In Touch Daily Devotional 23rd December 2022 By Dr. Charles Stanley, Friday Message
Read In Touch Daily Devotional 23rd December 2022 and be blessed.
TOPIC: The Road to the Manger, and Beyond
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4:1-7
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,
but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.
So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
In Touch Daily Devotional 23rd December 2022 MESSAGE
When looking at a Nativity scene, have you ever thought about what led to that remarkable event? Let’s pause to consider not just Joseph and Mary’s tiring trip to be counted in the census but also the trail blazed through history by God Himself.
The route began in Eden, where blood was first spilled to atone for sin (Genesis 3:21). The temporary solution—animal sacrifice—would suffice until God enacted His permanent plan in the “fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4 ESV). Later, withdrawing protection as Israel turned to false gods, God allowed His own people to be taken captive to Babylon. There, they built synagogues to worship God. When the Babylonians were defeated 70 years later, the Israelites brought home adaptations of Judaism that they’d been practicing. Later, those synagogues hosted men like Paul, who preached and sent letters about the Messiah born in Bethlehem. And today we still use his epistles—and all of Scripture—to lead unbelievers to faith.
Throughout the centuries, some countries erupted into political turmoil and others arose with new ideals. Peoples were displaced and rulers were conquered. Meanwhile God was carving a path to the Holy Land, the perfect cradle for the Messiah. Together, prophecy and history reveal the Lord paved the way from the manger to modern faith, preparing generations to know His Son.
Bible in One Year: 1 Peter 1-5
Reflect: God has been writing our salvation story since the beginning of time.
READ: Joseph Prince Devotional – 23rd December 2022 : It’s All about God’s Love
In Touch Daily Devotional 23 December 2022. He is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, both located in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Stanley’s heart’s desire is to get the gospel to “as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, as clearly as possible, as irresistibly as possible, through the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.