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Matthew 1:22, 23 - God With Us.

Matthew 1:22, 23 - God With Us.

Matthew 1:22, 23 (NKJV) So all this was done that it might be 
fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall 
call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."  

The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is vital to the truth of the 
gospel (Isa. 7:14). Since Jesus Christ is God, He existed before Mary; 
therefore, He could not have been conceived as are other babies. He was not 
only born, but He "came into the world" (John 18:37). He is both God 
and man, the sinless Lamb of God (1 Pet. 1:19). Matthew opens and 
closes his book with "God with us" (1:23; 28:20). [Chapter by Chapter 
Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe] 

   His Birth in History. "..... that Holy One who is to be born 
will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was born into 
this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came 
into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human 
being the human race can boast of--He is a Being for whom the human 
race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God 
Incarnate--God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest 
and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our 
Lord's birth was an advent--the appearance of God in human form. 
   His Birth in Me. "My little children, for whom I labor in 
birth again until Christ is formed in you ....." (Galatians 4:19). Just 
as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also 
come into me from outside. Have I allowed my personal human life to 
become a "Bethlehem" for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of 
the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth 
totally unlike physical birth. "You must be born again" (John 3:7). This 
is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The 
evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God 
that "Christ is formed" in me. And once "Christ is formed" in me, His 
nature immediately begins to work through me.  
   God Evident in the Flesh. This is what is made so profoundly 
possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus 
Christ. [In His Time; My Utmost For His Highest] 

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

I am God with you, for all time and throughout eternity. Don't 
let the familiarity of that concept numb its impact on your 
consciousness. My perpetual Presence with you can be a continual source of Joy, 
springing up and flowing out in streams of abundant Life. Let your mind 
reverberate with meanings of My Names: Jesus - the Lord saves, and Immanuel 
- God with us. Strive to remain conscious of My Presence even in 
your busiest moments. Talk with Me about whatever delights you, 
whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind. These tiny steps of daily 
discipline, taken one after the other, will keep you close to Me on the path 
of Life. (Mat. 1:21, 23; Acts 2:28) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

   I am ever so near you, hovering over your shoulder, reading 
every thought. People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless, 
but yours are precious to Me. I smile when you think lovingly of Me. 
My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My thoughts. As 
your thinking goes, so goes your entire being.  
   Let Me be your positive Focus. When you look to Me, knowing 
Me as God with you, you experience Joy. This is according to My 
ancient design, when I first crafted man. Modern man seeks his positive 
focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations, acquiring new possessions. 
Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in 
their lives. I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only 
I could fully satisfy it. Delight yourself in Me; let Me become 
the Desire of your heart. (Mat. 1:23; Psa. 37:4) [Jesus Calling by 
Sarah Young] 

Learn to enjoy life more. Relax, remembering that I am God with 
you. I crafted you with enormous capacity, to know Me and enjoy My 
Presence. When My people wear sour faces and walk through their lives with 
resigned rigidity, I am displeased. When you walk through a day with 
childlike delight, savoring every blessing, you proclaim your trust in Me, 
your ever-present Shepherd. The more you focus on My Presence with 
you, the more fully you can enjoy life. Glorify Me through your 
pleasure in Me. Thus you proclaim My Presence to the watching world. 
(Mat. 1:23; John 10:10, 11) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young] 

CLOSING THOUGHT WITH SPECIAL SONG:

   Wow! The Creator came to dwell with His creation. The 
all-knowing One came to teach teachers and students limited by their lack of 
knowledge and understanding. The ever-present One came to comfort hurting 
people stuck in their suffering. The all-powerful One came to serve 
weak people, empowering them with His Spirit. The Almighty sent His 
only son Jesus into the world, fully God and fully man. Yes, the Word 
became flesh! 
   God is with us to face down our fears by faith. God is with 
us in our doubts. God is with us in our hurts, applying His healing 
balm of grace. God is with us in our transitions to grow our trust in 
Him. God is with us at work and at home. God is with us in our 
uncertainty. God is with us when we feel His presence and when we don't feel 
Him near. God is with us in our successes and in our failures. God 
is with us and for us for His glory! 
   "And surely I [Jesus] am with you always, to the very end of 
the age." (Matthew 28:20 NIV) 
   God is with us in our modern technology and our antiquated 
activities. The Lord is with us in our big cities and our small towns. Jesus 
is with us when we feel joy, laughter and loss. Christ is with us 
to comfort us in our pain and encourage us to persevere for Him. He 
is with us in the ups and the downs. He is with us and He is in us 
to work through us! 
   Therefore, because Christ is with you, you can be confident 
of His wisdom and direction. Fools flounder for lack of faith, but 
you have the Faithful One as the facilitator of your circumstances. 
Immanuel entered the earth by birth and entered your heart by new birth. 
Your Savior Jesus has saved you from your sins and your Lord Jesus 
commands you to follow His ways and experience His life. He gave His life 
and came to life for your life! by Boyd Bailey. 
http://www.wisdomhunters.com 

Down from His Glory by Larry Wayne Morbitt; 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHWT3vXA6c