Even 700 years later, this prophecy written by Micah was still revered as the telling where Jesus Christ would be born. The Messiah would be born in a humble place, in very humble circumstances, amongst humble people…people like you and me.
Month: December 2015
Luke 2:14 ” Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”
The angels were heralding the coming of Messiah to all mankind. They were announcing to everyone that harmony and prosperity has always been God’s benevolent plan for the world. And even today, the Lord’s purpose and motive for the earth remains good and righteous.
Luke 1: 26-27 ” In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.”
The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy came to pass in the small town of Nazareth…to a young girl named Mary. This miraculous conception was wonderfully accomplished by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. A tiny baby born of man, but born also of God…perfectly holy, yet sharing in our humanity.
Isaiah 7:14 ” Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah’s prophetic word to King Ahaz came in 734BC…but the words are true still today. God isn’t some far off Deity…gazing casually and unconcerned towards earth. God isn’t some unreachable quest, sought by only a chosen few on set times. No, God is with us at this very moment…God is with you and me and all who believe in Jesus Christ His Son. God is truly with you…He is real and right there residing inside your heart.
Isaiah 40:3 ” A voice of one calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’ “
This verse was quoted in Matthew 3: 1-3, ” In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah…” John the Baptist proclaimed a very specific message…”Look at your actions and behavior…is your life where it needs to be with the Lord?” A more modern-day expression of this would be – “You need to get your life back on the straight and narrow.”
Malachi 3:1 ” See, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me.”
Malachi was speaking of the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The forerunner, John the Baptist, came preaching a very simple sermon…Repent! His message from the start was that someone much more important than he was soon coming, and everyone should ready themselves. John’s words ring true even today…Repent! For the time is short. Change your ways, for the King is coming!
Jeremiah 10:23 ” I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”
It’s usually when we don’t listen to that still small voice within and instead plunge ahead with our own plans, that we fall flat on our face. We humans love to be in control of our own destiny…but a lot of times it just doesn’t work out. By placing our confidence in God rather than our limited intelligence… the very best for us will happen.
Ephesians 1: 4-5 ” For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.”
God determined beforehand those individuals for salvation…but Jesus Christ also died for all. ( I John 2:2) This precious and free gift of salvation is extended to everyone. But when the Gospel message is heard and the invitation is given, it’s that person’s sole free will to either accept or reject Jesus.
Proverbs 17:9 ” He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
When we came to the Lord, He took all our willful rebellious sins and threw them as far as the East is from the West…never to remember them again…never to bring them up to hurt and embarrass us. God is a God of second chances. He forgives, forgets and loves…and we should also.
Acts 18: 9-10 ” One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; Keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.’ “
After this revelation, Paul boldly stayed in Corinth for almost 2 years preaching and teaching the Word of God. Even when the Jews attempted to bring Paul before the Proconsul, Gallio, he refused to listen to the case. Proverbs 16:7 states, “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.” The very safest place to be is in the center of God’s Will.
Safetypinlove 