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Christmas women’s devotional series…….Think outside the manger part 7

amy / 12/14/2015

photo courtesy of artur84@@freedigitalphotos.net

With the Christmas season fast approaching and lots added to our “to do” lists, I wanted to take a moment and help you reflect upon this season. We as women can get so wrapped up in the “doing” that we forget the “being” part of Christmas time. I wanted to write this devotional to help us identify with each of the nativity people. This will be presented in a 10 part series–each day signifying a different person. You can download it here for the complete devotional to use in your ladies group–includes all scripture NKJV. Or you can enjoy a new person each day through my blog. Be blessed as we go about remembering the reason for this season.

Day 7: The lamb

There isn’t any scripture reference if sheep were part of the nativity or not, again I am using my own information on this.
Think of the nature of a little lamb. It skips along happily just as a child would be like in life. No cares of this world, just happily being led by its shepherd. Trusts in him completely, with no worries of the day.
If the lamb went with the shepherds to see the baby Jesus, he might have been able to snuggle up next to the baby and kept him warm. He would of enjoyed sleeping happily all cozy up next to the Savior.
The Bible says we are to have a child-like faith to enter into the kingdom of God. Think of the nature of a child……children don’t question much. You can tell them something and they believe it. How many parents tell their children about Santa Claus and all that he can do and they just accept it as a fact? Now let’s reverse that to us as adults. How many times do we read scripture and doubt it can happen?

Do you need to reclaim your child-like faith to be able to trust God and to grow in wonder, freedom and delight with your Savior? Do you need to be released from all of the wrong things that you have been ingrained with that go against scripture? When you read the Bible, do you think that it is not for today and that God doesn’t do what He did back then? Just as Zechariah, Joseph, and Mary did—-you need to BELIEVE so that you can RECEIVE what it is God has for you in your life. It takes an act of FAITH to believe something. You may not see it, but if God says it, you must not doubt it. Believe so that you can receive!

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Christmas women’s devotional series…….Think outside the manger part 6

photo courtesy of artur84@@freedigitalphotos.net

Day 6: The shepherds

Read scripture: Luke 2:8-20

The first people chosen to hear about the birth of the Messiah were the lowly shepherds. These guys were not significant people at all. They spent the majority of their days worshiping God while out tending their flocks. Not out doing some great ministry job. It shows that God chooses the humblest in spirit to do His work. It is no surprise that God chose these people to proclaim the news of His son’s birth.
We should never disregard our self as never being not good enough for God. God is looking for those with a pure heart to be able to do His work. That is it! He doesn’t care what type of profession you are in, your social status, your age, or how much money you make—-he just wants you.
After seeing and being confirmed that the baby was born, they rejoiced and spread the good news. They were excited for what God had done.

Do you need to appreciate that God wants to bestows his favor on you? It does not matter what your situation is in life, what matters is that you WANT to serve God. He will make all of those problems and negative things in your life, work out for His glory. Do you need to stop complaining about all of the bad going on in your life and instead start speaking the goodness that God bestows upon you? Stop focusing on the negative and start focusing on the positive things. Life will get much better!

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