Christmas – Anchored to JESUS

Peace and Goodwill

December 25, 2018December 24, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

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, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:13-14 Once there was enmity between God and man. Sin came early on in the story of mankind, and because of it, God was separated from His most beloved creation. Man was destined to live in a tragic condition: lost in darkness, tormented, mistreated, used and abused by an insidious slave owner. God’s grand plan seemed eternally ruined. When God created mankind, it was with grandeur. He risked the success of His plan by placing so much choice and authority into man’s hands. Man rebelled and seemingly crushed the life out of God’s expectations. Whenever there is separation from God, there is no peace. And it can seem like there is ill will between God and man. As it turns out, God wasn’t mad at man at all! To prove it, He sent His Son to...

A Sign

December 24, 2018December 23, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

“And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 A sign. Evidence. Proof. This whole scene must’ve only taken moments to complete, but who could believe what was happening before their very eyes? Who could trust what they were seeing? Their minds were sure to play tricks on them, and they were sure to talk themselves out of it, believing they had a crazy dream. But God gave them a sign. He invited them to test the word and see if it was real. Of course, they did and found everything just as they were told. Then they became eye-witnesses to the event. They told everyone what they had seen and heard. Once you and I hear the Good News, we test it out and discover it’s true, then we can’t help but become like the shepherds, like the woman at the well, like the delivered demoniac, the Apostles, and so forth....

Your Personal Savior

December 23, 2018December 22, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 The message of the Good News came to a group of shepherds who in society’s estimation, were on the low end of esteem. They were most likely rough around the edges, perhaps a little dirty – definitely smelled like outside – and likely not educated beyond the basics and their given profession. It is bewildering to the sophisticated and refined of the world to imagine why a god, much less THE God of the universe, would even stoop so low as to communicate with lowly shepherds. The fact that this God did, and still does, by the way, demonstrates the underlying reason for joy in the announcement and the reason He gave His birth announcement to the simple shepherds. Jesus is a personal savior. The angel said to the least of the least: “there is born to you…” To you who do not...

Do Not Fear

December 22, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10 The angel's message is just as relevant today as it was those 2000 years ago. A great light has dawned, and the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. With such an amazing opportunity in this life to know Salvation, it’s hard to believe people remain so resistant to the Gospel message. Deliverance from the bondage to sin and the darkness of the soul seems like an attractive scenario - especially to those who have made already made the great exchange. What holds people back? Often it is fear. The fear of giving up something that’s thought to bring value to one’s life, the fear of never having “fun,” or having to adhere to a long list of dos and don’ts. What initially held you back from surrendering all? The message, “Do not be...

And Suddenly

December 21, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were greatly afraid. Luke 2:9 Imagine what it would've been like to be one of these shepherds. You're out there in the field watching over the sheep. Perhaps it was lambing season, or maybe it was mating season…either way, the shepherds were required to oversee, guide, protect, and assist the sheep. Were the shepherds gathered around a crackling fire, trying to stave off the creeping cold? Were they guzzling cup after cup of campfire coffee trying to keep their heavy eyelids from shutting? (Did they even have coffee then???) Or, could it be there was howling nearby, and the adrenaline was pumping energy and alertness through their bodies? Whether they were dull from sleepiness or super sensitive from danger nearby, the appearing of the angel jolted them into a whole new realm of consciousness. An angel appeared in bodily form. (Jaw-drop!) We have no real idea...

An Unlikely Birth Announcement

December 20, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:8 The long-ago prophesied king is born! Prepare the birth announcement! Sent it to all the people who hold grand positions, the kings, the rulers, Caesar, the high priest…not! This king was born without the pomp and circumstance of any other king. He was born in the middle of a cesspool of germs. Can you even imagine? Although the sheep were out in the fields at the time of year when Jesus was born, we don’t know if there were other animals in the stable at the time, but even if there were not, there remained plenty of dust, dirt, and stink. Jesus, God made man, the Creator of man, was born into what was likely the sheep stable. Bethlehem was known as the place where the Passover sheep were bred, raised, and prepared for the Passover. The Lamb of God was...

A Child Is Born

December 19, 2018December 18, 2018 by Dorothea Shields1 Comment

For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 If you are at all familiar with Handel's Messiah, then you are probably like me and absolutely cannot read this passage without singing it in your head (or out loud)! It is one of the most anointed choruses ever written and performed. It's a prophetic word. When it was first spoken, it was only a hope. But now we live in-between partial fulfillment and the promise of complete fulfillment to come. You see, Jesus did come as a baby boy. God the Father gave us His Son in human form…you know the story…Jesus is all of these things, but there will be a day when He will be these things while present on the earth. Let’s take a look at each description of Jesus: A Child is...

Darkness Is Dispelled

December 18, 2018December 17, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 At one time you made your home in the darkness, and you lived in the land of the shadow of death. You did. I did. And every other single human being on the face of the planet did. You were born into it. You didn’t ask for it or seek it, at least in the beginning, but being born into it makes it seem normal and inescapable. Then at some point, you saw the light. Maybe you came quickly to the light, or perhaps you resisted and held on to the shadows. But eventually, the goodness of the light penetrated the encompassing darkness and your soul awakened to the joy of the light. I am struck at how we can walk in the light, yet still, be threatened by the dark. The darkness creeps and...

Turn It On and They Will Come

December 17, 2018December 16, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3 Have you noticed a recurring theme? There's a reason for it. We are such an integral part of God's plan, and He wants to be sure we "get it." Today's verse reflects the cause and effect of light. The light shines, and there is a response. The previous verses indicate the light and glory of the Lord will be upon His people. And because of that light, others who need the light will be drawn to it. God's plan of salvation was always to include all the people of the earth. His glory was intended to cover the entire world, and that can only happen when people all over come to the light of salvation. Anyone who has turned on a light at night can understand this concept. Turn it on, and they will come – bugs cannot resist the light! Jesus confirmed God’s heart to include the...

The Light That Dispels Darkness

December 16, 2018December 15, 2018 by Dorothea ShieldsNo Comments

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people, but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2 Driving down the streets of Pleasant Grove in Dallas, TX is similar to entering a third world nation, at least for this middle-class white girl. Somehow I escaped the drug scene at school, and even in college, where drinking was the social norm, I never enjoyed the feeling of drunkenness. I cannot relate to the overwhelming sense of darkness because I grew up in the light. When I was a child, I readily received Jesus as Lord and Savior, and had child-like faith, believing that Jesus cared and wanted to release people from oppression and sickness. But attending church in the inner city has opened my eyes to the pervasive darkness and hopelessness. People living in the grip of poverty – generation upon generation – is inconceivably heart-wrenching. The struggles these dear ones face...