A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Luke 1:48
The Greek word for blessed is Makarizo; for to bless. From Makerios; for to beautify, i.e.Pronounce (or esteem) fortunate, call blessed, count happy. James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is pitiful, and of tender mercy. What a blessing the Virgin Mary is as the scripture teaches for behold from henceforth all generations shall call her blessed. She is so humble to be the blessed Mother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christmas is not the only time we call her blessed, but all throughout the year. She is counted as happy. She endured the almost divorce from her espoused husband Joseph because she was pregnant before marriage. Joseph was preparing to put her away privately, and then the angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and told him that Baby was of the Holy Spirit. She patiently endured just as Job endured his test of the Lord when he lost all of his wealth, children, and health. Truly the Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord. We shall sing praises to the Lord for He is the Messiah, who came down to earth in the incarnation, to be the Son of God and the Son of Mary. Let all people call her blessed for enduring the trials and tribulations of living a pure and holy life.
#To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79
The Greek word for shadow is Skia, Apparently primary; shade (literally or figuratively (darkness or error or an adumbration)) Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. We thank God that Christmas is light, because the Light of the world came in the form of a Baby, to cast light in a dark world. John the Baptist was born six months before the Lord Jesus to prepare the way in the wilderness. God is Light and there is no darkness in Him. Jesus came to destroy our last enemy's death. That is why David in Psalm 23 said ye though I walk in the shadow of death, thou art with me. We no longer have to fear death, for it is a shadow. Dr. Barnhouse was taking his children to their mother's funeral and while they were driving a truck cast a shadow on the car. Dr. Barnhouse asked the question: children would you rather be hit with the shadow of the truck or the truck itself? They answered the shadow, and he said that is right because shadows do not hurt you. When a Christian dies we get hit by the shadow, because Jesus took the sting out of death. Paul said oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and its strength is in the law, but thanks be unto God, who gives us victory through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus asked John the Baptist when he was in prison, what did you go out in the desert to see? A reed no I tell you of all those born of a woman there is no greater man than John the Baptist. Jesus came so that we could make peace with God, and with mankind. He guides our way in peace because of the blood He shed on the cross for our sins. This Christmas share the story of Jesus so that someone can come out of darkness into His marvelous light.
#Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before the ancients gloriously. Isaiah 24:23
The Hebrew word for ancients is Zaqen; for old, aged, elder, or old man and woman. Joshua 9:11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. In the First Advent, the Star did shine in the East and led the Magi to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Second Advent, the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed when Jehovah of angel armies shall reign in Mount Zion and Jerusalem. What a glorious time that shall be. Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron, and He will make peace as the Prince of Peace, and there will be no more wars, for they shall beat their swords into pruning hooks, and study war no more. We will no longer need the united nations, for the lion will lay down with the lamb, and they will not harm in His holy hill in Zion. The old people will rejoice in the Lord and sing His praises. No longer will the old people be despised, for the Lord will be gloriously ruling in the midst of them. Just as the Virgin Mary called herself the handmaiden of the Lord, we will make a league together as servants of the Lord most high and take victuals for our journey. As saints, we will reign with the Lord in the kingdom of God, and no more sorrow for the Lord will be our joy. So as we await that glorious day let us lift our heads for our redemption draweth nigh.
#But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Juda, 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 5:2
The Hebrew word for Ephratah is Ephrath; Or Mephrathah; from Prah; for fruitfulness, and Ephrath, another name for Bethlehem (Psalm 132:6) perhaps for Ephraim; also of an Israelitish woman. Ruth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: Ruth married Boaz and begat Obed, and he begat Jesse, the father of David. It was prophesied that Bethlehem would be the place for the Messiah, a descendant of David, to be born. Thus on Christmas, we worship Jesus the Son of David who will come to take away the sins of the world. Thus the Virgin Mary was heavy with Child, and the decree went out that all the world should be taxed. Thus Joseph took the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem to pay their taxes, and the Lord Jesus was born in fulfillment of the scriptures. We should be as faithful to pay our taxes, as Jesus said render to Caesar what is due, and render to God what is due. Jesus being the Son of David did not have to pay taxes, but to keep from offending the Jews, He paid His taxes and the disciples. We can learn a lot from this example and pay our taxes. May the Lord bless us to get a tax deduction when President-Elect Trump gets into office. Jesus lived from everlasting to everlasting when He was Born. He in His hypostatic union was very God and very man so that He could taste death for us at the cross to take away our sins. That is why His name is Jesus cause He will bear the sins of many. Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer just as Boaz was for Ruth.
#Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen Galatians 6:18
Amen means truly a part of speech in Hebrew form. Properly firm, I.e. trustworthy and verily. Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Thanks to God He keeps all His promises. We can believe He will do all that His word tells us. David said in his haste all men are liars. Put not your confidence in man, whose breath is in his nostrils. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto thy own understandings, but in all the ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy pathway.
#From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 6:17
The Greek word for body is Soma. It comes from Sozo, which means the body as a sound whole and is used in a wide application. Literally and figuratively, it means slave. Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. This is a picture of the Lord Jesus suffering on the cross, shedding His blood for our sins. He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him by His stripes we are healed. Paul experienced being bruised and whipped and bore the marks of the Lord Jesus. Thank God we will not be troubled forever, for just as in the First Advent we celebrate Christmas and in the Second Advent, we will celebrate our new bodies. For we will be like Him, able to ascend into heaven and descend to earth and celebrate the kingdom of God. We will be able to eat fish and bread and the glorified body will consist of flesh and bones. No longer will we need blood. All because Jesus shed His blood for us on the cross so that we could be forgiven. Now let us boast on the cross, for that is why Jesus became a man so that He could die for us vicariously. Wherefore, Jesus also that He might sanctify the people with His blood, but He suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing reproach. For we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. We are looking for a city, that has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
#And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Galatians 6:16
The Greek word for the rule is Kanon; for standard, from Kane (a straight reed, i.e. Rod) a standard of faith and practice, by implication, a boundary, i.e. a sphere of activity. Metaphorically, any rule or standard, a principle of law of investigating, judging, living often so in classical Greek. Philippians 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Paul is telling us as Christians we must walk by the same rules, and not make different rules for other people to walk by for our God is a consuming fire and He will judge us for having uneven balances. Our love must be without dissimulations. We must love all people the same. We must not be prejudiced against certain people. For we must be at peace with all men and follow holiness, for without holiness, no man will see the Lord. This is a great scripture and Paul used it to reconcile a runaway slave to his master when he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior. The slave became a brother in Christ and no longer a slave. We must be ready to forgive all men. Jesus taught us how to pray in the model prayer " Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever Amen!" When we live by this rule there will be peace in the Israel of God. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas let there be peace on earth, and that will be possible when you have made your peace with God at the cross, and your fellow man.
#For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Galatians 6:15
The Greek word for creature is Ktisis; for creation, from Kitzo; for original formation, building, or ordinance. Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come a high Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. We celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, yet He had no beginning or end. He is our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. In His hypostatic union, He is very God and very man at the same time, so that He could become the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. When you accept Him as your Personal Lord and Savior you are accepted into the Beloved. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in fulfillment of the Mosaic Law, because He is holy and harmless, separated from sinners. The only perfect man to walk this earth. We call Him the Messiah, For it was prophecies that foretold a Virgin will conceive seven hundred years in advance in fulfillment of the scriptures. He is the seed of the woman that shall bruise the serpent's head. That is what Jesus did on the cross. So we do not have to be circumcised in the foreskin but of the heart. If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, for old things are done away with and all things have become new. So tell someone about the glory and the awe of Christmas and that Jesus became a man.
#But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14
The Greek word for forbid is Me; for not that, lest (used for negation) Whereas OU expresses an absolute denial. 2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Paul is using this negation to prove that God forbids him to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter is telling us to remember the forgiveness that we received at the cross. For if we lack this humility, then we are blind and have forgotten that our old sins have been purged at the cross. The only thing we must glory in is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. We need to have our vision checked each day by meditating on the word of God so that we do not forget to look to the cross.
#For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. Galatians 6:13
The Greek word for law is Nomos; for that which is assigned, by usage. From a primary nemo (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage) genitive case (regulation) especially (of Moses (including the volume) also of the Gospel) or figuratively a principle. Romans 3:27 Where is boasting? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay but by the law of faith. Paul is telling the Galations that faith has replaced the law, therefore there is no boasting about being circumcised to keep the law. We are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that not of yourselves, but is a gift of God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Savior. The law cannot save you, but is a mirror, showing you that your face is dirty and you need grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to get cleaned spiritually. For it does not appear what we shall be, for when He shall appear, we shall be just like Him, fashioned unto His glorious face. To God be all the glory for what He has done through Jesus Christ.