Tag: God's provision

Advent Day 24, A Journey, A Birth, A Heavenly Chorus

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Today we come to the Christmas Eve story of the birth of Jesus. I marvel each time I read this passage at the protection, the provision and the majesty of God that we see in these words. Luke 2:1-20

The journey for Mary and Joseph at the decreed of the government was used by God to reposition Mary and Joseph to be in Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth as foretold by the prophets hundreds of years before. “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  God protected them on the road, made it possible for Mary to withstand the journey on a donkey and brought them into Bethlehem for the birth.

The birth of Jesus was timed perfectly as God provided a place for them to stay, when there was nothing available, and provided for the delivery of the child. “6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“

After the birth, God joyously announced the arrival of His Son to the lowly shepherds watching their flocks just outside Bethlehem. “ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Having received the glorious news the shepherds wanted to see this child for themselves. “15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.“

Do you seek to see Jesus yourself during this Advent season? Do you identify with the journey and how God provided? God can and will do similar things in our lives if we know Jesus. Knowing Jesus is the key to life and happiness as he brings love and peace into our hearts.

I pray this Christmas Eve story finds a special place in your heart today.

Linda

Remembering is Essential

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As I read and studied Chapter 63 of Isaiah, I was overwhelmed by the mighty things God has done for His people in spite of their sinfulness. Isaiah pours his heart out to Almighty God in prayer. First he proclaims to God, and in the process reminds himself of what God has done on their behalf. He speaks of good things that showed God’s love and compassion, His heartache over their sin and how He sent an angel to redeem them. In their rebellion they grieved the Holy Spirit, but as they remembered God and what He had done- they softened and returned to Him. Isaiah 63:7-14

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord,
    the praises of the Lord,
according to all that the Lord has granted us,
    and the great goodness to the house of Israel
that he has granted them according to his compassion,
    according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,
    children who will not deal falsely.”
    And he became their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was afflicted,
    and the angel of his presence saved them;
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

When have you felt the angel of God’s presence save you? How has He personally redeemed you from difficult circumstances, from sinful situations, from hopelessness? If He has, then you can identify with the heart-filled words of Isaiah. Let your amazement and thanks be voiced to God in prayer.

10 But they rebelled
    and grieved his Holy Spirit;
therefore he turned to be their enemy,
    and himself fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old,
    of Moses and his people.
Where is he who brought them up out of the sea
    with the shepherds of his flock?
Where is he who put in the midst of them
    his Holy Spirit,
12 who caused his glorious arm
    to go at the right hand of Moses,
who divided the waters before them
    to make for himself an everlasting name,
13     who led them through the depths?
Like a horse in the desert,
    they did not stumble.
14 Like livestock that go down into the valley,
    the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
So you led your people,
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

How has remembering the good things God has done for you turned you back to Him? In the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy Moses continually reminded the children of Israel to remember Him! Moses included admonitions to remember God 9 times in the book of Deuteronomy. Here are a couple: Deuteronomy 8:18 “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Remember God’s power and His promises.

Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord.” Remember your own sinfulness and the consequences of your sins.

Deuteronomy 24:18 “but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.” Remember what you were before you were saved. Moses wanted the people to remember who God is, what He has done and how we get into trouble when we do not remember.

Do you keep a remembrance diary? This could be a simple as a list of answered prayers, miracles God had done for you personally or even things God has done for others that showed His power. Reviewing those things frequently helps to keep us focused and not so busy that we feel we don’t have time for God in our lives. Satan uses the busyness of our lives to distract us and that helps us forget our need for God in our lives. Be like Isaiah and incorporate your ‘thanks and reembraces’ into your prayers. It will strengthen your walk of faith and increase your devotion to God.

Linda

Dissensions caused by Boasting, Try Boasting in God!

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There are people that love to argue. They will take the opposing view to stimulate discussion, rile up their opponents, stir up descent, cause a ruckus or feed their own egos. There is certainly a time and place for healthy debate and exchange of thoughts, but that is not what Paul is speaking of in our Stream of Water passage this week. 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 relates to people stirring up trouble in the church through arguments about who is following whom? They were wrongfully trying to take pride in who they were following, claiming one was better than another. Paul rejects this and pleads for unity. He is telling them they have lost the right focus- which is following Christ, their savior.

Do where do you see this in the church today? Are people prone to boasting about their pastor and extoling his virtues? It is one thing to tell others of your godly Pastor and encourage them to listen to his teaching from the Word and another to brag that your Pastor is better than others and has a monopoly on the truth. Paul is saying that all this does is create disunity and division among believers.

A better way? Yes, Paul pleads for unity. Later in 1 Corinthians 1:31 “so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” and 2 Corinthians 10:17 he tells them, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Let us follow that advise and take up the practice of boasting in the Lord. Can you praise Him today for: provision He has provided, protection in a dangerous or precarious situation, hope you received from another brother or sister in Christ or His Word, love you experienced, help you received by His grace and mercy, guidance about a problem or direction or knowledge of Him you received through prayer or study? Let us boast to one another about the Lord and be encouraged in our faith!

Here is my boasting for this week. Last week when our ladies met for bible study, we were sharing prayer requests. One gal asked for prayer for her daughter as she was refinancing her home asked that all go smoothly. I did not realize that interest rates had fallen that much. So that evening after group, I began pursuing this. I learned that mobile homes, which are limited in financing, usually did not quality. God led me to call the man who arranged my loan a year ago when I purchased my home. He said that loans were available if all criteria were met to refinance my home at 1% lower. This week I was approved and am now gathering my papers. Praise God for His provision and intervention in my finances. Thank you Jesus!

Let us share our boasting about God to uplift and encourage one another creating unity for all believers.

Linda

Full text for this week: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.