When God Whispers Over Your Life

  Luke 2:13-20 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15  So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.”  16  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  17  Now when they had seen  Him,  they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  18  And all those who heard  it  marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  19  But Mary kept all these things and pondered  them  in her heart.  20  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that t...

  Matthew 2:1-12 2  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  2  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3  When Herod the king heard  this,  he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5  So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6  ‘But you, Bethlehem,  in  the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7  Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared....

  Luke 2:8-12     8  Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  10  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  11  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  12  And this  will be  the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (NKJV)   This scene with the shepherds appears to occur instantly after Christ was born- and wrapped in swaddling clothes.  The greatest thing to ever happen to the Jewish race- nay, the human race! - was heralded to sheep and shepherds. Huh?! In the Old Testament, there w...

  Luke 2:1-7 2  And it came to pass in those days  that  a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  2  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  3  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  5  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  6  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  7  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (NKJV)   This is the Christmas story. The one we are always so eager to hear.   But today, read it with fresh ey...

  Luke 1:50-52 50  And His mercy   is  on those who fear Him From generation to generation. 51  He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered  the  proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52  He has put down the mighty from  their  thrones, And exalted  the  lowly. (NKJV)   The consistency of God is amazing!   He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Those that fear Him (have reverential respect and awe) are shown mercy.   That means that we do not get what we deserve.   We are all sinners, deserving of death and hell.   But if we fear Him enough to submit to His will, He pours out His mercy on us- from generation to generation.   It was not just the first descendants of Abraham who enjoyed this gift, but it is a gift renewable to any generation who calls on His name. In the Old Testament , God set forth blessing to those who obeyed Him and cursing on those who re...

  Luke 1:48-49 48  For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49  For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy  is  His name. (NKJV)   As we continue Mary’s song of rejoicing, notice the posture of her heart.   She sees herself as humble and lowly.   Despite God elevating her place in the kingdom to “Blessed Among Women”, she recognizes that before Him, she remains in a lowly state. None of us can boast in ourselves before the Lord.   All we can do, as the Apostle Paul did, is rejoice in Who He is and what He has done! Our boasting is only in Him and in His marvelous excellence. Mary acknowledges that her new state is “Blessed” and that from that day forward, other people would know it as well.   She is indeed blessed!   But it is only because the “Blesser” has come to her.   All her blessings are the Lord’s d...