His Christmas Presence

 His Christmas Presence, written by Greg Laurie

Bible Reading: Matthew 1

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” —Colossians 1:27

Abraham was called the friend of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego experienced Christ walking with them through the fiery furnace. The Lord appeared to Manoah and his wife, Samson’s parents. And Jacob wrestled with God. But as close as these people were to God, they weren’t as close to Him as we could be. How is that possible? Jesus didn’t live inside their hearts, but He does live inside the hearts of Christians, inside the hearts of those who have committed their lives to Him. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Colosse, “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you” (Colossians 1:27 NLT). Here is the remarkable thing that we need to realize: No one is closer to God than those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. The real message of Christmas is that God came to Earth, and we’re not alone. When we get hold of that message, all other things won’t matter as much as they used to. Of course, we can celebrate Christmas and enjoy it as much as anyone else, but if we focus on what it’s really about, it becomes so much more meaningful. The essential message of the birth of our Lord is that we’re not alone in this world. Yes, Jesus came to Abraham, Jacob, Samson’s parents, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in a preincarnate appearance. But one day, God came to this world as a child, who grew into a man, died on the cross, and rose from the dead. Jesus has always been there, and He will be there to the very end. He said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 NLT). The real message of Christmas is not presents; it’s Jesus’s presence. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

God Incarnate

God Incarnate; written by Greg Laurie

Bible Reading: John 1:1-18

Focus Verse:"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"  John 20:29

Did Jesus ever claim to be God? As a matter of fact, He did. For example, He said, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:23–24 NKJV). That was a clear statement of equality with God the Father.

We also know that on many occasions, Jesus accepted worship, something that was reserved for God alone. In fact, in the wilderness, when the Devil tempted Jesus to worship him, Jesus quoted Scripture: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matthew 4:10 NKJV).

Jesus was underscoring the fact that worship is to be given to God alone. Yet, He accepted worship on many occasions. If He was not God, then He would have immediately stopped the people who worshiped Him.

As we read in the book of Revelation, an angel revealed some great truths to the apostle John. As a result, John was so overwhelmed that he fell down to worship the angel. But the angel told him, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God” (21:9 NKJV).

Yet Jesus accepted worship. We find an example of this after the resurrection, when He appeared before Thomas, who said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NKJV).

Jesus replied, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (verse 29 NKJV).

Now, if Jesus wasn’t God, He would have basically said, “Thomas, stop right now! That’s blasphemy!” But Jesus accepted worship because He was—and is—indeed God.

 

Reference: https://harvest.org/resources/devotions/

The Christmas Story is True

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 and Luke 2

Focus Verses: 1 Corinthians 1:18,28  “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction!  But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.  v.28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.”

The story of Christmas is the story of Jesus!  When I read the story of Christmas in Luke chapters 1-2, I believe this to be true.  I think, "How could someone even make up such a story?"  A virgin gave birth, angels appeared to people, wise men traveled from another country following a star to see a child, shepherds went to a stable to see a king born, and another king wanted to kill the baby fearing he would take over his throne. A person could not make up this kind of story even if they had a good imagination.  Yet a lot of people in the world do not believe this and say the things written in God’s Word the Bible are foolishness.  The above passage in 1 Corinthians says these unbelievers are headed for destruction.

God's Word says that Mary pondered in her heart all the things the angel told her.  I enjoy looking forward to the month of December and more specifically December 25th.  I find myself pondering the things of the Christmas story in my heart as well.  I wonder what it would have been like to live back in the day when Jesus came from heaven to earth to be born.  I am so glad He came!

Let’s not be like so many people who think this story is false and say it’s foolishness.  This Christmas story has great implications for all of humanity living on this earth.  The question is do you believe it?  The evidence is overwhelming that the Christmas story happened, but it takes faith for us to believe it, and one day our faith will be made sight.

 

Now, if you believe it, tell it!

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries