Verse of the Day 12/21

Verse of the Day 12/21/20

Matthew 1:23  "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us).  English Standard Version (ESV)

In preparing for our men's Bible study this morning which was in Colossians chapter 3, the opening question was "if you were to make up a slogan or motto that describes your family, what would it be?"  As I thought about that I was thinking along the lines of Isaiah 40:28-31 where we read "those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength", acknowledging that God has been with us through it all.

Then as  I read David Jeremiah's devotional for today which began with "do you have a personal motto?".  He pointed to Isaiah 8:10 which states "for God is with us".  But in keeping with the season I decided to go with today's verse which states "and they shall call His name Immanuel" which means God is with us.  You could easily make that the motto for Christmas this season.  No matter where you are, what situation you are in and whatever circumstances you find yourselves "under", may you feel God's presence and realize that "God is with you" today.

John Townsend writes, "To be "with" means "on the same side." It signifies that someone is present with you, has your back, is accompanying you, and wants to help you in every way. Jesus' birth announcement   provided another name for Him, to convey an idea of hope to us. It is that not only is God the Creator and the Sustainer of life, He is also present. He is deeply and intimately connected in relationship to you.   He knows your struggles and your dreams, and walks with you through them…..Think how much better life is with the right safe people in your life. Then think how much better life is than this, when you allow   yourself to experience the "with" of Jesus. This Christmas season, spend time with Him and ask Him to visit you and be with you in a way that brings you ever closer to Him. God bless you."

Think about a motto that you could use for your life or that of your family.  If you are unsure, "God is with us" would be a good one to consider.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

 

Matthew 1:18-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Birth of Jesus Christ

¹⁸ Now the birth of Jesus Christ^[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed^[b] to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

²³ "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). ²⁴ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.