RAJU

All these emotions or responses are in me except one - telling others about Christ - At some point all the responses show up and Praise be to God !!!!!

Shepherds , at that time, were treated , as the undercasts, and untouchabales , of society , and were , at the lowest rung of the respectability ladder in society in mediteraanean and Roman culture - By identifying to them or relating to them first , Christ and God showed how much they value human beings , since all have sinned and come short of the Golry of God - manmade divisions and hirarchy's are only for this world - but for God , everyone is equal

The journey to Behlehem was a long and difficult ride - it was , what , is now , the ride into history - because had it not happened - probably (we shudder to think) , The Messiah wouldnt have been born . Of course God would have other ways to keep his promise to Israel of the coming of the Messiah Anyway , pleasure or the absence of it , is not an indication of Gods will or not !!!!!

By refrerring to Caeser Augustus and Quirrinius , Luke was informing future generations ( with a great deal of maturing ) that the birth of Jesus is REAL and was with a specific reference during the rule of these monarchs

Joseph was worried about his "clean " character and hence had a doubt to disown or own Mary as his wife . He , however , took the wise step , and trusted God . The prephetic fulfilment was possible as a result . Joseph named the child Jesus in response to Gods commandment . Gods ways in our lives are always best even though we may not understand them

Even though it may be an informed consent - it was very difficult for Mary since she was so confused that she was supposedly bearing an "illegitimate "child in the eyes of the world - but she took the courage and faith to respond positively tilting twrd God and not listening to what the World, the Flesh and The DEvil would say

Whether Ishmael would be sent away or not - God would not have left Abraham or Ishmael alone - He always provides a way out of every situation He will not tempt us beyond what we can bear or tolerate

Immanuel means " God with us " . Through the birth of Jesus , God becme as "one of us" . God is a spirit , and we are humans - how could a human understand a spirit - hence God descenned and took the form of a Man to show that He is with us . We cannot communciate with a ANT , unless we become ants ourselves !!!!!!!

I makes me very humble and concious of Gods presence in my life - many times i have gone astray - affected by the **** of the eyes , **** of the flesh and the pride of life - but yet God ha pulled me along - He is rich in love - rich in mercy and ever willing to forget and forgive - He has not dealt with me the way He should , or the way I deserve - a ungrateful , sinful person that I am !!!!! God , is , after all , in control , of every situation in my life - even when i am down and out and seemingly far away from Him , when i am spiritually downsliding - it is God who always takes the first step in reconciliation !!!!!

Mary 's options were very limited - It is here where God provides the way out . Joseph was a just and righteous man , and was concerned about keeping his integrity intact and hencekept awy from Mary , but yet did not utterly disown her publicly for fear that she would be stoned to death . Joseph behaved very mature and sensible after hearing God s call

As a son of a carpenter , Jesus would have learnt how a ugly piece of a rugged and useless tree branch could be used as a useful piece of furniture helpful to others after the process of cutting , shping , and polishing is done over with . I have many times been exposed to such circumstances where God have refined me and is still not completed in his job !!!!

It is simple human nature to respond the way sarah responded - mix of jealousy, insecurity and hatred which overcame her and put abrham is a very delicate position . The question is not whether she was righteous in doing this since this behavoiur is not acceptable to God . I or my spouse have , fortunately , never forced or be forced to act in this manner , so extreme

Sarah 's laughter is a mixture of heavy emotions , possibiliy of unbelief mixed with hope - in any case, the news is so astounding that it does provoke a response God laughs at us - seeing our lives because we cannot possibiliy fully trust him at all times , as we are in the flesh !!!!!

We are not to exalt Mary since she was also like one of us .She was just a toll in Gods hand to give birth to Jesus - thats why she is called blessed

The seed Jesus is holy , undefiled - , unblemished and seperate is what we learn . The virgin birth is the foundation of our Christian faith

it was a struggle we all face to be overcomers - the past continues to haunt us - since to trust the future in Gods hands requires faith

He will be a son He will be great His kingdom will have no end He will occupy the throne of David His name will be JESUS

Lot and family hesitated since the power of the world , flesh and the devil was raging inside . many times , even when we know that we are playing with a fire, we tend to compromise and experiment a little !!!!!

On this sensitive issue, i fell that the church cannot be silent or compromise on homosexuality . We cannot have a middle path .

If we give God first proirity in our lives - it is possible - Satan will try to destablilize things - i have experienced this for 18 years now But the more we come close to God , the more God will help us . The same hold for both fathers and mothers

Yes , I belive that God is just as willing to do miracles - it all depends on our faith .God has not changed , we have . Trust and Obey - is all that we need - as a small child in the arms of the breastfeeding mother - Psalm 39.7 AS for me i will hope only in you , My God

having heart circumcised means to have a clean heart - as Abraham was told - Be perfect and blameless - i,e always striving to have a right relationship with God . Acts 7.51 says "Ye uncircumcised in Heart and ears " quoted by Stephen to his enemies who later stoned him All beleivers , what ever be the background , need to be circumcised in Heart - we become a new creation , old things are pased away and forgotten . As far as the East is from the West - God has forgiven our transgressions Yes, i have struggled with this problem - If I say I havent - I would be faking myself or not be truthful We are constantly exposed to the Satanic forces trying to challenge our spiritual life - **** of the ees, **** of the flesh and the pride of life !!!

Circumcision is an outwardly act to confirm the covenant with God. That is why Abraham acted immediately to show his willingness to confirm his side of the covenant . For us in the NT times , it is circumcision of the heart that is more important Acts 7.51 )

God is teachimg me that howsoever low or unimportant I am to the world , i am precoius in the sight of God . Sarah , and then Abraham , tried to disown Hagar - but God never did the same Hi is an IMPARTIAL GOD With this reassuring thought - God is assuring me that in my life as well - God is still in control !!!!! Praise God