Banquet With The King: Boldly Proclaim

Prayer – Lord, help me to boldly proclaim not only your birth, but also Your teachings, miracles, Your death and resurrection. You are worthy of praise, adoration, and life—forever.

I (Paul) am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, "THE JUST and UPRIGHT SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." Romans 1:16-17 AMP

Meditate. Read God’s word and hear what He is speaking.

The Fourth Day of Christmas.

Four Calling Birds are symbolic of the four Gospels and their writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Imagine people sharing the Gospel mysteriously about four birds calling out the secret message from each of the first four books of the New Testament. They were sharing the very message of God—and introducing the Savior and the principle that God is love. All the miracles of Jesus were described in those four books of the Bible; recorded for all the world to learn of the power and glory of God and His Son, Jesus.

The question for Christians is, “How are you telling others about Jesus?” Paul stated that he was not ashamed of the gospel. Are you ashamed of Jesus? What are you telling those around you concerning the Messiah, Jesus Christ? Jesus spoke about shame involved with those who follow Him.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." Mark 8:34-38

I for one do not want Jesus to be ashamed of me! He is our advocate before the Heavenly Father—so shame has no place in our lives when it comes to presenting the Gospel to the unsaved. We should boldly proclaim—as Paul describes in his letter to the church in Thessalonica.

For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, in vain), but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition. For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth--it does not change]. But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best]. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 AMP

God will give you the words…so go forth and speak with the power of the Holy Spirit directing you…boldly.

Verse of Salvation ~ (As written by Paul.) And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. Ephesians 6:19

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This year of 2023 is almost over. What has been your favorite food this year?

Loaves and Fish Mosaic
at the Byzantine Church of Multiplication
Near the Sea of Galilee
Tiberias, Israel

Feast at the King’s Table—be seated with the Lord Himself and enjoy the food as His followers did in this example of the feeding of more than 5,000 people.

"There's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?" "Tell everyone to sit down," Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted." So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. John 6:9-13

Jesus is generous. There was more than enough food for everyone with leftovers. Leftovers are always good! Jesus fed these folks spiritually, and then physically. Jesus gave thanks for the bread and fish. Give thanks—for everything that the Lord provides. Blessings on all that the Lord allows you to serve at your table.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Banquet With The King

Friday, December 29, 2023

Boldly Proclaim

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