Good Morning Girls
Read Luke 2:1-7 Soap Luke 2:7
The distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about eighty miles. The terrain was rocky and primitive. The manger where Jesus laid was most likely located in a cave, rather than a wooden stable. Perhaps these details seemed significant today because childbirth was not that long ago for me. Can you imagine having contractions on a donkey that is slowly bouncing up and down for eighty miles?! I'm sure Joseph was also frustrated since he could do nothing to help Mary. So when they finally arrived in Bethlehem, imagine the desperation of having no place to deliver the baby! Not to mention, ladies, that she had no epidural for the pain! All of these factors make me think that this journey was probably a blur for Mary. I'm sure she was probably just trying to make it through the contractions and didn't have the presence of mind to worry about the inn (or lack of one).
This is symbolic of the world's response to Jesus - no room. "He came unto his own and his own received him not." John 1:11. May we all make room in our hearts for Jesus. It occurs to me that sometimes we as believers still leave no room for Jesus as we overcrowd our schedules with activity. Father, give us wisdom to simplify our lives enough to maintain a close relationship with you. Give us the courage to remove needless activity that crowds you out.
Comment below. If anyone needs me to make the first post earlier in the day, please let me know. I know some of you prefer to do your devotions first thing in the morning. So I don't want to keep you from being able to post because you're waiting on me. If you're a morning reader, let me know what time you prefer in the comments. Thanks!
Hi Fawn:
ReplyDeleteIt's good either way, I do my devotions and bible study in the mornings and I type them up on my computer and save them. So its not a bother to wait for you to post. I realize you have your family and your ministry to take care of so its all good with me whenever you like.
Be Blessed
Okay, thanks friend!
DeleteGood Morning Girls
ReplyDeleteI must admit that when I first looked at our soap scriptures today that I was a little unsure what God would have me take from them. Knowing that every single word in the Bible is meant for profit in some way I kept digging and I’m glad I did.
I looked at the definition of swaddling cloths and it seems they were strips of cloths that women in that day would use to wrap their babies tightly in to keep them from scratching themselves but in this case it would be from a dingy manger full of hay and dust. Mary watched over her newborn son and protected Him from any rough elements that might touch his newborn skin. How would I apply this to my life? The most delicate part of our whole body is the heart and that is where God’s word should be placed and guarded. The elements of this world will create fleshly desires that much like the Inn that had no room for Jesus, can also make no room for Him in our hearts.
Ps. 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me” that’s one of my life prayers that my heart would always be clean from sin, but I cannot say it always is, then I would be a liar. So I die daily to my flesh and pray God would allow me to serve Him in the manner that would bring Him the most glory.
Have a great day and be blessed in the Lord
Wow, great connection to the heart, Susie. Good thoughts.
DeleteI've never really thought about the questions you posted about the inn keeper Brandy. A little kindness goes a long way in showing someone you care about them on a personal level. I too have been guilty of avoiding closer friendships with people because of the anticipated effort it might require on my part that might include.....(big sigh)drama:) I think as I age and my family dynamics change (kids grow older) that might get easier, but I don't know? Am I willing to go the extra mile to show God's love to someone who is not a Christian? Randy has alway's said "Ministry is Messy" and that is true.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts here. Yes, sometimes showing love is a little messy.
DeleteFawn, please feel the freedom to post whenever you like. I am just grateful that you are willing to facilitate this blog.
ReplyDeleteTonight, as I read the assigned scripture, I was originally less enthusiastic about our SOAP. I have heard and read the Christmas story since I was young, and I wasn't sure how God was going to use it to speak to me this evening. However, in only a way that God can, He took a very familiar scripture and led me to look at it in a completely different light than I have previously explored. Mary was in the process of giving birth to my King. Was she surrounded by luxuries? In a clean, elegant setting? Able to be in the utmost comfort? Certainly, not! She was surrounded by animals, dirt, and dust. She has just made a long journey in anguish. Yet, does the scripture say that she was discouraged or complained. No! Mary made the best of a rough situation. I am SO guilty of wanting life to be a fairy tale. I want things the way that I want them and to go a certain way. Anytime this isn't the case, I find myself whining and complaining. How embarrassing!! Instead of looking for ways that God can be showing or teaching me through life's unexpected mishaps (in my book), I precede to have a pity party. This is not okay!
God, please prick my heart and help me to see You in the good things and bad. Please help me to always remember Romans 8:28.
I also thought of Mary delivering her very first baby in undesirable conditions. I can also be guilty of pity parties. I had written for my application " God blesses us through it all and just because conditions are not what you desire doesn't mean something very good won't come of it." To my surprise when I first saw the passage, I took a great lesson from it today. When things seem rough.... remember Mary!
ReplyDeleteSounds like several of us were thinking along the same lines. In today's world, women prepare for months for birth, make a "birth plan", read books, talk to friends going through the same thing. We want everything to be perfect. I remember reading "What to expect when you're Expecting, recording in my pregnancy journal what was going on each day, and getting daily emails from Babycenter! Mary didn't have ANY of this. It doesn't take a lot to be able to do work for the Lord. Just listen and obey. I also like something I read in Halley's Bible Handbook about this section. It was titled The Amazing Providence of God, "The Messiah was to be born of the family of David, and to be born in Bethlehem. But the chosen parents lived at Nazareth, 100 miles from Bethlehem. A decree of Rome requires them to go to Bethlehem, just as the child is to be born. Thus God makes the decree of a pagan empire to be the instrument of fulfilling his prophecies."
ReplyDeleteExcellent truth you extracted from this text.
ReplyDelete