"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2
Here are a few of the many precious prophecies of Messiah from Isaiah that Jesus fulfilled:
7:14 virgin birth
9:2-7 from the line of David
50:6-9 struck, spat upon
*52:13-53:12 disfigured, rejected, pierced, silent in suffering
All these verses are powerful and poetic, but be sure to...
Notice those verses are followed by some you looked up the other day...
The time for this good news to be fulfilled had come...
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger... When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (see Luke 2:8-18)
"So we also... were held in bondage... but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman... that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, (you cry) 'Abba, Father'. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (see Galatians 4:3-7)
PRAYER CHALLENGE:
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Psalm 23 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd... even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (or the darkest valley - NLT) I will fear no evil for You are with me."
If you feel in the dark, ask the Lord to give you His insight and His light on the subjects that concern you.
As you read over your TOP 12 list again, write in your journal the words that describe how you feel:
tired, burdened, hopeful, excited, worried, guilty, angry, embarrassed, discouraged, anxious, tense, peaceful, stressed, disappointed, stuck, bitter, jealous, fearful, lonely, depressed, frustrated, overwhelmed,... (others?)
Then...
Now with a clear conscience ask the Lord for guidance, start back with number 1 on your TOP 12.
When you are finished, ask the Lord, "Is there anything else You want to say to me?" Then, close your eyes, listen, and wait. (I have found this to be THE MOST POWERFUL QUESTION in my prayer life! Too often what the Lord impresses on my heart in these moments is most profound.) Write down whatever He says to you, and then ask again, "anything else, Lord?" Continue until your heart feels quiet and you sense the Lord's peace to say "Amen".
EVENING MEDITATION:
Why shepherds?
Why was God's message delivered to shepherds?
Why is Jesus called "The Good Shepherd"?
Pull out your list of "12 Nick Names for God" or scroll down to the names we read yesterday, and think about how those "names" fit with the Lord shepherding, guiding, helping, providing for, protecting you in the TOP 12 areas that are on your heart.
When You Shepherd Me - Brian Doerksen
Psalm 23 - Don Moen
- copy this verse into your journal
Here are a few of the many precious prophecies of Messiah from Isaiah that Jesus fulfilled:
7:14 virgin birth
9:2-7 from the line of David
50:6-9 struck, spat upon
*52:13-53:12 disfigured, rejected, pierced, silent in suffering
All these verses are powerful and poetic, but be sure to...
- read that last passage*.
- look for 12 prophecies in those verses that Jesus fulfilled
Notice those verses are followed by some you looked up the other day...
"Shout for joy...
For your husband is your Maker,
Whose name is the LORD of host;
And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,
Who is called the God of all the earth..."
(chapter 54 and 55 are two of my favorites!!!!)
and is preceded by...
"Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion: Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city... Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; Loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion... How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation... He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God..."
(see 52:1-10)
(see 52:1-10)
The time for this good news to be fulfilled had come...
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger... When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (see Luke 2:8-18)
"So we also... were held in bondage... but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman... that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, (you cry) 'Abba, Father'. So that you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God." (see Galatians 4:3-7)
"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
Psalm 23 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd... even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (or the darkest valley - NLT) I will fear no evil for You are with me."
If you feel in the dark, ask the Lord to give you His insight and His light on the subjects that concern you.
As you read over your TOP 12 list again, write in your journal the words that describe how you feel:
tired, burdened, hopeful, excited, worried, guilty, angry, embarrassed, discouraged, anxious, tense, peaceful, stressed, disappointed, stuck, bitter, jealous, fearful, lonely, depressed, frustrated, overwhelmed,... (others?)
Then...
- fold a clean sheet of paper in your journal in half length-wise or draw a line down the center to form two columns
- write the numbers 1 - 12 down the far left side (you might want to skip lines)
- draw a circle around the number beside the items that most weigh on your mind
- at the top of the left column write "stop"
- at the top of the right column write "start"
Now with a clear conscience ask the Lord for guidance, start back with number 1 on your TOP 12.
- Ask God if there anything you need to stop doing. If so, write it down.
- Ask Him if there is something you should start doing. If so, write that down.
- Ask Him if this is one of those "stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do" issues (see 1 Samuel 12:16, Exodus 14:14, 2 Kings 19:31); in other words, is this a matter of "pray, wait, and let God work"? If so, put a star beside this number.
When you are finished, ask the Lord, "Is there anything else You want to say to me?" Then, close your eyes, listen, and wait. (I have found this to be THE MOST POWERFUL QUESTION in my prayer life! Too often what the Lord impresses on my heart in these moments is most profound.) Write down whatever He says to you, and then ask again, "anything else, Lord?" Continue until your heart feels quiet and you sense the Lord's peace to say "Amen".
EVENING MEDITATION:
Why shepherds?
Why was God's message delivered to shepherds?
Why is Jesus called "The Good Shepherd"?
Pull out your list of "12 Nick Names for God" or scroll down to the names we read yesterday, and think about how those "names" fit with the Lord shepherding, guiding, helping, providing for, protecting you in the TOP 12 areas that are on your heart.
When You Shepherd Me - Brian Doerksen
Psalm 23 - Don Moen
