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Jesus Said:

• Matthew 24:14, “This gospel will first be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.”
• Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
• Matthew 28:18-19, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”
• John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

Therefore:

Until the Kingdom is finally established and there are no more unreached peoples, we are commissioned to be the worker, preaching Salavation to all around us.  Until the Kingdom comes, worship must stoke the fires of love for the glory of a global God. Until the Kingdom comes, we must train the troops for tactical and strategic warfare with the weapon of truth. Until the Kingdom comes, we must be the ones to help save the lost, heal  the wounded, encourage those will little hope.  If we love the glory of God, and have compassion for the lost, no other mentality will leave our conscience clear.

We all get discouraged from time to time, and feel the weight and pressure of worldly problems pulling us down… we feel like we’re about to give up… we just can’t take it anymore.

God’s word tells us not to lose courage, not to become DIScouraged, throughout the Bible. Receive strength and courage from Christ for it is freely given when you ask.

SCRIPTURE:

Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God willbe with you wherever you go.”

Psalm 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.

John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you along, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 46:1-2a
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me).

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Other verses:
Psalms 23; Psalms 91:9-11; Isaiah 41:10

WHEN YOU ARE AFRAID – READ PSALM 46:1-3.

I often feel discouraged. I often cry out to God to comfort me in my time of distress……… and He is there. I don’t know that I have the words to explain the comfort I feel through that still small voice.

Sometimes I just feel it in my heart, the words Christ spoke to the sea in the midst of the storm: BE STILL.

God bless you!
Amy

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?