Today is Tuesday, December 20th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2217
Readers of Karen's Korner know that our church family is in the midst of a 31-week Bible Study, "The Story", looking at the entire Bible and the common thread which 'stitches' things together from beginning to end.
Right now we are looking at David, moving forward to some of the prophecies of Isaiah. Why wouldn't we be looking at Jesus and his birth? Shouldn't we be studying that as we come closer to Christmas?
Sunday's lesson couldn't have been any more relevant for this time year, as we looked at what Isaiah had to say and what was written down in his predictions. Some of the things we looked at together:
* 25% of the Bible is prophecy, of things which are coming in the future;
* Isaiah's ministry was 250 years after David, but 700 years before Jesus;
* Isaiah had some predictions for what would be coming;
* Many, many of those fulfilled by Jesus' birth.
Here are a couple of those Bible verses:
"...the child shall be born of a virgin.."
~ Isaiah 7:14 LB
& then:
"Mary asked the angel,
'But how can I have a baby?
I am a virgin.'"
~ Luke 1:34 LB
*
"The royal line of David will be cut off....
but a new branch will grow from the old root.
And the Sprit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel and might;
the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
His delight will be obedience to the Lord.
He will not judge by appearance, false evidence, or hearsay,
but will defend the poor and the exploited.
He will rule against the wicked who oppress them.
For he will be clothed with fairness and with truth.
~ Isaiah 11:1 - 5 LB
& then:
"He shall be very great and shall be called the Son of God,
And the Lord God shall give him the throne of his ancestor David.
And he shall reign over Israel forever;
his Kingdom shall never end!"
~ Luke 1:32, 33 LB
*
The Bible from beginning to end, reads like yesterday's, today's, and tomorrow's newspaper. If prophecies hundreds of years apart, come true; how can people not believe what is written? And what is still coming ahead?
Dear Father, thank You that nothing has happened, is happening, nor what will happen today is by accident or out of Your control! Thank You for Your care and Your plans! Thank You for Jesus - past, present, and future!
Thank You that we are part of Your plans! Merry Christmas, Jesus! Amen.
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