Bible League: Living His Word "Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people who please Him."— Luke 2:14 ERV The Christmas story is an amazing testimony of the love God has for you. Not in just the gift of eternal life through His son Jesus Christ, but also for the peace that surpasses all understanding that comes with your perfect gift from heaven. And yet, on its surface the story of Christmas is crazy, an absurdity. To think such a story is true—a virgin birth, a baby as a savior, angels and heavenly hosts worshipping a child... It makes no sense to reasonable minds, which is exactly why the story of Christmas is so perfect. The Lord God almighty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, stepped out of heaven, leaving His royal position to take on all of humanity's weaknesses, failures, and sin. Jesus became a commoner, born of a virgin, casting doubt on any claims to royalty; and born in poverty, alienating Himself from powers that would also block Him from taking His rightful place on the throne. Then God chose imperfect human messengers to spread the Good News of God's perfect gift of love and salvation. He could have chosen angels to do His bidding; but rather, God began the pronouncement of the Savior by using smelly shepherds from the fields to spread the news which would be carried to every generation. It stinks of absurdity. Who would concoct such a crazy plan? The people will mock such a story. "What will God come up with next? Crucifying His gift?" The absurd reality of the Christmas story is what makes it so perfect. "What manner of child shall this be?" A perfect child, a perfect man. So perfect that it confounds the wise and gives blessing and understanding to the humble, even the commoner folks. And what manner of love God has bestowed on us that we should be called sons of God (John 1:12)! So what manner of person ought you to be? In your relationships, conversations? What manner of godliness do you show as a partaker of this absurd but gloriously true story? Beloved of God, know and acknowledge that God has written you into His Christmas story. It may be crazy and absurd in the natural sense, but it is perfect in the eternal sense. Turn to Jesus if you haven't already. Turn to the perfect one. Call on Him. Accept Him and His invitation to love and salvation, and then go live for Him and Him alone. Merry Christmas! By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDaniel 1, 2 Daniel 1 -- Ashpenaz Takes Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to Babylon; They Refuse the King's Portion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Daniel 2 -- Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar's Unspoken Dream NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 John 2 1 John 2 -- Christ 's Comfort; Keep His Commandments; Do Not Love the World; Beware of Antichrists NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.Insight God called the universe into existence out of nothing; he declared that it was to be, and it was. Our faith is in the God who created the entire universe by his word. God's word has awesome power. Challenge When he speaks, do you listen and respond? How can you better prepare yourself to respond to God's word? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Songs 4:7 There is no spot in thee.Having pronounced his Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms his praise by a precious negative, "There is no spot in thee." As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that he had only mentioned her comely parts, and had purposely omitted those features which were deformed or defiled, he sums up all by declaring her universally and entirely fair, and utterly devoid of stain. A spot may soon be removed, and is the very least thing that can disfigure beauty, but even from this little blemish the believer is delivered in his Lord's sight. If he had said there is no hideous scar, no horrible deformity, no deadly ulcer, we might even then have marvelled; but when he testifies that she is free from the slightest spot, all these other forms of defilement are included, and the depth of wonder is increased. If he had but promised to remove all spots by-and-by, we should have had eternal reason for joy; but when he speaks of it as already done, who can restrain the most intense emotions of satisfaction and delight? O my soul, here is marrow and fatness for thee; eat thy full, and be satisfied with royal dainties. Christ Jesus has no quarrel with his spouse. She often wanders from him, and grieves his Holy Spirit, but he does not allow her faults to affect his love. He sometimes chides, but it is always in the tenderest manner, with the kindest intentions: it is "my love" even then. There is no remembrance of our follies, he does not cherish ill thoughts of us, but he pardons and loves as well after the offence as before it. It is well for us it is so, for if Jesus were as mindful of injuries as we are, how could he commune with us? Many a time a believer will put himself out of humour with the Lord for some slight turn in providence, but our precious Husband knows our silly hearts too well to take any offence at our ill manners. Daily Light on the Daily Path Job 5:8 "But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God;Genesis 18:14 "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Isaiah 37:14,15 Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. • Hezekiah prayed to the LORD saying, Isaiah 65:24 "It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Psalm 116:1,2 I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. • Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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