In searching the Internet for inspiration to pass on to you as we end 2014 and look forward to 2015 I ran across this from the book Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”   That’s enough to make you shout.  The year 2015 stars with excitement and anticipation and there are no mistakes in it at 12:01 January 1st.  Let’s start the year with the Word of God.  Here are 15 inspirational scriptures to get us started.  2015 will be your best year yet. 

Hope for the Future

Jeremiah 29:11 (HCSB)  For I know the plans I have for you”--⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration—“plans for ⌊your⌋ welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Hebrews 11:1 (HCSB) Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

 A New Creation

 2 Corinthians 5:17 (HCSB) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.

 Isaiah 43:19 (HCSB) Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

 Psalm 98:1 (HCSB) Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has performed wonders; His right hand and holy arm have won Him victory.

 A New Heart

 Ezekiel 36:26 (HCSB)  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

 

Forgetting the Past

Philippians 3:13 (HCSB) Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,

 Hebrews 12:1-2 (HCSB) 1  Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

Learning from Past Mistakes

Hebrews 12:10-11 (HCSB) 10  For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. 11  No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 

Proverbs 24:16 (HCSB)  Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.
 
Wait on the Lord

Psalm 37:7 (HCSB) Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the man who carries out evil plans.

 Isaiah 40:31 (HCSB) but those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

God's Timing is Perfect

 Ecclesiastes 3:11 (HCSB) He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.

 Habakkuk 2:3 (HCSB)  For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.

 Each New Day is Special

 Lamentations 3:22-24 (HCSB ) 22 Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. 23  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! 24  I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.

Let's ring out the Old and Ring in the New meditating on the Word of God which is light and life.

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)  Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Proverbs 4:20-22 (HCSB) 20  My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21  Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22  For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body.


What are you favorite New Year scriptures?

Psalm 23:1-4 (HCSB) 1 The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2  He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3  He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. 4  Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.

Scripture is filled with passages about God's protection.  When we think about God as our protector, we want someone who will shield us from the hardships of life. We want Him to protect us and our families from sickness and disease. We want Him to protect our cars when we travel, we want Him to protect our wives or husbands at all times and the list goes on and on.   It’s tempting to read the scriptures about God's protection and apply them to as true for all times and in all circumstances. If I read about God as a shield, I want him to be a shield in all situations.


Psalm 3:3 (NLT) 3  But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 
  
Psalm 33:20 (NKJV) 20  Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.

 We’ll really never know how many times God actually protected us. We have all heard stories of how people who  were late going somewhere or had to change their plans and a tragic incident happened in the place they should have been if their plans had transpired.  

But does God protect us in every situation? In a world with free will to make our own choices, we can’t get around the fact that things that are not so good will happen.  Jesus, Himself, said as much. 

John 16:33 (KJV) 33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

Can I Really Expect God to Protect Me?

Psalm 91:12 (KJV)  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

In this Psalm David was saying ; "The man of faith is assured that God will send guardian angels to protect him from plagues and stumbling. Satan quoted these words in tempting Jesus 

This is a wonderful scripture isn't it?  But what if you have just had a tragic event happen in your life or the life of a loved one?  You will want to know how that promise applies to you or to them.  What are all the promises of protection really about?  

Protection From Our Real Enemy

Psalm 59:9-10 (NKJV) 9  I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense; 10  My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.

Who are our real enemies?   We think about  people who want to hurt us or people with different ideologies or different faiths as our enemies.  God has not promised to protect me from everyone I might define as my enemy. He has promised protection from my ultimate enemy Satan, and from sin which, because of Christ, has no more power over me or my ultimate destiny. We can trust God, who has gone to the lengths of the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the Cross, to protect us from any enemy that seeks to separate us from Him.

God's Priorities May Be Different From Ours 

God cares more about our spiritual health than our physical well being. Our bodies will die, unless Jesus returns before they do, but our soul/spirit will exist forever. And God's ability to protect our soul/spirit from eternal death is more significant than his ability to protect our bodies from disease or death. When we pray for safe travel and physical health, and protection from things that cause us discomfort, we try to apply to our physical or emotional well being  his promises of protection for our souls.  When we or our loved ones are not healed or all our troubles ended we feel that God has gone back on His promises.  We will  always be disappointed until our priorities line up with His and we understand that the eternal life of our spirit (the real us)  is God's priority even if it means that we remain in sickness and continue to have tribulations, or even our physical death.  He promises to never leave or forsake us. 

Hebrews 13:5 (HCSB) 5  Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

Protection From Satan

In Jesus'  great prayer in John 17 His primary concern for His disciples was that they be protected from the evil one, Satan.

John 17:15 (HCSB) 15  I am not praying that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.  


Satan who wants to destroy all those who call Jesus Lord.  Since Jesus prayed for his disciples and for us we know that God has answered His prayer.  Satan may win a battle or two in our lives but he has already lost the battle for our souls.  Jesus prayed for us and we're protected.  

Protection from Judgment

John 3:16-17 (HCSB) 16  “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 


2 Corinthians 5:10 (NKJV) 10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 

When we receive the salvation of the Lord and and hide ourselves in Jesus and His finished work on the cross we are protected from the judgement  on that day that we all stand before the judgement seat of God.

Promises from the Word of God for Protection 

Protection Because God is Strong

Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)  And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

John 19:11 (NKJV)  Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NKJV) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

1 John 5:19 (NKJV)   We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
.
2 Samuel 22:3-4 (NKJV) 3  The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.
4  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.

Protection Because God Will Never Leave Us

Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV) 18  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. 

Luke 12:32 (NKJV)   Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Protection From Evil

Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)  Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)  No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD.

Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)  God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Psalm 91:1-3 (NKJV) 1  He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2  I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." 3  Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence.

Psalm 121:7-8 (NKJV) 7  The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. 8  The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore.

2 Timothy 4:18 (NKJV)  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

More Protection

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 1:11 (NKJV)  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Daniel 12:1 (NKJV)  "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

John 5:18 (NKJV)  Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Psalm 138:7 (NKJV)  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

God's "protection plan" is more than we can imagine and His promises for protection go further and deeper than just protecting you body or agenda or plans.  Yes God does promise you His protection and He is a promise keeper.  

Are You Protected by God?

God's protection plan is for His children only.  If you're not one of His children then you're not protected.  If you want to be covered under His plan you must become one of His children.  It's really easy all you have to do is first realize that you really have no control over anything.  You have to acknowledge that you are a sinner and that in order to change that you need help.  Well God has provided that help in Jesus and Jesus is the only way that you can become a child of God.  Here's how you do that;
Romans 10:9 (NLT)  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Pray this prayer in all sincerity.  It doesn’t matter where you are.  You may be at you desk on your computer, or somewhere on your laptop, you may be reading this on your smartphone, or your tablet.  It doesn’t matter just pray in all sincerity.   Don’t just say it if you don’t really mean it, because if you do you will just be speaking words. But if you are tired of trying to change things in your own power, and are ready to turn your life over to the One who can make you a new creature with a renewed heart and mind pray;

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”

If you truly understand and believe what you just prayed then under this protection plan.  All the other promises that He has made to His children also apply to you.  To find out what they are and how they apply to you find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.  Welcome to the family of God my brother or sister.


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This is the third post in this series of the faith of people associated with the birth of Jesus.  The first post was “The Faith of Joseph of Nazareth”, the second “The Faith of the Magi”, now the third (and this is the one that I told you would be a shocker) The Faith of Herod..... false faith but faith nonetheless.  Not saving faith but faith nonetheless.  Believing is an integral part of our relationship in God but what's important is how we act on that belief.

 James 2:19 (NKJV) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!

 The Story

Those of us who know the story know that Herod was visited by the Magi, as described in the previous post, that he asked them to come back and tell him where the baby they were looking for ,“King of the Jews”, was so that he could go worship him.  We also know that wasn’t Herod's intention because when he found out that the Magi had gone home without coming back to him he ordered that all male children in and around Bethlehem two years and under be killed. 

 Matthew 2:1-8 (NKJV) 1  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.
8  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."

Matthew 2:12 (NKJV)  Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV) 16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17  Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18  "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."

Who was Herod the Great

 From thestoryofjesus.com  

 HEROD was not a personal name, but the family surname. It belonged to all the generations of the Herodian house. Much confusion has arisen because this simple fact has not been understood.

 HEROD THE GREAT was born in 72 BC and died in 1 BC. He bore the titles of "Herod the King" and "King of Judea". Herod the Great was greatly stirred when the Magi announced the birth of some great king in his kingdom.

The slaughter of all the children in Bethlehem was not out of character for him, as he had murdered many in his own household in order to make his position secure. Before his death he had all the prominent Jews in his territory arrested and put into the hippodrone at Jericho, with instructions to kill them upon his own death.

Herod ruled from around 37 BC until his death in 1 BC. This is the HEROD who was on the scene at the time of the birth of Jesus.

 Herod’s False Faith

 Micah 5:2 (NKJV)   "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

Herod believed, had faith in, this Old Testament Scripture that there would be a king to rule Israel and he feared this king.  Instead of worshiping him he wanted to kill him to protect his position in Israel.  If he didn’t believe then why have all the male children, two and under, in and around Bethlehem killed. 

The Magi Entrance Into the Christmas Story

Matthew 2:1-12 (NKJV) 1  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. 8  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9  When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12  Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Who Were the Magi?

This from Grace to You 

The magi first appear in history in the seventh century b.c. as a tribe within the Median nation in eastern Mesopotamia. Many historians consider them to have been Semites, which if so, made them-with the Jews and Arabs-descendants of Noah’s son Shem. It may also be that, like Abraham, the magi came from ancient Ur in Chaldea. The name magi soon came to be associated solely with the hereditary priesthood within that tribe. The magi became skilled in astronomy and astrology (which, in that day, were closely associated) and had a sacrificial system that somewhat resembled the one God gave to Israel through Moses. They were involved in various occult practices, including sorcery, and were especially noted for their ability to interpret dreams. It is from their name that our words magic and magician are derived.

We don’t know how many Magi came and worshiped Jesus Matthew just uses the plural so there were two or more.  According to beliefnet.com, Christian art from the first centuries of the Church shows various numbers of Magi, ranging from 2 to 8.  Matthew records three gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, leading to the thought that each Magi had a gift so there were three but that is purely speculation and really not important to the story.

The Source of the Magi’s Faith – A Star

After the Babylonian exile, many Jews continued to live in the Persian empire. Thus, by the time of Christ's birth centuries later, the Hebrew religion would have long existed in the "east." This might explain how the Magi had knowledge of the Messiah, the King of the Jews. – beliefnet.com 

All attempts to explain the star as a natural phenomenon are inadequate to account for its leading the Magi from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and then standing over the house. Rather, it was a special manifestation used of God both when it first appeared to indicate the fact of Christ's birth, and when it reappeared over Jerusalem to guide the Magi to the place. Since a direct revelation to the Magi is recorded (v. 12), there is nothing improbable in assuming a direct revelation at the beginning to impart the significance of the star. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.

Difference between the Magi and the wise men (chief priests and scribes) of Jerusalem

• The Jews had the Old Testament prophecies - The Magi had a star
• The "King" was the "King of the Jews" -  The Magi were surely Gentiles
• The Jews had 7 miles to Bethlehem - The Magi came from afar
• The Jews did not visit Jesus - The Magi did
• The Jewish king Herod sought to kill Jesus - The Magi came to worship, bearing expensive gifts

·         
They disobeyed Herod, going home a different route resulting in the death of many male children two years and under.  

Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV)16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.
17  Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: 18  "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."

Significance of the Magi’s Faith

God revealed the identity of Jesus as Messiah and King of the Jews to Gentiles.  Luke records that Simeon said that  Jesus would be a light of revelation to the Gentiles.

Luke 2:25-32 (NKJV) 25  And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27  So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28  he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29  "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30  For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31  Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32  A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel."

#2 in the Faith at Christmas Series

It is Christmas week 2014 and the excitement is building for those family traditions, the great food, all the gifts, and for Christians the celebration of birth of our Savoir Jesus.  As Christians we have faith in God and because of our faith in God and His word, along with the indwelling Holy Spirt, we know that Jesus was born of a virgin.  This week, in my next few blog posts, I want to talk about others who had faith in connection with the birth of Jesus.  At least one of these people will surprise you but you’ll find out who that is in a future post.  I’m starting with Joseph.

The Faith of Joseph

Let’s start with what happened when Joseph found out that his fiancé, Mary, was pregnant and not by him.

Matthew 1:18-19 (HCSB) 18  The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19  So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly.

Joseph’s Options

In accordance with the law of Moses;

Deuteronomy 22:13-29 (HCSB) 13  “If a man marries a woman, has sexual relations with her, and comes to hate her, 14  and accuses ⌊her⌋ of shameful conduct, and gives her a bad name, saying, ‘I married this woman and was intimate with her, but I didn’t find ⌊any⌋ evidence of her virginity,’ 15  the young woman’s father and mother will take the evidence of her virginity and bring ⌊it⌋ to the city elders at the gate. 16  The young woman’s father will say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, but he hates her. 17  He has accused her of shameful conduct, saying: “I didn’t find ⌊any⌋ evidence of your daughter’s virginity,” but here is the evidence of my daughter’s virginity.’ They will spread out the cloth before the city elders. 18  Then the elders of that city will take the man and punish him. 19  They will also fine him 100 silver ⌊shekels⌋ and give ⌊them⌋ to the young woman’s father, because that man gave an Israelite virgin a bad name. She will remain his wife; he cannot divorce her as long as he lives. 20  But if this accusation is true and no evidence of the young woman’s virginity is found, 21  they will bring the woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. You must purge the evil from you. 22  “If a man is discovered having sexual relations with ⌊another⌋ man’s wife, both the man who had sex with the woman and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. 23  If there is a young woman who is a virgin engaged to a man, and ⌊another⌋ man encounters her in the city and has sex with her, 24  you must take the two of them out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city and the man because he has violated his neighbor’s fiancée. You must purge the evil from you. 25  But if the man encounters an engaged woman in the open country, and he seizes and rapes her, only the man who raped her must die. 26  Do nothing to the young woman, because she is not guilty of an offense deserving death. This case is just like one in which a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. 27  When he found her in the field, the engaged woman cried out, but there was no one to rescue her. 28  If a man encounters a young woman, a virgin who is not engaged, takes hold of her and rapes her, and they are discovered, 29  the man who raped her must give the young woman’s father 50 silver ⌊shekels⌋, and she must become his wife because he violated her. He cannot divorce her as long as he lives

If he confessed he was not the father, Mary would be condemned as an adulteress. If he lied and claimed to be the father, the reputations of all and the qualifications of Jesus as Messiah would be tarnished.

Visit from an Angel

Matthew 1:20-25 (HCSB) 20  But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. 21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” 22  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23  See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” 24  When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her 25  but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. 

His decision was to take Mary as his wife, to keep her a virgin until after the birth of Jesus, and to serve as the father of our Lord, protecting him from danger.

The reason for Joseph’s faith was a message from God, delivered by an angel in a dream.

The Content of Joseph's Faith

His fiancé, Mary, was pregnant in a unique and miraculous way, and this was fulfillment of a prophecy about Israel’s Messiah

Isaiah 7:14 (HCSB) 14  Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

The reality of Joseph’s faith

It appeared that Mary and Joseph had an illegitimate child, and Jesus was, as such, disqualified from normal access and worship, but the reality was that Jesus was indeed the Son of God, supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, and thus sinless and qualified to bear the sins of mankind.   What is Christmas all about?  There’s your answer.

#1 in the Faith at Christmas Series

The bible speaks very highly of those with faith.  There is an entire chapter in the book of Hebrews that identifies heroes of faith.  I talk a lot about people of faith in this blog.  Most of the people mentioned in the bible, and in this blog, when talking about faith are men.  That certainly doesn’t mean that men have more faith than women or men’s faith somehow is more powerful than that of women.  A quick look at church attendance, and who gets things done in our churches will tell you that’s not the case.  In fact it may even be the other way around.  I’m just kidding of course but there are many women of faith who can be great examples for us.   We can learn a lot from studying them and their stories. 

Women who are identified as heroes of faith

Everybody has heard of Sarah, Abraham’s wife she’s mentioned in Hebrews 11 along with the heroes of faith;

Hebrews 11:11 (HCSB) By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.

Rahab is the only other woman mentioned by name in Hebrews 11. 

 Hebrews 11:30-31 (HCSB) 30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled ⌊by the Israelites⌋ for seven days. 31  By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.

Unnamed women of faith

Women who received their dead to life again

Hebrews 11:35 (HCSB) 35  Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection,

I don’t know if the writer of Hebrews had these women in mind but they fit the description of women whose children and other family members rose to life again.  A testament to their faith, hope, and love.

The widow of Zarephath

This is the widow who Elijah asked for a some bread during a famine.  She told him that she only had a little bit of flour and oil and she was going to bake some bread for her and her son to eat and then they would die. Elijah told her to not be afraid and go ahead and make the bread for him and afterward she would always have flour and oil until the famine was over. She did and she had food to eat throughout the famine.  Later her son got sick and died.  

1 Kings 17:17-18, 21-24 (HCSB) 17  After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness became very severe until no breath remained in him. 18  She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do we have in common? Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to kill my son?” 21  Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the LORD and said, “My LORD God, please let this boy’s life return to him!”22  So the LORD listened to Elijah’s voice, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.23  Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.”24  Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the LORD’s word from your mouth is true.” 

The woman of Shunem

She and her husband provided a room for the prophet Elisha when he was in their town.  Elisha was told that she had been unable to conceive and he told her that she would be blessed by God and would have a child, and she bore a son.  Some years later her son died.  She went and got Elisha and brought him back to her house. 

2 Kings 4:32-37 (HCSB)32 When Elisha got to the house, he discovered the boy lying dead on his bed.33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.34 Then he went up and lay on the boy: he put mouth to mouth, eye to eye, hand to hand. While he bent down over him, the boy’s flesh became warm.35 Elisha got up, went into the house, and paced back and forth. Then he went up and bent down over him again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. 36  Elisha called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” He called her and she came. Then Elisha said, “Pick up your son.” 37  She came, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; she picked up her son and left.

Mother in Nain

This lady, a widow, lost her only son. Jesus was moved with compassion and, for her sake, resurrected her son.

Luke 7:13-15 (HCSB) 13  When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Don’t cry.” 14  Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!” 15  The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Mary and Martha

These women and their brother were friends of Jesus and Lazarus got sick, they got word to Jesus but Jesus delayed in going and Lazarus died.  When Jesus did finally get there He performed the great miracle and raised their brother.

John 11:32, 43-44 (HCSB) 32  When Mary came to where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet and told Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died!”  43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

Other women of faith, hope and love

Hannah

Hannah was the mother of the great prophet Samuel, who anointed Saul Israel’s first king, and David, perhaps it’s greatest king.   Hannah would go to Shiloh year after year, with her husband, Elkanah, and his other wife, to worship and sacrifice.  Every year Elkanah’s second wife, Peninnah, would ridicule her because she couldn’t have children, especially a son.  Hannah didn’t give up though.   She continued to pray and ask God for a son.  In her prayer she told God that if He would give her a son that she would give him back to serve Him.  God did bless her, she conceived and had a son, Samuel.  

1 Samuel 1:19-20, 27-28  (HCSB) 19  The next morning Elkanah and Hannah got up early to bow in worship before the LORD. Afterward, they returned home to Ramah. Then Elkanah was intimate with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. 20  After some time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, because ⌊she said⌋, “I requested him from the LORD.” 27  I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD gave me what I asked Him for, 28  I now give the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD.” Then he bowed in worship to the LORD there.

Hannah honored her promise and as a result she had five more children, including three more sons.

1 Samuel 2:21 (HCSB)  The LORD paid attention to Hannah’s ⌊need⌋, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD. 

Esther

Esther was the young Hebrew woman who became a queen to Ahasuerus the king of the Medes when the Hebrews were in exile.  During this time there was a plot to annihilate the Hebrews through genocide.  She decided at the urging of her cousin Mordecai, to approach Ahasuerus with a plan that would stop the plot. She decided to go to the king even though he had not summoned her, which could have cost her life.   

Esther 4:11, 16 (HCSB)11 “All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned--⌊the⌋ death ⌊penalty⌋. Only if the king extends the gold scepter will that person live. I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the last 30 days.” 16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa and fast for me. Don’t eat or drink for three days, day or night. I and my female servants will also fast in the same way. After that, I will go to the king even if it is against the law. If I perish, I perish.”

She did go in faith and the result was that her people were able to defend themselves;

Esther 8:8, 11 (HCSB) 8 You may write in the king’s name whatever pleases you concerning the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. A document written in the king’s name and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.” ; 11 The king’s edict gave the Jews in each and every city the right to assemble and defend themselves, to destroy, kill, and annihilate every ethnic and provincial army hostile to them, including women and children, and to take their possessions as spoils of war.

Ruth

Ruth left everything she had for something far more greater than anything she’d ever imagined.

 Ruth 1:16 (HCSB)  But Ruth replied: Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

What happened as a result of Ruth’s faith, hope and love?

Ruth 4:13, 17 (HCSB)13  Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. When he was intimate with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 17  The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

She was an ancestor of King David and consequently an earthly ancestor of Jesus Christ.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth was John the Baptist’s mother.  Again this was a woman who was barren and old.  .” By the way Elizabeth’s cousin was a young girl named Mary.   

Luke 1:24-25 (HCSB) 24  After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived and kept herself in seclusion for five months. She said, 25  “The Lord has done this for me. He has looked with favor in these days to take away my disgrace among the people

Mary the mother of Jesus

Mary the mother of Jesus is the most honored mother in the bible and of all time.  Mary was very young, some say as young as 12 or 13 years old.  She was also a peasant which means that she was very poor.  

Mary, although troubled, didn’t hesitate or question the angel Gabriel when he told her that she had found favor with God and that she was going to have a son who she was to name Jesus, all this without having any intimate relationships with a man 

Luke 1:38 (HCSB)  “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her. Well we know the rest of the story Mary did give birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus only to see Him crucified on a cross for her salvation and ours.

These are just a few examples of women of faith in bible.  So the next time that you are tempted to think that men are more important in God’s plan for mankind  …..think again.

Who are some other women of faith throughout history?

Yesterday at The Church of Divine Guidance, where I attend in Los Angeles, CA, Minister Brenda gave a powerful message on why "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".  In her message she asked us what we were giving Jesus this Christmas?  After all it is the day that we celebrate His birth.  We spend a lot of time in the mall and/or online looking for that perfect gift for somebody and we probably don't even think about the one who is really the reason for all this celebration.  Her message and that question prompted me to post this today.

A great gift for Jesus would be God's Word for those He came to save. 

As a believer, you serve as an ambassador of Christ to people around the world and from all walks of life.

Since 1809, Biblica, an organization with which I am an Affiliate, has provided Bibles to sailors, soldiers, pioneers, housewives, teachers, missionaries, pastors, and many others who serve as ambassadors of the gospel. Ordinary people are sharing an extraordinary God with people in their circle of influence with a simple and humble gift of God’s word.

This type of sharing is the heart of Scripture Outreach.

Whether it’s a Sunday school teacher purchasing children’s Bibles for her class or a brave believer finding ways to get Scripture past enemies of the gospel, Christians serve as God’s messengers when they take the Bible and the gospel message to people who lack the good news of God’s love and offer of salvation.

You are one of these ambassadors’ through your prayers and gifts for Scripture Outreach. Together, we can provide God’s Word through creative channels and in many formats, so that no barriers, whether it’s cultural, political, religious, economic, or physical, may stand in the way of individuals receiving Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Through Scripture Outreach, Biblica is placing Bibles in more than 100 languages in print, audio, and online mediums to make the gospel accessible for people anywhere, regardless of life circumstance.

At this very moment, there are millions of people who are hungry for the transformational message of Scripture; yet more than two-thirds of the world has never encountered Jesus Christ.

As an ambassador, you can serve and reach those who are hungry for the gospel by donating a case of Bibles to needy and charitable causes.

Donating a case of Bibles is made easy through Biblica. Simply purchase the case of Bibles that supports the message and cause you wish to support and have the case shipped directly to them. Biblica provides a wide variety of specialized, outreach Bibles to choose from.

Biblica provides a large selection of Outreach Bibles to support many causes. Whether you aspire to introduce children to the story of Jesus, provide easy to read scripture to those who are visually impaired, witness to prison inmates, provide support to those in the military or new mothers, there is a Bible designed to support and inspire. Browse the store on Biblica.com and be inspired by the array of Biblical offerings.

If you have any questions or want more information leave them in the comments or email me at this Link!

“In Christ, we have much grace and the gift of righteousness by faith at our disposal. We don’t define our lives by man’s experiences but we define our destinies by God’s promises.” 

This is a statement made by Reverend Victor Adeyemi, Dr Kayode Ijisesan at a conference in Lagos Nigeria.  It’s confirmation to a sermon that I preached the Sunday after Thanksgiving titled “You Can Overcome the Challenge of Stress, Anxiety, and Worry” (you can read the sermon Here).  In that sermon I said that there are two foundational beliefs that we must have if we are going to overcome stress, anxiety, worry and fear. 

1.      God is holy and God is good

2.      Believe in His promises

According to one person's count, there are 3573 promises in the Bible so there is probably one for every situation in your life. 

When we believe God’s promises and act on them it shows that we have faith in Him.  Having faith in God is the key to your success and reaching your destiny in Christ.

God’s promises never fail

Psalm 89:34 (HCSB) I will not violate My covenant or change what My lips have said.

Joshua 23:14 (HCSB) “I am now going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

Proverbs 10:22 (NKJV) 22  The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 

Just a few of His promises

God Promises Eternal Life

1 John 2:24-25 (NKJV) 24  Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25  And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.

Luke 18:27 (NKJV) 27  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

God Promises a New Heart and Forgiveness

Ezekiel 36:26 (NKJV) 26  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV) 9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)12  As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:19 (NKJV) 19  He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.

God's Promises Include the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Luke 11:13 (NKJV) 13  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

God Promises to Supply All Our Needs

Philippians 4:19 (NKJV) 19  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:32 (NKJV) 32  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Psalm 84:11 (NKJV) 11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

God Promises Wisdom and Peace

James 1:5 (NKJV) 5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) 3  You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. 

God Promises Help in Overcoming Temptation

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) 13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

God Promises Protection and Deliverance From Fear

Psalm 91:4-6 (NKJV) 4  He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5  You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6  Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

Psalm 34:4 (NKJV) 4  I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

God Promises the Return of Jesus and Resurrection

John 5:28-29 (NKJV) 28  Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29  and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

John 14:2-3 (NKJV) 2  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

God's Promises the End of Suffering and Pain

Revelation 21:4 (NKJV) 4  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.".”

God promises to bless you if you follow His instructions

Deuteronomy 28:1-8 (HCSB) 1  “Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth. 2  All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the LORD your God: 3  You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 4  Your descendants will be blessed, and your land’s produce, and the offspring of your livestock, including the young of your herds and the newborn of your flocks. 5  Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. 6  You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. 7  “The LORD will cause the enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you. They will march out against you from one direction but flee from you in seven directions. 8  The LORD will grant you a blessing on your storehouses and on everything you do; He will bless you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

John 13:17 (NKJV) If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

One Final Thought

You can only receive these promises through Jesus. 

John 14:6 (NKJV) 6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

You do that by confessing your sins, acknowledging that you need a savior and accepting the gift of salvation.  Here’s the formula as given by the apostle Paul.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV) 9  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Then and only then can you say that all of the promises of God are available to you.

If you have never received Jesus as you Lord and Savior now’s the time.  You may never get another chance.  Here’s all you have to do. 

Pray this prayer in all sincerity. Don’t just say it if you don’t really mean it because if you do you will just be speaking words but if you are tired of trying to do change things by yourself and you are ready to turn your life over to the one who can change things pray;

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!”

If you truly understand and believe what you just prayed then please leave a comment below or email me at this Link and tell me that you accepted Christ today.  Then find a bible believing church and start to fellowship with other believers.  Welcome to the family of God.

All of God's promises are in the Bible.  If you don't have a bible, need a new one, or want to make a gift of a Bible to someone <=====Click Here====>

Here’s more on the promises of God