Young virgin about to give birth to God's Son

"Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"    

                                                  Luke 1:34  NKJV

If there had been a newspaper in the area when Jesus was about to be born, can you imagine the headlines? 

TODAY IN BETHLEHEM, YOUNG VIRGIN ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH TO GOD'S SON?

 The place would have been buzzing with gossip, can you imagine. 'Mary, is pregnant, she's not married you know'. People love a good gossip when news breaks like this. The fact of the matter is, Mary was more bewildered than anyone. 'How can this be?' She asked Gabriel. She knew that she had not had sexual relations with a man and yet...!

However, God is a gracious God and to save her from any of this gossip, He spoke with Joseph in a dream about this matter, telling him to take Mary as his wife. Then when the baby was born, he was to call Him Jesus. When Joseph awoke, he did this and so Mary and family were spared the scandal of a birth out of wedlock.

Mary and Joseph found themselves in Bethlehem with nowhere to stay. They had gone there to be registered, following a decree made by Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be registered to their own area. During this time, Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room for them at the inn. There He was worshipped by all around, from kings to shepherds. And He still is today.

Two thousand years since on this Christmas Eve, you are no doubt busy getting things ready to celebrate. Many won't celebrate Jesus except fleetingly in a church service. But for Christians, we're not only looking forward to Christmas Day, with presents, rich foods and drink, but we like to recognise it as Jesus' birthday, which is a lovely thought. As you go through this day, you'll be looking forward to receiving your Christmas presents tomorrow, which is an exciting time.

However, do you know someone who could do with a present - the greatest present of all, Jesus. This could be their finest Christmas. If you know someone like this, why not pop a card through their door with an invitation to accept Jesus as their Lord. It's just a thought but one in which a life could be changed forever.

Just one card or text with an appropriate message on, may be all that is needed. An invitation to your celebrations would be the icing on the cake. Or, why not print and cut this out and use this.

If you don't know Jesus or have fell away, here is a prayer for you:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

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The Battles and Struggles of Faith

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."   2 Corinthians 5:7    CSB

We have all had a few battles and struggles this past year, haven't we? The thing is, we are still here to talk about it. God has pulled us through. Holding onto our faith at such times, takes all we have got. Many times we want to give up and call it a day but, once you've met Jesus, it's not that easy because, deep down we want to do our best for Him.

Bob Gass said, 'Faith under attack, is just faith under construction. It's in the battles of life that you discover whether you have nurtured faith or, neglected faith.' In other words, whenever we stand on faith in any situation, we will get attacked but it is a learning process. We're not yet fully developed in faith but, we are better at living this way than we were when we first became a Christian. Whenever we make a faith decision, we know deep down that we are heading for a fight. The devil doesn't like us anyway, but he literally hates every inch of us when we come up against him in battle. Think of it, when we approach situations dressed in God's armour, Satan knows we mean business and as we take the authority of Jesus Christ, he flees because we are resisting his attacks (James 4:7).

You may not feel that you have done very well this past year. You may feel you have let Jesus down quite a lot. You may have, in fact we all have. But, you are still standing as a  believer in Jesus. You still belong to His army. You are still more than a conqueror and you haven't given up the fight. Walking by faith and not by sight, means you can't see Jesus but, you know He is there and if you could see Him, you would notice Him give you a wave of encouragement. There have been times when you have been a wounded soldier, but instead of laying down, you have remained standing. Why? Because you will not leave the fight. you will not give up on Jesus. You are faithful and steadfast because, Jesus has faith in you. He chose you, He knows He can rely on you.

So, remember when the devil fires lies at you; when he taunts you and says you are a failure. Just ignore him; you know he is a liar so why waste time on a loser, Back the winner - Jesus!

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2

Don't forget Jesus

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead..."   2 Timothy 2:8    CSB 

Christmas is a busy time, with all the hustle and bustle, standing in supermarket queues which seems like days, the wrapping of presents. The list is endless. One thing we should never do though, and that is leave Jesus out of the moment. After-all, Christmas is really about Him or should be. As the old saying goes, 'He is the reason for the season'.

With only a few days to go before that wonderful time of year - Christmas Day, the clock is ticking. Children have finished school and are becoming so excited. The big children - us, are no different as we get ready for the festivities. But don't forget Jesus.

We have all been blessed in the past with things that Jesus has done for us but, let's be honest, with busy days around us, that blessing can soon be forgotten as we become involved in other things. Let us make it that Jesus, is uppermost in our lives. He is the most important part of us. He was there on the first Christmas Day, wrapped up and sleeping in a manger. This is why He is, the 'Reason for the season.' It is all about Him.

Mind you, He wants us to enjoy ourselves over this period, all He wants is to be remembered for who he is; what He has done and, what He will do for us forever more. So find a time for Him, after-all, as some say, it's His birthday. Just a 'Happy Birthday Jesus.' shows that we are thinking about Him. 

Think back over the past year. There have been good times, not so good times, exciting times and also scary times. One thing - Jesus has been with us through all of the many occasions. We are still here to praise, worship and thank Him for everything - our families, our health, our homes and food and for the presents we are wrapping up now. There are still a few days before the actual day so, no doubt, there is more shopping, present wrapping or buying to be done. 

Just think; that first Christmas, Mary and Joseph had been looking for somewhere to stay. But, there was a census taking place, so everywhere was full. So the King of kings, Jesus, was born in a stable. Not an ideal place to give birth but, it had to be done. And, aren't we glad Jesus came. If He hadn't, it would have been a totally different story. We have a lot to thank Him for.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.                                 

dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com          

If you would like to contact me, CLICK HERE

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers

Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle  

Check it out

 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B084G9S4FD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2