The Daily Dose

What do you Lack?

^{So, when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  Luke 18:22}

Happy New year!  I hope everyone had a wonderful time celebrating as we said goodbye to 2022 and welcomed in 2023! 

This is the time to reflect back on 2022 and ask the questions:  Did I accomplish everything or even anything I set out to do last year?  How did I do with the goals I set at the beginning of 2022?  What areas can I do better in this year?

This is also the time to set new goal for the coming year.  Goals such as: Spend quiet time with God each day.  Get physically fit/healthier.  Make a conscience effort to connect with family and friends more.  Get out of debt and start saving some money. Even learn a new skill or language.  The possibilities are endless.

In today’s reading, Jesus has a conversation with a young man that is wealthy and important.  The man asked Jesus what he needed to do to receive eternal life.  Even though this young man had material wealth and position, he knew there was something missing and that his life was not complete.  Jesus responded to the man with a list of commandments to keep and the young man confessed that he has already done all of them.  So Jesus takes it a step further and invites the man to become one of His disciples and the “follow Him.” However, there was one stipulation and that was to sell all that he had and give it to the poor, only then could the man understand what was really important in life and have that complete feeling that only following God’s path can give.

This was what the young man was lacking.  Not that it was wrong to have things, but this young man was deceived into thinking that financial success was the most important thing in life and he was looking to his riches to bring him joy. Jesus gave the man three step to turn his life around and point him in a new direction, lacking nothing.  He said:

1. Separate from the things that were holding him back – possessions
2. Give to others
3. Make God’s ministry his priority by following Jesus

These three steps can help us still today.  1. When we separate from the world and the things that are holding us back from the plans God has for us, we are turning around and heading back to God’s love and priorities. 2. When we give to others who are needing and hurting along the way, we are beginning a new lifestyle where we consider other’s needs above our own. 3. When we turn in that new direction of following God’s path and plan instead of making our own way, we will step into a place of contentment, satisfaction and real joy.  We will begin to understand what life is truly about and how to accomplish the mission that has been set before us, rather than trying to reach a goal that will provide no lasting joy when we get there.

Today I want to encourage you to start 2023 with the decision to make your heavenly Father your priority in all that you do. Start by scheduling a quiet time with Him each day and making it your priority to get any assignment He has for you to accomplish each day.  Praise and worship Him in your quiet time, read a passage of His Word and talk to Him about the events of the day that are about to take place.  This will put you in the position and right frame of mind so that when opportunities come to help others, you will be ready and know that this is the reason you were given breath today.  Next, make intentional space for people that you love.  Don’t busy your life up with things that are not people focused.  Make others your second priority instead of yourself.  Trust me, God will take care of you and all your hearts desires.  Because you did not lack that one thing that makes you whole, your life will be full of His joy and contentment this year like never before.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 18:18-23

18 Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 

20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”

21 And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

22 So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

He Blessed Them

But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Luke 18:16

This is one of the Jesus moments I have never really thought too much about.  I take this at face value that Jesus loves children too.  However, As I considered what this situation may have looked like in my imagination, there seems to be much more to it.

First of all, we read a lot about the people that came to Jesus for healing or deliverance of some kind, but in this case, people were bringing their children to receive a blessing from Jesus.  This is a good thing or so I would think.  Apparently, the disciples did not think it was good, nor were they going to let those with children get close enough to Jesus to receive that blessing.  It doesn’t say for sure what the disciples said to the people, but I imagine it was something like: “Jesus is too busy to be bothered with your children” or “Jesus does not have time for kids’ stuff.”

Jesus, on the other hand took time for everyone that came to Him, whether for a blessing, a healing or a casting out.  It didn’t matter what people came to Him for, He always had a plan to get them what they wanted to receive.

He does the same think today.  Mostly, we all need salvation from paying the penalty of our own sin and from the eternal separation from our Father after we leave this world.  Jesus is always ready to rescue us from this world’s hold on our lives.  He is also always ready to answer other requests we have too.  Just like He did for the people that followed Him in His days here in this earth, He still answers our cries now that His is at home with His Father in heaven.  I am so thankful that His is!  As a parent, I often bring my children to Him for His blessing.  I want nothing else for them.  His blessing covers it all!  Their health, their well-being, their peace and their longevity.

You can go to Him with anything you are facing today, too.  Whether you are going through a personal crisis or want to have His blessing on your children, you can receive simply by asking.  The only differences from then and now is that He is in heaven and His disciples are not here to stop you from getting to Him.  You have complete access to Him anywhere and anytime.  When you call out to Him in faith, He will always respond.

Today I want to encourage you to call out to Jesus as the answer to all your struggles. If you are not currently going through anything, call out to Him for His blessing.  Then bless others by calling on Him in their behalf.  You can bless others as Jesus did, simply by taking them before the Lord in prayer and asking Him.  It is what intercession is all about!  Blessing others by bringing them before the Lord each day.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 18:15-17

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Humble yourself

I tell you; this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:14

So, what does it even look like to be humble?  Well, one of the easiest ways is by being the type of person that does for others before yourself.  Another way is to always consider other people and their feelings first before considering your own.

Jesus gives an example in today reading.  He told a story about two people.  A Pharisee and a tax collector.  These two individuals were on opposite sides of the spectrum.  Most would have thought that Jesus would have approved of the Pharisee because he looked like he was doing everything right.  When the Pharisee prayed, he listed the bad things that he doesn’t do that others are doing and then he told God the good things he does on a regular basis.  The tax collector takes the complete opposite stance.  He will not look up and he falls on the mercy of God and comes clean.  He didn’t try to convince God that he should be justified, he just asked God to do what God does when we humble ourselves before Him. Jesus finished this example by saying anyone who lifts himself up will be put down and the person who humbles himself by putting other first will be exalted and praised.

Being humble will look differently for all people, but mostly it shows up in kindness to others and always putting other people first.  It is not thinking less of yourself by any means, it is simply thinking of yourself less than you think of other people.  As in the case of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee was only thinking about how deserving he was.  He gave no mention to how others were doing good or how he was helping them.  The tax collector on the other hand did not compare himself to others.  He simply knew he was a sinner and needed saving.

Jesus is all about people and this is the way He showed His humility.  He preferred others first and not well behaving clean people, He always found a way to make the hurting, lame, blind and poor people feel special and loved.  His mission was to think about the needs of others and then help them to get whatever it was that they needed to be made whole.

Today I want to encourage you to humble yourself by putting others first.  If you have thought in the past that being humble was putting yourself down and not giving attention to what you do well, that just isn’t the case.  In doing that, you still are keeping the focus on you, but in a bad way.  This is just being prideful about the negative instead of the positive.  Stop that today and begin taking the focus off of yourself completely and make other people’s needs your priority.  Start lifting others up in the place of honor instead of plotting how to make yourself look good.  That is when God will exalt and honor you and when others will see the wonderful works of God in how you love people. The best part is that when you humble yourself and receive the blessings of being there for people, the result will be that you no longer care about being in the spot light. Your greatest joy will be in seeing people draw closer to God because of how you gave them priority.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 18:9-14

9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 

13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Don’t give up!

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart Luke 18:1

Most people only see things from a natural point of view.  If they have seen or heard something is possible, then they can believe maybe it could happen for them.  However, if they have never seen it before, then it is just plain impossible.  To even try to talk about faith or a miracle, they would just claim to be realistic and that anything beyond their understanding is simply fantasy.  Even if they started out hoping for something new, when time passes and they don’t see anything change, they quickly give up because it just isn’t working to believe for something beyond what can be seen.

As God’s people, we always have hope and even Jesus said in today’s verse that we should always pray first and not to give up on that prayer.  All of us probably have something right now that needs a big turn around in life.  Maybe a financial problem, a health issue or even a family crisis?  It is easy to settle into a place of no expectation.  As time passes, we can all fall into the trap of talking about the situation just the way it is and believe that is the way it is always going to be.  But that just isn’t the case.  Prayer can change things and always does.  When you pray about the predicament, you are opening the door of heaven and bringing God’s supernatural power on to the scene.  You may not see thing happening immediately, but something is going on the moment you turn that circumstance over to God and ask for Him to touch the dilemma and bring the unseen answer into the seen world.

I was recently reminded of this when I was talking to a friend about a concern of mine.  I began to speak my expectation of failed results because that is what had been happening every time I tried to impact the situation on my own.  In an instant I heard on the inside of me to talk about how it would be different this time because God is working on it.  I felt impressed to believe that things were changing even at the time of the conversation about the situation, so I began to talk about the hope that things are different now and that God has made things new.  Nothing had changed yet, but I felt a spark of hope in my heart, and I knew it was the Holy Spirit reminding me that I had been praying about this thing and it was turning in a new direction way better than even I could think of.  Instead of losing heart, my heart was encouraged because I continued to pray and put all into God’s hands.  He is so good, and all things are made beautiful when entrusted to Him.

Today’s reading is about a woman who went to a judge for justice and even though the judge did not care about her or her circumstances, eventually he granted her request because she would not let it go.  The judge responded because he was weary of hearing from the woman.  The point is that as we keep things in prayer before the LORD, He will take care of them.  Not because He is tired of hearing about it, but because of our relentless faith to believe that He is the only hope for the mess.  He loves us and He wants to be a part of what we are facing each day. Therefore, He will come in at just the right time and remove that obstruction and turn things around once and for all.

Today I want to encourage you to pray always.  Whatever it is that you are up against, take it to your loving heavenly Father.  Don’t give up and don’t lose hope, trust your Savior to make something good of every detail you commit to Him.  He is not doing evil to you and does not want bad to roll over you.  He has good plans for you, and He has a good future in mind, but it is up to you to keep Him involved in your every day life by taking Him with you where ever you go and talking to Him about what ever you have going on.  Once you do pray, things are happening that you cannot even see right now, but don’t let the seen determine your outcome.  Put pressure on that problem by opening the window of heaven and release the power of the Holy One to bring the results that are good for all those involved.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 18:1-8

1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 

2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 

3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ 

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 

5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”

6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 

7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 

8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Lose your life

Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:33

Have you ever wondered in your lifetime why certain activities didn’t bring you the satisfaction that you expected it to?  Have you ever thought about why the new job or new home didn’t fill the void that you felt inside?  In today’s reading, Jesus tells us how to find that fulfillment in life that we all seek that some people never find.  It is in losing yourself in Him.

Sometimes life feels like we are chasing after the next big event or new accessory.  Somehow in life many of us have gotten the idea that some material thing or grand experience can fill the emptiness that each person has on the inside.  The problem with that is our Heavenly Father created that spot inside of every person for Him to fill.  That is why when we get that new relationship or new car, it fills the gap for a little while, but the newness quickly wears off leaving you longing for the next new thing.

Thank goodness the Lord’s mercies are renewed every morning and His lovingkindness continues for ever (Lamentations 3:22).  He can bring joy into each day we are alive in this world simply by putting His plans and agenda before your own.  In fact, the verse today says that we must lose our lives in Him so we can find it.  When we put away the things and desires that we think will bring happiness, and instead, seek after who God has in His heart for us to be, we will live a life of total satisfaction.  The reason is because He created us to accomplish the purpose that was in His heart when He made us.

Today I want to encourage you to spend some quiet time with your Heavenly Father before you start your day.  Get alone with Him and ask Him to fill up your heart with the things He made you to accomplish today, this week and your lifetime.  Then make a habit every morning to get your assignment and soon you will be walking out the good mission He created you to do.  Then and only then will you find joy, satisfaction and fulfillment that you never have had before.  Lose your life today so you can find what life is really all about.  Then the Kingdom of heaven will truly be within you.

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 17:20-37

20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 

21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

22 Then He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 

23 And they will say to you, ‘Look here!’ or ‘Look there!’ Do not go after them or follow them. 

24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 

25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 

26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 

27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 

28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 

29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 

30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.

31 “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 

32 Remember Lot’s wife. 

33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 

34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 

35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 

36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”

37 And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?” So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.”

Finish the Test

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. He was a Samaritan.  Luke 17:15-16

We all go through many different kinds of test and trials. Let’s face it, in this world, there is going to be pain and suffering.  It’s not what God had in mind for His people, so He helps us when we turn to Him.

In today’s reading, ten lepers came to Jesus for healing.  They cried out to Him with their problem and desire to be healed.  Jesus didn’t ask them any questions about why this thing had happened to them or what they were doing to be better people to get rid of the problem.  Because they asked of Him, He simply told them to go show themselves to the priests to decide that they have been made clean and allowed them to go back living in society. This was a necessary step for anyone who had been pronounced as “unclean.”  They were required to be redeemed by inspection of the priest and a sacrifice made at the temple. This meant that there was a journey involved for most of them to the temple in Jerusalem.

In this passage, the lepers were cleansed as they began to follow the instruction that Jesus gave them.  If they had just stayed where they were waiting for their healing to show up, they may not have gotten the same results.  We know this because when the one Samaritan leper came back to thank Jesus, he was told that his faith made him well. 

The struggles you go through in life can also be looked at as tests.  Everything you face each day that isn’t ideal gives you the opportunity to make the choice of how you will handle your problem.  You can try to come up with a solution to solve your own issue, you can sit and pout about it and complain about how unfair life is.  You can even ignore that this is a dilemma and pretend like everything is fine.  The most effective way to handle difficulties is to bring them to Jesus asap.  He wants to help, and He is waiting for you to call on Him. This is the first step in passing the tests you take in life.  The second part is just as important and worth 50% of the results.  It is to be thankful and glorify Him.  When you take the time to come back and praise and honor Him after the situation is resolved, it will serve as a reminder so if that test comes around again, you will know how to pass it every time!  Passing the tests, you are going through day to day helps you to move on to the nest things in life that God has planned on the path you are traveling.  If you let a trial derail you, you can be stuck in the ruts of the same predicament for years at a time.

Today I want to encourage you to take the steps necessary to past the current obstacles you are up against.  First take it to Jesus and second be thankful.  Even if you haven’t seen the results yet of turning your problems over to Him, start the thanksgiving part immediately.  You know He has heard your request and you know that His answer is on the way.  Begin your “journey to the temple” by making your sacrifice of praise before you even leave your initial plea stance.  Then continue in the praise until you pass that test with flying colors.

Today’s scripture reading: Luke 17:11-19

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 

12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 

13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 

16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 

18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 

19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

The Kings

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11

The wise men came from the east to the house where Jesus lived with His parents.  The probability is that Jesus was about two years old.  He was clearly not a baby but a “young child”.  As a toddler, He still didn’t know He was the King of kings, but the wise men sure did.  

Today, the wise men are often called kings, but the Bible doesn’t really say that.  What we do know about them is that they studied the stars and they were magi.  We know this because the star is the reason they came looking for the King of the Jews.  Obviously they had some ancient manuscript of the prophecy of His coming and that the star would be the sign.  Many believe that the Babylonians took these writings when they carried away the Israeli people into captivity.  They probably also had Daniel’s writing from when he lived among them.  This would explain them coming from the “east”.

What is really important about this is that these men came from another country to worship Jesus!  They were the first non-Jewish people to fall down and worship Him.  This is significant because they would have been the first gentiles that came to Jesus and they were not turned away.  If they really were kings, then they were the first kings to bow to the King of kings.  What a great picture of the coming day when all nations of the world will bow down to Him!!  On top of all that, they brought treasure to Him, some of the most precious resources in the world, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  This was a blessing from God to provide for His Son while He was on the earth.  These gifts also enabled Joseph to take his family out of the country to protect them from the wrath of the crazed King Herod.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the wise men coming from afar to worship Jesus.  Then consider how you can follow their example and fall down and worship Him!  Give Him your greatest and earnest praise for coming into the world and becoming the King to save all people from sin!  Don’t wait for that day when He returns to get us, worship Him today!  He is worthy of all our praise!  He is the King of kings and LORD of lords!

If you have never receive Jesus as your Lord and King personally, do it today! Pray this prayer from your heart and Jesus will come into your heart and into your life and save you from an eternity of separation from Him: ^{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 2:1-12

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 

2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 

11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 `Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

 He brought peace

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodness toward men!”  Luke 2:14

Peace is a priceless gift!  It is worth everything but cannot be purchased.  It is a gift that was given to us when Jesus was born.  Many think that peace on earth means that people will live together without conflict or disagreement, but what Jesus brought us was peace with God in heaven.  He brought the peace of heaven to earth!  Before that time, there was a great distance between God and His people, but when Jesus came, He became the bridge that reached between mankind and God.  Now we personally have access to God and not only that, we can receive Him as our Father!  He didn’t want to just have a people to command or control, He wanted a family.  He became our Father to instruct us and empower us to be successful.  In all that, He provided a peaceful relationship with Himself, which produces peace in our hearts/lives.

So what is peace?  Some would say peace is calmness, rest, order, or harmony with others.  While these are true, the God kind of peace is much deeper.  Let’s take a look at what God said in His Word about peace.  

Peace is the guard of your heart.  It lets us know when our heart is right with God.  Philippians 4:7 says, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  If peace is missing from your life, it is a sign that you need more of God in your heart.  

Peace is a ruler.  Peace measures whether we are thankful for all God has brought us through and called us to.  Colossians 3:15 says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”  

Peace is a fruit of God’s Spirit. It is one of the results of God’s Spirit living inside of us. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”  

Peace demonstrates if we are walking out our life in God’s Spirit or in our flesh.  Romans 8:6 says, “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Lastly, walking in the peace of God will allow us to complete the second part of today’s verse.  When we decide to walk in the peace of God, we are then able to exercise good will toward others.  This time of the year provides a wonderful opportunity to bless others with a kind act or word.  It is also an opportunity to share God’s great love with those around us and to be reminded of His great love for us!

Today I want to encourage you to allow God’s peace to fill up your life.  Don’t be stressed about all the things you want to get done before Christmas Day.  Instead, let the peace of God fill you up.  Spend time with Him and tell Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him.  Make this Christmas about your relationship with Him.  Don’t forget He is the reason why we are celebrating this great day, the day He became a person to live with us, save us, and fill our life with peace . . . The God kind of peace!

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 2:13-20

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

A Just Man

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  Matthew 1:19

Joseph was a righteous and compassionate man.  Although he was within his rights according to the law of Moses to have Mary arrested, he did not want to disgrace or humiliate her when he found out she was pregnant.  He made the decision to call off the marriage, but before he could do it, God sent an angel to him to give him the message that Mary was carrying the God’s child, the Messiah.  Even though Mary probably told him what had happened, it was too farfetched to believe.  What a relief it must have been for Mary when Joseph came and told her the message the angel brought to him and that he would be there to help and protect her and the baby.

I can’t even imagine how great of a step of faith this was for Joseph.  We can look back now and see that it all worked out.  However, as it was happening, they didn’t know how it was going to be. Even though God had sent His messengers to both of them, I know there was still plenty of opportunity to be anxious, worried and even afraid about being responsible for God’s Son. Joseph, accepting the news of Mary’s condition, was only step number one in a long nine-month period of faith and trust in what God was doing.  Mary and Joseph submitted their lives to God and allowed Him to complete all that was in His heart to do.

I want to make note of Joseph’s response and reaction to the news Mary brought to him.  She had been gone for three months to visit her relative Elizabeth and when she returned, she came back with the news that she was carrying the Son of God.  Joseph didn’t freak out at the news (although I’m sure the thought crossed his mind) he carefully considered the best way to proceed.  When he finally decided to handle things in a way that wouldn’t shame Mary, that’s when God’s angel showed up.  He never had to make that tough choice of breaking the engagement with Mary.  They were able to be married and Joseph provided for and protected his new family.  He was a man full of God’s grace and love.  God knew exactly what He was doing when He placed His Son in the care of this faith filled couple.

Today I want to encourage you when making tough decisions or when you are under pressure to choose a path, to wait on God.  God will show up and help you to step out in the right direction.  If you are unclear what the next step might be, don’t move until you are sure you are moving in the direction that God has planned for you to go.  God will always make the way plain and clear, it’s up to us to wait for the plan and not rush into anything. Put away a life full of regrets by waiting on God’s Spirit to lead the way.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 

20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 

21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 

25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

The Shepherds

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”  Luke 2:8 

I was impressed to write about the shepherds today.  The only problem is I don’t know much about shepherds.  So, I asked the LORD, “LORD, why did You send the angels to shepherds as the first people to get the news of Jesus’ birth?” To me they have always seemed like an unlikely group to be chosen to spread the word for such an important event.  As I thought about shepherds in general, I considered, “maybe because they are diligent to watch over their sheep or maybe because they were faithful to stay with their flock to keep them all in one place?”  However, all of my considerations didn’t answer my question.  I thought, “maybe I will do a little research on shepherds so I can begin to understand them more?”  Then my next thought was, “no, I will just let God reveal what I need to know.”  Suddenly, it hit me that Shepherd is another name we call Pastors and Pastors shepherd their “sheep”.  Pastors also preach the good news of the gospel.

So, if we look at today’s scripture passage, that is exactly what the shepherds did.  First, they went to the place where Jesus was and met Him, then they made widely known the things that were told them concerning their Savior.  Their message caused many to marvel and wonder about the things the shepherds said.  That is exactly what happens today.  God appoints and anoints Pastors to make widely known the gospel concerning our Savior and that anointing on their words causes all who hear to think about the message and receive it.

God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent the angels to the shepherds.  He planned for them to be His ministers of the good news that Messiah had come.  Lastly, they rejoiced because of the great news and because they were chosen to spread that news. This celebration solidified the message in their hearts so that they would have the confidence and boldness to proclaim this good news to all.

Today I want to encourage you this Christmas season to appreciate your Pastor for the anointing and message he has received from God.  Send him a card or gift to show your grateful heart for watching over and keeping you as part of the flock and for his diligent and faithful service in the work of the ministry.

Today’s scripture reading:  Luke 2:8-20

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 

10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 

11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 

17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 

18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 

19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 

20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.