GOD WITH US

Read Isaiah 7:10-14, 9:1-7; Matthew 1:18-2:6

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23 NIV

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  The book of Isaiah was written about 700 years before Christ ( Read more... )

MY ANXIOUS THOUGHTS
Read Psalms 139

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23

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   David never tried to hide his negative thoughts from God. Instead, he poured them out to his Heavenly Father, knowing he would be understood. He said, "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me… you perceive my ( Read more... )

RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN

Read Matthew 2:1-23; Genesis 35:9-19; Jeremiah 31:15
   When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under- Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: Matthew 2:16-17 NIV
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THE WISE MEN AND HEROD

Read Matthew 2:1-12 & Micah 5:2

When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the  law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written:  Matthew 2:4-5

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      Long before Jesus was born, the prophets had ( Read more... )

SIMEON'S PROPHESY

Read Luke 2:21-40

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined… to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Luke 2:34-35
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    Holding the newborn baby in his arms, Simeon spoke words from God ( Read more... )

BLESSING AND PROSPERITY

Read Psalms 127-128

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. Blessings and prosperity will be yours; Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house… children are a reward from him. Psalm 128:1-2b, 3a; Psalm 127:3b

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   The Psalms portray children as a sign of blessing and prosperity. The ( Read more... )

A LAMP TO MY FEET

Read Psalm 119

I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Psalm 119:104-105 NIV
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    Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the book and the theme is heart rending - David has experienced it all. He agonizes over wicked men delighting ( Read more... )

FRDAY'S HERE BUT SUNDAY'S COMING!

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed -- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed .   1 Cor 15:51-52 NKJV
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    Easter is coming late this year, but in ( Read more... )

IN MY HOUSE

Read Psalm 101

I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. Psalm 101:2b-3

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    David determined in his heart that he would avoid the evil influences that were all around him. He could not control the perverse wickedness he saw as he walked through the land, but he could choose to ( Read more... )

A WORTHY EXAMPLE

JOB
Read Job 1-2; Job 42

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:8 NIV
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    The story of Job is quite frightening to a believer’s heart. The interaction between God and Satan is something that ( Read more... )