And again with the angelic "Don't be afraid."
Luke 2:10-17 (New Living Translation)
10 The angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.
Your story is just as important. Sure, the shepherd had a crazy story of angels lighting up the night sky. But they were shepherds.
Tell your story.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Keep Christmas Going
Sometimes the weird little things we do make all the difference. Like that guy that was the ruler of Israel--everybody loves a census right! But who knew that it would be a catalyst for fulfilling prophecy.
Luke 2:1-7 (New Living Translation)
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
You see, God loves you. He sent this helpless little baby for you. It was weird. It was unexpected. It was, and always will be, because He loves you. A lot!
So celebrate a census. Celebrate a baby. Celebrate Jesus. Merry Christmas.
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Luke 2:1-7 (New Living Translation)
1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
You see, God loves you. He sent this helpless little baby for you. It was weird. It was unexpected. It was, and always will be, because He loves you. A lot!
So celebrate a census. Celebrate a baby. Celebrate Jesus. Merry Christmas.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Plans
Put yourself in Joseph's shoes. He's updated his relationship status on Facebook to "engaged." All his carpenter buddies know Mary, he's even lined up the caterer. And then she drops this little bomb on him. "Wait? What? You're pregnant?"
What would you do? Well...
Matthew 1:20-21, 24 (New Living Translation)
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
...
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Maybe he had heard about this:
Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means "God is with us").
God's plans don't look like our plans. Which is good to remember in the middle of a busy time.
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What would you do? Well...
Matthew 1:20-21, 24 (New Living Translation)
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
...
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.
Maybe he had heard about this:
Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means "God is with us").
God's plans don't look like our plans. Which is good to remember in the middle of a busy time.
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Monday, December 28, 2009
Christmas Carols Some More
Here's another of the original Christmas carols. This one is by Zechariah, John's father.
Luke 1:67-79 (New Living Translation)
67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
68 "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
by remembering his sacred covenant--
73 the covenant he swore with an oath
to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
for as long as we live.
76 "And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God's tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace."
Bing may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Zechariah was dreaming of a Saviour who will make our sins whiter than snow.
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Luke 1:67-79 (New Living Translation)
67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:
68 "Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
by remembering his sacred covenant--
73 the covenant he swore with an oath
to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
for as long as we live.
76 "And you, my little son,
will be called the prophet of the Most High,
because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God's tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace."
Bing may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Zechariah was dreaming of a Saviour who will make our sins whiter than snow.
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Sunday, December 27, 2009
Your Song
When you think about it, this song of Mary, might just very well be the very first Christmas carol. Take a listen:
Luke 1:46-55 (New Living Translation)
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
You like it? It's called the Magnificat. It's a song about the majesty of God and the fact that He keeps His promises. What's your song today?
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Luke 1:46-55 (New Living Translation)
46 Mary responded,
"Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever."
You like it? It's called the Magnificat. It's a song about the majesty of God and the fact that He keeps His promises. What's your song today?
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Angel
The story of Gabe the angel chatting with Mary is always the most majestic scene in the Christmas pageant. You know, with the angel flying in, and of course sweet smell of manufactured smoke. It's exciting, and beautiful. Sometimes I wonder, was it exciting and beautiful to Mary.
Luke 1:26-33, 38 (New Living Translation)
28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
...
38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
I'm always impressed that the Bible says, "Mary responded 'I am the Lord's servant,'" fully knowing the hard road ahead of her. Maybe she really understood it would change her life and all of ours forever. Or, maybe she just trusted God.
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Luke 1:26-33, 38 (New Living Translation)
28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!"
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"
...
38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." And then the angel left her.
I'm always impressed that the Bible says, "Mary responded 'I am the Lord's servant,'" fully knowing the hard road ahead of her. Maybe she really understood it would change her life and all of ours forever. Or, maybe she just trusted God.
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Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas
Getting you ready for Christmas with a verses out of Luke 1. Ever notice the first thing an angel says…
Luke 1:13-17 (New Living Translation)
"Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
John was like the Thanksgiving if Jesus is Christmas. Not quite the main event but still a big deal.
He was also an answer to some long term prayer requests from Zechariah. When you you’ve prayed about something for the millionth time, remember the message from the angel: “God has heard your prayer.”
411God.net
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Luke 1:13-17 (New Living Translation)
"Don't be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
John was like the Thanksgiving if Jesus is Christmas. Not quite the main event but still a big deal.
He was also an answer to some long term prayer requests from Zechariah. When you you’ve prayed about something for the millionth time, remember the message from the angel: “God has heard your prayer.”
411God.net
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