Daily Studies in God's Word.....for Thanksgiving through Epiphany (dated Nov. 24

November 24--Read Philippians 4:8. Did I say that we would be moving on in our houghts to prepare for Christmas? Yes, I did. Does this Scripture tell us about preparing for Christmas? Yes, it does. A lot of people will be decorating their houses for Christmas this weekend. That's pretty traditional around here anyway. One thing we have to do to properly decorate is move other things out of the way. Otherwise, we do not end up with a decorated house but one big cluttered mess. We must, at this holy time of the year, think on the lovely and honest and pure and things of good report and think of how we can be a blessing to God and to others. We must put away worldly things from our hearts in order to prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Savior. Sounds like a tall order for this busiest shopping season of the year, but it's not impossible if you ask God to help you. Pray to that very end as you have your daily conversations with God today.
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November 25--Carefully read John 3:15-17. I know that you memorized these three verses as a small child. You at least memorized the sixteenth verse long before you could read it for yourself. Many people say, "Jesus is the reason for the season." This is true. We should put our main focus on Him and not on Santa Claus as we go through Christmas, but we need to realize why He actually came to that manger in Bethlehem's stall. Is He the reason, or are we the reason? Think about it. He was living in Heaven. He had none of the problems of being human. He didn't need salvation. No, we are very important to Him. We are actually the reason for the season. Had we not needed salvation, He would not have needed to come. Today, pray as you have never prayed before. Think about all that He went through during those thirty-three years that He lived on earth. He went through every bit of it for you. Thank Him for it.
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November 26--Combining the idea that this is the end of Thanksgiving weekend and the beginning of looking toward Chritmas, read Second Corinthians 9:15. If you had all the adjectives in every language in the world at your command, you could never come up with the perfect word to describe Jesus. He is truly God's gift to us whom we cannot accurately describe, especially with the ordinary meaning we give the word love. Agape comes closer, but Jesus is so wonderful that He boggles the mind for a description in human words. Wow! Thank God today for this "unspeakable gift" as you pray and praise Him.
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November 27--Read Luke 1:1-4. Here we see Luke's statement about the Gospel he has written for us. "Those things" which he says that we declare are the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Luke admits that he did not personally know Jesus during His earthly life and gives credit to those who did personally eyewitness Jesus's life for passing on the information to him so that he could tell us. As you pray today, thank God for Luke and those who shared the Christmas story with him because, if it were not for those people from the first century, we would not know the story. We are entering what many consider their favorite season of the year.
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November 28--Read Luke 1:5-7. There are three people named in these verses who are each very important to the story of Jesus's birth. The first is Herod. He was the king at that time. He was reigning over the Jews at the time of Jesus's birth. The other two are Zacharias and Elisabeth. Elisabeth was a cousin of Mary, Jesus's mother. The Scripture says that both were righteous before God. They were to play a very special role leading up to the announcement of the birth of the Messiah as we will see in the next few days. They were prepared to receive a blessing from God. Pray today that God will help you prepare yourself to receive a blessing this Christmas season.
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November 29--Read Luke 1:8-11. Zacharias was doing his job when an angel appeared to him. Does that tell you something? What is your job? You are a student and the child in a family? If the angel appeared to Zacharias while he worked at his regular job, I think angels come when we are at the right place at the right time doing the right thing. What do you think? Why not pray today that the Holy Spirit will keep you focused during the approaching holiday so that you will be prepared for the coming of our Lord?
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December 1--Read Isaiah 40:3. During Advent, we can picture ourselves in a darkened room. As we enter, we find one small lamp in the corner. We turn it on. It doesn't give much light, but it is helpful and shows us where the light switch is that will turn on the ceiling light that wil brighten the whole room. John the Baptist's job was to be that "voice". He spoke of Someone who would come after him who was greater than he was. If you had the opportunity to share the Gospel with someone yesterday, pray the same prayer today that you prayed then. There are many more lost people out there. If you were not shown that person yesterday, pray again today and then open your eyes wide to see the person God will show you.
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December 2--Read Luke 1:26-37. Wow! Do the miracles never stop? The answer is "no", and God will keep on showering them on His people. Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she would be the mother of the miraculous Child Whose birth we celebrate during this season. When God speaks to you, you must listen attentively just as Mary did. No, you won't be the mother of the Messiah because Jesus will never come again as a baby; but God will speak to you and guide you trough the Holy Spirit speaking to your spirit. Pray today that you will be sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life. This reminds me of the title of a hymn, "Master, Speak, Thy Servant Heareth". Pray to be God's servant.
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December 3--Read Luke 1:38. This is Mary's response to Gabriel right after he had told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah which had been promised in the Old Testament. She had openly expressed her doubts about the possibility of this happening, and the angel had assured her that "...with God, all things are possible." Now she immediately says, "Yes, I'll do whatever God says." Today as you pray, why not ask God to forgive you for the times you have not accepted the service opportunities He as given you. If you really mean it, tell Him that you will be a better follower in the future.
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December 4--Read Luke 1:39-45. As you can see, Mary went to visit her cousin Elisabeth who was expecting John the Baptist. Since many high schoolers read our Kingdom Kids news, some of you may already be 18 and of voting age. If you are not that old now, you will be eventually. One of the important things for a Christian to do is to voice his opinion through the ballot box and by giving other support to candidates for public office. Some of you may be candidates some day. One of the hottest issues for a large part of my lifetime and for all of yours has been the abortion issue. These verses contain one of the strongest arguments against abortion that you will find anywhere. Notice what the unborn John did when Mary approached Elisabeth. He leapt inside his mother. The unborn child actually recognized his also unborn cousin. Wow! The feeling was so strong, that Elisabeth asked, "Why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" Now, this is something else that won't happen within your lifetime, but one good lesson here is for you to remember that you can know what God wants to tell you if your spirit keeps listening to His Spirit. He will direct those decisions that you will one day make that affect our whole country, like the one mentioned above. Never vote or do anything else without praying about it and waiting for God's answer. Pray today as you begin preparing for semester exams. Pray about how He wants you to celebrate the birth of His Son. Be sure to remember that prayer is a conversation with God, not a monologue that you say to Him. His answer is the most important part of that conversation. Listen for it. He takes the time to listen to you.
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December 5--Read Luke 1:46-55. This is Mary's hymn of praise to God for the wonderful miracle He was working within her. It is often called the "Magnificat" because that word is used at the beginning of the Latin Vulgate (a very old version of the Scripture). Magnificat means "glorifies", and notice that Mary begins her hymn by saying, "My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Now turn in the Old Testament to First Samuel 2:1-10 and you will find that Hannah praised God in the same way when she learned that she would have Samuel, the son she had prayed for so long. Today in praying, can we just let our souls magnify and praise God? He "inhabits the praises of His people".
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December 6--Read Luke 1:57-66. This is the story of the birth of John the Baptist. Now, when Gabriel had told Zacharias that he and Elisabeth would have a son, he also told Zacharias that he would be silent until after his birth. When they took John to be circumcised at the age of eight days, the father was asked what his name would be. Suddenly Zacharias opened his mouth and said, "His name is John." He continued speaking and praising God. Everyone was amazed when they heard his voice after nine months. The people knew that the Lord had His hand upon the baby and that he would be a special person. Perhaps this is a good time to pray that your life will be such that those around you will know that God is with you. This is about the most powerful witness you can give to others. Live a life so that they can see that you are with God every minute.
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December 7--Read Luke 1:67-80. Zacharias himself had a song to sing. His too was a song of praise. It was also a song of prophesy. He prophesied over his young son John. Many of your parents have probably sung praises and prophesies over you. These are the hopes and dreams the parents have for their children's good. When they are led by the Holy Spirit, they tell of what their children are and what they will do. Notice especially what the new father said in verses 76 through 79. He would be a prophet of God to tell the people of their need for salvation and forgiveness of their sins. Is there anyone in the world who is to point people toward salvation? Yes, there is. You are. How should you do ths? Tell them of the Savior Whose birth we are celebrating in this season. Tell them about Jesus. Pray that God will how you someone today with whom you can share the Good New.
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December 9--Read John 1:15-28. Here is the Scripture that tells us exactly what importance John the Baptist gave to Jesus. Notice particularly in verse 15, he says, "He Who comes after me was preferred before me." In other words, he is saying that Jesus should be first. Where is Jesus in your life? Is He first? Is He just after someone else? Whom do you place before Jesus? The answer is, of course, that He should have first place in your life. Ask Him today to be Number One in your life. He will be if you let Him.
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December 10--Read John 1:1-2. Today and for the next two days, you are going to be directed to three things Jesus is called in John 1. The first is the Word. Notice how much like Genesis 1 this Scripture is. Not only are we told here that Jesus is the Word but also that He was with God in the beginning and that He is God. That means that Jesus (the Word) is to be trusted and can be followed as the guide to our lives. Thank God today for His Word to us in the form of His Son, God made flesh to dwell among us.
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December 11--Read John 1:3-4. Yesterday we noticed that Jesus is the Word Who has been with God since the very beginning of everything. He not only is with God, but He IS God. (We'll make a little study of the Trinity at another time.) In these two verses, Jesus is called Life. He is the very life that flows through all Christians. What carries life to all your body parts? Of course, it's your blood. What flowed from Jesus to save you? Right again, it was His blood. Today thank God for Jesus's blood which He came to shed on the cross at Calvary so that you might have life, not only life here and now but for all eternity in Heaven.
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December 12--Read John 1:1-5, 10-14. This is repeating what you have read over the past two days and adding more Scripture which tells us of something else that Jesus is: Light. Remember that He is the Word, and we need to read every word in the Scripture that relates to Him. He is Life, and we need to follow His example and pattern our lives after Him. How can we see what we need to see without having light? Jesus is the Light shining in the darkness to show us the way we must go. Thank Him today for being the Light in your life.
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December 13--Today we are going to begin reading the story of the man who fulfilled the role of earthly father to Jesus. I guess you could call Joseph Jesus's stepfather. Anyway, as you read Matthew 1:18-19, notice the respect Joseph had for Mary. They were engaged, and suddenly Joseph found out that Mary was going to have a baby. He didn't know that the Father of this Baby was really God Himself. All Joseph knew was that he was not the father. Under Jewish law of the day, Mary would have been stoned. Joseph loved her too much for that and wanted to break the engagement quietly. Do you respect your friends when you think they might have done something wrong? Or do you jump to hasty conclusions which are probably wrong? Think about it. Also, notice the miracle in this Scripture, the Baby was not killed as He would have been if Mary had been stoned. In the next few days we will see just how God took care of the whole situation. Thank Him for preparing the way for your salvation by protecting your Savior even before He was born.
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December 14--Read Matthew 1:20-21. God not only carefully chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus, but He surely chose a Godly man to be her husband. Joseph was such a man. When he thought there was a problem with Mary's having a child before they were married, God sent an angel to tell Joseph to go ahead with the marriage. He even let Joseph in on what you might call a little secret. He told him the part the Holy Spirit had played in Mary's pregnancy and what Jesus's coming would mean to His people. He was coming to be the Savior. Thank God today that He sent us a Savior.
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December 15--Yesterday we read that the angel told Joseph the Baby's name was to be Jesus which means that He would come to save us from our sins. In Matthew 1:22-23, Joseph is told something else special about a name for the Baby. He would be called Immanuel. Immanuel means "God with us". Wow! If you are a child of God, He is always with you. If you are not, why not call upon the Baby Jesus in Bethlehem to be your Savior and realize the blessings of having God with you all the time? As you pray, thank God for His presence in your life.
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December 16--Remember that Scripture two days ago told about Joseph's initial feelings when he learned that Mary was going to have a baby. Then remember that God sent him word through an angel that he was not to worry about that since the Baby was God's Son. Matthew 1:24-25 completes this part of the story of Joseph. He went on and married Mary just as God had told him. Imagine the blessing Joseph had of being the earthly father of our Lord. That's the way it is when we do what God tells us to do. We are blessed beyond measure. Thank God that He keeps on blessing you as you yield yourself to Him.
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December 17--Read Luke 2:1-3. Just think, if you had lived in a time between 0 and 2 B.C., you would not have had a census taker come to or call your house every ten years to get a count of how many people live in our country. You would have had to go to the town of your ancestors and register there to be counted. That is what was happening when Jesus was born. Think about it. The pagan Romans even played a part in fulfilling Old Testament prophecy. In order for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph had to be there (well, Mary anyway). Thank God today that He takes care of all things happening in the way He has promised us. This may not seem important, but it is very important to remember that God is not just God of the big things. He is God of every detail.
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December 18--Read Luke 2:4-5. Sometimes people will tell you that Christians don't have to obey man's laws because God's laws are higher than man's. Sorry, folks, but the Scripture plainly tells us that we are to obey the laws of man and even to pray for those who are in authority. Of course, if man's law is in direct contrast to God's, that is a different matter. Today our Scripture tells us that Joseph and Mary obeyed the law even though it was a difficult time for Mary to be traveling. The laws in our city, state, and nation exist for a reason. They keep us from having chaos in our communities. Today, thank God that you live in a country where the basis for man's laws has been God's laws. As you become old enough to vote, always pray and let God direct you at the ballot place.
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December 19--Read Luke 2:6-7. It finally happened. The Messiah promised to the Jews so long ago was finally born, not in some palace or grand dwelling, in a stable where His parents had found the only available shelter in the crowded little town of Bethlehem. Thank God today that our Savior did come at the time God saw fit and that He no longer has to take shelter in a cattle stall. Invite Him to live in your heart this Christmas.
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December 20--Read Luke 2:8. Amazing isn't it that the first people to hear of the Messiah's coming were ordinary people, shepherds. Notice something about them. They were simply doing their job. Could it mean that Jesus is most likely to come to people while they are doing what they are supposed to be doing--just doing their jobs? Ask God today to show you what you are to do and then promise Him that you will always be doing the job assigned to you. Then remember not to break the promise you have made to the Lord.
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December 21--Read Luke 2:9-10. Have you noticed that since we have been studying the Christmas story the great announcements are given by God's special messengers, His angels? Well, here they are again? I suppose anyone would be a little awestruck if not really fearful the first time he saw an angel. Then the angels comforted them and told them not to be afraid. Also, notice the word they gave the shepherds about the Gospel. It would not be just for the Jews of the OId Testament. It would be for "all people". That's you and me. Thank God that He chose to send His salvation for all people. Thank Him especially for saving you.
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December 24--Read Luke 2:15-18. What did the shepherds do when they heard the message? Did they just go on about their business out there in the countryside near Bethlehem? Did they just wait for morning to go on back home and get some sleep? Did they say, "Well, we really need to think about maybe going to find the Baby some day?" No, they hurried into Behlehem and found out that everything the angel had said was exactly true. They got a move on. After they had been to the stable to see for themselves, did they just say, "That's nice. Now we can go home." Not exactly. They probably went back to their shepherding; but, as they went, they told everyone. They spread the news to those they saw. I'll bet they even talked to their sheep about it. Well, don't laugh. I rather suspect that you have been known to talk to your cats and dogs. Again today thank God for the wonderful message of the Gospel. And again today "Go, Tell It on the Mountain" or in the valley or in the city or in the country wherever you live.
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December 25--Check your calendar. I've got a feeling that today is marked in red or with some special symbol or with the word Christmas. This is the day like no other. It's that special day on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Why can't we keep the Christmas spirit all year long? We can if we try. Read Luke 2:19-20. While the shepherds went their way praising God, Mary kept all these events in her heart. She "pondered them". That means that she thought deeply about them. Her thoughts probably went all the way back to that day when the angel had first come to her to tell her what was about to happen. We too should keep the spirit of the real meaning of Christmas in our hearts. Thank God today and make Him a promise that you need to really keep. Promise Him that you will keep the spirit of Christmas for the rest of 2006 and throughout 2007. By then, it will be such a habit that you cannot help keeping it forever. (To those who read it in future years, substitute the current and next years for 2006 and 2007.)
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December 26--Yesterday, I spent Christmas like you did--with my family (at least some of it). My cousins and I were looking at old high school yearbooks in which our mothers, some aunts, and some uncles were pictured. In the one where our mothers were seniors, my aunt was given the nickname "Monkey". I don't know why unless it was because of her bubbling personality. You know someone like this I'm sure whose voice has a smile to it. You can hear that smile over the telephone when you can't see the person as well as when you are with her and can see it on her face. Well, today's Scripture tells when Jesus was named Jesus. It was on the eighth day of His earthly life. Read Luke 2:21. As you remember, the angel had told Jesus that He would be named Jesus. Do you remember what Jesus means? Of course, you do. It means Savior. It means that He was born to die on that cross on Calvary to save us from our sins. Thank Him today for the gift of eternal life that He brought you.
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December 27--Read Luke 2:25-27. Today we are looking at the beginning of the story of an old man named Simeon. God had promised him that he would not die until he had seen the Salvation from God. Remember that yesterday we began the story of the eighth day of Jesus's earthly life, the day on which He was taken to the temple for presentation and circumcision. Remember also that yesterday we read that He was named Jesus (Savior). Now Simeon knew that he could depend on the promises of God. He did get to see God's Salvation, the Baby Jesus. Always remember that you are no different from Simeon. You too can depend on God's promises. He will keep them. Thank God for being a promise keeper.
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December 28--Read Luke 2:28-32. If you have ever really prayed, you have surely had some of your prayers answered in exactly the way you asked God to grant your petitions. Well, what was your reaction when God gave you an unqualified YES and granted your request just as you had asked? These verses tell us what Simeon did. I don't know what you think of his reaction to God's answering his prayer to live long enough to see God's Salvation, but it sounds tremendous to me. He thanked God from a heart overflowing with gratitude. What has God done for you? Thank Him for it.
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December 29--Next Simeon turned his attention back to the Holy Family. He blessed Mary, Joseph, and the Baby and gave a word of prophecy about Jesus. He even told them that there would be those who opposed Jesus and that Mary's heart would be pierced by a sword. Read about this in Luke 2:33-35. Look thirty-three years into the future and imagine how Mary must surely have felt when that Roman soldier thrust his own sword into the side of her Son. Thank God that His Salvation came to earth in that stable over two thousand years ago.
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December 31--Read Matthew 2:1-2. Here we are introduced to some men from the Orient. (Notice I said some. Traditionally, we refer to them as the "Three Kings", but the Scripture makes no mention as to the number of them nor whether they were of royalty.) These men were evidently not Jews, and we don't even know if they were people sometimes referred to as "God-fearers" (people who had heard about God and believed that He existed). They, however, had studied ancient writings that told them that a star would announce the birth of a baby who would be King of the Jews. They came seeking Him. These Gentiles sought the new King of the Jews so that they could worship Him. As you pray today, truly take time to worship God and His Salvation, Jesus Christ.
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January 1--Read Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:3-6. Of course, the Magi went to the palace to look for a king. Where else? Now notice what Herod's chief priests told him when he asked what in the world these men were talking about. They quoted Micah the prophet word for word. How many times since Thanksgiving have we noticed that God had the right people selected to be in the right place at the right time? Don't waste your time counting, I don't know the answer and have no prize to offer you for telling me how many. God had given these men knowledge of the Scripture so that they could tell, not necessarily Herod, but his visitors where to find he new King. Are you wise enough to search the Scriptures and seek wise counsel from God's people to learn more of His message? Thank God today for His Word, your pastor, your Sunday School teacher, your Christian parents, and all others who share His message with you.
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January 2--When you receive directions from two different people, whose instructions do you follow? That's a toughie sometimes, but other times it is obvious which advice is wise and which may even be of an evil plotting nature. Now Herod saw the new "King" as a threat to his position. He was afraid that he would be dethroned and would probably be killed. He could not stand the thought of this, so he began his plotting. God warned the men to return home another way and not go back to Herod. After all, these were WISE men. Talk to God and ask Him to give you discernment so that you will see the wise direction to go whenever you are at a fork in your life road.
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January 3--Now go back and reread Matthew 2:11. The Wise Men brought three gifts: gold (because Jesus was a King), frankincense (because incense was burned in the worship of God in the temple), and myrrh (a spice used to annoint a body as it was prepared for burial because He was to sacrifice Himself for our salvation). They may not have been Jews, but God had directed them as to just what the proper gifts should be brought at the birth of His Son. As you pray today, worship Jesus Who is God Himself, invite Him to be the King Who rules in your life, and praise and worship Him for His sacrifice for you.
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January 4--Read Matthew 2:13-18. Herod, as noted a couple of days ago, wasn't about to let some "young upstart" overthrow him. He would see that the "imposter" was eliminated. The Wise Men had said that they had been following the star about two years, so he decided that killing all the boy babies two years old and younger would eliminate the "competition". However, God already had the plan in motion to protect His Son's life. He gave Joseph the message to take his family to Egypt. Thank God that He has provided everything we need to bring salvation to us without any interruptions.
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January 5--Read Matthew 2:19-23 and Luke 2:39-40. As you remember, at the beginning of the story of Christmas, Joseph and Mary had to leave their hometown of Nazareth to go to Bethlehem because their ancestors had come from there. They had gone because a census was being taken, and everyone was required to go to their family hometown to register. Now it was time to leave Egypt and go back home. In the Matthew Scripture, you see why Joseph did not take Mary and Jesus back to Israel. So he went back to Nazareth and returned to his work as a carpenter. Soon you will have to go back to school and resume your work. Mary and Joseph returned to Nazareth changed. Their lives would never be exactly the same again. What about you as you return to school? Has God helped you make any changes in your life during this Holy Season? How will you act when you return to the same old thing and the same old people? Will they be able to tell that you have grown spiritually? Ask God to help you carry the message you have heard preached and sung and have read over these last two weeks as you return to people who may have never heard with the clarity you have.
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January 6--Read Luke 2:41-52. Jesus was a young Jewish boy of twelve. It was customary for the family to take the boys of that age to the temple in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. This part of the story would seem pretty ordinary to you had you lived in Israel at that time. The imporant part of the story comes when the family left the temple. Jesus stayed behind. His parents were just as worried as yours would be if they did not find you for three days. Since there were no milk cartons with pictures back then, their only choice was to return to Jerusalem and look in the temple where they had last seen Him. When they found Him, He made His first declaration of just Who He was when He said, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" If you are a Christian, God is your Father. Are you about His business from day to day? Ask God to help you see just what your business is in His kingdom.
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