Merry Christmas and God Bless you!

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 ~ Isaiah 9:6.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life ~ John 3:16.


For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh ~ Romans 8:3.

Yes...He came to set us free from the law of sin and death! Yes, Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death ~ Romans 8:2.

This Christmas contemplate on all of the above and this: Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you ~ John 6:27. Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her." ~ Luke 10:42.

What is the Divine Nature?

In 2 Peter 1:4 it’s written: “… by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of God’s nature, or divine nature, which is perfectly pure and cannot be tempted by evil. We are promised that we can be partakers of the divine nature by fleeing the corruption in the world that comes through our lusts. As ... , having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

This sounds unbelievable. We can be partakers of divine nature? What does that actually mean? Isn’t its blasphemy to say that we could be divine – like God? Mary was a sinner in need of a savior. Yet, she believed, and accepted God's Will to do a good work in her. Yes, Mary was aware of this as she proclaimed what God was doing in her and for her. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me.  Holy is His name” ~ Luke 1:49.

To believe that I personally can be a partaker of divine nature does not mean that I am trying to become greater than God. I am not even trying to put myself on His level. Among other things that God is that I never will become is: Almighty, the Creator, all-knowing, etc.

Becoming a partaker of the divine nature means that the characteristics of God’s nature become my own. For example, among other things, divine nature is: Good, Gentle, Righteous, Merciful, Forgiving, Long suffering, Patient, Joyful, Peaceful, Self-controlled, Faithful, Kind, Honest, and above all, loving!

None of us have these characteristics as part of our nature, without them having been tainted by sin at some level. “Good” human characteristics are always limited, flawed, and often self-seeking. There is a huge difference between human righteousness, or human love, and the righteousness and love of God, for example.

In James 1:13 it’s written about God that He cannot be tempted by evil. Every human being, on the other hand, has a flesh containing lusts and desires, or the inclination to sin, which causes us to be tempted. That is human nature. However, if I am faithful to overcome when I am tempted to sin, step by step I can develop so the sin in my flesh is put to death. 

Then these Godly characteristics, which are pure and perfect, can be created in my life by the Creator. It is a process of transformation. Even Mary was aware of this as she proclaimed what God was doing in her and for her. “For the Mighty One has done great things for me.  Holy is His name” ~ Luke 1:49. 

Mary was open to such blessings, and was found favorable. She came to understand that partaking in the divine nature is a creating work that God does; a miracle! 

Slowly but surely the fruit of the Spirit, which is another way of saying divine nature, starts to replace the sin in my flesh. This is clearly written in Galatians 5:16-26. As I continue to faithfully follow Jesus on the way of overcoming sin, my actual nature becomes divine instead of human. I can follow Jesus’ example because of the Holy Spirit within me, who shows me the truth and empowers me to overcome!

This is something I have to be conscious about. It doesn’t happen automatically. It only happens if I consciously make use of the opportunities, I get daily to overcome things like pride, irritation, impure thoughts, malice, envy, gossip, laziness, selfishness, etc.

It is written that Jesus did not count equality with God robbery (He had every right to it), but He humbled Himself and came in the likeness of men, and then He was obedient to the point of death, which is why God has highly exalted Him. (Philippians 2:5-11).

It is also written that the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Christ bodily. (Colossians 2:9) That means that while He was in human form, Jesus accomplished this transformation from human nature to divine nature fully. And now I am to follow on this way He laid out for me – the way of humility and obedience. Through faith and patience this is possible. “But also, for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7.

What does it mean that Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh? It isn’t something that I do in my own strength. It is a creating work that God does in me; a miracle! Then it really becomes noticeable that my actions, motives, and purpose in life become divine – they are far above what is “normal” for people. The result of God working this miracle in me – through my obedience to the faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit – is that God’s thoughts, which are so much higher than my thoughts, as the heavens are high above the earth – become my thoughts!

The fact that God can accomplish such an amazing feat in me as a normal, natural human being, one who is thoroughly ingrained with the tendency to sin, is so amazing that I will praise, honor, and glorify Him for all eternity for what He has saved me from. Then my life, the new creation, will truly bring honor and glory to God. This is the living hope that I have, what I fight for, what I live for, and what my eyes are firmly fixed on.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1

*Online Source ~ https://activechristianity.org/what-does-it-mean-to-be-partakers-of-the-divine-nature?fbclid=IwAR14siwi2_rVUB5MS1rcGBaCNvOrbDtHLcpzsfoCRQA9J2kEKE6Yu9QuSEQ

Advent ~ Partakers in the Divine Nature...

This is the season of Advent and it is a time for us to prepare as partakers in the divine nature… We reflect on Christ’s first coming and anticipate his second coming. 

In Luke 1: 45-47 we read what can be called Mary's Song
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.” Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!…”

In Mary’s song, her response to being called to be a partaker in the divine nature shows that she too was a sinner in need of a Savior and she rejoiced in that good news. She knew herself to be a sinner who needed a Savior, and so she could do nothing else but rejoice in God for his offer of salvation through the promised Messiah. 

You see, those who see their need of Christ, and are desirous of righteousness and life in him, he fills with good things, with the best things; and they are abundantly satisfied with the blessings he gives. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings, while the self-sufficient shall be sent empty away.

Folks, this last part is so important…. He will satisfy the desires of the poor in spirit who long for spiritual blessings… while the self sufficient (those who think that they can do it themselves/or vote the right person in/ do the right things in the right order … those that try to be their own savior) will be sent away empty.

If you long for spiritual blessings, then get ready. We are to prepare to be partakers of such blessings as Mary was open to such blessings. Firstly by accepting Christ as our Savior and secondly by communicating to each other the work of grace begun in us. That is what Mary and Elisabeth did.  

It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another. On Mary's arrival, Elisabeth was conscious of the approach of her who was to be the mother of the great Redeemer. 

At the same time she was filled with the Holy Spirit, and under his influence declared that Mary and her expected child were most blessed and happy, as honored and dear to the Most High God. Mary, animated by Elisabeth's address, and being also under the influence of the Holy Spirit, broke out into joy, admiration, and gratitude.

 

For unto 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 ~ Isaiah 9:6

This Sunday begins the 3 week of Advent… Declare Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Read the Word of God, pray and prepare for being a partaker in the divine nature.

Love God... the Greatest Commandment!

Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength... the greatest commandment! ~ Mark 12:30. What does that mean? It means just that... Love God! Spend time with Him, not someone or anyone else. Wait for His guidance... don't run out and just do something because you think that's the right thing to do or because someone told you to or because everyone else is doing it. 

When you start spending time with God, you won't have much time for anything or anyone else. But, that's OK because God wants the same from everyone: rich or poor, free or imprisoned, ignorant or intelligent, skilled or unskilled, black or white, male or female .. etc. He wants you to want Him and Him alone for He is a jealous God! He wants this because He loved you first! Yes, "Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes" ~ Ephesians 1:4.

Remember this story in Luke 10 ~
"As Jesus and the disciples came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:38-42.

You see folks, worldly business is a snare to us even that which seems to have good intentions like Martha. But, when it hinders us from serving God which is to rest in His Presence and Peace, then we actually become distant from God and in the world. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out! The favor of God is needful to our happiness; and, salvation in Jesus Christ is needful to our safety and our eternity in Him. 

For this is the one thing that is most needful; and, this one thing is what Mary knew which was to give up herself to Jesus Christ. Where this is attended to, over all other things, there is His Will is being done. The things of this life will be taken away from us as we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us. Let us be mindful of the one thing that we need more of ~ Jesus Christ.

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple" ~ Luke 14:26.

What is the meaning and history of Advent?

For many Christians unfamiliar with the liturgical year, there may be some confusion surrounding the meaning of the Advent season. Some people may know that the Advent season focuses on expectation and think that it serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. This is part of the story, but there’s more to Advent.

The word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4^th and 5^th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1). During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.

By the 6^th century, however, Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the “coming” they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.

 Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah.

Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season...

While Israel would have sung the song in expectation of Christ’s first coming, the church now sings the song in commemoration of that first coming and in expectation of the second coming in the future.

*Online Source ~  https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/christmas/what-is-advent.html?fbclid=IwAR18Q26ukSr0QiVKmfcKe2amK7Ea9ZY6XsOlQZITH6bjKSaTebix-Z98o54

1 Peter 3:1 ~ Wives Submit Yourselves...

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives.

Oh how grievous to me to hear so many women object to this scripture... Here is why they should not object. Firstly, we cannot in our fallen condition, though yet having the Holy Spirit, fully understand God's ways and His Will for our lives. How does the Holy Spirit help us when we read such scripture? It helps us to accept the Word of God as right for us because His ways are not our ways.

You see, the wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey not the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch the ways and lives of professors of religion. Putting on of apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament. 

Religious people should take care that all their behavior but few know the right measure and bounds of those two necessaries of life, food and raiment! Unless poverty is our carver, and cuts us short, there is scarcely any one who does not desire something beyond what is good for us. 

Far more are beholden to the lowliness of their state, than the lowliness of their mind; and many will not be so bounded, but lavish their time and money upon trifles. 

The apostle directs Christian females to put on something not corruptible, that beautifies the soul, even the graces of God's Holy Spirit. A true Christian's chief care lies in right ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied ornaments or fashionable apparel, attended by a froward and quarrelsome temper. 

Wives should be subject to their husbands, not from dread and amazement, but from desire to do well, and please God. And when, reading 1 Peter 3 further, we learn that we as women should not be concerned about outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry or beautiful clothes. We must instead clothe ourselves with the beauty that comes from within.... gentle and quiet. 

James 2 ~ Faith and Works...

Reading from James 2: 14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it is not complemented by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.  

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone. 

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

True believing is not an act of the understanding only, but a work of the whole heart. That a justifying faith cannot be without works, is shown from two examples, Abraham and Rahab. Yes, Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness; this was true believing... a work of the whole heart and the same can be said of the prostitute.

Faith is the root, good works are the fruits; and we must see to it that we have both. This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it. There is no middle state. Every one must either live God's friend, or God's enemy. Living to God, as it is the consequence of faith, which justifies and will save, obliges us to do nothing against him, but every thing for him and to him.