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The Real Christmas Story - The Wise Men

The Real Christmas Story - The Wise Men

 

  1. Matthew 2:1-18

Verses 1,2…King Herod…born, 73 B.C.- died, 4 B.C….by 37 B.C., with Rome’s help, he was the undisputed ruler of Judea.  He was wealthy, politically gifted, an excellent administrator, his famine relief was superb, his building projects were admired even by his foes…but he loved power, taxed people heavily, and in his later years, was given to fits of rage, jealously killed his close associates, his wife & 2 sons.  He treated very ruthlessly, the threat of another king taking his kingship away.

 

 

Verses 1,2….the Magi…Magi is plural for Maggus (it has a very broad meaning), the root word for our word magic.  Magi were ‘court astrologers’ or ‘wise men’.  They were held in high esteem.  Some Magi were charlatans, some were astrologers, some were men of science & learning (Daniel 1:3,417-20) and some were political leaders. Since they came from the East, they were probably Persians or Babylonians.  Magi often went from one king’s court to another king’s court to attend and/or announce the birth of a king/prince.  During the years preceding Jesus’ birth, there were numerous struggles between Rome & Persia. Israel was a “buffer” state. One of the duties of the Magi was in selecting the Kings of Persia. Their King was in ill health and old. Herod had been installed as the King of the Jews (though he was only half Jewish). But it was a full 3 years before he could occupy his capital city of Jerusalem as the Persians had driven him out of it earlier.  So, he and the rest of Jerusalem was “greatly troubled” when he heard ‘wise men’ announcing the birth of a King of the Jews. Of course, they got an audience with Herod as he wanted to find & destroy this “King of the Jews”.

 

Astrology and astronomy were not separated from each other until about the 1500’s.  So, not all astrologers were what we would call astrologers today.  Some were actually more like astronomers.  Let’s be clear…..the Bible condemns astrology (predicting future events by the positions of the stars & planets)…Deut.18:9-14…Isaiah 47:8-15..Jer10:1,2.
SPECULATION..in Babylonia (east of Israel), there was a sizable & influential  Jewish community still there from Daniel’s day.  Daniel rose up to the #2 position in the country (around 580 B.C.).  Since Daniel was given dreams & visions and the ability to interpret them by God (Dan 2:17-28), it’s very possible that God could have told Daniel the positions of the stars when the Messiah would be born.  This would explain Matt 2:2. This is how the ‘star’ could have appeared to them but nobody else would have noticed it.  So, these wise men may have been Jewish.  This is the 1st appearance of the star of Bethlehem, but at some point after the Magi were guided to Jerusalem, the star disappeared.

Verse 3…the Magi had said that they had come to worship the one who was born King of the Jews.  King Herod and the people understood why the Magi came to a country….to celebrate the birth of a king….that’s why King Herod and the people of Jerusalem were ‘disturbed’. They had no idea who this King was. Plus, Herod was feeling very threatened and guess what he did when he felt that way?

 

 

Verses 4-6….Herod called the Jewish religious leaders to find out where this took place….the religious leaders answered but, apparently, couldn’t care less….and this was their own Messiah. Again, they didn’t even realize prophecy was being fulfilled (Micah 5:2).
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One other note….if the Magi weren’t Jewish, how ironic that God used gentiles to announce the Messiah’s birth….and if they were Jewish, how ironic that God used them instead of the religious leaders. Either way, it’s pretty incredible.

Verse 7….proof that the star of Bethlehem wasn’t out of the ordinary to the untrained eye.

Verse 8….yeah, right!

Verses 9,10….the star appears a 2nd time.

Verse 11….notice that the Magi came to the “child’s house”, not to a baby in a manger.  From the time when they 1st saw the star….they had to prepare for their journey & then make the journey.  All of that took 1-2 years.  We’ll explain how we know this later on in Verses 16-18. This appearance of the ‘star’ was supernatural because it came to rest over the house.

Verse 11….how many wise men were there?  Crime was rampant in the deserts, so generally, caravans consisted of 25-100 people, mostly for protection.  There were 3 gifts, not 3 wise men.  But why these particular gifts?   Because they were extremely valuable while not taking up much room.  They could be traded for cash, food or clothing by Jesus’ parents on their not-yet-announced journey (see Verses 13-15).  Joe was leaving his business and they’d need to re-locate.  The symbolic value of the 3 gifts….gold for royalty, incense for divinity & myrrh for suffering and burial.  God prepared for their need before they even had it.

Verse 12….God’s concern for even the Magi is touching.

 

The wisdom of the Magi was not astrological for the following reasons:

  1. Planetary configurations can’t foretell the birth of kings/princes.
  2. Why would God condemn astrology and then use it in such a positive manner?

 

God, apparently purposefully, didn’t tell us that much about the “Star of Bethlehem”…only that it was just a sign and a guide to the Magi.  Don’t spend too much speculation on it.  God didn’t count it that important.

 

Verses 16-18…Jesus was probably 1.5 years old when the Magi visited Him.  So, to be on the safe side, King Herod killed all of the male boys 2 & under in Bethlehem.  This is known as the ‘slaughter of the innocents’……King Herod thought he was eliminating a potential rival for his throne. He never guessed that he was fulfilling prophecy (Jer 31:15). Judging by the population of Bethlehem, boys under 2 years of age, there would have been about 20 or so that were slaughtered.  The Jewish historian, Josephus, doesn’t even mention it in his works but he does mention things like Masada, where many more people were killed.  Twenty boys wouldn’t have been such a big deal in such violent times…..unless it was your son.  Imagine the havoc this played in each couple’s lives….the law enforcers became the law breakers and there was nothing anybody could do about it.

 

In all, Jesus Christ fulfilled about 365 distinct prophecies about the coming of the Messiah.  Peter Stoner, in the book Science Speaks, takes just 48 of those prophecies and mathematically figures out the chances of just one man fulfilling them literally.  There is one chance in 10157 power.  One chance in 1053 power is the mathematical definition of impossibility.

 

For His Kingdom,

Dave Maynard

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What Happens When God's Unfailing Love Meets Our Weakness?

King David was persistent in voicing his petitions to the Lord. He knew very well what happens when God’s unfailing love meets our weakness. Click on the link below to read today's devotional post.

https://www.ramckinley.com/what-happens-when-gods-unfailing-love-meets-our-weakness/

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What Christmas season are you in?

What Christmas season are you in?

 

     Christmas can mean different things to different people.
– to the lonely person, it can be a reminder of what they don’t have…family, friends and meaningful relationships.
– to people who are facing their first Christmas without a loved one, either thru divorce or a death.
– to the person who has just been laid off or is in a difficult financial situation.
– for most people, it’s just a feel good time of year when people are more loving.
– for believers in Jesus, it’s a time of celebration. That God so loved us that He sent us a Messiah in a most unexpected way.
– a combination of 2 or 3 of the above things.

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     Which of the above seasons are you in this year? When the Israelites were in Babylon during their captivity, what was God’s message to them? Jeremiah 29:1-14 says God told them “to build houses and settle down, plant gardens and eat…” In other words, God was telling them not to rush thru the season of life that they were in. Verse 14 says to seek the peace and prosperity of this season. Ultimately, God has good plans for us as it says in verses 11-14.

     Right now, you may be in a desert place. But the desert is one place where God can speak to you. Isaiah 58:11 says, “And the Lord will continuously guide you , and satisfy your desire in a scorched place…” Luke 5:16 says Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. Jesus spent a lot of time in remote places seeking His Father’s guidance…Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12 & Mark 1:35.

     A desert is no fun place to be and you don’t want to live there. But it can be a time of intimacy with God, a learning place and a place of strengthening your relationship to God.

     So, embrace the desert if this is the season you’re in. Learn from it and know that it will soon end. Make it a productive time. Hebrews 12:1-3 says, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles…Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http:bsssb-llc.com

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Why Do We Like Star Wars?

                                                        Why Do We Like Star Wars?

 

     Why has the Star Wars film franchise been so successful? Superior writing, good storylines, great acting, etc. are some of the things that make for a good movie.  But one thing really stands out to me is our love for the underdog. Whether the underdog wins, lives to fight another day or dies for his ideals, we just love rooting for him or her.

     That’s why the Horatio Alger stories of a few generations ago were so popular. Something deep within our souls resonates with the underdog, especially when they triumph over incredible odds. How many of you remember the 1980 U.S. Olympic team? They weren’t expected to do very well at all, but they went on to win the gold metal.  They even made a TV movie on it called “Miracle on Ice”. Then Hollywood made a full length movie on them called “Miracle”.
     The TV show, America’s Got Talent, always seems to have one contestant that the judges don’t think will do very well. That contestant then blows them away with their talent.  While I don’t watch the show regularly, I love watching the youtube video clips of their auditions. One of my favorites is the original audition of Susan Boyle. It’s also the reason we love seeing a bully get his comeuppance.

     The desire to see the underdog win is exactly why the story of the cross resonates with so many of us. Jesus definitely came into this world an underdog. Even though He could have used His super-powers to “straighten up this world”, He chose not to. He could have called down 10,000 angels to defeat the “bullies” of His day when He was hanging on the cross (Matthew 26:53 & Philippians 2:6-8)). But He was after something much bigger…the saving of our souls.

     This is what we’re called to do. To deny ourselves and walk with thru the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Remember though that we will not get our rewards in this life (Matthew 6:19-21  16:27;  2nd Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12). Oh, we may get some small rewards, but the bigger rewards await us in Heaven. At the 2nd Coming, all the wrongs will be made right for all eternity.

     The story of the Cross permeates our very being. We love it even if we don’t always recognize its various incarnations in our lives.  Whether it’s in movies, TV, songs or novels, the story of the Cross (the underdog winning) shines thru and touches our very souls.

     Can you now identify why you like certain stories, movies & songs? Think on it. You’ll be surprised!

 

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com

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Let Every Created Thing Praise to the Lord Today

Let Every Created Thing Praise to the Lord Today

When you read this post you will be in awe how the entire universe praises the Lord. The writer of Psalm 148 began and ended it with the words, Praise the Lord! Enjoy today's post as you click on the link below, and take time today and everyday to offer praise to God.

https://www.ramckinley.com/let-every-created-thing-give-praise-to-the-lord/

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Patti's story

                                                                                    Patti’s story

 

     She turned out to be a beautiful, tall, long-legged blond. She turned heads wherever she went. She had a smile that would brighten a gloomy day. Her long, blond, thick hair flowed over her shoulders and cascaded half way down her back. She appeared almost doll-like.
It would be easy to think that her life would be wonderful, great, free of the normal hassles that plague most young people. It’d be easy to think that….and it’d be wrong.

 


Raised by a mother who favored her two younger brothers and was overly critical of her, her parents divorced when she was eleven. With her Mom going back to school, she was the main cook for the entire family from age 11 and beyond. Hearing only criticism from her Mom, an inferiority complex set in. Her new step-Dad turned out to be an alcoholic smoker who sexually abused her. When she got up enough courage to tell her Mother about the abuse, she didn’t believe her.


Then the mood swings started to happen. But nobody really noticed because she bottled her moods up inside of her. The person God created her to be was buried under a lot of criticism, inferiority and bipolar disorder. Nobody cared enough to help her peel back the layers of garbage that covered the person God made her to be. Most men just wanted her body. Though she graduated summa cum laude from high school, she just worked as a clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

   

     Then she came into contact with some beautiful, successful, confident Christian women. Thru conversing with them, she saw the reason that they were this way was because of a relationship with Jesus Christ. She invited Jesus into her heart in February 1974 at 19 years of age. In November 1974, she met her future husband at a bible study. He saw not only her outward beauty but an inward beauty also. He saw the person she could become as she continued to walk with God. They married in July 1976. Thru many toils, trials, tears and help from a professional Christian counselor, she has become the person God made her to be. She now has a ministry to women in the church, encouraging them to let God do the hard work of molding and shaping them into who He made them to be. I know this woman quite well, because you see, she’s my wife.
God has created each of us with certain gifts and a calling. But before we can step out in that calling, He has to prepare us for it. What is your calling? What are your spiritual gifts? Are you willing to let God do the hard work of preparing you for the life He has called you to?


Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future…”

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com

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A Christmas present

Here's an idea for a Christmas present. My book, 9866829898?profile=RESIZE_710x"Random Thoughts on Life, Love, Laughter and Living for Jesus". See it at http://covenantbooks.com/books/?book=random-thoughts-on-life-love-laughter-and-living-for-jesus.

 

From a friend's book review...

"I received his book about a week ago.

I started reading it and was enthralled.

I was halfway through it before I realized it. I had bible study homework and chores that took some precedence for a few days. And recovery from a bad cold.

I picked the book up again at about 1:00 am and was just going to read a couple of the sketches.

It is now 5:24 AM and I just finished it.

I can’t say enough good things. I plan on giving copies to several friends and family for Christmas.

The book is a series of sketches including all kinds of subjects relevant to believers. Some are personal; some biographical; some just a lot of fun facts. I laughed, rejoiced, cried and thanked God.

This book is available on Amazon.

Buy it, you won't be sorry."

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God Takes No Pleasure In The Life Of The Wicked

God Takes No Pleasure In The Life Of The Wicked

King David wrote, the Lord takes no pleasure in the life of the wicked. We choose where we will stand with Him. If we choose to live the life of the wicked, we will suffer the consequences. Check out today's post by clicking on the link below.

https://www.ramckinley.com/god-takes-no-pleasure-in-the-life-of-the-wicked/

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The Ivory and Gold Tablecloth

                                         The Ivory and Gold Tablecloth

                                                 

     This is rather long but I think you’ll agree that it’s worth it. This is a true story. It appeared in the Reader’s Digest in December, 1954. Underlining and hi-lighting are mine.

     This happened to a pastor who was very young. His church was very old. Once, long ago, it had flourished. Famous men had preached from its pulpit and prayed before its altar. Rich and poor alike had worshipped there and built it into a beautiful church. Now the good days had passed from the section of town where it stood. But the pastor and his young wife believed in their run-down church. They felt that with paint, hammer, and faith they could get it in shape. Together they went to work.

     But in late December a severe storm whipped thru the river valley, and the worst blow fell on the little church – a huge chunk of rain-soaked plaster fell out of the inside wall just behind the altar. Sorrowfully, the pastor and his wife swept away the mess, but they couldn’t hide the ragged hole.

     The pastor looked at it and had to remind himself quickly, “Thy will be done!” But his wife wept, “Christmas is only 2 days away!”

     That afternoon the dispirited couple attended the auction held for the benefit of a youth group. The auctioneer opened a box and shook out of its folds a handsome gold-and-ivory lace tablecloth. It was a magnificent item, nearly 15 feet long. But it, too, dated from a long-vanished era. Who, today, has use for such a thing? There were a few half-hearted bids. Then the pastor was seized with what he thought was a great idea. He bid it in for $6.50.

He carried the cloth back to the church and tacked it up on the wall behind the altar. It completely hid the hole. And the extraordinary beauty of its shimmering handwork cast a fine, holiday glow over the chancel. It was a great triumph. Happily he went back to preparing his holiday sermon.

     Just before noon on the day of Christmas Eve, as the pastor was opening the church, he noticed a woman standing in the cold at the bus stop. “The bus won’t be here for 40 minutes!” he called, and invited her into the church to get warm.

     She told him that she had come from the city that morning to be interviewed for a job as governess to the children of one of the wealthy families in town, but she had been turned down. A war refugee, her English was imperfect. The woman sat down in a pew, chafed her hands and rested. After a while she dropped her head and prayed. She looked up as the pastor began to adjust the great ivory-and-gold lace cloth across the hole. She rose suddenly and walked up the steps of the chancel. The pastor smiled and started to tell her about the storm damage, but she didn’t seem to listen. She took up a fold of the cloth and rubbed it between her fingers.

    “It is mine!” she said. “It is my banquet cloth!” She lifted the corner and showed the surprised pastor that there were initials monogrammed on it. “My husband had the cloth made especially for me in Brussels! There could not be another like it.”

     For the next few minutes the woman and the pastor talked excitedly together. She explained that she was Viennese; that she and her husband had opposed the Nazis and decided to leave the country. They were advised to go separately. Her husband put her on a train for Switzerland. They planned that he would join her as soon as he could arrange to ship their household goods across the border.

     She never saw him again. Later she heard that he had died in a concentration camp. “I have always felt that it was my fault – to leave without him,” she said. “Perhaps these years of wandering have been my punishment!”

     The pastor tried to comfort her and urged her to take the cloth with her. She refused. Then she went away.

As the church began to fill on Christmas Eve, it was clear that the cloth was going to be a great success. It had been skillfully designed to look its best by candlelight. After the service, the pastor stood in the doorway; many people told him that the church looked beautiful. One gentle-faced, middle-aged man – he was the local clock-and-watch repairman looked rather puzzled.

     “It is strange,” he said in his soft accent. “Many years ago my wife – God rest her – and I owned such a cloth. In our home in Vienna, my wife put it on the table” – here he smiled – “only when the bishop came to dinner!”

     The pastor suddenly became very excited. He told the jeweler about the woman who had been in the church earlier in the day. The startled jeweler clutched the pastor’s arm. “Can it be? Does she live?”

     Together the two got in touch with the family who had interviewed her. Then, in the pastor’s car they started for the city. And as Christmas Day was born, this man and his wife – who had been separated thru so many saddened Yuletides – were reunited.

     To all who heard this story, the joyful purpose of the storm that knocked a hole in the wall of the church was now quite clear. Of course, people said it was a miracle, and I think you will agree that it was the season for it.
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     God is faithful. What the devil meant for evil, God meant for good (Genesis 50:20). That’s resurrection power.  May this Christmas season remind you of the One who was not only born in a manger but is the reigning King of Kings.

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
https://bsssb-llc.com

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A Lifetime Of Thanks And Heart Full Of Praise

A Lifetime Of Thanks And Heart Full Of Praise

David compelled us to show our thankfulness through praising the Lord. He managed to get six attributes of God into the eight verses of Psalm 138. Click on the link below to read today's post. Enjoy your day and have a Happy Thanksgiving Day!

https://www.ramckinley.com/a-lifetime-of-thanks-and-heart-full-of-praise/

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The 2nd Thanksgiving

                                                  The 2nd Thanksgiving

     This is the story of the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving, beginning with the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. That 1st winter of 1620-21 was the time of the ‘General Sickness’. Often a lingering cold, trudging thru the snow or sleeping in the damp ground flared up into consumption or pneumonia. The Pilgrims started dying. Six dead in December, eight in January. In February, they were dying at a rate of 2-3 per day. At one time, there were only five men well enough to care for the sick.  But the more adversity mounted against them, the harder they prayed to God…never giving in to despair or depression.

     When the worst was finally over, 47 people had died, nearly half their total. Thirteen of the eighteen wives had died while only three families remained unbroken. The children fared best. Of 7 daughters, none died…of 13 sons, only 3 had died. And thru it all, their hearts had remained tender to God.

     If any one event marked the turning point in their fortune, it would be meeting Squanto, the Christian Indian chief who would teach them to plant corn the Indian way. Learning this skill saved every one of their lives. The summer of 1621, they began to harvest 20 full acres of corn. Squanto helped in a thousand other ways like teaching them to hunt deer, refine maple syrup from maple trees, discern which herbs were good to eat and which ones were good for medicine and where to find berries to eat.

 

 

 

     That summer of 1621 was beautiful. Much work went into building new homes. Ten men were sent north to conduct trade with the Indians. Squanto once again acted as their guide & interpreter. The Pilgrims were brimming over with gratitude – not only to Squanto and the Indians, who had been so friendly, but to their God. They had trusted Him and He had honored that trust. So, Governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving in October. The Indian Chief Massasoit brought 90 braves. Counting their numbers, the Pilgrims had to pray hard to keep from giving in to despair as feeding such a crowd would seriously cut into their winter food supply. But they had learned to trust God implicitly. As it turned out, the Indians didn’t come empty-handed. They brought several deer and wild turkeys. They also taught the Pilgrim women how to make hoecakes and a tasty corn meal & maple syrup pudding. Then they showed them an Indian delicacy…how to roast kernels of corn until they popped. Yes, it was POPCORN.

     The Pilgrims provided many vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, radishes, etc. They also introduced blueberry, apple & cherry pie to the Indians. It was all washed down with sweet wine made from wild grapes. I’ll bet you’re surprised to hear that the Pilgrims drank wine. A joyous occasion was had by all. This 1st Thanksgiving lasted several days. Thru it all, they thanked God for His provision and for just being with them.

     In November 1621, the 1st ship from England arrived with more colonists, many of them were family members pf the original Pilgrims.  In the air of celebration that followed, no one stopped to realize that no one had brought any equipment, no food, clothes or bedding with them. In the cold light of morning, a sobering appraisal was taken and a grim decision was reached. They all would have to go on half rations to make it thru the winter. This turned out to be overly optimistic.   

     Thus, did they enter their own time of starving in the winter of 1621-22. They were ultimately reduced to “5 kernels of corn a day per person”. It is inconceivable how anyone could exist on 5 kernels of corn per day.  But, as always, they had a choice to make: to give in to bitterness & despair or to go deeper in Christ. They choose Christ and not one of them died that winter.

 

     Then, in the summer of 1622, that years corn crop was so abundant that they traded some of it with the Indians, who had not had a good growing season. A 2nd Thanksgiving Day was planned. Chief Massasoit was again the guest of honor. This time he brought 120 braves. Fortunately, they brought venison & turkeys.

     The 1st course of that 2nd Thanksgiving….on an empty plate in front of each guest was 5 kernels of corn…lest anyone should forget…

     These Pilgrims were a mere handful of Light-bearers on the edge of a vast and dark continent. But the Light of Jesus Christ was penetrating into the heart of America. Governor Bradford would write with remarkable discernment, “As one small candle may light a thousand, so the light kindled here has shown unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation…We have noted these things so that you might see their worth and not negligently lose what your fathers have obtained with so much hardship.”

  

      May we never forget. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

Reference book: “The Light and The Glory” by Peter Marshall & David Manuel

 

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com

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Press Release

Former Council Member and State Delegate Tony Knotts Announces His Candidacy for the Council District 8 Special Election

Experienced Public Servant Offers Stability, Accomplished Leadership, and a Steady Hand in a Time of Public Health and Economic Challenges

Oxon Hill, MD – Tony Knotts, who served as the District 8 Council Member from 2002 to 2010 and Maryland State Delegate for District 26 from 2014 to 2018, today is announcing his candidacy for the District 8 Special Election and is also filing his candidacy for the 2022 regular District 8 Primary to be held in June. Yesterday, District 8 County Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker announced her intent to resign her office, which, if effective before December 7, 2021, will trigger a special primary and general election in the early months of 2022. 

Today, Council Member Knotts issued the following statement:

"From my time as a U.S. Marine to my service to the residents of District 8 as County Council Member, including serving as Council Chairman, and representing District 26 as a State Delegate, I have dedicated my life to the cause of public service and, specifically, to improving our quality of life in Prince George's County. I am proud of the tremendous progress that I helped District 8 and our County realize during my tenure as County Council Member, including the development of our County's signature economic development achievement -- the National Harbor Project, building the Southern Area Technology and Recreational Complex in Fort Washington, and establishing the new Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill. In the wake of the most serious public health crisis in our lifetime, the COVID-19 pandemic, the residents of District 8 need an experienced, steady, and accomplished hand to lead our communities into the future, not on-the-job training or instability. I fully understand the need to establish smarter development and environmental policies, increased infrastructure investments in Maryland 210 and Southern Maryland Light Rail, new investments in our public schools, and more direct support and services for our seniors, veterans, minority-owned businesses, and returning citizens. Most of all, I understand that a County Council Member cannot get anything done for the residents of District 8 without knowing how to work as a team with his or her colleagues on the County Council and with the County Executive. I am ready on day one to lead as the next County Council Member for Councilmanic District 8."

Tony Knotts is a lifelong resident of Prince George's County. He is a Vietnam War Veteran having served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Knotts is married to Wanda Knotts and currently resides in Oxon Hill, Maryland. He is a graduate of Fairmount Heights High School, where he was a substitute teacher while pursuing a Master’s Degree. Knotts earned an Undergraduate Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Administrative Management from Bowie State University. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. Knotts worked for the Washington Suburban and Sanitary Commission (WSSC), one of the largest public utilities in the nation, as a Budget Analyst, Minority Business Enterprise Officer and finally retiring as a Strategic Management Specialist. Knotts maintains membership in a host of civic associations and an active membership in the Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington. Knotts’ professional affiliations include the Coalition of Concerned Black Christian Men and the South County Economic Development Association among many others.

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How To Survive The Judgment Of The Eternal Fire

How To Survive The Judgment Of The Eternal Fire

We will all enter eternity when we leave this earth. We will all face one of two fires in eternity. Will you go through the fire that will judge your works or will you end up in the fire of eternal torment? Click the link below to read today's evangelistic post.

https://www.ramckinley.com/how-to-survive-the-judgment-of-the-eternal-fire/

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Squanto

Here's another excerpt from my book, "Random Thoughts on Life, Love, Laughter and Living for Jesus"...

Squanto was born at Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1580 to the Pawtuxet band of the Wampanoag Indian tribe. In 1605, he and 4 other braves were ‘kidnapped’ by Captain George Weymouth and taken to England where they lived with Sir Ferdinando Gorges. It was here that Squanto learned the English language. He was hired to be an interpreter and Indian guide. They were treated well and eventually returned to Cape Cod. But in 1614, Squanto and 20 other braves were kidnapped by the English explorer Thomas Hunt. He sold them off as slaves in Spain. Spanish friars rescued Squanto from slavery. He then traveled to England where he met and lived with John Slaney, a wealthy merchant and Christian. When Slaney heard his story, he vowed to return Squanto home. It was here that Squanto became a believer.

     In 1619, Squanto finally made it back to Cape Cod only to learn that his entire Paxtuxet tribe had been wiped out by disease. It was either smallpox or tuberculosis. A few months later, the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, at Cape Cod. Imagine their surprise when they were greeted by an Indian who spoke English. I can imagine their jaws hitting the ground when this Indian said ‘Hello’! They were especially surprised to find out that he was a believer in Jesus. The Pilgrims, who were sick and dying from a difficult journey, needed help  badly. Squanto taught them how to plant corn, how to farm, introduced them to local Indian tribes and acted as an interpreter for trade between them and the local tribes. Because of his help in teaching the Pilgrims farming, he literally saved the lives of all of them.

 

     In the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, he said Squanto “became a special instrument sent by God for our good…He showed us how to plant corn, where to fish and how to procure other commodities…and was our pilot to bring us to unknown places for our benefit, and NEVER left us until he died.” God can use even bad things (Squanto being sold into slavery) for good (Romans 8:28). He did this several times in Joseph’s life in the Old Testament (Genesis 45:1-8). Taking something bad or dead and using it for good is a GREAT example of His resurrection power (Colossians 2:13). The ultimate example of course is Jesus’ death and resurrection.

     Squanto died of a fever in 1622, just 2 years after meeting the Pilgrims. He bequeathed his few belongings to God, to be used by the Pilgrims as remembrances of his love for them.
Who but God could so miraculously weave together the lives of a lonely Indian and a struggling band of Englishmen? While you’re sharing turkey and pumpkin pie this next Thanksgiving, be sure to share the stories of Squanto and the 2nd Thanksgiving (see blog#34) with your families. You will have a much fuller appreciation of Thanksgiving.

 

Reference: just google Squanto

Thankful for His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
http://BSSSB-LLC.com

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 Who do you think Jesus is?

                                             Who do you think Jesus is?

What a GREAT blog from a scholar over at Y-Jesus.com. In America, I’m running into more people who think that Jesus has had a much bigger negative impact on our country than a good one. This blog shows very succinctly the positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on the world.

“Despite evidence to the contrary, there are people who still insist that Jesus is a #myth. But myths have little, if any, impact on history. The historian Thomas Carlyle said, “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.”¹

There is no nation or regime which owes its foundation or heritage to a mythological person or god.

But what has been the impact of #Jesus Christ?

The average Roman citizen didn’t feel his impact until many years after his death. Jesus marshalled no army. He wrote no books and changed no laws. The Jewish leaders and Roman Caesars had hoped to wipe out his memory, and it appeared they would succeed.

Today, all we see of ancient Rome is ruins. Caesar’s mighty legions and the pomp of Roman imperial power have faded into oblivion. Yet how is Jesus remembered today? What is his enduring influence?

  • More books have been written about Jesus than about any other person in history.
  • Nations have used his words as the bedrock of their governments. According to (Will) Durant (a historian), “The triumph of Christ was the beginning of democracy.”²
  • His Sermon on the Mount established a new paradigm in ethics and morals.
  • Schools, hospitals, and humanitarian works have been founded in his name. Over 100 great universities — including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Oxford – were begun by his followers.³
  • The elevated role of women in Western culture traces its roots back to Jesus. (Women in Jesus’ day were considered inferior and virtual nonpersons until his teaching was followed.)
  • Slavery was abolished in Britain and America due to Jesus’ teaching that each human life is valuable.

Amazingly, Jesus made all of this impact as a result of just a three-year period of public ministry. When noted author and world historian H. G. Wells (and not a believer) was asked who has left the greatest legacy on history, he replied, “By this test Jesus stands first.”4

Jesus

Yale historian Jaroslav Pelikan writes of him, “Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western culture for almost twenty centuries… It is from his birth that most of the human race dates its calendars, it is by his name that millions curse and in his name that millions pray.”5

If Jesus didn’t exist, one must wonder how a myth could so alter history.” Who do you think Jesus was?

With you on the journey,
Dave Maynard

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Can You Trust God In All Your Circumstances?

Can You Trust God In All Your Circumstances?

The apostle faced similar problems that we face. He, just like us was surrounded by godless people. Even though life was tough, none of the actions taken against Paul shook him up. He wants us to be confident in the Lord as well. Click on the link below to read today's post.

https://www.ramckinley.com/can-you-trust-god-in-all-your-circumstances/

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The Early Christian Church Councils & Creeds

    

                                 The Early Christian Church Councils & Creeds

     The year is 313 AD and Christianity has just been legalized. Up to this point in time, it was illegal to be a Christian. The last two Roman Emperors, Decius and Galerian, had instituted the worst of the Christian persecutions. But when Constantine became Emperor, he issued his ‘Edict of Toleration’ that said that Christianity was now a “legal” religion.

     Up to this point, Christianity had only minor doctrinal differences in the church-at-large. They were mainly concerned about spreading their faith and not getting beaten or killed for it. The church councils arose because it was the first time when Christian leaders could meet openly and all together. These councils were like a state-of-the-union for the church at large. They also decided other certain things and they gave everyone a view of what the larger church was like and what it was doing wherever it existed.

 

                                                                                                               The Council of Nicea (325 AD)

     Around 315 AD, a popular priest from Egypt, Arius, came into serious disagreement with his bishop, Alexander. Arius didn’t believe in the trinity. He taught that Jesus was a god but not THE God. Our modern day equivalent is the Jehovah’s Witnesses. A common Arian slogan was “There was a time when He (the Son of God) was not”.
Constantine called this meeting of Christian leaders, the first one since the Council at Jerusalem in 49 AD (Acts 15) to deal with this issue and other church matters in general. The meeting was held in the city of Nicea, in modern day Turkey. Over 300 leaders attended. Many of them had disfigured, scarred bodies from the persecutions of the few previous years. Within one month, the Nicene Creed was produced. It was a ringing endorsement of the trinity and a condemnation of Arius’ views. The vote was something like 2318-2.
Also at that meeting was a bishop named Nicholas from the area of Myra (like a state in modern day Turkey). Yes, he’s the one who later was known as Saint Nicholas, the person whom Santa Claus was modeled after. He voted with the majority.

     Even though the Arians would rise to ascendency a few times in the next hundred years or so, the orthodox view eventually triumphed. A bishop named Athanasius was one of the champions of the orthodox view of Jesus and the trinity. The Nicene Creed established once and for all, the identity of Jesus as one part of the trinity. Arius was ex-communicated from the church. His views were considered heretical. This council specified that Christ was fully God in addition to being human. Here is the Nicene Creed;

                     

 

                

                                                                                                    The Council at Constantinople (381 AD)

     Constantinople is present day Istanbul. The most significant outcome of this council was to uphold and update the Nicene Creed and to condemn Arianism and Sabellianism. Sabellianism taught that sometimes God appeared as the Father, other times as the Son and yet other times as the Holy Spirit. So, this was one God who appeared in different “modes” (or put on a different face) at different times. This belief is called modalism and was condemned at Constantinople. This council specified that Christ was fully human in addition to being God.

 

                                                                                                          The Council at Ephesus (431 AD)

     Ephesus is in modern day Turkey. This council was an affirmation of the creeds of Nicea  and Constantinople and condemned the views of Nestorius, a pastor in Antioch who became the bishop of Constantinople. Nestorius had some strange views on Christ but he was widely hated for his views on Jews. This council taught that Christ is a unified person in His godly and human side. The two natures are separate but unified.

 

 

                                                                                                         The Council at Chalcedon (451 AD)

     Chalcedon was a town near Constantinople. This council also affirmed the full deity and full humanity of Christ by the union of His spiritual and human natures into one person. The council condemned any other view of Christ. As you can see, once Christianity was legalized, the devil worked overtime in muddying our view of who Jesus really was. If he couldn’t stop Christ at the cross and the resurrection, he’d try stopping His church early on by confusing us about the very nature of Jesus. The devil is a liar. He tries to convince us of a false Jesus.  And we know what the apostle Paul thinks of a false Jesus (Galatians 1:6-8). And that has eternal consequences (Galatians 1:10  Matthew 24:4,5, 23-25). This council defined once and for all time who Jesus really is.

            

                                                                                                                The Apostle’s Creed

     The rise of false teachings required believers to state their faith in shortened form. Several New Testament letters were written to counteract these false teachers.
– Colossians counteracted Gnosticism
– Galatians counteracted the Judaizers
– 1st, 2nd & 3rd John plus Jude warned against false teachers.

     We think the Apostle’s Creed derives from the 2nd century baptismal creed used in Rome. It was not written by the original apostles.
For example, the Gnostics, a little like today’s New Age religions, had no problem fitting Jesus into their belief system. After all, He was just another god. Christian apologists defeated Gnosticism in the arena of ideas but it took a while. By the 5th century, Gnosticism was pretty well defeated. But, in the process, believers found that creeds (a short summary of what Christians believed) worked well for them, especially declaring their faith at their baptism. Here is the Apostle’s Creed;

The person of Jesus Christ is clearly defined. Humanity is defined also as being in rebellion against God. Mankind does not need a teacher, a guru or ascending to a higher spiritual plane. He needs a Savior. And that Savior is Jesus Christ.

Book references:
“The History of Christianity” – A Lion Handbook
“Church History in Plain Language” by Bruce L. Shelley
“The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics” by Ed Hindson & Ergun Caner

For His Kingdom,
Dave Maynard
https://bsssb-llc.com

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