December, 2000

It’s Christmas, that time of year when we celebrate especially the sending of the Son into the world, that "good and perfect gift" given by the Father of Lights. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Jesus, the Word made Flesh, God Incarnate, came to give life to all who would believe in Him. "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10.10) "In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people." (John 1.4) When people encountered Jesus Christ, they encountered Someone truly alive.

But I see many still perishing, human beings and animals alike. I see too much violence, abuse, senseless killing, murder, stealing, robbing of life, disease, and death. Lately, we have seen the spirit of Belial rampant with murderous accusations, outlandish accusations, evil designs to bring others to hopeless ruin, worthlessness, lawlessness, and unrighteousness. This spirit seeks to rob you of your crown and strip you of your garments, take the scepter of righteousness from one hand and the rod of the spear from the other and entice you to remove from your mouth the two-edged sword. This spirit betrays, perverts and twists truth, seeking to lead others astray from the worship of the one, true God. This spirit particularly attacks the kingly and apostolic anointing. (See Deuteronomy 13, 17; Psalm 41, 101, 2 Corinthians 6; e.g.)

The children of Belial caused much trouble (Judges 17-21) regarding the tribe of Benjamin. Years later, David said of them: "But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: but the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place."

David knew that his house was not as God desired for kingly rule (2 Samuel 23.5). But Messiah would come. "The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun rises, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earthy by clear shining after rain." (2 Samuel 23.3, 4)

Belial comes "in the midst" of the people of God, cursing the anointed, opposing the law of God, His will and ways. Belial does not give, but hoards, and so does not receive.

Thus Belial is identified with worthlessness, lawlessness, and unbelief. Jesus had none of Belial in Himself. He is the Apostle and King who defeats Belial as He honored His Father, and held on to the Crown and garments of life, righteousness, and praise.

Jesus came as One of Worth, Lawful, Righteous, the Word made flesh. He came to give the gift of life, not hopeless ruin and destruction. He came with words of life, bringing worth and value, not worthlessness.

Words of Belial cling to the soul (Psalm 41.8), bringing false prophesies of death, "he shall rise up no more." But Jesus is the Lord of Life and did rise up. He came to bring life, and He came as a Child.

Life was lost when Adam sinned. Adam listened to a worthless word that clung to his soul and led him astray from the worship of the one true God. Betrayal, bitterness, broken without remedy…all are associated with Belial. Proverbs 6.12-19 rather describes the children of Belial. Check it out. Paul associates Belial with darkness, unbelief, and lawlessness in 2 Corinthians 6. He says we must be consecrated, cleansed, and console.

Wise men sought Jesus. They recognized this Child to be a King and brought Him gifts and worshiped Him. It is remarkable, when you think about it. Children at that time didn’t have a "voice." Roman rule gave fathers absolute power over life and death. When a baby was presented to a father, the father could either pick that baby up and so receive the child, or not. If he did not, the child by law could be sold, given away, or left to die.

This year, I thought of Jesus coming as a baby, a child, and how His coming in human flesh, His willingness to enter the human condition from conception to death, sanctifies the life of every human being. Jesus came, of the house of David, as the King of Israel who rules righteously and speaks truly. Jesus defeated Belial in His midst. Jesus doesn’t hoard. Jesus came to give life, and we are to give the gift of life to others also.

I encourage you to give the gift of life to others. And you can, by determining to "perish the thought" of evil intent and works of darkness and death. Determine instead to:

1. Bless. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18.21; chapters 10-15; James 3; 1 Peter 3.9, 10)
2. Forgive. (Ephesians 4.29-32; Colossians 3.12-17)
3. Release others from debtor’s prison. (Matthew 18.21-35)
4. Receive children. (Luke 18.16, 17) Give them "a voice" and value them (Psalm 127). Let them question and be prepared to give them answers from the Word. (Exodus 12; Deut. 6)
5. Witness. (Acts 1.8) Share Christ.
6. Honor. Do not rob others of their crown of glory and honor. (Psalm 8; Romans 12.10; 1 Peter 3.7; Exodus 20.12; 1 Timothy 5.3; 1 Peter 2.17)
7. Preserve truth, promote justice. (Isaiah 1.16, 17; most of the message of the prophets) Take up the cause of the oppressed.
8. Esteem others. (Philippians 2)
9. Love. (Micah 6.8; John 15; 1 John 3)

That’s surely enough for starters! Jesus was a Light shining in the darkness, a Life showing the Way. He had no sin, but bore the curse and became sin for us. He partook of death that He might deliver us from death. He rose from the dead because death could not hold Him. He is the Lord of Glory, crowned with many crowns, wearing the robe of righteousness and royalty, a rod of iron in His hand. He is the Lion of Judah, the Lamb of God, the Good and Perfect Gift of Life to all who will receive Him.

Receive life from Jesus this Christmas and then what you have freely received, freely give to others. Jesus gives peace, joy, righteousness, and words of great wealth. Treasure His gifts to you, for they are gifts from a King and have great worth. He crowns you with lovingkindness, glory, life. Worship Him as One who is truly worthy of praise, honor, and dominion. Celebrate Him with joy, and as you remember the Child, remember the children.

You were not with our MCM teams this past year as we lightened the load and gave life to children in Brazil and Madagascar, but you were with us as you gave your prayers and financial support. MCM also gives to community outreach ministries and orphanages, and as you give to MCM, your gifts extend to others as well.

We have plans to expand the borders of Craighouse, and we are seeking a location for ministry purposes only. Our publication outreach continues to increase, as does our web site. We have Bible study materials and other publications "in the works." We are also called into Eastern Europe and into Singapore and Asia for 2001.

Celebrating life and resurrection,

Mary Craig

Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a Son,
And shall call His name JESUS...Gabriel, messenger to Mary, Luke 1.31

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,
Which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
Which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly
There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
Good will toward men… The Angels at Bethlehem… Luke 2.10-14