What do I want for Christmas?
I want to walk with God, so that others may see His Son Jesus Christ living in me.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3 (KJV)
“This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8 (KJV)
Also see Genesis 5:22-24;
What do I want for Christmas?
With today’s “Want” I am being a bit selfish. I have a problem with my right knee which is in pain.
I want to ask those who read this, those who have a heart for God, His Word, and His Son, and prayer; to pray for healing. In addition I want to ask God to heal your hurts and pains today as well. God bless you, and Thank you.
Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.” Psalm 25:18 (KJV)
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to always trust in the LORD God through His Son Jesus Christ no matter what may come, and I want all my family, neighbors near and far to trust Him as well.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” Psalm 62:5-8 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to be faithful to the LORD God today through His Son Jesus Christ; to be faithful in serving Him and serving others; to be a faithful pastor, preacher of the Word; husband to my wife, father to my children, grandfather to my grandchildren; and in that order.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galations 2:20
What do I want for Christmas?
I want my heart to be humble before God, my mouth to be silent about things too profound for me that I do not understand, and that my hope, and strength might always be in the LORD through His Son Jesus – God the Son.
LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.” Psalm 131:1-3 (KJV)
Christmas day is always a special day, and over the years the celebration of Christmas has grown to last for over a month, with people deciding to be more loving, more gracious to others, giving to charitable organizations even more than usual. When I started doing this Christmas day everyday, up until Christmas day of 2016 I wanted to present the idea of living each day as though it was Christmas, honoring the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ;
So What do I want for Christmas?
I want every day to be a day of giving; giving the word of God to others that they might hear, and leave it up to you to either receive and believe, or reject and perish in your unbelief; giving you hope for tomorrow; hope that only comes through the love of God shown in the cross of Jesus Christ, His burial and bodily resurrection.
I realize there are other ways of giving; and that is probably what most think of; but giving involves so much more than things; He is the Giver of all things.
“The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into His hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:35-36 (KJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the whole world; I want you to know that God loves you despite the way you are; and that He loves you too much to leave you the way you are.
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:15-18 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
What do I want for Christmas?
I want all the Nation of Israel to know that God has your back; He is watching over you; and I want you to know that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and God the Son, and that one day you will look upon Him, bow before Him as your King and Messiah.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Romans 11:26-29 (KJV)
“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My Spirit that is upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” Isaiah 59:20-21
What do I want for Christmas?
I want the Muslim people around the world to know that the one, true GOD loves them; that His name is Jehovah, and He has a Son whose name is Jesus; that He is God the Son and Son of God; that He loves you so much that He sent Jesus who came willingly, of His own volition, and died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from that grave, and He ever lives.
The death of Jesus was the death of the righteous, for the unrighteous, the price of redemption to bring all who will believe into the very presence of God.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:23-26 (KJV)
“That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:15-16
What do I want for Christmas?
I want my family, friends, neighbors, readers of this blog, people around the world to be free of crippling, hindering fear, and I want you to know that is only possible through the faith of Jesus Christ Son of the Living God, God the Living Son.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I know that it is Easter Sunday for Christians around the world; however, I want to better understand the love, grace, mercy, and power of God through the cross, burial and resurrection of Jesus; and I want you to know that this same Jesus who was born in a manger came to die for the sins of the world, that He did, was buried, and He arose from the grave; and He is soon returning. Make sure you are on His side.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:17-19
What do I want for Christmas?
I want my friends, family, neighbors all around the world to know that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave; that He is the Son of the Living God, and God the Living Son.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (NKJV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Also see Colossians 1:16-19; Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; Revelation 1:17
What do I want for Christmas?
On this LORD’S Day I want my whole life, and every day to be spent in nothing more and nothing less than praising Him, and glorifying the name of Jesus Christ the Son of God, God the Son.
“Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want people of Jenkins, Missouri; the State of Missouri; the United States of America; the North and South American continents; and the world to know that they are sinners, apart from God, lost, condemned and dying; and that Jesus Christ the Son of God, and God the Son died on the cross, was buried, and bodily arose again for you (for us all) that we might be redeemed to God, and have the peace of God which passes all understanding.
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)
“And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”” Luke 19:9-10
What do I want for Christmas?
I want my wife, children, grandchildren, and my other family members to be saved, secured, and protected daily by the mighty hands of God, and His Son Jesus Christ; and that we all might know Him intimately.
For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NKJV)
“But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
What Do I Want For Christmas?
On this Lord’s Day of January 31, 2016 I want to join my brothers and sisters in Christ at my local Church to worship, praise, magnify, and remember our Lord’s death until He comes again. Will you join me; at least by being in your local Church to worship and glorify our God and Savior Jesus Christ – the Son of God and God the Son.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:19-25 (NKJV)
What do I want for Christmas?
I want to no longer be selfish, or self promoting; I want my heart and mind to want what my Creator wants; for myself and for all His creation.
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galations 2:20 (NKJV)
There is nothing new about evil. It has been in the world from the beginning of Creation. Since Adam and Eve fell in the garden of Eden there has been evil in the hearts of humankind.
We are a fallen race. We are born into the world separated from God; and our hearts are evil. The words of the prophet Jeremiah; “The heart is deceitful abouve all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The words of the apostle Paul, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God has intervened, and sent us His Son.
The apostle Paul speaking to Jews in a synagogue said,
“For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.” Acts 13:47-49 (KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ was meant to be a light to the Gentiles; all the rest of the world; as well as to the Jewish people. The Gentiles of Paul’s day rejoiced in that.
O, people, the world needs Him today. We do not need our own conception of Him; we need the Biblical Jesus. The One who came to die for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of the grave alive.
We Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God, God the Living Son. You need Him today if you have not fallen on your knees and face before Him. Believe Him today.
We ought always be amazed by the power of God. We ought always realize that God is working, moving, accomplishing His purposes in the world around us and in our own lives.
Previous to the verses we look at today Jesus had been on the Mount called “Transfiguration”, and He was speaking with Moses and Elijah. A wonderful experience for Peter, James and John, and where they heard the Father say, “This is My Beloved Son: hear Him”.
Coming down from the mountain they encounter a man who has a son possessed of a demon, and is tormented by the evil one; tearing, tossing, torturing him with great pain, and grief to the father of the son. The other nine disciples have been powerless to cast out the demon. Jesus has come and speaks to the “unclean spirit”, and the demon leaves, the son is healed, and is delivered to his father (Luke 9:28-42)
Jesus knew the time of His death was near. He had spoken to the disciples of His death on previous occasions, but they did not yet understand.
“And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, He said unto His disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of Man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask Him of that saying.” Luke 9:43-45 (KJV)
In verses 51 and 53 we can note that Jesus had His “face set to go to Jerusalem”, and that means all the way to the cross, and to death for our sins.
In the words of the text above Jesus wanted the disciples to know and to understand; but it just had not happened yet.
In the Gospel account of Matthew Peter attempts to rebuke Jesus after Jesus has spoken of His coming death (Matthew 16:21-23). A disciple rebuking his Master? I almost laugh at the thought; but Jesus rebukes Peter, and even tells Satan “Get behind me Satan”. For man, or the whole human race to think that they can thwart the power, plan, and purposes of God is even more laughable. See Psalm 2:4.
For the Christian today we can understand what has taken place; yet we must have the heart, mind and soul for hearing it, hiding His Word in our hearts, and obeying it. We can pray for understanding and wisdom in the Word; but if we never read it, and study it, there will not be any of wisdom or understanding. There will also be no growing faith in Him.
O Christian; hear Him. Do His word. Let these sayings sink down into your ears; and your heart. Jesus has been delivered into the hands of men. He died, was buried, and bodily arose and came out of that grave, and He ever lives.
Prayer is something many people talk about. Prayer: just what is it? Is prayer not one speaking with God?
Can an unredeemed individual pray to a holy God; and get an answer? The Psalmist has written, “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18).
How important is prayer? It was important to Jesus. It was His time with His Father, and provided solace, strength, and wisdom in decision making. When He was overwhelmed by masses of people; He would go away to pray (Luke 5:12-16). Hear what Luke says…
“And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 (KJV)
Let me just close by adding this comment. If Jesus the Son of God, God the Son needed to pray; so do I. I cannot live, breath or have any being without Him.
To whom do we pray? To the Father through the Son; because He made the way possible into the very throne of His grace; to find help in the time of need. (See Hebrews 4:16).
NOW, Let us go pray, and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Jesus on trial before a wicked, mob of Jewish priests, and haters of the Gospel of God stands with confidence in His Father and in the fulfillment of the promises, and prophecies of the Word of God.
As He is being questioned He stands boldly; not answering the questions which are baited to condemn Him, but speaking the truth when a question is asked about His identity:
“And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But He held His peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, and said unto Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:60-62 (KJV)
“Son of the Blessed” is speaking of GOD, the Supreme authority of the Universe, and all created things.
Jesus’s words would not be fulfilled immediately. They will be fulfilled; and maybe nearer than many would want or like to think.
It was my sins and yours that He went to the cross to bear; and to suffer the wrath of Almighty God, and die that all who will believe in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus came unto His own and His own received Him not (John 1:11), The following verses answers who Jesus is for those who doubted who He was. If they would only believe the Scriptures.
“And Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool. David therefore himself calleth Him Lord; and whence is He then his Son? And the common people heard him gladly.” Mark 12:35-37 (KJV)
The Believer’s Bible Commentary gives a good answer for this question:
The scribes had always taught that the Messiah would be a lineal descendant of David. Though true, this was not the whole truth. So the Lord Jesus now posed a problem to those gathered around Him in the temple court. In Psalm 110:1, David spoke of the coming Messiah as his Lord. How could this be? How could the Messiah be David’s Son and his Lord at the same time? To us the answer is clear. The Messiah would be both Man and God. As David’s Son, He would be human. As David’s Lord, He would be divine.
The common people heard Him gladly. Apparently they were willing to accept the fact, even if they might not have understood it fully. But nothing is said of the Pharisees and scribes. Their silence is ominous.
FROM The Believer’s Bible Commentary for Mark 12:35-37.
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus asked the disciples “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?”, and after they had answered what they were hearing others say; He asked them, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter was the only one who responded; “Thou are the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16).
The matter of your salvation lies in your answer to that question: Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus? Your answer must agree with God and His Word if you are to have eternal life.
In the United States of America people are easily offended. I will probably offend someone with this post today; but that is on your shoulders, not mine.
We have a Constitutional right of Free Speech. That right, however, does not mean that we can say hurtful, evil, things that will cause harm to others. It does mean that we have the right to speak what we believe to be the truth without fear of bad repercussion. If the truth offends someone else, then, they just need to deal with it.
Some who are offended easily by the Truth, turn to Jesus Christ as a picture of having never offended anyone. People who think that do not know Jesus Christ or anything about Him. For example:
“And He went out from thence, and came into His own country; and His disciples follow Him. And when the Sabbath day was come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this Man these things? And what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands! Is not this the carpenter, the Son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching.” Mark 6:1-6 (KJV)
Jesus had gone into His own city where He was raised, and the people recognized Him as the Son of Mary with brothers and sisters; yet they were offended by His life, and His teaching – “They were offended at Him”.
If Jesus offends you; it is because you do not know Him. Are there other times when Jesus offended others? Think of the two times He drove the money changers from the temple (John 2:13-17; Matthew 21:12-13). Do you think they were offended at Him? I would think so.
We as Christians should not seek to offend others; but if we live a life like Jesus lived; faithful to the Father, and our Saviour; then there will be people offended by our life, and walk, and our talk.
“I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ lives in me…” How about you?
Have you ever felt betrayed? It can be from a friend, family member, work place employee, or even a spouse. Betrayal is not pleasant to experience. Have you ever sensed that it was coming?
I am not talking about a paranoia; but rather a reasoning thought that someone is about to leave you with the cat in the bag. I cannot begin to imagine how being sinless, and the perfect Lamb of God, and knowing that there was one of my followers about to betray me; how that would feel.
Jesus had that happen. The verses for today tell of that; at least that it was near. We read,
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, He said unto His disciples, Ye know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed to be crucified.” Matthew 26:1-2 (KJV)
Jesus knew this was about to happen, yet, He goes to Jerusalem for the Passover, and He knows it will be His last.
When we have trusted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour it is the work of the Holy Spirit to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). When He lives in us we must die daily to the desires, lust, greed, and anger of the world (1 Corinthians 15:31).
When it comes down to it for the Christian – the follower of Christ – we like Him go on with our work, our ministry, our lives; trusting the Lord of all with what happens in our lives. The devil is the ultimate betrayer.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Feeling betrayed today? Remember Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God. He was betrayed and He went to the cross, bled and died for us.
The topic of forgiveness is an often neglected teaching; but much needed. It is also a matter of much discussion when it is brought up. Sadly, it can even generate heated discussions that lead to a need to forgive.
The matter of forgiveness is an easy subject to talk about, but sometimes hard to put into practice. Yet the Christian is not requested to forgive, but commanded to do so. We are told by Jesus that if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15).
I must ask myself this question, If Jesus Christ can forgive me, then how can I not forgive others? I know that is a hard question, but it is mine; and I think an honest one. Peter the apostle even asked Jesus;
“Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)
If someone keeps on offending you, causing harm to you, your mind, your heart, your family, your home, your car, your land, etc. Just how many times do we forgive them?
If we are sinners who hated God, His Word, His Son, the cross, and everything holy, righteous and just; before we came to Jesus; and He forgave me/us; and He continues to forgive everytime we sin against HIm; then why should we not also forgive those who sin against us?
There is a recent show of forgiveness among a group of church people. After a young man has come into their church on a Wednesday evening, and set with them through a Bible study when they go into prayer he began shooting, and killing them; nine in number. Their word toward the man following the incident were words of forgiveness. God bless them.
The next time you are offended, or injured by someone; forgive them.
How can one forgive such atrocities as mentioned above? Through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus forgave His tormentors, His killers, those who would be His enemies. He forgave me. I can forgive too.
The Fire and Hammer 