Good day dear friends.
Let us be in prayer for the families of the miners in Tallmansville, W. Virginia who tragically lost fathers, husbands, sons, friends in that mining accident. What a sad day for them all as first they heard good news about those believed to be alive then to be told three hours later that all but one of those was dead. May the Lord bring them comfort during this difficult time is our prayer.
Personal prayer of gratitude for the birthday of our son-in-law, Eric Cortez of Galveston, TX. May the Lord bless him with many more and continue to bring him protection in his daily life as a police officer in the city of Galveston. Happy Birthday, Eric!
We continue to celebrate the long awaited national title that the Longhorns bring back to the great state of Texas. We also continue our study of the gifts brought to us by God and the visit of the Magi to the Lord.
Thursday: Read Isaiah 53:4-9. This is a passage that references the prophecy concerning Jesus’ being offered as OUR sacrifice for OUR sins. Pray before reading this passage and let each of the verses sink into your soul as you read all that was expected of Jesus on that cross for you and me. How do you suppose the last gift touched Mary’s heart as she received this as a gift for a child? According to Matthew, she may not have had time to ponder much as they were warned to leave their country and to flee for Egypt. Matthew would later say this was a fulfillment of prophecy for God’s work through Jesus for the sake of all humanity. What are your thoughts?
Here is that passage from Isaiah:
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 From arrest and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. {[8] Or away. Yet who of his generation considered that he was cut off from the land of the living for the transgression of my people, to whom the blow was due?} 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
That the magi brought myrrh must have confused Mary on that visit. But as she realized the way Jesus was touching lives, he was also upsetting others. She also had one occasion when she and her family (Jesus' brothers and sisters) felt it necessary to go and bring Jesus home. Jesus refused for He knew his purpose. Soon, Mary would know that purpose but as a loving mother she knew the difficulty in giving away her son to a mission that included that son's death. But in that death we came out the winners. We came out blessed. For our sins and infirmities, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's words. Jesus came to redeem us! What greater gift could we want?
PRAYER: Lord, for the many and wonderful gifts that are ours we thank You. We thank you for the gift of redemption, of having our sins removed and our infirmities cured in the life and ministry of Your Son, Jesus our Lord. May today be but the start of a life lived in gratitude and thanksgiving for all You do. May we do more for You is our prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
PS Members of the charge conference, please don't forget that tonight at 7, Dr. Robert Hall will be with us to celebrate our year of ministry. Come with a joyful heart and ready for planning for a New Year! See you tonight!
