Wisdom-Trek ©

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 774 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Is Holy – Meditation Monday

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 774 of our trek, and it is time for our segment called Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy.

For some, it may just be a time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices. In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word, and in prayer. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body.

Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next two weeks our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them. As we start this New Year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Today’s attribute is…

God Is Holy

Because God is holy...I will devote myself to Him in purity, worship, and service."Who is like you among the gods, O Lord--glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?" Exodus 15:11.

Our God is holy. His character is perfect in every way. His moral excellence is the absolute standard of integrity and ethical purity. God's supreme holiness infinitely sets Him apart from His creation.

Rather than reflecting the opinions and attitudes of this broken world, you are to reflect the beauty of God's holiness. In order to reflect God's holiness, you must first be made holy. And you can be made holy only by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

As the holiness of God works into the fabric of your being, you will become sensitive to sin and self-centeredness, learning to abhor it as God does. As your life is transformed, you will project the light of His holiness into the darkness of this world.

God's holiness demands your devotion. Where is your heart? Holy living involves a daily decision to surrender to the lordship of Christ.

"But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy," 1 Peter 1:15.

Tomorrow we will continue to discover God’s character exploring that God is all absolute truth. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 773 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 773 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Is Sovereign - Ask Gramps

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 773 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy. Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next three weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

As we start this new year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Yesterday we explored that God knows everything. Today’s attribute is…

God Is Sovereign

Because GOD is sovereign...I will joyfully submit to His will.

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom…" 1 Chronicles 29:11.

Do you feel overwhelmed by circumstances? Be encouraged. Your loving God is still in control, and He is sovereignly directing your life. In fact, difficulties and suffering are tools in God's sovereign hands with which He shapes you into the image of Jesus. Nothing occurs without His divine permission.

God is the sovereign ruler of the universe. There is no higher authority. He is all-powerful, so no one can force Him to do anything against His will. He is present everywhere, so no one can hide from Him or escape His scrutiny. He is all-knowing, so there is nothing about which He is unaware.

God is actively directing His creation on a course that has been charted before the beginning of time. But within the context of His master plan, He gives each person the freedom to choose how he will participate. Will you choose to cooperate with Him?

"God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them," Romans 8:28.

Monday we will continue to discover God’s Character exploring how God is holy. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 772 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 772 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Knows Everything – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 772 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next three weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

As we start this new year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Yesterday we explored that God Is Present Everywhere. Today’s attribute is...

God Knows Everything

Because GOD knows everything...I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns.

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking," James 1:5.

God knows the answers to all of life's questions. Unlike us, God is never surprised or bewildered because He is always completely aware of all events past, present, and future.

He also knows everything about you - your desires, motives, and thoughts. God knows more about you than you will ever know about yourself.

When you face challenges or difficulties, you can be encouraged that God understands what you are going through. He knows about your pressures and problems, and He also knows the purpose for your trials.

Whatever your circumstances, whatever your need, God has the answer. He knows everything about your situation and wants to help you.

Our magnificent Creator God knows everything and is the source of all true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. His knowledge is undefiled by any distortions or wrong perspectives. It is totally true and accurate.

"I know the plans I have for you...They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope," Jeremiah 29:11.  

Tomorrow we will continue to discover God’s character exploring how God is sovereign. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of our past 771 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you in the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 771 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Is Present Everywhere - Wisdom Wednesday

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 771 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next three to four weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

As we start this new year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Yesterday we explored that God is all-powerful. Today’s attribute is…

God Is Present Everywhere

Because GOD is present everywhere...He is always with me.

"Jesus said, 'I am with you always,'" Matthew 28:20.

God's magnificent presence is all we need for any challenge that may come our way. No person or circumstance can ever remove us from the presence of our loving God.

Because God is an infinite Spirit, He is not restricted to being in one location at a time. In fact, we actually have the presence of Almighty God living inside us.

He is always with us, hearing our cries for help. He is always with us, protecting us from danger.

However, often we ignore His presence because we are so preoccupied with our lives. God wants us to "consciously" live in His presence each day. His ever-presence makes it possible for us to be in constant communication with Him and to depend on Him in every situation.

He is always with us, watching what we do. He is our ever-present God, Savior, Lord, and Master - our dearest friend.

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast," Psalm 139:7-10.

Tomorrow we will continue to discover God’s character exploring how God knows everything. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past 770 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 770 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Is All-Powerful – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 770 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next three weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

As we start this new year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Yesterday we explored that God is a Personal Spirit. Today’s attribute is...

God Is All-Powerful

Because GOD is all-powerful...He can help me with anything.

"O Sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you," Jeremiah 32:17.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Our all-powerful Creator who cares for us longs to exhibit His power in our lives.

No matter what you might be facing, God can help you. Nothing is too hard for Him. No need is too great for Him to meet. No problem is too complicated for Him to solve. No foe is too strong for Him to conquer. No prayer is too difficult for Him to answer.

God merely spoke, and the universe sprang into being. But all the power contained in the entire universe is but a drop compared to God's unlimited power.

The Bible promises, "By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope," Ephesians 3:20.

If our hearts and motives are pure and we truly seek to do God's will, then there is nothing too difficult for us as we depend on His strength.

"I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength," Philippians 4:13.

Tomorrow we will continue to discover God’s character exploring God Is all Present Everywhere. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.If you would like to listen to any of the past 769 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Wisdom Wednesday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 769 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

God Is a Personal Spirit – Meditation Monday

This is Day 769 of our trek, and it is time for our new segment called Meditation Monday. Taking time to relax, refocus, and reprioritize our lives is crucial in order to create a living legacy. For some, it may just be a time alone for quiet reflection. Some may utilize structured meditation practices.

In my life meditation includes reading and reflecting on God’s Word and praying. It is a time to renew my mind, refocus on what is most important, and make sure that I am nurturing my soul, mind, and body.

Due to a heavy travel and activity schedule for the next three weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them in advance of this time.  As we start this New Year, I thought it would be good to invest this time discovering God and His key attributes. Today’s attribute is…

God Is a Personal Spirit

Because GOD is a personal Spirit…I will seek intimate fellowship with Him.

"The Lord is a friend to those who reverence him," Psalm 25:14.

Through His infinite love God has provided a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him. It's not about keeping a set of rules or just knowing about Him. It's about having a relationship with the Creator God.

God came down from heaven to live on earth among us. For 33 years human beings could relate to the incarnate God through their senses as they walked and talked with His Son, Jesus.

Then God even destroyed the barrier that separated us from our holy God. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. God also reveals Himself to you through the Bible. The Scriptures tell you what God is like.

God even sent His Holy Spirit to live inside Christians with His presence. We can actually enter into a warm friendship and intimate family relationship with Him. What a gracious offer and awesome privilege!

"If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me," Jeremiah 29:13.

Tomorrow we will continue to discover God’s character exploring that God is all powerful. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 768 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes and Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 768 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Return to Nazareth - Ask Gramps

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 768 of our trek, and it is time for our Philosophy Friday series. Each Friday we will ponder some of the basic truths and mysteries of life and how they can impact us in creating our living legacy.

Due to travel and other events this next month, starting next week the Wisdom-Trek segments may be shorter so that I can pre-schedule them for the next few weeks. Today is our final installment that Gramps is telling of the Christmas story in chronological order.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. This is the final Wisdom-Trek episode of 2017 as we consider the end of what is considered the Christmas story. Just like next week we will begin 2018, the Christmas story was just the beginning of the purpose for which God took on flesh and dwelled alongside us. So today let’s quietly reflect on of the final segment of the very first Christmas.

The Return to Nazareth

We will begin reading Matthew 2:19-23.

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. “Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother.  But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee.  So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”To put the finishing touches on our week of the Christmas story, let’s also look at Luke 2:39-40.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.  There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

For the next three weeks, we will have abbreviated episodes of Wisdom-trek due to our travel and workload. Even though these episodes may be slightly shorter, please continue to encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along on Monday for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 767 daily treks or read the associated journals, they are all available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play, so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you on Monday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 767 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

The Escape to Egypt – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 767 of our trek and time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Due to a heavy travel and activity-filled schedule for the next three weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

Yesterday we continued the telling of the complete Christmas story in chronological order with the Visit of the Wise Men. Today and tomorrow we will be focused on the final two events that took place after Christmas Day.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The entire purpose of our celebration of Christmas is the birth of Christ, and here is the story that we find in God’s Word. So today let us reflect on Matthew 2:13-18.

Today we will read about...

The Escape to Egypt

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

“A cry was heard in Ramah—

weeping and great mourning.

Rachel weeps for her children,

refusing to be comforted,

for they are dead.”

That’s a wrap for today’s portion of the Christmas story. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.  If you would like to listen to any of our past 766 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 766 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Visit of the Wise Men - Wisdom Wednesday

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. Today is Day 766 of our trek, and it is Wisdom Wednesday. Due to heavy travel and an activity-filled schedule for the next three to four weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

Yesterday we continued the telling of the complete Christmas story in chronological order with Presenting Jesus in the Temple. The remainder of this week will be focused on the other events that took place after Christmas Day.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. We should certainly celebrate and worship Christ during the Christmas season, but that worship should extend to every day of the year. So today let us reflect on Matthew 2:1-12.

Today we will read about…

Visit of the Wise Men

· Visitors from the East

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,

are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,

for a ruler will come from you

who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

That concludes the third day of our Christmas Story. Tomorrow will be our fourth day of the Christmas story as we explore the flight to Egypt. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. That will finish our trek for today. If you would like to listen to any of our past 765 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. You can also subscribe to iTunes or Google Play so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 765 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Presenting Jesus in the Temple – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week, wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 765 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. Due to a heavy travel and activity-filled schedule for the next three to four weeks, our Wisdom-Trek episodes will be shorter so that I can pre-record them.

Yesterday we continued the telling of the complete Christmas story in chronological order with the birth of Christ and the shepherds. The remainder of this week will be focused on the events that took place after Christmas day.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. The entire purpose of our celebration of Christmas is the birth of Christ and here is the story that we find in God’s Word. So today let us reflect on Luke 2:21-38.

Today we will read about...

Presenting Jesus in the Temple

· Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.  The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

· The Prophecy of Simeon

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required,  Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,

as you have promised.

I have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared for all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations,

and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

· The Prophecy of Anna

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

That concludes the third day of our Christmas Story. Tomorrow will be our fourth day of the Christmas story as we explore the visit of the Wise Men. Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of the past 764 daily treks or read the daily journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com.