“Share People's Redeemer
Everywhere As Deliverer!" (S.P.R.E.A.D)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
"After
the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and
found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had
been told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what
the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things
and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which
were just as they had been told." (Luke 2:15-20)
Approach
Question: How have you handled a
greatest event in your life?
Interpretations:
I asked myself the significance of the
shepherd's statement,
'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened'
In the Old Testament, we learn that the angels
are
messengers of God! Yet, the shepherds cannot yet fully grasp what is
happening to call the GREATEST EVENT IN HISTORY a THING:
"Let's go to
Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened".
I have a feeling the shepherds could not
completely believe the angels until they saw the baby Jesus themselves.
Without saying, 'let's go
to Bethlehem to see the Savior born or to see Christ the Lord, they say
'let's go see this thing'.
There is a lot to say here because the shepherd's really may not have
grasped the message of the angels in their heart. For all we know, they
could have all been unbelievers without a knowledge of the Old Testament
and prophecy.
This all changed when they chose to obey the angels, hurried
off and saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. They sought after Jesus
and found Jesus. Even as a baby, Jesus
became personal to them now.
In v.17 we read 'when they had seen him, they
spread the word concerning what had been told about this child'.
The event was not a thing anymore to them but the birth of a Savior
became reality to them.
We are told that these shepherds now spread the word concerning what had
been told about this child.
We are not told that they saw the
baby Jesus and went back to their fields, saying "yeah, that's cool, we
have work to do now" but they were engaged in EVANGELISM. This is the
first instance of evangelism by humans that we see here in the New
Testament.
What better persons to promote evangelism for the Kingdom of God than
shepherds who would one day bow down to the Good Shepherd who said,
'I AM the Good Shepherd and I came to lay down my
life for the sheep' (John 10)
What they
saw and heard, they did not keep to themselves
but spread the word.
The cause-and-effect relationship shows the result of the shepherds evangelism is that
'all who heard were amazed.'
The shepherds belief in the Savior and their
actions of spreading the news had ripple effects.
Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life here. When I think about
Christmas, my focus should not be on getting presents or gifts but
spreading CHRISTMAS around for it is CHRIST MAS (Christ to the mass of
people). Christ came to spread Himself around to the mass of humanity.
The shepherds understood that and knew it started with them after the
angel of the Lord had revealed the Good News to them.
It is important for us to realize that 'EVANGELISM' began at Christmas.
The angels news to the shepherds and the shepherds news to the
people had positive ripple effects in so many lives.
I ask you now dear friend, why
S.P.R.E.A.D the Good News of Jesus this Christmas season?
Dear friend, it would be a shame if we celebrate the Christmas season
without having told anyone about the Savior who came into this world to
save the mass of people . That is what CHRISTMAS is about! Christ added
to the mass of people so they can be saved one day.
Let us do the math and we get Christ + Mass = Christmas.
On Christmas Day, if you have not told at least one person that does
not know the Good News offered through Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior, it is not too late. The Christmas season as we know it is coming
to an end but their are still days in this year of 2018 and the New Year
of 2019 is coming.
The tendency of a lot of us can be to leave it to the pastors,
priests, reverends, ministers, missionaries, etc to preach the Gospel
and spread the Good News of the Salvation offered through Christ who
came to 'ransom humanity from the bondage of sin and death'.
But, from the shepherds we learn that they took the initiative within
their own profession and made a huge difference which is evidenced by:
"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been
told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the
shepherds said to them." (Luke 2:18, NIV)
They were not commissioned missionaries, pastors, priests, reverends,
etc but lowly shepherds who went back to their profession with a joyful
mindset after spreading the Good News of the Savior.
"The shepherds returned, glorifying and
praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just
as they had been told." (Luke 2:20, NIV)
Friend, you too can use the profession you are in to make a huge
difference in the lives of those you come across. You do not have to be
an Evangelist like Billy Graham to spread the Good News of Christ to
those who need the Lord for people need the Lord and you can be the One
to show them the Lord.
God used shepherds to lead people to the Good Shepherd.
God used fisherman to fish for the souls of men.
Whether or not the Candy Cane story is true or just a legend, we see
the example of using a person's profession to spread the Good News of
the Savior here:
True story of the Candy Cane (Dramatization to
make the point)
Once upon a time in a land far away, there was an elderly gentleman who
loved children so much and wanted to make them a candy where the message
of the gospel can be presented too.
One Christmas morning, he decided to
give all the children a striped candy. The children loved the candy and
it's taste. However, they wanted to know how come the candy had a weird
shape. This gave the elderly gentleman the opportunity to spread
the gospel.
"You see children, this Christmas day I want
you to remember the birth of the Savior who was born for you and me even
as you eat this candy. Let me tell you the meaning of the candy",
replied the elderly gentleman.
The elderly gentleman started to tell the meaning.
"I made this candy in the shape of a cane to represent the 'staff of a
shepherd'. Jesus is your Good Shepherd and you all are his tender sheep.
The 'staff' is used to lead/pull you all in the right direction if you
go astray.
I coated it completely with a 'white color' to represent
purity. You see Jesus had no sin but was perfect in everything he did.
Each of us did yucky things though and Jesus wanted to forgive us and
deliver us from these yucky things so he came to earth to be our Savior.
I coated the 'white cane' with stripes of 'red color' to represent the
blood
of Jesus washing away all the yucky things we have done and make us
pure. Jesus died for you and me to rescue us from all our yuckiness by
becoming our Savior when we turn to Him and ask Him to forgive us from this yuckiness known as sin.
I also coated it with 'three thin stripes of red'
to represent Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit represented in the Trinity.
Each time, you eat a candy
cane, I wanted you to remember how much God loves you so much that He
sent Jesus as a baby, born during Christmas to become your Savior one
day and later give you His Holy Spirit to live in you and guide you
everyday as He will become your Lord and Master when you ask Him to. He
will be a good master who will love you and take care of you. Also, the
shape of the cane gives you the first letter of the One who will become
the Savior of the world: The letter 'J' for Jesus.
This is the meaning of the candy cane in your hands and the
gospel story." replied the elderly gentleman. Never forget that Jesus is
the reason for the season and my gift of the candy cane to you
represents the Good News of Christ. Amen!
Eating the original candy cane makes it that much more exciting and
special to me because of the meaning behind the candy cane!
This Christmas season no matter what our profession, let us take the time to spread the message of
true love, joy, peace, and hope that can be found only in the Savior.
Christmas can just become a thing to us if we get so bogged down with
our jobs and the duties
we have to do rather than taking the time to understand the true meaning
of Christmas.
My prayer is that each one of you will remember our Lord and Savior
during this Christmas season and spread the love of Jesus Christ the
remaining days of 2018 and in the coming days of 2019!
May you be touched by the Lord's presence and share the Gospel of
Jesus Christ as you yourself bask in the loving Arms of love of our
Savior. We cannot give anything or spread the Good News of Christ unless
we have personally seen and experienced His love in our own life.
We will only be excited to share or spread any news if it makes an
impact in our own life for that is human tendency so may you be impacted
by Jesus Christ in your own life that you cannot keep Jesus to yourself
but have the urge and desire to keep spreading Jesus.
May you all continue to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON and a HAPPY NEW
YEAR!!!
"Share People's Redeemer Everywhere As Deliverer!" (S.P.R.E.A.D)/"Why
S.P.R.E.A.D the Good News of Jesus this
Christmas season?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank you so much your
birth is so special because you were born to a virgin girl who is your
blessed mother Mary, with the purpose to die for me and redeem my life
from the bondage of sin and death one day. Later, you came back to life
to save me. Christmas is a time of
hope because you came
to be our Savior. Thank you so much Jesus! I am sorry Lord when I have become
too preoccupied with getting presents, etc that I fail to sit at your
feet
and spend time with you on your birthday. I am sorry when I do not give
myself completely to you. Lord, we know when we give others gifts, it is
like giving you gifts. Yet, many times we can be bogged down with
presents and miss spreading you around. For that we are
really sorry Lord. I pray we would always remember the reason for this season is your birth. Thank
you
so much Jesus! Please Jesus give us boldness to tell others about you as
the Shepherds did because you have the power to save all of us and be a
light in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you Lord for hearing
us and answering us. I
pray for all those who are suffering this season that you Oh Lord would
send your healing in their lives. Whether they are suffering from a
physical ailment, emotional, psychological, or even a financial
struggle, please Lord be with them and help them experience the joy of
this season. Thank you Lord we can celebrate your birth because you are
Savior now and forever as we give our lives to thee. This Christmas
season we
give ourselves to thee as a present to you. We want to make you really
happy for your birthday and always. Please help us Father God to bring
you happiness. Thank you Lord and thank you Lord for the elderly
gentleman who spread the
Gospel through a candy cane. Thank you Lord that you can use anything
you want for your honor and glory. Use us in our profession to spread
the Good News of your Eternal Salvation and Redemption. Thank you so
much Jesus. We lift all these things to you. In
Your Name We Pray Jesus, thanking you and praising you for everything! Amen!
Lord Jesus,
You are my all in all. You are my Prince of Peace,
Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my Holy Father guiding me through to live a
life of righteousness, holy righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I
need to feel your hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround
me so that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh God you
love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you. When I seek
your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you Jesus so much for
your help no matter what I face, your grace is available and you take my case.
Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN!
(Most of the prayer is from a vineyard song called “All in All”)
Pray the
prayer below or use your own words to invite Jesus Christ into your
life and have a personal relationship with Him. Now is the time of
Salvation. Don't wait.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that
Father God sent you to earth for us, to die for our sin on a rugged
cross where your blood was shed to save us! Then you came back to
life and now sit at the right hand of the Father.
Thank you when
I was sick with soul sickness, you purchased me by your blood which
alone can cleanse me of all my sin and make me your child that I can
belong to. It is my sin that separated
me from God and you became the bridge for me to cross over to God
because of what you did on the cross for me. Thank you so much
Jesus. Even when my sin made me so dirty on the inside and attacks
of Satan have wounded me, you did not abandon me but came for me. I
am never out of your love and never out of your reach. Thank you so
much Jesus.
I do believe Father God for all that Jesus did for me. Jesus, I know
you care for me and laid down your life for me on the cross to give
me new life as you shed your blood for me to wash away all my sins.
Your Blood became the transfusion for those of us wounded by Satan.
I accept the transfusion! Your blood heals all the wounded areas to
give us a new life cleansing us of our sin. Thank you so much Jesus.
I want that new life that you offer so I turn
to you now as a sheep that has gone astray and ask for your
forgiveness of all my sins! Wash me in your precious cleansing
blood. Thank you for washing me in your Blood. Please come dwell in
my heart and save me Jesus. Deliver me Oh Good Shepherd! Thank you
for your free gift of grace! I know you can save me when I turn to
you and ask you to be my Lord and Personal Savior. I want you
to stay with me Jesus in my heart and make my heart your home so I
can always have you as my Lord and Personal Savior who will guide my
path. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and lead me in the
right paths when I go the wrong way so I can be led to green
pastures. I love you Jesus! Thank you for making my heart your home,
for living in me Jesus and I will live for you and serve you the
rest of the days of my life. I acknowledge you Jesus as my Lord and
Personal Savior believing in my heart that God raised you from the
dead. Thank you for coming back to life to save me. Thank you for
being the Lamb of God. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal
Savior and changing me. Thank you for filling me with the Holy
Spirit and I believe you who began a good work in me will finish it
to completion. I give myself to you, all that I am and ask you to
make something of my life. Thank you Jesus so much. Thank you have
heard my prayer and answered me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
You may have felt something, you may
have not, but the important thing to know is that Jesus Christ is in
your life! Don't just go by feelings.
If you have prayed this prayer and meant
it genuinely in your heart, you made one of the most important
decisions in your life. Please let me know as I would like to send
you a free booklet or give it to you in person, to help you in your
daily walk with the Lord. I have read this booklet more than 20
times.
Feel free to email me at
reddy4hisglory@gmail.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
Express Your
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ADVENT DEVOTIONALS:
Luke 2:8-14:
"How do you relate to the S.H.E.P.H.E.R.D.S
this Christmas season?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 27,18, 08:19 a.m.)
Matthew 1:22-23:
"What does I.M.M.A.N.U.E.L mean to you?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 22,18, 07:38 a.m.)
Matthew 1:22-23:
"How can P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y make you believe in
Jesus?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 22,18, 07:34 a.m.)
Matthew 1:21:
"Who are you depending on to S.A.V.E you?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 20,18, 7:38 a.m.)
Matthew 1:21:
"What significance do you give a N.A.M.E in
life?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 18,18, 6:45 a.m.)
Matthew 1:20:
"Why expect a M.I.R.A.C.L.E in your life this Christmas season?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 18,18, 6:45 a.m.)
Matthew 1:20:
"What has a D.R.E.A.M revealed to you?"By
Ramesh C. Reddy
(Dec 17,18, 5:29 a.m.)
PREVIOUS DEVOTIONALS:
A-Z things being thankful to the Lord Jesus
for in Nov 2014 - Nov 2015 By Ramesh
C. Reddy (Nov 24, 2016)
A-Z things being thankful to the Lord Jesus
for in Nov 2014 - Nov 2015 By Ramesh
C. Reddy (Nov 26, 2015)
A-Z things being thankful to the Lord Jesus for
in Nov 2013 - Nov 2014 By Ramesh
C. Reddy (Nov 27, 2014)
A-Z things being thankful to the Lord Jesus for
in Nov 2012 - Nov 2013 By Ramesh
C. Reddy (Nov 28, 2013)
A-Z things being thankful to the Lord Jesus for
in Nov 2011 - Nov 2012 By Ramesh
C. Reddy(Nov 22, 2012)
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By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Sept 08, 18, 10:55 a.m.)
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(Aug 14, 18, 10:58 a.m.)
"How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in
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(Aug 08, 18, 11:46 a.m.)
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(Aug 06, 18, 10:17 a.m.)
"Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you
when you are already a leader?
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(Aug 04, 18, 10:35 a.m.)
"When do you B.L.E.S.S others in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Aug 03, 18, 07:36 a.m.)
"Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead
of a sinner in life?"
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(Aug 02, 18, 08:23 a.m.)
"Who Will You Be A S.L.A.V.E to in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Aug 01, 18, 09:37 a.m.)
"What role does the word R.E.P.E.N.T play in
your life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(April 19, 18, 10:01 a.m.)
"What is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 09, 18, 10:21 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13:
"How Do You Handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N in
life?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 08, 18, 09:57 a.m.)
Mark 1:12-13:
"What determines your G.R.O.W.T.H in the
Lord?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 07, 18, 10:37 a.m.)
Mark 1:10-11:
"Who will you P.R.A.I.S.E publicly today in
life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 06, 18,
10:02 a.m.)
Mark 1:9:
"What will you take a S.T.A.N.D for in life?"
By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 03, 18, 10:39 a.m.)
Mark 1:4-8:
"Who do you P.O.I.N.T to in life?"By Ramesh C. Reddy
(March 03, 18, 10:39 a.m.)
Mark 1:1-4:
"Why bother seriously with P.R.O.P.H.E.C.Y
everyday?" By Ramesh C. Reddy
(Jan 04, 18, 7:19 p.m.)
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