Christmas - The Move of God

Greetings, brethren and Merry Christmas to each of you. I'd like to share part of the Christmas story with you and look at it as an example of the "move" Father God is bringing about in the earth today.

Matthew 2: 1-12

1. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2. saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.''
3. When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5. So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6. `But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.' ''
7. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.''
9. When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.
10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

I believe "Christmas" - God sending His Son to redeem mankind from their sin and restore them to His original intent - is not just a one time event. Of course, God did it once and for all through His Son, Christ Jesus, and there'll never be another event like what happened about 2000 years ago. But understand, if you can, that God didn't quit "moving" just because He moved back then. He is still moving and has a plan for the end of the age; and I am convinced that we are entering into the age at a rapid pace.

When God "moves" He has a way of bringing His Presence on the scene. His Presence will create holy awe, hunger for righteousness, unity of the brethren, and compassion for those who are not in fellowship with the Lord. When God is "moving" you will also witness religious leaders fight for their right to "be right". They will strut about the land displaying their "knowledge" of the Holy One. Scripture verses will soar about, filling the air waves and the church communities; each verse demonstrating that the leader has "rightfully divided the word of truth". Yet, through all the verses, and through all the sermons, no one seems to be any closer to the "move". Then, at the same time, while that which I've described above is happening, there will be some who feel threatened by a "move" of God. Their world becomes shakey; too many uncertainties and too much at stake to allow another "ruler" to come on the scene.

The passage of scripture from Matthew 2 mentions 3 catagories of people. These groups are in the earth, yes, even in the churches, today. You and I may be in 1, 2, or even all 3 of the groups, in some way or another. I will briefly describe each one and then you can decide for yourself where you stand with the "move" that God is bringing about.

Group One - Chief Priests/Teachers:
Priests were/are vital to the move of God. They are to act as mediators; take hold of God's hand and man's hand. Pull the two together through intercession and acts of compassion. Identifying with God through submission and repentance and identifying with mankind by understanding our weaknesses and our personal need for a Savior. Unfortunately, the priests in Matthew missed out on what God was "birthing" into the earth - though they were only 5 miles away from it! They could quote the passage and tell others where to go to find the move but they were too wrapped up in their "place" and comfort to make the trek, the journey, with those who were seeking. They had just enough of God to give them a "place" but they allowed their "place" to keep them away from the Glory! After all, how could God be moving in Bethlehem; how could those "outside the faith" know what God is doing? How could others see a star? If God was going to do anything, He surely would have let the priests know...

Could it be that the hungry sinner will "see" the move of God before many in the churches?

Group Two - Herod/Kings/Rulers:
Scripture teaches that the Lord has made us kings and priests (Revelation 5). It mentions in Romans that those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through Christ Jesus (Romans 5:17). The key is "through Christ Jesus". The Lord's intent is that through Christ Jesus we act as His representatives; ruling, enforcing, establishing His Kingdom principles on earth "as it is in Heaven". But, because people have a tendency to act like Herod, they end up destroying the lives of people all around them. Herod felt disturbed, threatened...he didn't want to lose his "kingdom". People are that way today. They hang on to their life just as long as they can. They either don't know or have forgotten that he who loses his life for Jesus' sake and the gospel's shall find it. But if you try and hang on, continue with the self-importance, "I'm going to plan and rule my life" kind of attitude, you will ultimately lose. You will probably hear of the good things the Lord is doing; but you will not be part of it. It will have no place in those who will not yield to the Lord's "right-of-way".

Group Three - Magi/Wisemen (the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom):
These guys traveled approximately 500-600 miles. They considered their chiefest duty-find out what the Lord is doing and get involved, regardless of the cost and regardless of the appearance (after all, when they got to Bethlehem they only saw a , not a full grown king. Remember this: the size of the "move", or the beginning of the "move" is not necessarily equal to its significance to the work of God!) The Lord says over and over - "if you seek Me, you will find Me; when you search for Me with ALL YOUR HEART". They weren't following the star so they could write a report or even preach a sermon. They simply wanted, like Paul, to "know Him"...! Those who "follow on to know" (Hosea 6) shall understand the times and seasons. They will find themselves at the "epicenter" of the move of God.

What God did through Mary, Joseph, and the rest of the Nativity cast, He had NEVER done before! Friends, I believe that we are soon to witness a move of God that has NEVER been seen before! It is the desire of my heart to be part of the supporting cast. I hope it's your desire as well. Seek the Lord while He may be found and WHERE He may be found. If you're 5 miles away, you may as well be 1,000 miles away. It will be the same, disappointing result. Rather, let's make a quality decision this Christmas season. Let's humble ourselves and seek Him. Let's purpose in our hearts to be right in the middle of what He's doing in the earth. After, He wants to involve each of us!

Merry Christmas
Pastor Jan