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Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
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From Promise to Fulfillment
- By Anne69
- Daily Devotionals
- 0 Replies
Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, As we enter this Christmas season, quiet our hearts and draw us near to the wonder of Your Son’s birth. Open our eyes to see Jesus in the Scriptures, our ears to hear Your gentle leading, and our spirits to receive the peace You freely give. Let this devotional lead us closer to Emmanuel - God with us - as the Holy Spirit illuminates Your Word and fills us with fresh awe at the gift of Christ. Prepare our hearts to worship, listen, and respond with thanksgiving and reverence. In Jesus’ wonderful Name, Amen.
Introduction
Christmas is more than a familiar story - it is the unfolding of God’s love, promise, and redemption. Each moment, from the angel’s whisper to Mary to Simeon’s joyful blessing in the temple, reveals the heart of a God who draws near to His people. These passages invite us to slow down, breathe deeply, and reflect on the faithfulness of the One who stepped into our world with humility and glory.
This devotional follows the journey of Christ’s birth through Scripture, not simply to retell the events, but to uncover the meaning woven into each moment. As you read, may the Holy Spirit bring comfort, clarity, and renewed wonder. May this season remind you that God still speaks, still leads, and still fulfills His promises in the lives of those who seek Him.
Annunciation to Mary
The angel’s announcement to Mary reveals the tenderness of God’s choosing. He steps into the quiet life of a young woman in Nazareth and entrusts her with the greatest miracle the world has ever known. This moment shows that God does not look for status, position, or earthly strength - He looks for a willing heart. Mary’s “Let it be to me according to your word” becomes the model of humble surrender for every believer.
Luke 1:38 (NKJV) “Then Mary said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”
This passage also reminds us that God often begins His greatest works in hidden places. Before the manger, before the shepherds, before the star - there was a private encounter between heaven and a young woman. Christmas begins with God drawing near to the ordinary, the overlooked, and the faithful. It is a reminder that He still speaks into quiet lives today. (See: Luke 1 (NKJV))
Joseph’s Dream
Joseph’s encounter with the angel reveals the righteousness of a man who chooses obedience over reputation. Faced with confusion and what looked like betrayal, Joseph planned to act with mercy. But when God spoke, he surrendered his understanding and embraced God’s plan. His obedience protected Mary, preserved the lineage of David, and fulfilled prophecy.
Matthew 1:24 (NKJV) “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife.”
This moment teaches us that God often asks us to trust Him when the path makes no sense. Joseph’s “yes” was quiet, steady, and costly - yet it positioned him to be part of God’s redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that obedience, even when unseen, carries eternal significance. (See: Matthew 1 (NKJV))
Isaiah’s Prophecy
Isaiah’s prophecy declares the identity of the coming Messiah long before His birth. “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” is not poetic language - it is a revelation of who Jesus truly is. Christmas is not merely the birth of a child; it is the arrival of God Himself in human flesh.
This prophecy also anchors our hope. The Child born in Bethlehem is the One who carries government, authority, and peace upon His shoulders. In a world filled with uncertainty, Isaiah 9:6 reminds us that Christ’s kingdom is unshakable, His peace is enduring, and His reign is eternal.
Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV) “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus reveals the humility of God’s heart. The King of Glory entered the world not in a palace but in a manger, wrapped in simple cloths and laid among animals. This was not an accident - it was a declaration that God draws near to the lowly, the poor, and the overlooked. Christmas is the story of a Savior who came down to lift us up.
Luke 2:7 (NKJV) “And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
This moment also shows that God’s greatest gifts often arrive quietly. No crowds, no trumpets, no earthly celebration - just the steady faithfulness of God fulfilling His promise. The manger reminds us that God’s presence transforms even the simplest places into holy ground.
(See: Luke 2 (NKJV))
Shepherds Visit
The shepherds were the first to hear the good news, showing that God delights in revealing Himself to the humble. They were ordinary men doing ordinary work, yet heaven opened above them. The angelic announcement reminds us that the gospel is for all people - not just the powerful or the learned, but the everyday person who is willing to listen.
Luke 2:10–11 (NKJV) “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
Their response is equally important. They didn’t delay, question, or analyze - they went “with haste” to see the Savior. Their simple obedience turned them into the first evangelists of the New Testament. Christmas invites us to respond with the same eagerness and joy.
Magi Visit
The Magi represent the nations being drawn to Christ. Guided by a star, they traveled far to worship the newborn King. Their gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh - reveal Jesus’ identity as King, God, and Sacrifice. Their journey shows that true worship requires seeking, honoring, and offering our best to Him.
Matthew 2:11 (NKJV) “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Their visit also reveals that God’s salvation is not limited to Israel alone. From the very beginning, Jesus is recognized by Gentiles, fulfilling God’s promise that all nations would be blessed through Him. Christmas is a global invitation to worship the One who came for all. (See: Matthew 2 (NKJV))
Flight into Egypt
The flight into Egypt shows God’s protective hand over His Son. Joseph obeyed immediately when warned in a dream, and that obedience preserved the life of the Messiah. Even in the earliest days of Jesus’ life, we see spiritual opposition rising - yet God’s plan cannot be stopped. His guidance is always timely, precise, and purposeful.
Matthew 2:13–15 (NKJV) “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”
This moment also fulfills prophecy, showing that nothing in Jesus’ life was accidental. God weaves every detail into His redemptive story. Christmas reminds us that God protects His purposes and leads His people even in seasons of sudden change or uncertainty.
Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents
This tragic event reveals the darkness into which Christ was born. Herod’s cruelty shows the brokenness of a world desperate for a Savior. Yet even in sorrow, God’s sovereignty remains. The cries of the mothers in Bethlehem echo the world’s longing for justice, healing, and redemption — all of which are found in Christ.
This passage also reminds us that Jesus came not into a peaceful world, but into a world filled with suffering. Christmas is not sentimental; it is salvation. Christ entered our pain to bring hope, light, and deliverance.
Matthew 2:16–18 (NKJV) “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.’”
Return to Nazareth
The return to Nazareth shows God’s quiet guidance in the ordinary. After the danger had passed, Joseph brought his family back to a humble town where Jesus would grow in wisdom and stature. Nazareth was not prestigious, yet it became the place where the Savior lived, learned, and prepared for His ministry.
Matthew 2:19–23 (NKJV) “Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.’ Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’”
This moment teaches us that God often works in the hidden years. Before miracles, teachings, and the cross, there were decades of simple life. Christmas reminds us that God is present not only in dramatic moments but in the steady lifestyles of everyday faithfulness.
Simeon’s Blessing
Simeon represents the faithful who wait with hope. Led by the Spirit, he recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah the moment he saw Him. His words declare that Christ is salvation for all people - a light to the Gentiles and glory to Israel. Simeon’s joy shows that God always keeps His promises, even if the waiting is long.
Luke 2:25–32 (NKJV) “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before
he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.’”
His blessing also reveals the purpose of Christ’s coming: salvation, revelation, and redemption. Simeon saw in the infant Jesus what many would later miss - the fulfillment of God’s covenant love. Christmas invites us to see Christ with the same clarity and thanksgiving.
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the gift of Your coming - for the hope You bring, the peace You give, and the salvation You offer to all. As we reflect on these Scriptures, seal their truth in our hearts. Help us to walk in the same humility, obedience, and faith that marked the lives of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and all who recognized Your glory.
Let the light of Your presence guide us into the days ahead. Strengthen our faith, deepen our thanksgiving, and fill us with the joy of knowing that You are Emmanuel - God with us, now and always. Amen.
May the peace of Christ guard your heart this Christmas season and always.
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What really is "dividing the body of Christ"??
- Christian Philosophy & Ethics
- 47 Replies
I believe the true division is in what the Bible actually says and what people want to impose their own will upon.People use this phrase a lot when there are arguments but for the most part, it looks like people are using it incorrectly, so I thought I'd start off this discussion by expounding on what is, and isn't "dividing the body of Christ".
1. First, let's define the word "dividing".
Dividing means to separate. I mean, that's as plain as it can get lol. If you divide an apple in half, you are cutting into two pieces. It is no longer whole, it is divided.
2. Now, what is the body of Christ?
It's a metaphor used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 to describe the Church as a whole. All believers in Jesus, united under one head of leadership. We can get more nuanced with this but let's just leave it as, anyone who follows Christ in faith. So regardless of denomination, race, or background.
3. Dividing the Body of Christ
So instead of unity (one body) all following Christ, you have division. Examples of this are:
4. So if promoting false doctrine is considered dividing the body, what is NOT dividing the body?
- A) Breaking unity over non-essentials like: "I follow Paul" or "I follow Apollos" (1 Corinthians 3:4).
- B) Promoting False Doctrine (Galatians 5:7-10, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 1:10)
- Gossip or slander (Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 16:28, 2 Corinthians 12:20) But there is a difference between "quarreling" and debate. The motive for quarreling is often pride (James 4:1) and can be over arguments that are "foolish" in nature (Titus 3:9) because the outcome ruins "good hearers" (2 Timothy 2:14 and 2 Timothy 2:23). The Motive for a debate is restoration by correction which can have a fruitful outcome when someone is corrected.
Rebuke: Correcting a person in error by holding them accountable, correcting behavior and correcting scripture. (Matthew 18:15, Luke 17:3, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 5:20, Titus 1:13)
If someone is preaching something false, that's already divided, but debating someone or even getting into a heated debate, isn't dividing, it's actually an attempt at becoming whole again where both people can agree. THAT is unity. So I think people need to be careful that just because 2 people are having an argument/debate, doesn't necessarily mean division, when scripturally speaking its a step towards unity (depending on context of course).
Denominations are already scripturally divided and we should duke it out more often so we can come together in unity of belief instead of attempting to pacify the debate with a chastisement of "dividing the body of Christ" which is only preventing us from actually being whole and keeping us divided with "you interpret it this way, I interpret it this way" and leaving it in that divided state. That's not helping, thats encouraging continued true division.
So within this context, can we stop throwing that phrase around and continue debating so we can become a unified front instead of a fractured one?
Now, within that spirit, feel free to debate me.
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