Jim

Jim

¹ The first thing that existed[1] was the Word[2].  The Word[3] was with God and the Word[4] was God. ² He[5] was the first thing to exist[6] with God. ³ Everything[7] came to exist through him.  Not one thing was made without him making it. ⁴ Life was in him and the life was mankind’s Light. ⁵ The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness didn’t get[8] it.

⁶ A man came[9] (along who was) sent by God.  His[10] name was John ⁷ and he came as a witness to testify about the Light so that everyone[11] would believe through (what he said). ⁸ He[12] wasn’t the light but he testified about the light. ⁹ The real light, which was coming into the world, (would) give light to all people.

¹⁰ The world was made by him but the world didn’t know him. ¹¹ He came to (those who) belonged to him but (those who) belonged to him didn’t welcome him. ¹² (However,) he gave the power to become God’s children to all[13] those who welcomed him and believed in his name – ¹³ (to those who) were born to God, not of blood, bodily desires or men’s desire.

¹⁴ The Word[14] became human[15] and lived among us.  We saw his honour and glory – the honour and glory of the only one of his kind from the Father[16], full of kindness and truth.

Application

What do I say about what I think is the most amazing doctrinal passage in the whole of Scripture.  It has been deliberately mistranslated, misunderstood and defamed, but right from the very first time I remember reading it, the truth hit me that Jesus is God.  He made everything and he gives me the power to be God’s child if I receive him and believe in his name.

He is life to me and his life is my light.  Without Jesus, I am blind.  How foolish to think that I can see without light.  How foolish to think that I know things that are unknowable except by the creator.  Knowledge is limited by my humanity and the limitations of this earth or, for a few, this solar system (well, the earth, its moon and a spaceship to Mars).  Although man’s attainments are great, they are invisible compared to God’s universe in which our solar system is less than a spec.

Yet the God who made it all loved me so much that he came here to make me and all those who believe in his name and welcome him his own children.  He gives us all the authority and privilege of being God’s own son or daughter – a deliberate, intentional display of God’s desire to be personal and a dad to me, someone he made personally as his work of art.

Prayer

Father, thank you for sending the Word into the world.  Thank you for Jesus, my light and life.  I welcome Jesus and I believe in his name and authority.  He is my only hope to be right with you.  Thank you for such a costly and wonderful plan.  I can’t begin to understand it, but I am so grateful for all you have done.

Fill me Holy Spirit and enable me to be a witness to testify about Jesus, the only real light, who brings life and hope.

IJN Amen

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

²² And all this happened to make what God said through the prophet come true. ²³ See, a virgin will have a baby[1] son and his name will be Immanuel, which[2] means “God with us”.

²⁴ Joseph woke up from his sleep and did what the Lord’s angel commanded, marrying his wife. ²⁵ But he did not have sex with her until she had given birth to a son (who) he called Jesus.

Chapter 2

So Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea (which is in modern day Palestine) at the time[3] (when) Herod was king.

Some wise men and priests from the east came to Jerusalem and said, ² “Where was the Jewish king born?  We saw his star in the east and we have come to bow before him as an act of allegiance.”

³ Herod and all Jerusalem heard and were distressed about it. ⁴ He gathered all the head priests and those who were expert at teaching the people about the law and asked where the Christ would be born.

Application

In many places we see that Jesus is, in fact, God.  Here were see that his name is “God with us.”  Therefore, if Jesus is God and he died for me, shouldn’t I be prepared to give everything back to him?

When Jesus came, there were people who recognised his arrival.  Wise men – priests and sorcerers from the east came to worship him.  Even Herod realised that he must have been the long awaited Messiah, because he immediately asked the chief priests and teachers of the law where the Christ was to be born.

God does not keep his ways a surprise.  He wants all men to know him and opens the way for them to recognise him.

I need to recognise God and be ready to search for him.  I need to be ready to go to met with him and worship him.

The picture we have here is of the wicked witchcraft practicing men from the east seeking after the true and living God while the religious leaders and Israel’s king get distressed about him coming.  I need to search for God with all my heart despite my background, rather than to be caught up in the pride of religion.

Prayer

Father, I worship you.  I come to you to give you praise and honour and I ask that you will bring blessing into my life and that of my family.

Please let me know how to come before you and please accept my gift of worship.  You have done everything for me and I really have nothing to bring in return.  So I come, thanking you and declaring your goodness.

God, you are what I need and your love is more than enough for me.  I declare that you are the living God and that there is none like you – none anywhere that even come close.  Fill me with your Spirit that I might share you with others and bring you glory.

IJN Amen 

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

¹⁸ And then Jesus Christ’s birth was like this: His mother, Mary, was engaged[1] to Joseph, but before they had sex[2] she became pregnant[3] by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Her husband, Joseph, was a good and just man and made up his mind to secretly let her out of (the marriage commitment because) he didn’t want to make an example out of her. ²⁰ As he was thinking about this, sure enough, the Lord’s[4] angel appeared to him in a dream saying, “Joseph, David’s son, don’t be afraid to marry Mary[5] (because) the baby’s father[6] is the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son and you will call him [7] ‘Jesus’ (which is the same as Joshua and means ‘Yahweh [or the Lord] is salvation’) because he will save his people from what they have done wrong.

Application

The whole story of Jesus’ birth is an amazing faith story.  The Holy Spirit fathers a child through Mary.  Her husband to be, who was going to “let her go free” sees the Lord’s angel in a dream and is told that she will have a boy and that he is to name him Yahweh (the Lord) is salvation because he would save his people from what they have done wrong.

This alone is mind blowing – but Joseph believed, and this is where I need to stand, too.  I need to believe God at his word.  A myriad of ideas and thoughts will come against what God says.  However, I need to believe.  I need to live in such a way that reflects faith and belief that God will do what he says.

Over the years, many have fallen from their faith because of supposedly scientific repudiation of the gospel records.  But, many times, later on we find that those supposed evidences were not true at all. 

God’s word alone is true and I am to believe.  Either God is true and his word can be trusted or who can I really trust?

Prayer

Father, guide me through your word so that I can understand it truth.  Thank you for the ageless wisdom that you provide for your people and please forgive my unbelief.

Father, reveal truth to me at all times please so that I walk according to your plan and not that of your enemies.  Please enable me to be a person of great faith and may that also be the case for my children and grandchildren.  Fill me Holy Spirit and reveal yourself to me My God.

IJN Amen

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

This is the document containing Jesus’ family tree. He is the Christ (or the Messiah, which means the One who was smeared with oil and set apart for God). He was David’s descendant and David was Abraham’s descendant.

² Abraham was Isaac’s father. Isaac was Jacob’s father. Jacob was father to Judah and his brothers. ³ Judah was Perez and Zerah’s father and Tamar (was their mother). Perez was Hezron’s father and Hezron was Ram’s father. ⁴ Ram was Amminadab’s father.  Amminadab was Nahshon’s father and Nahshon was Salmon’s father. ⁵ Salmon was Boaz’s father and Rahab (was Boaz’s mother). Boaz was Obed’s father.  Obed was Jesse’s father and ⁶ Jesse was King David’s father. 

David was Solomon’s father and Uriah’s wife (was Solomon’s mother). ⁷ Solomon was Rehoboam’s father. Rehoboam was Abijah’s father. Abijah was Asa’s father. ⁸ Asa was Jehoshaphat’s father. Jehoshaphat was Joram’s father and Joram was Uzziah’s father. ⁹ Uzziah was Jotham’s father. Jotham was Ahaz’s father. Ahaz was Hezekiah’s father. ¹⁰ Hezekiah was Manasseh’s father. Manasseh was Amon’s father and Amon was Josiah’s father. ¹¹ Josiah was father to Jeconiah and his brothers and at that time they were forcibly taken to Babylon.

¹² After being forcibly taken to Babylon, Jeconiah became Shealtiel’s father. Shialtiel was Zerubbabel’s father. ¹³ Zerubbabel was Abihud’s father. Abiud was Eliakim’s father and Eliakim was Azor’s father. ¹⁴ Azor was Zadok’s father. Zadok was Achim’s father. Achim was Eliud’s father. ¹⁵ Eliud was Eliazar’s father.  Eleazar was Matthan’s father. Matthan was Jacob’s father and ¹⁶ Jacob was father to Joseph, Mary’s husband.  (Mary) gave birth to Jesus who was called “Christ” (which means the “anointed One” or the “One smeared with oil and set apart for God”).

¹⁷ Accordingly, the total (number of) generations were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen generations from David until they were forcibly taken to Babylon and fourteen generations from when they were forcibly taken to Babylon until Christ (came).[1]

Application

Jesus title was “the One who is smeared with oil and set apart for God.”  That’s what Christ, or Christos, the Greek word, and Messiah, the Hebrew word, mean.  Jesus was called Christ.  We often use the term “Anointed One” and adopt such a religious tone about the word anointed.  However, it just means smeared with oil and particularly as a sacred act of setting apart for God’s purposes. 

So, Jesus was, by name, Christ, set apart for God’s purposes.  In a similar way, I am “anointed”, filled, baptised with Holy Spirit, and so I am set apart for God’s purposes.  Scripture says I am dead to self, that the “old man”, the old me, is put to death, that the flesh is crucified.  I am now to live for Christ.  This is the only prospect for gain in my life – to live my life wholly for Jesus.

It’s noteworthy that Matthew provides a list of the genealogy and divides it into three groups of fourteen.  This genealogy is not complete but seems to point to the deity of Christ through the meaning attached to the number fourteen.

Prayer

Father, please help me to live for you.  May your purposes be mine and your words be in my heart and flow from my mouth. 

Holy Spirit, smear me with your oil and set me apart to serve the Father in every area of my life.

I need your power to be the husband, father, friend and person that you want me to be.  I need your wisdom and your direction in every single area of my life.  O God, you are awesome and all powerful and I thank you for your intention to work in me.

IJN Amen

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

³³ His father and mother were amazed at (what) was said about him.   

³⁴ Simeon praised them and said to Mary, his mother,

“Sure enough[1], this (little child) holds the power for the downfall and rise of many in Israel.  (He is) a sign to be spoken against. ³⁵ A sword will also go through your own soul so that the thoughts of many hearts will be made known.

³⁶ (There was a) lady prophet, Hanna, Phanuel’s daughter from Asher’s tribe.  She was getting on in age[2] and had lived with her husband for seven years after they got married. ³⁷ (Now) she was eighty four years old[3] and she never left the temple.  (She) served night and day, fasting and praying. ³⁸ (At that) same time[4] she stood (there) thanking God.  She (also) spoke (about) Him to all those who were expecting[5] Jerusalem’s deliverance.

³⁹ When they had done everything according to the Owner and Master’s law, they went back to Galilee, to Nazareth, their own city. ⁴⁰ The little boy grew and became strong.  He filled up with wisdom, and God’s favour[6] was on him.

Application

Jesus Christ holds the power of life and death over every other human being that ever lived.  Simeon and Hannah recognised it.  There were people there in the temple who knew he was coming and weren’t put off by the fact that he was a baby born into a poor family.  We know they were poor because their sacrifice was two doves, the sacrifice for poor people who couldn’t afford a lamb.

Jesus is the answer for all those who are looking for life.  He is the one who lifts me out of the pit and raises me up.  He is the one who fulfils all the promises that he has made to me and he gives me undeserved favour.  My position is sure because he took my punishment and I accepted his gift of freedom from guilt and shame.

I need to be one of those waiting for his return in the same way that Simeon and Hanna were waiting for his birth.  I need to be speaking about his redemption and deliverance.  It’s easier for me.  It’s no longer prophecy but an historical event – God’s Son died for the sins of all those who will believe in him and who change their thinking from their own lusts and desires to his way.

How can I know God’s way?  This is the question. How can I grow strong and be filled up with God’s wisdom so that his grace is evident in me?  I feel the answer is that I need to have the Holy Spirit in me, guiding every thought and I need the word of God to transform my thinking.

Prayer

Father, I want you wisdom.  I beg you for miracles in my life.  I beg you for change in me. I beg you for your Spirit to rule in my family.  I beg you for resources and strength to do all you call me to.  I beg you to know the difference between what you want and what I want and to choose your way every time.

IJN Amen 

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

²¹ When eight days were complete[1], his name was called Jesus (so that he could ceremonially) have the excess skin cut away from his penis.  (Jesus) was the name the angel called him before he was conceived in (Mary’s) womb.

²² When the (eight) days were completed[2] to make (Mary) ceremonially clean after having a baby, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Owner and Master. ²³ It’s written in the Owner and Master’s law – “Every male that opens the womb will be called ‘Holy to the Owner and Master’.” ²⁴ So they gave a sacrifice according to what the Owner and Master’s law said – “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

²⁵ (There was) a person in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon.  This person was upright and devoted (to God).  He was waiting for Israel to be comforted and called near (by God).  And the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ The Holy Spirit revealed[3] to him (that) he wouldn’t die[4] before he had seen the Owner and Master’s Christ (which means anointed One). ²⁷ He came by the Spirit into the temple when the parents brought the child Jesus in to do what was customary (under) the law. ²⁸ Then he took him in his arms and praised God saying,

²⁹ “Now the Master is setting his slave free to let him go in peace exactly as he said[5]. ³⁰ My eyes have seen your salvation that you made ready in front of all nations – ³¹ A light disclosing the truth to all nations (who aren’t Jews) and the glory and honour of your nation, Israel.

³³ His father and mother were amazed at (what) was said about him.   

Application

Jesus was a Jew and his parents were faithful in keeping the Jewish law.  I am freed from the Jewish law handed down from Moses.  I am also set free from the law of sin and death.  However I have become a slave to righteousness.  It would appear that I either voluntarily become God’s slave or I involuntarily choose to be a slave of god’s enemies.  God and Jesus are both called Owner and Master by Luke, referring to God’s ownership and hence being Lord in my life.  Lord isn’t a pleasantry.  It’s an ownership title.

The irony is that slavery to Christ is freedom.  The Holy Spirit will provide for me and lead me, as he led Simeon.  Simeon, which means “harkening” or “hearing/listening attentively” even said that he had bee told how he, the Master’s slave, is free to die because he had seen the Lord’s anointed, the One chosen as King.  I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have God speak to me about the things that are going to happen in my life.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He will do for me what he’s done for countless others and he will speak into my spirit.

I also need to see Jesus as the light and glory of the world, not just a crutch to help me through.  I am here to be a light on a hill and for that light to shine into the hearts of others.

Prayer

Father, show me where and how to shine as your light.  Jesus is the hope of the world and you have chosen me to bring the world to you.  So please clean me up, equip me, protect me and lead me in such a way that I can be effective.  Let me know what you want to say to me and reveal those things that you want me to accomplish before I die.  Fill me Holy Spirit and lead me by your power in all that I do.

IJN Amen 

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

¹⁰ The angel said, “Don’t be frightened!  Sure enough[1], I bring good and very happy news for[2] all people. ¹¹ A Saviour who is Christ (which means “anointed[3]”), the Owner and Master was born today in David’s city. ¹² This is the sign for you – you will come across a baby wrapped in strips of cloths and lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Then a huge number of heaven’s army appeared with the angel and they were praising God, saying,

¹⁴ “Glory and honour to God in the highest,

And peace among men who he is pleased with.”

¹⁵ When the angels went away into heaven the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go[4] to Bethlehem now and see this thing that has happened, which the Owner and Master let us know (about).”

¹⁶ So[5] they quickly came and found Mary, Joseph and the baby (who was) lying in a feeding trough. ¹⁷ (When) they saw it, they let (Mary and Joseph) know (about) the things (that they) were told about regarding this little child. ¹⁸ And everyone[6] who heard it were amazed (at what) the shepherds had been told.

¹⁹ Mary kept all these things to herself ant went over them[7] in her heart. ²⁰ (Meanwhile) the shepherds went back praising and honouring God for all they had heard and seen, just as they were told.

Application

Although it’s healthy to have an awesome reverence and fear of God, I am not to fear him and the sense of being frightened of his judgement.  His is going to judge, but now he comes to bring me life if I will adopt his ways.  The first words of the angels were “Don’t be afraid.”  I am to be in awe of God.  The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but I also have the freedom as his little child to come right up to him and sit on his lap, knowing he loves me and has my best at heart.

Seeing God will bring a desire to praise him and honour him.  If I continue to look at my circumstances and wallow in all the bad things that have happened, I will never see God and I will never thank him.  However, if I begin to look for all the good things that God has done, then I will find them and see how great he is.  The natural reaction to God’s goodness and greatness is to praise him and thank him.

Starting with the gift of Jesus, His Son, who saved me from eternal death and destruction, I have so much to thank God for.  Why, with such a great God, would I get worried, depressed, angry and desperate?

God promised to provide for every need and he is definitely able.  He controls all heaven and ultimately will bring all creation back into his control.  He gave earth to man and we sort of messed it up, but there is victory over God’s enemy in Christ… He didn’t stay a baby for long!

Prayer

Father, thank you! Thank you for your gift of your Son, Jesus.  Thank you for freedom from slavery to sin.  Thank you for all you provide and all you do for me.  Please help me to set my eyes on you and not the things around me.  Please help me to realise that I don’t provide for myself, but you provide for me.  Fill me Holy Spirit and enable me to be your person.

IJN Amen 

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All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher

⁸⁰ The child grew and increased in spiritual strength.  He lived in uninhabited places until the day that he showed himself in public in Israel.

Chapter 2

¹ Now, Caesar Augustus sent out a law in those days (that there would be) a public record (taken) of all (people who) inhabited the earth. ² This was the first public record (taken) and it happened (while) Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ Everyone[1] (had to) travel to their[2] own city to be registered.

⁴ Joseph also went up from Nazareth a city of Galilee in Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem (which is modern day Palestine).  (This was) because (Joseph) was from David’s family line[3]. ⁵ He was registered with Mary (who he was) engaged to (and who) was very pregnant[4].

⁶ While they were there the time came[5] for her to give birth ⁷ and she gave birth to (Jesus) her firstborn son.  She wrapped him up in strips of cloth and laid him down in a feeding trough because (there was) no place (for them) in the travellers’ lodge.

⁸ In the same region, (there were) shepherds who lived in the field watching over their flocks of sheep at night. ⁹ The Owner and Master’s angel hovered[6] above them and the Owner and Master’s magnificence shone around them.  They were extremely[7] frightened.

Application

I often think of growth jus t in terms of natural strength, but God looks at my spirit.  He wants me to grow in spiritual strength.  Natural strength will fade even here on earth, but spiritual strength will last for all eternity.  I need to grow in my spirit and sometimes this growth will take place in solitary and uninhabited places.  My spirit grows when I go through hard times if I will stick to God and his ways.

Interesting that, two thousand years ago, Caesar Augustus wanted a record of everyone who lived on earth.  Nothing seems to have changed over the years.  People in government want control and power.  Yet the Governor of governors, the King of kings and Lord of Lords came into this world in a stable and was first laid in a feed trough.  God’s ways are so different to the world’s.  So why do I keep adopting the world’s ways and expect to get God’s results?

God even appeared to those who had a low position in society to let them know that his Son was born. In fact he sent news to them first.  He didn’t go to the governor, the high priest, the president of the biggest bank or the rich merchant, but to some poor shepherds who protected sheep from attacks from wild animals in the night.  They were the ones to see God’s brilliance and they were afraid.  Seeing God in Scripture, outside of Christ while he was living as a human, always brings the fear of God.  I need to have a fear, an awesome reverence, of God.

Prayer

Father, please help me to live your way in purity and freedom.  I thank you that you sent Jesus so that I could be completely free and not just partly free.  Holy Spirit Fill me and guide me.  Let your joy rule my life and let your hope rule my mind.  Let me live for you in holy fear and please change my heart so that it reflects your glory.

IJN Amen

© & (P) IJN Publishing & Production 2009
All rights reserved – This material may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher