Month: December 2017

“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manager.” Luke 2:16

The Shepherds that come to adore our Lord Jesus were men that smelled like their sheep. Afterall, that is where they spent their time. It is simply true, shepherds smell like sheep.

I know there are a lot of reasons the Lord was born in that stable and among the animals, but one of the reasons had to do with the Shepherds. You see, they were not out of place when they found the babe. They smelt like everyone else in that stable – like the animals. They were not uncomfortable at all.

I find it wonderful that our Lord was made so much like us – in every way, the Scriptures say. So when the first verbal announcement of His birth came to the Shepherds, their encounter with Him would be comfortable for them. Out of that encounter, they then shared about Him to everyone they met.

The Scripture says, “And When they had seen. it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.” Luke 2:17-18

If we read the account of the Magi in Matthew 2, we find another interesting item. These wise men from the east were nowhere near the stable! In fact, they found the “child” with his mother in a house. Even though they had seen His star in the east, they did not follow that star. Instead, they headed to the Capitol of the country where a King should be living. They found instead a “king” greatly disturbed that another one had been born. They were sent on a journey to find Him in Bethlehem. They did so, but as they left Jerusalem, the text says, they saw the star once again and it led them to the house where He was.

So they went into the house and worshipped Him and presented Him with their gifts. They, too, were comfortable in His presence. Now He did not smell like sheep or animals but like a young child. For they found Him in a house – later.

When Jesus encounters us, He will be very comfortable with us. And in His precious way, He makes us comfortable with Him, when we get over our fright! I think this is wonderful. Jesus is comfortable with me – being in my being and thinking with my mind and heart. Your’s too! This is very sweet to me. That my Jesus, the Lord of all, is comfortable with me. That makes Christmas – Christmas.

Find a comfortable spot and let Him reveal Himself in You. Christmas will never be the same.

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:17 KJV

The word in Greek that is rendered “before” in this verse is a written in English as  “pro.” It means “(a) of place: before, in front of, (b) of time: before, earlier than.” As you can see, “before” is a very accurate way to translate the word. Its implications are astounding. Our Lord Jesus is before – whatever you might want to name. He holds the supreme place of being “before.”

As we mature in Christ Jesus and move from the elementary “awe” into a more comfortable acquaintance in His person, “before” needs to take a primary role. Whatever it is that is causing us comfort or discomfort, He is “before” that. He is just “before,” and that is a placement none other can have. We are very prone to having loves that are “before,” whether it be something or someone.

All of those must leave that place of “before.” We must purposely allow only our Lord Jesus to be “before.” When anything or anyone is “before” Him, then the removal process must take a high priority. Sometimes it is our love, concern, or emotional bondage to another person that keeps us from allowing Him (including His Word and Will) to be the supreme “before” in our moments, days, and years.

Whatever or whoever it might be, we, as born-from-above ones, have a priority to establish and maintain – Jesus “pro,” or Jesus “before all things.”

I usually know if I have substituted for Him by placing another or something before Him in my heart and priorities. When I have understood that to the be case, I begin to make massive changes in my personal priorities and thoughts. It usually takes some time, tears, hard emotional choices, and clearly the changing of my mind in these matters. That will change the heart and empower the change in focus.

If that is of help to you, I am grateful. If you need to find your own path in the struggle, then go for it. Many times that is best for it places us on firm footing within our relationship in Jesus!. He is able to empower and move us in an encounter in Him that makes all the difference. He is waiting. Let’s turn into Him and allow this placement of “before” to become a very conscious reality.