“…so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Philippians 2:15)
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Words of Jesus, Matthew 5:14-16)
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10
Other References: Proverbs 28:1; John 10:4; 1 Peter 4:10-11
He came as a child although He is The King of kings. In order to receive from Him we must come in childlike faith to receive the salvation He brings.
As I reflect on the lyrics to many of our timeless and treasured Christmas songs, I am reminded of the powerful truths penned so many years ago that carry the true Christ-centered message of Christmas. Amidst all the business of the season, the gifts most needed are the peace and joy that knowing and worshiping King Jesus brings.
God’s PRESENCE is the best PRESENT of all! MERRY CHRISTmas!
Sharing one of my favorite renditions of “What Child is This?” by the gloriously gifted artist, Andre’ Bocelli:
I’ve created choreography to this song and repeated sharing it through various dance groups and students since 2009. I’ve printed the original lyrics below written originally in 1865 and published in 1871 by William Chatterton Dix from Great Britain. Dix was an insurance company manager who suffered a serious illness and depression. During this time, he experienced a spiritual renewal that led him to write several hymns including the timeless and treasured lyrics of “What Child is This?” – lyrics printed below.*
Christmas is all centered around the birth of Christ, God’s greatest gift to the world. A gift of endless love, amazing grace, and everlasting Truth that brings joy to the heart and sets captives free. May the presence of His love, peace and JOY be yours not only at Christmas but every day of the year. When you experience the Christ of Christmas, every day can be THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
*What Child is This? (Lyrics written by William Chatterton Dix, 1865)
What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping?
Chorus:
This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Two (2) Verses below not recalled often today:
(1 of 2)
Why lies He in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading. (2 of 2)
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through, The cross be borne for me, for you; Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Repeat Chorus…
…This, this is Christ the King…
Raise, raise a song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby; Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Repeat Chorus…
…This, this is Christ The King…
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story wereastonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
Pic above taken of students bowing in prayer at Sylacauga High School in a student led assembly following a presentation utilizing the spoken word, a powerful story, music and dance.* The title of the the dance portion of this presentation was “Breakthrough” and breakthrough in the spirit definitely occurred.
Last week was a WOW Week! Another WEEK OF WARFAREand a WEEK OF WITNESSINGGod pouring out His Spirit in the public schools! First, at Nichols Lawson Middle School on Friday, August 11th, and then again on Wednesday, August 16th, at Sylacauga High School. Mighty warfare always precedes breakthrough in the Spirit. God is moving mightily and He is moving in uncommon places. God is going to use the youth and He is going to use the arts too! Just as He did in this assembly! He is going to use the least likely and the unexpected ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19 NKJV)
Twenty-three years ago today on June 13, 1994, I awoke to a nightmare like experience. I will never forget it. I remember the telephone ringing early that Monday morning, and immediately having an uneasiness in my spirit. The next thing I knew I was belted over in a painful pool of unconsolable tears on my cold, tiled kitchen floor. For some, their gut wrenching sorrow is released solely through tears that are only seen and never heard; but on this day, my wailing cries of lament were anything but silent, and they immediately prompted my husband to cry out for help too. Amidst the foggy veil over my mind, the only thing I remember my husband saying to our Pastor on the other end of the phone was, “I need your help.”
I believe in my heart and spirit that 2017 will be a year of God revealing more of His glory and power in and through His glorious bride, the church, the “ecclesia” – the called out ones.
As followers of Jesus, it’s time to get in alignment with what the Lord and His Spirit are saying in order to shine for such a time as this. We are called out of darkness, to shine God’s glorious light in the earth.* Even in and through all the darkness that surrounds us and the trials that have come against us to shake us to our core, God’s power and glory will be revealed as we continue to press more into His presence through prayer, worship, and trusting in His Word above all other words.
Haggai 2:6-9:
“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”
Just as a light bulb can’t burn if it’s not connected to a power source, we must stay plugged into God through His power source, which is the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in all you do.
God’s glory is not revealed or manifested through our flesh, our natural thoughts or minds, or human rationale and reasonings. Rather, God’s glory is only displayed as we are more full of His Holy Spirit than any other spirit or spirits.*
Love the Jesus culture song lyrics:
“Where you go, I go
What you say, I say
What you pray, I pray…”
Whatever He says do – do. Keep in mind that Jesus gave some unusual commands preceding several of His miraculous signs. So, even if it doesn’t make sense to your finite mind, as long as it lines up with the Word of God, just do it. And, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.*
If He says no, don’t go.
If He says wait, wait.
If He says speak, speak.
God desires to do something new in and through you, but it won’t come without the presence of His Holy Spirit flowing through you.
I feel something NEW brewing – how about you? “Don’t you see I’m about to do a new thing?” Open our spiritual eyes of faith, Lord, so that we may walk by faith and not by sight.*
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” Revelation 4:11
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7
We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! 2 Corinthians 3:4-11
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
If you’re claiming His name, then give Him the fame. All glory to you Lord our God and Maker. Make His name glorious.Praise His glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen! Psalm 72:19
It’s not the size of the church building that reveals God’s glory, but instead God’s glory is revealed through the hearts of those created in His image. We, His glorious sons and daughters, who are His church, have been created in God’s image to bring glory to His name. The latin term “Soli Deo gloria” fits – all glory to God alone!
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1
God’s glory was birthed in a small, obscure place. Jesus, the Savior of the world, and the glorious image of God our Heavenly Father, was born in a barn on the back side of a desert (Luke 2:11-14; John 1:14). To this day, God still births His glory in small, obscure and not necessarily the most “glorious” places. His glory is birthed within surrendered human hearts – yes, as imperfect and broken as we are. His glory is being released in small places throughout the earth to this day through our gifts, our deeds of service, and our works. As God imparts His restoration to us, we are called to play a part in the restoration of the glory of His name throughout the earth.
Arise and shine, My glorious ones. Do you hear The Father’s calling? Surrender all of your heart, mind, body, soul and spirit to Him. You were created for His glory son and daughter of The Most High God. You are His glorious ones in the earth.
Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. Isaiah 60:1-2 (The Living Bible)
…I, the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious. Isaiah 55:5
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
God desires His glory to be birthed first within our hearts – the hidden place that others cannot see. Often, the environments or circumstances we find ourselves in may more closely resemble the dirtiness of a hay-filled barn, and, frequently, the thoughts, attitudes, and desires of our hearts and the behaviors that flow from within are a reflection of everything opposite of God’s glory. Yet, God desires to make our hearts His home – the dwelling place of His Spirit, and God has chosen us as vessels of His glory.
For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6
The sun, the moon, the stars, the trees, the mountains and the oceans shout of the glory of God. His majestic and beautifully creative nature are clearly visible to all. The heavens declare the glory of God and the whole earth is full of His glory! (Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 6:3) Likewise, every man, every woman, every child, every individual – all who are a part of the human race – are a reflection of God’s magnificent and creative glory, regardless of the state of our heart. However, releasing more of God’s glory through our attitudes and behaviors doesn’t just occur because we have been created in The Maker’s glorious image. This is a process. God doesn’t force anything on us. Our free will allows us to choose. We must choose to submit to The Spirit’s process of being transformed from glory to glory.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
What are you beholding today – God’s glory or the not so glorious things of this world?As we behold the Lord our God through His Word and in worship, the more we become transformed into His image. Like the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Read on for more…including questions to ponder and a prayer to pray…
