a move of the Holy Spirit

	A Move of the Spirit

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:18 NKJV To many in the world, the Christmas season is dominated by angels and shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and the manger scene with the baby Jesus. There are carols and festivities, shopping, gift-giving, and images of Santa Claus. But in many ways, the story about the birth of Jesus is dominated by the Holy Spirit. In fact, the entire story is a celebration of the Spirit, and a demonstration of how the Spirit acts in the world. How He orchestrated events, and moved upon men and women to accomplish the Father’s purposes. The Bible tells us that Jesus’ birth was an act of the Spirit. An angel told Mary that “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). We see how both the mother and father of John the Baptist became “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:41, 67). We see how the Simeon, a “just and devout” man, witnessed Jesus’ dedication, and how “the Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25). And we see the continuing work of the Spirit throughout Jesus’ ministry. As we think about the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that the Spirit still is active in the world. The Bible promises that He was sent to guide us. Teach us. Empower us. Today, don’t let the superficial things of the world keep you from realizing the spiritual depth and dimension. That God has given you the opportunity to be filled with His Spirit. To have the power of the Spirit. To experience the full fruit of the Spirit, and operate with the gifts of the Spirit. Let His Spirit help you fulfill God’s purposes your life. Prayer Father, help me to be more sensitive to the presence of the Spirit. Lead me by Your Spirit. Fill me with Your Spirit. Let Your Spirit move powerfully through my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

light in the darkness

	People Who Walk in Darkness

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.” Isaiah 9:2 NASB Night was central to Jesus’ birth. It was at night when the magi, studying the stars, discovered that an important king was to be born. It was at night when the angels appeared to the shepherds and they went to worship Him. The perspective of darkness is important, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ ministry as the “light of the world” (John 8:12). In fact, His followers were to have that same impact, and be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would bring about a powerful transition for those who walk in darkness. This darkness could involve lifestyles or habits that imprison them. It could be felt through relationships that cast a shadow over their lives. They could be bound by sin, disease, or fear. They could be oppressed by demonic forces, deceived and trapped into hoping in the world’s pleasures. They could be discouraged or weary from the weight of problems. Many people are so accustomed to darkness that they don’t realize that anything else is possible. They can’t imagine anything different. But everything changes when they “see a great light.” Their world suddenly becomes clearer. When the light shines on them, they can see the truth about their lives and the world. They know how to live, how to avoid problems, and how to please God. Today, millions of people in the world still “walk in darkness.” People in every nation. In every city. In every neighborhood. During this Christmas season, make a commitment to spread the light of the Gospel. Seek to be a witness to the light, that others, through you, will see the power of Jesus to change lives. And give of your time, talent, and treasure that others will see the light.

The Word became human

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 NIV

How wonderful to think about the baby Jesus during this Christmas season. But perhaps the most important thing we can do is remember that He came into the world to bring 💡salvation. The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus, that He might grow up to be a man and ⛅die for the sins of the world.

Because of Him, we can be part of God’s family. No matter who we are, or what we have done, He offers us the 🌷right to “become children of God.”

We 🔊cannot be good enough to become His children. We cannot do enough righteous deeds, reform ourselves enough, sacrifice enough, give enough, dedicate ourselves enough, or 🔊achieve enough to earn that position. This is a spiritual birth. We must be “⛅born of God.”

Today, pause to 🙏thank God for sending Jesus. If you already have believed👍 in His name, rejoice that you have become a child of God. But if you have any doubts, this is the time to be sure. Simply 🌷believe on His name. 💡Confess your sins. And 🌷believe that Jesus died for you and your sins. And confess 🔊that Jesus is your Lord.

Remember, God is ready to welcome you into His family, to pour forth His 🎁blessings upon you, and to give you your inheritance. But also remember that millions of people around the world need to hear this message. Rejoice that you can be His child! But ask Him to give you a passion for souls, that others may be saved.

Prayer

Father God, I believe in Jesus, and know that You sent Him. Thank You that I am Your child. Thank You that You have forgiven all my sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God with You

by Inspiration Ministries

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 KJV

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would bring forth a special Son whose name would mean, “God with us.” In ways people could not have expected, Jesus perfectly fulfilled this promise.

He was born into a world in which pagans honored numerous deities and heroes who were said to have special powers. But Jesus was different: He was “God with us.”

Some had thought that this Emmanuel would be a mighty ruler. A triumphant warrior. But Jesus revealed what it meant to have “God with us.”

Through His life, we see a demonstration of compassion and concern. He became a real human being, so He was able to “sympathize with our weaknesses.” He was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” This means that we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). He is our Great High Priest, who “always lives to make intercession” for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Today, that same Jesus is with you in every situation you face. Every crisis. Every trial. Every temptation. When you go through problems, He is by your side. When you have decisions to make, He is there to provide wisdom. If you are sick, He is there to heal you. If you are discouraged, He is there to give you hope. And, you can call on Him anytime, day or night.

Right now, call on Him with faith, boldness, and confidence for the needs you face. He is Almighty God, and He is with you!

Prayer

Father, thank You that Jesus is God with me. I commit these needs to You: ________. Thank You for being concerned about me. I trust You for the answers I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Pray for favor for Inspiration Ministries’ Worldwide Distribution Department. 

born to die

Born To Die So That You Might Live
Luke 2:12
12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” You are probably familiar with the story of #Jesus’ birth in #Bethlehem. The Bible says that when the time had come, Mary “brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a #manger”. (Luke 2:6–7) But have you ever wondered why the angel told the shepherds that the Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger was a “sign”? A manger is actually a feeding trough for livestock. Do you know what a feeding trough in those days looks like? a similar one at Solomon’s stables in Meggido, Israel. It is basically a big rectangular block of stone with the trough hewn out of it. So baby Jesus, who was wrapped in swaddling cloths, was placed in such a stone trough.

But why was that a sign? Because if you have seen the empty tomb of Jesus at a place called The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, you would have noticed that the place where His body was laid, inside a tomb hewn out of rock, resembles a stone trough. The Bible says that after Jesus’ crucifixion and death, Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in linen and laid it in a tomb hewn out of a rock. (Mark 15:43–46)
Can you see the similarities? Wrapped in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger, baby Jesus would one day be wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb. That was #thesign the angel was referring to. It pointed to Jesus’ death.
Jesus was the only child in all of humanity born to die. Once you realize that, you will realize how much God loves you. You will realize that He gave up His Son for that one purpose, and that His Son willingly came for that one purpose — to die for your sins and mine.
Beloved, can you imagine living your life knowing that you are just qualifying yourself to die on the cross to save the world? That was the life that Jesus lived. He lived to die, so that we might live and enjoy life abundantly today!
Jesus was born to die and He lived to die, so that we might live and enjoy life abundantly today! #merrychristmas #joy to the world

the savior has come

Fear Not, Your Savior Is Here! 

Luke 2:10–11 
10Then 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. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

My friend, if all is silent and dark in your life now, and you feel like you have been left out in the cold, just know that Jesus came to be your Savior at such a time as this. 

He was not born in the comfort of a warm, cozy room, but in a cold manger. There was no room for Him in the inn (Luke 2:7), so that there will always be room at the cross for your healing, deliverance, wholeness and provision, and a mansion in heaven waiting for you! 

Jesus was born very quietly, so quietly that the Bible says that only a group of shepherds came to Him, while the rest of Bethlehem slept. (Luke 2:8–9) Like manna falling quietly from heaven in the Old Testament, the true bread from heaven came quietly. It was a silent night, but that was not all. 

Jesus was also born during the darkest time in Israel’s history. Israel was under the tyrannical rule of the Romans. It was during this time, when everything was so dark, that Jesus was born. Beloved, He will come to you in the darkest period of your life. 

On that cold and silent night, the shepherds were afraid when the angel of the Lord stood before them. But the angel said, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” 

Beloved, it was not a judge or lawgiver who was born. It was a mighty Savior. He came to save His people. He came to save you and me. So even if you are in a cold, dark period of your life, don’t be afraid — the Savior has come and He will save you to the uttermost!

If you are in a cold, dark period of your life, don’t be afraid — the Savior has come and He will save you to the uttermost!