Sermon Notes; a Daily Devotional

Matthew 2:11 & 12 "11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." The contrast would have been incredible; going from Herod’s palace filled with brutality, betrayal and jealousy to this little manger scean that is seren and humble. In today's verses the wise men present their gifts, tribute to this newborn King; "...and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; GOLD, and FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH." GOLD - precious metal, expensive. The King of Kings. Isreal wanted another King David. FRANKINCENSE - was a gift for a God. Something you burnt as an offering to God. Incense are still used today.  MYRRH - embalm...

Matthew 2:8-10 "8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." What a GREAT relief it would have been to get out of Herod's palace! These wise men would have been wise to the kind of evil Herod was up to. King Herod did NOT know about the Baby Messiah that was just born in his country. The wise men did know and they are about to find Him! "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with EXCEEDING GREAT JOY." We do not know how many wise men there were. There were three gifts listed so we assume there was a representative for each gift. There could have been more than three wise men? What if there were more tha...

Matthew 2:5-7 "5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared." Herod is "troubled;" so everyone is TROUBLED.  He DEMANDED of chief priests, scribes and everyone else WHERE Christ should be born. In today's verses we read their answer; "Bethlehem of Judaea." This is the prophecy of the prophet Micah 5:2. The words in Micah are somewhat different. We believe Matthew reported the words the priests and scribes delivered to king Herod. There would have been a lot of witnesses in the king's court. They would be there out of curiosity of who the wise men were AND now there is intrigue about the "mystery" birth!?!?  The not knowing about...

Matthew 2:3 & 4 "3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born." When Herod is "troubled;" everyone is TROUBLED.  The arrival of "wise men" from the Persian Empire looking for "He that is born King of the Jews?" is VERY upsetting to Herod. The wise men had studied the prophetic writings of Daniel about the coming Messiah. They "have seen His star in the east, and are come to WORSHIP HIM." These words would have STUNG Herod's pride. Herod was the King of the Jews! Who could these wise men be looking for? The gifts they bring should be for Herod! Herod is jealous!! Herod is angry!!! It is VERY dangerous to be around Herod in this situation.  Herod is the family name of the ruling dynasty in Israel at this time. This particular Herod is Herod Antipas. He wa...

Matthew 2:1 & 2 "1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Merry Christmas!!! Jesus was a baby and that is a VERY BIG DEAL!  All the promises GOD made came true in the birth of this little baby.  We remember this incredible event to this very day in our Christmas plays and Nativity sets. It's quite a cast of characters. And, the players in the Nativity scean does not end at the edge of the display. No, it continues out into the whole world. We all have rolls to play. Everybody. And, the story is not over... This week in our daily devotional we will study the "wise men from the east..." They came looking for "He that is born King of the Jews?" These WISE MEN are here because they have studied the prophetic writings of Daniel about the co...

Luke 2:19 & 20 "19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Merry Christmas!!! Jesus was a baby and that is a VERY BIG DEAL! We always overlook the small things. Our sermon was titled "Little Things That Aren't So Little." We turn to the Gospel of Luke, chapter two for the Christmas account. Reading verses one through twenty gives us a real reliable record of events. We are paying  attention to the minor words and how they have a major impact on the meaning.  In verse eleven; "For UNTO you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." This is the angels message to the shepherds out in the field. They were there minding their own business when the Heavenly light show broke the silent, calm night. They were out there hurding sheep, they were clueless about Mary, Jos...

Luke 2:11 & 12 "11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Merry Christmas!!! This is the most incredible day ever! All Advent we studied the inconceivable way GOD came to be with us in the form of a helpless little baby. Today we celebrate this improbable birth. Jesus was a baby that is a VERY BIG DEAL! We always overlook the small things. Our sermon was titled "Little Things That Aren't So Little." We turn to the Gospel of Luke, chapter two for the Christmas account. Reading verses one through twenty gives us a real reliable record of events. As we read we are going to pay close attention to the prepositions in the verse. They are minor words in size and they have a major impact on the meaning.  In verse eleven; "For UNTO you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the L...

Psalm 121:7 & 8 "7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." We have turned to the book of Psalms to chapter one hundred and twenty-one.  God came down from Heaven to help us all!!!  GOD does NOT sleep. The LORD IS THY KEEPER. AND!!! Today's verses; "The LORD shall preserve thee from ALL EVIL: He shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even FOR EVERMORE." Jesus is God. We need to have faith and belive. Because of Jesus we can sleep in heavenly peace. We can relax God Incarnate, The Word made flesh has everything under control. We may not understand the world and we may even think that everything is OUT of control but it's NOT. Everything is as it should be and God's plan is unfolding.  That is worth celebrating this Christmas and every other day of the ...

Psalm 121:5 & 6 "5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night." We have turned to the book of Psalms to chapter one hundred and twenty-one.  God came down from Heaven to help us all!!!  GOD does NOT sleep. AND!!! Today's verses; "The LORD IS THY KEEPER: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night." GOD KEEPS us!!! GOD protects us!!!  And, we need it! God doesn't need sleep but we do. We can try to burn the candle at both ends. We can race through life ASLEEP at the wheel. When we need help; Jesus will take the wheel. Comforting to know,  The Word made flesh. God Incarnate. We have reassurance. Like a night light, or a fan running as we sleep. We need things like this to comfort us as we sleep. We can know all is well thanks to Jesus. We need to be loyal and faithful. Jesus has faced the storms of life. He is God. ...

Psalm 121:3 & 4 "3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." GOD does NOT sleep. Yet, when Jesus came to us as a baby He needed to sleep! Like the great and timeless song; "Away In A Manger" written by: Martin Luther! "...the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay." It is very satisfying and endearing. To see in our mind's eye a quiet moment when this Holy Baby sleeps. This BABY wholly venerable human AND wholly omnipotent GOD! Our beloved God came dome from Heaven to help us all!!! We turn to the book of Psalms to chapter one hundred and twenty-one. This beautiful fact that we need help from ABOVE; "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." And, today's verses; "He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Be...

Psalm 121:1 & 2 "1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." All Advent we have studied the fact that Jesus came to us as a baby. A baby who cried. A baby who needed His diaper changed. A baby that needed to be fed. And, this week we study a baby that needed to sleep! Like the great and timeless song; "Away In A Manger" written by: Martin Luther! "...the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay." It is very satisfying and endearing. To see in our mind's eye a quiet moment when this Holy Baby sleeps. This BABY wholly venerable human AND wholly omnipotent GOD! Our beloved God came dome from Heaven to help us all!!! We turn to the book of Psalms to chapter one hundred and twenty-one. This is beautiful combination of the sentiments of "Away In A Manger" with the idea we need help from ABOVE; "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my ...

Away In A Manger Author: Martin Luther "1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay, the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 2 The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, but little Lord Jesus no crying He makes. I love you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh. 3 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask You to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, and take us to heaven to live with You there." We are in the last week of Advent, we are celebrating Jesus becoming incarnate. We are studying the fact that Jesus came to us as a baby. A baby who cried. A baby who needed His diaper changed. A baby that needed to be fed. And, this week we study a baby that needed to sleep! This BABY is both human and GOD! It's REALLY incredible.  We are beginning this week study in what we think of as a child's son...

"Yet in Thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." from "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Song by Lewis Redner and Phillips Brooks Bethlehem, or in Hebrew the “House of Bread.”  Our Lord and Savior, The BREAD of LIFE, was born, became incarnate in the “House of Bread.” God sustains our lives, weather we realize it or not. Jesus is the true source of our spiritual life, both in this present world and in the everlasting life to come.  Whether it's physical nourishment or spiritual fulfillment we are sustained from hand to mouth! We that come to Christ and believe in Him are nourished. The principles we learn in the Holy Scriptures will help us abide through this life.  Never hunger.  Never thirst.  "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight." Please come in from "thy dark streets" to where "the everlasting light" shineth at one of the oldest Lutheran Chu...

John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." The BREAD of LIFE.  God sustains our lives, weather we realize it or not. Jesus is the true source of our spiritual life, both in this present world and in the everlasting life to come. When the Devil seeks out Jesus in the wilderness after FASTING he WAY underestimates Jesus's resolve and strength.  Jesus spent forty days and nights FEASTING on the fullness of GOD, opening His heart to the presence of God. His soul attuned to hear God's voice. Jesus's time here made Him stronger and prepared Him for these temptations! The "Bread of Life," did not need to turn rocks into bread! The God who became incarnate in Bethlehem, or in Hebrew the “House of Bread.” Don't you see how weak and pathetic the devil is? Jesus modeled how to face the devil and the many temptations of this world; with The Word of God, Ho...

Matthew 4:4 "But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." In these verses in the Gospel of Matthew; Jesus has gone into the wilderness and fasted for forty days and nights. FASTING is NOT just NOT eating food. It’s about FEASTING on the fullness of GOD. Fasting opens your heart to experience the presence of God. It attunes your soul to hear God's voice. Jesus's time here did not make Him more venerable. No, it made Him stronger and prepared Him for the temptations! The Devil's TEMPTATION is for Jesus, the "Bread of Life," to turn rocks into bread! The God who became incarnate in Bethlehem, or in Hebrew "Bet Leḥem" which means the “House of Bread.” This is The Son of GOD, son of the GOD who made manna fall from the sky to feed the Israelites when they were hungry in the wilderness.  And! The devil knows it!! Don't you see how weak and pathetic the devi...

Matthew 4:3 "And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Jesus came to us as a baby. A baby that needed to be fed! Just like we ALL need to eat? How many times a day? Even if we do NOT "fast" for forty days we get HUNGRY. We need to eat to be healthy and to be strong. Sometimes we eat BIG meals and other times little snacks. Jesus would have had many meals before He came here to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Practitioners of fasting say it's really isn’t about NOT eating food. It’s about FEASTING on the fullness of every divine blessing secured for us in Christ. Fasting opens our hearts to experience the presence of God. It attunes our souls to hear His voice. It helps practitioners experience His love and the fullness of His joy. So, it should be seen that Jesus's time here did not make Him more venerable. No, it made Him stronger and prepared Him for what the devil is about to...

Matthew 4:2 "And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred." Jesus came to us as a baby. A baby who cried. A baby who needed His diaper changed. A baby that needed to be fed! This BABY is both human and GOD! He was there when the universe was created and He comes to live with us in a poor town in the middle of nowhere as the child of a unlikely and unassuming couple unknown to the world.  It's REALLY incredible.  Do you need to eat? How many times a day? Even if we do NOT "fast" for forty days we get hungry. We need to eat to be healthy and to be strong. Sometimes we eat BIG meals an other times little snacks. Jesus would have had many meals before He came here to the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. In our instance gratification culture it is very hard for us to understand why Jesus retreated in solitude to abstain from eating for SO LONG. We don't understand what practitioners of fasting KNOW; it really isn’t about n...

Matthew 4:1 "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." This is the third week of Advent, we want to celebrate Jesus becoming incarnate. We are studying the fact that Jesus came to us as a baby. A baby who cried. A baby who needed His diaper changed. And, this week we study a baby that needed to be fed! This BABY is both human and GOD! He was there when the universe was created and He comes to live with us in a poor town in the middle of nowhere as the child of a unlikely and unassuming couple unknown to the world. It's REALLY incredible.  God's plan is both wonderful and incomprehensible. As recipients of GOD'S GRACE we do our best to follow God's plan for our lives and we FALL short of doing things right. It's INCREDIBLE that God has provided us with the sacrament of Holy Communion!!! The reoccurring event of Holy Communion reminds us that Jesus TOOK our burden of sin, so that we could return to God, THE Father, ...

1 Correnthians 11:24-26 "24 And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. 25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come." Last week we studied the wonderful and incomprehensible work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ coming into our world in the flash, as a regular person to be sacrificed on the cross for all of the things WE messed up royally. As the gravity of this unexplainable gift by GOD'S GRACE sinks in we need to be aware that as recipients we have a great responsibility to live GRATEFULLY and do our best to follow God's plan for our lives.  And, considering our shortcomings in living God's plan for our lives it's all the more INCREDIB...

2 Peter 2:20-22 "20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. BEWARE!!! This week have studied the wonderful and incomprehensible work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ coming into our world in the flash, as a regular person to be sacrificed on the cross for all of our sins; all the things we messed up royally. Then we read from the Psalms when King David asks for forgiveness in his heartfelt and timeless words. With the expression of wanting to share this Good News with others. W...

Psalm 51:12 & 13 "12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee." We turned to the book of Psalms to read familiar words written by King David at a time when he had messed up royally. David knows it was all his own doing and he asks GOD to CHANGE him; "CREATE in me a clean heart, O God; and RENEW a right spirit within me. Cast me NOT away from Thy presence; and take NOT Thy Holy Spirit from me." These verses are SO recognizable to us because they are used in the "Offertory." Whe the offering of bread and wine to God as part of the Communion ceremony during our church service. And, they continue with the first of today's verses; "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit." GREAT words that signal to us the forgiveness of our sins. The cleansing and changing of our dirty situation to one...

Psalm 51:10 & 11 "10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." Our study this week reveals we all have sinned. We get our own CHANGE; Baptism is a washing and a cleaning. By the person and work of Jesus Christ we are given RECONCILIATION with our Holy God. Each of us just needs to accept the GIFT of GRACE. This is all a fancy way to say we are alright with GOD! AND, not just alright but part of His family and church. Today we turn to the book of Psalms to read familiar words written by King David at a time when he had messed up royally. He knows he has done very bad things and he ask for GOD help! David knows it was all his own doing and he asks GOD to CHANGE him; "CREATE in me a clean heart, O God; and RENEW a right spirit within me. Cast me NOT away from Thy presence; and take NOT Thy Holy Spirit from me." The Hebrew word for "CREATE" here is ...

2 Correnthians 5:21 "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Our study this week is A Baby Needs A Change.  No matter our age and situation; we are all like babies with dirty diapers needing to be changed. We have sinned and messed up the things we are living in. We get our own CHANGE; Baptism is a washing and a cleaning. Jesus was sacrificed on the cross for our wrong doings and we are given His right doings in exchange!! It is an amazing great exchange that defies all explanation!!! By the person and work of Jesus Christ we are given RECONCILIATION with our Holy God. Each of us just needs to accept the GIFT of GRACE. This is all a fancy way to say we are alright with GOD! AND, not just alright but part of His family and church. Read today's verses; "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Him." The Good News of Jesus Christ ...

2 Correnthians 5:19 & 20 "19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." We are celebrating Jesus becoming incarnate during the season of Advent! Our study this week is A Baby Needs A Change. This reminds us that Jesus came into the world as a helpless baby needing all the CARE that babies require. This also reminds us that no matter our age and situation; we are all like babies with dirty diapers needing to be changed. We have sinned and messed up the things we are living in.  We get our own CHANGE; Baptism is a washing and a cleaning. We become clean by this SACRAMENT.  We are born dirty and God changes us. "... if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are ...

2 Correnthians 5:17 & 18 "17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;" This is the second week of Advent, the time of year we celebrate Jesus becoming incarnate, we are studying; A Baby Needs A Change. This is not something we normally think about; Jesus needing His diaper changed! But, He did. It would be good for us to remember this moment was also very earthy.  It was "natural" child birth in a barn, where cows, sheep, camels and more were living. There would have been many barnyard smells and animal sounds. Something that looks good on the screen or in a painting but being immersed in this setting is ANOTHER experience.  To see a great perspective on this subject we turned to the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Here Paul surveys his li...

Philippians 3:8 "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," This is the second week of Advent, the time of year we celebrate Jesus becoming incarnate. Last week we marveled that Jesus came to us as a baby who cried. That baby grows up to become the person who is sacrificed on the cross and cried there. AND, it's a cry that SAVES All others! The reason for The Season!! Praise the Lord!!! This week we are going to study; A Baby Needs A Change. While this is self evident to everyone who has cared for a baby; it's not something we normally think about. Jesus needing His diaper changed! But, He did. While Jesus is 100% God He is also 100% human. We love this GREAT event and love to think about the Angels visiting the shepherds in the field. Or, the wise men following the star. There is so many GLORIOUS aspects...

Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." God saves! He sends His only Son to be sacrificed on the cross. Jesus made good on His promises, saving all others. Coming into our world as a helpless infant away in the manger. CRYING.  Jesus will be coming "THE SECOND TIME!" Jesus will NOT be CRYING when He returns.  Before this time we want to turn to GOD earnestly and humbly asking for forgiveness and help. Even when we have messed things up so bad that we are CRYING, we can praise the Lord confident in GOD'S graciousness! GOD does hear our CRY and HELPS us. Like God helped David. Like God helped Isreal crying out in slavery. And the sick pleading to be healed by Jesus. God keeps His promises. GOD sends His Son. Before the Second Coming; please join us at one of the oldest Lutheran Churches in the region! It is beautiful! An old stone building with v...

Luke 2:7 "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." God saves His people. He sends His only Son to be sacrificed on the cross. Jesus made good on His promises, saving all others. Coming into our world as a helpless infant away in the manger. CRYING. The Son of God spent nine months in the Virgin Mary's womb. We think about Jesus leaving His "place" in heaven to become fully man. Do we think about His time in the womb? His time as a infant and then a toddler eventually to grow up! This is God, the Creator going through all the growing pains you and I went through. How did He feel going through this experience??? Did He feel like everything was under control? Was living this situation what He thought it would be? We cannot know what Jesus felt and experienced in this situation we can know how we experience similar events and what the Holy Scriptures tell ...

Psalms 142:6 & 7 "6 Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me." A Babe Who Cries is our theme for this week's study. Our reading has taken us through Psalm one hundred and forty-two. This chapter was inspired by a time when David had to hide in a cave. Hiding there he felt all alone, abandoned even. He was told he would become KING! KING of Israel!! He would be on the throne. People would be asking him for favors and permission. Instead David is on the run like a fugitive. Hiding in the a cave, there is no light, he feels the weight of everything being out of control and NOT the way he imagined it would be... AND! He turns to GOD; "I CRIED unto Thee, O LORD!" David is an inspiration and example of how we need to take our troubles to our LORD in payer earnest...

Psalms 142:5 "I cried unto Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living." It is the Advent season, we are celebrating Jesus becoming incarnate. Giving us the theme and title for this week's study; A Babe Who Cries. Babies are helpless. They cry about everything. Babies grow and learn to talk and still they cry. They learn to cry with their words. God's people crying out is nothing new. We are reading in Psalm one hundred and forty-two. Before David was crowned king but after he was anointed king, King Saul and his army were hunting him. If they found him they would mercilessly KILL him. It's this experience that made him write this Psalm. David is feeling all alone, abandoned even. He was told he would become KING! KING of Israel!! He would be on the throne. People would be asking him for favors and permission. He would have people taking care of his every need. But, that is NOT how things are for David right now. Right now; Da...

Psalms 142:3 & 4 "3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." We have entered into the Advent season. It is the time of year we celebrate Jesus becoming incarnate. Giving us the theme and title for this week's study; A Babe Who Cries. Born from the Virgin Mary, in a stable, in a small town in the middle of nowhere.  Babies are helpless. They cry about everything. Babies grow and learn to talk and still they cry. They learn to cry with their words. God's people crying out is nothing new. We pick up our reading for this week in Psalm one hundred and forty-two. Before David was crowned king but after he was anointed king, he had some difficult years. King Saul and his army were hunting him. If they found him they would mercilessly KILL him. It's ...