God: You Will Discover His True Nature in the Bible

God -- Once you’ve established that the Bible is a credible and reliable document, this is the first place to look for His true character and attributes. As you explore the Bible, you will discover His unchanging nature. God is Spirit – infinite and eternal. God is sovereign. God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipresent (all places at all times). God is perfectly holy and perfectly just. God is wisdom, power, glory, righteousness, mercy, faithfulness, goodness, beauty, and patience. God is love. God is truth.

God: If He Exists, What is He Like?

God has been described as everything from an impersonal “life force” to a personal Creator, from Mother Nature to Almighty Lord. While mankind creates various characters for God over time, we should actually look to the timeless standards of truth already delivered in the Bible. 

Of course, one must establish the credibility and reliability of the Bible before endeavoring to define God through the Bible. Well, like no time in history, we have established the truth of the Biblical record. Just explore the archaeological treasures that establish the veracity of Biblical events. Review the recently discovered manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, which prove the reliability of the Biblical texts. Study the over 600 fulfilled prophecies contained in Biblical scripture, including the actual fulfillment of prophecy in Israel over the last few decades. Read the Bible itself as an intellectual undertaking and discover the inherent complexity and integration contained in its 66 books, written by 40 inspired authors, over a period of approximately 1,600 years.

God - A brief summary of the key arguments:

• Order. God provides the best explanation for abstract notions, such as numbers, formulas and properties.


• Causation. God provides the best explanation for the existence of the universe and all that is in it.
• Design. God provides the best explanation for the complex order in cosmological and biological entities.
• Morality. God provides the best explanation for the existence of objective moral/ethical values in the world. In Romans 5:12, we read that “sin entered the world through one man, and through sin - death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned.”

God: Does He Exist?

God may not be provable through mathematical formulae or properties of physics, but we live in an era where the evidence of God is all around us. Just look through the Hubble Telescope and peer to the edge of the massive cosmos. View the monitor of an electron-scanning microscope and delve into the intricate world of an organic cell. Sit down and read an entire library of information that reveals the complexity of the digital code that turns a fertilized egg into a human being. Study principles of quantum mechanics and investigate the world of extra-dimensionality. Review the nature of your conscience, subconscious, standards of morality, thoughts of religion. Then, try to reconcile all of these realities with a basic theory of randomness. Not believing in God is much more of a “leap of faith” than ever.

Who Wrote the Bible - A Question of Eternal Significance

“Who Wrote the Bible” is indeed a question that everyone must ask. If indeed it is the Word of the living God, then no other book gives us more insight into our lives, more hope for our future, and a true path to a relationship with God. Search the Bible with openness and honesty and see for yourself what the Creator of the universe wants to tell you!

Who Wrote the Bible - Evidence of Divine Inspiration

“Who wrote the Bible” is a question that can be definitively answered by examining the biblical texts in light of the external evidences that supports its claims. 2 Timothy 3:16 states that “All scripture is inspired by God….” In 2 Peter 1:20-21, Peter reminds the reader to “know this first of all, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, …but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” The Bible itself tells us that it is God who is the author of His book. 

God does not leave us with just claims of His divine handiwork in the Bible, but also supports it with compelling evidence. The design of the Bible itself is a miracle. Written over more than 1,500 years by vastly different writers, yet every book in the Bible is consistent in its message. These 66 books talk about history, prophecy, poetry, and theology. Despite their complexity, differences in writing styles and vast time periods, the books of the Bible agree miraculously well in theme, facts and cross-referencing. No human beings could have planned such an intricate combination of books over a 1,500-year time span. Bible manuscripts (remember, there were no printing presses until 1455) have survived despite weather, persecution and time. Most ancient writings written on weak materials like papyrus have vanished all together. Yet many copies of the Old Testament scriptures survived. For instance, the Dead Sea Scrolls contain all books of the Old Testament, except Esther, and have been dated to before the time of Christ. Consider Julius Caesar’s Gallic Wars. Only ten copies written about 1,000 years after the event are in existence. In comparison, there are over 24,000+ New Testament manuscripts, the earliest one dating to within 24 years after Christ. 

The Bible also validates its divine authorship through fulfilled prophecies. An astonishing 668 prophecies have been fulfilled and none have ever been proven false (three are unconfirmed). An honest study of biblical prophecy will compellingly show the divine authorship of the Bible. Further, archeology confirms (or in some cases supports) accounts in the biblical record. No other holy book comes close to the Bible in the amount of evidence supporting its divine authorship.

Who Wrote The Bible?

Who Wrote the Bible - A Letter from God
“Who wrote the Bible” is a question that is undoubtedly asked by many who are familiar with the impact this book has made on people around the world. The Bible gives guidance in our journey through life to eternity, as well as leads us to a relationship with the God of the universe. It is a historical book that is backed by archeology, and a prophetic book that has lived up to all of its claims thus far. In light of all these facts, asking, “who wrote the bible,” is a vital question that deserves serious investigation and a serious response. The Bible is God’s letter to humanity collected into 66 books written by 40 divinely inspired writers. These writers come from all walks of life (i.e., kings to fishermen) and spans over a period of 1,500 years or more. These claims may seem dramatic (or unrealistic to some), but a careful and honest study of the biblical scriptures will show them to be true.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the deadaccording to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.

Bible Verses: The Power

Bible verses clearly communicate the message of God throughout the Bible. While liberal scholars and New Age proponents increasingly dispute the literal meaning of the Bible (and even God's existence), the verses of the Bible are clear and concise expressions of God's enduring truth. A powerful example of this type of verse is the way to salvation through John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Another solid truth is the importance of persevering as expressed in James 1:12: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." A final declaration of the power of scripture is found at Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 

Bible verses challenge people to make the right choices and think about their actions. Bible verses are God's gift of communication for His people to understand and follow. Bible verses inspire us, comfort us, and convict us. Bible verses reveal God's love and bring everlasting hope.

Bible Verses: The Purpose

Bible verses allow the story and facts of the Bible to be separated into practical tools for study and application. They allow the reader or teacher to isolate the meaning stated by the authors. This, in turn, facilitates translation and understanding of the subject matter. For example, Genesis 1:3 states: "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." The next verse, Genesis 1:4, follows: "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." 

A Bible verse usually contains a single sentence. Sometimes a verse contains two or more sentences. The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9 (78 words in the King James). The middle verse in the Bible is Psalm 118:8: "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." Using Bible verses has become a popular and effective way to apply God's will to practical living. As snippets of God's Word, Bible verses form the basis of church sermons, Bible studies, and reference tools in teaching.

Bible Verses: The Facts

The Holy Bible contains 66 books written by 40 different authors over approximately 1,500 years. The King James Bible contains 1,189 chapters, 31,101 verses, 783,137 words, and 3,566,480 letters. The Bible was the first book printed by Johannes Gutenburg, the inventor of the modern printing press in 1455-57. The Old Testament was divided into verses in 1448 and the New Testament was divided into verses in 1551.

The longest book in the Bible is Psalms. The shortest book is 3 John. The longest chapter in the Bible is PPsalm 119 nd the shortest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 117. The Bible is the best selling book in the world, with the total number of Bibles sold or given away each day estimated at 168,000 (Wycliffe International). A recent survey by Barna Research Group revealed that nearly 92% of American households own at least one Bible.

Bible Verses: The Benefits

Bible verses contain helpful insights on a variety of topics. A helpful tool when finding Bible verses on specific topics is a Bible Concordance. This tool shows contextual occurrences of many words throughout the Bible's 66 books. By using this tool, you will find the Bible speaks about many popular issues today: money, marriage, friendship, self-control, pride, and so much more!

Bible Verses About Relationships

There is no relationship manual that tells you how to overcome obstacles and strengthen the ties you have with your loved ones. Thankfully, the Bible offers some jewels of wisdom that can help you navigate the ups and downs of love, as well as convey your heartfelt thoughts to your future spouse. There are a number of wedding scriptures that touch on the subject of relationships that you may want to mention on the wedding day.

Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Proverbs 30:18-19: “There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don't understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman."

1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

Proverbs 31:10: "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

Ruth 1:16-17: “Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me."

Romans 12:10: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

1 Peter 4:8: “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."

Ephesians 5:21: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Genesis 2:18–25: “Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.' ... So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man."

1 Peter 3:7: “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."

Marriage Bible verses give you the opportunity to share your thoughts and emotions, even when other sentiments may fall short. There are times when only a carefully chosen piece of scripture will suffice, and now you don't have to peruse the Bible on your own to find the right words. You can use these Bible verses to express the joy, gratitude and happiness that you feel towards your significant other while paying tribute to your faith.

Bible Verses About Love

The Bible has a lot to say about the bonds of love and devotion. It speaks of the perfect love that everyone should have toward their friends, family and mankind, not to mention the Lord. However, it also offers a revealing look at the strength and hope that romantic love can provide. It can be difficult to put your feelings for one another into words, but these Bible verses on love seem to capture its essence just right.

Romans 13:8: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

1 Corinthians 13:2: “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."

1 Corinthians 16:14: “Do everything in love."

Song of Solomon 8:7: “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned."

Psalm 143:8: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

Ephesians 4:2: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

1 Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Song of Solomon 4:9: “You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace."

Bible Verses About Marriage

The Bible contains numerous references to the sanctity and beauty of marriage. Its poetic nuances eloquently sum up what it means to be in love and to commit yourself to your significant other for the rest of your life. These Bible verses on marriage are the ideal addition to your wedding vows, reception toast or invitations that are sent to your welcomed guests beforehand.

Genesis 1:27-28: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.' "

Malachi 2:14-15: “But you say, 'Why does he not?' Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant."

Isaiah 54:5: “For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called."

Song of Solomon 8:6-7: “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised."

Ephesians 4:2-3: “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?"

Ephesians 5:25: “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her."

Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Ecclesiastes 4:12: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Mark 10:9: “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ..."

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel is a very old Christmas hymn that dates back to around the 12th century. It was translated from Latin to English by John M. Neale in 1851. Known for it’s haunting melody and rich messianic themes it has remained a Christmas favorite for centuries. Let’s look at three stanzas.

O come, o come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Israel, like sheep, had wandered away from God. Held prisoner by their sin they longed for the promised Savior who would restore their relationship with the Father by making “his soul an offering for sin” thus making “intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:6;12) The Savior would pay the ransom that was owed and would lead the captives into the presence of God.

The hymn writer tells Israel to rejoice because Emmanuel is this Savior. Emmanuel means “God with us.” God Himself would be their Savior just as He had always been in times past. God is not unconcerned or unaware of their troubles. Rather He loves those who are lost and comes to save them personally.

We are to rejoice as well. Christ’s sacrifice was so great that it couldn’t be limited to just Israel. He is “salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6) He is my salvation and your salvation and the salvation of any who call upon His name. (Romans 10:12-13)

O come, O Rod of Jesse free,
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave

The “Rod of Jesse” is a reference to David’s father and the family line from which Christ would come. By becoming a man Christ would be able to be mankind’s kinsmen redeemer. A kinsmen redeemer was a close relative who would purchase back something a relative had sold because of debt.

Man, in a sense, sold his salvation to pay the sin debt he owed. By becoming a man, and living a perfect life, Jesus owed no debt making him qualified to become our kinsmen redeemer and purchase us back from sin.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Dayspring is the dawn, the first light of day. When our spirits were dark like midnight Christ rose like the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2) to be the “light of the world”. (John 8:12)

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79)

Rejoice! O Israel and all the world! God is with us and has set us free.

Joy In All Circumstances

Joy Comes From Being In Christ

It’s natural for people to be happy when things go well. But the Christian’s joy doesn’t come from earthly circumstances, it comes from being “in Christ” (Rom 15:17).

Christians think more of their Lord than their difficulties; more of their spiritual riches in Christ than their poverty on earth; more of the glorious future when their Lord should come again than of their unhappy past. (Rom 8:38-39)

God’s Purpose Is Being Worked Out

Christianity turns a person’s thoughts away from themselves and onto the great God who has saved them in Christ our Savior.

When a person comes to see that God in Christ has saved him, everything changes. He now realizes that God’s purpose is being worked out. He sees evidence of this in his own life and in the lives of those around him.

This leads the Christian to understand that a loving purpose is being worked out even during hard times (Rom 8:28). When he comes to see God’s hand in all things he learns to give thanks for all things and have joy in all circumstances.

– Leon Morris

Today’s Reminder: Strength For The Trial Ahead

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
– 1 John 4:4

Jesus Will Finish What He Started

“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6)

Quotes On Thankfulness

  “Foolish talking and jesting are not the ways in which Christian cheerfulness should express itself, but rather “giving of thanks”  (Eph. 5:4). Religion is the source of joy and gladness, but its joy is expressed in a religious way, in thanksgiving and praise.”  – Charles Hodge
 
  “Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all.” – Augustine

  “Thou who hast given so much to me, give me one more thing—a grateful heart!” – Unknown

  “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

  “Strength, rest, guidance, grace, help, sympathy, love – all from God to us!! What a list of blessings!” – E. Stenbock

  “The failure to return thanks for definite blessings received is a manifestation of ingratitude that grieves Jesus Christ.” – R. A. Torrey

  “We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experience that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious.

 We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

  “It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the institution seems to be thankful “in general.” It’s very strange. It’s a little like being married in general.” – Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

  “Whenever a man allows himself to have anxieties, fears, or complaints, he must consider his behavior as either a denial of the wisdom of God or as a confession that he is out of his will. To be always in a thankful state of heart before God is not to be considered a high plane of spirituality but rather the normal attitude of one who believes that “all things work together for good to them that love God, who are called according to his purpose.” – William Law

  “You say, ‘If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.’ You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.” – Charles Haddon Spurgeon

  “From a heart overflowing with gratitude, we will want to honor and glorify God by gratefully offering back to Him the many good gifts He has bestowed on us. We will not go to church to be entertained, to see “what we can get out of it” for our own private gratification, but rather to praise and worship the triune God of grace and glory”  – Anonymous

The First Christmas

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to the city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David.

Gabriel Visits Mary

The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said unto her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The Birth of Christ

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, and angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name, Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet, saying: “Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emanuel, which is translated, God with us.”

Then Joseph being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And called His name, Jesus.

No Room At The Inn

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirnius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

Joseph also went up out of Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and of the lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Wise Men

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea on the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who had been born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered together all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So the said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the Prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found him, bring back word to me, the I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the manger, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, the presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, the departed for the own country another way.

The Shepherds

Now there were in the country, shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, the angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring great tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in the manger.

Now when they had seen Him, the made widely known the saying which was told to them concerning the Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told them.

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, 
And the government shall be upon His shoulders.

And His name will be called, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace, there will be no end,

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

to order it and establish it with judgment and justice,

from that time forward, even forever.”

Where To Put Your Troubles

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall. – Psalm 55:22

Put your troubles where you have put your sins. You have put your sins onto Jesus — put your troubles there also!

As soon as the trouble comes tell it to your Father in heaven! Remember, the longer you take telling your trouble to God, the longer you will wait for peace. The longer the frost lasts, the more likely the ponds will be frozen.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28)

Putting your burden upon the Lord is the way to soothe sorrow. Oh, troubled Christians, don’t dishonor your faith by always wearing a frown of concern. Come, put your burden upon the Lord.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet 5:7)

You are staggering beneath a weight that He would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden would be nothing but a bit of dust to Him. The Almighty bends His shoulders, and He says to you, “Put your troubles here!”

– C.H. Spurgeon

Peace and Hope in Suffering

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” – Hebrews 11:1

The great chapter on faith in the Bible is Hebrews, chapter 11. It begins, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

What is often overlooked in this chapter, though, is the final eight verses where we get the balanced picture of faith as that which lays hold on God for rescue from suffering and as that which lays hold on God for peace and hope in suffering.

Verse 33 says “By faith they conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection…”

Now if we stopped reading here our conception of how the quality of faith manifests itself would be very distorted, because here it sounds as if faith always wins in this life.

But here a shift occurs and we find that faith is also the power to lose our life: “By faith … others were tortured, not accepting release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; others experienced mocking and scourging, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheep skins, in goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy) wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground . . . And all these gained approval through their faith. . . ”

The glory of God is manifested when He heals, and when he gives a sweet spirit of hope and peace to the person that He does not heal, for that, too, is a miracle of grace! O, that we might be a people among whom God is often healing our sicknesses, but is always causing us to be full of joy and peace while our sickness remains.

If we are a humble and childlike people who cry out to God in our need and trust in His promises, the Holy Spirit will help us and God will bless us with every possible blessing. He will, as the text says, work everything together for our good.

– John Piper

Today’s Reminder: Strength For The Trial Ahead

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
– 1 John 4:4

David’s Psalm of Thanks

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.  Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his miracles.  Exult in his holy name; O worshipers of the LORD, rejoice!  Search for the LORD and for his strength, and keep on searching.  Think of the wonderful works he has done, the miracles, and the judgments he handed down, O children of Israel, God’s servant, O descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen one.

He is the LORD our God. His rule is seen throughout the land. He always stands by his covenant – the commitment he made to a thousand generations.  This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to the people of Israel as a never-ending treaty:  “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.”  

He said this when they were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan.  They wandered back and forth between nations, from one kingdom to another. Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf:  “Do not touch these people I have chosen, and do not hurt my prophets.”  

Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.  Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be revered above all gods.  The gods of other nations are merely idols, but the LORD made the heavens!  Honor and majesty surround him; strength and beauty are in his dwelling.  O nations of the world, recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong.  Give to the LORD the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come to worship him.

Worship the LORD in all his holy splendor. Let all the earth tremble before him. The world is firmly established and cannot be shaken.  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations that the LORD is king. Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy!  Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the LORD! For he is coming to judge the earth.  

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.”  Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people shouted “Amen!” and praised the LORD

Angels and Demons

Their Creation and Nature

Angels have become very popular in recent years. You’ll find them featured in countless books, movies, artwork and television shows. The popularity of angels shows that our culture has a great interest in spiritual things. But the way angels are portrayed also shows us that our culture doesn’t have a good understanding of what the Bible says about them.

When someone has a spiritual curiosity or hunger, but isn’t grounded in Scripture, it can lead to that person being deceived and led away from God instead of towards Him.

Misunderstanding angels is one way people can be deceived. For example, I once came across a website that, for a fee, will send you a personalized email from an angel. For a more significant fee you can talk to an angel via Instant Messenger!

Obviously there are many people willing to take advantage of those who are searching and we must guard against this by knowing what the Bible says. The way to satisfy spiritual cravings is through Christ and His Word. Any other road will lead you down the wrong path.

Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him (Ps 148:1-5; Col 1:16). Calvin described angels as “heavenly spirits, whose obedience and ministry God employs to execute all the purposes which he has decreed,” while the writer of Hebrews described them as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.” (Heb 1:14)

There are countless numbers of angels (Dan 7:10; Heb 12:22), though they do not reproduce (Matt 22:30). It’s possible that Matthew 18:10 hints that there are at least as many angels as there are humans who have lived throughout history.

Exactly when they were created is unknown, but they were present during the creation of the world, and shouted for joy when they witnessed God’s creative power. (Job 38:6-7)

Like humans, angels are personalities who display intelligence, emotion and freewill. But while humans are both spiritual and material beings (Jam 2:26) angels are only spirit. (Heb 1:14) They sometimes appear in the glory of the Lord (Luke 2:9), sometimes as men (Heb 13:2; Mar 16:5), and sometimes appear as strange forms (Isa 6; Ezk 1).

Angels are limited beings and are not omniscient (2 Pet 2:11). They desire to learn more about the gospel (1 Pet 1:12) and rejoice when a sinner repents. (Lk 15:10)

Also like humans angels have freewill and can choose to either follow God or rebel against Him. And rebel is just what one angel named Lucifer and his followers did.

War In Heaven

Lucifer, whose name means “light bearer” or “morning star”, is not God’s equal. Like all beings, he is merely a creation of God and must submit to His sovereignty. (Ps 148:1-5; Col 1:16)

Lucifer held an exalted position in heaven. He may have been a cherub. (Ezk 28:14) Cherubs are high-ranking angels whose ministry involves, in some way, guarding the Lord’s holiness. This position would have allowed Lucifer to possibly be closer to God than any other creature.

But Lucifer wasn’t satisfied with simply being in the presence of God’s throne. He became filled with pride (1 Tim 3:6) and desired a throne of his own, one exalted above God’s. (Isa 14:13) He wanted to be like the Most High (Isa 14:14).

Lucifer wasn’t alone in his quest to be his own god. He convinced one-third of the heavenly host to join him in his rebellion. (Rev 12:4) But God is omniscient (1 Jn 3:20) and omnipotent (Rev 1:8) no being can oppose Him. Lucifer’s war was lost before it even began. His fate is sealed. (Gen 3:15; Rev 20:10)

We tend to think that people reject God because they don’t know Him like we know Him. That if only they could experience the love and fulfillment we have experienced then they would embrace Him too. But that isn’t always true. Lucifer and his followers lived every moment before God yet they choose to hide their faces from Him.

Be it angels or humans, it isn’t enough to simply have knowledge of who God is, we must also be willing to come to Him on His terms and call Him our Lord. (Jam 2:19; Rom 6:16)

And so Lucifer and his followers turned against God. Angels who remained loyal to the Lord were the holy or elect angels (Matt 25:31;1 Tim 5:21) while those who choose to follow Satan became known as demons. (Matt 12:24)

Lucifer, the morning star, had fallen. Satan, the adversary, was born.

The Work Of Christ, Angels And Demons

Satan took his war against God to a new battlefront – the heart of man. He tempted Adam and Eve to sin (Gen 3:1) which led to man being spiritually separated from God. (Rom 6:23)

God responded to this attack by promising to send a Seed who would restore that tarnished relationship and crush Satan (Gen 3:15). Jesus Christ, God the Son, was that Seed. At His death on the cross Christ defeated Satan. (Heb 2:14) Man’s relationship with God was restored and the countdown to Satan’s final judgment began. (John 4:16; Rev 20)

As Satan’s time runs short he and his demons increase their activity. (Rev 12:12) These activities involve opposing the plan of God (Dan 10:13) and leading people away from Christ. (1 Cor 10:20) They appeal to man’s spiritual desires by disguising themselves as “angels of light” (2 Cor 11:14), seducing many with wicked doctrine, (1 Tim 4:1) and drawing them into a form of godliness which has no power to save. (2 Tim 3:5)

Demons can sometimes afflict people with various physical conditions (Matt 9:33; Mark 5:2-16) though it’s important to note that Scripture distinguishes between natural and demonic illness (Matt 4:24; Mrk 1:32). They attempt to delay the answers to godly prayer (Dan 10:13) and draw nations into war (Rev 16:14).

Demons attempt to snare believers in sin (1 Tim 3:7). When they sin Satan acts as their accuser (Rev 12:10).

But where Satan accuses, Christ serves as the believers advocate (1 Jhn 2:1). Where demons reject God, the holy angels worship Him (Psa 148:2; Heb 1:6). Where demons oppose the Lord, the holy angels serve Him (Psa 103:20). Where demons draw men away from Christ the holy angels rejoice when a sinner repents (Lk 15:10).

Holy Angels announce and execute judgment on God’s command (Rev 14:6-7; Rev 16:1). They appear to be involved somehow in bringing answers to prayer requests (Dan 10:12; Acts 12:5-10), though as mere servants of God they are never to be prayed to or worshiped. To do so would be a terrible sin. (Col 2:18)

Holy angels observe our world, taking special interest in Christ’s work on the cross. (1 Pet 1:12) No doubt they were amazed to see the Lord step out of glory and into our fallen world. They must have marveled at the thought of He who knew no sin becoming sin on our behalf. (2 Cor 5:21) Every day they witness His grace in the lives of believers and it cause them to praise His holy name. It should cause us, the recipients of His grace, to do no less.