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This week’s Devotional Topic
EMMANUEL – GOD WITH US
Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Why did He come?
To save sinners…listen to the testimony of Paul in his first letter to Timothy…
I Timothy 1:12-15 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;
That we might have life…
John 10:7-10 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus Christ, Emmanuel IS GOD WITH US. Even now. Would it change the way we act, the things we think and the things we say if we practiced the reality that God IS with us, He is omnipresent. Right here with us, everywhere. You cannot go where He is not. You cannot hide from Him. And as God He knows all things.
As we inch closer and closer to the peak of the Christmas Season and more and more of our thoughts are focused on Jesus as the ‘reason for the season’, let us remember that “God is with us”. And as we fill our hearts and minds with Him, His word will have it’s desired effect on us.
This week’s Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-23; John 10:7-10; I Timothy 1:12-15 and Psalms 119
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