Give Thanks To The Lord

 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever – 1 Chronicles 16:34.

               God had done great things in our life. He is so good to us and His mercies never fail in our life. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not - Lamentations 3:23. God’s Word strengthened us and led us in the way we should go. He had fulfilled His promises and His higher ways worked in our life throughout this year. We have found grace in the eyes of the Lord and His grace was sufficient for us in all our situations. Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - Ephesians 5:20.

                Let our heart be filled with gratitude to God for His protection, provisions and blessings in our life. He had sustained us and protected us from all evil. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s - Psalm 103:2-5. I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart - Psalm 138:1.

                 Let us thank God for helping us to make it through this year. He had carried us through the uncertainty of deep waters and through the flames of trials. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you - Isaiah 43:2. It is His grace, His strength, His power that led us and helped us to walk safely through this year. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes - Psalm 118:23.                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are faithful God and Your love endures forever. We thank You for all Your goodness in our life throughout this year. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

God Who Answered All Our Prayers

                 I love the Lord, because He has heard My voice and my supplications - Psalm 116:1.     

                  We have a great privilege of asking anything to God at any time in prayer as He hears us. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us - 1 John 5:14. When we call upon God, He shows us great and mighty things which we never know. Call to me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3. O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come - Psalm 65:2.

              God hears the cry of those who fear Him and save them. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them - Psalm 145:19. We can cast all our cares upon Him as He cares for us more than anyone. Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened - Mathew 7:8. 

                 Let us thank God for hearing and answering all our prayers. I sought the Lord, He answered me and delivered me from all my fears - Psalm 34:4. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me - Psalm 66:20. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live - Psalm 116:2.                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for hearing and answering all our prayers. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thus Far The Lord Has Helped Us

 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us” - 1 Samuel 7:12.

               The Lord is our helper. The Lord is my helper. I will not fear - Hebrews 13:6. He is our Ebenezer who had helped us so far from our birth till now. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You - Psalm 71:6. O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works Psalm 71:17.

                It is important to look back how far God had graciously helped us and brought us. He is a very present help for us in all situations. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble - Psalm 46:1. He is always with us to help us and strengthen us. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand - Isaiah 41:10.

              God who had protected and brought us so far is faithful to be with us till our old age. Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you - Isaiah 46:3-4. Let us thank God, our Ebenezer who had helped us thus far.        

                                                     

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for helping us and guiding us faithfully thus far. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Drive Away the Spirit of Heaviness

 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified - Isaiah 61:3.

                   God promises to give us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. As we wear the garment of praise and declare praises to God, the spirit of heaviness will be driven away from us. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God - Psalm 43:5.

           Praise is where the God lives and there will be no place for the spirit of heaviness in us when we offer Him praises. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel - Psalm 22:3. Let us put on the garment of praise and come into the presence of God. You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ - 1 Peter 2:5.

            The Spirit of heaviness is one of the tactics used by devil to destroy our happiness and peace. Praises is the weapon that can be used to cast away the heaviness from our heart. Let us fill all our days with praises. Everyday I will bless You and praise Your name forever - Psalm 145:2. I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth - Psalm 34:1.The spirit of heaviness will depart from us as we wear the garment of praise.                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for giving us the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

In Him

 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace - Ephesians 1:7.

In Him all things were created

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him - Colossians 1:16.

In Him we have obtained an inheritance

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will - Ephesians 1:11.

In Him we are sealed

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise - Ephesians 1:16.

In Him we are rooted

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving - Colossians 2:6,7.

In Him we have life

For ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring’- Acts 17:28.

In Him we are complete

 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power - Colossians 2:8-10.

                                           

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You as in You alone we find life, redemption. hope and strength. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Spirit of Giving

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16.

                 Our God is a giver. He gave His one and only son for us with love to save us and to have an everlasting life. He gives us wisdom and strength. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him - James 1:5. The Lord will give strength to His people - Psalm 29:11.

               God gives the desires of our heart. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4. He gives “life to all things” - 1 Timothy 6:13. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:57. He gives us what is good. Yes, the Lord will give what is good - Psalm 85:12.

             God loves a cheerful giver. It is more blessed to give than to receive - Acts 20.35. He who has a generous eye will be blessed - Proverbs 22:9. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed - Proverbs 11:25. We will receive the same measure that we give. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you - Luke 6:38.                                                  

  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Fill us with the spirit of giving like how You gave your one and only son for us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

The Miraculous Birth of Jesus

 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord - Luke 2:11.

                   The coming of Jesus from heaven to earth is a great miracle. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He was born miraculously to save us from sins. Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins - Matthew 1:21.

                   God sent His son to the world when the fullness of the time had come. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law - Galatians 4:4. He Himself came from heaven to be our Savior as He loved us so much. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16.

                    The miraculous birth of Jesus had brought us joy, peace and hope. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! - Luke 2:14. God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory - 1 Timothy 3:16. All things are possible with God. He is a miracle working God. Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? - Jeremiah 32:27.

                                
PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your miraculous birth in earth to save us and redeem us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Share The Good News

 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” – Isaiah 52:7.

                    We are called to share the good news about Christ to all the people. The angels are the first to bring the good news to Shepherds about the birth of Jesus. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” - Luke 2:10. The shepherds were the first to hear the message from angel that Jesus is born in Bethlehem.

                    The shepherds who received the good news about the birth of Jesus from angels went immediately to see Jesus. After seeing the baby Jesus, they began spreading the word of what they have seen. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds - Luke 2:17,18.

                God has brought us from darkness into marvelous light to proclaim the gospel to others. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me, To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound - Isaiah 61:1. Let us share the good news to everyone. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts - Psalm 145:4.                                             

 PRAYER: Dear Lord, Help us to go into all the world and share the gospel to everyone. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Word Became Flesh

 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth - John 1:14.

                    God created everything in the world through His word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made - John 1:1-3. The Word was God and He was sent to the world for our redemption. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law - Galatians 4:4.

                  God took on the human form and came to dwell among us. He became one of us and underwent everything what we are going through right now. He had the same emotions which we have now. During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears - Hebrews 5:7. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. Jesus wept - John 11:33, 35.

                    When the Word became flesh, God fully became human and suffered for us. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted - Hebrews 2:18. He is able to help us as He knows everything about us. He loved us so much that He gave His one and only son for us to live. He is with us, in us and for us.                                                 

               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are the word made flesh. We thank You for becoming flesh and redeeming us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

I Am The Light of The World

                                            I am the light of the world - John 8:12.

                    Jesus is the light of the world. He came as a light to the dark world. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness - John 12:46. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all - 1 John 1:5. He is the true light who gives light to every man. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world - John 1:9. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel. And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him - Luke 2:32,33.

                   God has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light to be the light of the world. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light - 1 Peter 2:9. The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned - Matthew 9:16.

                   We will have the light of life when we follow God who is our light. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life - John 8:12. In Your light we see light - Psalm 36:9.  Let us walk as children of light. You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven - Matthew 5:14a, 16.                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for coming to this world as a light to give us light. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

His Name

 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.

Wonderful

           The birth of Jesus was wonderful. Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14. He is the wonderful God who performs countless wonders in our life. He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number - Job 9:10. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done - Psalm 40:5. 

Counselor

               God is our Counselor. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you - Psalm 32:8. He is wonderful in Counsel. This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance - Isaiah 28:29. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left - Isaiah 30:21. 

Mighty God

                We serve a Mighty God who does mighty works in our life. The Mighty God is in our midst. The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save - Zephaniah 3:17. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds - Psalm 77:12.

Everlasting Father

               God is our Everlasting father. And in the wilderness. there you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place - Deuteronomy 1:31. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him - Psalm 103:13.

Prince of Peace

                 Jesus came to the world to bring us peace. Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!  - Luke 2:14. He is the Prince of Peace. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all -2 Thessalonians 3:16.

                                                      

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for your name that is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Thanks Be To God For His Indescribable Gift

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift - 2 Corinthians 9:15.

                  God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son as a gift for us. God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us - Romans 5:8.

                   Let us thank God for His indescribable gift as we are given His peace. It is the peace which the world can never give but it is the peace that passes all understanding. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid - John 14:27. We have been also given the fullness of Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power - Colossians 2:9,10.

                   Jesus is the most precious gift ever given for us. We were not redeemed with silver or gold but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ - 1 Peter 1:19. Salvation is the gift of God for us`. For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8. Let us give thanks to God for His indescribable gift.

                                                        

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for the gift of Jesus to us that is indescribable. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Reasons Why Jesus Came From Heaven To Earth

 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross - Philippians 2:8.

              Jesus came to the earth for many reasons as He loved us so much. He came to save the lost and to bring light to the dark world. He came so that we might have an abundant life. He came to call the sinners to repentance. He came to do the will of the Father and to destroy the works of the devil. He gave Himself as ransom for many.

To save us from sins

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins - Matthew 1:21.

To give us an everlasting life

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life - John 3:16.

To destroy the works of the devil

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work - 1 John 3:8.

To bring light to the dark world

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness - John 12:46.

To give us an abundant life

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly - John 10:10.

To serve and to give His life as a ransom for many

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many - Mark 10:45.

To do the will of the Father

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me - John 6:38.

To call sinners to repentance

For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance - Mathew 9:13.

For us to live forever

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world - John 6:51.

                                               

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for coming from heaven to earth in appearance of man to save us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Prayers of Zechariah And Elizabeth Heard By God

 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us - 1 John 5:14.

                 Zechariah was a priest who served at the temple in Jerusalem. He and his wife Elizabeth were righteous and they both walked blameless in the sight of God by following all His commands. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless - Luke 1:6. They both were very old and had no child.          

                God remembered Zechariah and answered his prayer. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John" - Luke 1:13. Zechariah did not believe the words of the Angel and asked for a sign whereas Mary believed the word of God immediately and submitted to His will. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time - Luke 1:20.

              God turned the sorrow of Zechariah and Elizabeth into joy. All things are possible for Him. Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people” - Luke 1:24,25. Let us always trust God and His promises. He will hear all our prayers and answer us. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers - 1 Peter 3:12.

                                                   

         

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for hearing and answering all our prayers. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Do Not Fear

        Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God - Isaiah 41:10.

               There is a great fear everywhere in the world now due to this pandemic. But God is with us and He is in control of our life. He is bigger than all our fears and circumstances. The first message of angel of the Lord at the time of Jesus’ birth to Mary, Joseph and Shepherds was not to fear.

Joseph

              When Joseph was in a situation to put away Mary secretly, the angel of the Lord told him to take Mary as his wife without fear. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” - Mathew 1:20.

Mary

               The angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her not to be afraid when revealing God’s plan to her about the birth of Jesus. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus - Luke 1:30,31.

Shepherds

                  The Shepherds were afraid when the angels appeared. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid - Luke 2:8,9. As the Shepherds received the joyful news about the birth of Jesus, they met Jesus at Bethlehem and returned by glorifying and praising God.

                  May the Lord deliver us and set us free from all our fears. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears - Psalm 34:4. Be strong and  courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go - Joshua 1:9. 

                                       
PRAYER: Dear Lord, let us not fear about anything as You are always with us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Gold, Frankincense And Myrrh

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh - Mathew 2:11.

 Gold

             The gift of gold, given by one of the wise men symbolizes that the begotten Son who was given by God is the king over all the earth. This wise man’s gift proclaimed Jesus to be King at His birth. Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him - Matthew 2:2. Jesus is the king of kings and the Lord of Lords.

Frankincense

              The gift of frankincense given by one of the wise men symbolizes the work of Jesus as a Priest of God. Frankincense was used by the priests to make sacrifice to God during worship. Jesus is the High Priest who offered Himself as sacrifice for our sins. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many - Mark 10:45.

Myrrh

               The gift of Myrrh which was presented to Jesus at His birth symbolizes that He is a Prophet. It was also a symbol of suffering as it was used to embalm the dead. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed - Isaiah 53:5.                                                   

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for Your sacrifice  for our sins. We offer ourselves as a gift to You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Star of Bethlehem

 As a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts - 2 Peter 1:19.

                       The wise men went to find Jesus after they have seen the star in the East. For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him - Mathew 2:2. The star announced the birth of Christ to the wise men. A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel - Numbers 24:17. The wise men decided to follow the star as they want to see Jesus who was born. I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life - John 8:12.

                     The star led the wise men to where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy - Mathew 2:9,10. They rejoiced with exceedingly great joy when they saw the star. Then they worshiped Jesus and gave Him the gifts. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star - Revelation 22:16.

                        We are the light of the world chosen to help and guide people find Jesus like how the star helped the wise men to find Jesus. Let us arise and shine for the glory of the Lord. Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising - Isaiah 60:1-3.                                                    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us help and lead others like a star to find You and follow You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Away In A Manger

 She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn - Luke 2:7.

                 Jesus was laid in a manger when He was born as there was no room in the inn. Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head - Luke 9:58. Manger was the sign told for the Shepherds by the angel. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger - Luke 2:12. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger - Luke 2:16.

                  God chose a manger which is a feeding trough for animals to be born. Jesus who is the bread of life was lying in a manger to feed us the spiritual food. I am the bread of life - John 6:35. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world - John 6:51. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many - Mark 10:45.

                  God came to the world with humility and simplicity to show us how much He loves us. The Majestic God who created everything by His word was laid in a manger. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:6-8. Let us learn the humility from God. Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart- Mathew 11:29.                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for coming to the world as human in humility to save us. Help us to be always humble in heart. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Give Him The Name Jesus

                   Give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins -                                                                 Matthew 1:21.

             The name Jesus in Hebrew is “Yeshua” which means “The Lord is my Salvation”. The angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus as He will save His people from the sins. The reason Jesus came to the world is to save us from sins. As sin has separated us from God, Jesus came to the world to accomplish the work of Salvation. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost - Luke 19:10.

                 There is salvation in no one else except in the name of Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved - Acts 4:12. There is salvation in the name of Jesus. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved - Acts 2:21. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name - John 1:12.

                 There is power in the name of Jesus and His name is above every name. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth - Philippians 2:9,10. Whatever we ask in the name of Jesus, we will receive it. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it - John 14:14.                                                    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Your name is above all names. We thank You for saving us from our sins. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Prophecies Fulfilled At Jesus' Birth

 For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit - 2 Peter 1:21.

1. Jesus was born into the world to defeat Satan and to redeem us

Prophecy:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel - Genesis 3:15.

Prophecy Fulfilled:

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons - Galatians 4:4,5.

2. Descendant of Abraham

Prophecy:

And through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed - Genesis 22:18.

Prophecy Fulfilled:

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham - Mathew 1:1.

3. Born of a virgin

Prophecy:

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel - Isaiah 7:14.

Prophecy Fulfilled:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” - Mathew 1:23.

4. Born in Bethlehem

Prophecy:

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting - Micah 5:2.

Prophecy Fulfilled:

Mary and Joseph went from Nazareth to Bethlehem and there Jesus was born - Luke 2:4-7.                                                        

                                            

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We thank You for coming to the world as Savior and fulfilling all the prophecies. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Joseph's Obedience To God's Voice

 If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth - Deuteronomy 28:1.

                      Joseph was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. He is a righteous man. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly - Mathew 1:19. When he was thinking of putting away Mary secretly, God spoke to him in a dream and he obeyed to it. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife - Mathew 1:24.

                    Joseph was obedient to all the instructions and warnings that were given to him in the dreams by angel. He listened to the voice of God and walked according to it. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee - Mathew 2:22. As he followed God’s directions, Jesus was protected from all evil during the time of His birth. He was a man of great faith as he walked through the darkness and confusions during the time of Jesus’ birth by faith and not by sight.

                     As Joseph was obedient to God’s voice, the plan of God coming to the world as Savior was fully accomplished. Like how God spoke with Joseph in dreams, He will speak to us too. Let us hear the voice of God and obey to it like Joseph so that we can fulfill the plan of God for us. Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams - 1 Samuel 15:22.

                                                       

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Let us obey to Your voice and walk according to it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.