Jesus Tree Decorations

Create in me a new Heart

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:45:02 +0000

The different colors represent different parts of the Bible.

BLUE (as seen below) represents the Old Testament.
GREEN represents passages from the New Testament.
YELLOW represents the words of Jesus Christ.

CREATE IN ME A NEW HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME. DO NOT CAST ME AWAY FROM THY PRESENCE AND DO NOT TAKE THY HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME. RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION AND SUSTAIN ME WITH A WILLING SPIRIT. THEN I WILL TEACH TRANSGRESSORS THY WAYS, AND SINNERS WILL BE CONVERTED TO THEE.
PSALM 51:10,11,12,13

Adam and Eve and the Seed

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:35:39 +0000

According to the first book of the Bible, the Spirit of God moved over the waters. God spoke the words bringing light into the world, and created all living creatures. To rule over all things, God said let us create man in our own image and likeness, male and female. God made a beautiful garden for them, named Eden, where the Lord God walked the earth and had fellowship with man. There was one tree in the garden which God forbid them to eat the fruit, the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, in that the tree was death to anyone who ate of it. One day a serpent entered the garden and deceived the woman into eating of the forbidden fruit. Then she gave it to the man, and he also ate of the fruit. The Lord God asked the man what they had done, and the woman said the serpent had deceived her. The Lord God cursed the serpent and said to him:

“ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He shall bruise you on the head and you shall bruise him on the heel.”
Genesis 3:15

Since Adam ate of the fruit, upon himself and all of his descendents was placed the sentence of death. However from the seed of the woman, God gave the promise of a future Redeemer.

For since by man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die. So also in Christ all shall be made alive…for he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
1 Corinthians 15:21,22,25,26

Jesus came to the world because God is holy and just, and man cannot have fellowship with Him until the penalty of sin is paid. By way of the sinless life and sacrifice of Jesus, the price of sin is paid for all. Therefore all who believe in Jesus as Savior are found acceptable to God. Because of Jesus, sin is put down and under his heel, establishing once again spiritual fellowship between the Heavenly Father and mankind. In the last book of the Bible, the Spirit of Jesus prophesied that one day all believers will eat of the fruit of another tree that was in the Garden of Eden:

“ To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God.”
Revelation 2:7

Abraham and the Faith

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:33:29 +0000

Of the descendants of Adam was a most faithful one named Abram. Therefore God made a covenant with Abram and renamed him Abraham with the promise to make him the father of a multitude of nations. Once God tested Abraham telling him to travel to a distant land with his only son Isaac, and upon a mountain to render him up as a burnt offering. Abraham followed the Lord’s instructions and was prepared to slay his son when from heaven the Angel of the Lord called to him not to harm the lad. Instead God provided a ram to take Isaacs place so Abraham named the place, The Lord will Provide. Since Abraham was obedient to God and was willing to sacrifice his only son, God blessed him and said;

“ In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Genesis 22:18

Isaac was spared and became the father of Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was from one of these tribes, the tribe of Judah, that the seed was to come forth, that was to be a blessing to all men who believe.

Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. Therefore be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham…and if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 3:6,7,29

Because just as Abraham was willing, God provided. The Heavenly Father sent his only Son on a journey to the world, where Jesus was born into the flesh a descendant of Abraham. For the time when upon a hill Jesus would give his body as a sacrifice for all mankind, and due to this obedience of Jesus spiritual blessings are made available to all who believe, and are realized in the heart of all who are obedient. Just as the Heavenly Father has kept his promise to Abraham, so does Jesus keep his promise to all who are faithful.

“ I say to you, that many shall come from East and West, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac…in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 8:11

Moses and the Law

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:31:09 +0000

One of the greatest leaders of God’s people was Moses, whom God used to bring his people out of Egypt where they had been held in captivity and bondage. In addition God gave Moses laws so the people could live in harmony and peace. By obedience to the law, the Lord would be their God by blessing, protecting and dwelling amongst them, and they would be his people. The people agreed to this covenant with God, sealed by Moses with the sprinkling of blood from animal sacrifice. Moses went on to accomplish many great things for his people, but he knew there was still one to come greater than himself. So Moses said to the people;

“ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to Him.”
Deuteronomy 18:15

Jesus was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Moses, and he is also the fulfillment of the Law.

For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 1:17

Because man is self-seeking and rebellious to the Law, he finds himself captive and in bondage to it. Nevertheless, through the shedding of the blood of Jesus, we can find freedom and be found acceptable to God. Making the truth of the Law known. In that God gave us the Law so we would know how to love him and each other, and through Jesus the Law becomes more than a set of rules to follow, but rather a natural desire within our hearts. The Heavenly Father then sends the Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer to protect and bless him or her. This allows a believer to freely express their love for God and neighbor without pretense, but in truth. Jesus wanted us to know that he didn’t come to subtract but to add.

“ Do not think I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”
Matthew 5:17

David and the Shepherd

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:26:54 +0000

One of the most exalted and loved of God, was David, whom God chose as a mere shepherd boy to become King of all of Israel. David loved God greatly and wrote and sang many songs of praise for the Lord. With his simple adolescence and understanding of a shepherd’s ways to care, defend, and, if necessary, give his life for the flock, David learned to praise the Lord most graciously as shown in David’s psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness. For his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23

With faith in the Lord to provide, David was to rule a nation. Yet David sometimes strayed away from the ways of the Lord, which caused hardships and temptations to prevail against him. Fortunately with a child-like trust and repentive heart, David always went back to the Lord for forgiveness. This allowed the Heavenly Father to express his love freely, and to provide for all of King David’s needs. Just as God wishes to do for all his children.

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.
1 John 5:3,4

Through faith in Jesus, God is allowed to extend to us the same love given to David. With the keeping of the Lord’s commandments to love, we are given the Holy Spirit to care and defend for us. We become free to be everything the Heavenly Father wills for us. The confidence this brings allows a person to praise the Lord most naturally. Because we know nothing can overcome us, victory is already ours through Jesus Christ. Only Jesus is given the right to say;

“ I am the good shepherd, and I know my own. And my own know me, even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.”
John 10:14,15

Elijah and the Witness

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:18:39 +0000

Many times the people of the Old Testament had forsaken the true God for false Gods. Leaving God to proclaim through a messenger.

“ Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.”
Malachi 4:5

Elijah was a powerful prophet of the Old Testament whom God was to use to bring his people back from the practice of idolatry. Through Elijah God caused a drought and famine to fall upon the people, but still they would not repent of their wrong. Consequently Elijah challenged the false prophets of idol worship to a test of their Gods. Each was to build a wood altar with an Ox as the offering, and was to call upon their God to light the fire. All day long the false prophets danced, chanted, and cut themselves to no avail. Elijah mocked the false prophets and built his altar upon twelve stones, and commanded that water be poured over the wood and offering three times, soaking it completely. Then Elijah called upon the true and only God to prove he was God, and to change the hearts of the people. Hence a great fire fell from Heaven to the Altar consuming all of it. All the people fell down and worshipped God, and Elijah had the false prophets destroyed. Therefore, God sent rain to the land ending the drought and famine.

Inasmuch as the Ox on the wood altar symbolized for the atonement of sins for Elijah, Jesus on the wooden cross is our atonement.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

In the same manner Elijah came to bring the people to a repentance of heart for the Heavenly Father. A witness in the spirit of Elijah was to come for the Son of God to prepare the people for the forgiveness of their sins. He was to be called John the Baptist, and Jesus had this to say about him;

“ For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you care to accept it, he himself is Elijah, who was to come.”
Matthew 11:13,14

Micah and the Scriptures

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:14:16 +0000

A prophet, who despised greed and oppression with which men of authority used against those under their charge, was Micah. From God, Micah was given the inspiration and power of the Holy Spirit to write down words, which were to be of comfort and hope for himself, and a revelation to mankind. Micah was given the ability to perceive into the future, where it was revealed to him the location of where the Savior of the world was to be born. Thus he entered this prophecy into the scriptures.

“ But as for you, Bethlehem…too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2

This prophecy of Micah was not an act of his own will, but of God. In his desire to communicate to mankind, God has used men under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, as instruments with which to make known his plan of redemption. By virtue of this, we know the Bible to be from God, and is appropriate to use for guidance in all matters.

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17

While the Heavenly Father only used to give the power of the Holy Spirit to a selected few, all believers in Jesus are to receive the Holy Spirit. With the Word of God also firmly implanted in one’s heart and mind; a believer can rest assured that he is never alone. Even when oppression and the greed of the world seem overbearing, one can always call for assistance in the name of Jesus. Knowing that comfort and hope will come, Jesus promised it when he said.

“ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
John 14:26

Isaiah and the Prophecy

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:12:40 +0000

One of the great prophets of the Old Testament was Isaiah, who prophesied about world events of his time, and of those of the future. A most cherished prophecy of his concerned the future birth of a Messiah.

“ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Some 700 years later this prophecy came into fulfillment with the virgin birth of Jesus, the Messiah. Messiah meaning Christ, anointed one of God. Jesus was so proclaimed by the Heavenly Father himself.

And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him, saying, “ This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16,17

Therefore he who was to be born of the seed of woman, known to men as Jesus, son of man, and as Christ, Son of God, becomes Immanuel. Immanuel translated meaning God with us. This Jesus Christ was, and claims still to be.

“ I am with you always even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20

Zacharias and Gabriel and the Repentance

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:10:55 +0000

Long ago in the land of Judea, ruled by a King named Herod, lived a priest named Zacharias with his wife Elizabeth. God found Zacharias and Elizabeth to be righteous people in his sight. One day, as Zacharias was performing his priestly duties in the temple, an Angel to the Lord appeared to him, and told him his wife was to become pregnant with child. While still in the womb, the child would be filled with the Holy Spirit, and his name was to be John. The Angel announced further;

“ And it is he who will go as a forerunner before him in the Spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Luke 1:17

In view of their old age, Zacharias didn’t believe this message from God. The Angel told Zacharias that he was Gabriel, who stands in the very presence of God. Since he didn’t believe this good news, he wouldn’t be able to speak again until these events happened to pass. Zacharias had no way of knowing his child was going to someday be called John the Baptist, the one selected by God to prepare the people for Jesus. Later in his life, John knew this to be true, for he himself prophesied;

“ As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I. And I am not fit to remove his sandals, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and Fire.”
Matthew 3:11

The work of John the Baptist is still to go on today. Just as John had the power to bring people to an awareness of their sins and to repentance, believers have that same opportunity, plus the added opportunity to lead people to Jesus. Where through Jesus they can find their sins forgiven and consumed by fire, never to be remembered. This allows the Holy Spirit to cleanse a person, and give him a new power to live a righteous life. This privilege to lead people to God was delegated to all believers by Jesus, himself, when he said;

“ All authority has been given to me in heaven and earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 28:18, 19

Mary and Gabriel and the Hope

jacobrr — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:08:50 +0000

In the land of Judah was a region called Galilee, and a city named Nazareth where there lived a young virgin girl named Mary. She was a cousin of Elizabeth, and was also a descendant of Adam, Abraham and King David. God found favor with Mary, so he sent the Angel Gabriel to her with a message of hope for the world. Gabriel told Mary that she was to conceive a child and was to name him Jesus, and that he was to become a great ruler. Mary was troubled because she was a virgin, and she asked Gabriel how this could come to pass.

And the Angel answered to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the most High will overshadow you and for that reason the Holy offspring shall be called the Son of God.”
Luke 1:35

Hence the promise give to Eve that from her seed would come a redeemer, seed representing descendancy and the masculine gender, is to find it’s deliverance in Mary. When Mary believed the Word from the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit was allowed to accomplish the impossible. Through faith and obedience to God’s will, Mary found what many are looking for, and is available to anyone who asks and is willing to believe.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, an assurance that the Heavenly Father is in control of all events is given to all who put their hope in Jesus. This allows an inner peace and understanding to grow in the heart of the believer. As a result of Jesus, we know the Heavenly Father is still reaching down to us in love, wanting all who believe in Jesus as Savior to be his children. Jesus told us so when he said;

“ For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.”
John 3:17