Bible Study Verse
Luke 2:13-20
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (NKJV)
Thoughts
(Continued from 12/24/13)
You stand frozen by fear as the massive man, if you can call him that, continues to speak, "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger," Luke 2:11-12 (NKJV).
As the bright white being emphasizes the word "You" he points with his huge hand at each of us. You wince when his eyes and hand stop on you. His hand has got to be as big as an adult sheep. He continues, "Who is Christ the Lord," Luke 2:11b (NKJV).
The other guys carefully step back to the fire still shaking in fear. You think to yourself, "I know of the CHRIST as I was taught these lessons as a child." Suddenly it dawns on you, "This monster being is an angel and probably glowing because he just came from GOD's presence!"
The mighty angel begins to speak again, "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe," looking at each of us as he finishes, "Wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger," Luke 2:12(NKJV). The angel stops, closes his eyes, and bows his head in reverence.
Everything is still except the crack of the fire and "hoo, hoo" of a nearby owl. You question yourself why in the world is the CHRIST in a manger? He should be in a palace or in the prettiest synagogue. Why is this angel here telling us this message and not to the fancy look-down-on-you Pharisees. The silence breaks your thoughts.
Suddenly the valley we were camped in becomes brighter than day. It's almost blinding. There are monster dudes, I mean angels everywhere on the hills, around the fire, throughout the sheep. Got to be thousands and thousands of them. You wonder where did they all come from? You think to yourself no one is going to believe this!
You can't see the messaging angel anymore because of all the others in the way and your head comes only to their waists. You weave in and out to see him again and as you do the massive angels ever so gently pat you on the back. Then the message angel opens his eyes, raises his head, and lifts his hands toward the sky. And all at once, all at the same time, these thousands of angels say, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men," Luke 2:14(NKJV). It is so loud you think your ears will burst. You're amazed and not afraid anymore. The informative angel looks at all of you again, nods his head, and disappears right before your eyes. In fact they all do in an instant. Only flickering fire light and silence remain. You find yourself standing near the fire looking at each other shocked.
After about a minute of standing around the fire, you say, "Let's go."
Action Point
During your quiet time and personal Bible study, what has God and the Holy Spirit been directing you to step out in faith and follow His Lead to accomplish for Him in 2014?
Please join us in surrounding our persecuted, maybe imprisoned Christian brothers and sisters with your love and your prayers. He is the Reason for the Season and we are strongest on our knees. Remember imprisoned American citizen, Pastor Saeed and pray for his return to his family. His chair is empty at the Christmas table at his precious family's home.
May America turn her heart back to God. May God be patient with America and may she return to the Christian principles she was founded on. "For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God,' " Romans 14:11 (NKJV).
God bless each of you.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Portable golf cart heaters are excellent for tree stand heaters.
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