The Old Christmas Story That Never Grows Old in Our Hearts

Isaiah 7:14

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call  His name Emannuel." 

Luke 1:26-33

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, "Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 1:18-20
"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

Luke 2:7-14
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

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."

Luke 2:13-14
 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, goodwill toward men!"

Reflection:

Unlike the stories we read about in everyday life, and are soon forgotten, or the news we discard as old news, the story of the entrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world, in human flesh, never grows old in our hearts.

The Christmas season is unlike any other celebrated on earth. Even those who have not experienced new birth, find themselves caught up in the joyful atmosphere, and are giving glory to God.

God Himself in human flesh—born of a virgin—to save the souls of men. This prophecy and miracle cannot be fathomed by the human mind, but the born-again experience is real for all who have had an encounter with the true and living God, and His Spirit that raises us from death to life, from darkness to light. Praise the Lord, our Emmanuel!

In His time, God brought to pass His perfect plan for the redemption of souls, and restoration of broken lives. Before the foundation of the earth, He set in motion His divine purpose for you, me and the world. Receive the hope and blessed peace, that He alone can give. Be filled with His unspeakable joy... be filled with His Spirit!

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Peace and goodwill to all, this Christmas season and always... In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

I AM WHO I AM

Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”
     And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”
And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ 
     Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ "

-Exodus 3:13-15

Today's Devotional: My Yoke Is Easy, and My Burden Is Light

"Come, unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..." 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets and stoned them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. (Matthew 23:27)

If you've ever seen a hen guard her chicks or any bird its young, you'll understand why the Lord was moved to tears when he wept over Jerusalem. A people He loved deeply, and had chosen for His own, to show forth to the nations, His love, His mercy and His grace, were turning away from Him. Saying in their thoughts and actions, that they needed not His hand to guide them. That they were fully capable of stretching their wings and finding their own peace and happiness in life. But time and time again, their thoughts proved futile and they soon found themselves ruled by hard masters.

How we too, try at times to do things our way, forgetting that unless we rely on the Lord, who is plentiful in mercy and oh, so long suffering, we too, like they, would find our burdens too heavy to bear.

Jesus bids us with open arms: "Come, unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotion

A Prayer For Today

Heavenly Father, hear our prayer...

Lord God of heaven and earth,
there is none beside thee. Pour
out of your Spirit upon all flesh;
let your ways be known upon the
earth. Amen.


Click here for more prayers

His Grace is Sufficient for Thee

God's Grace...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

See Strength For The Journey

Today's Devotion: An Enduring Love

Pondering the greatest and ultimate sacrifice, Christ made on behalf of the human race, one's finite mind cannot fathom the enormity of it all. It takes the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth, teaching us what we in ourselves are incapable of grasping. As we grow in the knowledge of Him who gave us Himself, we can then appreciate more and more the reality and relevance of His enduring love.

The Dictionary defines love as “An intense affectionate concern for or passionate attraction to another person.” The Word of God says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 

So fervent and intense was His love for lost souls, Christ did not regard the pain He would endure: The accusations, mocking, scourging, insults, taunts, betrayal, and denials. If He had considered these things, He would have done like His friends—He would have found the nearest exit and flee into obscurity, but His purpose was ordained, and He was intent on its fulfillment. Fulfilling the will of His Father was His mandate, and He was not to be stopped by detractors.

Such enduring love was demonstrated to the fullest extent. There are few who willingly give up their own lives without a fight. In His agony, you could hear Him in your heart whisper, “I love you.” You could feel it as He opened His mouth and said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

You saw it in His full surrender, as He gave them His hands and His feet. He did not clench His fist, but opened His palms to the thrust of the nails. He could have exercised His authority and divine powers in their midst. He could have disappeared to their utter amazement, but He didn’t...He endured!

He knew it was our sins that alienated us from true fellowship with our Maker; He knew we were prisoners of His greatest adversary Lucifer and the fallen angels. Once the works of the devil were destroyed, and the sting was taken out of death, we could experience the healing of our own wounds.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

Let us therefore thank God for His enduring love; He has shed His love abroad in our hearts. May we reciprocate and love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. (See Luke 10:27)

Let us abide in His enduring love!

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Christmas Devotions

Good Friday Reflections

Easter Devotions

A New Creation in Christ

The Mercies of God

The Lord is plentiful in mercy

In the holy book of life, we have numerous examples of God's dealings with the human race. Contrary to what some may think or believe, the everlasting God who made the heaven, the heaven of heavens, the earth and sea, is still seated on His throne ruling the nations. He is the God of all flesh. 

We see the mercies of God time and time again in dealing with Israel — a people He delivered from bondage and established in the land He promised their fathers. Yet in their prosperity, they forgot the one who had delivered them with a mighty outstretched arm. The one who led them by a cloudy pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night. 

"So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Ca'naan-ites and gavest them unto their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards and oliveyards and fruit trees in abundance. So they did eat, and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
  

Nevertheless, they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee and cast thy law behind their backs and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.
  

Therefore, thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven and according to thy manifold mercies, thou gavest them saviours who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
  

But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee. Therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them. Yet when they returned and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies. And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law. Yet they dealt proudly and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder and hardened their neck and would not hear.
 

Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets. Yet would they not give ear. Therefore gavest thou them into the hand of the people of the lands.
  

Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
  

Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests and on our prophets and on our fathers, and on all thy people since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. 
  

Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly. Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them and the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
 

Behold, we are servants this day, and the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold we are servants in it. And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins. Also they have dominion over our bodies and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. And because of all this, we make a sure covenant, and write it, and our princes, levites and priests, seal unto it." (Nehemiah 9:24-38)

Through the ages, man is still straying away from God. Even those who have tasted of His goodness and have seen His hand of mercy. We are nothing without God. If He gathers up His spirit, we are consumed.

God is still the same, yesterday, today and forever. The Lord is righteous, the Lord is good, the Lord is plentiful in mercy. The Lord is faithful. Let us remember the Lord our Maker and serve Him. 
                                   
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16,17

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Related Devotion: Jesus, Only Savior, Redeemer

Trust in God and Not the Arm of Flesh

There are many spirits gone out into the world. Likewise, there are many voices, but let us tune our ears to the voice of God.

As often is the case, many do gravitate to the sound of the tumult. We can become lost in the sea of opinions, debates and discussions.

Throughout the Bible, we see God sending his prophets to His people, bearing messages of hope, sometimes punishment for their rebellious ways. We also see in the scriptures, men who prefer to be in total control and their ultimate demise -- Evil imaginations, exaltation of self, denial of God's existence, backsliding... all these things are a prescription for disaster. We thank God who is merciful, loving and forgiving -- Who bears with His human creation time and time again. Wanting us to turn, turn again to Him and serve Him, rely on Him and not the arm of flesh. Heed His voice and not the voice of the crowds.

Let's look to the word of God - 2 Chronicles 18: The Defeat of Ahab

Jehoshaphat, king of of Judah visits his pal Ahab, king of Israel in the town of Samaria. Ahab rolls out the red carpet for him... (Killed sheep and oxen in abundance, not to mention everything else that goes into putting on a party like only kings can.) You know there's always going to be more at the table than what's being served when kings have their meetups.

Ahab wasted no time in petitioning Jehoshaphat to go with him to battle. And Ahab, king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people and we will be with thee in the war.

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today. Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men. Read the full chapter for the outcome. Discover how and why Micaiah, also a prophet (who was later called to their gathering) was assaulted for speaking the truth. Come away understanding that it is a vain thing to put trust in chariots and the arm of flesh, that the horse is prepared for battle, but the outcome is of the Lord. That God Almighty is King over all. His counsel stands forever. He is the Lord. 

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Monday's Scripture Verse: Enter His Gates With Thanksgiving...

Praise & Thanksgiving

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100:4 & 5)

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Easter Celebration: Victory Over the Grave

Christ rose triumphant over the grave. 

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (John 10:17,18)

All thanks and praise to the Father, who gave us His Son to reconcile us to Himself; and to Jesus who surrendered His will to the will of the Father; and to the Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead.

"And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:10,11)

Because He lives, we have this blessed hope. Rejoice!

"Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

A Prayer of Thanksgiving on Good Friday and Always

Jesus died for sinners

Lord Jesus, today your followers the world over, pause and reflect on your great sacrifice—Your trial, suffering and death by way of a cross. We acknowledge and appreciate the ultimate demonstration and profession of your love for us. Like a lamb, you were led to the slaughter—you willingly laid down your life to provide atonement for our sins. 

We thank you this day and every day, for cleansing us and delivering us from the powers of satan—from a life of darkness and separation from God our Maker, to a life of light and love, in your Holy presence.

Our souls rejoice in the hope, that some day, you will show Yourself in the clouds, to take us where You are, and forever we shall be with You. 

As we continue on our earthly sojourn, guided and strengthened by Your Holy Spirit, help us to do Your will. Grant us courage, as we go into all the world to share Your gospel. We have no other Savior.

Amen.


- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

Today's Encouraging Word: Persevere with Patience...

Persevere with patience, always trusting in the Lord. He will keep you in perfect peace. 

Patience In The Garden

Bible Verses About Peace

Today's Devotion: Characteristics of a Good Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd

• A good shepherd loves and cares for his sheep.
• A good shepherd opens the gate for the sheep and leads them out to pasture; he gathers them at the day's end.
• A good shepherd counts his sheep to make sure none are missing.
• A good shepherd seeks the sheep that are gone astray.
• A good shepherd hears when the sheep are in distress; he comes and delivers them.
• A good shepherd gives gentle care to the sheep who are with young; he also strengthens the weak.
• A good shepherd makes sure the sheep are well-fed and have a safe place to rest.
• A good shepherd protects the sheep from danger.
• A good shepherd disciplines the sheep that go astray.
• A good shepherd aids the sheep that are broken and bruised. He binds up their wounds.
• A good shepherd is never far from his sheep.
• A good shepherd knows all his sheep and they know his voice.

Bible Readings:

John 10:11

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (See John Chapter 10 in its entirety.)

Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

See Also: Ezekiel Chapter 34; 1 Samuel 17:32-37; Matthew 18:10-14 for the parable of the man with a hundred sheep, who leaves the ninety nine, to seek the one gone astray. 

|| Guidance For Life's Journey

- A Walk In The Garden Devotions

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Today's Encouragement: Rejoicing in Trials...

Rejoice in trials and tribulations—For we know that He will turn our mourning into dancing, our sorrow into joy! 

Bible Verses About Joy

Bible Words of Comfort

Today's Encouragement: The Lord My Strength

The Lord my strength and my peace; my strong and mighty tower.

Today's Encouragement: All Things Are Possible

Let the fear, that it cannot be done, be replaced with the confidence that all things are possible with God. 

A New Year Has Begun

Greetings, fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. Grace and peace to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Thanks be to our great God, who has preserved us unto this day. A new year has begun, and we know not what the future holds, but we know Him who holds the future and each of us in His hands. We know Him who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. Our lives and times are truly in His hands and we are secure in the bundle of the Lord.

We thank Him for the road we traveled in 2012. We thank Him for his faithfulness and His mercies. We thank Him for His strength and for being our fourth man in the fire during our past trials. We thank Him for making us to grow in His grace and the knowledge of Him and filling us with His unspeakable joy and peace! We thank Him for opening the gates for the saints who have finished their earthly sojourn.

As we continue on our journey, let us purpose to trust in Him who has begun a good work in us and will complete it. Knowing this, we look forward with hope and great expectation. He is charting our course and we need not fear wind or rain. We position ourselves on this new threshold to do the Father's business. We empty ourselves and leave behind those things that belong to yesterday. Do not be detained for excess baggage. This is a new day! Embrace the possibilities and the challenges. Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith!

All the best in 2013 by the grace and mercies of our Lord, Jesus Christ!
--A Walk In The Garden Devotionals

This word of encouragement first appeared from A Walk In The Garden in our 2006 newsletter. We believe it is so relevant year after year. so we change the year and resend it year after year. God bless you!

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