Prayer

The Angel ‘Gabriel’ Foretold Jesus’ Birth

Gabriel broke the good news to Mary

Mary, a virgin, was living in Galilee of Nazareth and she was engaged to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter. But before they came together, an angel named Gabriel, appeared to Mary and told her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. Luke 1:30-31

At first Mary was afraid and troubled by the angel’s words. Being a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, “How will this be?” The angel explained that the child would be God’s own Son and, therefore, “nothing is impossible with God.” Humbled and in awe, Mary believed the angel of the Lord and rejoiced in God her Savior.

No doubt  Mary reflected with wonder on the words found in Isaiah 7:14 foretelling this event, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” (NIV)

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

Joseph was not happy about the news. Fear and doubt overwhelmed him but he did not want to expose Mary to a public disgrace which was required by law–so he planned to divorce her quietly.  But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and he took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

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Do you give God your all?

The world wants your best, but God wants your all. So what is preventing you from giving God your all?…Self…It’s hardly a secret that conquering self is the biggest problem Christians all over the world face daily. It was true for Jesus’ disciples— and it is true for modern-day Christians.

Somebody once said: “Learn to conquer self before you try to conquer the world.”Learning to conquer self is an ongoing struggle I am face with daily. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I understand that unless I overcome self I will not reach those higher heights and deeper depths, which the apostle Paul referred to in (Philippians 3:14), “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Most Christians, I would imagine, will not admit openly that they struggle with self, but I am not ashamed to admit that I do. As a matter of fact, one of the greatest Christians the world had ever known struggled with self and he was not ashamed to admit it.  The apostle Paul, a stalwart of the early and modern-day Church struggled with self. In (1 Corinthians 9:27), he writes: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

The apostle Peter himself, struggled with self. When the soldiers took hold of Jesus, after Judas pointed Him out–the Bible says: “Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchu” (John 18:10).

The truth is we all struggle with self, whether you admit it or not.  It is the single biggest impediment that prevents many of us from giving God our all. Each of us has that 1 or 2 things that we cannot shake. We have been working on them for years or maybe months, but every time we thought we had them under control, they raise their ugly heads again.

The only solution for the problem of sin is to stay close to God. Feed on His words, walk in His footsteps and obey His commandments (Exodus 20), for “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24)

What are you thankful for?

United States of America

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Lord, I am thankful for today. I thank you for your Son Jesus, who gave His life that I can live. You said in your Words: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Lord, I believe in Him, and I have committed myself to serve Him. The songwriter said:

“Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face,
There to sing forever of His saving grace;
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice,
Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.”

Lord, I thank thee for the United States of America, and all its people. We are an exceptional nation of many different backgrounds, culture and ethnicity, political and religious persuasions. And even though our people have various religious, political and social views–we are still the greatest nation on earth. We never fail to lend a helping hand to anyone who will accept it. Many people around the world look to this great nation for help and inspiration.

Lord I thank you for our leaders, past and present. I thank you for our president and his cabinet and the different agencies of government. I thank you for the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive branch. Grant our leaders wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Prevent them from leaning on their own understanding. Remind them dear God, of your words in Proverbs 3:5-6: ” Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight. Guide their hands O God, and let them exercise wisdom in their judgement–just like Solomon did to settle the dispute between two mothers (1 Kings 3:16-28).

Lord, I commit this great nation into your care. I pray that you will speak to the hearts of our leaders and all people. Remind us one and all, what made this country great in the first place. History has shown that it was not the effort of any one ethnic group or political party, but it was a joint effort of all people. Remind us heavenly father that irrespective of our color class or creed, we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… Thank you Lord.

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Spreading The Gospel Through Contemporary Worship Music

Road up Mount Bently, Palm Island

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Contemporary worship music (CWM) is a loosely defined genre of Christian music used in contemporary worship. It has developed over the past sixty years and is stylistically similar to pop music. The songs are often referred to as “praise songs” or “worship songs” and are typically led by a “worship band” or “praise team”, with either a guitarist or pianist leading. It is a common genre of music sung in Western churches—particularly in Protestant churches, both denominational and nondenominational.

Opposition To Contemporary Worship Music

Many people in the body of Christ oppose Contemporary worship music 

Criticisms include Gary Parrett’s concern that the volume of this music drowns out congregational participation, and therefore makes it a performance.[8] He quotes Ephesians 5:19, in which St. Paul tells the church in Ephesus to be ‘speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit’, and questions whether the worship band, now so often amplified and playing like a rock band, replacement than enable the congregations’ praise.

Tell us what you think!…Do you think Contemporary Worship Music has a place in the Body of Christ?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 100:1-5

1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You (Psalm 144:9).