A NEW MESSAGE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Luke 2:8-10 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Shepherds in a field get an alarming visit from an angel. It must have been disturbing to see an angel show up suddenly. Almost always in the Bible when an angel shows up the first words are, “Don’t be afraid!” That indicates that the physical appearance of an angel would have been overwhelming to human senses.
Then the angel gives them a powerful message about “good news” and “great joy.” When you are suddenly visited by an angel it is probably nice to know they come bringing good news. The birth of Jesus was good news for all the world. God was not coming to wipe us out or destroy us. He was coming to earth to make a way for us to have a personal intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus was “God-in flesh.” He came to dwell with us.
It was a message of “great joy.” There was forgiveness and freedom coming to humanity. Since the Garden of Eden man had been trapped by our sinful nature. We were helpless to live the life we knew we wanted to live because sin had corrupted the human main frame. We had a sickness we couldn’t heal on our own.
God sent His Son into the world to bring spiritual and physical wholeness for humanity. This was a message of great joy.
If you are living in fear today perhaps it is time to lean into the presence of God and discover His peace. If you are living in sadness perhaps it is time to discover a new depth of God’s joy.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me discover Your peace and joy during this holiday season.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Thank you for peace from above that always covers me
I want to live daily in God’s peace. That can only happen when I’m in alignment with His will.
Lord this has been an extremely rough year for me but at this point I can see that I’m often the cause of my own problems. Even from extreme sadness you have bought me extreme joy and I thank you for your grace and mercy . I ask that you forgive me when I make mistakes and help guide me
forward please Lord. I have to leave things that don’t serve my purpose.