Above All Remember These Things

by | Dec 25, 2019 | Christianity Today | 14 comments

Matthew 2:3, “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Dear Friend,

Today is Christmas day, so remember this:  Yes, we live in a world of explosive insecurity.  Yes, we live in a time where disaster comes without warning and destroys lives instantly.

America has finally become the generation with nothing to look forward to.  This is a time where people are melting down because of a crushing sense of helplessness and despair.  Some react with mindless panic and rage. They shoot and kill their loved ones and then turn the gun on themselves rather than face their losses.  Others are too frozen by fear and uncertainty to do anything.  Still others frantically try to numb their despair by plunging into addictions and perversions that prior generations never imagined.

How deep and widespread is this panic?  It is so pervasive that it has seeped into the hearts of God’s people.  Many in the church, including leaders, admit that they have developed destructive addictions trying to cope with anxiety.

This Christmas threatens to be a time of very little comfort and joy.  Many who love the Lord passionately will not even celebrate it this year!  If you are under attack, if you feel the devastating sense of helplessness, then it is time for you to remember one thing about this Christmas.

Christmas is not just the story of the most important birth in history; it is the proof that an invisible force guards the children of God with unstoppable, irresistible, compassionate protection. Christmas unfolds the masterstroke of God our Father against evil.  Let me explain!

He was the most anticipated person in history and yet His arrival fooled everyone. It requires skill from beyond our planet to sneak the Desire of all nations into our world unobserved with only a handful taking notice. God can fool anyone and He cannot be fooled by anyone.

 

How deep and widespread is this panic?  It is so pervasive that it has seeped into the hearts of God’s people.  Many in the church, including leaders, admit that they have developed destructive addictions trying to cope with anxiety.

This Christmas threatens to be a time of very little comfort and joy.  Many who love the Lord passionately will not even celebrate it this year!  If you are under attack, if you feel this devastating sense of helplessness, then it is time for you to remember one thing about this Christmas.

Christmas is not just the story of the most important birth in history; it is the proof that an invisible force guards the children of God with unstoppable, irresistible, compassionate protection. Christmas unfolds the masterstroke of God our Father against evil.  Let me explain!

He was the most anticipated person in history and yet His arrival fooled everyone. It requires skill from beyond our planet to sneak the Desire of all nations into our world unobserved with only a handful taking notice. God can fool anyone and He cannot be fooled by anyone.

The Jews believed that the arrival of the long awaited Messiah, the Son of God, would be with all the pomp and ceremony possible.  They expected to immediately lay crowns and scepters at his feet, and that the high and mighty princes of the world should have been his humble servants.  He came into the world, and the world knew Him not.  Hcame to his own, and His own received him not.

It was not as if his arrival was without fireworks. The first burst of wonder came to the shepherds in Luke chapter 2.  They saw and heard glorious things concerning Him, and made them known abroad, to the amazement of everyone (v. 17-18).  After this, in Luke 2:38, Simeon and Anna by the Holy Spirit spoke of Him to all who were willing to listen.

You would think that this would have shaken the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem, so that they would have finally risen up as one and embrace the long-looked-for Messiah; but no.  He continued to live for nearly two more years at Bethlehem, and no further notice was taken of him until the arrival of the Magi, the Wise Men from the East.

Trouble!  Matthew 2:3, “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”  These were no singing angels. They were mere men; notable men to be sure, but still mere men. The Magi were the Persian’s philosophers and their priests.  No one could become a Persian king who had not first been enrolled among the Magi. It was their royalty that caused the ruckus.  When kings arrive and ask the local king, “Where is the real KING?” Something has to give!

 

What are we to have in this time of great darkness?  Look again at the command from Hebrews: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

“Where is He who is born King of the Jews?”  Their question made it clear that a new power was now freely working in the earth.  Moreover, this power operated as no other power had previously operated.  This power came and went as it pleased.  It raised the humble to be a force against the proud.  Love had taken on muscle and showed that a gentle but irresistible change was coming.  A new kingdom had come and it would expand through means that nullified human force.

Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar 600 years before this day that this kingdom would come.  Daniel 2: 44, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”  

Break and consume: Here is the big picture!  The Kingdom of God is expanding. It grows by tactics and weapons that have no peer. It is breaking and consuming everything that opposes Christ.  The mustard seed that sprouted in the Bethlehem stable would grow until it absorbed every foe and fulfilled these words: “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” -Revelation 11:15

Satan took the bait from Daniel’s prophecy!  Every other kingdom that Daniel referred to in his prophecy was set up by physical force. When he heard the words break and consume, the devil assumed that the Messiah would be a Jewish liberator like King David.  The devil never thought that a baby’s cry in a lowly manger was the real threat to his throne.

The regions of hell convulsed when it finally hit them that Messiah was now on earth. Evil now had an expiration date.  Intuitively, Herod felt this same dread.  As a puppet for Satan and Rome, what else could he feel?  Reason left him.  He knew he had no power over this, he knew that the Anointed One could not be stopped, yet he decided to commit a great atrocity by destroying the children of Bethlehem.

There it is! Great evil at work while at the same time the kingdom of God expands!  The Magi are led away from danger.  Joseph and Mary are warned to leave and use the treasure brought by the Magi to pay for their escape to Egypt.

You are receiving a Kingdom.  Never forget it!  Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”

This is the one thing for you to remember.  God surgically injected the kingdom of God on earth; a kingdom which cannot be shaken by global warming or moral cooling!  You are inextricably connected to the story of Christmas.  It lives in you, it breathes in you, and it energizes, protects, and guides you.  It is the power of Christmas that exempts you from all of the tragic outcomes that you see around you.

Psalm 37:18-19, “The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”

 

14 Comments

  1. megagenius

    Rejoice not against me O my enemy. When I fall I shall arise. When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a Light unto me. Micah 7:8. He shall deliver you in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch you. Job 5:19. Remember this: NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THOSE IN CHRIST ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE… PERIOD.

    • Lori

      Amen! Jesus is indeed Lord. Merry Christmas and a mighty, glorious New Year full of victory!!!

  2. Carolina

    Oh Mario this is so beautiful and REAL what you’ve said today!
    We thank God for You and Your beautiful mind ? The LORD of Heaven and earth is with YOU as a dread Champion.
    Blessings to you and Mechelle on Christmas Day.

    My favorite scripture Apostle Paul ever wrote…?
    “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

    Blessed assurance.

  3. Mark Stripling

    Merry Christmas! “When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were uner the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5.

  4. Bette Cox

    Reblogged this on Esther's Petition and commented:
    Reblogged from Marion Murillo… anointed. And so very appropriate. <3

  5. Bette Cox

    Reblogged on Esther’s Petition. Anointed, and so very appropriate. Thank you, Marion. Merry, Happy, and truly Blessed Christmas. <3

  6. Ron W Thompson

    I am pretty sure you didn’t mean to send me four copies of this to my email, but I enjoy hearing from you. They were all addressed to my gmail address. Thanks, and may God continue to use you to reach countless numbers of the lost and backslidden!

    • mariomurilloministries

      Sorry about the glitches. What comes of giving your staff Christmas off and taking matters into your own hands. Merry Christmas!

      • Ron W Thompson

        I was not worried, but thought it might be good to let you know. Has anyone else received four as well? You have a unique perspective on the ways and works of God through His Spirit. I really do enjoy reading your emails, and being challenged in my walk.

  7. Rachel

    Thank you for sharing what God speaks to you. I’m thankful for those who like you do not compromise the word of God. We have to stand on what we know is the truth. May God’s protection, amounting and blessings be with you. I will continue to pray for you.

  8. cactusflower18

    Love what you shared; again, so accurate and encouraging! Love you guys picture too!!!

  9. Susan Drum

    Dear Brother Mario, God Bless You and your beautiful family ! Merry Christmas to you!!!

  10. Ray Martinez

    Hello and God Bless Mario and Family Merry Christ-Mas.. I love this Word and it’s Revelation. The way you described The Lack of Enjoyment of Christmas hit me a few years ago. The More I go into the Deep with the Father, more gets revealed to me and when I step out to reveal it, people even christians will use it to attack me. I say, where has the Fear of God gone, especially in the Church and it’s Leaders. About 4 years ago God revealed his Sleeping Giant Church needing to Wake Up to become the Head and No Longer the Tail..I asked how could the Trojan Horse of the Enemy Infiltrate God’s Church so easily and undetected even from Day 1…How has the Church bowed down to these Pagan Holidays and all the Deception associated with them. It is driving me nuts, but not in panic. For example; I threw out the Scripture Jeremiah 10:1-5 for any Apologist, Bibliologist, or Theologians to Discern and expound. Many would not even touch it because of it’s TRUTH and negative Impact to the Body of Christ regarding the Christmas Trees that are cut down and taken into the homes and decorated as a Heathen Practice that a True believer is supposed to stay away from..Never in my life have I heard a teaching or that instruction from the Pulpit…The Church has to Wake Up, Embrace the Fear of God, Get back into Alignment, and Represent the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth of God’s Holy and Infallible Word to Raise Up, Train Up, and Equip the Saints Properly..Time is Accelerating and is Precious. God is giving us 2020, another Great Gift in the Form of 365 Days of Divine Opportunity to make a Difference in this Kingdom World as the Great Pending Awakening is coming fast which he is Positioning His Generals and building his Elite Army to carry out. Amen.

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