ARE YOU LONELY OR LEANING? **INSPIRATIONAL PPT - CAN YOU FEEL YOUR Heartbeat? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY 

You Are Not Alone… •May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. 1 Kg. 8. 57 (NIV) •I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4.13 (NIV) 

Lesson: Are You Lonely or Leaning? Lk. 2.4-17, Pr. 3.5-6 Lonely – being without company, cut off from others: solitary – Merriam Webster Dictionary 

Lean – to bend or incline so as to rest on something; as to lean against a wall or pillar, etc…(King James Version Dictionary) 

The Book of Isaiah (Foretelling) of Birth of Christ • “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” Is. 9.6 

MARY, THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF JESUS – SHE LATER BECAME THE TEENAGE WIFE OF JOSEPH AND SAW AN ANGEL PRIOR TO JESUS OUR LORD’S MIRACULOUS BIRTH WHO SAID, “THEREFORE, ALSO THAT HOLY THING WHICH SHALL BE BORN OF THEE SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD.” LK. 1. 35. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 

Prophetic Scriptures To Joseph • An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, “Fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Mt. 1.20b-21 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 

Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Taxation) • Mary and Joseph made a 70-mile journey from Nazareth (birthplace of Joseph) to pay taxes. Some researchers say the trip was not necessary, that the trip was not ordered by Roman officials. However, most biblical scholars agree Jesus was born in a manager. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 

MARY LEANED ON G-D, DESPITE HER PHYSICAL OBSTACLES INCLUDING LACK OF SHELTER AFTER A LONG JOURNEY 

There was no room on the first floor in the Inn for more weary travelers including pregnant Mary and Joseph. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 

A trough is a feeding place for farm animals – Mary and Joseph slept on the bottom floor of the inn with the animals and a trough. There Mary found a manger made out of a rock and she put hay in it for the birth of her son, our Lord Jesus. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 

Biblical Verses from Luke on our Lord’s Birth • “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Lk. 2:7 

The Shepherds as Credible Witnesses • “And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” Lk. 2.12 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 

THE WISE MEN FOLLOW THE STAR (MT. 2.9) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 

The Manger Represents Sustenance Part One This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LORD’S MANGER AND “WAYS TO LEAN” (FOOD FOR THE SOUL) – PART TWO This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA 

Characteristics of Mary and Jesus (Ways to Lean on the Lord) Characteristics of Mary Diligent Full of expectation Had faith in the prophetic Careful but obedient Lived with humility •Characteristics of Jesus - Humble - Full of compassion - Unselfish - Devoted to the will of G-d - Had neighborly and community love 

Song: “We’ve Come this Far by Faith (Leaning on the Lord).” (see lyrics) 

Song: We’ve Come This Far by Faith • Written by Albert Goodson and arranged by Mary McDonald. The song was sung beginning in the 1960s in many urban and rural churches. Lyrics of chorus include: We’ve Come this far by Faith Leaning on the Lord Trusting in His Holy Word He Never Failed Me Yet Oh, Can’t Turn Around We've Come this far by Faith 

Quote from N. T. Scholar, the late Bruce Metzger • “Luke depicts particularly what be called Jesus’ humanitarian concern: his deep sympathy for the plight of the poor, the oppressed, and the outcast.” The New Testament: Its Background, Growth & Content, pg. 111. 

Ways to combat loneliness during this covid-19 period 1. FIND WAYS TO SAFELY SOCIALIZE BUT USE SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, ETC. 2. CALL, TEXT, OR MESSAGE WITH AN UPLIFTING NETWORK OR ONLINE COMMUNITY. 3. READ YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS MORE INCLUDING THE BIBLE REGULARLY. 4. WALK AND EXERCISE OFTEN. 5. FINISH TO-DO PROJECTS AT HOME. LEARN NEW ARTS AND CRAFTS OR HOBBIES. 

Lesson Summary • We must remember Jesus’ birth in the manger represents the Bread of Life. Furthermore, it is important to read the Word for power and salvation and to let the Word become a part of your fine dining spiritual experience. Reading the Word is necessary for your total being to thrive and to live and grow inside of you. Come to the spiritual table often, feast on the Word regularly, chew slowly, and get refills often. Ex. The Shepherds delighted and feasted on Jesus’ miraculous birth. 

END OF Lesson: Are You Lonely or Leaning? • BY DELLA SPEARMAN, • ENCOURAGE BELL PROGRAM (heard 12,25,21 on WINB, 2 pm EST) “WHERE INSPIRATION RINGS” • *This lesson is copywritten and cannot be used without permission, Dec 2021 This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC