- araratchurch
- Dec 2
- 3 min read
“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. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!”
Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT
The coming of the Messiah seemed to have taken many people by surprise. Indeed, even those who were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies—the Jewish leaders—refused to recognize Who Jesus was.
The reality is, the Lord really wants His people to know what He is planning. We only fail to know when we don’t take the time to search His word and to listen to the instruction of His Holy Spirit. It is as the prophet Amos instructs us:
“Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets.”
Amos 3:7 NLT
Interestingly, our opening scripture, although often quoted, is seldom examined within its context. Note: Just before our opening passage, we see these verses:
“Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.”
Isaiah 9:1-2 NLT
When Jesus began His public ministry, He did so in Galilee. As well, we see verification that this was the fulfilling of the above prophecy, in Matthew’s Gospel:
“When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah: “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali, beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River, in Galilee where so many Gentiles live, the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.””
Matthew 4:12-16 NLT
Isn’t that amazing?
For today, we will meditate on the fact that the Lord weaves the story of the future through the events of the past. Consider how the appearance of Christ was woven through all the Old Testament prophecies.
Additionally, consider what we are seeing today that was prophetically described in the Old and New Testaments, concerning the time of Jesus’ Second Coming. For example, consider this passage:
“I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles. Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.”
2 Peter 3:2-7 NLT
Does this description sound familiar? Are YOU paying attention?
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Dec 1
- 3 min read
“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
John 1:1-5, 10-14 NLT
For these days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ, please join Ararat Church in our own Advent adventure. On each of these 25 days we will take one portion of the true Christmas story as seen in the Holy scriptures. We will consider these passages with limited commentary as this is a time for personal reflection, repentance, and preparation.
Now, the method of observance of Advent varies from Western to Eastern observances, with even the days of observance varying. However, originally, they all had a common purpose.
The term “Advent” comes from a Latin word meaning “coming.” Traditionally, this is a period of time used for preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ, as well as preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Indeed, the liturgical meaning of the Advent season refers to the dual “coming” of Jesus.
Sadly, for the most part, many Christians have neglected the latter emphasis on preparation for the Second Coming of Christ. Indeed, even the other purpose of the observance of Advent—the preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s birth—is neglected.
Naturally, we think of the preparation for a celebration as generally involving the logistics of the celebration: attire, food, decor, gifts, music, venue, and so on.
However, the Advent season is meant to be a time of preparation of the heart for the celebration of the birth of Christ, as well as preparation for the Second Advent (the Second Coming). During this time, we should consider: Do I understand what Christ did by coming to dwell among us? As well: Do I believe that He is physically coming back to dwell with us forever?
We begin today with a passage from the book of John which gives a concise—but complete—overview of what the celebration of Christmas is about: The Word became flesh.
Jesus said:
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NLT
For today, meditate on the fact that the Power through which all things were created, condescended into a mortal, human body, to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.
With that, consider: Why did God have to take on flesh? As well, meditate upon whether or not you have true expectancy in terms of the Lord’s Second Coming.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Nov 27
- 2 min read
“And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.”
Matthew 15:33-38 ESV
In our opening scripture, we see the description of one of the two times that the Lord took a small amount of food and fed a multitude with it. It is important to note that in each case, before performing the miracle of multiplication of the food, Jesus blessed it by thanking God for it.
I believe that many Christians fail to have the blessing of God on the work of their hands, their possessions, and so on, because they are not grateful to God for what they already have.
Make no mistake, operating with a sense of always being somehow “shortchanged” by God, is a fast track to lack.
At one point in Jesus’ ministry, ten lepers approached Him, begging Him to heal them. Sadly, when they were healed, only one—a Samaritan—returned to give the Lord thanks.
“When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?””
Luke 17:14-18 ESV
Did you know that it is God‘s will that we give thanks to Him?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
In view of the wonderful things the Lord has done for us, let’s make sure that every day is a day of thanksgiving. After all, He is worthy of our gratitude.
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!