She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:7-12 Continue reading
Religion
What will you endure?
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. Continue reading
Need a blessing – Give a blessing!
Sometimes you need a sign, some sort of confirmation on what you believe God has told you.
You need some scripture or a prophecy from someone you trust that speaks to your heart about the things God has laid on your heart.
Maybe such was the case with Mary. Continue reading
I am the Lord’s servant
I remember my first in-the-pulpit devotion. I was petrified but I also liked it – a lot! I remember after my next devotional, the pastor approached me and said he thought God may be calling me into the ministry.
ME…A PREACHER? You’ve got to be kidding. Continue reading
Standing in the gap.
So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. Ex 17:10-13
Continue reading
When God shows up!
One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. Continue reading
In Bad Times You are Still More than Conquerors.
When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. Luke 1:5-7
Good people remain faithful in the worst of times. Continue reading
Do you have room?
Linda and I have been married for almost 34 years. In that time we have gone from sleeping in a double bed to a king size, mostly because we have become king sized ourselves.
There are those occasions when we visit relatives or vacation and we have to sleep again in a double bed. Continue reading
The Right Words at the Right Time
In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. Ps 20:1
God’s timing is impeccable!
Yesterday evening suddenly became a little nerve wracking. A couple of phone calls and some texting had me a little on edge about what was going to happen in the near future. Continue reading
Milk and Meat
Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment. 1 Peter 2:2
When you are born-again (John 3:3) it is much like the first birth in that you must have someone take care Continue reading
Morning Thought with Pastor Tim 