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Lessons from the Shepherds

12/22/2013

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Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.   James 2;12

                                                                                                                                                         ames  Hello Friend,    

          For two weeks, we have been studying lessons that we can learn from the shepherds.  The 5 “A’s” so far have been:  Attentive, Awed, Accept, and the last two this week are act and adore.

Lesson 4:  Act on what you know to be true.

          “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child” (Luke 2:17).    Notice it didn’t say they called The National Inquirer about an angel sighting.  There’s no reference to Mary or about Joseph’s job. They spread—which which means to make known in such a way as people understand—the good news about the baby. In what area of your life is God calling you to some action?  Will you obey?

Lesson 5:  Let us adore Him.

           Jesus was born to the whole world, but He was born “to you.” This birth of our Savior is news of great joy. Christmas is real history; however, it must become your story.  I got a Christmas card last year and I remember the message so well. It read, “May your steps jingle with delight and anticipation this time of year.”  When was the last time your steps jingled?  You got to ring those bells!      Merry Christmas,  Linda




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More Lessons from the Shepherds

12/15/2013

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Joy  In the Morning

 

 God so loved the world that He gave. . .                                                                                    John 3:16

Hello Friend,      

          The first lesson from the shepherds teaches you to Be Attentive to what God has called you to do.  And when you may least expect it, God will whisper.  Be still!  Listen!  His voice may come in thunder or in a still, small voice, but God speaks to you.  He knows you and if you are one of His flock, you will, I promise, recognize His voice. 

Lesson 2:  Be awed by God’s message to you.

          While the shepherds were being attentive to their responsibilities, they were suddenly awed by an angelic announcement. God’s Shekinah glory lights up the dark night sky and causes them to quake in their sandals.  I wonder, when was the last time you were in awe?  Do you marvel at the Messiah? Has it been a while since you hit your knees before Him?

Lesson 3:  Accept the gift of good news.



          The shepherds received news about the Gift that still goes on.  We know this because in verse 15, they say,  “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see. . .” They went and saw and then didn’t just go back to the field and pull up a bale of hay and make themselves comfortable.  No, they shared God’s good news. The Gift of our Savior must be received in your heart if you want it to be activated in your life.  And because of what the Shepherds did with this gift, we too can sing Joy to the World.             The Gift: I’m awed and have accepted it.       

                                                                                                       Love ya,

                                                                         Linda










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Lessons from the Shepherds

12/8/2013

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Joy In the Morning

        And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. . . And suddenly. . .                                                                              Luke 2:8

Hello Friend,      

The shepherds were changed forever by what they witnessed so long ago in Bethlehem and you can be transformed by the Christmas message as well if you are attentive, the first “A” lesson of Christmas.  There will be five Lessons of the Shepherds in the coming weeks.

Lesson 1.  Be attentive to what God has called you to do.  



          The lowly shepherds were faithfully tending sheep, not a very glamorous job, but God noticed their diligence and rewarded them with the announcement of His Gift to humankind—our Lord and Savior.  The implied message for us is to do whatever task is before us to the glory of God.  All work—every chore—is sacred if done with the right attitude.  God can appear to you at the kitchen sink. He appeared to Moses in a burning bush.  To Elijah hiding in a cave whose spirit was very fragile at this point, God spoke gently.  Elijah knew all about the big stuff, because God had used him to do mighty, spectacular things.  Now God wanted him to listen and be attentive to His voice when the situation seemed hopeless.  Friends, I want you to know down deep in your heart that God sees you.  You are not invisible.  And when you need Him the most, He whispers encouragement.               Listening for His voice,

,   Linda





       






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