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Luke 2:8-18 An Angelic Encounter
8 That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! 10 But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! 11 For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. 12 You will recognize him by this miracle sign: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough!”
13 Then all at once, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:
14 
“Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven!
    For there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men.”

15 When the choir of angels disappeared back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word that is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.”

16 So they ran into the village and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough.

17 Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. 18 Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told.

In our lesson today, the shepherds go from being terrified of the glory of God to being hungry for an encounter with the Lord. They are driven to pursue the Word in order to see if the angelic message is true? Fear will always come to rob us of God’s Word that brings salvation; we must use our faith and press beyond our fears. The angels brought the Word, but the shepherds had to believe and follow the Word in order to experience the miracle of salvation God had for them. When the shepherd’s hunger took them to the Messiah and they saw the Word manifest, their lives were never the same. They knew they had witnessed the miracle from heaven the angels came to announced. The Word brings miraculous ways to rescue, save, deliver, and heal us. We must believe and obey. Go after the glorious Word with all your heart this Christmas. You will find the Messiah there.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Good News of Messiah and the miracles he brings into our lives. I believe your Word is Truth and I will be looking for the salvation only you can bring me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Isaiah 6:9 GNT
A child is born to us!
    A son is given to us!
    And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,”
    “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,”
    “Prince of Peace.”

The prophet Isaiah spoke of the brith of Christ as if it had already happened in his lifetime; that is faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1). Even though it would be many years before the Messiah was born, Isaiah believed the Lord and received his Word as Truth. We, too, have to use our faith as we look toward the future in Christ. Father God has promised a glorious eternity; he is providing a future with the Lord as our Ruler.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the prophetic Word from Isaiah and the promise that you will one day be our Ruler. I look forward with great hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 1:50-55
50 
Mercy kisses all his godly lovers,
    from one generation to the next.
51 
Mighty power flows from him
    to scatter all those who walk in pride.
52 
Powerful princes he tears from their thrones
    and he lifts up the lowly to take their place.
53 
Those who hunger for him will always be filled,
    but the smug and self-satisfied he will send away empty.
54 
Because he can never forget to show mercy,
    he has helped his chosen servant, Israel,
55 
Keeping his promises to Abraham
    and to his descendants forever.”

Mary’s praise in poetry and song continues in our lesson, today. Her words exalt the goodness, faithfulness, and power of God to bring salvation. When we compare God’s supernatural power to our limited human power, wisdom should always lead us toward surrender. Mary trusted God before she really experienced his promise. She believed before she saw the fruit of God’s Word revealed. How trusting are you of God’s love and support, today?

John Peterson wrote a song about the believer’s need to surrender to the power of God, “I Will Trust When I Cannot See.”

When I cannot understand God’s leading,
When I do not know the reason why
He should choose the path that lies before me,
Still to Him in faith I can reply:

I will trust when I cannot see,
When I’m faced with adversity,
And believe Your will is always best for me
I will trust when I cannot see.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing Mary’s surrendered heart in your Word. She inspires me. May my faith please and exalt you and may you fill me as I hunger for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Luke 1:46-49
Mary’s Prophetic Song
46 
And Mary sang this song:
    “My soul is ecstatic, overflowing with praises to God!
47 
My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God!
48 
For he set his tender gaze upon me, his lowly servant girl.
    And from here on, everyone will know
    that I have been favored and blessed.
49 
The Mighty One has worked a mighty miracle for me;
    holy is his name!

Mary is the first person to recognize the Christ child as Savior and Life-Giver. When she realizes this Christ child is the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham to bring deliverance and salvation, she cannot contain her joy. She bursts into poetry in the Spirit, because she knows this Life Giver is for her. Christ is her Savior! When you and I truly understand the enormous Gift in Christ we have been given for salvation, we will burst into joy that never ends, too. God’s grace—his unmerited favor—active in our lives is such a miraculous blessing. Repeat this over and over again, “I am favored and blessed by God. He has chosen to love me and be a part of my life. My life is built upon his love and groomed in his holiness. I am a miracle of salvation!”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the life you have prepared for me; to live in your presence and enjoy fellowship with you each day. I am truly favored and blessed. May others around me take notice and want you in their lives, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 1:5-14 NLT
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.[revealed you as My Son]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”
6 And when he brought his supreme Son into the world, God said,
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9
You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
11
They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
12
You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

The writer of Hebrews wants to clarify for the Church the role of the Son, as well as the role of the angels. The Son is God; holy utterance, Creator, and Savior. Angels are God’s heavenly messengers who herald God’s plan, worship and bow before the Son, guard God’s people, and will one day execute God’s judgment on the world. Salvation is through the Son, but the angels play important roles in salvation, as well.

The angels announced Jesus the Christ’s birth and proclaimed his resurrection. They minister to us as God’s family all the time, because they see us “in Christ!” They take care of those who have chosen to inherit salvation; receive the indwelling Christ. Let that soak in. During this Advent season, as you think about Christ’s first coming, please remember he came because he loves justice and hates evil. When Christ returns the second time, please remember he is establishing justice and destroying evil forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing salvation and justice to my life. I look forward to the day evil is destroyed forever. As well, thank you for positioning your angels around your family in Christ to protect us and care for us. I place my trust in you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hebrews 1:1-4
Jesus, the Language of God
1 Throughout our history God has spoken to our ancestors by his prophets in many different ways. The revelation he gave them was only a fragment at a time, building one truth upon another. 2 But to us living in these last days, God now speaks to us openly in the language of a Son, the appointed Heir of everything, for through him God created the panorama of all things and all time.

3 The Son is the dazzling radiance of God’s splendor, the exact expression of God’s true nature—his mirror image! He holds the universe together and expands it by the mighty power of his spoken word. He accomplished for us the complete cleansing of sins, and then took his seat on the highest throne at the right hand of the majestic One.

Scripture is God’s self-revelation. God reveals himself from the Beginning of Creation in Genesis all the way to the Last Days in Revelation. Therefore, each book and chapter reveals something about God to hungry souls. As you read the Word of God, keep in mind that Jesus is the perfect revelation of God; he is the language of God throughout all Scripture.

Sometimes people want to just read the New Testament because they like the demeanor of the manifested Word—Jesus—found in the gospels better than the Word of God revealed in the Old Testament. News flash: Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever; he is the whole Word of God. The LORD in the Old Testament is the same LORD in the New Testament; the building of one truth upon another. If we do not want to experience the judgment of God that is revealed so clearly in Scripture, we will turn to the righteous sacrifice of Jesus and by faith accept his blood as the atonement for our sins. Jesus the Son restores our relationship with the heavenly Father. The cross is the beginning of a new life with God. What an exciting journey we can live now with God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself through the Word; I do not have to guess how you feel about things or what your purpose is for humanity. You want a relationship with a holy people and only Jesus can make that happen. Thank you for your beautiful and perfect heart for your human creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Malachi 4:1-4
1 Eternal One: “For behold the day of burning will come, smoldering like a furnace. The arrogant and the evil will be set ablaze like the worthless chaff of grain. Neither roots nor branch will remain. I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, promise this. 2 But for you, the ones who tremble at the sound of My name, a warm sun of righteousness will come forth with healing in its rays, and you will go out, springing from the stalls like calves in open pasture. 3 Then you will trample the criminal; your feet will make them ash on the day I am preparing. I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, promise this.

4 Remember the instructions which Moses, My faithful servant, received from Me at Mount Sinai and gave to all Israel. Remember its statutes and judgments.”

To whom does the world turn for salvation? A politician? A military strategist? A spiritual leader? A prophetic leader? An intelligent scholar? A shrewd businessman. A dead martyr? According to Scripture, salvation is found in the name of Jesus; there is salvation in no one else (Acts 4:12). He is the Creator of all things; the Living God! Therefore, every day we need to call upon the name of the LORD, because salvation is found in no other name.

Jesus brings supernatural power to his spiritual family. Whatever we face as believers and followers of Christ, we face it with the indwelling King of kings and the LORD of lords. No devil in hell can triumph over the sovereign Rule of Truth; Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for believers. If we love Jesus, we will follow his commands to make him LORD of our lives.

The unbelieving and unrepentant world must face the judgment of Creator God. He has warned us over and over again throughout Scripture that one day—the Day of the Lord—judgment will be poured out on this rebellious and sinful world. Therefore, humanity must repent and turn back to the Lord as our King. In our passage today, a warm sun of righteousness will come forth with healing in its rays for believers; we will leap around in the great JOY of our salvation! (v.2). Please do not put the weight of your hope in any other human person for salvation. That is idolatry; God will not tolerate it in the lives of believers nor unbelievers. Jesus is our Hope. Jesus is our Peace. Jesus is our Joy. Jesus is unfailing LOVE who comes to save humanity. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

Prayer: Lord, I am excited about your return; I am hungry for the rule of righteousness in this world. I look for your second coming each day, but I wait for your perfect timing. I am seeking to keep my mind, will, and emotions focused upon you. Thank you for sustaining and refreshing me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 3:17-21

17 “My fellow Jews, I realize that neither you nor your leaders realize the grave mistake you made. 18 But in spite of what you’ve done, God has fulfilled what he foretold through the prophets long ago about the sufferings of his Anointed One. 19 And now you must repent and turn back to God so that your sins will be removed, and so that times of refreshing will stream from the Lord’s presence. 20 And he will send you Jesus, the Messiah, the chosen one for you. 21 For he must remain in heaven until the restoration of all things has taken place, fulfilling everything that God said long ago through his holy prophets.

In our passage today, Peter is preaching in the temple about the God of Abraham and the work of God’s Son—Jesus the Messiah—on the cross. He tells the people to repent—to return home to God’s grace and truth. Peter explains God sent his Son to reveal the appointed time—the fulfillment of prophecy—for refreshing. The refreshing God brings through Christ is such an amazing gift—the cross begins the restoration of paradise within the hearts of believers and followers of Christ. If you have accepted Christ into your heart, the journey has begun. Praise God! Please continue to follow the Spirit as he reveals the Word manifesting in your life; only then can you experience the beauty and fulness of his love for you. Every day is a new day with Jesus; he wants to reveal his will for your life one day at a time.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the refreshing you continually bring my life. I am so grateful for the work you have been doing in my life to restore paradise in my heart. As you bring that refreshing, I begin to see more clearly your heart, as well as my destiny. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

December 14, 2020
Ephesians 6:10-18 (TPT)
Spiritual Warfare
10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

11 Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! 12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. 13 Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.

14 Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. 15 Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.
16 In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! 17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.
Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.

Every day at some level we are engaged in a spiritual battle against the forces of evil. Satan comes against believers because we refuse to serve him. Since it is a spiritual battle, we must fight with spiritual weapons. So, make a decision to resist Satan, use your faith and stay true to God, pray constantly, protect your thoughts from lies, and embrace Christ’s saving work. Be an influence as you fight in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for supernaturally infusing me with your strength and power. I will put on your armor and pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Philippians 3:12-16
12 I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. 13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires,[running this direction] God will reveal it to them. 16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.

One of the true mark of a Christian in the loving hands of Father God is humility; Christ is humble, gentle, meek, and lowly. Humility is a heart attitude not only an outward demeanor. Jesus humbled himself in order to follow the Father’s plan for his death on the cross in saving his human creation. In his saving grace, we remain vessels in our Father’s hands who need regeneration and ongoing restoration. Humility helps us be submissive to God’s pruning and shaping of our lives; we acknowledge Father knows best. Humility helps us to be more compassionate with one another while we endure God’s grooming process; we acknowledge humility is the attitude that brings more grace and power into our own lives. We all desperately need God’s grace.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul demonstrates humility. He is humble—open and honest before God and others—about the fact that Father is still grooming and shaping him. He is bold, yet humble. Paul has not reached the fullness of God’s abundance, but he runs with passion toward it and he encourages others to do the same. Put on the humility of Christ and let’s run together, my friends!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for demonstrating true humility for all your children. May my heart remain humble before you as you shape and prune my life for the work of your hands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.