians . In every chapter of his general letter to the Christian community at large, he specifically addresses the recipients of his counsel as my brethren.

But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust
in the Lord GOD,
that I may declare all thy works.
Psalm 73:28

The Psalmist tells us whenever we draw near unto GOD, we can perfectly trust HIM+ not to destroy us when we confess our failures, short-comings, weaknesses, and sin. HE+ simply holds our peace until we bring these things unto HIM+. That’s one reason HE+ came … to rescue us from ourselves.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:
for the coming of the Lord
draweth nigh.
James 5:8

O Gracious Heavenly FATHER…establish my heart in Thee. I’m sorry for my fears; I know You already see all that I am. You already know how I’ll re-act, even the words on my tongue before I say them.

Grant this day I do not fall into sin but rather, into Thy Loving Hands. I trust in You to make me right. I trust You not to reject my pitiful, needy, and warped heart. I love Thee+, O Holy ONE+ who tookest upon Thyself+ flesh to become man, in order to help me, from the inside out. Thank you, LORD JESUS CHRIST, for becoming my MESSIAH at such great cost to You. I thank you with all my heart. Amen.

+ + +

Glory to the FATHER, and to HIS Beloved SON+, and to HIS Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,

now and forever unto the endless ages. Amen. + + +

ADVENT MEDITATION... DAY 2

Advent Day 2

The Journey Toward Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD, 12.2.2008

.

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD,
Adonai JEHOVAH:
I will make mention of Thy+ righteousness,
even of Thine+ only.

Psalm 71:16

<((()>< .

No, we will not blaspheme.

Nor will we curse nor let wicked things pour forth from our lips.

Some of us have even trained our lips to refuse to jest

and to refuse to make foolish remarks.

But, who can resist “mentioning” what

“we” have done well,

“our” accomplishments?

If we wish to go in the strength of Adonai JEHOVAH, the Psalmist tells us how to do this: we must forget what we have done and make mention only of the righteousness of The LORD our GOD.

As the Psalmist says: “LORD, open Thou+ my lips and

my mouth shall show forth

THY+ praise”

… not ours

and of a certainty,

not mine.



But HE+ giveth more grace.
Wherefore HE+ saith,
GOD resisteth the proud,
but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:6

Humble yourselves
in the sight of the LORD,
and HE+ shall lift you up.
James 4:10

Let us pray:

O GOD our FATHER, I have done foolishly.

My lips have uttered my own praises instead of Thine+.

Help me, O LORD, to bring glory unto Thee+ and refuse it for myself… and let me be aware of the snare of the fouler of my soul.

I do love Thee+, O Lover of my Soul, ... more than the praises of men.

For in Thee+ is life and in Thee+ alone is the Light of men. Receive this, my imperfect prayer, and restore my soul in Thee+, through the name of Thy+ Unblemished SON+, our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

+ + +

ADVENT MEDITIATION... Day 1

Advent Day 1

The Journey Toward Bethlehem
Year of Our LORD,

12.1.2008

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me:
Psalm 66:18

John 9: 30-33
The man answered and said unto them,

Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence HE+ is, and yet HE+ hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that GOD heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of GOD, and doeth HIS+ will, him HE+ heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If This Man+ were not of GOD, HE+ could do nothing.

.

<(((><

.

Let us pray:

O LORD, Heavenly FATHER, open up my blind eyes to mine own failings before Thee… help me not to hide them from myself. For surely, LORD, Thou seest both where, in my weakness, I cannot see and where, in my stubbornness, I do not wish to look .

In Thy Mercy, look upon me with favor. Lead me to That Rock that is higher than I. Draw me to Bethlehem once again, to Thyself, with cords of Truth and Love. Feed my starving soul once againg with Thy Divine Bread+, that TRUE BREAD+ from Heaven. Through the merits of Thine Only-Begotten SON+, Our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Amen

ADVENT... The Journey TOWARDS Bethlehem...

The Journey Towards Bethlehem

Advent 2008
Meditations

As we begin Advent 2008, we do so with the ever-present hope of His+ Second Advent … The Second Coming of CHRIST JESUS

… when His+ feet touch down on the Mt. of Olives.
.

<((()><

.
Thus, at this point in time, during our Journey Towards Bethlehem… the House of Bread Divine… we have one eye on the ground and one eye on the sky.

Our spiritual journey is taken for one purpose: we NEED to get there, to that place. In other words, whatever is happening in Bethlehem is drawing our hearts to that place… to Someone+ Who is going to be arriving there. We don’t want to miss it.

But, as with all journeys, we must make preparation.

Therefore let us begin Advent 2008 with the SORE acknowledgement that we have fallen short of the Glory of GOD. Our Journey Towards Bethlehem is our craving to regain that glory… somehow, someway.

Seasons of the Year... of the CHURCH Year, that is...

Seasons of the Church Year,

The CHRISTIAN Calendar

We CHRISTIANS do differently.

We see the world develop and go after "holy-days" with all the money and gimmicks the world can offer. There is nothing holy about it all.

The best part is that all of society's worker-bees get to have some time off to rest, relax, play, visit, and see friends and family members. And, for that we DO give thanks.

Here at the Order, we try to redeem the time for The LORD'S purposes and for HIS+ Kingdom. Some of our friends are fasting during this time off. Some are in intense prayer.

We keep "holy-day" with Christian friends, and turn our thoughts and efforts towards The LORD instead of towards the world's parades, games, fashions, and activities.

We try to keep in mind the Church Calendar rather than the world's calendar for these days. Thus, we use our Thanksgiving time to start our Advent wreath and season of preparation for the remembrance of His+ first coming.

Advent, then, becomes a season when we focus on repentance MINGLED WITH JOY.... this joy being that our MESSIAH has come, so many years ago, to take away our sins, to always be with us, our EMMANUEL.

This year, we will be doing a small series of repentance Scriptures to prepare our hearts, as we remember His+ first coming. This is in hopes that we may truly be prepared for HIS+ SECOND COMING, Bless GOD !

Advent colors, by the way, are NOT red and green... but blue, which signifies the Birth of the CHRIST child. Thus, you will not find any red at our hermitage during this season.

For those of us with children, we like to use a Religious Advent Calendar to open a window and read a Scripture. Another activities is to have an EMPTY MANGER and put a straw in it for each kind deed, each charitable thought, each victory over temptation, and each repentance during this season. Thus we do something tangible to prepare our hearts as we "build" the bed of straw in the manger for the coming Christ child in our nativity set. It's a wonderful time, especially for young ones... or those young in heart.

Yes, we Christians do things differently than the world.

I pray you will join us in your hearts and home around the Advent Season of repentances and lighting the Advent Candles in the Advent wreath. May this time be most special to you, as you use it to draw closer and closer unto CHRIST, the only Light of this dark, dark world.

The ANGEL of The LORD ENCAMPETH...

The Angel of The LORD

encampeth round about

them that fear HIM+,

and

delivereth them.

Psalm 34:7

The BARN-BREAKER

A dear Brother in The LORD, a close friend, experienced a miraculous deliverance this week... and indeed, the miracle is STILL going on. Here is his true story:

Our Brother is an experienced pilot. He flies an ultra-light, a "flying parachute" for business and for fun. As he was flying this week close to his home, a living nightmare happened.

Unbeknownst to him, his chute caught a tree branch then quickly other things happened until... he was slammed at 30-plus miles per hour into the side of a barn!

He was conscious after the impact of the accident. He called his wife. He told her to come quickly, thinking he would be dead before she got there.

He said, " LORD, I think I may be gonna' die. If I am, I hope I'm ready. If I don't, show me what to say [ to others.] "

The medics came quickly, but had to wait on special equipment to extricate him from the side of the barn.

To one side were LARGE, LONG NAILS protruding from the barn... but he hit next to them. One foot higher was the eve of the barn roof. If he'd have hit that eve, he would have been DECAPITATED instantly.

As it was, he sustained a crushed sternum bone and 9 broken ribs, plus two small punctures in his lungs. The medical staff at the hospital was concerned about those punctures and worked on him to keep his lungs breathing at full capacity.

They sent him home from the hospital after being there for only 36 hours... possibly because they have no hospitalization insurance. He works independently as a home remodeler.

So, along with his injuries, came the cost of survival, a cessation of his immediate work, and a likely future of not-being-able to work for some time. He has a wife and toddler at home, whom they plan to home-school and indeed, have already started pre-K activities in a Christian setting in their home.

.

WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE LORD DID ?

HE+ had the spectacular accident televised on the evening news across the city. Then, HE+ had his wife's former employer notify them of a TRUST FUND set up to pay their medical expenses AND to sustain them until our Brother can return to some kind of work.

.

WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE THE LORD DID NEXT?

.

HE+ had his wife's sister... a physician's assistant (right next to a doctor, in medical status) come to visit from hundreds of miles away. Thus, when our Brother got home from the hospital, THE LORD had somebody WELL-TRAINED IN MEDICAL THINGS there at home, ready and waiting, at no cost to them!

.

NOW, WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE HAPPENED AFTER THAT ?

.

As they were dressing our brother to come home from the hospital, they noticed that... with 9 broken ribs and a puncture in his lungs... HE WAS NOT BRUISED! Yes, the doctors WERE AMAZED!

And we were too, with tears in our eyes, at the great faithfulness of GOD the FATHER ALMIGHTY.

Later, his wife told us that the LORD showed her that HE+ came between that side of the barn and our brother.

Let us NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE the power of the Risen LORD. Let us go on towards King JESUS, giving HIM+ the cream of our time, effort, and strength. We all know the signs of the times: the DAYS ARE NUMBERED for this current civilization.

.

Let us walk WISELY, redeeming the time, for the DAY IS FAR SPENT; night is close at hand. Tomorrow is NOT PROMISED... for young and old alike.

.

Blessing and honor

and glory and power,

be unto HIM that

sitteth upon the THRONE,

and unto The LAMB+

... FOREVER AND EVER.

amen.