Joy Today

We catch up with the wise men, my "walking with Jesus" friend, after they have left Herod. " ...and no, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, [so, they must have been travelling by night...we know that it'ss cooler then, on the desert] 'til it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great JOY. [ Wow, guys, we really got here. That STAR has kept us "on course," and brought us to our desired destination!] 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. Then, having been warned by GOD in a dream that they should NOT return to Herod, they departed into their own country by another way."(Matthew 2:9-12) Are we following a star God has provided? Are we bringing gifts of love and service to the Savior...

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," is a line from the Henry IV play by English playwriter William Shakespear. It comes to mind as we see the reaction of King Herod to the question he was asked by the "wise men from the east:" Where is he who is born King of the Jews? for we have seen HIS STAR in the east and are come to worship him."(Matthew 2: King Herod felt uneasy/"was troubled," when "wise men from the east" asked him:" Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?"(Matthew 2:1-3) Herod was not Jewish. So he knew nothing about the prophecies that a Messiah/Christ, would come. No doubt he was in a panic. "He gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people and demanded that they tell him what had been said, and where this Christ was going to be born. "The prophets have told us: in Bethlehem of Judaea," they reported.Privately Herod asked when the star had appeared. Then told the wise men, search...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Glad that we can meet again. Now, let us remind ourselves of Creation. (You will see why) On day 4 of Creation:" God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for for SIGNS, and seasons, and for days and for years "(Genesis 1:14) God INTENDED the stars to "...be for SIGNS." And, as early at 4000 BC in China and 1850BC in Babylon, there are records of men studying the sky for SIGNS. Therefore, it is not surprising that Matthew 2:1-2, reports: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod, the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he that is born king of the Jews, for we have seen HIS STAR in the east and are come to worship him.' " At one time, the Griffith Park Planetarium in Los. Angeles had a Christmas time show:"The Bethlehem Star." It makes sense that Go...

Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, each one of us is born into a particular culture. Jesus was born into a culture governed by the Law of Moses. That law required parents to have their baby boy circimsized the eighth day after his birth. In obedience to the Law, Mary and Joseph went up to the temple. "And behold, there was a just and devout man named Simeon in Jerusalem, waiting for the Savior to be revealed, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him, by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die UNTIL he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came, by the Spirit, to the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, Simeon took the child up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 'Now, Lord, let Thy servant depart in peace, according as You promised, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which You have prepared for all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy peo...

Have you ever moved? My "walking with Jesus friend. When someone invites, "Come!" You and I have to move from where we are to accept the invitation. Sometimes we have to move physically. Sometimes we have to shift gears mentally. And sometimes we will be wise to move spiritually. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."(James 4:8) Let's consider the request and the information in Psalm 95:6-7. "O COME, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD our God, our Maker, for HE alone is our Holy God, we are HIS people, and the sheep of His hand." "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow ME," said Jesus, "And I give them Eternal Life, and no man can pluck them out of My hand."(John 10:27-28)Let us "Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks those who will worship Him whole heartedly and sincerely, in Spirit and in truth," said Jesus.(John 4:24) To respond to this text message, repl...

Welcome to the day-after-Christmas, my "walking with Jesus" friend. We celebrated the birth of the Savior. We considered the shepherds who searched and found the babe...and then told everyone the message of the angels. Mary had birthed Jesus. And now had seen the excitement of the shepherds and listened while they recounted the message of the angel:" I bring you good news...for all people...a Saviour born..." What would YOU think if YOU were Mary? What does the Gospel of Luke report about Mary? " And Mary kept all these things, and pondered/ reflected on them in her heart."(Luke 2:19) My friend, would WE be wise to "ponder/ reflect on/really THINK about "these things"? God sent a Savior. What does that mean for ME? Matthew 1:21, tells us, "an angel of the Lord says the child born to be Saviour, is to be named: "Jesus because he will save men from their sins."..."a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord," the angel said. ...

Yes, The only Son of God came from Heaven to earth, was born in a stable, was announced to some Bethlehem shepherds by angels, and told:" You will find the babe, wrapped in Swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."(So what did they do with that astonishing and exciting news? What would YOU do? My "walking with Jesus friend." Luke 2:15-17, reports: "And when the angels were gone away into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let us now GO into Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste [we see that there was complete confidence in the news the angels gave them!] and they FOUND Mary and Joseph and the baby, lying in a manger. [ what next?] When they had seen it, they made known all over town what had been told them about the child. And all who heard it were amazed." Yes, "God so greatly loved the human race that He created, that He gave His only Son, that whoever BELIEV...

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you, my "walking with Jesus" friend. May your heart embrace the Christ of Christmas. May you know and walk in His Love. God bless you. Love in Jesus, GrandmaEllen✝️ 🙏 💖 📖 💖 🎄 🎄 🎄 To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

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So glad to "see" you this day-vefore-Christmas morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. You probably have a "messenger" app on you cell phone. Well, the Bible tells us that an angel is God's messenger. An angel brought to some Bethlehem shepherds, the message: "Unto you is born in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..." (Luke 2:11) and, you know what happened next? How did God emphasize and dramatize that amazing news? Luke 2:13-14 says:" And suddenly, there was, with the one angel, A MULTITUDE of the Heavenly host [ that has got to be a sky full- and what we're they all doing?] Praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, Peace, good will toward men.' " So, what is our response to the announcement that a Savior is sent from God? Do we rejoice to receive Him into our heart, our life, our home, friendships, decisions, work, etc.? Do we love Him and let His love flow through us t...

So glad to "see" you this day-vefore-Christmas morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. You probably have a "messenger" app on you cell phone. Well, the Bible tells us that an angel is God's messenger. An angel brought to some Bethlehem shepherds, the message: "Unto you is born in the City of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..." (Luke 2:11) and, you know what happened next? How did God emphasize and dramatize that amazing news? Luke 2:13-14 says:" And suddenly, there was, with the one angel, A MULTITUDE of the Heavenly host [ that has got to be a sky full- and what we're they all doing?] Praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, Peace, good will toward men.' " So, what is our response to the announcement that a Savior is sent from God? Do we rejoice to receive Him into our heart, our life, our home, friendships, decisions, work, etc.? Do we love Him and let His love flow through us t...

Good Morning, , my "walking with Jesus" friend. Yes, when a baby is born, we expect an announcement. This baby has been expected for hundreds of years! Men of faith talk all the time about the promise of God to send a Redeemer. So, who will be first to hear, and how? Read the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8-14. "And there were in the hills around Bethlehem, shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were very afraid. ,[How would YOU react?] The angel said, 'Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all people. For, unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe, wrapped in Swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the Heavenly host, praising G...

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Are you excited? Yes, it is exciting, my "walking with Jesus" friend, to see the working of the Lord! So, the stage is set. Joseph and Mary travel the dusty 100 miles from Nazareth, arrive in Bethlehem tired and find "No Vacancy" signs everywhere. BUT, one innkeeper offers them a safe, warm place...in his stable. Glamorous? No. Practical? Yes. Adequate? Yes. So, they settled into the stable. Luke 2:6-7, reports: "And so it was accomplished that while they were THERE, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.*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." The Son of God came to earth, exactly where God said he would come. One principle set forth in the Word of God, and important to take note of here is: "All things work together for GOOD [on two conditions] work together for GOOD, to those who LOVE the Lord, and are the CALLED acco...

Happy Thanksgiving , my "walking with Jesus" friend, and hearty thanks to the Lord for "His goodness and His wonderful works to the children of men."(Psalm 107:8)"O give thanks to the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endures forever."(Psalm 136:1) " Be thankful unto Him, and BLESS His name, for the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to all generations."(Psalm 100:4b&5)" I will offer to You, Lord, the sacrifice of Thanksgiving, ..."( Psalm 116:17) " Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise..."(Psalm 100:4a) "Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it saying, 'This is my body which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of Me."(1Cor. 11:24) " Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Be thankful. Follow the Holy Spirit."(1 Thessalonians 5:17-19) A thankful heart harbors no anger. And Gratutude opens the door to miracles. In t...

Are you excited? Yes, it is exciting, my "walking with Jesus" friend, to see the working of the Lord! So, the stage is set. Joseph and Mary travel the dusty 100 miles from Nazareth, arrive in Bethlehem tired and find "No Vacancy" signs everywhere. BUT, one innkeeper offers them a safe, warm place...in his stable. Glamorous? No. Practical? Yes. Adequate? Yes. So, they settled into the stable. Luke 2:6-7, reports: "And so it was accomplished that while they were THERE, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.*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." The Son of God came to earth, exactly where God said he would come. One principle set forth in the Word of God, and important to take note of here is: "All things work together for GOOD [on two conditions] work together for GOOD, to those who LOVE the Lord, and are the CALLED acco...

Yes, God declared that He would send His Son. He would come as a child. He would be born in Bethlehem. He would be born of Mary...Oh, wait one, my "walking with Jesus" friend, Mary lives in Nazareth, about 100 miles north of Bethlehem! That's ok, God has the timing just right. In 64-63BC, the Romans had conquered Jerusalem. They were in charge. Here's how God put it all together, JUST AS IT HAD BEEN PROPHESIED! " In those days,[1AD] there went out a decree from [the Roman ruler] Caesar Augustus, that all the world was to be taxed... And everyone went to be taxed, each to his ancestral city!" The child God promised would be born in Bethlehem, and the pledged husband of Mary is a descendant of David, so, he MUST go to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be taxed, with his expectant wife, the one chosen to birth the Son of God. "So, Joseph went up from Galilee [the province where Nazareth is] with his pledged and expecting wife, Mary, to Bethlehem to be taxe...

So, my "walking with Jesus" friend, God has a plan, and a chosen place. Now he chooses a special person. Luke 1:26-35&46, reports: "And the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary, engaged to Joseph, of the clan of David. The angel said, 'Mary, you are highly favored, the Lord is with you;'... Mary was troubled...But the angel told her, 'Do not be afraid: you have found favor with God. Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David...and he shall reign...and of his kingdom there shall be no end.' Then Mary said to the angel, 'How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?' The angel said, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you: and the Holy child which shall be born ...

So, my "walking with Jesus" friend, God has a plan, and a chosen place. Now he chooses a special person. Luke 1:26-35&46, reports: "And the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary, engaged to Joseph, of the clan of David. The angel said, 'Mary, you are highly favored, the Lord is with you;'... Mary was troubled...But the angel told her, 'Do not be afraid: you have found favor with God. Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give him the throne of his father David...and he shall reign...and of his kingdom there shall be no end.' Then Mary said to the angel, 'How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?' The angel said, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the highest will overshadow you: and the Holy child which shall be born ...

There you are, my "walking with Jesus" friend. When a baby is expected, we take note of WHERE. God said He was going to send a Savior to rule. As to WHERE ? The prophet Micah, who lived in @ 700BC, about 400 years BEFORE Jesus was born said: "But you, Bethlehem, although you are little among the clans and cities of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth he who is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."(Micah 5:2) In other words, Bethlem (a hill town 16 miles south of Jerusalem) would be the birthplace of the One/the Savior God would send. Micah also says, "He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God: and the people shall dwell secure, because He shall be great, even to the ends of the earth. And this One, shall be our Peace."( Micah 5:4-5a) And Isaiah had said the One that would be born would be: "...the Prince of Peace." All the Hebre...

YES! my "walking with Jesus" friend, think of Christmas, think of GIFTS...some we will give, and some we hope and/or expect to receive. Is there ONE very, super special gift you have ever received? Did you know about it in advance? As we approach Christmas, isn't it marvellous to realize that God planned, and told everyone (everyone who would listen) IN ADVANCE, that He would send us/ mankind, the gift we MOST need: a Savior, to save us from our sins and show us how to live in the LIGHT of the Lord! Prophecy, of course, is the name of what we are told, in advance, WILL happen. 27% of the Bible is prophecy. Here is a prophecy God gave to tell of the gift He intended to send. The gift(we can not earn it or pay for it) of a Savior He would send. Isaiah prophecied about 300 years BEFORE Jesus came: "For unto you a child is born/a son is given;the government shall be upon his shoulder: he shall be called Wonderful. Counsellor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of P...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. I have a question for you: How many different kinds of bread, cakes, cookies and pies, do we think of, and enjoy at Christmastime? Do YOU have a favorite sweet at Christmas? And what about all that carefully prepared food for Christmas dinner? Know what? Even if we overfill our plates, and/or go for "seconds," we will be hungry again the next day. But, at Christmas we greatly celebrate the coming to earth of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: " ...my Father gives you the true Bread from Heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from Heaven and gives Life to the world." Then the disciples said, Lord, give US this bread. And Jesus said to them: "I am the Bread of life: He who comes to Me shall never hunger: and he who believes in me shall never thirst....Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood HAS Everlasting Life; and I will raise him up at the last day...live by Me."(John 6:...

What do YOU think of, my "walking with Jesus" friend, when someone says: " Christmas!" Maybe one of the things that comes to mind is lights! Bright lights. Many lights. Colored lights. Light displays. Flashing lights. By the lights, shall we let ourselves be reminded that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...and God said:' Let there be Light. And God divided/ separated the light from the darkness."(Genesis 1:1,3-4) In prophesing the coming of Christ, Isaiah, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed:" Arise! Shine! For your Light has come, and the glory of God has risen upon you."(Isaiah. 60:1) And then God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world.He lived and taught among men and He declared: " I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not [ that's a promise!] Not walk in darkness, but have the Light of Life."(John 8:12) So, when we see and when we put up lights at Christmas,...

Christmas is moving closer on the calendar, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Now, let us be moving closer to celebrating the Christ of Christmas. Here is a thoughtful perspective on Christmas. The Bible speaks of God as having eyes. In 2 Chronicles 16:9a, we read: " The eyes of the Lord range to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully committed to Him..." But, sadly, the Lord found then, and finds now, many who are NOT fully committed to Him. Something needed to be done to stir men's hearts to love and serve the Lord...So, God sent prophets and priests to teach people His way. Still men sinned/ did wrong things against the Lord. Finally, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to show by example, to bless with healing and to teach with power, to die to pay for the sins of all who choose to believe, and to be raised from the dead to triumph over sin and death: so men would choose the Way of the Lord. Then,...