HE+ 's Coming ! HE+ 's Coming !

 Christmastide Meditation

Nativity and St. Jerome's Cave

Oh My+ Children! How often would I+ have gathered ye under My+ wings, but ye would not.  You wanted nothing to do with My+ ways, My+ values, but rather have chosen the world. 

With the world , then, you shall go. 

Have I+ not told you to FORSAKE the ways of the world and come and be full time for My+ Kingdom?  To spend your days full time WITH ME+ ... and ye would not ? 

Have I+ not told you to make NO PROVISION for the flesh... but instead, ye have made plenty... to live a life-style far above My+ Presence ? 

Have I+ joy in half-step obedience ? Have I+ joy in your following the example of other "good Christians" ... yet not following MY+ Example ? 

I+ had no pillow for My+ head; you have several. 

I+ had no animal to ride; you have two vehicles. 

I+ had no silver or gold; ye have both. 

FOCUS your heart upon ME+, 

not upon things of this world. 

Lay up, lay up for yourselves TREASURES IN HEAVEN; no moth nor man can steal those. Your treasures in Heaven, committed unto ME+ will give you the best return of any investment you could make in the Mammon fields.

For Mammon is about to fail. 

All will fall with it, whose hand is upon it.  

Mammon will not keep you;

 I+ will. 

And I+ say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. Luke 16:9


Invest your treasures in Heaven; divest your keepings for the Eternal Habitations. You cannot out-give ME+. 

Be prepared for My+ Coming. 

Few were prepared for my first Advent. Fewer still are prepared for My+ second. Hide yourself in ME+. Learn to live by My+ Voice. I+ will direct you. 

Prepare for My+ Coming. It will be soon... sooner than you think. 

O My+ children... My+ children !

Who Came to Visit ?

EYES on the INCARNATION

Christmas Meditation 

Who came to visit 

at your house, today ?

Did ... one, even one ... of the lame, the lost, the meek, the shunned eat at your festive table today  ? 

If not ...  why not ? 

Who received packages, 

to honor The KING+ ? 

Was it ... one, even one ...  of the poor, who could make no return, or the homeless... a bit dirty, perhaps ? 

If not... why not?

Who felt the love of JESUS 

at your house today?

Were the un-loved, the lonely, the sad and sorrowing invited into the warmth of His+ heart .... at your house.... today ?  

If not... why not ? 

Our SAVIOR never commanded a remembrance of His+ birth... as lowly and lovely as it was, recorded in Scriptures. 

HE+ did instruct us to receive HIM+, though, through the lowly ones on the earth. 

JESUS said...  

When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Verily I+ say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My+ brethren, ye have done it unto ME+. 

Did JESUS choose to visit 

at your house today ? 

Yea, LORD, We Greet THEE+ !

O COME, LET US ADORE HIM+ !

NATIVITY AND ST. JEROME'S CAVE

Yea, LORD, we greet THEE+

born this*** happy morning, 

JESUS , to  THEE+ be all glory given. 

WORD+ of The FATHER, 

now in flesh appearing

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ !

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ !

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ ,

CHRIST the LORD !

+  +  +

CHILD+ , for us sinners,

poor and in the manger,

we would embrace THEE+ 

with love and awe. 

Who would not love THEE+ , 

loving us so dearly ?

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ !

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ !

O COME LET US ADORE HIM+ ,

CHRIST the LORD !

[*** Please Note: Man does not know the exact date of the birth of The LORD JESUS, although many good guesses and arguments have been established.  We are only given a "season" in the Scriptures and the facts of 1) shepherds were watching in the fields at night , and 2) it was at the time of the Roman taxation. We are given no instructions whatsoever about "celebrating" the birth of JESUS; His+ death is to be remembered, according to Scripture.

So during the INCARNATION season, we remember for WHAT purpose HE+ became INCARNATE:  for the suffering of death. 

Both Western and Eastern branches of Christianity have arbitrarily agreed on Dec. 25 for whatever reasons, only the Eastern Christians follow the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. So it all makes for confusion !  

The IMPORTANT thing is to recognize that Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Eternal WORD+ of The FATHER,  was made INCARNATE at one point in time, about 2000 years ago, and that was for the suffering of death.

HE+ entered into time in order to rescue the Adamic race from the grip of satan, the father of lies. HE+ became our CHRISTUS VICTOR and triumphed over death, hell, and the grave ... crushing the head of satan who had bruised HIS+ heel. 

So we here at the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+  focus on the FACT of the INCARNATION and join with Christians who rejoice over His+ Coming in the likeness of Adamic flesh ~  regardless of "when" it chronologically occurred. ]

Where Do I Find HIM+ ?

CHRISTMAS EVE.... AWAITING THE ADVENT 

www.pravoslavie.ru

Christmas Eve

Where do I find HIM+ ?

Come to the stable in Bethlehem, kneel down at the manger and await the coming Babe.

Are you despised? HE+ was despised… and rejected of men.

Are you Lonely?  HE+ came unto His+ own… and His+ own received HIM+ not.

Are you afraid ? The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? … For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Is your Life meaningless?   

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Are you tired and sorrowing?  

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake

Is the situation hopeless?

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 +  +  +

Hasten!  Come to the Stable in the night.

Kneel at the Manger in the shadow of Light.

Open your heart to the Babe at His+ Appearing.

HE+ is little and helpless, too, so softly appealing.

HE+ brings His+ FATHER’S love to you, 

if your heart to HIM+ be true.

Come unto ME+, 

HE+ says, 

and I+ will give you rest… 

I+ alone.   

IF JESUS Had Given Them Rest...

 ADVENT MEDITATIONS for 2014

Courtesy of pravoslavie.ru

 Scriptures courtesy of www.biblegateway.com

Isaiah 11: 10 ~  

And in that day there shall be a ROOT+ of Jesse, 

which shall stand for an ENSIGN+ of the people; 

to it shall the Gentiles seek: 

and His+ rest shall be glorious.

Hebrews 4: 6 - 8 ~

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein,

 and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 

 Again, HE limiteth a certain day, saying in David, 

To day, after so long a time; as it is said, 

To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

 For if JESUS had given them rest, 

then would HE not afterward 

have spoken of another day.

If JESUS had given them rest... 

All those rebellious ones ~ 

... of His+ people, in His+ Camp, in the wilderness, baptized in the waters of the RED+ Sea, eating the Manna sent from Heaven,  under the protection of the ROCK+ that followed them ...   

~ had free choice!  

I Corinthians 10:4

And did all drink the same spiritual drink:

 for they drank 

of that spiritual ROCK+ that followed them:

and that ROCK+ was CHRIST.+

They DIED in the wilderness without being allowed to enter the Promised Land. 

Our LORD has so designed man that EVERY HUMAN BEING is able ... i.e., has the power... to choose WHOM+ or what he will serve with his whole heart, as evidenced in life choices.  

Robots need not apply.  CHRIST JESUS wants no robots. Flesh and blood CANNOT ... is not able... to inherit the Kingdom of GOD; each man , woman, and child must choose it for himself. 

If JESUS would have given those rebellious ones rest, then the rebellious and disobedient forsakers of GOD would have been granted a REST without repentance ! GOD FORBID ! 

Rest WITHOUT  REPENTANCE 

is impossible with GOD. 

It is one thing that GOD will not do for us: repent. We must do this ourselves. 

Those who refuse His+ LORDSHIP ( regardless of church membership rolls ) refuse His+ REST at the same time. 

It is impossible  to enter into His+ Promised Land of peace, joy, and rest without a personal repentance.    

O LORD JESUS, Cleanser of the Repentant, Who+ was made INCARNATE to do that very thing,  lead us to Thy+ cleansing fountain once again. 

Help us to heed Thy+ Call of conviction; take away our blindness to our sin. Help us to see who we are with Thine+ Eyes, O LIGHT+ of the world, for in Thy+ Light, we shall see Light. 

O HOLY FATHER, Who sent forth Thy Only-Begotten SON+ to give the repentant rest in HIM+ Who+ knew no sin, we bless and glorify both HIM+ and THEE. 

We thank THEE+ for the Promised Land, wherein doth righteousness dwell and the souls of men made perfect through the Blood of Thy INCARNATED SON+.

Change our in-born rebellion against Thy+ Word, we humbly ask, as we yield our un-docile and self-willed spirits unto THEE+, for Thy+ great glory. 

O HOLY LIGHT+ made INCARNATE in Our LORD JESUS CHRIST for the suffering of death, fill us with Thy+ same Spirit that we may die to self ... in order for the world to see THEE+ , in Truth.  

In the Name of the Only-Begotten SON+ of GOD, the INCARNATE EMMANUEL... we pray. Amen. 

To HIM+ Shall the Gentile Seek...

 ADVENT MEDITATIONS for 2014

Courtesy of pravoslavie.ru

Scriptures courtesy of  www.biblegateway.com

Isaiah 11: 10  ~  

 And in that day there shall be a ROOT+ of Jesse, 

which shall stand for an ENSIGN+ of the people;

to it shall the GENTILES seek:

and His+ rest shall be glorious.

Acts 11: 7-10 ~  And I heard a VOICE saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, LORD: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.  But the VOICE answered me again from heaven, 

What G0D hath cleansed, 

that call not thou common.

.  

And this was done three times: 

and all were drawn up again into heaven.

+  +  +

What GOD hath cleansed !

. 

O Glorious Day of His+ Appearing !   

HE+ became INCARNATE, offering cleansing, peace, and goodwill toward  the Jews and Gentiles, alike.  HE+ is no respecter of persons.  

HE+ became INCARNATE to obliterate the wall that sin, death, and hell had erected between GOD and His highest creation on earth, man... a wall devised by the satan, the hater of mankind.  

Come, LORD JESUS.  Show Thyself+ in Thy+ Kingly power to all whom THOU+ hast cleansed from sin.  

How we long to see Thy+ Day evidenced once again on earth, as Abraham saw Thy+ Glory. 

How we long to see Thy+ Day evidenced on earth as Moses and Elijah witnessed it, foreseeing the CHRISTUS VICTOR over death, hell, and the grave, once and for all time. 

How we long to see Thy+ Day as Peter, James, and John glimpsed Thy+ Glory on the Mount before the glory overwhelmed them. 

How our hearts long to see THEE+, O SAVIOR CHRIST! 

O CHRISTUS VICTOR, JESUS, Who+ alone is SAVIOR of this dead and dying world, our hearts pant after THEE+ as a doe longs for running streams. Hasten, Hasten the Day of Thy+ Coming to us. 

We thank THEE+ for Thy+ gladsome Promise:

I+ will come again and will take you unto Myself+. 

I bind my heart to THEE+ ... and to THEE+ alone, O LORD CHRIST. 

O CHRISTUS VICTOR, rise up and show Thyself+. Let all those who hate THEE+ ... and Thy+ Rule ...  flee before Thy+ Face, O VICTOR CHRIST !  Let GOD arise, let His enemies be scattered. 

Q:  For who may abide the DAY of His+ coming ?

A:  Whomever each day  abideth in HIM+  !

The BIRTH-RIGHT of HIS+ INCARNATION ....

ADVENT MEDITATIONS for 2014

Courtesy of pravoslavie.ru

 ^{Scripture courtesy of www.biblegateway.com}

Revelation 12:5  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.

+  +  +

This Royal ROD, this scepter, is used in Psalm 23 ... 

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for THOU+ art with me; THY+ rod and THY+ staff they comfort me... 

... and in Isaiah 11:4.  

But with righteousness shall HE+ judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and HE+ shall smite the earth: with the rod of His+ mouth, and with the breath of His+ lips shall HE+ slay the wicked.

+ + +

This Special SCEPTER like the world has NEVER SEEN BEFORE ~ His+ Royal Rod ~  is  unyielding.  

It is the birth-right

of HIS+ INCARNATION: 

JESUS, LORD at Thy+ Birth. 

His+ Royal Rod will come against all those who are UNYIELDING towards the LORDSHIP+ of the HOLY ONE+ of Israel. 

+  +  +

     Harken, , does not MY+ Word say, "... and with the froward, I+ will show Myself+ froward ? "   Does not My+ Word say, "... if ye walk contrary to ME+, then I+ will walk contrary unto you ? "

BEHOLD, I+ AM The LORD;  I+ change not. 

Turn ye, turn ye, ....  

O, why will ye die ... ? 

BEHOLD,  I+,

I+  have the keys of Hell and death!

+ + + 

The Rod of Iron in the Hand of The RISEN CHRIST will sift all nations. It will sift all religious organizations. It will sift each person carrying the name of CHRIST in his mouth. 

This Royal Rod will sift each nation by the TRUTH+ : What have you done to MY People, the ancient race who has brought forth The MESSIAH+ ? 

What have you done to MY People, MY+ little ones who have believed on ME+ and followed ME+ according to My+ Ways ? 

I granted you authority for a short time over MY+ People. How have you used that authority, O Egypt? O Sidonia ? O Tyre ? O current "city of baal" sitting on the Potomac? 

IT WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU. 

+  +  +

This Royal Rod will also sift every religious organization. 

What have YOU done to MY+ People, the ancient race whom I+ called forth to bring forth The MESSIAH ? 

What have you done to MY+ People, MY+ little ones who have believed on ME+ and followed ME+ according to MY+ Ways ?  

I+ placed you in authority over them to feed their souls and guide them away from the satan, to protect their lives. Have you done this ? 

IT WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU.  

+  +  +

O, WHOLE House of Israel, you call me "LORD, LORD" ... yet you do not do the things I+ say.  Is it merely the structure that I+ will be judging ?  Or will individuals be weighed in the balances, also ? 

What has each one of YOU who carry My+ Name, done with ME+, the promised CHRIST, The LIGHT+ of the World ? 

You have MY+ Word; did you give it freely to the world? 

You have MY+ Love; did you share it freely with the world? 

Alas... you have MY+ wrath... 
if you gave yourself more 
than you gave to ME+, in obedience.

+  +  + 

O Long-Suffering LORD Who+ became INCARNATE that we might become Holy, help me to turn my life around to the Living Light+, emptying myself to be filled with THEE+.  

I yield myself to THEE+, O HOLY ONE+, Who+ came once in humility but Who+ is returning in unquestionable KINGSHIP+ to this earth, to find a people prepared for THEE+. 

O, how I want to be among that number! 

This I pray, O LORD, in Thy+ Name and for Thy+ Sake. Amen