"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 2:7
In these days of modern technology, we never miss a thing with TiVo, voice mail, DVD recorders, and camera phones. But even though our toys keep us from missing a phone call, they can also cause us to miss the real reason for the holiday season.
You can watch Christmas disappear in front of your eyes, in a heap of shredded wrapping paper, and find yourself saying, "I was so busy shopping, so busy attending this, going to that, that I think I actually missed the point of Christmas."
It might be surprising to know that the majority of people missed the very first Christmas as well. People just carried on with business as usual, paying no attention to what was happening just a few feet away.
In Luke chapter 2, we are introduced to an innkeeper who had no time for Christmas. In this familiar story, Mary and Joseph came to the innkeeper for a room, but because his inn was full, he turned them away.
The only place he had for this young pregnant woman and her husband was a stable, a cold, dark, and damp stable--which was more than likely a cave. He was too preoccupied with other things to make the time for Christmas.
There are people like this in the world today. They don't necessarily oppose or hate God outright. They are simply preoccupied. God and spiritual things do not concern them. Their interests lie more in what can immediately satisfy their own physical needs. The innkeeper was too busy to make room in the inn for the soon coming Messiah.
Let me ask you this: have you made room for Jesus this Christmas? If not, there is still time to refocus and make room for Christ this Christmas, today!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Emmanuel, God with Us
Today's Scripture
“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us” (Matthew 1:23, AMP).
Today's Word
In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character, or who He is. One of those names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Before Jesus came, the Spirit of God resided in the temple of God and the people had to go through many rituals so they could be clean enough to go near to His Holy Spirit. Now, the scripture tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts. Jesus was the final sacrifice to purify us once so that His Spirit could dwell inside of us. Now, He is always with us!
Isn’t it good to know that God is as close to us as the very air we breathe! He is always with us which means His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us! The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone, declare out loud that you serve Emmanuel—the God who is always with you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today, knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us” (Matthew 1:23, AMP).
Today's Word
In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character, or who He is. One of those names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Before Jesus came, the Spirit of God resided in the temple of God and the people had to go through many rituals so they could be clean enough to go near to His Holy Spirit. Now, the scripture tells us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts. Jesus was the final sacrifice to purify us once so that His Spirit could dwell inside of us. Now, He is always with us!
Isn’t it good to know that God is as close to us as the very air we breathe! He is always with us which means His peace is always with us. His joy is always with us. His power is always with us, and His victory is always with us! The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone, declare out loud that you serve Emmanuel—the God who is always with you!
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, thank You for choosing to make Your home in me. Thank You for filling me with Your peace and joy. I bless You today, knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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