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 Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:20 pm
Wednesday December 19th
I Am with You: Is There Room?
There was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
A young couple married less than a year encountered difficult times. Both were suddenly unemployed; they were evicted from their apartment; and then they discovered that they would soon become parents. Now they were standing at the door of her parents’ home. Is it true that where there is love, there is room? Would they be turned away?
The descendants of King David crowded the tiny village of Bethlehem to be registered for the Roman census. Most people who traveled turned to relatives for lodging. Mary and Joseph were also looking urgently for room, especially because Mary was due to give birth to Jesus. But they soon discovered that there was no place available. Finally, they were given shelter in a place where animals were kept.
A similar scenario may take place in our lives. Everything can occupy room in our lives, but the Christ Child often is given room only on the periphery. Is there room for Jesus with us during this busy season?
God became human to take up residence in the central place of our being. He comes now in Word and Sacrament to create in us new and clean hearts that love and trust Him. Where there is love, there is room.
Come, O Immanuel, there is room. Stay with me that I might forever know the birth of Your love in my heart. Amen.
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Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:43 pm
Collision Course
This is the transcript of the actual radio conversation of a U.S. naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland.
Canadians: Please divert your course 15 degrees the south to avoid a collision.
Americans: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees the north to avoid a collision.
Canadians: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert your course.
Canadians: No, I say again, you divert your course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States' Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers and numerous support vessels. I demand that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that's one five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
* * *
Often times, Christians are seen as unbending and inflexible. While it's important to be sure of your beliefs and to stand firmly in strong boldness, it's also important to remain teachable. You have not arrived. You may know a lot about the Bible, and you may belong to a great church, but you still have a lot to learn from your heavenly Father.
Christians with a pliable heart are the ones God uses to do extraordinary things. He can work through someone who isn't convinced that he's always right and always knows what's best. No one enjoys being around someone like that. The apostles Paul and Peter had similar personalities. They were both bold, confident, direct and intently focused on their God-given mission.
Yet when Paul pointed out a mistake that Peter had made with the Gentiles, Peter displayed a teachable spirit and succumbed to Paul's truthful and constructive criticism. It would have been extremely easy for Peter to say, “Hey! I've been a Christian a lot longer than you have, Paul. I was even a disciple and followed Jesus for three years. Yeah, you're a Christian now . . . but look at your past! How many Christians were you instrumental in killing before you asked God to forgive you?”
Peter even denied Jesus three times, but because he had a teachable spirit, he humbled himself, sought forgiveness and was made right with God. Judas only denied Christ once, but because he didn't have a pliable spirit, he couldn't humble himself to seek forgiveness and was lost forever.
Know It!
God can do extraordinary things through someone who's teachable. But the one who thinks he's always right and is out to show everyone that he's in charge, is on dangerous ground.
Read It!
Acts 10; Galatians 2:11-12; Galatians 2:14-15; Galatians 17-21.
Pray It!
Ask God to give you a teachable spirit and to point out any attitudes or actions in your life that point the opposite.
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Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:54 pm
Thursday December 20th
I Am with Shepherds, Angels, and You
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. Luke 2:8–9
There is prejudice against the rich and against the poor, against liberals and against conservatives, against shepherds and against angels. No matter who or what you are, there is always someone who will in some way despise you. Some believe in the existence of angels and others scorn it. Some look down on shepherds, no matter how cute they seem in the children’s Christmas pageant.
At the time of Christ, the pompously religious people often despised the ritually unclean shepherds. Shepherds not only worked on the Sabbath, but they normally were poor and had very little status. Yet God sent His holy angels to lowly shepherds to proclaim that His Son had come. His Word to them encourages us to believe that God has come to us also.
God is no respecter of persons. He wants all to repent and trust in Jesus, whom the angels announced to the shepherds. God is among the shepherds and the angels. And God is with us also.
God of angels and shepherds, I am honored and rejoice with thanksgiving that You permit me to be numbered with the angels and shepherds. Amen
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Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:48 pm
Are You Listening to the Right Voice?
King Ahab was mad! The land Ramoth Gilead belonged to his people, yet it was not in their possession. So he called a meeting with King Jehoshaphat of Judah and asked if he'd be willing to join forces with him and fight for Ramoth Gilead. Jehoshaphat told Ahab that he was willing to help his people gain possession of the land that was rightfully theirs, but also told Ahab he wanted to seek the direction of God first.
So Ahab called his prophets together. Now don't assume simply because they were called prophets that they were godly men. You can see the same thing happening today. Many people call themselves Christians who aren't truly living in obedience to Jesus Christ. Never assume a name or a title reflects the inner character of someone.
Ahab brought his 400 heathen prophets before Jehoshaphat and asked them if it was God's will they go to war. The prophets assured the king is was and that he would be victorious. That's exactly what Ahab wanted to hear. He turned to Jehoshaphat expecting his support but was shocked instead.
Jehoshaphat didn't know these prophets. He didn't know their lifestyle or their motives. But he did know God. And he knew when he listened to those 400 prophets that he didn't hear God's voice. Yes, they were saying nice things. They gave positive remarks. They delivered a motivating message. But Jehoshaphat knew God's voice so well, he was able to discern that the prophets weren't godly men.
So he turned to King Ahab and surprised him by asking, “Don't you have a godly prophet we can talk to?” Ahab was shocked that Jehoshaphat could discern that God's voice was not among 400 prophets.
You see, it wasn't enough that Jehoshaphat listened to good voices and positive messages. He knew he hadn't heard the right voice yet; he was waiting for God's message-be it positive or negative. You may assume that as long as you're listening to good people say good things, you're hearing what God wants you to hear. Do you realize there are Christians saying exactly the opposite of what God wants them to say? Be sure you're listening to the right voice-not simply a good voice.
King Ahab responded that there was one prophet left. He explained that he didn't like to use him much, because he usually said things that Ahab didn't want to hear. But Ahab knew this prophet was a godly man. So he called for Micaiah.
There are Christian speakers, preachers and leaders who tell an audience exactly what they want to hear. They make them laugh and feel good about themselves. And there are others who cut right to the chase and tell their audience what God wants them to hear. This usually makes people angry. We're living in a day and age where most Christians don't want to hear the truth. We simply want to hear what makes us feel good.
Know It!
Are you listening to people who make you feel good? Or are you listening to people who challenge you and make you think?
Read It!
1 Kings 22; Jeremiah 26:18-19; Micah 1:1; 2 Timothy 4:3-4.
Pray It!
Be honest with God. Ask Him to wake you up if you've been sleeping through feel-good messages.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 4:24 am
Friday December 21st
I Am with You with Signs
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12
It is difficult for us to accept the truth about something without any tangible evidence. We are like the shepherds, who needed a sign to guide them to the newborn Savior, or like St. Thomas, who, without seeing Jesus with his own eyes, would not believe that Jesus was alive again after His crucifixion.
As with the shepherds and Thomas, God also gives us signs: His Word and Sacraments. In them, God gives us Christ’s forgiveness, life, and salvation; in short, He gives us Jesus.
When Thomas finally saw and touched Jesus, he rejoiced at the truth of the living Savior. The shepherds saw their Savior in the manger, and they, too, knew that the Savior was living among them. They rejoiced, glorifying and praising God for the Savior.
We rejoice with Thomas and the shepherds in seeing the Savior. We have not seen Him with our own eyes; yet the signs God gives us enable us to see with the eyes of faith that in Jesus, God is truly with us.
Thank You, Lord, for the signs by prophecy, angels, and a baby in the manger, the living Jesus Himself, that enable me to overcome human weakness and doubt so that I might embrace You, my Lord and my God. Amen. Thank You, Lord, for the signs by prophecy, angels, and a baby in the manger, the living Jesus Himself, that enable me to overcome human weakness and doubt so that I might embrace You, my Lord and my God. Amen.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:46 pm
Whose Voice Are You Listening To?
A messenger for the 400 heathen prophets got to Micaiah before King Ahab did. “Hey, look Micaiah. All the prophets are promising Ahab he'll be victorious in battle. You'd better say the same thing.” Talk about pressure! Four hundred to one!
But Micaiah responded that he would say only what God told him to say. He approached King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab and told them to proceed into battle. Why did he say that after he had just promised to give them the Lord's message?
Before Micaiah gave the kings God's message, he first let the kings know he was mocking the heathen prophets, acting in sarcasm and telling Ahab only what he wanted to hear. Ahab caught on immediately and asked Micaiah again what God's message was.
So Micaiah gave it to him straight. He told Ahab that he would die in battle. Although Ahab repented temporarily, he still maintained his system of heathen prophets. These false prophets were eventually instrumental in ruining him.
Ahab was determined to conquer Ramoth Gilead, so he decided to disguise himself in battle to keep him from being recognized. He was trying to escape God's judgment. Many people today are trying to escape reality by having plastic surgery, relocating themselves, even changing husbands or wives. And many are also trying to escape God's judgment by filling their lives with good things-volunteering in charities, making financial donations or organization neighborhood gatherings. But filling your life with good things isn't the same as filling your life with the power of the Holy Spirit. When He controls our lives, we begin to live in radical obedience to His Lordship.
Sure enough, King Ahab was killed in battle. A strong reminder to all of us that it doesn't pay to do things our way. Whose voice are you listening to? Your friends may tell you what you want to hear. Your parents may give great advice. Your teachers and counselors may share their wisdom. And your youth pastor may even make you think. But guess what! If they don't have the voice of the Lord, you're not listening to the right voice! And just as Ahab's 400 wrong voices eventually led him to ruin, the wrong voices you tune in to will eventually lead you to ruin as well.
Know It!
We're in danger today of being surrounded by good people saying good things. But good things aren't necessarily godly things. God doesn't always have good things to say! Often times what He has to say makes us uncomfortable. Whose voice will you choose to listen to?
Read It!
1 Kings 22; 2 Timothy 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:18; Titus 1:16.
Pray It!
Tell God you're committed to hearing His Truth. Ask Him to help you discern when you're not hearing His voice. Tell Him you want to be as discerning as Jehoshaphat; even when hearing 400 people saying good things, you want to know if the message isn't from God.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:21 am
Saturday 22nd
I Am with You in the Stable
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son . . . and laid Him in a manger. Luke 2:6–7
The countryside around Bethlehem has always been home to shepherds. King David grew up there as a shepherd boy. Shepherds there often used the natural limestone caves in the area as stables or shelters for their sheep, especially when it was time for the lambs to be born. Perhaps it was in just such a cave-become-stable that the Virgin Mary gave birth to the Lamb of God.
It might have been a common thing to find little lambs in such a stable, but it would have been quite unusual to find a newborn human baby there, lying in a manger. It was so unusual that the angel gave this information to the shepherds as a sign to help them locate the newborn Savior. God chose to come into the world in this very humble fashion. It was just the sign we needed to unmistakably identify Him: the Lamb of God, come to take away the world’s sin. It also shows us that God is with us, wherever and whatever our circumstances.
Dear Jesus, I am happy and full of gratitude that You have chosen to love me enough to enter this world and to dwell within the humble stable of my life. Amen.
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:14 am
Have a MARY Christmas! Part I
Have you ever stopped to think that Mary was the one human being who was with Jesus Christ from His birth until His death? She got to know Him in a way that few others did. She held the King of Kings as a baby, rocked Him to sleep and nursed Him when He was hungry.
She watched Him grow into a teenager, listened to His jokes and saw Him hustle through His chores. As a young adult, she noticed His humble yet winning personality, the articulate way He spoke and the determination in which He moved. As the Son of God, she saw Him preach to thousands, heal blind men and raise the dead. She also watched Him die an horrendous death, yet rejoiced and celebrated when He rose from the dead. Mary was with Jesus during each phase of His earthly life.
Christmas is only a few days away. This year, determine to have a MARY type of Christmas by living out the following truths.
• Mary trusted God for the impossible. When the angel announced she would deliver the Messiah, she didn't understand it. It seemed ridiculous, but her response was, “I believe. It is as you say.” This Christmas will you, too, trust God for the impossible? Is He calling you to do something that seems ridiculous? Even though you don't understand and can't see what's ahead, you have the opportunity-like Mary-to respond in simple faith: “I believe. It is as You say.”
• Mary was obedient. Her obedience to God required her to risk disaster. In her culture, an unmarried, pregnant woman was shunned. And unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain unmarried for life. If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living. And with her story about the Holy Spirit impregnating her, she risked being labeled crazy as well. It must have seemed as though everything was against her.
But in spite of the risks, Mary still responded in obedience, “I am willing.” She was obedient. In spite of the possible costs, will you be obedient this Christmas? Will you ask God to help you overlook the risks and simply say yes to His holy will?
Know It!
God wants to help you have a Mary Christmas this year-full of hope, blessing and assurance that He is with you!
Read It!
Lamentations 3: 22-23; Luke 1; Luke 2; Hebrews 11:1.
Pray It!
Be honest with God. If you're scared, tell Him. If you're full of doubts, let Him know. If you don't understand, ask for faith to know His will in spite of your questions.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:53 am
Have a MARY Christmas! Part II
When Mary said, “I am willing,” she didn't know about the tremendous blessing she'd receive. She only knew that God was asking her to serve Him, and she willingly obeyed. Will you react the same way? Don't wait to see the bottom line before obeying God. Don't think, Wait a second, what will I get out of it? Offer yourself as a willing servant-even when the results of doing so look disastrous.
• Mary allowed herself to be accountable. If Mary needed accountability, you need accountability. She made herself accountable to her spiritually wise and older aunt Elizabeth. These two godly women shared deeply with one another. We can imagine them praying and rejoicing together in their godly obedience. Make it a point to share your deepest questions, needs, requests and victories with another Christian who is solid enough to ask appropriate questions and who is willing to pray with you and invest time in your life.
• Mary never lost faith that God was in control. When Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor decreed that a census be taken throughout the nation, it meant that Joseph and a pregnant Mary would have to make the trip to Bethlehem. She knew the 70-mile trip wouldn't be easy, and she could have easily begun questioning God's plans. But she moved steadily onward, trusting that God was in complete control. Can you trust that God controls all of history-even when you don't understand it?
By the decree of Caesar Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth (Micah 5:2) even though His parents didn't live there. God was quietly working behind the scenes, even though Mary and Joseph couldn't see His hand.
• Mary trusted in the midst of discomfort. While in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary soon discovered the inns were filled with other travelers who had reached the destination much earlier. Mary was reduced to giving birth to her first child in a cold, dark, damp cave. No other women were there to help her. No medical staff. No medicine or sterile environment. Just a frightened young girl, her frightened husband and a few noisy animals.
When we don't understand to begin with, and when our situation becomes uncomfortable on top of that, we often tend to question whether we heard God correctly, or we question God Himself. Mary simply continued to trust. If you can learn to trust in the midst of hardship and discomfort, God will bless you by teaching you things you couldn't have learned otherwise.
Know It!
God doesn't always reveal His plans right away. Often, when it seems as though everything is going wrong, He is quietly working behind the scenes. Can you trust Him when you can't see what's ahead?
Read It!
Lamentations 3:25-26; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:18-24; Matthew 2.
Pray It!
Ask God to deepen your faith this Christmas.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:06 pm
Sunday December 23rd
I Am with You in a Manger
And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. Luke 2:16
What in the world is a manger? The easy answer is that it is a feedbox for animals. At the time of Christ, mangers ordinarily were not made of wood, as they are often pictured, but of stone. Large, elongated blocks of limestone were hollowed out to hold feed. They were not made to be used as baby cribs.
When parents select a crib for their newborn, they want one that is not only safe but comfortable. The first bed for the baby Jesus, however, was as hard and cold as rock—a fitting introduction to the hard, cold world in which we live.
God was born into our world that He might find a place to live within our hearts. Unfortunately, our sinful hearts are often as hard and cold as stone mangers. Jesus came so that He might warm and soften our hearts with His love. With His forgiveness, He prepares our hearts to be His manger. By His grace, He fits us to be His home. By His Word and Spirit, He draws us to live in Him, even as He lives in us. That is why He has come.
Dear Jesus, come into the manger of my heart so that through me, You might fill the hearts of many others with Your love and forgiveness. Amen.
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:38 pm
Have a MARY Christmas! Part III
Imagine the let-down after traveling for 70 miles in the condition Mary was in, only to find out there were no more rooms available, and she would have to give birth to her first child in a case. Do you really want to have a Mary-type Christmas this year? Then realize that when you do God's will, you're not guaranteed a comfortable life. You're promised only that even your discomfort has meaning in God's plan.
We like to think that Mary was comfortable, because most of the popular Christmas scenes picture her serenely kneeling by a manger with a baby who's glowing. Chances are good that the King of Kings was crying and uncomfortable Himself. Stables were often crude caves with feeding troughs (mangers) carved into rock walls.
Though Christmas cards picture a clean atmosphere with happy animals in the background, the truth was that Jesus was born in an extremely unsterile and filthy environment. This certainly wasn't the atmosphere the Jews expected as the birthplace of the Messiah King. They thought their promised Messiah would be born in royalty. Mary didn't limit God by her expectations, and neither should we. God is at work wherever He's needed in our sin-darkened and dirty world.
That night, the world's greatest birth announcement took place. The greatest event in history had just happened-the Messiah had been born! For ages the Jews had waited for this, and when it finally happened, the announcement came to some humble shepherds. They were terrified, but their fear soon turned to joy. First they ran to see the baby, then they spread the word. Jesus Christ is your Messiah, your Savior. Do you look forward to meeting Him in prayer and in His Word each day? Is your relationship so special that you can't help sharing His joy with your friends?
Know It!
Do you still picture Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger- or is He your Lord? Make sure you don't underestimate Jesus Christ. Let Him grow up in your life! One of the best ways to do this is by exercising a mature faith in His will . . . even in the midst of an uncomfortable situation. Jesus may not meet the specific expectations you've ordered for your life. He may want to move you beyond your own dreams. Again, can you trust Him?
Read It!
Isaiah 53:1-6; Isaiah 54:17; Luke 2:8-14; 2 John 1:3.
Pray It!
Give God your human expectations and ask Him to replace them with His dreams, plans and vision for your life. They may not be more comfortable; but they will always be better!
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:31 am
Have a MARY Christmas! Part IV
Are you discovering how you can have a Mary- type of Christmas this year? Let's recap! To have a blessed Christmas like the Mary, the mother of Jesus had:
• Trust God for the impossible. Even when you don't understand God's ways, maintain your faith in His wisdom.
• Be obedient. Display a willing spirit in spite of the risks.
• Make yourself accountable. Find a wise and older Christian who's willing to invest time and prayers into your life this year.
• Remember that God is in control. Even when it doesn't appear that God is even working, have faith that He IS in control. When you can't see His hand, trust His heart.
• Continue to trust in the midst of an uncomfortable situation. Your faith may not cause your situation to suddenly become better. In fact, you may become even more uncomfortable. But God can and will change your heart if you'll maintain your trust in His perfect will.
• Allow God to make good things from your mistakes. A few years after Christ was born, Mary lost Him! She and Joseph thought Jesus was in the caravan of family and friends they were traveling with, but soon discovered He was missing. Mary lost the Son of God! Yet Jesus was exactly where He was supposed to be, and Mary maintained a teachable spirit.
• Ponder some things this Christmas. Instead of doing all the talking, consider being quiet for a while and thinking about Christ's birth and all that it means. Be willing to ponder some things as Mary did. Learn to become comfortable with silence. Start a journal. Memorize some Scripture. Learn to truly meditate on God's Holy Word This Christmas.
Know It!
God's best servants are often plan people available to Him. Mary was available. Are you? God's plans involve extraordinary events in ordinary people. This Christmas, will you let Him use you in a way He's never used you before?
Read It!
Isaiah 59:17; Isaiah 65:24-25; Luke 1:38; Luke 2:41.
Pray It!
Give God a merry Christmas by asking Him to help you celebrate a Mary-type Christmas. And if you're wondering what to give the King of Kings on His birthday . . . the very best gift is always yourself!
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:54 am
Tuesday December 25th MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
I Am with You: It’s a Boy!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
It is now possible to determine before birth whether a baby will be a boy or a girl. No surprises. Before Jesus was born, Mary was told that her child would be a boy. This was not information determined by medical science; it was God’s eternal plan. The angel told Mary, “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:31–32).
It’s a boy! No surprise. This is the Son of the Most High, entering a world of sinful people so that we sinners might receive the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The birth of Jesus, God’s own Son, is the birth that gives life and joy to all of us. In the birth of Jesus, Mighty God came to us to rescue and redeem us, and to reconcile and restore us to Himself. In the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace came to be our peace. In the birth of Jesus, love and grace came to be with us. That’s why today is such a joyful and merry Christmas for all who believe and trust in Him.
Jesus, Son of God, be with me as I celebrate Your birthday with a forgiven and merry heart. Amen.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:41 pm
Wednesday December 26th
I Am with You: the Word
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
President Ronald Reagan was called “the great communicator.” But the greatest communicator of all is God. In the beginning, when God spoke, everything came into being. The Gospel writer John identifies Jesus as God, the Word. When the Word became flesh in the person of Jesus, He communicated to us everything God wants us to know about Himself. God wants us to know that He is for us in our dark, dangerous, sinful world. The Word came to be with us to bring us every earthly and eternal blessing that God intended for us.
In his day, St. Stephen clearly communicated to the religious establishment that in their hard-heartedness, they were guilty of rejecting Jesus as God’s promised Savior. When they heard Stephen’s warning, they became so enraged that they killed him.
The Word, Jesus, is the ultimate reality and reason for being. More than that, the Word is the person of God, who loves us so much that He was willing to become human for us and suffer for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, Christ promises us that, even though we might be killed for what we believe, yet shall we live in His everlasting and loving presence.
Lord, be with me that I might communicate Your saving Word to others. Amen.
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:56 am
Quiz Time
• Mary was the ONE HUMAN who
a. could bake really good banana bread on a wood stove.
b. started the whole Christmas gift exchange.
c. was with Jesus from birth to death.
• Mary TRUSTED God
a. for a really strong donkey.
b. for the impossible.
c. for a voucher when the first Holiday Inn opened.
• MARY was
a. obedient.
b. dying for a Coke.
c. proud of Joseph for not getting lost without a map.
• Mary DARED to be
a. seen in the latest gunny-sack maternity clothes.
b. even though the church didn't give her a baby shower.
c. pleasant even though the church didn't give her a baby shower.
• God CONTROLS all
a. of history.
b. the hairs on your head.
c. the gifts you'll get this season.
• When we DO GOD'S WILL
a. we'll probably end up on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
b. we'll eventually get what we want.
c. we are not guaranteed a comfortable life; we are promised that only our discomfort has meaning in God's plan.
• The GREATEST EVENT IN HISTORY happened
a. when Krispy Kreme donuts came to Bethlehem.
b. when the Messiah King of Kings chose to leave heaven and invade our world with love.
c. no homework was given over Christmas holidays.
• I can have a MARY CHRISTMAS by
a. trusting God for the impossible.
b. being obedient.
c. making myself accountable.
d. remembering that God really is in control.
e. maintaining a strong faith in uncomfortable situations.
f. pondering quietly instead of always talking.
g. allowing God to make good things out of my mistakes.
h. all of the above.
Know It!
A person's character is revealed to his/her response to the unexpected. When something doesn't go as you wanted it to today, how will you respond?
Read It!
Matthew 1:18-25; Matthew 2; Luke 1; Luke 2.
Pray It!
Ask God to help you keep your focus on Him this Christmas.
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