Focus on the Life of Christ, our Priority

A Blessed Christmas season to you, Reading Friends. Thank you for spending a few minutes with us for, “Focus on the Life of Christ, our Priority.” Christmas comes upon us at a time when many of us are pulled in various directions, and concerned about rumors of wars. How can we possibly focus on the life of Christ when the world is bothering us with so many terrible things? Recently, I studied Matthew 24, and I was reminded of a few things that I’d like to share with you here. Together, we will see that God’s Word has the ability to lower our blood pressure so we can keep our eyes on our Priority this season. (See second post below.)

1. We celebrate Christ’s birth among us because it led to His death for us.

We traditionally celebrate birthdays because they represent the life that follows birth. But Jesus’ mission on earth was to become a Champion for humanity by dying for humanity. The world may seem tumultuous around this Christmas season, but the whole point of Christ’s birth was to introduce final victory where previously only defeat was known. If you see evil in the world around the Christmas season, just remember what comes next! Christmas is based upon the only One who defeated sin and death.

2. Final victory is preceded by the temptation of being misled.

Jesus warned before He left the earth that right before He comes again, misleading ideas will be at a max, even amongst God’s people. So, it should be no surprise that during one of the last Christmases on earth, many of us are facing the temptations of being misled by various pursuits, enticed to serve self, to ignore our neighbor, to avoid spiritual responsibilities, and to follow spiritual schemes that do not promote Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ words, “See to it that no one misleads you,” are meant to cause us a moment of reflection, even around this season. Let us not be misled right now by worldly pursuits when the celebration of Christ’s victory is before us. See Matthew 24:4.

3. Fear in the midst of threats should be replaced by faith in the midst of obedience.

Jesus also warned us to “see to it that you are not frightened.” Right now, we are worried about politics, finances, wars, and the future. But none of those fearful things are to tear our eyes from what comes next. (Matthew 24:6)

Jesus was born to die. He died to defeat sin. He defeated sin, proven by His resurrection, to show that He’s the Champion in whom humanity can believe. And our Champion will soon return to set right all those fearful things. So, His triumphal return in the near future began with His humble birth, which we now celebrate. There’s no cause for fear for those who believe He truly is our Savior.

Final thought:

Christmas in the West has become very traditional, and many of us are distracted by materialism. But Christians are not to be so caught up by the world’s misleading concerns, or even the intimidating fears on the horizon.

Rather, we see a mighty God who set aside His privileges to be born and to die as a Man, so He could destroy all lies and fears forever. Jesus is our Champion. Have no fear. He’s coming back soon to set this world straight! Let us focus on the life of Christ, our Priority, and anticipate His coming again!

See you on the next page!

David Telbat

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NOW, for an EXTRA post that was one of David’s first posts back in 2011, but his early site had a meltdown so this one is no longer available. We have a copy of it below for you. Merry Christmas!

A Unique Gift to my Readers

by D.I. Telbat

With Christmas giving in mind, I am compelled to equip my readers with a gift that, depending on your faith, will be either disconcerting, or absolutely exciting. In this age of text and information, I can think of no greater gift than to equip you with knowledge that may strengthen your faith for Him for Whom we celebrate Christmas!

Ten Hebrew Names

There is a genealogy list of ten names in Genesis Chapter 5. It is the list of Adam and his line all the way to Noah. These names hold special significance to those of us who believe that God promised to come as a Man (Is. 7:14, Immanuel, “God with us”), and believe Jesus was the fulfillment of that Promise (Matt. 1:23).

These are the names and Hebrew meanings: Adam (man), Seth (appointed), Enosh (mortal), Kenan (sorrow), Mahalalel (the blessed God), Jared (shall come down), Enoch (teaching), Methuselah (his death shall bring), Lamech (the despairing), and Noah (rest or comfort).

Tearing Off the Wrapper

I don’t believe God ever intended a Bible code of any kind. God’s gift is FREE, not exclusive, or secret. These names can be read and understood by anyone with a Bible. Thus, it is not a code, but a message!

Clearly, God had a hand in choosing these names, as He did for all in the line of His Promise, to make His intended message as doubtless as possible.

In the Hebrew language, where no verb is evident, the present tense “be” or “is” is assumed. Have you seen the message so carefully displayed in the meanings of these names for all mankind to see? Here it is:

“Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow. The blessed God shall come down, teaching His death shall bring the despairing rest or comfort.”

Significance of the Gift

Look at everything this message conveys! That in the creation of man under a Holy God is the appointment of mortal sorrow. That God Himself would come down to teach man. That God Himself would somehow die, and that His infinitely valued death would bring those in despair a form of resting comfort.

Though we find the truth of this message all throughout the Bible (that God came as a Man and died to bring us peace), here the message is in complete form in the first book of the whole Bible, transparent for even the first generation of mankind to have seen! (Lamech was 56-years-old when Adam died.)

Now, this message is in your  hands. It’s a gift. Ultimately, this gift was fulfilled in Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection. I trust you’ve received this gift in faith. Now offer this gift to someone else!

Merry Christmas!
David Telbat

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You can read other Author Reflections by D.I. Telbat on this page.

NOTE-1: FURY in the STORM will be FREE Dec 29-Jan 2! Watch for details in the next post on Dec 27, when Dee Peeks from behind the screen with more novel news!

NOTE-2: We have TWO of David’s books listed at 50% off during the Smashwords End of the Year Sale! Visit our Sales Page Here for details and links!

Prayer Prompt: Pray for Somalis coming to Christ! Read this article about one such man’s journey and how the Lord is using the solar-powered audio Bible, called the Treasure, in the Somali language.

COMING UP: Join us next time (in a couple of days) for Dee’s post, “Dec 2017 D.I. Telbat Novel Update + Posting Changes.” And for the following post, enjoy David’s allegory, “For now you must Endure, a Short Story,” to bring in the New Year.

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