IMMUTABLE
Suggested Reading: Hebrews 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This manger scene is not much different today than it was 2,000 years ago at the birth of Jesus. Bethlehem shepherds had the contract to provide lambs for sacrifice, which the priests in the Temple at Jerusalem (5 miles north of Bethlehem) would sacrifice on the altars. Once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies with a bowl of the blood of a Bethlehem-born sacrificial lamb, offering the blood for atonement for the sins of the people. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, is our sacrificial Lamb. John the Baptist said of Jesus, as recorded in John 1:29, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Hebrews 5:4-6
And no man takes this honour to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son. Today I have begotten You” [Psalm 2:7], and in another place, “You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” [Psalm 119:4].
Just imagine, we are let in on a conversation between God the Father and God the Son, which took place in eternity past. Wow!!!
In today’s reading, the words “according to the order of Melchizedek” are repeated twice. The name of this King of Salem (Jerusalem) and this Priest of God, literally means, “King,” “Priest” (read Genesis 14:17-20). This King-Priest offered bread and wine to Abraham and to those with him. This may have been the first eucharist or communion service. Tomorrow’s reading also features Melchizedek. We might want to read ahead in Hebrews 7. Reading these Scriptures at least twice is an excellent practice.
The other twice-repeated word for today is “immutability” and “immutable” (6:17-18). This means “impossible to change”! The promises of God are totally reliable because they are grounded on the very bedrock of His Divine Nature. If it were possible for God to lie, He would no longer be God. Absolute TRUTH is an essential quality of His character. Every evidence that is necessary to confirm the eternal Priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ has been provided. Our Bethlehem-born Lamb of God has offered His own Body and Blood in the very presence of God in Heaven. His sacrifice for sin has been accepted by God on our behalf. What assurance!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Thank You, Jesus, that You are my Priest. You have presented Your own Body and Blood to God as the eternal, once for all, Sacrifice for my sin. You represent me before the throne of God in Heaven. Back here, on Earth, I pray for grace to present myself to You daily in full assurance of the Salvation You have provided. Thank You that You’ve given me permission to use Your Name for entrance into “The Holy of Holies” as I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I had the opportunity to answer a question from Helmut Kohl, former Chancellor of Germany. He asked me, “Can a person know here in this life that they are going to Heaven?” I quoted Hebrews 6:18 to him…”It is impossible for God to lie,” and then I proceeded to give Him several of God’s promises about eternal life. You can read a fuller account of this God appointment in my book, This Far By Faith, pages 64-66. I’ve given copies of this book to people who lack assurance of their Salvation and pointed them to the Chancellor’s story. Extra copies could be made available. Here’s how to order my book.
Next week, December 23rd to 27th, I’m hosting five Christmas specials from Bethlehem on CTS television, 9:30 to 10:00 p.m. eastern standard time. Also, it is scheduled for release at 9:30 p.m. Alberta time. Many Christmas carols will be featured with commentary. I recorded this while in Jerusalem and Bethlehem at the end of November. I particularly enjoyed the first show. I was in Christ’s Church, Jerusalem, when a Pastor and several of his people from Germany entered the church. I asked them to sing for us “Silent Night,” a carol written first in their language. One precious person with cerebral palsy in the group touched my heart deeply as with a shining face, filled with joy, she sang her carol. Please don’t miss this first show, Monday, December 23rd. I will let you know when these specials are available online and I’ll include links on my blog.
Yours for a most “Merry Christmas.” “A merry heart does good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
David
It never ceases to amaze me how God’s Word, His Truth, God’s immutable unchangeable way, can reach down through time and space and touch us personally. This is indeed the love of God, anyone who has been touched by the Holy Spirit will surely know that he/she has tasted the goodness of the Lord. Praise His mighty name! Amen!
Very much looking forward to your special series in Israel this Christmas Season, David. It sounds fantastic! God’s richest blessings to all blog-buddies this day!
How’s your shoulder Scott? My is almost heal and the pain is completely gone, just a bit stiff still. This shoulder has caused me trouble in the past and usually it takes weeks for it to heal, so I am grateful to God for answering the prayers of all of those on this blog for my healing- and it came a lot faster than I expected, so now I have hope enjoying a pain free Christmas. So I will continue to pray your shoulder is healed soon too, if a full healing hasn’t come yet.
Thank you Donna, I think I keep doing things which aggrivate it unfortunately. It may take a while I think. A co-worker tells me it’s old age …. nice guy indeed!!!
Had to read and re-read today’s chapters. It was tied together so well, as you explained “immutable” and how the quotes from Psalms speak as a conversation with Christ. Amazing!! How God’s oath assures us of eternal life and salvation! Looking forward to seeing your special, David, and marked it in our calendar! Blessings and cheer, to all!
Also looking forward to seeing your special, David. God bless all.
Looking forward to seeing the Christmas specials!!!
God’s promises are true – excellent teaching as always!!!!
A report on Gordon – he came through surgery and the doctors were pleased. They believe he has a Level 3 cancer and will start radiation and chemotherapy in 4 weeks. Thank you so much for your prayers on his behalf and may you continue to remember him in the days and weeks ahead.
Patti will go back to the doctor tomorrow so I will let you know how she makes out. Again, thank you for your continued prayers for her and the babies.
This blog and all our blog-buddies are such a blessing to me!!! Thank you and blessings to all!!!
Continuing to pray Ruby. Keep us up to date. Blessings.
Had to read X2 also. It is really amazing (not really) that God speaks in a way that connects so beautifully all through scripture. The world needs to know this. So many today are saying there is not proof! So many of this generation have not had the benefit of having scripture read in SCHOOL as we did. I pray that Crossroads will continue to enlighten people and bring them to the knowledge of God. Still praying for Patty and for Gordon. Bless you, David and Norma-Jean. I guess you heard about Paul Henderson’s good health news! That’s for you too David. I believe it will be a great witness to believers and non-believers alike.
Also looking forward to the Christmas specials too.
David Mainse,
I just want to take this time to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I look forward to watching the Christmas specials as well.
Merry Christmas to all that meet here day by day, I like the assurance of Gods word for all who seek him. Greetings Max and Bernie
Thank you for sharing. I was given the priveldge of sharing your blog with my Mom today.
Our hope is more than wishful thinking, it is personified in Jesus, who has already gone before us. The Son is our hope, and our Priest!
Praying for healing and comfort for my blog buddies.
Wishing everyone A Blessed Christmas, as we celebrate The Greatest Gift ever given to mankind. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!
Dear Rev. David M.
As I read todays gospel I am so grateful for your daily blog.
Heaven and earth will pass away. But My Words will by no means pass away. Mathew 24- 35 .
I am looking forward to your christmas special. Keeping everyone in prayer .
Have a blessed day everyone.
xxxx Carole.
Hae a merry Christmas every one, ….R….
looking forward to seeing your presentation Dec. 23 …!!!
Dear David,
I have been praying for your health for these past 2 years and I know God has heard our prayers. You are looking great in the recent photos! May God grant you many more years to help further His Kingdom on Earth.
I have just re-discovered the ‘Kingdom Adventure’ series, which I used to watch on VHS tapes with my daughter when she was young. I found one of the dvds in Walmart and I recently finished watching all 4 episodes on it. I looked for the other dvds in the series at the Crossroads estore but they weren’t there so I got used copies from ebay and amazon. It’s such a great series, and timeless, with such a wonderful Christian message!! Would it be possible to re-introduce it to a new generation of kids by having it on Huntley Street, on Crossroads 24/7, and by sellling the dvds at the estore??
Blessings from Ruth
Thanks Ruth! Actually, you can find the Kingdom Adventure series online at crossroads360.com. Click on “Kidspace” at the top.
I was so happy to see your reply. I went over to the website and have watched one of the episodes online! I’m going to watch the remaining 15 episodes, one a day, as a Christmas gift to myself. It was an exceptional series and it holds up after 2 decades! I believe it was telecast to the former Soviet Union in the 1990’s and made a big impact on children back then. Hope it changed their hearts towards ‘the Emperor’ and ‘the Emperor’s Prince’ permanently!!
Studying the Epistle to the Hebrews is fascinating, regardless of how many times we have done that. Permit me to point out never to take a verse out of context. Hebrews 6:4-6 has often been used to claim that believers can lose their salvation and therefore do not have the assurance of ” Once saved= always saved. This warning is specifically addressed to the Hebrews, who were under pressure to return t Judaism, to their former friends who had rejected and crucified their Messiah. Reading the verses before and after that warning tells us not to question our salvation, as Satan would have us do, but to move on to live sanctified lives. There are so many Scripture verses that prove the assurance of salvation and eternal security, the ones that come to mind are John 10:28,29; 2 Timothy 1:12 is precious, Romans 8:33-39 so very convincing and Philippians 1:6 tells us that Christ Himself gives us that precious assurance.
Wonderful!
Thank you David M for making these Christmas specials available on line. That is the only way my husband and I will be able to see them. I’m so happy that you will be putting a link on your blog. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I remember when I first became born again, Stain had fun with me. He had me convinced I wasn’t good enough nor worthy of Gods love. I would dwell on my past sins and I would some times be fearful of hell. I thought my good deeds
and tithes weren’t good enough. It took reasurance from people like David and Norma-Jean Mainse as well as my dear friend Gail and much prayer and bible study , and many conversations in prayer with God , before I know longer heard Satan’s voice in my head.
Now if I even have a fleeting moment of negative feed back I know it is not of God and I simply rebuk the devil in Jesus name. He has no power over me or my family Amen!
Dear lord I just lift up any one who questions their salvation and I ask that you
reasure them of your eternal promises and love for them. I ask this in your holy name in…… Jesus name Amen!
Marla 🙂
I ment to spell Satan not stain but if the shoe fits he can ware it .
Lol 🙂
M.
I have so enjoyed your blog This one on Matthew Henry was so inciteful you are being used by God in an amazing way I pray my family will all come to the Lord