Angela Walden – Page 2

His Name Shall Be Immanuel

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

Perhaps the most important reminder of Christmas is resting in the promise that God is with us. Always has been and always will be (Psalm 139:1-18). Immanuel or “God with us” is first mentioned in Isaiah 7:14 then fulfilled in Matthew 1:23, always referring to Jesus - not necessarily as a literal name to bear but indicating His role in bringing God’s presence to man.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

A Consistent Presence

Consider the great lengths He has gone to in order to be with us. When He first created man and woman in their innocence, He walked in the Garden with them. When sin separated us from Him, He provided meticulously detailed instructions for building a tabernacle so that in His holiness He might dwell with the Israelites in the Old Testament. But, halfway is not enough for our loving Father. His abundant love for us set in motion the thorough and deeply costly plan of reconciliation that made full communion possible. When God dwelled with us in the flesh for the first time through His son Jesus, He did so in a manger. In His earthly lifetime, he physically sat at tables to eat with us and sailed in boats to weather storms with us. Now, He dwells in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Indeed, God has never left us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

John 14:26

A Remarkable Plan of Redemption

The birth of Jesus alone illustrates the remarkable uniqueness of God choosing not only to dwell with us but to do it in so intimate a way in becoming human Himself. For God to come into the world as a human baby born in a dirty stable was to choose the most humbling, approachable form possible. No other religion comes close to claiming similar. “Gods” of other religions tend to maintain an arm’s length policy, an “otherness” - as if by definition separation is required. Holiness does demand separation from that which is unholy, but our loving Father would not be satisfied to leave us there. He made a way to close the gap of holiness and bring us in to to be with Him in holiness - through His one & only Son. His presence with us is no longer limited by the restraints of a human body or our ability to be righteous enough. It is active and ever-present in our circumstances, thoughts, and heart should we choose to receive it through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). May this reminder of God’s constant presence give you peace, joy and comfort this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas from the LMW family to yours!

Finding Joy When We Do Not Feel It

¹⁵ For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. ¹⁶ So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.¹⁷For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:15-18

How often do we find ourselves discontented? It is a feeling we all share from time-to-time. Its sneaky occurrence is not limited to any particular time of year, but I believe we are reminded of it most when the the holiday season approaches, as it does now. The Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, amidst all the other traditions and meanings, bid us to cultivate gratitude and joy. Perhaps in a good season of life, when all is going as we’d like it to, we more effortlessly feel such things. We know we should feel thankful or joyous. But, in challenging seasons of life, it can sometimes be difficult to find joy. We know from 2 Corinthians 4:15-18 that we need joy to refresh and renew our spirit from the burden of everyday life. So how do we find joy when we do not feel it?

¹Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

²Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
Psalm 95:1-2

Gratitude Is Key

The key is gratitude. Gratitude unlocks our hearts for God to work in them to show us a place where real joy may be experienced and abided in. When we cultivate gratitude in our hearts, it always leads to worshipping God for His goodness and mercy. C.S. Lewis puts it this way: “Praise is the mode of love which always has some element of joy in it.” Ultimately, praise produces joy in our hearts (Psalm 95:1-2). We see this pattern over and over again in the Word, most often in the Psalms. It is a progression of the heart’s posture. A heart capable of thanksgiving is primed for praise. When we praise, we are reminded of how great God is and, in doing so, surrender our circumstances. Only here are we capable of finding real, lasting joy. Paul and David are particularly strong examples of the correlation between gratitude, praise, and joy. Each display within their lives God’s provisions that we have access to as believers to overcome whatever circumstances we face. And not just “make it through,” but to overcome with a joy that is more steady and permanent than the temporal happiness the world falsely promises.

²³This is the Lord’s doing;

it is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:23-24

Gratitude Leads To Joy

Gratitude is the call to action. Praise is the goal. Joy is the inevitable result. Gratitude leads to praise leads to joy (Psalm 118:23-24). Let these simple steps become practical application that we may reflect on to lead our hearts abundantly through life and into the coming holiday season. Praying gratitude and joy over you, from the LMW family!

God With Us: A Study of Immanuel