Sunday, December 27, 2009

PROPHESY FULLFILLED

Flight to Egypt

Read Matthew 2:1-15

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” Matthew 2:13 NKJV
* * *
     Centuries before this, God instructed the family of Jacob (Israel) to settle in Egypt because of a great famine in the land. Now the family of Messiah, descendants of Jacob are forced to flee to Egypt once again. This time just until the death of Herod, but still a significant event in the light of prophesy.
     What was to both generations a time of sorrow and testing was actually the moving of the providence of God in bringing about the salvation that is so freely offered to us today.  Jesus, the Son of God, was also a descendant of Jacob through his mother Mary, and the fulfillment of a promise made to Jacob. God's perfect plan was being worked out in spite of the acts of wicked sinful men.
* * *
     Lord, help us to trust you and your plan for our lives, in spite of the circumstances we face. You are the God of history and You have our future in Your hands. Help us to never forget that as we look with dismay at threatening world events shaping up around us.
* * *
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”  Matthew 2:14-15 NKJV

Saturday, December 26, 2009

RACHAEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN

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 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
* * *
More than 1400 years before Christ was born, the patriarch Jacob buried his beloved wife, Rachel. We read, "So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel's tomb." (Genesis 35:19–20) The prophet Jeremiah predicted a future day when children would be slaughtered near Rachel's grave. (Jeremiah 31:15) This was fulfilled when Herod killed all of the male babies under two, trying to destroy the Jewish Messiah.
* * *
We live in a day where it could be said "A voice was heard in America of weeping and mourning for children, because they are no more." The travesty of millions of babies aborted over the past thirty plus years must grieve your heart, Lord. Don't let us become apathetic to the cries of unborn babies, or the grief caused to women in our day.
* * *
"A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Matthew 2:18 NIV

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM


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 NIV
* * *
     Long before Jesus was born, the prophets had predicted His coming. The priests and rabbis knew that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem – a prophesy they explained to Herod and the Kings from the East. We know that even the common people were taught this prophesy, since later–when Jesus started His ministry–the people said, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" (John 7:41b-42)
     They must not have realized that He was born in Bethlehem during the census. The Jews of Jesus time really had no excuse for not recognizing their Messiah. Had they truly been looking for Him, they would have known who He was–just as the Wise Men and even Herod did.
* * *
     Lord, I praise You for the reliability of Your Word. Help me to be willing to share the message of Your coming with my children, their friends and all who might be seeking for truth. As the Christmas cards say, "Wise men still seek Him."
* * *
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2 NIV

Saturday, December 19, 2009

REVEALER OF HEARTS

SIMEON

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
* * *
     Holding the newborn baby in his arms, Simeon spoke words from God: Mary's life would be filled with both joy and sorrow. Her baby would be at the center of controversy. Her Son would be the revealer of hearts – even her own. She would have to learn to step back, be silent, and continue to ponder things in her heart.
    Shepherds could praise Him, Pharisees would curse Him and children would adore Him – but Mary could only quietly pray for Him. He was her son, but he was also her Savior. God's plan would proceed as she stood by and watched.
* * *
     Lord, I know You have a plan for each of our children. Mary had some very human sons and daughters in addition to her perfect Son, Jesus. Would they ever see Him as their Messiah?
     No doubt, Mary prayed that her other children would accept Him as their personal Savior. It wasn't until after the resurrection that they truly believed – but in God's perfect time – Mary's prayers were answered.
* * *
     And Joseph and His (Jesus) mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Luke 2:33 NKJV

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

TIDINGS OF JOY

THE SHEPHERDS

Read Luke 2:8–20

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:10–11 NKJV
* * *
     Exhausted but happy, Joseph wraps his newborn babe in swaddling clothes and lays him at Mary's side. They are alone, in the city of their birth, but not their home. Only the sound of animals disturbs their quiet conversation. What will life be like with this child of God? Soon they will be able to consummate their marriage and build a family together.
     Meanwhile, out in the nearby fields, a lowly group of shepherds are in for a big surprise. Suddenly an angel appears in the night sky surrounded by the glory of the Lord. He announces, “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "(Luke 2:11 NKJV)  Lonely quiet places - this stable - those fields - where all of history would be changed. Even today we date our lives from this event.
* * *
     Lord, help me to value the lonely, quiet moments of my life. They are so few and yet so valuable. Speak to my heart this morning with words of peace. Like Mary, I truly desire to understand Your ways and ponder them in my heart.
* * *
     "All those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:18-19 NKJV

Sunday, December 13, 2009

BETHLEHEM

JOSEPH AND MARY

Read Luke 2:1–7; Micah 5:2
    
 Joseph also went up… to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.   Luke 2:4–5 NKJV

* * *
     Mary was in the last stages of her pregnancy when something very distressing happened. The Caesar of Rome declared that a census be taken, forcing the people to go to the city of their birth to register. Hardship or not, they had to comply with this order.
   Joseph must have been deeply concerned about his wife during the trip to Bethlehem. He probably did not consider at the time that prophesy was being fulfilled. Over 700 years before, the prophet Micah predicted that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
* * *
     Sometimes life is not convenient or comfortable; sometimes circumstances are overwhelming. Lord, give us peace in those times, knowing that You are a God who cares and watches over us. Help us to remember that all things work together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose.
* * *
     "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to me the one to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."  Micah 5:2 NKJV