Matthew 2:4-6
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
What On Today’s Verse…
“The first will be last and the last will be first.” That’s one of Jesus’ favourite sayings. Isn’t it interesting that God said it long before he was born. Isn’t it interesting that those who knew the Scriptures, but didn’t know Jesus, said it too! Isn’t it interesting that Herod and Jesus lived it thirty years before Jesus would teach it? Isn’t it interesting that Jesus gave us the Lord’s Supper to remember that while Jesus died and shed his blood, on the first day of the week, Sunday, he rose. When it matters most, Jesus and his people will finish first!
Let us Prayer…
You, O Lord, are marvellous. You are God Almighty, the holy and majestic Creator. Yet you became the least so I can share in your glory. Please help me, O God, never to look down on someone else because they look like the least. I know, Father, that as I serve and love them, I’m serving and loving you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Words of Wisdom
Stop holding back…
What would you do if someone else treated you the way you treat yourself? How would you react if someone criticized you the way you criticize yourself? How would it be if someone forced you into the same self-defeating behavior that you choose to do on your own? What if someone else prevented you from enjoying life as much as you deny enjoyment to yourself?
You would, no doubt, be outraged. You would probably file a lawsuit, or have them arrested, or seek revenge. And yet each day you hold yourself back, and hardly even notice.
If you would never let someone else treat you that way, why do you allow yourself to do so? You have control over your own actions, your own thoughts, your own feelings. Stop defeating yourself. Allow yourself to live, permit yourself to succeed, let yourself enjoy life.
Be good to yourself. You deserve it.
