The Answer is to Repent

The answer for all sinners is to repent. In Luke 13:1-5, examples are given of bad that had happened to Galileans by Pilate and bad that had happened to eighteen when a tower fell on them. Jesus does not attribute the happenings to those involved as having more sin than others, but said, "...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5).

Jesus Heals and Delivers

Luke 4:18,19 (KJV)

18) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Psalm 23 (KJV)

1) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2) He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3) He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5) Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Family Memorial

I am writing today in memory of my cousin, Patrick Watson, who went to be with the Lord on December 26, 2010. I knew Patrick as a quiet, kind gentleman who always seemed to have a smile on his face. I used to see Patrick and his wife, Teresa, in a popular retail establishment where I worked in town. Both of them were always cheerful. Both of them were happy parents as they often talked of their daughters. My thoughts and prayers go out to Teresa and family. May God comfort them at this time. Amen!

Jesus Grows in Spirit, Wisdom, Stature and Favor

Jesus, the child, grew to be strong in spirit. His wisdom and stature increased as well as His favor with God and man (Luke 2:40,52).

Jesus, Our Saviour, Born Unto Us

Luke 2:6-20 (KJV)

6) And so it was, that, while [Joseph and Mary] were [in Bethlehem], 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.

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.

12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14) Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15) And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16) And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17) And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18) And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

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.

Joseph and Mary Go to Bethlehem

Luke 2:1-5(KJV)

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.

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.

Zacharias Prophesied

Luke 1:67-80 (KJV)

67) And [John the Baptist's] father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70) As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71) That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73) The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76) And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77) To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79) To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

The Lord was with John

Luke 1:66 (KJV)

66) And all they that heard [the sayings] laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with [John].

Word Spread Concerning John's Birth

Luke 1:65 (KJV)

65) And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

Zacharias' Mouth Unsealed

Luke 1:64 (KJV)

64) And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

'His Name is John'

Luke 1:59-63 (KJV)

59) And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60) And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61) And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62) And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63) And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

Elisabeth Delivers Her Son

Luke 1:57,58 (KJV)

57) Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58) And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Mary's Stay with Elisabeth

Luke 1:56 (KJV)

56) And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Mary Magnifies the Lord (Magnificat)

Luke 1: 46-55 (KJV)

46) And Mary said, My sould doth magnify the Lord,

47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

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.

50) And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51) He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52) He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53) He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54) He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55) As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

Blessed Mary

Luke 1:45 (KJV)

45) And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Elisabeth Filled with Holy Ghost

Luke 1:39-44(KJV)

39) And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

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:

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?

44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Mary Accepts Angel's Word

Luke 1:38 (KJV)

38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Nothing is Impossible with God

Luke 1:36,37 (KJV)

The angel said unto Mary,

36) And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.

37) For with God nothing shall be impossible.

The Son of God Shall Be Born

Luke 1:34,35 (KJV)

34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Angel Delivers News of Jesus

Luke 1: 29-33 (KJV)

29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Mary Favored by the Lord

Luke 1:28 (KJV)

28) And the angel came in unto [Mary], and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Angel Gabriel Visits Mary

Luke 1:26,27 (KJV)

26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

Psalms and Prayers for your Afflictions, Persecutions and Temptations

Psalms 119:49,50

49) Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50) This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psalms 7:1

1) O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me[.]

Matthew 6:9-13

Lord's Prayer

9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11) Give us this day our daily bread.

12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Be Blessed and Counted Happy

Christians certainly encounter temptations, persecutions and afflictions in life. Those Christians who are patient through temptations are blessed. Those who are patient and suffer affliction are counted as happy.

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James has us to turn to his brethren of the Lord, the prophets, 'who have spoken in the name of the Lord', for examples of 'suffering affliction, and of patience' (5:10). "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy" (5:11).

Jesus is the Only Sacrifice

Once we have been exposed to Jesus through the Word of God and accept Him, we must endure to the end. Otherwise, the Word was sown on stony ground (Mark 4:17). If we choose to completely turn away from Jesus to other gods after knowing Him, we must remember that there is no other way to heaven except through the one sacrifice of Jesus for us (Hebrews 10:12).

Embrace the Word of God sown into your heart. Be bold and hold on to the Word through all of Satan's temptations, persecutions and afflictions. Do not give in to our perverse society. Remember that Jesus was armored with the Word when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11).

Jesus Warns of Unforgivable Sin

"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation" (Mark 3:28,29)[.]