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.

Genesis 1:26 ” Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness’…”

We are the only creatures on earth that the Lord created  like Him.  When someone looks at you…they should see the Father. When they look in your eyes, they should see Jesus smiling back.   The old adage is so true here –  a apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.  You are like your Father, and your Father is in you.

I Chronicles 16: 31 ” Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord reigns! “

All authority, dominion and power belongs to God. His throne is established from everlasting to everlasting… His glory displayed for all.   Let the heavens  and earth shout for joy, for the Lord reigns!