CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, March 16th, 2016
Numbers 24:1-25:18
Luke 2:1-35
Psalm 59:1-17
Proverbs 11:14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1d5yxqt
Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. – Lk 2:9
God will meet you wherever you are. When Jesus was born, God didn’t reserve the Good News for only those in full-time ministry. He didn’t keep the Messiah a secret just for royalty. He sent His angel to the field to announce the Messiah to shepherds: regular people, with regular jobs.
This verse says something important about the level of preparation required before we qualify for an encounter with God. No preparation is needed! Don’t worry about getting yourself “cleaned up” or “good enough” for God. The shepherds weren’t just sleeping in the fields; they were living in the fields (v 8). They probably hadn’t bathed in days. They were unshaven, unkempt, and nowhere near what we would consider our Sunday best. Yet God still showed up and spoke with them, face to face.
God wants to encounter you right where you are, just as you are. Get ready, and expect Him! He will meet you – wherever you are, and whatever condition you’re in – and you will be transformed by the Gospel of grace.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for speaking to me – a commoner – just as strongly as you spoke to prophets, priests and kings! I know that because I’m filled with Your Holy Spirit, I can always hear Your voice.
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-75-in-a-manger/
See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-75-dont-go-it-alone/
© Michael D. White, 2016. All rights reserved.