II Corinthians 1:24 ” Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. “

You are being an example to those around you whether you realize it or not.  You are an ambassador for Christ everywhere you go…whether you want to be or not, for when you take on the name “Christian”,  people will judge you by higher standards.  They will watch you closer and judge you harsher.  When you take on the name Believer,  you become an example… whether that be a good one or bad.

Matthew 1: 20-21 ” An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joeeph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’ “

When the angel came to Mary she had questions, but in the end accepted the unfathomable.  With Joseph though,  it wasn’t that easy.  The very human feelings of hurt and rejection were evident in his decision to divorce Mary quietly.  And it certainly was within the Law to dismiss her from the bond of marriage with a Certificate of Divorce for her perceived conduct.  But before this could happen, the angel visited Joseph and convinced him that what Mary had told him was true…she in fact had not been unfaithful.  The Lord will sometimes give us a promise so wonderful and far-fetched that we can’t put our heads around it either…it’s at that point we will make the decision to either believe God or reject it based on our shallow emotions.

Isaiah 9:6 ” For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…

All of humanity was lost…floundering in a sea of sin…sinking to never rise again.   When a baby was brought forth…God bestowing this precious gift on all.   For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son – Jesus Christ – to bridge the chasm between God and man…and bring  eternal life to a dying world.

Micah 5:2 ” But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be Ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

700 years later, in a quiet unpretentious little town, the Messiah was born.  There was no fanfare, no pomp and pageantry…just a barn and a baby.  The Lord would rather use the humble…the plain and ordinary to do His best work.  Common,  simple people are His very best instrument for some of His most wonderful miracles.  Don’t ever dismiss yourself as someone God could never use…for in fact, you are exactly who He wants.

John 15:26 ” When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth Who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me.”

Right before Jesus left this earth, He designated the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete…another of equal quality in His place.   The Holy Spirit is called a Paraclete because He undertakes Christ’s office here while Christ is away from the world.  Bearing witness to the absolute, ultimate, and saving  truth of Jesus, the Holy Spirit gently nudges us ever in the right direction.

Galatians 3:26-28 ” You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ…There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Jesus Christ.”

We are all one in Christ.  There is not one nationality or people group above another in God’s sight.  We are all one in Christ.  There is no social or economical stigma in God’s family…for we all stand equal in His eyes…from the least to the greatest.  We are all one in Christ.  There are no gender barriers stopping any of us from fulfilling God’s plan and purpose in our lives.  We are all one in Christ Jesus.

I Corinthians 1: 27-29 ” But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.”

God is in control…His choices explicitly and precisely are done to direct the course of redemptive history.  He takes the simple-minded, the humble, the frail,  and transforms them by the Holy Spirit into mighty men and women of God.  For it is not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord Almighty in Zechariah 4:6.   Under His anointing, the powerless become strong…the lowly and scorned become bold.  Never underestimate what the Lord can do through you…never underrate the glory and honor  you can give Him  by simple obedience.

Isaiah 25:9 ” Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”

Where and in whom does your hope lie today?  Do you trust only yourself and your sheer determination to make your dreams reality?  Or maybe you trust the world around you to give you everything you desire.  Unfortunately, there is no one or thing here on earth that has the ability to deliver you from damnation… for there is only one person that can give you victory over guilt and eternal punishment of your sins.  Jesus is that only person that can save your soul.

Mark 10:32 ” They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way…”

Jesus had been predicting His death to His Disciples… and they were fearful of traveling to Jerusalem for what they saw as imminent death of their beloved Leader.  Jesus didn’t shrink back or go into hiding…rather He had set off resolutely on the road to Jerusalem knowing full well what awaited Him.  Isaiah prophesied of this in 50:7, “…therefore I have set My face like flint…”  Jesus lead the way, going before the twelve Disciples…completely in control of the situation…not controlled by it.

I Chronicles 29:11 ” Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours.”

Lord, You are the King of glory.  We thank and praise You,  for You have founded this world and all that is in it. (Psalm 89:11)  Your strength and might…Your glorious beauty is everlasting and forever.  You are great, and greatly to be praised on heaven and earth…Your splendor and greatness is beyond comprehension.