On a dark night as the shepherds were in their fields the
angels from Heaven came to them and said,
“Don’t be afraid! We bring you good news that will bring great joy to
all people. The Savior has, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in
Bethlehem, the city of David. And you will recognize him by this sign: You will
find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
When the angels had returned
to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see
this thing that had happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
They
hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby lying
in the manger.
I have a question for you today. What if the shepherds would
have stayed in the fields? What if they doubted the angels or the message they
brought? What if they were foolish and made up an excuse to not have to leave
their comfortable place or use their energy to walk into town? What and who
would they have missed?
If the shepherds had not gone to the Bethlehem manger they
would have missed seeing the Savior. They would have missed the blessings
planned by God only for them that very special night. God wanted them to be a
part of the Saviors plan and ministry.
Each one of us is designed with a plan and a purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,”
they are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly,
you will find me.”
The Scriptures tell us that the shepherds discussed what
happened and what to do.
After the short discussion it was recorded that the
shepherds hurried to see Mary, Joseph and the Messiah. It was not a slow walk
without purpose. It says they hurried!
When you know where you are going and what you want to
accomplish when you get there, there is no wasting time.
Once again we see God giving people the choice to seek Him
or not. God sent His angels from
heaven to appear to the shepherds and announce the good news of the baby Jesus
born in a Bethlehem. After the angels returned to heaven the choice was up to
the shepherds. Would they go or would they stay? Jesus was in Bethlehem and
available but they would have to go to Him.
Now you may be thinking but how does this apply to me
sitting here in my chair 2000 plus years later?
Too often we overlook the relevancy of the Bible and how we
can apply it to our lives right now.
The truth is, at times just like you, I get stuck in certain
moods, emotions, thoughts, attitudes, places or bad relationships that I know I
need to leave and move on. I know change is hard and the “what if’s” are
troubling, but that is when I must turn to God and trust Him alone. I must let
go and let God guide me and I must follow His call on my life and His
commandments. I must leave where I
am and go where God is already working and join Him there in that work.
May I encourage you today to hurry like the shepherds and go
where God is leading you?
Leave your bad attitude and live in the joy and peace of
Christ.
Leave your stubbornness and bitterness behind and grab onto
the life of hope in Christ.
Leave your addictions and life a fully healed life in Jesus.
Leave your ______________________
Change is difficult but it is also good for every person on
the earth. When there is change we are reminded of our need for the Savior and
that need takes us to our knees in prayer.
Most importantly, if you haven’t made the choice to become a
child of the King right now would be the best Christmas gift you could give.
Give your heart to Jesus.
Do you know a family member or friend who needs to have
their heart given over to the Savior? Begin praying now for their salvation in
Christ.
Today let’s choose to respond with praise to the Lord and
give Him all the glory!
Dear Lord,
This Christmas I want to go where You are and grow in my relationship with You. I do not want to stay stuck where I am another year. Help me Lord! Teach me Lord, I am teachable.
Amen!
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