Luke 4:14-21
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
Today is the day to listen the word of God. It is not to late to learn the truth. There is only one way to the kingdom of God and that is through the truth of his word. It is up to you to find the truth. It is out there.
Archive for December, 2012
Luke 12:11-12
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
God always gives us what we need. This includes words. When we go out to talk to people we should allow God to give us the words that he wants us to use, not make up our own. This is very comforting in the fact that we don’t have to have everything committed to memory, we just need to have an understanding of his word and the faith that he will give us what we need when we need it.
Here are the files for the last three weeks. Sorry for the delay.
December 09, 2012 Edward Coffey
December 09, 2012 Larry Gosier
December 16, 2012 Larry Gosier
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had 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 demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee 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 into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
When the wise men came to worship Jesus, they were doing it for the right reasons. When they told Herod about it though, he wanted to see Jesus for the wrong reasons. Even though Herod said he wanted to worship Jesus, he really wanted to kill him. The same can be said about people today. There are many people who claim to worship Christ, but their true thoughts are based in evil. We need to be like the wise men and follow God and avoid these people in our daily lives.
Luke 2:8-21
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 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. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Just as the shepherds did when Christ was born, we need to do today. We need to worship our God when we find out about him. Just as angels came and told the shepherds about Jesus, we have an angle coming today to instruct us for Christ’s second coming. Will you be like the shepherds follow the instructions?
Luke 2:1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
When Jesus was born there was no fancy party or royal parade. It was just a simple birth. This follows God’s plan. If there was a large party, then people would have worshiped him because of they were told to, not because they believed him. The same can be true today. We do not need a large show to convert people to Christ, all we need is the truth and they will come. The rest is just noise that can get in the way.
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
God picked people who loved him to carry out his plan. Joseph and Mary loved the Lord very much. Joseph still married Mary even though she was pregnant because God told him to. God uses people in different ways to make it possible to for people to meet Christ. Joseph did his part in helping, how are you going to allow God to use you?
Isaiah 7:13-14
And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
God does not do anything without first telling his people about it. Hear God is telling us about the birth of Jesus. This is just one prophecy about the coming of Christ. This week as we lead up to Christmas day let us look toward Christ for our salvation and celebrate his birth.
1st Nephi 15:24
And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.
If we follow God’s word, we can rest assured that we will spend eternity with him. There will be several trials and tribulations that will enter our lives, but by the word of God we will be able to make it though them. God is here to help us not forsake us.
Message 98:5
I come as the Messenger of the Lord. The Lord has been and will be with his people by his Spirit, and his peace shall long linger with the faithful until they become the jewels of God, called, chosen and faithful.
God will never leave us. If we stay faithful to the Lord he will make sure that we are with him in the end. This is a great promise that we rely on.
Mark 10:17-23
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Things of this world will not make us happy or save us. When we all die we cannot take our possessions with us. If we can’t take them with us, then why do we collect them at all? I am not saying that we should own nothing, and beg for you food, but we should not set our life mission to making money and buying things.
Message 74: 4
False prophets will arise. False proclaims will be made. Evil will grow worse and worse among the ungodly. Hearts will be sad until few will have faith in the gospel of Christ. Mockery shall be among men, but the truth shall go on to its mission.
Any time someone says they are speaking the words of God, you need to be ready to compare them to the printed words we already have. Lots of people have said that God told them to do things, but those things went against God’s teachings. God cannot contradict himself so one must be wrong. Since we know the printed word is correct, the prophecy must be wrong. Don’t get caught up in smooth talk and fancy words. Follow only the truth.
Romans 8:31-32
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
When things get tough, we can take assurance that God is on our side. Nothing in life is to hard for God. When things are tough on for us, remember God is there to help us. Any thing is possible with the help of God.
Here are the files from the last two weeks. Enjoy the word of God.
Message 38:6
Some the Lord has called have slumbered and slept, while some have been true and will yet be true, their reward is sure. Again others will yet rise and heed their call.
Just because the Lord calls a person does not meant that person is not human and free of mistakes. If anything, after the Lord gives a responsibility to a person, it become harder to stay on the straight and narrow path. We must keep each other accountable for our actions before we fall to far from the truth.
Mosiah 15:1-9
And now Abinadi saith unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son— The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son— And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of Heaven and of Earth. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. And after all this, and after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men— Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion toward the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.
Christ is our Lord God. He and the Father are one. He came to earth for our salvation. The question today is do you believe in him, or the traditions of man?
Matthew 21:42-44
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
The Jews rejected Christ as the messiah and savior in the days of old. If you look today, the same thing is happening before the second coming. Christians of the world are holding to their traditions rather than follow the truth that Christ has sent down from heaven by his messenger. Will you reject Christ and his words like the Jews of old?
Message 74: 6
Fear not those who speak lightly of my coming for I come as the Lord commands. In days of old, there were those who said the Lord spoke not through Moses, through the prophets and through the Christ who walked among men. Nevertheless, the Lord has spoken, and speaks now as I come and his Church is set up among men. It shall continue on to prepare the bride until the Lord comes to reign on earth, when the powers of Satan are cast out and subdued, for the millennium reign of peace among mankind. All of those that doubt and reject will not be there.
Just because people do not want to hear about the truth, does not mean it is not truth. People don’t want to believe the message because it makes them look at their own actions. God sending his messenger to prepare his people, the question is will people listen.