My God My Everything

Have you ever noticed that when a new baby is born and the mother is telling you about the details of the birth, you are reminded of the birth of your own child. Instantly all the fine details come to mind and you are taken back to the moments that changed your life forever. The bible tells us that when the shepherds told Mary all the details of the angel’s message that she treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. There was also a second time when those same words are recorded. It was when Jesus was 12 years old and they lost him in Jerusalem.…

When Jesus was a few months old his parents took Him to the temple to dedicate Him to the Lord as the law required. When they arrived they were met by two elderly people named Simeon and Anna. Simeon knew that in his lifetime he would see the Messiah and Anna was a widow who never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Moved by the Spirit, Simeon went into the temple courts and when he saw the child he took Him in his arms and praised God. Coming up to them at that very moment, Anna also gave thanks to God and spoke about the…

Divine guidance comes to hearts prepared to receive it. The Wise men had found the child they had long been searching for and were about to return back to Jerusalem to tell Herod, but they were warned in a dream by God not to return to Jerusalem so they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take…

You’ve no doubt heard the TV commercial that asks, “What you would do for a Klondike bar?” Sometimes is silly to think about what we would do for something as insignificant as ice cream, but the truth is that people can do some pretty extreme things to get what they desire. The wise men that journeyed to see Jesus, the newborn King, traveled hundreds of miles. Their dedication to see Him for themselves and bring gifts was so intense that nothing could stop them. Imagine their surprise when they arrived in Jerusalem and asked about the newborn king and learned that King Herod and all Jerusalem didn’t even know that…

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. – Luke 2:16-18 When the shepherds first heard the announcement of the Saviors birth from the angel they were terrified. That fear then turned into a desire to see Him for themselves and they went to Bethlehem. After witnessing all that the angel had told them, they couldn’t help but spread the word. First the shepherds ran to see the baby;…

When you think about the 70 mile trek on the back of a donkey that Mary rode, you might wonder why God didn’t make the journey a little easier for her. Why wasn’t there a welcoming party at the Inn that had fresh water, warm food and a soft bed waiting for the weary travelers? Instead there was no room, a lowly manger and humble surroundings for the birth of the Son of God. When we do God’s will, we are not guaranteed comfortable lives; however we are promised that even our discomfort and inconvenience have meaning in God’s plan. He may not soften the bumpy roads we take, but…

It’s that time of year when property taxes are due and I’ve heard many people voice their opinions and complaints at the increase in taxes and their frustration at the timing with the holidays just around the corner. I believe that Mary and Joseph could relate. They were required to travel to their home town of Bethlehem to register and be taxed. Mary was full term in her pregnancy and that only added to the stress and discomfort. We might see this as civil obedience to the governing power, but in truth it was a divine intervention. Rome felt that they were the rulers of the civilized world, but God…

After meeting with Elizabeth, Mary spoke the words that are now known as the Magnificat: Mary’s Song of Praise. It begins with, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Have you ever felt that way? Bursting with praise for what God has done and is going to do in your life? It’s those moments that you’re saying, “Thank you Lord! Thank you, Thank you, thank you!” Every day that we wake up is another opportunity to see His goodness and find a reason to give Him praise. Mary’s song mentions God’s mercy, His provision, His help and mighty deeds that He has performed. Have…

Gender reveals and birth notifications have taken on a whole new meaning in the last few years. Expectant parents plan unique and exciting ways to tell their friends and family about the upcoming birth of their children. But I think that Mary and Elizabeth probable had some of the most supernatural announcements one could imagine. Both women had gender reveals given by an angel. While the angel Gabriel was speaking with Mary, he informed her that her relative, Elizabeth, was also expecting and that she was already 6 months along. Just think about that for a moment, the revelation of the child was given to her husband Zechariah months before…