Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 20, 2019 7:50:06 GMT -6
"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 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." Luke 2:1
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 21, 2019 8:09:01 GMT -6
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Micah 2:5
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 22, 2019 17:43:41 GMT -6
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 23, 2019 7:53:41 GMT -6
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." Isaiah 9:6-7
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 24, 2019 9:03:40 GMT -6
"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." Luke 2:4-7
I love the economy of words in the Bible. But take a close look. There are things we have added over the 2000 years or so since that night which don't appear in the Bible.
There is no donkey, no Inn Keeper, probably not December, the Bible mentions no date...and Mary and Joseph had been in Bethlehem for some days before the night Jesus was born. The Bible mentions no stable. We assume a stable because Jesus was laid in a feeding trough...a manger.
Yes, the night. Jesus was born at night. The next few verses tell us that there were shepherds out in the fields that night...tending their sheep.
"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." Luke 2:8-12
Still...it is a simple and very beautiful story...and the most beautiful gift ever given to man! A Savior!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 25, 2019 8:24:06 GMT -6
"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." Matthew 2:1-2
We all know the story. The Magi came from the east, possibly Babylon. They were astronomers and knew there would be a star one day which would herald the birth of a great King. Herod was king then and an evil and violent man. When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem and asked in Herod's court him about the new King...he asked about the appearance of the star, and asked the priest about the location...and told the Magi to continue their search and return to Jerusalem when they had found Him, claiming he wanted to worship this new King too.
They found Jesus, worshipped Him, and gave him gifts, but an Angel appeared to them in a dream and warned them of Herod's evil plan to kill Jesus. They, being very wise men...took another route home that didn't include Jerusalem.
An angel also appeared to Joseph telling him Jesus was in danger. Joseph packed his little family up and they fled to Egypt. The Bible tells us there will be a reward for Egypt in the End Times for giving refuge to Jesus during thosw days of Herod.
"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." Matthew 2:15
Now Herod knew the place, Bethlehem, and he knew a time frame...somewhere under two years. He later learned the Magi had left without returning to Jerusalem and he went on a warpath, KJV says he was "wrot," "exceedingly wrot."
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Matthew 2:16-18
We see several prophecies fulfilled in this story of the Birth of Jesus and the years surrounding that time. He was born in Bethelehem, born of a Virgin, Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and when Herod learned of all this he set out to murder every baby boy in Juda under the age of two...
In total over 300 prophecies were fulfilled in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus...
Now do you believe?
Now is the time and today is the day...
"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Romans 13:11
Because...There is one more prophecy, a last one. Jesus is coming again.
Make this the best Christmas ever...and follow Jesus! Merry Christmas!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 26, 2019 7:42:33 GMT -6
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 27, 2019 7:57:27 GMT -6
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" Psalm 103:1-2
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 28, 2019 8:08:40 GMT -6
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 29, 2019 18:34:10 GMT -6
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:1-2
A personal favorite.
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 30, 2019 8:14:39 GMT -6
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Dec 31, 2019 8:35:41 GMT -6
"Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters ... Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:16, 18-19
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 2, 2020 8:04:54 GMT -6
"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12
“Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts ...” Malachi 3: 7
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 3, 2020 7:59:41 GMT -6
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" Titus 2:11-12
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 4, 2020 7:54:12 GMT -6
"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 5, 2020 18:25:31 GMT -6
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Psalm 126:5
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 6, 2020 8:03:52 GMT -6
"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever." 1 Peter 1:24-25
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 7, 2020 8:06:22 GMT -6
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour." Ephesians 5:1-2
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 8, 2020 8:04:31 GMT -6
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Jan 9, 2020 8:07:27 GMT -6
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21
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