dailywordofdestiny

“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS (YESHUA, translated “HE SHALL SAVE”), for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the LORD through the prophet, saying; ‘Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name IMMANUEL (which is translated, ‘GOD WITH US’) (Matthew 1: 20-23).”

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts WILL perform this (Isaiah 9: 6, 7).”

“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit…’ (John 20: 19- 23).”

“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called BETHLEHEM, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM IN THE INN. Now there were in the same country SHEPHERDS living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the LORD stood before them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID, for behold, I bring to you tidings of great joy which WILL BE TO ALL PEOPLE. For there is BORN TO YOU THIS DAY in the city of David a SAVIOR, who is CHRIST the LORD’ (Luke 2: 1-20).”

“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a NEW song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have REDEEMED US TO GOD by Your BLOOD…’ (Revelation 5: 8-14).”

“JOY to the world, the LORD IS come. Let EARTH RECEIVE her King. Let EVERY HEART PREPARE him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing.” (Isaac Watts: Psalm 98).

Christmas: I love this time of year for so many reasons. I like the lights and the trees, the cool and crisp air, the snow, toboggan rides down hills of snow, ice skating and frozen toes, the hustle and bustle, Christmas music, the smell of baking, fellowship with family and friends, church bells ringing, candles flickering, smiling faces, and laughter. I especially like Christmas concerts; the “old-fashioned” kind. Do you remember memorizing lines for your part in the Christmas play, the rehearsals, trying on costumes, and the excitement of the actual night? Remember when you walked into the church and you could smell the fragrance of the newly purchased HUGE Christmas tree, the beauty of the lights on it and especially, the little brown bags of Christmas treats under the tree for each child and all the guests? I remember the JOY and EXCITEMENT I felt in my heart as we would stand and sing all the old and favorite carols.

One of the readers (Bill A.) sent me a letter last week and it is here I’d like to share it. I pray you will be as blessed as I was by the way Holy Spirit blessed him with a “personal” Christmas gift. God desires each of us to experience HIS PRESENCE in a new and deeper way these next weeks and months. I thank Him for this blessing.

As written by Bill:
“Here lately for me He has been revealing Himself more and more. The more I empty Bill of himself the more room there is for Him to take up residence, live in and through me. How beautiful. Recently the Lord, through a lady friend chose and blessed me to be a part of a dance group! I don’t dance! Perhaps I should rephrase. I used to not dance. The LORD had other plans. The group is composed of 25 women and two men that truly love the LORD. We are joined together as one body from assorted churches. The dance is a celebration where the LORD receives His bride and dances with her. Don’t laugh too loud when I share this, but the LORD truly has a sense of humor. At the young age of 62 yrs being married, father of 3 children and 6 grandchildren, never having acted, or danced; I have performed twice (2 different locations) with these ladies. I portray Jesus. Yes, I know Jesus was 33 and I believe with lots of hair. Oh well like I said He truly has a sense of humor. When I was asked to help it was ok until my friend said that they needed a person to portray Jesus!!!! Their Jesus (one they had) had to leave the group. I was speechless. I kept saying, “But you want me to portray Jesus!!!! Not Peter or Moses. I did accept with some slight prodding from my wife.

There are no words to convey what I have experienced! My life will never again be the same. I now have new perspectives the like of which I have never known. It has been the most wonderful AWE inspiring with joy unspeakable and full of glory experience of my life, which is getting shorter. I have now portrayed the King of kings and LORD of lords, Christ Jesus. I pray that when persons look at me they don’t see Bill, but only the LOVE of the Father through His Son, Jesus. The past several months the LORD has been weaving a most beautiful and wonderful golden web of His glory through my life experiences in this earthly realm. He has been reaching from His heavenly realm into my inner most being. Heaven on earth. What an honor to have been chosen by Him and to serve Him. Forgive me, I talk too much.

PS. Please pray for our group this Sunday. We have been asked by another church to portray the dance. May the audience see none of us, only His heavenly hosts. May lives be cleansed and healed by Him through our clay vessels.

Blessings…Bill A.”

Bethlehem: In Hebrew means “house of bread, family house, food for man or beast (bread, or grain to make the bread).” In Greek it means “begin to sink, drown; depth (sea)/deep; profundity, mystery; to walk, a pace (base) (by impl. the foot).”

I see each of us as a “type” of Bethlehem; a “house” (temple, 1 Corinthians 3: 16) in which we decide if there is room for Christ. Have you made room for Him and is He your daily bread? JESUS said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6: 51). I believe He is calling each of us into a far deeper, personal relationship with Him. A relationship that will require death of any “self” that is remaining within our lives. He is calling us once again to the foundation of our spiritual lives; to the foot of the cross for a NEW and FRESH infilling of His very life. Do you have room in your inn? Jesus made a way for you at the cross and He has prepared a place for you to live with Him eternally. “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in Him” (John 6: 56).