Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture;

"But the angel of the Lord said to Them, Do not be afraid,
I bring you good news that will cause great foy for all the
people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been
born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."
(Luke 2:10-11) NIV

Reflection:

Well the "Christmas" celebration starts earlier and earlier
every year.  I'm sure that's not a revelation to you.  We all
know it and feel it every year. This year is no different.  
The "Christmas" begins.

I would like to make a suggestion this year, it's one that I
have made before.  I would like to suggest that this year
you remember what you are celebrating.  That you search
your soul and follow your heart and celebrate the birth of
the Messiah.  I mean really celebrate His birth.  I'm not
saying to stop celebrating the spirit of giving, but celebrate
the One who gave, Jesus Christ.  

On Christmas, Christ was born into this world for one
specific purpose, to give His life for us.  That's right, He
was born to die on the cross, so that we could live an
eternity to be free from the burden of our sins, and our
guilt, that's right to be guilt free forever. All we have to do
is "Believe" and to have "Faith" in the one we are
celebrating, Jesus Christ.

During this whole season, everytime you buy that
"Christmas" gift remember that in a very small way that
gift is given as a reminder of the gift that Jesus gave to
us, the gift of love, and of freedom.

Give your gift in that spirit, in the spirit of love, in the
spirit of Christmas.

Prayer:

Lord our Savior, may I give each one of my gifts, in the
spirit of Your love.  Through each present may I remember
Your spirit of love and sacrifice.  In Your Holy Name, AMEN   

Read Psalm 130. TEXT: But the angel said to him,
"Do not be afraid Zechariah ...." (Luke 1:13a).

Zechariah stands trembling in terror. His good intentions
and his blameless life mean nothing now. The angel's
holiness fills him with a painful awareness of his impure
heart, mind and soul. With rising dread he waits to hear
the angel explain the reason for this startling appearance.

The angel does not keep Zechariah waiting in suspense.
Immediately, he says, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah."
Because of Zechariah's trust in God's salvation, the Lord
was pleased to accept his offering of incense. He did not
send His angel to punish him, but to bring him amazing
good news.
 
When you experience good times in life are you waiting
on pins and needles for the other shoe to drop? Do you
live in fear, carrying an enduring dread of what is coming
on the horizon? God has come to remove that fear and
dread once and for all.

The whole theme of this Christmas season is "Do not be
afraid." In the coming days as we retrace the story of our
Savior's birth, we will see other angel visitations, and
each time hear those same words: "Do not be afraid."

God is not out to get you. He sent His Son to save you, to
fill your earthly life with peace, hope and joy. When this
life ends, He will remove your impurity forever. You will
experience eternal joy in His presence--all because of
Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection.

THE PRAYER:
Lord God, thank You that You do not come to me in
great power and wrath, but in a Baby filled with tender
love and mercy--Your dear Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

(By Rev. Wayne Palmer Lutheran Hour Ministries
December 3, 2015)

By Rev. Wayne Palmer
December 2, 2015

Read Leviticus 10:1-2. TEXT: And there appeared to him
(Zechariah) an angel of the Lord standing on the right
side of the altar of incense (Luke 1:11).

Advent devos 2015Zechariah is on cloud nine as he steps
into the temple. Yet as awesome and splendid as the
temple itself is, Zechariah sees something few priests
before him ever saw when they stood inside the temple.
Beside the altar of incense is a glorious angel of the Lord.
Standing in the presence of the holy angel he feels his
deep guilt and uncleanness. Terror fills his heart.

Maybe you have had a moment like that--a moment of
incredible guilt and remorse, exposed to your friends and
family. Zechariah is trembling in terror, wondering if this
moment will be his last. The shepherds will have this
exact same reaction on Christmas night when another
angel bursts through the darkness of night to announce
the birth of God's Son, the Christ.

In the same way, the thought of stepping through the
door into God's presence in heaven at the end of our life
is exhilarating--exhilarating, that is, until we stop and
realize our sinful guilt. Not a single one of us is worthy
on our own account to stand before our holy God.

But that is precisely why God sent His Son that first
Christmas: to take away our sin and make us worthy to
stand before Him throughout eternity.

THE PRAYER:

Lord God, it is a frightening thing for a sinner to come
into the presence of a holy angel--even more to stand
before You. Thank You for sending Jesus to take away
the sin of the world. Grant me faith that I may stand
before You in righteousness and holiness all my days--
and especially on that great day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(By Rev. Wayne Palmer
December 2, 2015)