IMMANUEL
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 6-8
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His Name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). In our photograph, the believers of the Nazareth Village are doing a superb job telling the story. God has placed something in every human heart, believer or not, that causes a desire to celebrate at this time of year! Merry Christmas!!!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 6:3; 7:9b,14
And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”… If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established…Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
In the Gospel of John 12:41, John speaks of Jesus when he says, “These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.” John was with Jesus for over three years and John began his record of Jesus by writing, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1)… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His Glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth!” (John 1:14). As a result of his vision of Jesus, Isaiah was transformed; first in his CONFESSION (Isaiah 6:5), second in his CONFIRMATION of forgiveness (Isaiah 6:7), and third in his COMMISSION (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah believed and his life and ministry were established.
Those who do not want to believe in the virgin birth of Jesus will often say that the word translated “virgin” in 7:14 can also be translated “young woman.” Of course Mary was a very young woman, perhaps 13,14 or 15 years old. Be assured that in that culture and at that time, the entire tiny community of Nazareth, besides parents, guaranteed that all young women would be virgins. Early Hebrew scholars, as well as the early Church leaders, never doubted that the young woman referred to here would be a virgin. Otherwise this would be a normal conception and in no way would this be a miraculous sign from God to King Ahaz (Isaiah 7:11). We need to use our minds to do as the Lord said to Isaiah, “Let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18a).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I say with all my heart along with Isaiah, “Here am I, send me!” I pray that my 100% commitment to You will not waver in any way. Grant that I may “behold Your glory,” seeing with fresh insight the Person and work of Jesus Christ in Whose Name I pray. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Inside my heart and mind I’m shouting with the Seraphim Angels, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD OF HOSTS; THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY!!!!!” (Isaiah 6:3). In the picture below, I’m on the edge of the mountain called Herodian. Bethlehem is seen behind me on the horizon. King Herod was probably on this mountain in his fortress for safety from an uprising of the people after he had ordered the killing of the boy babies two years old and under in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Bethlehem was a small village then with perhaps 300 people. In such a community there may have been a dozen babies. Herod had murdered his wife and two of his sons along with many others. Infanticide was common throughout the Roman Empire, so the death of these children would not have created much of a stir in the rest of the country. Because of the birth of Jesus, I have complete confidence in the fact that I will meet these murdered babies in Heaven soon. Christmas gives me such wonderful hope! What would I celebrate today if Jesus had not come as “Immanuel?” “God with us!” Amen!!!
Yours for a glorious celebration of “HIS GLORY” today,
David
P.S. Here is a link to episode #5 in the TV series for Christmas, which I taped in 2013 in Bethlehem. MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MY PERCH OVERLOOKING BETHLEHEM!!!
Merry Christmas beautiful saints in the Lord! Let us rejoice in celebrating the birth of our King! Wishing those who are alone much love and peace. He is with you and so are all the prayers of those on the blog.
December 25 God’s Way Is New
Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24).
O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Enya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3M9JKmUecY
“We join Christians worldwide to celebrate Jesus’ birth today. He
entered the world in a most unexpected way—as a brand new
baby. After all, so many of God’s chosen people expected their Messiah to arrive as a warrior to overthrow their Roman captors. Instead, they—and we—got a tiny infant who grew up to save the world in a way no earthly warrior could.
Babies inspire awe as we watch them wriggle and hear them coo.
The little fist that locks around one of our fingers stirs our hearts. As children grow, they react with wonder to lights, sounds, and other stimuli.
Wide-eyed, openhanded, they remind us how amazing and intricate is
God’s design for life—an ever-expanding newness of growth.
Today’s verse challenges us to keep becoming new selves in
Christ. We are to grow more like Him, but what does it take? We
can acknowledge our infantile helplessness over sin. We can turn
to Jesus with humble, open hearts and receive forgiveness. We can
grow as God’s children by reading and studying the Bible, spending
time in prayer, and joining our Lord’s community in worship. As
we heed God’s guidance, we may go in some unexpected—and
blessed—directions. Thanks be to God!
God of wonders and surprises, thank You for the greatest surprise of all: Jesus’
love and mercy. Praise You, in His precious name. Amen.”
Jane Heitman Healy, of South Dakota, 365 Devotions
http://www.standardlesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/365DevotionsDownload.pdf
Thank you to the Mainse family once again and may you all (yall) have a very Merry Christmas full of God’s blessings.I also am wishing everyone who reads this a Merry Christmas too and let this blog be Jesus’ gift to you (and me).Thank you Jesus !
Oh Lord
Send me,oh Lord,where danger is rife,
Send me,my Master,that I might serve,
Send me,my Friend,I give you my life,
Send me,my Christ,but give me nerve.
Let me,oh Lord,show Satan’s black eyes,
That a common man can give his all
And one so lowly suffers and dies,
Before you return to watch him fall.
Use me,oh Lord,I am worthy as dirt,
Make me,my King,a nameless soul,
That I might,Your Holy Name assert;
Let me,Oh Jesus,fulfill Your goal.
G W Marshall / May 24, 2013
Merry Christmas to one and all dear Saints. May your Day be filled with love and kindness and carry on into the New Year, in Jesus name.
A very Merry Christmas to everyone.
So much to be thankful for. Thank You Lord for being obedient to The Father’s Plan. Thank You Father for saving us from eternal punishment (which we deserve). Thank you to those who sacrifice their time to keep this blog going. Merry Christmas all.
Wishing everyone a very blessed “Merry Christmas” 🙏🏼🎄
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE;
SO APPRECIATE READING YOUR BLOGS; I WENT TO CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE; IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL; CAN’T GET UP TO MORNING SERVICES; THANK YOU LORD FOR THAT SERVICE; BLESSINGS TO THE PASTOR AND THE CONGREGATION;
I PRAY HEALING FOR THOSE IN NEED; WEALTH TO THOSE WHO NEED FINANCIAL WINDFALL; STRENGTH TO THOSE WHO ARE WEAK; PATIENCE TO PARENTS; GOOD WISDOM AND JUDGMENT TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE;BLESSINGS TO ALL WHO ARE MARRIED; IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY AMEN AMEN AMEN
Merry Christmas, to all the saints! His blessings of light and love be upon you!!!
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 ESV
Immanuel means “God is with us.” God is indeed with us. Amen, saints? He turns the troubles we face into unexpected blessings. He fills us with the power of the Holy Spirit. He comforts us and encourages us and provides us with the light and love of salvation. He gives us hope for the future and the victory of eternal life!! He is our King! He is our Saviour! He is our everything!!
A Christmas Alleluia by Chris Tomlin ft. Lauren Daigle & Leslie Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq_Ox8lX-7c