The Last Silent Night and the Silver Haired Saints

In the USA and 160 other countries, CHRISTmas is a national holiday to celebrate the birth of Christ Jesus. Christmas became a federal holiday in the United States on June 28, 1870.

Christmas, sights and sounds are everywhere. Christmas music, movies, twinkling lights, decorated trees, Nativity Scenes. There’s excitement and anticipation in the atmosphere, at least among the kids who still believe.

About 2,000 years ago before the very first Christmas there was excitement and anticipation in the atmosphere, or at least among those who still believed in the coming of the Christ.

Even though they didn’t know the first CHRISTmas was upon them, they felt it.

They still believed, even though long lay the world in sin and error pining. Messianic Scriptures were coming alive, birthing a thrill of hope that yonder lies a new an glorious morn.

There was a remnant that still believed even though it’d been over 400 years of silence from heaven. Over 400 years since the prophet Malachi spoke and wrote:

Malachi 3:1; “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts.

The Old Testament ends as the New Testament ends, talking about the coming of Christ.

The very last two verses of the Bible say it like this:

Revelation 22:20-21
²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! ²¹ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

With a promise and a blessing, the New Testament ends.

With a promise and a warning, the Old Testament ends. We’ll look at the warning in a moment, but first, let’s clarify who the messenger is that prepares the way.

In Matthew 11:10, speaking of John the Baptist Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1. "For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’

He spells in out again in Matthew 17:10-13. “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? ¹¹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. ¹² But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Now, let's see how the Lord concludes the Old Testament with a promise and a warning:

Malachi 4:5-6

⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. ⁶ And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

The promise: I'm coming. The warning: If I don't you're in big trouble. 

After those words...

BOOM.

400 YEARS OF SILENCE.

As far as Scripture is given, not another Word from God. Not another, “Thus saith the Lord” from a prophet.

A time of violence on earth and silence from heaven.

Until Gabriel showed up and broke the silence.

Luke 1:5-17

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷ But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.

⁸ So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, ⁹ according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹ Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. ¹⁴ And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶ And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

As far as recorded in Scripture, who does God choose to speak to first after a 400 year silence?

A couple of senior citizens, “barren and well advanced in years.”

 Zacharias and Elizabeth.

The silence is broken in answer to a prayer that likely has been silent for some years. Since they were well advanced in years, they probably were no longer praying to get pregnant. 

But when Christ comes near, miracles happen, prayers are answered.

WARNING: The silence is broken, and then Zacharias is immediately silenced, because he doubted and opened his mouth in unbelief. Luke 1:18-20. To whom much is given, much is required.

Now, chronologically speaking who else does God speak to regarding this silence-breaking Good News?

 Matthew 2:1-2,16.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” ... ¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

The wisemen may have seen the star over two years prior to speaking to horrible Herod. They probably came from Persia, (modern day Iran) about 800 to 900 miles. They may have been traveling a long, long time.

The prophet Daniel had been chief of the wisemen in Persia some 500 years prior. These wisemen might’ve read Daniel’s prophecy regarding the timing of the coming of the Messiah. Daniel 9:24-27.  

Additionally, the wisemen may have read the prophecy of Balaam about the “star coming out of Jacob.” Numbers 24:17. Balaam was from Pethor, a town near Persia.

We’re not told their age, but wisemen, learned in astronomy were probably “well advanced in years” like Zack and Liz. 

Okay, so the Lord wants to break a 400-year silence, and who does He choose to break the news?

 Senior Citizens.

1.    Zachariah & Elizabeth.

2.    The Wisemen.

Who’s next?

Well of course Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and Joseph (Matthew 1:19-25); they obviously needed to know.

Then, after Jesus is born the shepherds are told by angels. Then, others are told by shepherds. Luke 2:8-10.

Who’s next?

Two more Senior Citizens:

Simeon, Luke 2:25-35. He knew by the Holy Spirit.

Anna, Luke 2:36-38. She knew by the Holy Spirit too, and spoke to all who looked for redemption...

The broken silence begins and ends with Silver Haired Saints.

1.    Zechariah and Elizabeth 

2.    Wisemen

3.    Simeon

4.    Anna

It’s noteworthy that the only ones who just knew, by the Holy Spirit within, not a supernatural sign without, were the last two, the silver-haired saints, Simeon and Anna.

Dear Saints,

400 YEARS OF SILENCE.

Israel was in Egypt over 400 years until God sent 80-year-old Moses to deliver them out of bondage and into the Promise Land. That was the time when the iniquity of the Amorites was full; Genesis 15:16. A time of promise for one, and judgement, for the other.

The world lay over 400 years in silence between the Testaments until, The Deliverer (announced largely to silver haired saints) came to deliver mankind out of the bondage of sin (lest I smite the earth with a curse).

Friends, it’s been over 400 years since the Mayflower Compact. After the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Harbor the pilgrims wrote and signed a covenant with God, vowing to follow Him in all their ways in this New Promise Land, we now call, America.

Is the iniquity full?

What if today is the Day, the Father says, “Gabriel go get your horn, Son, go get Your Bride.”

What if today is the Day, The Deliverer comes; a promise for one, and judgement for the other.

Will He find you faithful; His messenger, wisely reading and following the signs, knowing the Truth, speaking the Truth to others and all who look for redemption?

Or will He find you in doubt, unbelief and silence?

Personal Note: I wrestled with silence from heaven until the evening before delivering this message. All I had was a glimpse of what He wanted to say— the old silent prayer of Zacharias and the 400 years of silence. The message came hard like chiseling each word from stone. I wrestled with doubt, even after delivering the message. But then, late that evening, I read an email from the Epoch Times, that read:

Good Evening
December 18, 2024
TODAY IN HISTORY

Mayflower arrives at Plymouth Harbor

1620

I had no idea.

That may mean nothing to you.

But a personal pat on the back and an ‘attaboy son, from God, means everything to me.

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank You for confirming Your Word. Help us, to know You, really know You, intimately, personally, walking so near You we have no need for signs in the stars, angels from heaven, but simply Your Holy Presence with us, in us, always.

Oh, and merry CHRISTmas, thank You for coming.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: The Last Silent Night and the Silver Haired Saints

You Tube: The Last Silent Night and the Silver Haired Saints

This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Divine Connections Acts 18:1-17

Have you ever had a Divine Connection?

You’ve had more than you think. Some won’t be known this side of heaven.  

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.

It was around AD 51-52, Paul left Athens and went west about 48 miles to Corinth.

Corinth was a port city with two harbors. The commercial trade center of the world. It was the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia with a population of about 700,000 (200,000 Romans and 500,000 slaves).

Athens was superstitious, known for idolatry, with idols for everything. Corinth was known for adultery, like Vegas on steroids.

There were a dozen temples to false gods in Corinth, including the temple to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sexual pleasure; with about 1,000 male and female temple prostitutes.

Paul wrote the book of Romans while in Corinth. In Romans 1:18–32, he refers to the wickedness of the day; which doesn’t sound so different than today.

 A life of revelry, drunkenness, and sexual lewdness was called, “to play the Corinthian.”

Sounds like the perfect place to start a Church, right?

 ² And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. ³ So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Aquila and Priscilla were kicked out of Rome simply because they were Jews, especially because they were Christian Jews. In AD 49 Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome because he didn’t want to deal with the problems the religious Jews kept stirring up against the Christian Jews.

Priscilla, (or Prisca), was a name used by those in high society. So, it’s likely she was from a wealthy family of upper social status. 

Divine connections.

It appears Paul showed up in sin city without a house and unless he was interested in hooking up with a hooker, the Inns might not have been a great place for preachers. We’re not told how, but somehow, he finds folks he can stay with and work with, since they’re of the same trade; tentmakers.

The Lord provided a means for Paul to earn his keep as he spread the gospel. We’ll see in a couple verses that as Paul is faithful, God is too.

 ⁴And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

In the last two chapters we’ve heard the word “reasoned” four times. It’s the Greek word dialegomai,from where we get our word dialogue.

He didn’t just teach and preach and walk away untouchable, he kept the dialegomai going. The conversation continued after Church, in the street, in the marketplace, from house to house.

Do you talk about, and to, Jesus all week? Or, just on Sunday?

⁵ When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 

That’s from the New King James Version, however to get a clearer translation of the original text let’s read some other translations:  

New International Version
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
New Living Translation
And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
Berean Standard Bible
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
New American Standard Bible
But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

Where God guides God provides

Paul was able to devote himself exclusively, fully, completely, to preaching the Word. Implying he no longer worked as a tent maker to support himself.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and later Paul writes to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 11:9 “And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers (Silas & Timothy) who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.”

If you’re willing and obedient to let Him guide you, He’ll provide for you. Sometimes He’ll use you as the provider, other times the providee.

Either way, give Him glory, give Him thanks for He is always the Source.

Notice the focus of Paul’s teaching and preaching at the end of verse five:

 Jesus is the Christ.

Christ in the original text is Christos, meaning Messiah, The Anointed One. All the Jews would’ve known exactly what he meant when he used that word.

Paul used their Scriptures (our Old Testament) to prove Jesus is Christ; The One they’ve been reading about, waiting for, hoping for, for thousands of years.

Genesis 3:15, the Seed of the woman shall crush the serpent’s head. God prophesying to Adam and Eve (and the snake) about Jesus.

Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you and all peoples of the earth will be blessed through you”. God prophesying to Abraham about Jesus.

Deuteronomy 18:15, The LORD your God will raise up a Prophet like me... Moses prophesying about Jesus.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”. Isaiah prophesying about Jesus.

Isaiah 50:6, describes the beating Jesus endured. 

Isaiah 53, the crucifixion of Jesus.

Daniel 9:25-26 predicted the precise date Jesus would ride into Jerusalem as Messiah, and then be killed.

Zechariah 9:9 predicted Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Zechariah 12:10 predicted the “piercing” of the Messiah, after his death on the cross. 

Michah 5:2, predicted the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

From beginning to end it’s all about the Alpha and Omega.

⁶ But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 

Shake off the dust.

He showed them with undeniable proof, yet they rejected. So, he shook off their dust and walked away.

WARNING!!! To shake their dust means you had to get dusty in the first place. Don’t be quit to walk away, lest you wind up with their blood on your hands.

Ezekiel 3:18, When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.

It’s heartbreaking, but there comes a time when the best thing you can do is shake off the dust, wash your hands, give them to the Lord and walk away.

Jesus made it clear in Matthew 10:14-15, Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5, 10:10-11, and others, that if anyone does not welcome you, does not receive My Words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.

Acts 13:51, Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia shook off the dust and left...

Not to quit. But to recommit. To refocus. From now on I will go to the gentiles, or the neighbors, or the... whosoever God sends you to.

None of us have finished the list God’s given us.

Who does God want you to be a Divine Connection to?

⁷ And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

Some Divine Connections won’t happen until some divine disconnections happen.

Paul shakes off the dust, I’m outta here! He walks out one door and into another right next door, and starts having Church.

 ⁸ Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Many times, when you let go, and let God, the one you couldn’t reach, suddenly turns around. When you stop chasing them, and start chasing God, they start following you to God.

Imagine you’re Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue.

You watch Paul shake the dust and walk out.

Then, you look at the grim faced, black robed hypocrites.

Then, you hear the Christians next door singing, laughing, praising the Lord...

Just a closer walk with Thee, grant is JESUS is my plea....

Oh how I love JESUS, oh how I love JESUS...

JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there’s just something about that name. Master, Savior, JESUS...

Something happens, you know that you know that whatever they have is Real and you want it, and before you know it you’re ripping off that stuffy robe and running next door.

Just like that, before the dust settles many are hearing and believing and baptizing.

Hallelujah! 

⁹ Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; ¹⁰for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 

Do not keep silent.

As awesome as it is to have folks finally hearing and believing, great open doors of opportunity lead to great opposition.

Paul knows it stirs up the serpent’s den. He has the scars to prove it, and he’s scared.

So, the Lord shows up to encourage him. He gives him courage by giving him things to do, to face the giants.

1.    Do not be afraid. Perfect Love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:18.

2.    Speak. Faith comes by hearing, keep speaking the Word... Romans 10:17.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Luke 6:45.

3.    Do not keep silent. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

4.    I AM with you. If God be for you, who can be against you. Romans 8:31.

5.    No one will attack you to hurt you. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Isaiah 54:17. I AM your shield and buckler, Psalm 91.

6.    I have many people in this city. I have reserved a remnant 1 Kings 19:18.

Greater are those with us, than those against us. 2 Kings 6:16.  

¹¹ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

One Word from God can change everything. Turn a quitter into a winner. A scaredy cat into a courageous lion. Fearful into faithful.

¹² When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, ¹³ saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

Here God glances at the clock for our sake, knowing eventually history catches up with HIStory.

In 1905 an inscription was discovered revealing that Gallio was proconsul from AD 51-52.

Another Divine Connection, from God, offering once again, undeniable proof of the awesome authenticity of God’s Word.

¹⁴ And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. ¹⁵ But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” ¹⁶ And he drove them from the judgment seat. 

More than conquerors

Paul opened his mouth to defend himself. But didn’t have to utter a word.

Many times, God wins our battles for us.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Romans 8:37.

Gallio said like our supreme court says when they don’t want to try a case. You have no standing. Get out of here.

When a man’s ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, Proverbs 16:7.

¹⁷ Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

Then they took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue.

Wait, wasn’t Crispus the leader?

Yes, but after becoming a Christian, would’ve been replaced.

Sosthenes, is the new synagogue leader, and evidently they don’t like him either.

Why?

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and it says in 1 Corinthians 1:1, This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

Another temple leader converted. Another Divine Connection. Aquila, Priscilla, Justus, Crispus, Gallio, Sosthenes…

Our Lord has Divine Connections to connect all the dots to fulfill His Divine Eternal Purpose and calling customized just for you, if you're willing to receive them.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for the Divine Connections You have for us, most of all, the Divine Connection to You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: Divine Connections, Acts 18:1-17

You Tube: Divine Connections, Acts 18:1-17

This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

How to have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever. Philippians 2:5-11

 

Philippians 2:5-11

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 

WWJD

Do you let the mind of Christ be in you?

Do you bring every thought captive unto the obedience of Christ? 2 Corinthians 10:5.

Do your words ring His words? John 12:49-50

Do your ways reflect His ways? John 5:19

Do you have the mind of Christ? 1 Corinthians 2:16.

Are we imitators of Christ. Ephesians 5:1.

When folks look at our lives do they see Him? Hear Him?

As a reminder to myself and a witness to others, I wear this leather band around my wrist, with the letters, WWJD, inscribed in metal.

What Would Jesus Do?

The only way to know what Jesus would do, is to know what He did and we know that through His very own Word.

Not just the gospels, but all of it, Gen. 1:1-Rev. 22:21. The whole of the Book is written of Him. Hebrews 10:7.

Compare Genesis 1:1-4 with John 1:1-5.

Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...

John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... 14 and the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us.

Genesis 1:2-4 and the earth was without form and void and darkness covered the face of the deep and the Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, (the Word) let there be light, and there was light, 4 and God saw the light that it was good and God divided the light from the darkness.

John 1:2-5  ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (quench it, stop it, snuff it out).

Jesus, the Light of the world came to us, to be with us, (Immanuel, God with us, Matthew 1:20-21; Isaiah 7:14), to be in us and shine through us.

No amount of darkness can quench, stop, snuff out, His Light to, with, in and through us, IF, we let this mind be in us which is also in Christ.

You see, to know what Jesus would do, today, we must know Him, personally, intimately, relationally, not just intellectually, religiously.  

To let this mind be in us which was also in Christ we must not only know the Word of God, but we must also go deeper and know the God of the Word.

Will we do what it takes?

If we do, we will have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever.

Now, let’s see what that looks like.

⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation...

Selfless

Jesus didn’t need to rob or take anything to be equal to God because He is God. Always has been. Always will be. The Word was with God and the Word was God.

BUT, He left His Home, His Throne, His comfort zone, and willingly gave up His Divine privileges, His royal attributes, in the most selfless act in HIStory.

He could’ve set it up to be born into royalty, to be born into the lap of luxury.

He could’ve shown up on a white stallion in a blaze of glory, as King of kings, and Lord of lords, which He will do one day soon. Revelation 19:11-16.

But He chose to make Himself of no reputation, on purpose so He can look anyone in the eye from the least to the greatest and say:

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 How do we have the mind of Christ in this area? How do we follow in His footsteps, being selfless?

Philippians 2:3-4. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Ø Drain ourselves of all self-promotion.

Ø Try to remove “I” from our vocabulary

Ø If there’s a job you think is beneath you, volunteer to do it.

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

^7... taking the form of a bondservant, 

Servant

Mark 10:45
 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

John 13:3-5, 16
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

There’s something about serving others that does something unexplainable. It’s like it releases vitamin Joy. Is there such a thing? Vitamin Joy? Maybe vitamin J, for Jesus, because you’re most like Jesus when serving others in His Love.

Perhaps that’s what Peter was talking about when he said, “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Peter 1:8.

How do we have the mind of Christ in this area? How do we follow in His footsteps, being a servant?

The opportunities are limitless. However, we ought to be exercising this joy-enhancing muscle in two ways; intentional and unintentional serving.

Intentional.

Do you have anything built into your schedule for the purpose of serving? Not for pay. Not for recognition. Just to serve.

Bell ringing?

Volunteering at the Misson?

Crocheting blankets for the needy every morning at 4 a.m.

My sister Vicki’s “Happy Days” are the days she volunteers at the Food Pantry.

The other day an anonymous giver handed us money and asked us to give it to somebody who could use it.

Whenever that happens always ask the Lord where He wants it to go. It’s not your money or your decision. You’re just the steward of it. The needs are so plentiful that if you try to decide you might be drawn to the greatest need, but that’s not necessarily where this Seed should be planted. Only the Lord knows which heart is ready to receive this particular Seed.

So, we prayed for the Lord’s direction and then kept our eyes and ears open.

That very same day, just hours later the Lord revealed who He wanted the money to go to.

It wasn’t a big revelation with lights and a voice from heaven. It was a simple uneventful encounter, but unmistakable.

I was headed to a friend’s to try and figure out what was wrong with a nail gun. (I know, real Spiritual right?). On the way I just happened to run into someone. We chatted a bit, I asked if they needed anything, if there was anything I could pray for them about. They mentioned finances. Just like that, beyond a shadow of a doubt, we knew where the money should go.

I wanted to plant the Seed that same day but didn’t. So, the next morning I felt an urgency to deliver the gift before leaving to ring the bell for the Salvation Army.

We did.

That very day, that person had an issue with their vehicle. The cost? Yep, same amount as the anonymous gift.

God knows and notices your intentional serving. That one intentional act of serving spread joy to the giver, the receiver, the vessel who delivered it, and now all who hear of it.  

Unintentional Serving

Random opportunities to serve can turn an irritation into joy unspeakable.

Like returning something that didn’t work to Lowes. Irritated because of the return trip and wasted time. Just as you park you hear arguing.

“I told you! Why don’t you ever listen! I’m not retarded!” The man is waving his hands, shaking his head.

The wife is struggling to fit some too large plastic totes into too small a trunk. Her face is red, she’s obviously upset. The situation was escalating.

You walk over and notice four of the cutest little kids packed like sardines into the small backseat of the old car that’s seen its better days. The kids look to be around 5-10.

“Hi, is everything okay? Can I help you with anything?”

The husband is quick to tell how the wife never listens... but you’re not listening, you’re looking at the looks on the kids’ faces; sad, embarrassed and all too used to this scene.

You find out the totes are for a delivery they accepted. Now they must return the totes, turn down the job, and lose the $13.00 they planned to get paid.

Before you know it, you’ve got the totes in your vehicle and following an old white clunker packed with a family full of smiling faces, and you’re smiling too, wiping a tear of joy and thanking God that dumb thing didn’t work and had to be returned.

You’re so full of joy for the honor of serving them, that while they’re thanking you, you’re thanking them and giving them all the money in your pocket, telling them it’s a gift from Jesus. After a long talk and a powerful prayer you say goodbye to your new found friends.

^7... and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man...

Skin

Johnny saw something that looked like a monster in the corner. He cried out and dad came running. After searching every nook and cranny, reading two bedtime stories, Johnny’s eyes were getting droopy. Dad kissed his cheek, whispered “I love you, get some sleep.” Johnny’s arms shot up and pulled his dad close, “Don’t go.” Dad smiled and whispered, “it’s okay son, Jesus will be right here.” Johnny squeezed tighter, “but I want Jesus with skin on.”

Jesus put on skin a long time ago away in a manger.

Out of His great Love for you, He stripped Himself of His royal garments of unapproachable light, He set aside His immeasurable power and glory, to willingly enter the dark vulnerable womb of a poor virgin and slip into the skin of a weak, helpless, Babe.

He was tempted in all points just as we are, yet He lived sinless, died blameless, rose victorious.

Hebrews 4:15, For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

How do we have the mind of Christ in this area? How do we follow in His footsteps of slipping into skin?

For starters, by walking in someone else’s shoes. By pausing and trying to see things through the other person’s eyes.

Even better than that, try to see the other person as Jesus sees them.

You see, Jesus put on skin back then, but He wants to do it again. In you.

He doesn’t want to stop with you simply having the mind of Christ, but also wants you to be His hands and feet. After all we are called the body of Christ.

Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.

He wants to put on skin again. If you let Him.

Will you?

If you do, you'll have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever.

^8... He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 

Eternal View

Jesus was sinless, yet He still suffered the pains of the curse of the earth. He got tired, thirsty, hungry, faced temptation, troubles, tasted tears.  

Having the mind of Christ, selflessly serving, even having our skin saturated with Him, won’t eliminate warfare, storms will still blow, bones will break, trials will come, tears will fall.

So what are we to do?

Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He took an Eternal View, for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2.

His Eternal Reward.

⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Eternal Reward

James 1:12
 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Revelation 2:10
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Want to have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever?

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ.

 Let’s pray.

Thank You Lord for Your wonderful Word that works, so we can not only learn about You, but we can learn from You, personally. Thank You for coming to us, being with us, and in us and shining through us, so all You’ve given us, will come to know and love You, too. Thank You for helping us always ask, WWJD, to follow Your footsteps being selfless, serving and allowing You to put on our skin, so together we enjoy the eternal view and reward every day in all ways, having the best CHRISTmas ever, forever.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Facebook: Church at WPV

Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

Watch online:

Facebook: How to have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever, Philippians 2:5-11

 You Tube: How to have the best CHRISTmas ever, forever, Philippians 2:5-11

This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.