The EPIPHANY ~ His+ Manifestation

The Epiphany

Year of Our LORD
1.6.2009

or
Day of the Manifestation
of the CHRIST Child
to the Gentiles
or

Wise Men Still Seek HIM+

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The Epiphany Season of the Christian Calendar goes from January 6 until Lent begins. We will share a few meditations throughout the Epiphany Season.

Let us pray:

O LORD, we beseech THEE mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon THEE in spirit and in truth. Grant that we may both perceive and know what things we ought to do to please THEE, in both our outer man and inner. We thank THEE that THOU hast given us all the power we need over the enemy, for both the outer man and inner.

Help us to fulfill Thy Will, to the pulling down of strongholds and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of and obedience towards JESUS CHRIST, the Only Begotten SON and Eternal Word, Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and Thy Blessed HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, now and forever, world without end. Amen.

<(((>< Now the GOD of Peace,
that brought again from the dead
our LORD JESUS,
that Great Shepherd+ of the sheep,
through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant,

Make you perfect
in every good work to do HIS+ Will,
working in you
that which is well pleasing in His+ sight,
through JESUS CHRIST;
to Whom+ be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Hebrews 13:20,21

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<(((><

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Yes, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST gives us the power to attain the spiritual fruit; it is our part to embrace the labor. Not to do so makes us slide into “easy” believism and “cheap” grace… which is a slide that only goes downhill. This is what Scriptures mean when it says to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing…” Col. 1:10

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As ye know how we exhorted and comforted
and charged every one of you,
as a father doth his children,

That ye would walk worthy of GOD,
Who hath called you unto His+
Kingdom and Glory.
I Thess. 2:11,12

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<(((><

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The fruits of the SPIRIT are NOT “given.” We labor to develop those spiritual fruits. We nourish our spirit with SPIRITUAL food. We weed out those hindering thoughts, motives, and actions. We TRAIN… yes, vigorously train… our thoughts to agree with Scriptures and not with our flesh, our family spirits, and this lying world system. We discipline our activities, pruning off important activities so that we have both time and energy for the VITAL work.

Sometimes we have to take a stick to ourselves during this discipline when we willfully break training. But… this spiritual training can be done and furthermore, The LORD EXPECTS us to sow unto the SPIRIT in this fashion. Indeed, there is no other way to sow to the SPIRIT but through a denial of the flesh.
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The Husbandman looketh for … the gifts?

NO.

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HE knows where those gifts are and where they come from: His Beloved SON+. The Husbandman looketh for the fruits in our lives, not HIS. Fruits are laid to our credit, through CHRIST, by the power of His+ HOLY SPIRIT.

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Fruits, by the way, are NOT optional.

Fruits are either there or NOT THERE,

but fruits are not optional.

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If fruits… that is, the result of our labors in the Kingdom of GOD, by the power of His+ HOLY SPIRIT… are missing, then we are definitely cut off from the Branch+ and thrown into the fire by the Husbandman. See John 15.

As we seek HIM+ during this new year, which promises to bring only more heartache upon the human race, let us diligently and with a determined discipline prepare ourselves for the fight… the “big fight”… not with flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness in high places.

Believe me, the wicked ones aren’t going ANYWHERE without a fight.

Let us train ourselves, spiritually,

at least as well as Rocky Balboa did for the ring.

The stakes are much higher.

So are the returns.

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In the name of The FATHER,
The SON+,
and the HOLY SPIRIT
+ + +

Building MUSCLE ~ Day 11 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 11
Year of Our LORD,
1.4.2009

Building Muscle
Part 2

It is FASCINATING to watch a wise man work out.
He never… I repeat, NEVER… babies himself.

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<(((><

This is an eye-witness account of a dear Christian brother. He had been incapacitated for over 20 years due to a car accident and subsequent work on his spine. Although he could move about and “look” normal, he couldn’t even carry a gallon of water (8 pounds) for years. When The LORD touched his body over a year ago, the gift of healing came in this way: he was strengthened in answer to prayer… but strengthened TO WORK OUT. He was strengthened to labor.

That is, his body was healed ONLY to the point needed to ENABLE this brother to do HIS part, i.e, to pick up the iron, to embrace a stronger discipline than he had ever known before, to deny himself. He now has the POWER to do the muscle work-outs which he had tried before. Earlier, they only made him sicker and he could not continue. He now has the power to overcome his previous condition.

However, note this: his atrophied muscles did NOT automatically bulge with strength when The LORD turned his condition; he had to labor to gain that. Well, labor he did and is still doing. His entire body shape has changed. He looks 20 years younger. His youthful appearance and changed physique are the fruits of his labor. He would NOT have either one if he would have stopped AND MADE NO EFFORT at the gift of healing.

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The good fruits were not given to him in the healing;
only the power or ability to attain them was given.

Gifts versus fruits… interesting thought, isn’t it?

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<(((><

Worldlings can also build their muscles, if they can embrace training, take some additional supplements, and monitor their diet. In reality, however, only a few can see what the body actually needs because that comes through TRUTH. Truth must be embraced at some level or body-killing steroids will tempt them to achieve a “fast fix.” Organ-afflicting foods will be eaten, only to create future surgeries and untold heart-ache.

It is no secret that most of us use food to indulge appetites or appease the emotions. We don’t accept the TRUTH that food is simply a fuel for needed energy for bodily functioning. Most of us will not deny our flesh enough comfort to even embrace a daily health exercise walk of 30 minutes. We all make excuses… good ones, too… revolving around duties and responsibilities. But, we all have been granted the same 24 hours a day.


Entering a new year, many of us make woebegone resolutions to exercise our flabby bodies. Some do to lose weight; some do for lost muscle tone. We all know that a simple exercise like walking enhances circulation, increases oxygen to the brain and body, flushes the lymph system, and massages the internal organs… all of which we desperately need to be healthy. However...

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knowing is NOT doing.

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What is the major hindrance to this good activity?
Adherence.
Routine.
Regularity.
Scheduled Performance of it.
Endurance.
Doing it when we don’t feel like it.
Doing it when something else
“more important” demands our time.
Whining.

<(((><
[ to be continued, with even more Truth]

In the Name of The FATHER,
His Only-begotten SON+,
and His Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
world without end
Amen.

+ + +

Building MUSCLE ~ Day 10 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 10
Year of Our LORD,
1.3.2009

Building Muscle

It is FASCINATING to watch a wise man work out.
He never… I repeat, NEVER… babies himself.

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In all of my 61 years, I have seen exactly ONE MAN close at hand who seriously and intensely works his muscles like Rocky Balboa preparing for “the big fight.”

To the uninitiated, “working out” means to grab a few weights (barbells or dumbbells) and pump that iron up and down a few times before getting on with the important duties of the day. Nothing could be further from the truth. That would injure a person’s body and build more lies in his soul [ i.e., exercise doesn’t work for me].

In reality “working out” is exactly what Rocky did. A person embraces the discipline of training his body before he even looks at a piece of iron (a weight-lifter’s term). But in the end, the fruit of embracing this discipline is that his body trains him ! It not only trains the muscles, but it trains the reflexes, the focus, the thoughts, and ultimately trains the person to deny himself temporarily to achieve the long-term goal set before him.

I watch the meticulousness of each work out exercise he selects. Each one is thought through with great care. The goal is always in his mind and every exercise is tailored to DO A SPECIFIC JOB for that particular muscle group.

For example, his methods are tailored for specific purposes. Working out with weights in bench triceps dips and alternate dumbbell curls (to name only a few), this wise man changes his work out like a recipe.

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· For strength only, he does 5 or 6 sets of 2 or 3 repetitions with the same weights, with 4 to 5 minutes of rest between the sets.

· For adding muscle size only, he does 5 to 6 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions with only 45 to 60 seconds (!) between sets, using the same weights.

· But, to build both strength and size, this wise man does 5 to 6 sets of 5 to 6 reps with 2 to 3 minutes of rest between sets.

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Fascinating, isn’t it? If a man can follow such a well-plotted recipe to make his body build strength, muscle, and size, he must trust there will be a natural response to his work. He trusts because he is following the natural law of how his body works, how human bodies are created. This natural law is so sure, so very certain, that even non-Christians who follow it will reap the same fruits of muscle, size, strength, and endurance.

Furthermore, this Christian brother who works out monitors his diet meticulously. He purposely puts ONLY in him foods that will accomplish his goals: building strength, muscle, size, endurance and ultimately good health. He monitors both the kind and the amounts. He puts “additives” in his body’s fuel tank to boost his high octane food also, keeping ever in mind how he wants his body’s engine to run. He embraces the TOTAL discipline needed to achieve his goal.

Being led by The LORD to work out, he never whines, but rather is thankful that he has a body that can now endure training. He never feels sorry for himself but rather rejoices in The LORD Who+ has granted him another day to do HIS+ Will. He refuses to allow himself to yearn after delicacies because he is intent on Truth… both for the outer man as well as for the inner man. He is delighted to apply himself to the Task Assigned, …unseen and unsung as it is… to show his sincere appreciation to The LORD.

Furthermore, on his one day “off” of the week, he refuses to feed his flesh more indulgently, knowing it will only make the iron harder to pick up again. He walks in Truth.

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[This is a true story to be continued]

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.

+ + +

+ + +

2009 Day 9 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 9
Year of Our LORD,
1.2.2009

Give ear, O SHEPHERD+ of Israel,
THOU that leadest Joseph like a flock;

THOU that dwellest between the Cherubim,
shine forth.
Psalm 80:1

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O, how we look forward to HIS+ coming again! The LORD’S Incarnation--- taking upon HIMSELF+ the form of a man--- and HIS+ death and Resurrection all point to HIS+ Return…. and HIS+ control.

When that momentous event occurs, everything will change on planet earth and also in the Heavenlies.

When that momentous event occurs, the battle is won, tangibly, for all to see, here upon earth.

When that momentous event occurs, the earth will begin to be restored back to where it was before the fall of mankind. The lion and the calf and the leopard and the kid shall INDEED lie down together, without hurt nor harm. Isaiah 11 is full of these promises, describing what will happen when HE+ comes again.

Yes, the world will weep and howl when its ungodliness is smitten for the powers of darkness love ungodliness. So will those who agree with them.

But how can we who follow JESUS CHRIST, the only true GOD, do anything but rejoice with a mighty joy?

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O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

O Eretz, Eretz, Eretz,
shemai D’BAR JeHoVaH !
Jeremiah 22:29

And there shall come forth a ROD+ out of the stem of Jesse,
and a BRANCH+ shall grow out of his roots:

And the SPIRIT of The LORD [JEHOVAH]
shall rest upon HIM+,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

And shall make HIM of quick understanding
in the fear of the LORD:
and HE+ shall not judge after the sight of His+ eyes,
neither reprove after the hearing of His+ ears:

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.

And righteousness shall be the girdle of His+ loins,
and faithfulness the girdle of His+ reins.

And I saw Heaven opened, and behold a white horse;
and HE+ that sat upon him was called
Faithful and True,
and in righteousness HE+ doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:11

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
and a little child shall lead them.


And the cow and the bear shall feed;
their young ones shall lie down together:
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My Holy Mountain:

for the earth shall be full
of the knowledge of the LORD,
as the waters cover the sea.

And in that day there shall be a ROOT+ of Jesse,
which shall stand for an ensign of the people;
to *HIM+ shall the Gentiles seek:
and His+ rest shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10

<(((><

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* Although the KJV states “it,” there is no “it” in the Hebrew language; he or she is the third person singular pronoun.

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Bless GOD! FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT

and blessed be HIS Kingdom

both now and forever.

Amen. + + +

2009 DAY 8 of the INCARNATION

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 8
The New Day, the Day of Completion

Year of Our LORD,
1.1.2009

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.

In those days, and at that time,
will I cause the BRANCH+ of Righteousness
to grow up unto David; and HE+ shall execute
judgment and righteousness in the land.

In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely:
and this is the name wherewith she shall be called,
The LORD our Righteousness.
Jeremiah 33:14-16

<(((><

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst

after righteousness,

for they shall be filled.

+ + +

Return, we beseech THEE,
O GOD of Hosts
[ the Divine, Heavenly Armies]:

Look down from Heaven, and behold, and visit this Vine;
And the Vineyard which Thy Right Hand hath planted,
and the BRANCH+ that THOU Madest strong for Thyself.
Psalm 80:14-15

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Let Thy hand be upon the Man of Thy Right Hand,
upon the SON of MAN+
Whom+ THOU madest strong for Thyself.

So will not we go back from THEE:
quicken us, [make us alive] and we will call upon Thy Name.

Turn us again, O LORD GOD of Hosts,
[JEHOVAH ELOHIM of the Divine, Heavenly Armies]

Cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80: 17-19

+ + +

O LORD our GOD, make me complete in THEE +. Bring me to that state of fullness in CHRIST JESUS where HE+ alone is seen and not me…even in my mirror. Turn me yet again, O LORD, away from the world, away from Self, and unto THEE+, the only true GOD, Who+ lives and reigns with THEE and Thy HOLY SPIRIT, both now and forever, world without end. Amen.
+ + +

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 7
Year of Our LORD,
12.31.2008


O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

O Eretz, Eretz, Eretz,
shemai D’BAR JeHoVaH !
(HEBREW) Jeremiah 22:29

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,
that I will raise unto David
a Righteous BRANCH+,

and a KING+ shall reign and prosper, and
shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

In HIS+ days Judah shall be saved,
and Israel shall dwell safely: and

this is HIS+ Name
whereby HE+ shall be called,

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah 23:5-6

Neither is there Salvation in any other:
for there is none other NAME+
under Heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12


O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, [Adonai JEHOVAH]
Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a STONE+,
a tried STONE+,
a Precious CORNERSTONE+,
a sure Foundation:
he that believeth shall not make haste
[i.e., not hurry due to anxiety, fear, or alarm].
Isaiah 28:16

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

Unto you therefore which believe
HE+ is precious:
but unto them which are disobedient,
the STONE+ which the builders disallowed,
the Same is made the HEAD+ of the Corner,

And a STONE+ of stumbling, and a ROCK+ of offense,
even to them which stumble at the WORD,
being disobedient:
whereunto also they were appointed.

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation,
a peculiar people;

that ye should
shew forth the praises of HIM+
Who+ hath called you out of darkness
into HIS+ marvellous Light;


Which in time past were not a people,
but are now the people of GOD:
which had not obtained mercy,
but now have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:7-10

O Earth, Earth, Earth,
hear the WORD of the LORD.

<(((>< O My+ People, listen to ME+. The hour of testing is nearly upon you. Put your trust in ME+ and turn to ME+ with your whole heart, leaving nothing un-surrendered. I will take care of you if you yield. If you do not yield your all, you have put a barrier between ME+ and thee. Hear My+ Word.

In the Name of The FATHER,
The SON+,
and The Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever.
Amen.
+ + +

Day 5 ~ ~ ~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 5
Year of Our LORD,
12.29.2008

The GATES of our Souls

Have you ever wondered why ... or even HOW... serious, committed Christians stumble into serious sin?

The GATES have something to do with it.

Whenever we "listen" to the Accuser, the GATES are opened in the spiritual, unseen realm of evil. Guess what happens next? The evil tormentors take an open GATE as an invitation.

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They bring other evil spirits into that open GATE. So instead of just hearing the words of the accusing spirit, we are also going to be hearing the words of Spite, Resentfulness, and Bitterness.

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At this point, we can rise up and close the GATE... but it will be a fight with these 4 bullies. It will be a fight to get them out BECAUSE we invited them in! We opened up the GATE to the whisssssspered words of the Accuser.

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If, however, we blindly go on and ENTERTAIN these fellows, they whistle to their BIGGER friend, ANGER, to come and join them inside the opened GATE.

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Together, then, these tormenting evil spirits will wreck any Christian home, heart, or peace.

Rise up, Christians! SHUT THE GATE. Do not allow ANY unclean thought or evil speaking or spirit into your midst. If you do, repent immediately and clean the "house." SHUT THE GATE.

Dear Heavenly FATHER, In the name of Thy precious SON+ JESUS CHRIST, our Incarnate LORD, we ask for help in recognizing these GATES of evil. Help us to be wise in these matters. Thank you for granting us the power now, through Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS CHRIST to shut these GATES. Help us to open up only to THEE+. We praise THEE+ and bless Thy Holy name both now and forever. Amen.

<(((><

Bless GOD,

FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!

and Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom forever and ever!

Amen.

+ + +

Day 4 ~~~ Season of the Incarnation

Season of the INCARNATION
Day 4
Year of Our LORD,
12.28.2008

“O ye Gates…”

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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In the natural realm, GATES are found throughout the Bible. Gates are fortified to open and close to protect a city compound during Old Testament times. Gates are found around animal enclosures, to let the flock in and out. Gates differ from doorways, also. Doorways indicate openings or entrances, but gates indicate barriers in that opening that can be opened or shut, being the only way to get in or out of an area fortified by a wall.

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In Psalm 24, the GATES have heads.

These GATES also are placed at the entrances of the EVERLASTING DOORWAYS. This, of course, brings to mind the GATES of the Heavenly New Jerusalem which comes down out of Heaven as a Bride. Here is a description of these wonderful GATES, from Revelation 21:

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And had a wall great and high,

and had twelve gates,

and at the gates twelve angels,

and names written thereon,

which are the names

of the twelve tribes

of the children of Israel:

Rev. 21:12

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And the twelve gates were twelve pearls:

every several gate was of one pearl:

and the street of the city was pure gold,

as it were transparent glass.

And I saw no temple therein:

for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

and the LAMB are the Temple of it.

Rev. 21:21,22

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If these are the gates David refers to in Psalm 24 as the fortified entrances into the Heavenly Jerusalem, then it would stand to reason that the angels at these gates would be the “heads.”

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If, howver, Psalm 24’s gates ALSO refer to something on earth… where Heavenly Armies and the KING+ of Glory will enter… then we can see this type of gate in Genesis 28:10-17. Jacob had a dream or vision. In it, Jacob saw angels ascending and descending a ladder from the earth to Heaven. At the top of the ladder was standing the LORD GOD of Abraham and Isaac. Jacob called that place Bethel, and said, “This is none other but the House of GOD (Beth-el) and this is the GATE OF HEAVEN.”

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From these Scriptures, Old and New, we can see the many ways gates are used in the Bible to indicate natural as well as supernatural places. Our Incarnate LORD came to break open the GATES of HELL/HADES/SHEOL.

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HE+ did that, as we all know, most valiantly.

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But when HE+ returns at His+ SECOND ADVENT, HE+ will OPEN and SHUT supernatural gates which are still in operation today upon this earth and in the heavens.

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Have you ever wondered why some homes, some neighborhoods and towns, some schools and alas, even some churches, have a “dark” or “dirty” feel about them? The people inhabiting these places have opened up themselves to the spirits of sin and darkness and demonic activities. Thus, the GATES are opened in that area to evil beings.

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When the people of The LORD walk in obedience, stay steadfast in prayer, and pick up their cross daily… the gates of that home, town, school, or church are opened to the Host of Heaven.

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So, we REJOICE when we remember the LORD’S Incarnation because it brought forth spiritual victory into the realm of mankind.

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Lift up your heads,

O ye gates;

even lift them up,

ye everlasting doors;

and the KING+ of Glory

shall come in.

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Who

is this KING+ of Glory?

The LORD of Hosts,

[ of divine, Heavenly Armies]

HE+ is the KING+ of Glory.

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<(((><

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Bless GOD, FATHER, SON+, and HOLY SPIRIT!

and Blessed be HIS+ Kingdom

forever and ever!

Amen.

+ + +

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!

+ + +

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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<(((><

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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

+ + +