The Lord, He Is The Messiah

LUKE 2-8-14
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 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, goodwill toward men!”
”‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:8-14‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/luk.2.8-14.nkj

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The shepherds living out in the fields protecting their sheep were terrified by the sudden presence of an angel, as the glory of God shone around them in the darkness of night.
But their fear would soon turn to praise as the angel spoke to them and they received this Good News that the Messiah had been born.
They knew God was moving to restore His people, and give them peace. Though at this time, they did not understand the fullness of Christ and what He was going to do.
Some Jews were waiting for a Savior to deliver them from Roman rule, others hoped that Christ would deliver them from their physical ailments.
But Jesus, while healing their physical illnesses was establishing a spiritual kingdom and a body of people the church; He came to deliver them and us today from the power of sin and death that we may receive the gift of life everlasting.
Jesus payed the ultimate price of our sins with His own blood, even though He never sinned, He gave Himself on a cross that you might live.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
We don’t know the actual date that Christ was born, but it is certainly worthy of celebration and the 25th of December is just fine for me, and is appropriately called Christmas, which means the massing or gathering of God’s people.
Some connect Christmas to the pagan festival of worshiping Saturn the sun god 17th to the 24th of December, and therefore see Christmas as false and evil.

The truth is there were many pagan festivals all year round and Christmas is celebrated the day after the of the sun god. It would be just as easy to claim that Christmas was God’s response to the festival, but there’s no evidence or real proof either way.
Certainly, people use the season to over indulge and lie their children, but not necessarily in an evil way to deceive, but rather as fictional story for fun.
But to me, if Christmas started out as a pagan festival, this is a perfect example of God taking what the devil brought for evil and turning it to good (GENESIS 50:20).
The truth is, because of the Christmas celebration, the name Jesus is known in every corner of the world.
But if we are to celebrate, we must be certain that we celebrate Christ and be sure that His blood has been applied to our lives, for many have been deceived or can’t be bothered to take the time to seek God.
The Lord told us through His prophet Hosea, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Furthermore, Jesus said, ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, if’s it’s not the five fold ministry of Christ (EPHESIANS 4:11), it shall profit you nothing. Your efforts shall be in vain.
Therefore, there is no place complacency or half heartedness, luke warm doesn’t work, Jesus said, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, it is time to shape up.
A twisted or watered down gospel does nothing accept attract the devil.
If we are to see the signs and wonders, the miracles, deliverance, healing, and real change in people’s lives, we must get serious and cooperative with our living God.
We must lay down everything that we are and own and desire at His feet, and turn to Him in total submission in every aspect of our lives and live for Him.
No longer can we limit Him according to our own understanding, but believe by faith, that all things are possible through Christ (PHILIPPIANS 4:13).
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
His work is far more reaching than anyone can imagine. Christ paid the price of sin and created the narrow path that leads to eternity, peace, joy, and fulfilment of life with God.
Furthermore, through Christ, the opportunity of life afforded to us, shall be shared and accepted by others. Not in our strength and abilities, but through Christ in us (GALATIANS 2:20).
He gives us far more than temporary political and physical changes, He offers us new hearts that will stand the test of time throughout all eternity.
This is not just Good News, it is amazingly wonderful Good News.
No wonder there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, saying, “Glory to God the highest, And on earth, peace, good will toward all men.”
My brethren, make time to praise our living God; give Him the glory with a thankful heart every single day.
Lift Him up in honour, and let the whole world know how He is wonderful!
In just a couple of days, people all around the whole world will celebrate Christmas.
Some of you see the Christmas celebration as good and others as evil.
But whatever you believe, use the time to celebrate Jesus, not just His birth, but everything He is and has done and is doing, for He made a way where their was no way.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.””
‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Therefore my beloved, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
As for me, I will use the Christmas season to enjoy family time, the joys of fellowship and giving, and vigorously celebrate Christ to stir up my love, appreciation, faith, and devotion to Jesus, giving Him all the glory.
For, “I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬-‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
All glory to God for ever and ever! Amen.