H.E.A.R. the Good News Luke 2:10-11

H. Vs. 10-11: But the Angel of the Lord said to them, ” Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy to all the people. Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

E. The Angel of the Lord appeared to some shephards who were watching over their flocks to give them the good news of the birth of Jesus.

A. We have the Messiah today as much as the people back then did. In these verses, I came to realize that an Angel appeared to Shephards watching over their flocks, just like Jesus watches over us, He is our Shephard!

R. Thank you Father for letting me see the meaning of these scriptures and thank you for sending us a Savior, a Shephard, Christ the Lord! Let me add that Father, as I read the things in my journal that I wrote when I started this Hear the Good News journey, I see a HUGE difference in how much I write and how much deeper I write today. I am so tremendously grateful to you Father God, you have opened up your WORD to me with deeper meaning than ever before. I praise you LORD! In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Luke 1:37

H. verse 37: “For no word from God will ever fail.”

E. An Angel of the Lord had appeared to Mary and told her she was highly favored. He explained that even her cousin Elizabeth would have a child in her old age as the Lord said she would.

A. If we could get this one verse in our hearts, we would forever be changed. Knowing God’s words HIS word will never fail, will bring a peace we cannot fathom. A peace so real, we know it comes from God. WE can hold onto this promise when nothing else makes sense.

R. Father! My precious Lord, just knowing your word is truth brings a peace to me like no other. Help me to remember this promise. Help me to hide this word in my heart! Relief, peace, joy! This is what I feel about this verse and your truth! Thank you Father God! I love you God! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 16: 11

H. Verse 11: When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.

E. Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdaline when he arose on the first day of the week. She went to tell the others what she saw as they were mourning and weeping his death.

A. Can’t imagine how she felt, seeing him alive after he was thought to be dead. The others did not believe her. I think today that many would not believe her. We are a cynical people. I would like to think I would have the faith to believe but being a human without enough knowledge about him, I probably wouldn’t. Would you?

R. Oh Lord how hard it would be to believe someone today if they said that they saw you. Give me the faith and knowledge that when you appear I will believe with my whole heart! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 14: 18-19

H. verse 18-19: While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, ” truly I tell you one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They were saddened and one by one they said to him, ” surely you don’t mean me?”

E. During the last supper, Jesus was explaining to the 12 disciples that he knew one would betray him and they emphatically denied it.

A. How many times have we betrayed Jesus? how many times have we claimed to love him but then break his heart by sinning against him? We have all betrayed Jesus at one time or another by sinning and breaking promises we made to him.

R. Lord I cry out to you for forgiveness for any time I have betrayed you! Help me Father to do your will in my life, not my own so I won’t betray you again. I am weak but you are strong! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 15:3-5

H. Verse 3-5: 3 The chief Priest accused him of many things. 4 So again Pilate asked him, ” aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of?” 5 But Jesus made no reply and Pilate was amazed.

E. Jesus is being accused in front of Pilate and he does not deny or affirm any of it. He does not answer the accusations with any defense. He knows his role was to fulfill law. The prophesy was to be fulfilled so we could all be set free from death.

A. Jesus was born and then he died for us. He was God in the flesh, walking around perfect knowing the torture he would endure so that we might be saved! He couldn’t stop them from killing him or we would all die! What he did for us is the very epitome of LOVE!

R. I am humbled Lord! I hope to know that I can love like that one day! To know I am loved like that now, is overwhelming! Your LOVE endures forever! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 13:36-37

H. Verse 36-37 ” If He comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone, ‘watch!’ ”

E. Jesus is on Mount of Olives talking to Peter, James, John and Andrew. He is describing the last days and the coming of the Lord. He wants them and everyone to know what will happen and he wants us to be watchful, vigilant!

A. As He tells us in Mark 13:32 No one knows when this day will come, only the Father himself knows. We must be watchful at all times. We will know the real Messiah if we believe in Him and we will recognize him on that day. We must stay in his Word so we know him and not just know of him, so we will NOT be deceived.

R. Precious Father in Heaven, let me know more of you so if that day comes while I still live, I will know it is you and I will be ready! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 12:12

H. Verse 12: Then Jesus said to them, ” Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

E. Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and Herodians who are trying to trick him by asking him if it’s right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not.

A. We are a people of sin. We don’t like authority and taxation is huge to us. Even if we feel justified in not paying a tax, we should always obey the laws of our land and pay what we owe. We should take time to place God in our lives and place him at the top. Give back to him what he deserves from us, by having a relationship with his Son, Jesus Christ. Take time to read his Word and learn who he is! Give to him what is his. Everything we have is his, we are only borrowing it for a time. Give God your heart, your love, your mind and your soul.

R. Father, I don’t have eloquent words to explain this verse. I only know that I want to place you above all else. Above myself. Teach me Lord and tell me when I am forgetting to do that. Help me Father to obey our laws here and mostly to put you first. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

H.E.A.R. the Good News Mark 9:19

H. verse 19: ” You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, ” how long shall I stay with you? How long should I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

E. The disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law. The disciples had been asked to drive out an evil spirit from a boy who could not speak and suffered with seizures, they could not do it and Jesus was upset that they did not have the faith to drive out the spirit.

A. We are an unbelieving generation too! The doubt that God exists is greater today as more and more want Him removed from our society. A lot of people believe in God but do not believe they have the power of the Holy Spirit within them to heal and to use the gifts God gave them when they accepted Jesus as their Savior. We have been given many gifts if only we believe, trust and have faith.

R. Father, how many times have I exasperated you with my unbelief? I know I have failed you many times. Help me Lord to believe fully in the gifts you have given to us. Give me the faith in you to perform any miracle I could ever ask of you. You are the Great I am! The King of Kings, the Holiest of Holy, you are the beginning and the end! Lord I know nothing is impossible with you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.