It’s Christmas Eve, the night on which the miracle happened. Jesus Came as the Highest Expression of Love ever known. 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

As we conclude our message series Visitation Principle for Jesus’ First Advent from the Letter to the Hebrews, the author reminds us of the importance of love among reasons Jesus came.

Hebrews 13:1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.

It harkens the mind to Jesus’ command given in the Gospel of John.  The new standard of love…because Jesus came…is now His standard and not a simple human love.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

^“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13)

Questions for further thought:

What does it look like… to love like that?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we stand in awe of Your birth and life and the new standard of love You came to bring.  Help us to love like that. Help us to see beyond the gifts and the Santas in a million malls and a million stores and see that Your love, indeed, Your purpose in coming is one in a million: the Highest Standard of Love ever known.  We praise You and thank You for giving eternal life to those who come to You in faith.  You deserve all the glory at Christmas and always.  Amen.

One of the most beautiful and powerful prophecies of the Old Testament is found in Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  7 Of the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”

I was thinking again about this as I prepared for Visitation Principle 23: Jesus Came to be the Holy Prince of Peace.  His kingdom’s government is marked throughout by peace, justice, righteousness, and holiness.  Truly set apart by the “zeal of the LORD Almighty.” 

In a world known for anything but peace at present, the idea that someday there will be a world government established under God’s authority, not man’s, and ruled by a Holy Prince of Peace is a wonderful thought.  In fact, Christ’s government will be the only hope for peace we can have.

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Questions for further thought:

Think for a moment about anything good the government might try to do.  If it is good, helpful, just, and right, how long does it take for someone to amplify any shortcomings?
If it is good, how long does it take for someone to add something bad into it?
If it isn’t good, how does the media portray it to sneak it by us? 

Peace without holiness is fraudulent.  How is that a true statement?

Prayer: Father, grant that we might be ministers of peace in a world of war. May we proclaim boldly that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and only in Him is peace possible importantly with You before we’ll ever see it with each other.  Only holy peace will accomplish this.  Our culture filled with distractions at Christmas, so set us apart, Lord, that we might find time to worship You in the stillness, to take in the beauty of that first Christmas when the angels sang because Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  We praise You for this wondrous gift of love.  In Christ’s Name we pray.  Amen.

===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

It’s pretty easy—at the end of the year or the end of a race—to feel a little weary from the activity, maybe even a little sad at outcomes that are less than perfect, and in our discouragement, we can let down our guard.  No one likes to think about that at Happy Christmas, I suppose, but I suspect I’m not the only one in the ministry that feels this way as the Big Day approaches.  There are certain “high pressure days” that almost always fail to live up to our best plans. Plenty of people outside of the ministry can feel that way too, particularly at Christmas, when so much of our society points to Santa and materialism. Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on Him at such times.

The author of Hebrews gives us encouragement to persevere in
Visitation Principle 22: Jesus Came to Establish the Reward of Faith

Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” 38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The quality of one’s faith over the long haul is what counts.

Questions for further thought:

I was singing along with the radio to a catchy little tune when I realized how off the mark Kay Starr’s Man with the Bag is.  Read the lyrics and identify the places where it’s maybe fun but completely flawed.

Old Mr. Kringle is soon gonna jingle
The bells that’ll tingle all your troubles away
Everybody’s waiting for the man with the bag
‘Cause Christmas is coming again

He’s got a sleigh full, it’s not gonna stay full
Stuff that he’s dropping every stop of the way
Everybody’s waiting for the man with the bag
‘Cause Christmas is coming again

He’ll be here
With the answer to the prayers
That you made through the year
You’ll get yours
If you’ve done everything you should extra special good
He’ll make this December the one you’ll remember
The best and the merriest you ever did have
Everybody’s waiting for the man with the bag
‘Cause Christmas is coming again

Who are we really waiting for at Christmas?  Who does culture tell us to believe in?

How do many people feel after the pile of gifts is opened and the surprises revealed? Does Christmas still have that magic?

If we forget Jesus, what is Christmas reduced to being? Is Jesus the Center of your Christmas?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, may we never forsake You at Christmas.  May we never forget that You came to die for our sins and that Easter was always in mind at Your first Advent.  Strengthen our resolve to keep You in Christmas and teach You to the next generation.  May we, by Your grace, persevere in our faith to receive the reward You have in mind which is far better than anything money can buy.  We love You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Closure can be the best of things.  A job completed and “well done, good and faithful servant.”  An ending to a suspenseful thriller in which resolution brings a return to restful feelings, knowing how the story ends.  

Open chapters and loose ends lend to uncertainty about the future and anxiety over what that looks like. While uncertain, some people prefer it because closure can also bring with it a sense of sadness, that what was comfortable and customary has ended and a new way forward must be embraced. 

The sacrificial system had been that way for the Jewish people.  They’d always done it, as far back as anyone can remember.  It was familiar and rote.  They knew it through years of experience.  It was the stuff of tradition, and they knew exactly what to do.

Jesus ended their sacrificial system by completing it.  It had to be fulfilled in order to end it.  And Jesus did it perfectly.

Visitation Principle 21: Jesus Came to Conclude the Sacrificial System

Hebrews 10:11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16 “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” 18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

Questions for further thought:
Some, like the Temple Institute, are trying to reinstate the sacrificial system of the red heifer in order to usher in the Third Temple.  Why is that idea missing the mark? 

In what way does our passage today give closure and an indication that future sacrifice is no longer required, only faith that Christ Himself was the perfect sacrifice?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, prophecy about You and Your return in the End Times is truly hard to understand. We pray, Lord, that You will give us clarity and confidence that You fulfilled that full sacrificial system so that Your prophecies (the ones we don’t see as fulfilled yet) either have been or will be accomplished in some unexpected way.  Grant us boldness in proclaiming that You ended the sacrificial system by Your perfect blood and the coming of the Holy Spirit affirms Your perfect offering as acceptable for the Father to pay our sin debt in full.  We stand amazed at Your mercy and love.  We give You all the glory.  Amen.
===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

“From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.

“Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.

The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.

2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.

God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.

Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.

The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.

The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.

The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.

Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.

The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.

Have you ever noticed how people jump to excuses or spin lies when caught doing or saying something wrong?   It’s almost automatic.  People don’t like to be caught with wrongdoing.  But people also don’t like being judged without knowing what charges they’re facing.

So, we can see Visitation Principle 20: Jesus Came to Give His Judgment Context. 

No one to be judged will have any excuse that stands.  We all know the mortality rate for human beings is 100%. If people want to imagine we just decay like leaves on the forest floor, it doesn’t explain how Jesus returns. They can live in denial. He won’t be stopped from returning by any person’s unbelief in His abilities.

Romans 1:18-20 tells us that “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities– his eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse”.

They deny because they choose to do deny, not because they have a legitimate reason. So, no excuses when Jesus returns. Yet, He wants to give His Judgment a clear basis–important context–so no one will doubt His Judgments are right and fair in the end.

>>No claim we didn’t know about the crime.  (Jesus: Yes, you did. Sin. In fact, sin is so bad, I came the first time.  In almost 2000 years since My death/resurrection, you still didn’t care.)
>>No claim that Jesus didn’t know what it was like. (Jesus: Yes, I did.  I walked in your shoes but lived sinlessly in a world of sin.  Do you think it didn’t have an impact on Me?)
>>No assertion that sin isn’t bad (Jesus: Not that bad???  It cost My life’s blood to pay for it).
>>No claim to preferential treatment, playing favorites. (Jesus: Nope, My forgiveness has always been open to everyone and there’s only one way to the Father.  That’s through Me. John 14:6)

All of that in these two verses below, putting His righteous Judgment in context:   

Hebrews 9:27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Questions for further thought:

Why do you think it’s important that no excuses will stand?
What does that do to the possibility of making a mistake? Does God make mistakes?
What things in your life make it easy to believe there is a God?

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for all of creation that testifies You are God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You didn’t come in Judgment the first time, but in Your mercy, You provided a way out for sinners. We praise You as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We give You all the glory for the wondrous gift of our world and the amazing heavenly future in the place You are preparing for us. We love You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

.

Hebrews 9:11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Jesus was no temporary fix.  No Plan B. He was and IS the eternal solution.
There is no permanent answer apart from Him.

Visitation Principle 19: Jesus Came to Offer Eternal Redemption

Questions for further thought:

Looking at today’s text, in what ways was Jesus’ sacrifice different?

Why is it important for our confidence that Jesus gives eternal redemption?

If it was a limited time offer with an expiration date, what would that say about Jesus’ sacrifice? While there is no expiration date on the offer, our lives do have an expiration date. What happens to that offer? (I’ll answer that for you. Too late.)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Thank You for giving Your life to make eternal redemption possible for us. At this remembrance of Your first Advent, we celebrate everything about You and remember the purposes for which You came. May we never forget that You are the reason for Christmas and that You had Easter in mind when You came to be the Word made flesh. We praise You for this plan of redemption no man could have imagined–that the great God of the universe, the Great I AM, would come to us as a beautiful baby born to a Virgin–and these events would set in motion an eternal plan of redemption. Hallelujah! All praise to You, Lord Jesus. Amen!

===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning.

The first tabernacle with its laws was still functioning throughout Jesus’ life and ministry.  He fell under the system of laws just like the rest of his peers. “[Because] while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

For the human heart to be clean enough for God’s Holy Spirit to dwell forever, Jesus had to be born sinless, live a sinless life, die an innocent death, rise from the grave, and ascend to offer the perfect sacrifice to the Father as our Great High Priest. The whole thing is why Jesus came to make us fit as a dwelling place for His Holy Spirit. This is how God’s laws are written in our minds and on our hearts.

Only after the birth, life/ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension
could Jesus’ sacrifice be acknowledged by the Father
to allow Him to trade His righteousness for our sin nature
by faith in Him.

Questions for further thought:

Where was the Holy Spirit before Jesus ascended?  What is the distinction between “came upon” and indwelling?  What was happening in Ezekiel 2:2 and Ezekiel 3:12-14?  Did the Holy Spirit indwell Ezekiel or visit upon him/empower him?

Why did the law mean the Holy Spirit could only come upon and not dwell as God’s eternal presence in our hearts? (1 Chronicles 12:18)

What’s happening in Acts 10:44, 11:15, and 19:6? What does Ephesians 1:13-14 say about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, we praise You and thank You that Your sacrifice was perfect and acceptable to the Father.  Thank You for asking Him to send the Holy Spirit as a Counselor to be with us forever. We love You! Amen.

===

By signing up on the sidebar of my Home Page you can receive these daily “Visitation Principles” devotionals. Or they will be reposted on SeminaryGal’s Facebook page as well.

===

Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.

As we approach Christmas and celebrate Christ’s first Advent, we can see there are more Visitation Principles for why Christ came.  Jesus came to make the righteousness process of the “old covenant” obsolete.  The Holy Spirit is like new technology, and He couldn’t come until after Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. Our hearts were simply not a suitable home for the Spirit of God while we were under the law. Visitation Principle 17: Jesus Came to Make the Law Obsolete.

Why was this an upgrade? No longer would there need to be a sacrificial system or priests among men.  The law had served (and continues to serve) its purpose: to point out man’s failure to achieve righteousness on his own. 

Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

Questions for further thought:

Does new technology that performs the same process in better ways negate the need for the process or only act as an upgrade? 

How is an internally derived moral compass superior to one that is externally forced? How does the Holy Spirit provide an internal compass as an upgrade to the external Law? Is the purpose of achieving righteousness still the goal?

Think for a moment about a commandment such as “Thou Shall Not Steal” and robbing a bank or looting a store.  When it arises out of your heart to obey because it’s coming from God, are you more or less likely to make excuses such as “It’s okay in this instance to steal because…”? 

Does a world which does not know Christ, nor does it have the Holy Spirit, have that internal motivation?  How does that contribute to moral relativism where it’s only true in circumstances? Has the world bought into the “my truth” vs “your truth”? How does the Holy Spirit teach “His absolute Truth”? Why is it absolute?

Prayer:  Forgive us, Lord, for the times in which we follow the world’s ways and make excuses for our behavior.  We’re sorry for grieving Your Holy Spirit.  Help us to follow the laws in our hearts that come from You and are guided by the Holy Spirit, and to honor the laws of our society as a way of demonstrating our desire to live upright lives.  Help us to see enforcement of external laws is meant to prompt everyone to obey and to drive the lawbreakers to repentance.  Thank You for the blood of Your forgiveness as our great High Priest and perfect sacrifice.  We love You, Lord, we glorify and worship You.  Amen.

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Acknowledging inquiries about an entire season’s devotionals for your study group’s planning purposes, Seminary Gal’s prior seasons’ Advent devotionals can be accessed via the archives to the right and are as follows:  

• “From the Jews for the World” was the theme of last Advent’s devotional series. It is archived beginning December 3, 2023, and explored how Jesus’ Jewish heritage was necessary for the salvation of Gentiles, too.
• “Awaken Remnant” was the devotional topic for 2022. It began November 27, 2022, and highlighted the remnant found throughout Scripture as evident in Jesus’ lineage.
• The multi-faceted Interlude between the promise of a Deliverer and the birth of our Messiah and King was the theme of 2021’s devotional series. It is archived beginning November 28, 2021.
• 2020’s Devotional Series Divine Intervention began on November 29, 2020 and explored God’s activity on behalf of a hurting world and nations in tumult– Intervention for you and for me when our status as sinners required nothing short of a miracle.
• God’s Christmas list explored what might be on God’s Christmas list, learning what He wants from us. It began December 1, 2019.
• Storyteller began December 2, 2018 and entered into the Christmas story through its telling.
• The 2017 series Still Christmas, began December 3, 2017 and was the Advent complement to the Lenten series, Be Still and Know that I AM God.
• The 2016 season devotionals were called “Timeless: The Message of Christmas for All Ages” and explored how the message of Christmas is timeless truth, for all ages of people, and for all ages at all times.  Timeless hope, encouragement, grace, peace, and love as we looked into the Word, saw the face of our Lord Jesus, and experienced restoration in His presence.  His goodness and His Gospel are truly Timeless. The 2016 devotionals began November 27, 2016.
• The 2015 season devotionals were titled Incarnation and involved digging deep–and yes, I mean deep– in this important mystery of Christian theology.  They began November 29, 2015.
• Carol Me, Christmas! remains one of my most popular offerings and tells the Christmas story through our most beloved Christmas hymns and carols.  You can access all of the numbered devotionals from 2014 via the archives.  They began November 30, 2014.
• The 2013 series was Emmanuel: When LOVE Showed Up in Person and examined the Prologue to the Gospel of John.  It began December 1, 2013.
• The 2012 series focused on Expecting the Unexpected…the unexpected, unlikely, and uniquely divine qualities of God’s perfect plan outlined in Luke’s account of the Christmas story.  It began December 1, 2012.