Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Luke 2:8-11 "8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 And The Angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ The Lord." This week is the last week of our study Children of the Heavenly Father. We return to the Gospel of Luke for the written record, chapter two, where Caesar Augustus, has declared that "all the world should be taxed." God uses unbelievers and even those who are hostile to Him to accomplish His plans. In Micah 5:2 it was prophesied that Christ would be born in Bethlehem! Written about five hundred years before these events took place.  All this took place so Christ was born in Bethlehem. "And she brought fo...

Luke 2:4-7 "4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 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." All summer long we have studied Children of the Heavenly Father. And, this week, the last week of this study, we get to the point of it all; Jesus Christ becoming incarnate! We return to the Gospel of Luke for the written record, chapter two, where Caesar Augustus, has declared that "all the world should be taxed." The Roman occupying force put a great burden on many people for the purpose of tax collection.  It's a curious thing that God uses unbeli...

Luke 2:1-3 "1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city." All summer long we have studied Children of the Heavenly Father. We have learned from the examples and experiences recorded in the Holy Bible.  Highlights include; • Shaping Our Faith about the nobleman asking Jesus to heal his dying son. • The Parable of the MUSTARD SEED • The Parable of the PRODIGAL SON • Coat of Many Colors, Free from and Free for… with freedom come responsibility • Healing and Hope about the young lady brought back to life by Jesus! • Growing in Body and Spirit about Jesus gone missing from His Mother and Father! • Sibling Rivalry about Jacob and Esau • A Child Like Faith about Jesus taking in the children when His Disciples did not want to. Christianity is for ALL AGES! • The prophet Jeremiah ...

Psalm 105:7-9 "7 He is the LORD our God: His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered His covenant for ever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac;" Abraham was OBEDIENT. The Angel of the LORD said "I know that thou FEAREST God," and because of Abraham's faith and the plan of redemption that God has for this bloodline; "And in thy seed shall ALL the nations of the earth be BLESSED; because thou hast OBEYED My voice." GOD "hath remembered His covenant for ever, The Word which He commanded to a thousand generations." It's through these people our Lord and Savior comes into the world and ministered to them and by them to us. Then and there at the cross Jesus took our punishment for our sins; GIVING us SALVATION.  GOD sacrificed His only Son for YOU.  GOD did it ALL. GOD is asking you to worship Him.  GOD has asked you to give back ten percent of your ...

Genesis 22:15-18 "15 And The Angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My voice." OBEDIENCE is hard.  It creates stress between my will and Thy will. Do what God wants and not what you want. It comes down to me, myself and I vs THY. What is God asking you to be obedient to? How will you respond? What will you do?  At the minimum GOD is asking you to worship Him. He has not asked you to journey three days to sacrifice your son. He has asked you to attend church and praise His Holy Name. Are you doing that? God has asked ...

Genesis 22:12-14 "12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen." "now I know that thou FEAREST God,"  The Angel of the LORD says to Abraham. Abraham shows us what it's like to pass the test. This whole scene is CRAZY to our way of thinking. Yet, child sacrifice was practiced in this day and time. It was something that was done. What is REMARKABLE here is that GOD stops it! Abraham passed the test and he did NOT have to sacrifice his son!! As modern people what do we FEAR??? We FEAR Covid. We F...

Genesis 22:9-11 "9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I." "Here am I." Abraham says to The Angel of the LORD. "Hineni" in Hebrew. It is a parent’s response to the call of their child and it is a child’s response to the call of their parent. It is also the response to the call from GOD. Hineni demonstrates The Caller has THE ATTENTION of the listener. This is it the point of NO RETURN. Abraham is about to sacrifice his son... "stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to SLAY his SON." Abraham has the knife ready to fall when The Angel of the LORD call to him, to stop him! Every step of the journey to this point is an...

Genesis 22:6-8 "6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." Every step is an example of Abraham's obedience. He is taking action and demonstrating OBEDIENCE. He got up EARLY, SADDLED his donkey, cut wood for the fire, TOOK two young helpers and Isaac his son.  They went on the THREE DAY journey GOD planned for them. Abraham has the young helpers stay with the donkey as he and Isaac keep moving forward, going to "WORSHIP" GOD. Going to the point of no return. The point where Abraham will have to sacrifice his son... Today's verses; "And ...

Genesis 22:3-5 "3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you." In our series titled Children of the Heavenly Father; we have gone back to Genesis. Studying an event that took place approximately four thousand years ago! At this time in Abraham's life he is growing old and he has experienced a lot. He is living a peaceful life tending to his flock in the open pasture. It's at this time of abundance and tranquility the most severe test is given to Abraham; God is asking him to sacrifice his son... "And Abraham ROSE up EARLY in the morning, and SADDLED his ass, and TOOK tw...

Genesis 22:1 & 2 "1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." This week we continue our series titled Children of the Heavenly Father. The last couple of weeks our focus was on our LORD and SAVIOR, the ONLY begotten Son of God! This week we will go back to Genesis to study an event that took place approximately four thousand years ago!  God is asking Abraham to sacrifice his son. This is crazy. This is OUTRAGEOUS. Sacrificing your son; who does that? ...✝️ At this time in Abraham's life he is growing old and he has experienced a lot. He is living a peaceful life tending to his flock in the open pasture. His elder son Ishmael was grown up and prosperous. His younger son, Isaac, is g...

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." While we will ALL know TRIBULATION. We will learn to accept or tolerate trouble and suffering without getting angry or upset. We will gain knowledge and skill by our practical contact and observations. Through it all we can grow in our walk with the Lord and our TRUST and FAITH will grow. Our FAITH is completely a gift given to us by the Holy Ghost!  This gift will be a great COMFORT to us. As Jesus says in today's verse everything we learn is from the Holy Ghost. And, the things we remember are from the Holy Ghost. The gifts from the Holy Ghost are ever present and more bountiful in our lives than we recognize. Let's appreciate the Holy Ghost and the COMFORT given to us always in the name of our Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ. Amen. Please join us at one of the oldest Lu...

Romans 5:3-5 "3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." The Holy Family knew TRIBULATION. King Herod's Massacre of the innocents is horrifyingly brutal expression of the world's evil. Children need protection and care. It's a dangerous world. We need to be smart and be safe BUT not over protected. We too will know TRIBULATION. When we do we need to accept or tolerate trouble and suffering without getting angry or upset. We will get to know TRIBULATION. We gain knowledge and skill by our practical contact and observations. Through it all we can grow in our walk with the Lord and our TRUST and FAITH will grow. And, our TRIBULATION will never be as great as our Lord and Savior and His sacrifice on the cross. This is where the LOVE of GOD s...

Matthew 2:19-21 "19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young Child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel." Jesus is BACK! Now, it is safe to return; king Herod sent soldiers to kill ALL BABIES under two years old in the area around Bethlehem. An event people were NOT able to forget. Called the Massacre of the innocents it is horrifyingly brutal in that it is the king and his army slaughtering the most defenseless and vunrable in society. We all know that children need protection and care. It's a dangerous world. If we do something we could get hurt. If we are over protected we can't live. We are going to get hurt. We need to be smart and be safe BUT not over protected. In today's verses we read that the danger has pas...

Matthew 2:17 & 18 "17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." Where were you?  When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center? When the plane crashed into the Pentagon?  When the plane crashed into a field? We gathered and watched.  We checked on loved ones.  We looked into the sky.  We wondered what was going to happen next. We KNEW this world IS very dangerous. These events defined our generation. We all have the horror and terror of this event burned deep into our memory. We are NOT able to forget.  In our verses we are reading the attempt to record and describe the horror and terror of Massacre of the innocents. When king Herod sent soldiers to kill ALL BABIES under two years old in the area around Bethlehem. An event they were NOT able to forget. To...

Matthew 2:16 "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men." Massacre of the innocents. Is what this is event is called.  It was an event that defined generations in this part of the world. Everyone would have had the horror and terror of this event burned deep into their memory. They would NOT be able to forget.  Where were you?  When the planes crashed into the World Trade Center? Where were you?  When the plane crashed into the Pentagon?  Where were you? When the plane crashed into a field? We gathered and watched.  We checked on loved ones.  We looked into the sky.  We wondered what was going to happen next. We KNEW this world IS very dangerous. These events defined our generation. We all have the horror and terro...

Matthew 2:14 & 15 "14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son." This week we continue our study Children of the Heavenly Father focused on an event that took place when Jesus was a baby. The narrative picks up right after the Wisemen came to pay homage to the Messiah. The evil King Herod saw this as an opportunity to eliminate the threat to his rule. Herod sent soldiers to kill ALL BABIES under two years old. Imagine the horror. Very evil plans. GOD warns Joseph in a dream; "Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and FLEE into EGYPT, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to DESTROY HIM." The Holy Family is running for their lives. Today's verse "When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by ...

Matthew 2:13 "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." This week we continue our series titled Children of the Heavenly Father. AND! We will continue our focus on our LORD and SAVIOR, the ONLY begotten Son of God! This week we will study an event that took place when Jesus was a baby. For the record of these events we turn to the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew was born and raised as a Jew. He grew up to become a tax collector. He would have been marginalized by his friends, family and neighbors. Jesus and company took Matthew in. Matthew went on to write his Gospel in Hebrew and later translated it into Greek for a larger audience. We reenter the narrative right after the Wisemen came to pay homage to the Messiah. The evil King Herod saw this as an opportunity ...

Luke 1:50 "And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation." Mary brings all the glory to GOD!  She is indeed BLESSED. Through her we are all blessed. Our Lord and Savior being born into the flesh. To live and breathe like us. To walk and talk amongst us. And to die on the cross for our sins. It is the most incredible thing to ever happen! JUMP FOR JOY!!! Like baby John the Baptist!! "FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION." We need to praise and worship our Lord and Savior. Please attend a Holy Bible believing and teaching church. When you are in the Fredericksburg Texas area; please join us at one of the oldest Lutheran Churches in the region! It is beautiful! An old stone building with vibrant stained glass everywhere you look. And, ornately carved wood altar and flying pulpit! It is an amazing sight to behold. And, the people are VERY friendly and welcoming. The Pastor's are outstanding and outgoing. We look forward to seeing you in worship. http...

Luke 1:48 & 49 "48 For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name." Mary brings all the glory to GOD! She is indeed BLESSED. This moment when the unborn are contributing is amazing. The GOD of all creation living and growing in this young woman's womb! Our Lord and Savior being born into the flesh. To live and breathe like us. To walk and talk amongst us. And to die on the cross for our sins. It is the most incredible thing to ever happen! JUMP FOR JOY!!! Like baby John the Baptist!! HIS sacrifice is profound.  Worthy of our devotion and worship for eternity. It can move us even though it happened over two thousand years ago. With time people often forget. Today we remember many who sacrificed everything twenty years ago. Many were going about their daily routine. Doing the mundane stuff they had always done; when sudd...

Luke 1:46 & 47 "46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." Elisabeth has spoken from the inspiration from the Holy Ghost. In today's verses Mary tops off the previous proclamations; "My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath REJOICED in GOD my SAVIOUR." Beautiful words from beautiful ladies.  "BLESSED art thou among women, and BLESSED is the fruit of thy womb." Elisabeth knows this is an honor to be visited by Mary and the unborn Jesus. She proclaimed it loudly. Recognizing that Mary is "BLESSED" and clearly understanding that this unborn Jesus is her LORD and SAVIOR!!! Elisabeth said her baby "LEAPED in my womb FOR JOY." What makes you jump for joy? Sometimes it's HARD to JUMP for JOY. We might not feel joyful. In fact we might feel the opposite. We might get down in the dumps. We can realize that we are all sinners. Each dirty and filthy in our own way. From ...

Luke 1:44 & 45 "44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." Mary went through considerable stress in her family and hometown and gets away to the "hill country" to stay with a cousin for rest and relaxation. The home she visits is Zacharias and his wife's. They too are pregnant. Their baby will grow up to be John the Baptizer; the forerunner of the promised Messiah! Even as an unborn baby he is harolding Jesus arrival! Elisabeth speaks from the inspiration from the Holy Ghost; "BLESSED art thou among women, and BLESSED is the fruit of thy womb." Elisabeth knows this is an honor to be visited by Mary and the unborn Jesus. She proclaimed it loudly. Recognizing that Mary is "BLESSED" and clearly understanding that this unborn Jesus is her LORD and SAVIOR!!! ...

Luke 1:42 & 43 "42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" We turned to the Gospel of Luke to study an event that took place when Jesus was IN UTERO, a growing baby in Mary's womb. She has gone through considerable stress in her family and hometown. And is now getting away to the "hill country" to stay with a cousin for rest and relaxation. The home she visits is Zacharias, a PRIEST from the tribe of LEVI who served the Lord during the reign of Herod in Judea. Zechariah’s wife, Elisabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron, they are pregnant with the baby who will grow up to be John the Baptizer; the forerunner of the promised Messiah! When Mary arrived "THE BABE LEAPED" in Elisabeth's womb; and she was filled with the Holy Ghost! This prophet is eager to proclaim the arrival of The Messiah. He is LE...

Luke 1:40 & 41 "40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:" Continuing our series titled Children of the Heavenly Father. This week we will study an event that took place when Jesus was IN UTERO. We turn to the Gospel of Luke. A doctor who was a Syrian from Antioch, Luke brings an outsider's perspective to the amazing events he chronicles. He lived and traveled with the disciples and family and would have had access to all the first person eye witnesses to the life and work of Jesus Christ. For this week's verses we know that Luke talked with Mary recorded these cherished events from VERY EARLY in the life and times of Jesus. In today's verse Jesus is a growing baby in Mary's womb. She has gone through considerable stress in her family and hometown. So, getting away to the "hill c...

Luke 1:39 "And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;" This week we continue our series titled Children of the Heavenly Father. While we are ALL Children of the Heavenly Father, it is best to remember that our LORD and SAVIOR is the ONLY begotten Son of God the Father! And, it is Jesus that all of the Holy Scriptures tells about. This week we will study an event that took place when Jesus was IN UTERO. For the record of these events we turn to the Gospel of Luke. Trained to be a doctor Luke was a Syrian from Antioch. So, he was NOT Jewish and brings an outsiders perspective to amazing events he chronicles. Luke lived and traveled with the disciples and family he would have had access to all the first person eye witnesses to the life and work of Jesus Christ. For this week's verses we know that Luke talked with Mary recorded these cherished events from VERY EARLY in the life and times of Jesus. In today's verse Jesus i...

Acts 3:22 & 26 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you... 26 Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." We cannot over state the importance of Moses. He was the human intermediary between the people and GOD. Moses is the one who brings GOD'S LAW to the people. Without GOD'S LAW we have no way to know GOD'S GOSPEL. Without the there is no "iniquities" to turn from and there is no need for the Savior. Even Moses foretold of the Savior and we need to listen to Him; "whatsoever He shall say unto you." Please go to church and listen for the LAW and GOSPEL. And, when you are in the Fredericksburg, Texas area; please join us at one of the oldest Lutheran Churches in the region! It is beautiful! An old stone building wi...

Exodus 2:9 & 10 "9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water." Baby Moses was cared for by his birth mother AND protected and raised by his adopted mother; Pharaoh's Daughter!!! Moses was saved from death, "drew him out of the water." and placed in the BEST situation possible. He grew up in the lap of luxury and receive the world's best education! He had the BEST of everything the world has to offer!  Still, he was balanced by knowing his Israelite family and seeing them live as slaves to his adopted family. This duality weighed heavy on Moses. When he witnesses injustice to Israelites he attacks and kills the offending Egyptian. This causes Moses to have to flee ...

Exodus 2:7 & 8 "7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother." Their plan, if not inspired by GOD, definitely guided by GOD, is working! His family hid him from the Egyptian Slave Masters. They would kill baby Moses if they found him. The family made the ARK basket and sent Moses on his perilous journey down the Nile river. Moses' older sister, Miriam, kept watch from the river bank. THEN! THE ONE person who can save baby Moses has him PULLED from the WATER; Pharaoh's Daughter. Baby Moses cried and she fell in love. In today's verses, Miriam comes forward; "Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a NURSE of the Hebrew women, that she may NURSE the child for thee? And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went ...

Exodus 2:5 & 6 "5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children." BE STILL MOSES.  Keep your head down. The three month old baby is floating in a basket that is like an ARK sailing him to safety, along the banks of the Nile river amongst the cattails. His family hid him from the Egyptian Slave Masters. They would kill this baby if they found him. They made the ARK basket and sent Moses on this perilous journey. Dangers are everywhere so Moses' sister kept an eye on him in the river; "And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him." We find out in today's verses; "And the DAUGHTER of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; ...

Exodus 2:3 & 4 "3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him." This is Moses' own origin story, his mother could not bring herself to part with her baby boy. This is her third child, Aaron being the first and Miriam the second. Pharaoh is MURDERING all the Israelite's baby boys by throwing them into the Nile river! If the Egyptians found the family hiding a baby boy; there would be DIRE consequences for everyone! This child, Moses, had to be hid from the Egyptian Slave Masters. They would make this family a cautionary example. Especially since they are from the tribe of LEVI. The Levites were one of the most important tribes of Israel because they were responsible for the RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP of the Israelites. It seems as if they have a plan, ...