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, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

 Matthew 2

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, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on the difference between Luke and Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus and how Matthew's account describes foreigners or Gentiles - Magi - coming to visit Jesus.  Hence, when we have, when one views the last verses of Matthew (Matthew 28:18-19) together with today's verses, as Piper describes, a portrayal of "Jesus at the beginning and ending of his Gospel as a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews." Piper also points us to Isaiah 60:3 where Jesus' birth and visits from other nations are prophesied. Piper wraps the devotional for today by stating that "Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who sent His Son Jesus, who came as a baby - so that I could have a God who empathized with my experience and so that I could have life to the full now and for eternity because of Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection. Thank You Jesus!  The greatest gifts of all time and indeed we have something to celebrate with the birth of Jesus!  I am not deserving of such gifts.  I am often harsh with my words and also I worry - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 Luke 2

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:12-14

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on how God brings peace to those with whom He is pleased - and God is pleased with those who believe and have faith in Him. Piper also discusses the corollary, which is that the peace of God will elude those who don't believe and have faith in Him. In making the case for such statements, Piper provides the following scriptures: 

• Hebrews 11:6: without faith, it is impossible to please [God]
  
• John 3:19 - people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil....lest [their] works should be exposed
• Luke 2:34-35: for many in Israel Jesus is a sign that is opposed
  
• John 1:11-12: to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
• John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
• Philippians 4:6-7: ...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
  
• Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
  

I am reminded of Pastor Jared's sermon yesterday (05DEC) where he spoke from Matthew 1 regarding the lineage of Jesus, and how we can be encouraged by acknowledging that (1) God always keeps His promises, (2) God's timing is always perfect, and (3) God's works is not finished.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me - offering a peace that surpasses understanding and so much more!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You do this for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I have harsh words for others and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

 Luke 2

And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Picking up where we left off yesterday, today's entry focuses on how Jesus could have made space for Joseph and Mary at an inn in Bethlehem, but that was not God's will nor His plan.  God sought for Jesus to rise from humble beginnings and to die on the cross as a means to not just fulfill prophecy, but also to demonstrate His glory, and so all humanity (not just Israel) could be reconciled to Him. Piper urges us to see how God wants all of us to remember that we must be humble just as Jesus was humble - Piper provides several verses to emphasize this application:

• Luke 9:23 - all believers are to deny selves
  
• John 15:20 - believers must not be greater than Jesus; just as He was humble so too must we also be; we are subject to persecution just as He was
  
• Luke 9:57-58 - followers of Jesus must be prepared for hardship and tough times

While Jesus does tell us that we are subject to persecution and hardship - we can have hope in Him because He has overcome the world:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing indeed - that You came to earth with such humility and a heart of service - for me and all of humanity....thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God. My sin continues...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

 Luke 2

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Luke 2:1-5

This afternoon, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on how a big God orchestrated in the heart of Caesar Augustus a census to be taken throughout the world (Roman empire), and that this census required that people register in their hometown.  This of course brought Joseph and Mary - with the unborn Jesus - from Nazareth to Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling Old Testament prophecy from Micah 5:2 where it states:

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2

Piper uses this fulfillment of prophecy, and how God orchestrated the details, to highlight how God uses insignificant people, where ever they are in their lives - to accomplish great things and to show how God moves in all of our lives. He also wants us to be encouraged, even during times of adversity.  Piper writes:

"Do not think, because you experience adversity in your little world of experience, that the hand of the Lord is shortened. It is not our prosperity or our fame but our holiness that he seeks with all his heart. And to that end, he rules the whole world. As Proverbs 21:1 says, 'The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.' And he is always turning it for his saving and sanctifying and eternal purposes among his people." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank for being so big and yet so involved in the details of my life - You encourage and lift me up always, even during very dark times.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me.  My sin is great...and daily...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us[.]"

 Luke 1

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us[.]" Luke 1:68-71

This morning, I continue with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on how Jesus is the long anticipated visitation that represented the hope and prayer of Israel.  John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, upon hearing from the angel Gabriel that his barren wife Elizabeth was to give birth to a child - was in disbelief.  In response (see Luke 1:18-22), Zechariah is silenced and made mute, unable to speak.  Upon the child's birth, Zechariah is a transformed man, "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:67) as he prophecies both the role of his new born son and that of Jesus. With this devotional, Piper seeks for us to see two "remarkable things:"

1. "For the mind of faith, a promised act of God is as good as done. Zechariah has learned to take God at his word and so has a remarkable assurance[.]" Believers should be assured that all of God's promises are true, that He is faithful, and we can rest knowing these promises are to come to pass.
2. The visitation of God so anticipated and prayed for by Israel is for all of humanity.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE faithful as all of Your promises DO come to pass - we can trust in You!  Thank You Jesus for Your great faithfulness!  You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You are so faithful and for how You provide.  My sin of worry and other sins continue.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 Luke 1

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.” Luke 1:46-55

This morning, I continue with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on Mary and Elizabeth and how God uses their "humble estate" to be the mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist. As I continue to prepare for Christmas, I reflect on how God has humbled me to become one of His elect as I fully recognize that my faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). I have struggled much with arrogance over the course of my life and God has indeed "scattered" me "in the thoughts of [my] heart."  He has also filled me with "good things" and helped me see His mercies as new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Thank You Jesus for helping me see how I need a Savior and for being my Savior.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed an amazing God and given me the gift of faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this and the many blessings You pour out for me.  My sin of arrogance continues as well as other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.

 Luke 1

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Luke 1:16-17

This morning, as a bridge to my next study, I start a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper, which by divine appointment starts today on December 1st! Today's entry focuses on how we as believers should prepare for Christmas - specifically how to prepare our hearts spiritually to appropriately prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ and what that means for believers.  John Piper encourages us to:

1. First, meditate on the fact that we need a Savior. Luke 2:11
2. Second, engage in sober self-examination. Psalm 139:23-24
3. Third, build God-centered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home — especially for the children.
4. Fourth, be much in the Scriptures, and memorize the great passages! “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord” Jeremiah 23:29
   

 Let us, as John Piper encourages us to, prepare our hearts and spiritual selves to appropriately prepare for and celebrate the birth of Christ!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful that You are my Savior, that You search my heart and sanctify me, and You bless me in ways that are unimaginable and indescribable - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful - but of course undeserving.  Amazing grace indeed!  My sin continues - worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.