GLORY TO THE NEWBORN PRINCE OF PEACE – DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Text: ISAIAH 9:6.

Introduction

Glory is the language of worship that reveals the amazement and excitement when the wonder of God manifests to man. This is used in several events in the scripture. But the one that is particularly alarming is the experience of the shepherds when the news of the birth of Jesus Christ came to them in the field while they were watching over their sheep at night. The angel of the Lord appears to them with the word “Peace.” Suddenly, the glory of the Lord surrounds them with beautiful voices from heaven echoing songs of joy and glad tidings.

In the tapestry of religious narratives, the birth of the Prince of Peace stands as a timeless symbol of hope and harmony. Rooted in the scriptures, this celestial event continues to resonate across cultures and generations, offering solace in turbulent times.

The journey begins in the Old Testament texts, where prophets foretold the arrival of a savior, a harbinger of peace. From Isaiah’s prophetic words to Micah’s vision, the anticipation of a Prince of Peace echoed through the ages. The fulfillment of these prophecies unfolded in a humble manger, where a divine presence descended upon the world, ushering in an era of tranquility.

Let’s delve into the three key points and the profound significance that sometimes eludes our understanding.

1) Emmanuel: God With Us

The name ‘Emmanuel’ symbolizes the presence of God all around his people. It is a sign that God has reconciled with man. So, the essence of the Prince of Peace lies in the concept of Emmanuel – God with us. The incarnation of divinity among mortals signifies a profound connection between the celestial and the earthly realms. It beckons humanity to embrace harmonious coexistence, reminding us that amidst our struggles, we are not alone. One of the undeniable promises of God is that “I will not leave you nor forsake you…” This season is a time to remember that God will always be there for you in all situations.

2) His Compassion and Forgiveness have no End

The news of the newborn Prince of Peace extends beyond His miraculous birth. His earthly journey is marked by a revolutionary message of compassion and forgiveness. In a world often marred by discord, these principles serve as pillars of peace, guiding us toward understanding, empathy, and reconciliation. The peace that Jesus brought to the world is the bedrock of his mercy and love toward man. “God loves the world and gave his only son…” His love is encompassed with compassion and forgiveness for man to take his place in heaven.

3) Light in the Darkness

After the experience of the Garden of Eden, the world was covered with darkness. In the book of Isaiah 9:1-2, when Prophet Isaiah was delivering the messages about the coming of the Prince of Peace, he confirmed and described the effect of darkness in the life of the people. The symbolism of the star that led the wise men to the newborn Prince resonates as a beacon of light piercing through the darkness. In our own lives, this celestial light represents hope in moments of despair, promising that even in the bleakest hours, a transformative radiance can guide us toward a path of peace. Jesus Christ came to shine as light in our dark world and deliver us from the effects of darkness.

Conclusion

The celebration of the newborn Prince of Peace encapsulates a saga that transcends time and resonates with the deepest recesses of the human soul. As we reflect on the scripture background, key points, and occasional confusion, let us strive to embody the timeless principles of hope and harmony in our own lives, ensuring that the glory of the Prince’s arrival continues to shine brightly across the tapestry of human existence.

Finally, the best you can do is to give your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This will pave the way for you to enjoy the peace which he brought to the world.

LET’S PRAY

1) Give thanks to God for his mercy and love towards you.

2) Sing Christmas Hymns and Songs to celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ.

3) Pray for the Peace of God in your life as the year is coming to an end. Amen.

John Aderogba for ROPMI.

Read More

The Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ; The Hope of The World. – Dec 2022 Newsletter

Topic: The Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ; The Hope of The World.

Text: Isaiah 11:1-10; John 10:9-10

Introduction

The historic celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ is being prepared for during this special season of advent. It runs from the last Sunday in November until the Sunday before Christmas. It also serves as the preparation for the second coming of Christ.
Many people are running up and down every day because the world has lost hope, and hope is the driving force that keeps people moving and striving.
Many things are embedded in hope, including peace, faith, joy, goodness, success, and whatever else you can think of as an accomplishment.
Rick Warren mentioned that, “Many people in our broken world ask why things don’t seem to go right so much of the time. They want to know, ‘Is there hope?’” (Rick Warren, Daily Hope 10/18/22).

Real hope, not simply optimism, is what you need.
Being optimistic is psychological; it’s a result of your thought process.
Hope is theological; it is based on your relationship with God and who He is as a person.

Optimism is a state of mind. Hope is a deep faith in Jesus Christ.
The two anchor scriptures describe God’s arrangement to provide humanity with hope. As a result, the points of discussion in this writing will go into greater depth.

1. HE CAME AS THE SAVIOR

2. HE CAME AS THE KING AND THE LORD

3. HE CAME AS THE JUDGE OF ALL

The above points are explained below:

1.) He came as the Savior:

It is obvious that Satan has held various types of people captive, ruled over their lives with the rod of severe punishments in his hand, and rendered people hopeless and helpless.
God was aware of this, and in mercy and compassion for mankind, He communicated through the prophet Isaiah that, “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.” (Isaiah 11:1 NLT).
David was regarded as the savior of his time. God brought the people back to the memory of who David was and how the Savior who was to come would come through his lineage to save his people.
Jesus Christ came as the Savior indeed and still the Savior of the world. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Jesus is here! The hope is here!! He is the Savior. He wants to save you now.

2.) He came as the King and the Lord:
The king wields the staff of authority over a territory and exercises command and judgment as he sees fit.

That is what Satan does to people when he gives them false blessings and prosperity in order to catch their attention. He wants everyone to see him as the lord.
As God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, He had a larger plan to govern His people and rescue them from Satanic authority. “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2 NLT).
God’s Spirit was placed in His Son, Jesus Christ, to reign as King and Lord over His people. The living hope is in the person with the higher authority.
Jesus Christ reigns mercifully over anyone who recognizes Him as King and Lord.
Rick Warren stated that, “Because of Jesus, God responds in mercy every time you mess up. And that can give you hope.” (Rick Warren, Daily Hope 10/18/22).
3.) He came as the Judge of all:
Satan is known as the accuser of brethren and the swift and unmerciful judge.
God shows mercy in His judgment. Though He is not pleased with the actions of disobedient people, He demonstrates love because of the people’s hopeless and helpless situation.
God revealed to the prophet Isaiah His intention for Jesus to come to His people. “He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited.The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.” (Isaiah 11: 3-4 NLT).
Jesus came to judge all the evil acts perpetrated on the people by satanic orchestrated forces. He came to replace the satanic verdict through curse with everlasting blessing through his blood.
Matthew 28:18 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (NIV).
Conclusion.
There is no peace in the world, and it is filled with a variety of hopeless and cruel acts. Jesus Christ came to give the world hope and to put an end to Satan’s orchestrated acts.
Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. He is the Redeemer, the Savior, the Giver of life, the Lover of your soul, and the King of kings.
I will encourage you not to let this hour pass you by without being saved. Your soul is important to Jesus Christ, which is why He came to this world to give you hope of eternal life.

Complement of the season to you!
Let us pray.

1.) Lord Jesus, I thank You for coming to this word to save me.

2.) Lord, with mercy, deliver me from every unholy rulership in life.

3.) Jesus, dwell in me and rule over my life.

4.) My hope stands on You alone, Lord Jesus, help me.

5.) Jesus, guide me and let me hide myself in You. Amen.
John Aderogba for ROPMI team.

Read More

ADVENT OF JESUS CHRIST: A CALL TO WORSHIP – December NewsLetter

DECEMBER 2021, Newsletter

Topic: ADVENT OF JESUS CHRIST: A CALL TO WORSHIP

Text: ISAIAH 40:9-11, Luke 2:1-20

Isaiah, 40:9-11
9. Zion, herald of good news,
go up on a high mountain.
Jerusalem, herald of good news,
raise your voice loudly.
Raise it, do not be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10. See, the Lord God comes with strength, and His power establishes His rule.
His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.
11. He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the fold of His garment.
He gently leads those that are nursing.

INRODUCTION:
The advent season is the preparation for the memorable celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It begins on the last Sunday of November until the Sunday that precedes Christmas.

Advent (from Latin adventus, “coming”), in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ (www.Britannica.com).

The alteration of the garden of Eden by Satan caused man to lose fellowship, communion, and a good relationship with God.

As God sought to restore man to His glory, He fulfilled a promise in Jesus Christ.
There were many prophets sent to make the world aware of God’s intentions, with Isaiah included.

The verse from Isaiah 40 above was not sent just to the Israelites, but to the entire world as a whole as well.

The Advent Season is all about reflecting on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for Christ’s birth in the world as it is today. It is a time for faith communities and families to remember, through prayer, reflections, special music, and good deeds what the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is (www.outlittleroses.org., Dec. 13:2019).

This season is a time to reflect on the promises made to Israel and to the church through Jesus Christ; He has come and will come again.

This is the essence of the Advent season.

Ultimately, we are created to worship God. In worship, we invoke the presence of God, and when done with all your energy, the glory of God will be reflected.

When the wise men saw the Angels, they sensed the glory of God.

In this writing, we shall focus on:
• Glory To A Born King:
A remarkable aspect of Jesus Christ’s birth that has caused rulers and religious leaders to be furious is the fact that no king could be enthroned while a ruling king was still at the seat with his staff.

In the event that the wise men had submitted themselves to worship the Lord, God reflected His glory through the angels and empowered them to break the hard news.

Luke 2: 8-14
8. In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock.
9. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.
10. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
11. Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.
12. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”
13. Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:
14. Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!

You need to bring up whom you are before God in order that God’s glory can be reflected in your worship, just as wise men did.
Although they were busy people, they created time to let God speak to men through them and to use them as a vessel for communicating the message of heaven.

Let this be a great challenge for you.

• O Come, Let Us Adore Him: ‘Come’ means to call attention to something or to call for someone’s attention. As for this context, it is a call to embrace the one who deserves your paise and services.

Luke 2: 15-16
15. When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”
16. They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough.

A group of angels flew to this group of men, and informed them of the divine love being released from Heaven. The wise men didn’t hesitate and they immediately began worshipping God.

What is distracting or keeping you from worshiping your God? Can you please put everything aside so you can worship the King of kings and Lord of lords?

• Worship Christ The Lord:
Matthew 2:11
“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

A remarkable act of the wise men was that they found time to locate where Jesus Christ was laid to worship Him. Then they offered  Him worship materials as a sign to commemorate His Lordship as the one to reign forever. No one commands them to do so, but they see it as the right thing to do.

If Jesus Christ is so important to you, nobody would compel you to worship Him with all your heart.

Conclusion:
The birth of Jesus Christ has raised controversy around the world. However, the truth is that you can’t worship Him as Lord if you do not believe in His birth and set your heart up for His second coming.

A big worship gathering will take place in Heaven when He returns.

Finally, as a family and as individuals, make time to sing Christmas carols you know and hymns which echo the message of the season to worship Jesus Christ.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY SEASON!!!

John Aderogba for ROPMI.

Read More