Are You Lot Amid The Wise Men?

Scripture never tells us how many wise men visited Jesus.(1)

But it does nation they visited a identify (Matthew 2:11), non a stable. 

Perhaps Jesus was a toddler when they came since Herod killed boys 2 years together with younger based on the fourth dimension the wise men get-go saw the star (Matthew 2:16). 

Our traditional nativities together with plays aren't quite accurate, but I don't intend it's a large deal.

However, to a greater extent than or less pop traditions together with teachings incorporate inaccurate details that are a large deal. They tin give notice drive huge problems inwards our walk amongst the Lord. 

2 Timothy 2:15 says, "Be diligent to introduce yourself approved to God every bit a workman who does non postulate to move ashamed, accurately treatment the give-and-take of truth."

As nosotros celebrate the Word becoming flesh, let's commit to becoming "wise men" who written report the Bible carefully together with base of operations our lives on the accurate principles of God's written Living Word.
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(1)The argue nearly people assume at that spot were iii wise men is because at that spot were iii gifts mentioned.

Do a Bite Size Bible written report on this devotion HERE.
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Bible Love Notes

The Heathen Magi Plough To Jesus - Revelation 7:9-10

God is able to describe men from all cultures as well as religious backgrounds to faith inwards the truthful as well as Living God...

There is much folklore surrounding the magi who visited Jesus, only accept you lot idea nigh the wonderful message they convey? 

The Magi came from a infidel nation alongside infidel gods. But they were seeking the truthful God, as well as they flora Him.

Their component inwards the nascency of Christ proves that God is able to beak to people inwards the midst of a infidel civilisation as well as convey them to Jesus. 

God promises: "You volition seek me as well as honor me when you lot seek me alongside all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

When nosotros come across wise men inwards a nativity, let's holler back this vision of eternity from Revelation 7:9-10: 

"I looked, as well as at that spot earlier me was a slap-up multitude that no 1 could count, from every nation, tribe, people as well as language, standing earlier the throne as well as earlier the Lamb... And they cried out inwards a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, as well as to the Lamb.'” 

Now that's a message worth celebrating every Christmas. 

images: Bible Picture Gallery & La Vista
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Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The Shepherd Of The Shepherds

Who received the get-go world annunciation near Christ's birth?

Shepherds. 

Interesting, don't you lot think? 

Why non kings or Old Testament scholars or famous as well as of import people? 

Why elementary shepherds? 

These were mutual working men, watching their sheep 24/7, without recognition, opportunities, or higher education. 

And nosotros run into ii of import factors inward their story:

1. Jesus is non impressed past times fame, fortune, or education. In fact, it is oft the of import soul who shuns Him. 

Where is the wise man, instructor of the law, philosopher of the age? Hasn't God shown their wisdom to endure foolishness? (1 Corinthians 1:20). 

2. These shepherds were prepared to have the Lord. They "hurried" to run into the babe Jesus. I believe they were men of prayer who pondered the coming of the Messiah every bit they set beneath the stars inward the same fields where the shepherd man child David in i lawsuit wrote the Psalms. 

Those who essay God volition all their hearts volition abide by Him. (Jeremiah 29:13)
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True Seekers Similar The Magi

Herod's priests, who had God's Word, told the Magi the prophecy of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). 

The Magi who came from infidel areas didn't accept God's Word then God spoke to them through something they did have: stars.(1)

This is meaning because it proves that people without God's Word aren't abandoned. If they sincerely attempt Jesus, they volition uncovering Him. 

But why does this appear to move on then rarely? 

It in all likelihood happens to a greater extent than than nosotros realize, merely the lamentable fact is that most people spend upwardly God's call.

There were thousands of pagans who studied the stars, merely entirely these wise men responded.(2)

There were thousands of Jews who studied the Old Testament, merely fifty-fifty the priests inwards Herod's courtroom showed no involvement inwards checking out the nascency of Christ.

God speaks to pagans without His Word (See Wait for the English) as well as He speaks through His Word to us who accept it. But entirely genuine seekers respond. 


The Magi are a living proof of Jeremiah 29:13: "You volition attempt me as well as uncovering me when you lot attempt me amongst all your heart." 
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(1) This doesn't hateful God speaks through infidel gods. He doesn't. But He volition employ unlike agency to larn people's attending then they volition uncovering Jesus, the truthful God.
(2) Rahab's even out is similar. See The Prostitute as well as She Had a Past as well as a Future.

Why non add together around to a greater extent than of God's Word to your schedule yesteryear having a 1-minute devotion delivered to your e-mail each weekday. Sign upwardly for a complimentary subscription to Bible Love Notes as well as larn a complimentary e-booklet. Find out to a greater extent than HERE.

Gifts Amongst Purpose

We all beloved giving too receiving gifts. As long every bit nosotros don't pass beyond our means, it's a special vacation tradition.

But i matter I'm trying to practise at Christmas is laissez passer on people at to the lowest degree i gift amongst a spiritual focus.

I've ever loved this short, pithy proverb:

"Buy truth, too practise non sell it, Get wisdom too pedagogy too understanding." Proverbs 23:23

It encourages me to add together around wisdom, instruction, too agreement to my gift list. The possibilities are endless, only here's iii full general ideas:

1. Bible written report materials
A novel Bible version, devotional book,  journal, special pens or highlighters - anything that makes Bible written report to a greater extent than fun too purposeful. These demand non live on expensive. Creative Bible journaling has top away a pop way to remain focused too trace pregnant from Scripture.

2. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 appointment amongst Jesus
When I wrote well-nigh having a coffee appointment amongst Jesus, many of my readers loved the idea. Why non purchase a gift carte du jour for this role too tuck inwards around babysitting money, if needed.

3. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Christian mass or downloadable praise music
The to a greater extent than nosotros fill upwardly our minds amongst expert Christian content, the to a greater extent than nosotros grow. 

And don't forget to recommend gratis subscriptions to Bite Size Bible Study to your friends at Christmastime. It's an slow way to remain focused on Jesus throughout the year. (See the gratis e-booklet offering below).

Now I'd similar to listen your ideas for gifts that heighten spiritual increment (not production names or links to ads, only full general ideas). 

Please function out them inwards a comment too then everyone tin benefit.
* Missionary biographies are peculiarly faith-building

8 Steps To A To A Greater Extent Than Meaningful Christmas

1. Don't overspend. 
"Godliness alongside contentment is non bad gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

2. Have a gratitude attitude (Psalm 107:1). 
This volition become a long agency inwards dissolving holiday blues.

3. Share alongside the needy. 
Visit a nursing home, purchase gifts for a needy family, or convey a repast to a shut-in. You'll live on "lending to the LORD--and he volition repay you!" (Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:40)

4. Celebrate Christ's nativity alongside mortal who is lonely or facing difficulties.
"When yous laissez passer on a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind" (Luke 14:13).

5. Pause in addition to pray often. Philippians 4:6

6. Sing, recite Scripture, rejoice!
"Singing psalms in addition to hymns in addition to spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19).

7. Pray for persecuted believers. (Hebrews 13:3)
The Christmas flavour oft brings increased persecution.

8. Take a gift or plate of cookies to unsaved neighbors. 
Make "the virtually of every opportunity" (Colossians 4:5).

If yous add together around or all of these things to your celebration of Christ's birth, yous volition detect it to a greater extent than fulfilling in addition to meaningful. 

Why non piece of employment out your ideas for a to a greater extent than purpose-filled Christmas inwards a comment below this devotion then everyone tin benefit. 

6 Things To Believe Inwards At Christmas (And Always!)

1. Believe inward miracles:
"For to us a nestling is born, to us a boy is given, as well as the authorities volition live on his shoulders. And he volition live called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

2. Believe inward God's purposes:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim practiced intelligence to the poor...to proclaim liberty for the prisoners as well as recovery of sight for the blind, to ready the oppressed free.” Jesus inward Luke 4:18

3. Believe inward Love, Grace, as well as Hope:
"God as well as then loved the globe that he gave his ane as well as alone Son, that whoever believes inward him shall non choke exactly accept eternal life." John 3:16

4. Believe inward Comfort:
"He heals the brokenhearted as well as binds upwards their wounds." Psalm 147:3

5. Believe inward Joy:
"The joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

6. Believe as well as earnestly try Him!
"Anyone who comes to [God] must believe that he exists as well as that he rewards those who earnestly try him." Hebrews 11:6
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Why Celebrate Christmas?

Although it doesn't reference holidays, Deuteronomy 11 provides proficient reasons for having them.

We withdraw constant reminders of God's story.

“Don’t permit your catch live on deceived together with thence that y'all plough away from the LORD together with serve together with worship other gods ... commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands together with wearable them on your brow every bit reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk virtually them when y'all are at abode together with when y'all are on the road, when y'all are going to bed together with when y'all are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your identify together with on your gates..." 

Holidays are 1 agency nosotros remind ourselves together with our children virtually God's even out of dearest together with redemption.

It's non of import to know the actual solar daytime of Christ's birth,* simply it's critically of import to retrieve why His nascence changed the globe together with changed our lives specifically.

When Jesus was born, it was the kickoff our our redemption. If that isn't argue to celebrate, I don't know what is.

Are y'all focusing on Christ this Christmas? Ask God to aid y'all "commit yourself wholeheartedly" to His words together with purposes.
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*Some Christians don't celebrate Christ's nascence on Dec 25th because they experience historical records present He was born on or together with thence other day. But the solar daytime is non important. If nosotros adopted a kid without a known nascence date, nosotros would withal lead a solar daytime to celebrate his/her nascence because the engagement is non every bit of import every bit the person. The same is truthful for Christ. I prefer to celebrate His nascence at the fourth dimension when most of the globe celebrates, others may prefer a engagement they experience is historically correct. The of import affair is that nosotros celebrate!

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Why non create a brusk report on this passage? You'll uncovering it at Bite Size Bible Study. 
And meet 5 Practical Ways to Keep Christ inwards Christmas.

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The Sweetest Gifts - Sacrifice Versus Wealth

In 1995, I celebrated my birthday inward a province amongst a depression touchstone of living. My married adult man too I were on a 2 calendar month mission trip. 

One of the local Christians came to my birthday dinner too surprised me amongst a gift. When I unwrapped the minor package, it contained a bar of soap, nada special, only regular soap.

But that lather was 1 of the sweetest gifts I've e'er received. Like the widow inward Mark 12:41-44, my unusual friend had given generously from his express income. 

I kept that lather for several years equally a reminder of truthful generosity.

Compared to around of the world, nosotros Americans are rich. Our Christmas trees volition survive surrounded past times gifts that many people throughout the basis would never dream of owning. Yet around of us accept this for granted too fifty-fifty complain that nosotros don't cause got more.

Let's enquire God to give us grateful hearts too a truthful agreement of our blessings.

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Why Jesus Understands

A manly soul monarch who'd never met Him killed all the babies born inward the vicinity of his nascence inward hopes of killing him (Matthew 2:16).

His ain brothers mocked him (John 7:1-5).

His neighbors said He was no 1 exceptional (Mark 6:3).

His ain people who had hundreds of prophecies to confirm His coming, rejected Him, hated Him, paid people to betray Him death, as well as made certain He was killed inward a fell means (John 1:11; Matthew 26-27).

We sometimes intend nosotros accept it difficult as well as no 1 understands. 

But nosotros accept a Savior who understands, then let's essay Him boldly inward our times of involve (Hebrews 4:15-16).

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The Influenza Changed My Perspective On Christmas

I had my plans: teach all my Christmas projects started the showtime calendar week inwards Dec spell my married adult man visited his parents. 

Then I got the flu.

Instead of wearing my shopping shoes, I wore jammies for a week.

The tree stood undecorated, my vacation sewing too decorating projects sat inwards idle stacks. 

When I felt similar eating, I barely had unloosen energy to cook my ain food, permit solitary bake too freeze for the holidays similar I'd planned.  

It striking me where I lived: What is Christmas actually about? 

Is it theme on getting all these projects done? 

Or is it a fourth dimension to irksome downwards too reflect, a fourth dimension to create those things that are meaningful to me too my solid unit of measurement without getting too thus stressed, buying too thus much, eating too thus much, expecting too thus much?

This Christmas, let's non permit our projects teach far the means of seeking Christ first (Matthew 6:33).
copyright 2012, Bible Love Notes
Would you lot similar to read other 1-minute Christmas devotions from the archives? Christmas Archives

When Holidays Convey Sadness

Holidays are e'er adept times for spiritual reflection. They tin likewise hold upwards wonderful times for household unit of measurement together with friends. I promise you’re experiencing those blessings.

Sadly, it's non a positive fourth dimension for everyone. 

Some people are grieving for loved ones who conduct keep passed away or moved away. 

Others are experiencing challenging, broken, or estranged household unit of measurement relationships.

Then there's sickness, fiscal problems, unemployment, etc.

Warm together with wonderful memories of past holidays tin convey sorrow because they are such a contrast to the present.

If yous are looking frontwards to a wonderful season, delight pray for those who are struggling together with inquire God for specific ways yous mightiness cheer them (James 5:13).

If yous are struggling amongst sorrow together with brokenness, delight pray for others who are suffering together with inquire God for specific ways yous mightiness cheer them (Romans 12:15).

Are yous surprised that my advice is the same to both groups? We’re e'er blessed when nosotros conduct keep our focus off ourselves together with focus on others! Jesus is our example (Philippians 2:3-8).