The Christmas Star
Numbers 24:17, 19I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion... (KJV)Revelation 22:16I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. (NASB)2 Peter 1:19And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (NIV)He is the morning star!When I think of the meanings behind those two small words, I am in awe of how perfectly they describe the Savior. Jesus is our light both by morning sun and by stars at night; He is always with us. The word "star" has Biblical significance because it implies royalty, as does the word "sceptre" from the verse in Numbers 24.Balaam was compelled by God to speak the prophecy of the coming Messiah. He refers to Jesus as a "Star out of Jacob", describing Christ's lineage.
So it is very meaningful that God uses a star to show both shepherds and magi the way to the baby Jesus! In Matthew 2:2, the magi even ask "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." They knew the prophecies about the Messiah and took the star as --THE sign--for them.What does the light of God mean to us? It means that when we accept the light of Jesus Christ into our lives, we meet God. It means the light takes away the darkness of our lives. It means we become different people. It means we live for God and others. It means we work through the church to make a difference in our community and world. It means we have experienced God’s unconditional love.
Light of Life
There’s a light for all the weary, heavy-laden souls of care
And it shines down midst the darkness, can you see it blazing there?
Star of Bethlehem, Star of Jacob, bright and radiant morning star!
Cast Your rays in my direction, lead me on the journey far.
-by Francis Edward Su
Prayer: Loving God of Christmas, help me to see more clearly the light of Jesus Christ in my own life, and help me to share Him with others. Amen.
- Mark David Jackson
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
♪A Note of Thanks ♪
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100 (KJV)
On this beautiful blue sky day in November, I cannot help but be thankful, for awakening to a new day. Early this morning just before break of dawn, I looked out the window at the Western sky to see a full moon that was just about to leave my view as the sun would start to rise in the East. It was a crisp cool morning in Alabama, and I felt blessed to have arisen to a fresh start, a new beginning, old things have passed away and all things felt new to me. Isn’t that how we are supposed to respond to God each day, with expectant hearts full of faith, hope and love? I know that some days we had rather take a different route and perhaps be somber, but I believe it helps to have a grateful heart. Somehow God works it out, in these daily miracles and gives us His joy, goodness, grace and mercy. Even though we may not feel like we deserve these attributes, we are granted a measure of His love and goodness.
God displays Himself through His magnificent creation in colors of majestic magenta, bright sunny yellows, copper Japanese maples, dark glossy green hollies with red berries, picture perfect pink Confederate roses, pumpkins and bronze nasturtiums; and add to that the smells of autumn, pines, cedars, sweet blooming tea olives and ginger lilies. When I think of God’s handiwork, I can’t help but think of family and dear sweet friends who’ve loved us and stuck by us all these years through thick and thin; kind, compassionate friends who freely give God’s love with a hug, a kind word of encouragement or a hand written note.
Almost every time I see my dear friend, Sarah Jackson Shelton, or receive a phone call from her, she will start off by saying, “Precious Cousin!” To me it’s the little things that oftentimes mean so much, that special touch from friends to let us know we are loved and are part of the community of faith that help to spur us on and cause us to forget what might be ailing us or distracting us from keeping our focus on God.
During this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, take some time to thank those who need a touch of love, and let them know how much they mean to you and also, more importantly thank the Lord for the many provisions of life He continues to give to you.
Thanks be to God for life and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen
With a grateful heart for serving alongside you, I am….
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100 (KJV)
On this beautiful blue sky day in November, I cannot help but be thankful, for awakening to a new day. Early this morning just before break of dawn, I looked out the window at the Western sky to see a full moon that was just about to leave my view as the sun would start to rise in the East. It was a crisp cool morning in Alabama, and I felt blessed to have arisen to a fresh start, a new beginning, old things have passed away and all things felt new to me. Isn’t that how we are supposed to respond to God each day, with expectant hearts full of faith, hope and love? I know that some days we had rather take a different route and perhaps be somber, but I believe it helps to have a grateful heart. Somehow God works it out, in these daily miracles and gives us His joy, goodness, grace and mercy. Even though we may not feel like we deserve these attributes, we are granted a measure of His love and goodness.
God displays Himself through His magnificent creation in colors of majestic magenta, bright sunny yellows, copper Japanese maples, dark glossy green hollies with red berries, picture perfect pink Confederate roses, pumpkins and bronze nasturtiums; and add to that the smells of autumn, pines, cedars, sweet blooming tea olives and ginger lilies. When I think of God’s handiwork, I can’t help but think of family and dear sweet friends who’ve loved us and stuck by us all these years through thick and thin; kind, compassionate friends who freely give God’s love with a hug, a kind word of encouragement or a hand written note.
Almost every time I see my dear friend, Sarah Jackson Shelton, or receive a phone call from her, she will start off by saying, “Precious Cousin!” To me it’s the little things that oftentimes mean so much, that special touch from friends to let us know we are loved and are part of the community of faith that help to spur us on and cause us to forget what might be ailing us or distracting us from keeping our focus on God.
During this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, take some time to thank those who need a touch of love, and let them know how much they mean to you and also, more importantly thank the Lord for the many provisions of life He continues to give to you.
Thanks be to God for life and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen
With a grateful heart for serving alongside you, I am….
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)