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Matthew 27:46, Jesus cries out, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which translates to "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

A few verses later it says:

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” Matthew 27:50

At midday, the sun refused to shine. The disciples were in hiding as they took their Lord’s body and buried it in a borrowed tomb. Surely the Pharisees and Romans would be looking for them next. So they hid in an upper room.

That was the 2nd Day… but the 3rd Day is on the way!

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What’s in your Easter basket? In other words, what does Easter mean to you? I know what the Bible says.

Hebrews 1:3 states that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had cleansed people from their sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

The passage emphasizes Jesus's role as the ultimate representation and sustainer of God's glory and power. He is the one through whom all things were made and by whom all things are sustained.

After He rose from the dead He fulfilled His work of purification for our sins, having descended into hell taking the keys of death and hell from satan himself, Jesus is now seated at God's right hand. Jesus is seated in a position of honor and authority and power.

What does His resurrection mean to you? Sure, it means forgiveness and cleansing from sin. Sure, it means our ticket to heaven. But, oh my friends, it means so much more!

In Ephesians 2:6, the Paul says that believers are “raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms." Did you hear that? You are seated WITH HIM!

Indeed, my friends, Paul prefaced this with:

,“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Your Easter basket is piled high with riches, mighty strength, power and dominion, my friends. Let’s open up

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Oklahoma’s substance abuse news

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Palm Sunday: Why it’s Significant

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Ever notice how some people, especially on social media, act like they know everything? Oh, man, I’m treading on sacred ground here as I’m about to tell you folks something about the Word of God.

But you see, it’s a little tricky, if you are a minister of the Word, the Lord gives you something to say to the people. Then, if you start doing that often enough and people start praising you for the good word that God is given you. It’s very easy after a while to start thinking it has something to do with you, yourself.

Recognizing that susceptibility, I am mindful of, “Guard your heart, for out of it flows the issues of life" from Proverbs 4:23. I want so bad for the word of God to flow from my heart to impact the issues of your life as well as mine. I must constantly remember "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights" James 1:17

So, how does this apply in your life? Are you taking credit for too much of what God has blessed you with or what you have only accomplished because He’s given you the strength and wisdom too?

Before you answer that question, let’s look at something. Jesus said.

In MATTHEW 18:3 Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."

There are volumes of theological discussion about exactly what “the kingdom of heaven” is and whether. It is the same or different from “the kingdom of God” spoken of by some of the other gospels. I’m more interested in a principle here.

You have to be "converted" to "enter the kingdom of heaven." You have to be changed. How? To "become as little children", receptive and dependent on the Father, not the strength or wisdom of your flesh.

If we want to be flowing in God‘s grace and wisdom to operate in our ultimate condition, and for the purpose that God created us for - in other words, having the kingdom of heaven resident within us – we need to become like a little child and let God be God in us!

If we want kingdom of heaven results, we need to let him reign and get off the throne!

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About 85% of people suffer from self-esteem issues. It’s more than epidemic, it’s the norm in society - even among Christians. That is sadly in contrast to God’s Word:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10

Instead of seeing ourselves as God’s “workmanship” we see our imperfections - and most of us are very unforgiving of those.

Admittedly, no one is perfect but we ARE the Lord’s “workmanship”. The Greek word translated here is ποίημα (poiēma)

from which we derive the word poem, a result of the Creator’s craftsmanship, His artistry. As a poem is perhaps the most artistic form of written art so are you among God’s creations.

So, what are all those “imperfections” that we have focused upon? Are they unimportant? While obedience to God’s Word is always important, relative to His relationship with you and the purpose for which He created you, such a lack of obedience pales in comparison.

Satan wants to rob us of our life-giving, empowering relationship with the Lord and, thus, destroy our purpose by focusing our attention upon our lack of obedience. If he can cause our lack of performance to undermine our relationship with God, and break us off from our source of power, we will never fulfill the purpose for which we were created.

We are not valuable because of what we do. We are able to do because we are valuable to God and have relationship with Him.

Let’s get past the hang-ups people and our experiences here saddled and scarred us with, let God have them , heal them and fill us with His love and purpose, and power to do what HE wants to do through us!

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Ever feel like you failed as a Christian because of your doubts? Like maybe you’re disqualified? Let’s look at one of the biggest failures who actually walked with Jesus and saw all His miracles up close and personal.

Matthew 14:28-31 NIV

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” '

We can read Jesus‘s last question with different attitudes. But what do we know about Jesus? John 3:16 says that “God so love the world that he gave his own begotten son…” Jesus was God‘s gift of love, and all during his mission on earth he was moved with compassion to heal, deliver, and save. Love is the lens through which we must see everything that Jesus said.

So we know that Peter doubted but Jesus rescued. We see this pattern repeated again and again. Thomas doubted and Jesus gave him proof John 20:27. All the disciples doubted but Jesus sent them anyway. Mathew 28: 17–19. John the Baptist doubted and Jesus, reassured him. Matthew 11:4–5. Martha doubted and Jesus, reminded her of his power. John 11:21–25. The father of the demon possessed boy doubted and Jesus gave him faith. Mark 9:24–25.

Peter, though he was the ONLY Disciple to step out of the boat and walk upon the water, felt like he had failed his Lord. But what was Jesus attitude? He reached His hand for him.

Peter denied Jesus three times when He was being crucified. But when Jesus resurrected, He beckoned the Disciples, “tell the disciples, and Peter…” - in other words, “make sure Peter knows he’s invited“.

And when Jesus finally reconnected with Peter, He asked him three times “do you love me?” To which he answered, “yes Lord, I love you!“John 21:15–17, once for each time he denied Jesus. Jesus made sure Peter knew that He knew. Why? Not for Jesus’s sake but for Peter’s, to know Peter was fully restored.

Then Jesus said, “feed my sheep!“ commissioning Peter on his ministry where Peter would become the head of Jesus‘s church! Doubts don’t have to be your disqualification. They can be your transition to a new and better faith!

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Do you ever get the feeling that being a Christian is so “old school”, out of date, maybe even not relevant anymore? Studies show that the majority of Americans who identify as Christians is dwindling year by year, and that’s not even breaking it down to categories like “born again“ or devout.

The trends show that we will soon be a minority. But it’s not the first time. Indeed, the early century Christians, until the Roman Emperor Constantine, were always in the minority and were persecuted severely. Many were put to horrible deaths.

But guess what? Jesus never said we would be a majority. In fact, He said something very different we see in:

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

If you are encountering persecution because of your Christian lifestyle, it just might be symptomatic of being a real Christian, of really being Christlike.

In fact, we should expect no less. Let’s see what it says in James 1:2-26 ESV

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Our trials are not sent from God but Romans 8:28 tells us God uses them for our good. So James encourages us to “count it all joy“.

He further encourages us to let the trials produce “steadfastness“ to our faith. You don’t know whether you have faith until it’s been tested, until your knees are knocking, your flesh is screaming, but your faith carries you through anyway.

With all that going on in your soul you sit with the Lord until you pray through to the place of peace as Paul says in Philippians 4:7, “ the peace that passes all understanding” that’s not dependent upon your circumstances.

Your knees may still be knocking, and your flesh screaming, but deep inside, in your spirit, you know! That my friends is true faith, the kind that “Jesus is the author and the finisher” of (Hebrews 12:2). It cannot otherwise be explained, and it’s not a work of your flesh, your mind, or even your Bible study. It’s a product of having sat in the presence of the Almighty God!

Our Bible study helps by getting His Word in us but we MUST have Him speak it to us. It must come alive in our spirit by the ignition of His Spirit, not anything we can take credit for. We get that by getting into His presence.

Do you need strength to hold up in the face of the world around you that is “progressively” becoming more and more non-Christian? sit in the presence of your Almighty God!

https://youtu.be/UnJxnVVx6Vc?si=Qn-kmkRK7s-X5Lb-

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Ever wonder why some folks raise their hands in church praise and worship? That’s not practiced in some denominations but it is in many churches these days.

People raise their hands in worship to express adoration, praise, and surrender to God. It's also a way to engage the body and mind, and to focus on God.

Let’s see what God’s Word says about it in various Bible verses.

Psalm 63:4

"I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands"

“In your name” references surrendering to His Lordship.

Psalm 141:2

Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Lifting up, hands in praise is again an active surrender described here as “sacrifice”. It’s a sacrifice because it’s a crucifying of our pride. That’s why people often don’t want to do it.

Exodus 9:29:

People raised their hands in prayer to God

Raising hands is a posture of prayer, the act of community communion with God.

1Timothy 2:8:

I will therefore that men pray everwhere, lifting up holy hands"

Paul discloses here that the act of raising hands in communion with the Lord is “holy “. What makes it holy? The act of surrendering, crucify one’s pride and coming to him humbly with hands lifted up.

1 Kings 8:22, 38:

King Solomon spread out his hands toward heaven while praying at the temple

King Solomon was directing his own focus toward the Lord. He had much to worry about as the king for his starving subjects but he had to get his focus off his problems and onto his solution, the Lord. Maybe you need to do that, too.

These are just a few verses of all the ones that talk about racing hands to God. There’s much more that we can learn.

Nowhere in the Bible, is there a command to lift up hands to the Lord, which would be signaled by the use of the imperative tense of the verb. And nowhere does it imply that it’s a sin if we don’t lift our hands.

In many places, it is encouraged as being helpful to us in our posture and approach to communion with and worshiping of our Lord God, the Almighty God, the Creator of all things, the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.

How we approach Him makes a difference in how we connect with Him. He doesn’t need it, we do.

https://youtu.be/Br687XQbNI8?si=BO7JgaGIBrmbrYlE

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When I talk to people about their Christian walk, and we address the subject of reading the Bible, a lot of folks make the comment that they don’t understand it, they don’t see how it applies to them today, that they get lost in all the thou shall nots, and they give up. Does that sound like you?

Today I want to look at one of those passages.

Leviticus 26:12

“And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people.”

Preceding this verse are a lot of “if you will do this and not do that” kind of statements where I imagine a lot of you are stumbling.

Sometimes we forget that we are reading about ancient times and that these are very barbaric people to whom the Lord is speaking. They are so sinful that the Lord has chosen only one person, Moses, to speak to them through.

Evidence of this is when Moses leaves them alone for a few days, we are told in Exodus, to go up on the mountain to speak with God, when he returns with the 10 Commandments tablets, he finds them in a drunken orgy cavorting around a golden calf whom they are worshiping like pagans.

But how different are we really from those barbarian people? We have a wonderful experience with the Lord and a few days without Him and we’re right back to living like we used to, or at least headed that way.

So the Lord gives us some rules for our benefit, for one purpose. He just wants to be with you. That’s right, the Creator of the universe just wants to be with you.

That’s how valuable you are in His eyes. And it’s sin that keeps us from Him. We’re not talking about whether you’re saved or not. We’re talking about intimacy with the Lord, walking with Him, Him being “in” you.

He says in that verse to the Hebrews that, if you will do these things, “I will walk among you”. The Hebrew word translated “among” is bə·ṯō·wḵ·ḵem בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם

Brown-Driver-Briggs commentary describes it as the “substantive midst”, a prominent central position in your life, as “in” them.

That has always been God’s plan for us is that we become His “temple”, the place where He lives.

We look upon homeless people and our hearts go out to them but the Lord has been locked out of our hearts because we choose sinful lives rather than being with Him.

But guess what? Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” He’s talking to Christians here, you and me.

“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me". For all us Christians who have locked Him out with sin in our lives He’s saying “I want to be close again like we used to be.”

Open the door to Him today. Repent of any sin immediately, and often, to keep your heart clean so He comes right inside. The Creator of the Universe wants to live in you!

https://youtu.be/QH_STMxOGXc?si=-MbGJeayy8vivd_e

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Proclaiming Jesus Reigns!

How does it benefit you to share the Gospel? Isaiah 52:7 tells us

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

Our “feet” refers to our coming into one’s presence. When we approach people with the Gospel it should be “beautiful”, meaning attractive and welcome, not insulting or judgmental. That wasn’t Jesus’s style, was it? Instead He said, “Come, follow me!”

Isaiah also says that our feet are not only beautiful, but they’re “on the mountains“. Mountains in the Old Testament are as symbol of power. If you have felt powerless or vulnerable, sharing the Gospel shifts you into His powerful presence.

When we go to proclaim the gospel, we need to do so in the Lord‘s power, from his mountain. That’s the way the Apostles did it in Acts and the epistles, often with “signs and wonders“ common displays of the power of God confirming what they said was true.

The Hebrew word translated “good news“ here is

ט֖וֹב (ṭō·wḇ.) What’s interesting Is that the same word in the Greek Septuagint is rendered εὐαγγελιζομένο euangelizomenou.

We see it translated in several of the Gospels and Acts as “preached, the gospel, or good news”. Returning to Isaiah 52:7 we see that the good news or gospel is not so much the message that “Jesus saves” but rather that He “reigns”.

What’s the difference? The blood of Jesus doesn’t just save you from hell, it transforms you into a dynamic and powerful Kingdom-builder! How is this further developed in Isaiah 52:7? Let’s take another look at that Hebrew word, towb, which is also found in Genesis 1: 4

“God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness”

The Creator of the universe looks and sees that everything was “without form and void” and there was total darkness. So he speaks “light“ into the darkness and said it was towb!

The Gospel of John first chapter, first verse parallels Genesis 1, “in the beginning…” in verse four John identifies that light as being none other than Jesus Christ himself! He states that Jesus was with God in the beginning, and Jesus created all things in the beginning. In fact, John describes Jesus AS the Word.

When God spoke the universe into existence He spoke the Word! When He spoke the light into existence He spoke the Word. In fact John says in verse 4:

“ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”

Jesus so identifies with His manifestation as the Light that He says "I am the light of the world" in John 8:12 and John 9:5.

So, we see that Jesus is the creation Creator Word and the Light that establishes dominion over the darkness in it.

What happens to darkness when you turn on a light? It’s gone! No spot in the room is dark. God’s power is not just for the person you are praying for or sharing the Gospel with. YOU are also in the room. Darkness is destroyed in YOU, too!

Why? Because Light dominates the darkness. 1 John 1:5 says, “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” Why? Because when God shows up He dominates and destroys darkness. Darkness no longer has power!

My friends, if you go forth proclaiming the message that Jesus REIGNS you’re proclaiming Him King there and advancing His Kingdom. You know that is exactly the message Jesus proclaimed, “ the kingdom of God is at hand!”.

When you proclaim what Jesus proclaimed you shine His Light and establish His Kingdom there. You go with beautiful feet and a mountain of powerful Light! And you walk in that powerful Light!

https://youtu.be/_Igto_F7UdY?si=b9EySzw2-q99Sa9Z

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Anthropologists have discovered a new Stone Age man dating back to the early Rock Period called Enroll. The Rock Enroll period was characterized by a vast migration from across the seas. Few of these species have survived until present times but the Rolling Stones continue to be seen until the current period. Each year scientists wonder if this will be their last.

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Are we waiting for Santa? You might say, “Of course not! We’re adults and know better!” but do you? Are we looking for something wrapped up in a pretty bow that’s really going to make Christmas and the coming year special?

The thing is that nothing that can wrapped, regardless of how much paper and ribbon you have, can make our lives “special”. Nothing material can fill that void we feel. Material stuff, or things money can buy like traveling, adventures, the arts, etc., might seem to fill it for a while but then the gnawing creeps back.

So, we find ourselves “chasing Santa” vs waiting for him. We spend more and more money buying stuff, or party harder and harder, chase riskier or more challenging experiences, whatever it is, we are in the “chase”. If we catch “it”, the feeling we’re after, it’s fleeting. Then we’re left more hungry than before.

Why? Because we are trying to plug the wrong things into our “God-shaped” void and it just doesn’t work. That’s right, our Creator made us with a God-shaped void to need Him that ONLY He can fill. When we try to plug the wrong thing into it we get the message, ever increasingly, “This doesn’t fit!”

Then what happens if we don’t get the true picture? It sets up an obsessive compulsion to “chase“ after Santa, whatever Santa happens to be to us. The things we enjoy are not bad in themselves. It’s what we are trying to do with them that is wrong, that doesn’t fit, and it sets up addictive behavior of various kinds.

Unwrap the greatest Christmas present of all, the one that fills that God-shaped void, Jesus! Open your heart to Him and let His Spirit fill you up with the real joy of Christmas! https://youtube.com/shorts/hyHB0A9gkvk?si=yf0bxZEe57djVYMs

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What an incredible Christmas present we have and encouraging words we read when the John 3:16 says, “God loved the world so much that He gave his Son.”

God so loved that He GAVE. That’s why we as Christians, following His example, give. But what did God give? His only begotten son.

To think that the eternally-existent Son of God entered the world the same way as everyone else, as a baby - no child of stature, but one born in a barn with hay for a bed, and the smell of animals surrounding - it is such a picture of God’s great grace, the extent He went to in order to reach us!

This wonderful baby grew up to die on the cross. Why? So that we could be saved, delivered and set free.

God’s Word tells us, “For unto you is born a Savior.” This Savior is THE Christmas Gift

This wonderful gift that we have received is so magnificent! The Bible tells us that because Jesus Christ came, three things are yours if you have invited Him into your heart as Savior and Lord.

1) Your past is forgiven. Romans 3:23-24 says, “All of us have sinned yet now God declares us ‘not guilty’ of offending him if we trust in Christ who freely takes away our sin.” That’s good news! We have been made right with Him and our past is washed clean!

2) Your present is now manageable. In a world that is so unstable and shaking at every turn, doing life can be challenging and overwhelming. However, the Christ who came at Christmas 2000 years ago gives you the power to manage your present problems.

In Philippians 4:13 we read, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me.” When you give your life to Christ, He assumes responsibility to take care of all your needs.

Romans 8:32 says “God gave us His own Son. Can we not trust such a God to give us everything else that we need?” If He supplies ALL your needs, then what is left? Nothing!

He takes care of your past; He takes care of your present.

3) Your future is guaranteed. Hebrews tells us, “Jesus became like us to set free those who were slaves all their lives because of the fear of death.” Yes, because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have a bright eternal future where we will be with Him forever. We are no longer slaves to fear – because the Savior has come and rescued us!

That pretty much covers it all doesn’t it? In Christ, your past, present and future are secure. You are safe in His hands. Why worry? TRUST Him!

May the hope and peace that comes from knowing Jesus fill you with awe and wonder this Christmas season. If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, do it NOW! No greater gift may you receive this Christmas. This is how:

1) Talk to Him like you would someone who loves you more than anyone else - because He does. He died for YOU!

2) Tell Him you're sorry for your sins.

3) Ask Him to forgive you and cleanse you.

4) Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior and empower you to do His will.

5) Thank Him for being born again as a child of God!

Boom! It's done!! Believe it in your heart.

And of course, let us not keep this wonderful news to ourselves! Let us share the hope and peace of our Savior with the world this season.

Many blessings!!

https://youtu.be/OyxwoapNy6w?si=7KyHDoaxH5DuzZ5E

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Things getting a bit hectic with end of year work, family get togethers, disappointments, shopping, maybe even illnesses? Let’s open a Christmas present early in Luke 2:11

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” In this verse, the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds watching their flocks.

The title "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "Messiah," which means "Anointed One". It signifies Jesus as the anointed King and Priest, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies.

One of which is Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace".

The names of God represent His functions, what He does. And much of what he does is for us. In fact, God sent his Son to become a human being for us. His purpose was for us.

If you have a problem and do not know what to do, the child born this day is your “Wonderful Counselor”. Go to Him in prayer.

If your problems are big, you face, large obstacles, He is the “Almighty God”, well capable of doing whatever needs to be done. He might do it in a different way or time frame. But think of this: is there anything too hard for the Creator of all things?

As “Everlasting Father” He’s eternal. He created time and space, therefore, he exists outside of those limitations. He can be everywhere at all times and so He’s always aware of you and listening to you.

Jesus even said Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age"

You are never alone, Jesus is always with you, and he’s always listening.

And that brings us to the last name, “ Prince of Peace". Because of all the other names, if we have accepted him as our savior, and he is Lord of our lives, He then reigns as Prince over our Peace.

This Babe, the Son of God brings you peace, not just any peace but a “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) This peace doesn’t depend on what’s going on in your life. This peace raises you above your circumstances to an eternal perspective knowing God’s got this, it’s gonna be all right!

Things getting a bit hectic with end of year work, family get togethers, disappointments, shopping, maybe even illnesses? Let’s open a Christmas present early in Luke 2:11

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” In this verse, the angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds watching their flocks.

The title "Christ" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "Messiah," which means "Anointed One". It signifies Jesus as the anointed King and Priest, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies.

One of which is Isaiah 9:6: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace".

The names of God represent His functions, what He does. And much of what he does is for us. In fact, God sent his Son to become a human being for us. His purpose was for us.

If you have a problem and do not know what to do, the child born this day is your “Wonderful Counselor”. Go to Him in prayer.

If your problems are big, you face, large obstacles, He is the “Almighty God”, well capable of doing whatever needs to be done. He might do it in a different way or time frame. But think of this: is there anything too hard for the Creator of all things?

As “Everlasting Father” He’s eternal. He created time and space, therefore, he exists outside of those limitations. He can be everywhere at all times and so He’s always aware of you and listening to you.

Jesus even said Matthew 28:20"I am with you always, even to the end of the age"

You are never alone, Jesus is always with you, and he’s always listening.

And that brings us to the last name, “ Prince of Peace". Because of all the other names, if we have accepted him as our savior, and he is Lord of our lives, He then reigns as Prince over our Peace.

This Babe, the Son of God brings you peace, not just any peace but a “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) This peace doesn’t depend on what’s going on in your life. This peace raises you above your circumstances to an eternal perspective knowing God’s got this, it’s gonna be all right!

https://youtu.be/1ixTm5d9Wik?si=CrcsuwimfLqJidOc

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Unlocking the miraculous power of God!

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It’s deer hunting season again! I’m not a hunter, but I’m a nature lover, and it can teach us a lot about spiritual things. In fact, a deer can teach us how much even the toughest man needs the Lord.

Psalm 42:1

As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, my God.

Why is the deer panting? There’s only three reasons why deer pants:

He’s chasing after a female deer, a doe.

He’s fighting another stag over a doe.

He’s running for his life because of some danger, like a hunter or a mountain lion.

it’s the running for your life situation this psalmist is talking about. When you’re desperately needing God your soul “pants” for Him, whether you realize it or not. It’s like you have been running for your life and are heaving for your next breath. You’re excruciatingly thirsty - and the heaving breaths don’t help things.

The presence of God is like a “ stream of water”. A stream is running water, that’s pure, not stagnant. At that point we would probably drink stagnant water. In fact, in the past, we have drank stagnant water. We’ll get to that in a minute. But running water is pure water, which truly quenches our thirst.

The stagnant water? We have served other gods, chasing after love, excitement, acceptance, fulfillment, feeling good. All idols before God, maybe drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, activities, even food. We’ve tried to comfort ourselves in many ways.

But what we need is the pure water.

David was a man among men facing Goliath as a mere boy yet he realized this. Real men know what they need to stay strong whether in the gym or at the stream.

In this case, the stream is our Lord. What we thirst for, what we are panting for, is the pure water, Jesus Christ!

In fact, the next verse says,

“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Jesus told the woman at the well that He was the living water and one who drinks from that living water will never thirst again. (John 4:14)

Verse 11 goes onto say:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?”

Are you feeling down, depressed, disturbed inside? Take a listen to the rest of the verse:

“Put your hope in God,”

for I will yet praise him,”

Even if you are down and disturbed he says praise Him. Why? Because David knows that the Lord is, as he puts:

“my Savior and my God.”

Jesus is our Savior. that Hebrew word for savior actually means deliverer. He not only delivers us from sin, he delivers us from the effects of sin.

I know this personally, friends. The Lord delivered me from a time when I was down, disturbed, and hopelessly addicted in many ways. We could compare my situation with yours, but that would be a waste of time. I would rather point you to the living water that quenches your thirsting soul.

My friends, that state of being down and depressed, addicted, was 40 years ago. Since then I have pastored and reached a place of leadership in addiction and mental health treatment in our state. How?

I started by panting at the Stream to reach some peace and sanity. Then I started panting at the Stream about problems in my family, then my work.

Then there was a major consolidation in the healthcare field that went on for years where mergers and acquisitions put me out on the street again and again because of layoffs - and I was the sole support of my family.

You better believe I did some painting at the Stream. Each time I got an even better job paying more because the Lord showed me at the Stream strategies that were new and more effective, and empowered me to do them.

And there’s nothing too small to come panting to the Stream about. The Lord just loves that you come and that you come panting.

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