A Child is born

 

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praising God for sending His only Son and allowing us to share in that experience through the teachings of the Gospels (See Luke 2:1-7). Praise Him for all of the new lives He brought into this world in 2020 and for giving us that 'breath of fresh air' when we needed it most. Let us pray for the health and welfare of all of those born this year and their families. May they dwell on the joy and miracle and blessings of new life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #Jesus #Christmas #Bethlehem #miracle

The Christmas Star

 

During the Christmas season, I often wonder what Mary and Joseph must have been going through and feeling. Giving birth is a miracle in and of itself, but to give birth to our Savior? Wow! I can't even wrap my head around that. I wonder, 'was it an easy delivery?' 'were they overwhelmed in His presence?' 'Was He cognitive of who He was?'
     This past week there was a lot of media attention on the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter and how it was the "Christmas star" as if to explain away a one-time event by demonstrating it happens about every 400 years. I didn't do my due diligence in researching this because I didn't know I was going down this path until just now, so if I have something wrong, I apologize. However, the star of Bethlehem wasn't a one-night occurrence. Matthew 2:9-11 tells us that the star led the wise men to the house where Jesus was. By the time they got there, Jesus may have even been anywhere up to two years old, so the star led them for at least several months.
     If I'm way off on this, let me know and I'll change it. It just upsets me when something that was so obviously a "God-thing" is explained away as something normal (albeit rare). It takes away from the miracle, and from the rejoicing.
     So, let your hearts be filled with the joy of the miracle of His birth, dwelling on this most perfect Gift from our Father in Heaven.

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth,

Luke 1:14 ESV

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Please join me this week in praising God for sending His only Son and allowing us to share in that experience through the teachings of the Gospels (See Luke 2:1-7). Praise Him for all of the new lives He brought into this world in 2020 and for giving us that 'breath of fresh air' when we needed it most. Let us pray for the health and welfare of all of those born this year and their families. May they dwell on the joy and miracle and blessings of new life.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #bible #Jesus #Christmas #ChristmasStar #conjunction #Saturn #Jupiter #WiseMen #Bethlehem #miracle

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Christ is Born!

My husband and I attended the Christmas Eve service at our church last evening. We were unable to go last year because it was a year ago yesterday that my dad had a partial hip replacement surgery after a fall. That was weighing heavily on me all day. This is our first Christmas without him although last Christmas kind of foreshadowed this because he was in the hospital. We tried to have a normal Christmas anyway, but it just wasn't the same. This year will, of course, be different also as it will for many, many people around the world. If you're one of those people, my heart goes out for you.

Anyway, I so wish I could relate the whole experience of last night's service to all of you. Remember in yesterday's post I said something about imagining what Mary and Joseph must've felt at having giving birth to our Lord and Saviour? They had a young woman acting as Mary convey what she was going through just after the birth. I was moved to tears. The whole service helped me feel what it must have been like to be there. I wish I could describe it better, but words can't adequately convey such a deep, spiritual feeling.

The second to last song, though, evoked all of the emotion of the evening, and so I'm sharing that here. "Mary, Did You Know?"

May you ponder these things throughout the day and remember why we're celebrating.

Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

John 12:44-48 NKJV

Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

John 18:37 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Baby Jesus Presented in the Temple

Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
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. 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. 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, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”
And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 2:22-35 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

His name was called Jesus

This week as we rush around trying to get all of those last-minute Christmas gifts bought, grocery shopping done, houses cleaned, and meals cooked, let's take 5 minutes each morning to read about why we're celebrating the holiday. Let's continue praying for our focus to be on Jesus. He came to save us. He came because He loves us.
     Imagine being Mary and Joseph and try to envision what they were experiencing. Childbirth in and of itself is an incredible miracle, but add to that the incomprehensible fact that they not only witnessed but actively participated in giving birth to our Lord and Savior!

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Luke 2:15-21 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

The Word became flesh

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld His glory, 

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Linus shares the true meaning of Christmas

I think this is my absolute, most favorite part of any Christmas special. Even as a child, Linus reciting the biblical account of the birth of Jesus meant something to me. When I heard him tell it, I could see the shepherds in the fields and I could feel their fear of seeing the angel appear to them. I could imagine their awe in hearing that Christ was born and at seeing the multitude of angels. I love that Charles Schultz included this in a cartoon and showed us the true meaning of Christmas back during a time when non-believers were trying to remove religion from our schools. What a wonderful lesson to be learned from the mouth of a child (even a cartoon child), whose heart is innocent and not wrapped up in the commercial side of a holiday that's supposed to be focused on our Lord and Saviour.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, 

and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, 

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, 

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; 

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host 

praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 

good will toward men.

Luke 2:8-14 KJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

There was no innkeeper

Our brains are funny creatures. They are not only the server room of our bodies, but they also give us the ability to make sense of nonsense. For example:

CNA OYU RAED TIHS?

I'm sure that was easy for most of you, and the ability to do that is called typoglycemia and happens because we look at words as units, not the individual letters. It's my belief that we do the same thing with stories, or, in the case of the Bible, with events. This coupled with being told something over and over again, even if it's wrong, will become truth in our minds.

For example, did you know that there was no mention of an innkeeper turning away Mary and Joseph? I didn't either! Read it for yourself:

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:1-7 NKJV

Do you want to know why Christ was born in a manger in Bethlehem and wrapped in swaddling clothes? (Trust me, you do). Then please take the time to read this blog post by Dr. James Dickey:

The Christmas Story You May Have Missed

You'll be glad you did. I'm always so amazed at how God orchestrates life. Often, it gives me goosebumps. This is one of those goosebump moments.

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Joseph visited by an Angel

 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. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

The Song of Mary

 And Mary said:

“My soul magnifies the Lord,

 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;

For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And holy is His name.

 And His mercy is on those who fear Him

From generation to generation.

 He has shown strength with His arm;

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And exalted the lowly.

 He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich He has sent away empty.

 He has helped His servant Israel,

In remembrance of His mercy,

 As He spoke to our fathers,

To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Luke 1:46-56 NKJV
What a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving!

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Mary visited Elizabeth

When Mary was with Child, she went to visit her relative, Elizabeth who was pregnant with the one who would proceed Christ and prepare the world for His coming. We know him as John the Baptist.

 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

Luke 1:39-45 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Pray about the Gift

I get frustrated during the Christmas season. Not for the usual reasons of shopping and cooking and baking and parties but because so many people celebrate Christmas who aren't Christians. Therefore, they aren't celebrating the birth of Christ, they're just in it for the pagan aspects of the holiday. I know a lot of people may look at it differently, but that's how I see it. It breaks my heart when I think about the fact that the two MOST important Christian holidays are marred with paganism.
     So, I would like to spend the next two weeks praying diligently about the "Reason for the Season". Let's pray that our own focus during this time is on the birth of Jesus. We can also pray that others come to know Jesus through the miracle that is the true Christmas story. My plan is to share the whole story between now and the 25th, so you can share it with others.
     Let's begin:

 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom 

there will be no end.”

 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.”

 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” 

And the angel departed from her. 

Luke 1:26-38 NKJV

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Please join me this week in praying about the true meaning of Christmas. Let us pray for focus on the birth of Jesus and that our focus may touch the hearts of non-believers. Let us share the event of the Virgin birth and spread the Good News of what this historical event means to each of us. Let us emphasize that the only gift that matters this Christmas is that our Lord and Savior was born into this world, one hundred percent human, to rescue His fallen children.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Christmas

Luke 2:1-14 KJV
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.