X Is Not An Unknown Factor for God #atozchallenge

X FACTOR (Photo credit: eisenbahner)

Not to us, Lord, not to us
    but to your name be the glory,
    because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

New International Version (NIV)

         Traditionally an illiterate person has been allowed to sign their name with a simple "X".  The "X" was not the person's name, but a replacement for the name they were unable to read or write.  During the Christmas season we often will see the name/title of the Christ replaced with an "X".  There are several reasons for this, some innocently done and some with devious intent.  Generally most of us know what the "X" stands for and there is arguably a long tradition of using the "X" to designate Christ.   This use of "X" is more often used as an abbreviation of sorts and not a replacement of the name.   This is a somewhat minor issue over which to be concerned.

          When "X" becomes the unknown or replaceable factor then Christians should resist.  From the beginning of history people have looked for substitutes for God.   Humans have a worldly equation for what will bring them happiness and in many cases they substitute God with an unknown factor which is what they think will provide them what they are looking for to make their lives better.

           The replacement in their equations can be a person, money, or material things.  They may replace God with work, education, or the pursuit of pleasure.   All of these and other like things are fine as parts of our lives, but they should not be what we place all of our hope and belief upon.  Worldly things are notorious for letting us down.

              There is no replacement for God as the number one factor in the equation of eternal life.  God has a human name in Jesus Christ.   We might sign with an "X" but we must say the name of Jesus.   There is no other way to attain salvation but through Jesus Christ.

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12

New International Version (NIV)

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A Savior Has Arisen

ANGELICO, Fra Resurrection of Christ and Women at the Tomb Fresco, 189 x 164 cm Convento di San Marco, Florence (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

Psalm 40:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

         For centuries the faithful waited for their Savior.  He came, was crucified, and resurrected.   And now he lives for all eternity to provide the help and salvation that David cried out for in the Psalms.

        Jesus is here to help us.  We are here to serve him.  Jesus will rule for all eternity.

       All praise to Jesus Christ on this Easter Day and for all days.  

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

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Where's My Messiah?

Name of Jesus 03 (Photo credit: Waiting For The Word)

Posterity will serve him;
    future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
    declaring to a people yet unborn:
    He has done it!

Psalm 22:30-31

New International Version (NIV)

       From the beginning of creation the Messiah was part of God's plan.  The New Testament tells the story about the Messiah's time of teaching upon this Earth.  The Old Testament is the explanation by the examples of history of why a Messiah was needed and the prophecy of the coming of the Messiah.  Jesus appears on every page of the Old Testament if you look closely enough.  

       So what happened that so many people missed it when he came.  Even to this day people turn away from that Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies about him?   Is it our expectations?   From the beginning of creation people have rejected God's will.  They have willingly rebelled against the Creator and created their own laws and constructs for living.  They want what they want and don't understand when God says "No" to them.

       Call us stupid and you will be calling it as it is.  It's not that we lack intelligence, but we are rebellious.  We want a messiah, but we want him in the image that we create in our minds.   If our messiah says that he will give us what we want then we're sold.   When our messiah fails we look for the next one.   "Where's my messiah!" people cry in desperation.   The answer is clear in the pages of the Holy Bible, but sometimes the words of an old book just don't seem valid for the modern world.
  
         How wrong this assessment is!

          As we fret about the affairs of the world and blindly look for a savior, Satan wanders to and fro ready to take advantage of our insecure yearnings.  For two thousand years many have come in the guise of being The One and many have succumbed to their lies.   Leaders, prophets,and teachers of false doctrine look for their prey to lure them to hell.  Be careful!   Their words may sound like what you've been waiting to hear, but these are the words of people who will take your eyes off of the True Messiah--Jesus Christ.   Don't join the teachers of falsehood for they are on the road to eternal damnation.

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

New International Version (NIV)

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The Birth of a Shepherd

Good Shepherd (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Adonai (The Lord) is my shepherd; I lack nothing.

Psalm 23:1

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

           The motif of the shepherd is one that runs throughout the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible.  Shepherding was a significant though not highly regarded occupation in those days.   Sheep were offered as sacrifice to God.  There are so many layers of the symbolism of sheep and shepherding in the Bible that it makes total sense that Jesus himself would be depicted as both the Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God.  

  

        Jesus is our King and our Shepherd.  He leads us and he rules us.   He is God as man and the God of mankind.   The duality of his nature becomes more evident as we study the prophecy of his coming, the story of his life, and the Good News of his resurrection and salvation.   The story of the Bible points to Jesus from the very beginning.

         When Jesus was born both kings and shepherds came to worship him and pay him tribute.  We too should pay tribute and worship our King, our shepherd, and our Savior.   In Jesus we have everything that ultimately matters.   

 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Luke 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

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X As a Replacement for Christ--Really?

Stained glass at St John the Baptist's Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         We often see the word Christmas shortened to Xmas.  In fact according to my Random House Dictionary, the abbreviation for Christian in Xn.   Really?  Where'd this come from?

          There are several explanations that I have found for this replacement, but overall it makes me wonder.   Why do we need to x out the name of Jesus?    A reasonable explanation is that the term for Christ in Greek is Χριστός.    So the X is an abbreviation.   Or in many cases it is a cover up.

        In some countries an "X" rating denotes something vulgar, obscene, or offensive.  But come to think of it, Jesus Christ is becoming offensive to many--He always has been.  We can't have Jesus in the schools or in public places where others might be offended.   If we replace Christ with a X then maybe we don't have to think about him.

         No, thank you--no x for me.  Give me Jesus Christ, not x as in the unknown factor.  The equation has been solved.  The x is Jesus Christ.  Let His Name be praised!

 If you would like to know more about a true life change in a positive direction, then please read Take the Next Step. 

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Trials and Tribulations ( #atozchallenge )

English: Old Step Leading to Church on the Hill Steps in need of repair, leading to Holy Trinity Washington, Known locally as the Church on the Hill. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

        Don't be misled into believing that accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior means that all your troubles are over.  A life given over to God will not guarantee health and wealth.  Things may turn out just fine for you, but also be prepared for difficult times.

         Sickness, financial problems, and disasters can fall upon God's children just as they can fall upon the unsaved.  Hardships can come to us all, but our faith can help our outlook and sense of hope for the future.  God has not guaranteed heaven here on Earth.   Your investment in God's kingdom is rewarded after you've paid into your account with what you've done while on Earth.

         Jesus told us that we could expect trouble in our lives (John 16:33), but He would carry us through.  Some followers of Jesus have suffered horribly for their convictions, but they have a far greater reward ahead.  Better to live in eternity with God, then to have a brief time of riches and pleasure while on Earth then spend forever in darkness separated from God's glory.

         If you are rolling in riches today and lose it all tomorrow you will be sorrowful.   But if you have God in your life, whatever earthly things are taken from you will still leave you with God.  And if you have God, then you have everything.

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Jesus

Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

         Jesus is who this A to Z series is all about.   Jesus is what the world is all about in the final accounting of things.

          Many have heard of Jesus and know something about Him.  In many ways things haven't changed that much since Jesus walked this Earth.   People hear and some accept who He is while others reject Him.  The main problem is many don't learn the whole story.  It didn't start in the manger in Bethlehem.  The coming of Jesus Christ was prophesied thousands of years prior to his coming.   His coming was always meant to be and yet many doubted when He arrived and many still doubt.

         Faith and believing start with hearing the Word.   Don't let it stop there.  You need so much more than just hearing in order to walk in the footsteps of our Lord.   Greater understanding comes from studying and learning more about who Jesus is and why He came.   Never just go on the words of what someone tells you.  You must read and learn more on your own.

          Jesus was born of a virgin, lived and walked among the people in His time, was crucified and died to atone for our sins, was buried and resurrected, and will one day return in glory.   Those who have a true belief in Christ as the Savior and have accepted Him totally into their lives with  confession and humble adoration will join Jesus for eternity.

           It is a big story.   The Greatest Story Ever Told.   A story for us and for all the ages.  It is the story of Jesus Christ.  Hear it, but then live it, learn it, and know it.      

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Invite

Corcovado jesus (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

   
      Is something lacking in your life?  If you are feeling an emptiness that never seems to be filled, then maybe you are trying to fill up on the wrong things.  Material possessions may provide temporary pleasure, but they don't enrich your spirit.  Experiences may be fun for a while but after they are over they are only memories that eventually fade.  What is the lasting fulfillment that stays with you always?

      Sometimes in the evening I don't feel like cooking and I eat a bowl of cereal for dinner.  I'm full for a while, but later in the middle of the night I might wake up feeling hungry.  That hunger may cause me to toss and turn, unable to sleep.  Maybe I'll get up and have a snack.  That may help for a while, but no matter what I'll still get hungry again later.  If only I could eat a meal that would fill me for the rest of my life.

      You may have heard that Jesus is the Bread of Life.  That He provides Living Water.  In other words Jesus is all you need for spiritual survival.  The diet of the Bread of Life and the Living Water will fill you up and satisfy the spiritual emptiness you may feel.  However, Jesus is not going to force feed you.  The dinner is on the table but you must come willingly to partake of it.

      Jesus is ready to accept your invitation to come into your life and guide you through your tough times.  He will provide you comfort when you need it.  He will instill you with strength to face the adversity you encounter.  He will show you the way to truth and wisdom.  Jesus is there when you want to answer His call.

       Don't delay.  You've been invited to a heavenly celebration, but first you have to invite Jesus into your house to stay until the gates to Heaven have been opened.

      Someone is knocking at your door.   Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life?

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