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A Closer Walk

Attitude of the Righteous

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Our ministry is to reach out to the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ and to help believers be equipped with a solid knowledge of the Word of God, the Bible, and be encouraged to apply it in every aspect of their daily lives. There are simple truths for these complex times to help people live in a way that brings real spiritual victory to them and more importantly, through the Lord Jesus Christ, glory to God our Father.

Luke 2:1-2
Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken that all the world should be taxed. (KJV) This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
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More Taxes! Grumble complain, boo, hiss, bad, bad, bad!
I seriously doubt that there are many people who like the idea of taxes, let alone new taxes, more taxes. When this took place in the Roman world it would have taken a sound mind, the mind of Christ, to give thanks when the news of Caesar's new census hit the newsstands! Having said that, we know that a sound mind, one that is set on the things above {Col.3:2} would cause us to be faithful and therefore ‘in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.' {1Th.5:18}
 
This government edict was God at work both to will and to work for His good pleasure. {Php.2:13} And we know from the Word that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and He turns it wherever He wills! {Pr.21:1} He was then, and still is, in control. “Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand.” {Pr.19:21}

Never lose sight of the wonderful truth of these facts “that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” {Jas.1:3} Also “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” {1Pt.1:7} Surely words He watches over to perform! {Jer.1:12}

The Lord our God, the almighty God, had always planned for the promised Messiah, the Lamb of God, to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David. All He had to do was to have the Caesar, the world's natural ruler at the time, shift the population of the whole world to get Joseph and Mary there in time for the great event!
 
It was at that time when, while all of the people may have been mumbling and grumbling about the oppression of the government, that the Lord had sent an angel along with a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying 'Glory to God in the highest' {Lk.2:14} If you hear the news, see the news, or read the news today, remember to praise God and glorify Him for the Good News:
 
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;” (Romans 8:28-29)
 
GOD IS IN CONTROL