Living 4 Him

“I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10

In November I had the great privilege of attending an Aspire Conference at my mother’s church.  Melissa Spoelstra https://melissaspoelstra.com/ a Bible teacher at the conference, spoke about angels.  Her teachings provided a deeper perspective this year as I read the timeless Christmas story involving angels.

Melissa teaches us that angels:

Adore God

Notify God’s servants

Guard God’s boundaries

Enact God’s judgment

Lead God’s people

Serve as God’s agents.

Learn more about angels in Melissa’s most recent Bible study. https://www.amazon.com/Angels-Access-Finding-Reigns-Heaven/dp/B0DT8RH8NF/

Luke brings a vivid description of the angelic visit to shepherds on the night Jesus was born.  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 that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2: 8-14

These angels brought attention through each action they performed.

The angels radiated God’s light.  The light of God’s glory ushered in the angels, piercing the darkness with brilliance beyond imagining.  A blaze of glory! Light of this quality cannot be missed as angels make God’s presence known.  

The angels reassured the shepherds.  The shepherds reacted in fright, but the angels reassured them with words to calm their fears and point them to God’s work. In a recent devotion, Melissa Spoelstra wrote, “We find angels are often glorifying their Creator and delivering messages of peace to us.”

The angels rejoiced in God!  After delivering the message, God’s agents expressed overflowing joy to God with their words.  Angels live so close to their Creator that praising him is their natural inclination.

The three R’s, illustrated through the angels (radiate, reassure, rejoice) set a to-do list for us as we move forward through our days and into a new year. 

Radiate God’s light. Through Jesus, we are given a piece of God’s glorious light to share on this earth.  With love, kindness, generosity, peace, and goodness our lights glow intensely with God’s radiance.  And remember . . . LIGHT SPREADS! “We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own.” Ben Sweetland

Reassure God’s children.  Scripture reassures us when our hearts grow weary or worried.  God’s Word is holy and hopeful, assuring us of comfort and strength.  We reassure ourselves by remembering God’s promises and reassure others by sharing the truth of those promises.

Rejoice in God!  Reflecting on God’s grand promises for earth and for heaven sends waves of joy through our souls!  Elation and exuberance pushes joy inward, outward and upward, leaving refreshment in its wake. “Don’t postpone joy!” Now is always the best time to rejoice!

May the angels of Christmas remind you of the benefits of living close to God and may you be led to radiate, reassure and rejoice every day!

**Enjoy a bonus poem below, God With Us, and along with the angels, rejoice in God!  

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your souls):  Read the angel’s story (Luke 2: 8-14) and look for words or phrases that ignite your soul.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  Radiate God’s glorious light! Find reassurance in God’s Word!  Rejoice in God’s presence!

God With Us

by Janice M. Gibson

Emmanuel–God is with us.

If God is with us,

then love is with us . . .

A gracious glow infusing the moments in our days.

If God is with us,

then goodness is with us . . .

Guiding our steps to His highest purpose.

If God is with us,

then wisdom is with us . . .

Vital knowledge linking our hearts to our minds.

If God is with us,

then peace is with us . . .

Whispering strength to weary souls.

If God is with us,

then hope is with us,

          joy is with us,

         eternity is with us.

Emmanuel . . . God is with us.