Thought for December 15, 2023

  •  1791: First U.S. Law School established--University of Pennsylvania
  • 1791: Bill of Rights ratified
  • 1792: First life insurance policy in U.S. issued
  • 1864: Battle of Nashville
  • 1938: Groundbreaking for Jefferson Memorial
  • 1939: "Gone with the Wind" premiers
  • 1941: USS Swordfish is first U.S. sub to sink a Japanese ship
  • 1944: Glenn Miller lost over the english Channel
  • 1979: "Trivial Pursuit" developed
  • 1997: Joe Montana's jersey retired by the 49ers
  • Born: Nero, Gustave Eiffel, Henri Becquerel [radioactivity], J Paul Getty, Jeff Chandler, Tim Conway, 
  • Died: Vermeer, Anthony Wayne, Sitting Bull, Charles Laughton, Walt Disney, Oral Roberts, Blake Edwards, Bob Feller, Joan Fontaine
Thought:
Yesterday, we read that God sent a child to meet the needs of the world. But not just any child! The child was special. Isaiah 7:14 tells us a virgin will bear a son and His name will be Immanuel--God with us. Recall that this prophesy was given to Isaiah when King Ahaz refused to ask God for a sign. God had promised that Damascus and Samaria would fail in their plan to depose Ahaz and install a new king in Judah. When Ahaz refused to ask for a sign at the invitation of the Lord, the Lord spoke--I will give you a sign, a virgin will be with child and His name will be Immanuel. 

As we look toward Christmas, think for a moment about what God is doing. Yesterday we were told that this child that would solve all our problems would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He would be everything that you and I ever need. Today, the child will be born of a virgin and called Immanuel. Larry, what you really need is God with you all the time and everywhere. So this child will be Immanuel--the God who reigns in heaven is going to come and live with you. The God that you cannot see will take on flesh so you can see Him. All the questions you may have about what God would say and do in certain circumstances, the child will show you. How great is our God? How much does He love us? How much grace and mercy does He have? Enough to take on flesh and dwell among us so that we could see, hear, touch and know Him. 

And notice, He will be born of a virgin. And Luke 1 tells us He will be conceived by the Holy Spirit---fully human, fully God. So Immanuel will face all the temptations and trials you will face--except He will never sin. He will live that perfect live you could not live, so He could die the atoning death and pay the price you could not pay. What a plan by our great God. 

Yesterday we said Jesus was born for such a time as this--the Great "I Am." Today, we understand that His birth was miraculous--something only God can do, or as the angel said to Mary, "nothing will be impossible with God." And not only was the birth miraculous, but it had to be in order that God's plan could be fulfilled. 

We often talk about the gift of Jesus at Christmas. But today, think about the sacrifice it took for God to take on flesh and become like us so that we could become like Him. Many of our parents sacrificed so that we could have special gifts at Christmas--your heavenly Father made a sacrifice so that Immanuel could be with us. Praise Him today. 

Blessings
Larry

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