Your word for today: 'The Convictions of Emmanuel'

Apostle Grace Lubega

Matthew 1:23 (KJV) Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us.

Growing up, I heard this persistent question: if there is so much suffering in the world, does God exist?

The devil has sought to alienate many from the reality of the person of God. Every form of affliction, attack, disease and bondage is engineered to disqualify, not just the goodness of God in a “fallen world” but the existence of God in that world.

But our theme scripture says “they shall call his name Emmanuel.” The Greek name Emmanuel means God with us. Who are they?

Jesus was called Emmanuel by those that saw the working of God in Him. The Bible says He went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). When they saw Jesus and what he did, they saw God.

We see this experience repeated in the life of Paul and Barnabas. When Paul commanded a cripple to walk, they of Lycaonia said, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.”(Acts 14:10-11). They did not say “men have come to us in the likeness of gods” rather “gods have come to us in the likeness of men.”

That is the mystery of godliness(1 Timothy 3:16). The living God in human flesh, Christ in us the hope of glory(Colossians 1:27).

With God working through us, we are the comfort to the world that God lives and dwells among men. We are answers to their needs. We are life to those that seek it. We are hope to them that desire it. Praise God!

FURTHER STUDY: 2 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 17:28

GOLDEN NUGGET: We are the comfort to the world that God lives and dwells among men.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you because I am an answer to prayer. When men look at my life, they do not see a great education; they do not see a rich family inheritance; they see God. I am anointed to destroy the works of the enemy. I do good everywhere that I go by the power of the Holy Ghost to the ultimate testimony that indeed you are with us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.