This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband, was faithful to the law and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew…
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Advent: Day Seven
In a loud voice, she exclaimed: “Blessed, are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me! As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Luke 1:42-45 Jesus came to earth to fulfill a promise and a purpose. His mission was the cross. When God spoke His blessing over Mary and baby Jesus, he did not mean a life of ease. Hebrews 12:2 says, “keeping our…
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Thanking God
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them and told the disciples to distribute them. Mark 8:6-7 Thanking God for His provisions is so loving towards him. It is acknowledging who he is as our Lord who takes care of us. Have you ever thought about why the people didn’t pack a meal? When I know I might not be home for a meal; I make plans.…
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Giving God Gratitude
Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,…
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Investing In God’s Work
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5 And you Philippians yourselves know that at the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into a partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment and more. I am well supplied, having received…
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Genuine Fellowship
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 Let’s read 1 John 1:1-7, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that…
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Enjoying God
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16: 23-25 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will repeat it: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 What do these passages teach us? What do they teach…
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When Hope Doesn’t Disappoint
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2 Have you ever been disappointed by the course of events around you that you were looking forward too? I have. When I thought something would go one way and it ended up going another way. Or even in the comparison game, see how things go for one family, yet that is not happening for me on how I desire it to go. Read Roman 5:1-2. Paul’s letters…
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Seeking Him
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 When the Holy Spirit lives in us, he produces fruit in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit is a description of Jesus. When we are under the control of the Spirit, these characteristics are evident in our life. Let’s take some time and look at each of the fruit of the Spirit and see what scripture has to say. Love – Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does…
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Contagious Joy
“After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2:17-18 Joy always compels is to want to share what is happening with others!! For example, I couldn’t wait to tell my family and friends that my boys are getting married. I wanted to blasted it all over social media! Have you ever had this experience? Where you wanted to share your joyous news with everyone and or other people’s joyous news? Do you feel that way about God? Do you want to spread your joy to others for the wonderful…