JOYFUL GIVING

JOYFUL GIVING

   Oma has been out of work like so many others have been.  Oma's Significant Other (S.O.) came in and said, "here is an amount of money.  Take this and buy groceries to cook at your house for Christmas and enjoy some time with your family.  Your parents aren't getting any younger."  So, she took the money with gratitude, never asking for anything unless she had to.  She prayed that God would bless him for his generous heart.  He was always offering help.

   So, the first thing she did was buy gasoline for her truck to pick up her mother in.  They spent the first night together.  It was fun.  In the past, Mother had spent a lot of time with Oma, helping raise her children.  It was good to hear her snore once more.

   The next thing the money went for was to purchase two Christmas gifts for her S.O.  Not because he expected anything.  He meant it when he told her to spend the money on her and her family.  She bought the unexpected gifts because she wanted to.  It made her happy.  She anticipated his reaction, because she knew what gifts would put a smile on his face.

   As she purchased the second gift, she paused and smiled.  God had taught her another lesson.  She was learning a lot lately.  God said, "This is how you are to give back to me.  I give you work to make money.  I give you good health so you can work.  I expect you to JOYFULLY give Me the first fruits of your labor.  Think of Me.  Honor Me.  Love Me.  Anticipate the smile on My face when you tithe.  Is that too much to ask?  TEST ME IN THIS," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

   Thank you, Lord.  You first loved me and You first gave to me.  How can I not thank you for Your generosity. 

   If you don't regularly attend a church, please take advantage of the opportunity to tithe to this ministry, as you search for a church home.

You can also follow Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, where she will soon endorse a candidate for President of the United States of America,  http://omaslife.blogspot.com/, where she will correct that horrible sugar cookie recipe and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, where we will be posting a diet to loose weight soon. 



JESUS IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM Luke 2:1-7

JESUS IS BORN IN BETHLEHEM
LUKE 2: 1 - 7

photo courtesy of Bible Study Tools

   1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  2) (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  3) And everyone went to his own town to register.

   4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  5) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:1-7  Life Application Study Bible  (NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   Luke is the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history.  His account was addressed to a predominantly Greek audience that would have been interested in and familiar with the political situation.  Palestine was under the rule of the Roman empire;  Emperor Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor, was in charge.  The Roman rulers, considered to be like gods, stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger who was truly God in the flesh.

   A Roman census (registration) was taken to  aid military conscription or tax collection.  The Jews didn't have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes.  Augustus's decree went out in God's perfect timing and according to God's perfect plan to bring His Son into the world.

   The government forced Joseph to make a long trip just to pay his taxes.  His fiancee, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby any moment.  But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn't even find a place to stay.  WHEN WE DO GOD'S WILL, WE ARE NOT GUARANTEED A COMFORTABLE LIFE.  But we are PROMISED THAT EVERYTHING, EVEN OUR DISCOMFORT, HAS MEANING IN GOD'S PLAN. 

   I can stop here and be more than satisfied with this reading of God's word.

   God controls all history.  By the decree of Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth, even though His parents did not live there
.

   Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David.  The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David's royal line.

   Bands of cloth were used to keep a baby warm and give it a sense of security.  These cloths were believed to protect its internal organs.  The custom of wrapping infants this way is still practiced in many Mideastern countries.

   This mention of the manger is the basics for the traditional belief that Jesus was born in a stable.  Stables were often caves with feeding troughs (mangers) carved into the rock walls.  Despite popular Christmas card pictures, the surroundings were dark and dirty.  This was not the atmosphere the Jews expected as the birthplace of the Messiah King.  They thought their promised Messiah would be born in royal surroundings.  We should not limit God by our expectations.  He is at work whenever He is needed in our sin-darkened and dirty world.

   Although our first picture of Jesus is as a baby in a manger, it must not be our last.  The Christ-child in the manger has been made into a beautiful Christmas scene, but we cannot leave Him there.  This tiny, helpless baby lived an amazing life, died for us, ascended to heaven, and will come back to this earth as King of kings.  Christ will rule the world and judge all people according to their decisions about Him.  Do you still picture Jesus as a baby in a manger---or is He your Lord?  Make sure you don't underestimate Jesus.  Let him grow up in your life.

   Learn more about His gift of salvation by clicking this link:     http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. 

MY THOUGHTS

   It is understood that God gave this world to us through Adam.  Rather than us inheriting it, Adam gave the deed over to Satan.  We lost our inheritance through a man.

   Jesus was born of a woman, because the only way for us to regain what was lost by a man, is through a man.  Jesus was a man, 100%.  Jesus was also God, 100%.  He gave up Paradise to be born as our perfect sacrifice, knowing anything we did would fall short because we were imperfect, due to Adam.

   This was God's ONLY BEGOTTEN son for eternity!  He would not have stood by and sacrificed His Son if there had been ANY OTHER WAY!

   I praise You, Lord for Your sacrificial love!   Amen.


   If this ministry is a blessing to you, you are encouraged to leave a comment with your thoughts.  You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social media.  Thank you.

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omaslife.blogspot.com/, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/.

Merry Christmas.

JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BORN LUKE 1: 57-80

JOHN THE BAPTIST IS BORN
LUKE 1: 57 - 80

   57) When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son.  58) Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.

 59) On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60) but his mother spoke up and said, "No!  He is to be called John."

   61) They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name."

   62) Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child.  63) He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John."  64) Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God.  65) The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things.  66) Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?"  For the Lord's hand was with him.

   67) His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68) "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

   because He has come and has redeemed His people.

69)He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

   in the house of His servant David.

70) (as He said through His holy prophets of long ago),

71) salvation from our enemies

   and from the hand of all who hate us--

72) to show mercy to our fathers

   and remember His holy covenant,

  73)  the oath He swore to our father Abraham:

74) to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,

   and to enable us to serve Him without fear

   75) in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.

76) And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most

   High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way

   for Him,

77) to give His people the knowledge of salvation

   through the forgiveness of their sins,

78) because of the tender mercy of our God,

   by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

79) to shine on those living in darkness

   and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace."

80) And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.    Luke 1: 57-80   The Life Application Study Bible   (NIV)

COMMENTARY

   The circumcision ceremony was an important event to the family of a Jewish baby boy.  God commanded circumcision when He was beginning to form His holy nation, and He reaffirmed it through Moses.  This ceremony was a time of joy when friends and family members celebrated the baby's becoming part of God's covenant nation.

   Zechariah's relatives talked to him by gestures, because he was apparently deaf as well as speechless and had not heard what his wife had said.

   Zechariah praised God with his first words after months of silence.  In a song that is often called the Benedictus after the first words in the Latin translation of this passage.  Zechariah prophesied the coming of a Savior who would redeem His people, and he predicted that his son John would prepare the Messiah's way.  All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true--no wonder Zechariah praised God!  The Messiah would come in Zechariah's lifetime, and his son had been chosen to pave the way.  

   The Jews were eagerly awaiting the Messiah, but they thought He would come to save them from the powerful Roman empire.  They were ready for a military Savior, but not for a peaceful Messiah who would conquer sin.

   This was God's promise to Abraham to bless all peoples through him.  It would be fulfilled through the Messiah, Abraham's descendant.

   Zechariah had just recalled hundreds of years of God's sovereign work in history, beginning with Abraham and going on into eternity.  Then, in tender contrast, he personalized the story.  His son had been chosen for a key role in the drama of the ages.  Although God has unlimited power, He chooses to work through those who are faithful to Him.

   Why did John live out in the desert?  Prophets used the isolation of the uninhabited desert to enhance their spiritual growth and to focus their message of God.  By being in the desert, John remained separate from the economic and political powers so that he could aim his message against them.  He also remained separate from the hypocritical religious leaders of his day.  His message was different from theirs, and his life proved it.

   MY THOUGHTS

   What an awesome time!  The message had been told for generations, now Zechariah's son was to play a part in the most important event ever in history.  What an honor! 

   I praise God for those who chose God in the past, and I pray for us today, that God might find "50 righteous".  (This phrase comes from Abraham asking God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah). Amen? 

   Do you know my Jesus?  Click this link to know more about His gift of salvation:  http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. 




If this ministry is a blessing to you, you are encouraged to leave us a comment and to share this post on your favorite social media.  

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omaslife.blogspot.com/, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/.  Just click the links.

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH LUKE 1:39-56

MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
LUKE 1: 39 - 56

   39) At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40) where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.  41) When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  42) In a loud voice she exclaimed:  "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is The Child you will bear!  43) But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  44) As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  45) Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

   46) And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord

   47) and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48) for He has been mindful

   of the humble state of His servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

   49) for the Mighty One has done great things for me--
   Holy is His name.

50) His mercy extends to those who fear Him,
   from generation to generation.

51) He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;
   He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost
      thoughts

52) He has brought down rulers from their thrones
   but has lifted up the humble.

53) He has filled the hungry with good things
   but has sent the rich away  empty.

54) He has helped His servant Israel,
   remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   even as He said to our fathers."

   56) Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.  Luke 1:39-56       (NIV)

COMMENTARY

   Note verse 41, where Elizabeth's baby leaped in the womb at the sound of Mary's voice.  He was filled with the Holy Spirit, even in the womb.  This will be significant later in his life, when he is in prison and sends word to Jesus.

   The contrast between Elizabeth's baby announcement and Mary's is striking.  Gabriel came to Zachariah in the midst of a public event.  He came to Mary in the country, without fanfare.  Zachariah was a known servant of God, in the service of Him.  Mary was a teenager, betrothed to be wed.  The experienced, seasoned man of God couldn't quite grasp what he was hearing.  The teenager accepted and believed.

   Oh, that we might all have the faith of babes!

   Do you know this baby of Mary?  God gave Him to us out of love for us that we could spend eternity with Him.  To learn more, please click this link:   http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. 

   If this ministry is a blessing to you, you are encouraged to leave us a comment and share this post on your favorite social media.  Thank you

JESUS' BIRTH PROMISED LUKE 1:26-38

JESUS' BIRTH PROMISED

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

   26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27) to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin's name was Mary.  28) The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

   29) Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  30) But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  31) You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.  32) He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, 33) and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end."

  34)  "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

   35) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.  36) Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  37) For nothing is impossible with God."

   38) "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered, May it be to me as you have said."  Then the angel left her.   Luke 1:  26-38  The Application Study Bible  (NIV)

COMMENTARY

      Mary was young, poor, female--all characteristics that, to the people of the day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task.  But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience He has ever demanded of anyone.  You may feel that your ability, experience, or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God's service.  Don't limit God's choices.  He can draft you for service if you trust Him.

   God's favor does not automatically bring instant success or fame.  His blessing on Mary, the honor of being the mother of The Messiah, would lead to much pain:  her peers would ridicule her; her fiance' would come close to leaving her; her Son would be rejected and murdered.  But through her Son would come the world's only Hope, and this is why Mary has been praised by countless generations as the young girl who "found favor with God."  Her submission was part of God's plan to bring about our salvation. If sorrow weighs you down and dims your hope, think of Mary and wait patiently for God to finish working out His plan.

   CENTURIES earlier, God had promised King David that his kingdom would last forever.  This promise was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, a direct descendant of David, Whose reign will continue throughout eternity.

   The birth of Jesus to a virgin is a miracle that many people find hard to believe.  These three facts can aid our faith:  (1) Luke was a medical doctor, and he knew perfectly well how babies are made.  It would have been just as hard for him to believe in a virgin birth as it is for us, and yet he reports it as fact.  (2)  Luke was a painstaking researcher who based his Gospel on eyewitness accounts.  Tradition holds that he talked with Mary about the events he recorded in the first two chapters.  This is Mary's story, not a fictional invention.  (3) Christians and Jews, who worship God as the creator of the universe, should believe that God has the power to create a child in a virgin's womb.

   Jesus was born without the sin that entered the world through Adam.  He was born holy, just as Adam was created sinless.  In contrast to Adam, who disobeyed God, Jesus obeyed God and was thus able to face sin's consequences in our place and make us acceptable to God.

   A young unmarried girl who became pregnant risked disaster.  Unless the father of the child agreed to marry her, she would probably remain unmarried for life.  If her own father rejected her, she could be forced into begging or prostitution in order to earn her living.  And Mary, with her story about being made pregnant by the Holy Spirit, risked being considered crazy as well.  Still Mary said, despite the possible risks, "May it be to me as you have said."

  When Mary said that, she didn't know about the tremendous opportunity she would have.  SHE ONLY KNEW THAT GOD WAS ASKING HER TO SERVE HIM, AND SHE WILLINGLY OBEYED.  Don't wait to see the bottom line before offering your life to God.  Offer yourself willingly, even when the outcome seems disastrous.


Do you know this Most Powerful God?  He is reaching out to you today!  Please click this link for more information about His priceless gift of salvation:    http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. 

MY THOUGHTS

   There are so many these days who watch vampire and zombie movies.  Some even confess to believe in these creatures.  Which is more believable to you....Jesus or zombies?

   I have had an experience with a "spirit" years ago.  It scared the stuffing out of me.  I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST. 

What about you?  What are your thoughts about this post?  You are encouraged to share your thoughts in a comment.  Also, if this ministry is a blessing to you, please feel free to share this post on your favorite social media.

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, and http://omaslife.blogspot.com/.  Just click the links.

ZECHARIAH TO HAVE A SON LUKE 1:5-25

ZECHARIAH TO HAVE A SON   Luke 1:5-25

photo courtesy of Iconograns

   5) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  6) Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.  7) But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

   8) Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9) he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  10) And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

   11) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  12) When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  13) But the angel said to him:  "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard.  Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.  14) He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15) for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.  He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  16) Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  17) And he will go on before the Lord, in spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

   18) Zechariah asked the angel,"How can I be sure of this?  I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

   19) The angel answered, "I am Gabriel.  I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  20) And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

   21) Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.  22) When he came out, he could not speak to them.  23) They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

   23) When his time of service was completed, he returned home.  24) After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.  25) "The Lord has done this for me," she said.  "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."   Life Application Study Bible  (NIV)

COMMENTARY

   This was Herod the Great, confirmed by the Roman Senate as king of the Jews.  Only half Jewish himself and eager to please his Roman superiors, Herod expanded and beautified the Jerusalem temple--but he placed a Roman eagle over the entrance.  When he helped the Jews, it was for political purposes and not because he cared about their God.  Herod the Great later ordered a massacre of infants in a futile attempt to kill the infant Jesus, whom some were calling the new "king of the Jews."

   Zechariah was a member of the Abijah division, on duty this particular week.  Each morning a priest was to enter the Holy Place in the temple and burn incense.  Lots were cast to decide who would enter the sacred room, and one day the lot fell to Zechariah.  But it was not by chance that Zechariah was on duty and that he was chosen that day to enter the Holy Place--perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  God was guiding the events of history to prepare the way for Jesus to come to earth.

  Zechariah and Elizabeth didn't merely go through the motions in following God's laws; they backed up their outward compliance with inward obedience.  Unlike the religious leaders whom Jesus called hypocrites, Zechariah and Elizabeth did not stop with the letter of the law.  Their obedience was from the heart, and that is why they are called "upright in the sight of God."

   Incense was burned in the temple twice daily.  When the people saw the smoke from the burning incense, they prayed.  The smoke drifting heavenward symbolized their prayers ascending to God's throne.

   John means "the Lord is gracioous," and Jesus means "the Lord saves."  Both names were prescribed by God, not chosen by human parents.

   Throughout the Gospels, God acts graciously and saves his people.  He will not withhold salvation from anyone who sincerely comes to him.

   We continue to see how God communicates with His creation, mankind.  He gave us His written word for all to read and know Him.  He also communicates through visions and angelic messengers.  Do you know Him?   We have a "pathway to salvation" page.  Click here:   http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html. 



You are encouraged to leave a comment on this site with your thoughts about this message.  You are also encouraged to share this post on your favorite social media if we have been a blessing to you.  Thank you.

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LUKE'S PURPOSE IN WRITING LUKE 1:1-4

LUKE'S PURPOSE IN WRITING    LUKE 1:1-4

clip art courtesy of colourbox

  (1)  Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, (2) just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of The Word.  (3)Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, (4) so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.  Life Application Study Bible  (NIV)

COMMENTARY

   Luke tells Jesus' story from Luke's unique perspective of a Gentile, a physician, and the first historian of the early church.   Though not an eyewitness of Jesus' ministry, Luke nevertheless is concerned that eyewitness accounts be preserved accurately and that the foundations of Christian belief be transmitted intact to the next generation.  In Luke's Gospel are many of Jesus' parables.  In addition, more than any other Gospel, it gives specific instances of Jesus' concern for women.

   There was a lot of interest in Jesus, and many people had written firsthand accounts about Him.  Luke may have used these accounts and all other available resources as material for an accurate and complete account of Jesus' life, teachings, and ministry.  Because truth was important to Luke, he relied heavily on eyewitness accounts.  Christianity doesn't say, "Close your eyes and believe," but rather, "Check it out for yourself."  The Bible encourages you to investigate its claims thoroughly (John 1:46; 21:24; Acts 17:11,12), BECAUSE YOUR CONCLUSION ABOUT JESUS IS A LIFE-AND-DEATH MATTER.

   Theophilus means "one who loves God." This preface may be a general dedication to all Christian readers.  Theophilus may have been Luke's patron who helped to finance the book's writing.  More likely, Theophilus was a Roman acquaintance of Luke's with a strong interest in the new Christian religion.

   As a medical doctor, Luke knew the importance of being thorough.  He used his skills in observation and analysis to thoroughly investigate the stories about Jesus.  His diagnosis?  The Gospel of Jesus is true!  You can read Luke's account of Jesus' life with confidence that it was written by a clear thinker and a thoughtful researcher.

MY THOUGHTS

  It is good to get back to the beginning.  Jesus.  Merry Christmas.

   If this ministry is a blessing to you, please share this post on your favorite social media.  You are also encouraged to leave your thoughts in a comment here.  Thank you.

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, and http://omaslife.blogspot.com/.  Just click the links.

DR LUKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

DR LUKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS

birth announcement by Artifact Uprising

   Every birth is a miracle, and every child is a gift from God.  But nearly 20 centuries ago, there was the miracle of miracles.  A baby was born, but He was the Son of God.  The Gospels tell of this birth, but Dr. Luke, as though he were the attending physician, provides most of the details surrounding this awesome occasion.  With divine Father and human mother, Jesus entered history--God in the flesh
.

   Luke affirms Jesus' divinity, but the real emphasis of his book is to show Jesus' humanity--Jesus, the Son of God, is also the Son of Man.  As a doctor, Luke was a man of science, and as a Greek, he was a man of detail.  It is not surprising then, that he begins by outlining his extensive research and explaining that he is reporting the facts.  Luke also was a close friend and traveling companion of Paul, so he could interview the other disciples, had access to other historical accounts, and was an eyewitness to the birth and growth of the early church.  His Gospel and book of Acts are reliable, historical documents.

   Luke's story begins with angels appearing to Zechariah and then to Mary, telling them of the upcoming births of their sons.  From Zechariah and Elizabeth would come John the Baptist, who would prepare the way for Christ.  And Mary would conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear Jesus, the Son of God.

  Soon after John's birth, Caesar Augustus declared a census, and so Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, the town of David, their ancient ancestor.  There The Child was born.  Angels announced the joyous event to shepherds, who rushed to the manger.  When the shepherds left, they were praising God and spreading the news.  Eight days later, Jesus was circumcised and then dedicated to God in the temple, where Simeon and Anna confirmed Jesus' identity as the Savior, their Messiah.  The Life Application Study Bible  (NIV)

MY THOUGHTS

   We will leave the Book of Job at this time to review the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  At this time of the year, we have an increased opportunity to share our faith with our family, friends, and neighbors.  During the Christmas season, some are more open to the idea of God than at other times of the year.  Now more than ever, America needs Jesus.

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, and http://omaslife.blogspot.com/.  Just click the links.