God With Us
In the days leading to Christmas and the New Year let us focus on the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While many debate the actual date of our Savior’s birth, we rejoice that he has come, just as our Father said He would! So as we leave those details aside for men to grapple with, let us focus on the miracle and the fulfillment of Jesus' birth!
SCRIPTURE: " Now all this took place so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled: 23 “Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he named Him Jesus. " Matthew 1: 22-25 NASB
Should 'God with us' be of no effect? Should 'Immanuel' abide in the shadow of Santa, Black Friday sales, the Christmas decorations, and the gathering of family and friends? Should 'Jesus' be the default reality after the flurry of gift-giving, excess eating, partying, movie-binging, and games? Is He not holy?
In the manner of our brother Joseph, let us awaken from our lively slumber, and do according to the LORD's preference. We can borrow both from Joseph, as well as the magi..."And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they" [the magi] "fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11
Let us all open our most treasured of treasures and revere Him as King of Kings, Eternal and most High-Priest, and Glorious Kinsman-Redeemer and Savior: Jesus, Messiah of Israel and Light to the Gentiles - bless the Holy One, God the Son.
Awaken precious pilgrim on the path that leadeth high,
and find of every dutiful step, delight before thy eye.
Let every gaze fill gloriously, the day unveiled as gold;
for God Himself is with you now, and as was once foretold.
Let troubling things be rightly put, the Lord to maketh glad,
and step with patience, heart at peace, for such salvation had.
The tears you bring, let each one sing beneath sweet heaven's throng –
Thy soul proclaiming 'Jesus! King!', with faith to tarry on.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, bless as only You can this soul towards a proper thirst, for the things of grace and glory. Praise be to Jesus! Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
In the manner of our brother Joseph, let us awaken from our lively slumber, and do according to the LORD's preference. We can borrow both from Joseph, as well as the magi..."And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they" [the magi] "fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11
Let us all open our most treasured of treasures and revere Him as King of Kings, Eternal and most High-Priest, and Glorious Kinsman-Redeemer and Savior: Jesus, Messiah of Israel and Light to the Gentiles - bless the Holy One, God the Son.
Awaken precious pilgrim on the path that leadeth high,
and find of every dutiful step, delight before thy eye.
Let every gaze fill gloriously, the day unveiled as gold;
for God Himself is with you now, and as was once foretold.
Let troubling things be rightly put, the Lord to maketh glad,
and step with patience, heart at peace, for such salvation had.
The tears you bring, let each one sing beneath sweet heaven's throng –
Thy soul proclaiming 'Jesus! King!', with faith to tarry on.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, bless as only You can this soul towards a proper thirst, for the things of grace and glory. Praise be to Jesus! Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
2 Comments
Amen! My God is surely in control of every circumstance, and He orchestrates them all. bless His Holy name.
And this is the way we praise Jesus, by celebrating the foretelling and fulfilment of His birth. Glory to God in the highest!!