Promise Comes Before Faith by Brother Duke Hansen

            You have to be careful what you support as well as allow in your life. Don't take things merely at face value. For example in the story of Jesus' birth, it has been told, through various stories and plays, of the 3 wise men bring the newborn gifts on the night Jesus was born. This is not so. It was quite a while before they appeared. We have been brought up in abbreviating the scripture and boiling down biblical events into a series of bullet points. 

        

        You know what a good measurement of growth is in your life? It's in the amount of drama or hysterics present in your life. If you have a high amount of those in your life, it's a direct reflection of how much your flesh is in charge of your life. Things don't just happen to us. You are not the victim of some malevolent force that is dropping you into trials randomly. It all goes back to sowing and reaping.

        We will be reading from the book of Luke chapter 2. The scripture we will begin to read in is verse 8.

        8 And, there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

        9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

       10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

        Between the book of Genesis and this scripture, man had done all sorts of evil and betrayal towards God. We are called to be separated from the world. I know there are many people who want to line their life next to the life of King David. Yes, he was the apple of God's eye and he was a great warrior as well as king of Israel and Judah, but he also sinned grievously before God. People today would rather concentrate on the sin as a means of their own iniquity and promote the lie they can live this way without repentance. The point of King David's life was when he did sin, he repented and he didn't make the same sin again. There in lies the difference today.

        11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

        12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

        13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

        14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

        The jews in Bethlehem heard this witness as God is making peace with us. God wants to have peace with us and we are more concerned on things we can no longer do. In Matthrew chapter 1, the genealogy of Jesus is written out here. Faith isn't a battle, it's a decision on your past. 

        We are going to Matthew chapter 5 and starting with verse 13.

        13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

        Friends and even fanily will look for dirt or mistakes you commit to exploit or use to persecute you.

        14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

        15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

        Few people knew about this, let alone master this. We all need to put off the old and put on the new. In the flesh you should put these things off. 1) Failures 2) Hurts 3) Negativity 4) Burdens. In the spiritual put these on 1) Compassion 2)Forgiveness 3) Strength 4) Joy.

        God's intention for you to light the way in a dark and sinful world. These are not rooted in emotion. They are choices you make. They shine the light of Jesus. Be the light. God wants us to take an answer to people. To direct and guide by being a witness. 

        How much a difference are you making in others lives? How much has God affected yours? God is not telling the message to those who he didn't intend to hear. God cares about growth.