Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth (Roman Empire).
And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
Luke 2:1, 3-5 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.1-5.NASB1995
The book of Micah, written prior to 686 B.C., reveals where Jesus was to be born.
Prophecy:
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren Will return to the sons of Israel.
Micah 5:2-3 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mic.5.2-3.NASB1995
Fulfilled:
🌹While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
Luke 2:6 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.6.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org
Joseph Awakened Anew
She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Matthew 1:21, 24-25 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.1.21-25.NASB1995
🌹From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus,
Acts 13:23 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/act.13.23.NASB1995
Matthew 1:1 Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of . . .
Matthew 1:16 Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born . . .
Continually Seeking Him,
God’s Purpose Will Be Established
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows:
when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.
And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.
Matthew 1:18-19 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.1.18-19.NASB1995
The law in Deuteronomy 22:20-24 regarding a betrothed bride not found to be a virgin, says she is to be stoned to death.
When God calls us to something it is not always an easy road. But God. God will accomplish what He has called us to. He will intervene just as He did in this case.
But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.1.20.NASB1995
The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,
Isaiah 14:24 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.14.24.NASB1995
🌹. . . I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, . . .
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
Isaiah 46:9b and 10b NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.46.9-10.NASB1995
🙏O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Isaiah 25:1 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.25.1.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
Blessed To Be Used
And Mary said: “My soul exalts the Lord,And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.
Luke 1:46-49 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.46-49.NASB1995
As Mary was blessed to be used of God, are you?
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.”
Luke 1:45 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.45.NASB1995
🌹And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.
Luke 1:50 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.50.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
Surrendered Obedience
The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Luke 1:35, 38 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.35-38.NASB1995
How wonderful it would be if we answered the call to be used of God with full surrender as Mary did.
How willing are we to answer the call of God to be used by Him for His purpose and will?
Continually Seeking Him,
🌹Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org
Son of The Most High
In yesterday’s devotion Mary was told by an angel that God had chosen her for a special assignment (blessing). She would be the mother of Jesus.
He (Jesus) will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?”
Luke 1:32-34 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.32-34.NASB1995
I found this a little amusing but so typical of the lives we live. Here is Mary being told that she will bear the King of kings; the Lord of Lords; the Son of the Most High and she says, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” Self focused. Self concerned.
Have you been there? I have. God calls us to something and we cannot fathom the calling so we look inward at ourselves instead of what an amazing God we have who can do anything through us. Just look at what he did through Mary.
This Christmas season let us turn our focus to the One who came to save. The One who is worthy of our utmost reverence and adoration. Jesus.
🌹Glory to His name.
Continually Seeking Him,
God With Us
The Old Testament book of Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah, Immanuel, meaning God with us. God speaks of the coming of Jesus.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin (maiden) will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel (God with us).
Isaiah 7:14 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.7.14.NASB1995
Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus is informed of God’s plan of bringing our beloved Messiah to earth through her.
Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.”
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.
Luke 1:26-28, 30-31 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.1.26-31.NASB1995
🌹“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/mat.1.23.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
The Coming of Jesus
The Coming of Jesus prophesied:
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.9.6-7.NASB1995
The Coming of Jesus accomplished:
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/luk.2.11.NASB1995
The Return of Jesus prophesied:
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
Revelation 22:12-13 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rev.22.12-13.NASB1995
Are you ready?
Continually Seeking Him,
🌹Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org
To God Forever
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
Psalms 96:3-4 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.96.3-4.NASB1995
🌹saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”
Revelation 7:12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/rev.7.12.NASB1995
Continually Seeking Him,
Give Thanks to God
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
1 Chronicles 16:34 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/1ch.16.34.NASB1995
Happy Thanksgiving from my heart to yours. May God richly bless your day with a heart of joy, peace and goodness.
🙏Thank You, Lord God, for Your provision, the gift of fellowship, salvation, and most of all the blessing of knowing You! I pray you will bless the one who is reading this now. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Continually Seeking Him,
🌹Sharon
https://indasharonjesus.org
Continually Seeking Him 