A Sign, Lying in a Manger

Today as I was reading my Bible, I had one of those "a ha!" moments. I have discovered that as we celebrate the "first" coming of Jesus in the month of December, in my daily reading through the year, we read through Revelation, the "second" coming of Jesus. This just proves how God does everything intentionally. There are so many clues pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.

As I was reading Revelation I realized something very interesting. This is how I came to this conclusion about the "first" and "second" coming of Jesus. In Revelation Jesus if called the Lamb of God. "Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." Revelation 5:6. In Revelation 5:12 the heavenly creatures sang in a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"

This sounds so familiar to what the shepherds heard that night in their fields in Bethlehem (Fields pictured above). Jeff spoke this past week on the shepherds and I learned something that I didn't know. Bethlehem was the place where the sheep for the Passover sacrifice were raised. My mind is reeling right now because I have so much information that I can't seem to get it out fast enough. Think about this, the sacrificial lambs were bred there in Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was the Lamb of God (John 1:29, John 1:36). They could only use a lamb without blemish or defect for the Passover sacrifice. 1 Peter 1:19 says "the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." 1 Corinthians 5:7 says Jesus is the Passover lamb that was sacrified.

When the Angels appeared to the shepherds this is what they said, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."(Luke 2:11-14) The key word for me here is sign. There are many signs pointing now to Jesus as the Messiah and who He is in this picture of the nativity.

First, Jesus being the Lamb of God, and being born in a stable and lying in a manger. When we were in Israel, our tour guide showed us what a typical manger would have looked like when we were in Meggido. It's not made out of wood like we see in nativity pictures today. It was carved out of stone. (See the photo above) This would have held the grain or hay the animals would have eaten as well as holding the water they would have drunk. Now, think about this, here's the Lamb of God born in the stable, but he was lying in a food/drink trough. What did Jesus say he was? Bread of Life and Living Water. And what is bread made from? Grain. Jesus said we'd never go hungry or thirsty again in John 4. But, Revelation 7:14-17 says, "I answered, "Sir, you know."And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,"they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

16Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat. 17For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

But what else was that was revealed to me was who came to visit him. We often talk about the sheperds being the lowliest of the people. His "first" group of visitors were shepherds. What else is Jesus referred to? He's the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11,) His first intoduction to mankind is that he came as a shepherd. The "first" coming.

The "second" set of visitors were kings. What is Jesus coming back as the "second" time he appears to mankind? As the King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11-16:says, "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. " If this isn't another sign pointing to Jesus as the Messiah.

We see the picture of the Heavenly Hosts in the field greeting the shepherds with the glad tidings of great joy. Only a selected few had the opportunity of experiencing that. But the "second" time around the whole world will experience the glad tidings of great joy. The kind of joy where there will be no more tears. The Bible says that shepherds and kings bowed and worshipped the child lying in a manger. When Jesus appears to us for the second time, we will all have the opportunity to bow and worship him and this time he will take his rightful place on the throne in the temple. The very temple that as a Lamb of God he was sacrificed.

There is no doubt in my mind that all of these are signs pointing to Jesus as the Messiah. God is pretty creative and I would not put it passed the Creator of Life to have had some fun including these clues for us. Especially for those who are skeptical and have to have proof that Jesus is who God says he is. Watch for the signs. It won't be long before he makes his grand entrance for the second time, but this time, we'll all get to experience it.

I Wonder...

Over the past few days, I've been reading a different book in the Old Testament everyday. It is interesting how as we come to the last three weeks of the year, how many books in the OT I will read over the next few weeks. It's like I'm on a mad dash to finish. I do have to say it is amazing to me the way the daily reading is set up, that it actually concludes in one year. God is amazing.

If you have never read through the Bible, I really want to encourage you to do so in the upcoming year. Seriously the more I read, the more discoveries I make, which brings me to today's topic.

A couple of days ago I read the book of Amos. Now this is not one of the more well-known books, but there was one verse in the book that grabbed my attention. It is Amos 8:11. It says, "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign Lord, "when I will send a famine through the land-not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord." Hmmmmm, could this possibly be the warning to the people of the four hundred years of silence between the Old and New Testament?

Then today in Micah 5:3 it says, "Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites." The New Testament begins at the birth of Jesus. God's silence is broken. Think about that. Whenever God speaks it is life-giving. For four hundred years God was quiet. He did not interact with His people. I could not imagine not interacting with God for one day.

Obadiah had another interesting "I wonder" verse. Verse 15 &16 says, "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; our deeds will return upon your own head. 16Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually ; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been." I know this is another warning, but it is interesting that it says the nations will drink. Jesus is the living water (John 7:37) and because of him, anyone, from any nation has the opportunity to receive him as their Lord and Savior. But it is also a reminder to me that sin can leave you dehydrated.

But the really interesting thing that I have read over the past few days is the book of Jonah. Most of us are familiar with this story of this man running away from God because he's scared to do the job God asked him to. In the mean time, he runs in the other direction, gets on a boat in Joppa (pictured above) and a big storm comes. He tells the men to throw him overboard, which says he was even afraid to do it himself, and get swallowed up by a big fish. After three days, the fish spits him out and he finally does what God tells him to.

It is chapter 4 that is really interesting. Here's a guy that runs from God, yet God still protects him and then he's angry with God because of his mercy on a sinful people. Like Jonah wasn't sinful disobeying God? Jonah didn't seem to be a particularly happy man. He asked God to take away his life. He'd rather die than live. God challenged Jonah by asking him why he felt he had the right to be angry. Jonah decided he wanted to hang out and see what God was going to do with this city. Then once again, God provided shelter for Jonah with a vine. This vine protected him from the scorching sun. But the next day a worm ate it up. Again Jonah was angry with God for taking away his shelter. God once again confronted Jonah on his attitude. God asks Jonah why he is concerned about this vine even though he did not make it grow or tend to it. The people in Ninevah mattered to God. Even though God wasn't their God, God cared for them. But here is the "I wonder" in this book. It is the only book that ends with a question. God says to Jonah, "But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?" (Jonah 4:11) This does say a lot for God's mercy and compassion on even the people who don't claim Him.

So today's entry was about what I found in God's Word this past week. I do wonder if the conclusions I have come to are correct. If anything, it helps me to see how detailed God is in everything He does. Even more that He stands by His Word.

It's Reigning, It's Pouring...

For months I've been waiting to write on the book of Joel. This book has a special place in my heart. It is scripture that I have clung to many times in the past 5 years. I must give a disclaimer as what I am about to write is not backed by Biblical Scholars or Theologians. It is what I believe the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me over a period of time.

It wasn't until my trip Israel that I could fully understand this book. There are many metaphors used to describe situations and circumstances through this book of only 3 chapters. Yet it is powerful. I don't think Joel knew when writing this how much it would resemble the middle east in the 21st century. Even though some of the prophetic books in the Bible have already taken place, I do believe the reason they are still important to this day is because history does repeat itself. Joel 1:2&3 says "Hear this, you elders; listen, all who live in the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your forefathers?" 3 Tell it to your children and let your children, tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation."

The premise of this book is a warning to the southern kingdom of Judah. They have rebelled against God and now they are paying the consequences. But God in His mercy tells the prophet Joel to warn Judah of their doom if they don't make a change in their current lifestyle. No matter what, God is God and He will reign.

Joel Chapter 1 speaks of an invasion of locusts. Why locusts? Locusts are an insect that devours everything in its path. As well as leaving it in complete devastation and ruin. As we traveled by bus from Galilee to Jerusalem, the book of Joel came to life for me. So much of what I saw now makes sense to me. Our tour guide mentioned there was a "nation" in the land of Israel that is not known for the upkeep of its property. We could definitely tell which areas were possessed by this people group. These areas were not as clean as those occupied by the Jewish people. I remember too walking into the old city of Jerusalem and being greeted by this particular nations children. They were making evil faces at us as we entered. It was very interesting. It was at this point, the "locusts" represented this particular group of people. Joel 1:6-7 says, "A nation has invaded my land, powerful and without number; it has the teeth of a lion, the fangs of a lioness. 7It has laid waste my vines and ruined my fig trees. It has stripped off their bark and thrown it away, leaving their branches white." This is exactly what the areas occupied by this nation were like.

While on the bus from Galilee to Jerusalem, we drove along the Jordanian border. There was an eeriness about this particular section of the drive. It was desolate and as we passed by cinder block bunkers, we could see the residue of war. We could see where bullets fired at these places had penetrated the cement blocks. Trees were nothing but charred sticks. We can't imagine what war looks like here in the U.S. It was a bit disturbing to this American-bread Southern California girl. War here is spray paint along the freeway walls where gang members write in code to one another. Joel 1:19 says, "To you, O Lord, I call, for fire has devoured the open pastures and flames have burned up all the trees of the field." Doesn't that fit the description of what I saw?

As we continued our travel along the border, the Jordan River was in the distance. We had left it earlier where it was lush and green. But now the river seemed to get smaller and smaller, while the banks of where the river used to flow got higher and wider. This must have been where the Israelites had crossed because if the river had come up to the top, it would have been deep and wide. Our tour guide said that the Jordan had been cut off due to keeping the Lake in Galilee filled with water. This body of water is now used as a reservoir. This is why the Dead Sea is drying up because there is no water from the Jordan flowing into it. The farther we drove, the smaller and more shallow this river became. Now it was like a stream. Joel 1:20 says, "Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the open pastures."

Chapter 2 of Joel is a warning to the people of Judah that an army is coming to destroy their land. Verses 2&3 says, "a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was of old nor ever will be in ages to come. 3Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste-nothing escapes them." Being from Southern California, I am no stranger to fire storms. They are incredibly overwhelming as well as intriguing. Most Southern Californians stay glued to their television when these fires break out as they move across hillsides and deserted terrains leaving only charred ground and ash in their wake. The air is thick with ash and the sky as dark as clouds of a thunderstorm. It looks much like snow flakes as they drift through the air. Even living several miles away from one of these fires can leave its residue covering yards, porches and cars. Unlike snow that is pure and white, the ashes leave its victims feeling filthy and dirty. Joel 2:10 says, "Before the earth shakes and sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine." During these kind of fire storms, the billows of smoke leave the sun and moon a reddish color, while the stars cease to shine. Have you ever been underneath those commercial fireworks that are shot off? I have and the whole area shakes and sounds like thunder. I wonder if when it talks about the sky trembling if it's not a picture of air strikes in battle.

In this 2nd chapter of Joel, God calls the nation of Israel to a Holy fast. If they obey this command, the Lord promises they will be restored. "Then the LORD will be jealous for his land and take pity on his people.

19 The LORD will reply to them: "I am sending you grain, new wine and oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations. (A thought: grain represents the bread of life - Jesus, new wine - the blood of Jesus to cover sin and oil- the Holy Spirit*)20 "I will drive the northern army far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land, with its front columns going into the eastern sea and those in the rear into the western sea. And its stench will go up; its smell will rise." Surely he has done great things. 21 Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice Surely the LORD has done great things. 22 Be not afraid, O wild animals, for the open pastures are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

23 Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm - my great army that I sent among you. 26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. 27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.

28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls."

There is a lot said in this passage of scripture about God's mercy and his love for His people. In verse 22 it talks about the autumn rains in righteousness and abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains that will be a harvest. In a spiritual sense, the reign of the Spirit of God will bring a harvest of Salvation and repentance to the land. When the Holy Spirit is reigning down and flooding our souls, we should begin to see new believers sprouting up everywhere. Isn't that what happens after the winter rains? The seed in the ground begins to shoot through the soil and things seem to come to life in the spring. I believe this is what it will look like in the Spirit.

Joel 2:28 and 29 describe what will happen when the Holy Spirit is poured out on all men and women. They will begin to prophesy and see visions, young and old, men and women. No one will be exempt from this glorious season of harvest.

Chapter 3 concludes this book. Verse 9 tells the Holy people to prepare for war. There is no doubt that war must take place inorder for them to see the victory that is to come. Verses 17 &18 says, "Then you will know that I, the Lord your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. 18 In that day the mountains willd drip new wine (A thought: those redeemed by the blood of Jesus*), and the hills will flow with milk (A thought: living a life nourished by God's Word*); all the ravines of Judah will run with water(A thought: Living Water*). A fountain will flow out of the Lord's house and will water the valley of acacias." (Remember Ezekiel 47?)

Are you currently in the midst of a season that the "locust swarm" has devoured everything? Do you feel the spiritual battle going on within your soul? Does it seem as though the residue of life has left you with nothing but ash and filth? Don't loose hope. He is the God who will restore what the locusts have eaten. He is the God who reigns down and yields a harvest of new wine and oil. He is the God who removes shame and disgrace. Trust Him in the desert because when He reigns, He pours!

The Gift of Christmas

It's only twenty days until Christmas. I can't believe how quick it is coming this year. I wish we could stop the clock and slow time down. When I was a child it took forever for Christmas to arrive. Now that I'm an adult, it comes quicker than the blink of any eye.

This year we are doing something different. We are celebrating the "season of Christmas", rather than the day of Christmas. Jeff and I have decided not to buy gifts for each other and even the kids are getting a minimal amount of things this year. We'd rather save for a special vacation next year. We'd rather make the whole season of Christmas a gift.

We decorated the house the day after Thanksgiving and every night the four of us gather in the living room to light a candle, sing our advent song and read a story from the book "The 25 Days of Christmas." This has become a tradition for us since our kids were little. My kids look forward to it every night. This time together is a "gift" especially as they are growing up so fast.

My daughter Jordanne still believes in Santa Claus. I'm making the most of it, as this may be the last year that the jolly fellow stops by our house to leave gifts under the tree and in the stockings. We've even decided to make our Christmas morning a scavenger hunt so the kids have more boxes to open. I am going to put notes in wrapped packages and place them under the tree. Then each gift will lead them to the real one. It's called creative Christmas.

The other night Jordanne wrote a letter to Santa with pictures she downloaded from the internet. She wants an ipod, a wii game and of all things, the spotted elephant from the Island of Misfit Toys from the movie "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." I've told her that even though Santa brings the gifts, we have to pay him for the ones he doesn't make, like video games and anything electronic. Jordanne wrote: "Dear Santa, I know that my parents have to pay for the electronic gifts so if they cost too much, I would like the spotted elephant from the Island of Misfit Toys. I know your elves can make this so it shouldn't be too hard to get."

After reading her letter, in my heart I knew that was the one gift that I would NOT be able to give her. Where in the world would I find the spotted elephant? That movie came out 30 some years ago. I want so much to make this Christmas special since we aren't doing the big gift giving.

Immediately I began searching the internet. I did find the spotted elephant, but it wasn't in the price range I was hoping for. I became anxious because I wanted to find that elephant. I even went on ebay looking for one. But they were all too expensive.

After scrambling around on the web, I had to run out to do some errands. I needed to make a stop at Target to pick up a gift that Justin had asked for. While I was there, I thought I should pick up some wrapping paper to wrap the few things I had. As I was looking at the paper, all of the sudden my eyes gravitated to the shelf of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" ornaments. There, on the the bottom shelf was ONE gift set of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Spotted Elephant from the Island of Misfit Toys for only $14.99! Just one left!

Immediately, I heard the Lord say to me, "Jayme, if you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will I, your Father in heaven give good gifts to you who ask Me!" (Matthew 7:11) I was so happy! I can't begin to explain how much I wanted to shout for joy while I was standing there. All I could do was thank Him over and over.

That moment in Target, was a gift to me from God. The Lord loves my daughter even more than I do and wants to surprise her with special things, even if it is from Santa Claus. It was a gift to me because He reminded me that He loves me too and that not only my "needs" matter, but my "wants" do too. Jordanne didn't need that elephant, she wanted it.

Over the years I've seen God do some amazing things. He has surprised me many times with "gifts" that I didn't expect. Probably the most important gift that I have received is the gift of His Son Jesus. With receiving the gift of Jesus comes the gift of salvation, the gift of wholeness, the gift of healing, the gift of hope, the gift of joy, the gift of peace, (the shalom kind), the gift of love, the gift of the Holy Spirit in my life, the gift of a personal relationship with Him, and the gift of spending eternity with Him.

Maybe this Christmas there won't be as many gifts under your tree as there had been in the past. But if you have received the gift of Jesus in your life, then you will find all those gifts I mentioned and more under the "Tree of Salvation" (the cross). "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

This gift of Christmas is not about material gifts. It is about the gift that God gave to us. The birth of His son Jesus Christ. So let's celebrate the gift that we've been given. If you haven't received this gift, I encourage you to do so. This is the gift that keeps on giving and you will have a life time of gifts to unwrap. Just like the "creative Christmas" we are having, God gives us the joy of unwrapping who He is as we seek Him. Matthew 6:33 says "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Discover the gift of Christmas!

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6 & 7 (NLT)