BIBLICAL MINDFULNESS

That’s a word we’re hearing a lot these days, in the classroom as well as the boardroom, and tragically, even in our sanctuaries: “mindfulness” – that is “the practice of purposely focusing attention on the present moment – thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and environment”. It’s a Buddhist practice that even churches are beginning to adopt.

As you can see that sort of mindfulness is all about self: One’s own thoughts, feelings, etc. Focus on self is not what the Christian is called to – to be aware of oneself, certainly, but our focus is to be on Christ and His Word! This is where we need to be mindful: apostle Peter said so!

2 PETER 3:1-2
1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

A TRUE VIRGIN – MOTHER Of The MESSIAH, GOD The SON

There are Progressive, Liberal Bible Scholars and pastors who not only question a miraculous virgin birth but insist that one is not necessary for the Christian faith. I categorically disagree with that assertion. Those who espouse such a view will often deny, even disparage the propitiatory redemptive act of Christ on the Cross, as the Sacrificial Lamb of GOD, dying for the sins of the world.

Biblically, Christ Jesus’ virgin birth and His atonement on the Cross are necessarily intertwined and by no means should be theologically unraveled. Why?

WHY A VIRGIN BIRTH?

ROMANS 5:12
 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Sin is passed down from one generation to the next, that is to say, the sin nature (ROM 7:14-25; 8:7-8; EPH 2:3; PSA 51:5). Joseph, the husband of Mary was a sinner like the rest of us. If he was the biological father of Jesus, then He would have inherited the sin nature from him and would be disqualified as an appropriate atonal sacrifice for the sins of the world. Yet because His Father was GOD (the Father), He inherited in His humanity, a sinless, innocent nature, just like the First Adam prior to the Fall (1 PET 1:19).

HOLY CHILD, DIVINE CHRIST

LUKE 1:26-45 – we will focus on vs. 29-35…
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

29 But when she saw him, she was troubled [disturbed, alarmed] at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was [I.O.W. “what could this possibly mean??”]. 30 Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS.
32 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 "And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." 34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" 35 And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 "Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
37 "For with God nothing will be impossible." 38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that [her] babe leaped in [the] womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 "But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 "For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 "Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord."

Now let’s break this down a bit and examine a few points in the text:

TIDBITS Of TRUTH - 2 PETER 1:2-3

TIDBITS Of TRUTH 11/26/25

2 PETER 1:2-3
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

Peter’s benedictory exclamation isn’t merely for grace and peace upon the saints, but that these wonderful blessings “be multiplied”! Any tiny morsel of grace is so potent and fulfilling, but what about the fullness of that grace? Then take that grace and multiply it to the Nth degree! And on top of that, the peace that GOD graciously provides!

It’s only a child of GOD, experiencing the grace of GOD, that can know the fullness of peace as GOD intended! And how are these blessings distributed? According to “the knowledge of GOD and of Jesus our LORD”. There is no other venue by which this grace and peace can be received and experienced.

HUMILITY BEFORE HONOR

PROVERBS 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

The ways of the kingdom of GOD are quite often, and typically the polar opposite of the kingdoms of this world. This world teaches us that it’s “dog eat dog” and that we need to look out for “number 1” (ourselves). To rise up by any means possible to achieve greatness – that “the ends justifies the means”.

JEWELS From the GOSPEL of JOHN: LAW BREAKERS – JOHN 7:19-23

The following is a series of short exhortations, brief commentary, and writings to convey thoughtful meditation on God's Word. I have chosen the Gospel of John as the subject. I pray that these will be a blessing and an edification for the saints.

JOHN 7:19-23
19 "Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" 20 The people answered and said, "You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?" 21 Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?

GOD’s VIEW OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE

1 PETER 3:4
rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

In context this verse is directed to the women of the church that apostle Peter is addressing (see vss. 1-6). Yet I think it’s just as applicable for the bride of Christ, which of course includes all of His saintly disciples.

We are as saints “…the royal daughter…” (PSA 45:13) of our Abba Father.

This verse speaks of “the incorruptible beauty…” that the LORD instills in all of us over time as we walk with Him, yield to His will, embrace the holiness of Christ:

ECCLESIASTES 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.