Scripture does not tell us how long the heavenly host remained with the shepherds and conducted the unprecedented praise service. As amazing as that experience was the shepherds were still able to regather their senses and collect their thoughts after the angels departed. No one had to prod the shepherds into the right response to the divine messengers’ words. They were in full agreement that nothing would deter them from going immediately to find the newly arrived Savior. The shepherds understood that they had received a word from God, and the reality of it was that Messiah had been born that same day. Their actions would affirm their eagerness of faith and prove that they were participants in more than a mere earthly drama. Their response leads us to the question: “Does the message of our deliverance from sin, move us into action?” Are we willing to leave those things that are important to us, to go and worship our Messiah? Going to a house of worship (church), is an important part of our growing faith. For it is there that we are able to see and hear more information concerning the love and grace of our God. As you … READ MORE

What the shepherds saw in the skies near Bethlehem the night of our Savior’s birth was unprecedented in human experience. An Angel, accompanied by a countless multitude of other heavenly messengers, suddenly and unforgettably intervened in the shepherd’s lives. The long-awaited Christ, the Savior of the world, God in human felsh, had just been born in a shelter in nearby Bethlehem. It may be hard to place ourselves into the shepherd’s situation, but they responded to what they saw and heard much the same way as we should respond to far more ordinary events. They had to find out more, and they had to tell others. Even more to the point, the shepherds’ response serves as a good illustration of how people respond in a saving manner to the gospel. As we prepare for December 25th to roll around, take the time today to read and reflect on Luke 2:15-20, and then go and learn of Jesus, and as you learn of Him, tell others with confidence what He has revealed to you through His Word. … READ MORE

Even though it may be difficult to be thankful at certain times we need to make a personal decision that we are going to be grateful people even when we do not feel like it or when it is hard. Er trsf om 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The quality of my life is determined not by the circumstances which I face, but my personal choices in the face of those circumstances. God has promised to be with us in the midst of our circumstances, and we need to focus our attention not on the here and now, but on the reality of the future. We live in a sin-cursed world, that brings trouble and trials, it is not until we live in the presence of the Lord for all eternity, that our lives will finally be free from the battle with our circumstances. Today, begin a regular routine of finding something each and every day to give thanks for. No matter how small or insignificant your blessing is, you can write it down and review it over the coming year. To do so will give you … READ MORE