PODCAST
Fulfilling A Promise
December 17th, 2012
Matthew 1:18-25
A man was invited to a friend’s house for dinner. Every time the host needed something, he preceded his request to his wife with a “My Love” and “Sweetheart.” His friend looked at him and said, “That is really nice that after all these years you still call your wife by those pet names.”
The host replied, “Well, honestly, I have forgotten her real name.”
Names are important!
Even before his birth, Jesus had been given many names. The prophet Isaiah prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).
In the original Hebrew text, “wonderful counselor” actually meant, “a wonder of a counselor.”
A wonder of a counselor speaks to the reliable wisdom of Jesus. Those who come to him will never be led astray. When we yoke ourselves with Jesus to learn, the education that we receive is priceless. Jesus goes to no one for advice and when people go to him, he gives them wisdom that can be counted on.
Jesus has come to dwell with us!
Author: Donald A. Schultheis
December 17th, 2012 at 6:55 am
“Those who come to him will never to led astray.”
The key to that statement is that we have to make a willful choice to follow him and not go our own way. Being that we have desires of the flesh, it is essential that we study the scriptures to learn how Jesus leads. He leads by His example and the Holy Spirit in His Name. We must trust & obey His Word, and, have the faith to follow-through with proper actions
All of us have known, or know, of wolves that come in His Name. It’s mandatory that we keep our eyes on Jesus and not be led astray by justifying to ourselves that those that appear holier than thou are doing it. The truth about them may not come out until the end.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Amen, Barbara!
Studying scripture is essential.
How marvelous that we can seek Him for wisdom and guidance. We can rest assured knowing that He is waiting and willing to be our wonderful counselor each and every day. As it says in Jame 4:8 “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”
December 17th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Your devotions have always been a great blessing and I know it’s going to continue to be. One thing that blessed me about the devotions is that they minister to everyone regardless of our theological back ground. That is why I could not see the need to label some preachers “Prosperity ministers.” Are we then supposed to be poverty preachers? It seems to me in Luke 6 our Lord was tracing on the need to give and the rewards that result from giving – he was talking about giving material things. Why are we afraid to stick to the word? The word does not condemn wealth but the love of it. It does not help the body of to put labels on those we don’t agree with. The world is already doing that without our teaming up with them. Again thanks for the devotions. Be blessed.
December 17th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
It was some time ago that I stated something about prosperity preachers, I sincerely apologize for the offense. I do agree that the “label could be offensive.” I have distaste for labels. Therefore, I will try to watch my wording regarding God opening the flood gates to blessings when we tithe
.
Old Testament law required the 10% tithe; whereas, the New Testament wants a free will offering without an ulterior motive coming from a cheerful giver (one that does not feel obligated but wants to give from the heart II Corinthians 9:7). A “heart, mind, & soul” life for to God glorifies Him, not only with our money, but also with our profession, lifestyle, actions, and the words out of our month.
Agreed, wealth (without the love for it) would not be the problem. The problem would be in giving glory to God with the fruits of that wealth (Matthew 19:24).
Spiritual maturity begins and ends with the giving up of something so precious and dear to us as something we have earned (knowing it will purchase our wants). If one can’t give a tithe, then something that it can purchase is a stronghold above God, or, the god in one’s life.
Plus, the giving of just money without an effort to shop for truth is an appreciated gift to whoever receives the benefit; but it, likewise, supports how far one will go for that perfect special gift for God.
Money “may be” the blessing to most (because they are living in a worldly plane). However, God provides blessings in so many ways that cannot be accounted for in our checkbooks. For example: the gifts on the Holy Spirit.(Romans 12:6-8 and I Corinthians 12:4-10).