A Devotional Thought From Matthew

…Where is he that is born King of the Jews?...      Matthew 2:2

                We were at the church this morning, my wife and I, helping to decorate for Christmas. It was one of those nice times of fellowship that puts us in the mood for Christmas celebration. Later when I read my devotions for the day it included the story of Christmas from the Magi’s point of view. They asked this question: Where is he that is born King of the Jews?

                Herod did not know who it was specifically, although he correctly surmised it was Messiah. He did not know exactly where the birth was to take place, although he remembered that the scriptures gave that information. And, as the wise men discovered through their journey, and then their interaction with Herod, and their arrival in Bethlehem, the King of the Jews was the Messiah who is Jesus.

                This incident with beautiful pinpoint accuracy summarizes the central truth of the incarnation revealed in Christmas.

                That phrase, the King of the Jews, comes up again at the end of the gospel story also. Unable to bring himself to free a clearly innocent Jesus, Pontius Pilate puts a public sign on the cross, it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin (John 19:30), and it stated JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS (John 19:29).

                From the beginning of the story to the end Jesus is the King of the Jews:

                The baby in the womb was King of the Jews.

                The baby in the manger was King of the Jews.

                The boy in the temple was King of the Jews.

                The preacher on the road was King of the Jews.

                The teacher of the disciples was King of the Jews.

                The crucified savior is King of the Jews.

                The risen Lord is King of the Jews.

                The coming King is the King of the Jews.

                The Creator and King of the Universe is the King of the Jews.

                The promised One sent for all peoples is the King of the Jews.

Merry Christmas! Celebrate the King! Joy to the world the Lord is come!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.     1 Timothy 2:1,2

Suggested prayers for the USA President-elect as he becomes  one “ in authority” as President of this nation:

Pray that he will seek God’s righteousness for the nation.

Pray that he will have clarity of vision concerning what is good for all Americans.

Pray that he will be strong on moral issues.

Pray that he will work to ensure constitutional American freedom of religion.

Pray that he will be able to galvanize citizens to make America  unified, cooperative, and forward-looking.

However you pray do not fail to pray for God’s blessing upon those “in authority.” Then do your part in helping our nation by seeking to live a quiet, peaceable life in godliness and honesty.

Praying For The President Elect

Let Christians here in America, and the world over, hold Donald Trump in prayer. Ask God to give him the experience of Psalm 84:12: O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Ask God to move upon Mr. Trump’s heart so that he will come to true biblical faith, and have faith that spills over and blesses us all.

A Devotional Thought From Amos

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of iron:         Amos 1:3

                In the first two chapters of his prophecy Amos expresses the punishment that will be meted out to Damascus, Gaza, Tyrus, Edom, Ammon, Moab, Judah, and Israel. In each case he cites, “for three transgressions and for four.” Each of the nations to be punished where receiving their “just desserts,” and among those nations you will note were Israel and Judah, the very people of God in the Old Testament.

                Three or four sinful behaviors and actions were bringing down the wrath of God upon them as a nation state and a people. Their transgressions brought severe judgment.

                Ought not modern day nations to be aware that what they sow might be what they reap? I think so! Or, is it possible that modern day nations have so progressed that behaviors worthy of punishment are no longer to be found among them? I don’t think so!

                Let’s let the USA, the most developed and among the most “freethinking” nations in the world be an example. Can three or four societal issues that are worthy of God’s punishment be found in this society? Yes, simply yes! Here are some.

1.       Political, and even religious, leaders, diminishing biblical faith and endorsing everything but orthodox biblical truth.

2.       Political and religious leaders devaluing  the sanctity of human life to the point of more than a half million abortions committed each year.

3.       Political leaders endorsing the relaxing of laws against the illegal use of drugs, especially marijuana, so that we do not know how many drivers on America’s many highways and side roads are operating automobiles and other vehicles under the influence endangering the lives of all those who are on the road with them.

4.       Political and religious leaders virtually approving various forms of immorality and breakdown of the nuclear family.

Yes, such national sin attitudes will bring some kind of judgment. Even if God does not specifically intervene but just allows nature to take its course, these sinful behaviors are some that take a nation, any nation, down into the depths of destruction.