Advent Gem #25

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Christmas Blessing

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

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God has given us a blessing in the person of His son. While this verse looks into the future when Christ shall reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, it is also a promise for now. While the future fulfillment is global, the present fulfillment is personal and individual.

Unto each of us as individuals, the Son of God has been given. The greatest blessing of this Christmas, and every Christmas is when we truly allow Christ to be Emmanuel, God with me.

No matter what is happening in the world, we can walk in the promises of the Kingdom of Heaven. Emmanuel transcends the world. We must allow ourselves to be blessed. We must be willing to lay down frustration and confusion and rest in Him.

May this be our Christmas declaration:

I praise the Lord for unto me the Son of God has been given. The government, direction and purpose of my life rest upon His shoulders. He has said that His thoughts toward me are good in order to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). I will allow Him to govern my life so that I might walk hopefully toward tomorrow.

I stand amazed at the wonder of who He is, Creator, Sustainer, Light and Love. His wisdom and counsel surpass even the greatest philosophers and counselors that have every walked the pages of history.

He is the Mighty God, El Shaddai. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. Because of His love for me, I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

He is the Everlasting Father. He is the same yesterday, today and forever more (Hebrews 13:8).

He is the Prince of Peace. Because His peace is not as the world gives, I will not allow my heart to be troubled or afraid (John 14:27).

I declare with the army of God, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Amen

 Advent Gem #24

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Matthew 2:1-10: “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, 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.''

“When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.'

''Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.''

“When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

Matthew 2:12-15: “Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.''

“When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son.

Proverbs 16:9: “A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

The Wise Men had carefully planned their trip. However, they were wise enough to listen to the Word of God and to change those plans.

Proverbs 19:21: “You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail”

Herod made plans, but he could not thwart the purpose of God.

Joseph, in faith, followed the counsel of God. We seldom speak of the provision of God for the Holy Family’s sojourn in Egypt. We often speak of them as impoverished. Remember the gifts of the Wise Men. Gold, frankincense and were expensive products in ancient times. God sent His loved ones into Egypt with abundance.

Matthew6: 26,33: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

The Lord God Almighty is our provision as well.

 Advent Gems #23

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Matthew 2:1-2 (NKJV)

“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, ying, "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."

Matthew 2:11 (NKJV)

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Most Christians know much of the tradition associated with the Magi, but little of the significance. Scripture does not tell us how many came to worship the King of the Jews; their names and ethnicities are not included in the Biblical account; they did not visit the manger in Bethlehem; they visited a young Child living in a house; only they saw the star.

We can be sure that the Wise Men were well versed in the Hebrew scriptures. They must have recognized the unusual star as a fulfillment of Numbers 24:17: "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.”

The star recalls the pillar of fire that the Israelites followed in their wilderness wanderings. It is a picture of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Wise Men must have also been familiar with the "70 weeks" as described in the book of Daniel which dates the birth of the Messiah as "7 weeks" after Cyrus’ decree for the Jews to return to Israel and rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. They knew when to start looking for the star.

The gifts they presented are likewise meaningful: Gold signifies the divinity of the King; frankincense declares His priesthood; myrrh foretells His sacrifice. Our God is our King and our High Priest who is the sacrifice for our sins. Hallelujah! What a Savior.

Like the Wise Men of old, we are called to walk in wisdom. In their story, God has shown us the way to wisdom. First of all, the Wise Men reverenced God and His word. Proverbs 1:7 admonishes us that reverence for God is the beginning, the foundation, of wisdom. We can never know too much of the word of God. It is knowing and applying the word of God to our lives that allows us to discern between truth and falsehood, between good and evil, between darkness and light.

Secondly, just as the Wise Men relentlessly followed the star, we must persevere in following the guidance of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Our purpose in submitting to the Holy Spirit is to worship and honor God in everything that we do. In doing so, those with wisdom. One of my favorite praise songs is “Turn My Heart” by Lynn DeShazo. The song describes a lifestyle of worship.

“Turn my heart, O Lord,

By Your hand

Till my whole life flows

In the river of Your Spirit

And my name brings honor

To the Lamb

And my name brings honor

To the Lamb”

May we, like the Magi, come to a deeper understanding that as our Savior and Redeemer, He is our King and our High Priest. He suffered the agony of Calvary that we might be delivered from the agony of eternal suffering.

Those with wisdom know His word, walk in His guidance, acknowledge the finished work of the cross, and worship Him. Those with wisdom live in such a way that their names bring honor to the Lamb.

 

Advent Gems #22

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 2: 8-18: Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!'' So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.'' And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”

The shepherds saw the angels. They did not see the star.

The heavenly host are not beautiful, blonde women strumming harps. The heavenly host are the army of God. The Hebrew word translated “host” is “saboath” which means “armies”. In Luke 2:13, the Greek word “stratia” is used. “Stratia” also means “armies.”

 

Advent Gem #21

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 2: 1-7: “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

During that period in Judean history, many homes were built over natural caves or at least hallowed out basements. The first floor usually consisted of at least two rooms, a large room where most of the family activities took place and a smaller room that was used for storage and/or a guest room. The cave below was used as a stable.

Whether Joseph and Mary travelled to Bethlehem for only the registration or for both the registration and one of the feast days, little Bethlehem must have been crowded. Bethlehem residents often cleared both the stable and the guest room for friends and family who were traveling. The word often translated as “inn” is in Hebrew “kataluma”, which is a lodging place or a guest chamber. Because there was no room for them in the kataluma, they were invited to stay in the stable which had probably been cleaned in anticipation of an overflow of guests.

“While they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered” suggests that perhaps they may have been in Bethlehem several days before Jesus was born. It is also probable that the place where they were staying might have belonged to a close relative.

While the inn keeper is a standard character in Christmas pageants, no innkeeper is mentioned in scripture. No matter when the birth of Jesus occurred, some animals may have been present in the stable. However, they did not speak at midnight. No matter how much we love “The Little Drummer Boy”, no little lad appeared that night to play his drum for the Christ Child.

What is important is that He was born on the land where His ancestor, King David, was born. His being born in Bethlehem establishes Him as the rightful heir to the throne of David. Luke 1:32-33: “32. "He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.''

 

Advent Gem #20

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Genesis 3: 14-15: “ So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.''

It is the seed of the woman who will destroy the enemy of our souls. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also a descendant of David. However, her lineage is not through Solomon, but through another son of David, Nathan. Her genealogy is written in Luke 3:23-28. Jesus is listed as a son of Heli. Heli is Mary’s father.

Luke 1: 26-38: “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!'' But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. hen the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

“And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Mary Did You Know

By Mark Lowry

"Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you."

 

Advent Gems #19

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"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." (Micah 5:2)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Biblical Ruth, but few realize that the story took place in Bethlehem during the period of the Judges when, as scripture relates, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25).

The major theme of the Book of Ruth is agape love, the kind of love and faithfulness that God pours out upon us. It describes the faithfulness of God to both a person, Naomi, and a nation, Israel, that no longer walked consistently in covenant with him.

The book brings together some interesting and divergent people. We meet Naomi, the widow who, driven by sorrow and poverty, returns from Moab to her ancestral home. Traveling with her was her widowed daughter-in-law, the Moabite Ruth, descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and one of his daughters. Ruth met and married Boaz, a relative of Naomi and the son of Rahab the harlot who had been rescued from the battle of Jericho and who had later married Salmon, a member of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1).

Naomi represents the nation of Israel returning to her covenant with Jehovah. Rahab and Ruth represent the Church, rescued from sin and entering into covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus who is a descendent of both.

Naomi and Ruth most likely had traveled from Moab to Bethlehem with other pilgrims during the festival of Pentecost which occurs during the wheat harvest. Boaz, a man of compassion and obedience not only allowed Ruth to glean his fields but arranged for Ruth to glean in abundance. Boaz, the great-grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus, is a personification of John10:10b: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 (NKJV).

In that place, little Bethlehem, the Davidic kingship of the Messiah was established. Isaiah 9:6-7: “6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”

Hundreds of years later, Mary heard that her child would inherit the throne of David. Luke 1:30-33: “30. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.''

 

 

 

Advent Gems #18

Rev. Lonnie C, Crowe

Isaiah 11:1 (NKJV)

“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”

The rod that came forth from Jesse is metaphorically both the shepherd’s staff and the king’s scepter.

The people of God, the Israelites, were a shepherding people. Their great king David, the son of Jesse, was a shepherd. He tended his father’s flocks in the fields of Bethlehem. He grew up near the fields that Ruth had gleaned. He grazed his sheep where centuries later the army of heaven announced the birth of Messiah to shepherds from Bethlehem.

When David, the youngest son of Jesse, was a young man, the prophet Samuel came to Bethlehem with a directive from the Lord to anoint the one who would replace Saul as king. David was called in from tending the sheep. There, in Bethlehem, in the presence of Jesse and his older sons, Samuel anointed David to be the next king of Israel.

Many years later, David, shepherd, king and psalmist wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

Jesus confirmed His own role as shepherd. John 10:7-11 (NKJV) "Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

David was a shepherd who became a king. Jesus is a king who is also a shepherd, a shepherding king. Both were born 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." (Micah 5:2)

What the world may see as unimportant is not unimportant to God. That includes us. No matter how insignificant we may feel, we are significant to God.

 Advent Gems #17

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"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." (Micah 5:2)

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Biblical Ruth, but few realize that the story took place in Bethlehem during the period of the Judges when, as scripture relates, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25).

The major theme of the Book of Ruth is agape love, the kind of love and faithfulness that God pours out upon us. It describes the faithfulness of God to both a person, Naomi, and a nation, Israel, that no longer walked consistently in covenant with him.

The book brings together some interesting and divergent people. We meet Naomi, the widow who, driven by sorrow and poverty, returns from Moab to her ancestral home. Traveling with her was her widowed daughter-in-law, the Moabite Ruth, descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and one of his daughters. Ruth met and married Boaz, a relative of Naomi and the son of Rahab the harlot who had been rescued from the battle of Jericho and who had later married Salmon, a member of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1).

Naomi represents the nation of Israel returning to her covenant with Jehovah. Rahab and Ruth represent the Church, rescued from sin and entering into covenant with God through the sacrifice of Jesus who is a descendent of both.

Naomi and Ruth most likely had traveled from Moab to Bethlehem with other pilgrims during the festival of Pentecost which occurs during the wheat harvest. Boaz, a man of compassion and obedience not only allowed Ruth to glean his fields but arranged for Ruth to glean in abundance. Boaz, the great-grandfather of David and ancestor of Jesus, is a personification of John10:10b: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 (NKJV).

In that place, little Bethlehem, the Davidic kingship of the Messiah was established. Isaiah 9:6-7: “6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this”

Hundreds of years later, Mary heard that her child would inherit the throne of David. Luke 1:30-33: “30. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

 

Advent Gems #16

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

More than 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah foretold His birthplace. Most of us are familiar with Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” That is a powerful message for today and everyday.

Not so many of us are familiar with Micah 5:2: "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 have been from of old, from everlasting.''

To many Christians, ancient Bethlehem seemed to be a small, insignificant village located about 5 miles from Jerusalem.

Bethlehem means house of the bread of God. Many scholars believe that the bread used in the Temple was baked in Bethlehem. Evidence also indicates perhaps the sacrificial lambs were shepherded near Bethlehem. Biblical references teach that Bethlehem, though little, has long been significant.

A significant event occurred as Jacob journeyed back to the Promised Land with his wives and children: “Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow); but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand or strength). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day” (Genesis 35:16-20 NKJV).

Rachel was also the mother of Joseph who rose from slavery to become a leader in Egypt and the one who saved his family from famine and extinction. Her grave near Bethlehem reminds us even today of God’s love, protection and deliverance.

 

Advent Gems #15

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah :9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. His desire is that believers walk in peace. John 14:27: “27. "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Our Lord encourages us to walk away from worry and fear. We do that when we focus on Him rather than our situation. St. Paul offers some strategy for walking in peace. Philippians 4:6-7: ”Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

We have often been told that we can’t help what we think. However, the Word of God is clear. We can and should control our thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Trust in the promises of God. Have a thankful heart. Bring every thought into obedience to God.

One of my favorite hymns is “Wonderful Peace” by Warren C. Cornell

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight

Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm

In celestial-like strains it unceasingly falls

O'er my soul like an infinite calm

Peace, peace, wonderful peace

Coming down from the Father above

Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray

In fathomless billows of love

Ah, soul are you here without comfort and rest

Marching down the rough pathway of time?

Make Jesus your friend ere the shadows grow dark

O accept of this sweet peace so sublime

Top of Form

 

Advent Gem #14

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah 9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The Child, the Son, is also the Everlasting Father. God is truth, God is infinite. God is also a paradox. A paradox is a statement or action that seems to contradict itself, yet is true. How can the Son be the Father?

Jesus Himself declared the He and the Father are one. In the context , John 10: 30-33,37-38, was presenting a defense of His authority to Jewish leadership.

“ I and my Father are one. “Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

“The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus responded, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.''

Hebrews 1: 1-8: God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets. has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You''? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son''? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: "Let all the angels of God worship Him.'' And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.'' But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom.”

Jesus is God in the beginning; He is God in the present; He is God in eternity. “I am” is always in present tense. Hebrews 13:8. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” 

 Advent Gems #13

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah :9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is Mighty God. He is omnipotent. No strength, power or valor is greater than His. Sometimes we misunderstand the power of good over evil. We often define evil as the opposite of good. If they are opposites, then they are equal in strength. However, evil is not the opposite of good. Evil is the absence of good.

Jesus not only is strong and powerful; He is the source of our strength and power.

Isaiah 40: 28-40: “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

In this weary world (The world has always been weary.), we must learn to be still and know that He is God, we must wait upon Him and we must live and move and have our being in Him.

 

Advent Gems #12

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah :9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

He is our Counselor. The Hebrew word translated as counselor means one who advises, one with whom we can consult and find purpose. In Him, we find our purpose.

The first question asked in the Westminster Shorter Catechism is “What is the chief end (purpose) of man?”

The answer is “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

We often speak of obeying God and loving God. How often do we consider how or if our lives glorify God? Also, too few of us realize that we are to enjoy God.

Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let Earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns

Let all their songs employ

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders, of His love

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let Earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

 Advent Gems #11

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah :9: 6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

His name shall be called wonderful. Even the mention of His name, Jesus, fills us with wonder and awe. Jesus, our Savior. Jesus our Redeemer. In Him, we find salvation. Salvation encompasses, not only, the removal of the eternal punishment for sin, but also, through the power of the Holy Spirit residing within believers, the strength and courage forego sin in our daily lives.

Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

His Name Is Wonderful
Song by Carman

His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.
He is the mighty King
Master of everything
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.
He's the Great Shepherd
The Rock of all ages
Almighty God is He
Bow down before Him
Love and adore Him
His name is wonderful
Jesus my Lord.

 Advent Gems #10

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Luke 1: 30-31: Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.”

You shall call His name Jesus which means savior, deliverer. In Him, we are delivered from sin and the wages of sin. In Him, our salvation is secured. In Him, in Him alone, we have salvation
.
Ephesians 2:8-9: 8. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Take a few moments and meditate on the lyrics to Bill and Gloria Gaither’s “There’s Something about That Name.”

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there's just something about that name.
Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name.
Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
But there's something about that name.

 Advent Gems #9

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

He shall be called Immanuel meaning God with us.
John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Bob Mcgee’s lyrics put it so beautifully.
Emmanuel Emmanuel
His name is called
Emmanuel
God with us
Revealed in us
His name is called
Emmanuel

Do our lives reveal Emmanuel, God who lives in us?

 

Advent Gems #8

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Isaiah 7:14 : “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

The best commentary and confirmation of scripture can be found in the scriptures themselves. Isaiah 7:14 is a confirmation of Genesis 3:15: To the serpent, the Lord said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed.”

Notice that it is not the seed of the man and the woman. It is the seed of the woman only.

The Seed of the woman is confirmed in Matthew 1: 18. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.”

The virgin birth is more fully explained in Luke 1: 26-35: “ Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!''

“But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.''

“Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?''

“ And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

 

 

Advent Gems #7

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

The Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and allowed the prophet to see, prophetically, both the guiding star and the patriarch from whose tribe our King and Redeemer would be born.

Numbers 24:15-17: “Then he took up his oracle and said: "The utterance of Balaam the son of Beor, and the utterance of the man whose eyes are opened; the utterance of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, who falls down, with eyes opened wide: I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.”

The Scepter (the rod of authority) of the Messiah will not be taken away nor destroyed.

Daniel 7:13-14: "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.

Revelation 19:13,16: “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God... And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

 Advent Gems #6

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

In Jacob, who became Israel, we know the nation from which the Messiah will come. Israel passed that blessing on to his son Judah. Therefore, we know the tribe from which He will come.

Genesis 49: 8-10 ``Judah, your brothers shall praise you. You shall destroy your enemies. Your father's sons shall bow before you. Judah is a young lion that has finished eating its prey. He has settled down as a lion--who will dare to rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes, whom all people shall obey.”

Judah means praise. The tribe of Judah always led the Israelites into battle. Our spiritual warfare must always be grounded in praise for our Lord. Psalm 22:3: “God inhabits the praises of His people.”

Shiloh means tranquil or peaceful. Notice the meaning of the names. Isaac means laughter. Laughter is the grandfather of praise (Judah). Shiloh, peace, is a fruit of the Spirit. Philippians 2:9-11: 9. “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 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, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 Advent Gems #5

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

We see the lineage of our Messiah established in God’s covenant with Abraham. Genesis 17: 6-7: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you”

The covenant continues through Abraham’s son, Isaac. Genesis 17:19: Then God said: "Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.

Isaac passed that blessing on to his son Jacob. Genesis 27: 28-29. “Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!''

After wrestling the Jacob, Lord Himself gave Jacob the name of Israel. Genesis 32:28: “28. And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.''

The Living Bible explains, “``Your name is Israel--one who has power with God. Because you have been strong with God, you shall prevail with men.''

In Jesus Christ, we can have power with God and prevail in spite of this troubled world.

 Advent Gem #4

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Mankind fell. He was here. Redemption began. Genesis 3:14-15: “So the Lord God said to the serpent: "Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.''

Genesis 3: 21. “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.”

As He was in the beginning, so He has always been and so He will always be.

 

Advent Gems #3

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

He was here in the beginning. Genesis 1:1-5: “1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light''; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.”

John 1:1-5: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

John 1:9-12: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

As He was in the beginning, so He has always been and so He will always be.

 

Advent Gem #2

In Him Is Life

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

John 1:1-4;10-14

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men….He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The essence of Christmas is the eternal, divine and glorious life given to the believers when the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

What did Jesus give up in order to come to earth? 

Philippians 2:5-8

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

The most humbling aspect of Jesus’ appearance on earth as a full human being is that He gave up his glory and came into a world system that vilified Him 2000 years ago and continues to vilify Him today.

In the Garden, He prayed, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was (John 17:5).”

Jesus left heaven and the Word become flesh.

He created all that has been created.  Yet, He submitted himself to the authority of His parents, the government of Rome, the religious leaders and even unto death. He gave up the glory of heaven to pay the price for our redemption.  He gave up everything for our salvation

God loves us so much that He gave His Son.  That truth is what makes Christmas truly merry.

 

Advent Gem #1

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

 

            The incarnation of the Son of God is more than a story to be remembered each year in December.  It is an epic that began before the foundation of the world, progressed through the Garden of Eden and will culminate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.  Tradition has so romanticized, so fantasized, so embellished the story that we have overlooked chapter one, made chapter two unrecognizable, and ignored chapter three.

            The Encarta Dictionary defines epic as “a long series of events characterized by adventures or struggle; impressive by virtue of greatness of size, scope or heroism”.  The Christmas story is chapter two of God’s epic plan for the redemption of His creation.  Nothing is more empowering in our lives than the fact that the Son of God Who spoke all creation into existence became Emmanuel, God with us.

            I love all the lights, music, and joy of the Christmas season.  Yet, I don’t want to neglect the deeper significance.  Let’s move past the mythology and into the truth; past the tradition and into the revelation; past the pretty devices of man and into the power of the incarnation.   Because much of church tradition has denied the historical Jewish roots of Christianity, our interpretation of Scripture has often come from a European mindset rather than a Hebrew mindset.  In bringing back a more Hebrew perspective, we uncover truths that for many have been hidden in the ages.  Let’s lay aside the little drummer boy, the animals that spoke at midnight, and Amahl and the night visitors.

            We hear many, even some Christians, denying the virgin birth of Jesus and declaring that He was the biological son of Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth. Do you know that if Joseph were the biological father of Jesus, that Jesus could not be the Messiah?  A careful reading of the genealogy in the first chapter of Matthew shows that one of Joseph’s ancestors was Jeconiah (vs. 8).  Jeconiah was also called Coniah.  Because Jeconiah was an evil king, the prophet Jeremiah pronounced a curse on him saying that none of his descendants would sit on the throne of David.  (Jeremiah 22:24-28.)

            Because the Messiah of Israel will sit on the throne of His ancestor David, no descendent of Jeconiah could be the Messiah.  Joseph believed the angel who said that Mary had been impregnated by the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18-25.)  Joseph believed and, therefore, we can believe.

            Even though we know He was not born on that day, we celebrate the birthday of our Lord on December 25^th.  I have no problem with the day of the celebration because we do not know the actual date of His birth.  However, we should understand that He was most likely born during the season of either the Passover or Feast of Tabernacles when most Jews traveled to Jerusalem to bring their offerings and worship at the Temple.  One of those days would be a likely time to register for a census.

            When we understand that God has times and seasons and that He doesn’t operate on a Roman calendar, we might be more hesitant in setting timetables for past events and for the future fulfillment of prophecy. 

            Christmas is a time for adoring the Christ Child in the manger.  It is also a time to adore the soon and coming King.

Revelation 19:11-16 (NKJV):Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
¹Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

“Joy to the world.  The Lord has come!!” Let’s celebrate in spirit and in truth.