Updated on Mon, Dec 17, 2012 at 04:51 p.m. (EST) & 03:21 p.m. (IST), DEC 2012 Edition
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“Inspirationally Messiah Makes All Now Understand Emmanuel's Love! (I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L)"”
Ramesh C. Reddy
SCRIPTURE:
APPROACH QUESTION:
OBSERVATIONS:
INTERPRETATIONS:
For more than 400 years or so, the Jewish
people did not hear from the prophets and many might have even felt
God abandoned them. Yet still, though they did not feel the presence
of the Lord or hear from the Lord through the prophets, the priests
continued to give incense and sacrifices at the altar. These times
of 400 years were known as the SILENT YEARS from the time of the Old
Testament. Now, the Angel of the Lord comes with such significant
news about the impossibility happening to show that God had not
abandoned the people. But more than that the angel wants Joseph to
know that the child born to the virgin Mary will be called
'Immanuel-- which means, 'God with us!'.
This alone shows that God would come down to earth as God-incarnate
to be with His people. This is what Jesus would become. He would be
God-incarnate to those around Him so they would never have to feel
that God abandoned them. For whether they feel God's presence or
not, they can know that God is right with them in Jesus.
IMPLICATIONS:
Not only that but when the Angel of the Lord
promised Joseph that God will be with them in Jesus, the Angel of
the Lord is even letting me know when I have Jesus in me, I will
have 'Immanuel-God
with us'in me. That is so
exciting and awesome to know that the Creator of the Universe loves
me so much that He came down to earth to live among us to love and
serve us and made the Ultimate Sacrifice by laying down His life for
us so that we could be saved. Thank you so much Jesus.
I ask you now dear
friend, what does Immanuel mean to you?
My dad's death occurring in the Advent
season 8 days before Christmas was very painful too. When I was
compiling the Christmas specials, I got a call from my mommy that my
dad went to be with the Lord Jesus. In the season, where we sing 'O
Come O Come Emmanuel' come ransom us from our captivity, the
words to this song should have been sang at my dad's funeral
because, it is Emmanuel who saved our daddy from spiritual death. On
the night he was going to leave this earth, my beloved dad wanted
Jesus to be with him so He called upon the Name of the Lord Jesus to
save him and become his Immanuel so God was with him even while he
was leaving this earth to the place God prepared for Him. So
even though this was the worst day of our life and season to
remember because of what happened to our daddy, it also became the
best day of my dad's life. He knew that Christmas season for the
first time in His life, He would spend it with Jesus in Heaven and
celebrate the Christmas season with Jesus!
We knew that
'Immanuel - God with us' was right
there with us in our tragedy and sorrow. It could have been so easy
to ask ourselves where was God when my dad was about to die, but He
was right there welcoming daddy into His bosom of love. In our
sorrow and suffering God was right there with us too.
Jesus' words to me from John 11 became more
living than ever when Jesus said, "The
purpose of his illness is not death but for the glory of the Lord!"
So I thought to myself that the Lord Jesus will keep my dad alive
and He did even though it was not physically but more important
spiritually. So one day when I leave this earth, I can be reunited
with my papa and Father God in person. Thank you Jesus. We are
thankful that the Lord Jesus gave us 70 extra days with our papa
after he was in the ICU. In those 70 days, my dad got to experience
God's Word from Psalms, Matthew-Revelation as my mom would read to
him. Thank you Jesus.
While going to the funeral, my mommy would read from the Psalms to
us and kept praising the Lord in her sorrow. Even at the funeral my
mommy would make the focus on Jesus Christ who is with us.
Friend, whether you feel Jesus Christ in your life or not, know for
sure that He lives in you when you give your life to Him. He will
never abandon you nor leave you. He promises to be with you whether
you feel His presence or not. We cannot go by feelings but on faith.
There will be times sometimes for months and even years where we
feel like we are in the wilderness and going through a dry season
but the Lord Jesus, your Immanuel will never leave you or me when we
turn to Him. This dryness sometimes becomes that much more serious
when we face tragedy or sorrow but God is still there. He has not
abandoned us in our sorrow.
So friend, whatever you are going through,
come as you are in your pain, suffering, sorrow, or tragedy to the
Lamb of God, to your 'Immanuel - God
with us' who wants to walk with you and
talk with you. He wants to comfort you and strengthen you in your
pain. Help Oh Lord! Jesus loves you so much and will be there for
you in your pain and sorrow. Yes, He will friend for He wants to be
your Immanuel which means God with us. God wants to be with you
whatever you are going through.
If you are struggling relationally, financially, academically,
mentally, psychologically, emotionally, etc you can turn to the Lord
for comfort and strength to get you through. He has not abandoned
you no matter what the sorrow and pain you maybe going through or
those you know are going through. He weeps with you when you are
weeping. He wants to comfort you in His bosom of love. Yes, He does
friend. Help rescue us Oh Lord!
This Christmas season, just as we remember the
sadness of losing our papa, we can rejoice knowing He is with the
Lord Jesus now and will someday be seen again. I want you to trust
in the Lord Jesus whatever you are going through. Never let anyone
make you ask yourself, 'Where was God?'
in tragedy and suffering. He is right beside you suffering and
weeping with you. We live in a sin infested world that is a deadly
virus and only the love of Christ and His blood shed to ransom us
from the captivity of sin and death can save us from the evil one.
One day all suffering and sorrow will cease as the evil one will be
bound as the Lord Jesus will return. Until then we have to be
vigilant wearing the Armor of God as mentioned in Ephesians 6 to
fight evil. For evil is prevalent even to this day. We need look no
further than what happened in China and Connecticut on the same day
when children were killed or stabbed.
It is in a world marred with sin that Jesus came to be God with us.
He will be with you whatever you are going through. Let His Word
comfort you and guide you as you read and pray the Psalms.
Yes, friend.
This Christmas season bring the wounded and suffering to
Jesus, Friend of a Wounded Heart. He will be with you comforting you
with the comfort we can never know. His comfort will show that He is
looking after you. Help Jesus. Thank you Jesus.
May you experience Immanuel in your life now and forever more this
Christmas season!
"Inspirationally Messiah Makes All Now Understand Emmanuel's Love!
(I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L)"/"What does Immanuel mean to you?"
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come
in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong
with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a
friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in
His Word reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to
heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark
before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show
you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important
to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a
Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
No matter who you are, it is not ever too
late to join a Bible-believing church or a college fellowship. I highly
encourage each of you to come to Transformers Small Group on Friday
nights at 7:00 p.m. and Oakland International Fellowship on Sunday
mornings at 9:30 a.m. for prayer, 11:30 a.m. for worship, 10:30 a.m. for
Sunday School, and 12:30 p.m. for fellowship lunch.
May the Lord's presence and peace fill you
with His love now and forever! Amen! Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426 "This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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 ADVENT 2012 DEVOTIONALS: Matthew 1:22-23: "How can P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y make you believe in Jesus?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 15, 12, 09:12 a.m.) Matthew 1:21: "Who are you depending on to S.A.V.E you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 13, 12, 12:44 p.m.) Matthew 1:21: "What significance do you give a N.A.M.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 12, 12, 1:27 p.m.) Matthew 1:20: "Why expect a M.I.R.A.C.L.E. in your life this season?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 10, 12, 10:40 a.m.) Matthew 1:20: "What has a D.R.E.A.M revealed to you in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:42 a.m.) Matthew 1:19-20: "Why W.A.I.T through conflict in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 08, 12, 11:40 a.m.) Matthew 1:18-19: "How has your L.O.V.E influenced others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.) Matthew 1:1-17: "What does God do with your G.E.N.E.A.L.O.G.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Dec 01, 12, 11:32 a.m.) 2012 DEVOTIONALS: "What place do you give T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 22, 12, 9:05 a.m.) "Who are you campaigning for and V.O.T.I.N.G for in your heart: Jesus Christ or Satan?” By Ramesh C. Reddy (Nov 04, 2012, 11:41 a.m.) "What is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 24, 12, 11:02 a.m.) Mark 1:12: "How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 22, 12, 10:10 a.m.) Mark 1:12: "What determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the Lord?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 19, 12, 08:46 a.m.) Mark 1:9-11: "Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 13, 12, 06:16 a.m.) Mark 1:9: "What do you S.T.A.N.D for in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 08, 12, 07:59 a.m.) 1 Thessalonians 1:3: "What does your L.A.B.O.R show in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 03, 12, 06:30 a.m.) Mark 4:4-8: "Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Sept 01, 12, 10:10 a.m.) Mark 1:1-4: "How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y about prophecy?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 29, 12, 09:57 a.m.) Mark 1:1: "Why bother with the G.O.S.P.E.L when you see yourself as a good person anyway?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 28, 12, 09:00 a.m.) Mark 1:40-42: "How do you deal with the L.E.P.R.O.S.Y of sin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 07, 12, 11:21 p.m.) Mark 10:10-12: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.) Mark 10:6-9: "What should your take be for M.A.R.R.I.A.G.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:54 p.m.) John 6: "What kind of B.R.E.A.D do you eat to live forever?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (Aug 02, 12, 12:48 p.m.) John 10:9: "What D.O.O.R is the only Door that will save you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 31, 12, 09:08 a.m.) John 8:12: "How can the L.I.G.H.T impact your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 30 12, 08:28 a.m.) Matthew 25:14-30: "What are you doing with the T.A.L.E.N.T the Lord Jesus has given you?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 28, 12, 10:38 a.m.) Matthew 22:36-40: "How are the dimensions of L.O.V.E in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 27, 12, 09:13 a.m.) Matthew 18:12-14: "What hope is there for the L.O.S.T in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 26, 12, 09:50 a.m.) Mark 4:22-23: "What happens to a sin you C.O.N.C.E.A.L in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 25, 12, 07:23 a.m.) John 15:18-21: 'Is it better for you to experience H.A.T.E or love, why or why not?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 24, 12, 01:01 p.m.) John 10:14-16: "Who will you make your S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 19, 12, 06:03 a.m.) John 15:10-14: "What does it mean to remain in the V.I.N.E always?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 18, 12, 10:13 a.m.) Matthew 18:21-22: "What stipulation do you put to F.O.R.G.I.V.E. someone?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 17, 12, 09:17 a.m.) Philippians 4:20-23: "How do you see F.A.T.H.E.R in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 13, 12, 07:39 a.m.) Philippians 4:19: "What are your N.E.E.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 12, 12, 08:51 a.m.) Philippians 4:15-18: "Who will you F.I.N.A.N.C.E in ministry?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 11, 12, 05:42 a.m.) Philippians 4:14: "How do you S.H.A.R.E in others troubles?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 10, 12, 08:30 a.m.) Philippians 4:12-13: "Where do you need S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 09, 12, 08:59 a.m.) Mark 5:24b-29: "Where do you need F.R.E.E.D.O.M to move on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 07, 12, 10:43 a.m.) Philippians 4:10: "Why show C.O.N.C.E.R.N for others in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 03, 12, 09:18 a.m.) Philippians 4:9b: "How do you know your P.E.A.C.E is real?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (July 02, 12, 08:33 a.m.) Philippians 4:9a: "What kind of S.O.L.D.I.E.R will you be?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:58 a.m.) Philippians 4:8: What is your T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G based on?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 30, 12, 09:56 a.m.) Philippians 4:6-7: "How do you handle A.N.X.I.E.T.Y in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 28, 12, 08:05 a.m.) Philippians 4:5: "What measure of G.E.N.T.L.E.N.E.S.S do you have?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 27, 12, 08:57 a.m.) Philippians 4:4: "When do you R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 26, 12, 09:26 a.m.) Philippians 4:3: "How have you C.A.M.P.A.I.G.N.E.D for Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 25, 12, 08:58 a.m.) Philippians 4:2: "How do you respond to a P.L.E.A.D in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:45 a.m.) Philippians 4:1: "Where do you S.T.A.N.D on love in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 23, 12, 10:40 a.m.) Philippians 3:20-21: "What C.I.T.I.Z.E.N.S.H.I.P should you desire the most?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 21, 12, 07:28 a.m.)
Philippians 3:18-19:
"Why shed T.E.A.R.S for others in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 20, 12, 08:37 a.m.)
Philippians 3:15-17:
"Who or what are you willing to P.A.T.T.E.R.N your life after?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 19, 12, 07:30 a.m.)
Philippians 3:12-14:
"How can you deal with the P.A.S.T in your life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 18, 12, 11:43 a.m.)
Philippians 3:1-11:
"Why for R.E.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N do you need the transaction of the
cross?" Philippians 2:25-30: "When will your H.O.M.E.C.O.M.I.N.G begin?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 15, 12, 6:43 a.m.) Philippians 2:19-24: "How can you Q.U.A.L.I.F.Y well in other people's lives?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 14, 12, 8:18 a.m.)
Philippians 2:17-18:
"How do you live out your F.A.I.T.H in life?" By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(June 13, 12, 6:58 a.m.) Philippians 2:13: "How do you W.O.R.K out your Salvation?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 11, 12, 8:36 a.m.) Philippians 2:12-13:"What path have you taken for S.A.L.V.A.T.I.O.N in your life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 09, 7:50 a.m.) Philippians 2:12-13: "What is the point of O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:51 a.m.) Philippians 2:9-11:"How do you handle the N.A.M.E of Jesus in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 08, 7:47 a.m.) Philippians 2:8: "Why should you make a C.R.O.S.S transaction in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 06, 7:26 a.m.) Philiippians 2:5-7: "How do match Jesus' A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 05, 9:09 a.m.) Philippians 2:3-4: "How do you respond to C.O.M.M.A.N.D.S in life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 03, 6:19 a.m.) Philippians 2:1-2: "What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (June 02, 6:52 a.m.) Philippians 1:29-30: "How do you handle S.U.F.F.E.R.I.N.G in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (June, 01, 6:52 a.m.) Philippians 1:27-28:"How do you C.O.N.D.U.C.T yourself in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 31, 12, 7:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:22-26: What are your C.H.O.I.C.E.S based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 30, 12, 6:27 a.m.) Philippians 1:21: "Why D.I.E for Christ?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 29, 12, 4:59 a.m.) Philippians 1:20: "Where do you need to have C.O.U.R.A.G.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 25, 12, 8:08 a.m.) Philippians 1:19:"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 24, 12, 8:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.) Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 22, 12, 8:21 a.m.) Philippians 1:13-14:"What have your C.H.A.I.N.S done to others in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 21, 12, 9:04 a.m.) Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel so S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.) Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response in life based on?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 18, 12, 8:20 a.m.) Philippians 1:8: "How can your A.F.F.E.C.T.I.O.N grow towards others in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 17, 12, 6:32 a.m.) Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E. alone?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 16, 12, 9:55 a.m.) Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 15, 12, 10:54 a.m.) Philippians 1:3-6: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" By Ramesh C. Reddy (May 14, 12, 08:38 a.m.) Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 11, 12, 09:53 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1-2: "When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 09, 12, 7:30 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 10, 12, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 08, 12, 8:05 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 07, 12, 7:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy
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