Today's Devotional: How we as Christians should live

Beloved fellow FReepers, first of all I would like to wish all a very Merry Christmas. I pray that all are having a joyous time of fellowship, thanksgiving, and celebration as we spend time with family and friends, and also to lift up the Might Name of Jesus Christ, Who came incarnate as a baby and grew up among mankind. And, in doing so, without sin, experienced all that mankind dealt with in this fallen world so that He could present Himself as that Perfect, spotless Ultimate Sacrifice to end the grip of sin and to again allow those who trust in Him as Savior and Lord to be able to boldly approach His Throne of Grace.

Matthew 5:11-16,

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me."

Is this not what is happening all around the world, and indeed within our own nation, against Christians and Jews--against President Trump (who has now proclaimed himself as a non-denominational Christian) and those who stand with him in his administration as he and they fight the good fight of Faith against great evil works that see to destroy that Godly Republic and replace it with the wickedness and horrors of Communism? We must also remember as Jesus tells us in John 9:4, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work."

Vs.12) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Vs.13) "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Beloved, let not our witness for Christ to be colluded and stained with the filth of this present world, for one cannot serve Christ and love the things of this world.

Vs.14) "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

From all over the world for centuries and decades until now, those seeking to flee tyranny, bloodshed, and those fleeing persecution because of their testimony of Jesus and their desire to worship Him free of oppression and opposition, have come to these United States--for all this time being that shining city on a hill. For freedom, to do as they should--not as they would. Fellow Patriots, we are of MANY who do as we should, so faint not in so doing as you seek the Lord's guidance.

Vs.15) "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house."

O, Most Holy God! That we do not put that Lamp that is Your Holy Spirit within us under anything that would exist in our lives to cause Your Light to be so dim that no one would see Your Salvation to all! Let us put aside every hindrance! Put on the full armor of God, which is, stated in Ephesians 6:13-17,

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Let the Light, the Holy Spirit Fire of Jesus Christ, be on that stand in your whole being! With the full armor of God on, fight, and STAND!

Continued, Vs. 16 of Matthew 5,

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Ephesians 5:11-17,

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them."

12) "It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

13) "But everything exposed by the light becomes visible---and everything that is illuminated becomes a light."

14) "That is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

15) "Be very careful, the, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, (16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

17) "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

And, Beloved, what is the Lord's Will for our lives? Continued, in Verses 18-20,

18) "Instead, be filled with the Spirit, (accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior), (19) speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, (20) always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Fellow believers in Jesus, we also know that our Blessed Savior has said to us, in Matthew 22:34-40,

"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. (35) Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, (36) Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Who is your neighbor? Everyone the Lord shows us to help, and to witness Him to everyone in every way in our lives--even in the midst of the threat of our lives. In our nation, that threat is here and has been for some time now, and will greater be in the time allotted by God the Father until He sends His Son for us.

Yes, the Word tells us that an "expert in the law" queried Jesus about who would be a neighbor, and our Lord replied with the parable of the Good Samaritan and the injured man. The priest hurried by, the Levite left the suffering, maimed man who had been beaten to within an inch of his life, lying in the road. But the Samaritan did all he could to help the man, placing salve and binding his wounds, and setting him upon his own donkey took him to an inn. The Samaritan told the innkeeper, here is enough money to care for him, and if you need anything else, let me know.

This is Christ, for us. This must be Christ within us.

Death has no more sting for those who trust in Jesus.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 19

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands.

2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

4 Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

5 Which is like a groom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices like a strong person to run his course.

6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover, Your servant is warned by them; In keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.

13 Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be innocent, And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

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