The Lord at work: BY KENNETH HAGIN, SR

 . . FOR THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’S. . .      I SAMUEL 17:47

“Don’t get into any trouble,” my mother called after me as I went to face a family crisis, “So and so almost whipped Dub!”

“I’n not going to get into any trouble,” I answered.  “ I’ll never have any trouble,  I’m going to put the Lord to work.”

As I approached the driveway, the wife of the man who had caused so much trouble met me.  She began to rant and rave, and just plain ole Texas “cuss.”  I thought, Dear Lord, here is this poor old soul, full of hate and selfishness, and she can’t help being that way.   She can’t help having the nature of the devil in her, because she’s a child of the devil.

I didn’t say a word to her, but I said to the LORD in my heart,  “Thank God, the Greater One is in me”  (1John 4:4).  And I acted like The Greater One was in me.  And He is greater.

She must have sensed the compassion rising up in me, because she suddenly looked up at me, and sputtered to a stop.  Then she took hold of  my hand and fell on her knees, crying,  “My God, put your hands on my head and pray for me.  A poor old soul like me needs something.  Oh, my God, pray for me!”

I hadn’t said a word to make her say that.  All I had done was acted like the Bible was true.

Confession: The Greater One is in me.  And I’m going to act like it!

         CONCEPTION & BIRTH OF JESUS

                                             MATTHEW 1:18

18  AFTER their engagement Mary was with child by Holy Spirit.

19  JOSEPH wanted to break the engagement to not embarrass Mary.

20  JOSEPH was visited by an angel & told him in a dream, “ do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; she has conceived by Holy Spirit.”

21 AND she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”

22.THIS  that took place & spoken by the LORD ,through the prophet, might be fulfilled, saying,

23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”

24. AFTER the dream Joseph did as he was told and took Mary as his wife.

25. JOSEPH kept her as a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

(paraphrased Matthew 1: 18-25)

WISE MEN FROM THE EAST                                                             Matthew 2:1-2                                                                                                                          1.Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,                                           2: saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen HIs star in the East and have come to worship Him.”