Jesus, Born King

By Binu George

Matthew 2 is a very familiar passage that we often read during this time of the year.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2
The wise men knew that the Messiah was to be born at this time because the timeline for the Messiah had been revealed to Daniel. Recall, that Daniel was made the ruler over all the wise men of Babylon.
Dan 2:48 (after God revealed the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream)
Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
For hundreds of years this knowledge passed down from one generation to next. The wise men were looking for the sign and then one day HIS star appeared. “For we have seen HIS star in the east.” Anticipation building, they were creating a mental image of this king as they followed the star. They came to Jerusalem and made two very strange statements, the first being “Where is he who is born king of the Jews.” Why is this a strange statement?
When you are born you automatically get rights and privileges. You are born a citizen of a country. Based on the family you are born into, you may get additional privileges. If you are born into a royal family, then you are royalty. But you never are born king, you inherit the title only at the time when you ascend to the throne.
The most famous monarchy during our times is the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip had a son in 1948—Prince Charles. Because he was born into a royal family, he was born a prince. But only when he ascends to the throne will he become King Charles III and so have the title “King.”
Prince Charles is 74 years old and still is known as Prince Charles, although he is next in line to the throne, as long as the throne is occupied he cannot take the title King. He was born prince and has remained prince for the past 74 years. The wise men come and say, “Where is he who has been born King?”, not “Where is he who is born to be a king?”, but “Where is he who has been born king?”
The Lord Jesus was born King because He is the sovereign of the universe. He does not have to wait for His accession to the throne of Israel to be King. The throne is his and as such he is born King. Gentiles from the east (wise men) acknowledged him as the king of the Jews at his infancy and gentiles from the west (Romans) mockingly acknowledged him as the king of the Jews at his death.
No matter how he is acknowledged, the Lord Jesus is king forever. Psalm 2:6 reads, ‘Yet I have set My King on my holy hill of Zion’ and so the wise men could rightly say, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?”
The wise men then make a second strange statement, “For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
When representatives from one nation visit another, they pay respect to the king, but they do not prostrate and fall down in worship. When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, there is no record of the Queen falling at the feet of Solomon in worship. She may have bowed down in respect, but she did not fall down and worship.
The wise men made this trek from the East not to make a pilgrimage, not to give gifts, not to pay a state visit, but to prostrate themselves at his feet and worship him. They knew that the Lord Jesus was worthy of their worship. When they approached the house and entered it, it would have blown away all the images they had in their minds about royalty and all that they had imagined this king would be. Because they entered an ordinary house and in spite of the shock of what they were seeing, it’s very interesting to note something that is obvious to us all.
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, they fell down and worshiped Him.
They did not fall down and worshiped them, even though the mother and child were together, the Bible clearly says, they fell down and worshiped Him.
Our Lord Jesus Christ alone is worthy of our worship. Even though he is the King of kings, he came down in humility as a man to die for us.
What a powerful statement to make “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
That is exactly how we celebrate this season, worshipping of Him.

What Is Truth?

By Kingsley Baehr

Spin Doctors!
“News?” Media!
Political Polishers!
Slanted Statements!
Who knows what to believe these days?
It seems like everyone has his own agenda whether it be personal, political, or financial.
The God of the Bible, however, tells the truth, even though it is very unpopular and causes most people to hate Him. Read on:

“The human heart is the most deceit-ful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” – Jeremiah 17:9
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Romans 3:23
“For all people are Mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is My rule: the person who sins is the one who will die.” – Ezekiel 18:4

You see, God tells it like it is.
Our sins have separated us from Him [Isaiah 59:2].
That is what death means to be eternally separated from God.
Bad news!

But the astounding thing is that
God also has
Good News for us!
[and you are thinking, “Here comes the sales pitch”]
Here it is:
this same God

has paid the total cost
for the free gift
of being eternally re-united with Him! Instead of hell,
you could have
heaven in your future!
Read on:

For the wages of sin is death,but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 3:23
For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16
[Jesus said], “I tell you the truth, those who listen to My message and believe in God Who sent Me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. – John 5:24

Now that you know the bad news
and the good news
from the God of the Bible,
you are faced with these two questions
which Pilate, [who condemned Jesus to death, the death which paid the price for his and your eternal life] asked:

“What is truth?” – John 18:38
“Then what should I do with Jesus, Who is called the Messiah?” – Matthew 27:22

May I plead with you
not to “crucify” Him again
out of your life,
but rather that
you will echo the words of His disciple Peter, who, when Jesus asked His disciples if they would be leaving Him, answered,

“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know You are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68.69

[The Bible verses have been quoted from the New Living Translation, and the capitalizations of the pronouns refer-ring to Jesus and/or God are mine.]

SIN SORROW & SAVIOR

By Kingsley Baehr

LUKE 5:1-11

  1. Savior Speaking – v. 1
  2. Seiners Scrubbing – v. 2
  3. Simon Submitting – vs. 3-7
  4. Sinner Succumbing – vs. 8-10a
  5. Savior Sending – vs.10b,11
  6. Students Serving?
Prov. 14:27 – THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.

“Do not be afraid,” is what Jesus said to Simon Peter.

Why? Peter was a grown man, a commercial fisherman, unafraid of anything, a macho man, confident of himself and of his abilities to handle life as it happened to him.
So why was he afraid now?
  1. Jesus had just shown Peter that He, a carpen-ter by trade, knew more about where the fish were than Peter, the professional fisherman, did!
  2. Peter realized that he was dealing with God Himself, not just a man.
  3. Peter knew in his heart that he was a sinful man and unworthy to be in the presence of a holy God.
So, if these three things were true, why did Jesus tell Peter that he did not need to be afraid?
  1. “God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
  2. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” – John 3:17
  3. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
Peter decided to follow Jesus and he be- came a fisher of men and women for God. How about you? What decision have you made about Jesus Christ? Are you fearing Him or ignoring Him? Remember, to fear the LORD Jesus is to be in reverential awe of Him and to trust Him totally, and to love Him completely. Just as Jesus did for Peter, He has great work for you to do with eternal rewards, if, like Peter, you will recognize that you are a sinful person, confess it to Jesus, and decide to follow Him with reverence, trust, and love.

How about right now?

LABORIOUS DAYS FOR WHAT?

Labor Day is celebrated on September. 1 this year. It was initially designed to honor labor unions and all their hard work.
It is good to be a hard worker instead of a lazy bum.
 But
it is ridiculous to work hard for something that can only be attained because
Someone else did all the work, and offers it to you as a gift!
You see, Jesus “worked Himself to death” for us.
He was paid the wages of death that our disobedience and sin were going to pay us.
And the harder we work to earn our own way into God’s favor, the greater the death wages will be if we refuse
the gift of eternal life which Jesus earned for us. He not only died in our place, but He rose triumphantly from death, conquering it, so He can offer us as a gift an eternity in heaven with Him.
“The wages for sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
So why in the world are you still trying to get to heaven by your own hard work?
Jesus did the work for you,
because, in spite of your sin and disobedience,
He loves you, and wants you to spend eternity with Him!
But you must stop laboring down your own chosen path,
surrender to Him as your Savior and Master, and enjoy all the benefits of being His servant, as well as being a royal member of His eternal kingdom. So how about it? Right now as you are reading this, bow to Jesus, confess your sin, ask Him to forgive You and give you the gift of eternal life, and commit to Him as your Boss.
Then He will give you His work for you to do because you love Him. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” [Colossians 3:23,24]

But why would anyone want to be a laborer for Jesus? . So, if we have any appreciation of His work on our behalf, then it should be a thrill to us to “do all for the glory of God.” [1 Corinthians 10:31a]

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every man according to what he has done. [Revelation 22:12]

Conquering with Choir

By Kingsley Baehr

Please find a Bible and read 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 in sections according to this outline.[It is a fascinating story. You won’t regret spending time on it.]
  1. The Coalition Comes on. [2 Chronicles 20:1-2]
  2. The Cry Goes Up. – [2 Chronicles 20:3-12]
  3. The Confidence Comes Down. [2 Chronicles 20:13-17]
  4. The Choir Goes Out. [2 Chronicles 20:18-21]
  5. The Coalition Comes Apart. [2 Chronicles 20:22,23]
  6. The Collection Goes Well. [2 Chronicles 20:24-26]
  7. The Conquerors Come Home. [2 Chronicles 20:27,28]
  8. The CONQUEROR Gives Rest. [2 Chronicles 20:29,30]
[This historical account took place about 840 B.C. Old Testament accounts of battles against physical enemies need to be applied today as battles against our three enemies, Satan, the world system that has set itself against God, and sexual immorality.]

IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD THERE IS STRONG CONFIDENCE – Prov. 14:26
Please notice what the prophet Jahaziel said to King Jehoshaphat and his subjects about the three armies that were threatening them:
“DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISMAYED [DISCOURAGED],... FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S.”
Why did the prophet of God say this to the King?
  1. Because the king and his small army were afraid of the massive host march-ing toward them.
  2. Because King Jehoshaphat had prayed,
“We have no power against this great multitude;... nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You [God].”
Remember: “Fearing God = Having a reverential awe of Him, trusting Him and loving Him.”
As illustrated by this story, what can we learn from the answers to the following questions?
  1. When we are afraid of people, circumstances, or spiritual powers, what can we do?
  2. When we ask God for His help, what should we expect?
  3. How can we show God that we totally trust Him to “win the battle” for us?
Try thinking about these verses along the same lines:
  • “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
  • “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’” – Psalm 91:2
  • “The [Messenger of the LORD = Jesus] encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” – Psalm 34:7
GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAT ANY ENEMY WE WILL EVER FACE.

A WISE RESPONSE? YIELD YOUR LIFE TO HIM,

GO FORWARD, TRUSTING THAT THE VICTORY IS ASSURED.

RESERVATIONS TO VACATE

By Kingsley Baehr

My wife just made airplane reser-vations for us to fly to our vacation desti-nation this summer. We received five pages of information and instructions about how and what to pack, what to do, when and where to be, the possibility of schedule changes, etc., etc., etc. And then we have to find someone to take us to the airport.
Next we have to make arrange-ments [which will provide us with more pages of instructions and warnings] for a rental car.
Of course, then come the motel bookings, trying to use our points to get a couple of free nights. [More paper work.]
And all this in order to spend one week in a beautiful part of our country which we have never seen before.
And by the way, airplane, car, motels, activities, etc., will be costing us a substantial amount of money.

What a contrast, when it comes to making arrangements for our trip to heaven for a lot more than a week—rather for eternity!
Transportation will be arranged for us and provided free of charge by the Divine Rapture Company! And we will be picked up wherever we happen to be at the time!
This heavenly trip will occur at the best possible time for us, known to our God, Who knows the end from the beginning.
The accommodations will truly be “out of this world” and all that the Creator of the Universe can make them.
And finally, there will be no re-turn to this world with all of its faults, failings, and funerals.
Why are my wife and I eligible for this heavenly trip? Simply because we accepted the free offer ofeternal life, paid for and provided by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. All He asks of us is to recognize our unworthiness to be in heaven at all, to confess it to Him, to plead for His mercy and grace to be applied to our account, and He will accept us into His family, be with us now, and then conduct us to heaven when our time on this earth is finished.
And by the way, the trip will only take the blink of an eye!
How about you? Have you accepted Christ’s free offer of freedom from the penalty of your sin and of His guarantee of an eternity in heaven with Him? If not, why not?

Notice the following supporting evidence from Christ’s travel guidebook, the Bible:
Romans 6:23b – ...The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
John 10:10b – “I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Live Free or Die

By Kingsley Baehr

During a one-week stay in New Hampshire, everywhere I looked, I saw 'Live Free or Die. It is the official state motto adopted in 1945 as a result of a written toast in 1809 by the state’s most famous Revolutionary War general, John Stark, who was unable to attend an anniversary celebration of the Battle of Bennington.
Here was his toast: “Live free or die: death is not the worst of evils.”
It speaks of the fiercely independent spirit of the American people which initiated the war for independence and which is still prevalent in American thinking.
But I would challenge you to consider this statement on a much deeper level, one that places every one of us in a life or death dilemma.
Consider what Jesus Christ said:
“And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:32
And exactly what truth is that?
“If the Son [referring to Himself]
shall make you free,
you shall be free indeed.” - John 8:36
And how is Jesus Christ able to do that?
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
John 14:6a
The Truth is Jesus Christ, and the Life is Jesus Christ, so obviously He is the only Way to Truth and eternal Life. And therefore He is the only One Who can free us from a false idea of what “living free” means and the impending eternal death that awaits everyone who chooses some other way.
“No one comes to the Father
but throughMe.” John 14:6b
If you choose not to live free from slavery to sin and the certainty of eternal sep-aration from a Holy God, then you will die.
Death means separation, and eternal death means eternal separation from the God from Whom you have “lived free” during your earthly existence.
Is that what you want? Then God will give it to you. But if that is not what you want, then Jesus Christ is your only hope of true freedom, freedom to serve Him and discover how freeing that can be!
Live free in Christ
or die and discover that death without Christ
truly is the worst of evils.

Month of remembrance

By Kingsley Baehr

MAY is a month of remembrance. Many men and women have laid down their lives out of love for their country. Arlington National Cemetery is a vivid reminder of the tremendous cost of freedom from tyranny and foreign domination.

Have you responded yet to the loving sacrifice of the LORD JESUS CHRIST on your behalf to save you from the tyranny and domination?

GOD'S LIVING WATER HOSE

By Kingsley Baehr

Spring is springing! So, since we were sick of our cheap water hose which had cracks and kinks and a bro-ken connection, we bought ourselves an expensive new one with a life-time guarantee.
And in the process I noticed that there are several interesting contrasts between my old hose and God’s “Living Water Hose.”

My old hose: God’s L. W. Hose:
Was broken at the connection to the water faucet. Never disconnects from Him, the Eternal Source of living water.[1]
Had some cracks and leaks. Never cracks or leaks, so His living water flows completely into the thirsty heart.[2]
Was not designed to last Is designed to last forever.[3]
But what about my new hose? Shouldn’t there be some similarities between it and God’s Living Water Hose? Well, let’s see.
My new hose: God’s L. W. Hose:
Has a life-time warranty except in cases of: Has an eternal guarantee with no exceptions! [4]
Abnormal use, Unintended use, Any modification I might make Incidental damage, An act of God Has these warnings: Is an act of God! [5]
Not for drinking from Is the conduit of everlasting life from Jesus. [6]
Not for hot water use Is the means of rescue from troubles. [7]
Do not leave under pressure unattended Is designed to withstand pressure. [8]

Jesus Christ is the source of living water. The living water is the salvation He provides. The living water hose is the faith which connects Christ’s salvation with me personally.
The living water is the salvation He provides. Are you connected by faith to the living water of salvation provided by the Lord Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection on your behalf?
  1. “And I [Jesus] give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” – John 10:28
  2. And He [Jesus] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” ... For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9a-c,10g,h
  3. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him Who sent Me [Jesus] has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” – John 5:24
  4. For He [Jesus] Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5c,d
  5. Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God,... you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” – John 4:10
  6. Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:14
  7. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses. – Psalm 107:6
  8. “...Fear not, for I [Jesus] have redeemed you; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God...” – Isaiah 43:1g-j,2,3a

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS

By Kingsley Baehr

1 Give careful thought to your way of life.

What are your priorities?
Job?
House?
Family?
Relaxation?

2 Take a good hard look at your life.

Are you truly happy with how things are turning out for you?
With your job?
Salary, co-workers satisfactory?
With your house?
No repairs or redecoration needed?
With your family?
Everyone working together and loving each other?
With your relaxation?
Enough time, not bored?

3 Think about your past.

Could you / should you have done anything differently?

4 Look at what is happening to you.

Are you really in control,
or do you suspect that you are only a pawn on the chessboard of life?
Would you want the Hand that is moving you to be your Friend or your enemy?
Thus the Old Testament prophet Haggai challenged the people of his day.
Things had not been going well.
Results had not been as they had hoped.
They were becoming jaded.
Haggai urged them:
“Put God first!”
“Clean up your act!”
“Get to work!”
“Do things God’s way and then enjoy God’s favor and blessing!”
Read Haggai Chapter One and think: what God is saying through Haggai to the Jews about His temple and their lack of success in life, is what God is saying to you regarding His “temple” in your life and your spiritual failure or success.

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS.

PREDICTIONS PROGNOSTICATIONS PROPHECIES

By Kingsley Baehr

“PREDICTIONS”
are the meat and potatoes of weather reporters and sportscasters these days.
“PROGNOSTICATIONS”
are the main entrees on the menus of political analysts.
“PROPHECIES”
by poseurs claiming divine connections are on the program for an increasing audience.
SO THE QUESTION IS “WHY?” SINCE THEY ARE SO OFTEN WRONG.
We are becoming more and more concerned about what will happen next.
We want to know what the future holds.
What is coming worries us.
We are not as confident of our ability to control our destinies as we once were.
The realities of life are causing us great concern.
So why are we turning away from
THE ONE BOOK WHOSE PREDICTIONS, PROGNOSTICATIONS, AND PROPHCIES HAVE ALWAYS COME TRUE?
Why are we disregarding
THE ONLY BOOK WHICH HAS PROVED ITSELF IN THE PAST AND SO IS WORTHY OF OUR TRUST IN WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE FUTURE?
THE MANY DETAILED PROPHECIES ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT OF THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN AT LEAST 400 – 2000 YEARS BEFORE HIS ARRIVAL ON EARTH—[REMEMBER THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ONLY 200 + YEARS OLD BY COMPARISON!]—AND YET, THEY WERE FULFILLED, ALL OF THEM, IN GREAT DETAIL. NOT ONE OF THEM WAS WRONG!

Where is the proof, you ask?

SINCE WE ARE CELEBRATING JESUS’ BIRTH THIS MONTH, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PROPHECIES ABOUT THAT MOMENTOUS EVENT IN HUMAN HISTORY:

700 Years before Jesus Was Born:
Isaiah 7:14 – He would be born to a virgin. 		When Jesus Was Born:
Matthew 1:18-25; Galatians 4:4 – He was born to a virgin.
650 Years before Jesus Was Born:
Jeremiah 31:15 – Children would be slaughtered. 		Matthew 2:16-18 – Herod the Great slaughtered children in the Bethlehem area.
600 Years before Jesus Was Born:
Micah 5:2 – He would be born in Bethlehem. 		Luke 2:4,5,7 – He was born in Bethlehem even though His parents lived in Nazareth, about 75 miles to the north.

THESE ARE ONLY THREE OF ABOUT 300 PROPHECIES ABOUT JESUS WHICH WERE FULFILLED IN DETAIL DURING HIS LIFE, OFTEN BY PEOPLE WHO HAD NO INTEREST IN FULFILLING OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECIES.
THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, WHY NOT BELIEVE THE BIBLE, GIVEN TO US BY THE GOD WHO
KNOWS THE END FROM THE BEGINNING,
WHO IS OMNIPOTENT,
AND WHO LOVES YOU,
AND WHO PROVIDED THE MEANS FOR YOU TO BE RECONNECTED TO HIM?

  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        CHOICES!
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    


We are always making choices.

Day by day, we make choices.

This is the month when we choose government officials.  A very important month!

Republicans or Democrats or some other political party? 

Whom do we choose?

What are our bases, motivations, reasons for the choices we make?

Conflicting claims, acrid accusations, political promises are bandied about.

Who is right?    Who is wrong?    Whom do we believe?   

Which promises ring true?

My guess is as good as yours!




Our political choices are only valid until the next election.

but

Spiritual choices, made today, have eternal consequences!

We are always making spiritual choices.

Day by day, we make spiritual choices.

But on what basis should our spiritual choices be made?

This is the day to make your most important spiritual choice.

But which should you choose?

Christianity?  Islam?	  Judaism?  Buddhism? 

or any of a multitude of others?

Which is right?   Which is wrong?   Whom do we believe?  

Whose promises ring true?


In 2 Corinthians 6:2 in the Bible, God the Father says, 

“In the time of My favor I heard you, 

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”


“Well, then, which day is that day of salvation?” you may ask.


Here is the rest of the verse:

“I tell you, NOW is the time of God’s favor;

NOW is the day of salvation.”

  
Jesus Christ [God the Son] is the only “religious leader” Who has conquered death!

All others are dead.  Their graves are still occupied.

DON’T YOU THINK, THEN, THAT HIS PROMISES REGARDING

THE FUTURE ARE MOST TO BE TRUSTED?




Whom will you choose?



  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        MINOR MEN/WOMEN WHO MATTER
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    
 

  

	Most of us have heard about some famous people in the Bible such as: Adam and Eve, Noah and his ark, Moses and the Ten Commandments, Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath, Jonah and the big fish, Jesus and His disciples, etc.
  

  

  But there are many lesser-known people in the Bible who have much to say to us today.

  

	Take the following quiz about the people whose stories will be appearing in this cedarcroft.org devotional for the next months and see how well you do. Don’t worry. You will not be graded. 

  

 As we work our way through the lives of these men and women, there will be important, practical lessons for us as exemplified by them. 



  Directions: Match the description in Column B with the name in Column A by placing the letter of the column B descrip-tion in blank after the name it describes. [No peeking at the answers below the quiz!]

  
  

 

  Column A
  Column B
 

 

  1. Bartimaeus
  a. A gate-keeper whose gorgeous adopted daughter saved her people from death
 

 

  2. Micaiah
   b. A business woman whose lovely home became th became the head quarters for missionaries in her town
 

  

  3. Epaphras
  c. A man who was not afraid of a whole nest of giants
 

   

  4. Caleb
  d. A man who kept who kept bringing people to Jesus
 

   

  5. Jaaziniah
   e. A run-away slave whose life was changed by God
 

   

  6. Ebed-melech
  f. An evangelist who left a huge gospel campaign at God's command, to witness to one man 
 

   

  7. Obadiah
  g. A blind man who used his last opportunity to be healed by Jesus
 

   

  8. Andrew
  h. A man who hid 100 prophets of God and fed them during a drought
 

   

  9. Mordecai
  i. A man who contributed a large amount of money to the church with no strings added 
 

   

  10. Josiah
  j. A skilled artisan you name it, he could do it
 

 

  11. Barzillai
  k. A man who kept his vow to God at the cost of his only daughter
 

 

  12. Onesimus
  l. A man who put his duty to his country before his own natural desires
 

 

  13. Othniel
  m. A man who saved a prophet's life using old rags and old rope
 

 

  14. Philip
  n. A king who cleaned up his kingdom from the evils of idol worship
 

 

  15. Jochebed
  o. An extremely resourceful mother who was paid for nursing her own son
 

 

  16. Bezalel
  p. A prophet with a keen sense of humor
 

 

  17. Jephthah
  q. A man who proved himself capable as a young man, and went on to bigger and better things
 

 

  18. Uriah
   r. A wealthy senior citizen who refused to cash in on his “social security” 
 

 

  19. Barnabas
  s. A man who refused to take advantage of a loophole that provided freedom from restrictions in his life
 

  

  20. Lydia
  t. A man who really worked at praying
 

 
  

 


ANSWERS FOR MINOR MEN/WOMEN WHO MATTER QUIZ
 
    

  • 1. Bartimaeus - g 
    •   	

  • 2. Micaiah - p
    • 

  • 3. Epaphras - t
    • 	

  • 4. Caleb - c	
    • 

  • 5. Jaaziniah - s	
    • 

  • 6. Ebed-melech - m 
    • 

  • 7. Obadiah - h
    • 

  • 8. Andrew - d	
    • 

  • 9. Mordecai - a
    • 

  • 10. Josiah - n
    • 

  • 11. Barzillai - r
    • 

  • 12. Onesimus - e 
    • 

  • 13. Othniel - q
    • 

  • 14. Philip - f
    • 

  • 15. Jochebed - o
    • 

  • 16. Bezalel - j
    • 

  • 17. Jephthah - k
    • 

  • 18. Uriah - l
    • 

  • 19. Barnabas - i 
    • 

  • 20. Lydia – b 
    • 
  




  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        Are You “GREEN”?
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    



Green people today are not Martians or Irish leprechauns. They are those who want to actively save the environment and reduce pollution.




So, are you GREEN?



And why green rather than brown, blue, red, etc.? Green is the color of healthy plant life.
Here is the next question:



“Are you “GREEN” spiritually?”



“What does that mean?” you may ask. Well, here is how you can know.





	Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and
	night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.Psalm 1:1-3





For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of
drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:8




So spiritually “green” people are like strong and healthy trees planted by water. The water illustrates the Bible, the Word of God, from which spiritually “green” people
drink every day and grow.

Have you been planted by God? Are you a “growing, green tree”? 

Here’s the next question: 

“Are you connected?” 

“To what?” you may ask.





Jesus said, “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean
because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the Vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the Vine, you are the
branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire,
and they are burned.” John 15:1-6




Jesus compares those who are connected to Him to branches and Himself to the Vine. Spiritually “green” people should bear fruit, like the connected branches which the Farmer [God, the Father]
leaves. Withered branches, on the other hand, will be cut off from the opportunity to be fruitful.




“Are you withered?”




If a plant does not get the nutrients it needs, it will wither and die. So will we if we are not feeding ourselves spiritually with the Word of God. If we are well fed, we will stay strong, “green”,
and ready for the times of trouble when the winds of temptation and adversity blow.



Are you “GREEN”?



As stated before, if the Farmer [God, the Father] sees a withered branch on the vine [Jesus], He will have to cut it off. But if the Farmer grafts you back on, you can grow again. You will have another chance for
fruitfulness.



So, are you growing strong and “GREEN” on the tree or Vine?

I am like a

green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8



Written by Jonathan Matthew with Kingsley Baehr.




  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        DISAPPOINTED? DISAFFECTED? OR FAITHFUL?
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    


Thomas, the disciple of Jesus, tended to be pessimistic. For example, there had been at least four attempts on the life of Jesus, two by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem during the last year alone. Now Jesus was headed in that direction again. The sad news of the death of Jesus’ friend Lazarus had come a few days earlier, and Jesus wanted to go to “wake him up” whatever that meant. As His disciples were dis-cussing the situation, Thomas said, “We might as well go along so that we may die with Him.”



It is one thing to be loyal to someone or some group of Christians when we are optimistic about the future, but quite another thing to maintain loyalty when we think we may have to die to do so. Thomas’ pessimism made his loyalty more remarkable. Today in the Western world it is socially allowable to be a Christian, and we have little to fear. What if it suddenly became illegal to be a Christian? Would we have the spirit-ual strength and devotion to keep our faith in Jesus? Or would we cave in from the pressure?


And then there was that perplex-ing time in the upper room on the night that Jesus was arrested. Jesus had been talking very seriously about many things, and it seemed to Thomas that he was getting mixed signals. Before, Jesus kept talking about going to His Father’s house and preparing it for them, then coming back to take them there. Before, He had washed their feet like the lowest slave and had predicted their betrayal of him and Peter’s denial. Now he was talking about going somewhere that they knew about and said that they knew how to get there. A lot of it did not make much sense to Thomas. Finally he had to speak up.

“Lord,” he said, “we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”



At least Thomas did not give up in disgust, leave the group, and go out into the night as Judas Iscariot did. Thomas asked questions. There is nothing wrong with asking God ques-tions. If they are asked in a spirit of true inquiry, God welcomes them. Thomas’ question was the springboard for one of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Don’t be afraid to ask your church leaders honest questions about God.



But lest we think that pessimism as a philosophy of life is fine, we should be reminded that it can be very costly.  Because of it, Thomas missed out on what would have been the greatest ex-perience of his life!

Jesus had been arrested, falsely tried, crucified, and buried.  The disci-ples had fled in fear and spread apart.  But now Thomas received word that the remaining disciples were going to meet again in the upper room on the first day of the week.

“What’s the use?” he thought.  “It’s all over.  No use beating a dead donkey.  Why prolong the agony by con-tinuing to meet together?  Our group is done for.  Dead.  I’m not going.”



Have we ever felt that way about our local church?  Does it seem like it is dying, obsolete, out of touch?  We should not stay away.  God just might choose that meeting from which we are absent to revitalize and refresh the believers.
  
“‘Not by might, nor by power,’ [nor by modern music, nor by lots of young people, nor by dynamic preach-ers, etc., etc.] ‘but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  [Zech. 4:6]
  
Also we should look at ourselves to see if we are contributing to the dead-ness because of unconfessed sin or a lack of commitment to the Holy Spirit’s work in our church.



You can imagine Thomas’ total shock when he heard, “We have seen the Lord!  Really, Thomas!  He came right through the closed and locked door into our midst!  He even ate some food in our presence, and we did not see it going down!  He was not a ghost, Thomas!  He was really Jesus!”

And then Thomas’ old pessimism took over as he replied, “Unless I see Him for myself, and touch Him myself, I refuse to believe it.”

But interestingly enough, the next time the disciples met, Thomas was there.  He made sure that nothing kept him away!

Jesus is loving and gracious.  He again appeared to them as before, but this time for Thomas’ benefit especially.

“Here, Thomas, see?  Thomas, here, touch Me.  Do not be faithless any longer.  Believe!”

Thomas knelt before his Master, exclaiming, “My Lord and my God!”

Now listen carefully as Jesus makes a vital comment to Thomas.  “You believe because you have seen Me.  But blessed are those who have not seen Me and believe anyway.”



Jesus was talking about us!  Unlike the disciples, we did not wit-ness Jesus’ life, death, and resur-rection, so we have to trust others for their testimony.  Thomas saw the proof of Jesus’ resurrection; we have to trust the Biblical accounts.  The disciples saw the lives Jesus changed; we have to read about them in the Bible and believe the stories of those Jesus has changed today.  What Jesus said to Thomas, He says to us through the Bible: “Do not be faithless any longer.  Believe!”





 - John 11:16;  14:5;  20:24-29;  Acts 1:13



  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        ANOTHER OLYMPICS MONTH
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    




As we look forward this month to the Olympics, I am re-minded of a number of places in the Bible that inform us of what is necessary to par-ticipate in the Spiritual Olympics—God’s prescribed way to reach the ultimate joy of His “Well done!” and to receive the rewards which He has waiting for us.




    O – 	An OPENED understanding: [Jesus]

    OPENED their understanding  that they might comprehended the Scrip-tures.  Then we can ... “OBTAIN salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,”



L - 	“... LAY ASIDE every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us...and run with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS...,”
and



    Y - 	“... YIELD [ourselves] to God as those who are alive from the dead, and [our] members as instruments of righteousness to God.”


M -	Remember—it is “‘not by MIGHT nor by power, but by MY SPIRIT,’ says the LORD of hosts.”


P -	We must “PRESS toward the goal for the PRIZE of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus,”


I -	Since there is an “INHERITANCE, IMPERISHABLE and undefiled that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for [us].”


C -Like the great apostle Paul, we should be able to say at the end of our lives, “... I have finished my COURSE, I have kept the faith... There is laid up for me a CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all those also who love His appearing.”


S -SO, when we STAND before the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, will we hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,... enter into the joy of your Lord.” or “I never knew you: depart from me.”?


  
  




  
    
  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        JUNE
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
BY KINGSLEY BAEHR























  
  





  
    
Hello, World!

  




  
    


	

		Jesus, loves you, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Sinful ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong!

		God loved the world so much, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. - John 3:16 

		God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
	

	

		

		Unto Him Who has loved us and washed us from sin—unto Him be the glory forever! Amen!

		When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit Whom He
		poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior... Titus 3:4-6
	

	

		

		Not what these hands have done can save this guilty soul; not what this toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole. Your work alone, O Savior, can ease this weight of sin; your blood alone, O Lamb of
		God, can give me peace within.

		Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12


		By grace you have been saved through faith; and that faith is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
	

	

		

		Eternity! Time soon will end. Its fleeting moments pass away. O sinner, say, where will you spend eternity’s unchanging day? Shall you the hopeless horror see of hell for all eternity? Eternity! Eternity!
		Where will you spend eternity? Whoever believes in the Son [Jesus] has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36


		I tell you the truth [Jesus said]. Whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24

		the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. John 3:36


		I tell you the truth [Jesus said]. Whoever hears My word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24
	




  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        MAKING DEALS
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
BY KINGSLEY BAEHR























  
  





  
    


	

		1. Did you ever make a deal with God, Saying, “You know how I feel, dear God; Here’s a problem that’s unreal, O God, Please help me out? If You will, I promise, O my God, I will serve You here below, dear God, For to You my
		life I owe, Lord God. There is no doubt.”
	

	

	

		2. Hannah prayed, “I want a boy, O God! If You’ll give me that great joy, dear God, I’ll return him to Your employ, dear God, Yes, back to You.” Hannah’s prayer was answered by her God, So without an alibi for God, To her
		son she said, “Good-bye,” and God Received His due.
	

	

	

		3. Did you ever make a deal with God, And discover He is real, your God, As He answers your appeal? Then God Says, “It’s your turn.” But you shuffle off and say, “No, God, Maybe in a future day, O God; Right now I must have
		my way, please God; It’s my concern.”
	

	

	

		Then she [Hannah] made a vow and said, “O LORD of Hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will
		give him to the LORD all the days of his life...” – 1 Sam. 1:11
	

	

	

		“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.” – 1 Sam. 1:27
	

	

	

		Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they [Hannah and her husband, Elkanah] wor-shipped the LORD there. – 1 Sam. 1:28
	

	

	

		Since we celebrate Mothers’ Day this month, we should think of what it cost this dear mother to uphold her end of her deal and keep her promise to God!
	

	

	

		Then, when we consider all the broken promises to God we have made, that didn’t cost us nearly as much as Hannah’s cost her, we should bow our heads in shame and ask God’s forgiveness.
	



  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        APRIL
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    




	   AS SPRING BEGINS AGAIN THIS YEAR, 

	 AND WE SEE IT SPRING INTO FULL FLOWER,

	   WHAT ARE OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE GOD WHO ASSURED US, IN GENESIS 8:22, THAT: 

	 “AS LONG AS THE EARTH ENDURES, 

	 SEEDTIME AND HARVEST, 

	 COLD AND HEAT, 

	 SUMMER AND WINTER, 

	 DAY AND NIGHT 

	 WILL NEVER CEASE.”? 

	 LET US USE THE FOLLOWING “APRIL” ACROSTIC, 

	 TO REMIND US OF THE GREATNESS OF 

	 “THE ONLY TRUE GOD AND JESUS CHRIST WHOM [HE] SENT.”[John 17:3] 

	





	ALMIGHTY GOD

	Revelation 4:8 - ... “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” 

	Revelation 15:3 - ... “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!
	

	

	PRINCE OF PEACE

	Isaiah. 9:6 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

	John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
	

	

	RULER OF THE NATIONS

	Psa. 22:28 - For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations.

	Psa. 66:7 - He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. 

	Psa. 113:4 - The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.
	

	

	IMMORTAL ONE

	1 Tim. 1:17 - Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God Who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

	1 Tim. 6:15,16 - ... which He will manifest in His own time, He Who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, Whom no man has seen or
	can see, to Whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

	

	

	L ORD OF ALL

	Acts 17:24,25 - God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He
	gives to all life, breath, and all things.

	Acts 10:36 - ... Jesus Christ— He is Lord of all—





  




        
      
      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      
      
    

  
  

    
  


  

    


      

        
        
  
    
    
  

      


      


    

    

      

      
        ON TRIAL
      
      

      

        
      

    

    
    


      
        
          




  
By Kingsley Baehr























  
  





  
    




	Let me set the scene.

	 We are in a courtroom. A trial is set to commence. The Judge is seated. The prosecuting attorney has his brief ready. The defense attorney is surprisingly not mentioned. There are spectators standing around as well.
	

	 The one on trial is named Joshua. He is a high priest. He is dressed in filthy garments.

	The prosecuting attorney opens his mouth to speak—:






	“The LORD rebukes you, Satan!” pronounces the Judge.

	“But—“

	
		“The LORD, who has chosen the people represented by this high priest, rebukes you!

		“I have snatched this man from the fire of judgment. I will hear no accusations against him. Case closed!”
	

	Then the Judge turns to those who are witnessing this incredible non-trial.

	“Remove Joshua’s filthy clothes.”

	He turns to Joshua and tenderly says to him,  “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.”

	This is speedily done. A clean high-priestly turban is fitted on his head in place of the filthy one that was removed.




	

	“But,” you will say to me, “that is the craziest trial I have ever heard of! How did you dream that one up?”

	I answer, “It is not my dream. It is part of a prophecy given by God to Zechariah in His Book, the Bible [Zech. 3:1-7].

	“But,” you ask, “what does it all mean? Who is the Judge? Why wasn’t the defense attorney in the courtroom? Who is Joshua, really? Why the filthy clothes? What crime had Joshua committed? Why was Satan not allowed to bring
	any accusation against him? Why was he not punished? What’s the deal with the turban?”

	“I understand it this way:

	The Judge is the LORD Jesus Christ. John 5:22,23

	The defense attorney who is Jesus Christ is also the Judge, so, in fact, He is there. John 10:30 

	Initially Joshua represented the nation of Israel, but today, for us, he represents each one of us. Hebrews 5:1

	The filthy clothes picture our sinful condition, the result of our crime of unbelief and rebellion against the Judge and His Father God. Isaiah 64:6

	Satan is silenced and rebuked by the Judge, Jesus Christ, because He Himself has served the sentence and paid the punishment for our sin when He died and rose again on our behalf. 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; 1 Peter 3:18

	We are not punished because the LORD Jesus Christ was punished for us. Isaiah 53:4-6

	And if we accept His payment of our punishment, He gives us the right, as priests [pictured by the clean turban] to stand before Him and bring our offerings of service, worship and praise to Him.” John 3:17,18; Romans 8:1a;
	

	

	  SO THE QUESTION IS: 

	WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE STANDING BEFORE THE JUDGE WHO DIED TO PAY THE PENALTY FOR YOUR SIN, 

	  WILL YOU HEAR HIM SAY TO YOU,




	
		  “SEE, I HAVE TAKEN AWAY YOUR SIN”?

		 WILL HE GIVE YOU HIS CLEANLINESS IN PLACE OF YOUR FILTHINESS?
	



 OR WILL YOU HEAR HIM SAY, “DEPART FROM ME; I NEVER KNEW YOU.” Matthew 7:23



	    IT IS YOUR CHOICE.