God With Us

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

—Matthew 1:23 (KJV)

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, into our world, to be for us, Emmanuel, God with us—forevermore!

Help me fully grasp this Truth:  that just like we could not truly love You until You showed us what love is by first loving us, we also could not freely come into Your presence, until You revealed Yourself to us by coming to live with us—as a baby born to a virgin, who lived as a perfect man, who died in our place as a payment for our sin, that we might find eternal life in Him.

Help me daily to take advantage of this invitation to live in Your presence—in direct and continually uninterrupted fellowship with You—that I might experience all of the blessings of peace, protection, provision, and purpose that You have waiting there for me with You.

Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, into our world, to be for us, Emmanuel, God with us—forevermore!

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be A Man

As the time of King David’s death approached, he gave this charge to his son Solomon:

“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go.”

—1 Kings 2:1-3 (NLT)

Heavenly Father,

Just as King David charged his son to “take courage and to be a man,” so You charge me to do the same.

Help me to be courageous to take my place as a man in Your divine plan—and not allow the corruption of this world make me less than what You intended me to be.

Help me to lead my family, by my example, as I carefully observe all of Your requirements of me and follow after all of Your ways.

Help me to put all my trust in You—so that as I commit my life to follow You, You will bring me the success that only You can give and cause my family to be blessed no matter where Your path for me leads.

Just as King David charged his son to “take courage and to be a man,” so You charge me to do the same.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.