Today in the Word for December 9-13
Today in The Word
Monday Dec 9, 2019
Is it possible that we do not really know the results that come from responding to God’s call? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. In the part of the Christmas story that talks about the shepherds, Luke 2:17,19 reads:
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger…But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
The shepherds respond to the angel’s invitation to participate in what God is doing. They show up at the manger and see the Messiah. But their actions do not just benefit themselves. Luke tells us that Mary was affected by hearing of the angels’ visit to the shepherds. It is something she treasured. The shepherds participated in God’s work and they had an effect on the mother of Jesus. They encouraged her so much she remembered their visit years later.
And for you and I. One potential result of participating in what God is doing is to encourage the faith of others. We may not know it at the time, but God uses our willingness to help others. It is a good reason to respond to God’s call when he speaks to us. He can use us for tremendous effect, whether we find out about it now or after we have met this life’s end. God used humble shepherds to minister to Mary.
And that’s the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly. Today we celebrate our 1,500th devotion on The River. Thanks for listening.
Today in The Word
Tuesday Dec 10, 2019
Do we view God’s call as a disruption to our schedule? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. In the part of the Christmas story that talks about the shepherds, Luke 2:8-9, 11-12 reads:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And angel of the Lord appeared to them…Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The shepherds were doing their job. They were at work. The appearance of an angel was a disruption. His message and invitation are an interruption to their work-day. The shepherds could have decided their agenda was more important than God’s agenda. They could have kept on herding and ignored the message. But they did not. They went to see.
Are we so committed to our own agenda that there is no time to respond to God’s nudge? God’s interruptions are opportunities to participate in what he is doing. We need to settle for ourselves which agenda is more important—God’s or our own, and then act accordingly. If we say yes to divine appointments, not only will we see God at work, we will play a part in God’s work. And that is a good thing!
And that’s the Word from David Baker of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Wednesday Dec 11, 2019
Do we say ‘no’ to God’s call because we think his ‘business’ is too far above us? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. In the part of the Christmas story that talks about the shepherds, Luke 2:8-9, 11-12 reads:
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. And angel of the Lord appeared to them…Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
How is the manger a sign to the shepherds? There is no Old Testament prophecy about a manger that I know of. I think God tells the shepherds that the Messiah is going to be born in a manger to emphasize the effort God is making to reach down to us. Shepherds know all about mangers, but don’t expect the Messiah to spend his first hours in one. The entire Christmas story focuses on God reaching down. He wraps himself in human skin. He is born in the humblest of circumstances. Jesus is God’s greatest illustration of reaching down.
And so, the shepherds may have been willing to go see what God was doing in part because a manger-crib was involved. God was reaching into their world and they were willing to participate with a God who reaches down.
And that’s the Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly. Join our Wednesday adult Bible Study at 6:30 for more of the Word.
Today in the Word
Thursday Dec 12, 2019
The Christmas story tells us that some shepherds were serenaded by angels and invited to go see the new Messiah. Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. The shepherds could have passed on God’s invitation for a number of reasons, not chief of which would be that they are too insignificant to be a part of God’s plan. Yet Luke 2:15-16 tells us they said:
“” …Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in the manger.”
One result of their participation in God’s plan is that they find the Messiah. It may seem obvious, but if we do not choose to participate in what God is calling us to do, we simply see less miracle. And if we do say yes to what God is calling us to do, we see more miracle. If the shepherds don’t take up the angels on their offer to go see, they would have missed out on the miracle.
Say yes when God invites you to participate in his business. More miracles await if you do!
And that is the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.
Today in the Word
Friday Dec 13, 2019
Do you want to become a more grateful person? Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. On Christmas night, shepherds decide to participate in God’s invitation to see the Messiah. Luke 2:17 and 20 reads:
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
When we say ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to participate in what he is doing, we naturally tend to praise the Lord. We are so grateful that we have been a part of what God is doing, that we are quicker to worship him. Conversely, I’ve observed that people who regularly turn down God’s offer to participate are grumpier. They miss out on the miracle of what God is doing. They don’t fulfill their purpose to spread the good news of Jesus. And when there is an opportunity to worship, they are not as excited to do so.
Do you want to be a more grateful person? Say ‘yes’ more often to God’s invitation to participate in what he is doing.
And that’s the Word. You can enjoy more of the Word this Sunday at 10:45 at Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.