Prophecy Being Fulfilled: Luke 2:1-20

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.

Isaiah 7:14 prophesied about the birth of Christ, and as we approach the day that is set aside to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we see prophecy being fulfilled. There was a time lapse from the time of Christ's prophecy until His birth tells us that God keeps His promises and everything moves at God's appointed time.

The events that occurred leading up to the birth of Christ demonstrates the hand of God was moving to bring forth His only begotten Son. Taxation happened during the reign of Caesar Augustus and Cyrenius was the governor of Syria. Mary and Joseph being law abiding citizens obeyed the law. Pregnant as she was, still they went to pay their taxes.

When baby Jesus was born there was no room for Him; therefore, He was laid in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. The Savior of the world was born in complete humility.

The grand announcement was made to humble shepherds tending their flock and was waiting to see the Savior. Upon visiting the newborn King of the world, they went away glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them (v.20 partial paraphrasing).

Praise God the Savior is born; let us sing glory hallelujah.

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Book Release

Good Shepherd Writing and Publishing Proudly Announces the release of the new book "A Prayer Study Guide" Dr. Willie B. White

The book is available on Amazon in paperback (978-0999355855), and eBook (0999355856).
This book will increase your faith as you explore and learn to approach prayer in a fresh, new way that will invigorate your relationship with God, bring exciting answers and give you a mature approach to prayer. For many, this book will be a catalyst to seeing God move mountains in their life. This author has researched the Scriptures thoroughly, and while these works is an exhaustive commentary, it is a complete joy to read that is founded on the Word of God.

This book comes as a MUST-READ for all Christians new and mature alike (CBM Book Review). A Prayer Study Guide is designed as an effective, yet insightful and encouraging guide to increasing understanding and knowledge of prayer. “Exploring the prayer from Biblical and scriptural (using the King James Version), practical and relational viewpoints that speak of, “…prayer from its history, phenomenon, philosophy, practices, patterns, the practices of prayer, the many different kinds of prayer and what can hinder a prayer's effectiveness.”

white3285@sbcglobal.net
https://willie-writing.blogspot.com
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

The Prophesied Christ Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

As we prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth, it is only fitting that we reflect on the prophecy made by the prophet Isaiah centuries before his prophecy was fulfilled.

The prophet Isaiah predicted that God Himself would send a Savior and provided the name-Immanuel which means God with us. In Isaiah's prophecy, additional details of Christ's birth were given such as His birth would be a holy conception to a virgin. Christ would have God as His Father by way of the Holy Ghost came upon Mary, and she conceived.

Another school of thought is that many had heard of the promised Messiah and waited patiently for this prophecy to be fulfilled. Isaiah, in his prediction, was encouraging the promised Christ that He would come as promised by God the Father. The people were to have hope and faith as they waited for the coming Savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas morning we will see the fulfillment of God's promise of sending His only begotten Son into the world to be the Savior of the world. A promise made; a promise kept.

Expressions of Gratitude: Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

As we approach Thanksgiving, these questions to come to mind, how will you celebrate Thanksgiving Day, will it be a day expressing heartfelt thanksgiving to God for His love, grace, and mercy? Will we recount our blessing that God has bestowed upon us from last year this time until now? Will we thank God for sustaining us and providing all our needs regardless of the trials we may encounter? Will we come into the Lord's presence with thanksgiving of praise and worship saying? Thank You, Lord, for another day and Your bountiful blessings that are too numerous to count?

However you thank God, He is worthy of all glory, honor, and praises because His goodness surrounds us and His love abounds. More importantly, when we reflect on our lives from last year's Thanksgiving to this year's we can see God's merciful hand upholding us and His all-seeing eye watching over us, and that is praiseworthy.

Whether we spend Thanksgiving Day with family, and friends or alone in solitude with our thoughts let us give God a heartfelt thank You, Lord. Therefore, let us make our expressions of gratitude to God for His unconditional love is known to the world.

We welcome your comments.

Author's contacts:

white3285@sbcglobal.net

https://willie-writing.blogsptot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

Sacrifices of Praise: Hebrews 13:15

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, we have set a day to offer praises to God for He love, grace and mercy for all His blessing that He has bestowed upon us and continues to do daily.

Let us be mindful of God's unconditional love, grace and mercy that He showers us with daily. Therefore, He is worthy of continued praises and thanksgiving, because God is the essence of our being from the beginning to the end. God blesses us physically as He provides for all our needs as promised. He does so willingly with a compassionate heart. God provided for our eternal lives through the sacrificial death of His Son Jesus Christ. God's actions are undergirded by love; He is love.

Allow me to encourage all to be a living sacrifice to God daily by living holy unto Him with heartfelt expressions of gratitude (Romans 12:1-2).

Every day is a day of thanksgiving.

We welcome your comments.

Author's contacts:

https://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

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Love One Another: 1 John4:7

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.

I am writing this morning's message with a heavy heart, because of the continued mass shooting in this country. I ask why and when will these senseless shootings end? Where did the love for one another go in this country? Who open the hate floodgates? Do these mass murderers have a heart or soul? Don't they know the innocent victims want to live?

America, this is not who we are. We are a country of love thy neighbor as thyself. We are better than all of the hate, and bigotry that is on display. We are a country of laws and justice. We must continue coming together in love as this is a commandment given by Christ. I am convinced that there are more of us who love than those who hate.

As we come to together and mourn the loss of our fellow Americans, let us continue in prayer and get closer together as sisters and brothers. We are all linked through the Spirit of God who lives in every one of us. He breathes His breath in us, and we became a living soul. Christ and Americans.

There is a phrase I say to others and especially those who have wronged me, I love you with the love of God and there is nothing you can do about it." Love! Love! The popular phrase coined by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign, "Love trumps hate," and it does. Out of love Christ died on the cross for us.

Let us love one another as God loves us all.

We welcome your comments.

Author's contacts:

white3285@sbcglobal.net

https://willie-writing.blogspot.com

www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

God's Peace: Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

In this life we will have troubles that often times disturbs our peace; therefore, we are encouraged to let the peace of God rule our hearts. In doing so, we will be able to face the many trial and tribulations that we are sure to encounter.

Why God's peace? God's peace surpasses all understanding. When we operate in God's peace means we have given the problem to God for two reasons, and they are: (a) God is our mighty warrior who will fight our battles and He haven never lost a battle. (b) God asks us to cast all of our cares and concerns upon Him and He will take care of them. (1 Peter 5:7). God make this request because He cares for us and is true to His promise to supply all our needs. Promises made and kept by God.

Another point of view on God's peace is that His peace is everlasting whereas man's peace is temporary.

Focus on God's love and His peace.