Special Christmas Blessings
Jesus! The Greatest Missionary
Luke 2:8-11
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The announcement of the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds happened at night. The skies lit up with the Lord’s glory. Place yourself at the scene and imagine the majestic beauty of the angelic presence making the announcement to an awestruck group of shepherds listening in amazement and wonder.
At the time that Jesus lived on earth shepherds were considered unclean as they were surrounded with dirty smelly sheep, and the stench of manure and blood from wounds was a constant.
In our culture today, we see pictures of shepherds dressed up in clean clothes, with a staff and presented in a nativity play that is far from the truth of how shepherds worked and lived and how they were perceived. Nobody thought they were important but they were the first to know that the Saviour, Jesus Christ will be born! Imagine that!! God chose the shepherds to be the first to hear the good news of great joy which was not only for them but for all people!.
Jesus is known as Saviour, Healer, Deliverer, King amongst an infinite number of names and one of them is Shepherd. Ponder on this and may the Holy Spirit expound to you the significance of why He chose to be known as a Shepherd.
The announcement that was made to the shepherds is true for everyone of us today. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have eternal life. Do you believe?
As we close out 2022, let us do so knowing that God has commissioned us to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To GO in the name of Jesus with power, authority and boldness to be a witness for Him to all nations.
I am very grateful and thankful for everyone who has supported the ministry and I pray you will continue to join us in the New Year! May the blessing of the Lord make you to draw closer to Him each day, living out your calling with power and authority, for Christ alone!
Merry Christmas,
Rochelle Soza
Founder
Sound of the Lord Mission
The Prophecy of a Messiah
Prophecy
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”
Isaiah 7:14
Fulfillment:
“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God”
Luke 1:35
At the time this prophecy was spoken by Isaiah, Mary, the mother of Jesus was not born. The fulfillment came over 700 years later.
The same Holy Spirit that spoke through Isaiah, has spoken over you and me.
It amazes me that before we were even conceived in our mother’s womb, God has already declared and decreed certain things that will take shape in our life as we live our lives for His glory.
The Lord told Rachel that two nations are in her womb. Genesis 25:23
The Lord told Jeremiah;
5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
God decided Jeremiah was going to be a prophet. What about you and I? What has He decided about us before the foundation of the earth? Has He ordained you to be a business man/woman? A worship leader? A ministry leader? A writer? A miracle worker? A Pastor/Teacher? A homemaker? A skilled tradesperson? A vocalist? A missionary? Its already written in the heavens, and the Lord doesn’t change His mind because of our flaws and defects.
Sometimes it’s good to look back and take stock of our lives. Does our life today reflect the directive of His Word over us? Or are we in a place like Elijah, when the Lord asked him “What are you doing here Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9
What prophecies have been spoken over you in your hearing that have not materialized yet? What prayers have been prayed over you for healing, deliverance, financial breakthroughs that your eyes haven’t beholden yet?
Mother Mary was not sinless. She was also not the only virgin at that time. Yet because the Father had chosen her specifically, and decreed it before she was born, He also sent a messenger to confirm it to her, after she was born.
Likewise, He has whispered prophecies over you before you were born and it has been spoken over you in your hearing. He is a faithful God. His promise shall not tarry.
Right now I’m sure you and I can think of plenty of valid reasons why those prophecies look like they are set up for failure. Someone else’s words, our own doubtful minds and perceptions may not be conducive to their fulfillment but because we serve a faithful God that watches over His Word, to make it come to pass, surely it shall be so. BUT we must submit to God’s will to experience the fullness of life He has prepared for us.
So, before we step into the new year, let’s reset our thinking, align our hearts, refresh our minds and ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of promises that have been decreed over us, through the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year that will usher in all the promises tangibly, so lovingly spoken over you by the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
In His Service,
Sohani Faria
Director
Sound of the Lord Mission
We invite you to add your offering to ours so it multiplies and empowers us to go further and help more people.
E-transfer to soundofthelordmission@gmail.com
Website https://soundofthelordmission.com/donate/
Cheques in favour of Sound of the Lord Foundation
Mailing address: PO Box 33507 Central City PO Surrey, BC V3T 5R5 Canada
Pre-Authorized Debit – Email soundofthelordmission@gmail.com
We will contact you to set up the pre-authorised debit with our ministry bank account.
Items If you prefer to donate items that we can distribute, please contact us.
Please note that we are registered as a Non-Profit, not a Charity. As such, we cannot provide tax receipts for government refunds at the end of the year.
Thank you!
Be Blessed & Stay Blessed
Let us pray:
- That all believers will actively share the love of Jesus with the community around them especially during Christmas.
- For the children in our communities, nations. The enemy is after young minds in a world that is evil. We MUST pray for children. Pray for the children receiving the Christmas shoeboxes that they and their families will receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour -the Greatest Gift anyone can receive.
- For our families – those who are yet to receive salvation.
- For Volunteers to join us to help with administrative tasks, and to go on outreaches.
- For every person who has received a Gospel, Tract, Bible, Daily Bread booklet, that they will behold Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
- For our ministry team, families, donors, supporters and newsletter connections.
We would love to pray for & with you!
Prayer requests can be emailed to
soundofthelordmission@gmail.com
Redeem the time and maintain a strong prayer life. Stay Blessed!
Rochelle Soza
Founder, Sound of the Lord Mission