REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!
part 1
12/21/08 * SUNDAY
an Angel came to Mary with great news!
LUKE 1:32
HE SHALL BE GREAT
and shall be called the SON of the HIGHEST! and the LORD GOD shall give unto HIM the throne of his father David!
Welcome to the CHRISTmas series!
Here at Livin in the Word - this has become a tradition -
this year while one of the toughest of my life -has also produced a heart of gladness in my life - hence the name of this year's series is Rejoice! No matter what your circumstances you can rejoice in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!
He is our life - lets worship the KING of KINGS!JESUS the CHRIST!
Your servant LORD, Daniel
After the Angel came to Mary and told her about the good news that God had picked her out of millions of women to be the Mother of His Son - JESUS - The Angel tells Mary that this child will be like none other and will be produced like none every before - she will not have to even have an earthly man for this to happen -God will make it happen! Mary agrees to do this service for God and the rest is HIStory!
Mary is told JESUS will be GREAT - that HE will reign on the throne of David - this is odd to her I have to believe -she might have gotten more then she expected to get - to give birth to God!? Wow! Many questions raced through her head I am sure - but in the end she choice to submit to God and Rejoiced at this news -what about us? Do we still rejoice in this Great News?
CHRIST was born to die -He came to this world and lived like us to Die -HIS mission ahead of Him - and now Mary being told of His Birth - we all should be able to Rejoice in this Great news!
It is for ALL people - Lets Rejoice for soon Christ will return and take us all home -what a glorious day that will be -
until that day -let's rejoice in CHRIST!
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST lived like we live!
Livin in the WORD for 12/21/08 - GOOD NEWS FOR MARY
Paul says we should rejoice always and then says it again to remind us the need to rejoice when we don't feel like it!
GOD IS SOOO GOOD TO US - REJOICE! AMEN!
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!
part 2
12/22/08 * MONDAY
The WORD became flesh...
JOHN 1:14
And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father)
full of grace and truth!
FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH
Simple words on a page - but what a great impact these words make on our lives -that GOD came near - that GOD became a mere man - and not just a man - but a babe - a bade in a manger of all things -in Bethlehem of all towns - This is what it is all about - Jesus Christ is God in the flesh- what many kids Ive heard call God with skin on - although we were not here to see Him in the flesh -we yet believe - The Word says He was full of Grace and Truth - this is true -God's grace is seen in this event- its seen in the cross that will come later -Jesus was born to die -
REJOICE!
JESUS came -
REJOICE
JESUS was born - JESUS lived - JESUS died and JESUS Lives on -
Rejoice in CHRIST this CHRISTmas -
The Holy clothed in earthly human flesh - what an amazing thing -
God did this for us - JESUS came at the right time to save us!
Without HIS birth -there would have been no cross and no salvation-
Rejoice that the WORD has become flesh and dwelt among us -
and He is still with us today - the WORD Is alive!
REJOICE CHRISTIANS REJOICE FOR OUR SAVIOR WAS BORN!
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST was born!
Livin in the WORD for 12/22/08 - The Holy Became Fleshly
GOD IS WITH US - EMMANUEL!
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!part 3
* Tuesday * 12/23/08 * A WORD OF CAUTION
ROMANS 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!
THE TRUE MEANING OF THE SEASON:
Some may wonder what in the world Romans has to do with CHRISTmas - in a word -everything - you see we are all marred with this imperfection and God requires perfection - He is a Holy and Righteous God - He demands purity - He demands righteousness -but we in and of ourselves cannot produce this righteousness - all we do is produce filthy rags - We cannot be saved without Christ -and without HIS birth -there would be no hope at all.
I wanted to take a side step today - I wanted to offer a word of warning - to be cautious - I have to admit last night I got hit with the shopping bug - I was just gonna buy a few things but ended up giving into the pull of the season - satan our enemy is very active this time of year - he wants us to miss the real reason for the season - here is a reminder that its not about the gifts that we buy - its all about the gift GOD gave us in HIS SON - and its not just about family - not that family is a bad thing - ok those of you who giggled - its ok - sometimes our families can drive us nuts - but family is not the reason for the season -its JESUS - simply its JESUS its all about JESUS - Rejoice in JESUS - don't get caught up in all the buy buy buy mentality - I know the that we are being told we have to buy buy buy to be happy - but in the end it leaves us empty - let me ask each of you - do you remember everything you got last year - how much of that stuff is till in use? Why not tell someone about the greatest gift of all this CHRISTmas - JESUS came to this world to save that which was lost -you and me - HE came with a mission - a single reason - to offer Himself up to God as sin - to cover our sin with HIS Blood -
this my friends is what CHRISTmas is all about!Just a word of caution - the enemy is active and he wants to get our mind off JESUS and onto what we can do without Him! Warning!!!!!
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST is all we need!
Livin in the WORD for 12/23/08 - THE FOCUS OF CHRISTMAS is CHRIST
JESUS CHRIST WAS BORN TO DIE FOR YOUR SINS AND MINE!
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!part 4
* Wednesday * 12/24/08 * ANY ROOM FOR JESUS?
Luke 2:7
...And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn.
THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE INN.....
Today is the day before the big day - its CHRISTmas eve - my second favorite day of the year - CHIRSTmas being the first- I loved as a child the excitement of gifts the next day - of wearing new clothes to the CHRISTmas eve service and of lighting the tree - such awe and wonder are attached to this day - children yearn for whatever they have coming to them - and they just assume you give them what they want now - often in my family we could open one prized gift - often it was the smallest - just a preemptive strike for the finale of CHRISTmas day!
As we go through the motions of this day - often we leave out the most important part -JESUS Himself - there is an awesome song by Casting Crowns that talks about the fact many where sleeping when JESUS came into this world- there was no room in the Inn for Jesus - the King of Kings - and I wonder if there is any room in many a hearts! I am just as guilty - I have gotten caught in the crossfire of shopping till you begin to drop - I have also been fighting a bad infection -this has only highlighted that JESUS should be the center part of this Day and all days! Since I have not felt well this year I didn't even get to put a tree up! But that's ok! The Reason for the Season is JESUS! Ask the tough questions this time around - is there room for JESUS in our hearts - or are we far too busy in the hussle and bussel of this frenzy - we all need to slow down -take a deep breath and remember the reason for the season -
JESUS CHRIST came so we could have eternal life -
He came humbly - in a manger - with just a few witnesses - to many it didn't even make a dent in the night - for many where sleeping and I am afraid that many sleep today -
IS THERE ROOM FOR JESUS!?
REJOICE THAT JESUS HAS COME - TO US!
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST came to this world!
Livin in the WORD for 12/24/08 - DO YOU HAVE ROOM FOR JESUS?
Soon the months of carrying JESUS would be over -soon Mary would give birth -soon the Son of God would be born - lets rejoice in CHRIST this CHRISTmas - open your heart to HIM today and give HIM your all!
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!part 5
* Friday * 12/26/08 * THE DAY AFTER
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they sahll call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us!
GOD WITH US
Yesterday I was unable to write the devotional for CHRISTmas day - I was very sick with a high fever among other things -this caused me to spend much of the day in bed- I praise GOD however that I am now well enough to contiune this series - yesterday became a day of rest- God knows best- Hope everyone had a blessed CHRISTmas!
Today is the day after CHRISTmas - All the gifts have been opened - many toys have been played with and set aside - soon all the lights -the tree and other decroations will come down - the time after CHRISTmas and before the New Year has always been tough for me - we spend so much time and effort to make CHRISTmas special - we ware ourselves out - and over do it - at least I always do - we often feel let down after everything goes back to normal - many of us enjoy all the festivities that sround CHRISTmas - but now I feel its time for reflection -
CHRISTmas means God came to man through Jesus - Emmanuel -
God with us - and the message is God is with us - now and forever more - the Holy put on flesh and dwelt among us - on this day after lets not lose the focus of what yesterday was all about - lets celebrate Jesus every day - not just one day a year - God with us means we are a chosen people -we have much reward in heaven - all because God came near - God is with us - Rejoice!!!!!
REJOICE THAT GOD CAME TO MAN
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST became a man!
Livin in the WORD for 12/26/08 - REJOICE FOR CHRIST IS BORN!
GOD LEFT HIS THRONE SO HE COULD BECOME A MAN
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!
part 6
THE STAR OF CHRISTmas!
Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy!
Rejoice with great joy!
What is our reaction to the day of CHRISTmas - did we get so caught up in the gift buying - food preparing - card sending activites that we missed the star of CHRISTmas - I don't mean the star that guided the wise men to Baby Jesus - I am taking about JESUS Himself - He is the star of CHRISTmas - and at His birth many did rejoice with great joy - many celebrated this child's birth - but by the same token many didn't even know God came so near -many had no idea that God was now a babe in a manger of all things - God came so close He collided with man and became Emmanuel - The wise men came from quite some distance to see this Christ Child - they saw the star that lead them to the King of Kings - they bowed down and worshiped this child - given Him lavish gifts- the best of the best - maybe that is why they are called Wise Men? They knew JESUS was the long awaited Messiah - the wait was over- the Star in the sky that night revealed that Jesus was born - the star of CHRISTmas! Rejoice - Rejoice -Emmanuel - Born is the King of Israel! Rejoice again I say rejoice!
This CHRISTmas Rejoice because CHRIST died so we could live!
Livin in the WORD for 12/27/08 - THE STAR SHINES BRIGHTY!
GOD IS THERE - EVEN WHEN ALL YOU SEE IS DARKNESS -
SOON THE LIGHT WILL BREAK FORTH - JUST LIKE THE STAR
THAT LEAD THE WAY TO JESUS!
For unto you is born this day in the City of David - a Saviour which is CHRIST the LORD! - Luke 2:11
REJOICE in CHRIST this CHRISTmas!part 7
* Sunday * 12/28/08 * SENT FORTH
Galatians 4:4
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.
GOD IN MAN MADE MANIFEST
Today is the final edition for the CHRISTmas 2008 season -
I pray that you have enjoyed this series - it was my hope that I would open up some thing to you about CHRISTmas so that you could rejoice in CHRIST not only during this time of year - but all year long -
Soon the changing of the year will come and Livin in The Word will become Building on the Word - I want everyone to know that only the name will be changing and not the mission - God I feel is just fine turning it - Have a blessed 2009! Daniel.
Growing up , I often sung a song in Church that said God in man made manifest - I cannot tell you who wrote it - but I have nearly every line in my mind - its such a vivid picture to me - about what really happened at CHRISTmas! God came down to be like one of us - the Creator being within His creation - this was not an every day event! God came down not in the form of a ruling King of Judge He rightfully is - but instead as a babe in a lowly manger- this alone should make us rejoice - but if we stopped at the stable(cave?) our journey would not be complete -
the WORD says that GOD sent HIS SON into the world in the fullness of time - to me this means just at the right time - God's timing is never wrong - He was born of a woman - and born under the law - many thought Jesus had come to take the law away - not at all - He said He had come to fulfill it - another words - live the perfect life and yet have to die for sins He never once committed - in fact JESUS our LORD was without sin - no one else in history of mankind can make such a claim!
JESUS is THE LORD OF ALL -
REJOICE IN THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRISTMAS!That GOD became a man - in order to save us from our sins!PRAISE BE TO GOD - THE LORD OF LORDS! AMEN!
IT'S AMAZING HOW FAR GOD WAS WILLING TO COME TO SAVE US
ALL THE WAY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH AND BACK AGAIN!
This CHRISTmas - Rejoice because CHRIST is and always will be! HE LIVES - OUR SAVIOR LIVES! AMEN!
Livin in the WORD for 12/28/08
JESUS WAS BORN SO NO MAN MAY DIE!
GOD IN MAN MADE MANIFEST!
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