Christ the King

Christ IS the King!!!

As an evangelical Christian I had no idea that there was a day set aside by the Liturgical Churches to honor Christ as King; until my pastor brought it up one Sunday. Wow! That was the beginning of these posts. You will find these blog post links on this page every year. I pray you are inspired and more in love with Jesus than ever before.

This year November 26, 2017 is Christ the King day, according to many church calendars. It is the last Sunday before Advent (Coming of Christ) starts to bring in the Christmas season. All of this week it is my hope to honor Jesus as Christ the King by posting verses speaking of who He is as our King... yours and mine.

James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

Sunday

Behold Your King!

Today's readings are: Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 9:9,

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey...'"
Matt. 21:5 NKJ

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday He rode on a little foal of a donkey. The crowds were cheering and waving palm branches. Many of them were wondering if this was the coming of God's chosen one. On that day, He fulfilled this prophecy of the coming Messiah: Read More

In the navigation bar above you will find the Christ the King page. On this page it links to a whole week of posts honoring Christ as King!

Advent 2017

  This year Advent begins on December 2, 2018. It is the first Sunday of December this year and marks the beginning of the Advent (Coming of Christ) season. I pray your Christmas Season will be blessed in looking at Biblical passages declaring the first coming of Christ.

This year we are doing something different rather than re-posting every post I have created a page for each week that will link to the posts for that week. In the navigation bar above you will find  Advent related pages - What is Advent?, A list of Advent Readings that you can print and follow on your own. And I have Advent Week 1 as well.

Here is a sample of the first Post. The Theme for this week is:

The Light of Hope Shines in the Darkness

Sunday  

A Great Light Will Shine
Isaiah 9:2-6

A Great Light will Shine

"The people who walk in darkness 

will see a great light. 

For those who live in a land of deep darkness, 

a light will shine... 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. 

The government will rest on his shoulders. 

And he will be called: 

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." 

Isaiah 9:2-6 NLT

Today I put up the same post as Advent for Kids for you to see. The following day, the posts on Journey with Jesus will be much more in-depth. Whereas the posts on Advent for Kids will be similar but more kid/ family friendly. Enjoy this Season with your Lord and family. Blessings ~ Sheri

Read More: 

In the Tomb

Silent Sabbath
Saturday: Genesis 1:26, 2:1-3, 7, John 1:1-14, 19:28-30,

On the sixth day of creation God formed the man Adam, the first human being, from the dust of the ground..I imagine He formed Adam with His own hands. Then He breathed the breath of life into him and man became a living soul. On the sixth day God finished His marvelous work of creation. Then on the seventh day He rested from all of His work. We are told in many instances in the Bible that God created everything through Jesus Christ. Now we see Christ dead in a tomb. How could that be? The Creator of Life dead in a stone tomb?

 On the sixth day of Passover week, Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified.  His arms were stretched out across a wooden beam and the beautiful hands that formed Adam, the first man; were now nailed to the cross.  As He hung there, a breath away from death, He said:  "'It is Finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His Spirit."John 19:30 NKJ  He breathed His last breathe on this earth, as a human on the sixth day of Passover Week. He was taken down in the evening and laid in a tomb. It was preparation day for Sabbath and His body needed to be put away.

On this sixth day of His Passion, He finished His work. He died in our place to reconcile us with God; and then on the seventh day He rested. On that blessed and holy Sabbath day the author of life laid lifeless. He rested from all His work. The Creator who spoke Creation into existence lay silent... in a cold dark tomb. What was this Work that Christ accomplished? And why was it necessary?

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What Does Christs Death Mean to Me?

"Then Jesus shouted out again, 'It is finished!' and He released His Spirit. 

At that moment the curtain in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom." 

Matthew 27:50, 50 and John 19:30 NLT

Lord, Jesus You finished what You came to do. You "poured out Your soul unto death and bore our sins. Isa. 53:12 NLT You Lord, 2000 years ago bore my sin, and now through faith in Your finished work, I am free and forgiven... reconciled to God. The veil that separated me from You is now torn in two, opening access into the very presence of God. Thank You Father, for You have:

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The King on the Cross

In Pilates Court

Reading: John 18: 28-40, 19:1- 16, Matthew 27: 24, 25 NLT, Luke 19:41-44 NKJ, Matthew 23:37-39 NKJ

Dear Reader, This is a very powerful, painful and passionate time in Jesus' life. I have arranged scripture together for you to read on your own with a question and a few thoughts at the bottom. God bless you as you see His heart and partake of His pain on this Good Friday.

Christ is Mocked by Carl Bloch

"Jesus’ trial before Caiaphas ended in the early hours of the morning. Then he was taken to the headquarters of the Roman governor. His accusers didn’t go inside because it would defile them, and they wouldn’t be allowed to celebrate the Passover. So Pilate, the governor, went out to them and asked, “What is your charge against this man?” “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he weren’t a criminal!” they retorted. “Then take him away and judge him by your own law,” Pilate told them. “Only the Romans are permitted to execute someone,” the Jewish leaders replied.

Then Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus to be brought to him. “Are you the king of the Jews?” he asked him. Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate retorted. “Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Pilate said, “So you are a king?” Jesus responded, “You say I am a king. Actually, I was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true.” “What is truth?” Pilate asked. 

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The King On The Cross

Friday: Matthew 27:26- 61

Pilate gave his soldiers the order to flog Jesus with a whip with metal tips on it. (The whip had nine "tails" each with sharp metal tied to them.) Then he turned Him over to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus into their head quarters and gathered more soldiers around. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him, so fitting considering the blood now running down His body. They wove thorny branches together to form a crown and pressed it on His head, causing blood to run down on His face. They placed a stick in His right hand to be a scepter and knelt before Him... mocking Him... taunting Him, saying 'Hail the King of the Jews!' They spit on Him and hit Him on the head with the "scepter". When they tired of this cruel game, they took off the robe, put on His own clothes and led Him away to be crucified. Along the way, Jesus became weak and had difficulty carrying the cross; so they found a man named Simon to carry the cross for Him. They went out to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where they nailed Him to a cross.

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The Last Supper

The Last Supper was a time when Jesus was intimate and expressed deep love for His disciples. The poignancy and depth of what He did and discuss with them is profound for the disciples and for us disciples of Christ today. He was preparing them for what was going to come, much sooner than they realized... within a few hours in fact! He explained to them that He would soon leave them, but through the Spirit of God; they could abide IN Him and share the oneness with Him that He shared with the Father. He would bring them, all of His disciples into oneness with the Father Himself.  He was also preparing them for the ministry they would carry on in His physical absence. John 13 - 17 gives this account.

The Full Extent of His Love
Thursday: John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48

In our reading today lets look on at Jesus' last meal with His disciples. He knew this was His last time with them. In these closing moments with them, what was the most important things He would do and say to His disciples before He left them?

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.


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Gethsemmane, the Garden of Tears
Thursday: Matthew 26:38- 39 NLT,  Luke 22:42-45 NLT

Gethsemane by Carl Bloch

After His last supper with His disciples, Jesus went with them to an olive grove called the Garden of Gethsemane. He told His disciples  

"'My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.' He went on a little farther and bowed with His face to the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from Me.'" 

Matthew 26:38- 39 NLT  

"'Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.'" Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him. He prayed more fervently, and He was in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last He stood up and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief." 

Luke 22:42-45 NLT

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Betrayal, The Kiss of a Friend and a Rooster Crows
Thursday: Mark 14:27-31, Mark 14: 35, 36, Luke 22: 48

"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: " 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.  Mark 14:27-31

After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples went to a grove, among the olive trees called the Garden of Gethsemane. He told them that His soul was crushed with grief. "He went along a little further and fell to the ground. He prayed to the Father, that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. ' Abba Father,... everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'... 

Judas Betrays with a Kiss Thomas Coutere

Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with swords and clubs... The traitor, Judas had given them a prearranged signal: 'You will know which one to arrest when I greet Him with a kiss'... As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. 'Rabbi he exclaimed, and gave Him the kiss." Mark 14: 35,36 NLT

"... Jesus said, 'Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?' Luke 22: 48 NLT

After a scuffle, Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the temple guard: "'Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn't you arrest Me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.' So they arrested Him and led Him to the high priests home. 

Peter denies Jesus by Carl Bloch

Peter followed at a distance" and joined the guards around a campfire in the courtyard. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and said, "'This man was one of Jesus' followers!'" Later someone else looked at Him and said "'You must be one of them!' 'No, man, I am not! Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, 'This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.' But Peter said, 'Man, I don't know what you are talking about.' And immediately, while he was still speaking the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, 'Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know Me.' And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly."

"Then the guards in charge of Jesus began mocking and beating Him. They blindfolded Him and said, 'Prophesy to us! Who hit you that time?' And they hurled all sorts of terrible insults at Him." Luke 22: 52- 64 NLT

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Jesus Loves You

A Drifted Log Message

"Jesus loves you"

I took this photo a few months ago, when my husband and I were walking along a beach in Northern Oregon. It was a beautiful sunny day; but there was a very strong wind. We found shelter beside a makeshift driftwood structure, apparently assembled on a windy day. It was cozy to sit on this log out of the wind and warmed by the sun. I snapped the picture just before we left.

“Jesus loves you”. How could that have any meaning at all for people today? It's been so long since Jesus walked the mountains and valleys of the Holy Land of modern day Israel. How could He love you or I today? What was so extraordinary about him that we would still be talking about Him today over 2,000 years later?  Who was He? Was He born to an important family of the day? Not really. His parents were Joseph and Mary, simple people from the small village of Nazareth. Was He an important religious our political leader? Not really. Why did historians even mention Him?

Son of God

This week is the Son of God Series beginning January 12th.  This page will link all of the posts together instead of posts coming up daily:

Adam, son of God

"... Adam, the son of God."
God has two sons and one daughter that are unique among humanity. He has a son and a daughter that were not born, they were created by God Himself! (See Genesis 1 and 2). We are all sons of Adam and daughters of Eve, as the children in the Chronicles of Narnia were referred to; because we all descend from them. We have an inheritance of being made in God's image, after His likeness, with incredible potential and opportunity. Yet, all of this was marred with sin.  Read More

 
Jesus, Son of the Most High
"You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name of Jesus.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."
God's only begotten Son, Jesus was not created, He has always been with God, even before creation, as we can see in John 1: 1 & 2. He humbled Himself to leave the realm of glory with the Father to become human. He was begotten by the Holy Spirit in Mary, a human being. He lived a perfect sinless life, and died a terrible death to once and for all pay for the penalty of man's sin; so humanity could once again be reconciled to God. Lets read Romans 5:12-21 to see the contrast of the two son's of God. Read More

 
Jesus, Son of Abraham

"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the Son of David, the Son of Abraham."
Abraham is the father of righteousness through faith. Even though, he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, he believed God could keep His promise. For nothing is impossible with God. What is the significance of Jesus being the Son of Abraham? Read More

Jesus, Son of David
"The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham."

In Luke 1:31-33, Gabriel told Mary,
"... you will conceive... and bring forth a Son and shall call His name Jesus. 

He will be... called Son of the Most High; 

and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His Father David...

and of His Kingdom there will be no end."

This fulfills a promise made to King David in 2Samuel 7:11-14. David was dwelling in his beautiful house of cedar and decided to build a house for the Arc of God. He told this to Nathan the prophet who then said to do all that was in his heart for the Lord. But that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan saying,  Read More

Jesus, Son of God

"... who was, who is and who is to come, the Almighty."
With this Son of God series we looked at Jesus as the Son of the Promise. God made promises to His people of one to come as a deliverer and a Savior. These promises were made through the ages spanning from Adam and Eve, to Abraham and to King David of the coming of Christ. Where is Jesus now? What is yet to come? Read More

Sunday, January 18th we will begin in Matthew 3 with the ministry of John the Baptist, followed by the early ministry of Jesus and move into the beatitudes. 

Searching for the King

Reading:  Matthew 2:1-11 NLT & NKJ

Here we are, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, Epiphany... the revelation and worship of the King of all kings. 

Searching for the King- Michael Dudash... see below to order prints

"Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 'Where is the newborn King of the Jew's? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him... Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared... the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. They entered the house, saw the child with His mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped Him (for whom a star was born). NLT And when they had opened their treasures, they presented to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh."NKJ 
Matthew 2:1-11 NLT & NKJ    

The gold was fit for a king, the KING of all kings who have ever lived! He is the KING for whom the star was born. They presented Him with frankincense for a priest, Jesus our Savior, is the Priest of all Priests; the great High Priest, who is now seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. (Hebrews 8:1) The myrrh, which was used for burials was perhaps offered for the sacrifice. Then God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod and they left another way to return to their own country. 

Do you ever wonder who these wise men were? They were the astronomers of their day and were sensitive to the Spirit of God. I wonder if we will get to meet them, and learn more about these kings, these mysterious Magi, the wise men from the east.
.

Oh let us seek Him and worship Him in joyous adoration!

Order prints of Searching for the King

This year I will put up weekly posts instead of daily, linking daily readings from previous posts:
This week is the son of God series beginning January 12th:

Adam, son of God

Jesus, Son of God

Jesus, Son of Abraham

Jesus, Son of David

Jesus, Son of God

Then on Sunday, January 18th we will transition from daily readings to twice weekly.
We will begin in Matthew 3 with the ministry of John the Baptist, 
then the early ministry of Jesus and move into the beatitudes. 

We hold this Treasure

Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7, 

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, 

that the excellence of the power 
may be of God and not of us." 

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, 

but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars 

containing this great treasure. 

This makes it clear that our great power 
is from God, not from ourselves." 

2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJ & NLT

What treasure is this talking about? 

"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' 

has made this light shine in our hearts 

so we could know the glory of God 

that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." 

4:6 NLT

This great treasure is the light that God put in our hearts allowing us "see" the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We are like fragile clay jars that contain great treasure and great power from God! Wow amazing. Now I will tell you the Great Mystery of the ages that is found in Colossians:

"Christ in you, the hope of glory." 

Colossians 1:27 NKJ

This Great Mystery of the ages is Christ in you, the hope of glory. If Christ lives in us, it is like a guarantee that we will share in His glory some day. That's me and you, all who have Christ in their heart, we will share in His glory. The indwelling Christ is the greatest treasure in the entire Universe and to think that through His grace, we can have the privilege of Him dwelling in us, these little jars of clay, full of cracks and flaws. Even the great treasures of the world, the treasure of the Magi; can not compare to Immanuel, God with us, God within us! So much wealth has been given to us, how could we ever repay? The gift of the Magi, as impressive as it was, was just a token compared to the greatest gift ever given... God Himself as the sacrifice, to redeem and buy us back from the power of the evil one and to dwell, not in the Holy of Holies of a sacred temple, but in the hearts of those chosen by Him!

The Greatest treasure is You, Lord Jesus, 
dwelling IN me, a fragile clay jar!

Thank You, Lord

Who Purchased the Treasure?

Reading: Matt. 13:44, Acts 20:28, John 3:16, John 15:13,

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field.
In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned
to get enough money to buy the field".
Matthew 13:44 NLT

The treasure of the Kingdom is so amazing, that if we could just somehow comprehend the breadth of the wealth of the Kingdom; that we would sell every thing we have to possess the Kingdom. But there is another way to look at this. Consider that Jesus was the purchaser who gave His all to secure the Kingdom for us and to reconcile us to God. The book of Acts says  

"Feed and shepherd God's flock-His own church,  

purchased with His own blood." 

Acts 20:28 NLT  

In His own words:  

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
" There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
John 3:16, 15:13 NLT

Not only is the Kingdom worth all we have or could give; 

but Jesus gave His all to share the Kingdom with us. 

Thank You, Lord.

The Treasure is the Kingdom of Heaven

Sermon on the Mount = Carl Bloch

Reading: Matt. 13:44, Matt 6:19-34,
In the last post we looked at the treasure as the word of God and His treasure for us being that sense we have of "fearing" Him, being in awe of Him. As both David and Solomon said "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". It really is the fear of the Lord where we start in the beatitudes. In light of the glory of God, Who am I? This is what it means to be poor in spirit. It is when we consider the abundant riches of God that we recognize our own poverty and need for Him. Later in Matthew, Jesus told the following parable:

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field,
which a man found and hid;
and for the joy over it
he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Matt. 13:44 NKJ

When we put this parable on treasure with the treasure verses in the Sermon on the Mount, I believe we see what Jesus was pointing to:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth... (which is not lasting), 

but lay up treasure in heaven... (eternal treasure) 

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be...
no one can serve two masters... 

you can not serve both God and money. 

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life... 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously,
and He will give you everything you need."
Matt. 6:19-34 NKJ and NLT

Jesus' teachings are so simple in the truth they speak of and so far reaching into our lives as we seek to live them. In our American culture steeped in the material realm, it is difficult to navigate as a Christian with a love for God and a desire to live for Him. What does that mean for my life? My lifestyle? Where is my treasure? Is it centered in the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of light or in the kingdom of this age, the kingdom of darkness? Ouch! The way we live our lives and our lifestyle seems so "normal". Where is my hearts desire? Is it centered directly into the Kingdom? Or is it something really good, but not best. As Olswald Chambers says in "My Utmost for His Highest" May 25:

"As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.

When ever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices that are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best." UT 5/25

I don't know how this plays out in your life. But I know that periodically we need to come before Him to see if we are really seeking His Kingdom first and truly living a life of faith before Him. This is such a time for me.

I hope this blesses you today. There is more treasure coming. I am in awe of the kindness of God toward us.

Searching for Treasure

Reading: Matt. 2:1-12, 6:19-24, Col. 3:1-16

As we celebrate Epiphany, let's look at the story of the Magi as they brought treasure to the baby Jesus. Here are some verses to set the stage:

Searching for the King- Michael Dudash  Click image on side bar to order

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem...wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'... And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2: 1-12 NKJ

These men brought rare, costly treasure to honor this King of the Jews that they worshiped. While this earth has beautiful, rare treasures; is there treasure that can not be seen in this realm and belongs to the Kingdom of God? When the Christ child grew up, here is what He said:

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasure on earth... but... treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:21 NKJ

"Wherever your treasure is there the desires of your heart will also be." NLT

The words of Jesus are amazing, the simplest sentence can keep us intrigued for a lifetime as we grow in understanding of Him. What is this treasure in heaven that He speaks of? The Apostle Paul said to the church in Colossae:

"Since... you have been raised with Christ, set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."  Col 3:1-4 NIV

Our focus, the desires of our heart are to be on interests of heaven. Where else can we find reference to heavenly treasure? David writes in Psalms:

"My heart stands in awe of Your word. 

I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great treasure." 

Psalm 119:147,161 & 2, NKJ

Isaiah says:

"The fear of the Lord is His treasure."
Isa. 33:6 NKJ

Ah, here is the beginning of the treasure hunt. The search begins with fear of the Lord, awe of who He is. If we have this view of God it is treasure to behold... behold Him. We can "see" His handiwork in the created world and be amazed by Him. It is in the word of God that we find the greatest treasure of who He is and His grand design for us.

Be Blessed today and we will dig up more in the days to follow.

Beginning's

Today's Reading: John 1:1-5, Genesis 1,

Happy New Year!!! It is so nice to have a time of reflection over our life for the past year and then look forward to a brand new year... like a new journal, with blank pages just waiting to be written on. It is a time to start fresh, to consider what can be different, what can change, new hopes and new dreams. It is a time of new beginnings and I thought it fitting to just put up verses from the word of God about beginnings. Enjoy His glorious creation and our beginnings.

"In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made that was made.
In Him was life and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it."
John 1:1,2




"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was without form, and void;
and darkness was on the face of deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Then God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light.
And God saw the light, that it was good;
and God divided the light from the darkness...
Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image,
according to Our likeness;
let them have dominion... over all the earth...
So God created man in His own image;
in the image of God He created them."
Genesis 1:1-28

Jesus, the Word was in the beginning with God. Glory to the Majestic Creator of the Heavens and the Earth!

Earth is unique among planets in it's position with in the solar system and even the galaxy. It is the only planet known that can sustain life. It is as though God created an entire universe to place us, the humans He created after His own likeness.

So great is His love for us!

A Time of Renewal

Welcome as we begin a whole new year! 

This time of year is wonderful because it is a time of renewal... a time to set aside the mistakes of the past and look ahead to a fresh start. It is the dawn of a whole new year. Renewal is the very essence of the gospel of Christ. What Paul said to the Corinthians ine 5:17 is especially fitting:

"... if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: 

old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." KJV

The New Living Translation says it this way:

"...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 

The old life is gone; a new life has begun."

At the start of the new year, many people make a resolution to read their Bibles. Some commit to read the entire Bible in a year, an excellent, but very ambitious undertaking. I have found a The One Year Bible, which has the entire New Living Translation arranged in 365 Daily Readings. What is great about this is it's flexibility! Every day you read from the Old Testament, from the New, Psalms and Proverbs. You can commit to read it all or a portion, say OT one year and NT the next, etc. Plus you can break it up through out the day, depending on your schedule... say Psalms first thing in the morning, then OT or NT at Breakfast, Lunch, or evening and Proverbs for family dinner time discussion. I am hoping to get an audio Bible to listen to portions of the plan as I do my tasks through out the day.

For the Journey with Jesus blog, we will pick up where we left off with the Christmas story and begin with the ministry of John the Baptist and then the new ministry of Jesus found in chapters 3 and 4 of both Matthew and Luke. Following that we will look at the Beatitudes as a preparation for Passion Week. Blessings ~ Sheri

I am with You Always

Today's Reading: Matthew 28:10, 16-20

"Do not be afraid... 

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and in earth. 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them 

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

and lo,  

I am with you always,

even to the end of the age."

I thank God, that even in times of turmoil, we need not fear because
ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH
HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE RISEN LORD!
HALLELUJAH!

No matter what happens, He is with us always, 

even to the very end of the age!!!

Jesus is Coming

Today's Reading: Revelation 22

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life,  clear as crystal,
proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 
In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, 
was the tree of life,... 
yielding fruit every month. 
The leaves were for the healing of the nations... 
These words are faithful and true.
 
The Lord God... sent His angel to show...what must shortly take place.
'Behold, I am coming quickly!
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book... 
I am the Alpha and Omega, 
the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last...
I am the Root and the Offspring of David, 
the Bright and Morning Star...
Surely, I am coming quickly.' Amen.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come!... 
And let him who thirsts come. 
Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."
Excerpts from Revelation 22.

 Hallelujah! Come Lord Jesus come! 

We wait as a bride waits for her groom, with great joy and anticipation. 

COME JESUS COME!

The New Heaven and New Earth

Todays Reading: 2 Peter 3:10, 13, Revelation 21

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise,
and the elements will melt with fervent heat;
both the earth and the works that are in it
will be burned up...

Nevertheless we, according to His promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth
in which righteousness dwells."
2 Peter 3:10,13

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth
had passed away...
Then I, John, saw the holy city,
New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
'Behold, the dwelling of God is with men
and He will live with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death, or mourning,
or crying or pain for the former things have passed away."
Rev 21:1-4

As we approach the end this year, we are confident a new year will begin. So too as we near the end of the age; know that a new age is coming... a new heaven and a new earth... dwelling with God! Let us affirm our hope of what will surely come to pass. Be encouraged and blessed.

"Behold I make all things new."
Rev 21:5

The Throne in Heaven

Today's Reading: Revelation 4 & amplified;5 Ephesians 1:9,10, Col 1:19,20

In John's vision of the Risen Lord, Jesus tells him to write letters to the 7 churches in Asia. After that John looked "and behold, a door standing open in heaven." A voice called to him saying "Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold a throne in heaven,..."

Read chapter four, only 11 verses to catch a glimpse of the glory of God, heaven and the worship of God.Then in chapter five,(14 verses), we see a scroll in the right hand of God and a strong angel proclaimed in a loud voice

"Who is worthy to open the scroll and loose it's seals?"
"I,(John) wept much,
because no one was found worthy
to open and read the scroll or look at it.
But one of the elders said to me 'Do not weep.
Behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah,
the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll...
And I looked, and behold in the midst...
stood a lamb as though it had been slain...
He came and took the scroll out of the hand
of Him who sat on the throne.
Now when He had taken the scroll,
the four living creatures and
the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb...
and... sang a new song,
'You are worthy to take the scroll
and open its seals; For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood..."
Revelation 5:2-9

The Story of the entire Bible from Genesis through Revelation, the greatest story ever told in all of Creation, is God's love, mercy and redemption of fallen man. Written on this scroll is the the end of all the ages with everything brought to completion; where Christ gathers everything together in heaven and earth into one and reconciles them to God.
"... in the dispensation of the fullness of the times
He might gather together in one all things in Christ,
both which are in heaven and 

which are on earthin Him."
Ephesians 1:10

"... and by Him to reconcile all things on earth
or things in heaven, having made peace
through the blood of His cross.
And you, who once were alienated...
He has now reconciled
in the body of His flesh through death,
to present you holy, and blameless,
and above reproach in His sight."
Colossians 1:20-22

"Behold! The Lamb of God,
who takes away the sins of the world!"
John 1:29

"Worthy is the Lamb... to receive power and riches
and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!
Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"
Revelation 5:11,13

Hallelujah!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Reading: Revelation 1

Yesterday we looked at the Wise Men coming to Jerusalem and asking "Where is He who is born King of the Jews?" We saw the prophecy of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and then with in the week, He was crucified; and did not reign over a Kingdom on this earth. What happened to the Great King prophesied through out the Old Testament? He was resurrected and taken up into heaven. Where is He now?

The book of the Revelation is the Revelation of the resurrected Christ! It is written by the Apostle John who had a vision of the risen Lord. John was close to Jesus during His life on this earth. He was one of His three closest friends and traveled everywhere with Him. As a young man he saw Jesus with his own eyes, heard His actual voice speak and touched Him with his own hands (I John 1). He wrote the gospel story of what he experienced with Jesus so that we might believe in Him and have life in His Name. (John 20:31)

Now he is an old man imprisoned on an Island and all of the other disciples that were with Jesus have died, most were martyred for their faith. He was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and received a Revelation of the Risen Lord. In verses 9-20 he "sees" the Eternal Christ. Even though he was so familiar with Jesus when He walked on earth with John, he was awestruck and

"fell at His feet as though dead!"

In our comfort as the children of God, seeing Him as our Father, perhaps we forget the awe and reverence we should feel for the living God and risen Christ. The eternal realm, though all around us is veiled, so we can not see into it. But on rare occasions, an eternal being opens the curtain and a mere human gazes into the glory the Kingdom Realm. We read this in the visions Zacharias, Mary and the shepherds had. The first response was fear. Yet each time, they were told "Do not be afraid". I love the way the Risen Lord "laid His right hand on" John and said to him "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last".

At this point in my walk of faith, I am trying to understand the place of the fear of God in the life of His people and in my own life. This journey in reading the Nativity this month has kept me in awe of His tender mercy and amazing plan for us. As Mary said in her Song in Luke "His mercy is on those who fear Him." It is my hope you will be in awe of the Nativity Story and in the coming days ahead.

 

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near...
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come...
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born from the dead,
and the ruler over the kings of the earth. 

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins with His own blood, 

and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, 

to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" 

vs 1:3-6

Jesus the Word of God

Todays Reading: Mainly John 1:14-18, choose one or more of the following as time allows: 2Peter 1:16-19, Matt. 17:1-7, Col. 2:9,10, Eph3:19-21, 2Peter 1:3,4 or just read these excerpts below:

Look... behold who He is, what He is like and what we have in Him.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth."
John 1:14

"... we... were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For He received from God the Father honor and glory
when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory:
'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased..."
2Peter 1:16-19, Matt. 17:1-7

"And of His fullness we have all received,
and grace for grace."
John 1:16

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him,
who is the head of all principality and power."
Col. 2:9,10

"... to know the love, of Christ which passes knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
Eph. 3:19-21

Fullness: full measure, copiousness, plenitude, fullness and completion.

"His divine power has given us everything we need
for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him...
He has given us very great and precious promises,
so that through them
you may participate in the divine nature,
and escape corruption in the world caused by evil desires."
2Peter 1:3,4

Lord, I am amazed by You and what You have provided for us. Deepen our understanding of these great truths that we may comprehend in the depth of our hearts the reality of these great words. Strengthen our faith to believe that we may be filled with all the fullness of You and be complete in You.

Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars

Today's Reading: Luke 2:41-52

"... all who heard Him were astonished 

at His understanding and answers." 

vs 47

The young Jesus had a bright mind and inquiring heart, listening and asking questions. He understood what they said and literally put two and two together in understanding and all who heard Him were astonished with His answers. After three days of worrying, His parents found Him in the temple and said to Him, "Son, why have you done this to us?" Jesus thought they understood Him better and would know He'd be in the temple. So He asked:

"'Why did you seek Me? 

Did you not know that I must be about My Fathers business?' 

But they did not understand." vs 49

At a young age Jesus recognized His life was consecrated, set apart for the Father's purpose. We too are set apart for God's will and purpose, our Father's business.

"His mother kept all these things in her heart." vs 51

Mary was thoughtful and pondered the amazing things about her unique Son. I wonder how much she understood about Him, and if many things had to unfold to for her to fully understand.

"Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." vs 52

Someday in The Kingdom of Heaven I look forward to seeing Jesus face to face. And I almost wonder if we will somehow get to see scenes of Him on earth, like old home movies. If so, I will love that... to see the miracle of His birth, see Him as a baby, a young child, a teen, a young man wise beyond His years, to see Him move among the people, compassionately loving them and healing them, to hear Him speak and hear Him pray to the Father. I don't know if I could bear seeing Him tortured and on the cross, though it was His great victory over death. Oh and to see Him resurrected and moving among the people.

This the last of the Advent readings in Matthew and Luke, though we will revisit Luke 2:1-20 on Christmas Eve. But don't go away, there are amazing glimpses of the glory of Christ coming in the next few days and Christmas through New Years. In January we will look at His Names from the Christmas Story and move into the ministries of John and Jesus.

Home in Nazareth

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39, 40

Again we see the faithfulness of Joseph to follow God's leading for his family. Each of the places he goes fulfills OT prophecies. Initially, he went to Bethlehem for the census and Jesus was born there just as prophesied by Micah. Then being warned in a dream, he takes them to Egypt until Herod dies. As they leave Egypt to return to Israel another prophecy was fulfilled, "Out of Egypt I called My Son". As they returned to Israel Joseph, after hearing that Herod's son was ruling, he took Mary and Jesus to Nazareth fulfilling,

"He shall be called a Nazarene." 

In Nazareth, Jesus grew up. Luke says:

"And the child grew and became strong in spirit, 
filled with wisdom; 

and the grace of God was upon Him."
Luke 2:40

What must God's Son have been like? I picture a bright joyful child, curious and eager to learn. As He grew I imagine Him as a caring young man, lively and strong, perhaps playing games with the children and carrying them on His shoulders. He was likely an encouragement to those who were struggling, some one who gave a wise and apt reply to a concern. People were probably drawn to the favor of God that easily rested upon Him.

Fleeing to Egypt

Readings: Matthew 2:13-18

When the Wise Men left, and angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to get up and take the young child and His mother to Egypt. He was instructed to stay there until he received a further word from God,; because Herod wanted to find the child and destroy Him. They stayed in Egypt until Herold died; fulfilling yet another scripture  

"Out of Egypt I have called My Son."  

Matt. 2:15, Hosea 11:1

Joseph seems somewhat overlooked in comparison to Mary, but his faithful sensitivity and obedience to God's leading kept his family safe. Imagine the weight of responsibility he held to keep the savior of all humanity, the Son of God in infant form, safe from hostile leaders. God chose him to do this and he faithfully answered God's call in his life. He has chosen each of us, for some wonderful purpose... to carry the "Light of the World" into dark places, into a hostile world. Where is He leading each of us? Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear His call?

When the Wise Men did not return to Herod to tell him where the child was, He was extremely angry; and called for the death of all the male children in Bethlehem who were under the age of two.

Even this heartless act fulfilled another scripture:

"A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted, because they were no more."
Matt. 2:18, Jeremiah 31:15

Doesn't your heart go out to these women... and to women in war zones who lose their children to violence?

Lord, fill us with your Spirit and lead us in fulfilling our purpose in this time.

Epiphany

What is Epiphany? Epiphany is a Christian holiday that celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It is celebrated on January 6th, which is "also the 12th day of Christmas, as popularized by the song. In essence, Christmas does not end for many Christians until Christ is revealed" and is honored as King of kings, with the gifts of Kings.

Many of you who read this blog may have celebrated Epiphany all your life. Yet there are many Christians, in fact most that I know; that don't even have a clue of what it is. Here are a few definitions of the word that I found on line:  

"Epiphany is when the wise men arrived at Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. It also refers to times when a person suddenly realizes or understands something. They had an epiphany."

"An epiphany  is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something"...like when someone has "found the last piece of the puzzle and now sees the whole picture, or has new information or experience... that illuminates a deeper foundational frame of reference". 


When is Epiphany celebrated? January 6th, when the Wise Men arrived to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. 

Have you ever wondered what the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" all about and when those 12 days occur? Is there any significance to the coming of Christ? The twelve days of Christmas are the 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany, starting with December 26th, which is today! Today is the first day of Christmas and of the 12 day count down to Epiphany. 

"Epiphany is a Christian holiday that is commonly associated with the visit of the Three Kings to baby Christ. It is also the 12th day of Christmas, as popularized by the song. In essence, Christmas does not end for many Christians until Christ is revealed. In some Christian denominations Epiphany does not end until Lent begins." Read More


Bless you on this first day of Christmas... just when you thought Christmas was over. To glory and meditate on God coming down and dwelling with us will never be over and is worthy of our hearts to ponder. :)

Born King of the Jews

James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

Today's Readings: Matthew 2:1, 2, Zechariah 9:9, Matt 21:1-11, and more

In Matthew 2:1, 2, the Wise Men from the East came into Jerusalem to ask: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" This was troubling to Herod and his power structure in Jerusalem. What was to become of this baby born King of the Jews? The prophet Zechariah of old speaks of the Coming of Israel's King:

James Tissot Brooklyn Museum

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey."
Zech 9:9

Jesus fulfilled this prophecy the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey; which is the symbol of humility and is completely unlike the impressive power of a horse. Jesus was lowly, "a humility that is considerate, gentle, mild, meek. The Zealots were looking for a warlike Messiah who would use force. Jesus showed greater power than armed might, the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control". (From word wealth in the New Spirit Filled Bible)

Oh, the humble wisdom of Jesus! How may we be more like Him? Praise God that through the Holy Spirit, as we behold Jesus, He transforms us glory by glory into His image.

Toward the end of Jesus' humble life on this earth He did approached Jerusalem on a donkey and fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy. As he descended the Mount of Olives, the crowds who were hopeful of political salvation from Roman oppression cried out saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" Matt. 21:9

During this joyous celebration, Jesus knew what was going to happen to Him in the coming week and what would happen to Jerusalem in the coming years.

In Luke 19 it says:

"He saw the city and wept over it, saying, 

If you had known, even you, especially in this your day,the things that make for your peace! 

But now they are hidden from your eyes... because you did not know the times of your visitation." Luke 19:42,44

Jesus knew the people would miss their Messiah. He knew the Jews would miss the coming of their King. During the course of the week, Jesus ended up on the following Friday in Pilate's Court. Pilate asked Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Pilate soon after condemned Jesus to execution on the cross. He ordered that a sign should be put on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews" John 18:33, 19:19 This most likely was not Pilate's recognition of Jesus as king so much as to irritate the Jewish leaders, since Nazareth was looked down upon as an insignificant little village. The thought was, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Certainly not the grand Messiah they had imagined!

Jesus did not become a King in His earthly life. Were the Wise Men wrong about this baby being a great King? Perhaps what Jesus said in reply to Pilate gives us a clue. "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36 This king was not to come into an earthly kingdom in His first coming to earth, His first Advent. Perhaps they somehow knew as one of the Magi's gifts was Myrrh, a spice used in burial. Did they offer it to him to honor His sacrifice? This week we will look at Jesus in His Kingdom right now and we'll look at prophecy foretelling His Second Coming, His Second Advent.

How can this bring us comfort today in our time? We must keep our eyes on Jesus, especially during the concerns of the big political changes happening in our world today. We do not want to miss what He is doing in His Kingdom, His visitation as He moves among us, while being distracted by the kingdoms of men. The verse at the very center of the Bible is timely for us today.

"It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes."
Psalm 118:8

Praise God our King is coming again!!! This time He will come on a white horse in great power and authority with the armies of heaven on white horses! And He will establish His Kingdom!

"On His Robe and on His thigh a name is written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS".
Rev.19:16

He will be the most excellent KING of all kings to ever rule the earth in all of time. And He will be LORD, supreme in authority over every king.

He will be KING of the entire Universe!

"Hosanna in the highest!"

All the while I was typing the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS the Hallelujah Chorus was shouting praise to God in my mind. Be Blessed by His amazing word today!

God Becomes One of Us

Matthew 1:23, Luke 2:11

A star shines bright

Mary and Joseph alone in a stable
Her baby to be born that night
Her cry goes out into the darkness
She cries out in pain

Angels in awe watch silently over

Await the moment 

 God, would become flesh

He who breathed the atmosphere into being

Would now draw His first breath

A baby's cry goes out across the earth

He has felt our pain

He shares our plight

God became one of us

Emmanuel, that night

There were no beautiful caroles or bells ringing
Just cattle lowing and sheep bleeting
In the stillness they rejoiced
Their savior had been born
To them that night

Sheri Dinardi
copyright 12-22-2013