Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: countdown to Christmas

No Room In The Inn

Encouragement

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:7

We have the Christmas story of what took place when Jesus was born. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit through a virgin named Mary. He was born in a small farming village called Bethlehem. And He was wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a feeding trough.

What we don’t have is the story of what took place in heaven when Jesus came to earth. We must remember that Jesus left His eternal glory in heaven and came to a place that was limited to time, space and matter. In heaven, Jesus was not constrained to time, space, or matter.

Hebrews 10:5 says, “Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.'” God the Father prepared and used a mortal body for Jesus to live through that could be used to identify with humanity.

As God-Man, Jesus experienced sufferings, encountered sorrows, and endured sin but knew no sin. He identified Himself with us. There is nothing that we face that Jesus didn’t face. He can sympathize with us.

Whatever you are facing today just know that Jesus cares. He cares about your sorrows, your pains, your sufferings, and even your sins. He cared so much about them that He laid down His life so that you didn’t have to. Because of Jesus we can live a victorious life.

Pray

Lord, You know what I am facing and what I am feeling today. I lay my burdens at Your feet. Help me to live victoriously in Your name.

Wise Men Seek Jesus

Salvation

And when they [the wise men] had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

Wise men still seek Jesus! Isn’t that a fascinating quote? Looking back 2,000 years ago, there were some wise men seeking the truth.

When they saw the star in the East, they followed it until it brought them to the place where the young Child, Jesus, was living. They risked their lives to get to Jesus, but they had a longing to see Him.

They came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold, symbolizing His royalty; frankincense, His deity; myrrh, His death. Although an unusual gift for a young child, myrrh was used to embalm the dead.

Of course the myrrh foreshadowed Jesus’ death and burial. We are not sure if the wise men actually understood it but God appointed it. It was just something else for Mary to ponder in her heart.

When the wise men saw Jesus they fell down and worshipped Him. They knew they had met the God-Man, the Messiah. And they gave their best gifts.

We don’t have to risk our lives nor do we need to travel through deserts to find Jesus. All we have to do is open our hearts and let Him come in. It was no accident that the wise men found Jesus. It’s also no accident that you found Jesus.

God has a specific way of bringing people to Jesus. Will you be the light (the star) that leads someone to find Jesus?

Pray

Lord, use me to bring people to You. Let every word and action be pure and holy. Forgive me of my sins and restore my joy and fellowship with You.

Peace On Earth

Encouragement

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14

The Christmas story tells us in Luke 2:14 that a multitude of heavenly angels sang at the birth of Jesus. Pay close attention to the words that they sang. Peace on earth, goodwill toward men!

On the surface it sounds good. Is that what happened when Jesus was born? Did Jesus establish peace on earth? If so, then why is there so much conflict and chaos? And is there a lot of good will toward others?

Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” So what is it then? What were the angels singing about?

With a closer look we discover this verse has been misread for years. The English Standard Version (ESV) says it this way, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” This means there is peace on earth to those who have God’s favor.

The angels were right but maybe we’ve missed the actual meaning of this verse. Only those who experience God’s favor can truly experience peace on earth. And God’s favor is with those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God.

Jesus did not promise us that we would be exempt of conflict and chaos. But He does promise to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding while we encounter such conflict and chaos.

Pray

Lord, I need Your peace. I trust You to give me everything I need to endure the sufferings that I face. Help me to share the peace, love and joy of Jesus to others.