No More Delays

Subject: Following the Guiding Star to Jesus

Dear Beloved in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In this sacred season celebrating the birth of our Savior, let us turn our hearts to the awe-inspiring journey of the Magi from the East—a narrative filled with purposeful seeking, divine guidance, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies.

In the Book of Daniel, we read of delays and spiritual warfare, where angelic messengers faced opposition. However, in the Gospel of Matthew, a profound shift occurs. No more delay. The Magi, wise and watchful, saw the star and actively sought the King of the Jews.

**Daniel 10:12 (ESV):**

"Then he said to me, 'Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.'"

**Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV):**

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'"

Today, as believers, we stand in a season marked by the recognition that delays are no more. The star, a celestial beacon of divine guidance, led the Magi to Jesus. Their intentional journey, prompted by the revelation of the star, underscores the importance of actively seeking the presence of our Savior.

**Matthew 2:9-10 (NIV):**

"After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

The Israelites, though residing in the same land, did not witness the unfolding miracle. The Magi, however, recognized the signs, set out on a purposeful quest, and found themselves in the presence of the newborn King. Their story invites us to reflect on our own journey of faith.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us be like the Magi—attentive to the signs, intentional in our seeking, and responsive to divine guidance. The delays of the past have given way to the manifestation of God's promises.

**Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV):**

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

May the guiding star of Bethlehem inspire us to press forward in faith, to actively seek the presence of Jesus in our lives, and to experience the joy that comes from encountering the King of Kings.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas season filled with the joy, peace, and wonder of our Lord's presence.

In His Love,

JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

Senior Pastor, Revival Center Hesperia