GEMS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 29, 2012
PROVERB:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
PROMISE:
I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. Isaiah 45: 5-7.
PRAISE:
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone. Psalm 71: 14-16.
December 30, 2012
Gladness: December 26, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26, 2012
GLADNESS
DEFINITION:
The feeling of joy or pleasure.
SCRIPTURE:
Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2.
You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Those who serve the Lord with a sad face, because for some reason they are unhappy about something, really are not serving Him at all. These types of people bring to the spiritual table a form of bowing down to God and seemingly worshipping Him, but their words and deeds do not show a love for their Lord in their everyday living with true gladness and service.
Our God is a God of love and He wants no slaves to grace His throne. In God's sight a slave is one who serves God because he or she feels they must and not because he or she has given his or her heart to the Lord and desires to serve Him. Thus, there is no true gladness experienced in their heart each day. These types of people will continually show sadness on their face because they are carrying the heavy burden of reluctant obedience. God has His servants dressed in joy and gladness not with sadness. The angels serve Him with joy not with groans. A murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in the ranks of the angels. The Lord looks at the heart and He can see that obedience that is forced and not voluntary is really disobedience.
Our service to God coupled with gladness and cheerfulness is true heart service and is what God wants from us. Cheerfulness and gladness is the support God gives us for our faith in the Lord. In the joy of the Lord we are strong. The joy of the Lord in our lives acts as a remover of difficulties. It is like what oil is to the wheels of a railroad car. Without oil the axle gets hot and accidents occur. We need the gladness and cheerfulness of the Lord in our lives. These act to oil our wheels. The man who is cheerful in his service to God shows the people of the world, non-believers, that it is a delight and joy to serve the Lord our God.
Gladness in serving the Lord is what the people of Judah experienced when Hezekiah became King and reopened the temple in Jerusalem for worship. His father Ahaz had shut the temple doors and led the people of Judah into idol worship. In the first month of his reign King Hezekiah opened and repaired the temple doors and brought back the priests to consecrate and purify the temple. When the temple was ready the people came and the “whole assembly bowed in worship. They sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped.” II Chronicles 29: 28-30.
We encourage you to worship and serve the Lord with gladness. When you attend church and see someone who seems sad and is missing the gladness of worshipping the Lord, take a moment to pray for them and ask God to give that person a heart of joy and gladness. When you pray for someone, God may give you opportunity to say a word of encouragement to them.
You will often find out as you talk to people the heavy burdens they are carrying. When you show you care, you will experience gladness in serving the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Fill my heart today with gladness that You alone can give. May others see me as one who serves Jesus with gladness.
GLADNESS
DEFINITION:
The feeling of joy or pleasure.
SCRIPTURE:
Serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2.
You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Those who serve the Lord with a sad face, because for some reason they are unhappy about something, really are not serving Him at all. These types of people bring to the spiritual table a form of bowing down to God and seemingly worshipping Him, but their words and deeds do not show a love for their Lord in their everyday living with true gladness and service.
Our God is a God of love and He wants no slaves to grace His throne. In God's sight a slave is one who serves God because he or she feels they must and not because he or she has given his or her heart to the Lord and desires to serve Him. Thus, there is no true gladness experienced in their heart each day. These types of people will continually show sadness on their face because they are carrying the heavy burden of reluctant obedience. God has His servants dressed in joy and gladness not with sadness. The angels serve Him with joy not with groans. A murmur or a sigh would be a mutiny in the ranks of the angels. The Lord looks at the heart and He can see that obedience that is forced and not voluntary is really disobedience.
Our service to God coupled with gladness and cheerfulness is true heart service and is what God wants from us. Cheerfulness and gladness is the support God gives us for our faith in the Lord. In the joy of the Lord we are strong. The joy of the Lord in our lives acts as a remover of difficulties. It is like what oil is to the wheels of a railroad car. Without oil the axle gets hot and accidents occur. We need the gladness and cheerfulness of the Lord in our lives. These act to oil our wheels. The man who is cheerful in his service to God shows the people of the world, non-believers, that it is a delight and joy to serve the Lord our God.
Gladness in serving the Lord is what the people of Judah experienced when Hezekiah became King and reopened the temple in Jerusalem for worship. His father Ahaz had shut the temple doors and led the people of Judah into idol worship. In the first month of his reign King Hezekiah opened and repaired the temple doors and brought back the priests to consecrate and purify the temple. When the temple was ready the people came and the “whole assembly bowed in worship. They sang praises with gladness and bowed their heads and worshipped.” II Chronicles 29: 28-30.
We encourage you to worship and serve the Lord with gladness. When you attend church and see someone who seems sad and is missing the gladness of worshipping the Lord, take a moment to pray for them and ask God to give that person a heart of joy and gladness. When you pray for someone, God may give you opportunity to say a word of encouragement to them.
You will often find out as you talk to people the heavy burdens they are carrying. When you show you care, you will experience gladness in serving the Lord.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Fill my heart today with gladness that You alone can give. May others see me as one who serves Jesus with gladness.
Resurrection: December 28, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY DECEMBER 28, 2012.
RESURRECTION
DEFINITION:
The rising of Christ from the dead.
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These verses we have written above were words given by Jesus to Martha when Jesus went to Bethany to visit Martha four days after Lazarus died. Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus could make this statement because He has power over life and death. Jesus is the life because He is the creator of life. He is the resurrection because He conquered death and He can restore life. Jesus said to Martha that, those who believe in Him, though they die, they will live! He asked her if she believed and Martha responded saying that she did believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ ties into Christmas. It was on Christmas that Jesus was born and today we want to remind you that about 33 years later it was the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross that made it possible for us to have an eternal spiritual life that death cannot conquer. He died for you and for us. He died and was resurrected so that we did not have to pay the penalty for our sins because we are all born as sinners, and if we are to have eternal life in heaven with God we must be free from the penalty for the sins we have committed.
Jesus did die a cruel death on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins. Jesus asks us the same question He asked Mary, “Do you believe this?” All we have to do is believe, repent of our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and then accept Jesus as our Savior and live for Him. Then death no longer has power over us and we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
The resurrection of our Lord is what makes Christianity different from ALL other religions. The bodies of all the other religious leaders down through the centuries remain in their tombs. Jesus left an empty tomb. Jesus did what He said He would. On Easter Sunday He did rise from that grave. He remained on earth 40 days during which time He ate and drank with the disciples and showed them His wounds to provide evidence of His resurrection. Jesus appeared not only to the disciples but more than 500 believers saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He went back to Heaven and today is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him.
If for some reason you do not believe that there was a resurrection then you are saying Jesus is a liar and a hoax. If you believe that Jesus did not rise from the dead then you are believing He has no power over death and thus no power to pay the penalty for your sins, which is death. Paul says in I Corinthians 15: 14 that if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is useless and your faith is also useless. In verse 17 Paul goes on to say that if Christ is not risen that your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Those who are still in their sins cannot avoid God’s judgment. We are asked in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great a salvation?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
We worship You and rejoice in what You have done for us. We thank You and praise You that You are the resurrected Savior, the giver of our great salvation.
RESURRECTION
DEFINITION:
The rising of Christ from the dead.
SCRIPTURE:
Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
These verses we have written above were words given by Jesus to Martha when Jesus went to Bethany to visit Martha four days after Lazarus died. Jesus said that He was the resurrection and the life. Jesus could make this statement because He has power over life and death. Jesus is the life because He is the creator of life. He is the resurrection because He conquered death and He can restore life. Jesus said to Martha that, those who believe in Him, though they die, they will live! He asked her if she believed and Martha responded saying that she did believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.
The resurrection of Christ ties into Christmas. It was on Christmas that Jesus was born and today we want to remind you that about 33 years later it was the resurrection of Jesus after His death on the cross that made it possible for us to have an eternal spiritual life that death cannot conquer. He died for you and for us. He died and was resurrected so that we did not have to pay the penalty for our sins because we are all born as sinners, and if we are to have eternal life in heaven with God we must be free from the penalty for the sins we have committed.
Jesus did die a cruel death on the cross to pay the penalty for all of our sins. Jesus asks us the same question He asked Mary, “Do you believe this?” All we have to do is believe, repent of our sins, ask God for forgiveness, and then accept Jesus as our Savior and live for Him. Then death no longer has power over us and we will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
The resurrection of our Lord is what makes Christianity different from ALL other religions. The bodies of all the other religious leaders down through the centuries remain in their tombs. Jesus left an empty tomb. Jesus did what He said He would. On Easter Sunday He did rise from that grave. He remained on earth 40 days during which time He ate and drank with the disciples and showed them His wounds to provide evidence of His resurrection. Jesus appeared not only to the disciples but more than 500 believers saw Jesus alive after His resurrection. He went back to Heaven and today is preparing a place for us to spend eternity with Him.
If for some reason you do not believe that there was a resurrection then you are saying Jesus is a liar and a hoax. If you believe that Jesus did not rise from the dead then you are believing He has no power over death and thus no power to pay the penalty for your sins, which is death. Paul says in I Corinthians 15: 14 that if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is useless and your faith is also useless. In verse 17 Paul goes on to say that if Christ is not risen that your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Those who are still in their sins cannot avoid God’s judgment. We are asked in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape if we ignore such a great a salvation?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
We worship You and rejoice in what You have done for us. We thank You and praise You that You are the resurrected Savior, the giver of our great salvation.
Favoritism: December 27, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 27, 2012.
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION:
Showing partiality to one person over another; preference.
SCRIPTURE:
My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genesis 27 contains an ugly portrait of parental favoritism. This kind of favoritism is prevalent in families today. We read in this chapter that Isaac favored Esau and Rebecca, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob. Romans chapter 9 points out to us that even before Jacob and Esau were born, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line of Abraham. God had also informed Isaac and Rebecca that "the older will serve the younger." (25:23)
Although Rebecca was well aware of God's promise, she would not refrain from allowing her feelings of favoritism toward Jacob to motivate her to take action. She schemed with Jacob to deceive Isaac, who was nearly blind, by disguising Jacob as Esau so that Isaac would give the blessing, which was to be given to the first-born, to Jacob instead of Esau. Rebecca's scheming to advance Jacob was both foolish and wrong. She was wrong to resort to deceit and make her son, Jacob part of it. She was foolish to think that God needed her help to accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises. God does not need our help in carrying out His plans.
We ask you this question regarding this Biblical account: Who was at fault, the parents or the children? Rebecca had no reason to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. In choosing deceit, Rebecca so provoked Esau's hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee and leave home. All that her conniving did was to divide the family and deprive her of her son for twenty years. The lesson we can learn from this is that "Ends never justify adopting sinful means."
To complete the story it is recorded in Chapter 27 verse 33 that Isaac realized he had been tricked concerning his inheritance. He favored Esau, but he also knew that God had chosen Jacob. Nevertheless, Isaac tried to meddle with God's promise for Jacob. Isaac intended that Esau should have the blessing. When Isaac knew what had happened he began to shake violently, because he realized that he had tried to change God's plan but God had intervened to prevent it. So Isaac submitted to God's will and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob. Isaac could not change what had been done even though Esau asked for a blessing of his own. It is the parent's responsibility to counsel and guide their children in doing what is right.
As parents we need to treat all of our children equally and as children we need to respond to our parents the same way. Favoritism never works out for the good.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn from the Biblical account of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau and Jacob. Help me to treat all of my children equally so that they feel equally loved. Keep me sensitive to other people's feelings as well, so that at all times I treat people equally and fairly.
FAVORITISM
DEFINITION:
Showing partiality to one person over another; preference.
SCRIPTURE:
My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Genesis 27 contains an ugly portrait of parental favoritism. This kind of favoritism is prevalent in families today. We read in this chapter that Isaac favored Esau and Rebecca, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob. Romans chapter 9 points out to us that even before Jacob and Esau were born, God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line of Abraham. God had also informed Isaac and Rebecca that "the older will serve the younger." (25:23)
Although Rebecca was well aware of God's promise, she would not refrain from allowing her feelings of favoritism toward Jacob to motivate her to take action. She schemed with Jacob to deceive Isaac, who was nearly blind, by disguising Jacob as Esau so that Isaac would give the blessing, which was to be given to the first-born, to Jacob instead of Esau. Rebecca's scheming to advance Jacob was both foolish and wrong. She was wrong to resort to deceit and make her son, Jacob part of it. She was foolish to think that God needed her help to accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises. God does not need our help in carrying out His plans.
We ask you this question regarding this Biblical account: Who was at fault, the parents or the children? Rebecca had no reason to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. In choosing deceit, Rebecca so provoked Esau's hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee and leave home. All that her conniving did was to divide the family and deprive her of her son for twenty years. The lesson we can learn from this is that "Ends never justify adopting sinful means."
To complete the story it is recorded in Chapter 27 verse 33 that Isaac realized he had been tricked concerning his inheritance. He favored Esau, but he also knew that God had chosen Jacob. Nevertheless, Isaac tried to meddle with God's promise for Jacob. Isaac intended that Esau should have the blessing. When Isaac knew what had happened he began to shake violently, because he realized that he had tried to change God's plan but God had intervened to prevent it. So Isaac submitted to God's will and bestowed his blessing upon Jacob. Isaac could not change what had been done even though Esau asked for a blessing of his own. It is the parent's responsibility to counsel and guide their children in doing what is right.
As parents we need to treat all of our children equally and as children we need to respond to our parents the same way. Favoritism never works out for the good.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER:
Help me to learn from the Biblical account of Isaac, Rebecca, Esau and Jacob. Help me to treat all of my children equally so that they feel equally loved. Keep me sensitive to other people's feelings as well, so that at all times I treat people equally and fairly.
Christmas Day: December 25, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY DECEMBER 25, 2012.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah (Israel).
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God. May this Christmas season be a time of rejoicing and celebration of God’s great gift of salvation that I have in Jesus Christ in my life as well as in the lives of my family. Thank You for the miraculous way You work.
CHRISTMAS DAY
DEFINITION:
The celebration of the birth of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE:
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There were some unusual events that happened in the world when Jesus was born. These events had a dramatic effect on history.
Way back in the book of Genesis Jacob gave us a prophecy of the birth of Jesus. In Genesis 49:10 Jacob said, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.”
When Jesus was born this prophecy was being fulfilled. The scepter of rule had departed from Judea and they were now under the rule of Rome with Caesar Augustus reigning as emperor. Cyrenius was governor of Syria and Judea was part of the province of Syria. Herod was now King of Judea. So you see that a foreign, alien power, now ruled over Judea, however God’s scepter of rule had not left Judah. God was still in control and will always be in control of what happens to Judah (Israel).
With the birth of Jesus, the prophecy of The Messiah coming was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Shiloh) and His coming into the world not only fulfilled prophecy but was surrounded by the most unusual events.
One of these unusual events was the unexpected taxation. It had been prophesied that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and this scripture had to be fulfilled. Joseph and Mary lived in Galilee and as the scripture says, “Mary was now great with child.” The taxation happened just at the right time and in the right way. Every one needed to return to the city of his family ancestry to register and pay his taxes. God was controlling these events so that all things worked so that He might fulfill His promise to send the Savior into the world.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David so the taxation forced Joseph to take Mary and to go to Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was prophesied to be the city of the Messiah’s birth. The taxation led to the fulfillment of Scripture. Without the taxation decree Joseph and Mary would certainly have not had any reason to make such a long difficult journey of more than 70 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, especially with a baby on the verge of being born.
The Scribes understood where Jesus the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5-6). The common people understood where Jesus was to be born (John 7:42).
Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem because it was prophesied that the Messiah was to be the Son of David. David had been born in Bethlehem therefore it was necessary for Jesus the Son of David to be born there. The “Son of David” was the most common Messianic title used to refer to Jesus in His day. And finally the scripture prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
How can we not only be amazed but also have our hearts blessed when we consider how God miraculously worked out His plan of Salvation for us? Caesar Augustus could never have imagined that he played a role in fulfilling prophecy concerning Christ our Messiah.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this Christmas week is found in Luke 2:14.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
PRAYER
Help me today to realize the significance of how God prepared the world for the birth of Jesus. Thank You that I serve a miracle working God. May this Christmas season be a time of rejoicing and celebration of God’s great gift of salvation that I have in Jesus Christ in my life as well as in the lives of my family. Thank You for the miraculous way You work.
Christmas Eve: December 24, 2012
TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 24, 2012.
CHRISTMAS EVE
We encourage you today to start preparing for tomorrow. It is our prayer for you that CHRISTMAS DAY 2012 will be one of the most Christ honoring and special days of your life.
Take the time today to read to your family the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14. For your convenience we are sharing it with you now.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”
The story goes on with the shepherds going to find Mary, Joseph and the baby. (Luke 2: 15-20) After you have read this account to your family this Christmas then take time to pray together, thanking God for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins.
Make today and tomorrow a real celebration as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Have a blessed Christmas and remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
Your friends;
Ken and Dottie
CHRISTMAS EVE
We encourage you today to start preparing for tomorrow. It is our prayer for you that CHRISTMAS DAY 2012 will be one of the most Christ honoring and special days of your life.
Take the time today to read to your family the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-14. For your convenience we are sharing it with you now.
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.”
The story goes on with the shepherds going to find Mary, Joseph and the baby. (Luke 2: 15-20) After you have read this account to your family this Christmas then take time to pray together, thanking God for sending His Son to pay the penalty for your sins.
Make today and tomorrow a real celebration as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Have a blessed Christmas and remember that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!
Your friends;
Ken and Dottie
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