Tag: Food For Growth

Matthew 1:17

[17] So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Matthew uses fourteen generations. He makes a big deal about it, so I started paying attention. 14 is the Hebrew 10 and 4. 10 is the number of covenant, and I believe 4 is the number of division or separation (kinda like sanctification).

See, in Hebrew, there aren’t separate symbols for numbers and letters. The numbers and letters share the same symbols. Each letter equates to a number; this is where the Hebrew Gematria comes from.

14 in Hebrew is also notably connected to the name David, which is who Matthew was trying to show them Jesus was the son of. David’s name is 14 in Hebrew Gematria. I thought that it was interesting that Matthew showed them that Jesus was the Messiah (the Son of David) through the numerology of their own language.

Everything in the Bible has a purpose. There’s nothing written just to be written. Just to fill the page. Matthew was showing that Jesus’ very own genealogy states He is the son of David. The rightful heir to the throne. Three sets of 14 generations from Abraham to Jesus, showing He is the promised offspring of Abraham. Two sets of 14 generations from David to Jesus, showing He is the rightful heir to the everlasting throne promised to David’s descendant.

Each and every letter has meaning in the Bible. God has written it, now it’s up to us to seek out the meaning of these things.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Just Read.

¹ Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. ² And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ³ Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶ These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. ⁷ And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. ~ Acts 6:1-7

I always knew today was Boxing Day, but I never knew it was the Feast of Stephen. The Feast of Stephen is most well known for being in the song/hymn “Good King Wenceslas.”

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

We all know these words, but the last words I had never heard before. They truly summarize the Feast of Stephen.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

See, on the Feast of Stephen, you honored the memory of Stephen the martyr by giving gifts to the poor. Why? Because Stephen was one of the seven chosen by the early Church to oversee daily food distribution to ensure none were being overlooked or missed.

Stephen died not too long after this in 36 AD. He was stoned to death by the Sanhedrin. And with his dying breath, he prayed to the LORD that He wouldn’t hold that sin against them. He used his dying breath to pray for his murderers.

Today, we honor that legacy. A legacy of love, selflessness, forgiveness, and giving. If you, LORD forbid, were to die today, what would your legacy be? What would people remember you for? Today, don’t let it just be another day. Go out of your way for another person. Let today be the day you start leaving a legacy you would be proud of.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Leave A Great Legacy.

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ² (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) ³ And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. ⁴ And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) ⁵ To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. ⁶ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴           Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

Good will toward men. ^{~ KJV} Luke 2:1–14

This is the real and true Christmas story—the greatest story ever told. Why is it so important? Because this is the day we celebrate, the day we commemorate, that a Savior, who is Christ the LORD, was born.

A tiny, helpless baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

The same God who said, “Let there be light,” and light came to be, had now incarnated Himself—becoming a humble, helpless baby, dependent on His earthly parents to provide, protect, and love Him. He took on flesh and came in the form of man so that He might save man through His life, death, and resurrection.

That is what the angel was proclaiming that night to the shepherds who were out in the fields keeping watch over their flock when he said, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” For a Savior was born in Bethlehem—a Savior who was destined for the cross in order to save mankind from their sins. Every man, woman, and child now has the opportunity to live throughout eternity with Jesus.

There are many so-called facts that claim to be verified by science that are not facts at all, such as evolution. But here is a fact you can depend on, a truth you can believe, because it comes from God Himself: a Savior—Jesus, the Christ—was born over two thousand years ago. He lived and died, was raised to life again on the third day, and is coming back to receive unto Himself all those who believe and take refuge in His great and mighty Name.

This Christmas, let the joy of the new birth take shape in your life. Believe God for great and mighty things—things that only He can provide. It’s Christmas; let us rejoice and be glad. Our LORD and Savior has come.

Father, thank You for the joy of Christmas. Thank You for the hope we have in Jesus. Thank You, LORD Jesus, that You are coming back for us, so that where You are, there we shall be also. In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” ~ Luke 2:8-12

The very first people to hear the good news of the long-awaited Messiah were shepherds. Not kings. Not rabbis. Not the teachers, prophets. None that you would expect to be the first to greet the King of kings and LORD of lords. The Great I Am. God Himself. So, this begs the question, why were the shepherds the first to hear?

Jesus, the LORD, is the Good Shepherd, and we, the Church, are His sheep. God told the shepherds first because they represent the head of the Church. Leaders of the Church are shepherds under Christ, the Good Shepherd. The shepherds being the first to hear about and see Jesus isn’t random or strange. It’s setting the stage for the leaders of the Church to take their rightful place and shepherd the flock of Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Follow The Good Shepherd.

⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). ~ John 1:41

Do They Know It’s Christmas?, performed by some of the biggest stars at the time, was and still is an anthem of compassion. While the lyrics definitely mischaracterize an entire continent, the words do hit a soft spot in our hearts with lines like:

And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

And another:

And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight, thank God it’s them
Instead of you

Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? is specifically a line we should all ask ourselves. What do I mean by that? Do they know Jesus, the Messiah, has finally come? No matter how hard the world tries, they can’t separate Christ from Christmas. Christmas will forever be a symbol of hope because it singlehandedly marks the birth of the Messiah—the birth of the Light of the World.

So, this Christmas, ask yourself, “Do my children, family, friends, coworkers, neighbors know it’s Christmas time at all?” Do they know the Messiah, Jesus? Or are they still looking for something? A Messiah? Peace? Freedom? Joy? Hope? Something to fill the emptiness inside? This Christmas, don’t wait to share Jesus with others. Don’t hesitate, be afraid, or intimidated to share Christ with anyone and everyone willing to listen because without Christ, they have no hope.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let Them Know It’s Christmas.

⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ~ Ephesians 2:4-7

I have no gift to bring
That’s fit to give The King
…
I played my drum for Him
I played my best for Him

Little Drummer Boy is one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time. Every time I sing these lines tears fill my eyes. We have nothing fit to give the King of kings and LORD of lords. No gift worthy of Him, yet all He asks for is for us to give our best. To give Him us as He first gave Himself.

This Christmas, as you celebrate with you family and friends, remember the very first Christmas Gift. Remember that Christ came to save us. He left the splendor of all of Heaven for us. And in return all He asks is for us to give ourselves back to Him. Just as a bride will give herself to her groom, we are to give ourselves to Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Give Yourself.

Romans 3:21-26 ESV

[21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Every Christmas season Churches will mention the Immaculate Conception and connect it to the birth of Christ not realizing it’s not about His conception or birth at all. It’s about Mary. The Feast of Immaculate Conception is celebrated every December 8^th in honor of the immaculate connection of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

See, Catholics believe Mary was conceived sinless and perfect. It is one of four Marian dogma of the Catholic Church, established in the 7^th century. The other three being the perpetual virginity, the mother of God, and her ascension. So often, Christians use words and terms that sound like they should be Christian, when in actuality, they are indeed not. See, all have fallen astray. All have sinned. All have made mistakes, that is the reason Christ had to come. That is the reason for the virgin birth.

Mary needed Jesus just as much as the rest of us. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” This is true for ALL of mankind. Jesus isn’t the exception to the rule. He is the rule. Jesus came to be our perfect sacrifice in order that all of mankind, including Mary, might be saved.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Celebrate The Only Perfect Conception.