TODAY’S PROPHETIC NUMBER
Hebrews 12:3 – For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
Here is an antidote to discouragement and weariness: look at King Jesus. He has given up everything for you. He has set you before Himself as His Joy to endure the cross. Now, let Him be your joy in the hard places you are walking. He is worthy!
Declaration: My joy comes from my Jesus, not my circumstances. I will hope in Him alone. I am encouraged by His promises and will prophesy life over myself and others today.
Celebrate Jesus
Culture is always defined by what you decide are the highest values – what you make a big deal out of and what you don’t. It’s very important that you and I steward the culture of our homes, even our hearts and our minds, in a way that looks more like heaven than it looks like hell.
So, what does heaven look like? Celebration. Just read Isaiah 6. The Lord God Almighty is so amazing that wherever He goes, there is celebration and honor because He is so glorious. It should be like that here on earth as well. We should celebrate God, all He is and all He has done for us.
So there is Christmas. I know many of you will say, “But Pastor Troy, we know Jesus was not born on December 25. With all the pagan traditions, the commercialism and consumerism, we should not celebrate a fake holiday.”
While I see your point, I disagree.
When Leanna and I come across the little boys and girls with no home and no name, we put them in our rescue homes. What I find every single time is I have to give them a birthday. They have no idea how old they are, when their birthday is. So, I’ll size them up and I’ll say, “Oh, you look like you’re probably 10 years old, and I bet your special day is going to be March the 24th.”
And I’ll actually present them with a 3/24 scripture and every time there is a great big word from the Lord in it. Then that becomes their celebration day for the rest of their life.
My friends, while we know Jesus was most likely born in the spring and many amazing Messianic Jewish scholars say it was Nissan 1, which has some show-stopping prophetic significance, somewhere along the line of history, mankind chose December 25 to make a big deal out of Jesus.
Think about it. God became a man to live with us, empathize with us, teach us, and save us from sin, death and hell. Jesus is the greatest gift mankind has ever received. That is so worth celebrating!
You don’t have to buy into any of the traditions or consumerism (pun intended). However, you should be joyful and generous. You should celebrate Jesus in this Christmas season not because of a certain day on the calendar, but because heaven celebrates Him. It will celebrate you too when you help the world that doesn’t know Him celebrate Him.
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. – Isaiah 9:6