"The Story God is Writing”

Friday 20th December 2024

King James Version Luke 1:46-47

"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour ”

New English Translation puts it like this Luke 1:46-47

"And Mary said, “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has begun to rejoice in God my Savior’”

"The Story God is Writing"

Mary had quite the unique journey to motherhood. An unmarried virgin, she carried the Son of God. Mary could have easily felt lonely or isolated, but she was not alone in the story God was writing.

For decades, Mary’s relative Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah prayed and asked God for a child. After many years, God answered their prayers. When an angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, she went straight to Elizabeth, who was a few months along in her own miraculous pregnancy.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting upon her arrival, the baby in her womb leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaiming, “​​Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (Luke 1:42 NIV).

Keep in mind, Mary had only just found out about her pregnancy. It would have been so easy, so understandable to be overwhelmed, afraid, or distressed. Mary hadn’t even married her husband, Joseph yet. And yet, watch the trust and confidence in her response:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47 NIV

They celebrated the work of God together. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Imagine the conversations they must’ve had: prophecies fulfilled, the future of the Kingdom of God, what would their sons’ lives look like?

Mary made a choice to rejoice in the story God was writing, a story of trust and celebrating the work of God. 

Today, how does Mary’s story encourage you to trust God? What is your response to the story God is writing in your life? Take a moment to reflect on how you can glorify in the Lord and rejoice in God today.

"One Great Purpose”

Saturday 21st December 2024

King James Version Matthew 1:21

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins ”

New English Translation puts it like this Matthew 1:21

She will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’”

"One Great Purpose"

While Mary and Joseph were still finalising their guest list and picking out a wedding cake, she startled him with some unexpected news—she, a virgin, was pregnant. 

Assuming she’d been unfaithful, Joseph was poised to cancel the engagement. But while he was still considering his exit strategy, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream—telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, for the child inside her was from the Holy Spirit.

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT

This miracle was the fulfilment of hundreds of prophecies—God-inspired predictions about the Messiah, Savior, or “Chosen/Anointed One”—recorded in the Old Testament.

From conception, Jesus’ purpose was made known: to save His people from their sins. Because even before God created the world, His plan was to save it.

Isn’t it interesting that you didn’t choose the time, place, body, or family in which you were born? But God has you here, right now, on purpose. 

You’ve been grafted into an ongoing story playing out since the beginning of time. And this timeless offer, to be saved from the shackles of your sin and freed from a debt you could never pay, has been extended to you.

What is sin? Sin is choosing our way instead of God’s. Sin is rebelling against His design and His plan. And we’ve all done it—we’ve all fallen short of God’s righteous standard.

But that’s why He sent Jesus—because He loved us that much.

And then, Jesus gave His life for the sake of the world.

If you’ve never accepted the free gift of salvation, today can be your day, and this moment can be your moment. There’s nothing you can do to earn it, but you can come to Him—just as you are

"Trusting God’s Story”

Sunday 22nd December 2024

King James Version Luke 2:7

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ”

New English Translation puts it like this Luke 2:7

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.’”

"Trusting God’s Story"

Imagine Mary and Joseph getting ready to become parents. They probably asked a lot of the same questions expectant parents do today: Is the baby healthy? Are we prepared to care for this child? Where will we have the baby? Are we ready for the birth?

Near the end of Mary’s pregnancy, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that everyone within the Roman world return to their hometown for a census (Luke 2:1-4). This meant that Mary and Joseph had to leave their home in Nazareth to take the four-day journey to Bethlehem, the city of David, who was Joseph’s ancestor. 

Because of the census, Bethlehem’s inns were full of people making the journey home. And so, when the time came, Mary gave birth to Jesus in the only place available to them: a stable. She placed him in a manger—a feeding trough—because that’s all there was. Surely this was not the birth that Mary would have planned for her firstborn child.

And yet, it was exactly what God had ordained. God showed us a lot about His Kingdom through the circumstances around the birth of His Son. 

He showed us that Jesus is humble. Jesus was born in a stable and placed in a manger. The King of all Creation, yet such a humble beginning.

He showed us that the Kingdom of God is accessible. This King wasn’t tucked away in a castle or a mansion, separated from His people and surrounded by luxuries—shepherds and wise men alike were able to come visit Him.

He showed us that we can trust the story. Mary had to trust God’s story. Joseph had to trust God’s story. Imagine how the story would have been different if Mary and Joseph had demanded that room be made for them in an inn, shouting, “This is the Messiah, people! Make room!” But they didn’t do that. They accepted the situation in front of them, trusting God’s story regardless of how strange or undesirable the setting seemed. 

And from that surrendered posture and strange set of circumstances, God brought forth His Son, exactly as He had planned. 

We can trust the story because God is the Author. Jesus’ humble birth was not an accident—it was a message, a picture to all of us of what God’s Kingdom is truly like. It’s also an invitation for us to surrender our plans, our ideas of how the story should be, and trust the trustworthy hand of God in our lives. We can trust God.

"Good News for Everyone”

Tuesday 24th December 2024

King James Version Luke 2:9-10

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.. ”

New English Translation puts it like this Luke 2:9-10

"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the people: ’”

"Good News for Everyone"

Picture, for a moment, a normal day of your life. Everything is pretty typical—nothing out of the ordinary. Then, imagine that out of nowhere, light shines down all around you. It’s so bright and warm, you can’t see anything except … an angel? An angel is talking to you! 

That’s exactly what happened to a group of shepherds near Bethlehem the night Jesus was born. And here’s what the angel said:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)

It’s no surprise the angel opens with, “Don’t be afraid.” The shepherds whom the angel appeared to must have been terrified! How startling to be in the middle of a normal day taking care of your flock and have something so unexpected happen! And not only unexpected—something that absolutely changed the course of history.

The angel also knew what the shepherds did not: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” The Messiah all of Israel had been waiting for, the one whom the prophets had foretold of, had been born. He had come. Nothing in the world could have been better news or a cause for greater joy than this!

And of all the people who could have been first to know, it was these shepherds. In Israel at that time, shepherds were everyday people. They weren’t powerful, influential, or wealthy. And yet God picked these everyday people to be the first to hear this good news. The Kingdom of God isn’t just for those people society holds in high regard. It is for everyone. It is for all of us.

Today, pay attention to how God may be speaking to you. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. This good news is for you!

"Glory to God in the highest”

Tuesday 24th December 2024

King James Version Luke 2:3-14

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.

New English Translation puts it like this Luke 2:3-14

"Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!”

"Glory to God in the highest"

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1-5

The same inability to comprehend what God has done for us all still reverberates down through the corridor's of time, Time is a commodity that will cease to exist before too long and will become extinct as a new Eternity takes over. It will be when this same babe born to a virgin mother, the boy Yahweh - Jesus - Immanuel - God with us returns to claim those who against all odds have kept the Faith. Will you be among the believers who have crowned him King of their lives, and have become children of the most High God who is worthy of all praise glory and Honour. We all sincerely wish you a warm welcome.

The Gospel which means Good News for all mankind is still available to every single individual alive at this current time.It is a free gift from God to each of you, It is the sweetest and most amazing offer ever made to men women and children. You cannot earn it you cannot buy it you can't grovel for it, you just have to reach out and accept the free pardon that is available, only through Accepting that Jesus has paid the price , this Miracle child grew up in humble circumstances to pay the price for our sins. How you may well ask?

Simply by being obedient to His Father and laying down his life and taking the sins of the whole world in His own Righteous body and being crucified the Just for the unjust so that we could be forgiven our many sins.

As the angels and heavenly host brought this message of hope to a group of faithful shepherds settling down for the night, do you see how God works,he doesn't bring the news through the media arm of the encumbant King or through the Levite Priests, ecumenical hierrichy, chief priest or Rabbi! No! He brings it to those who know how to look after their sheep.

So this group of humble shepherds had learnt how to be observant , how to scan the surounding terrain for danger and threats to those in their care. They also had time to consider Gods handiwork and form awe and respect for their creator, they considerd the wonders of Gods handiwork the amazing diversity of life, the universe the trees the insects, they knew that they were fearfully and wonderfully fashioned by God.

They didn't have to contend with stupidity of mans self destructive search ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of thr truth. Look around you and observe the minutest detail of life, how everything we need is avaiable to us. We are too amazing to have evolved , simply believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and all will be well with your soul!

Speak these few words which if you truly mean will transport you from the darkness into Gods marvelous light

Lord have Mercy on me a sinner. Thats is all it takes to become a child of God. "Lord Have Mercy on me a sinner". Now you too will begin to proclaim how great our God Is, because you wont be able to contain the peace and the joy and the love that so beautifully floods your being.

Come bless the Lord oh you servants of the Lord who stand by night in the house of the Lord, lift up your hands in the holy place came bless the Lord come bless the Lord.

"Receiving Adoption”

Wednesday 25th December 2024

King James Version Galatians 4:4-5

"but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons".

New English Translation puts it like this Galatians 4:4-5 *

"But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.”

"Receiving Adoption"

Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

“But when the set time had fully come…”

Meticulously crafted and precisely prepared for, God’s plan was carried out to the final detail. When the moment came for the Messiah to be born, it wasn’t a surprise or an accident. It was right on time. It was one holy moment where all of creation could at last exhale, “Finally.”

“God sent his Son, born of a woman…”

The Son of God left heaven to be born. What could be a more humble act of sacrifice? He took on human form and lived His life here on earth.

“Born under the law, to redeem those under the law…”

God's law includes standards that men and women could never have lived up to on their own. Jesus, born under the law, lived a life no one else ever had—a perfect one. And in living a perfect life, He not only fulfilled the requirements of the law, He bore our burden of righteousness and gave it to us freely. He redeemed us. From under the law to being in Christ, we know what redemption is because the one perfect person came to redeem us.

“... that we might receive adoption to sonship…”

Read that last part again: ”that we might receive adoption to sonship.” That we might become the family of God. We “receive” because we are no longer earning. We receive “adoption” because He is bringing us in. We have “sonship” because we are His own. But take one more look at that third word: “Might."

This adoption isn’t forced. It isn’t required, it isn’t demanded, and it isn’t a result of coercion or pressure. It’s an invitation. It’s a choice. It’s not conditional based on who you are, where you’re from, or the things you’ve done. It’s simply a chance to receive. Just receive.

Are you ready to be adopted into the family of God? Are you ready to receive the righteousness Jesus gave everything for you to have? It’s yours to receive. You don’t have to wait a minute longer. Your adoption is three words away:

“Jesus, I believe.”

"Honouring the Savior”

Thursday 26th December 2024

King James Version Matthew 2:10-11

"When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ".

New English Translation puts it like this Matthew 2:10-11

"When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

"Honouring the Savior"

While Israel was waiting for a Savior, far away to the east, three men studied stars and ancient texts. Translated in Scripture as “wise men” or “magi,” these men, likely from Babylon or Persia, came to find Jesus. Why? Because they had seen a star. They had seen a sign in the heavens that a King had been born.

So they set off. In what must have been a long and demanding journey, they sought Jesus out. They had to worship the one who the signs pointed to. They had to see Him for themselves.

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”  Matthew 2:10 NIV

What a beautiful illustration of devotion and honour. Israel knew to be watching for a coming Savior, but these men from the East did not. Yet they came to find the one whom the signs pointed to. And when they saw Him, they recognised Him immediately. Then they bowed down and worshiped.

Their story reminds us a simple fact that we often forget: it’s always worth it to seek Jesus. The good news of the Christ is for everyone.

And when they finally met Jesus, the wise men’s  response was to worship and give gifts. This act of worship wasn’t just a formality, either. Each of those gifts had unique meaning and purpose, from an expression of profound reverence and recognition of Jesus' kingship (gold), His divinity (frankincense), and His eventual suffering and death (myrrh). These gifts were not only valuable but deeply symbolic, highlighting their understanding of who Jesus was and would become.

The wise men worshiped Jesus because He was worthy. He still is. How will you worship Him today?