Verse of the Day 12/22

Through the Bible - Habakkuk 1-2, Revelation 14

 

Good morning,

For today's verses we'll turn to Matthew 4 where Jesus begins his ministry.  He refers back to the passage in Isaiah that we looked at yesterday and introduces his message, which was the same as that of John the Baptist.  "Repent, turn to God."

 

Matt 4:16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined."

 

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."   NLT

As I have mentioned our church had a number of people give "cardboard testimonies" this past weekend.  Many of them revolved around the loss of a loved one, a parent or a child.  In those difficult times they found comfort and peace in their Saviour.  In those situations the presence of Christ meant more than anything that the world could give.

 

In today's devotional from Harvest Ministries, Greg Laurie writes, "These things have their place, but we need to remember the essential message of Christmas, which is Immanuel—God is with us. And for the hurting person, the lonely person, the sorrowing person, this is the time of year to bring the gift of encouragement to them and say, "The message of Christmas is: God will be with you. God will help you. God will strengthen you."

So look for opportunities to share the love of God during this season, because it is a time when we seem to be more open to engaging in conversation with others. Now is a great opportunity for you to bring encouragement to someone who is struggling. Who needs your encouragement today? "

Matt 1:22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."   NKJV

May we focus less on "presents" this Christmas, turn from them and focus more on His presence.  Not only that, why not share His presence with someone who is hurting.

 

In closing I'd like to go to today's Old Testament reading from Habakkuk, where the prophet gives us his own "cardboard testimony"

 

Hab 2:2  "Write my answer plainly on tablets,
so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.  NLT

 And what would have the pieces of cardboard said? 

 

"Questioned God"  Hab. 1

 

God said "the just shall live by his faith" Hab 2:4

Hab 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights.  NLT

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Matt 4:12-18

 

The Ministry of Jesus Begins

 

12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

 

15 "In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
16 the people who sat in darkness
have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
a light has shined."

 

17 From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."   NLT