Jesus came as Emmanuel, God with us, and brought forth fruit (Jn.12:28;17:1). He was not just a religious icon. Jesus was the Kingdom exposed to mankind. In Jesus, the Kingdom was observed — in His lifestyle, His character, His actions (Matt.12:28). The fact that He brought forth fruit is the fact that He was the glory of His Father in the earth. “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn.1:14, NASB) In his new book, The Orphan Heart, our dear friend Larry Burden gives an interesting definition of “glory” from the Greek word “doxa”: “the appearance, form or aspect of a person which catches our attention and commands our recognition”. The Message Translation puts it like this: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.” (Jn.1:14, Msg) Though the Father was sitting upon a throne in heaven, He could be seen in the earth in Jesus as He grew and interacted with His environment.
Kathy — Growing up on Abraham Avenue, Zacharias, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary had no idea how they would fit in the plans of God and the history of man. Amid all their lessons in history and prophecy from the Torah, they had never pictured themselves as key players in the greatest story ever told. However, their lives were divinely positioned for the plans of God. God intends your life to be spent to His glory. (Jer.29:11)
My father pastored for more than 22 years in Houston, TX. He loved Christmas time and enjoyed planning Christmas events and activities for the church and the community. Several years we had a thirty foot tall (made of scaffolding and live Christmas trees) “Singing Christmas Tree” in the parking lot of our church and it was advertised on radio and in newspapers. I had the privilege of being at the very top and played “Silent Night” on my trumpet (accompanied by Kathy on the Hammond organ) at the end of the program. The music could be heard all over that business district on Jensen Drive.
We helped needy families with food and gifts and ministered at the men’s shelter at the mission in downtown Houston. But there was one very special night of the year. It was always the Sunday night right before Christmas. People who only came once a year would attend at Christmas. A few who felt unworthy (because of their long absence from church attendance) tentatively entered the auditorium right at starting time hoping there were a few seats remaining vacant so that they might once more feel the warmth of the hearts that lifted in glorious carols recounting the birth of the Christ Child who still brought them hope, and they hoped that the anointing upon the special time of gathering would reach even them once again so they might experience the sense of its cleansing, the sense of belonging and being accepted in the beloved. Many families brought a visitor or two. Everyone dressed up.
The auditorium glowed with golden candlelight which would only convey the merest fraction of the golden warmth of the presence of Holy Spirit upon the evening’s message about the Son of God. There would be many a tear shed on this night of celebration. The pastor knew this was going to be a great time to give people the opportunity to ask this Savior, Who was born in a manger, into their hearts – as the choir sang one more verse of Silent Night. All the players were in the old auditorium checking their costumes to make sure they were just right and reciting their lines to make sure they would properly communicate their portion of the Christmas story. In the main auditorium everyone was abuzz with excitement mixed with awe and reverence anticipating what they were about to see and hear. Musicians checked their instruments to make sure they were in tune while choir members and soloists warmed up their voices and double-checked the lyrics on song sheets (even though some had scribbled out lyrics on little bits of paper stuck up their sleeves, hoping the choir director did not notice). Teachers and directors were corralling children hoping to organize them into their respective groups and go over their lines just once more, while consoling themselves that a partial or damaged costume was better than none at all, and being thankful that they took the pastor’s wife’s advice and brought a large doll to fill in for the “little Jesus” who came down with colic at the last minute. Yet, all in all, that wondrous Sunday night just before Christmas was always said to be “the best one yet” and everyone felt they had participated in the worship of the Christ whose name was Emmanuel. However, everyone knew that pastor’s dismissal prayer was not really the last item expected on that once-a-year night.
There was one activity that my Father took particular delight in. He loved to greet the people, shake the peoples’ hands and hand out the goody bags as they walked out the door. On the Friday before that Christmas Sunday, my Father and I would go to a discount house in the Heights area of Houston not far from downtown. We got a flat cart and proceeded to load it with apples, oranges, Snickers, Hershey bars and mixed nuts still in their shells. Our house smelled wonderful as the odors of fruit and chocolate wafted their way through the whole house. My Father, my sisters and I spent all Saturday afternoon filling the brown paper goody bags. The deacons hefted the heavy duty boxes of goody bags into the auditorium next to the main exit only after the dismissal prayer. The children were always the first to get to the exit and in line in front of Brother Gabler as he blessed each one and joyfully handed out the tasty treats. If an aunt or uncle or grandparent was unable to attend the special Christmas service, the attending relative walked out the door with several goody bags and a special message from my Father to the absentees.
As I sit here tonight and write these memories, I can still see (through misty eyes) and hear the sounds of the people and even smell the fruit and chocolate. I am thankful for all those memories for they represent people of God who impacted my life/ministry. It’s not the events but it is the people who were the life and activity of those events which make those memories so precious. Thanks be to God for the wonderful gift of relationships that keep on giving through our memories.
Kathy and I pray you have a most blessed Christmas with the presence of people who redemptively impact your life and imprint your heart and mind with warm, loving memories. Our love and prayers, Marty and Kathy
Kathy — Miracles are begun in grace and perfected in glory. They start with God’s supernatural enabling and come to complete manifestation through His intent and purpose and timing. As I wait on God, I shall continue to pray for miracles this Christmas season because the coming of the Christ is still in effect as well as God’s goodwill toward men. May His presence and power and purpose and timing change your life as His goodwill touches the earth again.
As the people of God assemble today, may they rejoice in the God of their salvation for He has provided us a King who rules in righteousness (Isa.32:1). May they practice the wisdom of seeking Him. As the song says, “…Three wise men came from country far; To seek for a king was their intent…” “Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel.” “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you; He is [uncompromisingly] just and having salvation [triumphant and victorious], patient, meek, lowly….” (Zech.9:9, Amp)
Emails and Face Book posts definitively describe “this” which is expected to happen and “that” which is said to be inevitable. But before any of those persons or entities or their agendas existed, Jehovah God said, “I lay in Zion a Chief Cornerstone” (1Pe. 2:6). Jesus is the Rock (1Cor.10:4) and He is greater than anything that opposes you, your family, your church, your community or this nation. Rom.9:33, Amp — “Behold I am laying in Zion a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense; And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].”
Kathy — Jesus did not leave us the example that persecution should leave us a shaken, bloody victim. He glorified God. Jn.17:4, TPT “I have glorified you on the earth by faithfully doing everything you’ve told me to do.” By example He showed us that persecution cannot take you out. He left when it was time to leave by God’s direction and not a moment before God said, not a slap before God said, not a false accusation before God said, not one human or demonic maneuver before God said.
Melissa — “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2) That’s a Change-Agent’s life right there. We PROVE the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. How? By changing our thought habits. We meditate on God’s will, His original intent for this earth. We stop fixating on the enemy’s war around us by realizing his war has intensified because he is feeling the pressure of this never-ending Kingdom in Luke 1. We turn our thoughts toward that powerful fact. We engage in power, love, and a sound mind by dumping fear-thoughts that have wreaked havoc (2 Timothy 1:7). This is all possible in our lifetime!
Kathy — If persecution is for righteousness’ sake and not our own, we can expect the promise: “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” Eternal life comes through Jesus, not persecution. This is the promise of God’s authority and rule and power manifesting in our lives–our lifestyle reflecting His goodness, faithfulness and power. It is the kingdom of heaven demonstrated on earth as it is in heaven in our lifetime. (Matt.6:33)
Melissa — Yes, it has come to this: Be vigilant – keenly watchful to detect danger; ever awake and alert; sleeplessly watchful. (dictionary.com) Let me go ahead and say, this is not a “you deserve a spanking for allowing the world to go down the toilet” article. Rather this article is aimed at being an alarm clock to wake up God’s sleeping giants to war! Is that you? Well, you’re the one reading this right now, and that is NO COINCIDENCE! So, here’s your wake up call, you beautiful heavenly-Change-Agent, you! What is a heavenly Change-Agent? It’s one who makes a difference wherever they are because they carry Heaven in them. When I say Heaven, I mean one who carries the original intent of God wherever they go. What is God’s original intent? Heaven on earth, a Kingdom without end (Luke 1:31-33). The difference between our Change-Agents and the ones making the news right now is that we cause life, healing, peace, hope, restoration—not death and destruction!
As the people of God assemble today may they allow their holy Creator, by His Spirit, to hover over the chaos of their minds and their doubts as He did in the beginning, so that He can overcome the chaos with His order. May they be enveloped in the wisdom, order and peace of Him Who creates all things good. Gen.1:2-4a, NASB — “And the earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good;”
SEEC Magazine Latest Issue Volume 24 Issue 6 __ December2020/January2021 ** Our 24th Year of Publication! ** Marty and Kathy Gabler invite you to read this issue. (Give the PDF magazine a few seconds to load.) CLICK ON COVER BELOW TO READ:
Melissa — If God cloaks something for a time, it is not only to hide it from the devil and his destructive minions, but it is also to hide it from our own self-sabotage. Yes, the devil and self-sabotage are two different things. However, the devil LOVES stoking the flames of self-sabotage! All we have to do is let our fears and concerns fall out of our mouths like kindling for the enemy’s threatening bonfire. So many times we make the devil’s job so easy.
Kathy — Matt.5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” Let’s read it like this: Blessed are they who stay positioned in God-purpose even through contrary winds. Blessed are they who align with God’s character when they are ridiculed for it. Blessed are they who tirelessly remain faithful when compromise would be such a relief.
We are part of a great plan of God that has been intricately designed from before the foundation of the world. Added to the dimension of personal issues and concerns is the dimension that each of us has a part to play out in that great design. Eph.2:10, TPT — “We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!.” Those who stay the course AND those who do not will both have an effect. (2Tim.4:10)
Kathy — Seems the norm is to run into another battle on the way to battle. Jesus had to deal with His own disciples’ betrayal on His way to the cross. David dealt with his brother Eliab’s disdain before Goliath. I don’t doubt that first skirmish turns out to be prep for the second. Think of it as building a battle momentum so you can show up with an already bloody, intimidating sword! Jer.12:5, The Message — “So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?”
Chipmunks and birds gather up provisions in preparation for the coming season, so there is built into each season an opportunity to prepare for the coming season. Part of staying the course includes preparation for the next season. The enemy of our destiny is hoping that we will become so focused on the factors that have put us in the present strain that we will not prepare for the season to come. Prov.24:27, Amplified — “Prepare your work outside And get it ready for yourself in the field; Afterward build your house and establish a home.”
Kathy — Battle heats up by reason of the needed outcome. Heat determines the strength of a weld, so does the intensity of battle establish the strength and longevity of the victory. The vehemence of battle welds the outcome in undeniable purpose rather than just leaving us with fragmented memories of war. Heat is one of the components of long-term victory and intense battle yields intensely awesome results! Ps.18:39, Amplified Version — “For You have encircled me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.”
As the people of God assemble today may they experience the elation and joy of realizing that, in the moment of praise and hearing the Word of God, they have won battles over satan. May they experience the lifting of burdens and lifting of the weightiness of despair. Ps.68:19-20, The Passion Translation — “What a glorious God! He gives us salvation over and over, then daily he carries our burdens! Pause in his presence. 20 Our God is a mighty God who saves us over and over! For the Lord, Yahweh, rescues us from the ways of death many times.”
Melissa — Let’s look at “Call to me and I will answer you” through a modern American paradigm: I call on the Lord and He will answer – I will tell Him what I need and He will give it to me because He is a loving God. You know, kind of like curbside grocery delivery. I took the time to get my list together and I took the time to call about this list. Now, it’s on Him to deliver! I’m afraid we North Americans operate out of an entitled mindset not only in our relationship with earthlings, but also in our relationship with God. If I call on Him then ________ (insert pre-determined answer here). The problem with an entitled relationship with God is where the entitlement is rooted. If it is rooted in the Spirit, according to the covenant, then it will put you in a posture of dominion. If, however, it is rooted in the soul then it will hold you in a victimized defensive posture. The soul will keep you chained out of reach of God’s original intent which is indeed dominion. Or said another way, the soul will keep you from being heaven on earth.
Kathy — We can choose to get over painful blows and hurt feelings and refuse to allow them to become offense and self-pity. One way to overcome them is to use anger rather than lie down in it. Ephesians 4:26 – ”Be angry and do not sin…”. It doesn’t tell us NOT to get angry. It tells us when we get angry, 1) resolve it rightly, 2) resolve it quickly, and 3) don’t do anything in the process that gives up ground you’ll have to win back later.
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