The King of Kings.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

The King of Kings

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

What a gift we have in the Christmas season. God himself took on flesh and dwelt among us that we might find eternal relationship in him. His coming serves as a continual reminder of his grace and pursuit of us who are lost without him. As we look to Jesus this week to celebrate who he is and what he’s done, may you find life-giving hope and foundational joy.

Scripture:

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16

Devotional:

The fate of so many nations has historically rested on the strength of its leaders. From Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great to King David, we look to kings as the catalyst for either victory or defeat, success or failure.

Scripture tells us in Revelation 19:16 that we as the people of God find our fate in the One True King. Scripture says, “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Isaiah 9:6-7 says,

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

This Christmas season we celebrate the truth that our lives are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). Our fate is wrapped up in his. Our victory and success is assured because our King sits enthroned on the heavens. He is high and lifted up, and his heart is filled with steadfast love for us, his bride.

If your future feels uncertain, if your heart is filled with anxiety, look no further than your Savior on whose robe and thigh is written, “King of kings and Lord of lords.” If the furthest thing from your heart seems to be peace, look to Jesus, whom Scripture calls, “Prince of Peace.” If you feel heavy and burdened from the weight and weariness of this world, look to God, our “Wonderful Counselor.”

God’s desire is to be near to you this season. His purpose is to pull you in closely to him and remind you that you are his and he will never let you go. Sometimes all we need to get through the day is a little perspective. Sometimes all we need to experience victory over our current circumstances is to remember that Jesus has already won us.

Take time today to bring your cares and weights to the feet of the “King of kings.” Allow him to declare over you both his unceasing affection and limitless power. May you find abundant peace today in the person of Jesus.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on what Scripture says about your Savior. 

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” Revelation 19:16

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

2. What cares are weighing you down today? What’s keeping you from the abundant life Jesus came to bring you?

3. Bring your cares to Jesus in prayer. Ask him for a revelation of who you are in him. Take time to rest in his steadfast love and nearness.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

You and I are made to look to someone or something for leadership. We aren’t created to rule our own lives. If we don’t look to Jesus, we will undoubtedly look to this world, which only has the power to lead us away from abundant life in God. Where are your eyes set today? What are you looking to for provision, peace, and life? Fix your eyes on Jesus today, the “founder and perfecter” of our faith, that you might find transcendent peace and steadfast hope (Hebrews 12:2). May your day be filled with all the goodness of one who serves the “King of kings.”

Extended Reading: Revelation 19

On The Mountainside (Matthew 5:1-2)..By Jennifer Waddle

 On The Mountainside (Matthew 5:1-2)

By Jennifer Waddle

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” - Matthew 5:1-2

There’s an open space at the top of one of the mountain trails a few minutes from my house. It’s a place where hundreds of sunrise services have taken place and where thousands of people have hiked to view the surrounding beauty.

As I picture it, I can’t help but liken it to the mountainside where Jesus taught the multitudes. Without a microphone or a way of projecting His voice, Jesus spoke words of blessing, warning, and wisdom to His followers. Miraculously, His message was carried through the crowds as they held on to every word He spoke!

When was the last time you or I held fast to the words of Jesus? In our day-to-day lives, how have we recalled His blessings, His warnings, and His promises? I don’t know about you, but I find that I have a few Bible passages I carry with me. They are passages that comfort and guide, and I’m deeply grateful for them. However, I want to place myself on the mountainside and eagerly listen to every word Jesus spoke—not just the feel-good passages that are familiar to me.

Along with the beauty and encouragement of the beatitudes, I want to hear the warnings Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:21-48. For just as He commended the peacemakers, calling them the “sons of God,” He also warned that angry people would be liable to God’s justice. Whether a blessing or a warning, every word Jesus spoke was righteous, holy, and just.

Theologically, it’s important we don’t ignore the side of Jesus that called sin “sin.” It’s beneficial to receive both His words of love and gentleness as well as His words of conviction. This is how we grow in our faith—by submitting to all of Jesus’ teachings.

So what do you say? Will you join me on the mountainside? Are you willing to hear all the words of Jesus spoken throughout the Scriptures? The great thing is, you don’t need an actual mountaintop experience to hear the words of the Savior. They are written and recorded for us throughout the Gospels.

To get started, here are a few study guides to consider:

Jesus: A Study on the Words of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Study Guide
Experiencing the Words of Jesus
In The Words of Jesus

While we can’t go back and join the multitudes during the Sermon on the Mount, we can join Jesus right where we are. We can tune our hearts to receive every word He offers—the messages that are easy on the ears and the commands that are a bit difficult to hear. In the end, we will join Him on a heavenly mountainside, renewed and restored. But until then, let’s purpose to meet with Him and listen intently to His words of blessing, warning, and promise. After all, they are words we can count on!

An Advent Prayer for Joy..Emma Danzey

 An Advent Prayer for Joy

By Emma Danzey

Luke 2:10-11 says, “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.'”

As we pray through the third advent candle, the candle of joy, may our hearts reflect on the beautiful message from the angel given to the Shepherds in the fields. The angel brought good news of great joy. This is what we have in Jesus; we have the good news of the gospel that God came down from heaven to us in the form of man and lived the perfect life and died a sinners death and rose so that we might be saved. This baby, this long-anticipated Messiah whom the Jewish people prayed and waited many years for, had finally come. This leads to great joy in the lives of all who put their faith in Him.

Let's Pray:

Dear Savior,
You are the giver of joy and new life. We celebrate You and honor You today. Thank You for your constant care for us. Thank You that we are able to access the fruit of the Spirit's joy because You came down to us. Thank You that at this time of year, we are able to rejoice and be grateful for Your precious presence with us. We praise You for coming to earth in humility as a newborn child. God, we cannot begin to comprehend all that You have done for us.

Just like the shepherds were simple people, Lord, we are just regular individuals living life, but You have called us to greater things in Your name. You have given us a purpose, a calling, and a mission to be part of Your kingdom and to share that kingdom with others. May we not neglect the greatest joy of being your children and sharing Your good news of great joy with others. Forgive us when we hide this joy, and we keep it away from telling the world.

You tell us in Romans 15:13 that You are the God of hope who fills us with joy and peace. You say in Philippians 4:4 to always rejoice. You tell us in Psalm 16:11 that You make known the path of life, and in your presence, there is fullness of joy. You remind us that joy comes through gratitude, so Jesus, we thank You today. We are grateful for the life that you have given to us, for creating air, water, shelter, and food, for Your love, for our families, friends, mentors, and community, for our jobs, for our churches, for the sun, for the moon, for the perfectly established world to exist, for talents, and for Your great sacrifice on the cross. You are the Creator, so we praise You for making joy.

Lord, for those of us who feel down and discouraged right now. When we are overwhelmed, tired, or frustrated, help us not to sit in these states of mind but to press into the gift of gratitude to do battle with the enemy and truly see even the smallest things in life as a blessing. Help us not miss the wonderful gifts from You because of hurts, losses, and discouragement. Guides us by Your strength to choose joy and to fight for it each and every day.

You say in Psalm 30:11, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” You tell us in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Lord, move me into a joy that leads to singing. There is such beauty in getting to voice Your praises and especially with others. Even though our happiness comes and goes, may Your joy be an anchor for our souls.

As we anticipate this new Christmas season, whether we are easily joyful or having to fight for it with Your help, may we look back at Your birth to help point us towards Your second coming to fill us with great joy. Amen.

What Is the Answer for a Suffering World?..By Lynette Kittle

 What Is the Answer for a Suffering World?

By Lynette Kittle

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” - John 3:16

In today’s culture, death is being presented more and more as a compassionate and caring solution for suffering. Whether facilitating assisted suicide, abortion, or euthanasia, countless voices around the world encourage death as the answer to ending human suffering. Those who are ill, disabled, distressed, or just unhappy are being told death is the compassionate way to end their pain and struggles.

As well there are those who are fervently protesting, marching, and more for the right to kill unborn babies, saying death is better than being unwanted, disabled, or conceived at an inconvenient time. Celebrities are lending their voices in celebration, applauding their private choices to abort their own unborn children. But God has a different answer for a suffering world. His answer is His love because He alone knows how to heal the deepest wounds. His way of dealing with suffering brings life and freedom, whereas death leads to more suffering and destruction.

Why Do People Avoid Suffering?
Most people are uncomfortable with suffering and don’t know how to go through it or want to deal with it. So when experts and those in government push the idea that it’s best to end suffering through ending lives, people start to believe it. 

Because most people don’t want to suffer or see others suffering, death starts to seem like the quick and easiest way out of the pain. But ending lives hardens hearts, whereas going through personal suffering or alongside others has the ability to soften and transform hearts like no other experience can do. Suffering’s effects help us to develop compassion, kindness, longsuffering, unconditional love, selflessness, and much more in our lives.

Yet so many individuals go to great extents to avoid it. The thought of opening their hearts and minds to deal with the pain and sorrow of suffering, whether in themselves or with others, feels like too much for them to face. So instead, they miss out on suffering’s refining process to cultivate enduring love, forgiveness, and so much more. Romans 8:18 explains, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Choosing to Walk Alongside Others
Rather than turn the other way, some choose to walk alongside those who are suffering, understanding how doing so helps to keep their hearts softened and in tune with the anguish of others. Although most of us try to avoid suffering as much as possible, there are those who have chosen to suffer alongside others.

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:24.25).

Moses understood that turning away from his people’s afflictions would harden his heart towards them, so he chose to join them in their mistreatment.

How Do We Face Suffering?
As well there are those who willingly choose to suffer for the sake of Christ, knowing it will cause them to become more like Him. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like Him in His death” (Philippians 3:10). Opposite to the world’s solution to end suffering through death, Colossians 1:24 describes how the Apostle Paul faced it.

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

Paul knew, “For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:5). The Apostle Peter also urged, “But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13).

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Do you know someone who is suffering this holiday season? If so, are you willing to walk alongside them? If not, there are plenty of organizations to help direct you in giving, praying, and volunteering to those who are afflicted and could use some encouragement, comfort, and support in their lives.

HAS THE GRINCH STOLEN YOUR CHRISTMAS?..Dr. Jeff Schreve

 HAS THE GRINCH STOLEN YOUR CHRISTMAS?

Dr. Jeff Schreve

And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 
Luke 2:10-11

Without a doubt, Christmas is to be a time of GREAT JOY.  On that first Christmas night, the angel announced to the shepherds “good news of a great joy.”  The Savior has come!!  WOW!!  Those shepherds were so excited.  That announcement changed their lives forever.  They were filled with joy and wonder and praise.

At Christmas time, are you filled with joy and wonder and praise?  Or has the devil, the original Grinch, the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy, stolen those things from you?  If so, there is still time to get it back!

Think about the angel’s announcement, “There has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  What does that really mean for you and me? 

1.  The Savior has come to save you from a dark past.  So many people are suffering with intense guilt over bad things they have done in the past.  The devil beats them to death with shame and guilt.  But be beaten no longer!  All the terrible, horrible things you have done are no match for the Savior’s blood that He shed for you on the cross.  The moment you confess those sins to God and repent of them, you are forgiven!!  Remember what the Savior said to Peter, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy” (Acts 10:15).

2.  The Savior has come to save you from an empty present.  Many people are surviving and not really living.  Jesus came at Christmas not to fill your empty stocking, but to fill your empty life!  He has a purpose and a plan for you.  Come to Him.  Surrender to Him.  Let Him lead you.  He wants to bring you joy and peace, regardless of your circumstances.  He wants to use your life to make a difference in others, a difference that will last for all eternity.  It makes life worth living to know that everyday is an exciting adventure with the Lord, an opportunity to touch another person with the love and joy of Jesus.

3.  The Savior has come to save you from a hopeless future.  Everyone without God is without hope.  No one comes to the Father without the Savior, Jesus Christ.  But now He has come, and we can really know Him personally, and we can be assured of His presence and provision while we live … and His heaven when we die.  Paul said, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).  WOW!  What a future is in store for the child of God!

My friend, do not let the devil steal from you and your Christmas time any longer!  The Savior has come, and He has come for you!  Receive the good news and rejoice in the truth!

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve