“The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20)

The shepherds did not stay after Jesus was born, they returned to their fields. They returned to their ordinary work. They did not return the same but, was changed after experiencing the nearness of God. They returned to their ordinary lives praising and glorifying God. Encountering Jesus does not change our situations but, our lives are transformed carrying a new song into the mundane work.

The shepherd’s praise was grounded in what was told to them. That God would be faithful to his promise. It was not emotional hype. Real praise comes from remembering what God has said. It fills the heart and pours out into our mundane lives becoming moments of praise of worship.  There are several promises in the bible that we can remember and transform our lives. That God will never leave us or forsake us, He is with us until the end of the age, that he loves us.

Even in our darkest moments when we feel like we are alone we can hold onto the promises from God and praise Him for He is worthy of our praise. When we praise him, our hearts are transformed and we can turn mundane work into times of praise and worship.

Heavenly Father, may you continue to transform our hearts and lead us to praise.

Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”” (Luke 2:10)
 
                 
Good news is meant to be celebrated. Got a new job, new apartment, or even in a new relationship. Often good news is proclaimed when situations are going well on good days when people are happy. They do not want to contain their excitement. Even in situations when we are happy, we can be afraid. The new job can bring challenges on the first day, the new apartment we might need to find a different transportation route.

The words “Don’t be afraid” comes with encouragement and comfort. Fear can come easily in new situations. The saying is not a command to avoid hardships, but a promise that the story does not end when we are afraid. There is comfort in the God who sees each one of us. The good news is not that life will suddenly miraculously get easier, but that God draws near to each one of us during our hardship. He does not leave us alone in our situation but is there to comfort and guide us. The good news of the birth of Jesus is for all people. Not some. Not those who have it together. All.

Whether on good days or bad we can experience knowing there is great joy. Situations do not determine joy but come from within from knowing God. Joy is not fleeting but is experienced through knowing the love of God. That he will never leave us or forsake us. That he is near us when times are hard and when they are good. The good news today is that Jesus was born and is God with us. God drew near his people. We can take comfort for ourselves and others that God came near.

Heavenly Father, may you replace fear with your presence, may you move our hearts to reflect who you are through compassion, justice, and mercy
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins

“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us”” (Matthew 1:23)
 
This verse answers humanity’s oldest fear are we alone in our circumstances? Jesus is not just a messenger he is God. Jesus born on this earth as God incarnate came because God saw us in our suffering, our circumstances, and situations decided to be with us. God came close to us not wanting to be far off. God stepped into our world being born the same as all of us. Can identify with all of us.

​Jesus did not come to be above us or below us but to be fully present, engaged, and walk among us with all the burdens that we carry. He is with us every step of the way. There is no situation that is not with us. He is with us when we suffer. He is with us when we rejoice. He is with us when our hearts feel heavy. He is with us when we are uncertain. He is God with us in every situation. There are times in our life that feel like he is far from us, and we are alone in the situation. Take courage for he came for each one of us. To be With Us not matter how difficult the burden we are carrying may feel.
 
Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus that you loved us to send your son down to earth to be with us.
 
Walking with you,
Stacy Watkins