Good morning, Lord Jesus. You're my Lord and my Savior, and I welcome You into every moment of my day. ...
"Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.' So they went and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child lying in a manger. When they saw this, they made know what had been told them about this Child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them" (Luke 2:13-20).
Mary "treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart."...
Do we treasure these stories of your birth Lord? Do we take time to ponder these words in the Bible in our hearts? Or do we think we know the stories so well and have heard them so long that we simply gloss over them or treat them like fairy tales or the simple lines of children's Christmas plays? Have you at any time this season sat down by yourself and read the birth narratives in Luke or Matthew and treasured them, pondered on them, and spent time reflecting on them?
These stories are treasures. These "Christmas Stories" are the Word of God -- "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until It divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). As You've said of Your Word, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, but It shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent It" (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Today God, let Your Word be Treasure in my heart. Let me prioritize it, seek it, and not let anything keep me from it as a priceless treasure., Remind me that reading and pondering these stories of your birth are the priority of this season, not something to hopefully get to if my busy schedule of shopping, decorating, cooking and entertaining allows. Let me never take Your Word for granted or treat it with less than the honor and awe It deserves. Let these stories of Your birth and Your hope and Your life bring comfort and peace and joy every time I read them and ponder them. May I desire to share them as treasures with others. "My child, be attentive to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh" (Proverbs 4:20-22). In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
My family, I pray all the stories of the birth of Christ come alive and active in your heart, and you prioritize time to read them, treasure them, ponder them and share them with others, in Jesus' name! Please pray the same of me. God bless you, my friends!
I want to encourage you to join me by also sharing with us your thoughts, comments, reflections, and prayers you received from today’s reading in the comment box below.
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My wife Nancy and I in our ministries are pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this season in our lives and that of our family and ODC. Please partner and support us and One Direction community through setting up a monthly donation now for next year, or a one –time gift by clicking the link below. Donation checks can be made out to ODC, PO Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758. Thank You Thank You!
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
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