December 12, 2025

In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that the shepherds were the first evangelists to spread the news of Jesus’ birth, but I never thought about the scriptures on the subject; it must have been on my mind, though. If you don’t know this, when you begin to focus on Jesus, your life changes completely. I’m not saying that your life will be hunky dory all the time; that’s impossible because we live in evil times, but your armor is stronger, and the darts are less likely to pierce through to your heart. That great light that shone all around the shepherds, with angels rejoicing, on the night of Jesus’ birth changed them, and they couldn’t hold that glorious news inside. What could be stopping you from sharing your own experience of what the Lord has done for you? The Holy Spirit will lead you to those who are open to hearing the truth, but you have to open yourself up to his promptings. Become like the shepherds and angels bringing good tidings of great joy to those who don’t know Jesus. Then there will be more than enough blessings to go around.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18

December 12, 2025

Another Old Testament prophecy came to life when Jesus, our Savior, was born.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7

Our Prince of Peace came in a way that didn’t harm our senses; he was born of a woman and lived in the flesh like us. However, the condition of his conception and the lowliness of his birth were extraordinary and led us to the truth of who he really is, our King and Savior. His immaculate conception by the Holy Spirit and his willingness to humble himself to be born in a stable clarify his ability to live in our shoes (even though he was sinless) and show his compassion for us. However, we must note that when Jesus was humbled, the angelic host made his deity evident by appearing in a great light to the shepherds who were tending their flock in the fields around Bethlehem. Another thing to note is that they didn’t doubt what the angels told them; they just wanted to see him for themselves. The shepherds were likely the first evangelists appointed by God for that time period, and we now know the story because they told everyone they knew about our Savior’s birth. 

December 11, 2025

Imagine being nine months pregnant and riding on a donkey! Surely the jostling of that ride brought on labor, leading to the birth of our Savior. Now imagine you didn't have prenatal care or a doctor to call when labor began, and you're on vacation! The circumstances were necessary to fulfill the Old Testament prophecy of Micah. 

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

As far as prenatal care, she was watched over by the Holy Spirit, who carefully planned the steps of Mary and Joseph, so that, even though they were poor, Jesus' birth would have significant meaning and prove that even the unfortunate could call Jesus their Savior. Just as God planned every step of Jesus' humble beginnings, He also plans your steps. If you go back over your life and watch what led to your salvation and the things you do today, are they not a perfect plan of what God intended for you? Especially the trials and tribulations you've faced; they strengthened your character and made you grateful to Jesus for bringing you salvation. 

Food for thought:

We must begin putting the pieces of this story together and ask ourselves whether it makes sense that he was born in the winter. That's a flat-out no! What would make sense is for him to be born in the spring, like lambs. However, if celebrating Christmas means we bring to light the birth of our Savior, it doesn't matter when we celebrate it. Honor Jesus in everything you do, but start using your brain and begin putting the pieces of this enormous puzzle together without forcing them just to fit the narrative. 

December 10, 2025

When John the Baptist was born, Zechariah’s mouth was opened so he could speak again. When he was serving in the temple, the angel Gabriel visited him to tell him that God was answering his prayer for a son, and because of his disbelief, he made him mute until John was born. When he was able to speak again, he foretold our future in Jesus in a beautiful prayer. The portion of that prayer that stood out for me was this:

That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Luke 1:74-75

The enemy has a chokehold on the people of the world, and sin abounds throughout every nation and every person in existence. To escape our destruction because of the sins that infiltrated our being, God had mercy on us and sent us Jesus for the propitiation of that sin. You either live a sinless life, which is impossible, or you accept that Jesus came to cleanse you of your sins and believe in him. It is only then that God will no longer count your sins against you. There is no other way. If anyone tells you anything different in this new age of belief, they are a liar and come straight from the devil himself. Believe in the Lord Jesus and serve him without fear, and your past sins will not condemn you. 

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

December 9, 2025

Because I love Christmas and the Christmas story, I decided to dig into Luke today. It seems the perfect time to get into the holiday spirit and reminisce over the beautiful story of Jesus’ birth. How many times have you read the same portion of scripture and learned something completely new? That’s what happened to me this morning. Here is the scripture:

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. Luke 1:5

Elisabeth is Mary’s cousin, and scripture says that Elisabeth was a descendant of Aaron, from the priestly line of Levi. When we read of Jesus’ genealogy, the Bible traces his lineage back to King David, which was tradition, but now we see that, through Mary being Elisabeth’s cousin, he could also be from the priestly line. I knew Jesus was a priest of the order of Melchizedek, but I never realized he may also have been a Levite and in the lineage of King David through his mother. Maybe they converged through Mary’s mother. Were Elisabeth and Mary’s mothers cousins? If that’s the case, they wouldn’t keep track of their lineages because they traced their ancestry through the father. It’s all speculation and food for thought today. God knows and has perfected everything concerning our Savior, Jesus!

December 8, 2025

Jesus didn’t come into a comfortable world; born in a stable for animals, then rushed off to Egypt to get away from Herod’s massacre of children under the age of two. What a sad verse in such a beautiful story of the coming of our Savior. Jeremiah even predicted it. However, there is no other account for that happening in the other gospels; they focused on other things. Look at all he had to encounter and fight against when he came to earth as a man. The enemy did whatever he could to take him out, knowing he came as a man and fully God at the same time. He capitalized on his innocence as a child, but didn’t count on God the Father sending visions and dreams to Joseph to protect Jesus. Imagine the families of those babies slaughtered because Herod thought they might be the King. His coming stirred up the enemy, and he is still on a tirade today as he tries to convince people that Jesus isn’t the One True God. When eyes are open to the truth of who Jesus really is, it gives a perspective on what really matters in the world. We must open our hearts passionately for him, because he first loved us. 

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Jeremiah 31:15

In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping forher children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. Matthew 2:18

December 7, 2025

I spent yesterday finishing the final chapters of 2 Chronicles, which completes all of my devotionals covering every chapter of the entire Bible. Now I will spend the next few months changing all the scripture to the King James Version, editing, and correcting grammar, sentence structure, and punctuation. Even though the Old Testament is also about Jesus, I'm anxious to dig into the New Testament again. 

The story of Jesus' conception and birth piqued my curiosity, especially at this time of year when we gather to celebrate. Matthew is the perfect place to start since I just finished the Chronicles, and Matthew continues the royal genealogy of our Savior. Did you know that Joseph and Mary share the same lineage? Whether you trace Jesus' lineage through Joseph or Mary, it leads you back to King David. This information covers those of us who say, "Well, Joseph wasn't the dad; the Holy Spirit was!" God thinks of everything, crossing every T and dotting every I.

One lesson we find in Matthew 1 is that God preserved Mary's good name. Her marriage to Joseph was promised, yet they hadn't consummated it, and she was pregnant. He did the right thing and kept her pure until after the birth of our Savior. You can believe that if you are doing the will of God, like Mary, He will preserve your good name. If you've ever been hurt by someone saying to you or behind your back, "I thought they were a Christian," God will protect you from a damaged reputation and from the fiery darts that the enemy throws at you if you are doing His will. If you haven't had that said about you, are you even proclaiming him?

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20

FYI - the nativity is not biblically accurate. Angels were not women, and the wisemen were not there at Jesus' birth.