Day 10 of Our Christmas Devotional

Tuesday-December 10

Once again we will visit the question "Where is He coming"? Let's go to gospel of Luke and  find out the location.

Luke 2:1–5 (KJV 1900)

¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

The decree from Caesar initiated a journey for Joseph and Mary. They would be traveling south from the city of Nazareth into Bethlehem. The journey was between seventy to eighty miles. It would have taken about four days under normal circumstances to make the trip but with the pregnant Mary who was close to her time of delivery the pace would have been slower. Tradition says that she rode a donkey but the text does not state that fact. Even if she had ridden a donkey the journey would have taken six to seven days in her condition.

Luke says that they went up to Bethlehem. This was not that they were traveling north but that the elevation of  Bethlehem was higher.  Bethlehem was only five miles from Jerusalem. In fact you would have thought they were going to Jerusalem. Why? Because Jerusalem was called the city of David in the 1 Chronicles 11:4-5.  But Bethlehem was also called the "city of David" as stated in Micah 5:2.

Why Bethlehem and not Jerusalem? Because the promise of God to David was that one would rein on his throne who would be his descent and the kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-9). Jerusalem was the city that David and his men conquered that became the location of the throne of the kingdom and the home of the temple (2 Samuel 5:6-10). It's importance cannot be minimized yet it is not connected to David's birth as is Bethlehem. Joseph as a decent of David (Matthew 1:1-16) was also born in Bethlehem and the instruction from the pagan Caesar had ordered all individuals to travel back to their birthplace for the census and taxation. Once again God used the ignorance of man to fulfill His prophecy by Caesar charging Joseph to travel back to Bethlehem with his pregnant mate. The baby that would be born of her in Bethlehem would be identified with David by the linage of His step father Joseph and the location of the baby's birth (Acts 13:22-23; Revelation 22:16).

In the prophecy of Micah (5:2) the description given of Bethlehem is that  "though thou be little among the thousands of Judah". This description points out to us that the size of Bethlehem is "little". It was not a great metropolis as Jerusalem but is only a village. The phrase "among the thousands of Judah" paints the portraits of it being a place that is unnoticeable, indiscernible even illrelevant from the many cities and villages of Judah.

The name Bethlehem means "house of bread, fruitfulness". This gives a different view of what Bethlehem looked like at the time. Though it had existed for centuries it was never grew in size to become a daughter city of Jerusalem. It was in the hill country of Judah. This would be important for Jehovah had always been known as a god of the hills (Psalms 121:1-8; 1 Kings 20:28). The one who was coming was the god of Israel Jehovah. For the name of Jesus means "Jehovah saves".

Who would have dreamed that so unimportant place would breed the greatest King of the Old Testament David or the one who would become King of Kings and Lord of Lords , Jesus the Son of David (Revelation 19:16; 22;16; Matthew 1:1)!

We are confronted again with the thought that God thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not are ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Most of us would have looked at Jerusalem and chose it as the premo place to bring into the world the Messiah! It was the seat of power and finance for Israel. It size made it the head and shoulders above all other cities in Israel. It was the home of the spiritual heart of Israel the temple! But God chooses an indistinguishable village Bethlehem to become the breeding grounds for the great kings of Israel! God summons the men of His choice, David and Jesus, from Bethlehem, a so insignificant a source!

The one of the principals of God is that little become much when submitted to the Lord! The little lunch of the lad becomes a meal for five thousand men not counting women and children (John 6:1-15). Stones become guided missiles (1 Samuel 17:1-58)! When He could have chosen the symbol of power, a horse, for His ride, He decides upon the littlest of the most common, the colt of a donkey's to become the ride of the greatest of Kings (Matthew 21:1-16)!

God chooses a nobody to become a somebody! Why? So no flesh can glory in His presence! He receives all the glory when the weak are used and become a power weapon of victory over the enemies of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read and mediate on the scriptures below. Examine yourself. Do you fight against negative thoughts concerning your families position, your failure of the past or your seemingly lack of talent? Replace those thoughts with the thoughts of faith concerning God's laws of making oak tree's out of acorns! Memorize a scripture such as Philippians 4:13 that builds your faith and quote it to yourself throughout the day! If you know someone who struggles with these same thoughts share with them what you are doing to help yourself through God's word!

Micah 5:2 (KJV)

² But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Isaiah 55:8–11 (KJV 1900)

⁸For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

⁹For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰For as the rain cometh down, And the snow from heaven, And returneth not thither, But watereth the earth, And maketh it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

¹¹So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: It shall not return unto me void, But it shall accomplish that which I please, And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 (KJV 1900)

²⁶For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

²⁷But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

²⁸And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

²⁹That no flesh should glory in his presence.

³⁰But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

³¹That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Day 8 of Our Christmas Devotional

Sunday-December 8

We now turn to addressing the question of "Where did He come to?" When thinking about where the Lord could have come to there are endless locations here on planet Earth. Yet there was a specific location where the Messiah was to be born. That was the city of  Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem. It is the home of Boaz, Ruth, Obed, and Jesse David's father (1 Samuel 16:1, 4) It's importance was not in its economic power neither that it had a huge population. It importance is because it is the birth place and the place of anointing of the greatest King of the Old Testament, David (1 Samuel 17:12; 1 Samuel 16:4-13). It is the called the "city of David" (Luke 2:4).

This is the village where Jesus was born. Why was it important for this village to be the location of the birth of the Lord? The first reason was that it connected Jesus with the kingdom and leadership of David. His birth in this city connect Jesus with David's birth is the same city! Thus Jesus qualifies to be the Messiah because of His birth in the city of Bethlehem. This would fulfill the Old Testament prophecy of Micah concerning the Messiah:

Micah 5:2 (KJV)

² But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Secondly Jesus would fulfill the prophecy that was given to David that one would come from him would sit on the throne of Israel.

2 Samuel 7:12–16 (KJV 1900)

¹²And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

¹³He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

¹⁴I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

¹⁵But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.

¹⁶And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

I'm sure that there were several reasons that Joseph was chosen to be the step-father of Jesus. The man that would be entrusted to raise the Messiah would have to be a spiritual man and have impeccable character. But these verse help us to understand that he would have to be a descendent of David. That would give Jesus the legal right to sit upon the throne of David. Joseph fulfilled that requirement (Matthew 1:1-17).

As we read the quote of the prophecy of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem of Micah 5:2 something else caught my attention. It was not the city neither that He would be a ruler but He would be described as one "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." James Smith states the following concerning this leader:

The Bethlehem Ruler would be one who had prior existence. “His goings forth are from of old.” He was active on behalf of his people long before he appeared at Bethlehem. Jesus did not hesitate to affirm his preexistence (cf. John 8:58). This prophecy, however, does not merely assert that the Bethlehem Ruler came forth from heaven, but that he had been actively involved in the leadership of his people in the distant past. The terms “from of old” (miqqedem) and “from ancient days” (mime ‘olam) are used of the Patriarchal age (Micah 7:14, 20) and even of eternity prior to creation (Prov 8:22f.).^[1]

  This fits with John's thoughts of Jesus found in John 1:1-5 that stresses the pre-existence of Jesus not a as a man but as the Word that was with God and was God!  

John 1:1–5 (KJV 1900)

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

²The same was in the beginning with God.

³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The spoken word of a man is the audio able expressions of the thoughts of the man which are an extension of the man. These thoughts are produced by the individual and are not separate from the individual. The Word of God is the same. It is God and cannot be separated from God to be another God but is the audio expression of the one true God!

John 1:14 states that this expression of God, or God's Word, which previous was only audio and borrowed physical substance to be visual, such as the burning bush with Moses, at the birth of Jesus became the Word now visual.

John 1:14 (KJV 1900)

¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The human body of Jesus was the means by which the Word could be expressed visually. Since the Word cannot be separated from God, the human body of Jesus is the visual expression of God to the mankind. The following scriptures support this:

Hebrews 1:1–3 (KJV 1900)

¹God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

²Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

³Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...

Colossians 1:12–15 (KJV 1900)

¹²Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

¹⁵Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

The human body of Jesus is the visual body of God! As the human body of a man is the image of the man that is seen by other humans and is thought by all to be the man, the human body of Jesus is the image of God and is thought to be God! The man's thoughts, word and body define the man! God's thoughts, Words, and body define God as being One!

This Ruler who would go out from Bethlehem had already gone out of heaven on many occasions to lead His people. The One leading Israel from the beginning would continue to do it forever! For He is the everlasting One!

The foundation of our knowledge of God begins and ends with understanding that He is the everlasting One!

Deuteronomy 6:4 (KJV 1900)

⁴Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:

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^[1] James E. Smith, The Minor Prophets, Old Testament Survey Series (Joplin, MO: College Press, 1994). Mic 5:2–3.

Day 7 of Our Christmas Devotional

Saturday-December 7

As we continue to think about "Why did He (Jesus) come? a number of scriptures could be listed that would support His coming for salvation that are related to specific aspects of salvation. Here are a few:

1.         He Came to Die

Hebrews 2:9 (KJV 1900)

⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

2.         To Save Sinners

1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV 1900)

¹⁵This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

3.         To Save that Which was Lost

Luke 19:10 (KJV 1900)

¹⁰For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

4.         To Take Away Sin

1 John 3:5 (KJV 1900)

⁵And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

John 1:29 (KJV 1900)

²⁹The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

5.         To Minister

Mark 10:45 (KJV 1900)

⁴⁵For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

But there are also other reasons that He came. Let's list some of them.

1.         To Undo the Works of the Devil

Hebrews 2:14 (KJV 1900)

¹⁴Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

1 John 3:8 (KJV 1900)

⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

2.         To Provide a Pattern of Holy Living for His People

1 Peter 2:21 (KJV 1900)

²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

3.         To Reveal the Father

Matthew 11:27 (KJV 1900)

²⁷All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

John 10:30 (KJV 1900)

³⁰I and my Father are one.

These are a few of the reasons for which He came. As we examined the birth story of Matthew we found that He came to "save His people from their sins". But what was the reason that Luke gave as the purpose of His coming at His birth?

When Gabriel comes to Mary with the announcement he states the following:

Luke 1:30–33 (KJV 1900)

³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

The main reason for His coming as stated by Luke is:

     1.         He will be great

     2.         He will called the Son of the Most High

     3.         The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David

     4.         He will reign over the house of Jacob

     5.         His Kingdom will have no end.

All of these phrases speak of Jesus coming to be a King! He is to be the Messiah of Israel. His kingdom shall be forever! He will be crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11-16)!

He is the supreme authority who will defeat His and our enemies and bring victory to us forever (Revelation 20:10, 14)!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read the above scriptures. Mediate on each reason He came and thank Him for the victory that comes from His coming! Share with someone the reasons of why He came. Encourage them in their problem by reminding them that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Day 6 of Our Christmas Devotional

Friday-December 6th

Our question today is "Why did He come"? There are numerous reasons that we could examine but today we want to address the most important!

In the birth story of Jesus that are people such as Mary, Joseph, Sheppard's, wise men, a king, scribes, a cousin named Elizabeth, and business person, that is the inn keeper who are mentioned. There are animals mentioned such as a donkey and flocks. Yet one of the most important connected creatures are the angels who live in the higher spirit world (Matthew 1:20-21, Luke 1:11, 26--38, 2:9, 13-14). It is from Luke that we get the name of the angel, Gabriel, who delivers the message to Mary of her being the choice of God to bring into the world Jesus. Not only will Gabriel give Mary the name to call the baby but will tie to the name the actions of the baby when He reaches maturity (Luke 1:26-38). For Luke the actions that Gabriel speaks will be that of  the baby being a King who will reigning over Jacob (1:32-33).

But Matthew gives to us what could be the most important position that the baby will hold when the angel gives instruction to Joseph on the actions he should take with Mary. He will be a savior!

Matthew 1:21 (KJV 1900)

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

There are a number of propositions as to the meaning of the name of Jesus. including: YHWH saves, (is) salvation, (is) a saving-cry, (is) a cry-for-saving, (is) a cry-for-help, (is) my help.[1] The bottom life of these definitions is that YHWH is a saving God!

When a name is given in the Bible to an individual or a place it is not given  just because it sound good to the human ear. It is give us much information as to a person's character and purpose. Thus the purpose of this human body is to be a savior to mankind, meeting the need of sin that is it is begotten for the purpose of spotless blood (Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:19).

The Greek word for the action the angels says that Jesus will take is "save" is σώζω sṓzō . It means to save, deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, destruction.^[2]

When we parse this Greek word we see it is gives us the following information.

It is a verb and as a verbs it is word that describes an action, state of being, or the production of a result.^[3] Salvation is Jesus' acting upon the sins of mankind! It is in the future tense. This means it the verb tense where the writer portrays an action or state of being that will occur in the future.^[4] The salvation will happen in the future. His birth is the starting point of His purpose. His purpose is to be the sacrifice to take away the sins of the World. He must become a man who understands and experiences temptation yet does not sin to be qualified to become the savior of humanity at His death! Adam the first son of God failed. Jesus must fulfill the obedience that Adam did not do. Adam was not a baby but a man who experienced temptation but failed. The last Adam will be a man who does not fail when tempted by the devil, the world or sin and the lack of failure from temptation will make Him the man that will bring salvation (Romans 5:19, I Corinthians 15:22, 45)!

The voice of the verb is active. The subject will do the action. Jesus will to the saving to His people.

The mood is indicative. The mood in which the action of the verb or the state of being it describes is presented by the writer as real. It is the mood of assertion, where the writer portrays something as actual (as opposed to possible or contingent on intention).^[5] Salvation will actually happen! It is not a wish or an intention. It will come about in the lives of His people.

Yet one of the most important words to notice in the Matthew 1:21 is the word "for". The Greek word is γάρ^a or gar. It is a  marker of cause or reason between events. The reason that the baby receiving the name Jesus, is not because it is the most unique name, neither the most popular name of its day nor because it was the most recognized name. The reason the baby will be named Jesus is because this baby as a man will take action that will give to His people salvation! The name Jesus means When Peter is asked by the Sanhedrin how the lame is healed he states it is through the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus is connected with the action of healing. Peter takes the actions of the name a step farther than healing and states the name of Jesus also has the power to save you. In fact it is the only name that is or can be connected  with salvation!

Acts 4:12 (KJV 1900)

¹²Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

If you want action from God to come to your sin it becomes important to use the name of Jesus! That name takes the action of washing your sin away! When you look at Paul's baptism you see that it was in the name of Jesus and the use of that name caused the action of washing away sins to occur!

Acts 22:16 (KJV 1900)

¹⁶And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

This is why we do not baptize in the Name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost. These are titles not names! The power of salvation from His beginning on this earth was spoken as always being in His name!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read the following scriptures. Mediate on the actions of the name of Jesus and how we should use His name in salvation. Take action and tell someone today about salvation and how it can only come through the name of Jesus. Encourage them to be baptized in the name of Jesus!

Matthew 1:21 (KJV 1900)

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Acts 4:12 (KJV 1900)

¹²Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Acts 22:16 (KJV 1900)

¹⁶And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Acts 2:38 (KJV 1900)

³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44–48 (KJV 1900)

⁴⁴While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

⁴⁵And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

⁴⁷Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:1–5 (KJV 1900)

¹And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

²He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

³And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

⁴Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

⁵When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 (KJV 1900)

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

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¹  Ernest Klein, A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language (New York: MacMillan Publishing Company 1987) ; Talshir, M. H. Segal, A Grammar of Mishnaic Hebrew (Tel Aviv: 1936), p. 146; Strong's Concordance H3091; Philo, De Mutatione Nominum, §21; Brown, Driver, Briggs, Gesenius, Hebrew and English Lexicon With an Appendix Containing the Biblical Aramaic (Hendrickson, 1985), ISBN 0-913573-20-5. Cf. Blue Letter Bible, H3442

^[2] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, electronic ed. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[3] Michael S. Heiser, Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (Logos Bible Software, 2005).

^[4] Michael S. Heiser, Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (Logos Bible Software, 2005).

^[5] Michael S. Heiser, Glossary of Morpho-Syntactic Database Terminology (Logos Bible Software, 2005).

Day 5 of Our Christmas Devotional

Thursday-Day 5

The answer that Matthew gives concerning the question of "How did Jesus came" is found in Matthew 1:18-21.

            ¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

The NIV gives even uses the word "how" its translation of the verse.

            ¹⁸This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be   married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

How does the birth come about? Through the Holy Ghost or Spirit. Matthew helps the reader to understand that the birth was by super natural means! John informs us that sons of God are not born by the will of man but by will of God (John 1:12-13)! Thus Jesus who is the Son of God does not come into this world because man wanted a savior but because God, the Holy Spirit (John 4:24) wanted a savior for mankind.

The first step of the how He would come involved the will of God coming to a human. The second step was the human accepting the will of God. The third step was God took action!

            Matthew 1:20 (KJV 1900)

                ²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

How did God take action? He overshadowed a human which brought about conception. The fourth step was that a human took action and brought the conception into our world! It was Mary that brought forth the baby!

Matthew 1:21 (KJV 1900)

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Yesterday we looked at Luke's thoughts concerning the birth and see he focused upon the qualifications of Mary, in that, she was highly favored (Luke 1:28).  Today we see that Matthew's twice states that the means to Jesus' coming would be the Holy Ghost! The work of the Spirit was a must for God's plan to come to fruition.

The Spirit must be the main thrust of the church. We must understand that we can do nothing without the Spirit! Service and ministry must be preceded by prayer. We must seek the face of God to be able to do a mighty work of God in our world today! The Spirit empowers us yet we must take action!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read the scripture. Mediate on the words that describe how He came! Pray and ask God to give you a hunger for the Spirit! Pray that God will revel to you His will and purpose for your life. Once you have received and believed your purpose in life then take action to see it fulfilled!

 Matthew 1:18–21 (KJV 1900)

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

¹⁹Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 

Day 4 of Our Christmas Devotional

Wednesday-Day 4

Today we are exploring the question: "How did He come?" Our text to read and mediate upon is found in:

Luke 1:26–38 (KJV 1900)

²⁶And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

²⁸And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

³⁰And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

³²He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

³³And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

³⁵And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

³⁶And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷For with God nothing shall be impossible.

³⁸And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The first item that comes to my attention is that the means by which Jesus was to come was that the Holy Ghost overshadow a virgin. Yet this was not any virgin she is described by two important phrases: she is highly favored and the Lord is with thee (28, 30, 35)! These are linked together. The Lord being with her was dependent upon her being highly favored. Her position of being favored has come because of her keeping herself pure, that is a virgin. Yet it is not just her physical body that has been kept clean but her spirit. She has a spirit of humility (46-48). Along with a clean pure body and spirit there is a spirit of obedience and trust. She does not understand the how (29, 34) yet she trusts the what! The word that is spoken she accepts. Her acceptance of the word allows the miracle to proceed.

These principals must still be followed today if we are to be able to see the Lord to come to our church and home. For the church to be impregnated with revival, growth and harvest we too must keep our spirits and bodies pure. Our purity comes from our righteous living which is based upon our separation from our world.  God's favor is needed to be able to see a great move of God in the end times. A Holy God desires a Holy people (1 Peter  1:15-16) to be the conduit to bring Jesus to our world. We must submit to the spoken Word of God and allow the Word to control our spirits and actions which will cause us to become the people who have the Spirit flow through them to our world.

Day 3 of Our Christmas Devotional

Tuesday-December 3

In the beginning of making plans for our Christmas Devotional I had planned to give only two days to each question. Yet the Lord as laid a third day on my heart concerning the question "Who is coming"?

Once again we will examine Isaiah's writing. Our scripture reading will be a very familiar Christmas reading of Isaiah 7:14. This reading will teaches us about the miraculous power of God that can come to you when you understand God is with you. 

As we look at this verse in its context(7:1-14) we see it is contrasting trusting man or trusting God. The main theme of Isaiah 7-39 is trust. Should Judah and her leadership trust in the nations or trust in God. Isaiah will show to the reader that trusting in the nations will lead to destruction while trusting God will lead to the creation of abundance.

The Judah is faced with opposition from her severed brother, the northern ten tribes Israel, and Syria (1-2). What should her King Ahaz do? Should he trust God or Assyria for deliverance? God instructs Isaiah to meet the king and to speak a word of faith (3). Do not fear neither let your heart be weak because of the anger of your enemies that has been expressed in their threats of destruction. It will not happen! They are just the smoking ends of sticks where a bonfire has been. The fire is gone and these are all that remain. Their mighty armies are skeletons of what they once were. The test is for you to believe this Word of God! If you do not believe and trust this Word you will live a life of doom, fear, doubt and uneasiness in the shadow of your enemies (4-9).

God then challenges him to build his faith and ask for a sign from God! Test God! See if I will come through (10-11)! But Azah will not grasp the opportunity (12). Why? Has he already made up his mind to depend on the armies of Assyria to defeat these enemies? If God through Isaiah offers a sign will that put Ahaz in the position of embarrassment that his plan was not the right one? He has depended on his skill of diplomacy instead of God. So he uses scripture to justify his actions: I will not tempt the Lord (Duet 6:16). It seems that he is trusting in scripture but not in God which is impossible to do. You must have a little faith before you ask for a sign of confirmation. The sign can only confirm evidence of faith not create faith! He has none.

Isaiah speaks to him that you are rejecting the God who would have supported you (13). If Ahaz will not ask for a sign then God will give a sign anyway!

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV 1900)

¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

God's Word is sure! No matter that you Azah trust in the nations to protect us, understand we will survive your lack of trust in God! We are God's people and God is with us! Our sign that we are God's people will be that there will be a son born to a virgin who will reign as a King of Righteousness. He will be named Immanuel which is God with us (Matt 1:21). He will lead us by trusting in the Spirit instead of the arm of the flesh for victory!

When Matthew records the words of the angel to Joseph in his dream, he states the important fact that the baby shall save His people from their sins (1:21). He backs up the thought of the importance of the name of Jesus and who it is who that is coming when he applies the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 to the birth of the Lord! The name "Jesus" is linked to Immanuel! Who is Immanuel? It is "God with us"! The coming son to be born is God! God will be with mankind!

For the individual who invites and allows Jesus to come within their heart has God within. No matter the stress, problems or fears that they face they are not alone! God is with them! The promise of victory over your enemies is yours if you will trust God! The wisdom of the flesh that begs you to trust your own thoughts and strength is utterly nonsense. Your reliance upon God during your trials is true wisdom. God's Word will be kept!  God is with you! You will be victorious!

Your Response:

Take time to slowly read the scripture. Mediate on the words that describe the coming One! Remember what He’s done for you in the past. He has been with you always! You have made it through every trial because of Him. Pray that God will give you the strength and determination to always trust Him!

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV 1900)

¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, And shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:20–23 (KJV 1900)

²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.