How God Used A Christmas Passage To Show Me His Will Scott Pauley

Posted in

robert-thiemann-VQxI08M_x30-unsplash-768x510

It was Sunday, September 7, 2015. My mind was racing in so many directions. I knew that God was working in my life to show me His will but it still was not clear. After church that afternoon I sat down alone in my study and opened my Bible with no real idea of where I was going to read. I only knew I needed to hear from God.

My Bible opened to the beginning of the New Testament and so I decided to begin in the gospel of Matthew and read until I knew God had spoken to me. Through the genealogy in chapter one. Into the familiar account of the magi following the star in chapter two.

Isn’t it amazing how you can read something hundreds of times and then read it for the first time? God has a way of opening a passage in a definite way when you are living that truth. It isn’t new (because truth is eternal!), but it is fresh. On that day God used the principles found in the story of the wise men following divine leading to teach me the truth of living a “led life.”

You see, I am a planner. Most of us like to think we know where we are going and the best way to get there. Maybe it gives us the illusion that we are actually in charge. But God is not looking for planners; He is searching for followers! HE is the Planner.

There are certain Scriptures that get “assigned” to seasons and are rarely considered outside of those times. The passages regarding the birth of Jesus are a perfect example! For some reason we tend to only visit Bethlehem, follow the shepherds, and consider the Christ child at Christmas time. Yet all of God’s Word is given for our profit at every season (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

And so it was that on a September day God used a passage that I usually only studied in December to help give me direction for the rest of my life. I have never looked at that Scripture the same. Matthew 2:1-12 became one of the mile markers on my journey.

I don’t know where you are along life’s way or what direction you need from the Lord, but I would encourage you to spend some time walking with the wise men. Meditate on these powerful verses. They will show you how to follow the leading of the Lord. The most joyful life of all is the led life!

The final sermon that I preached before going into full time evangelism was from this passage and details six truths God taught me. It is our prayer that God may use it to encourage others.

Click here to watch the full Bible message.

Subscribe to our Youtube channel to watch additional Bible messages.


Discover more from Enjoying the Journey

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Post Author

More from similar topics

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Recent Posts

Putting-off-and-putting-on-2

Putting Off and Putting On

We are releasing four volumes of devotional studies through the Psalms. I am grateful for the overwhelming reception to Roadmap for Life, Volume 1, which examined the Genesis Psalms (Psalms 1-41). Volume 2, the Exodus Psalms, is now available, and we trust it will be an aid to your study of Psalms 42- 72. Because of the devotional nature of these books, I am dedicating each to someone the Lord has used in my life to teach me more about private worship and personal devotion. This new volume is: Dedicated to Eustace Riggs

A Special Dedication

Zacharias and Elisabeth. Share it online, save it for later, or use it as a tool to teach these truths to others. © Enjoying the Journey 2026. Zacharias, as a priest, knew the Old Testament Scriptures well. He would have known Isaiah 40 and Malachi 4, which prophesied of his son’s ministry. He used the Word of God to instill eternal purpose in his boy. Early in the chapter, Zacharias questioned the angel with unbelief. But by the time John was born, Zacharias stood up and spoke in bold faith and praised God (Luke 1:68). Zacharias and Elisabeth likely died before John’s public ministry commenced, yet their influence lived on. John lived in the desert without them, but their instruction rang in his ears.

Bible Biographies: Zacharias and Elisabeth

Social media engagement runs from completely passive to actively committed. That same spectrum is also useful for examining our walk with God. How Engaged Are You?

How Engaged Are You?

4 Comments

  1. Philip Ruark on December 22, 2020 at 10:35 AM

    Thank you brother Pauley for this post. We often lose sight of applying this wonderful passage to everyday living.

  2. Tina on January 9, 2021 at 3:15 PM

    Amazing and refreshing to browse through your sight to be filled with the Lord’s Word through an doctrinally sound evangelist!

    • Scott Pauley on January 11, 2021 at 3:10 PM

      Thank you for your encouragement and prayers.

Leave a Reply