Divine Appointment...The Provision
part 3 of 4
“And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.� Matthew 1:20-23
Where there's tears, Emmanuel is present. When your heart's broken, Emmanuel holds the pieces. When you're lonely, Emmanuel is closer than a friend. Jesus our Emmanuel, became our provision because it's as close as God could get to us in our sin state. Because He's so holy the existence of sin can't survive. God doesn't want us to die in His presence, but live. So Jesus came to be the bridge of provision for us. This provision didn't only come through His shed blood, but through His life as well. He had to enter this world in the same way we do and live with the same life issues that face us and yet remain unstained and unblemished to be the perfect once and for all time sacrifice. He gave up His place in heaven next to the Father to provide us the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven with the Father and Himself. Jesus is our provision for everything. There's nothing you're facing, gone through or will encounter that He can't help you with. He's standing at the right hand of God to intercede for your provision: call out to Him today.
Divine Appointment...The Presentation
part 4 of 4
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee to be taxed (out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David). And he took Mary his betrothed wife, being with child. And while they were there, the days for her deliverance were fulfilled. And she brought forth her son, the First-born, and wrapped Him, and laid Him in a manger-- because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2:4-7
There are those who, because of religious beliefs, don't celebrate Christmas and others who've decided not put up a tree because it has roots in pagan religious rituals and still others who simply don't like the holiday season because it's become too commercial. I realize Jesus probably wasn't born in December. I also realize many of our Christian holidays have come about by taking over and re-purposing pagan ones, but since God created and said, “It is good,” Satan's been raiding and molesting everything God created to ruin it. I think it's high time we go into enemy territory take back and reclaim all that God said was good. When God created Adam He didn't place him in the charge of the earth and it's inhabitants, but presented it to Adam as a gift for his dominion. From that day, Satan's been trying to steal ownership from the rightful caretakers.
On the day of Jesus' birth God was presenting us with a gift for our redemption and dominion over spiritual death and Satan. The message of Christmas will remain sacred if we don't back down and retake what the enemy has attempted to silence. May the Jesus of Christmas bless your Christmas and your family.
Past Lighthouse Living Entries:
December 18 & 25, 2013 Divine Appt: Provision & Presentation
December 11, 2013 Divine Appt: Plan
December 4, 2013 Divine Appt: Promise
November 27, 2013 Sentence Commuted
November 13, 2013 Veteran Thank You
November 6, 2013 I am Number Three
October 30, 2013 How Great Our God Is
October 16, 2013 Spiritual Shutdown
September 25, 2013 The Equal Sign
September 18, 2013 Ripple Effect
September 11, 2013 Our Sailing Master
September 4, 2013 Unemployed Believers
August 28, 2013 Merry Go Round
August 21, 2013 Self Medication
August 14, 2013 Splendor OR Squalor
August 7, 2013 Step Into the LIGHT
May 15, 2013 Unshakeable Peace
April 24, 2013 Re-New NOT Re-Chew
April 10, 2013 Debit OR Credit
March 27, 2013 Sacrificial Worship
March 13, 2013 Priceless Worship
February 27, 2013 Stop the Insanity
February 20, 2013 Pursued OR Pursuer
February 13, 2013 Supernatural
February 6, 2013 Break Out With Praise
January 9, 2013 Bear I DON'T Bare It
January 2, 2013 New Resolutions
December 12, 2012 Plan of Purpose
November 28, 2012 Well Developed
November 21, 2012 Sincerely Thankful
November 14, 2012 Surrendering the Pieces for Peace
November 7, 2012 Sailing Master
October 17, 2012 Who Am I? Really??
October 10, 2012 Vote For Morality
October 3, 2012 Mercy, Who Me?
September 12, 2012 Basket Case
September 5, 2012 Christ-Like Boldness
August 29, 2012 Overcome & Fortify
August 22, 2012 Love Pure and Holy
June 27, 2012 Deceptive Packaging
June 20, 2012 Assurance NOT Insurance
June 13, 2012 Unexpected Blessing
May 30, 2012 Packing Your Bags
May 16, 2012 Our Being - In Him
May 9, 2012 Know His Annointing
April 18, 2012 This Day's Needs
February 29, 2012 Something New
February 22, 2012 Something New
February 15, 2012 Something New
February 8, 2012 Something New
February 1, 2012 Something New
January 25, 2012 A Perfect World
December 21, 2011 Create Impact
December 14, 2011 Unspeakable Love
December 7, 2011 That's A Wrap
November 30, 2011 Give Gift of HOPE
November 23, 2011 Foot Washing
November 16, 2011 Anti-Depression
November 2, 2011 Investment Portfolio
October 19, 2011 Take A Closer Look
October 12, 2011 A Deliberate God
September 21, 2011 Learning To Lean
September 7, 2011 Drink More Water
August 17, 2011 Stones of Provision
August 10, 2011 Chasing Rainbows
August 3, 2011 Great Expectations
June 29, 2011 One Nation Under God
June 22, 2011 Are You Listening?
June 15, 2011 You've Got Talent
April 27, 2011 Be Careful Little Mouth
April 20, 2011 Nothing To Save
March 23, 2011 Make Your Stand
March 9, 2011 Under Construction
Feb. 23, 2011 Use It OR Lose It
Feb. 16, 2011 What's On The Menu
Feb. 9, 2011 Meek Isn't Milk Toast
Feb. 2, 2011 Joy Comes In The Mourning
Jan. 5, 2011 Peacemakers VS Piece-makers
Dec. 8, 2010 Star Light, Star Bright
Oct. 27, 2010 Intended Purpose
Oct. 13, 2010 Today Is The Day
Sept. 22, 2010 Undiscovered Treasures
August 11, 2010 Spiritual Eyes
August 4, 2010 Heart of Worship
June 30, 2010 Structurally Sound
May 12, 2010 A Supporting Cast
February 24, 2010 Face To Face
February 17, 2010 Drifting With Purpose
January 27, 2010 Perfected In Obedience
January 20, 2010 Building Plan
December 16, 2009 Say It Loud And Proud
December 2, 2009 On Or Through
November 25, 2009 A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
November 18, 2009 The Veil Was Torn
October 28, 2009 Sing A New Song
October 21, 2009 A Time of Change
October 14, 2009 WDJD, not WWJD
October 7, 2009 Follow The Signs
September 30, 2009 Walk The Word
September 23, 2009 Are You Resting?
September 16, 2009 Not A Nothing
September 2, 2009 A Cracked Pot
August 12, 2009 Disappointment
July 22, 2009 What's In Your Wagon?
July 8, 2009 Let There Be Light
June 24, 2009 Feast During Famine