Tag: hope

JESUS IS NO LONGER IN THE MANGER

There is no other time of the year quite like Christmas time. The old song sung by Andy Williams, says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” I would agree, Christmastime is truly wonderful. It is estimated to be celebrated by up to 2.3 billion people each year. Here in the United States, data shows that 93% of the population celebrate Christmas.

Christmas is also the most celebrated holiday in which people have established and follow traditions. One on the traditions that I grew up with and continue with each year, is the reading from the Gospel of Luke Chapter 2 in the Bible. Typically read prior to opening our gifts from under the Christmas tree.

This same manger scene, or nativity, as described in the Bible is often seen on Christmas cards, displayed with glowing colorful lights on snow covered lawns. It is reenacted in church programs and in homes where children often play-out the characters before their families. Most often there is a baby doll lying in a manger, or beside the manger lovingly held in Mary’s arms.  

We know this as The Incarnation. Were God, through His divine plan came into the World in the form of the man. Thereby making baby Jesus the most precious gift to all mankind. His birth, life, death, and resurrection, made a way for all (absolutely anyone) to believe in Him as their savior. If you don’t know the story beyond his miraculous birth, Jesus grew-up and lived a life as an example for us as one (who like we) can connect personally with God the Father.

Sadly, many people today still picture Jesus as a baby in the manger scene. They have not taken the time to consider why Jesus came, nor do they ponder the rest of His earthly life. Jesus is no longer baby Jesus! You see, not only did God come to us through the incarnation…not only did Jesus live a life as an example for us…but at 33 years old, He willingly died at the hands of self-righteous people and evil rulers. Why? This too was all a part of Gods plan. Jesus died as a once and for all sacrifice, allowing us unmerited grace and personal access to God.  

Perhaps you have read this Bible verse or even seen it pop-up on your TV screen as you were watching a professional sporting event. It’s John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”

The Bible also tells us that after Jesus died, He rose again and ascended to heaven, where He is now continuing to serve as our intercessor (see Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, and 1 John 2:1).

God’s love came down for us…for you friend. If you have not invited Him into your heart or maybe it’s been a long time since you have considered opening your heart to Jesus, why not do that today…this Christmas. Salvation and a life through Jesus is a gift, and all you have to do is receive it. It truly is the best decision and gift you could receive!

Also, I would challenge you… Don’t stop at the Christmas story. I remember receiving my first Bible when I was about 13. That Bible (which I still have today) had the words of Jesus printed in red. Although, I did not truly heed to these words until I was 21 years old, my heart opened up when I actually started to read the Bible for myself. So, I encourage you, read Gods Word. Whether through electronic Bibles or paper Bibles, I encourage you to pay particular attention to the red-letter-words of Jesus; they truly give us a pathway to follow in life. Read through the Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke & John). These are foundational to understanding and seeing Jesus as so much more than a baby in a manger 😊 READ THE RED-LETTER WORDS 😊

To our family and friends: We continue to be blessed this year with a loving family and God’s incredible faithfulness. We (Mark, Tracy, John & Jan) traveled to Cheyenne Wy over Thanksgiving and had a great time with Rick, Teri and family. In November we were able to get the Stuberg Fam all together for the first hockey tourney of the season (see Pic below). Celebrations start tonight with John & Jan. Followed by Christmas Eve at our house with John, Jan, Eric, Jess, Roman, Kingston & Lachlan. Then Tracy & I will be in Bismarck on Christmas Day with Alisha, Brandon, Skylee, Harlow, Cash, Pike & Honey. Returning to Oak Grove for Jana’s visit, who is coming on the 29th.

Pictured are (left to right), Skylee (17), Alisha (X), Tracy (XX), Mark (XX), Jess (X), Eric (X), Roman (14), Brandon (X). Top row: Harlow (14), Cash (13) Kingston (13), and Lachlan (10).

From our home to yours…Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Blessed by The Best,

Mark & Tracy

P.S. Please feel free to pass along this message or any one of the messages on seeyouintheriver.com They are written to encourage others, and this past year alone has been viewed by people in 69 different countries.

God is Speaking—Are You Listening

Happy New Year everyone! Welcome to the year 2024. Here’s a short little joke:

A man was speaking to God and he asked, “God is it true that to you a thousand years is a second?” “That’s true,” God replied. “And is it true that to you a million dollars is like a penny?” “That’s true,” God said. “Well then, would you please give me a penny? asked the man. “Sure,” said God, “in just a second.”

It’s funny, but true. The way we see time and God’s timing are not always the same. If you follow certain Christian circles this time of year, the million-dollar question is, “What is God going to do in 2024?” Certainly, there is much uncertainty in the World these days. Times are changing rapidly. We have experienced a major World-wide pandemic, escalating racial tensions and injustices, wars, political unrest…just to name a few. Surely, many are curious of what will happen in 2024.  

As you may know, many Christians, churches, and ministries, have encouraged a time of corporate prayer and fasting in the first part of each year. Tracy and I have also set apart this special time of prayer and fasting for many years now. I want to encourage you today with this message by telling you that you can hear directly from the voice of God with confidence. Your enemy (satan) wants to keep you distracted, but you can overcome and be effective, and have peace and joy in your life.

Whatever this year brings, God is not surprised by any of it. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see that you are not troubled (don’t be alarmed!) these things must happen, but they don’t mean that the end has come.” Matt 24:6 Additionally Jesus also said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matt 6:34

Jesus also said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27. As well, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord. If you are a Christian, satan knows the only thing he can do is distract you—thereby—making you less effective as a disciple. We need to be reminded that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (see James 4:8).

Hearing Gods Voice

I love the story of Samuel. Samuel was a great man of faith who functioned as a prophet and a priest. When he was young, he had not yet learned to hear the voice of the Lord. In 1 Samuel 3, we read that Samuel was hearing a voice calling him, but Samuel mistakenly thought it was the voice of his then mentor, the elderly priest Eli. Samuel ran to Eli three different times after hearing the voice, before Eli told him, “Go and lie down again, and if the Lord calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” There is much to glean from this story, but what I want to call attention to is that Eli, as the priest, purposely instructed the young soon to be priest, that he too could hear personally from God.

In the Old Testament times God spoke primarily through prophets and priests (particularly the Levitical priesthood). In Jesus’ time, the holy temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life. The temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out and worship according to the Law of Moses was followed faithfully. Hebrews 9:1-9 tells us that in the temple a veil separated the Holy of Holies—the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence—from the rest of the temple where men dwelt. This signified that man was separated from God by sin (Isaiah 59:1-2). Only the high priest was permitted to pass beyond this veil once each year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to enter God’s presence for all of Israel and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16).

Jesus Changed Everything

At the very moment Jesus died upon the cross, an amazing event took place as we entered into a new covenant with God. The Bible says, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.” See Matt 27:51).

Above all, the tearing of the veil at the moment of Jesus’ death dramatically symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins. It also signified that now the way into the Holy of Holies was open for all people, for all time, both Jew and Gentile. We no longer have to go through the Levitical Priesthood to hear and have direction from God. The book of Hebrews explains this in glorious detail, but make no mistake, Jesus Christ, through His death, has removed the barriers between God and man, and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16). Hallelujah!! It is imperative that we remember this when we come before the Lord in prayer.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

There are many voices trying to speak to us every day. These days one can log-on to get a daily prophetic word much like a non-believer would get a daily horoscope reading. We live in a time that I believe the Apostle Paul was warning his protege Timothy about. He said, “For there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, because they have itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in line with their own desires.“ 2 Tim 4:3. This is so prevalent in today’s modern society. People will find a way to justify their own agendas. Additionally, they will find teachers to tell them what their itching ears want to hear. As Bible believing Christians especially, we need to be cautious of who we allow to speak into our life.

Pastors, teachers, mentors, and those who humbly move in the prophetic are invaluable, but no other person or ministry should replace our own hearing from God. It’s so easy to be distracted by social media and the plethora of on-line ministries. “Who you follow” is actually very important—especially during a specific time of prayer and fasting—when we may be seeking direction. Let’s not get distracted, let’s keep the main thing the main thing—loving God and loving people—this is what Jesus commissioned us for and should be how we filter all outside voices (see Matt 28:19-20). We don’t always need to know the why, the how, and the who, the more important thing is that we trust Him.

Being Purposeful

Friends, if you are seeking God today, and perhaps you too are setting aside a special time of prayer and fasting, I am praying that we all hear Him clearly and are effective in all that He has planned and purposed for our lives. I am convinced that the key to our effectiveness is focusing on Him and His voice above all others.

I am so very excited for all that God has for us all in this new year. I look forward to seeing Him move like never before, and I look forward to hearing testimonies of Gods blessings and faithfulness. He is so good…so amazing! Blessings to you all in 2024.

Blessed by The Best,

Mark

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Rom 15:13

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Jn 15:11

*Want more info on various ways of hearing from God? See “Hearing God’s Voice” from the menu of topics on this same website.