Luke 2:1-20

The story of the birth of Jesus:

As ordinary as it was, it was super natural! For Herod to send Mary , Joseph and the whole city to their home-town for cencus when she was pregnant? It was ordinary but super-natural. Jesus needed to be born in Bethlehem as prophesied by Isaiah.

How many natural/ordinary events in our lives do we take for granted? It’s ordinary but divine. Remember, the psalmist says He wrote out our story, every detail of your life. Nothing just happens. As long as you’re God’s child and someone is praying ,it’s never just ordinary. God moves in what appears to be ordinary  for His glory to be unveiled in your life.

It took the king to decide as he did; and thousands of people travelled back to other cities to be counted. But you know where the deal was, to get Mary to Bethlehem to give birth in a manger. God can move a whole city for his will in your life to be done. Ungodly leaders can make certain decisions that inconvenience a lot of people as seen above; all for you! Why? Romans 8:17 You are an heir of God, joint heir with Christ. You  and Jesus have this inheritance. So be still child of God, God is God. He will move heaven and earth for you.

Every Inn in Bethlehem was full. Every single one. For Joseph and Mary to make this decision they must have knocked on all possible doors. Have you been knocking every door in your life but for some reason there’s no space for you? Have you done everything that makes sense? I mean, it was only reasonable for Mary to sleep in an inn. Have you knocked on every ‘inn’? Have you applied to every job in your field? Have you tried every logical business idea? Well, sometimes God’s plan for you is in the ‘illogical.’

Eventually, Mary and Joseph had to sleep in a manger. I wonder if the owner of that manger had an idea of how much greatness he ushered into the manger. A MANGER. Where the cows and goats call home. That’s where the King of kings was born. This, my brain simply cannot fathom. However, this was God’s grand plan.

Trust God. Just go through the process. It may be completely illogical to be in a ‘manger’. An uncomfortable situation, job or stage of business. The humbling place; the manger. Remember, despite the odds, the king was born here. Could it be that you’re being prepared to birth a ‘king’? Strong faith, deep love, strong marriage, brilliant business ideas, strong family? To name but a few of the great things produced in the humbling place. Just as the world couldn’t live without THE KING, Jesus; you can’t live without some of these fruits of the manger-the humbling place.

Eventually, Joseph, Jesus and Mary went back to Nazareth. You will come out on the other side in due time. He makes things beautiful in its time. Just trust the process, trust Jesus.

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Once again, it’s that beautiful time of the year. A time to give, share, laugh, smile and make lasting memories. A time to look back into the year and give thanks; for family, life, the irrevocable gifts given to us by God, education and the beautiful little things in life.
It’s a time to reflect and ponder upon God’s goodness.

He’s faithfulness had been tried and proven true over the years and the fact that you’re reading this is evidence. As we meditate, let us remember to give thanks for all this. Have an intimate session with Jesus and tell Him how grateful you are because He enjoys spending time with you. He looks forward to having conversations with you.
2017 is almost in the mailbox. Tagged along are dreams, ambitions, imaginations and renewed hope. As is the norm, we set targets to achieve in the new year and present them to Jesus. My challenge to us is to start thanking God for the unseen. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 2nd Peter 1:3. Everything we need and will ever need has already been given to us. That’s right, Jesus Christ ensured it was made available to us when He died on the cross. The plan, the ambition and the dream; as long as it’s in line with God’s plan for your life, has already been supplied.

We need to step into the spiritual realm to see the end result as opposed to seeing the obstacles or the beginning. We need to call these plans achieved, the goals accomplished and the dreams fulfilled. Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. With this in mind, we give thanks for the goals yet to be accomplished naturally but already given to us (according to Peter) by faith. Give thanks for the unseen. For 2017 victories, for the new businesses, new families, degrees and greater things in ministry. Start speaking already because your words determine the outcome of your life.
BENEFITS OF THANKSGIVING:
• Resurrects any dead situation in life. When Jesus raised went to pray for Lazarus who was dead, He gave thanks to God for hearing Him. John 11:41-42. Give thanks in advance for any situation you need resurrected.
• Thanksgiving causes multiplication. Before Jesus fed the large crowd with 2 fish and 5 loaves, He gave thanks for the food. Instantly, the baskets were full-the food was more than enough. Activate multiplication in your life by giving thanks.
• Thanksgiving is a form of praise to God. In praising God, we exalt Him above every other creature and acknowledge His greatness. Let everything that has breath Praise God. Psalms 150:6.
Child of God, step into the victorious thanksgiving for the new year!