THE PREGNANT VIRGIN!
Today’s Reading Matthew 1-2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Nativity Church in Bethlehem built over the grotto where Jesus was born. On the ceilings hang chandeliers and on the walls are fragments of mosaic. This building is the oldest standing church in the Holy Land. Originally built by Constantine’s mother in the 4th century, Emperor Justinian rebuilt the current structure in the 530’s. It was apparently spared destruction from the Persians in 614 A.D. because the invaders saw the depictions of the Magi on the walls. Local Muslim-Christian friendship is believed to be why the church was not destroyed during al-Hakim’s rule in 1009. The trapdoors in the floor reveal 4th-century floor mosaics from the Constantinian church.
Key Verse: Matthew 1:23
Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His Name “Immanuel,” translated, “God with us.”
*God was with Joseph, who was instructed to marry Mary.
*God was with the Wise Men, who were told to bypass King Herod.
*God was with Mary and Joseph when they were told to seek refuge in Egypt.
When all is well, it’s easy to believe “God with us.” When there’s trouble, believe with child-like faith. Whether we feel like it or not, BELIEVE IT! IT’S A FACT!!! God is consistent. He is “IMMANUEL!!!” That kind of solid faith will release the love and provision of Immanuel into our lives and circumstances.
“Immanuel” Quotes:
“I am with you always.” – JESUS (Matthew 28:20)
“Abide in Me and I in you.” – JESUS (John 15:4)
“I will never leave you.” – GOD (Hebrews 13:5)
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
I thank You, God, that You are with me always. Please forgive me for my sin and wrong that I have done. I give my life to You for always. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
NOW, please tell someone about your prayer. Call toll-free in Canada and the U.S. at 1-866-273-4444 or email us at ministry@crossroads.ca.
100 Personal Words (plus a few more) from David Mainse:
Why 100? That number says to me “Immanuel.” I had been hosting a weekly TV show called Crossroads from 1962 to 1977 when I saw the building at 100 Huntley Street in Toronto. The sun was glinting off the stainless steel street number 100. Suddenly, I knew why (over the preceding weeks) when I would open my Bible at random, my eyes would fall on the number 100. For example, “100 fold” in Jesus’ parable of the sower, or the 100th verse of the 119th Psalm. Even page 100 in my Bible would show up. I knew that it was time to move from the weekly show to daily. My wife, Norma-Jean, was the producer of Crossroads and it took me several days before I ventured to tell her that I wanted to name the new show after the address of the studio in downtown Toronto. Now, over 10,000 daily shows later, approximately 17,000 people have shared their stories on TV. Millions of calls have come through to the 24/7 prayer lines. Many of these have personally experienced “Immanuel,” opening their minds to believe and their hearts to receive. Call and talk with God together with a prayer partner…a caring, loving, non-judgmental person. The phone number is 1-866-273-4444. If you should get a busy signal, try again.
Yours for sharing Immanuel with others,
David
P.S. Today also begins the new video version of my blog (a “blog”). It’s a 2-minute version which will air regularly on 100 Huntley Street and during breaks in the YES TV schedule. You can also watch it daily by clicking 100huntley.com/100words.
It was great to read this scripture, this morning. Thank you in heaven, David, for all you have done. The Crossroads prayer lines are so vital. We thank You God, for using David as a vehicle to bring Christian television and prayer lines to Canada and this daily bread to us through via the blog. We give You all the thanks and praise. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
Your Presence is Heaven, Free Chapel with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5a-hW9AJQI
Amen Beverlee
His presence is definitely heaven to me! I’m off to see my sister through a glass door @ the nursing home. It is her birthday. I pray that it will go well. We have challenges – my hearing aids are in for adjustments and my loaners are not programmed to work with my phone. It will be difficult also because she doesn’t understand the situation with Covid 19. She can’t understand all the masks, etc. A hot day is expected for today so I will take an umbrella! (I’ll be outside & she will be inside! Blessings all.
God bless you and your sister,Doreen.Praying for understanding to be bestowed upon your sister.Drink plenty of water when out in the hot sun.God bless
Happy Birthday to you sister Doreen God Bless!!!
Wonderful to be starting all over again for another two years. Thank you Bill for the lovely poem, you certainly are very gifted.
So nice to see the same familiar names here and hoping others join us on the journey through God’s Word. Doreen my prayers-and heart go up for you as you visit your dear sister on her Birthday 🌺 I think the umbrella is a good idea as it is hot here today.
Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
Praying for your visit with Donna-Leigh, Doreen. Will be thinking about the two of you, all day. God bless you!
May God richly bless you and your sister.
So delighted to begin another two-year journey with David et al.
A friend sent me this beautiful video:
Interview with God:
https://youtu.be/moBvLFbFdJ4
“We cannot break through the many barriers that divide races, sexes, and nations, but the Spirit of Christ unites all people in the all-embracing love of God. The Spirit of Christ burns away our many fears and anxieties and sets us free to move wherever we are sent. That is the great liberation of Pentecost.” Henri Nouwen
Blessings dear saints.
Lynda,that is so ‘profound’ and beautiful and it’s truth is immediately obvious…so why don’t we realize these things?I think we all know the answer.God bless
Blessings to each and everyone.
Thank God for this blog and loaning David to lay down his/His platform for each daily bread to nourish His sheep. (“Feed My sheep”).The discernment and discipline of loving obedience was bestowed on our shepherd and he followed it with love and wisdom.Thank you again to his family for carrying on this blessing for us and others not yet signed up.May God bless
The Kingdom Is Ours
Oh,Lord,though we have sinned against You
And have done evil in your sight,
You still love us the ages through,
Withholding from us Your just might.
To each of us You have been a Friend,
Your guidance led those who would hear
And shown Your mercy has no end;
As we repent,you draw us near.
Lord,restore to us a right spirit,
For You have washed away our sin
And we know we’re not to fear it
When evil seeks to come within.
Oh,my Savoir,You are always true
And we want to walk in Your light
But there is one who will undo
And e’er seeks to bind us in fright.
Oh Lord,we know Your word is our shield
But relentless thoughts from the snake,
Seek to steal what we must not yield,
For the kingdom is ours to take.
G W(Bill) Marshall/13 Sept, 2015
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul!
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole!
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free!
Lovely Rob. Amen!
Amen Rob So True!!!
Wonderful, Rob.
AMEN
Oh,yes, thank you Rob
Jesus earthly father was all in the royal line of descendants. That speaks to me that our families and descendants are also important to God. Am reading Matthew in the The Passion Translation to shed more new light on my reading. Thank you Ron, Ann and Reynold for carrying on with this blog. Thinking of this verse and David’s legacy of writing this blog. “…Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord…Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”(Rev. 14:13). Beautiful day here. Blessings.
Blessings
This is my 3rd time around with “100 Words” – Thank you Mainse family for continuing your Dad’s legacy – Looking forward to the 2 years ahead – GOD BLESS
Amen
Thank you pastor David for listening to what God was revealing to you.Amen to all comments.
Amen
Doreen, I pray you had a lovely visit with your sister. Happy Birthday to Donna Leigh! 🎂
So excited to do this again!!!!!!! Blessings forward everyone!!!!!! Xo
In 1975 when my sons (young sons) were in Israel, we visited that church,
Happy birthday to you sister. I pray your visit with her will be blessed of the Lord
Yes, Emmanuel, God with us, Amen
sorry, Doreen, I meant to say: “Doreen, I pray your visit with your sister will be blessed of the Lord, Amen!
My sons and I were in Israel…