Going through this covid-19 period can be quite difficult and many people around the world find themselves facing loneliness or despair as they adjust to the new normal. You do not have to be alone...Our Lord was born to welcome everyone to sustenance, joy and abundant life. Come to the Lord's table and feast 24/7. All are welcome!

1. AREYOU LONELY OR LEANING? **INSPIRATIONAL PPT
- CANYOU FEELYOUR Heartbeat?
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2. 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)

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

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

5. 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 calledWonderful, Counsellor,The
mighty God,The everlasting Father, the
Prince of Peace.” Is. 9.6

6. MARY,THEVIRGIN MOTHER OF
JESUS –
SHE LATER BECAMETHE
TEENAGE WIFE OF JOSEPH AND
SAW AN ANGEL PRIORTO
JESUS OUR LORD’S
MIRACULOUS BIRTH WHO SAID,
“THEREFORE, ALSOTHAT HOLY
THING WHICH SHALL BE BORN
OFTHEE SHALL BE CALLEDTHE
SON OF GOD.” LK. 1. 35.
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7. Prophetic ScripturesTo
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
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8. 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.
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9. MARY LEANED ON
G-D, DESPITE HER
PHYSICAL OBSTACLES
INCLUDING LACK OF
SHELTER AFTER A LONG
JOURNEY

10. There was no room on
the first floor in the Inn
for more weary
travelers including
pregnant Mary and
Joseph.
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11. 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.
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12. BiblicalVerses 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

13. The Shepherds as
CredibleWitnesses
• “And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.” Lk. 2.12
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14. THE WISE MEN FOLLOWTHE STAR
(MT. 2.9)
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15. The Manger Represents Sustenance
Part One
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16. THE IMPORTANCE OFTHE LORD’S MANGER AND
“WAYSTO LEAN”
(FOOD FORTHE SOUL) – PARTTWO
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17. 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

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

19. Song:We’ve ComeThis 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 HolyWord
He Never Failed MeYet
Oh, Can’tTurn Around
We've Come this far by Faith

20. 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 NewTestament: Its
Background, Growth & Content, pg.
111.

21. Ways to combat loneliness during this covid-19 period
1. FINDWAYSTO 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. READYOUR FAVORITE BOOKS MORE INCLUDINGTHE BIBLE REGULARLY.
4.WALK AND EXERCISE OFTEN.
5. FINISHTO-DO PROJECTS AT HOME. LEARN NEW ARTS AND CRAFTS OR HOBBIES.

22. 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.

23. 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
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