Luke

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Not Too Late!

It’s never too late to repent and turn your life over to God! As long as you have breath and there is a today, then there is an opportunity.

And it doesn’t matter how old or young you may be; or how much sinfulness you have committed – you can come to the Lord today.

The only ones to show up around the birth of Jesus were shepherds. Perhaps there may have been a few others – a midwife or a relative of Joseph or Mary that was living in Bethlehem at the time.
But certainly there was no pomp and circumstance at His arrival that drew masses of followers.

In fact, it was eight days after His birth when Joseph and Mary took Jesus for ritual circumcision, according to the Law.
While there two people came to them unannounced.

First, an elderly man named Simeon.

And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, [Simeon] took Him up in his arms and blessed God… Luke 2:27-28

Then an eighty-four year old woman named Anna also walked up to them.

And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

So just because you may be late for the birth doesn’t mean it’s too late to meet Jesus. After all, most of the disciples won’t meet Him until He’s thirty years old.

So come meet Him today.

Abba, I pray for those that need to meet Jesus today. YES&AMEN

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Working!

Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day!

Your plans may be to open presents or capture those precious memories as the kids open theirs.

You may be planning a big Christmas dinner, watching a Christmas movie or perhaps a church service to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Whatever you are doing remember there are others that must work today, just like the shepherds were working.

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8

The hospitals have doctors and nurses around the clock. The police and fire departments are staffed.
And, of course, there are men and women in the Armed Forces that are far, far from home and even though they may get off duty later on, they won’t be able to sit down with their families.

The shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

Just like the shepherds, each person should make the time to stop and visit with the Savior today – through prayer, praise, worship, and acts of kindness to others.

Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. Luke 2:17

Each should share with others the testimony of salvation and God’s blessings!

Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:20

Work is a part of living! You should return to work with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord!

Abba, I pray protection on those protecting me today. I pray they find time to pause and see the Christ today! In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – No Room Here!

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And 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 2:6-7

Continue reading →

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A Lesson from the Christmas Story – Hardships

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. Luke 2:4-5

These days a census takes place every ten years and either a census taker comes by your home or something is mailed to you.

Can you imagine the difficulty of having to return back to the hospital were you were born for the census. Or if you were born at home, returning to that county’s courthouse for the purpose of a census.

It would be an unexpected expense and a far journey for many people. Linda would have to go to a hospital in Lufkin, our children to Nacogdoches, but I would have to go back to Baytown. At least we all stay in Texas though!

For Joseph and Mary it meant traveling 70 hard miles on foot, by wagon, or riding the back of an animal like a donkey. Still it was 70 difficult miles. That distance today can be done in less than an hour. Back then it would have taken almost 4 days!

Life is full of hardships, difficulties, and unexpected trips and expenses. But just because it’s a hardship doesn’t mean God is not in it!

Hardships are not meant to break you – but to make you stronger. Difficulties teach more lessons than books ever will.

I’ve noticed the more trouble that comes my way – the more God is glorified through His deliverance for me.

The end of that difficult journey for Joseph and Mary resulted in the birth of the Messiah.

Abba, I praise You through my difficulties and hardships because it shows how sufficient Your grace is for me, in Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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Lessons from the Christmas story – Government

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Luke 2:1-3

Politics is always a hot topic. Everyone has an opinion about it.

I don’t like to bring up politics in church very often – it gets people’s mind off Christ and gets them dwelling on issues that get them riled up and angry.

The government has the ability to do things that doesn’t make everyone happy. If a Republican is in office then the Democrats complain. If a Democrat is in office then the Republicans moan and groan.
The government will never succeed at making everyone happy.

But Christians need to learn this lesson from the Christmas story – just because the government does something that unpopular – that doesn’t mean God cannot use it for His purpose.

The census that caused Joseph and a very pregnant Mary to travel 70 miles, brought them to the city of David – Bethlehem.
It was exactly where they needed to be when Jesus, the Messiah was born.

Only in Bethlehem could the prophecy of Micah.

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. Mic 5:2

So next time the government does something that you don’t like – pray about it and watch God work!

Abba, keep me from complaining about the government and help me turn to You for all things good. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN

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How?

In reading Luke 1 this morning, I saw the question – the question I have often asked.
Then I saw it again.
So I went searching for it. Continue reading →

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Troubled at the saying

I study the Bible a lot – every day I have my nose in it. And I know there are times I can get teach and preach and get over the heads of those listening.

This is especially true of new things – things the listeners have not studied or heard before.

I try to explain everything but sometimes it just takes time to sink in.

The same thing happened to Mary.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Luke 1:28-30

Mary was troubled at his saying.
Why? Because it was new to her.

She lived in a society that followed the Law of Moses. It was a society where the religious leaders would emphasize that she wasn’t good enough and because her family wasn’t rich, they weren’t considered to be blessed.

Now an angel tells her she is highly favored and she has found favor with God.

The angel told her of grace, something she just didn’t understand. Grace and following the Law had little in common. Then again, they have everything in common. But there I go again – getting in deep.

Mary is not alone when it comes to not understanding grace. There are many people that don’t. I can’t swear that I fully comprehend it but I fully accept it.

I know I am saved by God’s grace.

There are many things in God’s word that are difficult to understand. Like grace, they need to be accepted and allowed to accomplish their purpose in you.

Abba, Your grace is more than sufficient for me. I love Your grace. Thank You for giving it to me through my Savior, Jesus. YES&AMEN

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Walking

My year old grandson started walking last night. He was standing by my chair and just let go and walked over to Haylee who was about six feet away. Then he walked back.
Once he discovered what he was doing he would walk some 15 feet across the living room and back.

He was as excited as the rest of us. With each step he’ll grow more confident and steady and there will be no stopping him.

It’s an experience every parent and grandparent goes through.

It’s hard to imagine that Jesus went through it too.

After his birth and dedication the Bible says,

And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

There was the day he rolled over on His own.
The day He started crawling and waving bye and hi.
Then the day came when He let go of the chair and walked across the room, much to the thrill and excitement of Joseph and Mary.

There was no stopping Him.
He kept on walking.

He walked Galilee and Judea.
He walked through Samaria and through the streets of Jerusalem.
He walked in the mountains and He walked on the water.

Then the day came when He walked to Golgotha and was crucified.

But death didn’t stop Him. He walked up to the devil and took the keys of death and hell. He walked out of the tomb. He walked among His disciples. He walked for forty days.
He walked to the Mount of Olives but He didn’t walk back down.
He ascended to heaven where He now sits at the right hand of Father.

And He has passed the walking over to you and me now!
It’s up to each of us to walk by His grace and walk by faith.

Abba, use my legs to carry me where You want me to go. In Jesus name, YES&AMEN