Donna K.’s Journal

One thought I had this year that I'd never thought of before, is that the Magi had dedicated very likely a minimum of four years of their lives to find the Saviour! I can't even begin to imagine taking four years out of our lives, out of our income-earning, no matter how much I love Jesus! Thankfully, He asks us for our everything, which means whatever it is that we do, we can do for Him! Even when we take care of ourselves, our family, our neighbours, it's all for His glory!!! :D

Jesus, the Name of Salvation, in the language of the world, which at that time was Greek, not Hebrew! He came to save all peoples, from every nation, tribe, and tongue!

We often see Christians seeking restitution or even revenge, yet most of us are very familiar with the passage that we're reminded of in Romans 12:19, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written: "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord." (BSB). It's important that we have this from Old and New Testaments so we know both the Law and our response in the Grace that we have through Christ. When we read passages such as Malachi 4:1, and there are many others, similar, we should be able to know that God knows what He's doing. We should know that we don't have to take His work from Him. Not only does He know every crime ever committed, but He also knows the hearts and minds behind each one. How do we punish someone who feels forced to steal to avoid starvation? How do we punish someone who thinks they're doing right, maybe even when all they're doing is demanding justice? We can know what's right - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8, NIV)

400 years before Jesus and John the Baptist, they are both again prophesied. How can we miss this? How can we doubt? Even for a moment?!

This warning is to the priests. We've seen the damage done by priests and others, who have strayed from the gospel, over the course of time. We've seen corruption in church, in government, in society. We've seed the development of religions that steer people away from the only true Salvation that is in Christ Jesus. Cursed is he who puts his trust in man. Even mankind with the best intentions will let us down as we are all fallible. Only God has stood the test of time.

We should never take God's love for granted. The Israelites expected God's love even when they turned against Him, repeatedly. We cannot earn God's love, but we should be grateful for it and we can show our gratitude in how we live our lives.

Even jingle bells and cooking pots will declare the holiness of God! I also like the idea of having the gospel message written on our doorposts and sleeves! May every aspect of my life declare my love for God!

Can you imagine, before Christ, what it was like to continue to wait for the promised Messiah? I don't think it was the same as now, when we wait for His return. First of all, we have the promise that what He said is true, because He showed up the first time and did all that was said He would do. Second, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, to help us, guide us, comfort us. But verses like this, whether actually referring to Christ or not, remind me of the many prophecies that point towards Him. They give us confirmation that everything that was prophesied about Him, even thousands of years ago, is true.

I can't get enough of the story of Dagon (1 Samuel 5:3). We can make anything into a god. "Prophets" can make anything into a god. But even the false gods fall before the real true God of Jeremiah and the God of my life. There are even a few times in the Bible when God tells us that we can test Him, just as He does here, in Jeremiah 33:3. Dagon was put to the test and fell repeatedly.

Maybe the Babylonians look like the enemy but God will bless who He chooses and we know that there is a time for everything under the sun. If we fight against those who we think is the enemy, we might be fighting God, Himself. I know I've said it before, but blessed are the peacemakers. The Fruit of the Spirit - there's no laws against them! We cannot go wrong with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. If we think we need to worry about revenge, we can leave that with God. I actually had thought that, quite recently about the current state of the world. So many lethal mistakes are being made. People are dying of a controllable virus and others are dying of depression and medical neglect because of it. I thought, there needs to be accountability - how best to hold leaders and people accountable? And then I thought, it's not for me to worry about. God will deal exactly justly or extend grace through Christ. Either way, He still knows what He is doing and He is still faithful in all things!!!