A Christmas Miracle - Assurance for the New Year

This past Sunday, Christmas Eve, I concluded the teaching series at our church; LaFayette Church of God. Waiting, not only a series for teaching, but also one that I have written about over the last few weeks. However, as we brought this to a close we were reminded perhaps of the greatest Christmas miracle, ever. Sure, the birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest one, but who God chose to include in His birth story, perhaps, makes it that much better.

A familiar story, to believers, found in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2; gives us insight to some intentional planning of God. In fact, the reality is, I wouldn't have chosen Mary but He did. Sure I know the prophet foretold it would be a virgin birth, but surely there were other virgins in the city of Nazareth. I doubt I would have chosen Joseph. Again, I know that even the angel gave us insight that Jesus would be of the lineage of David, and I know that Joseph met this need. But why a carpenter, to raise the Only Begotten? More than any other question...I want to know why God chose the shepherds.

It has been said, that those who were shepherds could be nothing more. Some believe that these were societies least. Dirty people, working dirty jobs. Of all the people God could have chosen to announce the birth of His One and Only Son too, He chose the least of these. Maybe that's why as a grown man, ministering to those around Him, Jesus said, recorded in Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me.'" It was His story, The Greatest Story ever told, shared with the least among them.

Together as a church family, we were reminded that God has also chosen us. We may not have always been the first pick of everyone around us. I shared the story of the many times, I was passed up for the more athletic one in Physical Education class. Though, I have been passed up more times than I want to recall; God so loved Me that He gave His only begotten Son, that if I believe, I would not perish but I would have everlasting life (John 3:16 - personalized.)

I do hope you had a Merry Christmas! However, more than anything I hope today, as we come to the close of 2017 and await with great anticipation the arrival of 2018, you are reminded the greatest Christmas miracle ever, GOD CHOSE YOU! Step into this next year with the assurance You belong to God, and if you will trust Him, He has great plans for you; plans to prosper and not to harm, plans for a great future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11.)

Be blessed.

Pastor Josh


I would be honored if you would be my guest during any of our Encounter opportunities at 
LaFayette Church of God (LaFayette, GA.) You can listen to weekend messages, learn more about our church and financially support the ministry by visiting www.lafayettecog.org.
Location: LaFayette, GA 30728, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A New Beginning

This week as we've entered the new year, the idea of new beginnings has a been on my heart. So many made New Year Resolutions and perhaps many of them have already been broken. Others, at only 3 days in, are starting to feel the pressure of the commitments they have made and are considering quitting. The Bible tells us in Revelation 21:5, And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." I have been encouraged through this word and the one written by the Old Testament Prophet, Isaiah, in chapter 43 and verse 19, Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  This new year brings more than a resolution. It brings the promise of all things new, now. Regardless of even what the last few days have held for your life in 2018; be encouraged today, take heart, He (Ch
Read more

The Discovery

Like so many other, Christian, churches do the beginning of every new year; our church, LaFayette Church of God has embarked into a season of 21 days of consecrated prayer and fasting. For me, the pastor; I feel that this fast needs to be more than just doing without something. I believe it's about   The Discovery   that God wants to reveal to me and anyone hungry enough to pursue it.  A confession, I love any story that leads to some sort of discovery. I find myself intrigued with the process or the path that the story line has to take. So  the climax of the show, movie, or book becomes evident through  The Discovery.   It is almost as though a light bulb goes off. Now I don't confess to always uncovering the clue's. Sometimes I have to watch, or read the entire story so that I can see,  The Discovery,   through the actor/author. Yes, I have certain things that I am asking God for in this season of consecrated prayer and fasting. Although, I believe through this time,
Read more

Monday, September 22, 2014

You know, I love everything about the Word of God because I still believe that it is true in its entirety. I believe it is without error, inspired and still the very relevant writ Word of God Himself. Although I love and appreciate it all, I, like you have some of my favorite passages. One of them is found in 2 Kings chapter 4 and begins in verse 18. It is the story of the Shunamite woman.  If you visit the earlier part of chapter 4 you find an account given where the Shunamite woman was unable to carry a child. Elisha, the man of God, visited her and her husband regularly so they prepared him a place to stay. During one of his visits he tells the woman by that time the next year she will give birth to a son. So the prophecy was fulfilled and she gave birth. Yet now we come to the best part, in my opinion.  Beginning in verse 18 you find the account of the child sitting in his mothers lap and dies. She places the child on her bed goes out and calls for her husband to send her a donkey
Read more