5th Day of Advent: Jesus is Creator

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness....."

 Genesis 1:26a

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word with with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.  

John 1:1-3

So 26 verses into the Bible we see that God isn't singular.  There is a Triune God, three Persons but One God.  There is God the Father, Jesus is the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus was present at Creation! Jesus didn't just come into being that night in Bethlehem.  Jesus is Eternal so He has always been (just not in human form) and will always be!!  Therefore, Jesus created us.  John 1 solidifies this idea.  He is the Word and so He was right there with God when He created the world and everything we know!  How awesome is that!! 

It puts into perspective another aspect of Jesus' life.  He is part of the Creator and He came down to Earth to live with the created.  That's wonderful news for us.  We have a God who knows us by name and wants to be with us!! We can't choose our earthly family but we have a Heavenly Father who has chosen us.

Just earlier I was thinking about a new project and how I love to create things.  The Holy Spirit reminded me that since I was made in the image of God who created, I too am able to create.  I can't create mountains but I can craft so that's basically the same thing ;)

So Jesus not only was there when the world was formed but when you were formed as well.  He knows you inside and out because He knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalm 139) so why not get to know Him the same way?  How amazing would that be to state that you know Jesus that intimately?? Well guess what...WE CAN KNOW HIM!!  Because of His Work on the Cross, we can have an intimate and personal relationship with our God.  Not only does He desire that but also delights in it too. 

How does it impact your relationship with Jesus to seem Him as Creator and Savior all wrapped up in one?  Will you praise Him today for something He created?  Whether it is you, someone else or even the mountains, sky and stars.  It was ALL made by Him.    What words of worship can you offer Him for this amazing Truth?

With His Love,

A

4th Day of Advent: Jesus is the Lion of Judah

 

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Revelation 5:5

Jesus is not only a Lamb but also a mighty Lion.  That's the duality of His nature has God: gentle yet powerful, slain but alive, sacrifice and priest.  In Revelation, we learn Jesus is the One who comes and is able to open the scroll of God the Father's Plan of future events.  Only Jesus has the authority to reveal what is going to happen.  The fact that He is called the Lion of Judah refers back to Israel's (Judah's father) blessing in Genesis 49:9 which alluded to the Messiah being from the Tribe of Judah.  Jesus has human, earthly, tangible, traceable ancestors.  Jesus is fully man, yet also fully God. 

He is also called the Lion because they are fierce animals.  Jesus has fierce love for us.  He is powerful and mighty, yet He cares for and protects His own, like a lion would a pride.  How does this make you appreciate His love for you? 

Since Jesus has triumphed, that means if we believe in Him and put our whole trust in Him, then we have already won!  Will you give everything over to Him and praise Him for His triumphant entrance into the Throne Room of God to open the Scroll (Revelation 5)? 

In His Love,

A

3rd Day of Advent: Jesus is the High Priest

"For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might might make atonement for the sins of the people."

Hebrews 2:17

The image that I found last year is still just as amazing/powerful as it was when I first found it.  Here is an artist rendition of Jesus in the Priest's clothes standing before the Ark of God offering a sacrifice.  That thought should provoke mighty worship this evening!!  Only the holy priest could atone for the sins of the people on that special Day of Atonement, once a year.  Since Jesus' sacrifice was more powerful than any other sacrifice, there only needs to be One.  His sacrifice is Eternal and will last forever.  So. Much. Power.  I love studying these roles of Jesus because it sheds such depth and understanding to Who He really is!

Also the holy priests had to cleanse themselves from their sins.  However, Jesus was sinless so He did not have to offer any sacrifice for Himself.  Therefore, His death on the cross, is all for us.  Let me repeat that....His Death is ALL FOR US.  Jesus came to Earth to die for us.  Jesus set aside His Heavenly Kingdom to come to our sinful, broken world to deliver us.  He is our Holy Priest to offer the Sacrifice of Himself as an Atonement for all of our past, present and future sins.  Let that sink in.

Not only is Jesus the Sacrifice but also the only One who can present the Sacrifice (Himself) to God (who is also Himself) #astonished.  Jesus didn't enter the earthy temple to present the sin sacrifice of Himself, but the Heavenly tabernacle (Hebrews 8:5) which paid the penalty (death) for all sins for every person who have every lived and will live #astonishedagain (Hebrews 7:25). 

Jesus is our High Priest for every and every.  The One who is able to go to God on our behalf.  How awesome is that?!  Since our sinful selves could not approach a Holy God, He fixed that by giving up His Glory in Heaven to become human and save us!! How can you praise Him tonight for that?  Join me in lifting up your voice in prayer and adoration tonight that Jesus as the High Priest and Atonement Sacrifice that has washed us new from our sins!!

In His Love,
A 

2nd Day of Advent: Jesus the Provider

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:17

Jehovah Jireh is one of my favorite names for the Lord because it means the Lord provides.  In so many ways these past few years, He has provided for me what I needed most just when I needed it.  If you don't know my mom had a brain aneurysm in 2013.  You can read more about it here and here.  We needed just about everything and God always provided.  He has given us amazing supportive family members and friends. 

God the Father always provides based off His great plan for our lives.  Jesus provides because He gave us a way to deal with our sins and for us to be able to go to heaven.  Remember Jesus is eternal, meaning He was with God the Father when He provided everything in the Old Testament too.  Jesus didn't just appear in the Trinity when He became human and was sent to Earth.  He has always been around!  The Holy Spirit provides us with knowledge, insight, and conviction as we read scripture as well as peace and assurance.  Our Triune God perfectly provides in every way!!

He not only provides us with everything but it's everything that we need!  He knows exactly what we need at every moment of the day.  If you don't know what you may need, then ask Him!  Ask Him to reveal to you what you may need at that very moment.  Then remember He will provide in His Time and in His Way.  However, He will always be with us!

If I'm honest, I struggle most days with not trusting God in His provision.  I say and know that He provides but often I doubt.  I doubt because He doesn't meet my expectations of what I want for my life.  Although I know His plan is good and need to remind myself of this.  We see in Romans 5:17 that God provides abundantly!!!  His provision may not be material but spiritual truths.  The past few years, He has provided me abudntantly with understanding and desire to read the scriptures.  What is He providing you with?  Is it material?  If not, how does this change your praise and worship of Him?

I would love to hear your provision stories :)

In His Love,
A

1st Sunday of Advent 2016

"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

Peace was my "word of the year".  I struggle with anxiety and only when I rely on Jesus, do I have peace in my soul.  Jesus is my Prince of Peace.  He can bring a Peace into your life that is unlike anything of this world.  The Peace that Jesus offers you is amazing.  You can be free of your sins and the guilt that follows them.  You can be free of addictions and worship of idols.  You can be free of anxiety and worry (I'm working on this one!).  You can be free of so many things if you let Jesus take over your life.  When you are rooted and have Jesus as your Foundation, then Peace will enter your life.

I think the greatest Peace is that our life is already in the hands of God.  He knows everything that will happen.  We just need to be still and listen to Him.  That's how I have experienced Peace in my life.  Giving control to God (who ultimately has it in the first place!). When I give to Him what is rightfully His, then Peace follows.  

Peace is something we all desperately need at all times of the year but especially now.  We are rushing around not savoring the meaning of this season: the celebration of God's gift to us.  We have received the most important gift of all: Salvation!!  Jesus came down to save us, why do we overlook this fact every year?  What is robing you of your peace?  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  His peace can be never taken away from us.  When we feel robbed of peace, that is the false imitation of worldly peace that we feel gone. 

This is one attribute that I continuously praise Jesus for this season, but I don't feel very at peace but quite the opposite.  Daily I need to exchange my version of peace for Jesus' True Peace.  How are you incorporating more peace into your life?  Is Jesus your Prince of Peace?

In His Love,

A