Pulled this devotional out....
I actually wrote this awhile ago, but felt it appropriate to share going into the Christmas season.
No Room at the inn-R(e)volutionary part 5
Isaiah 9:1-3;6,7
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death [a]
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Pray:
Last week we talked about being a light. Simple, short, no need for long explanations.
As we get into this holiday season, we should take the time to make sure that our government is not our own.
Who do you think this is talking about?
American heritage dictionary defines government thusly:
The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit.
The office, function, or authority of a governing individual or body.
Exercise of authority in a political unit; rule.
Administration or management of an organization, business, or institution.
What role does government play in your life?
Before you begin to write me off as a loony who is talking politics, let me explain a little more.
When Isaiah is talking about government, he’s not talking about Jesus’ plan to run for public office. Even the response from Pilate is intriguing. “Are you the one that was born King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus later in his life. YES Jesus was born in the lineage of David, which meant he had all the birthrights to be king of the Jews. But, and really more importantly so, HE was the SON of God, PROPHESEISED to come to earth thousands of years prior to his birth.
Now, it’s important to look at the life of Jesus, and more specifically, as ISAIAH declares, his Government. Isaiah says that the increase of his Government & peace for that matter will not end… What does that really mean??
What it means is that Jesus himself wants to be in control, central administrator, and chief governing authority in your life! By RIGHTS, Jesus deserves that over the Jews, but as adopted children into God’s kingdom, he deserves that right over us too! Normally, that scares people…
Genesis 3:15............Seed of Woman......................Matthew 1:20
Isaiah 7:14.............Virgin Born........................Matthew 1:18
Genesis 49:10...........Tribe of Judah.....................Luke 3:23,33
Micah 5:2...............Born at Bethlehem..................Matthew 2:1
Psalm 72:10.............Presented With Gifts...............Matthew 2:1,11
Jeremiah 31:15..........Herod Kills Children...............Matthew 2:16
Isaiah 7:14.............Shall Be Immanuel..................Matthew 1:23
Isaiah 40:3.............Preceded by a Messenger ...........Matthew 3:1-2
Isaiah 35:5-6...........Ministry of Miracles...............Matthew 9:35
Zechariah 9:9...........Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey........Luke 19:35-37
Psalm16:10..............Resurrection.......................Acts 2:31
Psalm 68:18.............Ascension..........................Acts 1:9
Psalm 41:9..............Betrayed bya Friend................John 13:21
Zechariah 11:12.........Sold for 30 Pieces of Silver.......Matthew 26:15
Zechariah 11:13.........Money Thrown Down In God's House...Matthew 27:5
Zechariah 13:7..........Forsaken by His Disciples..........Matthew 26:56
Psalm 35:11.............Accused by False Witness...........Matthew 26:59-60
Isaiah 53:7.............Dumb Before Accusers ..............Matthew 27:12
Isaiah 53:5.............Wounded and Bruised................Matthew 27:26
Isaiah 50:6.............Smitten and Spit Upon..............Matthew 27:30
Psalm 22:7-8............Mocked.............................Matthew 27:31
Psalm 22:16.............Hand and Feet Pierced..............John 20:25
Isaiah 53:12............Crucified With Thieves.............Matthew 27:38
Psalm 22:18.............Garments Parted and Lots Cast......John 19:23-24
Psalm 22:1..............His Forsaken Cry...................Matthew 27:46
Numbers 9:12............Bones Not Broken...................John 19:33-36
Zechariah 12:10.........Side Pierced.......................John 19:34
Amos 8:9................Darkness Over the Land ............Matthew 27:45
Isaiah 53:9.............Buried in Rich Man's Tomb..........Matthew 27:57-60.
The reason is because most people view that statement from the lenses of other humans. Humans that have hurt, tainted, messed with, maimed, and cajoled our lives. We have to suppress the inclination to not trust Jesus. Jesus is trustworthy, why? Well, the first reason is that he is by NATURE God. He isn’t flawed. Because he was born the way he was, he was exempted from the curse of Adam and became the Second Adam. Able to free all his “descendents” from the spiritual death of our forefather, Adam.
When we become a Christian, we become spiritual descendents of Jesus and are allowed to live outside the curse and spiritual death of our forefather Adam.
To accept this, we have to know Jesus, make room for him, allow him to come in a RULE fully, the way he needs to.
Here’s the story of Jesus told in my favorite book, Luke.
Luke 2:1-7, 8-20
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There was no room in the inn… such small statement can make a huge impact in the lives of us... There was no room in the inn..
Sometimes, especially during Christmas, and Thanksgiving, we take time for everything but our relationship with God. These holidays that are here the next 2 months are not just trivial celebrations, they are a time to reflect and ponder the wondrous events that happened around 2000 years ago. And in so doing we put ourselves in the same position as the inn keeper, we have no room in our inn…
What is taking priority in your inn?
Maybe you have a VIP that you put up in your inn. Maybe your VIP is lust, or alcoholism. Maybe the VIP is anger or bitterness… The reality is the VIP takes up space in your inn, or your life.
How do we make room for Jesus?
John the Baptist knew his job was to proclaim Jesus as Lord.. It says of him in John 1:7-8, “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He, himself, was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”
Later, John has the right idea, he makes room for Jesus..
Here’s the interesting thing.. John was a Rabi of repute as well, he taught, he had disciples, he had a huge following, and he was Jesus’ cousin, and older, John had all the reasons in the world to not grant Jesus a room in his inn.. But he didn’t cling to those reasons
In fact, John says to his own followers, “Follow Jesus” and makes more room in his life saying in John 3:20 “ He must become greater; I must become less.”
To make room, we have to give up more of ourselves…
Galatians 2:20 says “20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The message bible puts it this way-
Galatians 2:19-20
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
In this holiday season, is there room in your inn?
Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Jesus wants to rent a room, will you let Him?
Let’s pray.
No Room at the inn-R(e)volutionary part 5
Isaiah 9:1-3;6,7
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death [a]
a light has dawned.
3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, [b] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Pray:
Last week we talked about being a light. Simple, short, no need for long explanations.
As we get into this holiday season, we should take the time to make sure that our government is not our own.
Who do you think this is talking about?
American heritage dictionary defines government thusly:
The act or process of governing, especially the control and administration of public policy in a political unit.
The office, function, or authority of a governing individual or body.
Exercise of authority in a political unit; rule.
Administration or management of an organization, business, or institution.
What role does government play in your life?
Before you begin to write me off as a loony who is talking politics, let me explain a little more.
When Isaiah is talking about government, he’s not talking about Jesus’ plan to run for public office. Even the response from Pilate is intriguing. “Are you the one that was born King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus later in his life. YES Jesus was born in the lineage of David, which meant he had all the birthrights to be king of the Jews. But, and really more importantly so, HE was the SON of God, PROPHESEISED to come to earth thousands of years prior to his birth.
Now, it’s important to look at the life of Jesus, and more specifically, as ISAIAH declares, his Government. Isaiah says that the increase of his Government & peace for that matter will not end… What does that really mean??
What it means is that Jesus himself wants to be in control, central administrator, and chief governing authority in your life! By RIGHTS, Jesus deserves that over the Jews, but as adopted children into God’s kingdom, he deserves that right over us too! Normally, that scares people…
Genesis 3:15............Seed of Woman......................Matthew 1:20
Isaiah 7:14.............Virgin Born........................Matthew 1:18
Genesis 49:10...........Tribe of Judah.....................Luke 3:23,33
Micah 5:2...............Born at Bethlehem..................Matthew 2:1
Psalm 72:10.............Presented With Gifts...............Matthew 2:1,11
Jeremiah 31:15..........Herod Kills Children...............Matthew 2:16
Isaiah 7:14.............Shall Be Immanuel..................Matthew 1:23
Isaiah 40:3.............Preceded by a Messenger ...........Matthew 3:1-2
Isaiah 35:5-6...........Ministry of Miracles...............Matthew 9:35
Zechariah 9:9...........Enter Jerusalem on a Donkey........Luke 19:35-37
Psalm16:10..............Resurrection.......................Acts 2:31
Psalm 68:18.............Ascension..........................Acts 1:9
Psalm 41:9..............Betrayed bya Friend................John 13:21
Zechariah 11:12.........Sold for 30 Pieces of Silver.......Matthew 26:15
Zechariah 11:13.........Money Thrown Down In God's House...Matthew 27:5
Zechariah 13:7..........Forsaken by His Disciples..........Matthew 26:56
Psalm 35:11.............Accused by False Witness...........Matthew 26:59-60
Isaiah 53:7.............Dumb Before Accusers ..............Matthew 27:12
Isaiah 53:5.............Wounded and Bruised................Matthew 27:26
Isaiah 50:6.............Smitten and Spit Upon..............Matthew 27:30
Psalm 22:7-8............Mocked.............................Matthew 27:31
Psalm 22:16.............Hand and Feet Pierced..............John 20:25
Isaiah 53:12............Crucified With Thieves.............Matthew 27:38
Psalm 22:18.............Garments Parted and Lots Cast......John 19:23-24
Psalm 22:1..............His Forsaken Cry...................Matthew 27:46
Numbers 9:12............Bones Not Broken...................John 19:33-36
Zechariah 12:10.........Side Pierced.......................John 19:34
Amos 8:9................Darkness Over the Land ............Matthew 27:45
Isaiah 53:9.............Buried in Rich Man's Tomb..........Matthew 27:57-60.
The reason is because most people view that statement from the lenses of other humans. Humans that have hurt, tainted, messed with, maimed, and cajoled our lives. We have to suppress the inclination to not trust Jesus. Jesus is trustworthy, why? Well, the first reason is that he is by NATURE God. He isn’t flawed. Because he was born the way he was, he was exempted from the curse of Adam and became the Second Adam. Able to free all his “descendents” from the spiritual death of our forefather, Adam.
When we become a Christian, we become spiritual descendents of Jesus and are allowed to live outside the curse and spiritual death of our forefather Adam.
To accept this, we have to know Jesus, make room for him, allow him to come in a RULE fully, the way he needs to.
Here’s the story of Jesus told in my favorite book, Luke.
Luke 2:1-7, 8-20
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There was no room in the inn… such small statement can make a huge impact in the lives of us... There was no room in the inn..
Sometimes, especially during Christmas, and Thanksgiving, we take time for everything but our relationship with God. These holidays that are here the next 2 months are not just trivial celebrations, they are a time to reflect and ponder the wondrous events that happened around 2000 years ago. And in so doing we put ourselves in the same position as the inn keeper, we have no room in our inn…
What is taking priority in your inn?
Maybe you have a VIP that you put up in your inn. Maybe your VIP is lust, or alcoholism. Maybe the VIP is anger or bitterness… The reality is the VIP takes up space in your inn, or your life.
How do we make room for Jesus?
John the Baptist knew his job was to proclaim Jesus as Lord.. It says of him in John 1:7-8, “He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He, himself, was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”
Later, John has the right idea, he makes room for Jesus..
Here’s the interesting thing.. John was a Rabi of repute as well, he taught, he had disciples, he had a huge following, and he was Jesus’ cousin, and older, John had all the reasons in the world to not grant Jesus a room in his inn.. But he didn’t cling to those reasons
In fact, John says to his own followers, “Follow Jesus” and makes more room in his life saying in John 3:20 “ He must become greater; I must become less.”
To make room, we have to give up more of ourselves…
Galatians 2:20 says “20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The message bible puts it this way-
Galatians 2:19-20
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
In this holiday season, is there room in your inn?
Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Jesus wants to rent a room, will you let Him?
Let’s pray.
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