Matthew 1:23 (NLT)

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

Isaiah 43:1 (NLT)

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.

Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Galatians 6:2 (NLT)

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Isaiah 43:2-3 (NLT)

2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

Isaiah 41:13-15 (MSG)

Because I, your God,
have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’
“Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
Don’t be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
I’ll help you.
I, God, want to reassure you.
The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I’m transforming you from worm to harrow,
from insect to iron.

John 14:16 (NLT)

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

John 16:7 (NLT)

But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.

Matthew 25:35-40 (NLT)

For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Isaiah 43:4 (NLT)

Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.

Luke 19:1-10 (NLT)

Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

For my personal time with God this week:

[#1] Read Isaiah 7-8, and Matthew 1. Isaiah speaks to the Immanuel who was to come to be “with us,” and Matthew 1 shows the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus. As you read these passages, consider how you need Immanuel to be even more present in your life.
[#2] Read Luke 19:1-10. In this story we see a man who truly needed the gift of presence, and to know that He was valuable and loved even though his actions had not reflected that to others. Can you find yourself in that story? Do you know someone like Zacchaeus, whose heart might be softened by giving him/her some of your attention and friendship?
[#3] Read Isaiah 40-43. As you read how God spoke to His people long ago, consider how He might be speaking to you through those timeless words about your own circumstances in life right now. Mark the verses that seem to speak to you about where you are, and journal or pray about what God is specifically saying to you through those verses.