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The Christmas season is here!  I already hear some of the Christian community beginning the annual discussions. Who took the Christ out of Christmas? Or, “Jesus: the reason for the season”. So maybe it is time for a few reflections about this time of year. Most people view Christmas as a religious holiday. I know that most of the world sing the religious songs (Silent Night, Away in a Manger, O Holy Night), and many people go to church the Sunday before Christmas (second in attendance only to Easter). We even see lots of manger scenes and hear talk about baby Jesus and his birthday.

I am sad to say that as a Christian, I also see many Christians conveniently focus on Christ at Christmas, and then live their lives like a non-believer the other 364 days of the year.  Cristianity is not the celebration of a season, but a commitment to a lifestyle, one where Christ is the center. Jesus is about peace on earth, good-will toward all men, and we should be too.  Giving should be something we do all year, and the best gift is giving Christ to the world around us.  Do your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends see Jesus in you?  If not, its time to recommit your heart to the One who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Jesus is the reason for December 25, and July 12, and March 5, and September 22, and every day of my life as a Christian. Celebrating a birthday does not make a family. The other 364 days together, in one accord, living in peace, giving of oneself,  make a family.

The real good news for our world is not that we should celebrate this special time of thinking about Jesus, but to hear that Christmas is just one of a lifetime of days to celebrate. And if the world is thinking about Jesus during this time, then we have even more opportunities to testify to the real good news.

Maybe Christians are the ones that do not need to celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday.  So will I think about Jesus this Christmas? Yes I will; just like I will think about him and celebrate his life, death, and resurrection every day till he comes back to take me home.

Christmas is the Advent of Christ, our Lord.  The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.   Advent is celebrating the truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.  Christmas is truly a blessed season.  There would be no “Happy Holidays, if not for the coming of Jesus.  He ALONE is the reason for the season.  I encourage you to go about this month wishing everyone you know, and all you meet A Very Merry Christmas, and to encourage them to know Him and Honor Him the other 364 days of the year.

In the Song of Songs lies the very heartbeat of Jesus.  Within the message is the desire for intimacy with the Beloved, the Savior.  Jesus desires to make Himself known in a deeper, more intimate way for those who love him.

John 14:21

Jesus is seeking those whom He can share His heart, His purpose and His plans.  He longs for us to enter into His chambers to know of the deep things of God.  He is seeking a Bride, one who will become One in Spirit with Him.  Hi seeks and desires those who desire to enter into an intimate union with Him alone.

The truths of God are precious, pearls that cost a great price.  These truths come from the very depth of His being.  The Beloved longs to share these deep things with those who long to diligently seek him with their whole heart, mind and soul.  The Shulammite maiden of the Song of Solomon represents this kind of lover of the Beloved Jesus.

This book is an allegory, a story, written much like an opera because it is a song of the one loved and the Beloved One.  People, things and events have symbolic meaning.  If we approach it this way, it holds the most beautiful and poetic illustration of the deep and abiding love relationship that exists between Jesus Christ the King of Kings, and His Bride – The Church.  It paints word pictures of the desire and love that is vivid and glorious.

When we dig deep into God’s Word, precious stones can be found.  These precious stones are the promises of God’s Word.  We can become more and more like Him in our attitudes and life, being changed into His likeness-“from glory to glory.”

The very heart of this book is the spiritual communion with the Lover of your soul – the One who paid the ultimate price and Laid down His life for you.  He desires to give you the fullness of his love.  His desire is to have a pure and spotless bride, one who will love and obey Him. 

II Corinthians 3:18

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  (Psalm 139:16)

From the beginning, the Lord not only knows my substance: all that I am physically, mentally spiritually, all that identifies me as unique, he knows my very essence, my value, my worth all that I am and all that I will be.  He has always known, before one day came to be.  I have been fashioned and formed in my mother’s womb.  Even there, he called me by name.  (Ps 139:!3, Is 49:1-3)

I was not unplanned or an accident of passion, I was planned and purposed by God.  My life is, and always has been significant to Him.  I was born for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14).  My life has been predestined long before I was born.  God knows precisely every single event that will, and has occurred at any one time in my life. God has loved me from eternity, with the purpose of eternal life through Jesus Christ, His son.  All of my days were predestined to be God’s cherished, adopted child, before one day came to be. (Eph 1:5)

The eternal purpose of God is that all humanity, even someone as insignificant as me, will become members of His family (2 Peter 3:9-10).  Nothing that has happened in my life is by happenstance, nothing contingent on outside events or people, it is God alone who has forseen all my days and has ordered all my events according to His own eternal and unchangeable will.  With God there is no surprises, unfinished business, or failures.  His one goal is that we come to the saving knowledge of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that we become like Him.

The Lord knows all the days of our lives before one of them comes to pass.  God knew the plans of the enemy to seek and destroy the Son of God as a young child.  It was already determined the King of Kings should be born in Bethlehem, yet Out of Egypt God would call Him.  The angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph to guide him into the divine will and purpose of God. The Bible has many references a very special Spirit Being, known as “The Angel of The Lord.”

The Angel of The Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert. She gave this name to The Lord Who spoke to her: “You are The God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen The One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:7,13) The Angel of The Lord called out to Abraham from heaven when he was about to sacrifice his only son.  ”Do not lay a hand on the boy,” Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:11-12) The Angel of The Lord appeared to Moses in flames of fire from within a bush. “Do not come any closer,” Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then He said, “I Am The God of your father, The God of Abraham, The God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:2-6) The Angel of The Lord came back a second time and touched Moses and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And The Word of The Lord came to him: ” (1 Kings 19:7-9)

Who is this Angel of the Lord? Paul tells us that this angel was the Logos, written Word, the Rock.  It was “The Rock was Christ,” who was with Moses and Abraham.(1 Cor 10:1-4)  The Word, born as the Son of God in human form was Jesus Christ. The Logos, Who became Jesus Christ, existed, and has been active, from before  Creation. The apostle John describes very well what Jesus Christ was, and was doing, before His birth as a human:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning, and all things were made through Him (John 1:1-3 ) The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.” (John 1:14)

“There is none Holy like The Lord… there is no Rock like our God. My God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my stronghold and my refuge…”To Thee I call; my Rock” “Thou art my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.”

So much so, that he keeps you as the apple of His eye and hides you in the shadow of His wings. Psalm 17:8

The phrase “apple of my eye” actually has nothing to do with apples. In Hebrew, the apple of the eye was the center or pupil of the eye, so the phrase which meant “pupil of his eye” is “apple of his eye.” In other words YOU are the center of God’s love and attention.

Your loving Father never even glances away from you, even for a moment. Your Father is watching you. In Zechariah 2:8, our Father called His people, “the apple” of His eye. The word literally means “the pupil.” Not only are you in your Father’s sight. He is focused on you.

What does it mean to you to be the pupil of God’s eye?

In Psalm 17, David cries out to the Lord and asks to be kept as the apple of His eye.

David thought that must be a significant place to be, but why?

If someone is the “apple of your eye,” you think about them and are greatly concerned about them.  You care about them deeply and wonder how they are doing, how they are feeling, if they have any needs or necessities.  Who is the apple of God’s eye?  Who or what entity occupies His thoughts?  Who is He mindful of?  Who does He think about all the time?  The answers to these questions will lead you to the thoughts that you should be thinking on, for they will be the very thoughts of God Himself.

Psalm 139:3

As a child of the King of Kings, you were created in His image.  Your Heavenly Father thinks wonderful thoughts about you all the time. He looks inside of you and sees our real value. God values you so much that he watches over you no matter where you are or what you are doing.  God cares about everything you do and He knows every word in your heart.  God values you so much that He thinks of you as His precious beloved one, and He honors you because of His great Love for you. (Is 43:3)

You need to begin to see yourself as God sees you, you are a reflection of HIM.

How does God see you?  You are beautiful, created in His image, perfect in every way.

Write out Psalm 139:13-16

What does this passage of scripture say to you?

Think about how God knit you together in your mother’s womb.  Your Father uses such a tender illustration of how He lovingly and carefully created your being. He could have blasted you together, or snapped His fingers and could have appeared, but He chose a more delicate process in which He could be intimately involved as He formed you in our mother’s womb…knit one, pearl two, knit one, pearl two.  Stitch by stitch, loop by loop, each one of our parts was delicately and carefully crafted by Almighty God.

Your life is not the product of an impersonal evolution, but the result of a loving Father, who planned your creation before the foundations of the world, and took the time to knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are a masterpiece, and your very existence brings much joy to your Father’s heart.

Find 6 passages of scripture that declare the Father’s Love for you.  List then write it out.

It is a bright, sunny morning, but the sunshine in the natural cannot compare to the “sunshine” within.  “Rejoice in the Lord”; and rejoice we must.  I want you too to have fellowship, partnership in this joy.

Most Christians use the words “Rejoice in the Lord” as meaning in our oneness with Him, or the measure of His grace imparted to us.  This is not it.

Some Christians think Rejoice in the Lord is having joy in fellowship with Him.  While this is important, This is not it.

Rejoice in the Lord is not what He is working, or has worked in me, for me or by me.  In HIMSELF we are to rejoice – in what and WHO HE is – This alone is what is meant by Rejoicing in the Lord.  1 Chronicles 16:10.  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

When we trust in HIS unfailing love, our heart rejoices in HIS salvation.  (Psalm 13:5).  I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.  (Hab 3:18)

And this, it appears to me, is the only possible or even legitimate ground for constant, unchanging, full joy. We cannot but rejoice, when our oneness with Him is realized.  Rejoice in His preciousness, grace, love, holiness, salvation, plan of redemption, and indeed in all His perfections.

He is “the same, yesterday, and to-day and forever.”   May my meditation be pleasing to HIM, as I rejoice in the Lord always, again I say REJOICE!  (Psalm 104:34, Phil 4:4)  When I set the Lord always before me, I shall not be moved.  Therefore, my heat is glad, and I rejoice (Psalms 16:8-9) 

Look at Philippians 4:4 again. The exhortation is not just to rejoice, but to rejoice in the Lord (always).  God is awesome, HE IS, He is mighty to save, the Author of our Salvation, the giver of Life.  God is never going to let us down, and He always has our best interest at heart. He is worthy of all of our praise, honor, and glory. When we rejoice in Him we see how he is actively working in our life to bring us to where He wants us to be.

Lesson 1     Read the Book of Colossians, Chapter 1.

In this study we will see the supremacy of Jesus Christ, the greatness of His reconciliation between mankind and God Almighty, and the great example of the Apostle Paul in his sacrificial service for the Lord.

Blog Quiz
1. According to the first three verses of Colossians Chapter 1, answer the following questions:

• Who wrote the book?
• Who was with the author?
• To whom was the book written?

2. What 2 reasons are given for the author to thank God for the Colossians in verse 4?

3. Who previously taught the Colossians the truth of the Gospel?

4. From Colossians Chapter 1 verses 9, 10, and 11, list the things that Paul is praying will happen.

5. List the things God has accomplished on your behalf through Christ Jesus from Colossians Chapter 1 verses 12, 13, and 14.

6. List the attributes of Jesus Christ from Colossians Chapter 1 verses 15, 16, 17, and 18.

7. Have you ever wondered what Jesus Christ may have looked like? What do you imagine when you think of him? How do you see him in your mind?

8. From Colossians Chapter 1 verses 21 and 22 identify what your condition was before and after you were reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

9. Why is God or Jesus Christ represented by light and evil or Satan represented by darkness? How are these symbols helpful to our understanding and an accurate representation of the truth?

10. What is meant in verse 24 where Paul states that he “. . . fills up his flesh what is still lacking in Christ’s afflictions?”

11. What is the mystery mentioned in verse 26 that was hidden for ages and generations?

12. Why was it necessary for God to hide the mystery?

Essay:  Write an essay on the Greatness of Jesus’ reconciliation between mankind and God.  What was significant?  Is this reconciliation unique to Christianity?  How have you been reconciled to God, and what does that mean to you?

“You are the light of the World; a city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bow.  Instead, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.”  Matt 5:14

Reflection:

Light shed illuminates and gives direction.  Our light should illuminate Jesus, and give direction to those in darkness to the marvelous light – which is Jesus.  If Jesus, the Light of the World in us, it should be impossible to hide this light; it should shine brightly.  Light is distinctive. If you were in a pitch black room and someone turned on a pen light, you would immediately notice it.  Light instantly penetrates darkness.  If the light of the gospel of Christ is going to shine in this world, it must shine through us.  We are the light of the world, because Jesus is, and He lives in us.  We have been elevated in Christ, not in our own strength, but in His.  We are visible for everyone in our family, our friends, neighbors, and for the world to see. 

What will they see, you, with all your baggage and sin – or Christ in you? 

What can you do to be a brighter light, – one put on a stand, giving light to everyone?

Because HE lives in us, Jesus draws whom HE desires to see this Marvelous Light in us.  When we are “nothing” and He is “everything”, He can use us as a clay vessel to illuminate light, to penetrate the darkness surrounding the lost.  When we live as sons of the Most High God, according the inheritance given to us, we should be visible and bring glory and honor the King of Kings.  We should be a pen light in a dark room – that in a crowd, we should shine.  Those in darkness need to see the marvelous light:  Jesus, in all His glory and majesty.
 
Jesus does not simply say we are visible lights, but that we are functionally lights of the World.  Light is meant to be used.  We are not to cover it up.  It was given; to be given away.  Light should shine, first in your own room, your own house.  We are not called to just shine and reflect the light of Jesus to the members of our family, but we are to give it to the world.  We see people in pain in this world that are trying to move around in darkness.  They stumble and fall.  Christians in this world stumble and fall too, because they have hidden the light under something.  Hidden light can go out – causing Christians to walk in darkness – when there is light available to them.  All they need to do is ask.

Has your light ever been hidden?   In what ways?

When we shine the true Light of the World, others repent and believe in the Son of God.  That is how we must function as God’s light in the World.  Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  This is a command.  This is our only job – besides sitting at the feet of the Father.  Jesus is not hinting or suggesting we allow the light to shine before men, He is giving us marching orders to let the light shine, and not hide it.  DO NOT WITHOLD THE LIGHT.  We must go forth, living a life as an heir to the throne, so all can see God living in us and through us.  All of our actions reflect something.

Is your light reflecting your humanity, or it reflecting Christ in you? 

Write out and reflect on                                Philippians 2:14-16)

We are to illuminate Light in a dark place, to be seen elevated in Him, and be seen my many.  When we reflect the Glory of God, we see more of His mercy, His power to heal, deliver, set free, save, deliver and restore.  As Light, we must do all things without complaining, we must become blameless and harmless, without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.  Darkness is where light is needed.  Sometimes, the only light in a dark place is YOU.  That is how much power we have been given as heirs to the throne, sons of the Most High God, those whose inheritance is of the Lord.

What are some ways that you can be light in a dark place?

Spend time writing a 100 word opinion essay on this course.  What did you learn?  What things were powerful and significant?  What parts did you like, dislike and why?  Has this course changed your relationship with Christ?

 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?“ Matt 5:13

Reflection:

Jesus tells His disciples they are to live a life described in the Beatitudes, as a disciple, sharing the testimony of Jesus to the whole world.  Be salt, flavor and season the way, for Jesus to be revealed to all. In a spiritual application, salt is what spoils life when we don’t have any.  In other words, the world will be better or worse because of His disciples.  There are many benefits of salt.  Salt is vital to life.  We have in our veins the exact percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean – that’s why we have salt in our sweat, in our tears.  Salt is critical to our life as a Christian, and is the one basic element necessary to exist in Jesus.  As a true disciple of Christ, we are the salt of the earth, vital to this world, vital to somebody’s life.  Our witness, even if it is to ONE person, is vital for eternal life to that one individual. 

 How have you been “salt”, giving life to those around you?

 Just what is salt?  NaCl – Sodium Chloride. Salt is composed of two poisonous elements. Sodium is a metal that is so unstable it bursts into flame when placed in water. This ill-tempered substance bubbles furiously like it is constantly upset. Chlorine is a greenish highly poisonous liquefiable gas.  When you combine these two evil substances they make something beneficial: Salt.  Jesus Christ took us, with all our sin and bad traits, and made something beautiful and beneficial for HIS Kingdom.  HE transformed us into something of great use for the Kingdom of God, instead of leaving us as an ill-tempered substance that can be poisonous – to ourselves and others.

 Salt purifies.  Elisha was shown a spring that put out bad water. The water was poisonous. II Kings 2:20-22- Elisha said: “Bring me a new bowl,” he said, “and put salt in it….” Then he went out to the spring and threw the salt into it, saying, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. Never again will it cause death….   That is what Jesus did for us.  He made us pure enough to have intimacy with a Holy God, by pouring salt – now we are to become salt, never causing death with words and actions, but to encourage and bring life. 

Salt adds flavor -it brings out the best. That’s what Christianity is about – to bring out the best in us – which is Jesus Christ.  It is our commission to spend our lives to better the world.  Salt is a symbol of the righteousness of Jesus! Leviticus 2:13- Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings. Did you know that whenever the Jews offered up a lamb in sacrifice for sin, they would salt it? The salt signified only the Righteousness of Christ could make the offering acceptable to God. As sons of God, we need to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, which is holy and acceptable unto God. (Romans 12:1)

When Jesus says we are the salt of the earth, He is not asking us to be something He isn’t. He is also the salt of the earth. When Christ, the Salt of the Earth comes in to our heart, sin goes out the window.  We are made pure, useful for His Kingdom.  Salt preserves. Numbers 18:19 talks about a special agreement: It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord. In other words, that which makes it eternal, preserves it forever, is the salt. It’s like a salt covenant. This is a contract that will never deteriorate. It is incorruptible. An unbreakable agreement to be preserved forever. Someday God will come with fire. Everything will be consumed before Him. The only thing that will preserve us in that day is the presence of the Salt, the presence of Jesus Christ in our life.

What is the covenant that God made with you?

How is this covenant like salt?

Everyone will be salted with fire.(Mark 9:49)  All of us will pass through trials that will help to purify us so when the judgment comes, we will stand pure. The experiences we have been through have strengthened us.  We have been made saltier, – more salt poured into us to purify our character.  Salt cannot preserve unless it mingles with the substance which is to be kept. Unless Jesus penetrates clear through to our hearts, we will rot. Until true Christianity penetrates society and penetrates the world, the world will rot. We are the penetrating salt of the earth.

Salt melts and softens. Salt will make the hardest water soft. If you have ice on your steps this winter, salt will melt the coldest ice. Colossians 4:6 says: Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt… Each word should be seasoned with Jesus. That’s the salt. We need to allow Christ to soften and melt those hard cold blasts that too often flow out of our mouths.

What are some ways you can begin to allow your conversations – with everyone, be full of grace and seasoned with salt?

Salt is good for seasoning, but if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”  Can salt lose it flavor? Yes, it loses its flavor by being diluted or contaminated, by having impurities in it. (Mark 9:50)  When too much of the world dilutes our hearts, we can become contaminated by the worries of the world, the stress of the world, the ways of the world, and we can lose our saltiness. We can be watered-down with enough of the things of the world that where Jesus just isn’t visible anymore.  In the Story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the only people to escape were Lot, his wife, and two of their daughters. They were told to get out quickly and to not look back. Lot’s wife looked back, and “became a pillar of salt.”  As salt is a preservative, it preserved her – as well as preserving for us the memory of her disobedience: “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32-33)  Lot’s wife was behind Lot; implying a meaning of: “lagging behind with longing.” She looked at the cities being destroyed, she longed for her old life there. Her body had moved out of Sodom, but her heart was still back there.  That type of salt was tainted with impurities- “therefore it was good for nothing.”(Matt 5:13-14) 

What are some things that cause you to lose your “saltiness?”

What does Jesus say about salt that becomes tasteless or without flavor?

Do you long for your old life, always looking back, instead of looking to the Kingdom of God?

If salt loses its saltiness, can you re-season it? We can’t, but God can create in us a new heart.  We only need to confess our worthlessness, and ask Him to make us pure, flavorful and useful.  What are we saving the salt for?  There are so many in need of Christ. Salt that stays in the shaker and never comes out is not doing any good.  Salt has no substitute.  God has no other plan.  God depends totally on us to be salt and transform the world.

What can you do to enhance someone’s perception of God?

What are some the ways the world has tried to find a substitute for God’s plan?

Write out and reflect on         Psalm 34:8                   John 7:2, 37-39

Salt creates thirst.  The lost cannot find what they do not hunger for, or thirst for. When we preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, we create thirst for the Living Water of Jesus Christ.  He alone satisfies.  “let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev 22:16-17).  We are the salt that creates thirst for the world. It is the “living Water” that will bring the lost to  a saving knowledge of HIM.  Those who drink of the Living Water will NEVER thirst again.(John 4:14) 

Are you worth your salt?  Are you a living Testimony of Jesus? 

Is your faith and Hope in God greater than the circumstances in your life? 

We must shift our focus- getting away from why bad things happen to people, and start spending our time on what Christ has commissioned us to do about it.  We are to forgive, show mercy and compassion, let God judge.  We are to be salt that draws others to thirst after the Living God.

Write out and reflect on                                Romans 12:19-21                          2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Our job is to live and forgive others, and when we do our part as flavor, The Holy Spirit convicts the lost to taste and see the Goodness of the Lord. (John 3:17)  The Ministry of Christ is pure and simple – it is one of love, not condemnation.  It is a ministry of salvation and restoration.  We need to intercede for the lost, and pray; “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”(Matt 6:10)  This is the ultimate “bridge” prayer between Heaven and earth.  The keys to building this bridge is our faith, and loving one another as He loved us. 

Write out and reflect on                                Luke 18:1-8

We do not need to question the King, instead, we must “cry out day and night,” making intercession for the lost, those not yet heirs, those in need of God.  We are sons of the Most High God, heirs to the throne and our commission is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, so His Kingdom will come and His will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  Jesus taught us to pray because He wants us to join Him in what He is doing.

“…A righteous man leaves an inheritance for His children…” Proverbs 13:22

Reflection:

Royal families pass on their family history to members of their family.  Family history is cherished, written down, remembered.  Each individual of royalty understands his identity and all that has been accomplished.  As heirs to God’s Kingdom, we have been “grafted” into the rich history of God’s people, God’s royal priesthood.  Understanding from God’s perspective is essential in defining our royal responsibilities.  The nature of the Kingdom of God is always increasing; from glory to glory.

Write out and reflect on:      Isaiah 9:7

The Kingdom of God is always increasing, and is meant to advance in us individually and corporately.  The Lord takes us from “precept upon precept; line upon line, from glory to glory, and from faith to faith (Is 28:13, 2 Cor 3:18, Ro 1:17).  From the beginning of time, God intended for His Kingdom to advance from generation to generation.  Each generation has been predestined before time, commissioned to bring the message of the Gospel of the Kingdom, leaving a legacy of faith and hope in the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The most powerful inheritance we can give our children and the world around us is to show them Who God is and What He is like.

Who is, or has been a role model in your life, who modeled the nature of Christ you would like to emulate to others?

What aspects of Christ’s nature are you passionate about showing to those around you?

Inheritance is the link between the generations.  When one generation has been “fruitful and multiplied,” the next generation starts out ahead of where they would have started without that inheritance.  As God’s royal priesthood, it is by inheritance God establishes each generation to advance His Kingdom.  With inheritance, we are freely receiving what someone else has PAID FOR.  What constitutes the inheritance of the Kingdom?  What do we receive from our royal history, and what are we to give those in the next generation?  “”The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.”(Deut 29:29)  This secret ‘blue print’ of all knowledge and wisdom belongs to God Himself.

Revelation is the inheritance of the Kingdom.  God chooses to reveal things to His people, His children, from time to time.  No one person, no one generation has the full revelation.  There will come a time when all things are revealed(Mark 4:22).  Jesus told us Himself “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matt 24:36)   Why? There have been certain mysteries(Col 1:26. Ro 16:25) that had been hidden from the start of time until the dispensation of Grace. Finally Scripture makes clear, while the Bible is the complete revelation for this time(Rev 22:19), it is not the final revelation of God. The ultimate revelation of God we have received thus far?  His firstborn Son is the Lord Jesus Christ(Heb 1:1-2).  He was sent to restore our relationship with the King of the Universe, to bring us into the fullness of God. In fact, it is only through the Son, that God Himself is revealed to us(Mt 11:27).

Revelation can lead us to a divine encounter that brings about a personal transformation.  It is also the key to spiritual growth because it moves us to where we cannot go ourselves, with our own limited knowledge and understanding.  Revelation of Jesus brought us through the Door, beginning the journey from one place of faith to another.  Revelation enlarges our faith – “it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1). 

How has divine revelation enlarged your faith?

 How has revelation helped you grow spiritually?

God is glorified by not speaking plainly to us, it is the glory of kings to search out a matter.(Prov 25:2)  As kings adopted into His royal family, we need to continually search out the deep mysteries of God.  The royalty in our lives comes to the surface when we realize we have legal access to the hidden things, and we begin to pursue the unlocking of those mysteries. 

What are some of the unexpected ways God has revealed things to you?

 Have you ever received a word from God you did not understand at first, but pursued the mystery until it was unlocked for you?

 What are some of the deep mysteries of God you desire to seek out, and have unlocked?

 Reflection:

We have seen that “honor” is one of the essential attributes of those in God’s royal priesthood.  What does honor really look like?  Hebrews 11:32-40 specifically mentions many individuals whose lives demonstrated the revelation of God and promise of faith.  All gained God’s approval through their faith.  All held mysteries of God’s revelation that were “unlocked” to them.  Scripture honors and acknowledges the gifts of God on a person.  Calling out the gifts and anointing that we see in one another is an expression of our inheritance. 

Has anyone ever honored you in your life?   If so, how did this experience affect you?

Write out and reflect on.                              2 Kings 2:9-10

When Elisha asked for a double portion, he was not asking for twice the anointing, He was asking for the portion that belonged to the firstborn – the double portion. (Deut 21:17)   We are heirs of God, joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).  As the firstborn Son of God, Jesus inherited the double portion from the Father.  A double portion of WHO the Father is and WHAT He does, was bestowed upon the Son.  Elisha demonstrated honor when he asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit.  Jesus opens that invitation for us to receive what Elisha received: a double portion.  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.”(Matt 10:41).  Receiving the prophets name means we recognize we can obtain the inheritance promised.    

What are some of the rights and inheritance of the firstborn?

 Spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to receive what Elisha received – a double portion of the inheritance of the firstborn.

When we honor a man or woman of faith, or a prophet in the name of a prophet, we have access to the spiritual realm that a person lived in.  We must embrace our opportunity and responsibility to learn and honor those men and women of faith in history who have broken into different realms of God, received fresh revelation and advanced the Kingdom.  “..Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.´(Heb 12:1)

Why are we surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses?    What is the purpose?

When you read of the great faith exploits, or testimonies of other believers in the past; such as Madame Guyon, Reese Howles, and many others, the word of their testimony is a revelation of how God continues to transform us, move us, and enlarge our faith as an inheritance.

Who are some of your heroes and heroines of faith?  What revelation have you gained from their testimony?

Revelation, past, present and future, is the inheritance of the Kingdom.  God chooses to reveal things when He chooses.  There will come a time when all things are revealed(Mark 4:22).  We have been given an inheritance of the generations.  Revelation is meant to be the inheritance of the Kingdom and God intends for more than information to be passed to the next generation.  The fruit of revelation is personal transformation and the supernatural demonstrations of the nature of God. 

Write out and reflect on:      Revelation 12:11

Psalm 145:4 shows us another way: “One generation shall praise Your works to another.” Let praises carry the truth to the next generation, because the aim of truth is praise. The aim of education is exultation.  Our testimony is a revelation to this current generation, about your personal encounter with a Mighty God, the King of the Universe.  God gave testimony of His Son (John 5:9)  John gave testimony to seeing the Spirit of God come down and remain on Jesus (John 1:31-33)  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.(Ro 8:16), and anyone who believes in the Son of God has a testimony in his heart. (1 John 5:10)  Your testimony is an inheritance you leave to the generations.  It is the fruit of revelation of your personal transformation – from a pauper to a child of the King, heir to the throne.

Write your testimony as an inheritance to the generations.  Sharing your story is one of the greatest ways of preaching the “Gospel of the Kingdom.”  Your testimony is the basis of your witness, your firsthand account of what God, through Christ, has done in your life, who you are, and your eternal destiny as a child of the King.