DAILY INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES
WITH RUSSELL AND HELEN SANDERS
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RUSSELL SANDERS
12-21-2022
THE CHRISTMAS SERIES – PART 6
THE MIGDAL EDER AND THE SHEPHERDS
The birth of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, revealed in the New Testament, is most appreciated, understood, and validated as truth when you see and understand the prophecies of Him in the Old Testament that were given hundreds of years earlier. Isaiah, among others, prophesied His birth, His death, and His rulership in the future kingdom. Micah 5:2 even gave Bethlehem as His birthplace.
There were also things in the New Testament era that were prophetic about Jesus’ birth and death. Aa good example of this has to do with one of the most remarkable stories of Jesus birth relating to the shepherds and their sheep, an untold story never shared in church.
The only story we ever hear is the one in Luke 2:8-20 about the angel’s announcement, their trip to the manger, and how they told of it to everyone all around, but that is the extent of the story told to us. However, there is so much more that is prophetic in the story which we never hear about.
There were shepherds and flocks all over Israel, but these were not just any shepherds and not just any sheep. These were very special. A passage written in the Jewish Mishnah (Shekalim 7:4) leads to the conclusion that these were the sheep from which came the lambs used for the sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. As the lambs were born, these were the shepherds specifically assigned to handle the birthing and care of these lambs. These were birthed, kept, and raised at a very special sheepfold in Bethlehem called “the tower of the flock”, or in Hebrew, the “Migdal Eder.” This “tower of the flock” is spoken of in Micah 4:8, “and thou, Oh Tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shalt come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” The first dominion (rulership), the kingdom come, it all speaks of the coming of a ruler who proceeds out of the “tower of the flock,” where Jesus, our sacrificial lamb was born. He is the “stronghold.”
When the angel announced the birth and referred to the manger, the shepherds knew exactly where to go. The manger, a food trough for the sacrificial lambs, had been vacated (emptied) because all the sheep were being kept in the field day and night. They promptly headed to the Migdal Eder where they found the infant Messiah. He was born there because it was the only space available that would give them the needed privacy for a birthing event.
Just as the sacrificial lambs for the Temple in Jerusalem were born in the Tower of The Flock in Bethlehem, so also was the sacrificial Lamb of God born in the Tower of the Flock in Bethlehem to be sacrificed in Jerusalem.
This was all set up prophetically in scripture centuries ahead of time. The story in Luke fulfills the prophetic words and the typology found in the Old Testament right down to the smallest detail.
It was no accident that there was “no room in the Inn.” It was no accident that Jesus was birthed at the Migdal Eder where the sacrificial lambs were kept. He would grow up to become the sacrificial lamb of God for the remission of our sins in the New Testament. The Migdal Eder was the sheepfold for fulfilling God’s plan of redemption. That is why out of the thousands of shepherds throughout Israel, only these particular ones were given the announcements.
These shepherds came to the manger at the sheepfold, the Migdal Eder, and beheld the newborn who was to be our Good Shepherd. They glorified, praised God, and spread the word to everyone.
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HELEN SANDERS
12-21-2022
THE STEPS TO RESTORATION
All throughout the Old and New Testaments God sent his prophets to warn his people of their sinful condition and what would happen if they did not repent. In the book of Jeremiah God spoke to Jeremiah as a young person and said in vs. 10: “see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” In Jeremiah 7:25-27 God speaks again; “Since the days that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day, I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore, thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee.”
What an assignment! He was to do this, knowing that they would not change. You see, the nation of Israel was in rebellion. They wanted their false gods, and no one was going to take that away from them.
In America, we are much like the nation of Israel in Jeremiah’s day. We have had our false gods, including sports, hobbies, work, clothing, governmental positions, and even church. Yes, church. Many worship the church they go to and not the one that gave his life for the church. Church has become full of the things of the world. Preaching repentance is rarely heard. Feel good sermons that wink at your sin are prevalent. Some churches don’t even have an altar because they want to attract the young people. Songs about the blood have been taken out of the hymnbooks. Many think the ways of their parents and grandparents are old fashioned and they need to “get with it.” Homosexuality is espoused, and preaching against it is called a hate crime. Babies are murdered in the womb and allowed to be murdered at birth. Violence is in our streets and in the classroom. We are a nation out of control.
With our nation in chaos one might wonder what is behind it. I can say with all certainty that it has not come as a surprise to God. Satan is the one that steals, kills and destroys, but sin has opened the gate and allowed the devil to have free access to America. False religions have sprung up, and people are uncertain of the true way to God. An acquaintance, that professed to have a relationship with Jesus Christ was living in “sin.” When I asked her when she was going to get married. her response was “I am not going to get married.” I said, “It is wrong to live with a man without being married.” Her response was, “she and God had an understanding.” Really? God hates sin! He would never condone her lifestyle. She isn’t serving the same God that I love and serve.
Until these four things happen, our country will continue to go further and further down. The first thing is godly sorrow. There must be godly sorrow over our sin. We must be sorry that we have sinned, not sorry we got caught.
Then secondly comes repentance. Only godly sorrow brings repentance. II Corinthians 7:10 says: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Without godly sorrow there is no repentance.
Then thirdly comes mercy. God always shows mercy to the repentant heart. His hand is longsuffering to bring you back to Him. When he sees a true heart that has repented and is sorry for its sin then mercy comes. It will not come without the first two steps. After mercy comes the fourth step which is restoration. Many are talking about restoration, even claiming promises of restoration, but unless II Chronicles 7:14 happens there will be no restoration. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves , and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
It doesn’t say the sinner. It doesn’t say the neighbor. It doesn’t say anyone but God’s people. This is what will change our nation. Until that happens, judgement will continue. Judgement, godly sorrow, repentance, restoration, in that order.
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PROPHETIC WORDS AND EXHORTATIONS
Click here to see some of the prophetic words
that have been given this year through this ministry.
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HELEN SANDERS
PROPHETIC EXHORTATION
12-21-2022
Jesus never said that there would not be trials. He did say that He would be with us through them. Satan works through fear, but God works through faith. As trials come we must press into God's promises and walk them out by faith and not let ANY fear steal the word of God from us. One of the best ways is to take scriptures and sing them out loud. God loves praise and Satan flees when he hears praise. Don't think you are alone through the trials my friends. Jesus is as close as the mention of his name!
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APOSTLE PAT MURRAY
PROPHETIC EXHORTATION
12-20-2022
During this week leading up to Christmas whether you’re alone or with family and friends; I speak this blessing over you in Jesus Name. May the blessing of His JOY to the World be with you. May the blessing of His PEACE that came to all who would receive Him one Silent Night rest on you. May the blessing of His LOVE that rang out in the Little Town of Bethlehem flow out from you. May these and all other blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be yours at this most Holy season…Now and in the days to come
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Handstitched! HCC
When you look at how we're made,
Just know we're handstitched by the Lord.
Each one of us, so different.
Look at millions from shore to shore.
And of course, there’s animals.
You’ll see great difference there.
Some small and meek, some lions with teeth,
Handstitched by God with care.
The birds that fly, high in the sky,
The bugs upon the ground.
So unique in all they are,
I shake my head, “God’s power.”
Would you believe the fish we, see?
How big and small they are?
The Whales and Jonah in Bible days,
How I fished for hours and hours.
Then the fish you get to eat,
The pick of animals too.
Our God provides, handstitched and sized,
To give us such good food.
Our God so loving and good to us,
I marvel at his works.
Handstitched with love, from high above,
The tailor of our Earth.
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JANUARY 21, 2023
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