Daily Bread – December 23, 2023 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) Matthew 1:21 – And she shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His Name Jesus, and He shall save His people from their sins. What a miraculous and unspeakable gift our Heavenly Father gave to all! God was wrapped up in the package of a little baby to become the servant of all. The Eternal God became flesh for one reason – to save men from their sins. The Word took upon Himself the form of a servant and humbled Himself to the death of the cross so He might bear our sins in His Own body and the curse of Adam’s death might be broken off all who would believe (Philippians 2:6; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 5:12-21). His Name was called Jesus to emphasize what He was sent to do. In the Hebrew language, ‘Jesus’ (Yehoshua) means “YHWH’s Salvation”. As the Savior and Redeemer, He came to rescue men from the prison and bondage of a sinful nature and liberate them to live in the abundant life of God. Through His amazing free gift of salvation, He extends to anyone who will believe the authority to be sons of God (John 1:12). And He has empowered us to live in righteousness and holiness all the days of our lives so we may rejoice before Him forever (Luke 1:74-75; Ephesians 4:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The salvation in Christ Jesus extends beyond the nation of Israel unto all who would believe – for God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe might be saved (John 3:16, 12:32; Titus 2:11-12) Jesus poured out the blood of the New Covenant at Calvary to wipe away every stain of sin. With His blood, He removed the power of sin so it would no longer have dominion over the redeemed (Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 26:28; Revelation 1:5; Romans 6:2,14). He purchased us with His Own blood so we might glorify Him in our bodies and spirits, which are His (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20). Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. And through death, He destroyed the one who had the power of death – that is the devil (1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14). Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Wherever the blood of Jesus Christ is allowed to flow, the Holy Spirit follows. The Holy Spirit overshadows the one who will receive, and forms Christ Jesus in the inner man. The old man is destroyed through the death of Jesus, and everything new is brought to us by the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Everyday of the life of God’s children is filled with the provision of His unlimited blessings. The wellsprings of the gift of God bubble-up with the goodness of God’s Own life, and the rivers of the Spirit appear where there once was a dry and desolate wasteland of the heart (John 4:14, 7:38-39; Mark 7:21; Ezekiel 36:26; 1 Peter 1:22). Redemption is paid in full, and all who will believe are united once again with the Father in the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost (John 17:21-23; Titus 3:5-6). It has become our blessing and right to live the abundant life of Jesus! With the new heart, we now live a life of righteousness – a life well pleasing in the Father’s sight (John 10:10; Colossians 1:10; Romans 6:22; 1 John 3:22). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 12/23/2023
