Prophecy Times
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Worries and Cares
By Brother Chris |
Do not know which way to turn in life?
Life have you up in the air?
Others in your space?
Problems to big to handle?
Feel misunderstood?
People do not see you for who you are?
Everyone wants to ruin your day?
Just want to scream?
Sometimes you just need to turn to someone bigger.
Just look up and reach out.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about YOU. 1 Peter 5:7
THE BIRTH OF CHRIST
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An Angel said to them
“DO NOT BE AFRAID I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY THAT WILL BE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE. TODAY IN THE TOWN OF DAVID A SAVIOR HAS BEEN BORN TO YOU;
HE IS CHRIST THE LORD.
This shall be a sign to you. You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST and ON EARTH PEACE TO MEN ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS”
Luke 2:1-21
Luke is the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history. His account was addressed to a predominantly Greek audience that would have been interested in and familiar with the political situation. Palestine was under the rule of the Roman empire with Emperor Caesar Augustus the first Roman emperor, in charge. The Roman rulers considered to be like gods, stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger who was truly God in the flesh
Luke 2:1
A Roman ruled the civilized world at this time . By contrast Joseph controlled very little. Against his better judgment and political convictions, he complied with the Roman order to make a long trip just to pay his taxes. His fiancée who had to go with him, was about to give birth. The Romans were in control utilizing its human power but the Romans did not recognize their human limitations.
In reality God controls the world
In all times and places he works his will.
By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the ery town prophesied for his birth
Micah 5:2
Even tho his parents did not live there.
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David.
The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line
Isaiah 11:1 / Jeremiah 33:15 / Ezekiel 37:24 / Hosea 3:5
Rome made the decree just as God intended
Luke 2:1-6
Sometimes we think to ourselves
“Im being obedient so why aren’t thinks going better?”
We face discomfort or inconvenience and immediate think either that we have misread God’s will or that God has made a mistake. Consider this quiet couple as they head toward Bethlehem. God did not soften Joseph’s bumpy road but strengthened him. God did not provide a luxurious inn for Joseph and Mary, but brought his Son into the world in a humble surrounding. When we do God’s will, we are not guaranteed comfort and convenience. We are promised that everything, even discomfort and inconvenience has meaning in God’s plan. He will guide you and provide all you need. Like Joseph live each day by faith, trusting that God is in charge.
THIS TRULY IS THE KEY TO SEEING GOD’S WILL AND PURPOSE FULFILLED
Luke 2:4-5
Bands of cloth were used to keep a baby warm and give it a sense of security. These cloths were believed to protect its internal organs. The custom of wrapping infants this way is still practiced in many Mid eastern countries
Luke 2:7
This mention of the manger is the basis for the traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable. Stables were often caves with feeding troughs (mangers) carved into the rock walls. The surroundings were usually dark and dirty as well.
We should never limit God by our expectations
He is at work wherever he is needed in our sin darkened and dirty world
Altho our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in a manger it must not be our last. The Christ child in the manger is the subject of a beautiful Christmas scene but we must not leave him there.
This tiny helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven and will return to earth one day as King of kings. Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about him.
Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger or is he your Lord?
Be sure not to underestimate Jesus
LET HIM GROW UP IN YOUR LIFE
Luke 2:7
God continued to reveal the news about his Son but not to those we might expect. Luke records that Jesus birth was announced to shepherds in the fields. These may have been the shepherds who supplied the lambs for the temple sacrifices that were performed for the forgiveness of sin. Here the angels invited these shepherds to greet the Lamb of God
John 1:36
Who would take away the sins of the world forever
Luke 2:8
What a birth announcement!
The shepherds were terrified but their fear turned to joy as the angels announced the Messiah’s birth. First the shepherds ran to see the baby; then they spread the word.
JESUS IS YOUR MESSIAH, YOUR SAVIOR
Do you look forward to meeting him in prayer and in his Word each day?
Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that you cannot help sharing your joy with your friends?
Luke 2:8-15
The greatest event in history has just happened
THE MESSIAH HAS BEEN BORN!
For ages the Jews had awaited for this and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds.
The good news about Jesus is that he comes to all including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to anyone with a heart humble enough to accept him.
Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life.
JESUS REACHES OUT TO ACCEPT YOU JUST AS YOU ARE
and
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES A CREATIVE ONGOING WORK IN OUR HEART AND LIFE
Luke 2:9-10
Some of the Jews were waiting for a savior to deliver them from Roman rule
Others hoped the Christ (the Messiah) would deliver them from physical ailments
Jesus while healing their illnesses and establishing a
SPIRITUAL KINGDOM
Delivered them from sin.
His work is more far reaching than anyone could imagine.
Christ paid the price for sin and opened the way to peace with God.
He offers us more than temporary political or physical changes but offers us new hearts that will last for all eternity
Luke 2:11-14
GLORY to GOD HALLELUJAH
and for the
REALITY OF YOUR KINGDOM
which is
RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, A SOUND MIND and JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Bring life into our being affecting every aspect of our experience dear Jesus
Study by Charlotte…January 2012
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