December 2009
It is always so wonderful
to share my monthly view with you, especially
as the Christmas season approaches. According
to the Merrian-Webster dictionary, Christmas
is "a festival or holiday commemorating
the birth of Christ." A virgin brought
forth a child, and they called his name
Emmanuel, meaning "God with us."1
In last year's December view, I shared the
Biblical view of Christmas. Click
Here.
From the Mailbox
The following is one of
the many letters that arrives each month.
This one brought tears to my eyes.
"I have written
you a couple of times before, and I'm
writing to you again for advice. My mom
went back to prison for the third time,
and this time it really hit me hard. It
was literally like a shot in the chest.
I'm probably the only kid in the world
who has lost their parents three times.
I live with my dad
now, and he's an alcoholic. He's a mean
drunk, and I just don't know what to do
anymore. I find myself drifting slowly
away from school work because I have to
take my mom's role since she is away.
I don't have time for anything anymore.
I know your past
actions make, and will always make you
seem like a horrible person, but I believe
people change. I write to you because
I know that you have also been through
dark times. Any advice or insight you
can give would be greatly appreciated."
Julie Escondido, CA
My Heart Goes Out
My heart goes out to Julie
and to all children whose parents are incacerated
or who find themselves in a similar situation.
Sadly, Julie isn't the only child to have
lost parents. With the divorce rate over
fifty percent, adults and children are suffering
the consequences around the world. It is
the innocent children who suffer the most.
I explained to Julie how
we are to make a stand and not let people,
circumstances, and worldly things control
us. This is possible only through God's
grace [power]. We overcome our circumstances
through the power of Christ's cleansing
blood and righteousness, the power of His
resurrection life, and the power of the
Holy Spirit. We know "...the Spirit
who lives in us is greater than the spirit
who lives in the world."2
As we grow in God's grace,
we learn to be totally dependent upon God.
As we draw close to God, He draws close
to us.3 Jesus says,
"Come to Me all of you who are weary
and carry heavy burdens, and I will give
you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me
teach you, because I am humble and gentle,
and you will find rest for your souls. For
My yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I
give you is light."4
I suggested that Julie
goes to see her school counselor to explain
her situation. It is very important to ask
for help from adults, and at all costs,
stay in school. Also, I asked her to visit
the local Calvary Chapel for support by
attending services and participating with
the youth group. She is not alone. Others
have experienced what is happening to her,
and the Lord expects us to hold each other
up. Let us pray for Julie to embrace the
finished work of Christ for power to overcome
the world. "For every child of God
defeats this evil world by trusting Christ
to give the victory."5
Paradise Lost
From the beginning, we
were created with authority over the fish,
the cattle, the earth, and every creeping
thing upon the earth.6
As you know, we lost our inheritance of
authority in the Garden when Eve was deceived
by the serpent, Satan.7
Adam failed to exert his authority over
every creeping thing. "When Adam sinned,
sin entered the entire human race. Adam's
sin brought death, so death spread to everyone,
for everyone sinned."8
Today, "Satan, the
god of this evil world, has blinded the
minds of those who don't believe so they
are unable to see the glorious light of
the Good News that is shining upon them.
They don't understand the message we preach
about the glory of Christ, who is the exact
likeness of God."9
As a result, they walk around in sin and
darkness, letting that creep, Satan, walk
all over them until the message of the kingdom
of God is heard, believed, and acted out
in their lives.
Kingdom Restoration
Jesus came to restore authority
back to us. "...before Christ came,
we were slaves to the spiritual powers of
this world. But when the right time came,
God sent His Son, born of a woman, ...to
buy freedom for us[redeem us] who were slaves
to the law, so that He could adopt us as
His very own children [sons & daughters
of God]."10 Jesus
went into Galilee preaching the Good News
of the Kingdom of God, saying, 'At last
the time has come! The Kingdom of God is
near! Turn from your sins and believe this
Good News.'"11
When Nicodemus sought
out Jesus at night, he said, "...we
all know that God has sent you to teach
us. Your miraculous signs are proof enough
that God is with you.' Jesus replied, 'I
assure you, unless you are born again, you
can never see [know, perceive, or understand]
the Kingdom of God."12
In other words, unless we are born of the
Holy Spirit, we can never understand the
things of God, which are revealed by the
Spirit.13 If the Holy
Spirit lives in you, "...the Kingdom
of God is within you."14
The Kingdom of God has come to earth, and
through Jesus, we become a part of it.
There is great power in
Jesus' name, Christ yesterday, today, and
forever the same. The blood of Jesus protects
our soul, and through His blood, we are
made whole. At the Word of God, the enemy
will flee, just as surely for you as he
will for me. If you will lift your hands
in praise, you'll feel all the pressures
of Satan raise. Amen!
Kingdom Authority
Jesus came to give us kingdom
authority as sons of God. He sent out His
disciples with authority over all the power
of the enemy, even before they were born
again.15 After they
were born again, they turned the world upside
down, while preaching the Kingdom of God.16
Their prayers were answered as Jesus had
taught them to pray; "Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, on eath as it is in heaven."17
Does your life need to
be turned upside down? Let's face it, life
is hard and full of suffering and pain.
Are you allowing the world, the flesh, and
the devil to defeat you? If you are, it's
time to make a stand by receiving your authority
in the Kingdom of God. Ask your Heavenly
Father to give you spiritual wisdom and
understanding, so that you might grow in
your knowledge of God. I pray that your
hearts will be flooded with light so that
you can understand the wonderful future
He has promised to those He called. I want
you to realize what a rich and glorious
inheritance He has given to you.18
"A final word: Be
strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put
on all of God's armor so that you will be
able to stand firm against all stategies
and tricks of the Devil. For we are not
fighting against people made of flesh and
blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities
of the unseen world, against those mighty
powers of darkness who rule this world,
and against wicked spirits in the heavenly
realms."19
A Prayer For You ...
"I ask you, Father,
to give me a complete understanding of what
You want to do in my life, and I ask You
to make me wise with spiritual wisdom. Then
the way I live will always honor and please
You Lord, and I will continually do good,
kind, things for others. All the while,
I will learn to know You, Lord more and
more.
I also pray that I will
be strenthened with Your glorious power,
so that I will have all the patience and
endurance I need. May I be filled with joy,
always thanking You, Father, Who enables
me to share the inheritance that belongs
to Your holy people, who live in the light.
For You have rescued me from the one who
rules in the kingdom of darkness, and You
have brought me into the Kingdom of Your
dear Son, Jesus. You have purchased my freedom
with Your blood and have forgiven all my
sins."20
Scripture References:
Acknowledgement: A special thanks
to Sherry for transcribing this months view!
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