The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries extends our best wishes and prayers to our online Church family. This is a time to enjoy family and friends. We will return January the 8th with new and current messages. God Bless you and always remember, God loves you the best. Have a great and blessed holiday season. We are looking forward to seeing you again on January 8th, 2012.
God Bless You,
The Spirit of Wisdom Ministries
Brother Bob Baker, Victoria Baker,
Justin Rocque
Special Notice: We are presenting a special Christmas music video, "Oh Holy Night" sung by Celine Dion. You do not want to miss this one!!
Another year has passed us by, and once again we find ourselves one week before Christmas. Let the games, the fun and the stress begin. My suggestion to each of you is this: Look at your budget closely and however much you plan to spend on gifts, cut it in half. Gifts always look good on Christmas day, but some of the glow seems to disappear when the bills start rolling in. Well, am I right or wrong on this? Let me welcome everyone to your 24/7, weeklong, online church service. Everyone is welcome in this place.
Thank you for taking the time to read or listen to this message. I trust you will be blessed by the Word of God that we preach to you this week. My second suggestion is this: Put all the trappings of Christmas aside and put the birth of Jesus front and center. Please parents, read the Bible account of the birth of the son of God to your children. Notice I did not say ‘read the story.’ The reason for that is the Bible account of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus is not just a story. In fact, the Bible puts forth a historical and factual report of the Savior of the world coming to this earth; the ultimate expression of God’s everlasting love for us.
An interesting experiment would be this. Start today and actually take note of the percentage of time you put toward gifts, Santa Claus, parties and decorations. Now, compare that with the amount of time and consideration you actually give to the birth of Jesus Christ. You know, folks, even people who complain about Jesus being left out of Christmas might be surprised about what the percentages say about them. This is not a rebuke, church, this is said to point out the obvious. What you do with this message is up to you.
Let’s take a look at the Word of God and really read or listen to what the scripture has to say. This is important information for us all. Turn with me to Luke 1:26-28 and let’s read it together.
“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, “Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women.”
So there is the beginning. A number of things can be brought out here. The first thing to note is that there really were angels back then, and if you really study the Bible you will see angels are still here to minister to us today. The second thing to notice is that Mary really was a virgin. There should be no dispute about this. The birth of Jesus truly was a supernatural and a true miracle of God. The Bible identifies this young virgin as Mary. A young virgin woman who was engaged to Joseph. You can begin to see where this could be a point of dissension between Mary and Joseph, but hold on, I am now getting ahead of myself.
The angel Gabriel goes on to say “Hail”, which by the way is a form of greeting. “Mary, you are highly favored, the Lord is with thee.” Well, that makes sense, doesn’t it? Do you really believe God would choose someone out of favor with him to become the mother of his only begotten son? Of course not. Gabriel says, “Blessed art thou among women.” Listen folks, sometimes Catholics exaggerate this proclamation by Gabriel while at the same time Protestants often times try to diminish the importance of what the angel Gabriel was telling Mary and us.
Now, let’s continue reading Luke 1:29-33. Listen church, I know you have heard this before, but I want you to really open your spiritual ears and hear the importance of what God is imparting to you here. Luke 1:29-33 states:
“And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: For thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
There it is, my friends. The prophecy sent forth by God to Mary by way of the angel Gabriel. You will notice the young Mary was troubled at first. But, Gabriel gave her the same message that God imparts to us when we are troubled. “Fear not.” Luke 1:34-35 sums it all up for us. Listen carefully now.
“Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
Do you get this, my friends? That which was born of Mary is the son of God. Now that is something to celebrate, isn’t it? Now just in case you are wondering, an angel also appeared to Joseph and explained to him what was about to happen. Joseph and Mary became husband and wife and the baby Jesus was born. Do you not believe this historical happening to be more important than a mythical Santa Claus? Well, I sure do.
Let me give you some homework for this week. Read the Book of Luke Chapters 1-2. Once you read the full accounting of the birth of Jesus Christ you will truly be blessed. My friends, there are many things about the holiday called Christmas that are not based on Godly foundation or principle, but you can’t go wrong in remembering and telling your friends and family about the birth of the Savior of the world.
Did you read last week’s message entitled, Who is God? Church, we are laying out some very basic foundational truths for you. We have been impressed that many of you need to be introduced to the God above all gods and his son, Jesus Christ. It is also true that some of you believers out there need to be reintroduced to your heavenly Father and to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our mission is not to bring you to a point where you know about God, but rather that you know God. Believe me folks, that is a very big difference. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, week long, online church service. Everyone is very welcome in this place.
I am encouraging you to read or listen to last week’s message again. This week we will add to and build upon our teaching and preaching on the subject, Who is God? You stay with me church, and together we will be blessed as we ask and expect to see a God given revelation of who he is.
One of the best ways to find out about anyone is to check out their testimony and what their past record shows us. So let’s start there. We will use the Word of God, which is the Bible, as our benchmark for truth. Is that okay with you? Please, turn with me to the Book of I John and let’s continue our journey toward a full knowledge of God. I John 5:11-12 states:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son hath life; and he that hath not the son of God hath not life.”
That, my good friends, is the record. Let’s look a little closer here. John was talking to believers, but what he says here would also apply to nonbelievers. The truth is God’s son Jesus, paid the full price to set us free from the bondages of sin even before we were believers. This was God’s gift to all of humanity. You see, Jesus didn’t come to this earth to save a select set of people to form a big, private club. No my friends, the gift of salvation is for whosoever would believe in Jesus and receive him into their hearts.
In other words, they would accept the sacrifice Jesus did for them and would repent from their sinful ways and begin to learn and live for him. This scripture does not end there, however. It goes on to spell out the consequences of our decision to receive or reject the only begotten son of God. Let’s be blunt here. Accept equals eternal life with God and his son Jesus, reject equals eternal death and separation from God forever – all this after our physical death. Are you still with me?
Now, I’m sure some of you may disagree with me on this point, but if you do, you also disagree with the very literal interpretation of this scripture. That having been said, I would love to hear your viewpoint on this subject. My email address is at the right side of this message, just above the featured music video. I John 5:13 goes on to say:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the son of God.”
John clearly states that he is talking to believers by letter. But, I surely believe if you nonbelievers out there make a decision to believe on the name of Jesus, this scripture can also be applied to you. Let’s back up this point with another scripture. Remember, we are talking about the attributes of God. Number one being he is love and he shows his love to us. You know, sometimes when we are reading a good book we can’t help ourselves. We look at the back of the book because we desire to know what happens. Well, tell you what. Let’s go to the last book of the Bible right now. Let’s check out Revelations 7:13-14. Judge for yourselves if this scripture doesn’t line up what we have already given to you in this two part message. Revelations 7:13-14 states:
“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, which are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And I said unto him sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (The Lamb being Jesus).”
This elder was talking to John. The elder basically explained to John this was a very specific people that came out of tribulation. Anyone out there in tribulation at this time? In fact, the elder was talking about those who were saved by trusting in Jesus and what he did at the cross. As believers, that would be you and me. God is a rewarder to those that believe in him. Revelations 7:15-17 goes on to say:
“Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple: And he that sitteth at the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Oh my, church, the true picture of our God is becoming more clear, isn’t it? You have just had a glimpse of eternal life with our heavenly father; God dwelling right in the midst of us, not only spiritually but physically as well. God will see to it personally that no longer will we struggle with things like poverty or thirst that cannot be quenched. Jesus will feed us. All of our needs will be met in person by the Lamb of God.
I want you to get this, my friends. The last sentence in Chapter 7 of Revelations says “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” In other words, all things that have ever caused us sorrow will be forever gone and forgotten. All because of God’s love for us and by our returning his love by receiving his son, Jesus, into our hearts and confessing him as Lord of all. So the question is, do you know God a little better now? If you do, we have done our job.
Well church, Thanksgiving has come and gone, hasn’t it? That is the day set aside to give thanks to God for our blessings. Thanksgiving Day has passed, but in truth, giving thanks to God should never be set aside, should it? Maybe we should take this week to take another look at our heavenly Father. It may answer some questions as to why we should be thankful to him every day of our life. Welcome everyone to your 24/7, weeklong, online church service. We must emphasize again, everyone is welcome in this place.
The question might be asked, who is God? What are his attributes? What does he mean to us and why? You know folks, oftentimes this online church talks about God’s love, mercy, grace and peace. The reason we talk about these things is to show who God and his son Jesus really are. The Book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament is a good place to start. Please, turn with me to Deuteronomy 4:29-31 and let’s read it together.
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things have come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swear unto them.”
What a great description of God’s love for us. God is saying from the first time you look to and for him, he will show himself to you. My friends, God is not hiding from you at all. My prayer for each of you is that God reveal himself to you in a very real and personal way. Why? So that you may be saved from the bondages of sin and that you may walk with him in victory right here on this earth.
This scripture clearly says that God is a merciful God. He sees your human flaws, yet he says “I will never forsake thee, neither destroy thee.” Do you get this, church? God is a God of life and not death. He desires us to know him and to follow his ways so we can have a better life today and forever. Why, if you listen to some people, you would think God is ready to strike you with a bolt of lightning, when in fact, all he really wants is to show his unending love for you.
Now, read these scriptures again. Take special notice of the “ifs” in the scripture. Remember, I always tell you to circle the ifs, buts and lest when reading the Bible. They give you instruction on how to receive the blessings of God. They also help you to avoid destruction and defeat. I have often referred to the Bible as the Handbook of Life. With good reason, don’t you think?
Another important aspect of God is his Word. How many here remember the old saying – “He is a man of his word?” Talking about men who would do everything they could to back their words with action. Well church, let me put it to you this way – no one keeps their word more than God. That is why you can trust the Bible. It is the Word of God in written form just for you. Let’s take a look at Psalms 119:89-91 for confirmation.
“Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances; for all are thy servants.”
I hope you are getting this church. It is these truths that will build your confidence and faith in the Lord. So now, we know God is always available to us. We now understand God is not out to destroy us, but to give us abundant life in him. We have pointed out once again that God is merciful toward us and isn’t that something to be thankful for?
Now, we clearly see that God’s Word is settled in heaven, not just for the saints of old, but for all of us today and for all future generations. Who would that include? Well, how about our children, grandchildren and all future great-grandchildren? The 90th verse says God will be faithful to perform his Words of Life to all generations.
You know folks, we all desire our close relatives and friends to be faithful to us and us to them, don’t we? But the truth is, that just doesn’t happen as much as it should. But with God, it is just the opposite. He is always faithful and he always will be. Another scripture that highlights these aspects of God comes from Psalms 89:2, let’s check it out. This scripture says:
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, mercy shall be built up forever; thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.”
Oftentimes when I pray, I thank God for his love and mercy that endures forever. I understand one thing for sure, my friends, God’s love and mercy does endure forever. But that love and mercy is not just for me. No. It is for all of you. I am asking you to allow yourself to receive God’s love and mercy into your life today.
This goes for you no matter what spiritual condition you find yourself in at this time. You may already be saved, yet far away from God. You may not know or believe in God at this time. But, just remember how Deuteronomy 4:29 starts: It says, but if from thence – so what does that mean? It means from the time your thoughts begin to focus on God, he is there to help you.
God has given his son Jesus Christ to die on a cross to pay for your and my sins. He loves us that much. The very least we can do is to accept that love and mercy so generously given to us. Some of you need to email me today for further instructions, don’t you? After all, this is your online church.
