" The Wonder of the Incarnation "

John 1:14   " And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth. "

1st.Timothy 3:16   " And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the SPIRIT, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. "

     Contemplate the wonder of the incarnation: " The WORD was GOD . . . And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us : (John 1:1, 14). The infinite GOD became a MAN. The eternal ONE stepped into time (Galatians 4:4). The GOD WHO never had a beginning and WHO always existed was born as an INFANT (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 7:14). The ALMIGHTY rested as a dependent BABY in the arms of Mary. The CREATOR of all things was laid in a receptacle made to hold food for animals (Luke 2:12). The ONE WHO was " high and lifted up " (Isaiah 6:1) was placed in a lowly manger and greeted by lowly shepherds. Perhaps the most wondrous fact of the incarnation was that it made it possible for the IMMORTAL ONE to die. The living GOD cannot die. Man's sin deserved and demanded death (Romans 1:32; 6:23), thus dooming man to an eternal destiny separated from the LORD of Life (Isaiah 59:2; 2nd.Thessalonians 1:8-9).

     GOD, in HIS love, devised a way to provide Salvation for sinful man without compromising HIS OWN just and righteous character. Serving as man's SUBSTITUTE, HE HIMSELF would pay the death penalty for sinful man. In order for this to be done, GOD had to become a MAN, " that HE by the grace of GOD should taste death for every man " (Hebrews 2:9). The IMMORTAL GOD cannot die, but HE took upon HIMSELF humanity so that, as the GOD-MAN, HE could die and did die for our sins (1st.Corinthians 15:3; 1st.Peter 3:18). HIS saving work was accomplished, not in Bethlehem's cradle, but on Golgotha's cross. HIS birth made HIS death possible; HIS death made our Salvation possible. Praise the LORD for HIS condescending love and grace by which HE stooped so low in order to raise us so high (2nd.Corinthians 8:9) ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" Our Ways Are Not GOD's Ways "

Luke 2:1-14   " And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was Governor of Syria) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ' Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a SAVIOR, which is CHRIST the LORD. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ' 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, good will toward men. ' "

     Suppose men had been put in charge of CHRIST's grand entrance into this world - how differently things would have unfolded ! If the planning of this event were put in our hands: (1) We would want HIM to come to one of the world's greatest cities (New York, Beijing, Paris, London) - yet CHRIST came to Bethlehem, a small village sparsely populated. (2) We would want HIM to come to some world famous edifice or some amazing palace and have the nicest accommodation - yet CHRIST was born in a stable and laid in an animal feeding trough. (3) We would want the world's most important people to be present when HE comes to earth (heads of state, presidents, prime ministers, kings) - yet CHRIST was welcomed by common folk: humble shepherds. (4) We would want the whole world to be told of HIS arrival; we would want the event to be covered by all the major media outlets - yet CHRIST's coming was unnoticed by the vast majority of people. (5) We would want to see GOD in all of HIS power and glory, to see what HE could do and how great HE is - yet CHRIST entered the world as a dependent baby, not putting HIS power and glory on outward display.

     Yes, GOD's marvelous plan for HIS SON's entrance into the world came about, not by the cunning schemes of man, but by the infinite wisdom of the GOD WHO knows exactly what this wold needs. " For ye know the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that, though HE was rich, yet for your sakes HE became poor, that ye through HIS poverty might be rich " (2nd.Corinthians 8:9). So also JESUS CHRIST's great unveiling at HIS second coming will unfold, not as men may want it, but according to the FATHER's perfect plan. GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Gift of Righteousness "

" For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth on HIM should not perish but have everlasting life. "           John 3:16

Romans 5:17-19   " For if by one man's (Adam) offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by ONE, JESUS CHRIST. Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of ONE the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's (Adam) disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of ONE shall many be made righteous. "

     During the Christmas season, much of the world focused its attention on giving and receiving gifts. We often worry about sizes, colors, brands, and every other minuscule detail as we try to figure out what our friends or loved ones would enjoy. But the truth is this - an untold number of gifts will be returned or exchanged this year because they did not fit the recipient's needs in some way or another or perhaps because the gift was somehow defective. Most of us love to give our friends, family, and loved ones gifts - and most of us certainly enjoy receiving gifts as well ! - but no gift we could ever give is the " all - in - all," the one thing that is absolutely perfect, the one thing that could change someone's entire life here and for eternity.

     Yet the Good News is this: The perfect gift - the gift that will change your life forever - has been offered to you. This gift meets everybody's needs; it is the most valuable gift ever offered to anybody; it will never let anyone down; it is appropriate for everyone - from a small child to an elderly man or woman. And, most importantly, it is a gift - it is free ! What is this gift ? It is the " gift of righteousness " (v.17) that enables us to possess eternal life and a relationship with GOD. Have you received this gift ? Are you standing before GOD clothed in your own sins or clothed in the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST ? While the world is focused upon gifts at this time of year, we must remember that GOD has given us the greatest gift that anyone could ever give - HIS OWN SON as the sacrifice for your sin (Romans 6:23; John 3:16). Today, make sure that you have received this gift and then take the time to thank GOD for HIS unspeakable gift ! MDC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide

Used  with  permission.  www.feasite.org

" Grace and Peace "

Philemon 3   " Grace to you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. "

     " Grace to you and peace . . . " (v.3) - these realities are true for all who are in CHRIST JESUS. Everyone, as a sinner by birth as well as by deed, deserves justice before an all-Holy GOD; and, that justice means abiding under the wrath of GOD in this life (John 3:36) and spending eternity in the Lake of Fire in the life to come (Revelation 20:11-15). But GOD shed HIS grace upon mankind, providing him, through JESUS CHRIST, with the opportunity to receive by faith the forgiveness of sin and the peace with GOD that can only come about through hearing and receiving the Gospel. The wonderful blessing of GOD's peace is through HIS unfathomable grace !

     As Paul imprints these eternal truths upon the mind of Philemon, the Apostle is priming this man's heart to reflect that same unconditional grace and calming peace toward his offending servant who was now standing before him, probably in trembling anticipation, with this epistle in hand. According to Roman law and custom, Onesimus was worthy of  "justice" in the form of torture and possibly, as was often the case in this slavery-based economy, a barbaric execution. He was in dire need of grace - and peace ! Paul was preparing the heart of Philemon to do the FATHER's will.

     Such grace is " from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST " (v.3b). Paul stresses that the FATHER has reconciled to HIMSELF, through JESUS CHRIST, all who have believed the Gospel (2nd.Corinthians 5:17-21). GOD has provided a way for "bond and free" to become one in CHRIST (1st.Corinthians 12:13). If you read on in the book of Philemon, you will see that Philemon must act toward his guilty slave in a way that was totally foreign to the demands of Roman culture. The Apostle Paul, showing by what he wrote in verse 21, " Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say "; that he was sure Philemon would do the right thing and even more. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org

" The Pueblo Bible "

Psalm 119:9-16   " Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to THY WORD. With my whole heart have I sought THEE: O let me not wander from THY commandments. THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE. Blessed art THOU, O LORD: teach me THY statutes.

With my lips have I declared all the judgments of THY mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of THY testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in THY precepts, and have respect unto THY ways. I will delight myself in THY statutes: I will not forget THY WORD.

     " THY WORD have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE " (v.11). If we had no access to any Bible at all, how much of GOD's WORD would be in our hearts ? In 1968 the USS Pueblo and its crew were wrongfully seized by North Korea, who said the ship had violated territorial waters. The Pueblo crew's religious materials, including Bibles, were confiscated by the North Koreans upon their capture. Lt.Cmdr.Stephen Harris reported that a deep belief in GOD helped the ship's eighty-two crewmen survive their eleven-month imprisonment. His own Bible was taken from him at the point of a bayonet, but the enemy could not take away GOD's WORD which was at home in the hearts of the crewmen.

Harris gave this account: " Snatches of hymns, elements of worship services, precious bits of Scripture were written on leftover scraps of paper. This unorthodox, but living, vital document became known as the " Pueblo Bible." In our unchurched, unlearned way we turned to GOD, as prayer groups and secret Biblical discussions sprang up among those who were not in solitary confinement." Harris said when the Pueblo Bible was discovered, he received a "new set of bruises" but was aided out of despondency by the memorized Scripture.

     How much of GOD's WORD have we committed to memory ? How many verses can we recite ? Are there any chapters in the Bible that we could write out from memory ? When sharing with an unsaved person, do we have Salvation verses right at hand in our memory bank ? May we continually purpose to " let the WORD of CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another " (Colossians 3:16a). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.feasite.org