Happy New Year
WORD STUDY
Isaiah 9:6; John 1:14-16
Isaiah 9:6
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
John 1:14-16
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
A blessed Advent to all!
Advent is a time of celebration, a time of exurbation. A time for worship, a time for reflection. A time for coming of the Word, a time of welcoming the Word. A time to witness glad tidings, a time to cherish a holy expectation.
Today is the time to listen to the Word long fortold, the Word that made flesh and alive to us and for eternity.
The Gospel of John presents to us the very core object of Advent. This is known in the Greek text as Logos, which means the divine Word of God.
The coming or becoming into flesh of the Word is a significant doctrine on God in fleshing out that God has become in visible form and revealed to us by making Himself like a human being in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Word is made alive and flesh like shows the excellent revelation of God as fully human, fully divine. This understanding of the Word calls for THEOLOGY of the Word.
Incarnational revelation. God became visible in the earthly presence of Jesus Christ. He made this possible by sending His Son on Earth to deliver the world from sin and total separation with God.
Jesus is the exact countenance of God to make God available and revealed to us. Isaiah mentioned the Messiah as Eternal Father.
The Messiah is not only the way to the Father but He is the total manifestation of the Father to conform to our human understanding and existence.
God intends to do this to revelatory to His identity as the Maker and Owner of everything He created and all things that exist. He made the Messiah in human form to physically show the love, protection and provision of God for humanity as a whole.
This eternal Father shows how much He regards all His children. This made God incarnte in Christ.
The Word about Jesus Christ, the One predicted and long anticipated as the coming Messiah is fulfilled by God. This understanding can be labeled as the PROPHECY of the Word.
Prophetic revelation. The book of Isaiah as stated by other prophets and seers in the ancient times presents that Word in flesh is the Wonderful Counselor whose mighty deeds and miracles are fufilled and fully revealed in Jesus Christ.
He is identified as the Wonderful Counselor because of His perfect wisdom and jugdment because His words are upright and upholds the God's will. His message clearly points to the plan of God to rescue us from sin and to heal us from brokenness, curse and worthlessness due to sin.
He is the Messenger as well as the Message of life that leads us to right relationship with God who rewards us new life, full life and everlasting life.
The Word is also the Mighty God whose divine attributes are embedded in the Son. Colossians 2:9
Christ is co-equal with God. His presence discloses the supernatural ability and sufficiency of God. He is one with the Father and in Him the glory of the Father is revealed and made invincible.
This theological manifestation has established the doctrine of incarnation, Jesus was born from a Virgin's womb in the work of the Spirit of God.
The Word both manifested in manhood and Godness of the Son has bearing of the REDEMPTION of the Word. Likesay, God reveals Himself as the Redeemer of the world, the Word for the world.
Redemptive revelation. The Advent of the Word is revelatory to the need of sinful humanity. God the Logos is the sole Redeemer of all, the transforming agent of the lost, fallen world.
Isaiah was popularly quoted for the Messiah's identity as the Prince of peace. The Christ of the mass is the Christ of peace where the people look up to.
He brings the peace of God on Earth. This peace brings freedom from the bondage of sin, as well as freedom from spiritual death.
The first Advent of Jesus was really dark and futile, many were not that ready and eager to seek the babe in the manger.
Many were not like the foreigners who brought their special gifts and humble worship to the King.
Many are not like the lowly shepherds who waited at night for their flocks but they believed the heralds to pay homage to the baby in his swaddling clothes.
Still many today have not witnessed Jesus in their lives because of pride not the humility of Mary, a Virgin, who rejoiced to cradle the Savior of the word,
...Because self-centeredness not obedience of Joseph given the shame, task and challenges the birth of Jesus might impact on him,
...Because of distorted spiritual identity and false relationship with God. These people the assuming saints, People-pleasers and Lukewarm churchgoers of our generation.
Let me remind you the Word became flesh. God has become one of us. But He came more than the idea of showing His powess, He is came down to teach to be right and to lead you to His light, His life and His likeness.
Time to listen. Time to wake up. Time to focus on the Word revealed. The Word is Jesus.
Have you really seen Him with the eyes of faith? Have you made Him alive to someone who has not heard the Word, Jesus Christ?
Thank God for the gift of singing, the joy of music brings to faith. She sang "Noel" and Lauren Diagle's "Mary Did You Know".
Advent Family Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We rejoice to see You in majestic countenance as we worship You day by day in our lives. It is our joy to sing hymns at the family altar and table of grace because we expect You to come and be glorified. It is our privilege to preach and reflect Your wisdom every time we open our souls to Your Word each day. We humbly offer to You our home and everything that we have as a family. May this Advent spirit truly prepare us for Your visitation as well as Your entree in our lives and enterprises. Come, Loving Immanuel. Come and shape us according to Your design. Come, reign and be glorified afresh. Amen.
#prayermatters
Advent Family Prayer
Lord Jesus,
We rejoice to see You in majestic countenance as we worship You day by day in our lives. It is our joy to sing hymns at the family altar and table of grace because we expect You to come and be glorified. It is our privilege to preach and reflect Your wisdom every time we open our souls to Your Word each day. We humbly offer to You our home and everything that we have as a family. May this Advent spirit truly prepare us for Your visitation as well as Your entree in our lives and enterprises. Come, Loving Immanuel. Come and shape us according to Your design. Come, reign and be glorified afresh. Amen.
#prayermatters
Sometimes it's necessary to speak out what is in your heart than being dormant and nothing good happens at all.
Lord Jesus,
Even though I frustrate You with the way I live, You are extra-patient with me and You still help me to follow Your path. Even though I forbid to deal with my enemies, You show me how to love them and sacrifice for them to know You. Even though I forget the vow I have made with You, Your Spirit convict me to concentrate on Your words and set my heart on You. Even though I falter with all obstacles in my life, You show me hope in Your kingly return on Earth. Even though I foster weaknesses due to health, You are gracious to heal me and restore me with divine favor. Come, Lord, in my life and inspirit me Your gentle presence. Have Your way, O Spring of hope! Amen.
Advent Prayer 2018
Lord Jesus,
In the midst of challenges, I lift up my heart on You in adoration and to thank You all day long. Your plan for my life is to prosper me. Your grace is enough to uphold me to overcome such challenges, so I lean on You and bring You all that might discourage me to go on my faith journey. Let me use Your wisdom and strength to be worry-free and to defeat the Enemy. Come, O Blessed Redeemer, Come and grant me Your Spirit. Amen.
Advent Prayer 2018
Lord Jesus,
In the midst of challenges, I lift up my heart on You in adoration and to thank You all day long. Your plan for my life is to prosper me. Your grace is enough to uphold me to overcome such challenges, so I lean on You and bring You all that might discourage me to go on my faith journey. Let me use Your wisdom and strength to be worry-free and to defeat the Enemy. Come, O Blessed Redeemer, Come and grant me Your Spirit. Amen.