Skip to main content

responding to the angels


 

There are so many things happening in the Christmas story, and by the way, Christmas is one week from today.  I love to look at, re-read, and take in ann the aspects of this story and the truth it brings to us and our world.


Within the story the angels show up several times to announce a birth, various aspects of Christmas.  In each announcement there are different responses from the people who hear from God and meet the angels with the message from God.


As you read each announcement, take in the differences.


Matthew 1:24  NLT

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.


Luke 1:38  NLT

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.


Luke 1:18  NLT

Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”


Luke 2:15  NLT

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”


Three different responses to what God said through the angels.  


Joseph believed God, changed his mind and married his future wife.


Mary was overwhelmed and believed God, becoming the earthly mother of Jesus.


Zechariah questioned God about the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and Zechariah couldn’t speak until after John was born.


The shepherds wanted to go see as soon as they heard the news, and they went to find Jesus.


Different responses, but don’t we all have different responses?  Do we believe God and respond in faith?  Or do we question and hesitate?  The choice is ours.  The closer we get to God or the more we listen, the more we see Him working.


Often we will question or even not believe?  But God can be trusted.


Mary and Joseph had a wild ride, but they were blessed.


Zechariah was taught not to doubt and dealt with consequences, but his life showed others God was real.


The shepherds led many to believe and see Jesus, and their response amazed everyone.


May our response to Jesus increase our faith, help others meet Jesus and push all of us to get even closer to the Christmas story.  Listen in.  Tell others.  Watch to see what God does next.  God is speaking and might just use Angels to tell us a story that will change the world.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you
Post a Comment
Read more

why is it Good Friday?

  Holy Week is the time we focus on God and His gift of salvation.  We come to Friday.  The day we remember the cross, Jesus’ death and all God has done for you and me   Why do they call this day “Good Friday” because it doesn’t seems good?   Jesus was treated as a criminal.  He was beaten so much that He could not recognize Him.  His pain would have been too much for you or me to endure.  That is especially from Scripture I’ve read or as in the movie the  Passion of the Christ .   Yet it is a good day.  It is Good Friday because God had our good in His heart.  What Jesus did that day changed our forever direction. Here are some thoughts that come to me:   He is Redemption and Redeemer   He too our Pain and Punishment   He is our Righteousness and Reality   He is the Savior and Life   All of those happened from the cross.  It was meant for the worst lawbreakers.  It was not meant for a Savior who never broke a law.  It was lifted high so that onlookers could see the price Jesus.   Look
Post a Comment
Read more

Day 8 in Cuba

We have just come off and incredible weekend, and it is day 8 of the mission trip in Cuba.  Thank you to all who have been praying for this trip, the mission team and the impact it will have on those we serve.   Please don’t stop praying. Last week Alex and I served with a mission team in the mountains of southern Cuba.  There were several challenges, but God gave us safety, provision and opportunity to serve some of the sweetest people I have ever met.  No running water… sporadic electricity generated by a small, logo dammed up river, no transportation other than animals, limited food sources and more.  These people love the Lord and sharing their faith with others. Over the weekend we made our way back to Havana.  On Friday our vehicle broke down leaving us on the side of the road for several hours.  We then boarded a bus and rode 14 hours.  We arrived safely and even got some rest. Sunday was so, so good.  We visited two partner churches.  In the morning we were with one church that
Post a Comment
Read more