SCRIPTURES FOR THE NEW YEAR

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

SCRIPTURES FOR THE NEW YEAR 

Wow, I can't believe the New Year is saying hello!  Ready or not we must put last year behind us and embrace the new year with confidence.  With Christmas back in boxes and that new year calendar on the wall it's time to look forward to what lies ahead in Christ.  That's not hard to do when we have so many promises from God that get us excited about the future!   

(Psalm 65:11) You crown the year with Your goodness, and Your paths drip with abundance. 

(Isaiah 42:16) I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them. 

(Isaiah 43:18-19) “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  

(Isaiah 45:2) ‘I will go before you and make the crooked places straight… 

(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 

(Jeremiah 33:3) ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ 

(Ephesians 3:20) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. 

(Philippians 3:13-14) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

(Titus 2:13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. 

(Revelation 21:5) Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 

(Revelation 22:20-21) 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. 

Louie

CHRISTMAS IN REVELATION

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

CHRISTMAS IN REVELATION

Did you know that Christmas is found in the book of Revelation? 

First you have a Satanic Christmas because the world will be so evil during the Tribulation:  (Rev 11:7-10) When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.  8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.  10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 

Notice how people were so excited to get rid of the two witnesses of God that they exchanged gifts!  See what happens when you take Christ out of society?  God puts the spirit of celebration in our hearts and if we don’t worship His Son then we end up with a cheap substitute.  How meaningless the holiday can be when you replace it with something so foreign to its original design.  Having Christmas without Christ is like people coming over to your birthday party and no one ever acknowledges you or even gives you a present.  It’s all about you, but your friends make it into something that’s all about them.    

Then you have a picture of the events of Bethlehem during the birth of Christ: (Rev 12:1-5) Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.  2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.  5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 

The woman is Israel (Gen 37:9‑11) and she is in pain to give birth because Israel was waiting for the Messiah to come forth.  The red dragon represents Satan and His murderous nature.  He rebelled against God and was kicked out of heaven taking a third of the angels with him, who became demons.  When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Satan stirred up Herod to kill the Christ child but Joseph and his family fled to Egypt for safety (Mat 2:13-16).  Jesus was to be born and then die for the sins of mankind.  He rose again from the dead and then ascended to the Father.  Soon He will rule in His kingdom on the earth and the whole world will worship Him.   

The devil’s holiday or Merry CHRISTmas.  Let’s give gifts to honor the greatest gift of all…Jesus! 

Louie

PAGAN ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

PAGAN ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

It is so surprising and eye opening to discover that there are pagan backgrounds to some of our Christmas traditions.  Here are a few of the main ones:

CHRISTMAS TREES: One of the symbols of life found in the pagan celebration of saturnalia, was the use of evergreens. These plants, which stayed green all year long, were often used in different cultures as symbols of life and rebirth. They were sometimes decorated as a form of worship in varied cultures in religious ceremonies dealing with fertility.

MISTLETOE: The Celts believed that the plant, which is a parasite that lives on trees, contained the soul of the tree on which it lived. Druid priests would cut it up and distribute it to the people who would place the cuttings over the doorways of their homes. This was supposed to protect the dwellers from various forms of evil.

YULE LOG:  The Yule Log was taken from ancient sun worship rituals. Yule Logs were supposed to be cut from red oak trees and burned all of Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. It was unlucky to buy your own log and lucky ones usually came from your neighbor’s woodpile. It was also customary to light the new log with a scrap of last year's log. The scrap was kept under the homeowners’ bed to protect the home from fire and lightning during the next year.

HOLLY:  In Northern Europe Christmas occurred during the middle of winter, when ghosts and demons could be heard howling in the winter winds. Boughs of holly, believed to have magical powers since they remained green through the harsh winter, were often placed over the doors of homes to drive evil away.

CHRISTMAS WREATH:  In ancient Rome, people used decorative wreaths as a sign of victory. The origins of the Advent wreath are found in the folk practices of the pre-Christian Germanic peoples who, during the cold December darkness of Eastern Europe, gathered wreaths of evergreen and lighted fires as signs of hope in a coming spring and renewed light.

So how should Christians respond to these pagan traditions of Christmas?  Some believers will choose not to fall into the trappings of Christmas, which would irk their conscience. (Rom 14:23) But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.  Other Christians fall prey to the crass commercialism of the holiday and need the reminder of Scripture: (1 John 2:15) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For others Christmas is a welcome and warm tradition that includes family and friends and faith at a special time of year.  (1 Cor 10:31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  It’s up to you.  Will Christmas at your house be pagan or praising?  

Louie

JESUS IN EVERY BIBLE BOOK!

JESUS IS THE FOCUS OF EVERY BIBLE BOOK! 

o   In the Book of Genesis, He is the Seed of the Woman !

o   In the Book of Exodus, He is the Passover Lamb !

o   In Leviticus, He is the High Priest !

o   In Numbers, He is our Pillar of Cloud by the day and our Pillar of Fire by night !

o   In Deuteronomy, He is the Prophet like unto Moses !

o   In Joshua, He is the Captain of our salvation !

o   In Judges, He is the Great and Final Judge !

o   In Ruth, He is our Kinsman Redeemer !

o   In Samuel, He is the anointed One !

o   In the Books of Kings, He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords !

o   In Chronicles, He is the Glory and the Temple of God !

o   In Ezra, He is our Advocate !

o   In Nehemiah, He is the rebuilder of Broken Lives !

o   In Esther, He is the Protector of His People !

o   In Job, He is the only Comforter in times of trouble !

o   In Psalms, He is our Good Shepherd !

o   In Proverbs, He is our Wisdom !

o   In Ecclesiastes, He is the Preacher of the Kingdom of God !

o   In Song of Solomon, He is the Bridegroom coming to His bride, the Church !

o   In Isaiah, He is the Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace !

o   In Jeremiah, He is the Potter who shapes the clay of our lives into the image of God !

o   In Lamentations, He is the Weeping Prophet !

o   In Ezekiel, He is the Wheel in the middle of the Wheel. He is the Wonderful Four - faced Man !

o   In Daniel, He is the Fourth Man in the fiery furnace  !

o   In Hosea, He is the Love of God for the backslider !

o   In Joel, He is the Baptism of the Holy Sprit !

o   In Amos, He is the Author of Judgment and Mercy !

o   In Obadiah, He is our Savior !

o   In Jonah, He is the Salvation of the Lord !

o   In Micah, He is the Great Intercessor !

o   In Nahum, He is the Stronghold in the Day of Trouble !

o   In Habakkuk, He is the God of Mercy !

o   In Zephaniah, He is the Lord, mighty to save !

o   In Haggai, He is the Desire of all the Nations !

o   In Zechariah, He is the Branch of Jehovah !

o   In Malachi, He is the son of Righteousness, rising with healing in His Wings !

 

o   In Matthew, He is the Kingly Messiah !

o   In Mark, He is the Wonderful Miracle Worker !

o   In Luke, He is the Great Physician, the Son of Man !

o   In John, He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world !

o   In Acts, He is the Risen Lord !

o   In Romans, He is our Justification !

o   In Corinthians, He is our Sanctification !

o   In Galatians , He is the Redeemer from the curse of the law !

o   In Ephesians, He is our Perfection !

o   In Philippians, He is our Joy , He is the God who supplies ALL our needs !

o   In Colossians, He is the Head of the Body, the Church !

o   In Thessalonians , He is the coming Lord !

o   In Timothy, He is the Judge of all men, He is the Mediator between God and man !

o   In Titus, He is the faithful Pastor !

o   In Philemon, He is the Friend of the oppressed !

o   In Hebrews, He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith !

o   In James, He is the Healer of all Nations !

o   In Peter, He is the Chief Shepherd who shall soon appear !

o   In John, He is the Word of Life, He is Love !

o   In Jude, He is coming with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon the earth !

o   In Revelation, He is the Alpha and the Omega …

                        the Beginning and the End …

                        the Lion of the Tribe of Judah …

                        the Lamb of God …

                        the Word of God …

                        King of kings …

                        Lord of lords …

                        HALLELUJAH!!

HAPPY HANUKKAH

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

HAPPY HANUKKAH

(Dan 11:31-32) And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary…then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32…but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. (John 10:22) 

When I was a boy I remember riding my bike with my friend Levi.  I was talking about how excited I was because Christmas was coming and all the presents I was going to receive.  He said that he was going to celebrate Hanukkah and that he was going to open up gifts every day for eight days.  I thought that was so cool!  Later in life I would learn the significance of this special holiday for the Jews and the connection it has with the coming Messiah. 

Hanukkah (meaning “dedication”) celebrates two miracles: a) The 2nd century BC victory of a small, greatly outnumbered and out-armed army of Jews, known as the “Maccabees,” over the powerful Greek army that occupied the Holy Land. The rebellion was in response to an attempt to force their Greek godless lifestyle on the Jewish inhabitants of Israel and the defiling of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes. b) When the Maccabees liberated the Temple from the hands of the Greek aggressors, they found only a small cruse of pure and undefiled olive oil fit for fueling the Menorah. The problem was, it was sufficient to light the Menorah only for one day, and it would take eight days to produce new pure oil. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days and nights. (The story is recorded in the apocraphal books of First and Second Maccabees.) 

Hanukkah is observed by the kindling of the lights of the nine-branched Menorah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. It is traditional to eat foods fried in oil (latkes) commemorating the miracle which occurred with oil. There are also certain passages that are added to the daily prayers and grace after meals. It is also customary to give small gifts to children, and to play dreidel games.   

Hanukkah speaks prophetically of what will happen in the future.  Jesus spoke of the coming abomination of desolation during the middle of the Tribulation where the image of Antichrist will be placed in the rebuilt Jewish temple.  The Jews will flee Jerusalem under this persecution to the wilderness where God will protect them.  Then towards the end of the Tribulation the Jews will turn to the Lord after the ministry of the two witnesses and the outreach of the 144,000.  The Jews will see Jesus coming and mourn that they did not accept Him in His first coming. Paul would state that all Israel would turn to the Lord be saved and the Jews would then enter Messiah’s kingdom on earth.  (Mat 24:15-22; Rev 13:11-15; 12:13-17; 11:1-13; 7:1-8; Zech 12:10; Rom 11:26; Isa 11:1-9).   

Don’t forget to wish your Jewish friends Happy Hanukkah and remind them that Jesus is coming soon and to dedicate their lives to the Lord now and so be a light to the world!   

Louie

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION BY GEORGE WASHINGTON 1789

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION BY GEORGE WASHINGTON  [New York, 3 October 1789] 

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.  

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. 

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. 

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

*****

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!  Let’s give thanks and pray for our nation. 

We’ve come a long way since 1789!

(Psalm 103:2) Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.

VOLUNTEERISM

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

VOLUNTEERISM 

(Psa 110:3)  Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power… 

Has life been dull for you lately?  Have you felt down in the doldrums?  Is your daily existence lackluster?  Then you need to get outside yourself and start serving the Lord by serving others.  It’s time to step up to the plate and volunteer your time to make this world a better place.  You complain about this and that in the world but what are you doing to make a difference?  And don’t say you don’t have time because you do.  You watch a lot of dumb-head TV programs.  Think of how you could use that time to help change our world! 

Life was not meant to be selfish and “it’s all about me”.  What a ticket to a depressed life!  Life was meant to look upward and outward.  We are to look up to the Lord in worship and outward to others in service.  Paul said it this way:  I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)  Wow, what a verse.  Doesn’t that say it all?  The happiest people I know are the ones who volunteer their time toward a worthy cause.  The saddest people I know are the ones who are too cautious and stingy with their time.   

In the song of Deborah there is a stinging rebuke of the tribes that did not obey the summons to go to war against the enemy of Israel.  It says there were great resolves of heart (they thought about getting involved) but they sat and they stayed.  Forever their hesitancy was recorded in the Bible for all to see and take warning.  Then for the tribes who came forward to serve it says they jeopardized their lives to the point of death. They put out and they made a difference! (Judges 5:15-18)  You and I will be judged when we stand in the presence of the Lord.  Did we serve the Lord and others or did we serve ourselves?  Did we hide behind the excuse of “I’m too busy” or “I’m too involved with my family” or “I’ll pray about it?”.   

I can’t tell you the joy I have had over the years in the ministry working with willing volunteers.  You put the need out and precious people come out of the woodwork to give of their time and resources.  And I think you get more out of people when they volunteer then when you pay them.  They can’t believe they have been chosen to serve the Lord in some task.  They don’t feel worthy and they feel so honored for the opportunity to serve.  They don’t want to be paid.  They just want to serve the Lord with gladness (Psa 100:2).  They also benefit by meeting so many people like themselves who are serving the Lord as a volunteer and out of that pool come meaningful and lasting relationships.  They serve and then they go home and fall asleep with a smile on their face as they thank the Lord for the privilege of serving and for the rich feeling in their hearts that all the money in the world could not come close to matching.   

Has the Lord been laying something of service on your heart lately?  I vote for volunteerism!    

Louie    

ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

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ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH

In this modern day and age a question has come up in the church about women preachers.  In the area where I live there are the headquarters of a denomination that was founded by a woman and where they ordain both men and women to be pastors and to lead congregations.  Is it Biblical for a woman to be a pastor or to preach a sermon or a Bible study?  We know times have changed but what does the Bible say? 

Let’s talk about what women can do in the church.  Women may pray and prophesy in a mixed congregation:  (1 Cor 11:5) But every woman who prays or prophesies… Women may teach children: (Pro 8:1) Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?  Women may teach other women:  (Titus 2:4) that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.  Women may serve in background positions in deference to men: (1 Tim 2:12) And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man…

Women are amazing creations of God and gifted in so many ways.  We have seen them rule governments and corporations with expertise and excellence.  But when it comes to the home and the church God has chosen the man to lead the woman:  (1 Cor 11:3) But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.  This is not because men are superior to women because the Bible teaches the equality of the sexes: (Gal 3:28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  It’s just what God has chosen.

 

Both in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 Paul speaks of male elders and deacons, never female.  So what should we do because someone has to fill those roles in the church?  My recommendation is to hold out until the men come forward.  One time a sister in the Lord approached me with an honest question.  She asked if women could be ushers.  She said her former church had women ushers and then asked what is our position as a church?  I appreciated her question and she got me to think!  I thought through it and hammered out from scripture that ushers seem to serve in a deacon role and deacons are to be male from scripture so that was my answer.  But what if we don’t have enough ushers at the door?  We are to wait until God provides them even if we have to suffer lack for a while. 

So what do we say about women preachers?  Dr. Harry Ironside told of a woman who was preaching in a park as he and one of his friends were walking by.  His friend said, “It is a shame for a woman to get up and preach like that.  I deplore it.  She should not be doing that.”  Dr. Ironside replied, “I agree with you that it is a shame, not that a woman is preaching, but that there is not a man to take her place.”

Come on men…let’s step up to the plate! 

Louie    

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LEVITICAL SACRIFICES IN CHRIST

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP 

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LEVITICAL SACRIFICES IN CHRIST

It is common for the Christian to stop reading the Old Testament when they come to the book of Leviticus.  All those sacrifices seem so ritualistic and unrelated to the Christian life.  But once you find out their significance in Christ they take on a greater meaning and makes you grateful for all Jesus has done for us as the Lamb of God that has taken away our sins! (John 1:29)  

- BURNT OFFERING (Lev 1:1-17) - Significance in Christ: Foreshadows the total sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. (Heb 9:14) how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God… Significance for the believer: It symbolizes that the worshiper must be wholly dedicated to God without reserve. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

- GRAIN OFFERING (Lev 2:1-16) – Significance in Christ: Represents Jesus as the Bread of Life  (John 6:35). The flour was beaten fine as Christ was beaten for our sins. (Isa 53:5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Significance for the believer: The believer, too, has to be refined as a pure offering to the Lord. (Luke 22:31) And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 

- PEACE OFFERING (Lev 3:1-17)  – Significance in Christ: Through Christ’s death man has been reconciled to God. (Rom 5:1)Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Significance for the believer: We are at peace with God and we also have peace with one another: (Eph 2:14) For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation…   

- SIN OFFERING (Lev 4:1-35) – Significance in Christ: Emphasizes the death of Christ as a satisfactory substitutionary sacrifice. (2 Cor 5:21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Significance for the believer: No more does a Christian have to feel guilty for their sins. (Eph 1:7) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. 

- TRESPASS OFFERING (Lev 5:1-6:7) - Stresses that aspect of Christ’s death which atones for the damage done by sin. (Isa 53:10) Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin… Significance for the believer: We will want to make things right with God and with those whom we’ve sinned against. (Mat 5:23-24) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 

Louie